Summing Up

Computer back in the shop. Back on the slowbie (again grateful yet impatient). Too hard to blog so will bullet point the day.

Better behavior from Squeaker after non-lecture but "this is the way it's gonna be" talk from me last night. Her appearance in our town Christmas parade is at stake so I think I'll get perfect behavior all week.

The Boss is hyper and crazy lately and asking if he can have a "big boy" come live with us. Also asking for a dad. I'll get right on that, son.

Lucky enjoying her new cupboard-under-the-stairs hidey-hole that Ana made for her this week to get away from Squeaker when she's being mean. "There's no such thing as magic!"

After 5+ years since she left, Stickers is ready to come on back home to us now that she is 18.

The agency imploring us to take more kids because the crisis shelter is packed and there are not enough homes. Would need a three-to-a-room waiver to make that possible since it's brother/sister sibs (girl 6 and boy 8--there's The Boss' "big boy") and we only have one room.

Tappy coming this weekend for respite.

The rude dogs keep getting out from under the fence. Why do we have dogs again?

Otherwise, all is calm and all is bright. Very much looking forward to Christmas this year minus the ever ungrateful Drama Boy and Sparky.

A Good Day

Tappy is here for the weekend for respite. Everybody was cheerful and cooperative. Almost everybody did their chores. Ana and I got Guitar Hero World Tour with our birthday money. We blew off cleaning out the garage to play it and to take the kids shopping. Drama Boy and The Boss played together with toys and were both funny and happy today. Squeaker didn't have a problem with anybody all day.

All around a pretty nice day.

Absence of Malice

Drama Boy is gone for the next four days on a parent/child rehab program with Sparky and his mom. Interestingly, the usual underlying unease (unintended use of alliteration) that we are accustomed to living with has been absent since he left last night.

The rest of us went to the new popular eatery in town for cherry limeades and slushes. Lucky was loud in Ana's ear, Squeaker and The Boss wrestled together jostling the table annoyingly, but still it was a fun time out together.

The pleasant atmosphere continued today with happy banter and good-natured kidding at dinner and then later as we made ice cream sundaes. Normal family time for most people, I'm sure, but very unusual for us to have everyone not only enjoying themselves but also the company of one another. Someone mentioned it was fun because Drama Boy wasn't there to kill it. Not a very nice commentary on DB but not far from the truth.

This afternoon Squeaker had some problems on the bus when she "got into it" with an aide and the bus driver. I know I shouldn't lecture but I couln't help a tiny one since she always feels like she has good reasons to be disrespectful and defiant.

For now, we're looking forward to a relaxed weekend. Tappy will come for respite. We'll go to pizza night with our sister's family, a harvest festival in town, and enjoy peace while we have it to enjoy.