Preparing for the school year.

There was court on Tuesday.  I went and saw Kitty's mom for the first time in awhile.  She still looks hallow-faced and sickly.  They ordered a full spectrum hair follicle drug test.  We're still waiting for the results.  The longer it takes, the better for us.

I don't really want to think on any of that.  If it comes back negative then we have nothing until she screws up again.  For her and her kids' sake, I hope she doesn't.  For our and Kitty's sake, I hope she does.

I've got my linens reorganized and pulled out a lot of stuff to donate, so I need to see what's next on the list.  We'll need to go through the kids clothes soon; apparently Kitty has nothing to wear!

We went to the renaissance faire last weekend and Kitty wanted to dress nice.  She we through almost everything she owns.  We made suggestions.  Nothing she wanted to wear fit.  She picked out a sheer ballet skirt over short shorts, which made her look like she was just wearing undies.  We told her no, and there was a TANTRUM.

We haven't had one of those in at least a year.

Murl told her to can it or they would stay home and she wore another skirt under her ballet skirt.  This all took over an hour.  I told Murl that we'd be picking out her school clothes the night before.

I realized, while preparing myself for the school year (in case she's with us) that all the elementary schools wear uniforms.  Thank goodness!  Its more money, but less hassle.  Plus, her mother would have to pay for half, so its not really an issue.

The schools down here also have supply lists that are twice as long.  Sigh.

Wolfie and I are making peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies.  Almost done, then to his nap!

How could a mother...?

I wrote this last night, but couldn't get my words right to finish it.  I'm still not sure what those words are, because I can't wrap my mind around how someone could act the way Kitty's mother does.

I really don't understand it.  How could a mother just... BE the way she is?

Kitty went back to her mom's this morning.  Murl talked to her on the phone and she spent the day playing video games.  Her mother hasn't seen her in over two weeks; you'd think they'd spend some time together!

CPS is involved now because of alleged abuse and neglect.  Kitty's brothers are violent to her and other kids.  The house is apparently full of cat feces.  Her (second!) parole officer is the one who had her arrested for alleged drug use and theft.

I'm watching Wolfie sleeping in his swing (he wouldn't go to bed!) and I can't imagine what must go through her head.  How could you let your sons get as out of control as they are?  How can you steal money and pills from your own mother and neighbors?  How can you not put your kids ahead of your wants/needs?

I understand she's got an addiction.  She needs help, but she obviously hasn't been motivated enough to get it.  For her kid's sake, I really hope this helps, otherwise she might not have her kids anymore.

Just before she left.

Back to court

(I would like to own this picture.)

We've been waiting for Kitty's mother to screw up and we found out today that she did.

Last Wednesday.

No one bothered to tell us.  Our lawyer got an anonymous call today.  Which means we dropped Kitty off on Sunday and her mother hasn't even been home.

So, Murl drove up to pick up Kitty, who is with us now.  Her mother called to say she was released and arrange a time to pick her up tomorrow.  Unfortunately, we'll have to give her back.  But, we're filing to go back to court and this time we'll have some more fuel.

We don't know why she was arrested this time, but its probably drug related.  I can't find any information online, so I guess there's not a newspaper there that publishes these things.  I'm not sure.  I did, however, find an old mugshot of hers, which is hilarious!

Its another waiting game.  I'm hoping this all gets sorted out before school starts!

A Day of Cooking

Today was a cooking day.  I made lasagna, which was tasty.  I also tried making a key lime pie.

Juicing limes take a long time!  So does crushing graham crackers!  It was pretty easy, but I had evaporated milk instead of sweetened condensed, so it was not sweet.  Next time I'll make sure I have the right kind.  I think that with some cool whip it tastes OK.  Murl will probably not eat much, which sucks, because he is the one I made the pie for.

That pie took so much time that I didn't really do anything else.  I'm sad that my plants look so sad.  I don't know if they will be ready to go outside anytime soon.  I need to clear a spot for them anyways.  I meant to clean out Wolf's clothing drawer today, but didn't have time.

We had court today for custody.  They figured out our summer vacation, so I'm just waiting to get that in the mail.  Apparently Kitty's mother had an outburst in the courtroom (about Murl not giving her my phone number), which makes her look bad.  And Kitty's advocate is on our side, which means if the custody evaluator had been on our side we would have gotten custody.  So, now its just a waiting game until she screws up.  Should be soon.


Murl leaves tomorrow after work.  I'm excited for new foods, but I will miss him.  I'll have no one to watch SNL with tomorrow or to cuddle with in bed.  I'll have to let the baby in bed with me.