Things I am currently juggling:

 -car repairs-my trusty little car had some issues that needed immediate attention. I am so glad I have a step dad that can help me deal with all this stuff!

 -Belle’s never ending social life. Just to give you an idea of how good this kid has it-yesterday she went to tennis lessons, a water park with one set of friends and the Jonas Brother’s concert with another set of friends.  I want her life.

 -working out. I am trying really hard to eat better and work out because my dress for my cousin’s party has been ordered and will be in my hands in about 5 days!!

 -planning yet another party. This party is a surprise party for another family member and let me tell you-planning a surprise party is allot of work!

 In between all of the above, I am working like crazy and trying to keep my sanity in check ( and hmm…that’s not going all that well!)

So my whole “I’m going to blog more” idea did not work out as well as I thought it would. There are several reasons as to why I have been MIA so I will break it down for you guys bullet point style:

• WORK-Yes, my soul sucking job has been kicking my ass lately. I know I should be thankful that I have a steady job and believe me I am but that does not mean I have to love it.
• ADOPTED CHILDREN-What? You didn’t know? I have like 5 adopted children…actually they are my cousins but you would never know that since I am constantly having to be their surrogate mother. For someone who did not even want children– this is quite a role
• PARTY PLANNING-One of my few marketable talents is event planning. I am not all crafty and cutesy but I can plan one hell of an event. My aunt has enlisted my help in planning my cousin’s Quinceanera (basically the Mexican version of a Sweet Sixteen) and let me tell you-this party is going to rock! (More about this later!)
• MY DAUGHTER-this kid has been having one hell of a summer—tennis lessons, swim lessons, countless play dates, trips to the beach, Great America, the aquarium, hikes…I can barely keep with her!  I bitch about it from time to time but the reality is I would not have it any other way. I’m also very very grateful that I am able to give her these experiences.

 I also took a little vacay with my baby last week so that didn’t help much but I’m  back now and resolving to write at least once a week!

I really do….I know how much better I feel after throwing all my thoughts out here and getting them off my chest. How it gives me a chance to think, reflect and get some great insight and advice from some of you.  I have just been so exhausted lately. I mean to the point where I am barely doing anything and even my sleep is being affected.

I am trying very hard to work out because I have two major events in October which will require me to wear some pretty fabulous dresses but damn does it suck!!!! It is sheer vanity that drags my ass out of bed to work out. You would think that at this stage in my life I would work out for things like oh you know..health and what not.  Not me…I need a slinky dress to motivate me!  I swear there are days I question my sanity!!!

Now, that my daughter is done with school (btw…perfect report card and two awards…Yay Belle!!!!) I am committing myself to working out, writing more and making little changes in my life that in the end will be for my greater good. Let’s just hope I can drag my ass out of bed to do this!!!

There are allot of things I thought I would never do-picking my cousin up from jail is one of them.  But that is exactly what I did yesterday. I threw on some clothes, pulled my hair into a messy ponytail and in an effort to save time grabbed my glasses instead of putting on my contacts.  I got there quickly and anxiously waited for him to walk through the big brown door. As I stood there alone my mind was racing and 22 years of memories were running through my head. How did this happen???  He has been through allot-but he has made it and never-not once- has he been alone. His parents have sacrificed to give him a great education, a great life and yet he chose to walk  away from that and straight into a dead end life.

He is a cancer survivor. At 10 he was diagnosed with a rare form on childhood leukemia. He had the best doctors and even then they told us he would be lucky to see 16. We spent years watching him go in and out of the hospital, praying that he would make it through.  When we got the news that his cancer was in remission-it literally seemed like a dream come true.  We have celebrated every milestone with him, knowing full well how lucky he (and we) were to have a second chance at life.

And then something changed-his joy for life turned into a deep anger and resentment. He moved away from home and turned away from everyone. We all tried to reach out but no one could get through. A couple years passed and finally  last month-we had a break through-he moved back home with his parents. He enrolled in school again was looking for a job. We all thought the worst was behind us till I got the call late Saturday night.

I was home with my Grandma, just relaxing on the couch as she knitted a blanket. We were talking and laughing just enjoying our time alone. The rest of the family was at a birthday party which we had opted not to attend. The phone rang and judging by the late hour, I figured someone was calling for a ride home.

As soon as I heard the words “you have a collect call” my blood ran cold, I knew then that no matter who it was calling-it was not a good deal. After briefly speaking with him, I had the awful task of informing his parents. Now I know that is not as dramatic or horrible as telling someone their kid is injured or worse yet dead but still it was a horrible call for me to make and I can only imagine how his parent felt. His mother was understandablyangry and deeply saddened and his father was in equally bad shape.  I quickly jumped into action and started figuring out what to do.  Fortunately we did not have to do much–the next morning they released him without having to post bail. He was handed a court date and a long list of things to do.

 I couldn’t explain the awful feeling of waiting for him outside of jail, the relief I felt when I was able to hug him and then the anger. I told him he was lucky we were right next to the police department if not I would be beating the crap out of him. 

He has a long road away-his ordeal is far from over and I can only hope he has learned his lesson and straightens out his life. I can’t imagine having to go through this again.