Mail Call . . . Bunk 5!!

You know - when I was little I used to love getting the mail. The excitement of seeing if there was anything with your name on it. These days - not so much - the items with my name on it are usually bills and the items with L's name on it are just trouble/drama.

Tonight the mail held yet another letter addressed to her from the Washington State Dept of Licensing. When these come with my name on it it's usually to remind me to renew my license or tabs - when they come for L it usually means she's gotten in trouble yet again. Now - I don't know if this notification is related to the one that was received last week or if this is a whole nother batch of trouble. It is letting her know that on 11-09-09 at 12:01 am her driving privilege will be suspended - must be related to the same issue because that's the same date and time as the last notification. This one is because the court was notified that she failed to respond, appear, pay, or comply with the terms of the citation below. The citation was listed as being dated 07-30-2009 and the Reason for Citation is listed as TITLE 46 VIOLATION - I tried googling this and just got a bunch of legal mumbo jumbo speak and couldn't figure out what it was for. The citation says for her to contact the Issaquah Courts - so i'm not sure what this one is for. My options are (and it is so sad that there are multiple options)

• This is related to the DUI that was referenced in the notice received last week.
• This is related to the ticket she got back in Mar/April - that was then assigned a court date that she didn't show up for.
• This is a whole different issue and has nothing to do with the first two items.

She has had her drivers license for less than 2 years now and has had more citations than me - knock on wood - in fact - I've been driving for 29 years and I have never gotten a ticket - KNOCK ON WOOD!!

I guess this is all a moot point right now considering she sold her car for $100!! She won't be driving anything for awhile.

De

A Week Has Gone By

Wow - I just realized I haven't blogged in a week! Wish I could say that I was just too busy doing so many exciting things but . . . . . . . that's not the case. I've just been working and hanging out with Muppet. But - It has been a week so there are probably a few things I could write about.

L -

• Her car died last Thursday. Some guy who helped her push it off the road said that her water pump and fan belt were broken and that it would probably cost at least $1K to fix it. I told her to call her Bepa and see if this is something he could help her fix if she was able to buy the parts. Well . . . that would have taken planning and effort so what did she do . . . . . sold it to a guy for $100 and he towed it away. Yup . . . . $100!!
• She called me Saturday night at 1145 crying saying she couldn't take living with Justin anymore. Not sure what I can do - and she no longer has a car so she can't just leave and go to a friends. She kept saying she was sorry and that she never meant for any of this to happen.
• Didn't hear from her again until Tuesday when she called me at work to look up a bus schedule for her. While I was doing that she told me she had just bought a brand new pair of shoes . . . . . . the $100 didn't last very long. Haven't heard form her since.

Sports

• Fantasy Football has been interesting so far. Everyone in our league is 1-1. I lost the first weekend - my opponent had Tom Brady as his QB and dang it . . . he decides to pick up his play at the end of the 4th Qtr which gave Gail enough points to pass me and win. Last weekend I won. I had a 70 point cushion going in to the Monday night game. Josh had Peyton Manning and a WR in Monday's game but they couldn't gain on me. This weekend my opponent is Krystina's team.
• Those damn Huskies!!!!! WTH!!! I found myself torn while watching the game. I wanted USC to be taken down but . .gosh darn it . . . . did it have to be the Huskies. At least the Cougs won their game too . . . OT!! Means we won't be the worst team ever in Pac 10 history . . . Huskies still hold that record!!

Entertainment

• I went to Wicked last night at the Paramount Theater. I have been so looking forward to this musical for so long. Everyone has been saying how amazing it was and that they had to download the soundtrack as soon as they got home. I'm not sure if it was because they had built it up so much or if it was because I had read the book and knew the story but . . . I wasn't overwhelmed by it. I mean . . it was good . . .don't get me wrong . . .it's just . . .just . . that it wasn't over the top great!! Of the musicals I have seen in the last year with Lyd I would have to put them in this order 1. Mamma Mia 2. Avenue Q 3. Wicked 4. The Lion King.
• Fall TV Season is here. Most of the shows I like are premiering this week. I am watching Grey's Anatomy right now. As like last year . . . all my shows seem to be on the same days! They are all bunched together on Mondays and Thursdays. I have a DVR but it only records 2 programs at a time. Tough decisions to be made! lol :P

Muppet

• She is good. She had a cluster seizure about 2 weeks ago but nothing since. ::knock on wood:: She is on different food now too and she seems to be more playful! I love her dancing and in the morning she bounces to the door!!

Well - I think I'm all caught up. This weekend I will watch the Cougs play the very pissed of Trojans of USC! Yup - we get to play them on their home field the weekend after the Huskies embarrassed them. Fun Fun!

De

One More Thing

I'm not exactly sure how to start this one - I don't think I'm surprised - not really mad as hell - I think the best word to describe this is exasperated.

Reminder - a few weeks ago I made the decision to pay for the towing charge on L's car. She said it had been parked in front of a friends house in Kirkland when it got towed - she needed the car - could I please help her out. A few days after that the towing notice came in the mail and it stated that the car had been picked up at 85th and I405 - don't think there are any houses on I405. I didn't say anything to her about it - I was just confused as to why she would lie about something like that - just really weird - placed it in the file in my mind under unexplained L things in my mind.

This evening Muppet and I went on a short walk to the mail box. In the mail was an envelope addressed to L from the State of Washington Department of Licensing. Good grief - what now! I opened it and was just dumbfounded - brain just kinda couldn't grasp what I was reading. It was an Order of Suspension. This is what the first paragraph stated - Your driving privilege will be suspended for 90 days on November 04, 2009, at 12:01 a.m., for driving under the influence of alcohol or any drug. WTH!! She was pulled over for DUI! I called her and when she answered I asked her - When were you pulled over for DUI? - What?!? - When were you pulled over for DUI? - I don't know. - You don't remember being pulled over? - I don't remember the exact date. I then told her she had received a letter stating that her license was being suspended. Her response was an attitude of - whatever. She told me she would come by at some point to pick up the letter but she wasn't in the mood to talk about it. She denied that it happened on the night her car was towed - I don't believe that. It makes sense that the cops would have had it towed away from the freeway if she had been pulled over for DUI.

So - uh - yeah - not exactly sure what to say. I think my brain is just numb to learning anything more about L. It's been quite the month for new information about her. I think my brain is full now.

De

Mind Your Ps and Qs!

What has happened to having good manners these days? It seems that as the economy goes down so does the way we treat other people. The most notorious incidents over the past few weeks would be when Rep Joe Wilson yelled out “You Lie” during President Obama’s speech and when Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech at the VMA’s – pretty much saying that she didn’t deserve the award it should have gone to Beyonce’. Have people just lost the ability to filter their thoughts before they speak? Do they just not care? Is it because in this “Reality Show” world the people who say outrageous things and act like jerks are the ones who get the most attention?

I just don’t get how certain people feel it is ok to not follow rules of society. Do we need to pass a law that says – You can not interrupt a Presidential speech by yelling out You Lie in the middle of it. There are certain unwritten rules about giving someone the respect their position calls for and having a sense of decorum and decency when you are an elected representative. How is it that this person thought it was ok to do that? Yes – he apologized afterwards – but all anyone was talking about the next day was his outburst and not the important issues of the Health Care Reform. If Rep Joe Wilson didn’t agree with something the President said he should have issued a statement after the speech stating what he disagreed with, why he thought it was untrue, and get a dialogue going. But no – he just yells out his opinion!! Then – almost a week later – what was The House of Representatives talking about – was it Health Care Reform, trying to get this economy back on track – Oh No – they spent 2 Hours debating and voting on whether they officially disapprove of Rep Wilson. 2 Frickin Hours to officially let him know they are not happy with him and give him a slap on the wrist. Absolutely ridiculous and a waste of my taxes!

Then there is the whole issue with Kanye West. I think this is a matter of certain people feeling like they are entitled to do whatever they feel like. They don’t need to care about anyone else. They can just do whatever they want. What he did at the VMA’s – running up on stage and grabbing the mic from Taylor Swift to say that Beyonce’ had the best video of the year! Apparently not Kanye!! If the people thought her video was the best she would have won!! The people like an artist who has true talent and humility! She doesn’t go around expecting everyone to bow down to her. She is truly talented and appreciates everything that she has worked hard for. Kanye – you can’t even sing!!!! WTH is the matter with you!! You don’t just interrupt someone because you don’t agree – your opinion is not the only one that matters and honestly – We Don’t Care what you think!! Some people have suggested that this was all a ploy to get good ratings for Jay Leno’s new show that was premiering the next night and Kanye was scheduled to appear. If that is true – then what is the matter with all those people – they think it is ok to ruin one person’s moment in order to get ratings for someone else. I just felt so bad for Taylor – whom I Love!!

In the world today we need to be treating people with respect and acting in a dignified manner. It is not OK to go around saying and doing whatever you want. So – Kanye – Get Over Yourself!! Rep Joe Wilson – Learn to keep your mouth shut!! House of Representatives – Spend your time debating and voting on important issues!!

De

Heard Not Seen?

There is a new phenomenon (can you read the word phenomenon and not hear the song from the Muppet Show!) - watching radio!

It started with the Jackie and Bender morning show about a year ago. They brought in a couple little webcams and started webcasting simultaneously with their radio show. At first it seemed really weird - to be watching the people that have entertained me in the mornings on the radio for so long. The best part - seeing what they do when the songs and/or commercials are playing! It was like being a fly on the wall!! After awhile they upgraded the cameras they were using and brought in Ben in the Back of the Room to run the cameras. As this was a new thing they weren't allowed to stream the commercials over the webcast so Ben created mixes for us to listen to. Now - Jackie and Bender are in a new building/studio - the cameras are much better - and they also are on UStream with small webcams and you can listen to what they talk about when they are not on the air.

They do say imitation is the best form of flattery - other radio stations must really like Jackie and Bender! I know of 3 shows that have started doing the same thing.

In Seattle - local talk show hosts Dori Monson and The Ron and Don Show have started using UStream and webcams so you can watch their radio programs. Ever wonder why they say - you have a face for radio - watch these guys!! Of the 2 I enjoy watching Dori the most - he actually interacts a little with his webcast audience. Ron and Don - not so much. Although - their tech guy Sean was very entertaining a couple weeks ago - you can only see the back/top of his head - he started out wearing a wizard hat - tall, purple, white stars. Then - he took off the hat - was running the board - and a hand puppet came into the scene - started tapping him on the head - and they had a little fight - picture Punch and Judy! (If you don't get the reference you are really young which is better than saying if you do get the reference you are really old!)

In Dallas - the Kidd Kraddick in the Morning show is also using UStream. The one different thing I like about theirs is that you can replay it - which works well for this fan who is 2 hours behind them - otherwise I would have to get up at 4 to see and listen to them!

I'm enjoying this new trend.

De

I Got Sucked In

Woke up at 730 this morning - I fell asleep with the TV on and tuned to Showtime. So - when I woke up I turned up the volume so I could see what movie was showing. I got sucked into one of the worst B Movies!! Komodo vs Cobra!! It was like watching a car crash - it was so bad but I couldn't turn away. Signs that this was a bad movie

• The person playing the female lead - I am reluctant to call her an actress - Jerri Manthey from Survivor!!
• One of the characters was running around with a backpack on - not a small one but one you would wear if you were going on an overnight hike - and you could tell there was nothing in it! So low budget they couldn't even stuff it with paper to make it look like there was stuff in it.
• They had guns with never ending ammunition - not once did they have to reload!
• The "acting" was awful!!

That is an hour of my Sunday I will never get back!

De

Stress Relief

Tired - Overwhelmed - Stressed . . . . . . . Hmmm . . . . what can I do to help relieve some of this . . . . . I know . . . . I'll bake!! Yup - baking banana bread tonight! I can smell it baking - love the smell of fresh baked goods. It helped relieve some stress - but not all of it - I may need to bake something more tomorrow night. Maybe bake some cookies for the football game on Saturday.

L called me this afternoon - her phone ran out of minutes - said she was talking to people about jobs and needed to be able to use her phone. Yup - I added some minutes. See - I am definitely stressed and tired - no energy left to fight about this kinda stuff. I talked to Lisa about this stuff yesterday. She agrees that L might be bipolar but she needs to see a psychiatrist to get a definite diagnosis. She said it's hard to separate what might be a chemical imbalance and what might be caused by the drugs.

Let's end this one on a relaxing note. Take a look at this picture - take deep breaths - hear the sound of the water rushing over the rocks and falling down to the river below.

De

Get Control Of Myself

I need to work on not letting L's drama affect me so much. 3-Day weekend was spent mostly trying to recoup from being stressed - pretty much was a couch potato. Not how I had planned on spending my long weekend. I could blame it all on L but I know I need to learn to control how I react to her and how I let her get to me.

I am feeling very rundown today - not sure if it's form doing nothing over the weekend, stress, or lack of vitamins. I think I am going to start taking vitamins tomorrow. Muppet and I need to get back to walking too - see if that helps with energy level. Luckily there are only 3 days left in this week!

Cougar game in Seattle on Saturday!!! Seattle/Qwest Field will become Cougar Country!! I am so glad football season is here!

Heading to bed now to try and get rid of this headache.

De

OMG! WTH!

The last 36 hours have been so stressful and unbelievable - well, should I even say unbelievable - nothing should really surprise me anymore.

It all started with a phone call yesterday - no . . not from L - it was from Justin's Mom - Kim!! OMG WTH! She started the conversation with - I need to talk to you about L - my first thought was what did she do now. Well - Kim was calling me to tell me how L and Justin were fighting again, she didn't know what to do about them, they were loud and she didn't want to get evicted but she couldn't just kick L out. I said - Why not?! Kim - She's just a little girl! I can't put a little girl out on the streets. I can't kick out my own kids and they're older than L. I just can't do that. Me - She can't come back here. She's always found a place to stay before. Kim - As a Mom I just can't see how a parent can kick out their own child. Me - L may be very sweet and like a little girl at your place but that is not the L I know. That L has put me through Hell and I can't have her back in my house. Kim - well, OK, I, I, I just don't know what to do. Oh - and did I say that this call came through on my work phone! Only L could have given her that number. OMG! WTH!

Quite a few calls today from L. She says Justin hit her last night and that she had to leave. She was now in Kirkland - had hooked up with her friend Phil. While she was there her car was towed - she didn't have a change of clothes - how was she supposed to get to her interview at LA Fitness in half an hour. I asked - what was I supposed to do - I am at work trying to close out the month. I ended up doing a bad, bad, thing - I bailed out her car. I know, I know, I shouldn't have done it.

Next set of calls started at around 200 - she had to leave Justin's - had nowhere to go - can't she just come stay at my place tonight. Me - No! I bailed out your car today and I'm not doing more. She's going to have to figure this one out on her own. This was followed by multiple calls - lots of tears and begging. I stood my ground on this one. I just think - that like a mold - if you let her into your house you'll never get rid of her.

This all had left me drained - working hard all week to close in 4 days instead of 5 so we could have Labor Day Weekend - then L Drama - way too much. After work the Finance team went out for Happy Hour - I rode the bus which meant I could partake in the drinkage!! While there - L called - she was going to stay at Justin's again tonight - he promised to leave her alone and she promised to keep her mouth shut.

Then I get home - to a voicemail - from L's friend Kelley - Could I please call her when I got this she wanted to talk to me about L!! OMG! WTH! I called her back. She wanted to know if I had heard Justin hit L last night - did I know what was going on there - she was scared for L - but L can't stay with her because her Mom doesn't trust L (basically how I feel). I told Kelley that L had to work this out on her own - she can't stay here. She wanted to know why? I just told her that I didn't trust L - she had pulled too much crap - and I was no longer going to enable her. Kelley said OK, I told L I would talk to you but I understand. OMG!! WTH!!

I am just so so so tired - so so so drained!! Someone at work suggested I change my phone number!!

Well - I do get a 3 Day weekend. My plans, that I posted on Facebook are as follows:

I think I'll drink, do laundry, drink more, clean out the closets, drink a "titch" more, paint the awful lime green walls in the spare room, stumble to kitchen to make another drink, then decide to "drunk dial" ...all my peeps, take some aspirin and try to find my bedroom!

Last weekend I went to QFC to look for a new beer - Sessions. They didn't have it in a 6-Pack only in a 12-Pack. I thought that 12 was probably just too much to have in the fridge. Hmmmm . . . . . now I am wondering if 12 will be enough!!

De

And The Award For Meanest Mom Goes To . . . . . . . . .

ME!!! Thank you , Thank you , so much! It was such an honor to be in this category with all the other nominees - Octomom, Kate Gosselin, Joan Crawford, and The Old Woman in the Shoe! They all have brought honor to this title! But I feel I have worked especially hard this past year to earn this award. It's been tough going - there have been moments of niceness and understanding over the past few months - but I am overcoming that weakness!

L called me tonight in tears - sobbing her heart out - saying that Justin had hit her. Now - seeing as she had used this one a couple weeks ago and was able to play on my niceness and get into the house for the weekend I was a little skeptical about what was going on. I heard her side of the story and then I asked her to put Justin on the phone and I got his side of the story. Basically - it was more brother sister squabble than domestic abuse. While I had Justin on the phone we had a chance to talk about what's been going on with them. Pretty much - he is in the same place I am. He doesn't trust her - he's tired of the lying - he's tired of the drugs - just wants her out of his house. I asked him if he knew why she was asked to leave the last time and he said he knew about the stolen credit card. He said that was one of the things she lied about - she actually had him use my card to make some purchases - she told him that I let her borrow my card all the time and that it was no big deal. Then he decided it was time to give me some information that he had been holding on to - said he had kept it to himself and had used it to try and keep L under control by telling her that she was going to let either myself or her Dad know what was really going on. Per Justin - L had gotten in to IV Drug use - heroin. She was using it with Jessica - the gal that got her the job at Mongolian Grill and one of the many guys she knows. He said that she had been having sex with guys when she got high - even though she was in a relationship with him. He said he has seen track marks on her. He doesn't know if she's still doing the drugs or not. According to him, Amber told L she had to leave the apartment because Amber found needles in some of her stuff.

I got L back on the phone - she turned on the waterworks again - wanted to know what time I was going to work in the morning - could she just stay with me tonight. She doesn't want to be in this situation anymore - she is going to stop doing all that stuff (don't think she heard Justin telling about the Heroin) - wants to get things back on track - she has a job interview on Friday. I said . . . . . . . NO! She asked why - I told her I didn't need to tell her why I just had to give her an answer and it was NO! She asked why I was sounding mad at her - told her I was just frustrated with the whole situation and that I felt she should be working on trying to find a place to stay instead of talking with me because there really wasn't anything more I could do for her. She said fine - I won't ever call you again when there's something wrong - I'll never talk to you - I'll never bother you again . . . . . . . and then the hang up!

This is what made me the winner tonight!!! I would like to thank L for giving me so many opportunities to show just how mean I can be and for all the practice over the last year in saying NO! Over the past few months it has just gotten so much easier to stand my ground. I couldn't have done it without her.

Again - Thank you very much and God Bless!

De

*****L called around 11 pm and confirmed the Heroin usage last night******