Fragments The Day Before The Day Before

It's been a whirlwind week much like everyone else's, I'm sure.

Bobby hosted the Holiday Gathering of his older sisters at our house this year. Although there wasn't much gathering. His eldest sister is married and a US Marine stationed in a mid Atlantic state and is expecting her first child in two weeks. His middle older sister, 18, did not come, did not return phone calls and did not return texts. Very, very sad. His youngest older sister is only 15 and doesn't yet drive. So we drove over the hills and far away to the little New England Hamlet she lives in. She lives with an amazing family that over the years have adopted many kids - a great family!!!! She and Bobby had a fabulous time and have made plans to hang out together again in January. 

I found this photo of my son and his sisters a few months ago on an agency website and blog.  It was taken a few years ago so I will assume that all the appropriate permissions were secured then by the appropriate Social Workers and Agency Directors or it wouldn't have been posted there in the first place.  They really are a cute bunch:

The Other Mother and I have had at least 3 date nights this month. Bliss. I so enjoy her company. For several weeks we have had an outing each week - either for work or for one of our foster/adoption groups. It has been nice to step out.

I'm currently hooked on watching Season 3 of Dexter into the wee hours of the am. It probably says something about me as a foster parent that my current favorite show is not SUPER NANNY or MODERN FAMILY - but  DEXTER! Granted, he does have attachment disorder, fakes his emotions and was adopted from foster care - themes I am all too familiar with. He may be a serial killer -but he's a nice serial killer: He has a code of honor and only kills the bad guys... 

Oh - and we named our new dog, Dexter, in honor....Called the The Dog Control Officer this am and he was releived to hear I had changed his name from Brodie (the Dog Officer's name!) to Dexter.  Though I still think Brodie is a lovely name! The vet and we both think he is a BORDER TERRIER and he is settling in fine.  Note the 2 baby gates - he can leap like a gazelle:

James may be with us til Feb or til he graduates high school in four years - sort of depends on which way the wind is blowing or if it is a month with an "r" in it. Still waiting on an eval that will hopefully get him some much needed support services when he returns home to Mom. Yeah. It's gonna take a village. Or two. Maybe a village and a small town and at least one block of a major city...I dunno.

Got the electric bill for my deceased parents' far-away cottage near the seashore: $14.63. I freaked out. It is never lower than 22 - 23 bucks as it is unoccupied. So if the bill is $23 unoccupied - then why is it $14 in the dead of winter in the middle of a serious cold snap????? Ummmmm maybe cuz the furnace isn't working? said my over-active doomsday imagination....Anyhow. After several hours of pacing, imagining burst pipes and frozen water and freaking out I called a neighbor down there who checked and assured me EVERYTHING is fine and the furnace is running great. PHEW.

I've been quietly enjoying our "Little-free" zone since the 4 and 5 year old brothers, affectionately known as "The Littles", moved to their Aunt's home before Thanksgiving.

Still closed for foster placements until mid January. We are enjoying the peace and quiet (OK - relative peace and quiet) with just our two boys at home.

Our adoption plans are also on hold... We are registed with the Division of Family Services as adoptive, foster to adopt and foster in our part of the state. I guess we'll see what happens next.

Chocolate covered pretzels are Satan's work....I have been a good girl taking my vitamins - but washing them down with a handful of chocolate covered pretzels is probably not my best choice.

This afternoon (if I can get my act togther) we are heading to a nearby New England State for a week of rest and relaxation and Christmas splendor with our crew....Internet service is spotty at best, so Merry, Merry Christmas!!!!!!