I need to vent

So -- the exchange student thing has been a HUGE blessing.

but I have to tell you -- the people who are running the program? Not always very forthright with information -- and willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want.

which seems like a good thing? right?

Not when the corners you cut end up hurting people:

Exhibit A: I was supposed to have Miss M for 5 months.....but I discovered, that she had no idea that this was the case. When family #2 pulled out -- I had to decide if I wanted them to continue to try to find her a new home (which might or might not have been at the same school) or if I wanted to make double the commitment I signed up for.

How do you tell a child that she's going to a new Mom -- and NOT make it feel like it's because you didn't want her?

Exhibit B: Miss J (the BFF) has been living with a single Mom who works nights. I got a message last week from the agency rep saying the 'have to find Miss J a new home -- and do I know someone?'

I asked why

they said "apparently Miss J's been staying home alone 3 or 4 nights a week"

I said, "yeah -- I thought you knew that"

they said, "we thought someone was staying with her or she was staying with you" (bullshit)

I said, "nope -- she stays here one or two nights a month -- tops"

So -- we started the search for a new family -- I love this kid -- she needs to stay here!

so - why do I say "bullshit"?

I asked a few weeks ago if I could go on a business trip and have my parents stay overnight with Miss M....they said, "yes, -- but they would need to be background checked"

so where was the background check on the person who was allegedly staying with Miss J?

So -- Poor Host Mom and Host Sister -- losing their exchange student who they love (they should have been told they couldn't host in the first place)

Poor Miss J -- having to leave her family -- and form a new one (she is staying at the same school)

and shame on the agency reps

We're only 2 months in -- what else is going to come to light?

what a load of crap.

The Airshow is coming

The Airshow is this weekend -- yes -- Halloween weekend.

and before you think -- really, Gina? -- you don't seem to be the airshow type.

I'm not.

The Airshow is a royal pain in the ass.

The MFing Blue Angels have been flying over the DC all week -- blocking traffic which makes my 2 mile commute a 16 mile commute around the closed roads -- oh -- at 20 mph.

They're so loud you have to stop talking on the phone -- and they pass over my office over and over again.

Miss M and Dad are going tomorrow.

they'll have fun.

I was hoping to go with Mom for a Pedi -- but she's declared she "doesn't need one"

doesn't NEED one?

no one NEEDS a pedi.

sigh

it's like she was raised by wolves.

(Love you Mom!)

There's the exchange student halloween party on Sunday -- Miss M is going as a bunny in a dress she already owned and some bunny ears that I got at the sample sale.

Used clothes were NOT considered.

My costume was made out of duct tape -- and I'm pretty damned proud of it -- particularly my duct tape ruffle!

sorry for the blurry photo -- best I could do with the phone of myself -- I wore it all day for the party -- it was fun -- the associates loved it

Happy Halloween!!!!

(PS - NO -- that is not my hair -- that's a horrible drag-queen doll-hair wig -- Thank God I'm a brunette!!!)

Mum's the word

Texas is weird

They have this Mum thing for Homecoming

I've made one for Em -- shhhhhhhh it's a surprise

I can't believe it

Miss M is totally using contractions!

It's a banner day!

I didn't think this day would ever come

I missed you apostraphe!!!!!!

Shock and Horror

We're headed to CCA today

The Kiddo needs a costume for Halloween and I have some ideas

I told her we would go to CCA to buy some 'used clothes'

She looked at me as if I had offered to smear dung in her hair

"I could not do that"

"Sure you can -- everyone does it -- I've bought many things there"

"USED clothes????"

"Yup -- it's halloween"

"Nooooooo"

"It'll be fun - you'll see"

This should be interesting

Denied

We didn't get the 2nd student

and we're not going to the school district won't admit any more students

so it's just the 2 of us.

and it'll be fine.

***********************

Miss M is getting a little bit recalcitrant -- right on schedule -- as predicted by the program

I'll get her back on track with her chores

She has slept round the clock today -- and it's hard to tell if it's depression or teen sleeping.

I guess one night is "teen sleeping" and several night is depression.

We'll see

it's hard to be away from your life for so long