What HAVE I Been Up To?

Niki has come back home, and while we're very glad to have her home, we also know it may not last. For some reason, it does feel a little better this time, so I'm praying this is final. She's making some good decisions about the people she hangs out with, and many of them on her own, so we're cautiously optimistic. More optimistic than not, though. But cautious.

We did get some bad news from the school--she won't graduate with her class this year, there have been too many absences and she can't possibly catch up so quickly. So....John and I are taking it in stride and told Niki she could go back for a semester in the Fall. She didn't like it, but she also accepts that this is a consequece of her decisions. So....if she chooses not to do that, she'll get her GED and start community college in the Fall. We told her from that point, so long as she makes good choices and keeps her grades up, she can still do just about anything she wants to do with her life. Of all the things we've been scared silly about these past three months, that really is the least of our worries--she can overcome that. She'll always regret it, but again, that's a consequence.

She's in the kitchen making cookies for Valentines Day (Happy VDay, btw), something she hasn't done in ages (baking). And she actually asked to come to church with us tonight--and I love how my true friends, the family that loves her dearly, welcomed her back again with hugs. I have a few friends who, for some reason, don't seem happy she's turning around, but I figure that's not my problem. Life probably isn't going so great for people like that and honestly, I'm just not able to care about their meanie people issues as much as I used to. One of the things I've learned through this process is that I don't have time to get worked up about things I can't change, and that's an example of that. Be devastated when your child is failing and she's your biggest cheerleader. See your child turning around and she's throwing her pom poms in the corner. But what surprised me most is that while I noted it and while I'm taking time to write this, I'm not terribly worked up about it. Now that revelation feels good, in a detached sort of way!

Anyway....tomorrow I take Alex to the movies. He doesn't want to go to school, but he wants the Valentine's party. So we decided cupcakes and a movie would be the next best thing. Niki's going to collect job applications and Cody has a job interview. He's very nervous, say a prayer for him if you think of it. He's interviewing with a regional pool management company to lifeguard the area pools. He hopes to get on at the Parks and Rec pools as well as some of the neighborhood pools, possibly ours. They'll certify him as well--but he lives in the water, that shouldn't be a problem. I'll let you know.

I've been busy in the mornings doing a strict workout program at a local spa, I'll tell you all about it in a few days. You'll probably think I'm whack. But hey, results, baby, so really do.not.care. I've lost two inches in my waist, on around my hips and one one each thigh. AND.....I'm feeling amazingly energized and I actually think I'll supplement that with a workout on my rowing machine now. It's not a lot of progress, but for two weeks, I have a little hope those old capris and shorts just might fit mid-Spring. Curious, aren't ya? No worries, I'm going to tell you, just...not....tonight! Muahahahahahaha!

PS--I love remixes of my favorite songs....it kinda gives me an excuse to be my retro self!