[missy1102]

<p>last year on st. patty's day, i was on my way to the subway station for work at 7:30am and there were people at the bars already. heh.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>continued (( )) to <strong>ann</strong> and <strong>solar</strong>'s dad.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>(((<strong>wipp</strong>))</p>
<p> </p>
<p>that sweater is absolutely beautiful, <strong>kath</strong>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>hooray for skinny <strong>winter</strong>!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>fun: AK has green socks on today! DH and i also have dinner planned in the city with old friends we haven't seen in a while so i'm looking forward to that.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Runninlaw]

<p>Morning! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>I actually slept in this morning - woo hoo!  I am working from home and going for a run soon before I go to DS#2's school for a family lunch.  It is already almost 50 degrees and I can see the daffodils starting to poke out of the ground.  FINALLY!!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Tonight it is just the boys and I, so we will probably make plans for the big St. Patty's day family party we are hosting here on Saturday.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Have a great day!</p>

 

[amichel]

<p>Happy St Paddy's day and March Madness day too.  I have some friends that treat this like a holiday and are live blogging from BW3s all day today and tomorrow.  Should be entertaining to watch </p>
<p> </p>
<p>((<strong>Solar</strong> & Dad & coworkers))</p>
<p><br>
Great news for your dad, <strong>Ann</strong>!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Kath</strong> - love the sweater!  I still need to make a sweater for DD, she's been asking for a year!   MIL asked me to make her <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ten-stitch-blanket" target="_blank">this pattern</a>  I think it looks fun, but it might get boring.  We'll see.   She bought yarn for it already, so all I have to do is find approximately 10 hours of free time</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm forgetting stuff...so ((30s))</p>

 

[phdatc]

i am currently sitting in the cell phone lot at the airport waiting to pick up my mom! So lots of fun for me! <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[BigGahoona]

<p>I need to practice my knitting more.  Perhaps tonight.  I find it amusing that an acupuncture clinic when in next door to the knitting shoppe. Hm. Thursday nights they have knitting groups at the shoppe, maybe I should go.  I am in dire need of some fun. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Venting below, feel free to skip:</p>
<p>We have a court date scheduled for DS's Truancy case.  We'll be in front of a judge on March 28th.  The Social Worker that we met with for Two Hours last night let us know what we could expect and what DS could do to help his case - #1: Go To School.  #2: Go to Counseling.  DS sat like a bump on a log, shrugging his shoulders, giving a lot of "I dunno" answers.  uuuugh. I just want to SHAKE HIM.  And this morning, at 7 AM he informed me that he didn't have any shoes to wear because his were wet.  He said "Well, I put them in the laundry room!" like the laundry fairy would magically know that they were there last night and take care of them for him.  And he refused to consider any alternative footwear.  So he didn't go to school.  I am truly at the end of my rope.  I am desperately afraid that he's going to end up placed outside our home.  And I feel like I have worked too hard at raising and providing for my kids to have him just taken away and I don't really think it's going to help him.  But I don't know what more I can do.  He is refusing to go to school or counseling.  He is driving this train and he is just driving it off the tracks.  He's going to ruin his life over the fact that I moved him away from his friends in Wisconsin. Dad's house isn't a viable option to him because it's not in Schofield, where his friends are.  He's built up this huge fantasy about how great life would be there and is sending the message that nothing is going to make him happy unless I move back to Wisconsin to the same school district so he can go to school with his friends. It's a big stupid selfish ruin your life temper tantrum.</p>
<p>/vent</p>
<p>sorry.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The annoying self talking co-worker is in danger of getting hit with a stapler today.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[amichel]

<p>((BigG)) hopefully the court date will sufficiently scare him.  </p>

 

[clare]

<p>Ugh...I'm so sorry, BG.  This sounds like one big frustration without an easy answer.  I hope this court date makes him begin to see the light.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I'm all decked out for St. Paddys!  I've got green flip flops on, painted my toenails and fingernails green, green pants, tshirt that says "Party til You're Green!", green sparkly beads, shamrock earrings and green braids in my hair.  Stylin'!  We're having a contest at work but I've seen some pretty stiff competition, so I dunno!</p>
<p> </p>

 

[runningINnyc]

<p>Good morning!   And Happy March Madness!!!!!   Wheeeeeee.... one of my most favorite times of the year!!!  J&I are meeting up with some friends at a restaurant (that also has a ton of tvs) so we can avoid the crazy St. Patrick's Day revelers but still catch some of the opening day games.   Kansas doesn't play until tomorrow evening and we'll have a dedicated room in a nearby bar for that, woot!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ann - glad to hear the positive news about dad!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>((((Lora's pop and co-workers))))</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>((((Lori's friend))))</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Kath</strong> - I was singing your praises over the weekend re: the Fools Run mugs, that sweater is another spectacular specimen of your talents!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Winter</strong> - nothing feels as good as skinny pants!!! </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Missy</strong> - where are you all heading to dinner?</p>
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>missy1102</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/73050/st-patricks-day-fun#post_1989198"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>last year on st. patty's day, i was on my way to the subway station for work at 7:30am and there were people at the bars already. heh.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
There were hoards of youngins on my C train this morning, heading to bars along the parade route.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Big G</strong> - I'm so sorry you're continuing to go through this, I hope the court appearance helps.  My little bro went through these shenanigans when in high school, it drove my mom insane and eventually he got his GED and went on to continue his schooling but on his own schedule.  He's fine now with an amazing work ethic but it was very rough going during those years.  Hugs and strength to you!</p>
<p> </p>

 

[bard73]

<p><strong>fun:</strong>  I made Irish soda bread last night to share at work and at chorus rehearsal tonight.  Everyone who has had it so far likes it. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>(((BigG))) </strong> I wish I had advice for you, but I don't.  Back when I worked in foster care, we had just one truancy case.  It turned out well and she was home within 3-4 months, but the dynamics were different in that situation.  The girl in question was not oppositional, she was simply in 5th grade, nearly 6' tall and over 250#.  She was bullied and her parents thought they were doing the best for her by not enforcing school. </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>(((Lori)))</strong> I am so sorry for your friend's loss.  I hope her own health issues improve soon. </p>

 

[Auntie Moe]

<p>Top o' the morning to you, lads and lasses!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evacuation_Day_%28Massachusetts%29" target="_blank">Happy Evacuation Day</a> to you as well!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>((((((((((((((((BG))))))))))))))))) man, that just sorta sucks.   I don't even know what else to say. You're doing everything right. I hope the court date will help him see that he has to make better decisions. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Ann!!! GREAT NEWS!!!!!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>And yey!  skinny butt Michelle!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Hi everyone else.  I know there's more to respond to, but I'm too tired to think!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I had to manhandle a whole chicken carcass out of Penny's throat this morning, with her mouth clamped tightly around my hand.  Awesome way to start my morning...our walk was quickly ended and I returned home so I could wash chicken bits off my hands, jacket and her leash.  <span><img alt="confused1.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused1.gif"></span></p>
<p> </p>

 

[missy1102]

<p>     <strong>bigG</strong>, i'm so, so sorry that you are going through this. tons of strength vibes headed your way. i'm sorry there is no easy solution here.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>     <strong>moe</strong>, WHERE did penny find the chicken carcass?? in the garbage? lying out along the street??</p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>runningINnyc</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/73050/st-patricks-day-fun#post_1989237"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-bottom:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-right:0px solid;"></a><br><p><strong>Missy</strong> - where are you all heading to dinner?</p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br><br>
     we'll be at txikito on 9th btwn 24/25th. looking forward to eating/drinking to my heart's content.. credit card roulette style! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>     headed out to meet DH for lunch and am bringing him a yummy sandwich. oh! and his baby girl, too.  </p>
<p> </p>

 

[missy1102]

<p>one more bit of fun: one of my friends is arriving from SENDAI tomorrow morning! so glad she was able to get the heck out given the latest travel recommendations from the State dept.</p>

 

[Maples]

<p><strong>BigG</strong> I wish your family the best.  You are all in my prayers. </p>

 

[KP]

<p>Geez <strong>BigG</strong>...hope it turns out well.  Maybe it will scare the shit out of him.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Fun:  Seeing Sugarland tonight.  Floor seats.</p>
<p>Not Fun:  First home baseball game today that starts at 4 pm...which means I'll be meeting <strong>Tonya</strong> at the arena.</p>
<p>Not Fun:  First home baseball game today.  Weather forecast is for mid 50s with winds 15-25 mph, in my face.  So it will feel like the upper 40s.  I'll be out there for about 5 hours.</p>

 

[winter]

<p><strong>BigG: </strong> Does DS know that he might be taken out of your care?  Does he realize what that means?   Have you shown him where he will live and who will be taking care of him if this happens?   That would be my course of action.  And I wouldn't try to cushion the facts either.  Make the reprecussions of his apathy hit home.   "This is what your life will be like."  Ask him to imagine his perfect adulthood (as apathetic as he may seem right now, he still has hopes and dreams), then ask him if he thinks he can reach that goal by being a ward of the state. </p>
<p>At the same time, I can't believe that the Truancy case would return a result where they would take him away from you.  You are a stable mother, with a job, with family surrounding you, without the law running after you.  You are respectable in every way.  What could possibly be gained by placing this child, who has a parent that is willing to fight for him, in the hands (and expense) of the State.  WhY would they do that?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>As far as not going to school because he has no shoes to wear...  I know he's probably too big for you to pick him up bodily and bring him to school but.  If I were you, i'd get a man friend to help, get a roll of duck tape, tape DS up and cart him to school.  Sit next to him in class and follow him around through the day.  And anytime anybody asks you why you're there, you tell them.  "I'm here to make sure he goes to school and I'll do this everyday for the rest of the year if I have to."  You'll only have to do it once.  Right now DS thinks you can't make him do anything.  Show him differently.  but make sure he doesn't get hurt in the meantime otherwise he can come back at you for abuse.</p>

 

[gatorbob]

<p>Good lukc, <strong>BigG</strong>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jury duty was very uneventful again.  I sat around, did nothing, and got sent home early.  Good.  And I'm home in time to watch hoops for the rest of the day.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>So I made my Final Four picks.  I put the Gators in there becuase I felt like being a homer, even though I don't think our team is really any good.  I have Ohio State beating Kansas in the final (not going out on much of a limb with those two), and I have Texas as my last FF team.  I don't feel at all confident in that, but oh well.  Frankly, I'll be okay with it as long as anyone but Duke wins.  For two reasons:  1)  I hate Duke.  And 2) I want my Gators to remain the last team to win back-to-back.  So basically, I have one favorite team and 62 second-favorites...  <span id="user_yui_3_3_0_7_130037994174836"><img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_3_0_7_130037994174835" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>
<p>My wife and daughter both made picks as well.  My wife has been with me long enough to have a clue how the game works.  She doesn't know one team from another, but she know enough to know that 16-seeds aren't going win, etc.  Her Final Four is Florida (for me), Ohio State, Uconn and Vanderbilt.  The Vandy pick is a little wacky, but overall that's not too bad. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>My daughter, though, does not have any clue what's going on.  We just asked her who she thought would win each matchup, and she made a pick.  I have no idea how she made the picks, but the Final Four teams she came up with are:  Pitt, Georgia, Missouri, and Virginia Commonwealth.  Okay, good luck with that...  <span id="user_yui_3_3_0_7_130037994174858"><img alt="biggrin.gif" id="user_yui_3_3_0_7_130037994174857" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;"></span></p>
<p> </p>

 

[KP]

<p>beware Duke <strong>boB</strong>, especially if Irving plays, plus the region Florida is in sets them up nicely for a trip to Houston.</p>

 

[Runninlaw]

<p>(((((BigG))))) I agree with everything Winter said.  I wish the counselor had not prepared you both for court - and instead just prepared you.  Court should be scary for him at this point.  Strength and love coming your way!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I had an awesome family lunch with DS#2.  And, as luck 'o the Irish would have it, I was able to see DS#1 too.  Of course he was embarrassed to see mom and dad at school, but we loved it.  It also totally made my day to have one of my GOTR girls (which starts in 2 weeks) coming running up to me with a big smile and hug.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Went home and was a little leprechaun leaving some fun surprises for the boys when they get home.  They know it is me who does it, but they still love it.  I was feeling like I did not have time to run out and get stuff to do it this morning, then I reminded myself that before I know it, they won't care about stuff like this - now is the time to make time.  So I did!  And I feel so happy for it.  </p>
<p> </p>
<p>This afternoon I have a very icky hearing (friend's dad).  Gah.  I feel sick and icky and stressed.  But I need to be there for her.  Thankfully, DH agreed to come with me.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Forgot to mention earlier - Yay <strong>Winter</strong>!  AND Love the sweater <strong>Kath!  Mo</strong> - I have such a funny visual of you and Penny brawling over a chicken carcass.  </p>

 

[Auntie Moe]

<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>missy1102</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/73050/st-patricks-day-fun#post_1989251"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>     <strong>moe</strong>, WHERE did penny find the chicken carcass?? in the garbage? lying out along the street??</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
<p><br>
Yes...it's trash day in my 'hood. A neighbor put out a trash bag, which some other animal ripped open, and pulled out the the carcass.  Penny found it on the sidewalk, next to the bag.  It all happened in seconds, I could hardly get a grip on her mouth before she started swallowing the damn thing.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>

 

[Runninlaw]

<p>Super nice: I recently did some pro bono work for a family who lost their teenage daughter in a car accident.  They just sent me a nice note and gift certificate to a great restaurant.  I felt bad at first (they shouldn't be giving something to <span style="text-decoration:underline;">me</span>!!), but I guess it goes to show what goes around comes around.  I used to have a sign in my kitchen that read:  "All the love you give each away returns to fill your heart each day."  Not the same thing, but definitely related. </p>