August 22, 2008 at 4:08 pm (Family)
His name is Jeremy.
He is outgoing, sweet and intelligent.
He is always there with a warm enveloping hug. A kind word. A smile.
He is my younger cousin.
He is an addict.
An addict who I have not heard from or seen in four months.
I am the only family still willing to talk to him, see him, feed him and love him faults and all.
He called Wednesday night from a pay phone in Toronto. I missed the call. I have replayed the message twenty times. “Hey Jo, it’s your favourite cousin Jer. I’ll call tomorrow night.”
He didn’t call and I started to worry. And think the worst. And lose sleep.
Then he called this afternoon.
He’s in rehab. Has been for three months but he didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up. He’s graduating next Friday. His voice is clear and strong. He will be moving to a rehab house and has a job.
And even though I should be packing the boy for school, I will be at his graduation to help him celebrate.
9 Comments
August 22, 2008 at 10:04 am (Family, Stuff)
That’s what my life has become.
A list of what I still need to buy WB to take with him to University on the 30th.
A list of what WG needs before school starts on the 2nd.
A list of “room renovation” supplies as we start decorating WG’s room this weekend.
A grovery list, as I have been living the single life for two weeks. The non existent contents of my fridge will not satisfy the spawn.
A list of what needs to be finished at work, as I am off as of Wednesday for a couple days.
Cripes, even this post looks like a list.
I need help. Rhino, if you’re reading this, get your ass home. I’ve become my mother.
5 Comments
August 14, 2008 at 2:47 pm (Wonder Boy)
Do not, I repeat, do not forget to teach you teenager the most important rule of life before he heads off to University.
DO NOT MIX ALCOHOLS.
Apparently, I neglected to impart that hard earned wisdom on WB.
8 Comments
August 13, 2008 at 8:14 pm (Work)
I had a wonderful post to write about having the opportunity to spend 12 hours with Jen on The Edge, Alison from Party of 3 and their beautiful, delightful families (especially stud muffin Pete and his sharp wit).
Sadly this has been over shadowed by the wanker blatantly waving his belief I am stupid in front of me.
You might remember a couple months back I got the proverbial “pat on the back and screw” during my review. “We love you, yada, yada but there’s no money.”
Fast forward to yesterday when the only other female in the office had her review and was given the cost of living. Not a lot, but something.
Not to ditract from her raise – she’s earned it – but so did I. The only difference? She has a human manager.
Before you ask how I know – I am the Benefits Administrator, among 25 other things – and need to be told when there’s a salary increase, so we can adjust the LTD premiums.
So, I called the owner of the store in our area who has asked me numerous times to not quit before letting him know and we’re getting together for lunch Monday to talk job and money. I wanted to wait this out because I do like my job.
Unfortunately, I can no longer put up with the lack of respect. Honestly had to go for a walk this morning so I didn’t pack up my desk on the spot and leave.
7 Comments
August 4, 2008 at 10:16 pm (Rhino, Stuff, Wonder Boy)
First – I wasn’t looking to hang Rhino out to dry but I was somewhat bummed none of my friends were there. And now he’s in the shit books with 2 of my girlfriends for not being invited. I did have a good time and he was rewarded accordingly 
for going to the trouble of organizing the whole affair.
WB gave me a cute card that went something along the lines of “Another birthday? Jeez! What are you, 31? 32?” Love that boy dearly for shaving 6+ years off. He also bought me a gift card to the local book store.
The week end was busy, what with work, birthday dinners and trying to get as much bought for University today as possible. WB and I managed to spend 3 hours shopping without an argument or me losing my mind. Maybe he is growing up? Or maybe I’m getting too old to care.
We bought a bed in a bag ($50!), 2 pillows, 20 pairs of underwear and socks, 4 shirts, $60 worth of toiletries, a new laptop bag and school supplies. My Visa is more than a little worse for wear.
WG is up north visiting with her Aunt, Uncle and cousins. She will be there for a couple weeks. If I was ever questioning our decision to take custody of her, that all went up in smoke when I opened my email this morning. She had sent me the following:
“Josie, thank you for giving me the best summer of my life. Camp was awesome and I made so many new friends. I can’t wait to move in and paint my room with you. Thank you for loving my dad and accepting me.”
Tears folks.
I hope the men in this house are ready for the shift in hormones.
8 Comments
August 3, 2008 at 7:24 pm (Rhino)
Here’s one for the internets:
The Saturday of the week end before your birthday. Your fiance has come home for 4 days and tells you to be ready to go out for a romantic evening Saturday at 8pm.
You come home from working 10 hours, shower, shave, moisturize, spend extra time on the hair and makeup, slip into something sexy and a pair of heels.
You arrive at a swanky restaurant. Upon entering the restaurant you realize the big table by the window is full of his friends, with their significant others and two people from work with their spouses. They are all there to help celebrate your birthday. Only none of them are “your” close friends.
Do you not mention it or do you remind him the malls are open on the Holiday Monday?
5 Comments
