My heart feels heavy today. Going to Tech was one of the most rough times in my life due to my own personal problems, but that school will always have a special place in my life. Especially the rescue squad..which is a great organization which I was so happy to be a part of. I sent something to them today, but it feels woefully inadequate. A number of the students who are on the rescue squad do not get involved with EMS until college. Tech Rescue is very well trained and professional but because of the nature of their squad, they do mostly alcohol related injuries or sports injuries. They don’t do a lot of car accidents, heart attacks, and certainly nothing like yesterday. But then again, who does? I guess what I’m trying to say is to please keep them in your thoughts, along with everyone else.
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Switching gears dramatically…
First off, thank you to rhysalexander who nominated this blog for two Blogger’s Choice Awards. That made me smile. 
I also played the interview meme over at Evil Mommy’s. She asked me five questions. If you want me to interview you, then let me know and I’ll ask you five questions, which you will then answer on your blog and you will offer to interview other bloggers as well.
Ok here are her questions and my answers.
1. I think you may have talked about this before, but how did you wind up joining the Marines?
It was a total fluke thing. I had left Virginia Tech and was planning on going back once I saved up some money and stopped being so insane. I was working for this rich family as a nanny. I went to a Marine Corps boot camp graduation, saw women who were everything I thought I was not, and immediately called a recruiter. Who was quite a handsome guy. I signed up without much thought. Really no thought at all.
I don’t recommend this.
2. Coffee, tea or pop in the morning?
Pop! I wish it wasn’t that way, but I’m addicted to soda. I do enjoy coffee and tea, but coffee can upset my stomach sometimes. So I stick with pop as I’m driving the kids to school.
3. Are things going better/more reasonably with the social workers?
You mean did Cammie cancel our appointment, reschedule it and then forget about it and not show up, and then on the third try show up an hour late? Yes! But I didn’t really care. I’ve become a lot more forgiving and understanding as time goes by. They also have showed me a lot more respect as well. I enjoy the SW visits (2x a month). I like them to see the children doing well and keep them updated. I’ve really had no problems getting the things I’ve asked for. When they haven’t done something in a reasonable amount of time, they always apologize and get it to me as quickly as they can. I’m asked all the time if they can help me with something, if I have questions, if I’m doing OK. I appreciate that. I know that my kids are the most important to me, but the SW’s have a ton of other cases and are dealing with a lot of other things so I am not always their priority. I read once where Process said that the kids who are in good foster homes are not their top priority. That makes sense to me. And when something that happens, like Butterfly going nuts, they make my kids a priority. The SW was here within the hour. So yes, I’m happy with the relationship I have with all three SW’s involved in my life.
4. Why did you start blogging, and what makes you stick with it?
I started blogging around six years ago. I had a livejournal. I still do actually. I’ll have to pull up some of those posts. I started because my brother had a livejournal and I thought it was cool. Back then, I maybe had two or three people read my blog. I wrote it as more of a diary. Today when I blog, I write with the idea that other people are going to read it. It is still a diary of sorts to me, but I write with the understanding that what I say is going to be read, understood or ridiculed.
Why do I keep doing it? First, it is very therapeutic to me. It allows me a great space to vent. Second, I love the sense of community. I try to participate as much as I can, when I can. I love that if someone has a problem, people are there to offer their emotional support and even financial support. I love that my children everyday wear/use things that people who read this blog gave them. That they are surrounded by that kind of love. Bug loves the blog too. She is very proud that people read about here. She is very proud that **SHE** was in Parents magazine.
But the main thing that keeps me going is when someone writes me an email and says that they are starting foster parents classes and I helped them feel it is OK. Or if someone writes to thank me for talking about sexual abuse and not being ashamed. I’m horrible at responding to email and I don’t do it as quickly as I should at all. So, thank you for everyone who has ever said something kind to me. I appreciate it more than you could know.
5. Finally, do you think the Cubs will make the playoffs this year? I’m guessing they won’t make it to the series again this year, but the NL playoffs would be nice.
I always believe the Cubs will make the playoffs. And win the World Series.
Which is why in late September/early October I am always crying into my Old Style beer. Damn you, Cubs.
