Looking Forward

Been a strange day.  I took Brad to have breakfast alone this morning while Brian slept.  He was supposed to be working at the fire dept., and came home about 5:45 am saying they had extra people and he wanted to sleep in his own bed.  Then his brother called and asked why he left at midnight.  Brad claimed he helped a friend who was broken down on the side of the road. So, I took him to breakfast and asked him about it, and he admitted that he hung out with friends but claimed he didn’t do any drugs.  I didn’t test him, but I did tell him that he is on his last chance, and not to screw it up.  He has about 4-6 weeks having credits enough to get his diploma.  I told him that I won’t tolerate more lies and deception or drug use of any kind, and that while I love him, if he doesn’t tow the line I won’t hesitate to make him move out, I won’t give him the truck I bought for him or pay his cell bill.  He said I can’t make him move until school is done or he won;t get a diploma.  I told him that the decision is up to him; if he elects to sneak around, or can’t pass a drug test, then he doesn’t want to live at home, finish school, own the truck, or have a job.  My help is now solely contingent on his good behavior.  Hopefully he is listening finally.  I am planning on drug testing him this week.  I don’t have to use the over the counter stuff, I can get labratory grade tests that check saliva, so using someone elses’ urine wouldn’t be a solution.  We will see.

I spoke to him about going into the military and told him he needs to be away from this town and the friends he has.  They are all drug users.  He wasn’t very receptive, but I’m going to keep at it and try to get him to consider it.  As much as I worry about one of them being in the military, his living in this town scares me more.  I think it’s telling that I fear for him more here than I would in a war zone.

I have what I hope is my final doctor’s appointment at 12:30 tomorrow.  Hoping they release me to go back to work on Tuesday, I am so tired of being in the house.  Still a little iffy about whether my back will let me stand for twelve hours a day, but it’s gotten to the point that I have little choice.  If I want to pay the bills, I have to get back to work.  Trusting God to work it out, as in everything else.

Helped Jerry return the bathtub, shower, and french doors he bought for his renovation project.  He didn’t measure the space and the bathtup was too big, the french doors he bought were too tall by almost a foot.  I couldn’t resist mentioning that one would normally measure his space before beginning construction projects.  I don’t think he enjoyed my attempt at humor, lol.

Tomorrow is going to be a family evening.  I’ve already informed the boys that I expect everyone home at five pm and ready to spend the evening alone.  No friends, no leaving the house, and cell phones OFF.  If it’s my last day before going back to work, I want one evening with the boys before I jump back into the daily grind.  Been trying to come up with a nice homey meal for supper, but no real ideas yet.  I have unti tomorrow night, so I’m not really sweating it yet.

Brian is in bed already, which is odd since there is no school tomorrow.  Brad went to a girlfriends house and I’m waiting up until he makes it home.  He’s supposed to be home by midnight, which is a little past my bedtime.  I’ve never been able to sleep when the kids are out somewhere until I know they are home, and I guess I’m too old to change now.