Rolling Along

Haven’t been on here all week, feeling like I’m in OpenDiary withdrawal.  Things have been running fairly smoothly here still.  I’m almost ready to stop holding my breath, waiting for the next crisis.  Other than financially, we’ve been doing good around here as a family for the longest period we’ve had in three years.  And as always, if money is my only problem, then there’s no problem.
Brad graduated last Thursday night from high school, along with his sister Jessica.  Jessica as you know, doesn’t live with us, but does live a couple of streets over with her great-grandmother, Ruby.  This is a woman I have enormous respect for.  She raised her daughter, who was an alcoholic and drug addict, and died leaving Ruby to raise her granddaughter, who is an alcoholic and drug addict.  This resulted in Ruby raising Jessica, her great-grandaughter, who like Mary Poppins is practically perfect in every way.   She and Brad shared the same sperm donor.  I don’t refer to him in a parental manner in any way, ever.  He caused four pregnancies, two with Cheryl.  When she was pregnant with Brandon, he got another woman pregnant with Brent.  Eight years later she took him back in after all the "I’ve changed" speeches, and when she was three months along with Brad, he got another woman pregnant with Jessica. I’ve never met Brent, his mother left the area when he was four or five years old, but I have had the great joy of watching Jessica grow up alongside her brothers and maintain a loving relationship with her brothers.  Kenneth (donor) died of a drug overdose about 10 years ago, big suprise.  Prior to that, I had adopted the boys.  He signed his parental relinquishment over in payment for a twelve pack of beer.  What a guy.  Best investment I ever made though, these kids are my joy.
Brad is still working, and his $10,00.00 scholarship grew.  The scholarship foundation has now decided that they will pay for his associates degree in Fire Science and for his Emergency Medical Technicians licensing in full, including textbooks as long as he starts as soon as the classes are offered, goes full time, and passes all classes.  He will come out of school ready to be a firefighter with all the appropriate certifications AND and associates degree.  They said depending on his grades, they will consider funding his bachelors after.
He’s worried about being able to keep a full class schedule and work.  I’m not.  If I have to work extra jobs to help this happen, no problem  God blessed me with good health and enough stamina to make it happen.  If it gives my kids the opportunity to get a good start in life, it’s a good investment. and it would thrill me to be able to do this for him and for Brian when the time comes.  
Brian is looking for a summer job, but so far no success.  He REALLY wants to earn his own money and get his drivers license this summer.  The license I can do, but a vehicle may still be a challenge.  We’ll see.  He’s been a blessing all his own since Brad’s schedule got overloaded.  My regular work week is 52 hours a week, and usually out in the heat and sun.  By the time I get off work and get home at 7pm, I’ve been away from home sixteen hours and am usually pretty exhausted.  Brian has been pretty faithful about keeping the house up and cooking our meals, as well as helping with laundry.  He is a champ in every sense of the word.
This morning both boys got up and helped me clean the yard so that I could mow.  They both offered to help mow, but I declined.  That’s one chore I enjoy doing.  Wwhen the heat hit the upper 80’s this morning I called a halt until this evening a little later, then will pick it back up.. Myy yard has gotten pretty overgrown since I’ve had no lawn mower, and with an acre of land and a push mower….it takes a while, lol.   But it’s good excercise and it allows my mind time to wander.  I got a good portion done this morning, so I’m satisfied with today’s effort.
About to take something out for our evening meal and give Brian a break from kitchen duty for a day or two.  
All in all, I am thrilled to be able to log in and be able to report good things for a change recently.  I hope I don’t bore you all too much, I just feel like I’ve ranted about the hard times so much, I wanted to share the positive.  My grandmother, whom I’ve mentioned several times, had many sayings.  One was "Always walk into the wind with your head up.  Eventually the wind dies down for a while."
I sure do love you Grandma, your wisdom keeps me going many days;  even after all these years I try to listen.