thank you, may I have another?

.

Let's see, where did we leave off? Thursday. I pick Ashley up at school, we went to see the interpreter. Very good. On the way home we have what seems like a good talk.

Come home, the gang is all together. We all go out for mexican. With everybody's busy schedules, it is rare we actually all have dinner together. During dinner Ashley brings out her copy of 'how to grease the parents'. She proceeds to tell us she understands why we didn't want her going out after project prom, getting wasted before her test, yadda, yadda, yadda.

She asks if she can go over to Chanells house after. The rest of the gang was going to San Antonio and she didn't want her to go without her. We don't give her an answer.

On the way home from dinner, we stop at Khols and drop a quick 150 on various things, the most expensive were new shoes Ashley wanted.

Larry & I talk about the Chanell house option. He says her going over there isn't going to make any difference at this point whether she passes the test at this point.

We tell her, yes, she can go over there, she will be picked up at 6. Only condition she would need to call us and let us know where they were going and what they were doing before project prom since there were no real plans.

Friday afternoon, no call. Friday night, no call. I finally break down and call Chanells cell. No answer. Stay calm. She finally calls, tells me a mixture of stories. OK, whatever. I am so conditioned to the lies, I wouldn't know the truth if it hit me over the head. I tell her, you've lost an hour tomorrow. Now it's her turn to stay calm. I tell her, you want to earn it back, keep in touch.

I'm exhausted, laying in bed, watching the clock. 12:00 am, she calls again. We are going into project prom now. OK, I sleep. Go to work all day Saturday. She calls again during my lunch. Tells me all about the night, how much fun, she had a great time. Just wanted to call and check in. hhhmmmm. I call Larry, I'm getting off early, lets just you and I go to dinner. Something we haven't done since Ashley came back home.

We go and have a great meal, just the two of us. During the ride over, my heart swells. I simply adore this man. He is just this short of perfect.

Sunday morning, Mother's day. We had planned to take the boat out for the first time this summer, but one look outside we knew that was not going to be an option. Rain, hard rain, wind all day. Hannah comes home from spending the night with Stephanie and gives me a sheet of paper and a hug. "I wrote you a letter Mom, Happy Mothers Day!!" As I am hugging her, I see Ashley give her one of those "could you be more of a suck up eye rolls" I ignore her.

We decide to go to Mamas Cafe for brunch. They have the most incredible breakfast. Eggs with queso, the smoothest refried beans and pan fried potatoes served with warm tortillas. We have been going there since before Ashley was born. We love it.

When we get home, Larry gives me a cute card. He knows I don't do the mushy cards. I love him. Ashley had gotten a gift card from Target in her senior bag and wanted to go shop. Let's see, its raining, I'm full and its mothers day, yep, I'm staying on the couch, Larry honey, you take them.

They go and return. My sister and niece come home, my niece gives me a card. My sister and I exchange cards. We spend the rest of the early evening flipping through the TV and getting some laundry done. My sis says she is going to the store so I make a quick list for her. I wanted spaghetti, home made. I decide to use macaroni noodles instead of angel hair for some reason.

I cook, we all eat. I noticed early on that Ashley, while she did tell me happy mothers day, there wasn't a card, or a note. Not that she was being rude, she wasn't. There was just nothing but what Ashley wants. It didn't bother me early on, I assumed (and we all know what that means) it would come later. It never did.

Her suggestion for today was to go to Katy Mills and see a movie. Let's remember, Katy Mills is where the Ralph Lauren store is. No, no movie today, not any special demands.

She did not eat, she doesn't like spaghetti, instead having a hot pocket. After dinner I ask to come straighten up the kitchen, her one and only chore. She replies like a smart ass "I didn't eat but I have to clean it?" My anger rising up. Yep, you do.

I don't know why I am even so surprised. I should have known seeing she didn't do anything for her dad either. I hope she passes this test tomorrow. I need her to graduate, I need her in the navy, I need her gone.

I feel like the line from the Godfather. Every time I think I'm out, she sucks me back in.

Other than that, it was a good day.