and things were going so well

This morning, I was awakened at 6:30 am. That's harsh. Larry & I had already planned on going to HB for lunch, we hadn't been there in a long time. So, instead of driving back to my apartment, then driving to the house for lunch, I decided to go straight to the house.

I climbed into the guest bed so I wouldn't wake Larry up. Slept for about another hour, woke up, showered and headed off to lunch. We met Corie, Dwayne & Austin and had a very nice lunch.

On the way home, Hannah was trying to con her way into another trip to the mall. Larry did not want to go all the way home, pick Stephanie up, then drive them back up there. I suggested Stephanie get dropped off at the mall, we would drop Hannah and they could shop.

Stephanies parents had not conceded to this by the time we got to the mall, so we drove on by. Hannah wanted to be dropped at Stephanie's, and in the distance of the four houses that separate us, I told Larry, she is very spoiled, and sometimes you just have to say no. She was at the mall yesterday, she doesn't need to go again.

We watched a little of the game, then I headed out. I needed a haircut, stop by the store and laundry to do. I called Larry once I realized I had forgotten my toothbrush at the house. He said he would bring it in the morning, as he had to go pick Hannah and Stephanie up at the mall. My eyes rolled, thinking he was such a pushover. Stephanies parents dropped them off, Larry was picking them up.

Only, the police did it first.

Hannah had 160.00 bucks in her purse, and chose to steal an 8.00 necklace. She got caught. The police were called, and she had to be released to Larry. A court date will be following.

He called me and told me all about it. I can not believe this. I am so utterly disappointed in Hannah it is beyond words. I called Trish, Stephanies mom and informed her their interaction will be limited to school from here on out. They are not good together, and continue to make bad decisions while in each others company.

Then, I called Hannah. She is in tears, of course. No internet, no cell phone, alarm being set at night, nothing. I told Larry, she has to know we will be there at EVERY turn. She will get caught at EVERY turn.

I tried to let Hannah know we would not be doing our jobs if we didn't try to protect her now the same way we did when she was little. No running with sharp objects. No playing with knives. No touching hot stoves or burners. It is the SAME thing, only now it is your friends, the places you go, the people you see.

Then, I asked her if Stephanie stole anything from the mall. Hannah hesitates. "I didn't see her take anything"
"Then do you KNOW she took something?" Another long pause.
"Lipgloss"

I called Trish back and informed her of my newfound knowledge. Stephanie got caught stealing a few years ago, and I'm just a little worried what her Dad is going to do with this knowledge. They spank. They throw.

We do not spank (not in YEARS), there has only been three times we had to physically remove Ashley (one of the three was restraining her the night she was strung out on Xanex).

Trish said if I didn't mind, they would head down to the house when they got home (they were at a hockey game). I said no, Larry could call me and I would be on speaker.

I had already taken my tylenol pm, and it is not safe for me to drive at this point.

I then informed Larry that after we get back from Chicago, I am packing up the apartment and moving back in. My schedule is demanding, but if I am not there, he can be, and I can be there more than he can.

I will be speaking to Jeff about another child when he returns. I can not close more than twice a week (and really, shouldn't have too).

Now, I am charging my phone for the conference call. I would have thought Hannah would have KNOWN better. Why, somebody tell me WHY kids think parents are pulling things out of their ass? Why don't they realize that we do not make this shit up?

No rest for the weary.