My Weekend: New Van, October Fest, and Football

So I have been waiting all day to write this post.  I've had lots of errands to run.  First I had to get Sophie and I ready, which as you moms know is never a fast task!!  Then it was off to the library to print a return label on a pair of shoes I had to return.  Then to UPS to ship, post office to mail off something else, then house cleaning and laundry.  I've been feeling a little better the last couple of days.  Glad to be able to get some things taken care of.  I hate the feeling of having so much to do and not being physically able to get it all done.  It's so stressful.  Ok..onto my weekend..

Gillian waiting to get in to have some fun!!

Natalie hugging Sophie

We had so many things going on this weekend.  My best friend invited us to October Fest.  She also wanted us to come to hang out with her at the Chili Cook Off she entered into at the State Fair (which opens up this weekend!!).  Another friends birthday party was at a bar type place 45 mins away.  There was also a BMX event on the other side of the city going on.  Well needless to say my physical condition does prevent me from doing things a lot.  So we decided not to overdo anything.  Yes, I was feeling much better than I had been in the weeks past.  I wanted to take advantage of that and get out and play.  I also didn't want to wear my body out and live to regret it afterwards.  So we opted for the October Fest event.  It seemed the most kiddo friendly.  We had a blast!!

Me and My Girls

The girls got to ride several rides and we all had a wonderful experience!!  Do not be fooled, however!!!  If you have never been to an October Fest...it is much like the fair, EXPENSIVE!!!  After a couple of hours we had to say enough is enough.  One Brautwurst was $8!!  So we opted to leave and go grab some lunch more on our budget.

Me, my husband, and my best friend, Michelle

After a much needed nap, we got a call from a guy that we had called inquiring about a van.  If you have read my blog, you know we've been looking for one.  He originally told us he would not come down on his price.  Well, much to our surprise, he called and said he would take what we were willing to offer!!  So now this mama has her a van!!!  

We love it!!  It's been so long since I have driven one that I forgot how wonderful they are for a family of 5 like mine.  I have room and so do the girls.  It runs great and the kids think the seats are super comfortable!  VERY IMPORTANT!!  lol.  No more cramped compact car.  And no more single car household!!  Felling very blessed.  

Sunday we were all tired and I was hurting again, pretty bad.  We decided to skip the Chili Cook off and just be lazy and watch football.  After all, what's better than a lazy football Sunday??!!  My hometown Falcons lost :(  But our Dallas Cowboys pulled out a win!!  Bout time!!  Turns out my husband bet lunch on the other team winning so he had to buy his buddy lunch today!  I hope he doesn't make a habit out of that!!!  He's not very good at it!!

Happy Monday Everyone!!

Young People and their Drug Addictions.

My niece is 22 and has a 2 yr old son.  Baby Daddy isn't the father of the year by any means but I think he tries.  He is fully present in their lives.  Or he was anyway until he got caught and taken to prison for a felony warrant that was several years old.  Well he has been in prison for a few months and we try to help out my niece as much as we can.  She is currently living with her Grandmother with her son.  She just got fired from her job for cussing out her boss.  I know...at this point you are all thinking.."good Lord, what a mess"!!!   lol...I couldn't agree more!!  But we love her and do our best to help.

Lately we have been getting calls every other day almost for money.  $20 here, $40 there for groceries and gas to go visit Baby Daddy in prison.  Whatever, we help.  Well this has just become too often and we have been questioning what she is really up to.  She is skinny as a rail.  I mean SKINNY.  Not thin like women dream of being, but hunched over bones poking out and bad skin skinny.  Unhealthy.  She says she eats.  I call BS on that one.  I am also aware that she has pain when she gets her menstrual cycle and sometimes is prescribed pain medications from a doctor when she can afford to go to one.  She has no insurance.

Well the other night, we were talking about her needing money and it came out that she has been addicted to hydrocodones for many years.  So badly that she takes 2 of the highest possible mg pills at a time just to keep from getting sick.  So now I know where all of our money has gone.  It bugs me because she does have a young child to care for and they do need food.  But how much can I "enable" her???

I know all about the drug addiction thing.  It's run deep in my family.  I'll tell you more about all of that later.  I know that an addict will ALWAYS do whatever it takes to get their fix.  I know an addict will always put their drug before anyone or anything.  Need to pay the electric bill?? NO WAY MAN!!  I need my pills now!!!!  My aunt gave me $40 to go to the store!!  Man, but I really do need those pills, or that coke or crack, heroin, or whatever the drug of choice is.  It will always go to the drugs.

She called just a little while ago asking for $20 and we had to say no.  I just can't support it anymore. But I feel guilty and just pray that that little boy is getting what he needs.

What are your thoughts and opinions on the subject?