So recently my son completed Drivers Ed. He did very well and the mere second he graduated he wanted to drive, drive, drive. I was a bit confused I thought that since he had that certificate I could drive with him, but nope, turns out he needs an actual permit from the DMV. I know ignorance of the law is no excuse but it is my excuse. I let him drive me around the neighborhood a couple times and he did quite well but I have little patience and was freaked the entire time. Once I found out that he had to have that permit from the DMV I explained no more driving until we get that done. Problem is the pesky DMV office closes at 5p each day and that schedule just does not work for me. So although he hounded me daily to get the permit it was put on a to-do list.
School was closed for 3 days. Damn teacher workdays. And I thought two teens at home for 3 days alone would equal trouble so I sent them to their dads. Monday night (day two) Dad calls me at 10p. He is pissed. He informs me he is on the way to my home with the boys. I was confused because I thought I had one more day. He then informs me that while he was at work our son (which is my son apparently when he does wrong) had driven dads car while he was at work. He was livid. I was mad too but I kinda found it funny because I too would steal my moms car all the time at that age. And for all the times I called dad to complain that I needed help with them and more support as they reached their teen years. He could never help out, but he always made sure to inform me that they would not do "those things" if they lived with him. He was ranting and raving mostly about his car and the gas that was used. Not about the fact that Michael had only driven a grand total of 3 hours in drivers ed and was not only a danger to himself but others as well. The story they gave him was that they drove around the neighborhood a few times. Dad demanded that I punish him. Nope sorry dude that happened at your house you should have punished him. His idea of punishing him was to return him home and put it in my lap. I thought that was a huge cop-out since he pays $35 a week in child support per child and is currently a month behind.
A lil side note about that child support- we agreed on that amount when the boys were tots because he would get them every weekend and also paid half of their clothing costs and chipped in on field trips, and pictures etc. At the time it was more important that he remain active in their lives to me then provide money for their care. I could do it by myself so I mostly did. But he has since had two wives and two more kids plus one more kid that showed up from his past prior to me so lets just say the visitation is shaky at best. Not to mention that the cost of a 2 year old compared to a 16 year old is way different. I mean that boy can eat up a weeks worth of his child support in one day.
Anyways back to the story.
So as you all know life sucks, blah, blah, whine, whine etc. except for this weekend. Started on Friday when the RA gave me some unexpected but very much needed cash in the name of child support. We also agreed on a fair amount for him to give me weekly. It appears that he will be more financially beneficial away. Works for me. Because I could really use some help around there with bills. I was glad that we agreed on an amount and hope that he sticks to it.
Saturday, I got some much needed rest and then went out for some evening fun, nothing too heavy just an opportunity to get out. It was storming but it was just one of those moments when you need to just get out. Slept pretty well that night. Then the best part was Sunday. Got up early (never do on a Sunday) and cooked breakfast with my kids. Then ex husband arrived to gather all the kids...even the ones that are not his...You Rock ex husband! Too bad you didn't rock before you became an ex. He knew I needed a break and he was very thoughtful to provide that. See the RA was due in town to spend time with his kids but sometimes he is not very reliable and I did not want to rely on him.
Once the kiddos were off I headed to the tanning salon and then came home showered and got all purty and stuff and went out. I had a whole 6 hours without kids. Yippee! The plan was when/if the RA showed up (he was due at 1:30p) he would just meet up with the ex-husband and get his kids. Around 1:30p I called my ex-husband and he had not heard from the RA my stomach turned and the stress and anger started to arise as I thought of the possibility of RA not showing up. By 1:40p I had heard from the RA, he had showed. Thank God! All was well and I could relax and enjoy my kid free day. I got treated out for the day and I so needed that. I felt relaxed and special and I couldn't be more appreciative. The best part was knowing that my kids were with their dads, not at home but out on the town as well. They needed that too.
I returned home around 5:30p and the first group of kids arrived home shortly after. They had already had dinner. Score! And their dad stayed another hour and a half playing basketball with them so even though they were home they were outta my hair. Then kid group number two showed up and to my delight hey had already had dinner too! And as an added bonus the RA brought me an Orange Julius. He gave Princes her bath and put her to bed so essentially I had quite the much needed break and as you can tell by my sunny disposition it served me well. I even had dinner bought for me by the RA. Nice. Triple score day. Only complaint for The day was my three fav shows. Desperate Housewives, Celebrity Apprentice and Survivor all had their season finales on at the same time. Uggh.
I worked it out though. I set two to record and watched the third. So all in all for once my friends there will be no complaining here. Don't worry stop back by tomorrow because I'm sure to have something by then you know how it is in Raquel's World.
Anyways back to the story. 
