The last few days have been good. I had a meeting with Katie's social worker and they plan to return custody to me as of August 13th if not before. #### what a long road.

Kate graduated from the program she has been in for two years on June 23rd. Sometimes I've cursed her dad for placing her in the states care but since she has been home I've seen such a turn around that I can honestly say from my point of view it has been worth it. I'm so very proud of the changes she has made and proud of her for that all she has had to indure to get to where she is at.

Raising a child with severe a chemical imbalance and psychological issues sometimes takes more than any parent can give. I tried and tried,took her to the best doctors I could,got her into the best school for her but eventually my energy ran down and it affected my health. That's when I sent her to live with her dad.

All in all she's one awesome typical teenager now!!!!!

I got to chat with Mick & Cass last night on the web cam, it was totally cool. Don't ask me why we haven't done it but once before. It was good for us to see each other. They were going to come back one more time to visit before we left but we all agreed to save the money for a big bbq when we get back to California.

I've learned that talking about my cancer kind of bugs Kate and my Mom. For me it's just a fact of life to deal with. Cancer is no longer a death sentence but just the same it scares people. To me talking about it just comes natural and seems right. I was 8 when my father was diagnosed with cancer and 14 when he passed away and not one day during that time did he ever sit us kids down and discuss it. The only thing I ever remember my dad saying to me as when we had gone out to pay bills one day,just him and me, he said to me, "whatever you do I hope you don't grow up to be like your mom". Yes,my mom is a piece of work but she's my mom.

I've had some days when I've been tired just because I'm still healing from the first surgery but I'm good,actually great. I don't see any of this as a boo hoo poor me thing. I don't even ask why me......why what for? It is what it is so ya deal with and keep moving. It cracks me up when people say they're sorry, I guess that's the thing to say. I'm not sorry, sure it would be nice if it hadn't happened but to me it's just another lesson one more tool to help me define my focus on what's important and to continue teaching my friends,family and girls the important things in life are things that can't be seen but rather must be felt. Yep I kinda stole that from Helen Keller, but it's a true statement for sure.

So anyways, I want to go cruise the forums to see what's up. Thanks for stopping by to read the rants and ravings of this old hippie chick!!!!!!