Tuesday, August 21, 2007, on way back to Tennessee; somewhere in Louisiana, headin' northbound~

Dear Journal~

I write this with a heavy heart, a tangle of emotions: first, I am about six months along in my pregnancy. I am doing very well, according to my doctor. (Look like I'm about ready to pop, look more like nine months pregnant! LOL) My kids are thriving, and we had a wonderful time in Louisiana.

At the same time, however, I carry a burden that's pressing deep on my chest. My heart is breaking because Audrey Callaway doesn't want to have anything to do with me. She doesn't even want to try to salvage our friendship. She is ready to give up.

The last time I attempted to try to make amends with Audrey, she slammed the door right in my face--and nearly took off my finger in the process. Now I have a very sore finger--and an injured spirit. Audrey is so  mad at me she is seriously considering moving away, just so she can get away from me.

I don't know what Audrey's problem is, but it has me flabbergasted. If she has problems, she needs to talk to someone she can trust, just so she can work them out, get them out in the open. I have tried to reach out in friendship more than once to Audrey and her family, but she repeatedly refuses to even try. She is so wrapped up in her own miseries that she is determined to make everyone she meets as miserable as she is, and I am sorry, but I am not that kind of a person. I can't live like that. I have too much going for me; I am not about to let one unhappy person's actions get to me. I did what I could; now the rest is up to Audrey, not me. I've had just about enough with that woman! No use getting sick or worked up over things I can't even begin to change!

This week (Friday, in only three more days!), our little foster child, Vincente, arrives. We are so excited we can't stand it! We are getting a six-year-old Italian-American boy who has cerebral palsy; he is in a wheelchair, and he is so cute! Hopefully we can give Vincente the love he needs while he is with us; and hopefully when the time comes for him to leave us, a family will be willing to take him in as their own. That would be wonderful! Every child needs a family to love, particularly a child who happens to have special needs or is older!

Ronee' is healing well: still on the crutches for at least another month, but she is getting around better every day. She doesn't like the crutches, but for now, while her leg is in a cast, that is easiest for her. She is worried what others may think when school starts up in a few weeks; I told her not to worry about that, just worry about getting around the high school and make friends and do as well as she can in her studies!

Johnny is doing quite well; getting worse in relation to his muscular dystrophy, very upsetting to see, but it hasn't dampened his spirit or his will to live. He is a happy young man: things with him and Rebekkah are progressing well, and he is busy with getting ready to transfer to the high school. He is understandably nervous, but I am sure he will make it; he always has so far!

Arjun's lip has healed, and the other kids have managed to stay out of the hospital; hope this trend continues. I have been enjoying not having to make an unexpected call to the paramedics or having to go to the ER on account of the children! Hope it lasts! I can get used to this!

Bill is not looking forward to going back to work when we get back: it's back-to-school time at the retail stores, and no doubt the store will be a zoo once he gets back. He dreads the craziness that often accompanies these back to school sales; he hates dealing with shoplifters or out of control kids! LOL

We had a wonderful time at Dwerlina's wedding: it was a very lovely affair; all the family was there, and it was good to see everyone. Bill's brother Marvin has adopted a new little girl, Gennessee Blanca, who is two years old, a real little cutie. She is from Mexico, and she has spina bifida; just learning how to stand on her braces and on her walker. Almost ready to start walking, but not quite. The kids are all getting so big; it's getting to the point to where I can't recognize a lot of them because they've all gotten so big! LOL Saw Lightning's kids and hubby there, and the kids were more'n happy to see their GeeMa and PaPaw! Lots of hugs and kisses to be had! :)

We then went to LeCajun; saw some great Cajun bands, heard a lot of wonderful Cajun music. Now we are headed home, and I am wondering what lies ahead for me once I return to work Thursday. Shall be interesting, I'm sure. Have to stop in tomorrow so I can get my last check. Know it will be smaller than normal, thanks to this time off for the wedding/LeCajun!

Well, there's a hurricane in Mexico, Dean; a Cat 3 storm when he slammed into the Yucatan Peninsula. Could have been a lot worse; but thankfully it wasn't. I will have to pray for those people down there; hope they come out of it without too many problems!

Speaking of hurricanes, next week marks the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina striking the Gulf Coast states. May go to Mississippi next weekend to attend the anniversary observance. Don't know yet; it depends if I am off next weekend or not. (I doubt it, since I was off this weekend and last; but you never know...) I think that would only be the right thing to do; maybe I can see Sheniqua Williams, Shakespeare Jackson, or some of the others I met last time I was there! Hopefully they are doing well!

I am going to try to call Audrey; see if I can talk some sense into her. Lord I hope so; I hate it when people are mad at me for no known reason! I can't possibly think what I may have done to cause her to have so much anger towards me; it's really tearing me up inside!

Take care, dear Journal, and God bless! Will write in here again soon!

~Love, Louie. :( >tears!<