A nice p.o.?

Now that I have completed house arrest, I will be on probation for the next two years. I must admit that I was less than excited to meet with my probation officer.

During the course of any criminal case, the presiding judge orders what's called a pre-sentencing report. Well, the person who completed mine was less that objective. Keep in mind prior to the accident, I had no prior criminal history. I had been on my job for five years and I had several people writing letters on my behalf. In spite of that, she recommended that I received the maximum sentence--8 years! Fortunately, the judge completely disagreed. What I did receive was 5 years. Three suspended, serve two. In Indiana we have a 2 for 1 program, so in essence as long as I behaved myself I would only serve 12 months.

Well, I served 9 of the 12 months in prison and the last 3 were completed on house arrest. My probation officer was surprised that I received any time at all, given my lack of criminal history. She is not the first person to make that statement. Long story, short; she was very personable and encouraged me to pursue correcting a blatant wrong. More on that later.

I was so floored that the experience went as well as it did, I'm still not sure it happened. It was a pleasant twist in a humbling experience.

A good father is hard to find

Although I didn't speak to my oldest child's father for almost two months after returning home from prison; I have to give credit where credit is due.

He's a great father. When I called him after my accident, he came. While I went back and forth to court, he supported me. Once I was sentenced, he freaked out. We all did.

During my incarceration my children were separated from each other. My oldest went to live in Chicago with her father. My boys remained in South Bend with my best friend of 20 plus years and his lovely wife. It was not my ideal scenario, but in the end it turned out alright.

Being a parent is a learn as you go experience. I believe we are both better parents and better friends as a result of this whole experience. I couldn't have picked a better father for my daughter. He's not perfect, who is? But when it comes to his "cutie pie" there's nothing he won't do.

I was very angry with him for a long time, but I've come to realize that his heart was in the right place and he was just as traumatized by my sentence as I was.

I'm sure you're wondering about my son's. I'll say this. Lightning did not strike twice in the father department. The father of my boy's lives in the same city, but is so absent some days I have to remind myself of his name.

The 2007-08 school year begins

This summer has just flown by! In just a couple of days a new school year begins. I must say I have accomplished quite a bit since returning home and I'm proud of myself for doing so. I had the hardwood floors refinished, purchased two new major appliances, repaired another major appliance and managed to improve the landscaping around our home. Irma Bombeck Who?!

My oldest child started taking driver's ed last week and I believe I've sprouted a few new grey hairs. Why didn't my mother leave a notebook for me. I'm sure she is enjoying watching me go through the paces with her grandchildren.

My mother passed away soon to be eight years ago in December 1999. This was an earth shattering and life changing event. No one is ever ready to loose a parent. I lost my mother and father twelve months apart.
My father passed away December 1998. Yeah, it sucked.

After losing my father, I relocated to Arizona to attend paralegal school and to begin a new life. I returned home missing one assignment to complete my coursework. Although I intended to submit that final project, after the death of my mother it was no longer a priority. Over the last eight years, I have blossomed into a pretty effective parent. I have not always made good choices, but I believe I have learned from the mistakes I have made.