Sunday, March 18, 2007

Good Morning

                      

I just had to do a morning entry today.  Lisa Jo always sends me the cutest graphics and many of them are good morning ones.  As most of you know, my morning starts at 4:30 a.m. during the week.  Of course, I have to sign on as soon as I get up but never have time to do much of anything let alone make an entry.  So...whoo hoo, it's still the a.m. and I can say good morning instead of goodnight to all.

My BF and I did go to Day's Inn last night and left about 12:30.  People were getting way too crazy and the alcohol was flowing out of control.  The police were patrolling the parking lot which was a good thing.  I'm betting the police officer I know too well was in one of the cars.

I know I've been getting many comments mentioning Megan's trip to Asia.  I did quite a bit of thinking during the week after the incident.  Megan is 20.  She was not thinking, obviously, and made a terrible mistake but thankfully, no damage was done.  I spoke with an attorney about the case; not because I want Megan to beat any rap.  I think she needs to learn a lesson.  I needed to know what she was facing as far as ramifications from her university, her schooling, etc.  She was always a good kid.  She has worked two and sometimes three jobs.  Management loves her because she is dependable and a hard worker.  Not making excuses one bit for the fact that she got behind the wheel of my car after drinking.  I also needed to know a ballpark figure of the fines she is facing.  She will need to petition the courts for a waiver to drive to and from work this summer when her license is suspended.  I cannot pay her fines; nor would I if I could.  They will set up a payment plan for her.

She will enter a very tough, restrictive probation program for a year.  She will be urine tested, report to a probation officer monthly and take some brutal classes.  She will not be permitted to imbibe whatsoever during that time.  She turns21 in June but that makes no difference.  She has a preliminary hearing in April; a court appearance in May.  She can get a continuance from the courts for the trip because it is school related.

If she tows the line for that year and follows every single rule; not breaking one ever, she will not have a conviction.  The DUI will remain with the State for 7 years.  Should she have a repeat offense or break any of the probation rules...30 days in jail...period.  Then it will turn into a conviction.

She has already paid $4,000 of her own money for this trip and took a loan for the remaining $1,200 plus spending money.  She worked long hours waitressing to get the extra money.

I prayed much over this.  We've all made mistakes...some larger than Megan's; some not remotely as bad.  I'm a firm believer in second chances.  I'm also a firm believer in owning up to the consequences of actions.  Quite frankly, when she returns from Japan and China, she will face the biggest struggle she has ever faced.  I pray that she follows through and comes out a much better person for it.  I also believe things happen for a purpose.  Had she not got caught, she would have continued spiraling out of control.

She has been going to church with her big sister.  The laying of hands in this church is quite powerful.  I've said many times that church is a hospital for sinners; not a shrine for saints.  I'm also planning on attending with them now that the weather will be breaking soon.

Bottom line is Megan was a wonderful kid in high school; went away to college and got into a terrible lifestyle.  My prayers for Megan were answered; not in the way I expected but, nonetheless, taken care of.

Oh, and, by the way, I went to my Verizon store yesterday.  It was a bad battery.  It was replaced free of charge because the phone is less than a year old.  I'm not sure about all Verizon stores but our local is tops in fixing things or replacing at no charge or a $12 tech fee.  I was prepared to argue about buying a $40 battery.  In the end, I didn't have to.

The sun is shining; most of the snow has melted, and I absolutely need to get some cleaning done before I run some errands. 

Blessings to all.....            

               

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chris, cute graphic, Megan sounds like a great girl who made a mistake, I think she will learn from it, glad you got a new battery, Hugs Lisa

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you are allowing her to go to Asia. When I was 17 I went to Norway for a summer.  My mom said "It's part of your education for life."  And she was right. Megan will learn things there that she may not realize she has learned until later on in life.  When you see different cultures it really opens your eyes.  
Just as she will learn from this legal incident.  She'll be ok.
Love ya, Pam

Anonymous said...

Like you I wish this hadnt happened to Megan ,but it has and she has to learn from it ,and I am sure she has ,I am pleased she is to go on her holiday.... The laws are much tougher in the US which can only be a good thing ...love Jan xx

Anonymous said...

Dearest Chris - each of us spirals in her own way.  I am happy that Megan is learning now - not later.  Please tell her that for me, 31 years after my wake-up call,  I am the happiest woman alive.  Jesus has filled every hole that I ever thought I had.  Also tell her I will be praying for her.   Oh and by the way,  Good Morning!  I have some time yet befor noon :)  Blessings, Penny  http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/FromHeretoThere
http://journals.aol.com/firestormkids04/TimeforaLittlePoetry

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris I am sure Megan would have learnt her lesson ~ as you say she is a good kid ~ glad you got a battery sounds like a good place to shop ~ hope you have a good week ~ Ally

Anonymous said...

When is Megan going to Asia?? My daughter and I are going with my sister and her husband very soon!!! They are waiting to hear the work to get on that plane and come get their daughter!!! We will be there for 2 weeks. I think you have made a great decision reguarding all that has happened. You are right everyone makes mistakes and second chances are great!! If there were no second chances I honestly dont think I would be where I am now!! Have a great day.
Hugs
Carrie

Anonymous said...

you are right, i think, in how you have handled megan.  she will be basically grounded for a year.  she will hopefully learn her lesson in that time.
take care
tina

Anonymous said...

Chris I am happy things are finally sorted with Megan.I know we all makes mistakes and we must be given a second chance.She will learn from this I am sure.I hope she has a great holiday.Glad you got your phone fixed up.Things will work out so don't worry.I didn't realise the penalties were so severe in USA for this kind of thing.Take Care have a lovely Sunday.Gos Bless
Astoriasadnd http://journals.aol.co.uk/astoriasand/MYSIMPLERHYMES

Anonymous said...

I agree. I was not a good child and happy that people believed in me. My mom was and is the best. Your daughter made a mistake and hopefully she has learned from it. I hope she has a good time in Asia and when she gets back she follows all the rules she has too. My prayers to her.

Anonymous said...

megan will learn from this and be a better person:) now as for mom :) how many gray hairs did you get? LOL i have quite a few from my darling kids lol have a good week Chris

Deb

Anonymous said...

you know you are the momma nad Im sure you know her best. I dont think your letting her off easy at all. If you feel she deserves tthe trip I think your right. You know what...........  she cant be kept confined and she does seem to be paying upfor what she has done there has to be some mercy someplace. your a great mom

Anonymous said...

 Chris, I am glad it is working out. Your daughter sounds like a wonderful kid.  Everyone makes mistakes and I made many worse then your daughters growing up.  I learned from them all and think I turned out pretty good.  Take care.

                       Julie

Anonymous said...

Well you are right.  Megan is actually considered a grown up at this point and she has to answer for herself and make decisions for herself.  We would never learn hard lessons without mistakes.  God knows I for one have made my share.  I hope she comes through this without anymore repercussions.  Love ya and Good morning to you too!  Even though it's evening now. lol  Shelly

I love that tag at the bottom with the LIX tube.  I have some of those tubes, they are cute! : )

Anonymous said...

As I have discovered with my own daughter, no one knows their child better than the mother. Megan is going to have a tough year ahead of her. I hope she is learning her actions do have reprecussions. She is in the adult world now and no one can fight her battles but her. I do know it's easy to get caught up in a world of alcohol and the abuse that , that kind of life deals you. I have my own experiences to attest to that......I'm keeping her and you in my prayers on the smoke. Turning 21 upps the ante on the no drinking challenge for her. But you believe she is up to the challenge and I believe in you!! (Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

I have an email on its way to you...it will say privately what i am not going to share publicly. YOU are an awesome mom as is Megan.
Love you forever, lj

Anonymous said...

Your Megan is a good girl Chris...She just made a mistake and a bad judgement call by driving....but that is why we are not born as tiny adults but as babes...We learn as we go by the mistakes we make...
love  ya,
carlene

Anonymous said...

Chris I'm sure Megan will realize what has happened and try and make amends.... life is hard and be a young girl is harder now than it was when we were that age!!!! I'm sure the peer pressure is so strong and hard to deal with!!!!! I'm sure she will be fine and do what she needs to do to get back on track!!!! http://journals.aol.com/shayshaydc/Golfaholic
Sharon:)

Anonymous said...

I think they trip to Asia make wake her up to all the things 'right' in her world that she almost foolishly gambled away.  So many people in poverty and sick... she will see that there too...  It is a learning experience I hope she can get.  

It will all work out....

Prayers and hugs, dear Chris.

be well,
Dawn
http://journals.aol.com/princesssaurora/CarpeDiem/

Anonymous said...

Ahhh 4:30 is sooooo early! I don't know how you do it!  i hope Megan will make it through all this a better and wiser person in the end. You are correct in that we all make mistakes!!!

Kara :)

Anonymous said...

You are an early bird!  
Missie

Anonymous said...

You said it all, in regards to Megan, in that last paragraph.  No need for me to repeat it here, because it would be the same thing as what you said.

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself, Chris.. you deserve to have some fun...

Love you
jackie

Anonymous said...

Chris, this is deep, "I've said many times that church is a hospital for sinners; not a shrine for saints. " I will have to remember your quote. Loved that.

Sorry, Meg is going through all that she is. I have driven drunk more times than I would want to mention. STupidity and my own foolishness had many paths when I was young. Second chances are a must and so are more. She will learn from this quicker. She has a great mother. I dont know what is going on with this vacation trip for Meg. I will read on to understand more.  I am still at my parents and I am uncomfortable with using the INternet. THey seem to hover over my time but I am applying for jobs and am hopeful. ~Raven

Anonymous said...

I do hope Megan has learnt her lesson from this, I'm sure she's a good kid, it's a pity she was caught out. I'm sure a lot of kids aren't and they go on to drink, drive and kill someone. I think she'll be OK now or else she knows she'll face your wrath! I know she'll love China, it's a wonderful country with great cultural sites. Let's hope it's a turning point for her. That's great that she saved up all that money herself to go. Have a good week Chris, I'm glad you enjoyed your night out, such a shame people have to drink too much and ruin the night for others. I'm glad your phone battery was replaced too! Jeannette xx  http://journals.aol.co.uk/jlocorriere05/Welcometomytravels/  

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris .... Megan is blessed to have a sensible and understanding mom like you! Sounds like she has some tough guidelines to follow now. I pray that she does well and that she has a safe and fun trip.
Geesh, I wish my Verizon store would have given me a free battery. I think my phone was over a year old, though. I suppose maybe that`s what made the difference.
Hugs,
penny

Anonymous said...

Tough consequences for a young girl when so many go for years without such consequences even though they are committing similar violations.  I think it is so hard to be singled out by the law when others are not.  And to be able to accept that as perhaps good fortune in the sense that it can stop a downward spiral.  I hope it works that way for Megan.  This will be tough for a while.  So sorry.  I took my son Raymond to Calif. when he was 17 hoping to get him into a different crowd.  Almost immediately he was picked up as a minor having someone buy him beer.  In California they put both the parent and the underage offender on probation, and every week we had to report to his parole officer.  He and I went through alot of troubles like that, but he crashed relatively soon and joined a church for 7 years.  He has started drinking again off and on but has been almost completely sober for over 8 or 10 years  One or two lapses is all.  Gerry

Anonymous said...

It sounds like what Megan will be facing is fair and should work to keep her from repeating her mistake.  I think she'll come out of this having learned a valuable lesson.  I hope she gets to make her Asia trip.
Lori

Anonymous said...

You are handling all of this well Chris....and Megan will thank you for that in time.... Hope you have a good weekend!
Hugs,
Terri