Yesterday: I woke up early. Dan woke up grumpy. But he got over it, and after we did a few things here at home we rounded up Alyssa and Ryan and went to the Renaissance Faire. Dan and I last went in 2008, and before that in 2006, so it was definitely time for us to go again. While it was “just” the Celtic festival, they had a lot going on. I found a pretty hot pink skirt (it matches my hair!), Alyssa got her face painted, both she and Ryan rode a few rides, and we all enjoyed (mostly, heh) walking around looking at stuff, checking out shops and listening to music. Ryan particularly liked watching a shirtless guy in a kilt make a sword, and he wasn’t at all interested in the music.
Last night: Dan finished putting together the bottom portion of the bunk bed/futon setup, and I made it up with the green sheets we picked up from Target on our way home from the Faire (along with a new fire extinguisher for the kitchen, dog food and a few other random household essentials — BUT DAMMIT I FORGOT THE MIDOL AND MY PERIOD IS STARTING GAH). After the kids were asleep, Dan and I broke out the bazillion forms to fill out for kinship care. We filled out the same forms that are used to approve families for formal fostering, and holy shit is there a lot of stuff to fill in, along with all sorts of questions to answer. Not to mention having to bare all of our financial information and bills and such.
Later last night: While still working on said bazillion forms, Dan broke out a bottle of yummy wine that he purchased from the Renaissance Faire (sober name: pink catawba; drunk name: pink copacabana). Yummy. And eek. I get drunk off of wine super, super fast. Dan and I went through the first bottle, and apparently we finished off a second bottle of red wine, too? (In defense of our apparent lushness they were small bottles of wine.) I remember tossing a few animal crackers at Dan, being proud at being able to use the word “volatile”, and misspelling west, yes west, on one of the forms (I also completely missed half of a sheet of questions. I also yelled at Amanda on Facebook because she didn’t make me a grilled cheese sandwich. I do remember Dan helping me to the bathroom, but not in the bathroom (I need to retain some dignity!), and then helping me to bed. Good times. That was seriously the drunkest I have ever been. But I was smart: I drank water in between, drank some more when I went to bed, Dan gave me Tylenol, and I drank more water and took more Tylenol when I woke up around 4:30am to use the bathroom. So when I woke up this morning, I was tired, but not hungover!
Today: Kinship inspection. It went as expected, mostly. We handed over the bazillion sheets of paperwork, which she went through with us. Answered questions. Volunteered additional info. Talked about my mom. Growing up. Our relationship. The kids. Ryan’s autism. My brothers. Our relationship with them. Yadda yadda. We failed just one crucial thing: no gun locks on the cases that store Dan’s hunting guns. Bad, I know. But they’re stored in our shed, which is locked, and the ammunition is stored separately here in the house. The caseworker said it’s honestly a very “minor” detail, but she’ll have to come back out to verify that we have locks on the gun cases, as well as a separate lockbox or safe for the ammunition. We’re taking care of that tomorrow. I also need to get to her two bill statements, and then we’re good to go. Even though I know that logically we will be approved, since we meet all of the criteria, have more than enough income even without the kinship care “maintenance” payments, and have adequate housing and a perfectly satisfactory sleeping arrangement setup for my brother, I’m still nervous because we haven’t received the official approval. But the caseworker talked to us about a few things that’ll take place once my brother is placed with us, including two orientation classes, things we need to do with my brother, etc. So that’s good, right? Gah. I hate being on pins and needles like this. 
After the kinship inspection I did some work, then…took a nap. That’s the thing about my “day after”. I don’t get the “traditional” hangover in the sense of having a headache and feeling nauseous. Instead, I just feel drippy and tired. I couldn’t stand it anymore this afternoon and crashed for a few hours. Tonight Jason came over and Dan made us a delicious dinner consisting of filet mignon and uber yummy baked potatoes (so mushy! so delish! But dammit to hell, I dumped on the carbs from them.) and green beans. The kids had a “sleepover” in Ryan’s room – Ryan is on the top bunk (his) and Alyssa claimed the bottom (a full, so there’s plenty of room for her and her dozen or so stuffed animals).
Right now: there’s a glass of wine in my lap. :D
I hope everything gets approved for the kinship care. I can’t imagine you won’t be though. Alcohol makes people so silly, lol. I saw your tweets.
I love RenFaires <3 Looks like ya'll had fun
As for the kinship care, don't be a worry wort! You'll be fine.
Also, rofl @ your drunk twittering.
I was at that Renn Faire on Saturday for the dance competition! :D
I am glad the kinship inspection went pretty well. I cannot believe all of the things your mother has put your family through. My heart goes out to you and your family.