Awards!

Justice received some kind of church award Wednesday night. I can't honestly recall what the name was, but it sounded damned impressive. Some kind of medal or acheivement plaque or some other cherishable.

The 16th is still looming large, so mark your calendars!

Who Ya Gonna Call?

Apparently, if you're Justice, not Ghostbusters.

Two nights ago, as she gave her evening prayers before crawling into bed, she uttered this request of the Almighty:

"And please don't let me dream about Ghostbusters, or thing about the movie Ghostbusters."

Yeah, it's that serious.

So, Sherman, set the way-back machine to a week ago.

On a recent trip to Borders, yes, the book store, we managed to pick up zero books, but three DVDs, one for each of us. Now, pay attention; Justice picket out The Nightmare Before Christmas, I picked out Ghostbusters and I have no idea what Lil picked out. That part isn't important to our story today, but I'm certain it was a classic peice of movie entertainment.

We happy few trundled home with our treasure and plunked down in front of the tube for some family viewing pleasure.

First up, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Tim Burton's dream (opium, mescaline?) inspired poetry vision of monsters, ghouls, skeletons and ghosts taking over Christmas. This leads to much scary mayhem, and the potential demise of the Jolly Old Elf himself, Sandy Claws at the hands of one of the more gruesome baddies of the children's world: Oogie Boogie.

Alright, so no worries there.

Here's where the problem comes in. As young Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Raimis and Rick Moranis turn in their star-rocketing performances in the 1984 released Ghostbusters Justice became more and more concerned. Images of the "Slimer" and other ghostly apparitions, culminate in the most horrible viewing experience ever.

That's right.

It's the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Now consider, this movie released in the summer of 1984, as I was 10 going on 11. I'm fairly certain that both my brother, who would have been 9 and sister, who was 7 both watched the movie too. I think I watched it a dozen times in theaters and countless times on video. I could sing the entire Ghostbusters theme song by Ray Parker Jr. because it was blaring out of my Ghostbusters radio ontop of my Ghostbusters radio stand.

Yeah, it was that big.

Ok, fine, I didn't have a Ghostbusters radio.

But if I'd been rich, I would have, damnit!

The point though, is that Justice, who will be turning 10 this September, was so scared out of her gord by the images of this far-fetched and far-flung movie, that she wouldn't go to sleep with the light on, the door cracked and Lil and I sitting right outside wearing our proton packs.

I thought children of this generation were more callous then we innocents of the early 80s?

Round Five - DING!

Children, the word for today is: continuance.

This is a legal term that temporarily holds you, your foster daughter, her biological father and all the social workers on the edge of your seat with worry and fear.

It's sort of like flying, except without the seatbelts, airmasks or a plane.

You're just waiting to hit the ground, and hoping you'll miss.

Next trial date is August 16th.

Court is Now in Session

The petition for custody of Justice will be determined by the court today. As mentioned, Lil and I are torn between two poles of where we want the decision to fall. I find myself more and more uncomfortable as time passes and I haven't heard anything. It's only 8:20 right now, and they likely won't decide the case before noon, but still, the lack of information at this point, which started as only annoying, is rapidly progressing into disturbing and annoying realms.

We will, of course, post the outcome as soon as possible.

All prayer lines are now open.