Where do I begin? Most of what I'm referring to began to happen about two weeks ago. It all started when Kevin, Jeremy, and I went to Breland's for a workout. I had just started my workout on the elliptical trainer when Kevin came up to me and said, "I'm so mad I can't even workout right now." It all stemmed from the conversation that Kevin and Jeremy had in the locker room before starting their workout. Evidently, Jeremy had learned from Ashley that Lonnie (Ashley's Mothers' boyfriend) had offered marijuana to Ashley. After hearing this we left the gym and headed to Braum's and Jeremy went home to pick up Ashley so we could find out more about what all was going on at their home.
Ashley admitted to us that he had offered her drugs. She told him no, that she doesn't do drugs and Lonnie told her that she had better not tell anyone that he had offered her the drugs or she was going to get into big trouble. Ashley also said that she had seen Lonnie doing drugs with a 14 yr. old in the apartment. After hearing this different complaints about the boyfriend and the Mother began to come out from Jeremy and Ashley.
1. There is never any food in the house to eat because the boyfriend eats all the food and throws the empty food wrappers back into the refrigerator or cabinets.
2. Jeremy has had to use his own money to buy dinner for both of them.
3. Ashley is constantly left alone at home with the boyfriend.
4. Jeremy has been locked out of the apartment several times because the boyfriend is in the apartment doing drugs. When he manages to get back inside he complains about the funny odor in the apartment.
5. Ashley has to go to neighboring apartments to eat dinner.
Then, Kevin and I have one major complaint about Michele:
1. Kevin is paying her $600 a month in child support, but she won't buy clothes, school supplies, or food for the kids.
2. Ashley has been late to school because she can't awaken to wake up Ashley.
3. There have been several days Ashley has gone without lunch, because she wasn't given any money.
After hearing all this we left Braum's and headed for the police department to file a complaint against the boyfriend. Afterwards, we headed back to Burk so Kevin could call his sister who works for CPS in Abilene to find out what needed to be done to get both of them out of that environment. Kristi gave us a hotline number for CPS and Kevin called and related all that had been told to us by Jeremy and Ashley.
The next day Kevin and I went to see our lawyer. He drew up affidavits for all three of them to sign. As it stands now, we have temporary custody of Jeremy and Ashley, and a restraining order against Michele. We both think we have an excellent chance of gaining permanant custody. While we were at the lawyer's office we found out that the boyfriend had been released from prison June 30th of this year. He had served a 3 yr. prison term for Meth.
As more developments happen I will try to post them as soon as they happen, and not wait. Waiting has certaintly made this into an extremely long entry. Sorry, guys and gals.
Kevin decided he wanted to join a gym. An added incentive was to buy into the family membership, because after being a member for 12 mos. I can take a receipt to work and be reimbursed 50%.
I am taking Phentermine 37.5mg for appetite control. Since I'm on vacation this week, I decided it was now or never to begin an exercise routine. We joined Breland's Health & Fitness Club. Kevin started going last week, and I started yesterday. I worked out for an hour both days. I have found my favorite activity. It's onto the glider for 15 minutes with a 5 minute cool down, then onto the treadmill for 45 minutes with a 5 minute cool down. The glider simulates pedaling a bicycle standing up. By the time I'm through I'm am definitely ready to get off. Between both machines I burned close to 500 calories in an hour. Eventually, my goal is to reach a two hour workout .
However, I might have to give it a rest and skip the gym tomorrow. My legs are sooo sore I can hardly walk. I will certaintly give updates on my progress.