I haven't been able to sit at my desk since July 28th. I tried on multiple occassions but just couldn't do it. All I thought of when sitting there was the punk who broke into my house. I thought of his gloved hands pawing through my stuff and kept seeing the blinds which he shimmed his way through.
Wednesday was his sentencing which provides me some sense of closure. RB will spent the next 9 months in jail, three months on a tether after that and then 30 months on probation. Nothing can ever make up for what he took from me but I am as satisfied as I can be with his sentence. One of the better parts of the sentence is the fact it started immediately. His court appointed attorney asked for the jail time to start after Thanksgiving as he would be spending Christmas in jail. I'm told he likely enjoyed a bologna sandwhich on Thanksgiving.
I had the opportunity to speak to the judge and the court for that matter. It was one of the hardest, most emotional things I've ever done but I'm so glad I did it. I'm most proud of the fact I looked RB right in the eye on at least three occassions when I was reading my statement. He just stood there and looked at me with no emotion. According to my mom, his mom and sister did have tears in their eyes as I was reading my statement. And sealing the deal he would spend time in jail.
Another tough moment Wednesday was when he went before the judge. The judge asked him if there was anything he wanted to say. He turned around and looked at me, sheepishly, and said he was sorry for any pain he caused and that he is working really hard in school and wants to continue his studies. I was so angry when he said that and shouted out "you should have thought of that on July 28th.". My dad nudged me on the knee and I kept quiet for the rest of the time. I'm a little surprised the judge didn't yell "order in the court". Apparently that only happens on TV.
Now that I have some closure, I decided to try being in my office again. I used to love my desk and office for that matter. I painted the walls myself, looked forever for artwork for the walls and just love the curtains my mom made for me.
I'm pleased to report I spent almost three hours at my desk today. A certain someone joined me as I worked on my paper.
Although I think I need to reserve my work-office for significant writing, I'm growing more comfortable with the idea of spending time in my home office again.
My work-office is completely quiet on the weekends and has no distractions. It's not likely I'll abandon my paper for a press release that needs writing. It is likely at home that I'll abandon my paper for a load of laundry, playtime with the girls or investigation of what's happening outside.
I'm so happy to be in my home office again.
My mom created many traditions for us growing up. Christmas time is filled with so many fond memories. Although I'm not a child anymore, many of the traditions are ones I'm still glad we continue to celebrate. One thing we didn't have growing up with stockings that hung on the fireplace. I *always* wanted them to be hung. No luck begging and pleading. Guess that's the good thing about being an adult - you can start your own traditions when you have your own house. My mom actually bought me a set of J O Y hangers on clearance last year. I kind of forgot about them until I un-earthed all the decorations. Now I just need to get a stocking for myself!
The tree skirt is messy and not nicely rounded around the tree. I decided it's just not worth it trying to keep it rounded. Callie and Lucy run circles around the tree and mess it up. I just pretend it's the "natural" look as if to protect the roots of the tree. Ha!
