Homestudy Again...

This time last year, I was waiting to for the call from my agency's social worker to set up the homestudy visit. I was so excited... just waiting for the call (not "THE CALL" - just a call to set up the appointment). I drove back from the Christmas celebrations to Seattle for the first meeting, mentally rehearsing answers to questions I thought I might be asked. Then came the marathon cleaning and arranging of furniture. Preparing the dog. I swear I can still feel the excitment from it.

This year, the SW from the state finally made on Thursday (almost 12 months later than the first). It took about two hours, but it probably would have taken less time if I wasn't so chatty and the dog didn't keep trying to sit on her lap. The appointment was scheduled for 3.30pm and I didn't have time to take her (the dog) for a walk, so she (the dog) was a little excited to see someone else there. I pointed out my smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, the locked medicine box and all the fire exits. We discussed having fire drills - the SW recommended that I practice with the dog (seriously!). Everything was checked off - the report takes about two weeks to write up and is then sent to the supervisor. My fingerprints are still not back, so that has to also be cleared. Hopefully, it's just a christmas rush or vacation rush or something like that.

After that, I don't know. It's a little scary with all the "don't know" time frames. Initially, I was told that I would have a long wait (ha! they don't really know what long means...) and then as the SW was leaving, she told me that another family had been cleared the day before and was "already full." I don't know if that means I should be excited, worried or neither. I guess I'd have to say that I'm more than a little catious with my emotions this time around. I haven't done anything to prepare myself in months. No books, no magazine articles, no shopping for myself, nada. I'm not sure I want to start up again, only to have another torturous wait.