Xeney says she didn't even know Yahoo! had a graphic for "ick". And that was yesterday, and it's even more "ick" today, from all the smoke. Almost like tule fog.

I note that FIGHT CLUB rose to first place in weekend movies. I had never even heard of it and I don't want to see it, but when I bought my ticket for DOUBLE JEOPARDY, I note they actually gave me a FC ticket. I wonder if that's how it made it to first?

Meanwhile, we've decided it was time to put Rich on the prayer list. He's dropped another 5 pounds. They gave him a beta blocker to settle his heart down, and he says that helps. I've been a little annoyed with his sister and brother, whom I e-mailed last Monday, but I finally heard on Tuesday night. The message was sent 10/13/99 1103 our time and it got here on the 19th sometime between 2030 and 2130. OK, at least she has acknowledged she cares about her brother.

Yesterday we had Sam's IEP. I was a little worried, but in the end, we got everything I wanted for the child. Sam will have pullout classes and stay in this school, and reasonable goals have been set. At one point, the resource specialist looked me in the eyes, couldn't remember my name for a minute, then said "Jan." I waited... "fix it!" "Uh... OK?" I'm not a miracle worker, but I'm supposed to try to help Sam with peer relations.

The social worker gave me a copy of her court report, and this little bit (with the name changed) is vague enough to share. I was really happy.

The undersigned requested that a CASA Worker be assigned to Sam. Sam appeared to be in need of extra individualized attention. Jan Yarnot was assigned to Sam in June 1999. Ms. Yarnot has provided Sam with individualized attention and has provided enrichment activities such as attending Sacramento Reads and the Sacramento Zoo. Ms. Yarnot has also provided needed tutoring for Sam. Ms. Yarnot has attended school meetings and staffings at River Oak Center and has been very supportive of the minor and has been a needed advocate.

Later, she refers to the "positive adult relationships with Ms. Yarnot amd [the teacher]."

She was to meet me for court today, but she was a little late and I braved the room by myself. The court officer came up and needed a copy of my report, which I was, fortunately, carrying. The social worker came in just as the child's lawyer was requesting a continuance on this case. Fortunately, out in the hall after calendar call, the lawyer and the social worker sorted out the problems with me listening in.

I'm delighted to state that I got everything I wanted for Sam. The social worker's recommendation was changed back to what she wanted in the first place (but now the judge has ordered it, which changes the politics). I had to wait around about an hour after this, chatting with Sam's care provider, till I got the court order and could sign on the CASA line. I'm reminded of how seriously they take our work: the line has blocks by four options: CASA not assigned, CASA not present, CASA agrees, CASA disagrees. When I'd gone into the door toward the courtroom, someone asked if she could help me, but when I said I was a CASA, she was happy to have me there. This is a good reminder. A lot of my job is like a Big Sister or a mentor, and while I know there's more to it, it's good to see the system in action. Besides, I got what I wanted!