It's been a busy day for me.. Only a small entry to tell you what my day (week) has been like...
Ever have one of these days? Please click below, to see what I mean:
It was sent by my cousin, "Coelho" (Jose Carlos) the firefighter who lives on an island and hardly ever puts out any fires.. Of course, he probably thinks ALL women drive like this--totally untrue, but it kind of sums up my day!!
I'll explain it later, if I have time, and energy... Hope your day is going well!!
Here I am, a Catholic girl giving you all a Jewish/Buddist Haiku.... Go figure!
(The following was sent to me by my good friend, Sharon--the woman who "sees" dead people and talks to them too...)
If there is no self,
> whose arthritis is this?
> *
>
Be here now.> Be someplace else later.
> Is that so complicated?
> *
>
Drink tea and nourish life.> With the first sip ... joy.
> With the second ... satisfaction.
> With the third, peace.
> With the fourth, a Danish.
> *
>
Wherever you go, there you are.> Your luggage is another story.
> *
>
Accept misfortune as a blessing.> Do not wish for perfect health,
> Or a life without problems.
> What would you talk about?
> *
>
The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single> "oy."
> *
>
There is no escaping karma> In a previous life, you never called,
> you never wrote, you never visited.
> And whose fault was that?
> *
>
Zen is not easy.> It takes effort to attain nothingness.
> And then what do you have?
> Bupkes.
> *
>
The Tao does not speak.> The Tao does not blame.
> The Tao does not take sides.
> The Tao has no expectations.
> The Tao demands nothing of others.
> The Tao is not Jewish.
> *
>
Breathe in. Breathe out.> Breathe in. Breathe out.
> Forget this and attaining Enlightenment will be
> the least of your problems.
> *
>
Let your mind be as a floating cloud.> Let your stillness be as the wooded glen.
> And sit up straight.
> You'll never meet the Buddha with such rounded
> shoulders.
> *
>
Be patient and achieve all things.> Be impatient and achieve all things faster.
> *
>
To Find the Buddha, look within.> Deep inside you are ten thousand flowers.
> Each flower blossoms ten thousand times.
> Each blossom has ten thousand petals.
> You might want to see a specialist.
> *
>
To practice Zen and the art of Jewish motorcycle> maintenance,
> do the following:
> Get rid of the motorcycle.
> What were you thinking?
> *
>
>
Be aware of your body.> Be aware of your perceptions.
> Keep in mind that not every physical sensation is a
> symptom of
> a terminal illness.
> *
>
The Torah says, "Love thy neighbor as thyself."> The Buddha says there is no "self."
> So, maybe you are off the hook.
| In 1966 (the year you were born) |
 As part of nationwide protest against the Vietnam War, demonstrations are staged all over the US In Miranda vs. Arizona, the Supreme Court rules that criminal suspects must be apprised of their rights before interrogation US planes begin bombing of the Hanoi area of North Vietnam Controversial American comedian Lenny Bruce is found dead of a drug overdose in his home John Lennon says, "We are more popular than Jesus" sparking controversy in the US The first black Senator is elected to the United States Senate Cindy Crawford, Janet Jackson, Mike Tyson, Halle Berry, Adam Sandler, and Kiefer Sutherland are born Baltimore Orioles win the World Series Green Bay Packers win the NFL championship Montreal Canadiens win the Stanley Cup The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is the top grossing film Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann is published Pet Sounds by The Beach Boys and Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel are released Star Trek and The Newlywed Game premiere |
Well, it's the end of the weekend, time to think about the day ahead. MONDAY... Not one of my favorite days of the week..
Well, if you are already contemplating on whether or not to call in sick tomorrow, check out these "excuses" I found tonight:
1. Employee was poisoned by his mother-in-law.
2. A buffalo escaped from the game reserve and kept charging the employee every time she tried to go to her car from her house.
3. Employee was feeling all the symptoms of his expecting wife.
4. Employee called from his cell phone, saying that he was accidentally locked in a restroom stall and that no one was around to let him out.
5. Employee broke his leg snow boarding off his roof while drunk.
6. Employee's wife said he couldn't come into work because he had a lot of chores to do around the house.
7. One of the walls in the employee's home fell off the night before.
8. Employee's mother was in jail.
9. A skunk got into the employee's house and sprayed all of his uniforms.
10. Employee had a bad case of hiccups.
11. Employee blew his nose so hard, his back went out.
12. Employee's horses got loose and were running down the highway.
13. Employee was hit by a bus while walking.
14. Employee's dog swallowed her bus pass.
15. Employee was sad.
Richard Castellini is Vice President of Consumer Marketing at CareerBuilder.com. He is an expert in recruitment trends and tactics, job seeker behavior and workplace issues.
Copyright 2006 Careerbuilder.com
Our receptionist once called in to say that she couldn't come in because she had fallen in a gopher hole. Surprisingly, that didn't make the list.
Saturday Nicholas was wailing in the car complaining that his ear was hurting, but today he has gotten better. He is supposed to start a full day of preschool today, and I'm not quite sure if I should just stay home with him. Andrew has no school tomorrow, but my mother has a doctor's appointment tomorrow that I have promised to take her too. Life would be so much easier if I lived in the same town my employment is, but I don't.. :SIGH:
So for now, while no one is throwing up at the moment, I will enjoy this special time in front of the computer... I cannot tell you how tired I am playing Playhouse Disney and NickJr., and watching the Disney Channel and SpongeBob all weekend... Errr.. I think I need to step away from the computer and take a nice, long, hot uninterrupted bubble bath.
Okay, I seem to be doing Memes lately.. Thanks Dawn for this one...
Today, my youngest surprisingly came over to me after his preschool and gave me a big hug instead of throwing a tantrum. That was nice!
Here it is...
A Apple or PC?
No Apples, just 3 PC's and a laptop..
B Banking... online or in person, and if in person, drive thru or inside the bank?
Most of our checking is done online. I really dislike going inside the bank. There is always a line, and it's hard bringing my youngest in there. If I have to talk to someone in person, it's through the drive-thru.
C Coffee and Chocolate! The two most important 'C's Favorites please.
Hmm.. I like Starbucks, Full City. No fancy coffee really.. As for chocolate, my favorite is milk chocolate--doesn't matter what kind, but I love the classic Hershey's the best.
D Dogs. Do you have one? If yes, what kind and it's name and why you named it that. If no, then if you had one what kind would you choose?
No, we don't have a dog. If I had a choice, I'd get a little mini poodle dog--you know the kind you can dress up in little sweaters, and rhinestone collars?
E Elvis. There was only one. Favorite song, and if you ever or your parents ever, saw him live.
Ohh... Elvis.. Are You Lonesome Tonight is my favorite. I loved his voice. I never saw him live. My parents as far as I know never saw him either, but my mother-inlaw has.. Does that count?
F Flowers. Do you have a favorite to receive and/or a favorite to give?
I love roses of any color. I like giving roses. I like lily's too..but not the ones that stink too much.
G Grandparents, do you have any left and if you are one, to how many?
Sadly, all my grandparents have passed to the other side. I only knew my paternal grandmother, and my maternal step-grandfather. (My mother's dad died when she was just a baby.)
H Handy or call for help?
For the most part, hubby does all the handy stuff around the house. From opening jars, to fixing the facets. I love him a lot.
I IOU's any out there to a person, a friend or family?
No IOU's.
J Jello. Love it? Hate it? Favorite flavor? With whipped cream or cool whip or neither?
Jello is good. I used to like eating it with banana. Whipped cream is always good.
K Kiss. Do you remember your first real kiss? Where, who?
Yes, I was 5. His name was Sean. He lived down the street. He kissed me in his backyard underneath a tree. He walked me home later, and told me not to tell my mom what had happened. I didn't know what the big deal was. Word got out in kindergarten about our "romance" and the pressure was just to much to handle. We "broke up" soon afterwards.
L Language. Do you speak any others? Fluently or a little?
I speak Portuguese. Fluently...err...not as well as I would like, but I get by. I also can write in Portuguese as well. I can understand written Spanish, but has to be spoken very slowly for me to understand. I know a little French, but don't not enough to save myself if I was stranded in Paris; but then again, Paris is the 2nd largest Portuguese speaking city in the world, so I think I'd do fine.. :) We Portuguese people are everywhere..you have been warned.
M Mickey Mouse or Donald Duck?
Mickey. We grew up more with Bugs Bunny though.
N Neighbors. Do you know their names? Occupations? Phone numbers? Or not?
Yes, I know most of my neighbors names. Most of the people who live on my street are retired, but there are two people that work for PG&E, and there is teacher, a stay at home dad (aka: Naked Man), and some stay at home moms...
O Olympics. Do you watch? Which is your favorite winter or summer?
I watch the opening games.. And, to tell you the truth, I don't really watch much more than the highlights. I really don't watch too much T.V. as it is.
P Pluto. What is your take on the planet being downgraded?
I think it's a shame really. Pluto has been known as a planet for how many years now? Why downgrade it now?! Silly.
Q Quiche. Have you ever had it? Do you like it and what is your favorite?
I love it. The kids are okay with it. I need a good recipe. Care to share?
R Refrigerator. Name three things in your refrigerator that you think are unusual.
Hmm.. Um..nothing real unusual, besides the garlic paste, and the yucky cottage cheese I bought when my mom was over. I hate cottage cheese--it makes me want to barf.
S Safari. Have you ever been to Africa on one? A theme park version?
Only in my dreams. I took the safari "boat ride" at Disneyland. HA HA HA.. Not really a safari, believe me.
T Telescope. Have you ever looked thru a telescope?
A long time ago.. Probably at Monterey looking for dolphins.
U Umbrella. Do you have one and what is its design?
I have a black one I bought in Japantown in San Francisco. I went to a concert at the Fillmore with my daughter. We were in line at it was pouring rain. We went to look for a umbrella under the rain while her boyfriend kept are place in line. He found a garbage bag to wear. It only cost me $10 bucks, but it still works!!
V Vintage. Do you have a favorite wine to share? Or drink?
Nope. I don't drink enough of it to collect. I cannot drink red wine--only white. My favorite is Casal Garcia.
W Willies. What gives you the willies? You know, that shudder you can't stop?
Snakes. I also cannot see bruises or scrapes and scratches on the people I love. It makes me shiver.
X X-ray. Last one? What body part and why?
Last Saturday in my mouth at the dentist.
Y Yolk. How do you like your eggs?
Scrambled. I used to like them fried, but I eat too much bread when it's fried. I like omelets though the best.
Z Zodiac. What's your sign and does it fit your personality, in your opinion?
I am an Aries. Yes, it pretty much fits me.. I think..
Damn... It's been a L O N G week! Thank God it's Friday...
Errr.. I finished an entry today, but Nicholas pressed the Esc and "moon" button on my computer, and it disappeared.. Errr...
I got to sleep in today anyway! Andrew doesn't have school today because a "teacher work day", and Nick doesn't start preschool until this afternoon, so I was able to sleep in a few hours until my daughter's boyfriend calls at 7:24 am.. SIGH Soon after that I got this incredibly painful cramp in my left leg. OUCH.. What do you do when you get a cramp? I find the best way to deal with it is to get out of bed and immediately stand on it. I know this sounds painful, but I tell you the pain goes away within seconds.
I'm still going to go into work today.. Got to work on those vacation hours.. I've been calling Azores Express to see if there were any flights yet scheduled from Oakland, CA to the Azores.. None yet, but I was told by the woman on the phone with the East Coast/Portuguese accent (not too easy on the ears, I tell you..)
"Keep calling.. It will tell the "big shots" over here to get working on it.."
Okay lady.
This week, everyone has been sick in my house--except me.. BUT, I've been feeling a rumbling in my tummy..
I still have a sore leg, and a somewhat sore back. I'm guessing the back pain is from
"wrestling" my 44 lb. toddler from the preschool floor into our car.
"But I don't wanna go home!!!!"
Have any of you had a child that didn't want to go home from preschool?! I've discovering that it's best to take the youngster's shoes off first before attempting to put him in his car seat. Anyone passing me on the street would have thought I was abducting him. It is so frustrating, and it can be sometimes embarrassing.
Anyhoo.. Here I am, still with no coffee in me.. I snagged this from my friend, Cyn from : Bad Altitude, who got this from: The Friday Five...
I think this is all you are going to be able to get from me today..
1. Would you rather have a fun job that doesn't pay well or a boring job that does? Hmm.. I've had extremely boring jobs that did not pay well, and of course I did not stay there very long. My current job is interesting, and it pays alright, but not what I consider "well". It does have a lot of flexibility, and my supervisors are pretty understanding, and family friendly, so I think that is worth the less pay, HOWEVER, if I had a boring job that paid EXTREMELY well, I would have to make it "fun."
2. Would you sacrifice your morals for a job? No.. Jobs come and go; and I have to live with myself forever.
3. Would you ever take a job that requires you to be in costume? I welcome it! I've always wanted a job where I could wear a costume, and go incognito! It just has to pay well.
4. What is your fantasy job? It would involve photography, and writing. I would travel around the world, writing and photographing, and I would have it all published in high profile magazines, and I would make tons of money from it.
5. Would you like fries with that? I like my fries, as long as they are hot, with ketchup! I try not to eat too much of it though. My daughter let me taste the rest of her "animal style" fries from In And Out. Can you say heart attack in a basket?! I swear, I had such bad indigestion after that..never again!
I'm home today with the boys. Andrew left evidence this morning in the bathroom sink that he was feeling less than wonderful last night.
"Mom, who threw up last night?" Lizzy asked.
I checked on Andrew, and there he was sound asleep, snoring. I didn't have the heart to wake him up and have him get ready for school. Nicholas slept all night, but has had a cough, and a slight fever. He can't go to preschool with any kind of aliment. I really don't want to get a call from the preschool, and be labeled as the "mother who knowingly sends her sick kid to school so he can infect the rest of the kids." I've never had my other kids in preschool, but I know it can be a pool of sess pool of infection. I noticed the post on the door other day warning that there was a case of the very infectious "pink eye". What do people do if their kid is sick and they have no vacation time? I have my mother as a backup, and my oldest, but my mom is not at full capacity at the moment, and Lizzy is in school. I called in sick-no work today.
I know I will eventually build on my vacation time sooner or later, but it makes me nervous taking all this time from work. Thank God I have an employer who is family friendly--there are many employers out there that or not. I've worked for a few; that's another story I may write about later one day. This week, I'm going to work 5 hours Wednesday and Thursday, and hopefully put in a full day of work Friday. Starting next week, Nick will be in preschool from 8 to 5pm--a full day. So far he is doing really well part time--I hope it will continue that way for a full day. After a few weeks of that, my mom says she'll be able to handle him. She probably will be, but I'm going to continue having him come in part time. It's a good break for her, she'll still see him each day, and he will be able to play and learn in the afternoons--everyone wins, except my pocketbook, but..that's life when you have kids; they always come first.
"I think you should stay home with the boys..." said my mom on the phone. She had a doctor's appointment today, and I was planning on taking her anyway, but I don't think she is in the mood to go. I think she is sick of doctors. I don't blame her really. She is finally feeling like her ole' self again, and her walker seems to be always left on the farthest side of the house where she isn't. I found her cane yesterday. She says she will use it when she sees her doctor. I doubt that she is using it around the house at all. Did I mention that I saw her attempting to move a dining room table last week? Yes, the woman is dangerous I tell you.
So the boys are sick, but aren't feeling too sickly. Andrew is playing video games, and Nick is watching Barney on video cassette. 
What is it about this dude that makes him so irresistible to children? I remember myself being mesmerized with Mr. Rogers. I don't know what it was? His voice? His sweater? His blue tennis shoes? I don't know what it was, but I loved Mr. Rogers. What does Barney have on Mr. Rogers?
Earlier today, Nicholas and I were playing in his room. All of his stuffed animals had fallen ill. He demonstrated with the help of his new Bob The Builder toys how he would make Tigger feel better with the help of his Bob The Builder saw. As he proceeded to pretend to cut the poor Tigger in half, it occurred to me that this is the perfect time to introduce him to his new doctor's kit that Santa brought, which has remained unopened. Let's just say that Dr. Nick has "cured" all of his patients, and everyone is doing well. Tigger was the happiest one of them all.
It's sick day, but as usual, I have errands. I have a letter to send to the inlaws, a baseball hat and sweatshirt to return to the store, and I have to stop at Michael's to get a glass jar for Andrew's science project. No rest for the wicked, hey?
Have a great day, stay warm, and don't get sick, or break a hip or anything.
Weekend has come, and is now approaching an end... Where did it go?
Saturday morning was spent at the dentist office. Seems like an old root canal that as done years ago needed to be re-crowned. A root canal was done to only one root of the tooth, so now I need another one. I was always under the impression that when you had a root canal, the whole tooth was worked on, but I guess I was wrong. Oh joy. I'm just thankful I have dental insurance. This mouth of mine never seems to be "done".
Today my cousin's boyfriend came by to drop off a gift Tania wanted me to have. He had just come back from seeing her during the holidays, and it was quite apparent that he missed her very much. So sad.. Long distance relationships are hard; I really hope for the best of them.
Friday, before going to work I decided to take on a closet my mother has been meaning to "clean out". I decided to take on the chore, hoping to find her cane that she supposedly put away there. After going through bags and bags of polyester clothing from 1972, I found no cane. I brought the majority of the clothing to the Goodwill, and took my clothing home. I found a lot of my son's clothes that will one day fit the little guy; at the rate Nicholas is growing.. It won't be long. I found the dress I wore for my high school graduation picture (it still fits!), but who knows if I will ever wear it again--it is a little out of fashion, unless I want to go for that Little House In The Prairie Look...so passe.. I also found a few of my mother's hand sewn, frilly velvet pieces I wore as a child. Can you say Austin Powers? I am saving those for sentimental reasons.
At the moment, I am staying up tonight. My oldest (who doesn't drive) gets out of work at midnight, with a possible extension of extra hours. Oh joy. I'm wondering whether I should just go to bed and wait for the telephone to wake me up, or just stay up in front of this evil machine...
Well, I'm pretty tired. As you can see I don't have much to write about because my energy level is pretty gone. Here is a Meme I found at Penny's. Feel free to copy it.. I did.. (Thanks Penny.)
1. Where were you when the ball dropped for 2007? I was in bed, half asleep waiting for a phone call from my daughter; listening to the boys bang pots and pans outside in the front yard, along with all of the illegal fireworks in the neighborhood.
2. How did you get the idea for your my space name? MySpace?? Are you kidding me? I'm too old for Myspace! My kids would disown me!
3. What are you listening to right now? Sponge Bob!
4. Has the death of a celebrity ever made you cry? Yes. I remember when Princess Grace died. The funeral was on television, and the camera focused on her husband. His sorrow really touched me.
5. What color underwear are you wearing? Black!
6. Do you live in a zoo? Yes--I've always lived in a zoo, and I'm still relatively sane for the most part.
7. What did you do this morning? Spent some special time with hubby man.. :)
8. What does your mom do for a living? My mom is a homemaker. Growing up, Mom was there morning, noon and night, making sure we were all fat and happy in clean clothes and hair combed in tight pony tails with huge ribbons on our heads.
9. Where do you work? I work for a county office. The felons that live in my home town support me.
10. What are your favorite smells? Coffee, bread, and cookies just out of the oven.
11. What are the last two digits of your phone number? 17
12. What was the last concert you attended? I went to see Jason Mraz in Los Gatos, California.
13. Who was with you? My daughter, Lizzy.
14. What was the last movie you watched? Last Holiday with Queen Latifah. It was cheesy, but entertaining. I saw it at the dentist office during my root canal.
What do you dislike at the moment? Jealousy and hate--they go hand in hand.
16. What do you crave right now? A vacation alone with hubby man.
17. Did you dream last night? Yes.. But it was nothing worth remembering, because I don't remember it.
18. What was the last TV show you watched? HA HA HA... I'm ashamed to say it, but it was that VH1 show, "I Love New York."
19. What is your favorite piece of jewelry? Besides my wedding rings, it would have to be the diamond earrings my hubby gave me one Christmas after we first started dating.
20. Name someone on your Top 8 who is just like you? I don't have Myspace.
21. Who is your best friend of the opposite sex? Richard, of course.
22. Who last IM’d you? That would be my friend, Maureen.
23. Are you on any medication? No, thank God.
24. What side of the bed do you sleep on? Left.
25. What color shirt are you wearing? Pink.
26. What color is your razor? Pink again!
27. What is your favorite frozen treat? Anything made of chocolate.
28. How many tattoos/piercings do you have? My ears are pierced, and that is about it. I had them pierced a second time later as a teenager, but the holes grew in.
29. What are your favorite stores? Longs Drugs (ha ha), JCPenny, New York & Co., and Express.
30. Are you thirsty right now? Nope.
31. Can you imagine yourself ever getting married? No. I'm very happy in my second marriage, thank you!
32. Who’s someone you haven’t seen in awhile and miss? Just one someone?! I really miss a lot of people, but I really miss my daddy the most.
33. What did you do last night? I cleaned the house!
34. Do you care what people think about you? Not as much as I used to.
35. Have you ever done something to instigate trouble? Ha ha .. If I did I didn't mean it. <innocent look>
36. Do you like your nose? Yeah.
37. What color is your room?Navajo White
38. When was the last time you worked out? Um.. At a gym, years ago.
39. Do you like pedicures? No! But, I don't know. I don't like my toes very much--I hide them.
40. Where do you live? California
41. Are you an aggressive driver? Not really---just don't cut me off, or blind me with your brights!
42. Who is your cell phone carrier? Virgin Mobile (don't laugh)
43. Do you like the person who posted this last? Yes.
44. Do you know their birthday? January.
45. What is the thing you’d most want to change about yourself?
I wish I was more committed to exercise.
46. What color is your car? Bronzish brownish.
47. What do you smell like right now? Cinnamon graham crackers.
48. What is your favorite color? Red
49. Do you like mustard? Yes.
50. What do you tell yourself when times get hard? There is always hope.
51. Would you ever sky dive? It depends on the circumstances, and the amount of money involved.
52. What do you sleep on? I love my bed!
53. Have you ever bid for something on eBay? Yes
54. What do you think of Angelina Jolie being pregnant? Good for her!
55. Do you enjoy giving hugs? Yes.
56. Would you consider yourself to be fashionable? Ha ha ha.. I try sometimes.
57. Do you own a digital camera? Yes, I do own one.
58. What celebrities have you been compared to? Valerie Bertinelli and Kristie Alley.. Personally, I don't see it.
59. What does your 19th test message say? I don't do test messages.
60. How ’bout your 30th? Nada .
61. Who did you hang out with last night? Hubby and rug rat.
62. What are you doing this Saturday? Hmm.. Nothing special planned, other than the usual.
Tuesday was the BIG DAY!! First day of preschool.. I was a little nervous how Nicholas would make the transition. His only day care he has had throughout his 3 years of life consisted of his parents, his older siblings, and grandma. There was no telling what his reaction would be. Sure, he had been there the week previous to check out the place, and he seemed pretty optimistic about the whole idea, but what we would he do when I actually left him there alone?
I was prepared for the worse. I was prepared to hear him scream in terror, cry out to me and try to grab my legs. I was prepared to have him throw a full sized, kicking and arm thrusting tantrum.
I got the complete opposite. All I got was a wave goodbye.
I could not be happier.
Still, I was a little curious how he was doing later in the day. I didn't get any distress calls yet. I kept on expecting calls like:
"Please, Mrs. Langley, come pick up your kid, NOW!"
or
"Nicholas is not adjusting well today. Perhaps you should pick him up now.."
But no such calls. I did call, and spoke to his teacher, who could not stop praising my little munchkin.
Apparently, Nicholas LOVES preschool! He listens to the teachers, enjoys his nap with the other little preschoolers, and already has a posse of friends. He could not be happier. If Nick is happy---everyone is happy. I just can't comprehend it though. Is this really my child? What happened? Where is my baby?!?
I came back later in the day, and there he was sitting at the table with 3 other little ones enjoying a bowl of raisins. My son likes raisins?! Okay, this is news to me. I come in, and he doesn't even bother to acknowledge my presence, instead, he is too busy feeding his new little friend Whitney a raisin.
"Nicholas, it's time to go home."
He pretends not to hear me. Okay.. Now I'm thinking, this is when he is going to have his little tantrum; okay I may have to carry him out of the place kicking and screaming. But, no, he finally gets up, gives me a hug and walks out the door with me hand in hand.
Okay, where is my son? Is this just too good to be true or what?
I'm sighing a BIG sigh of relief over here!!!
In other news, my mother is doing really great! Thank you again for all your well wishes and prayers!
Damn this week has been busy!! I'm glad it's almost over!! THREE DAY WEEKEND!!! YEAH!!
I finally got to go to work on Friday, and I worked a full day. The day went quickly because there was A LOT to do. Boss Man even told me I could work on a certain project this weekend (end of the year statistics) at home and earn some vacation hours back, so that is GOOD news. Thank you for all your well wishes--I really appreciate all of them--I really do!
I hope to put in a half week next week at work. Nick starts pre-school on Tuesday--I hope that goes well. Nick could have started on Thursday, but because of a sudden case of diarrhea, that idea was but on hold. My mom is doing better, and her blood sugars are almost normal so that is good. My daughter's dentist appointment was moved up to yesterday evening, and guess what--no cyst--it was an abscess infection, and they saved her tooth. EXTREMELY good news. When I heard the words: "cyst" and a possibility of "biopsy" by her dentist in one sentence really freaked me beyond words. No need. It wasn't as bad as they first thought. Whewww.... You don't know what a relief that was.. It was a hell of a week.
I swear, I looked outside at the thermometer read 23 degrees. It is soooo freakin' cold over here. Where is the snow? There might be snow in the hills near my home this weekend. It happened last year, and that was very odd. It just doesn't snow often in the Santa Cruz and San Jose hills. It is VERY odd, and strange.
Well, at the moment I have another 100 things to do, but I just wanted to update my journal, because it finally feels like the start of the new year. I just hope things continue to get better!! Have an EXTREMELY good weekend!!
Today was a day full of errands, and pricked fingers... I completely forgot it was Elvis' birthday! Oh me BAD!!!
My mother's new insurance cards finally came in, and it was quite a relief. I was able to go to the hospital and show proof of her new insurance, and I was also able to get more of her medications. It got a little scary, because she was running low, and the cards had never had come. Until after I spent over 10 minutes on HOLD to get her subscriber ID and group #'s of course, her new cards arrived in the mail.
I learned that her bank's ATM machine automatically gives you an envelope when you indicate you are making a deposit. I've never seen that before--it was pretty cool. I first went to the machine, and I couldn't find the deposit envelopes anywhere. I went inside, and was told that the machine spit out one when you pressed the deposit button. The old lady behind the teller window looked at me suspiciously, and probably thought I was crazy for not knowing this tidbit of information. My bank doesn't spit out envelopes! I thought it was pretty cool.
I was went to Nick's pre-school to drop off the registration papers. I took Nick with me so he could look at his "new school". I was so afraid that he would be totally out of control for some reason, but he did the exact opposite. He nonchalantly looked over the place, with his hand in the pocket of his sweats, and surveyed the area. He automatically noticed the numbers and different shapes decorating the walls. He gave the play structure a test drive. He walked slowly and spoke quietly near the infant area. He left a good impression. I was very pleased. To reward him, I took him to McDonalds.
He LOVES going inside McDonalds. He sat there and drank his apple juice, and hardly ate a thing. He was being a good child. Smiling, talking, and very content. Then HELL broke loose. In front of the tattooed man, who was quietly eating his Big Mac, Nicholas had a tantrum. How dare I throw away the garbage! He was very upset that I didn't allow him to throw the contents of the tray in the garbage. Never mind, he is too short to accomplish this, he was furious that I had taken control of the situation. I couldn't just leave either. I had promised my mother to pick her up a few hamburgers, and I couldn't just scoop him up and leave. I got him up to the cashier, where he proceeded to cry and cry and cry.. The older woman with the "manager" tag on her shirt gave him an ice cream cone. Suddenly silence. I could almost hear everyone in the place give out a sigh of relief.
All was well until the cone started to melt.
"MOMMY!!! I'm all sticky!!!"
I took the cone away. It was melting, so I ate it.
When we to my mom's: "MOMMY!!! You ate my ice cream cone!!!"
Oh the guilt.
Two nurses came over to visit my mom. One wanted to sell her a basket to put on her walker, and an extender so she could reach things. It was a no sale. The other checked her blood pressure, and her temperature---all good. She asked if she had checked her blood sugar. It was high when she left the hospital, so we decided to check it. On one reading it said 220?! The other 48? 376!! The other 72, and then we got E 8 readings. It was so confusing. We spent a good half hour just pricking our fingers to see if the machine was on the fritz. When I was pregnant with my youngest I had gestation diabetes so I remembered the pricked fingers..not fun. We called her doctor and she has an appointment for Wednesday.
That was a little bit of my day. Weird "work" being at "home", is far more work than being at the work place.. Huh? It's almost a break from life.
Back to ELVIS..
(Above picture snagged from Lisa Jo!)
The most smoothest, warmest, beautiful voice I've ever heard. When my mother came to America for the first time in 1956, Elvis was just getting popular. She, over course loved the guy. Who can't resist him??
The weekend came, and is quickly going...
I cleaned out all my Christmas decor out Saturday! Hurrah!! I was also able to sleep in!! Yeah.. I went to the dentist, and it was pretty painless... YEAH..
Today I took my daughter into the dentist. This was a real downer. She was complaining that one of her teeth was feeling loose. An X-ray was done, and it was discovered that she had a cyst growing above her loose tooth that is eating away at the root. She will be on antibiotics for a week until she gets a root canal on that tooth. I know I shouldn't worry, but I'm worried. It seems like I'm always worried. I guess it goes with being a mom? I don't know. I should just be glad it was found. The dentist said that this could be the explanation why she may be having sinus headaches, and slight fevers--which she had been having. What really gets me mad though is that her other dentist that she had seen only a year ago did not see this cyst. The dentist said that it looks like it's been there for quite awhile; may be even a couple of years undetected. Have any of you heard of something like this? Please let me know.
There always seems to be something to worry about. WHY?
Tomorrow I hope to hear from my son's doctor about his physician's slip. Without it, he can't start pre-school, and if he can't start pre-school, that is just more vacation time I have to take from work. Yes, I'm worried about that too.. He however is getting more excited about pre-school. He knows that he will be playing with other kids, and coloring, and play doh... I just hope they can handle him. I just broke away from the computer moments ago. He caught him standing on the ottoman, reaching for the glass candy dish on top of the entertainment center. He was diaper less. His diaper was sitting neatly atop of one of stereo speakers, and there he was reaching for chocolate with no pants. I should have stopped to take a picture, but I was too caught up in the moment full of worry. What if he fell off the ottoman and broke a leg? What if the candy dish fell on top of him, and started bleeding from his little head??
My mother is doing well; but does not want to be alone at night. This week, I'll be with her in the morning, and my son may have to spend some more nights with her during the week. May be Lizzy can come down too. I live in another town, so it's a little harder for us. I will be staying with her all week during the day like I've been doing; and next weekend, if she can't make it to my house, I'll have to come over. I've already been accused of "not doing my share", and I've been hung up on-not by my mother. And I don't care WHO reads this, and gets "upset" at this point.
Oh a happier note...
With the help of Debbie Michelle, I have discovered PHOTOBUCKET!! It is my hope that all of my pictures will APPEAR!! Thank you Debbie of Derasta Creations!!
This afternoon at my mother's house, I threw out old, un eaten cake and a lot of the Christmas decorations in the living room. She was tired and sick of seeing the decorations, and she is associating all of it to her recent fall and stay at the hospital.
"Put it all away before it makes me throw up!"
I obliged. I really don't blame her for feeling that way. I think I would feel the same. Tomorrow, I think I will put the rest of my Christmas stuff away too. It's the Day of the Three Kings; good day to do it.
So far, it's been a weird year.
A few days before my mother took her fall into the driveway, the neighbor's tree fell into the drive way.
The day that my mom fell, I was at the house. I knocked the "gold" plastic, decorative butterflies off the wall by mistake. My mother was annoyed. I tried putting them back up, but they kept on falling down! My daughter turned to me and said, and no, I'm not kidding:
"May be it's a curse! May be something bad is going to happen!"
We laughed it off of course, but it "stayed" with me. Being Portuguese, it's normal to "believe" or hear of curses, or precursors.. Of course my husband (who is not Portuguese) thinks it's crazy, and I'm crazy to believe in such things, but I just find it a tad ironic, doncha think?
Takes me back to one New Years long ago.. I think I was about 13, and there was quite a ruckus in my bedroom--it was pretty shaky because involved jumping on the bed.
"Wouldn't it be awful if there was a big earthquake at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Day?"
The next day, ironically, we learned of a major earthquake. The quake was centered, where else, in the Azores. One of my mother's cousin's actually died. What a horrible year that was.. 1980.
I really don't like pondering on things like this, but it is just so weird.
The phone in my kitchen just decided to "die" yesterday. My husband got us a new set of phones. Strangely enough so did my mother.
I had to take the day off today. My daughter was feeling ill, and I had to get a physician's release form dropped off for Nick's preschool. (That was fun... I'm kidding.) He can't do preschool until this piece of paper is filled out. I may have to take more vacation time next week; more than I had planned.. I'm not too happy about that. Oh well..
I checked my messages from work today and I was surprised to have a message on there from an old friend of mine that I used to work with, Kathi. Ironically, her father in-law was at the hospital too. They drove down out of the blue, and was visiting the father in law, who thankfully is doing well. I'm surprised I didn't run into her at the hospital--that would have been a hoot. I hadn't seen her for years, and she lives so far away up north, she hadn't been able to visit for years. The one day she is here, I'm not at work to get her call! That is a bummer. She is leaving tomorrow for home, and I won't get to see her.
This week has been hectic, and not very fun. I'm hopeful next week will be better. I have a dentist appointment tomorrow.. Whooppee! I can't wait.
I've been feeling more exhausted than usual lately. Stress really triggers exhaustation in me. Unfortunately, stress also triggers the consumption of large amounts of chocolate. I haven't been eating well, and the Christmas chocolates that are still lingering around does not help. There is even chocolate at my mother's house, kept in various fancy glass candy dishes, and she is diabetic for God's sake!
Nevertheless, I've been going to bed late, and waking up early, and it has been extremely hard, especially when it's cold and dark and rainy outside. The other morning, the alarm went off, and an annoying song just went on and on for what it seemed forever. For the life of me, I could not get the alarm to shut off... Of course the song that was playing was just soooo annnoying.. I hate this song: YOU BETTER, from THE WHO.
"YOU BETTER... YOU BETTER, YOU BETTER, YOU BET..."
I cannot stand this song.
It's the most annoying song ever.
I officially declare this song this most ANNOYING song of the year, and it's only a few days into January.
Today, ironically, at the front desk, (Yes, Rita is out sick AGAIN!) a young attorney came by to drop of some CD's for the BOSS MAN. Guess what the CD's were? Two CD's on THE WHO'S GREATEST HITS--featuring the long live version of YOU BETTER.
Lovely. The song has come back to haunt me.
I felt like throwing those CD's on the receptionist glass window. I now look at BOSS MAN in a different light..and it's not good. His story of his most recent encounter with Willie Nelson on his "hippee bus" was one thing...but a fan of THE WHO?! IF I hear that song again, I will scream!!
The year for me, got a kick start of unexpected events, but things are looking brighter for the most part. I hope everyone had a pleasant New Years. Mine didn't go as planned, but then again, things are looking up. Be thankful for your health, take your vitamins, and don't multi task too much...watch your step. I'm constantly reminded of that now.
Part of my New Years Resolutions is to exercise more, and when I mean exercise, I mean walking. I'm not a gym person. I once went to one, and enjoyed it, but with my working schedule, kids, and my commute, I don't know if I could dedicate my time and money on a gym membership. I've found the best gym I've been to can be found in a good pair of walking shoes. I can take them wherever and whenever I want, and I don't have to be in a room with sweaty, snooty, strangers.. I can walk in the fresh air, by the ocean, or with the weirdos downtown..
Today, I decided to take a break and walk downtown. There weren't too many weirdos around. The parking situation at work gave me the incentive of walking--I knew there would be a possibility that I wouldn't find a parking space if I drove my car. It was a cold outside, but the walk downtown was a good decision. I walk fast, and my legs were not the bit used to it this morning. That has got to change. I'm sure if I started doing this everyday, I'd be back to my ole' walking day self. I was much more limber then too. So, instead of taking breaks in front of the "evil machine" (computer), I will be off outside, come wind or rain... I will walk at least 20 minutes each day. Won't you join me?
Another resolution... I'm going to eat more veggies this year. I don't eat that much meat, but sometimes instead eating, I've found myself snacking on basically...junk. Bring on the broccoli and carrots, and the veggie burgers.. I'm so there. Let me be the true COELHA (rabbit) that I was born to be. I may be a little more gassy, but, oh well..
I found a preschool for my youngest today. He starts part-time next week. This should be interesting. Hopefully things will work out. Preschool care is not cheap... I've been lucky for a number of years, but now that my mother is unable to care for him fully right now, it's the thing to do. I'm starting him part time, and may be full time for a bit, and back to may be two days week once my mom is back dancing in heels. We shall see.. She will be leaving for vacation later this year, anyway, so I best have back up day care prepared when that happens..
Then again, you can never be prepared for life's ups and downs... Life is pretty unpredictable. The older I get, the more I'm aware of it, and I'm not getting any younger!
Thanks D'sDesigns :)
