I've got 4 tickets to paradise..

 

A long, long, time ago, I actually took a vocational college course to be a travel agent.  When I found out how little a travel agent actually got paid, I decided to just stay at my county job-mostly because it paid more.  I’m feeling kind of like a travel agent at the moment though…

 

Well, guess who is going to the Azores this summer?!  My mom, my brother and his entire family, and….  ME—(and 3 kids)! 

 

I am happy, but, it’s kind of bittersweet because my husband, and his son can’t go.  Three weeks without my Valentine.  It will be hard.  I could go for longer, but…  I really don’t want to!   I’m a little sad over this.  Hopefully one day he can go with me in the future. 

 

My husband won’t be alone, he’ll be with his son, and he promised he wouldn't’t grow a beard, or eat extremely badly or anything while I’m gone… :SIGH:   At least my cousins have internet access!  I can email him everyday, and may be even type some entries in my blog, and post some pictures of this beautiful place.  I hope to do a lot of days at the beach however. 

 

I just got off the phone with the travel agent I’ve been working with.  I’ve booked everyone’s ticket, but I have to drop off the payments like, ASAP by tomorrow morning Azores time in order to keep my brother’s reservations.  Apparently, he is leaving on a very popular flight.  According to the travelagent, a wedding party cancelled, and she got them all in at the last minute.  But there is already a waiting list!  See?!  The conspiracy is working!  There is only ONE airline that flies to the Azores as a prime destination:  Azores Express/Tap—Transportes Aereos Portuguesa—known as also:  Air Portugal, or Take Another Plane.  (Actually, TAP has really nice and comfy planes.)  See why it’s so important to book months ahead!?  They are going in June, and there is already a waiting list!  Reservations went out only a week ago!  Apparently, the flight is going to be taking a lot of bull fighters to the islands.  Lovely..  I’m kind of glad I’m not going on this flight.  Imagine sitting in a plane full of bull fighters all dressed up in those little tight sequined outfits…  HA HA HA…  (Note:  In Portugal, bulls are NEVER killed in a bull fight.  They only kill them in Spain and Mexico.)    

 

Tonight after my brother drops by with his money.. (poor guy is going to be spending a fortune on this trip), I will go out and drop off his and my mother’s check at the closed travel agency, in the dark, and in the rain.  It shall be another adventure.  I have until next week to pay for my flight.  Yes, EX says he is pitching in some money for the trip for the kids.  This will help greatly.  It will be “guilt money” but money is money, right? 

 

A peek into my weekend

 

Well, I didn’t come back yesterday to blog about my Saturday like I promised, so it’s Monday, and I will blog about my weekend today. 

 

Today is a rainy, Lincoln’s birthday, so this means that there is no school, nor are there court proceedings today, so this means work is going to be a little slow.  The court rooms are BLACK.

 

Saturday morning I was in a mad rush to downtown in order to take my test.  I used Mapquest for directions, and naturally, they didn’t help me.  I ended up passing the building twice, until I decided to stop and park, and ask some county Saturday working people if I was in the right area.  Of course, it was in the very professional looking building across the street.  I was a bit surprised because I was looking for an older building; county buildings never looked too professional, and usually they are run down.  I guess I’ve been working for the wrong county all these years.  Anyhow, luckily for me I wasn’t late, and still had 15 minutes to run off and take my test.  I met up with another woman in front of the room the test was being held, only to discover the glass doors locked.  We re-read our letters, and yes, we were in the right place and it was not 11 yet, but nothing to indicate the test was being done today; no flyer to announce cancellation, NOTHING.  We had both noticed a few other women leaving the building... But still, you would think they would post something up to announce it was cancelled.  How very rude!  One would expect a county office to be a bit more professional, huh?  When I got home, I left a message with the human resources office inquiring if another date for testing was being held.  I was nice on the phone, and didn’t sound mad or anything, but I was a little upset.  The poor girl that was in the building with me had to call in sick at her other employment just to take the test.  I guess I’m lucky I have the weekends off, but this morning I was in a rush at the grocery store just so I would make it on time to take this test.  Oh well.  I have another test for job this evening.  I hope it’s not cancelled too. 

 

Although Friday was a very BUSY day for me, I had a nice time at the Portuguese hall with my new friend Angela.  Angela is my cousin Tania’ boyfriend’s aunt.  We met when Tania was here visiting.  She’s been living in San Jose about 8 years, and she knows all about the events happening at the hall, and I was curious if she knew a few people that I have known through the years but lost touch.  Of course she knew one woman in particular:  Aurora.  (Not to be confused in any way to Princess Aurora, aka: Dawn.) 

 

 

A LONG, LONG, time ago when I was married to my ex-husband, he met up with a friend who used to be his childhood neighbor back in the Azores, and it wasn’t long until hehired him to do sheet rock.  The first day I met this guy’s wife, Aurora, she sat me down on her couch and basically told me all of the problems in her marriage.  To say the least, it was a bit uncomfortable.  I had just met this woman, and there she was spilling her tragic, unhappy life into my lap.  I felt sorry for her, and figured that she must not have many friends to talk to.  Well, it wasn’t if I had a choice either.  My husband had just left me there and went to work, and I had to stay there until he got back.  So, for the first few hours, she went on and on recounting her life with her terrible husband, while  her son, who must have been may be 10, sat there with us, nodding his head the whole entire time.  Well, this son of hers is already in his 20’s, married, and has a small child that is my youngest son’s age.  To see him there, all grown up with a child of his own, was very odd.  Aurora looked the same however, but this time she wasn’t complaining about her husband, but rather her now ex-husband and his new wife.  Some people just never change.  Apparently, her ex-husband likes to make appearances at all of the Portuguese functions and makes a point of sitting very close to her.  No, they aren’t on friendly terms either, and of course, his new wife, in Aurora’s words is a “F… Bitch”.  For a moment there, I felt like I was sitting in the audience of a Jerry Springer show, because Aurora just went on and on in the crowded hall telling me and Angela, and an innocent older woman the details of why his new wife was so bitchy, all the while, her ex-husband kept on walking back in forth in front of us.  I don’t think he recognized me, but I was afraid to look at him.  I hated that man when my ex was working for him.  I won't go into detail of all the reasons why, but let's just say it involved a lot of sleepless nights, and hours of looking out the window for the guy to make it home.  

 

Aurora gave me her number.  Apparently, she got the house in the divorce, and has the same phone number.  I honestly do not remember where she lived, but we exchanged phone numbers.  I may have coffee with her one day, but I will have to be in a special mood for it; it will have to be a Jerry Springer kind of mood; which is not quite often.  Oh the drama! 

 

 

 

Well, I need to take a test..  Ate logo! 

So ready for the weekend...

Praise the Lord...  It's Saturday!!  I'm pooped from yesterday....just POOPED!!  I can now almost understand why that psycho astronaut woman decided to where a Depends diaper on her way to supposedly kill "the other woman"....  I  REPEAT, I said, I can almost understand.  (That whole story just creeps me out.)

Anyways..   

Yesterday was a LONG day.  It started taking the boys to school, and an early morning doctor's appointment with mom, going to work to move boxes of files for criminals that bench warranted for 2004 & 2005 & 2006---(there are a lot of criminals out there on the run--it's scary!!), running to the pharmacy, getting my oldest out of school, and going back to work for a few more hours, and then picking up the youngest from pre-school, and then driving back to my mom's to pick up my son, and then homeward bound-over the hill and through the woods from Santa Cruz to San Jose..

But; it doesn't end there.. 

After work, I met up with a friend to watch some Carnaval Dancing at the Portuguese Hall.  I only caught one dance--the children's dance, and couldn't stay to see the whole show, but I did meet up with a very old acquaintance of mine whom I hadn't seen in, like almost 17 years.  (I will have to write more about this and the Carnaval Dancing in another entry--it was pretty interesting.)  By the time I left the hall, it was almost past 9:30, and I had to get going and go up to San Francisco to meet up with my daughter and her boyfriend.  My daughter had to sit at a recital for her theatre class for a review she had to write up due on Monday. 

I've driven to San Francisco many times before, so it wasn't much of a big deal.  My daughter printed out the instructions so I would know exactly where to find her.  I had it with me in the car, but it wasn't until I was on the road in downtown San Jose did I realize I had misplaced it!  I was busily talking to my friend Angela, that I totally blanked out and didn't know where the hell I put that piece of paper I printed out for Mapquest.  So, in between lights (that always turned green by the way--why does it never turn red when a person NEEDS to stop driving and look for something in the car?!) I'm trying to search for my piece of paper, under my seat with one hand, in my purse, the back seat..etc; and I must have looked a little nutty, because someone else was noticing my dilemma. 

I look up, and I see this guy looking down at me from the driver's side of his very large white shiny truck.  Omg, I'm thinking to myself, this guy wants to pick me up or what?  He is looking down at me with his sunglasses half down (by the way, this happened at night).  I'm naturally quite annoyed, and just stare at him and quickly point to they light.  "Pay attention to the light signal you moron!"  I explained, but of course he can't hear me from my car.  So I proceed down the street, and he is just driving at my side the whole entire time giving me that "come hither look".  OMG, I think to myself again.  This guy may have been thinking I was telling him to pull over to the side to talk to him when he say me pointing in front of me.  At this point, I'm a little frightened, so I decide to just ignore the man in the white truck, and only look directly ahead of me.  I think he got the message. 

I need to take a highway exit, and I still did not find this piece of paper, so I decide to go to the bus depot up ahead, and stop the car and find this paper.  Naturally I was a little scared that the white truck would follow me, so I was careful I wasn't followed, but the anxiety was still with me.  I heard a door slam, and I jumped out of my seat.  And then that is when I remembered.  Guess where the paper was?  In the pocket door of my car, where I put it.  I should have known--it was the same place my ATM card "bounced" mysteriously in the following week. 

Ever have one of those days when you just want to scream? 

Well, I finally got to San Francisco, picked up the daughter and boyfriend, (who wasn't wearing a dress today), and got home at midnight--just like Cinderella--200 miles later..  Good thing I wasn't driving a coach, hey?   

I swear, sometimes I think I was born to be trucker.  Do truckers sometimes wear Depends as well? 

I'll tell you about my day TODAY, tomorrow.  This bunny is pooped!

 

Weekend Assignment #151-Valentine's Day; Genuine or Commerical Money Pit?

Weekend Assignment #151: Is Valentine's Day a genuinely romantic day? Or just a big commercial money pit into which romantic people fall? Go on, share how you really feel about the day -- whether you enjoy it, or feel like it's forced on you by greeting card companies, or fall somewhere in between those two poles.

Extra credit: Suggest a nice romantic movie

From John Scalzi's Journal

Hmm..  In school I remember Valentines Day fondly.  I loved making valentines, and I loved getting them at school.  I remember our teachers having us make our own "Valentine Drop Off" with pink and red construction paper.  On the big day, we would take our bag of valentines, and drop them in each other's Valentine drop off...  It was fun to get them from the classmates--especially when candy was taped on to them...  I don't know why, all Valentine candy have a certain "smell" that I love..  Hell, all candy smells good!

In Jr. High, Valentines was more serious business.  Instead of dropping off valentines, you could purchase red, pink and white carnations, and send them to your friends, or boyfriend/girlfriend.  I didn't have a boyfriend in Jr. High, so, sadly, I hardly got any.  It was kind of a let down to tell you the truth.  The "popular pretty girls" always ended up with at least a half a dozen of them, and you'd see them parading down the hall exclaiming:  "Oh, all these carnations are so hard to carry...  Where am I going to put them all?"  Poor things.  I had little sympathy for them. 

In high school, Valentines were nonexistent. It was totally uncool to get any.  Some people got flowers, and balloons, but they were more than a nuisance to carry around class.  People went on dates on that day, and we would hear stories about their dates afterwards---usually the stories were pretty embellished.  Some girls got jewelry.  I didn't--but of course, I didn't have a REAL boyfriend in high school either. 

I got married once on Valentines Day.  My ex-husband got me a flowered plant.  I can still see him running from the grocery store, holding the plant so proudly.  You'd think he just got me 24 long stem roses.  In the spirit of the Valentine season, I'm going to refrain from re-telling that story.

I love the Valentines gifts I have been given from my children--handmade cards--very sweet.  I never really got flowers or candy or roses until I met my second husband.  He spoils me and sends me roses and candy to work every year, which really irritates some of the women here--I can tell.  They don't say anything, but I know it kind of agitates them--especially the single women at the office--there are quite a few.  But, that is okay..  I sometimes feel embarrassed by it all, because let's just say through my years of being married the first time, I hardly got any flowers, and I know what a let down it is to not get any, so I guess my husband is just spoiling me now to make up for lost time.  I love the attention; don't get me wrong. 

I do think florists do make a killing this time of year, as well as jewelry stores.  We all see the commercials..  "Show someone you love them by buying this...etc..etc.."  Personally, if these commercials pressure you to buy something expensive for your loved one, I think what you REALLY need to do, is step back, and start appreciating your significant other more!  Tell them you love them a little more-not just on Valentines, but every day..  You don't have to spend a lot of money on someone.  A hug, or an I love you once in awhile is worth more than a piece of jewelry.  At least, that is my opinion. 

Extra Credit:  My romantic movie suggestion is "Love Actually" 

 

 

Mixed Bag of Nuts

 

Early this morning, a knock was at the door, and it was my daughter’s boyfriend, who was wearing a dress.  You can imagine my double take this morning, when I saw my mother’s dress going up the stairs.  It’s not everyday you see your daughter’s boyfriend wearing your mother’s dress, is it?  So happens today is “cross-dresser” day at the boyfriend’s high school, and naturally Lizzy volunteered to fix his make up.  I let him borrow my red beret to compliment his red jacket and blue and white polka dot dress.  Yes, this boy is totally okay with his feminine side.  I just hope he doesn't’t get beat up or anything.   

 

The high school is only a few blocks away from my house, and if given the chance, I know my daughter would love to go back there.  She started there in her junior year, and basically did a complete turn around in her grades.  She loved her last years of high school, and her teachers, and still remains to have many friends still there attending; including her boyfriend.  Sometimes I think she is with him just so she will still have a link to her beloved high school.  Of course, she doesn't’t like it when I say it, but she’ll be attending the next Sadies (a dance where the girl gets to ask the boy to the dance) school dance on Saturday at the high school. 

 

“I can’t let some other girl at his school ask him out to the dance!”  Lizzy exclaimed.

 

Yes, my daughter’s boyfriend is a few years younger than her, and still in high school.  He doesn't’t drive yet, and he is still a minor.  I often wonder—is it better this way, or not?  Would I rather have my daughter date someone older who had a license?  Honestly, I don’t know if it would be better or not.  Yes—I do have to be the “taxi mother” on a number of occasions, but again, would I feel more comfortable if she was out there with a guy in a car alone driving on the busy streets? 

 

Anyway, I found out the prices for airline tickets for the Azores this summer.  Surprisingly, the flights are cheaper than what they were last year—so that is good!  However, they are still a little expensive.  I will be asking the ex-husband if he’ll be willing to chip in some extra money for the trip—I mean, I intend to be seeing his side of the family while I’m there.  Lizzy and Andrew have two aunts and two uncles there, plus a half a dozen first cousins.  I know they will want to see the kids; and it will be good for them.  I still like his family; it’s not their fault their brother turned out to be such an idiot. Okay, I must not call someone who I’m asking for funds an idiot.  I will try to be nice now.  Anyways, wish me luck.  

 

 You know, when it comes to the Azores and airline tickets there is a major conspiracy going on in my opinion.  Basically, the only people who travel to the Azores are either in the military, or they are going there to visit family.  The Azores is not a prime vacation destination, in fact, in most instances, when I tell someone that I’m going to be in the Azores, I get blank stares and confused looks.  This is the reaction I often get:

 

“Where in the hell is that?” 

 

(I have a link on my side bar if you are interested to see where I'm talking about.)

 

 

Basically, if you aren't’t from there, and if you aren't’t familiar with European navigation, or geography, chances are you don’t know where it is.  The Airlines know this, and they know that the average Portuguese person will pay just about anything to go back and visit relatives there—even if it means they have to scrimp and save for months-or years, take on a 3rd job, or use a credit card.  Sure, I could go to Italy for 3 weeks for half the fair that I have to pay to go to the Azores!  It just doesn't’t seem fair.  This is partly the reason why I haven’t visited for over 8 years.  Oh well, at least my youngest faire is $200 less—better go now before he is 10, before he is considered an “adult”!  It’s a conspiracy I tell you!! 

Haircut For Nicholas!

 

Sunday morning, it was haircut day for my two boys, Andrew & Nicholas.  Of course, it didn’t go without a protest.

 

“How about next weekend, Mom?!  Not this weekend, please?!”  Andrew whined.

 

“No!  This weekend!”  I answered back. 

 

For the past 3 weeks, I’ve been hoping to get both them to get a haircut, and I wasn’t going to give in again this time.  I didn’t care if it was Super Bowl Weekend!  The main reason why I’ve been letting it slide was due to the fact Nicholas wasn’t feeling well, and he just doesn’t didn’t do well with haircuts, period.  It’s a thing I dread actually.  The last time he had a haircut was late last summer when my cousin Tania was here visiting.  She was so excited, and brought her camera to take pictures.  Tania obviously did not know it wasn’t going to be a Kodak Moment.  Nicholas screamed and protested the entire time, and he had to be held down by me, while he sat on my lap.  Let’s just say Tania didn’t take any pictures.  

 

I wish she was here yesterday though.

 

When I told Nicholas about getting the haircut, he announced that he wasn’t going to sit on my lap.  I was a bit surprised.  Okay.  This sounds too good to be true; for a moment there I envisioned he was actually going to sit there by himself, and let the lady cut his hair—whoa, no way!  He still seemed a little nervous about it, so I told him we would go to McDonalds afterwards if he promised to be a good boy.  Yes, I bribed him.   

 

When we got to the shop, he bravely followed me to his chair without protest.  The lady got his booster seat, and he jumped right on it, right next to his older brother in the next chair.  This was a very proud moment for both of us.  I did have to hold his head a few times during the whole procedure, because he didn’t feel comfortable with the cutting shear near his ears, but other than that, not a whimper or a cry, or a kick of protest!!!  And of course, did I remember to bring my camera?!  NO…  Of course not!!!  I was bummed.  I will have to write something down in his Baby Book this week, and get a picture of him with his new haircut!  This is a milestone of is Baby Years..  Sadly, I don’t think he is a baby anymore..  

 

Last night my daughter took out some old videos, and found one when she was 11 months old, during a trip with my parents to San Diego.  Oooh I cannot tell you how amazing it was to see her again asa baby, so small.  She was such an adorable little girl.  My parents are in the video, and to see my dad sitting with her, and carrying her on his shoulders… Yes, the waterworks started.  Of course, I look TERRIBLE in this video!!  I have bangs!  (I SWEAR NEVER TO HAVE BANGS AGAIN), and I’m overweight, and in this particular video my ex-husband took he is constantly filming me from behind, and of course my butt looks HUGE!  During the whole video, you can tell that I’m irritated, and I don’t look very happy at all.  Gee…  I wonder why.  Anyway, Nicholas didn’t like the fact that I was focusing, and fussing over Lizzy (the baby) at all.  He finally sat on my lap, put my arm around his belly and told Lizzy quite frankly:

 

 “Lizzy, you are not the baby anymore!” 

 

I thought that was pretty funny. 

 

Thankful Thursday

 

It is time again for Thankful Thursday, from Dawn at: Carpe Diem - Seize the Day, who got it from: Gretchen.

1.      I am grateful to have done my commute without an accident, a sick child throwing up in the backseat, or a rude motorist on my bumper.

2.     I am thankful we didn't have to wait too long for my mother's doctor's appointment.

3.     I am thankful that I found my ATM card that had magically reappeared after many desperate searches inside my vehicle this morning.

4.     I am thankful that Nicholas let me finish eating my breakfast this morning at the restaurant.

5.     I am thankful that my mother is starting to complain and nag about my son's clothing choices...  This means she is back to ole' self again.

6.  I am thankful that I have a good, loving husband, despite the fact I think sometimes he thinks I'm a little nutty. 

Oooh....

I could go on and on about this week, but may be I will refrain.  There is just too much to write about, and I've written it all,  only to discover that it was got "lost in cyber space" somewhere..  I really don't want to type it all again...

Let's see...  For a quick breakdown:  Youngest still isn't over a cold, got into a minor accident--(the guy behind me at the traffic light was a little anxious, and the light just didn't turn green fast enough), errands, doctor appointments, missed work, countless calls to insurance and Medicare for mother, more doctor appointments, late nights of being a taxi driver for my oldest...(the girl needs a driver's license)  Oh, and this is the best one: 

MY DISAPPEARING ATM CARD

This morning, as I was rushing down the street towards the gas station, I decided to take out my ATM card before I stopped the car.  Well, I was holding it with my right hand, and with my left I leaned down near the side of my chair to release the gas lever.  As soon as I did this, my ATM card fell out of my hand and under my seat. 

My mad search for my ATM card began.  I reached under my seat, but it wasn't there.  I got out of the car, got on my knees and looked for it under the seat.  Not there!  I checked under the mat..  Not there!  I checked in under the seat again from the back where the kids were sitting...  NO CARD!!

I thought I was going crazy.  I kept on having visions of that card falling out of my hand, under the seat...directly in front of me!!!

Well, I was running late, so since this particular gas station only took cash at ATM, I had to find another gas station that took the credit card, and of course the nearest one near the highway was the most expensive. 

During my whole 35 minute commute, all I could think about was that ATM card.  Where could it be?  It was dropped before I even opened my car door.  IT JUST HAD TO BE IN THIS CAR!!!  It just haunted me the whole entire drive. 

After dropping off my older son at school, I stopped and picked up my mother for her lab appointment.  Of course, I looked under the seat again in front of her house.  NO CARD. 

"Why don't you check the door!  May be it fell in the compartmenton the door."  My mother suggested.

There would be no way it could have fallen in there!  I explained to my mother that it had fallen out of my hands in front of me, as I was sitting down.  If fell down between my legs under my seat--how could it possibly "jump" under the chair, up into a compartment on my door?!  It would be impossible!!!

After her appointment at the clinic, I checked again under my seat in vain.  I pulled the chair out as far as possible, and checked AGAIN.  Nothing I tell you!!  I found nothing!!  Only a very dirty carpet (remind me to vacuum soon!).

At this point, after going through my purse another time.  I was convinced that I was either "seeing things" or just going crazy.  I decided, what the hell..  I'll check that side pocket on the door just to disprove that there is no way possible it could have jumped up from under the seat.

Guess what was there?

Yeah, my mother was right.  IT WAS THERE!!!

I am still is disbelief.  I do not understand how it could have gone there.  I can still see that ATM card falling from my hand.  This is sooo bizarre, I cannot tell you how freaky this is. 

To celebrate the miraculous return of my ATM card, we went across the street for pancakes.  I told my mother that it seems like "someone" is playing a trick with me.  Some evil spirited elf was trying to drive me completely insane. 

"You should just be thankful you found it!"  Mother says..

Yeah, I'm thankful, but it is STILL bothering me.  I spooked my mother, and starting telling this "spirit" to just leave me alone!!! 

Yes, I think my mom thinks I may be going a little psycho. 

Has anything like this ever happen to you?  Please let me know.