Home At Last

Well, they finally made it in at 12:22 a.m. this morning!  As soon as they landed I gave mother a call.  She was up all night waiting watching her Golden Girls CD's.  What a relief to know they are home! 

I've seen a few pictures, (I don't have any to post right now) and they did have loads and loads of fun...but they are happy to be home.  In the pictures I can hardly recognize my son because he isn't wearing shorts! 

Apparently, Bloomfield is very close to Newark, but they might as well have gone to Portugal, because according to them all they did was hang out in the Portuguese section of Newark.  People were annoyed that they didn't speak enough Portuguese.  Excuse me?    Oh well...  Apparently, there are a lot more places on the east coast where you really don't have to know English, and that is where their father and step-mom like to hang out.  Everyone knows eachother...etc..and they only eat at Portuguese establishments, banks, florists...etc..etc..  Weird, and different, and closed off in my opinion, but oh well.  As long as their dad isn't part of the Portuguese mafia.. (ha ha ha)  it's okay--they are home away from Newark, and I'm so glad they are home safe and sound back at home in "crazy California" home of the "tree huggers."  I am a proud tree hugger--see the picture on my side bar? 

We finally got home at 3 a.m. and we were all starving.  All six of us sat at the kitchen table eating Jack In The Box.  It's sure nice to have a full house again! 

 

 

Airport Delays

Well, it's another rainy day here in California...  It has stopped for a moment, and I did see some blue skies right before dinner, but it was pouring down really hard this afternoon.  I've been checking the flight status for the kids all day, and there have been 4 delays so far, but the flight has not been canceled.  I spoke to an agent for United who explained to me that the reason why the flight was canceled was because of Tornado Winds in the San Francisco Bay Area.  And they also had accommodate the passengers whose flights were cancelled that morning..etc..etc..  I got a call from the kids already from the airport.  They've checked in, and are just waiting to board.  Poor kids are so ready to come home by now.  I am ready for them to come home too.  They are due to fly into San Francisco a little after midnight---the were scheduled before to arrive by 9:35 pm..  Oh well. 

It was pretty nasty here yesterday.  I never left the house until this morning.  I drove to the grocery store and discovered many uprooted trees on the roads and side walks.  By the time I was loading groceries, it started to pour rain.  Lovely.  My poor poinsettia plant I had sitting in a pot near the front door.  The only thing left of it are the green stems.  The poinsettia flower and leaves are on my lawn.  It looked like someone just ripped it off.  Oh well.  My poor mother..  I spoke to her early Friday morning to tell her that I wouldn't be going down to work that morning, and apparently, as soon as I got off the phone with her, her electricity went out.  As soon as I found out that the kid's flight was canceled, I called her to tell her the news, but the phone just rang and rang...etc..  I got a call later from her.  She told me that she only had bread and jelly to eat due to not have electricity, and my sister picked her up and took her to her house.  She was relieved to know that the kids did not leave that day.  As soon as they get off the plane she wants them to call her.

 "But mom, they probably won't be out of the airport until after 1 a.m." 

"I don't care!  I won't sleep until I know they are home!' 

I can understand her worry.  I had an awful dream last night.  I dreamt we were in NY and Nicholas escaped from the stroller, and we didn't know where he was.  I hate those dreams.  I woke up, and was so relieved to feel Nicholas sleeping right in between us.  I have a really bad headache, and have been craving chocolate all day.  You know what this means..and I've been stressed over this trip.  Rich just had me call Lizzy's cell phone just now, and the call is already blocked---they are probably in the air right now.  I'm praying for a safe journey home.  I need chocolate.  I've cleaned the house from top to bottom, so what to do now??  LOL.. Sigh..  I could take a nap, but like my mother---I can't sleep!! 

Flight Cancelled

Well...  All morning I was monitoring the flight status, and sure enough, after 3 different delay times, I got a Flight Cancelled status.  Oh well..  The weather here in San Francisco Bay is TERRIBLE!!  I wouldn't want them flying out over here right now anyway--not safe.  Mother Nature has ruined their plans.  Andrew is bummed beyond words.  Liz is not too happy either.  She was scheduled to work tomorrow--I called them and told them the situation.  Oh well..  If all goes well, and the weather cooperates, they'll be home tomorrow night. 

Sigh.. 

I look outside the window now, and it stopped raining.  Good thing I didn't go to work today.  Co-workers, including my boss lady emailed me to say that Hwy 17 is closed due to mudslides and unsafe conditions.  There is a flood watch near the ghetto.  I'm so glad I didn't go to work today.  I'm cleaning, took care of Avon paperwork, and watching a court show.  Court shows, and business vocational college commercials, as well as car insurance commercials are all that is on T.V.  If the weather was better I would go grocery shopping. I'm getting a bit stir crazy at home. 

I got an email from a niece, Joana from the Azores..  She is my ex-husband's sister's daughter..  It was nice to get an email from her.  She is the oldest grand-daughter in the family and is so cute.  She is looking into working at the airport there, and there may be possibility she will be able to come to California to visit one day--free airline fare and all.  It would be great to have her come down.

Above is a picture of my three nieces, Joana, Bridgida & Cesaria from my ex-husband's side of the family, and Lizzy.  Joana is the one with the pearly white smile.  They came to visit us while we were there last summer. Fortunately my daughter was able to spend some time with her cousins--she had a blast. 

   

Lizzy and Andrew with their Aunt Otilia this summer.

 

Rain, Rain...Go Away...

It's raining cats and dogs and elephants here in California...

I woke up to a very dark morning, and the sounds of thunder went through the house.  It sounded like there was someone in the house actually walking around--but no, it was just the thunder.  I was going to put in a half a days work today, but with the weather outside I concluded that it just wasn't worth the trip.  I have to drive up to San Francisco later tonight and that's another hour drive.  Driving in circles up the hill, and back again, and then up to San Francisco in this weather is too much to deal with today.  I'm just going to stay home and watch the rain and keep track on the status of my kid's flight out of NJ.  Rich will go with me and Nicholas.  Lizzy is missing her youngest brother and wants to see his chubby face at the airport.

My daughter already printed out their boarding passes online, so one less thing to worry about.  She said it was quite easy--that is good.  Her flight was supposed to leave a little before 6, but now it's not leaving until 7:10 pm.  The winds are supposed to settle down here by mid afternoon, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that there will be no more delays.

Yesterday the kids had dinner on the Hudson River on a boat overlooking the BIG APPLE.  Boy, that sounds beautiful, doesn't it?  According to Liz, the city is still decorated for Christmas.  They visited all the sights, and she has pictures in front of the Broadway sign for: Chorus Line (her first high school musical she performed in)--of course she has a picture of herself in front of that, and one of her jumping in Garden Square.  Her dad got her a new camera (of course) and she said she took a lot of pictures--can't wait to see them!  I'm just glad I'm not in their father's shoes when he has to say goodbye to them.  It's going to be hard, and I feel sorry for him.  Times like these it really makes you wonder WHY a parent would choose to move so far away from their own kids.  It's a shame.  I'm sure this will be the first of many visits however.  We shall see. 

Well..  I have time to put my Xmas linens away until December, and I have more Avon work to organize.  I have to get back on track with it.  Just when I felt like quitting, I get a call from my Aunt who lives in San Francisco.  I have 3 cousins having babies early this year, one this month, and two in March--that means a triple baby shower set for March.  She ordered 30 Skin So Soft moisturizers for party favors.  I couldn't say no to my Aunt--of course not!  Then I went back to work with 4 more orders waiting for me.  A sign from the Avon Gods that I must continue!  Avon did not charge a penny for my last shipment, so this is good.  And, I must mention that there is an awesome sale going on at the moment--with free shipping I must add...  (yeah, it's another long belated Avon plug--I'll do only one a month, I promise.)   My link: 

www.youravon.com/julielangley

Just type: REPFS in coupon code box when you place your order!! 

Thursday Meme...

I just got off the phone with the kids in NJ...  Lizzy almost scared me to death--I thought she lost her receipt for her tickets!  When we checked in at the airport with their E-tickets, they got one ticket for NJ----they will need to check in again for their other ticket.  I haven't flown domestic in such a long time, I had no idea.  Things at airports are so much different.  Last time we flew last summer, we had our tickets months before the flight, and we had both sets coming and going..  I called the airline and the reassured me the kids would have no problem getting their boarding passes.  They have their confirmation #'s and flight itinerary.  They also have the credit card # I purchased the tickets with.  Hopefully they won't have to call me.. 

We got an unexpected visitor at the door.  The doorbell rang, and it always throws me off when we aren't expecting someone coming over.  It was my daughter's boyfriend at the door with a Christmas gift that came late in the mail.  He left saying that Lizzy "can call him when she gets back.."  Hmm..  Makes me wonder if they are still boyfriend and girlfriend??  I was a little surprised that he didn't ask to go to the airport with us.  Interesting. 

It's cold and rainy here in California.  At 3 pm the calm broke, and it just started raining cats and dogs.  On the way home, the battery and brake light came on again. It had done that once before, and the day we decided to take it to the dealership the lights went off as soon as my husband drove it up.  I was a little nervous about driving over Santa Cruz mountains, so stopped and called hubby who met me half way and escorted me home.  Of course the brake and battery lights turned off again, but it was nice knowing that hubby was there driving behind me in the rain.  My knight driving the shining white Mustang.. :)  I'll be driving the van tomorrow.

Well, because it's so quiet around here, according to Dawn....  Here is a meme I copied and pasted form her blog: 

The Alphabet List of Things I can see from the Computer

A  -  Avon brochure sitting on my desk---of course..

B  -  Boxes--my storage boxes with all my Avon invoices stored away.  I love these boxes--they are covered with pictures of the Eiffel Tower and of France.  I got them at Ross for $10. 

C  -  Candle-my Christmas sugar cookie candle my old neighbor gave me before she moved away. 

D  -  Discs..Cd discs.. They are sitting on my desk in front of me. 

E  -  Elizabeth's picture on the mantle.

F  -  Frame collage I got for Christmas from boss lady---I need to still fill it with pictures.

G  -  Glasses in the kitchen.

H  -  Humingbird lamp.

I  -  Ink marks on my hand.

J  -  Jumping Nicholas---he's dancing and jumping to his playschool toy.. 

K  -  Kitchen!!  My home is 3 level split home... my kitchen is right above me.. 

L  -  Light bulbs in the kitchen ceiling fan.

M  -  M&M's in hubby's candy dish.

N  -  Nicholas!  He's busy playing with his Christmas toys in front of the T.V,

O  -  Oven

P  -  Plates my aunt gave me years ago--they are hanging on the wall.

Q  -  Quince jelly in my fridge.  Okay I can't really see it from here, but I know it's there, and it's been there for weeks.  Have any of you had quince jelly before? 

R  -  Red bricks in the fireplace.

S  -  Sliding doors in my kitchen and livingroom.

T  -  T.V.---Celebrity Apprentice is one with Mr. Trump.

U  -  Ugly dish towel sitting on my pile of towels. 

V  -  Vanilla candles.

W -  Windows

X  -  X-box game.. someone left in the kitchen. 

Y  -  Yellow curtains in my kitchen. 

Z  -  Zipper on my wallet. 

 

Calls from the Empire State Building..

Hello!  Happy Thursday! 

You know that saying, the "calm before the storm."  This morning when I went to mom's to drop off my youngest, the weather was so calm.  The sun was coming up through the trees, and it was very quiet---almost beautiful outside.  Apparently a big ole' ugly storm is going to break by this afternoon, and they are saying we may get as much as 7 inches of rain before the end of the weekend!  It' still calm outside right now.  I hope this weather isn't going to delay the kid's flight from NJ tomorrow!! 

 

Yes, it seems like yesterday, but they will be returning tomorrow night!  Yeah!!  :)  I got numerous calls yesterday from the Empire State Building.  Here are a few quotes:

"It's so cold mom, my hands hurt!"  Lizzy  (Where are her gloves?) 

"The Statue of Liberty is closed until summer."  Lizzy  (Looks like they'll have to make another trip in the summer."

"The Statue of Liberty is so small!"  Andrew  (Andrew--everything is small from the top of the Empire State Building)

"We took the subway, and Dad never had taken it before.  He didn't even know how to buy the tickets!"  Lizzy  (Oh gosh..  I wish I could have seen that!)

"Andrew is deleting pictures...his memory card is already full!"  (Oh boy!  I can't wait to see all these pictures!) 

"Dad gave me his laptop!  I may get an Iphone too!"  (Oh boy...the spoiling of presents have yet not ended..)

Later last night (after 10pm) I get another call from Andrew:

"Mom, if I get an Iphone will you pay for the contract?  I'll help you sell Avon!  Please?!"

I told him he didn't need an Iphone. 

"Please!!!  I'll deliver brouchuresall over the neighborhood!"

I told him that I would think about it, but don't let your father buy one unless HE wants to pay for it. 

Silence.

"I miss you Andrew!"

Said in a very sarcastic tone:  "Well, I don't miss you!"

Lovely, huh?  It didn't hurt my feelings-it actually gave me a good laugh.

Gee, I hope his atitude changes when he gets back home! 

                      

 

Hello 2008!

Our last day of 2007 was spent eating Mountain Mike's pizza, and watching an array of rented movies on the T.V.  I didn't hear from my two older kids at 9 pm like I was hoping, so I decided to call them at 9:15 on the east coast-12:15 their time to wish them a happy new year.  They sounded quite happy, but they were dying to go home and go to sleep.  From all the loud people and music in the background you can tell there were many "happy" people out there in New Jersey...  Festa hard, Dawn, Teresa & Mary!! 

We saw a little bit of Dick Clark on the tube, but Rich and I found it too hard to watch poor Dick Clark speak.  Poor guy...  It's enough to break your heart.  At least he is looking alright, but his voice--poor man.  Watching him made me feel so incredibly old, and the singers that came on were probably not even born when I started watching American Bandstand..probably don't even know what that was.. Oh well.  I heard the fireworks go off for what seemed to be hours outside.  Happy New Years...  We went to bed like too old people!  

I'm here at work, and I have my new calendar up.  Time to pull out the old bench warrant criminal files of 2007 to make room for the new criminals of 2008!  Whoohooo!  Exciting stuff I tell you!  Our receptionist is here, and she is all bundled up in scarves and her purple coat.  When I was in her area last a few minutes ago she was complaining to the boss man about a very rude client who had called previously...blah blah blah..  Boss man was in here looking for the boss lady, but no one knows where she is.  After she left, the sensory light in her office went on for some odd reason.  This gave me the creeps.  I swear, there must be a ghost or something in this builidng.  A new employee and I were talking about the weird door jams we both were experiencing, and he said something about checking to see if anyone died in the building---he was very serious about it, I may add.  This is a really old building--who knows. 

Hubby and I were jokingly talking about GPS systems that people use to monitor kids--their comings and goings...specifically for teenagers.  I won't get into why were talking about this, but apparently there IS something where you can put a micro chip in a car and monitor where itactually goes...  Have any of you heard such a thing?  I know it can be frowned about as an invasion of privacy, but where do you draw the line?  Does a child who openly lies about their comings and goings deserve privacy? 

Well, I checked in with my two kids in New Jersey, and they spent New Years day in Atlantic City.  Today they are doing sight seeing of New York.  I asked my son if it was cold, and  he said, "not really" but he is not wearing shorts.  I packed him 5 pairs of jeans and sweat pants and only one pair of shorts-just in case it gets warm for any odd reason.  I hope they are taking a lot of pictures...  I told them to call me when they got to the Statue of Liberty--no calls yet.   They'll be home on Friday night.  I hope they are enjoying some quality time with their dad, and that they get spoiled by their attention as much as possible by Friday.  Lizzy thinks her father belongs to the Portuguese mafia because of the fancy car he drives.  All I think of when I hear about NJ is The Sopranos.. 

 

Tony's uncle, the old man in the hat and glasses looks just like my deceased ex-father-in-law.  There is also an old man who catches the bus in front of this ghetto building that looks a lot like him too.  My friend Sharon, the medium who used to do readings in the building said she "saw" him and told me he was pushing money in the direction of my two older kids.  Interesting, huh?  Yeah, this reading was done in the boss lady's office right next to mine.  No wonder the lights keep flashing on and off! 

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