I Lost 5 Pounds and NOW.......I'M SEXY!!!! (LOL)

What's up, everyone?  Haven't posted her in awhile....these past few weeks have been busy.  I am school shopping for the girls, taking care of FEMA business, caring for my mom in Southwest Houston, cleaning and doing laundry, and looking for another job.  I had taken the dispatcher test for Manvel PD last Thursday.  They aren't hiring that new dispatcher until October, but the airport has called me in for another interview August 8th.  Let's see....this will be the SIXTH time?!?  Well, let's hope that the sixth times' the charm for me!!!

  

I read an article in the New York Times about the rise in men not working and refusing to accept low-paying jobs (click HERE for the full article).  I couldn't help but think about my husband when reading this.  He worked for UPS for eight years, and was making $27.00 an hour before the hurricane hit.  Afterward, they gave him the screw-around (and trust me, it was a screw-around, because I was helping him make calls, and sent in the paperwork they requested from him).  After receiving a disaster relief check from his union to our CURRENT address, UPS sent him a letter of termination two months later, stating that they didn't have "any current information on his whereabouts". 

  

Since then, he has been struggling to find work.  The job that he did get wanted him to start immediately, but then he remembered that if he would have taken it, no one would have been home with the girls until they return to school August 16th (they offered him the day shift).  So, he is waiting until a graveyard spot opens up.  We are hoping that things will improve for him once he finishes school.  I always remind him that he can always work for Wal-Mart until something more lucrative comes along, but he refuses.  I am concerned that, as with these men in the article, the longer Matt stays out of work, the more his skills will decrease.  That's why I remain adamant about continuing to work.  I don't want to become lax in my skills.  And something as simple as dependability or how well I work with others can make the difference between an employer giving me the nod and passing me over.  And trust me, I have been on my BEST behavior at Wal-Mart; I am surprising myself! LOL LOL LOL  But we cannot tell men what to do, we can only make suggestions and hope they consider.  I am sort of relieved in reading this aticle, as well as frustrated a bit sympathetic at the same time.  I didn't realize HOW MANY men and women are in the predicament Matt and I are in.  Many times, we think that we are alone, until we read something like this.  But I also feel that if I am willing to do whatever is necessary to care for my family, then the men should, too.  They should be on the FRONT LINE of the battle, instead of throwing the brick, hiding their hand, then sending the women out to win the war.  Men's pride gets bruised SO EASILY.  Oh,  well.......................................................this ain't a perfect world.  Thank God for Jesus! 

  

Getting back to the title of this entry............................

Those five pounds I lost have me looking GOOD, I ain't gonna lie......and hubby has been kinda frisky lately.  I have been slowing his roll, though.........I have to save my energy!!!!! 

  

TTYL, Love you guys!!!!!!

  

Adrian  

Blue Monday (LONG entry; Sorry!)

What goes ON during the weekend?!?  The back room was CHAOS!!! LOL LOL LOL LOL  Some idiot made a bale from the compactor with only three straps; the bale broke as they were bringing it outside, and flattened cardboard was strewn from the back door of receiving to the Tire & Lube area of the store....and GUESS which receiving crew was lucky enough to be assigned the task of cleaning it up?!?  We had FOUR trucks to unload today.......dry grocery, frozen food, and 2 general merchandise trucks.  Needless to say, we didn't get much done in the stocking department, and we had gotten off late again tonight!  For some reason, though, this day seemed to fly by REALLY fast.........

We didn't go visit the girls this weekend.  Hubby went to the doctor, and they advised him to treat his injury as a sprain.  They told him to wrap it with an ace bandage, elevate it, and put a hot compress on it.  You know; the same stuff we were doing already!  I wasted an ENTIRE weekend for that?!?  We wound up laying around the house the entire time.  You can guess that I am feeling pretty disgusted.  My husband is aggravated with me, and I am with him.  He'll come around.  You know the feeling, ladies.  The one where you feel like you are more woman than your man can handle.  I try not to get disgusted with him, folks, but I mean.....a pallet fell on my BIG TOE, and I went to work in a matter of days!!!  He was limping on that sucker for THREE WEEKS............

Let me stop here.  I don't like talking about my hubby badly, especially to y'all.  So, that ends the TMI session! LOL LOL LOL LOL  Well, at least I am well rested, and I did go to church.......

For some strange reason, I recently became fascinated with the stories of Kurt Cobain and Layne Staley, the troubled, heroin-addicted front men for grunge-rock's main pioneer groups, Nirvana and Alice In Chains.  I remember them; I was young enough to enjoy their music when they first arrived on the scene.  I was reading their personal histories on the internet.  Both guys were heroin-addicted, yes, but both also had A LOT of free time on their hands as kids, suffered hyperactivity and bipolar disorders (I guess their energy was too much for the mothers to handle alone) and troubled relationships with their fathers.  Layne's dad even encouraged his heroin use by taking advantage of his son, and using drugs with him!  Of the two, I feel particularly bad for Layne, because from what I researched on him, he was just a geeky, sweet, child-like little dude in real life, with an AWESOME voice that seemed too big, too powerful, too painful for his 130-pound frame, who had a nasty habit he couldn't control or break free from.  What I loved most about the songs that Layne sang was that he used words that were able to paint us a picture of what a heroin addict actually experiences, without having to go through it ourselves.  He wanted people to see the ugly side of addiction, in the hopes of helping others kick the habit, or never start it. 

Layne desperately wanted a relationship with his father, and searched for him non-stop for years (His father left him and his mother when he was eight, and this devastated him).  When he became famous, his dad found HIM, and Layne, desperate to have his father a part of his life, let him in.  The man brought his drug habit and troubles along with him, and that combination played a major role in Layne's self-destruction. 

The heroin, which he once used to have "fun" made Layne very sick, causing his liver to fail, constant nausea, lost control of bodily functions, and abscesses in the areas where he used the needle all over his body.   He died, at age 34, of an overdose (speedball; cocaine and heroin mix), all alone, weighing 80 pounds.  No one knew he was dead for two weeks.

My dad didn't raise me.  My mother raised my brother and I alone.  My dad didn't raise ANY of his nine children; the mothers did.  My mom hated him for years, because he didn't help her with me.  But today, I can give that man credit for this; He knew he was no good for me, and he STAYED THE HECK OUTTA MY LIFE.  I am glad that he did, because I am sure that if my dad had been a part of my life, I would have been pretty screwed up.  There are many parents out there who I am sure mean well, but just have too many problems to be fit parents.  Their children suffer greatly at their hands.  I thank God for my mom, and for ALL the single mothers (and fathers) out there who are wise enough and responsible enough to take child-rearing so seriously that they'd rather raise the kids alone, or with a spouse who loves their children as if they were their own.  I also thank God for the grandparents out there who are raising grandchildren.  God, I can only imagine how hard it is for y'all!  But you are dedicated to giving those little ones a stable life, whatever the cost.  I wish that these two young men could have had parents who cared enough about them to offer them stable lives.  And what frustrates me is how judgemental and critical the music world is of these two.  The business is guilty of making money off these kids; BOTH guys were crying out for help at every turn, but the producers and executives (Layne called it a "corporate prison") used, abused and neglected them rather than offered them any real help. 

I am grateful to God for a mother who raised me in a stable home.  Those kids, and many like them, have lives that are full of grief, pain, and unrest.  My heart goes out to them, past, present, and future.                                   

R.I.P. Layne and Kurt

Adrian

P.S.  Mike Tyson and Tupac Shakur also come to mind.  I guess these stories are interesting to me because I suffered with bipolar disorder, too.  Our high energy levels are attractive to employers, but they are lost as to what to do with us when we become unbalanced. 

ONE MORE DAY..........

I have been working so hard, that I forgot that today is Wednesday.  I have 1 MORE DAY 2 GO, and I will be off the weekend!!! 

  

The assistant manager told me to come in for 12 noon tomorrow instead of 11 AM, so that I won't go over my hours.  The ICS team has been staying late all week helping to unload the trucks.  My butt has been WORKING today!  First, I had binned THREE sky-high pallets of back-to-school merchandise in the back room.  Then, I stocked a full cart of school supplies to the shelves.  Then, we unloaded two merchandise trucks!!!  I am SO TIRED!  We are short handed, because one of the unloaders injured himself last night, and will be out for awhile.  Last night, I had gotten off at 8:21 P.M.  Tonight, it was 8:45.  One of the ICS team members, a youngster, told us that they had scheduled her to work TEN DAYS straight.  Now, they weren't supposed to do that!  I told her to tell management about that, she did, and they sent her home for the rest of the week.

  

This is an awful lot of work for ANYONE to do, young or old.  Well, at least I am losing weight.....I have lost five pounds already!  My pants are fitting baggy! LOL  "I'm melting.......melting.........." LOL LOL LOL

  

I received an e-mail from the Manvel Police Department (about 34 minutes from where I live) stating that they have downloaded my resume from the Texas Workforce Commission, and are interested in interviewing me for an available Communications Operator position.  I downloaded the application and addendums, filled them out, and sent it off along with an updated copy of my resume and references today.  The test is Thursday, July 27th, at 2PM.  I want to be sure that I am able to make it that day.  If I get this job, I know that it will be because He allows it.  You know me; I NEVER give up hope!!!!

   

I spoke to the girls on the phone last night, and they ALL want to come home!  LOL  And Nicolette's monthly started!!!!  Her grandmother told me.  She said that she noticed that Nicolette knew what pads were, and how to use them.  That's because I talked to Nicolette beforehand, after the doctor checked her and said, "Any day now, Mom!!!"  I think my little eleven-year old was traumatized when I had taken her to the store to buy pads, and explained to her how to use them.  I am sure that her grandma made her feel more comfortable! LOL  Wow.  My little girl is growing up.  I already know that I have some very interesting days ahead........

  

My hubby injured his knee while playing basketball a few weeks ago, and it is still swollen and hurting him.  His mother, a nurse, inspected the knee (this week, when he had to go to New Orleans to take care of some FEMA biz) and said that he has to see a doctor to have the fluid drained.  Great.  We have to go Friday; I am not sure what shape Matthew will be in once the docs are finished with him.  I was really looking forward to going to Natchez this weekend, but now, as far as I know, that trip may not happen.

  

Good Night, folks.  TTYL........

  

Adrian

EDITOR'S PICK

A very pretty lady, Michal Johnston, has chosen my blog as one of this week's editor's picks.  I just want to say that I am humbled, grateful, and so glad that what I started in November 2005 as a means to help me cope with the changes brought on by a disaster named Katrina has served as an inspiration to her, and to many of you.  She describes me as a super woman, but there really isn't anything "super" about me.  I cry, suffer, feel pain, experience disappointments, as well as laugh, love, and live like everyone else does.  It is the Almighty God that picks me up, carries me, and strengthens me when I am falling down, trudging along, and hanging on by a thread.  I am so grateful that He is Lord and Savior of my life.  I know that I wouldn't be who or where I am today if it wasn't for Him.  I felt that needed to be said.  Many read this blog and are intrigued because of Who is living in me.  He is the joy, peace, and love that I have.  Without Him, I would have none of those things.,  Trust me, and please believe me when I say this, because there was a time in my life when I didn't have these things.  There IS a difference between life with Christ and life without Him.  I am determined NEVER to live without Him again.  I cannot afford to; I don't know what the heck I am doing! LOL LOL LOL  I am so glad to meet yet another friend here in J-land!

  

On a more personal note........

I am wearing support hose, and purchased some gel arch supports for my Dr. Scholl's shoes, and they are working really well.  I'm not suffering with as much aches and pains as before, and I rarely have to use the Advil.  I guess my body had to become accustomed to so much movement; after all, it has been eleven months since I last worked! LOL  However, at age 31, I am para-menopausal (I was diagnosed with this at age 29), which means that I have hot flashes!  I HATE hot flashes!  I bought myself a little battery-operated fan that hangs around my neck, so when I feel one coming on, I can give myself a little relief.   

  

I was fussing about being off tomorrow and Friday (that's FIVE DAYS STRAIGHT on my feet without a break!), until I learned that the Friday includes Saturday and Sunday!  A three-day weekend; WOO-HOO!  Matt and I are planning to go to Natchez that weekend to pay the in-laws, and my little angels, a surprise visit.  I can't wait to go!

  

I am TIRED, ladies and gentlemen.  I am getting ready to go to bed now.  I have a busy day tomorrow, laundry, grocery and Sunday dinner.  TTYL; Bye!           

Adrian

P.S.  For those who are or may be interested in Urban Gospel:

KiKi Sheard's new release is DA BOMB !!!!

Check out some cuts from her CD; click HERE! 

GREAT NEWS

HUBBY GOT THE JOB!!!!!!!!

  

He has orientation tomorrow.  I hope he gets the shift he wants, too!  I am so happy for him!!!!!!

Adrian

FEET PART 2

I am shopping for some comfortable shoes to work in.  My feet and legs are hurting me SO BADLY; I don't remember my feet hurting this much before!  But then......I was taking pain killers before and during my shift.  I don't know what made me believe that I could work this time around without the Advil!!! LOL LOL LOL   

I bought a pair of these shoes from Wal-Mart, size 9 1/2 WW, black:

They are comfortably made, but my feet started hurting again after lunchtime.  I am also wearing these orthotic inserts my mom gave me:

They help with back pain, but they are not comfortable.  The company stresses to their customers that it takes three weeks for our feet to become accustomed to the things. 

I am seriously considering investing in some orthopedic shoes.  I have been shopping for some on the Internet, and I am interested in a few styles from Foot Smart:

 

    

 

    

The first two pair run about $100, but claim to treat every foot ailment possible.  Plus, they come with two sets of removable insoles, and a pair of orthotic inserts, so I believe that the price is worth it!  The Etonic Walkers are MUCH cheaper, but relieve only a few ailments.  The Propet Mary Janes are...well....CUTE!!!! LOL  And, they're washable!!!  But at this point, I am willing to sacrifice style for comfort.  I want a pair of shoes that I will be able to wear all day, with little or no discomfort.

I also received an Internet brochure from SAS, which has shoe stores right here in Houston, and not that far from me, either!  I plan to check them out probably today or tomorrow.

To say that my feet are giving me so many problems, they sure don't LOOK as if they are suffering!  I gave myself a pedicure Sunday night, and they are SO pretty!

Adrian

***It's MAYA and Mom's Birthdays Today!!!***

                    

Summer Vacation And Other Stuff........

My daughters are off to Mississippi for the rest of the summer.  They will be back in time for the beginning of the school year.  My in-laws are eagerly anticipating their arrival. They wanted the girls earlier, but had to wait because my older daughters had to attend summer school.  The younger ones woke me up this morning to tell me goodbye (they were crying), and I stayed up to see them off.  I made sure that they had plenty of fruit and juice boxes to snack on, and gave them a little spending money.  I fleeced my hubby for a few dollars in gas money.  Since I just started working, my check was really light, and I don't intend to spend all my little change when I know that he has more money than I do!  I promised the girls that if they want to return home for any reason, call us, and we will pick them up.  But I know that they are in good hands; after all, these are the people who cared for my kids in New Orleans while my husband and I worked.  They will be fine!

  

Maya's birthday is July 5th, the same day as my mother's.  My husband wanted to take the girls to Mississippi Tuesday night, planning to take me along so that we could spend two days an a night there, since I am off Wednesday.  That way, I would have been there to celebrate Maya's birthday with her.  But my husband has been scheduled for a promising job interview Wednesday (a job lead and referral from the school that he is attending), so those plans were foiled. 

   

Work is fine; though physically demanding, there is no mental strain at all, which is a good thing.  My home store finally faxed their evaluation of me to this store, and my new bosses were quite impressed, to say the least.  They have several plans for me; one being to remain where I am and help prepare  the associates for the changeover to a Supercenter operation (the store that I am working in is expecting to undergo the transformation and construction from a smaller retail store to a Supercenter by the end of this year to the beginning of next year); another is to assign me a department manager position as soon as one becomes available.  That's fine, but the problem with that is that I LOVE my hours, and I know that the more responsibility you accept at Wal-Mart, the more crazy hours they will expect you to work.  Once my work is finished, I go home, and I like it that way!  I will see how this goes, and how these future plans for me will affect my family, and go from there.

  

My feet HURT!!!  Anyone who has flat feet knows exactly what I mean!  I wore some old Sketchers tennis shoes that I received from a shelter to work yesterday, and they helped a little (I guess because the shoe gave my feet some support; I HATE wearing tennis shoes!).  I have been wearing leather clogs, and though the insoles are comfortable, they offer nothing in the arch support department!  I SAW a pair of shoes months ago that I thought would be perfect to wear for work at Wal-Mart, but I didn't get them when I had the chance.  Now I am kicking myself, because I really need them now!  Oh, well, I'll keep looking............... 

  

Keanu Reeves allegedly has a blog on MySpace.  I asked him to add me as a friend, and he, or whoever this person is added me this weekend!  It is an extremely simple blog; he doesn't write much in it, but he seems to be a very simple man.  Simple, not as  in dumb, folks, but humble.  The blog speaks mostly about his mother, his two sisters (one who has cancer), and his love for motorcycles, his bass guitar, and his growing pains (in one entry, he apologized for not being able to answer or read all his e-mail, implying that he was "too old" for MySpace, and that he has bodily aches and pains! LOL)  Can you believe someone so beautiful can be so real?  Well, even if this person is or isn't him, I still feel honored to have been added.  I have always been a fan of his since "Bill and Ted"!!!! LOL LOL LOL

  

Well, folks, thanks for chit-chatting with me!  I will be sending out Happy Fourth Of July e-cards soon, and doin' this blog up for the occasion!  Oh, how I miss Fourth Of July fireworks on the Riverfront in New Orleans, and daiquiris!!!!!  Love y'all!!! Bye!!!

  

Adrian