GOOD MORNING!

I don't know WHY I am up this early in the morning..........I am really trying to make the most of my off days! LOL

I have been doing lots of reading, and watching some TV.......I am so busy during the week that I don't have much time to indulge in my favorite activities.  I take advantage of the opportunity to do so as soon as the time is available.

I have a lot of phone calls to make today, and I plan to tackle the girls' hair (GOD HELP ME, LOL).  Thursday is their first day of summer school, and I want them to look cute! 

My hubby's friend, who just married recently, sent us a disturbing photograph; it's a HUGE bite mark on one of his (?) limbs, taken next to some prescription medication, and the title of the photo message reads "Please pray for my marriage.....it's failing."  I don't yet know if it is him, or someone he knows.  I do know that Matt was looking for a message from him earlier this week.  I didn't have the heart to show Matt the pictures this morning on his way to work.  He and the guy are like brothers.  I will be praying.

Those first few years of marriage are the toughest, because the man and woman are learning how to live with one another.  We truly learn who and what we are in those first years, and what we are made of.  The early years determine whether we are willing to sink or swim.  Matt and I had a very rough time, but I am grateful for the fact that he decided to stick it out with me, and I with him.  No one says that being married is always easy, or fascinating, or even fulfilling.  But the benefits of being married and in a mutually committed relationship, I believe, far outweigh the drawbacks.  I shall pray for him, and hope that whatever the problem is will be resolved, and soon.

Adrian

"PIRATES OF THE CARRIBBEAN"

I am, what you would call, an "accidental" pirate fan.  I rented the first movie years ago out of sheer boredom (and because the movie I really wanted was out).

What an unexpected surprise!  The awesome story telling, the special effects, the handsome actors (and beautiful, strong, tough, fiercely loyal actress) transformed this bored peruser into a devoted fan!

After a very silly sequel, the pirates have come back for a third time.  The girls and I went to see it last night, and I tell you, it is nothing short of AWESOME.  I urge you to check this movie out this weekend.  Tell your friends and family, if they are interested.  If you decide to wait for the DVD, buy an ORIGINAL, ok?  Don't buy a bootleg; support these indie directors who have the courage, the determination, and the resolve to create such good stories.  Swashbuckling has NEVER been so interesting!  

Adrian

P.S.  If you didn't see the first two, you may be a little confused; I would suggest that you rent, borrow or purchase the first two movies to get familiar with the characters before seeing this one.  It's like "The Matrix" and "Lord Of The Rings"...........if you haven't seen the first one, you're lost in the second movie!

DEBT PART 3

After MUCH procrastination, I finally dragged my butt over to the Consumer Credit Counseling office.  It isn't as bad as I had anticipated. 

  

It serves as a credit consolidation agency, without the fees.  What I decided to do was to try and knock out my smaller debts first, and once that is taken care of, then I will try and tackle the bigger amounts.  Because I have so many dependents, and because my husband isn't participating yet, I have an EXTREMELY LOW monthly payment.  It will take me a year to a year and a half to knock those out, depending on how much money I am willing to add to my monthly payment.  I'm going to play it safe for now and see how it goes before I add any more money.  I DO have dependents...........LOL

  

 This means that I will have to follow the very strict budget she laid out for me.  No more impulse purchases unless I have the money to pay for them.  No "extras."  Lucky for me, I have survived on a lot less, and have plenty of experience on how to make my money stretch.  It's doable.

  

I am praying and hoping that this will work out.  I read the "fine print," and there's a clause that states that consulting a debt management agency may affect my credit positively or negatively.  I hope that the former is true. For heaven's sake, I want to PAY my bills; that's got to count for something!

  

She also advised me to start saving for the down-payment and closing costs for a home, and to attend their home-buying workshops.  Look, y'all, I am grateful for the roof that we have over our heads, but a family of five in a two-bedroom apartment......need I say more?  We need more space.  Prayer, faith, hope and my determination will definitely pay off. 

  

I am SO GLAD that this school year is over!!!!  We all worked SO HARD; I feel like I went to school!!! LOL

  

However, all three still have to go to summer school for a month; Angie needs help in several areas; Maya failed the TAKS math section (but once she takes the summer school course, she will meet the requirement); and although Nicolette passed ALL her TAKS requirements, her teacher just wants her to go because she doesn't want her sitting home by herself! LOL  Another good thing about the summer school is that there is an after-school program, so I won't have to worry about them while I am at work. 

  

In July, the girls will be shipped off to Mississippi with their Grandma (hubby's mom), and we will all drive up to Chi-Town together this August for the reunion.  I need a break on so many levels; I am REALLY looking forward to this summer! LOL

  

We have to pay the dues for the reunion, plus pay for the rental, so the some of the money I will be saving for the house must go to that.  We can do it!  It's a sacrifice, but it can be done!

  

Well, enough about me; how y'all doin'? LOL  My faithful readers, PLEASE don't hold it against me if I don't comment.  I am STILL visiting y'all's journals!  I will comment when I can!  Love y'all! 

  

Adrian

WORK RANT

Let's see......it's 9:52 PM...I am at work.......'bout ready to get off at 10:30, and BORED AS HECK......LOL

Seriously....I think I had taken about 5 or 10 calls today.  The only time we are busy is when flights are delayed.  We get excited in here when it does, LOL.

I am learning some interesting things about my co-workers.  Since I am so quiet, many of them have pulled me to the side to tell me different things.  I get the feeling that everyone is putting on their best face for me, because since I've started working here, none of the crazy, zany things I've heard about have happened.......YET.  Or, they usually happen when I am off.  What I don't understand is why people can't seem to be pleased, no matter what.  The main complaint is that there is no one here watching over us or supervising us regularly.  Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the call center is usually free from supervision.  We are usually left to ourselves.  I LOVE this, because I have worked in an environment where the monkey is on your back constantly.  I also believe that grown folks shouldn't have to be watched all of the time.  Apparently, some people feel that they NEED to be watched constantly, so that they won't "get into trouble."  Why is it necessary for someone to watch a grown person all of the time so that they won't do stuff that they know they don't have any business doing?

We DO have a supervisor, and he is as patient and as lenient as they come.  I have never had a boss as cool as my supervisor is.  Plus, we are spoiled.  We have a TV, a VCR, and a coffee maker here in the call center.   We already have a refrigerator in the break room, and last month, we received an ice machine (NOT a desktop; I am talking one of those BIG industrial-size ice machines), a new tv, a VCR, a telephone, new computers, a toaster oven, a toaster, and new chairs.  They are working on providing headsets for us, too.  We have free parking, and it is cool and comfortable here.  Can you believe that folks are STILL complaining?

I want to shake some people, sometimes.  I would like to take them to some of the places I have worked.  Believe me when I tell y'all that most of them wouldn't last a day, for all the stress and the bullcrap that they would have to put up with.  Why is it that some people don't know how good they have it?

I am so grateful to be working here.  This is the cushiest job I have ever had.  When I need to take time off to tend to my kids, I can do that.  Whenever I need a schedule adjustment, I can apply for that and get it.  We don't have any problems with taking our days off; there are no rejections or favoritism.When I walked in here, I wasn't able to take my vacation time, but for every holiday worked, we receive an off day to take whenever we wish. That's not including a decent wage and full benefits!!! 

What I don't understand is when these folks who complain about this job go out and find another one, will they like it any better there?  Especially when all the freedom that is available to them here isn't afforded to them?  What about if they change things here to make them happy, such as hire a new sup or something, and he or she winds up being a jerk or a tyrant.  Will they be happy then?

You know what I think; I think that the people who complain about this place so much are the ones who probably acted foolishly before I got here, and literally wore out their own welcome.  That's what I think happened.

However, I am also a firm believer in second chances and  starting over.  I'm like this; if you know what's expected of you, then just do it.  Prove people wrong about you.  It's possible. 

I dunno; I am still relatively new here; I haven't been here long enough to become disgusted with this place.  I hope I never WILL be disgusted!  

25 THINGS I AM GRATEFUL TO GOD FOR THIS MOTHER'S DAY

 

1) Restoration, and a deeper, fulfilling relationship with my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

2) God's abundant grace and mercy.

 

3) Life and health, despite some parts of my body not being in the best shape! LOL

 

4) A wonderful family.

 

5) The husband I prayed for when I was nine years old; a man who loves me just for me, not what I can do for him.  Despite my faults, and in spite of my failures and/or triumphs, his love for me never changes.  It's easy to point out all of his faults and shortcomings, but the heart that my husband has for me helps me realize how blessed I am that he is a part of my life.  I don't think ANYONE else can handle me! LOL  My husband is a lot of man to be able to deal with such an independent, headstrong woman like myself!  

 

6) A forgiving spirit. 

 

7) The ability to love.

 

8) Resilience.

 

9) A strong faith in my Father.  He can do ANYTHING!

 

10) The awesome miracles that He performed for us after Hurricane Katrina. 

 

11) Healthy, beautiful children who are being trained up in the admonition of the Lord.

 

12) The privilege to go to the house of God for fellowship and to worship Him.  In many countries around the world, this isn't allowed.

 

13) A GREAT job! LOL   

 

14) Answered prayers. 

 

15) My 12 y/o daughter passing ALL of her standardized tests, and passing to the 6th grade with FLYING colors!!!!  Go Nicolette!

 

16) My marriage getting better with time.  God is ABLE!  

 

17) Friends; old and new, in person and on the web! 

 

18) The gift of exhortation.

 

19) Virtue.

 

20) PATIENCE.  I think I need more, LOL, but I recognize that I have progressed in this area tremendously!

 

21) The pastors, preachers. ministers, evangelists, and gospel musicians who preach the Word and minister to the saved and the lost here and abroad.

 

22) Knowing that where we are now will not last forever!

 

23) All of my material needs met.  No, everything ain't new and "popping,", but what we have functions, and we are grateful for it all.

 

24) Fearlessness, peace, love, and a sound mind.

 

25) Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World!!!!!!!

 

Happy Mother's Day, ladies! 

 

Love,

 

Adrian    

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! (TOO BEAUTIFUL!)

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.
That somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, "Normal," is history.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.
That somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring… …
That somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a "good" mother, your child will "turn out good."
That somebody thinks a child comes with directions and a guarantee.

Somebody said "good" mothers never raise their voices.
That somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.
That somebody never helped a fourth grader with her math.

Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.
That somebody doesn't have five children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books.
That somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose or in his ears.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.
That somebody never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten.
Or a plane headed for military "boot camp".

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back.
That somebody never organized four giggling brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.
That somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.
That somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.
That somebody isn't a mother.

Pass this along to all the "mothers" in your life, even if you are not a mother, this is too beautiful not to share!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

 

MySpace Comments

ADONIS OF THE MILLENIUM?

Is it just me, or is Beckham too PERFECT?

How does he DO THAT?!?

(NOTE: When viewing the picture, use the slideshow feature to enlarge it.)

*WARNING* A NEW FORM OF METH

A message to parents, grandparents and guardians:

I have been alerted by one of our EMT's for our volunteer fire department that they have received emails from emergency responder organizations to be on the lookout for a new form of crystallized methamphetamine that is targeted at children and to
be aware of this new form if called to an emergency involving a child that may have symptoms of drug induction or overdose.

 They are calling this new form of meth "Strawberry Quick" and it looks like the "Pop Rocks" candy that sizzles in your mouth.  
  In its current form, it is dark pink in color and has a strawberry scent to it.                                                                                                  

Please advise your children and their friends and other students not to accept candy from strangers as this is obviously an attempt to seduce children into drug use.  They also need to be cautious in accepting candy from even friends that may have received it from someone else, thinking it is just candy.

 I don't want this email to scare anyone, but as a parent, administrator and friend, I thought it would be best to share this with you, so you can once again talk to your children about the effects of drugs and how easy it could be to take drugs without knowing it, until it is too late.
 
 I worry, just as each of you do about kids and drugs and all the problems our kids today are faced with.  
 So please talk with your children about this newest threat to get children addicted to drugs.
 
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/drugs/candymeth.asp
 
http://www.ky3.com/news/6626012.html 

Birthday Wishes

Today is Nicolette's birthday!  She is 12 years old.........my baby is growing up ~*SNIFFLE*~........................

Today is Lahoma's birthday, too! 

Happy Birthday!

 

Love,

Adrian

 

 

DEBT PART 2

Well, Matthew and I talked about our credit situation today.  He looked over the credit report, and assured me that it isn't as bad as I thought it was.  We are paying on a lot of those balances, and fell behind on most of them only because of the disaster.  As soon as we were employed, we picked up where we left off.

Also, 720 is supposed to be considered a good credit score.  Matthew and I are between 100 to 200 points behind that, depending on which agency is reporting.  We have many small amounts that are unpaid, for whatever reason, so I want to begin paying those off first.  We'll see what progress has been made with that, then we'll try to tackle the larger amounts.

As I said before, we were lucky to have sold our house, and cleared the second mortgage taken on it, a year before the hurricane hit.  That isn't affecting our credit score, thank God. 

Still, we have decided to go with a consumer credit counseling agency.  We are interested in paying our debts, and they are designed to help us budget, plan to pay, and stay on course.  A debt consolidation agency and filing bankruptcy are drastic measures, and we don't feel that our situation is dire enough to require those.

Monday morning, I will make the call.  I will keep y'all posted.

Adrian

 

DEBT

My husband and I are eligible for a grant that is designed to help hurricane victims in their recovery.  The grant is to be used to obtain permanent housing and the like.  We were busy looking for a home to stay in, and contacted a loan officer to set up the mortgage.  Everything was ready to go, until the loan officers pulled our credit report.

I am sad to say that our credit is AWFUL.  It is worse than I thought it was.  Yes, I knew that I had problems, but to be honest, I really wasn't too concerned about doing anything about it.

Until now.

It is bothering me that our credit is so bad that we cannot do simple things like buy a house or a car.  Even though the sale of our house in New Orleans managed to clear both mortgages on it, we still have student loans, medical bills, and unpaid credit card balances to pay back.  We don't have ANY idea how we are going to clear our credit histories, but today, I am ready and willing to find out.

I pulled some debt consolidation sites from the Internet, and I also found a legal aid bankruptcy lawyer here in Houston.  My husband and I are stubborn; we had a chance to file for bankruptcy before, but were too proud to do so.  The reality is that we simply are in way over our heads, and although we are paying what we can, we are nowhere near making progress.  I'd like to be debt-free before I make 40.  Today I am ready to examine our options.  I am planning to talk to Matthew tonight with the information that I have, and hopefully we can reach some sort of agreement on what we will do next.  I am planning to move forward even if he isn't willing to.  At least one of us will have good credit!

As far as the grant goes, the realtor is still trying to help us any way that she can.  She is suggesting seller-financed mortgages, condos, and even a motor home.  I don't care WHERE we will be; I am grateful for whatever can be found for us.   I am grateful for God's grace and mercy on my family; He continues to meet our needs despite what condition our finances are in.  Even so, I don't believe that He is pleased when we try to run away from or ignore our problems.  What's bad is that since He provides for us, we tend not to see debt as an important issue.  I believe that debt is getting in the way of what He really wants to do in our lives; we aren't in a position to maintain what He truly has for us.  God is able and willing to help us if we make crucial steps towards deliverance.  I know that He will help us.  I will keep y'all posted on our progress.

Adrian