BACK FROM THE 'SIPP

We're back from visiting the relatives in Mississippi! We did a LOT of eating and resting! LOL The girls came back home with a trunk full of goodies. I received quite a special gift myself! My sister-in-law purchased this Coach wallet for me:







Nice, isn't it?

I am going to have to buy her something nice, even if it means that I have to purchase her gift early. You know, I am good at buying things for myself, but when it comes to other people.......well, I suck. It isn't that I don't want to buy a nice gift for someone; I don't have a lot of girlfriends......I'm lying.....the ONLY "girlfriend" that I have is my mom. LOL Girlfriends can help each other with those kinds of things. Even sisters. She has a little sister whose very stylish, and that she hangs out with all of the time. I always try very hard, but I fail every time. But I am going to strive to be successful this year, even if I have to pull someone over and beg them to help me! This is the second time that she's bought me a nice gift, and this year, I aim to please!

I was charged with something major last year, fraudulently applying for government assistance. I didn't do this, of course, but set out to pay the state back what they said I owed them. This evening, when I cam home, I received a letter in the mail that found the charges made against me to be false. In other words, I am NOT GUILTY. HALLELUJAH! I will call them tomorrow and find out if this means that I don't have to pay the state anymore, and will I receive a refund for what I already paid them. Ain't God GOOD?!?

Adrian

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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CHRISTMAS EVE!

Well, we didn't get Friday off, but the supervisors did. That's okay, though. I am still off today and tomorrow. Since I am off Saturday and Sunday, Pops decided that it would be best for us to go to Mississippi this weekend. We are already packed, so we will be leaving out Friday evening once my class is over with. Plus, the girls and I will able to spend this Christmas with my mom. I am still waiting for some last-minute gifts to arrive in the mail today (Mom's and Angela's).

Matthew sure is glad that I am home! LOL We have been spending a lot of time together. He says that I will get my Christmas present from him after the New Year, but he still bought me a few treats (some goodies from Bath & Body Works) in the meantime. Of course, he won't tell me what my present is. LOL

Honestly, I really wasn't expecting a Christmas gift. I'm satisfied because we have everything we need. Besides, I already bought myself a couple of Christmas presents (my Dooney & Bourke purse, which is sitting in its dust bag in my closet, LOL, and a Sparkling White Diamonds perfume set). Still, it's nice to know that Matthew wants to surprise me.

The classes I took this week dealt with crisis intervention and handling calls from individuals with mental illnesses. We watched "A Beautiful Mind" (the movie about Professor John Nash, who is also schizophrenic), and talked about depression, bipolar disorder (accompanied by some clips from the film "Mr. Jones"), suicide and autism (the fastest-growing mental illness in the nation right now). We learned that there are a lot of famous people, even folks who serve as lawmakers, who suffer with some of these disorders. We also watched a film and talked about suicide. We even participated in role-playing, where one of us played a caller who wants to commit suicide, and our instructor was the call taker. I am quite familiar with the subject matter (mental illness runs in my family) so it was kind of like a refresher course for me, but still I never cease to be amazed.

Adrian

PRESENTS!!!

The packages under the tree are steadily increasing! LOL I think I am going to have to let the tree skirt out a little more.

Mom needs me to go and run a few errands for her, so I am probably going to her house either today or tomorrow. It would be better tomorrow, because the traffic will be lighter.

As a Senior 911 Telecommunicator, I am taking some of the same classes that the new supervisors are taking. Well, remember when I told you that I will be off on Christmas Eve and Christmas? We have to return for a class the day after Christmas, and then be off again Saturday and Sunday. The sups are trying to find a way to convince the trainers to eliminate or reschedule that class so that we can have a 5 DAY holiday weekend! LOL If they are able to pull that rabbit out of the hat, wonderful! If not, it’s all good, because I am just grateful to be off for the holidays.

Matthew wanted to bring the girls to Mississippi this weekend, but none of us, him included, were ready to take a road trip this soon. We are probably going out there for Christmas, and just enjoy the ride and visit with his family for a day or so. If I am not off that Friday, we will have to leave on or before Christmas Eve, and return here Christmas Day. Either way it goes, Pops has to make it back here by Christmas, because he has to work Friday, too.

I also had to tie up some loose ends at the airport this week. It still had to do with that resignation/transfer issue, but its taken care of now. I am a stickler for following policies and procedures. I do not intend to violate anything that is on the books. That not only makes me look bad, but it can cause problems for the organizations that I am or were affiliated with. I know that there are a lot of people who could care less about protocol, but I have worked too hard and too darned long to build a reputable name for myself. I am determined to leave a good impression wherever I go, because I have learned the hard way that I never know when I will have to return somewhere, or if I will need someone from one of the organizations that I have worked for in the past to vouch for me. And it is much easier to return or to ask for a positive reference when you are remembered to be one that has left a place in good standing. It's better to know that you would gladly be welcomed back to an organization, then to have the organization feel that a huge weight has been lifted from their shoulders since you left, you know?

Punkin just woke up, so I am going to start fixing them some breakfast. I had taken some pictures of her in the Christmas play, but they came out so blurry that I felt that it would be a waste to post them. I wasn't sitting close enough to get a good picture.

FIRST DAY AT NEW JOB

I am SOOOOOOOOO tired........my cycle started today, and it is kicking my butt! LOL

Well, the first few weeks are strictly class instruction. I will not start training on the floor until possibly the start of the New Year. We have to cover a lot of the emergency center's policies and procedures. We were given 2 HUGE binders to utilize and study from. I have homework, too, so I cannot take long with this entry......LOL

We will be off four days after our first week, Christmas Eve and Christmas, New Year's Day, MLK weekend, and Saturdays and Sundays until our entire training is completed (about 2 to 3 months). I know that we also have to receive a statewide emergency certification, and I will ask the trainer if that is part of what we are doing now, or will that come later.

We had taken another tour of the facility, and met some of our supervisors. I will start training with my supervisor at the end of this month.

Sorry if this entry is a little vague. I will have more later. I am just exhausted (my hormones are going haywire), and need to go and do my homework.

Adrian

SNOW, AND OUR CHRISTMAS TREE!

It snowed yesterday! I was so excited! It started while I was going from store to store trying to find Matt his favorite multi-symptom medication (he's coming down with something, the poor darling! LOL). As night grew, the snow fell even heavier, covering the grass, the vehicles, and the rooftops. I stayed inside, but the girls went out and played in it for a little while.

The UPS people delivered our tree LATE in the evening, but we weren't angry at all! The girls were so happy, they were cheering and waving goodbye to the drivers as the truck drove off. You would think that Santa delivered the tree to us, the way those girls were cutting up! LOL

Poor Maya....she went to get her jacket and shoes so that she could go outside, and running inside the house, she tripped over a box, fell and hurt her legs. She was crying and humiliated, LOL, but once I gave her a couple of big hugs, cleaned her scratches and put band-aids on them, she was fine. I always will love that about Maya. She is the only one of my three girls that welcomes some "motherly comfort" when she hurts herself. My other two are just like me, tough as nails. LOL



Here's what's left of the snow this morning.....



Still some on the top of the car.....



A few flakes on the windshield......



Maya standing next to Nicolette's "snowman"....LOL



Here's the tree with the lights off.........



And with the lights on.

I wanted to make sure that the tree didn't look "dime store tacky." Here are a few of the "fancy" ornaments I put on the tree:



Beaded gold balls......



Bells.....



Teddy Bears......



And large gold balls.

It even looks great in the daytime!



Adrian

LIFE

Tonight was Angela's school wide field trip: dinner at McDonald's. All of the kids were having a blast running around the restaurant, yelling and screaming, playing in the Play Place, being served and cleaned-up after by the teachers and principal, and knocking the Christmas tree down. LOL Some of the proceeds earned from tonight's event are going to be donated to the school. That's a pretty good idea for a fund raiser; I mean, what kid is going to turn down a meal at McDonalds? LOL

My husband told me what he wanted me to buy him for Christmas. He wants three collectible die-cast buses to go with his train set. I can only afford one at a time, LOL, but he says that's fine with him. My husband has been especially gracious and generous to us all year. He has become an excellent provider. If you ask me, he don't have to buy us another thing. I am going to make doggone sure that I get him what he asked me for, and then some.

Last night was my last day at the airport. I turned in my badge and everything. I have taken the rest of the week off to rest up and get the girls ready for the coming days (I have to report to work in the mornings my first week, which means that they MUST catch that bus to school!). After my first week, I will be off four more days, then Monday I will start training on the floor. Tomorrow I go downtown for the drug test, and I just have to report for duty Saturday morning, 7 AM sharp.

I already know that I will have to study this city's street maps and area zip codes VERY WELL, because the information that I will be entering into the system for the callers determines whether the fire trucks or EMT's arrive at the right house! I asked Matt about a key map (his job provided with him with one), and he told me to ask them if they would provide one for me; they are VERY expensive. If they aren't able to, I am definitely going to make that investment myself. I realize that I will be responsible for people's lives (I have done this kind of work before), and I want to be as efficient as possible. Dispatchers can be very, very mean if you send them a crazy call, and rightfully so, because any errors in these types of calls can cause the loss of a life. And these dispatchers aren't civilians (I was a civilian police dispatcher in New Orleans), they are ACTUAL firemen, EMT's, and police officers! I know how important this job is, and I am preparing myself mentally. I don't take the fact that these folks were willing to take a chance on hiring me lightly. I am very grateful. I will strive to do my best, as always.

Still waiting for my tree; UPS says that it will be here tomorrow. Can't wait!!!

Adrian

SUNDAY SCRIPTURES

"Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;" (Proverbs 3:9)

8 “ Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say,

‘ In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.
9 You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the LORD of hosts,

“ If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
11 “ And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the LORD of hosts;
12 And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,”
Says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:8-12)

14Do all things without grumbling and
faultfinding and complaining [[l]against God] and [m]questioning and doubting [among yourselves],

15That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiltless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world,

16Holding out [to it] and offering [to all men] the Word of Life: (Philippians 2:14-16)

Adrian

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN WORSE, BUT IT WASN'T......PART 3

I found out today that instead of turning in a resignation letter, my move was supposed to be treated as a transfer. OOPS. I didn't know; the people that I needed to ask were on Thanksgiving vacation! I asked one of my co-workers who transferred to another department within this division (and returned here), and she told me that I was supposed to turn one in. I wound up having to explain this to HR, who thakfully didn't make a big deal out of it at all. I will keep my tenure, my city information, and all of my benefits, and not lose them.

Also, the lady down at city hall who is scheduling my drug test called me after 5 PM, while I was at work. I tried to call her back with the number Pops gave me, but no one was in the office by the time I had called. I guess they will be calling me on Monday.

Another co-worker of mine, an operator, was offered the same job, but turned it down. He says that it is because they don't do deferred holidays there. I am already aware that as a floater, I won't be able to take off like I am able to do now. But when I first started working here, the same rules applied. If I make it the first year, I will be assigned my own set schedule, so I am not sweating it. He also said that he likes his co-workers, which is true. They all have a friendship-clique thing going on over there that's cute. Plus, he is going to apply for MY position once it becomes available. The emergency center didn't offer him as much money as they offered me, which is kind of funny. But I have a lot of experience, and a lot of skills under my belt that they need, and I am sure that definitely helped to boost my salary offer. (See what I have to endure when folks know my business? LOL)

Believe me, if they would have offered me what I thought I was going to be paid based on the pay grade that was listed, I would have stayed here. But their offer is significantly higher than I had expected, even what I had initially asked for! And it is just the right opportunity at the right time. And as with all things, I will give these people their money's worth; I will make sure that they won't regret hiring me! My co-worker says that he may follow me later on; We'll see about that........LOL

I really don't want to sound like I am some kind of gold-digging woman who will do anything for money, forsaking her kids and all. I am not. On the contrary, I am, in a way, doing this for them. I have always been the kind of person that does whatever I know I have to do, regardless of what anyone else thinks. I have learned how not to let opinions, uncertain relationships, and fear of the unknown stop me from reaching my goals. This is a trait that I am determined to model consistently for my daughters, because they will need to be this way when they are adults. And it helps that I have a husband who is very supportive. He is not the kind of man who says "go for it, babe!", then when times get tough, he turns around and blames me for everything that goes wrong! He digs in with me, and does whatever he needs to do to help me make it, and I love him for that. My mom is pretty supportive of me, too. It helps to have people who are in your corner, especially when you are as young as I am (I ain't even 35 yet!!!! LOL).

I just might ask to take off Monday. I just don't want to make this departure any harder on myself than it has to be. I just want to leave. QUIETLY.

Adrian

THAT WASN'T SO BAD.........I THINK (PART 2)

Upon my return to work yesterday, I discovered that one of my supervisors had taken it upon himself to send an e-mail telling EVERYBODY that I was leaving. I guess he didn't speak to MY supervisor about how I wished that this would be handled before I left. It's okay, though, I won't be there much longer anyway. I know that my departure could have been handled better than that. I know that for a fact, because I have seen it happen many times. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to tell the co-workers MYSELF that I am leaving (I think that I am capable of handling that, don't you think?). Maybe expect to be treated with a little respect, and be able to leave with some dignity, without all of the questions and the "so-sorry-to-see-you-go" comments. But this is ME that we are talking about here. I guess different rules apply in my case. Then, he adds at the end of the message that "he knows that he speaks for everyone when he says that I will be missed." And just how, may I ask, does he know that? There may be some there that are glad that I am leaving, for all he knows. Whatever.

Well, at least I have been left with the choice not to disclose my future plans. I don't have a lot of friends there, anyway (for whatever reason; I guess I didn't try hard enough or something), so I don't feel comfortable sharing that kind of information with people I am not that close to.

I have an exit interview this afternoon with one of the HR ladies. Basically, they are going to be asking me questions, like "why I am leaving," and "did I like my boss" (LOL). My responses are supposed to help them come up with ways to improve the department, and help retain the workers that they have,and will have in the future. I am going to pray today that the Lord will help me with these responses. I usually don't offer any feedback, but I am hoping that my responses will help them make some much-needed improvements. My feedback, I have been told, will not get back to them, but I don't trust that. I am always aware of the need to be tactful and respectful, even in an environment that doesn't encourage it.

I realized that I really DO need this new job; I thought that I was paying once a month for medical insurance. I am paying biweekly for mine, and the girls' medical insurance!!! That's a little over $200 a month!!! Thank God for opportunities! I will be making enough at this new job to cover that plus any additional expenses that may occur.

The parent-teacher conference for Angela went well. Her teacher is concerned because Angela is not performing at her grade level. That didn't surprise me at all; none of my children were prepared, to say the least, for the school system that they have here. The New Orleans' school system was dysfunctional, and parents and teachers had to struggle to teach and learn in the barest of conditions. Though I was working at Wal-Mart then, I put all three of the girls in private school (before Katrina hit), because it was the only way to guarantee that they would get a decent education. Now, the schools that they are going to here in Houston try desperately to prepare these kids for college! Whenever my oldest daughter says things to me like she wants to continue her education, and even tells me what university she wants to go to, you know that they are doing something right here! Anyway, she wants to have Angela tested for dyslexia (Angela writes a lot of her letters and numbers backwards, and at her age, she should have stopped this by now), and I will have her screened for ADD and ADHD. Nicolette is ADD, and she has completed treatment and takes a mild medication during the school year that helps her to focus. She is doing swell now! The teacher also wants to schedule more tutoring for Angela, but I told her that if Angela is retained, that's fine; I am not about rushing a child to be and do things that she isn't ready for yet. But once we pinpoint any possible issues, or lack thereof, I know that Angela's ability to learn will improve tremendously.

She also told me how "cute" she thinks Angela is, which we already know, too. Angie is just ADORABLE, without even trying to be! LOL

I purchased a white, pre-lit Christmas tree (with the clear lights) from Wal-Mart for only $35!!! I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE WAL-MART!!!! I am so excited! I am going to decorate it with red and gold ornaments, a tree skirt, and a nice tree topper. There may not be any presents under it this year, but at least we will have a tree! LOL Of course, I will post a picture once I put it up, so you can see how pretty it is!

Adrian

WELL,THAT WASN'T SO BAD...........

I turned in my two-weeks resignation letter yesterday. I waited until the right time, and stressed to my supervisor the need to "leave quietly." He understood completely (God bless older gentlemen!), and said that he wishes the same for himself when the time comes for him to leave (he is retiring soon). He promised me that if word gets out, it won't be from him. That's how I like to work. No muss, no fuss, no ruckus. I'm in, and then I'm out.

I am scheduled to be off the four days before my first day on the new job, start my five-day week of training there, and will be off four days afterward. This is excellent timing, because since my first week of training is in the morning, I will be able to attend all of Angela's upcoming Christmas performances! I am waiting for the call to go downtown and take my preliminary drug test.

Today was also my first dental appointment in 2 years. These people were EXTREMELY professional, which helped, because my teeth are in REALLY bad shape, and I am really self-conscious about it. I need major dental work done, y'all. MAJOR dental work. My dental insurance isn't too killing bad; It is covering 60% of the total cost! But there is still a lot of money that I will have to pay myself out-of-pocket. Since I am clearing my credit, I didn't want to open a credit account, even though I probably would be approved for it. I am going to save some of the money up, and use my income tax return to pay for the work. I will have to wait until next year, but at least I will be paying cash, and won't have to owe anyone ANYTHING. I went in, found out what I needed to have done, and the cost. All I have to do now is wait, and pray, and save, and anticipate the day that will soon come where I will be able to eat salads again.

In the meantime, I purchased some IMAKO cosmetic teeth. My mom told me about them. It is sort of like a "flipper" that you mold and clip to your own teeth, giving you the appearance of a beautiful smile for a really cheap price! I paid $40 for mine from AmeriMark . I cannot eat with them, but I CAN smile confidently and talk with them. No permanent fix, of course, but I can smile at my kids, husband, family and friends! That's all that they are for, anyway. What do you think?



They'll do until I can start my dental work. It's all good.

I have a parent-teacher conference with Angela's teacher tomorrow afternoon. ~SIGH~ I know that Angela is trying to catch up, but lately, I've had to call her teacher on sending home papers for me to sign, that were graded by other students in the class, that aren't checking Angela's paper correctly. This results in Angela having a lower grade recorded in the grade book than she should, which means a lower grade on her report card. Looks like I am going to have to start visiting Angela's school more frequently to find out what the hell is going on over there. Angela is so fun-loving and carefree, though. She doesn't give a whit, LOL. I am going to have to start urging her to be more dutiful, and care more, somehow. Wish me the best on that one.

Adrian