The ACORN Fiasco: Part 2

I love it when I find others that think the way I do, even if it's out here in cyberspace! Here's another wonderful commentary, from the Chicago Tribune:

How ACORN Helped Its Enemies

The ACORN Fiasco

This is insane.

This is clearly another attempt to discredit the President. Remember, President Obama has ties to this organization, and their "get out the vote" work (which many allege that Obama may have helped fund himself) quite possibly have made a substantial difference in his election.

Now, this college kid makes this stupid video, and now ACORN is fighting back (read here) in order to keep its federal funding.

Several things bother me about all of this. First off, this kid targeted the ignorant, the under-educated or uneducated, the weak, and the simple-minded in order to accomplish his goals. Anyone who has a job anywhere knows that these kinds of people exist in every working environment. He even stated himself that he has visited many offices, and most of them kicked him and his friend out. (Read his interview here.) So, like most journalists (if it bleeds, it leads, and he is a journalism major), he took advantage of the ignorant in order to get his point across. This happens every day across the country, but this time, this tactic is being used to undermine an entire organization, and has hit pay dirt.

Secondly, the government moved swiftly to disassociate themselves from the organization. Prior to this idiotic video, is there any proof available which proves that ACORN has granted assistance to others who wanted to use government-funded grants to purchase homes to be used in order to conduct illegal business practices in the past? If there is, I'd like to see it!

Finally, I cannot believe that these people, our government officials, those who are responsible for running this country, and who enact laws and policies that affect every American, can take such nonsense so seriously, without any pause; they wasted no time in laying down the law, if you will, against a grass-roots organization. They didn't even take the time to examine the legitimacy of the accusations being made against the organization. They also didn't question the kid's credibility, his background, or his motive for doing this. Clearly, they didn't recognize the "fakeness" (This kid a pimp? Are you kidding me?!?)

Now every Republican or 'conservative' has jumped on the ACORN-bashing bandwagon, with spit flying, eyes blazing and teeth gnashing, spewing vitriol towards this organization, and of course, Obama, with a renewed vigor.

Makes you wonder: Who funded this kid's project?

(More insightful takes on the video, and the foolishness of it all here and here.)

IT'S BEEN AWHILE........

I have been very, very busy. The kids are in school, and it seems that I have been running non-stop ever since. So far, the school has voluntarily enrolled Maya into its Gifted & Talented program, Nicolette is a cheerleader for her junior high school, and Angela's grades are improving, thanks to summer school, and everyone in the family helping her over the summer. The girls are doing well, even though everyone in the house, with the exception of my husband, has come down with a cold. Flu vaccines keep you from getting the flu, but don't help with other germs and seasonal illnesses. Nicolette had to stay home last week, and Angela's home with a fever today.

My car was broken into this month. My CD's, my bag with all of my work equipment and some personal papers, and even my bible were stolen. The ignition and lock to the driver-side door was damaged. I have to spend time and money that I really don't have to get that fixed, as well as replace the documents that were taken. What would anyone want with a cheap bible that has been all marked in and highlighted is beyond me. I managed to get the headset replaced at work, but I am still waiting for another training manual. I'm working on replacing my bible, too. Luckily, most of the CD's were homemade, so I just have to download some more copies of my favorites when I have time. I just pray that something good comes out of this, and I am grateful that I can still drive my car. Heck, I'm still grateful that I have a car. My neighbor's truck was stolen a few months ago, and he had to buy a new vehicle. I wasn't very compassionate in my attitude towards him when it happened, and I think that the Lord wasn't pleased with me at all, which is probably why He allowed this to happen. I learned that I have to work on being more empathetic and less cynical, and be very careful what I say and think about people, even when I think I am "alone." The Lord is always with us, and He hears and knows everything. (Ecclesiastes 10:20 NKJV)

Work has been fine so far. My last evaluation rating was a 99.87. Not 100%, but still pretty good. I am always striving to do and be my best!

Now I must catch up on some rest, and finish watching 300 before Nicolette's game starts this evening. And I have to bring Angela to the doctor, before starting a seven-day workweek tomorrow. Hooray. Well, at least I am getting paid Friday!

NEW ORLEANS, 2009

My husband and I went to New Orleans this weekend. We wanted to see how far things have progressed since Hurricane Katrina, and catch up with some old friends.

I did not expect to see what I saw there. Downtown New Orleans, the French Quarter, and the Central Business District, all of the areas that make money for the city, are still thriving. We visited some of our old stomping grounds (the 'hoods), and white folks have actually bought houses and moved in! The houses that my husband and I lived in before the storm have been rebuilt (white folks live in them now). I am surprised, because those neighborhoods (Uptown New Orleans close to the CBD, and the Fifth through the Seventh Wards) have always been off-limits to white people. Not meaning that they weren't welcome there, but those have always been unsavory areas for them to live in. The whites in New Orleans always migrated to the suburban areas of the city (Chalmette, St. Tammany, Slidell, Kenner, the Westbank). But I guess that they were forced to re-think their options since those suburban areas were wiped out by the storm.

Uptown New Orleans from South Broad Street and Washington Avenue to Tchoupitoulas Street are still in good shape, but most of the homes out there are for sale. Oschner Hospital purchased Baptist Hospital and opened its emergency room. This and Tulane are the only hospitals in the Metro Area, but they are still severely understaffed, and cannot serve every patient that needs care.

City Park is open, but most of those old oak trees that framed the park are gone.

Most of the grocery stores are gone. Rouses bought most of them, but the only Winn-Dixie that survived seemed to be the one on Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie. The Wal-Mart where I used to work (on Tchoupitoulas Street) is still open.

The Gentilly area is only a shell of its former self. The former home of the 'Creoles', most of those homes are now empty, torn down, or for sale. Many people just didn't return.

New Orleans East, home of the prosperous, middle to upper-middle class African-American and Asian population, is wiped out. Street after street, row after row of homes, apartment complexes and businesses lie desolate and empty. An entire shopping mall, Lake Forest Mall, is gone. Nothing there but a huge, empty lot. The Read Road Wal-Mart, the first in the New Orleans area, didn't re-open. Probably for every house that is occupied, 6 to 8 in the same block aren't.

Many of the housing projects, including the one I grew up in, The Calliope (Or B.W. Cooper) have been destroyed. Ironically, the city decided to destroy the development with the history of the fewest crime problems, the Lafitte Project (the one that ran along Orleans Avenue, and sat right across the street from Dooky Chases' restaurant), and left the troubled Iberville housing project, the one that sits in the middle of the New Orleans' Central Business District, open.

We did not have a chance to drive through the lower Ninth Ward, and were advised by some members of our church not to do so. There weren't many people out and about, and this was a weekend. Most of the 'hooptie' cars, a signature feature in New Orleans, are gone now. But what really managed to bring me to tears, though, was the state of the Lakefront.

Lake Pontchartrain was this beautiful, serene place that everyone, whether rich or poor, could go and just enjoy the sunset (or sunrise), listen to the waves, and get away from all of the noise and the dysfunction that was New Orleans. I remember bringing my kids there to play. Watching the fish jumping in the water. The speed boaters showing off their new toys. My husband and I always went to spend quiet time together. We ate a lot of good food together out there. Lots of picnics, barbecue, kicking it with friends and just good times.

Half of the Lakefront now is closed off, unfit for anyone to go near. What's left is overgrown with grass, and unkempt. The benches and picnic areas were never restored. They are now just heaps of bricks and piles of wood and debris. Most of those beautiful Lakefront properties lay desolate. Many of the property owners were too afraid to return. It's like a ghost town there. It's just awful. Oh, the Lakefront was so beautiful. How can anyone let such beauty waste away is beyond me.

We did manage to enjoy some good eats while we were down there. My husband and I ate our first "Po'Boy" sandwich in almost four years (I had a catfish sandwich, and he had a hot sausage and cheese sandwich). That french bread is the best bread in the world, in my opinion. And it was fresh! Like they had just taken it out of the oven that day! We also managed to get some beignets and cafe' au lait, some pulled pork, barbecued baked beans and homemade rolls from Corky's barbecue, some sweet treats from Gambino's Bakery, and Big Shot Sodas! I am so full! LOL

The people that are left in New Orleans are still as friendly as ever, easy to smile and give you a great, big hug. The love is still there, but you can tell that they are fragile. So much has happened to try and break their spirits. I have seen and heard more depressing things this weekend then I care to admit. But I am glad that I went. New Orleans is my home, always will be. It's where I came from, and I will never forget that. My husband and I are already talking about going back again. We need to do what's best for the family right now, but there's no harm in staying connected.

Thanks for the comments to my blog about Professor Gates. Here is another article that supports the point that I was trying to make here. It is my desire that the citizens in this country strive to start respecting one another as individuals. I believe that the only way that this can happen is when we start letting go of past hurts, pains, and injustices, start respecting and loving ourselves (insecurity and self-loathing plague the African-American community in this country), stop with all of the seperatism and biases, cease the infighting, colorism, and racism that is present in ALL races (it's not just black vs. white; there are racist and colorist black people, too), and start accepting one another. And if we want others to respect us as individuals, we must show respect, too. Put your character and integrity on display. Behave in a manner that draws attention to your personhood, not your race. This can be done, but we have to rise above the pettiness that is prevalent in this society. Let's grow up already!

HIS BELLIGERENCE GOT HIM ARRESTED

For heaven's sake! This man behaved as if he has NO IDEA how to act when stopped by the police! Where is the wisdom? Where was his common sense?

The same thing happened a few years ago, when Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney tried to enter a government building without her identification. She threw a fit, too, and later apologized.

Every grown black man or woman should know, having been taught by their parents (or personal experiences) how to behave when the cops stop them or pull them over. Yes, there is a history of racial profiling in America. Yes, when we are stopped, it is aggravating and frustrating, and maybe even a bit scary at the same time. But we, as adults, should know that the key to keeping this inconvenience as short and as civil as possible is to try with all your might to keep a level head and do what the officers ask you to do.

Of course, it is a shame that in this country, we have to train our children to fear the cops because there is a possibility that we may be abused by them. But that stands the reason for a grown, educated man to throw a fit just because the officers were doing their job. They received a suspicious call, and they went to investigate it. It's not like the police knew who Professor Gates was when they went there. It's not like they were sitting in their car, saying to themselves when they heard the call come over the radio "Yeah, that's Professor Gates, I know him! Let's go over there and give that (enter racial slur here) what for!" The house that Professor Gates lives in is rented, so who knows how long he has been living there? For heaven's sake, get off your Ph.D. high horse and show the man your ID. Mr. Gates, you are not a celebrity. Educated, black and successful, yes, but no, everyone in America is not familiar with you. Just because you have a label behind your name does not mean that you are better than everyone else in America, and that gives you a free pass to be exempt from the rules, the agitation, and the nuisances that every other African-American in this country faces on a daily basis.

I am, in a word, embarrassed for him, just as I was when Congresswoman McKinney threw that diva fit. And I wish that President Obama would have gotten the facts straight first before making that comment on national television. I don't care who you are, it is never okay to behave disrespectfully towards lawmakers, police officers, bosses, parents, pastors, teachers...anyone in authority. What an example Professor Gates is setting for today's youth: If you are stopped by the cops, then it's okay to throw a tantrum instead of presenting your ID when asked. Lovely. Overturn all of the values and virtues that millions of us are teaching to our children by behaving in this manner. Anyone, whether white, black, Hispanic, Asian, whatever race, who becomes belligerent when stopped or questioned by the police faces the possibility of being arrested. The reason for the arrest is not because of racial profiling. It's called disturbing the peace.

NO WATER!!!!!

There is a broken water main or a broken water pipe in the neighborhood that maintenance crews are in the process of repairing. This leaves everyone in the subdivision without water this morning. I thank God that I am off today, and working the night shift on Friday! Even if it is not fixed by then (which I am sure it probably will be), at least I have enough time to work something out.

Well, the girls are in Mississippi, and the house is still neat from the cleaning I did to accommodate the in-law's stay here. It is also peaceful and quiet. We are taking advantage of the quiet, and getting some much-needed rest and sleep. The rug rats will be back at the beginning of August, and I have another week-long vacation that I am going to use to get them ready for school, and possibly take them to the beach or something before they go back.

As far as work goes, the last evaluation I had places me in strong status. That's pretty good, but I still need improvement. I've been told that I am kinda rough with the callers. I don't mean to be, but sometimes, some folks are irrational and unreasonable when they are in an emergency, which is understandable, but it is important for me to maintain my composure. The both of us excited aren't going to get either of us anywhere fast (they in enough shape to be of help in the emergency, my being able to get them off the phone, LOL). So I'm working on that.

Pops and I are planning a trip this upcoming weekend, details to follow.

My Life Motto: Isaiah 30:15

"Would we be strengthened, it must be in quietness and in confidence, keeping peace in our own minds, and relying upon God." (from Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary)

R.I.P. MICHAEL JACKSON: 1958-2009

Finally, peace. He will be missed.

SHIA LABEOUF

I am taking the girls and some friends of theirs to see the new Transformers movie tomorrow. They loved the first one. I am particularly intrigued by the leading man, Shia Labeouf. I don't think that a lot of people give this boy the credit that he is due. He is 21 years old, has come from unimaginable hardship, but I think that his reasons for why he works and has a passion for what he does is the secret to his overwhelming success. There are many reasons not to like him, but here are several reasons why I do:

1) He is FUNNY.

He did stand-up as a kid, and it helps him, because I have yet to see him do a bad interview. He is so quick, and self-depreciating, and irreverent, that if you're not careful (and if you don't know anything about him), you can't really tell whether he is joking or telling the truth. He comes across as real and genuine, even if, he admits himself, it's probably all an act, a "con game." Watch his interview for Indiana Jones on the David Letterman Show here.

2) He is fearless.

The kid endures not one, but 2 PR disasters (getting arrested for criminal trespassing, and being charged with a DUI and getting into a bad car accident that caused him to severely injure his hand)that could have ruined other actors' careers forever. But not Shia. Not only does he take his licks like a man, but he continues to work, puts up with the paps, and simply refuses to hide from life. He is always being photographed out and about, mostly walking, sometimes on his skateboard, hitching with Mom, or even riding a motorcycle. And one of the director's that's worked with him claimed that no matter what, Shia's ALWAYS on time!

3) He loves his parents.

Role models they were not. Ordinary people would have easily blamed their failures in life on the type of parents Shia had, and most would probably have felt justified in doing so. They were pretty whacked-out, and his childhood was less than ideal. But to this day, you will rarely, if ever, hear Shia say anything disrespectful about his parents. He loves his mom and dad, and diligently takes care of them. That kind of character isn't developed in an environment of privilege.

4) He's ADORABLE.

That face. Those eyes. Those lips. That curly hair. His nearly-flawless skin. His newly-ripped physique. Whether he is trotting around town on foot dressed worse than a bum, or rocking a tailored suit, Shia is definitely beautiful to look at. He cleans up good, too. And even when the paps catch him sucking on his favorite vice, his cancer sticks, they never can seem to take a bad picture of him. The camera just loves him.

5) Child actor, but NO child.

Craig Kilborn once told him that he made him laugh "a man's laugh." Another interviewer said that he's an "old soul." He has a heavy voice, and speaks in a manner that says he's either been here before, or he's seen, lived, and known too much for his tender age. Contrary to popular belief, he doesn't strike me as immature or arrogant. He strikes me as a youngster who is trying to grow, to be a man. He is finding his way. He has his own opinions, his own ideas, and his own interests. Hell, he even has his own house! And in Hollywood, where all of the stars seem to be cut from exactly the same mold, and are literally carbon copies of one another, he fights to maintain his individuality.

6) He is a fan first.

Hearing him speak about his co-workers, and the respect that he has for them, is awesome. How anyone can see that as arrogance is beyond me. They're probably jealous. I think his respectfulness and eagerness to please his bosses are the reason why so many lucrative opportunities are being made available to him.

7) He (is trying to) learn from his mistakes.

Dopey mishaps, chain smoking and imbibing aside, you don't hear about Shia Labeouf using drugs, partying all night, making a sex tape, or other stupid things that most of his manufactured young-un peers in Hollywood are doing. He's said that he is determined to make good decisions for himself and for his career. He wants to go far in this business. I wish him all the best.

8) He works hard.

He's said that nothing came easy for him; he's had to get out there and work hard for everything that he's achieved. I believe that this is true. I mean, how many people you've heard of that actually called a talent agency and pretended to be his own manager? And once he was given an opportunity, he hasn't looked back.

9) His characters are totally opposite of who he really is.

Shia is something of a peverted, somewhat lost, bad-assed, foul-mouthed, smart-alecky little boy who really, really needs a spanking in real life. LOL But the characters that he plays are these good, wholesome boys from these solid middle-class families. I'd like to think that he plays these roles because he secretly wishes that his own childhood truth could have been closer to his film-making reality.

10) He's not afraid to be different.

He's done different kinds of work, which is why he's so popular. I hope that he will continue to do dark characters and independent films, which will further exercise and add depth to his acting range.

Shia Labeouf is a rising star that will only get better with time. The only person that has the power to stop his ascent is himself. I know what it is like having to overcome tremendous obstacles in order to succeed, so I wish him the best in all of his future endeavors.

Shia's Wiki Page

Jon & Kate Dissipate

Whoops! There goes the money! Well, I hope she invested well...............

"TLC Puts 'Jon & Kate' On Hiatus"

Ten Things Married Women REALLY Wished Their Husbands Knew

1. We LOVE spending time with you. We love going places with you even more. And after being married to you for quite a while, we really don't care where you are taking us. It could be to the junk yard to find a cheap part for your car, and maybe a quick bite to eat at a fast-food joint. Yes, you can probably do that by yourself, or bring one of your boys along. But merely asking us to come along for the ride, despite your other options, shows us that you understand how much we need time with you, and are at least making an effort to spend some with us. (And, it also tells us that you still like spending time with "your girl.").

2. Letting us drive your ultra-cool "whip" (your ride) for a day? Awesome! Pre-setting a driver's seat position in the ride just for your wife? Ultra awesome!

3. Showing random acts of tenderness and kindness to the little ones really turns us on. An example? Unexpectedly cutting a too-big piece of steak that your overly-excited seven-year old asked for at the buffet restaurant into bite-sized pieces so that he or she can eat it. HOT.

4. Spending time with your kids, period, means a lot to us.

5. We understand that you need a break from it all, and we really don't mind you spending time with "the boys." Calling us when you know that it's getting late, not snapping at the kids or your wife, better still.......actually answering the phone when they call just to find out where you are is a plus. We don't want to spoil your fun. We don't want to bust your balls. We just miss you, that's all!

6. We love it when you help out with household chores and dinner. Every wife that has been blessed with a husband considerate enough to do this should work on making sure that she is not being overly critical of his efforts. All that should matter is that the kids are healthy and happy. That is the most important thing.

7. We love it when you eat everything that we've cooked and/or brought home to eat. LOL And we love knowing that we are able to take care of you in that way.

8. Your presence is important. Even if you feel that you are not the bravest man in the world, simply being there makes others think twice about invading your territory.

9. We appreciate your support. Whether its encouraging the kids when they are doing well in school, showing a slight interest in your wife's new hobby, encouraging her to go for that promotion at work (and convincing her that she can do it), taking the time to explain why you think a potential decision your wife or one of your kids are thinking of making may or may not be best for them, or jumping in the trenches along with your family while they are experiencing some of life's most trying of storms; just knowing that you care is such a blessing. Your validation gives us the courage to press on. Husbands and fathers are oftentimes the greatest cheerleaders.

10. Thanks for praying for us. GOD HEARS YOUR PRAYERS!

Thanks so much, Big Mike and Rhapsody, for the lovely comments you left in response to my last blog. Sorry everyone that's interested; I haven't been updating lately because I have been so BUSY. It's summertime, you know! I still have to upload pictures of the truck, the graduation pictures, and some photos I took of me wearing my hair in various Bantu knot styles. LOL We are also getting ready to host my mother and sister-in-law; they will be here visiting with us for the 4th.

I am planning to go to New Orleans soon. Every time I tried to go sooner, something always came up. But I am determined to go this time. I really want to see how much progress has been made in the nearly four years since Katrina, if any, visit my brother and his family, and enjoy some of that good old New Orleans food (I am DYING for some beignets and cafe au lait! LOL). I have been keeping up with events there through the internet news sites for that area, but I'd like to see what's really going on with my own eyes. I also want to pass through Thibodeaux, La., to visit one of my uncles. He has suffered a bad fall, and had to have a shunt placed in his head to drain fluid from his brain, and had a pacemaker put in to help his heart out. He has been like a father to me, and he and my aunt are one of the only examples I had growing up of a happy, stable marriage. I owe him much.

Well, I am going to eat some of my dinner: baked tilapia, rice and seasoned broccoli. Then I'm going to take that ride down south to visit my mom. Will probably write another post tonight or tomorrow, my list of the Ten Things Married Women Wished Their Husbands Knew. It's hilarious, I promise! Enjoy the rest of your evening, everyone!

CAUTION: LONG ENTRY! (BUT YOU MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING BY READING IT)

I know that by publishing this entry, I am running the risk of sounding very dumb. But it's okay, because none of us know everything.

I love the scene in the movie "Last Holiday," with Queen Latifah, when the weaselly doctor tried to deliver her "death" sentence. He was clearly afraid of the "big, black, angry woman" that had him cornered in the office. He had to bring a taller, whiter doctor in to try and calm her down and protect him, so that he could feel safe. I don't know whose idea it was to put that scene in there, but it was hilarious, right on point, and unfortunately, happens too often in real life.

I am 34 years old, and this is my very first time experiencing a lot of things. I did manage to buy a house in New Orleans (HUD home, and I sold it a year before Katrina hit), but NEVER lived in a subdivision. The neighborhood that I grew up in, as well as the one we settled into as adults was far from safe. This is my first time ever buying 2 good, reliable, fully insured vehicles. I never had my own car until my feet touched soil here in Houston. I drove cars, but they either belonged to my husband (or someone else), or they were in such bad shape that they were barely reliable. And all that we were able to afford was collision insurance for the beaters, in which the premium cost about as much as the price I am paying now for full coverage insurance! (This was because insurance fraud was so prevalent in Louisiana, the cost of insurance was astronomical. Many of us could not afford to own a car.) My children are not only bussed to and from school, but picked up right in front of the door! We rode public transit to school as kids. Imagine how hard that was while living in the inner city. As a matter of fact, I rode the bus until I was well into my thirties.

I know this sounds crazy to most of you. I am painfully aware that these are things that many people take for granted. Every day I am constantly reminded of just how poor I was. And even though my husband and I have been financially blessed tremendously these past few years, we are still trying to catch up. This is why you almost never see me bragging about anything that we have. This is a humbling experience, to say the least. There is so much that we just don't know about money. And there are people out here who have no time or patience to bring "grown folks" up to speed.

Getting back to what this entry is all about. I never had full-coverage insurance on a car. When I was involved in an accident before, (or if the car we bought already came with significant problems), and since collision only covers the other drivers' damages, I had to pay out-of-pocket for repairs, which was always next to impossible for me to pay. Hence, driving beaters most of my life. I was recently involved in a very minor at-fault accident. I backed into a fire hydrant, and although no damage was done to the hydrant, I ripped my rear passenger-side tire, and put a deep dent in the rear door. My tires are fully insured (thank God for Discount Tire!), so I had the tire replaced free of charge. I called my insurance company and reported the accident, and they assured me that the repairs are covered. All I need to do is pay a small deductible, and my car will be good as new.

As you know, if there is a report of an accident on your insurance policy, your insurance rate goes up. So I asked them how much did they think the rate would be, if it would go up at all, and they told me that they did not have that information available at this time. I found it ironic that they wouldn't have that information right off. And they were not able to give me straight answers to my questions. So I kept calling to find out if anyone could answer my questions for me. Because I didn't have the information I needed, I tried to cancel the accident report, thinking that if I went ahead and paid to have the damages fixed myself, then my insurance premium wouldn't go up. So I canceled the appointment to bring my car in for repairs, and went looking for my own estimates. (Chalk this up to ignorance on my part. I didn't know.)

My husband and I are out there looking for estimates, and though we were able to find a price that was reasonable, the experience was less than satisfactory. The shops we went to had more cars to repair than workers to fix them. I was looking at about a week-long wait for my car if I paid to have it fixed myself, while the insurance company promised 24 to 48 hours max.

I called the insurance company one more time to ask questions. I needed to know what to do, because I have to make arrangements for being without my car for a couple of days. Instead of my agent answering the phone, a lady that works for him answered. She gave me the same run-around all of the other agents (at least 4 of them) gave me. I still could not get a straight answer, so I asked her to just explain to me what she said again in plain English, because I still didn't understand. She nearly had a mental breakdown because I was asking her for clarification. She, clearly irritated by me, abruptly ends the conversation (she thought that I was being "argumentative"; folks love using that word to describe us), and yells at me to "Talk to Mike! Talk to Mike!" (my insurance agent).

When Mike finally gets to the phone, I explained to him that all I wanted was a straight answer to my questions, and he gave them to me. He told me that once the accident is recorded to the insurance company, it cannot be removed or canceled. He told me not to pay to have the car repaired out of pocket, that it would be best for me to let the insurance company handle the repairs, because this is what I am paying the premiums for. He also told me that my insurance rate will go up, but since the company is connected to a network of providers, when it's time to renew the policy, the company will help find one that will provide the coverage that I need, at a price that I can afford.

I could go on and on about how unprofessional the lady was, or say something like "No one forced her to take that job" or "How dare she get upset because I asked her to do her job!" But I'm not. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't stay angry. Besides, I had gotten the answer I needed.

One of my supervisors had written a letter to me, telling me that asking for help isn't a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. Tell that to the people out here who aren't willing to help you, who are too impatient, who have their own preconceived ideas about you, who "know all about you" before they even take the time to get to know you. I am acutely aware of people who want to help, and people who are just at work for a check, and nothing more. I have to push harder than anyone else to get what I need because of my ignorance, and frankly I am tired of having to fight with people because they can't handle being challenged just a little bit.

Even though I had gotten the information I needed, I didn't feel empowered in this experience at all. I didn't feel strong. I felt weak. And stupid. And dumb. Alas, it is a feeling that I am just going to have to get accustomed to. I am never going to stop asking questions, asking for help, asking for more time to learn and get things right. I don't want to go through life acting like I know something (or everything) when I really don't. And I may not know now, but ask me again the second or third time around, and if I still don't know, I'll find someone that does. And I'll be sure that it's someone that doesn't mind taking the time to "break it down" for you.

LIFE

My husband and I bought a new truck this week. It's a 2006 Majestic Blue Nissan Titan 4x4 with chrome detailing. It's beautiful, but BIG. We needed the truck to fit the needs of our family, and to sit high enough off the ground to drive through Houston's flood waters. We are very pleased with the purchase.

I gave it a spin while taking the girls and a friend of Nicolette's out to celebrate her birthday yesterday. They had fun. We saw the movie "Monsters vs. Aliens" in 3-D (pretty funny movie!), and went to dinner at Chili's. I am finding that their $7 menu is, well, quite crappy, except for the Old Timer hamburger, which is too big for me to eat. We would have done better going to a fast-food restaurant, or IHOP. Anyway, the truck rides well, and the girls love it. You ought to see my husband. He's just like a kid who just received his very first red wagon. LOL

We are going to Mississippi this weekend to attend my sister-in-law's graduation from Alcorn State University. The girls and I all have beautiful sundresses to wear, because it's going to be HOT out there (they are going to have a family barbecue and seafood boil after the commencements). We won't have to be back home until Monday. I plan on getting some much-needed sleep during down-time, because we have to leave Friday night right after getting off work, and attending the ceremony Saturday morning at 8 AM. That leaves us very little time to rest, and I am talking about trying to do the girl's hair tonight. I have too much to do, and not enough time to do it. I had to run some errands for mom, who lives in south Houston yesterday before taking the girls out. I'm not tired yet, but winding down fast.

I received my T.C.E.L.O.S.E. certification last week. I am officially state-certified as a Telecommunications Operator. That document gives me the ability to work ANYWHERE in the state of Texas under that classification. It will come in handy in the event that I may ever have to evacuate again because of a catastrophic hurricane or other probable disaster. Let's hope that won't be necessary.

One of my classmates was fired a couple of weeks ago. She was always calling out sick, among other things. They told her that she wasn't "a good fit." I hate hearing about anybody losing their job, especially in this tough economy. Another bad thing to come about her release is that the new people, and that includes me, will have to fill in as a replacement for her until another operator is hired. I am already scheduled to work nights the last week of this month. Oh, well, at least I will be home for Memorial Day. Plus, while working, I will earn DOUBLE time and a half. It's just a lot harder to concentrate on your work when you are fighting sleep. I am going to have to work on a sleep schedule, and stick to it, when having to work nights, so that I will be alert.

2 BLOGS IN ONE DAY: PART 2

The girls have exactly 30 more days to go before school ends! I think Angela may have to go to summer school. It's fine; Nicolette had to go to summer school, and she was also retained. It just takes some kids longer. Angela will get it, just like Nicolette did. I am not worried.

I lucked up with some great off days this month. Next month, not so great, but at least I can use those middle-of-the-week days to check up on Mom a lot more. It would really help me a great deal if she were able to move up here where we are, but I think that another major move might do her in (this is her third move in three years; if she moves up this way, it will be her fourth). She is going to be 62 this year, and her health is steadily deteriorating. I don't know what else I can do; she's soooooooo stubborn and set in her ways! God help me!

So far, so good on the job. We are busy, but it's a steady busy. The people yell at you, are sometimes uncooperative and hysterical, but that's part of the job. There are worse things I could be experiencing, like working outside in the elements, or worse yet, in a dirty, dusty warehouse, unloading trucks, hauling pallets full of merchandise that are six, sometimes seven times my own weight, sweating like a horse with calloused hands and hurting feet, stocking store shelves, with no end to the hard labor in sight. For someone who only has a high school diploma, I am doing pretty good, and getting paid pretty well to do it. I am blessed, and can't complain at all. My quality averages about 99%, but I am trying to get that 100%! I'm working on it.............

The church we attend wants to build a new building. They pastor and the leadership tried to bring this to the attention of the congregation last year, with minimal success and resulting opposition. This time, they went about this the right way, with a proper presentation, and stressed the fact that they need every member's involvement. They took the time to tell us why they needed the new building, and what they plan to do in it once it is built. I am definitely interested in becoming involved in this undertaking. I will update the progress of this endeavor in future posts. The different church ministries have been challenged to fast one day a week for the month of May. Matthew and I are part of the marrieds ministry, so we will be fasting on Tuesdays. I already know what I will be giving up: the computer! It's going to be HARD, though (I LOVE my laptop! LOL), but it's only one night a week! I can manage.

The girls were SO pretty Easter Sunday! I have to upload the pictures that we took of them in their Sunday best. I wasn't too shabby myself..........stay tuned........

2 BLOGS IN ONE DAY: PART 1

These are 25 things I wish I knew when I was younger, but am so glad I know now. I will teach these to my kids, and look forward to learning even more things in the future:

1. Marriage is more than just saying "i do."


2. How credit works.


3. Time management.



4. The importance of good nutrition, and stressing how bad candy REALLY is for you.


5. Value, worth and virtue aren't cheap.


6. NEVER judge a book by its cover.


7. Yes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, but if someone is gracious enough to give you ANOTHER chance, don't take it and that person for granted. Use this opportunity to prove yourself worthy of their generosity.


8. NOBODY likes a smart ass. Even worse, a smart-ass, bigoted, loudmouthed blowhard.


9. Work hard long enough, and eventually you will begin to see the fruit of your labor.


10. Reading is fundamental.


11. When you need one bad enough, there's no such thing as a job that's "beneath" you.


12. If you hear whispers when you walk into a room, it doesn't always mean that they are talking about you. Sometimes, it means that the people respect you enough so that you wouldn't have to hear the awful things they are saying.


13. And if they are talking about you, if they're not grown enough to tell you to your face, it's foolishness. Stop dwelling on it and move on!


14. If a person doesn't like you; better yet, if they hate you but don't even know you, it's not your problem, it's theirs. Don't even entertain that mess. Move on with your life.


15. Credit woes are easy to get into, and hell to get out. But there are better options available to you other than bankruptcy. The key is not seeking the easy way out. Pay what you owe, and once you are financially free, be determined never to get yourself in that kind of situation again.


16. When you have been given a second chance at life, a clean slate, a fresh start, strive to be better, do better, and learn more than you ever have before. Be grateful for another chance at life, and make that second time around count.


17. Maintain balance to your life.


18. Time with family is important, but you need time for yourself, too.


19. You don't need a lot of money or a lot of things to be happy. True happiness cannot be bought with money.


20. When you like yourself, others will too.


21. No matter how rocky your relationship is with her, love and honor your mother. After all, she's the reason that you're here, so she can't be all that bad.


22. You will only get out of a relationship what you put into it. If you sow negativity and strife, that is what you will get in return. But if you sow, love, friendship, peace, support, encouragement.........


23. Patience is a VIRTUE. (It would do you well to develop some!)


24. Love and trust aren't guaranteed actions, but it's worth taking the risk.


25. Get to know God for yourself. Every person's relationship with Him is unique. Develop your own custom-made affiliation with the Most High!

LIFE

I finished my Easter shopping. You know, as long as I've been living here, no one's even bothered to tell me that Burlington Coat Factory has layaway! I found out yesterday, when I was getting ready to plunk down nearly $200 on Easter dresses and accessories (and that was just for the girls), when the sales clerk informed me! I really think that's kind of sad when people withhold information like that from you, especially when they know darned well that you are struggling to care for three growing girls! Well, whatever; the Lord always provides what we need, anyway. I was able to set aside some really beautiful dresses for my daughters, plus one dress for me! I wasn't going to buy myself anything, because I really wanted the girls to have new dresses, and I always put something together from my closet every year. But it will be nice to wear a beautiful Easter outfit for the first time in years!

I asked my husband if he would like me to buy him a suit. He told me that he will buy one himself, if he chooses to get one. I'll keep you posted on that! LOL He may not want me involved in the suit purchase, but that doesn't mean that I can't buy him other things.........

PUNKIN PASSED THE READING TAKS TEST!!!!!!!!!! I am SO proud, because I know how hard everyone has worked to help her pass!

I have been taking my vitamins faithfully, and also added a cranberry (for the urinary tract) and a stress formula (vitamin B and zinc) supplement. I must say, I haven't felt this good in a long, long time, especially during my menstrual cycle. I am used to having 2 good weeks in a month, and 2 very trying weeks, where my hormones are going haywire. But this month, since taking the supplements, I've only had about 3 cranky days! That's awesome! I'll take three days over two weeks anytime! Even the symptoms, such as the bloating, the fatigue, and the cramps, seemed to have diminished! I'm aware of the fact that doctors are working overtime telling people that vitamins don't work, because people aren't scheduling appointments with them as much as they used to. But I am swearing by them; these supplements work for me!

I have a hair appointment this evening, and I have to get my vehicle inspected. I may have to run errands for my mom, too, but she told me that she may not be home today (she has a doctor's appointment). I cooked enough dinner to last my family a week, so today is pretty much mine to do what I want. Good deal, huh?

SPRING BREAK

The girls are out for a week, and I am scrambling to find activities for them while they are out. I am spending my off days with them, and they will probably stay with their grandmother for a few days. I also want the little one to work on her math and reading more, so I have to line assignments up for her to do.

My "Punkin"

We are going shopping today. I want to get a head start on the girls' Easter dresses.

Matthew bought a new game for Maya's Nintendo DS. They have been playing with it all week.

So far, so good at my new job. I am being tested, which is to be expected in every new environment, but I am mature enough now to take it all in stride. I have noticed a significant change in my overall health since starting there. I had suffered with bad headaches the entire time that I was working at the airport. That's two years. I never had migraines before. I don't know if it was the proximity of the computer monitors in front of our faces, the cramped office space, my dental issues or what, but it was awful. I always had to wear my glasses, because I thought maybe that was the problem, and wearing them did lessen the pain, but not by much. And I always had to pop a few Advil to get through the day. Now, I rarely, if ever, have to wear my glasses, and I cannot recall the last time I've had a headache, or had to take any Advil.

I also started taking multivitamins on a regular basis,

and noticed a marked improvement in my overall mood and feelings of well-being. Strange, though.

I am planning to start working out in the gym there sometime next month. My goal is to get in there, do what I have to do, and get out. LOL So I am casing the place to try and find the best time for me to utilize the facility in peace. I really don't want to work out after I get off, because I am going to have such a hard time getting to sleep when I get home. Oh, and since working mornings for all of those months, I cannot even stay up longer than 2 AM anymore! I wonder if this means that I will have to stop calling myself a "night owl?" LOL

We must pray for our country, and our leaders, that they will make wise decisions for American citizens, and not just for this generation, but for the future generations. There are a lot of things happening, a lot of decisions being made, that are sitting heavy on my heart, because I know that though these policies seem helpful now, those that come after us will eventually have to foot the bill for all of this, and the price is staggering. Only time will tell us if all of these radical changes really produced the results that were promised.

SORELY MISSED............

My husband told me that our pastor in New Orleans lost his grandson in a car accident this week. He was only 27 years old.

One of my ex co-workers from the airport told me that one of the male co-workers just lost his WIFE. Mind you, she was much, much younger than he was.

And I learned that my favorite gospel singers, Deitrick Haddon and his wife, Damita, have finally accepted the awesome challenge of pastoring their mom and pop's church in Detroit, MI. I was wondering what was going on with them, because Deitrick mentioned that a music video was supposed to be coming out for one of his songs from his newest release, "Revealed", and we have been patiently waiting for it. I wish them well, but I am going to miss his music. He is, in my opinion, one of the best gospel music artists out here, that hardly anyone knows. Well, I guess I am just going to have to play all of his old stuff (Pops and I have ALL of their CD's, no bootlegs!). I'm gonna miss y'all, my brother and sister in Christ.

Life is precious, and short. And when God says it's time, it's time.

LIFE

I worked some overtime Thursday morning, about 1 hour and 50 minutes. Big whoop. They were tickled because I returned their phone call while I was still kind of sleepy. LOL I earned an additional half-hour of overtime that same evening during my quality assurance review for January. My overall average is a 99.42. Not too bad for someone just starting out.

My co-workers are planning an upcoming barbecue next month, and everyone has to bring a dish. I told them some things that I am good at making, so all they need to do is tell me what they want me to bring. I am also good at donating money. LOL

What I like most about my new job is that I get to watch all of the Law and Order shows, the old ones on TNT and the new ones on NBC! The doozy is having to stay on the line with the psych patients.......and using translators during 911 emergency calls. Other than that, so far, so good.

I have a hair appointment on Tuesday! My locks really needs some help! LOL

I still haven't had the chance to replace our wedding rings yet.....well, sort of. I bought a 14 kt white gold and diamond set on e-bay for $100. It's small and dainty, just like the bridal set Pops bought me all those years ago, except that his was yellow gold. I am going to buy an anniversary band to go with it, so those will be my "work" rings. I am still going to buy a matching set for us, for special occasions (vacations and get-togethers with the family members). It's insane the kind of deals that can be had on e-bay for wedding rings! Either folks are really hurting for cash, divorced or divorcing, or just wasteful. There was a lady who was trying to sell a 3/4 kt princess-cut diamond 14 kt gold ring with a baguette and round diamond wrap, purchased in 2000 for $2500, recently appraised for $665, for $300! That ring is BEAUTIFUL, and something that I would probably never be able to afford otherwise. I'm sorry, but unless I was involved in a really bad breakup or something, there's just some things I wouldn't sell. I tried to get in on the action while other yahoos were asking her all kinds of (what I thought were) silly questions, but someone outbid me on it. I hope whoever it is gets it, but if she winds up re-listing it, they might not be so lucky next time.

That's like the laptop Pops just bought for himself from a pawn shop. Gently used, it has more disk space on it than mine had new! There's nothing wrong with the laptop. I just don't understand why someone would have wanted to pawn it.

I still haven't filed my taxes yet. Louisiana claims that I owe them about $170 dollars in back taxes from 2004. Once I pay them, then I will file.

Angela had gotten in trouble at school, and I had to meet with her principal yesterday morning. While I was waiting in the office, a teacher brought in this little boy who was covered in bruises from the neck down. He had no bruises on his arms, face, or legs, so unless you were really paying attention (the teacher must have noticed them while she was helping him or something), you wouldn't have seen them. I was curious as how they were going to go about handling that. I would be afraid to call his parents! One of my co-workers who used to work in the school system told me that the school is going to call Child Protection Services and have them get involved. Poor kid.

Angela, however, is fine. She drew a picture of a fully-clothed little girl in class. One of her 'friends' had taken the picture and drew some naked body parts on the girl. Angela was upset, and -without telling her teacher what happened-tried to throw the nasty picture away. Well, to make a long story short, Angela had gotten caught with the picture, both girls were in trouble, and they felt it necessary to call the parents in. Angela had the right motive, but she shouldn't have tried to take matters into her own hands. Besides, she shouldn't have been drawing in class!

BOY, 'SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE' MUST BE A REALLY GOOD MOVIE......

I watched the Oscars last night at work (on the big screen, closed-captioned of course). Looks like it was a pretty good program. It appeared that the musical numbers were awesome, based on all of the visual fanfare, but my mom says that the musical numbers weren't all that great. I am online now trying to find out if anyone was able to upload them.

'Slumdog Millionaire' won many awards last night. My co-workers that have seen the movie said that it was pretty good. I'd like to check it out, but I barely have time to watch the movies that I already have! ('Fireproof' is still in the plastic, so is 'Crash' and 'Monster!' LOL).

I remember two instances, one where I listened to someone else's opinion about a movie, and another where I was swept away with cinematic history being made, and wound up watching two movies that greatly disturbed me.

The first movie was "Pulp Fiction." One of the ladies I worked with in New Orleans told me that the movie was really, really good. All of the reviewers were pretty hyped about it, so I rented it and watched it. First off, I don't know how any of these film critics were able to get past all of the violence long enough to grasp the concept of Quentin Tarantino's project. Then there was a scene in there with Ving Rhames and a cop that shocked and upset me, to say the least. Of course, NO ONE bothered to tell me anything about this! I promptly took that movie back to Blockbuster (or whatever place I rented it from) and asked for another movie to see. I hadn't watched that movie since.

The other one was 'Monster's Ball.' Now, don't get me wrong, I am still a fan of Halle's. But I believe that accepting that role showed just how much Halle is out of touch with African-American history, and the culture as a whole. She can make all of the arguments she wants to support her choice. Yes, she is probably seen as fearless, and a great actress, for not being afraid to show her "dark" side. But at what cost, Halle? There's not a day that goes by that I don't actually overhear or read some comment on the web that some filthy, greasy piece of a man who's not worth any one's salt makes about her concerning what he would do to her if he had the chance, or how delicious her tits look, or how he would 'tear that up.' And I am tired of having to hide the fact that this woman, who was in 'X-Men' and 'Catwoman', two movies that my girls love, by the way, would choose such a demeaning role to play. And when I say 'demeaning' I feel the need to explain what I mean. I am all for 'sex for sex's sake' in such a situation. I get that, okay? What I don't get is.....why, with this man, at that time? A woman who has lived in a small town all her life knows who she can and can't trust. For us, sometimes, that knowledge can become a matter of life or death! So the sex scene didn't make any sense at all to me. I find it hard to believe that a scenario like that would have happened, in LOUISIANA, in real life. Sorry, folks. And if it would have, trust me, it wouldn't have been consensual unless there was some money involved in the deal. I don't care HOW desperately these souls needed to be comforted. Trust me, this kind of stuff JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN. This.........this is the legacy that she claims she is 'working so hard' to leave for all of the aspiring African-American actresses that are coming behind her? This was a bad decision, in my opinion. I believe that she didn't think this over long enough. Great, she won the statue. But sometimes, winning isn't everything.

Soooooooo........anyone out here seen 'Slumdog Millionaire?' Is it a good movie? Is it 'safe?' LOL Let me know!

Adrian

I'S ON MY OWN, NAH!!!!! LOL

I am FINALLY out of training. I start second shift today, but I am still off this weekend. I will have to work a 7-DAY stretch next week, and then my off days will be Mondays and Tuesdays. I am a floater, too, so I am sure that this schedule will change. For now, I am standing in for a lady who is on maternity leave.

So far, so good on my first day. I only made one mistake, but it wasn't a major one. It was fixable. One of my classmates just called me this morning telling me how horrible second shift was. I think that it was a matter of her being anxious and frustrated about being on her own than the actual workload itself. I like staying busy. It makes the time go by faster. I tried to reassure her by telling her that her first days are going to be trying, but that she will get better with time. She wants to sit next to me today. Go figure.

I paid all of my bills, but hardly have any money left over for "Valentine's Day." I didn't even have a chance to buy Valentines for the girls to trade in class today. I came home from work yesterday and went straight to bed! I was so TIRED! And, of course no one bothered to wake me, so oh, well........no Valentines!

Our anniversary is coming up, and I am in the process of trying to replace our wedding rings. We lost them in Katrina, and hadn't had a chance to replace them until now. We had one of those 3 pc. bridal sets. I was thinking about buying a more substantial set, but I remember the look on Pop's face when he gave me that tiny engagement ring years ago and asked me to marry him. And how torn he was one time when he threatened to break off the engagement, and I politely handed him his ring back and shut my door on him. He tried for an entire week to win me over and have me take him back! LOL And he never tried that again since!

Pops and I have been through a lot together. And neither of us are perfect. But for as long as I have known him, that man has ALWAYS loved me. And that has never changed. I am buying a smaller wedding ring set for the sentimental value more than anything else. He didn't have any money when he asked me to marry him. But he gave me all that he had that day, and the best that he was able to give. In my book, that is worth more than any amount of money, or any big diamond. I received the most valuable gift that any man could give a woman, and that is his heart. What a wonderful way to commemorate our 18 years together by remembering that it's not the size of the diamond on the engagement ring that matters most, but the significance of the promise to love behind it.

Adrian

MY THOUGHTS ON NADYA SULEMAN AND THE OCTUPLETS FIASCO:

Clearly, this is a troubled, dysfunctional family. Nadya Suleman chose to add eight more newborns to her already large family with a man who she refuses to marry, despite all his desperate attempts to make an honest woman of her.

Then there is the grandma, Nadya's mother, who blasts her own daughter all over the world, claiming that she "isn't capable" as a mother, and who calls her actions "unconscionable." SHE brings the media into their tiny, unkempt home. Yet everyone is claiming that it's NADYA who wants attention?!?

I don't know who's worse, the media, the mother, or Nadya. But what I am concerned about most is the children. ALL of them. None of these incessant tongue-waggers are thinking about how all of this negative publicity is going to affect these kids. Are the six older children school age? Has anyone stopped to think about how their lives are going to change at school? Everyone in the city that they live in knows who they are, and now, the whole world knows. These children are being set up for a future full of constant teasing, taunts, and harassment from their peers, neighbors, namely anyone they will come in contact with in the future!

Does anyone even care, though? I don't know about anyone else, but I have had my fill of pompous, idiotic, arrogant, brainless, vain, heartless, callous, loud-mouthed media blowhards who are selfish and full of themselves! These egomaniacs are willing to crucify an entire brood of innocent children for the sake of ratings, for the right to play God, judge and jury for America, even though the citizens of this country never, to my knowledge, appointed that position to them.

I think that this entire situation should be handled much better than it is. Yes, this family is dysfunctional, but clearly they need HELP right now, not criticism and condemnation. The poor children involved in all of this need to be handled with great care and concern. For heaven's sake, they are not going to remain children forever! This country does have, and can offer the resources needed to help this family on ALL accounts. And we definitely don't need to do it for the mom or the grandmother, but for the sake of these unfortunate little children.

Adrian

I was sick for about 2 days. A combination of stress, my cycle starting, and lack of rest did me in. But Matthew helped nurse me back to health, and I am feeling much better today.

My last day of training is supposed to be Tuesday. We will see, though. I think my supervisors feel that I need more work on the freeways. I am sitting with another lady while my trainer is out of town, and she is really helping me maneuver the maps that they gave me. I am not going to waste any of her efforts by forgetting what she showed me; I plan on studying more this weekend.

My husband finally finished building his computer. It has 320 G of space on the hard drive, and 2 g of memory. He also installed 4 fans inside of the console to keep the system cool. I am using it now; it runs pretty fast! He is in the process of building 2 more systems, one for the girls, and one for his friend. Several of his co-workers are hooking him up with software (Pops installed XP Pro on his computer; my laptop came with Windows Vista), motherboards, and operating systems to work with. We also have all of the monitors we need, thanks to his replacing the monitor we were using with a 17" flat screen, and my mom ditching hers for a flat screen also.

I have to do my taxes. I have been so busy that I haven't had any time to round up all of my documents. I will definitely have them done before April 15th, though.

Adrian

HERE IT IS.........

Look at how thin it is!

Side view.....

A view of it opened up.........I wish I could show you how big it really is. I wanted one of those teeny netbooks that can fit in a purse, but he bought me this one instead, and I am SO glad he did!

15.4" screen! The girls and I watched a Muppet Movie on here yesterday in widescreen format, and it was AWESOME..........

This is actually the rear of the computer, where the hookups are.

I am just too outdone! LOL And it works GREAT, too! What a blessing!

Adrian

MY BELATED CHRISTMAS GIFT...........

Is, in fact, what I am using right now! My wonderful husband bought me a LAPTOP COMPUTER!!!!!

I wanted one of those little tiny netbooks that can fit in your purse, but he wound up buying me a full-on notebook, with THE WORKS, and I LOVE it!!!!!

Now, I can start looking into what I want to earn my little "piece of paper" (my degree) in!

I will post pictures of my present soon (we're getting ready to go to church). This is, by far, one of the best Christmas gifts, no.......one of the best GIFTS I have ever received, because this is something that I really, really wanted. My husband knew that, and thought enough of me to buy it for me!

I know I say this a lot, but I'll say it again........I am a truly blessed woman!

Adrian

WELL, I SAID I WANTED A CHALLENGE........

My training is going by REALLY fast. In just 2 short weeks, I will be on my own! All that my hands-on trainer is required to do is allow me an opportunity to become familiar with the telephone and computer system, learn some extra pointers and a few shortcuts. I am expected to continue studying the information in the training manual and learn how to enter locations into the system myself. We are being counted on to learn this job with the tools that have been provided to us, as well as being closely monitored by the supervisors on the call floor. But the guy that trained us did so thoroughly, and I was listening and learning the whole time, so I think I will be fine. I read and study every evening and during my breaks. It has been years since I have taken emergency calls, and I am a little rusty, but it's all coming back to me little by little.

One of my goals here is to become a trainer. Trainers at the call center have their own classification and pay grade, and are permanently assigned weekends off! I am watching one of the trainers in action (she is training one of my other classmates), and she is constantly on top of the new updates and changes to the system, and understands them better than the staff that implemented them! Yep, I intend to learn this job very well.

My trainer is a VERY nice lady. She is a pastor's wife! It is so nice to run across people who share the same values and belief systems! She has a VERY big family (one of those blended families), and is so proud of her children and husband. She and her entire family are very blessed. They know what it is to have and appreciate nice things. They work hard, and raised their children to. And she knows that she is nothing without Jesus, and is very dependent on Him, as I am. She prays and asks Him for success in all that she sets her hands to do, even on her job, like I do. And she knows that she needs help from the Lord, like I do. Relying on "your own" abilities in this day and age is a very foolish thing to do, and a very sure way to set yourself up for failure. It's called PRIDE. But the Lord promised in His word that if we humble ourselves, He will exalt us. And that's what I strive to do. I cannot do anything without Him. I know that wherever my feet land, His providence has sent me there. My mission is to please and serve Him, and hope that I will have completed whatever it is that He sent me there to do.

Anywhoo, that's a wrap as far as my training goes. I am nowhere out of the woods yet, but with His help, I know that I will do well.

The girls are finally up to date on their shots, thank the Lord!

My "new" clothes look awesome on me! LOL

My husband had a birthday this weekend, and we all had a blast helping him celebrate!

God Bless Obama and his family (Lord knows they need it)!

Adrian

PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS!

I made a 96 on my skills test today! Tomorrow and Wednesday, I am doing a ride-along on a fire truck and an ambulance, and my hands-on training in the call center starts Thursday, 6 AM SHARP.

I missed the girls' appointment by a matter of minutes Friday due to traffic. I re-scheduled it for Thursday evening, and asked the school nurses and the principals for more time. I explained to them what is going on with me concerning my training and everything. I guess they granted me the extra time, because they didn't call me or Matthew to have the girls removed from school today.

Matthew's birthday is on the 13th, which also happens to be MLK weekend. He's not sure about his plans yet, but I definitely want to go and get my hair done and my eyebrows shaped. I want, and NEED, to look my best, you know. LOL

I have to pay all of my bills with this check, but we (all of the city workers) are also getting our holiday pay this period, which still makes for a nice chunk of change. I've noticed, though, that the more money I make, the more I am taxed. That sucks big time.

Adrian

2009 BEGINS

Happy New Year to anyone that's reading. I have been busy these past few days.

The girls started school Monday, which meant that since I am still in training, Angela has to catch the bus to school. I was a few minutes late Monday morning, because I wanted to male sure that she was okay, that she had gotten on the bus fine, and that her sisters were up along with her, helping her along and being ready to catch their own bus. This morning went really well; I had gotten to work on time, and the girls went to school without a hitch.

I scheduled the girl's doctor appointment to take the rest of their immunizations Friday evening. Earlier in the class, our trainers had kept us all the way to 4 PM, but lately, they have been letting us out earlier (one of our trainers have just been promoted, and it seems as if he has to catch up on some of his own work that has nothing to do with teaching us, LOL).

The trainers allowed us to pick our shift preferences this week, and naturally, I picked evenings, since that is what I am used to working. I thought that this was going to be my TRAINING shift, but it turns out that second shift will be my assignment once I finish hands-on. My TRAINING schedule will be days, 6 AM to 2:30 PM!!!! 4 WEEKS of torture, maybe longer, depending on how well I do...LOL Everywhere I work, people seem to like to put me on mornings. I am already praying and asking the Lord to help me stay alert and awake! LOL

Working the day shift also means that I have to be well-dressed EVERY DAY. Many high-profile people walk in and out of that call center daily. That is one of the reasons why I have always hated working days anywhere. Everyone is there, and you never know who you will run into. Since this call center is state-of-the-art, I have heard that the mayor and his directors, police and fire chiefs, representatives from government agencies and the media are constantly visiting there.

I did manage to go to the thrift store and Wal-Mart to purchase some professional attire. I wish I could show you what I've found! I purchased a few dress slacks, blazers, blouses, a 2-piece suit, and a couple of skirts. I also bought a black Liz Claiborne lambswool overcoat for $20!!!! I LOOOOOVE that coat! LOL I already have a ton of black shoes and pumps, but I bought a pair of "cheapie" brown pumps to wear with some of my slacks and cream-colored blouses. I know that I am not going to wear the brown shoes all of the time, so I didn't feel the need to invest real money into a pair. Everything fits perfectly and goes well together. God always makes provisions for me whenever He knows that I am in need of things, and always make sure that what I need is already there whenever I go where He sends me. Look, this year I am determined that I am going to strive to give God ALL the glory!!! I know doggone well that I probably wouldn't have found all of those nice things on my own. And the clothes are GOOD QUALITY clothes-wool, silk, and charmeuse fabrics. They will look great, and last me a long time if I take good care of them. And of course, you already know that I will; I just picked my "new" clothes up from the cleaners today.

Speaking of cleaners, when I picked up my clothing, the sales clerk neglected to mention (or didn't know) that one of my blazers was missing. When I returned to claim it, I found out that it wouldn't be ready until Friday. But when was she going to tell me? And if I didn't pay attention to the missing garment, how was I supposed to find out that the coat wasn't going to be ready until Friday? I doubted that they were going to call me. And they told me that the reason why the coat won't be ready until Friday is because that is the only day they clean that type of color (burgundy). But one of the blouses I had cleaned is burgundy, and it was ready today. Whatever.

Adrian