Alaethia woke up for a bottle at 5:30am Tuesday morning and I couldn’t fall asleep after that. I was up till 7am, making mental lists of things I needed to do. I tried sleeping, but couldn’t. Needless to say, I did not want to wake up when the alarm went off at 7:45. But at least I didn’t end up falling asleep, again, like I had been all week and waking Mario up super late.

Everything went really fast. John and Isaac came over and we dropped Isaac off at work, deposited money at the credit union for Mary, then went to Mary’s work to pick up a coupon she printed out for me (we still can’t find the CD to the printer so we can’t connect it to the laptop, grr). Luck would have it that it would be pouring when we arrived at the building. I got the coupon, got some papers I needed to take to a school for Noelia records, we stopped by Petsmart to see the animals, then went to the mall. We found some awesome parking close by JC Penny and went in. As soon as I went in there I knew I was going to have a hell of a time finding stuff in my size. I figured that after Saturday they’d replenish stock after all the sales, but it sure didn’t look like they did. I didn’t even know what to buy, so I bothered Mrs. V. again and asked what the dress code was. No sleeveless, capris are okay but you have to have nice legs (LOL), professional clothing and there were Polo shirts as our “uniform” if I’d like to do that, but it’s not required. They’re $28, which is more than I’d ever usually spend on a blouse, but it beats having to come up with an outfit every morning.

I spent two hours there and found hardly anything. I usually have to put blouses away because I want so many, but this time I couldn’t find anything at all. Out of everything I did try on I bought two pairs of “dressy” capris, a blue blouse and some black dress pants, which look like a pair I already have. Since all I have are open-toed shoes and they’re not allowed, I had to buy some. I’m going to be on my feet a whole lot of the day so I got some cute Mudd mary janes in black and brown. I had to order the black ones from the catalog, but I’m glad I found them.

John was acting like he was dying and he was doing me a great service by “being there” with me while I shopped for those two hours and wanted food. He was in a bad mood because Game Stop wouldn’t return one of the crappy games he’d bought. We went to the food court and got pizza and the shittiest sushi I’ve ever eaten. He bought dessert: a Minibon from Cinnabon. Those things are HUGE. I wonder what the regular cinnamon rolls look like.

I’d been doing so good watching what I eat and went and ruined it yesterday. And let me tell you, I immediately felt it. Carb-overload. I felt overly full and bloated.

We went to H-E-B after that to get the rest of the boys’ school supplies. I didn’t find Jaylen’s jumbo primary pencils. We went straight to the school to get Noelia’s paper, which took forever because they kept sending me to different doors and then told me the woman I needed to speak to wasn’t there at all. Pissed me off. A woman finally showed us to the gym, where the lady was stationed, and I got the darn paper. We rushed to the church to pick up Alaethia’s baptism certificate and I made it about 10 minutes before they closed at 5. I got home on time to pick up Isaac, but he’d gotten a ride with Jose.

I did everything I needed to do in the evening then Mario called while I was making dinner around 8pm. He wanted to buy a mini fridge so there Jaylen, Alaethia and I go at 9pm to meet him at Target. Mary watched Eenan while we went. We get there, get a few things Mary needed, get a few things we needed (and I found Jaylen’s jumbo pencils!) and got the fridge and paid. And I dropped off two rolls of film, finally. Still got about 10 more to go! I can’t wait to see what’s on them…they’re from like…3-4 years ago!

As for today…I didn’t want to wake up again in the morning and spent about 10 minutes huddled up in Mario’s arms for a while. That made me want to climb out of bed even less, but I did. Got Mario’s lunch ready, his breakfast ready, his clothes ironed and then fed myself and the boys. Eenan got ready, we dropped off Isaac at work, and then we left to the doctor’s office.

It was full, but they saw me right away. I was freaking out a little because the area that they’d injected me with the TB thing was RED. I’d stupidly hung the shopping basket yesterday while we were at H-E-B and hurt my arm. They said I was fine, though, and filled out my immunization card. I’d have to bring Eenan back in though, since they’d just received the vaccines and had to inventory them and all that. They told me to go in at 1-1:30, while they were at lunch so they’d do it really quick.

I dropped Eenan off then went to the HR office. My luck — the woman I needed to speak to about my paperwork was at a funeral and might be out all day. GREAT. I told the receptionist my supervisor wanted me in at least tomorrow but she apologized and said that the other woman was the only one I could see. She gave me a number to call back to to check if the woman went back to work.

I feed the kids lunch, spend time with little Aly and then call the HR office at 1. The woman’s still out, but they think she might return. Fine. I said I’d call back at 2. I took off with Eenan (who was quite reluctant knowing he was going to get a shot) and we get to the office. THE DOOR IS LOCKED. With a huge note that says they’ll be back at 2. ARGH. I’m so frustrated right now. At least Mario just called and made me feel better.

I’m off to call and go to the doctor’s office. I hope this day takes a turn for the better! I want to go to work tomorrow! (I may not be saying that later LOL…)

Update: 2:37pm – NO GO. Went to the doctor’s: NO VACCINES. They said call tomorrow. Called to see if Mrs. Lopez was in: SHE’S OUT OF THE OFFICE…again. She went back to work after the funeral apparently, but she’s “in and out of the office”. I left a message with all my info and told them to tell her it’s about my damn paperwork. How stressful.

Chris and Nancy came over again last night to play Wii Sports. We played for a while (I’m currently a *Pro* at bowling and Nancy’s reigning queen of boxing) and the men left on a beer run, as always. We were SO sore after we played. I wonder how Nancy feels today?

Nancy and I talked about babies and how I was stilling hanging on to a dingleberry of hope that I’d gotten the job since I’d called to HR yesterday morning and they told me they’d submitted the recommendation, but the board hadn’t approved anyone yet. So I still had a chance.

We stayed up talking till 12am, then Mario and I didn’t go to sleep till 1:30. Alaethia started stirring around 4:30am so I prepared a bottle, but she ended up staying asleep. She didn’t wake up till 6 for one and the alarm went off at 7:45 for Mario. I turned over to shut it off…and went back to sleep. I hear Alaethia crying so I get up in a panic. I look at the clock and it’s 8:11. 4 minutes till Mario needs to LEAVE to work. If it weren’t illegal he probably would have strangled me by now.

I went back to bed with Alaethia and was jolted awake by the phone. I look at the caller ID and it’s from the school district! I pretend I wasn’t asleep at all and clear my throat and then I hear the words: “You were approved by the board! Congratulations!” I couldn’t hide my excitement and I think I even squealed. The lady speaking to me sounded just as excited as I did. She told me the librarian wanted to speak to me, so to call her, and then she said, “Hello, I’ll just transfer you!”

I told her the good news and after she gives me details about what I need to do next she says, “I hope you’re excited because I am so excited!” I laugh and say, “Oh yes! I’m so very excited!” I couldn’t stop giggling LOL.

Eenan was sitting next to me when I hung up the phone. I turn to him and scream, “I got the job, Nano!!” and he gets this priceless grin on his face and says, “Oh yay, you got it!!”

Jaylen already has my paychecks planned out LOL. And of course I called Mario and Mary and then told Mom, John, Jorge and Big Mario when they came over.

I call to HR and ask what the next step is, but the girl tells me the woman I need to speak to is out to lunch and that they’re closing the office from 11am to 2pm. Grr. I decide I should really do everything I was putting off for the weekend, like getting the boys’ haircuts, the rest of their school supplies and timing myself from here to work (I didn’t want to get my hopes up so I never went and took that drive!). John wants to go to the mall, and I do need to get a few work outfits, but I didn’t think we’d have time so we postponed that for tomorrow.

The boys unwillingly get ready and we get their hair cut. We get to the salon and I suddenly remember that Mario took my cash from my wallet, so we leave the salon and go to Aziz real quick to get cash at the ATM. We go back, the lady and I talk about work and school and her daughter and her kids and my kids while she cuts the boys’ hair. They look great. We get home, they bathe, I make lunch (grilled cheese and soup) and I call HR again. I’m going to need to go in for a TB test and have to wait till I get the results to go in to fill out the paperwork, which will probably be Thursday. I immediately call the doctor’s office; $25 for the test and however much it’ll be for Eenan’s physical and vaccine. I was going to take him this week anyway, so it worked out.

I get weighed (124.1, oy) and then they check Eenan out and do all the stuff for the physical. He’s being wild and crazy, as usual. Erica, one of the nurses, asks me “how I do it” LOL. After they’re done with Eenan’s hearing test and eye test, they do the TB test on me. To my complete elation (because we’re quite broke right now after buying the rest of the school clothes) Eenan’s physical and vaccine (which we have to go back on Thursday for because they ran out) were FREE. I didn’t know CHIPs did that. Now that I’m remembering…all the years they’ve been on CHIPs I clearly remember paying their co-pay for each one. Not sure about the vaccine’s though O_o.

I was going to go with Eenan straight to Walmart after the doctor’s, but decided against it once I saw how dusty and ugly the sky was becoming. The wind and dust were blowing so harshly that I figured I’d just go to Dollar General. Little did I know I’d find most of the stuff Jaylen still needed, and for really cheap! Now, all they need are their Kleenex, Ziploc bags and Jaylen needs jumbo pencils, which I’ll probably find at H-E-B like last year.

I call Mrs. V., the librarian, because she wanted me to update her since she wanted me to start sooner than later. I told her I might make it in Friday, since I’d be getting my results on Thursday and going in for the paperwork that day, too. She said it would be cool if I at least got to go in on Friday, just to get a feel of it before school starts on Monday.

And there was my day. I’m going to miss my Aly Rose (and sleeping) but it’s worth it. At least I’ll get to spend my evenings with her :). I had no idea when I woke up this morning I’d be running around like crazy getting things done because of my JOB. I’m so excited, and just so, so happy :). All my friends and family were all so positive I got it, even when I started to lose faith.

I feel so lucky!

We all slept in yesterday and around 11am. Mom came over shortly after that and we all wished her a happy birthday. 58 years young!

After I’d finished my breakfast I started checking the Sunday ads to see if there were any deals on Norton (our current antivirus, McAfee, which came bundled with our laptop, already ended and we’re desperate to download new music but are afraid to get viruses so we NEED NORTON. I don’t like McAfee anyway…). I checked Target out, just for the hell of it, then went to Circuit City. I flipped idly through pages, looking for a yellow box with “sale” or “mail-in rebate” printed near it but I stopped dead when I saw the Wii console with all its accessories floating around it. Mario calls me right that second and tells me to make him breakfast (he was outside with his uncles). I’m excited and I ask him, “What do you want? Eggs?” and he says, “Yeah, whatever,” and hangs up. Didn’t give me a chance to tell him about the Wii. I call back and he’s all moody: “Just leave it, then. I’ll make something myself,” and hangs up on me again. I call and tell him, “Quit being an asshole. I’m calling because there’s Wii’s in the Circuit City ad.” He grunts and says, “Just because they’re in the ad doesn’t mean they have them.” I call and check and they tell me yes, they have 10 in stock. Woo! We’ve been wanting one of those damn things since they came out but they’re ALWAYS sold out over here. I call him back and say, “They have 10,” and he says, “Get ready. We’re leaving.”

John comes over when I’m blasting out of the bathroom looking for my shoes and I tell him about the Wii. He says, “Let’s go!” and Mom said to hurry up, she’d stay with the kids LOL.

We arrive and are panicking because there’s TONS of people from Mexico in the store, as usual. It’s still tax-free weekend and they’ve got some serious shopping to do. All the good stuff’s usually gone by the time we get there on Sundays since we wake up late and live pretty far from it. But thank goodness, I get a ticket for one of them! We get extra controllers and a battery charger dock and take forever deciding on a game. Mario wanted Transformers, but John said it sucks so we got Wario Smooth Moves instead.

We pay (thank God for Target Visas!) and hurry home as quickly as possible. Aunt Nora stopped by to wish Mom a happy birthday and she was head over heels for Alaethia :). We talked for a while, which was nice because we hadn’t seen her, though we have talked on the phone.

Aunt Nora left and then we rearranged the living room to have enough space to play and start messing with the system. It’s AWESOME. We start by playing the sports games it comes with for a good hour before we even touch Wario Smooth Moves. I was so excited to play tennis again, even though it’s not actual tennis and it pissed me off because it wasn’t doing what I wanted it to and John and Mario beat me every time, but I loved it. I kicked their butts at boxing though ;).

I am SO SORE this morning. I can’t wait till the Fitness game comes out!

We play till around 4:30, when we start preparing everything for Mom’s birthday dinner. We were just having a little dinner for her, just us and Mario’s parents here at home. I didn’t want a disappointing repeat of last year when everyone either got here super late or didn’t come at all, so we decided it would just be us.

Mario prepped the fish (cilantro, seasonings, and some butter), I made the salsa (and I actually got it right!), I made cornbread and then Mario popped the fish in the oven. While they baked I made brownie batter and put the pan in to bake when the fish was done. Everything was done quickly, I had all the dishes washed and then we took everything over to Mary’s so we could all eat. Everything was delicious and pretty healthy (besides the brownies, of course). We chatted with Mario’s parents for a while and Mary told us about her trip to the casino and we came back. Mario left for a “drive” which ended up being a good hour. He called after 20 minutes of being gone to tell me Chris and Nancy were coming over. Thank God I was in the middle of cleaning.

They get here and the men automatically start playing games on the Wii. It was hilarious watching them box and play baseball (I don’t like that one…I can’t ever hit the ball!). I put the boys to bed at 9:30 (though Eenan didn’t actually fall asleep till almost 11 because he kept waking up to “drink water” or “go to the bathroom” which meant he was stalling). Nancy and I chatted and watched them play. She held Alaethia for a good, long time. Alaethia didn’t even scream, but that was probably because Nancy gave her a sip of her tea LOL. You feed that child and she’ll love you forever.

Mario and Chris went to McDonald’s for some late-night snacking. I surprised myself by declining a delicious $1 double cheeseburger (those things are so unhealthy but man, they taste good) and instead got a tiny fruit and walnut salad.

We ate, Mario left with Chris and Nancy, and I stayed here with Aly. It took forever to put her to sleep and I was pretty frazzled and deranged by the time she did fall asleep.

Before I fell asleep, I remembered to document what I’d eaten for the past two days, because that’s Step 1 in French Women Don’t Get Fat: document what you eat — every-single-thing — for 3 weeks. Maybe I’ll make a page here just for that, because I think that others seeing what I’m eating will help me not be so gluttonous. If I’d started earlier than two days ago you’d be surprised at how much junk food I’d consume. That, my friends, is why my scale at home — which usually shows that I weigh less than I actually do — says I weigh 125. 125!!! Which is probably more. That’s the most I’ve ever weighed in my life while not being pregnant. (Like I’ve mentioned before, I’m only 4′ 11″, so every pound shows!) So, I’ve decided that I’m going to change the way I eat, for real this time. I already ate the last bits of my S’mores ice cream, heh, and until I can start controlling myself around junk food I will not be purchasing any at all. The only junk food I bought this last time I went to the groceries were Cheetos Puffs for the kids and some Koolaid juices I got for free. Mario and I also decided we won’t be purchasing any more sodas, not even for him to take for lunch.

I was astonished when I came across a picture Mario’d taken of Alaethia and me. She was sprawled on my lap but I wasn’t looking at how cute she looked, I was staring at the huge tire that spread disgustingly around my waist. I’ve never looked like that before and I’ll be damned if I continue to!

Now, if I can only convince John to run with me at the park, I’ll be on the right track.