Category: Job Hunt/Work

Mon. Dec. 15th – I woke up with a runny nose and had no idea why. I thought it was just allergies acting up and was certain I’d feel better by the end of the day, but the cold quickly took over and I was dragging. Rudy, one of our students I’d been helping reach goals the week before, came in to read a bit more and helped me out a lot. I’d laminated the 399 banners I’d been making and helped with that, then Frankie, Erik, Yulissa, Emily and Jessica helped out. I never thought it would happen, but the banners were done within a matter of minute. I love those kids LOL.

I walked around like a zombie most of the day, but pushed myself to make it till 3. I got as much done as I could just in case I couldn’t make it in the next day. I spoke to Amaveli, our attendance clerk, about my situation with the boys and she completely agreed with me.

We had our Christmas Party after school. They catered and Mrs. R. did an amazing job with the decorations. I was sad I wouldn’t be staying long. They had me take my plate and I went straight to the boys’ school. I was actually feeling nervous, which is odd for me when I’ve got something to argue about. I told myself all the way over there that I needed to state my case and hold my ground.

I get there and the woman’s actually in. I was afraid she wouldn’t be there since I’d called earlier in the day and reminded a clerk that I’d be in to speak to her. She told me, “Remember I warned you about it? That if they left before 12 they would ruin their perfect attendance and you said you were taking them anyway?” I told her yes, because I knew that I could take them after 10am and have them not be counted absent. Everyone else does it, especially on Fridays when they take their kids to Mexico for the weekend and I didn’t hear anyone else having a problem. She acted like that was it, like she wasn’t going to say anything else so I said I wanted to speak to the principal.

I went in and the principal was just giving me a hard time like the clerk. I was so pissed and just seriously wanted to start yelling. I told her how nowhere in writing did it say they’d be counted absent after 12 and how my boys had worked so hard to have perfect attendance and all A Honor Roll. I told her how it was the first time ever that neither of them had been sick with Strep this year, which is what hindered their perfect attendance all the years before. It was right after that, that to my horror, I busted into tears. I was so embarrassed but I’m pregnant and hormonal and really couldn’t help it. The principal was a little shocked and asked me to step out while she spoke to the boys’ teachers.

When we’re waiting in the front office and I was trying to compose myself Eenan’s teacher walks in and she tells me, “I’ve been trying to call you this whole time! Do you know what’s going on?” Apparently she had just gotten word of it because she’d been home sick and was trying to reach me. I gave her a quick summary and she genuinely looked sorry. She told me, “I wish I hadn’t told you to just take them. I know you were going to wait.” Which is true. I was going to wait till after 12 to take them both, but both teachers told me to go ahead and take them, just not to tell the office they told me so. It wasn’t time to resent anyone though. She went in to speak to the principal and Jaylen’s teacher and they called us in after about 10 minutes. The office staff had actually taken the time to find a document that stated we couldn’t take them out till after 12 but couldn’t find anything, just a document about how they didn’t want parents complaining when it was time for a field trip and kids had actually been absent. They told me how they didn’t want the kids leaving before lunch because it messes up the lunch count—which ultimately means they don’t get paid for the kid. That was basically the whole reason for holding my kids back.

Then the principal said what made her upset was that even though it wasn’t in writing, that I’d gone against something the staff said and what they’re trying to teach the kids in school is you can’t just be defiant like that and blah, blah, blah. I didn’t want to open my mouth, because I’d surely piss everyone off, but if it’s one thing I teach my kids is to do the right thing, and nobody was going to tell me that I wasn’t doing that. But I just kept my mouth shut and listened and even half-sarcastically said, “Well, now that I know the “rules,” I won’t be removing my children from school before 12. I wish I’d known this before.”

The principal said they’d come to the decision that they wouldn’t be holding the kids back from the field trip because they were great students and I was a great parent (yeah, way to try and kiss my ass). Then the dumb attendance clerk jumps in and says, “But I’m still going to be needing an excuse slip for yourself to use for your kids.” Um. Okay. Sure lady. I got home and got all the documents together that I needed. If I didn’t know any better I’d say that woman is out to get me and really doesn’t like me.

After I got everything done I lay on the couch and just passed out. I seriously couldn’t stay awake and my body was hurting SO BAD. I started to make dinner, fideo and beans, but I felt so horrible I asked Mario if he could take over and he did! He did a great job.

Tues. Dec. 16th – I stayed home and went to the doctor. I’d texted Mrs. V. (because she’s left me e-mails about her absences before) and left an e-mail to Vero since it was really early and I didn’t think I’d be able to wake up later on. Well, Vero calls me at 8:30, when I’m getting ready, and asks if I’m going to work. I tell her no, didn’t she get my e-mail? And she said no, that Mrs. V. was wondering what happened to me also. So apparently I was MIA. Last time I don’t call to let them know. Funny how it works when they leave me a message though. Grr.

After the call with Vero I receive another call from the kids’ school. They called to confirm a change of plans; it was way too cold to take the kids to the Corn Maze like they’d originally planned, so they were calling to see if it was okay to take them to the movies instead. I was relieved. I knew Eenan was nice and toasty in his jacket, long johns, regular clothes and hat and gloves, but it was in the 30’s and I didn’t know how long his little body could stand it out there. So I gladly accepted the change.

Mario was so tired he didn’t end up going into work either. Thank God, because I really needed him. I went in to the doctor’s at 9:15 and got out at 11:30 and went to the pharmacy. I ended up having my prenatal appointment that day, too, since I was supposed to have it the next day. I’m measuring at 27 weeks (although I’m 29 weeks) and I weighed 137.8—which means I haven’t really gained weight in almost 2 months! Everything with the baby looks great. I can finally say that I’m at ease about her being a girl and not “changing” on me at the last minute LOL. I had an ear infection, sore throat and cough, so they gave me some cough medicine and antibiotics. After I left the pharmacy I got home and just laid on the couch. It was the most rest I’d had in a while, even though I kept waking up because of my cough. I was surprised and pretty pissed to read the labels on the cough medicine bottle and the leaflets they included with it that said the medicine shouldn’t be taken while pregnant, especially the last 3 months. WTF? Why the heck would they give me that then? I continued with my Robitussin, which is what they told me to take as an alternative. Great.

When I’d first laid down on the couch Alaethia came up to me and laid her head on my shoulder. I tried to give her a hug without breathing my germs in her face. She tells me, “I love you, too.” I hug her tighter and squeal, “Oh little mommy, you make me feel so much better.”

She could tell by my voice that I wasn’t feeling well. She gazes at me and asks, “Are you awright?” I tell her yes, I am, just a little sick. She’s so cute and sweet, I can’t stand it sometimes!

It was so nice having Mario home. He made a chocolate cake with Jaylen and it was delicious! Next project is brownies with Eenan. I think it’s sweet that he’s taking time to do little things with each of them.

Wed. Dec. 17th – It was Jaylen’s turn to go on his field trip. They were going to The Zone, an amusement park type place but most of the games were indoors, and it wasn’t as cold as the day before anyway.

I felt like I was dying, but I went to work anyway. Good thing too, since I had to stay an extra hour and a half to make up for time since we were getting out early on Friday. I still don’t see how that’s our fault and we have to make hours up, but whatever. It took some doing, but Mary found a ride for the boys for each day: Yadira that day and Sonia the next.

As I was passing some permission slips back to some kids in the morning from class to class, I ran into an old…acquaintance I guess you can say, who was substituting. She looked like she’d seen a ghost when she’d seen me. When I had lunch that day I ate with Mr. D. when my old “friend” walked in followed by her sister, who was also subbing. They were both being obnoxiously loud but I tried blocking them out, especially since I had a headache. Mr. D. and I talked about his wife’s pregnancy and mine and they kind of just glared at me, which was weird. I went back to the library and my old “friend” stopped by about 3 minutes later asking to check her pin drive. Her sister had already subbed the year before and seen me. I wouldn’t put it passed them to have been checking to see exactly where I worked. Idiots.

Anyway, I got everything done and then some, including some letters for the bulletin boards. I was out of there like a bat out of hell and was sorry to have finished my water at work since I coughed all the way home. It was awful. I couldn’t breathe. I finally calmed down about 15 minutes after getting home and just threw myself on the sofa again. Mario got home and he started making dinner. He was bringing me water and taking care of the kids. I looked at him running around in the kitchen and was amazed. He caught me looking at him and said, “What?” I smile and tell him, “Wow, Babe. You’ve washed dishes, made cake with kids, you’ve made dinner twice, waited on me hand and foot—no wonder you like being married to me!” He smiled and narrowed his eyes at me. Then he says, “I admit. That was a good one.” LOL

Thurs., Dec. 18th – It was the day of our field trip to Fantasyland Skate Center. I prayed that I’d feel alright and that I could make it through the day. We had to house the kids at the library from 9-11, since it was freezing outside and weren’t going to be able to take them to the park like we’d planned. They had lunch right at 11 and after that we loaded the buses.

I was having horrible, dry-heave coughs in the morning, but mostly on the way to the rink. It was so annoying. I was better by the time we got to the rink, though. It was fun watching all the kids. I still wish I could have strapped on some rollerblades and gotten out there but that’s not possible right now, of course. I ordered pizza with Baudi and Mrs. Martinez and we all chilled out with Roxanne. It was a fun free day for all of us. We helped load the kids onto the bus (took forever because it was confusing trying to get the kids on the right route) and then we got into Mrs. V’s truck and she drove us to the school. She likes to speed, and the three male teachers, Mr. D., Mr. C, and Mr. H were all teasing her and asking her to slow down. Just as we’re getting to the school we get stopped LOL. Luckily she only got a warning. The cop was funny and really nice. The plus was I’d gotten enough Comp time so that I could leave early like everyone else the next day.

Fri. , Dec. 19th – We had a totally free day. We weren’t really closed, but there weren’t any kids circulating that day anyway. They had parties and a dance to worry about. I had lunch with the ladies, Mrs. V. and Mrs. Ruiz. I felt a little sad that I couldn’t give them a nicer gift; I gave them a mug with cocoas and a book each. Mrs. V gave me massager and Mrs. Ruiz outdid herself and gave us both a robe, socks and slippers! They spoil me. We took all the decorations down and after lunch we got some nachos and checked on the kids at the dance. Mrs. Ruiz left with her daughter and we hugged goodbye. Then we saw all the kids off at the bus loading area. I got all my stuff together and said my goodbyes to Mrs. V. I rushed off to pick up my boys and then Sonia, who needed to go to a few places. It was the least I could do after she did me the huge favor of picking up the boys the day before. After we dropped her off, we came home to pick up Mom and Alaethia then went to pay John’s car payment. I paid all my bills online and then joined everyone at Mary’s to celebrate Andy’s birthday. We had Menudo, yum. I’d completely forgotten about Mario’s company party until he called to ask if I was ready. Oops. I got ready in a hurry and made sure to give Mom instructions for Alaethia’s medicines and reminded the boys to be good and pick up after themselves.

We were running a little late, but I assured Mario we’d be fine since everyone else is usually much later than we are. Well, for the first time ever everyone else was on time LOL. The dinner was at the Santa Fe steak house. I had no idea it was so fancy in there. A man was playing a piano in the background and it was really nice. They even compiled a menu just for the company!

During the dinner the bosses passed around gifts and small bonus for all the employees. How nice! Then we went to their house to play poker. The boss’ wife was teaching me and I actually won a few times! I want to play again. Mario ended up getting a little tipsy after he’d had a few shots of Tequila. We left the house around 3am. Mario kept falling asleep and waking up and looked really uncomfortable. Then he asked me to pull over and he hurled. He was swaying and I was afraid he’d end up sitting in his vomit. I always carry a little bottle of either Oust or Lysol spray and started spraying the Oust everywhere, because if I smelled anything I’d join him right outside the car. You can’t imagine how happy I was when we finally made it home.

Sat. Dec. 20th – I went to Goodwill with John and Alaethia that morning hoping I’d find some cute curtains from Target like they usually have. I found absolutely nothing and even broke a pretty Victorian glass bottle I was going to buy for Mary’s miniatures collection. The cashier didn’t let me pay for it, though. We did a bit of Christmas shopping, like Mom’s nightgown at JC Penny. I can’t remember where else we went, but I know we tried getting as much done as possible.

Sun. Dec. 21st – We went shopping again, only instead of John going with me this time, it was Mario. We hadn’t cashed Mario’s paycheck so we did so at Walmart. We went to Target, where we got a few more gifts we needed and some that Elda needed and then to Walmart. We rushed home to drop everything off since we were already late to Jaylen’s best friend, Aaron’s birthday party. Since Alaethia and Eenan were both sick we left them at home with the grandmas and took only Jaylen. He had a blast chilling out with his friend and Norma and I talked for a bit. If I remember correctly, we went back to Walmart for some grocery shopping and bought a necklace that Mary wanted from there, too. There were 3 shopping days left and I still needed a few things!

Mon., Dec. 8th – I finally wore my black and white giraffe-print dress and leggings to work for the 2nd time this entire pregnancy. I kept getting compliments and some people found out for the very first time that day that I’m pregnant because of the way the dress fit. That, and I’ve been getting hot flashes like crazy so I wasn’t wearing my sweater in the arctic conditions of the library like I usually do. Mrs. V. was still Star Testing the students so it was another quiet-ish, slow day.

Tues., Dec. 9th – Another regular day at work. I started noticing Mrs. V. is really trying to get me to finish as much that needs to be done before I leave work permanently. I had a list of laminating, signs, more laminating, getting Item Not Found books together to send off, and collecting all the Hatchet books and sending them off also. Too bad I couldn’t do much without someone else there because the library can’t be left unattended.

Mrs. V. was in sort of a bad mood since she got to work that morning. She was late and had “one of those days” since the morning. I suddenly remembered that I’d checked the ISS roster for some reason before I’d deleted the e-mail that morning and realized that Orly, one of the boys I was watching on Friday, didn’t have ISS after all. When he’d come in to visit that day I narrowed my eyes at him—jokingly, of course—and I told him, “Dude! You weren’t even in ISS on Friday, were you? You skipped all day here!” He laughed and with a guilty half-smile said, “Ah, yes I was!” So I told Mrs. V. about it when I saw her and I was in a good mood, joking about it and everything. Well she was annoyed I guess because she turned back, smiled and said, “Well, I’m sorry you feel like you were asked to do something you shouldn’t be doing.”

I just sat there wondering what the hell just happened when she turned on her heel and went into her office. I didn’t mind, once they listened, but this is the third time it happens that I’m “volunteered” to stay with students that are supposed to be “punished” and don’t listen. Had I volunteered for it on my own and then complained about it, it would be different.

When I got home I sat on the couch to relax and started checking my e-mail, Myspace and bank account. I noticed my grown husband and his friend Jorge are buying “favor points” for Mobsters! I texted him and practically told him off LOL. He doesn’t learn; the last time he needed favor points he completed some survey and somehow there was a charge of extra $30 on our Sprint bill!

I was feeling really lazy, tired and just pregnant and was just idly looking into the food cabinets figuring what to make for dinner when my Dad-in-law peaked his head in the door and asked if I had anything for the grill since he started a fire. Heck yes I did! I’d bought those cheddar brawts Mario likes and we had hotdogs. I had a relaxing evening. I tried updating my blog again but was distracted by The Biggest Loser and then, once the boys had their showers, we started cleaning their room, or old room. I’m halfway done; I can see the floor!

Wed., Dec. 10th – It was super cold that morning. In the 30’s at night and at dawn, and 40-50 during the day. There were Grade Levels that day, like there usually is every Wednesday. When Vero came to bring the snacks for the teachers she advised me to drink a lot of water. I told her I had been and asked her why she mentioned it. She said the other pregnant girl had gone into kidney failure and a lot of it had to do with her not drinking water. She scared the crap out of me and you better believe I drank water like crazy that day. (I also peed about 15 times.)

The day was hectic as it usually is during Grade Levels because I don’t want to be too disruptive, but I got things done. All books were checked in and shelved. My feet were killing me by the end of the day and so were the ligaments under my belly. Part of it had to do with overdoing it the night before when I was cleaning the boys’ old bedroom.

I was in a hurry in the evening, running around to the bank, then making dinner, and finding time to raise the hem on a pair of pants I’d bought at JC Penny. Mario fell asleep early, which makes me mad because he decides to do that whenever I haven’t showered early. I put Bridge to Terabithia on for Alaethia to watch (or “Terabithum” as she calls it) and prayed for the best. I locked/closed all the doors and made her comfy on the couch and took the quickest shower in history. She actually stayed still the whole time. I blow-dried and flat-ironed my hair and finally got ready for bed.

Thurs., Dec. 11th – It was cold again that morning, but not as cold as Wednesday had been because it wasn’t drizzling. A few subs went in to help–5 to be exact, but only one of them went twice, even though they’re all supposed to show up during conference times and after school. We had the library closed in the morning due to two meetings which were both later cancelled. We weren’t closed after all, but we still only had a small amount of kids go in. The Subs put books away while I entered the manual checkouts into the system. After they left, I got started doing the little computer banners Mrs. V. wanted done that say No Books at computer during testing!. I made 400–399 if you don’t count the one Kassy ruined LOL. Rudy, another student, told me I was making them in vain because the kids were going to rip them off anyway. Oh well.

The morning went by fast. I was amazed and pretty giddy over how smooth everything was going that day. I always feel guilty when I have free time for some reason, but I decided that I’d read a few stories on CNN before I started working on something else. The first story I saw was the one about that dumb bitch, Casey Anthony and how they may have found her three-year-old’s remains. I’d been following that story since they first started airing it. I had a bad feeling about her from the beginning. I knew she’d done it. What the hell made her do it and how can you even think of murdering your own child?!

I went to lunch and read my book. When I went back to the library I and had a few books to check-in and shelve and then a sub went in. He tidied up the books while I finished with cutting and gluing the banners. Now I just needed to laminate and cut them–yippee. That whole day went by fast.

I picked up the kids and helped with their homework until 5pm. The boys are just like me; they lose their patience quickly. We started getting ready for the Winter Festival, where Eenan would be performing in the chorus. Everything started at 5 but didn’t want to be there for two whole hours before Eenan’s performance so we left around 6:15. I didn’t want to be standing and walking around because my feet hurt, my back hurt, and my ligaments really hurt. I’m truly feeling “pregnant” now.

Before we left I talked for a while with my dad-in-law about the new laundry room. It’s pretty big. It’ll serve as a communal laundry room plus a nice screened in porch during summer. I can’t wait till it’s finished! I wonder if they’ll let me choose the color for it ^_^?

The kids had fun at the festival. As soon as we got there Eenan left with his friends. I wanted him to stay with us and have fun, but I didn’t want to be the uncool Mom, which I was SO being until he pleaded with his eyes for me to stop being embarrassing. I’m so sad he’s growing up. Soon enough he won’t even want to be seen with me.

Mario met us there when he got out of work. Alaethia, Mary and Jaylen played a few games at the cake walk. Jaylen loves cake walks. He didn’t win, though, which is surprising because he always wins. He got his face painted instead, while Eenan won a 2-liter and said he wanted to toast to happiness at home. Aww. That’s really all Eenan wanted was to win a 2-liter, because he usually does LOL.

Mary and Jaylen walked around and bought snacks while the rest of us sat at the seats we successfully acquired. The place was packed, probably more so than years past. We watched Eenan’s lovely choir performance. He’s such a handsome kid; he expresses himself a lot. We sat with Jason and Mirella. I saw one of the counselors from the school I work at and we also saw Norma and Andy but they were far away and didn’t see us. We got home and since it was late and no one felt like cooking, had soups and sandwiches. We watched Grey’s Anatomy even though it was a rerun and I chilled with Aly on the sofa. Mario brought milk when he made a run to the store and Adan and Jason came with him. They watched Iron Man and took care of Alaethia while I bathed. I don’t know why—I guess it must be the fact that Christmas vacation was coming up soon—but I didn’t feel at all rushed and flustered like I usually do on a school/work night. Mario left with the guys, the boys had fallen asleep in their room and Alaethia and I got in bed. She fell asleep right away!

Fri., Dec. 12th – Mario had to wake up at the same time I did since he was working at the Island. I didn’t want to get up at all and that’s because I got a pretty restful night sleep. I slept about an hour more than I usually do, anyway. I’m still having bad round ligament pain. It’s the first week I feel the stretching and heaviness this whole pregnancy. Once Mario was up we stood around talking while I made a pot of coffee and before I knew it I’d lost track of time and left late, as usual.

I prayed on the way to work like I usually do. One of my prayers was to have a good, easy day like the day before. I got to work and ate breakfast and was thinking positive thoughts. The day was not easy whatsoever. I completely forgot that it was the last day the students could reach their goals for the 9 week period, so there were teachers returning/checking out towers of books and kids testing left and right so I had to keep getting up and walking to the lab over and over again—I could hardly walk by the end of the day.

I picked up the boys after school and was startled when Jaylen jumps into the front seat and is almost in tears rambling a hundred miles a minute that he didn’t get perfect attendance and wasn’t going to be able to go on the field trip. Eenan gets in and says that they told him the same thing; that they were going to the Corn Maze in Donna and I’d have to take him myself. I didn’t understand since the boys both had perfect attendance. I turned the car around and parked in the parking lot. I go to the office and ask to speak to someone about the situation, but the attendance clerk isn’t there. The counselor’s clerk is the one who comes to talk to me and becomes really aggressive when I’m telling her what’s going on, even though I’ve kept my patience that whole time. She tells me to wait and comes back with a hot pink slip of paper with a note about the day the kids had Muffins For Mom and how I took them out of school early, therefore forfeiting their perfect attendance because the attendance clerk “warned” me. I tell her it’s bull, that the time to legally remove a student from elementary school without them being counted absent is 10am, not 12 as the woman told me. I even told her I confirmed it with their teachers. She looks taken aback that I knew this and tells me to come back on Monday to speak to the woman. Fine.

Eenan’s teacher isn’t there, so I go speak to Jaylen’s. As soon as I’m walking in and she sees that it’s me, she says, “Did you hear what they’re doing to them?” I tell her yes and ask her what’s going on. She tells me she received the same note on hot pink paper and she tells me she doesn’t agree; that I need to come back on Monday and fight for them. She didn’t have to tell me twice.

Sat., Dec. 13th – I woke up at 6am. I got Eenan ready and took him to the school for his UIL competition. He advanced but, unfortunately, didn’t place. I wanted to go back home and sleep some more since we stayed up a bit late the night before, but I had to have breakfast and drop Mom off at her appointment at the doctor’s at 8:30. She called at 9:30 that she was ready to be picked up and my gosh, what a hassle it was getting back to the doctor’s office! I’d forgotten they were having a parade down the main street and they were all closed off except for one! The doctor’s office is around 5-6 minutes away; it took me about 15 to get there LOL.

I waited around a cleaned a bit and then John came over. Mary said she’d pick Eenan up from the school once he was back from his competition since I needed to go shopping for Alaethia’s Christmas present. John, Alaethia and I left around 12:30 and as we’re passing the school the kids are arriving in the bus from UIL. I pick Eenan up and take him home. We went to Toys R Us and immediately remembered how awful it is in that area during the holidays. I got a huge surprise when I pulled Alaethia out of her carseat and realized she’d peed on just about every inch of her bodysuit. I changed her diaper, removed the bodysuit and just left her jean jumper on her and put a jacket over it. And she’d looked so cute…

Although you could hardly move through the isles from how packed it was, we found everything we needed. Plus I had a 20% off coupon so I saved $20!

I went to drop off John at home and then Alaethia and I went to Annie’s for Catherine’s birthday party. They were serving as soon as we got there. Alaethia only picked at her food while she was being passed around and went to play in the living room. Mom, Mary and Elda were all watching the little ones and talking. Even so, poor Aly got hit on the head with a remote; no one saw it coming. She was terrified after that so Yadira took her home with her since she was leaving early. My poor lil’ one. We went home to drop off the boys and Mom and picked up Alaethia. As soon as everyone was situated Mario and I left for our date to the movies to watch The Day the Earth Stood Still. I wasn’t looking forward to seeing it that much, but it was a good movie anyway. The only part I didn’t like was that it felt like it ended too fast for me.

We went to Walmart afterwards with Mario complaining the whole time. We went to Jorge and Maggie’s since Jorge and Mario had to go to the Dodge Arena to take care of some stuff for work. Maggie and I just sat around and caught up while she beautified and later she did my nails. I hadn’t gotten them done since June, before I found out I was pregnant. I did some research and so far it doesn’t say anything about not doing acrylic nails during pregnancy; just to wear a mask and have good ventilation, which I did.

The guys bought food from Whataburger. We ate and finished my nails and then went outside. We left around 2:30, got home at 3am and I didn’t fall asleep till 4. Alaethia was still awake. Mom said she supposedly hadn’t slept at all. Uh huh.

Sun. Dec. 14th – I love Sundays because it’s the one day I get to sleep late without anyone bothering me.

Well, not that Sunday. Jaylen woke me up early and when I thought I could go back to sleep Alaethia woke up for a cup of milk. Then the phone rang. Then Aly woke up again for a diaper change and as I’m changing her I hear someone knocking really loudly on the door. I figure it’s Mom, who doesn’t really care if everyone’s asleep or not if she feels like watching TV or reading in the living room. As I’m coming back from the bathroom Mary ‘s unlocking the front door and tells me Dad’s over and has been knocking on the door. Great. No sleep for me for sure.

Once I washed up and went outside we sat under the back porch and catch up. He tell me he was worried because we never answered the phone (it hadn’t been working the whole week until the day before) and he had the wrong cell number so he thought I’d gone into labor or something. He asked to borrow money, which was something Mom had warned me about, but I lent him some and he went home.

Later in the evening we went grocery shopping. We got home late and I was rushing around getting the kids bathed, dinner ready, and lunch for the next day ready. I was complaining about having to wash dishes and Mario offered to. I was pleasantly surprised. He helped a ton and kept me from having a nervous breakdown by just doing something so small.

Sat., Nov. 29th – Mario was up and about, probably on his second cup of coffee by the time I fully regained consciousness. I had probably the most disgusting, watered-down eggs I’ve ever had and watched some TV. I tried reading but I’d keep nodding off and ended up asleep again every time. Mario got like, half his book (Angels and Demons by Dan Brown) read while we were there. I don’t even know if the poor thing had an actual breakfast, I was so out of it. He was such a good sport and excellent help the whole time. I don’t know how I would have done everything without him. It was hard enough getting to the restroom with the darn IV and having to unstrap and restrap myself to the monitors. The nurses kept getting annoyed because the baby’s heart rate monitor kept falling off because she was kicking so hard. She’ll be a soccer player, this one!

We’d been waiting for the doctor since 7am, which is when they told us he did his rounds. He never came. Finally around 1:30pm they let us know he called and said I could be released already. They concluded that the pains were due to the virus and not labor, so that’s good. I just had to stay hydrated. We left around 2pm. We didn’t do much the rest of the day but stay home and relax.

Sun., Nov. 30th – We started off our late morning by going to Walmart to cash Mario’s paycheck and we got a few things while we were there. Mom stayed with Jaylen and Alaethia and Mary stayed with Eenan. We went to Academy, Mario’s favorite store as of late and then made our way to Pharr to a gun show Jason had told Mario about. We get there and all is aglow with sparkly lights and runways being set up in all directions. It was a fashion show—the gun show was the day before. Mario was disappointed LOL. We forgot to go to Toys R Us so I didn’t get to buy Alaethia’s Christmas present. She’s the only kid we still weren’t done buying stuff for. Our next and last stop was Furniture Row, where we picked up the boys’ new chest of drawers and the dresser and mirror we got for the girls room. It was a little past lunch time by the time we were done with everything so we ordered from El Pato.

We got home and saw a new wall and window up around the North side of the outdoor laundry room that we share with my in-laws’. It’s in front of our apartment and behind my in-law’s if you can picture that. My Dad-in-law was beginning his new project: building an actual, quite large laundry room/sunroom for the kids to play with when it’s too cold but still want to be outside. My dad-in-law’s also keeping the actual deck we call the Kiddie Corral (he was thinking of doing away with it) so the kids will have an additional safe area to play in since the Party Porch is usually my carport. I always feel uneasy when they’re playing around the carports with cars; you just never know these days.

We cleaned up the bedrooms a bit more to get the dressers in. Jorge and Jose helped Mario bring them in and set up. While we were moving the boys’ old entertainment center to the corner of the room, we discovered tons of DS games, Gameboy Advance Games, board game pieces, and tons of crayons and map colors. I couldn’t believe it. The Animal Crossing game Jaylen was “missing” for at least a year and a half had been under there the whole time LOL.

I ended up not really liking the boys’ dresser after all. It looked so much nicer in store. The color was lighter than I thought it would be, but Mary had a point: I could eventually sand it down and paint it.

Alaethia and the new baby’s (she really needs a name, darnit!) is beautiful; even Mario said, “Ooh, this one I like. It’s vintage!” It was going to take a lot of work to girlie up the beige-walled, Transformer themed room, but I fully intend to have it done by the time Daughter 2.0 is born.

Mon., Dec. 1st – This was day 1 of 3 weeks before Christmas vacation. I just had to make it through those three weeks and then I was home free!

Mrs. V. was Star Testing the kids that week, which is a reading test to check where their comprehension level’s at. It was actually a really smooth day, busy in the morning as usual, but the rest of the day the kids kind of just skittered in and out.

I went in for a follow up appointment that day after school after I’d dropped the boys off at home. It took a freaking eternity in the office. I was halfway though my book and finished reading the rest of it while I was there. They finally called me into the vitals room around 5:45. I still weighed 138, which was fantastic and the baby was doing fine, growing as she was supposed to. She asked if I was over the virus and I said yes, I’d felt the pains Thursday and Friday and only felt sick that one day, Saturday, and then I was fine. She said that was great and let me go. It was 6:20 by the time I got home!

Tues., Dec. 2nd – The 7th graders were having Benchmarks and Mrs. V. was having another day of testing at the lab. The internet was actually faster with just one grade level not using the computers. I had little work to do and finished early. Mrs. V. had me cutting fabric for the new bulletin boards they’d put up (5, to be exact) and I was a bit nervous about the whole thing because it’s a 2-person job and there was no one there to help me and I didn’t want to end up using the wrong fabric or cutting the wrong length. Luckily, a substitute came in and he so kindly helped me make a template out of butcher paper and then we just cut the fabric out on the tables. The rest of the day went without a hitch.

Wed., Dec. 3rd – There were grade levels going on all day in the library. Since the kids weren’t Benchmarking anymore and everyone was using the internet, the system was slow all day. And since we had grade levels, I have to manually enter all the check-ins (apart from manually entering all the checkouts) because I didn’t want to annoy anyone with the incessant “beeping” of the scanner.

I actually had about 30 minutes of free time before lunch, but Mrs. V. noticed and we started working on the bulletin boards, heh. Rudy, Juan and a few other kids (the ones who usually roam the halls) asked if we needed help and I said sure! It was so helpful because I’m not allowed to stand on the step-stool. They did bring up a good point when we were adding the borders, “Why are you going through all the trouble when you know they’re just going to rip them up?” Sure enough, a few days later a 6th grade teacher brings me a piece of border and, shaking her head says, “You shouldn’t bother, Mrs. They don’t know how to appreciate.” We’re talking about this year’s 6th graders. Not all of them of course, but there’s about two handfuls that are just ruthless! Two little girls once confessed to me that they’d destroyed property at the old Nellie building when they were being housed there and then destroyed tables and sinks at their new building!

We celebrated my dad-in-law’s birthday that afternoon because he was giving himself a day off the next day (his actual birthday) to go deer hunting.

Thurs. Dec. 4th – I didn’t go to work that day. The boys were having Muffins for Mom at their school and I need to use up my sick days anyway because they won’t pay them to me or add them to maternity leave because I don’t *have* maternity leave.

Anyway, the whole day started off wrong. I was running late from the beginning. Got Alaethia ready in a hurry and had a hell of a time finding a parking space. I (stupidly) decided at the last minute not to bother unfolding Alaethia’s stroller and putting her in it. Instead I shook on my sweater, grabbed my purse and threw her on my hip and half-ran to get the kids out of class. I go to the office and they tell me to go ahead and get them out of class. I look for Jaylen, whose classroom happens to be the second to the last one in his very long hall, and of course he’s not there. He’s in P.E. and I have no idea where they are. I go back and ask them to please call them both to the office. The heat was too high in the building, my sweater was itchy and Alaethia was quickly becoming very heavy. Once the boys came to the office we went straight to the line for muffins and chocolate. It took forever. Alaethia kept screaming because she’d been woken up too early and the boys were driving her nuts because they wanted to carry her and show her off.

I sent the boys to get library books while we waited in line to focus their attention on something else other than Aly. I read to them in line and when we finally got our muffins, found a seat and read the rest of the books. They kept begging to take them home, so I said ‘we’ll see’. I had things to do and knew they wouldn’t let me get anything done if I had them with me.

When time was up I walked them to class and asked each of their teachers if I could take them home early, but if they had work they’d stay. They both said no, just reading, and they happily let them out of class. I didn’t feel bad taking them out; this was the first time the whole year that I’d be taking them out early without an appointment. Other parents take them out every single day. So I take them to the office to sign them out. The attendance clerk tells me I can’t take them out till 12, which I found weird because the legal time to remove them from school without being counted absent is 10. I say fine, even though the boys are protesting. Jaylen’s almost in tears as I’m walking them back, but I promise him I’ll be back at 12. I get him to calm down before I he walks back into his class. I apologize to the teacher for disrupting class again, and she comes up to me and asks what happened. I tell her everything, and she said it was bull, that the legal time was 10. Even though she told me it was fine to take him, I said it was alright, I’d come back at 12.

Took Eenan to his class (by now my feet are killing me because Alaethia’s heavy) and his teacher told me the exact same thing. She said to go ahead and take him; she would not mark him absent. So fine, I feel good about it and take Eenan with me again and go to Jaylen’s hall to pick him up again. His teacher also says she won’t mark him absent and I go to the office again to sign them out. The clerk says something really sarcastic like, “Sorry boys, now you can’t go on your field trip.” I roll my eyes and continue to sign them out. What a darn hassle!

I take them to get their hair cut and take them back home and have them wash up. I left them with Mom after that and did everything I needed to do. And no, they weren’t allowed to play video games like they’d planned—they had to read for half an hour and then had to find other more productive ways to entertain themselves.

It was Quentin’s 1st birthday and my dad-in-law’s birthday that day. We’d be attending Quentin’s birthday on Saturday and had already celebrated my dad-in-law’s the day before.

Fri. Dec. 5th – I was so glad it was Friday. I woke up feeling awesome thinking all the way to work I just have to make it through today and then it’s the weekend!

I got to work and had a few things to finish up from the previous day but a group of my kiddos came in to talk like they usually do in the mornings so I sat there talking to them. When the bell rang and most of them left two boys still lingered around. They didn’t want to go to class and one of them was supposedly in In School Suspension. When the other saw the assistant principal, he ran like the wind in the other direction. He and Mrs. V. run after him and as they’re bringing him back they’re asking him, “Why did you run, dude? You didn’t commit a crime!” Mrs. V. spoke to the assistant principal and she bargained with him. She said she’d keep them in the library if they helped out. Well, she was Star Testing still so guess who had the pleasure of staying with them? Me!

Usually they’re excellent with me, even though they’re considered “trouble makers”. But since other kids were circulating they were excited and mingling and basically not paying attention to me. It took about 3 hours to finally get them to do the tasks I gave them. I was so frustrated but kept a smile on my face or else they’d act up even more. It was already lunchtime and I still hadn’t finished checking in books and putting them on the shelves since I had to keep redirecting the boys. When I taught them to put the books in order they did an excellent job, I was impressed. They missed their lunchtime so I had no idea what I was supposed to do since I have to go to lunch at 11:30. So I took them with me to get their lunch and then I clocked out. On the way back I bumped into Mrs. V. and told her the situation. She took them with her. Mary in the front asked to speak to her and I overheard her telling Mrs. V. that I shouldn’t have to watch them. Mrs. V. asked when I got back from lunch if I’d said anything and I said no; nothing other than they wouldn’t pay attention to me till after 3 hours of being there. So she took them with her to the computer lab to “give me a break”. And what a break it was. I needed the silence since my head was pounding.

I picked up the boys after school and I came home just wanting to chill out. I was debating going to our Christmas social, even though it was at the Boca Paila at Rancho El Charco nearby and I’d always wanted to go there. I told Mario about it again for a second time when he’d called that he was on his way home and he said, “Remember the last social and how boring it was?” I sadly recalled it and decided that he was right, we’d probably be bored again. But I was so bored at home and he’d already made plans to go to Adan’s…to drink of course. I’d always wanted to go to Boca Paila so I almost got ready, but then I wasn’t sure if it would be indoors or out and it was cold. So needless to say, we didn’t go and I had a miserable boring time at home alone because even the kiddos were all at my in-laws’ house. Le sigh.