The Last Week of Work Before Holidays!

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!