More Obstacles

I have had yet another obstacle in this world wind of a career change. As you may have read I have passed the course from the Adult School. Now all I have to do is start, right? Wrong. I have to fill out an application for a student loan to buy my kit which is $3500. So, being the cocky girl I am, I think "no big deal". We have never been denied for any type of credit application for anything. Well, I faxed the information to the girl Wednesday. Well, yesterday I get a call saying that we were denied. I thought it was a joke at first. She went on the explain that loans have been very difficult to get since the economic crisis and about 90% of all the people applying have been turned down. Of course, I break down in tears and tell David what happened.
So today we figure out what we should do to remedy this situation. Do we get my Dad involved to co-sign for the loan? Do I tell my Dad that we need to take out a loan from the Bank De Falk? How do I do this.
So we came to the conclusion that we would try this. Take some money from our home equity line of credit, cash out some of David's vacation time and lastly, use our savings to pay this sucker off. All the thoughts go through my mind....what if this doesn't turn out, what if I suck at hairstyling and I have invested all our money into this, what if, what if, what if. I know that everyone has to take risks in order to get to another place in life, but I am wondering if the risk is worth that financial hardship that this will take on our family.

Frog

This morning Gavin was sitting on the couch trying to clear his throat. He had an obvious "something" in there. So I tell Gavin, "Sweetheart, you have a frog in your throat". Why a frog? I don't know, but that is what my Mom used to say and it just sounded good. Quinten adds, "And that frog keeps bouncin'!" That was too cute and I had to write it down.

Victoria's Secret

I have a bone to pick with Victoria's Secret. No, I take that back. I have something to say about one of their employee's.
I went in awhile back to look for a bra. I was ready to spend some money on it too because I deserve it. I didn't want to look like a picture on National Geographic anymore. I wanted this sucker to lift and separate those bad boys!
So, I go inside and ask the young sales girl to measure me, which she did. Not the outcome I wanted, being that I grew 2 inches around over the last 5 years.
After finding out my size I ask the girl to show me some nice bra's. She take me over to the Body by Victoria line. I find one I like and ask the girl if a certain style was an "old lady style". She looked at it and replied, "No, my Mom has that bra". I replied, "Like I said, is it an old lady bra?". She says, "My Mom isn't old." Sister if you are old enough to work a full time job, your Mom is older then I want to be.
So if you have a sale girl say something lame to you about your age, let them know that you aren't old. Even if you leave out the part that it is in spirit.
Oh, by the way...I bought the bra anyway!

Complete!

As of Friday I am officially a graduate of Fresno Adult School Student Success Workshop. That sounds good and all but let me tell you about my last day.
I got there and hung out briefly with the Chola's, lucky for me, they were late. The fact that I stopped at Starbucks before I got there helped a lot too! When I went inside,I was put in a group with 8 people. We had to sit at a table and discuss a worksheet that had to do with stereotypes and racial profiling. I was the only white girl, there were four Hispanics, two Asians and one black guy. It wasn't too bad actually. I was in a group of older, mature people-Yea!!
After about an hour we recieved our results from the test we took on Wednesday and were sent to the counseling center where we found out if we were smart enough to continue onto the career of our choice.
I met with a lady who signed me off in, oh, 30 seconds. She didn't ask any questions, didn't ask me how I was. She told me that I would have no problem and gave me a sign out sheet to get my letter from the front office.
I walked to the front office and looked around. It was hella scary. There were all kinds of people from various walks of life. Walks that I would never take. When I sat down it was next to a girl who should have picked a chair without armrests. I noticed quickly that rubbing bottoms with a stranger is never, under any circumstances, comfortable. The people waiting in the office talked a language I have only heard in movies. The movie Friday to be exact. It was funny hearing about girls from the hood getting "knocked up" and back with their "baby Daddy" named Junior. Alrighty then.
After waiting in this hole, I was eventaully called. The lady read my clearance letter and asked me for my high school diploma. I told her that I didn't have it with me. She said that she needed it and asked if I had gone to school in Fresno. I told her "No". She asked if I had graduated, I looked at her in a confused way. "Yes" I replied. She asked where I graduated from. I replied "Immanuel". She had no idea what Immanuel was. From how she looked at me, Immanuel was on another planet. I explained it was a private school in Reedley. She blew it off and said that I needed to bring in my diploma and get my letter.
Could I expect anything less from the Fresno Adult School. So now, I have to go back to that wonderful place and bring them a piece of paper. With all the hoops I have had to go through, I hope this career change is worth it.

Incredible Hulk

So David, Quinten and I are standing in line at Best Buy. We needed to return something and were getting irritated because it was taking forever.
So while we are standing there, Quinten says, "That's a big guy". I was off in space, my favorite place, so he says it again, but louder. This time I look at him and wondered what he is talking about. I then follow his eyes to a guy in front of David who was, let's say, 5'8" and 400 pounds. Yea, a little overweight. I pick Quinten up in hopes that he will stop. This time he says really loud, "But Momma, it's Incredible Hulk!". I had a really hard time not laughing because it was funny. The "big guy" turned around and started laughing. I am not sure if he laughed so he wouldn't cry or if he really did think it was funny.
Needless to say, we talked to him in the car about etiquette and what we don't say in public.

Adoption

Many of you may think, from the title of this blog, that I will be talking about the wonderful day that Bob and Elaine decided to make me their own and adopt me Wrong!! I am going to talk about, yet again, the Adult School.
I have found a couple girls that have adopted me as their "friend" at school. They are the Chola's. Yes everyone, I said it right, Chola's. The female gang bangers have found me to be likable and want to talk to me at break time. Now, anyone who knows me, knows I am anti-gang, anti-Chola, anti-criminal anything. On the first day, one of the girls, who I pegged immediately, sat down and started emptying out about school, work and her life in general. I was nice (more like nosey) and was a good listener. And that, my friends, is where it started.
Today, Chola approached me and yet again started to talk to me. This time about how she was married at 16, but that her husband died at 24. Now, being the nosey person I am, after I showed sadness, I asked what happened. She went on to explain that he was shot by his friends. Hello? Come again? Gang member!!
Let me explain some gang life to you. When, let's say a Bulldog gang member, wants to live without the gang, or un-join if you will, or start claiming a rival gang and deny the Bulldogs, a contract is put out on that person. This contract can be given by a lead member from the streets or even be sent from the prison system from one of the head honchos.
So anyway, this guy was killed by his friends. As I tightened my grip on my purse, I checked to see how many people where standing around me and heard this story. The only way I had ever been this close to a gang banger was in uniform and with a pair of handcuffs in my hand, doing an interrogation.
Then Chola tells me that her new boyfriend is a really good Dad, when he's out. Out of prison, are you kidding me! This chick doesn't have a clue about personal safety. Apparently he is "locked up" right now.
I really wanted to make a good excuse about how I had a terrible case of something-or-rather, but stayed in hopes that the topic would change or class would be back in session.
I can't say that I was ever jazzed to go take tests all day, but this wonderful morning, I was. I ran into class and sat down, looking forward and enjoying the quiet. For some reason the smelly guy I sat next to seemed to be a safer choice. I can still smell that guy, even after my shower, but I am sure the funk will fade eventually.
So anyone who wonders about Adult School, there you go. It is scary, just as I told you all initially. It is nasty, but free. It better be free after having to put up with this!

Oops!

Today had the potential to be a really good day. I was supposed to go walking with my friend Aisha at noon-ish. After reading the paper, I found that Macy's was having an additiaonl 40% their clearance shoes. This was an opportunity, so I had to let my friend know. It was what a good friend would do! So I let her know via text message. She, in turn, told me that we would walk the mall, like the shopaholics we are. That's a work out, right?
We met at Macy's and tore it up. She got really cute Michael Kors and Calvin Klien. I opted for some Steve Madden. Can I just tell you-they are hella ugly. The kind of shoes only a mother could love. I bought them because a year ago I told Aisha that I was gonna wear these really ugly shoes and wear them out with her. They are multi-colored heels with tread like a tennis shoe. I know....what?
Anyway, then we hit Forever 21. Tore it up there too. We hit the clearance racks and found the deals. I love hunting for things that you can feel proud of. I got a couple dresses for summer.
Then Victoria's Secret. Additional 50% lingerie, pajamas's and PINK. I loved that, but the bad part comes here in a minute.
Aisha is David's co-worker. All of a sudden she get's a call and answers, "David we are leaving right now". What? I look at my call phone.....3:10. Holy crap. David leaves at 3:10 for work. I called him and told him I would be home right now. He said something to the effect of, you retard, but nicer.
I called my parents and they weren't home. David called back a minute later. I didn't even want to answer the call. I felt so bad! He was gonna be late for work and it was because of me. He told me that he caled in vacation day and not to hurry. I started crying because I am a big ol' mush. He told me that he was happy that I had a great day and that he didn't want to ruin it. He said to slow down so I don't get in an accident.
If you have read any of my other blogs, you know that I am a stress case. I cried all the way to Starbucks, where I purchased him a peace offering of Java Chip Frappacino.
So I made Jambalaya for dinner, David's favorite and Margarita's. It was delicious. I think I have made up for my screw up. Hopefully he doesn't find my shoes......

Muppets at the Lomeli's

Today was a day. Nothing exciting happening, nothing to write about that will change anyone's life.
Got up this morning after a really late night. That is normal on David's first night back to work. Made breakfast, hung out with the boys. Listened to Gavin complain when it was time to get dressed. Took him to school, came home, got David's lunch ready, listened to him complain about how loud it was in the house while he was trying to sleep (blah, blah, blah).
The funnest part of the day? After we picked Gavin up, the three of us went to Jamba Juice and shared a juice and got the truck washed. Yep, a 30 minute outing was the best part of the day.
We got home and I let the boys put a video game on for a little bit. After that, the night went downhill. I don't even like to put video games on, but I give in about once a week as a "treat". Gavin cried forever when I turned it off. That started the evening out, as I got dinner ready in between yelling at this monster that calls himself a child.
So, after dinner I put them directly in the bath tub. That way I can relax them in a warm bath while I clean up dinner and regain my composure.
Right now we are watching Muppets from Outer Space. It is settling them down and entertaining them as well. That's two in one as far as I'm concerned!

Orientation

So, today was orientation for the larger than life, Fresno Adult School. I left this morning, thinking I had plenty of time to get to the school without having to rush-WRONG! I was haulin' ass trying to get there in time. Not because I hadn't left enough time, but those crazy streets in the downtown area, are just that, crazy!! I was in the wrong hundred block and couldn't find where to turn and so on and so forth. All the streets in the area are one way, which doesn't help. It took me 10 minutes to find the school itself. So after finding it, I drive through the gated area (which screams "Dangerous" to me), in an attempt to find a parking spot. There weren't any, so I had to park on the street in a one hour parking spot. At least it wasn't metered!
I get out of the car and as I jaywalk, I see a police officer to my left. Great that's the last thing I needed-a ticket. He fortunately didn't stop me. I walked as fast as I could to get into the classroom before they shut the door. And so I didn't get mugged or assaulted.
I sat down, by myself to the back of the class. There were a few more people, who came in after me, who sat in my area. I looked around and was a little uncomfortable. Gang tattoo's, parolee's and dirty people surrounded me. I guess I was a little overdressed. I wore heels, nice jeans, black shirt and jacket and all my usual jewelry. I did my hair and wore my thick eye makeup (which is starting to be a staple of mine). I could see people look at me in a confused way, like maybe I had taken a wrong turn.
As I was given my paperwork, I was given a sheet asking me to explain why I chose FAD and what my career goals were. After I had completed my in depth essay of why I chose this as my career and how I hope to succeed, I look around at other people's papers. They have 2-3 sentences. I have never felt like an overachiever, except for now. I would like to thank Immanuel High School for the good education I received....ha ha!
So the lady explains everything to the class and I fill out my bubble sheet and sign up for what time slot I want to do my actual testing next week. Thank goodness that class was only an hour. I sat there with my purse sitting in between my ankles tightly clenched. I will have sore muscles in my legs tomorrow from that.
So I start my testing on the 20th. I am jazzed, although not so excited about having to go back to that scary place for a week. I go every morning from 8-11 Tuesday thru Friday. I can't wait to get this over with and actual start the beauty school portion! I will be keeping you all updated!

Our friends: Ben and Jerry

Everyone thought my boys were weird when I told them that they didn't eat ice cream. I don't know if they were sensitive to cold or thought it was too sweet, but they never had a craving for ice cream like other children their age. I have tried several times to get them into ice cream, but have just recently convinced them that ice cream is good! This time I used the ice cream as an after dinner treat. I gave it to Quinten, who doesn't really dig on any sweets, and he threw down the munch. He ate almost an entire small container of Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia. Gavin loves chocolate, so he got Chocolate Fudge Brownie. He didn't eat quite so much, but that flavor is quite a bit more filling. I was so proud that my kids are normal now, that I had to take pictures of it. Anyone want to hit Stone Cold?

attitudes

I have recently figured something out. Gavin, my oldest, is growing up and acting out. He is argumentative and condescending. Yes, this is learned behavior. He learned it from me. I am opening up here, so hear me out. I have never been a babysitter-type person and, really, the first time I held a baby was after I pushed one out. I worked at a job that required me to be a bit of an asshole and not be pushed around, demanding respect and having authority. Now, making excuses isn't what I am trying to do, but it may come off like that. I have changes a lot from those days, but a part of me will always have that undertone going on.
So, the longer this attitude goes on, the more I realize that he gets his comments and brashness from his Mother. I see that the way I talk to him, in turn, he talks back. I don't try to be this way, in fact I haven't always acted like this, but now I regret it. I find him saying sentences that I have said and notice that he is getting in trouble for his repeating of my own words. Quinten doesn't do these things, in fact he learns from watching and doesn't make the same mistakes. He seems to realize that the Momma and the Brother have similar personalities and are going to do a lot of head butting in the future. Thank goodness for mellow kids!
How do I change this? I would be taking a lot of walks to calm down in this little house. Since David words a lot, I am really a single parent through out the week. This does take a toll of an individual. I keep the house clean (as much as possible), make all the food and do all the other things (including mowing the lawn) that "stay at home moms" are expected to do. Now, I am little OCD-although some of my friends will say I am not. I like things a certain way and mildly loose it when they aren't.
So, I know I need to change. I try to change and pray that God can help me. I wonder what else I have to do in order to change my child's behavior and my own. Some things take time and some don't. Hopefully these things can work themselves out and I can work on my patience and become more chill Mom.

beauty school

This morning I woke up and was jazzed about going to the Adult School to get signed up for beauty school. It was wonderful until I looked up the dates and time on the internet and found that they don't start yet! They are on Christmas break until the 9th!
I don't want to complain or anything, but it takes a lot for me to start something. The fact that this school is going to take 16 months to complete? That's even harder. I feel like I need to get this party started already. I am nervous, excited and tired about thinking of it all. I guess I get another week to lounge around and hanging out without the extra worries of school.

Rock Band

I know, I know. It has been five days since my last blog. I very much need to get on top of this craziness.
So, tonight we played Rock Band. It is so funny to watch our kids play this game. Quinten always chooses the drums, which we don't attach to the console because we would never be able to complete a song. I can't even do the drums and I not an instrumental retard. I think that the drums are possibly the hardest thing to play-ever. So David does the guitar, which is the easiest in my opinion. Probably because both of us started playing Guitar Hero at our friends Cindi and Sonja's house. I always sing because I am the loudest one and am not scared to actually put my mouth on the mic.
So we play the game and the boys were so funny. Gavin is sitting with a guitar that, again, isn't attached, rocking out like he's James Hatfield (Metallica). Quinten thinks he's David Grohl (Nirvana).
So we go through our usual songs by The Killers, Nirvana and The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and before no time, it was almost 9! I guess it's okay since the boys slept in until 8:30.
I love having people come over, although I haven't had to many over to this house, and do these games as ice breakers. What is worse than singing in front of a total stranger? Yea, I know, that is embaressing, but if someone can still be your friend after hearing you sing off key and look like a total dumbass, then you know they are real friends. It's even better when they say encouraging words. I can't wait to have some of you over.......