My Life & Times

Weird dreams

2011-06-15T14:10:00.003-05:00

The other night I had a weird dream. I was wearing hijab (scarf) in it.

In my dream, I wasn't Muslim, but I also don't remember why I put on the scarf in the dream.

I had a feeling I was wearing it for some reason, maybe for someone.

I hate it when I don't know why I'm doing something in my dream. It's my dream, damn it!

To sleep, perchance to dream
zzzzzzzzzz

I miss those curls!

2011-05-27T22:31:00.003-05:00

My son got his hair cut short out of necessity. Someone originally cut it, but totally screwed it up. It looked like a 2 year old cut it. So he got it cut with clippers to get it evened out. The quality sucks because I used my cell phone to take it.

He looks a lot like his dad in this picture. I do miss his curls.

Rapture!

2011-05-21T17:45:00.001-05:00

Made by Hella Sweet

Moi

2011-05-05T16:45:00.004-05:00

I haven't taken any pictures of me for a long time. I can't find my camera, but I went hog wild with my camera phone the other day in the bathroom (I could see the viewfinder in the mirror).
I thought a couple of them turned out ok, but the quality isn't good because is a cheap phone.

Bad, Bad Leroy Brown

2011-03-27T10:33:00.006-05:00

I just heard this song on the radio yesterday.

Bad, Bad Leroy Brown by Jim Croce.

Snow, sigh

2011-03-24T13:15:00.002-05:00

Dear mother nature,
I thought we talked about being done with the snow? WTF? You better hope I don't find you!
No love!
A.

Dude, you have no quran-for the win!

2011-03-23T11:25:00.003-05:00

Amarillo pizza parlor dude Jacob Isom snatches a Qur’an off the park grill right before a militant Christian hate group can set it on fire.

Life

2011-03-17T22:04:00.004-05:00

I've been a bad blogger. I got busy working, then they cut some people, including me, and I got depressed. That's what's been going on, in a nutshell. They cut some people before Christmas, but I was cut with a few people a couple of days before New Year's Day. So I'm looking for a job, or at least trying to with being depressed.

Our Christmas was good. We had a late one, as my older kids went to see their dad in NJ. My younger son and I did it on Christmas, then did something more when the older two came back right before school started.

Just had parent-teacher conferences. My older son passed, but barely. My daughter is doing really well, she is working hard. My younger son is doing better at finishing his work. He reads at a 5th or 6th grade level (he's in 2nde grade). He's a bookworm like mom!

I borrowed a Kindle book reader from the library today. I was reading a good book, but I think I accidentally deleted it, oops! I'll have to have them put it back on tomorrow. It doesn't come with a paper manual.

Scrap store and chance to win their whole store!

2011-01-04T15:27:00.001-05:00

Click image above to see Project B's new store

Repost for a chance to win Project B's whole store! Info Here

Twas the night before Catmas

2010-12-24T17:34:00.001-05:00

Jordan names first woman chief district attorney

2010-12-10T07:51:00.004-05:00

"AMMAN, Jordan - Jordan on Thursday appointed a woman as chief district attorney of the country's capital, marking the first time a woman has held a top prosecutor's post in the pro-American Arab kingdom."

Jordan names first woman chief district attorney

It's a step in the right direction for women in Jordan.

New Fall-themed blog header design

2010-10-17T12:55:00.000-05:00

If you read this on Google reader or another reader, I've made a new autumn-themed header with my kids pictures, so look at my blog directly to see it.

Fall is here!

Long week, big car problems

2010-10-17T12:46:00.007-05:00

This has been a long week. On Monday my tire was flatter than a pancake, and no spare. Someone came to change it, and he said there was leakage and the rim had to be sealed, so I went to the mechanics and had that done.

Tuesday my car was making klunking noises. I had my son's auto shop teacher look at it. I was going to bring it back on Thursday, but when I woke up on Wednesday morning, my car was gone. I filed a police report and got a ride to work and home. They found it in the middle of a a road several miles from my house that day. I had to pay $120 for the towing. When I went to pick it up on Thursday, it would not start. I tried to jump-start it, but it wouldn't stay on and it made a horrible noise. I had it towed to my mechanic, and he pronounced the engine dead.

I missed a lot of work this week because of the damn car. I don't know who stole it, the police don't know (or at least they don't have any direct evidence as to who did it), although they are speculating.

Someone at church offered me a car for several months as it will be her son's when he gets his license, so hopefully that will work out until I can buy another one or find an engine for the minivan that isn't too expensive.

Hopefully this week is better.

Long time no see, new pictures of the kids

2010-10-05T12:39:00.002-05:00

My daughter, 14 going on 35

My sons, ages 16 and 7

16 and driving, gulp!

First week of training done!

2010-07-17T19:39:00.003-05:00

It's been a busy week. We had to get used to getting up and around even earlier than we had to on school days. But we did it. My son had fun at our friend's house. She has a very gentle dog that he adores, and who likes having him around to play with.

Training is going well. We're learning a lot about appliances, as we will get calls for appliances that they have bought, and may be having problems with. It's a lot to learn, but we don't have to memorize everything. We have some great resources we can look up on the computer when a customer calls. We are using the appliances during training. We made yummy cinnamon rolls last week. We will be doing our trainer's bosses laundry soon lol. Washers are going so high tech, well actually most appliances are, it's amazing. Soon they will be able to run themselves!

1 1/2 more weeks of training, then watch out!

Anisah

What we've been up to

2010-07-09T14:03:00.006-05:00

I haven't posted much in a while. Just been feeling kinda meh.

School ended in early June, so the kids are home, bored of course. My daughter went to her dad's house for the summer. It is a lot quieter now lol. Her older brother couldn't go. He's busy working this summer. Same job he had last summer. He works at a restaurant. They don't get much business during the winter, so he mostly works summer and part of fall.

My younger son and I go to the library a lot. He's in the children's book club this summer. Every 10 books they read, they get a prize. He's reading really well. His first grade teacher told me he was reading at a 3rd grade level. I'm trying to get him to read a lot this summer. Maybe he'll be the one of my kids that is a bookworm like me!

My daughter and my 7 yo both had birthdays in June. His is the day after hers. We got a cake but didn't do much else. I should have more money to do more things with them when I'm working. Although then I won't have the time. I guess that is what weekends are for.

I've been feeling kinda meh. Census work is done. I didn't have much to do the last 3 weeks of it. I think I'll be getting one or two small checks from it.

And big news, I got a job. I had applied at this company before, but the interview was tough and I flunked it. I know someone who works there and they encouraged me to apply again. They were trying to hire 43 people to start training next week. I was nervous, but I finally did a week ago, and I am starting next Monday. We are contractors (temporary workers), but some people get on permanently there.

My son is working a lot and can't watch my 7 yo son. A friend that lives in town is going to babysit him. She has a dog that my son loves, and there are kids that live near her. I haven't had to find babysitting for years. He'll have fun with her.

Training will be 8:30-5 or 5:15 for 3 weeks, then we will get our schedules. We have to be available from 8 am to 8 pm Monday-Friday, and from 9-5 on Saturdays. If we work Saturday, we get a day off during the week.

I'm trying to get my house cleaned up, since I won't feel like it much when I'm working. Trying to get all the winter clothes up, and sort through clothes the kids have grown out of. I want to have a garage sale this summer. They are a PITA though.

Misogynistic quote Rant

2010-07-09T14:00:00.002-05:00

I've seen this quote around a lot lately:

A wise woman allows her man to think it was really his idea all along.

W T F??? Why do men need to think something is their idea? Are women so stupid that any idea we come up with, just because it's our idea, is flat out ignored?

Grrrr.

Ooops

2010-05-18T21:42:00.003-05:00

Rima Fakih was not the first Arab American Miss USA.

The first was Julie Hayek, who won in 1983.

First Second Arab-American Miss USA

2010-05-17T08:32:00.003-05:00

"Rima Fakih, of Lebanese descent, went into the pageant as Miss Michigan. She is thought to be the first Arab American and Muslim to become Miss USA..."

Read story

Damn Fox News!

2010-05-15T21:10:00.002-05:00

It seems like everyone I go to use wi-fi has fox news on, grrr. They seem to just keep repeating themselves.

A census we will go

2010-04-30T21:05:00.005-05:00

I finished up census training this week. Yesterday afternoon we went out to do interviews (we write the answers down that they give us) for a couple of hours. We have to read the questions verbatim (exactly as they are written). We have to ask if they and everyone in the house is male or female. I know kinda stupid, but the Quality Control people call a certain percentage of those we interview (we ask for their phone number), and ask them if we asked certain questions.

I got one interview yesterday. Today we finished up our training, did our test, then went out for a couple of hours in the afternoon. I got 3 interviews, then I locked my keys in my car! I had just gotten an interview at the house next door, and I went there to use her phone (mine was in my car too). I let my supervisor know, and then called the police dept. to see if they would open my car door. Some police departments will do that. They said no. The woman whose phone I was using said her fiance was going to come home soon and he could probably do it. So we talked until her guy got home. It was past time we had to quit, we couldn't get more than 8 hours today, so I just went home. They were really nice, and had a cute little dog.

I am enjoying doing the census. A lot of the people weren't home. The ones that were home answered the questions and were really nice. They even gave their phone numbers. So we'll see how the rest goes and how much work there is.

Not sure if I will be able to work tomorrow, my car is on empty. Someone hit my car in a parking lot a few weeks ago. They were going to give me a check today, they didn't want to go through their insurance company. I went to pick it up (the guy's son hit my car and left a note, I wasn't in the car). The guy looked at my car, and told me his son's car couldn't have hit my car there. So I went all the way there for nothing. I don't know if his son's car really hit it there or not. I thought it had. So no money for gas to work. I may not be able to go visit my son on Sunday either. My damn car cost over $400 to fix on Monday, and I still owe them a bit too.

2010-04-29T11:50:00.001-05:00

From our census manual: Wear comfortable shoes [while conducting interviews]. You may need to run. :-O

2010-04-26T09:01:00.001-05:00

Battery won't start again, damn it! Wtf. I have to work tomorrow. Does it ever end???

2010-04-24T13:17:00.001-05:00

I got my car back with a new $100 battery. Batteries are expensive. Glad it didn't need an alternator, that would have cost over $200 to put in.

2010-04-23T10:58:00.001-05:00

My damn car isn't starting. It got a jump, but the battery isn't charging.

Boobquake!

2010-04-21T18:15:00.003-05:00

In the name of Science I offer my boobs

I have a modest proposal.

Sedighi claims that not dressing modestly causes earthquakes. If so, we should be able to test this claim scientifically. You all remember the homeopathy overdose?...

Clarification about Boobquake

Facebook event

The twitter stream for #boobquake

Because I made a boob joke.

...That being said, I don't think the event is completely contrary to feminist deals. I'm asking women to wear their most "immodest" outfit that they already would wear, but to coordinate it all on the same day for the sake of the experiment. Heck, just showing an ankle would be considered immodest by some people. I don't want to force people out of their comfort zones, because I believe women have the right to choose how they want to dress. Please don't pressure women to participate if they don't want to. If men ogle, that's the fault of the men, not me for dressing how I like. If I want to a show a little cleavage or joke about my boobs, that's my prerogative...

So anyone want to do a scientific experiment on April 26th? I'm good to go!
Anisah, looking in her closet for something to wear on Monday...

Pushing Buttons

2010-04-17T22:52:00.001-05:00

Blog Titles

2010-04-14T18:12:00.009-05:00

How did you come up with the title of your blog? I don't remember exactly about mine, I guess it sounded good at the time. There are some really interesting ones out there.

One blog I go to is Mama I Married a Masri. Masri is Arabic for Egyptian. I always loved the title of her blog.

Another one whose title I like is named Between Obligation, Conscience, Beliefs and Desire. I can't link to it, it's a private blog. But I thought the title was very apt. Sometimes we are torn between all or some of those things.

Another is Confusion About Faith. We all go through that at one time or another.

Whenever I read the blog Anisah's Thoughts, it makes me smile, since I share her name.

This is a scrap blog I go to, love the title: Madness or Genius? Or both?. With me, maybe both lol.

My Immature Viewpoint (and stuff like that). True in advertising lol.

And last but not least, there is White Girl, Arab World. Reminds me of how I felt when I lived in Jordan.

I'm going to tag the writers of the blogs above and a few other people. If you'd like to muse about how you came up with the title of your blog, and your fav. title(s) of blog(s), please do. Anyone else who wants to talk about that subject can consider themselves tagged as well!

Coolred
Ginny
Majda
Mona
Organica
UmmTravis
Empress Anisa

Yard work time!

2010-04-10T14:46:00.003-05:00

Today is great weather. Our yard had TONS of leaves that didn't get raked up last winter. Our landlords came over and helped rake the leaves. Then we had lunch with them out on the deck. The weather is wonderful! I will probably take my 6 yo to the park. He wants to learn to ride a 2 wheeler without the training wheels. Have helmet, will travel!

Tough Love Clarification

2010-04-02T09:31:00.003-05:00

The 'hurt' is not about physical hurt. I was not talking about spanking or beating my child. Tough love is calling your kids on their shit, and having to watch them get punishment for what they've done, even if you are the one who was responsible for them getting punishment.

2010-04-01T13:50:00.001-05:00

Tough love hurts the parent more tham the child. Sigh.

2010-03-31T15:53:00.001-05:00

I'm enjoying the warm and sunny 77 degree weather at the park. Take that, Mother Nature!

More work for the census next month!

2010-03-31T15:03:00.003-05:00

I got a call today from the census. I'm going to be working again in late April. It's 4 days of training. They said it would last 3-5 weeks. We may even get overtime. Anisah

Bitchy comments

2010-03-28T16:52:00.002-05:00

You know who you are, Bitchy comments are not appreciated. I will not approve them. Sometimes I need to vent. It doesn't mean I think I'm perfect or anything. Would it kill you to be a little supportive? Obviously so! Sigh. Anisah, needs a village

The Word of the day

2010-03-26T12:36:00.001-05:00

That's me all right.

Arghhhhhhh!

2010-03-26T11:57:00.002-05:00

Yep, I'm having one of those weeks. I actually have been blogging on my private blog. I know, I made it then ignored it for months lol. I'm letting out my stress there, so check it out. If you haven't been invited, post a message below to ask.

2010-03-25T11:09:00.001-05:00

My damn battery is dead. Anybody got jumper cables?

Irony

2010-03-24T12:35:00.001-05:00

Yes I can see just how safe it is to drive there! From Probably Bad News

"Check it Right: You Ain't White"-Arabs in the Census

2010-03-15T14:32:00.005-05:00

My sister sent me a link to this a few days ago, and I'm finally getting around to blogging about it. A group is trying to get Arabs in the US not to check "white" as their race in the 2010 census.

blog post

It links to a Newsweek article about it.

After I read that, it got me to thinking about my children. My teenagers are half Egyptian, my younger one is half Palestinian. Should all from Arab countries just put Arab? What about those who speak Arabic but aren't considered Arab (like Sudan). Maybe they should have a place to check Multi Racial and spaces for someone to put their races. Someone on a message board suggested everyone just put American when were talking about race in general. Obviously 'American' is not a race. But should all Arabs be grouped together?
Then of course there are those other than Arab. Even just among Muslims, what about the Turkish, Persian (from Iran), Kurdish, etc? I don't have to worry about this, since I'm a mixed mutt about-as-light-as-you-can-get American. I think everyone should be able to put down what they feel is their race, whether Arab, Egyptian, Persian, etc. Or maybe they can put an additional question on the census and ask about ethnicity, which is really what the campaign is about.

Spring is here! At least on my blog

2010-03-13T13:37:00.001-05:00

I was playing around and came up with a new header for my blog. If you use a reader to read my blog, pop on over to the blog itself and see. It has been in the 50's and maybe even 60 lately, and some days it's even sunny! Happy Spring! ~ Anisah

Census questions revealed!

2010-03-08T15:17:00.004-05:00

I worked for the census last year and this year for about a week, but I was not able to see the forms. This is from the Governments' census site. Interactive form here (you can't fill it out online).
I put a few comments in, they are underlined. My next post is about to be about a blog talking about Arabs and them not putting "white" as their race.

The only information that is legally required is how many people are living at your residence. Anything you don't feel comfortable telling, then say so.

How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment, or mobile home on April 1, 2010?
We ask this question to help get an accurate count of the number of people in the household on Census Day, April 1, 2010. The answer should be based on the guidelines in the 'Start here' section. We use the information to ensure response accuracy and completeness and to contact respondents whose forms have incomplete or missing information.
Were there any additional people staying here April 1, 2010 that you did not include in Question 1?
Asked since 1880. We ask this question to help identify people who may have been excluded in the count provided in Question 1. We use the information to ensure response accuracy and completeness and to contact respondents whose forms have incomplete or missing information.
Is this house, apartment, or mobile home: owned with mortgage, owned without mortgage, rented, occupied without rent?.
Asked since 1890. Homeownership rates serve as an indicator of the nation's economy. The data are also used to administer housing programs and to inform planning decisions.
What is your telephone number?
We ask for a phone number in case we need to contact a respondent when a form is returned with incomplete or missing information.
Please provide information for each person living here. Start with a person here who owns or rents this house, apartment, or mobile home. If the owner or renter lives somewhere else, start with any adult living here. This will be Person 1. What is Person 1's name?
Listing the name of each person in the household helps the respondent to include all members, particularly in large households where a respondent may forget who was counted and who was not. Also, names are needed if additional information about an individual must be obtained to complete the census form. Federal law protects the confidentiality of personal information, including names.
~ Before 1850, only the name of the head of household was listed by name. Others in the household were listed by age range, gender, and race (most had the options of just white and black, some census had 'mulatto' (meaning mixed with black). ~
What is Person 1's sex?
Asked since 1790. Census data about sex are important because many federal programs must differentiate between males and females for funding, implementing and evaluating their programs. For instance, laws promoting equal employment opportunity for women require census data on sex. Also, sociologists, economists, and other researchers who analyze social and economic trends use the data.

What is Person 1's age and Date of Birth?
Asked since 1800. Federal, state, and local governments need data about age to interpret most social and economic characteristics, such as forecasting the number of people eligible for Social Security or Medicare benefits. The data are widely used in planning and evaluating government programs and policies that provide funds or services for children, working-age adults, women of childbearing age, or the older population.
Is Person 1 of Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin?
Asked since 1970. The data collected in this question are needed by federal agencies to monitor compliance with anti-discrimination provisions, such as under the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State and local governments may use the data to help plan and administer bilingual programs for people of Hispanic origin.
What is Person 1's race?
Asked since 1790. Race is key to implementing many federal laws and is needed to monitor compliance with the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. State governments use the data to determine congressional, state and local voting districts. Race data are also used to assess fairness of employment practices, to monitor racial disparities in characteristics such as health and education and to plan and obtain funds for public services. ~ There is a blank if you want to put another race. ~
Does Person 1 sometimes live or stay somewhere else?
This is another question we ask in order to ensure response accuracy and completeness and to contact respondents whose forms have incomplete or missing information.

Things that make you go hmmm

2010-03-03T18:50:00.000-05:00

2010-02-16T06:00:00.001-05:00

I kept waking up last night with an ear ache. I've got a damn cold. Why does this always happen on a day I have to get up?

2010-02-11T23:44:00.001-05:00

I'm going to work for the census again in a couple weeks. They called me today. Training is in less than 2 weeks. Paid training plus mileage. Gotta love government work.

A birthday, and ghosts of birthdays past

2010-01-29T11:25:00.008-05:00

Wednesday was my birthday. It was my ~~41st birthday~~ 2nd anniversary of my 39th birthday. Forever 39! I had to get my license plates and driver's license renewed. Nice birthday present ~~from~~ to the state: "Happy Birthday. Now give us money!". Shouldn't I be the one getting a present on my birthday, not them? Well it's government. It's not supposed to make sense.

My sister and my kids picked out a birthday card for me. It's got kitties singing happy birthday in meows. It's cute. My 6 year old got me a coffee thermos (my sister paid for it). I'm not a big coffee drinker, but I drink it occasionally. At my library they have a machine that makes individual cups of coffee, and they have a few flavors of coffee and tea there. I'm ~~drinking~~ waiting for my lemon tea to cool off right now. I didn't have a cake this year. I don't think 41 candles will fit on one!

I don't remember all my birthdays as a kid. When I was 9 we moved to a smaller town that we lived in (it was just a couple of thousand people, I think). On my next birthday, I invited everyone in my room at school (it was a 2 room school. I was in the Litle room we called it, grades 1-4. The room with grades 5-8 was, of course, the Big Room). My dad made a 2 layer cake, which turned out really well. It was a nice ltitle party. that's the only real birthday party I remember having. I'm sure we did family stuff for the ones before that, maybe at my paternal grandma's house.

I don't think I did anything for my 18th birthday. Right after I turned 18, I took my GED tests and left. My dad and I hadn't been getting along during my teenage years. He kicked me out when I was 17, then made me move back in when he found out I had met someone and was moving with him to a nearby state. If I hadn't moved back, he would have declared me an uncontrollable minor and I might have gone to a group home until I was 19 or 21, I don't remember what the attorney told me. So we put up with each other for a few months until I left.

I was kinda depressed on my 21st birthday. My husband wouldn't take the night off work to go out with me. A friend who had told me before she would bailed on me too. I had been to bars and drank before, they didn't check id then very much, but it's a big deal to go out when you are finally legal. I wouldn't have gotten drunk, but it's kind of a ritual, a tradition. Some places even give you one free drink on your 21st birthday.

My sister did a cool thing, though, for my 21st birthday. She had friends in my town at the SDA college. She called one of them, who got me a cake with my name on it and brought it over. I should have invited her in to have a piece, but I was depressed and the place was a mess. I hope she didn't think I was rude. I just wanted to do something special on my birthday and didn't get to. I don't know if I ever thanked my sister or her friend for that. But it really made my day.

Last year some friends found out it was my birthday the day before, and had a little party at their place for me. It was fun. I got a great book that I read and want to see the movie of.

. There's even a movie out, which I haven't seen yet but I want to.

I got another cool book for my birthday last year from my sister.

A library in Spencer, Iowa found a kitten in the book drop on a very cold January day. They were able to warm him up and revive him. They decided to keep it at the library. They named him Dewey Readmore Books. He lived 19 years at the library, and loved being the center of attention. The librarian took him home only when there was a long holiday. There's a bio of him on the library's web site, and he even has his own Facebook page with a lot of pictures. I keep telling our library we need a cat, but don't think they will get one. I heard they may make a movie of his story, with Meryl Streep playing the librarian.

A., you can never have enough books!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T18:55:00.001-05:00

What's in a name

2009-12-26T12:53:00.003-05:00

Names are pretty personal, but we have to depend on our parents to choose one for us. Kinda ironic. Some people like their name, some hate it. I know people that go by their middle name and don't tell anyone what their first name is.

When I was pregnant with my oldest 21 years ago (wow how time flies!), I didn't know if she was going to be a boy or girl. I went to a family doctor, and ultrasounds aren't common as they are today. I liked a name I saw on tv: Yasmine. I thought it was really pretty. Now her dad is Indian and Hindu, and he didn't like it one bit! I didn't really realize why at the time, but now I know that some Hindus and Muslims do not get along. Even the ones that do would not want their child named after the other.

I didn't know it was an Arabic/Muslim name, I just liked it. The character that had the name on my show was a princess, maybe that's one reason why I liked it. To me it was just a name I liked, not a Muslim or Arabic name. Then my sister asked what my mother-in-law's name was. When I told her, she suggested that we name her that. It was short and easy to pronounce. I had a boy's name picked out too: Todd. Now she thinks that's funny, but I liked it at the time! So lucky she was not a boy named Todd. She likes her name, even though she's in a waspish area and it's not common to have a name no one has heard of.

My other three children have Arabic/Muslim names because I was Muslim when I had them, and when you are Muslim, your kids have Muslim names. That's just "the way it is". I also chose a Muslim name for myself after I converted. I changed it legally after being Muslim a few years (I didn't before because I didn't have the money to change it). I kept it because I like it. I hating growing up with a common name (Lisa Ann), and I like having an uncommon name. In my area our names are uncommon. In New Jersey we lived in an area with a lot of Arabs and Muslims. On the Eastern part of Michigan there are a lot of Arabs (Detroit/Deerborne area), but this area doesn't have many. Although my son works at a restaurant and the owner's name is the same as my youngest son's name.

My dad was upset when I legally changed my name, even though it's not a family name and he didn't pick it or anything. To him everyone should look American, dress American, speak 'American', etc. Ironic, with him having 4 grandkids with 'foreign' names. His cross to bear, I guess.

A rose by any other name...

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-24T15:21:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays!

Holiday Memories

2009-12-23T14:11:00.004-05:00

This time of year brings back memories of the holidays my family and I shared while I was growing up. We had a small family, it was just my dad, me and older sister. We used to go to my grandma's (dad's mom) house for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and most other holidays or breaks. Usually it was just our family and my grandma and her husband, Charlie. He was a nice guy, very quiet. My grandma talked a lot (must be where I got it, hmm?), so he must have either been a good listener, or was good at pretending to listen. We always felt welcome at their house. Charlie sometimes had his kids over. They were older than my sister and I, I think. They didn't always come over, I think there was some estrangement there, which I didn't pick up on as a kid, but learned about later.

My dad and his mother in the late 1950's

I don't have any more recent pictures of her on my computer. Well I say more recent, she died about 20 years ago, but I only have the older family pictures on my computer. I have to see if my dad can scan the photos that he has.

A few holidays my sister and I went to our Grandpa's house. He was my mom's dad. He had remarried. I didn't feel that we weren't really welcomed by his wife, but later my sister told me what she picked up on. I was too young to really understand. After we moved to Nebraska when I was 14, I don't think I ever stayed at their place again, though I did see him occasionally. I lived in Kansas when he was in the hospital, in 1991 or 1992. My mom (who I call Beverly because she never tried to be a mom to me), had come up to see him from Florida, where she lived with her husband. I hadn't seen her since I was 13 or 14 and my sister and I had gone down to see her in Texas, where she lived at the time. When she picked up my daughter, who was about 2 at the time, she didn't even know how to hold her, and she had had three children! I was glad to finally meet my oldest sister then, she was from Beverly's first marriage (my dad was her second). She and I have kept in touch erratically. It's hard to really feel very close to someone that you didn't grow up with, even though you are related by blood.

This is my grandpa with my oldest daughter when she was a couple of months old in 1989.

Religion Is...

2009-12-18T12:35:00.008-05:00

I'm ~~stealing~~ borrowing this quote from from Kimdonsia, an Australia woman who recently left Islam. Here's her blog with her video about leaving Islam.

"Religion is a deceptive, illogical, egotistical suppressive load of bullshit that enslaves minds."

http://www.atheistcartoons.com

Long hair gets Mesquite prekindergartner in trouble

2009-12-15T17:10:00.003-05:00

Four-year-old Taylor Pugh, in prekindergarten at Floyd Elementary School, likes his hair long - just below his ears and along his collar in the back. He likes it longer in front. That length is outside the school district's dress code so the boy has been having lessons alone in the library. And his mother says the district has said he will be kicked out of school completely on Tuesday... Full story

It's not even very long! Makes me want to move there and let my sons hair grow longer than that.

Not sure if I can take any classes next semester

2009-12-14T21:28:00.002-05:00

Just when I got what I thought I had gotten all my loans out of default, a small one from the college I went to in Nebraska has popped up. Damn it. I thought they were all going to get out of default. If so, someone messed up. Otherwise, I have to figure out if they will accept a payment plan. Otherwise, I'm screwed and won't be able to get any financial aid.

Santa came a bit early

2009-12-13T17:31:00.003-05:00

This is an early Christmas present to myself. Probably the only gift I am going to get. It's a slider phone. It's not new but it's in good condition. It even has a camera! My first camera phone. It is in pink, but not hot pink, so that's ok. It was the only color she had.

Let it snow!

2009-12-09T11:14:00.004-05:00

We got our first snow this past week, and a bit of accumulation, although not much. Luckily we missed the big winter storms that have been happening in a few states lately. I'm sure the kids would have loved to be off school though.

I have my last speech tomorrow. I got 100 on my 3rd speech yesterday! I was expecting maybe a B, as it was hastily put together because I had strep last week and bronchitis this week. My speech was on the history of Santa, from good old Saint Nicholas to the Santa of today. It was kind of short, I thought she'd take off points for that but she didn't. Now to put together one today for tomorrow. I don't have to worry about it too much, if we do all 4 speeches she throws out the lowest score of one of our speeches. Speeches are easier than doing papers in English Comp.

My ex called today. Of course he can't take the kids for the holidays, grrr. I really need a break! My older daughter was thinking about coming up to visit, but she needs to get her car fixed, so won't have money to come.

Won't have a lot of money for Christmas this year. My dad will send me a bit of money and something for Ibi. My older son worked this summer and bought himself all kinds of goodies. I'll try to get something for my daughter. Maybe a gift card to Barnes and Noble. She got my bookworm gene. I might be able to get myself a cool used cell phone, other than that, doubt I'll get anything. At least I was able to get myself a laptop with a bit of my school money. Guess that will have to suffice.

Unitarian Bible study

2009-12-04T16:04:00.002-05:00

Patrick Stewart Talks about Violence Against Women

2009-12-04T14:01:00.002-05:00

He also experienced it in his home while he was growing up.

Survey says: Strep throat!

2009-11-30T17:57:00.001-05:00

I went to the doctor today. I have strep throat. I figured it was either that or flu. I got some meds today, and hopefully I will sleep better tonight than I have the past two nights. I was supposed to give a speech tomorrow, but my Professor moved my speech to next Tuesday.

2009-11-29T03:53:00.001-05:00

I have been awake more than asleep all night with a sore throat, chills and headache.

2009-11-28T22:17:00.001-05:00

Uggh. I feel like crap. I can't go see New Moon tomorrow, which I bought the nonrefundable tickets for online. I don't think I could even drive there if I tried. No, I am not going to try, much as I want to see it. I wish I could give them to someone, so at least they won't go to waste. Nite!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T23:09:00.001-05:00

Student Braves Controversy, Refuses to Recite Pledge

2009-11-22T22:56:00.004-05:00

That got him sent to the principal's office. The principal made him look up information about the flag and what it represents. Meanwhile, there was the inevitable call to his mother. At first, mom Laura Phillips told the Times, the principal talked about Will telling a substitute to jump off a bridge. When pressed, the principal admitted the whole incident was sparked by the boy exercising his constitutional right not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance...

Read all of story

His mother stood by him, which is probably to be expected for her raising a brave boy who stands up for the rights of others, even though it gets him in trouble. The flag is just cloth. Why should we "pledge" our allegiance to it? Or even to our country, for that matter. No, I don't hate America or kittens or anything. You can be a good citizen without pledging yourself to a country or to a ~~flag~~ piece of cloth. Americans think America is "all that and a bag of chips". Well get over it, you're not all that!

I would be proud of ~~my son~~ any of my kids not saying the pledge of allegiance, and would stand behind him as she did. Today I was at a basketball game, and of course the traditional National Anthem was sung (as it is at most sporting events). You could see that the majority of people had their hands over their hearts, but many of ~~them~~ us did not.

Why do people who are so "America rules!" think people who aren't are not good people or that we hate America? Free speech is not just for what you believe, folks.

Dictionary Word of the year: UnFriend

2009-11-18T15:31:00.004-05:00

click title above to read entire story

And, according to the New Oxford American Dictionary, it's the word of the year.

"Unfriend" beat out a tech-heavy field that included "netbook," "hashtag" and "sexting" to take the annual honor.

Very 21st century. But I've heard defriend more.

ETA: Seems like there's a debate over unfriend and defriend: 'Unfriend' or 'Defriend?' Facebook Fans Debate.

New Design!

2009-11-13T15:51:00.002-05:00

I made a new blog topper for my blog. I needed a fall look. How does it look?

I also may change the colors to match, I just don't have the time right now.

Anisah

Happy halloween!

2009-11-09T12:12:00.004-05:00

I was in the mood to make something Halloweeny, and made these from my friend's kids Halloween pictures.

School Daize

2009-11-08T21:09:00.002-05:00

Classes are going well. My 6 yo son keeps getting sick when I have a history test! Luckily the teacher is good about letting me reschedule. I got a 95 on my speech this week on breastfeeding. No, I didn't demonstrate. The other speeches are really interesting. We have a total of 4 speeches, and I have to do a speaker evaluation (not on someone in my class). We have to go by an outline, as well as give a copy of the outline to the teacher. The outline gets graded too. We have to cite our sources too of course. My English teacher keeps switching between APA and MLA style. We did one paper in each, and now we can choose one. In my speech class we have to use APA Style, so I'll do that in English Comp. as well.

My son was sick about a month ago. He had a fever and his throat hurt. I took him into the doctor, and he had strep throat. About 3 or 4 weeks later, another fever. He said his ear(s) hurt, so I took him in again. They said it was probably a viral infection, and he felt better in a couple of days. My speech teacher is good about excusing absences with an excuse AND documentation. So he's missed quite a bit of school already. Hopefully he is done at least for this semester!

Coincidence?

2009-11-08T20:58:00.005-05:00

Above from http://www.xkcd.com/

Five people who are members of my church teach at the local community college. It's a small church, about 35 official members, with others coming and going. What is such a coincidence is that they all teach English. I think one of them is the head of the English department.

Is there something about English and Unitarians? Or is it really a coincidence. Hmm.

A., Inquiring minds want to know!

Gone to the dogs!

2009-11-04T21:00:00.004-05:00

This is an article on a news web site. The ad right beside the article looked so funny, so I saved it. I think they need to try someone else on the computers besides the dog!

I photoshopped it to show what was funny to me. The dog is not part of the story, it was just an ad that was beside the article.

My son

2009-11-02T11:49:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't posted in a while. School, kids, and stress have been keeping me busy. Not having the internet at home makes it hard to post spontaneously.

I used a digital scrap kit to show off a couple of pictures for a challenge.

Yahoo mail sucks!

2009-10-13T09:03:00.002-05:00

I use my yahoo mail to backup things, photos, and other things. I hadn't done that for a few days, then I log in and get this:

To protect you, your account has been suspended from sending, saving, and receiving mail for up to 48 hours

What it really means:

Stop putting so much stuff on your Yahoo mail!!!

If you say the mail storage is unlimited, then mean it!

So hopefully I get my yahoo mail back by tomorrow.

2009-09-27T14:23:00.001-05:00

I feel like I have a mountain on my shoulders. People are walking by me. When I ask for help, they are unwilling or unable to help. Some days I just want to let go of the mountain and let it crush me.

College Dayz

2009-09-18T12:43:00.003-05:00

Second week of college finished this past week. I have two classes where I will be writing: English Comp, and Public Speaking. My English Comp teacher reminds me of Hagrid from Harry Potter:

He's a really nice guy. We're learning to read like a writer in his class. In public speaking, we're going to do our first speech in about two weeks. Just 5 minutes, to get us used to doing a speech outline and talking in front of the class. Anyone else wonder why speak has an a, but speech doesn't? I keep trying to type it as speach.

My online history teacher doesn't have his class up yet, until the time for late registration. I have to do some stuff for my online computer class.

So so far, so good. This week I've been feeling like crap. Have a bad cold, I think. Hopefully next week I will feel better.

Out With the Old...

2009-09-18T12:37:00.003-05:00

in with the ~~new~~ not so old.

My dad came to visit last week. He helped me get a van similar to the one pictured. My car was about to fall apart. The van has a bit of rust on it, but it runs well, and has a lot less miles on it. Plus we have lots more room. I'm trying to sell my old car for a couple of hundred, it's not worth much.

2009-09-15T05:50:00.001-05:00

My microwave had a small fire in it yesterday. It made a wierd sparking noise, and before I could get to it, started flaming.

I'm officially a college student!

2009-08-25T15:09:00.003-05:00

I got my loans out of default, and am registered for the fall semester. My major is Computer Information Systems, emphasis in IT (Information Technology). I may also take some web design courses.

This late, a lot of the classes were full, but some were open that I needed. I'm taking English Comp, American History, Intro to Public Speaking, and Comp. Operations. Two of them are internet courses. That definitely saves gas going to the college. Just 12 credit hours to start. I didn't have $ to get my student ID today, I will come back later this week to get it and my books. The people at the college are great. It's going to feel weird to be a college student again, and I'll have to study, gulp! I'll have some days free at home with the kids in school, so I'll have plenty of time to study. I have to fill out the application for work-study, so maybe I can get a job on campus.

Anisah, college girl

I won a challenge!

2009-08-25T13:24:00.004-05:00

I do challenges using Paint Shop Pro, a graphic designing program at several sites. After everyone submits theirs, there is a vote. I won with this tag:

I think I am going to pick a scrap kit as my prize. I'll post a pic of it when I get it. I use scraps on the computer for making tags.

Here is a picture of the scrap that I won:

Anisah

Finally started my private blog

2009-08-19T11:40:00.002-05:00

I finally started my private blog. If you'd like to be invited, please leave a message here with your email address. I will not link each post to here, so if you have been invited, check there for my private posts.

House cleaning

2009-07-27T12:20:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't posted in a while. Sometimes I have something I want to say, but by the time I get to the net, it just goes out of my head. Hopefully I can get the internet at home before too long.

My kids and I clash over them cleaning up after themselves. they will cook something for themselves, then just leave the pan in the sink. They must think the house cleans itself!

College or Bust

2009-07-21T17:55:00.001-05:00

I went to see someone in the Financial Aid Dept. yesterday. They said as soon as I made my 6th consecutive monthly payment and my student loans are in default, make sure they get a letter from the Education Dept, and I should be able to get Pell grant money for the fall. That will be next month. I was worried about it (the grant $) being all gone, but they said it shouldn't be a problem. I was going to see an adviser, but I had an appointment and didn't have time to wait. Friday I am going for an appointment in town, so I will go and wait for a walk-in appointment.

Anisah, future college student

Blog Changes

2009-07-03T10:53:00.003-05:00

I have been pondering some blog changes. I did recently make it private. Then I realized I wanted some posts to be private, some public. You can't put a password on posts in Blogger. You can at Wordpress, however you cannot edit your template there, which I like to do.

I am going to make another private blog, which those invited can read. I may also link there from here when I make posts. You will have to be logged into google to read the private blog. I'd like to keep some personal things, as well as my kid's pictures, private, so I know who is reading those posts.

New Design

2009-07-02T16:10:00.002-05:00

I thought I had replaced my header, but I still had it snowing on my blog. Can't have that in the summer!

Anisah

Batter up!

2009-06-22T10:55:00.004-05:00

My son playing with his birthday present. He had a lot of fun. It also pops the ball up, which we will try next. Yes I played around with the first picture, there's not two of him lol.

I don't even know my last name

2009-06-17T13:41:00.003-05:00

I actually do know my last name, but the title is a title of a country song, and I just had to use it.

I gave my youngest son my last name when his dad didn't come for his birth. I kept my maiden name when I got married. I've talked to him about his dad, shown him pictures, told him his name, answered his questions as to what I think his ability to understand is.

The other day my daughter told my son his dad's last name, and said that it was her brother's REAL last name. I tried to explain to him that some kids have their dad's last name, some have their moms, but he doesn't get it. He says that's his REAL last name. I guess he wants to be like his big brother and sister and actually really have a dad (that he can talk about or see or something). I grew up without a parent, so I kinda know what he may be going through. He doesn't have a man in his life he can look up to and do the dad stuff with. He looks up to his big brother, but he is only 14.

Sigh. Sometimes life is a PITA.

2009-06-16T07:47:00.001-05:00

Ibi and I are enjoying the nice weather out on the deck. I'm taking pics with my 'new' (used from my dad but only a year old) camera.

First Library Card!

2009-06-12T14:58:00.004-05:00

My son turned 6, and got his first library card. He's so excited. He wanted to keep it himself, but I know he'd lose it in a couple of days. He had to write his name on it, but his handwritting is so large, he only had room to write his first name lol.

He'll be a bookworm (like me) yet!

Guess who finally called?

2009-06-08T16:49:00.003-05:00

Yep, the ex. Ya, I almost fainted!

He called to tell our daughter happy birthday. I did text him the day before to remind him, but at least he called. Actually he called and I must not have had a signal, it didn't ring. I got a voice mail message from him. So I called him back, and told him he had to talk to me after he talked to our daughter. So I ask him what is going on. He hemmed and hawed, and said that he's waiting for some money, blah blah blah. Not sure when he can get the kids. And oh, he'll only get them for 2-3 weeks. Lovely! I'm sure he's still sending his wife and 2 little kids to Egypt. Has money for that, but not for his 2 older kids, sigh.

It will be nice to have a small break, but I will only believe it when he buys the tickets, with the way he is. He can be a good dad, when he chooses to be. Don't know which is worse: that, or a father who never really cared about or saw his child. To me the first.

I signed my little one up for some programs at the library, so I'll try to keep busy.

2009-06-04T12:12:00.001-05:00

I am swinging at the park. It's a beautiful day. Sunny, but not too warm. I discovered blogging from my cell phone, very handy.

2009-06-01T12:26:00.001-05:00

I wish my ex would stop avoiding my calls and tell me if he is going to get our kids for the summer or not! HE is the one who called and told me AND them that he would fly them there. Put up or shut up!

Monday Musings: Women

2009-06-01T10:59:00.002-05:00

I just read a book: "Princess: A True Story of Life Behind the Veil in Saudi Arabia. It was by a member of the Saudi Royal Family. It got me thinking about my girl's lives. They are very lucky not to have to worry about a father or other figure in control of their lives. Telling them to stay at home, not being able to go out alone, or forcing them to marry whoever they choose. What an awful life! Yes the princess had everything she needed growing up that money could buy, but she didn't have freedom of choice. Luckily the man her father picked turned out well, but it could have been quite a different life for her.

Why do women have to live this way?

Life, Actually

2009-05-28T12:06:00.005-05:00

We went to a drive-in the other day with a friend and her kids. I haven't been to one in over 20 years! I didn't realize they still had drive-ins around, or that it's much more of a family thing than it was years ago. Then it seemed like more of a teenager or date thing. My older son had to work, so it was my daughter and my 5 yo son's first time at a drive-in. We saw Night at the Museum 2, and Wolverine, Xmen Origion. I loved the Xmen movies, and was disappointed in Wolverine. Of course, Hugh Jackman always looks hot! We didn't get home until 2:30, yawn! And Ibi was cranky the next day. He always is when he gets tired. Must get that from his dad's side * innocent look.

We didn't do anything for Memorial Day, except take naps from being up late from the drive-in.

Next Wed. is the last day of school. My older kids are supposed to go with their dad for the summer. I say supposed to, because he often makes promises he doesn't keep. But he seems to be serious this time. I hope so, I need a break from them, and they need to spend time with their father and their little brother and sister at his house. I really need some peace and quiet at my house. I've had a lot of conflicts with my older 2 kids, esp. my daughter.

I've had my ups and downs lately. A few days ago I got out of my funk, and am feeling pretty good. I'm hopeful about going to college this fall.

I went to a lot of garage sales a couple of weeks ago. I got a big couch, a dryer, and finally found one big bookcase. The dryer works, but has issues. It's going to be looked at this weekend. You have to be careful when you touch it, or you get shocked! Luckily I have slippers that must have rubber soles, I haven't been shocked yet! My son didn't believe me, until he wore them when he got his clothes out of the dryer. It is nice to have clothes nice and soft, and dry right away!

Some friends and I were going to have a cookout at a campground nearby, but it is kind of cold and wet today, so we are going to do it at one of their houses. I'm going to make potato salad for the first time. Hopefully it will be edible!

I'm Committed

2009-05-15T12:38:00.004-05:00

This week I signed the membership book at the Unitarian Univeralist congregation I have been going to for over 2 years. I am officially a member. I really like the people who go there. I never thought I'd join a church, before I went to a UU church (aka congregation). I grew up Seventh-day Adventist, a pretty conservative Christian church, along with going to their church schools. It's not just going to their church and forgetting about it the rest of the week. It's a whole lifestyle. It probably was good that my dad joined the church when he did, he was drinking and drugging way back then.

Then I was Muslim for a few years. I really don't know what I believe, but I don't believe in Christianity. I'm pretty much agnostic. I thought all churches talked about Jesus and being saved. I didn't want to go to a place like that. I know there are people who believe that. That's great for them. But not for me. If you think I'm going to hell because of it, then great. I just don't need to hear it. Keep those kinds of opinions to yourself, and I'll keep mine to myself of your beliefs.

What do Unitarian Univeralists believe? Here's some info from the Unitarian Univeralist Association Website

There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

They are accepting of everyone, no matter your belief or your lifestyle. Unitarian Univeralists are very non-judgmental and accepting.

2009-05-14T16:56:00.001-05:00

MIGHT be 2/3 child free this summer. If my ex does get our kids like he says he will. With him, you never know!

Movie, and musings on Immigration Issues

2009-05-13T10:05:00.003-05:00

I saw a movie today, called The Visitor.

A widowed college professor travels to New York City to attend a conference and finds a young couple, who turn out to be illegal immigrants, living in his apartment

The movie starts out kind of boring. A professor is living his boring, milktoast life. Then he has to go to NYC (New York City aka The City) to present a paper. He really doesn't want to go there. His life seems to be in a rut he's used to. When he gets to his apartment in NYC, he surprises a couple that is living in his apartment. Someone who had the key rented it to them. Even though he's educated, he doesn't seem to have been around people of other cultures much.

They are trying to find another place, but he ends up letting them stay because they can't find one. He learns the drums, and gets to know the couple as people, until they have immigration problems. I won't give away any more, for anyone who wants to watch the movie.

This movie makes you think about the United State's Immigration policies. Yes, someone who overstays their welcome, or comes here illegally, has broken the law. But should they be treated as criminals? The conservatives want them deported, "go back where you came from". How do they think we all got here? Our ancestors were immigrants too! We don't know if they came here legally or illegally.

From my personal experience with immigrants, they are just trying to make a better life for themselves and their families. They are not taking jobs away from Americans. Most of the time they are doing the jobs that Americans don't want to do. Even those that come here who were doctors in their country oftentimes have to work jobs such as cab drivers for years until they can get certified. How many doctors in the US would work a job like that for years? Not very many!

I know, a country has to have laws. But trying to balance laws and treating people as human beings is a hard thing to do. We have to remember that they are PEOPLE with FEELINGS. Not just "illegal immigrants". Do you think they like to come to a country and be treated as criminals? That's not my idea of a good time. I saw poverty when I lived in Jordan, and there are a lot of countries that make the people in Jordan look rich.

I don't have an answer or a way to magically fix the problem. But if we speak up, we can have a say in how people from other countries are treated. We elect the politicians, after all!

Please hear what I'm not saying

2009-04-30T12:04:00.003-05:00

I heard this many years ago, when I was in grade school. I feel like I have a facade a lot of the time.

Don't be fooled by me.
Don't be fooled by the face I wear.
For I wear a mask, a thousand masks, masks that I'm afraid to take off, and none of them is me.
Pretending is an art that's second nature to me, but don't be fooled.
For God's sake don't be fooled.

I give you the impression that I'm secure,
that confidence is my name and coolness is my game,
and that I need no one.
But don't believe me.
My surface may seem smooth but my surface is my mask,
ever-varying and ever-concealing.

Beneath lies no complacence.
Beneath lies confusion and fear and aloneness.
But I hide this. I don't want anybody to know it.
I panic at the though of my weakness and fear being exposed,
That's why I frantically create a mask to hide behind,
a nonchalant sophisticated facade, to help me pretend,
to shield me from the glance that knows.

But such a glance is precisely my salvation.
My only hope, and I know it.
That is, if it's followed by acceptance,
if it's followed by love.
It's the only thing that can liberate me from myself,
from my own self-built prison walls,
from the barriers I so painstakingly erect.
It's the only thing that will assure me
of what I can't assure myself,
that I'm really worth something.

I don't like to hide.
I don't like to play superficial phony games.
I want to stop playing them.
I want to be genuine and spontaneous and me,
but you've got to help me.
You've got to hold out your hand
even when that's the last thing I seem to want.

Only you can wipe away from my eyes
the bland stare of the breathing dead.
Only you can call me into aliveness.
Each time you're kind and gentle and encouraging,
each time you try to understand because you really care,
my heart begins to grow wings, very small wings,
but wings!!

With your power to touch me into feeling
you can breathe life into me
I want you to know that.
Who am I, you may wonder.
I am someone you know very well.
For I am every man you meet,
and I am every woman you meet.

Another Monday!

2009-04-27T13:10:00.003-05:00

I know I haven't kept up my Monday Musings, but I've been busy working for the Census. Right now I'm on a lunch break, and hoping it doesn't storm so I can get more hours in today.

I think it's time for me to make a committment. It's something I've been thinking about. I do get scared because of things that happened in my past, but I think it's something that will be good for me and my kids. It is kinda scary for me, because of my past committments that didn't work out. But I have to think positively. More on this later.

I have a confession: I'm an avoider. If someone is calling me and I think they are mad at me or I am going to get in trouble of some sort, I don't answer it. I know, pretty cowardly to do. It's hard for me to not do it. Sometimes even when I have the money for a bill, I don't pay it. I need to stop avoiding things.

Things I've learned from working for the census:

Come on people, put your house number on your house! How do you expect people to find you otherwise?

Please don't leave your dog not tied up if you are not home. Esp. if he barks and/or looks really mean.

Don't put those cute signs that look like street signs with your name on them. It's really not that cute. They are very annoying.

Housing Developments are very annoying to get around in. My old car sure doesn't fit in there!

I am not trying to sell you anything. I am just doing the job I am paid to do. I don't need anything from you (unless you're one of the aforementioned people who don't have their house number on their house), I just want to let you know why I am on your property.

My lunch break is almost over, time to go back to work and hope it doesn't storm! I will work in the rain, but prefer not to work in storms.

Haven't posted in a while

2009-04-18T09:53:00.003-05:00

This past week I started training to work for the census. It takes 2 years, total, to get everything done for the census. And they don't even send out the forms until next year! We are just updating the maps and making sure we have all residences on the address list, so everyone gets a form. Whoever doesn't send it back, will get a visit from a census worker. Hopefully I can get some work next year too. We'll see. This isn't the job I mentioned before about possibly getting. This is about a 2 month job working for the US Census.

Thursday we worked in groups of 3 or 4, and yesterday afternoon we all worked alone for the first time. It took me a while to find the area, those darn subdivision areas. And people, come on. Put your house number on or around your house! I need to get some good shoes this weekend. My area is rural, so I will not be walking from house to house, in some areas at least. Others I will, so I better get prepared. We have hand held computers with maps in them, plus gps. We get paid for our mileage, and time going to work and coming back. The pay is pretty good too.

I hope I can work for a couple of months so I can get caught up on my bills, and maybe take a summer class. We have to take privacy very seriously, we could get a huge fine and go to prison for divulging information about any of the houses we go to. The census doesn't share any info with any other government agency either.

Last week was spring break. We went to the library a lot, and slept late. Not much to do at home without cable or internet.

I'm enjoying the nice weather. I went to the park with my 5 yo on Wednesday. I had fun swinging, it relaxed me a bit. I need to get in better shape. Hopefully the walking for work will help.

After I get off the internet, I'm going to relax today. I bought a bunch of books at a rummage sale this morning, and I'm going read today. I haven't worked full-time in a long time. I tried to go to bed at 10 last night, but my dad called at 10 and we got to talking. I almost fell asleep on the phone I was so tired.

What is the last number? and other musings

2009-03-23T11:36:00.000-05:00

The other day my 5 yo son asked me "What's the last number?". I told him there is no last number. Numbers go on forever. Took him a while to think about that. Sometimes kids ask the deepest questions that adults think we don't have time to think about. Sometimes we're so busy living our lives, and worrying about money and things like that, that we don't stop to "smell the roses" along the way.

An example of the way kid's minds work: This was when my older 2 (currently 12 and 14) were about 7 and 9. I would take them to McDonalds and Burger King that had play places so they could play there, esp. in winter and bad weather. We got started thinking about having one of those for dogs and cats. What kind of food would they have, how would they order (like a picture menu, for example), what kind of stuff they would like to play on. It went on for over an hour. I wish I had a tape of that, it was so fun using our imaginations.

I read in the newspaper about a woman's support group meeting at my local library a couple of times a month. I called and got info on it, and am going to go at the next meeting. I don't have many friends in this area, and have been up and down the last few months.

Things have been up and down. Nothing much going on. Next week is spring break, ugggh! Home with a 5 yo and 2 teenagers. Maybe I'll run away from home lol.

What do I want to be when I grow up?

2009-03-16T10:56:00.001-05:00

I took the assessment test last week. It's not an entrance exam, but a way to assess if you need to take basic english or math courses. I did well, and don't have to take any basic classes.

Last week in our class we took the Kuder Career Planning tests, at www.Kuder.com. It assesses your interest and skills in various areas of employment, and helps give you an idea of what kind of work may fit you. Anyone can take it online, but it does cost if you do it on your own. You may be able to take it through a local college for free. We did, so it was.

This week I have an appointment with a career counselor to go over my results, so I can figure out what I want to be when I grow up. You can find out information about different jobs on the Kuder web site to find out what skills you need to be successful in that job, what kind of pay you can find in the part of the country you are in, and what the job prospects are. You don't want to study something and find out when you finish that there are few or no jobs.

My lowest interest and skills were in Sales and Management. That didn't surprise me. It did surprise me that Outdoor/Mechanical were higher than that. I have no skills in that area and no interest either.

It showed my highest interests were Science and technical, and Business Operations. I'm not really interested in Science as a career, even though I love learning about Science. I am good with computers though.

My highest skill was in Social/Personal Services. I am good dealing with people. I enjoy talking with them and helping them.

I'll see what the career counselor says tomorrow about my results. They don't tell you what to do, they help guide you to what would be a good fit for you, depending on your goals, what education is available, etc.

Another Manic Monday

2009-03-16T10:41:00.003-05:00

Another Monday rolls around. Time is sure flying this year. It has warmed up, and I hope the warm weather stays. I am really tired of the winter.

A place closed that I liked to go to. The economy sucks when it affects local businesses.

There might be a job prospect in the future. It's not certain, so I'll wait to find out if it pans out. It is something I could do from home and something I'd enjoy doing.

Things have been up and down at home. Spring break is in 2 weeks. I have to find stuff for the kids to do so they don't drive me nuts. The week after that I start working for the census. That will really help me catch up on some bills.

I love finding old friends on facebook, seeing what people have been up to since grade school or high school.

Dreams

2009-03-11T15:05:00.004-05:00

I had a strange dream last night. In my dream, I was married to a guy (no one I know IRL: in real life). We went to a mall together that I'd never been to. We were doing our own thing, then I couldn't find him. Anywhere. For some reason, I thought he might have had a heart attack or something. I even went into the men's bathroom to find him lol.

Then I think it was the next day (not sure if I went home or stayed all night in the mall). I went into a room and I think it was a funeral. No one would tell me who it was for. For some reason I thought it was for my husband, so I was crying. Then he came in and sat down beside me, like nothing had happened the day before. I got pissed at him that he had just taken off the day before and left me worried about him.

I think this was about my fear of abandonment. I've been abandoned by my mom, husbands, and friends. Plus I do get lonely for some adult companionship. No, not really THAT (not usually anyway lol), just someone to talk to and who wants to be with me, and who accepts me for me.

A, feeling a bit lonely

Hmm, something sounds fishy to me!

2009-03-09T15:56:00.002-05:00

Today I went to the college early to take my assessment tests. My son texts me and asks if he can go to stay at his friend's house overnight, after he does his chores. I said yes.

Then I remembered that his friend has 2 seperate houses in the town (mom's and dad's). I called my son up and asked if his friend was going to be at his dad's or his mom's house. He said his friend's mom's house. So I asked for the mom's number. I thought I had saved his friend's parent's numbers on my phone, but maybe I hadn't. He told me that they might be staying at his dad's house. I again asked for the mom's number, as well as the dad's. He asked me if I was gonna call them. I just asked for the numbers again. Something seems to be up, doesn't it? No, I ask for everybody's number just for the hell of it.

He said just a minute. Then came back, and said his friend called and said he can't stay the night, but they are going to hang out. Bottom line seemed to be that he didn't want to give me his friend's number. So I told him he can't leave the house.

For some reason he didn't want me to call his friend's parents. I am going to save his friend's parents number somewhere other than my phone, in case he wants to take them off so I don't have them.

A, parenting teenagers can be hard work!