Blogging

Yes, I wish I was more up to date. Problem is I can only do this when hubby is asleep..... Yeah, my sister and I sooo need to talk... lol

So, new and interesting....
Nothing new... but I have been meaning to blog about the world.
We have been following the story of Sandra Cantu. I feel absolutely horrible for her. My son has been following her story and makes us pause every time it comes on the news. To catch up, she is an adorable 8 year old little girl who vanished in Tracy. Just this week her body turned up in some kind of suitcase in a ditch somewhere. My 10 year old saw the story from the beginning when she first disappeared. Every time the news came on we had to stop and listen to the story of her disappearance. Now, I try not to be pessimistic and I was absolutely hoping for the best, but when the news revealed that her body was discovered I was not shocked. What does disturb me is that there are people out there who can do horrific things to innocent children. She is an absolutely adorable 8 year old child and someone killed her. That bothers me. Those kinds of things make me cry. Not only for her and her family, but also to have to explain the mean people who exist in the world to my innocent 10 year old. I cry when I think about her innocence being taken away and for the pain her family is going through. No, I don't live near Tracy, but as a mother, what her parents must be going through is just horrific. How can someone do such a horrific thing to such an innocent girl??? It boggles the mind. Beyond that, from what we've heard from the news is many children from the area are traumatized. Go figure??? My 10 year old has been following the story with great interest and I am at a loss as to what to tell him. Trusting in people will get you nowhere apparently. Don't go outside alone ever. My 3 year old has learned how to open the front door by herself, and boy am I freaked out. Her short leash just got shorter.

Respect

Well, it hasn't even been 24 hours back and I am hating life at my parents. It started last night... first they pump my son for info as to what we did, where we went, and who we saw while visiting Southern California. Then they go back to their controlling ways. My son is homeschooled through a school district in Simi Valley, but we live in the Milpitas School District boundary. So, of course, their vacations are entirely different. My mother will not let my son outside of the house before 3:00 on a school day because, well, everyone else is in school. He was talking about missing his friends and how happy he was to be with them and she told him he needs to widen out and make older friends. Hello, he's crazy about his aunt who is older than him... But I digress. She said next week he'll have that opportunity. She's making plans for him, much to his great dismay. Now, I know the school up here is out for winter break, but he does not have off until April. But, because it's her idea, it's totally different. I told her that he has school next week, but she said it doesn't matter, he can do it any time. Excuse me!!?? I told my husband and he told me not to overreact. To me, it's a matter of respecting me as his mother, especially when my son is pleading with me to not make him go with her. If I say he has school, which, in fact, he does, that should be that. Not a "well, it's home school so it doesn't matter". I am so irritated. Yes, he's ahead, but they don't know that. I need to make some plans for next week in a big hurry....

Chicken Soup

I have to tell you, I am rather sick of chicken soup. We have all been sick so much in the last couple months that I made the third batch yesterday. Did I want some? Heck NO! But, it's soothing and makes you feel good. On a positive note is also is low fat and low calorie. But I am seriously sick of it. Got to get better soon so I can have something that tastes.... different than chicken soup.

Children - Found

I found my children. Unfortunately, it was only for 5 days. I have been living with their "shells" for several months, but their real personalities came out. We talked as a family and came to understand that we didn't know how much they hated living with their grandparents. Not only do they have to answer to two sets of parents, one set is extremely strict and rigid in their thinking. But, take them out of that environment and they totally blossomed. My daughter smiled, laughed, and yes, even giggled. She went to everybody and gave hugs and kisses. She even, gasp, initiated a hug to her brother. And he, surprisingly enough, hugged her back. Now that we understand their frustration now it's up to us as the parents, to find a way to bring their personalities back. The personalities quickly retreated as we made the return drive back. So, I have to now let my fingers do the walking and find jobs quickly so we can get the heck out of here. Something has to give and it can't be the kids. Childhood is over so quickly that it is important that they are able to look back and have happy memories. So here's to good memories for everyone. For me... it's busy, busy, busy... happy job hunting.

New Year

And with a new year comes the usual list of things to do, things to stop doing, things to better oneself. My goals for this year are to remain optimistic, get healthier (and yes, lose weight). So far the tips I have received are to run, eat more small meals, and drink green tea. Running has become difficult because it's raining. Mother Nature is sabotaging my efforts. Hey, it was worth a shot. I also found a diet that seems to be workable, which is the Biggest Loser Diet. It incorporates more fruits and vegetables, which is also a weakness. It worked out well that the first few days of the new year we were sick. Homemade chicken soup... Lean meat, and vegetables. So far the green tea has been the easiest to stick to. We'll see what happens.

Self Employment

Overall, I'd have to say that self employment totally sucks. Number one, it is difficult to round up work to support yourself. Number two, once said job is located and secured, then completed, it is difficult to secure payment. Now, both my husband and myself are self-employed. As a real estate agent in California, it is extremely difficult to find sellers, much less buyers with the government cracking down on the qualifications. My husband is a contractor. Also, a difficult arena of work. Now, my husband finally managed to land a job, and finish it. He finished it last Friday. It would have been finished a day or two earlier, except the weather didn't cooperate and allow the paint to dry.--side note... He finally finished the job last Friday. As of today, a Saturday (and a week later) he still hasn't been paid. As the spouse of a self employed person, would it be asking the world to pay when the job is completed. As of today I am overdrawn on my bank account. Not through any fault of my own.... The work has been done, and it's a week later.... and still no paycheck. Self employed people are not rich. My husband happens to have a couple of other jobs lines up down the road.... but we need you to pay when the job finishes. We don't have that padded bank account.... We are the little people.... The kids' getting food, diapers, milk, etc. depends on you paying us upon completion of the job. Nowadays, even the big people need to get paid. Economic times and all..........

My Job

So, I have finished my temp position at Macy's and have met a variety of people, all of whom I have enjoyed (except for the occasional obnoxious customer). Everyone has a story at to why they they are working. No one is trying to mooch of society, but all has a desire to earn their income. I have to totally admire that kind of commitment. Not all are earning their paycheck, and yes, if I were their boss, I would totally have fired them a long time ago. That being said, they all have compelling stories for being on the job and all really need the income. My job may have ended, and theirs are continuing, and I wish them all the best.