Trick or Treat

Tonight was the first time Alex went out for halloween; at first he wasn't sure if he wanted to go. He said he might be scared going up to houses, well the first house we came to that kid ran up to the house rang the doorbell said trick-or-treat, thank you and ran down. You'd think he been doing this for years. He said he's going out next year.

I tried uploading some pictures from his halloween party at school but it wouldn't let me, so I'll try again tomorrow.

Our Church Anniversary Dinner

We had dinner at the Church today celebrating 31 years, I was able to get pictures of most of the people who were there. Above is one of the elderly ladies at church giving me the finger (pinky finger).


Below is Steve our song leader and the adult sunday school teacher. I tried getting people with food going into their mouth, but every one was to wise for me. Or I wasn't sneaky enough.
Below is Ron our bus driver, and a good hearted man who would do anything thing for anyone. Usually he's at the beginning of the line, but today I think he was the end.

Below is Wanda a very sweet lady who was once a member. Today she came and joined us in the celebration. It was good to see her. Beside her in the white is Kathy our piano player and wife of the preacher. To the right is some more ladies from the church.
This young man is Josh, when I was teaching sunday school for the 6-8 year olds he was in my class. Now he's almost 18 in the 12th grade and going to graduate this year. Time sure has gone by quick. Beside him is his grandma, who's very proud of him.


Ron and Barb enjoying the food. A few young people in the church and Our Pastor Bill.

My Little Girls

Here are a coule of pictures of the little girls I take care of at the Church nursery. The little girl above is Jadon she's about 1 1/2 her and Alex had fun this morning. I told her to give him a kiss, so she puckers up. She is the sweetest little thing, always saying thank you and I don't have to tell her to say it.

Aleshia is only 6months old I haven't seen her crawl but she sure is trying to walk. She is so little, tiny, petite you think you should be holding her but she wont let you. Both girls love to follow Alex around, it's so cute.

A Lazy Boring Saturday

Last saturday I did a little bit of fall decorating on the front of my house. Today I decided to carve a couple pumpkins, so far I've got one finished but I need to give my hand a break. So I decided to clean off the back porch area where I've been keeping items I've bought for my new house (WHICH I'LL NEVER HAVE). I amazed at how much I have; just going through trying to see what I can throw away, I ended up getting rid of 1 garbage bag full. So Sad. Alot of it I bought on sale, at the time we were looking at houses, I assumed it happen. When it didn't I would put the items up. Each time we looked at houses I assumed this time would be the real thing, so I wanted to get ahead and have nice things for my house. Such a stupid! thing to do. No house; lots of stuff, maybe I'll end up having a real good yard sale this summer.
Now I'm tired of trying to clean the back porch, and I'm done venting, I'll go and carve my other pumpkin.



Here are my carved pumpkins, one is suppossed to be a howling wolf and the other just a face. The one in the middle is just a big ole brat, which I can't get to wear shoes when he goes out his excuse is, "I forgot"

These are just a couple shots of the front of my house, showing how little I decorated. I have a big sign of a turkey wishing everyone a happy turkey day, I'll just replace one scarecrow with the sign for November.

Lunch

Today I decided to take my son out to lunch. We went to McDonalds since it's just 1/2 a block away. We had time to walk there, eat, play and get back in time. Here I'm doing one of Chelseas numbers by holding the camera and getting myself in the shot.

Hospital Gown

On Oct 5th I took Alex & Chelsea to their Dr. appts his physical was first then an hour later Chelsea had a Dermatologist appt. While waiting for his Dr. to come in Chelsea told him of a game she likes to play called papparizze and started taking pictures of him in his to big hospital gown that was open in the back. He was sooooo upset he tried punching her but the more he punched the harder she laughed. So I thought I would embarress him even more by showing everyone.

Finally she gave up on the pictures and they became buddies again. Big sisters sure can be a pain in the butt.

My Family

Here are some pictures of my work family. Since I've been at this new job I haven't got to see them much. Seated is Mrs Jackson a long time friend I've known her since I was a kid. Standing on left is Tama I've also known her a long time, I went to school with her. Tina is in the middle I met her when she started working her son Randy and Alex have been in the same class since kindergarten. She's also Tams sister-in-law. On the right is Mrs Hassine I also meet her for the first time when she started working at the school not long after she moved her from Yemen.

Here is Carol on right and Mrs Abbott who is also a long time friend of the family and is Tams mother and Tinas mother-in-law. I've known Carols sister a long time but didn't meet Carol until she started working with us. Carol took over my hall job recording all tardy kids, but they took away the rolling cart and put a T.V on it, so it looks like they're standing around doing nothing. This person who just happens to be Mrs. Abbotts other daughter Tempie. I also went to school with her, we had an art class together her last year of high school. We became good friends that year, we both were sorta quiet in school and ended getting together through just that one class. She is so different than what she was in high school. She's very outgoing, a praticial joker just a very likable person. When I started working at the school they gave me one of her jobs, which was recording the tardy kids. Although Tempie is an SSA which is the title I just became. I couldn't resist adding her as part of my old group.At the end of the day I ended up hearing some bad news all but 2 of the aids got their pink slip, rumor has it they were keeping 3, I would have been the 3rd but I moved onto this other position. It's so sad I feel like I'm losing part of my family. Leave it to Carol to make a joke about her pink slip, (which wasn't pink it was white) saying the board of ed is to cheap to send their notice on pink paper.

Bundled up

It has been very cold today, and it ended up snowing, We've only had snow flurries a few different times today, nothing sticking to the ground now. I snapped this picture of Alex as we were walking home sorta bundled up in his winter attaire. John got the woodburner going and I made a nice pot of homemade soup. Which makes for a nice cozy evening (nice hot soup by the fire).

Slow Learner

Well this week I have decided to come to grips with reality. I know I will never get a nice bigger house out of this city. I have been holding onto things hoping to put into a house, which is obvious I'll never have, so I guess I'll get rid of some things a little at a time. I've had an extra full size mattress and I've decided to give it to Vanessa. Vanessa is a good girl and she appreciates things unlike the others ( and that includes my daughter) who wont take hand-me-downs. Vanessa has good christian values; she's involved with the church and loves being apart of church things. There is not a person that she meets that she doesn't invite to church. I sure hope she stays that way. I know she's a teenage girl and she's bound to turn waco like the rest of them.
I've also got a queen size mattress that was a hand-me-down to me, so I'm ready to hand it onto someone else. I can't have things around reminding me of something I'll never have, maybe someone can get some use of it before it rots. I was told a long time ago that they would never buy me a house with their money, I guess he's holding true to his word.
I just love my mother she's always there to help. I have to move all kinds of furniture around just to move out and in the mattress. Alex got snap happy with the camera while we were moving this very heavy mattress. He really got happy when he got our behinds. I've included some pictures he took, they came out a little fuzzy but he tried.

It's Official

There was a bit of a delay in starting my new job, but today it became offical. It takes Det. Board of ED a long time to do anything, especially when it comes to doing any type of work, all they had to do was verify my offical transcripts. I walked into work today and was told it's offical and sent me to a room. I'm used to coming home and John leaving for work shortly afterwards and I had time to my self, I would get diner started before school got out. School don't get out until 4:10p so by the time I got home and the dinner thing is over with, so is most of the day. It'll take a little while to get myself on a schedule.

Another Fire

Well there was another crack house fire today but this house is at the end of the block. Mom and I walked down there to see what was going on and the fire truck had its ladder stretched to the roof and smoke was pouring out of the roof. There was a stretcher in the middle of the road don't know if anyone was in there or not, sorry but don't think I really care. I was at a family gathering last night and I was talking to Johns cousin who is a firefighter and was on duty that night, he said he saw me. He was on his truck leaving and couldn't come and say hi. Although he did tell me there has been quite a few fires this week.

Congratulations to Me

Before school started I filled out the application, and sumitted all paperwork thats required for my full time job. I want to stay at the school I'm at but I got a call from 2 different schools. When I told a teacher where one school was at, she said don't go there it's to deep in the hood and the kids are all hoods (she taught there before coming to Neinas). My boss was taking her time about getting things going, until a co-worker told her other schools were calling me. I gave her the numbers of the schools and it just so happened that the other school that called me was the school she came from. She called the principal and told her that she was keeping me at this school. So monday I will start my new job at my current school. And I am soooooo happy I've worked hard these years trying to get my education so I would qualify for the job, and with help from a few co-workers that keep pushing for me I finally made it.

MY WORST FEAR

I was awaken this morning about 1:30am with sirens blaring and lights flashing. The empty house next door (formerly known as the drug house) was on fire again. I was out of that bed like a bat out of hell; I'm running from the front door to the back door checking to make sure the fire didn't make it's was to my house. The houses here are so close, it's 8ft between my house and that one, which is on the side my bedrooms are on. Alex slept through the whole thing even with the phone ringing. Mom and Dad got woke up due to the dog barking like crazy, when they looked out the back window all they seen was smoke coming from the drug house. So far we've been lucky with the fires they haven't been that bad, I'm just afraid that one night the fire department wont get here on time.

This picture shows how close the house is to mine.


The fire damage here is on the other side of the house. Looking through the bottom window you can see the window on the other side of the house, which faces my house.

Finally the First day Comes

School was suppossed to start on Sept 5th, but due to the teachers being on strike school didn't start until today. I thought it may have been a long battle and the kids would be out for a long time. They only missed 7 days, which they will lose 2 days on Christmas vacation 1 day on Easter break, school will end on June 21st. I was worried that he wouldn't get the teacher I wanted him to have. The principal was changing teachers around and putting them in different grades so I was worried. I requested him to have Mrs Beavers-Looney, Chelsea had her and it's the only teacher she'll go and see. This teacher is very strick but an excellent teacher, the kids will know the material before they leave her class.

Moving in Day

College move in day for Wayne State University. Here's John, Alex & Chelsea after they went and checked in. Chelsea didn't wake up early enough so she didn't get her shower, wash her hair, or do her makeup. So when I tried to get her picture it's cover up face time.

Today I was up early loading the truck, getting Chelsea ready to move into her dorm. Here she is with all of her stuff piled on the bed, we also used the other bed before her roommate came. It was a good thing her roommate didn't come at the same time we did, it would have been a diaster moving both girls in at the same time with all their stuff. I did get to meet her roommate for a brief moment, she seems nice hope they can do good together.

John and Chelsea trying to get the computer and printer hooked up. They couldn't get the internet hooked up, John couldn't figure it out; one of the helpers at the campus couldn't figure it out, Just to let everyone know that I'm not as dumb as they think, I figured out why they couldn't get it hooked up. I just couldn't fix it it has to be done by one of the computer techs.

Gathering

Today we had a gathering to celebrate the 2 who will be having a birthday in September, Vanessa 15 & Michael 13. We decided to have something now instead of at their birthdates because if they get money they can buy some school clothes. Sitting on the stools are Alex, Becky & Ashley Vanessa & Michael are in the floor and of course Michael always hides his face when the camera comes out.

New Names

The veiw out my back door is of an old garage with weed growing around. Just recently (in the past week) someone decided to write on it. Chelsea with her bright idea decided that her and Vanessa would be Lil Hoody & Lil Dizzle, and had to have their picture taken under their new names. Of course they couldn't just get a picture they had to dress the part and act the act. Leave it to Chelsea to come up with a crazy idea.

NEW CAR

Today dad traded in his trailblazer for a 2006 chevy Impala. Just like everyone else the high cost of gas is causing people to buy more fuel efficient vehicles. Of course who had to run out there and jump into it, no one but Alex. He jumped into the passenger seat and buckled his seat belt and was ready to go for a ride.

A Day With Dad

Alex has been wanting to go with his dad to where he cuts wood. Today he took him with him, he wasn't going to be there long because most of the morning it rained. So John, Alex and Misty (dog) went, John doesn't go anywhere without his dog. After cutting wood he let Alex go fishing and he caught 3 fish, but threw them back. These pictures were taken with John's cell phone. While John and Alex were gone Mom & I went out shopping, Mom had a coupon for fashion bug. She didn't find her anything so she gave me the coupon and of course I found something, I bought a shirt for $1.65 I love a good deal. After that mom and I had lunch and came home and enjoyed peace and quiet.

SHE'S HOME

Her plane came in about 10pm last night, she had a good time of course, anytime away from home is good. Here's some pictures she shared with me so I can share with you. There's the 3 girls Jackie, Chelsea & Alyson on Johns pass.

Chelsea on the beach.



Alyson and Chelsea going parasailing.

Alyson, Chelsea & Jackie posing by the ocean.

The girls getting ready for a nice dinner at Leatherbacks.


Chelsea being silly and acting like she going to eat some goop found on the beach.



Jackie and Chelsea on the plane coming home.