Monday, T&A, reduced pay....what can I say?

....but OY! And no, T & A doesn't mean "tatas" and "a$$". LOL

Yesterday, I needed to make a small run into town for a few items and something for me and the kids to eat for dinner. Earlier I had comtemplated driving to the next town over to shop at Walmart, but decided that the items I needed from there were not a necessity at the moment and I was just too tired to go. We only live 3 miles from city limits of our town so it won the toss up. Thinking back now, it apparently was meant for me not to go to Walmart, as I would have been so screwed if I had.

The kids and I got to the store, decided on tv dinners for dinner/supper, picked up a few necessary staples, i.e., bread, milk, and proceeded to check out. As the cashier was scanning the items, I opened my checkbook, looking for my debit card. NO CARD! It was not in my purse either. WTF?? The other bad part? I have no check either! I ran out and have not had the cash to order anymore lately.

Boy, did was I embarrassed! I nicely told the girl that I had apparently left my debit card at home and would run and get it and come back for my groceries. I hate to admit it but I broke all sorts of laws getting home and back to that store. I normally wouldn't have but I had ice cream in one of those bags and I had the feeling they wouldn't have the decency to put my cold stuff in the ice cooler up front til I returned....I was right!

Thankfully, we made it there and back with no incidents and all my items were ok.

Now on to the T&A (tonsils & adenoids) discussion. Megan is having a T&A tomorrow morning at 8am. She has had too many problems with strep this year and due to the fact that she does snore at night sometimes, we decided it would benefit her to have them removed. Right now as I type this, Kevin is on his way home from Searcy, Arkansas to be with me at the hospital while we wait for her surgery to be over. It takes the doctors 1 hour to complete the procedure and then we have to wait for her to wake up in recovery and be brought back to the room. Once there, she is given a cold diet of popsicles, jello, and tea to drink. They want her to eat most of this and go pee before she is released to go home. We anticipate being there quite a while, so I have decided to take Chris to Ms. Dana's so he won't have to wait around with us. He will be able to play with his buddies Josh and Josiah (who is Ms. Dana's son), plus get breakfast and lunch and maybe a nap! This will also allow us a little time to focus on Megan. Hopefully all goes well, and we receive a good outcome.

We also learned that Kevin, and the other TK employees, are in for a pay reduction of 10% per hour. Right now, Kevin makes $11/hour and with the cut, he would make $9.90/hour. It's not the greatest of pay, but it is better than nothing. I know with all the bills we have, it's not easy but we have been pinching and making it through. I know if I have to refile on food stamps, I will. I have no problem with receiving help, especially when I am trying to get an education and better our lives. We were receiving them up until October 08, when I had to recertify. The stupid office manager dude filled out some paperwork for us and put on there that Kevin would be getting over 60 hrs a week and would also receive a pay increase of $1/hr which caused us to lose them. Then, to top it all off, he didn't get the pay increase and he barely got 60 hours for a while after that. Typical. He still hasn't got a pay increase and, in 3 months 2 weeks, he will have been there a year. Gosh, I hope he get vacation days, lol!

So now it's back to turning the thermostat down/up to save on the power bill and eating mac and cheese, ramen noodles, and beans til something happens. Speaking of that, I think something will happen as soon as Kevin walks in the door....as soon as I get out all I want to say. Time to pay the piper or move on. Simple as that. Life isn't free.....at least not to those of us who pay bills!

The Bad and The Worse

Wow! So I am now officially on summer break from college. My last day was April 30th....well, night actually. I had my Astronomy final that night and got out about 6:30pm...2 and a half hours ahead of schedule. Passed that class with an A. I actually managed all A's again this semester. I am so proud of myself juggling mom and wife duties and a college education all at once. It is not easy but I managed to crawl my way through it. With the normal stresses of everday life and those cast upon us by asshats, I managed to deal quite nicely. Bring it on bitches! I am ready for ya!

We still have not heard anymore on the house/lawsuit deal. We had to slack off paying the lawyer some since we were neglecting other things. We had him caught up on the bill he sent us anyway so until we get another, I feel no justification to keep handing him money we need at the present time. He knows we aren't going to leave him high and dry. I am kinda worried at the fact of not hearing anything. I thought our next step was court but I am hoping if that is so then it comes while I am out of class.

Another thing I am stressing on is Megan's upcoming surgery. She is having her tonsils removed June 3rd and Kevin and I are nervous about it. I heard that it was possible that we would not be allowed in the recovery room. I hope that is not mentioned at her pre-surgery appointment on the 27th. If it is, I hope the dr is prepared for my answer: GO F*** YOURSELF DOC!! You wanna stop me from being in there.....try me! My nephew, who is 4 yrs old, is having the same thing done. I really feel for him and my sis. If she can't be back there when he wakes up, all he** may break loose. He does not do good with strangers as far as I can remember and that worries me. I really think it is stupid that doctors and nurses don't give any consideration into the child's well-being. What if he wakes up and there is no familiar face to soothe him from his pain? He will probably cry and risk opening up the sutures. *shudders* Let's not think about that right now. Maybe everything will go ok. I know I will be here praying that whole day til I hear otherwise.

Ya know, I love my family. I love having family time. But sometimes do you feel as if someone in your family is a little too intrusive? Let me explain. Kevin left for work this morning and accidentally left in a hurry and did not get his cell. I really think it was for the best anyways. I took Megan to catch the bus, came back home, and lay back down on the bed. Starting at 8:30am, his phone began ringing....every 10-15 minutes. It had started to annoy me so I cut the ring off. I looked at the phone calls just to see who it may be. Lo and behold it was his brother...his almost 24yr old out of college for the summer, don't have a job so dad gives me money brother. I was curious as to why he was calling him so much and that early in the day. At the precise moment, I was sleepy so I went back to bed. Later today, he tried calling again. This time I pretended to be Kevin and texted him asking what he needed. Of course he asks where I (Kevin) am. Duh! WORK!! So then he replies asking how much I (Kevin) would charge him to stay in our shop til he finds somewhere else to go. Apparently, his dad's girlfriend is raising all sorts of h*** about him being there, no privacy (GET OVER IT!) and crap like that. I told him I would have to think on that. He asks me to think fast. Ha! If it was actually Kevin, I feel he probably would have done told him yeah without even discussing it with me. That is not something he should do. This is my house as well. Now I don't mind helping family but there is no way we can afford to feed him, shelter him, and all that without money. I seriously doubt their dad would give us one red cent for a roof over his head. And I am not too sure on him and work either. He loves to sleep so early rising is really not in his book. To be honest, I am not willing to deal with a freeloader. Plain and simple. It was different when we were getting government help, when our cash money was not having to go on food and we could use it to pay bills. That was different. I mean, gee, really, they have a mom who has a spare bedroom. Why is he not asking her? Why his brother with a wife and 2 kids to feed? I don't get it. I just hope Kevin can see it from my point of view. I don't want someone here that is just sitting around looking for a handout. I just don't feel comfortable with it. Period. And right now, I just don't want to deal with it.

OK I have rant and raved enough. Stepping off the soapbox now and going to get something to drink. My throat is parched!

Later, peeps!

4 years ago....

4 years ago, February 13, at 4:49am, I gave birth to my second child. It was a boy this time and we were thrilled to finally have a son. We named him Christopher Eugene.

I always wanted to name him Christopher. Eugene is a blessed namesake to 2 deceased family members. My husband's uncle, whom he dearly loved, passed before he and I ever met. His middle name was Eugene and he was born in February, too. My grandmother, who passed 4 months before I gave birth to my daughter, was born on Groundhog Day and her middle name was Eugene as well. I think her mom and dad thought they were gonna have a son so her name ended up being Jimmie Eugene. It was our simple of way of letting their spirit live on in our lives. I know it touched Kevin's grandmother's heart that we would give her son's middle name to our son, her grandchild. She sadly passed away when Chris was only 10 months old.

We have a party planned for Sunday. It will be a modest setting with family and friends, lasting around 2 hours or so. I am sure he will have lots of gifts to open. We have him a few things and I made a stop at Walmart on my way home from school today to pick him up a surprise goody for him to open this evening at home with dad, big sis, and me.

Gosh, it just does not seem like 4 years have gone by. Wow! He will be in school before I know it. *sob* Man I feel old!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY MY DEAR SON!! MOMMY LOVES YOU!!

Walkin' In Memphis...part 3

These are some photos I took while we were out walking on Beale Street and riding the trolley car. Enjoy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Clint and Bethany's Wedding

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

**Edit** For those that don't know....Bethany is my hubby's cousin. Her wedding day was the first time he has seen her since she was small. Her dad (his uncle) passed and she and her mom had moved away and lost contact with them. Their aunt, Tressa, located Bethany about a year, maybe less, ago on Myspace or Facebook....can't remember which one. Isn't internet a splendid thing?? LOL

Happy 30th Birthday, Baby!

Today is my husband's 30th birthday! Unfortunately, he had to work today.....but I think I am gonna surprise him with a great dinner and a cake tonight.

Things to do and places to go.....first stop: shower!

Walkin' in Memphis, part 2.

We managed to make it to the wedding hall 10 minutes before it started. Megan and I got to go into the bride's dressing room and meet Bethany. She looked so beautiful. The gown was gorgeous!! We stepped back outside and found adequate seating. The ceremony finally got underway and it was lovely. The environment was astonishing! There were lights everywhere, beautiful flower arrangements, and great music....lots of great love songs!!

Kevin, Lee, and I were sitting at a table talking, after the ceremony, when the dj burst out with some T.I. The looks on our face were probably priceless, LOL! In addition to T.I., the dj played various music from T-Pain to Taylor Swift. It was awesome!! Bethany finally was able to break away for a few minutes and came over and sat and talked to us a bit. She was so excited to meet us all. We finally got introduced to her new husband, Clint. He is a very handsome guy and also a Corporal in the U.S. Marines. Wow! He is set to depart to Japan in January, thus the sudden nuptuals. She wanted to be with him, since he had been gone away from her already for a year. Can't say I don't blame her. So now legally she can join him where-ever he gets stationed. She told us that they would be in Japan til at least June and then come back to the States, probably to South Carolina. We all hated that we wouldn't see her for a while but she promised that we would keep in touch through phone calls and email. Shortly thereafter, the limo arrived and the bride and groom were ready to go. Everyone lit sparklers and the lucky couple ran through them to the car. They all went to the Fox and Hound English Pub for an after-wedding celebration. Kevin, the kids, and I made the 2 hour trip home.

I think the whole evening went pretty well. She seems like a very nice and fun person to be around and I really can't wait until we see her again. I got tons of great pics of her with the guys and kids and will have to post those soon too.

Right now, I need a shower! Laters! :-)

Walkin' in Memphis, part 1.

We took a good stroll down Beale Street yesterday......a kid-less stroll. It was cool. I really enjoyed it. We didn't eat at Rum Boogie Cafe. We ended up eating at the Hard Rock Cafe. I liked the megatron display that was up in one corner. Videos from every era played back to back on there. My favorite part was when the video "Home" by Daughtry began to play. I ordered Twisted Mac, Chicken, and Cheese. It was grilled chicken breast on top of cheesy, curly rigatoni. The cheese sauce tasted as if it had mild rotel included in it, and it came with a side of garlic toast. OMG, it was soooooo yummy. Kevin got a 10 oz burger and seasoned fries, Lee had Tupelo Chicken Tenders, and T.K. also had some sort of burger. It was a tad pricey but I was stuffed so I felt it was worth it. We left there and walked around the corner toward the Fed Ex Forum. I noticed a Starbuck's on the corner across the street so of course I had to have a Java Chip Frappuccino and a HUGE rainbow chip cookie. Kevin got his usual: a Vanilla Bean Frappuccino. We had taken so many photos that the batteries in my camera died. We searched around and finally found some and took a few more snapshots of the scenery. We decided to take a ride on the trolley. I felt as though I was in San Francisco as we rode along the rails. We took the riverfront trolley, which took us around by the Mississippi Riverside and the Memphis Pyramid.

I snapped lots and lots of photos. I think I may just upload them to photobucket and provide a link to them. I am not very good on html and video/slideshows. I think I need a dummy manual for those, LOL!!

Ok, we are leaving for the hall in which the wedding will take place. We have yet to meet Kevin's cousin. She has been too busy with her soon-to-be hubby (he came back in from Iraq on the 15th) and not acting like herself, from what we have heard. Oh well, today is make it or break it day, so let's see how she treats family today. Maybe it won't be too bad....I would hate to hurt her feelings.

I will update more later!! Peace out!

Finally made it!

Well, after a great morning shower, I sit here in an office chair, with my feet propped up on a bed and my laptop in my lap, inside room 110 of the Doubletree Hotel in East Memphis. Kevin's cousin, Bethany, works here and the room we are in was a complimentary room. It has 2 double beds. Last night, Kevin, his brother Lee, their cousin, Terrel (or T.K. as we call him), Megan, Christopher, and I all camped out in the room. The kiddos and I were in one bed, T.K. and Lee shared the other bed and Kevin slept sitting up in a chair with ottoman....that's nothing new for him since he sleeps sitting up on the couch at home. LOL! Bethany is the cousin that I have been talking about. They haven't seen her since she was around 1 or 2 years old and now we are gonna meet her and attend her wedding tomorrow afternoon. The guys and I wanted to do some sightseeing and things, so Kevin's aunt Tressa is on her way here to pick up Megan and Christopher so we don't have to lug them around with us. I think we are gonna go to Beale Street since I have never been before and eat at a place called Rum Boogie Cafe. Lee says we will go inside the Hard Rock Cafe too so I can see in there.

Chris and Megan opened presents from Tressa last night. Megan got a Hannah Montana Dance set. It contains 2 Hannah Montana wigs, 2 headsets, 2 dance mats, and a dvd. I told her she could play by herself at home and with Maddie when she comes over again. Chris got a remote control car hauler with 2 cars. The cars EVEN have their OWN remotes. It is so neat!! Of course we didn't have batteries, so he will have to wait til we find some.

The ride here was quicker than expected. We came in (Philip's girlfriend) Katy's van. It gets great gas mileage. Kevin and I both agreed that we would love to have one of those vans. Just got back to the post...had to google Bank of America for T.K.

I know I am ready to go eat...my tummy is growling lol! I will post more later and pics to if I can figure out how to put them on here!! :)

This is Melissa, signing off! Peace out!

Ugh, God help me!!

It is Friday! Typically, I would be thrilled. On the other hand.....blah! I will just be glad when it's next Friday! LOL

Right now, I have ALOT to do! Since our family Christmas party is at my house this year(not sure how much longer it will be my house....long story!) I have to clean and have it ready for tomorrow. I also have to mix up the ingredients for my famous peanut butter bon bons, let it chill, then roll the mixture into balls and dip them in melted confectioner's chocolate. They are so damn good, but it requires lots of work. Sometimes I feel underappreciated for making those things. I am also slated to bake snowball cookies...not too strenuous, and I am also making the punch. Punch bowl + couple 2 liters of sprite + 2 containers of lime sherbet = punch! Voila! Hopefully with my busy schedule today, I can accomplish all this, get last minute gifts, get them wrapped, and sit down or go to bed and get enough rest for tomorrow.

I am getting ready to grab a quick shower before my 3 yr old son awakes. Normally, I would not be in such a hurry for a shower, but my daughter gets out of school around 11:30 this morning and I need to be dressed and ready to be at the bus stop to retreive her, head to Wal-Mart to pick up all my last minute items, and get back home. I also have Christmas cards to mail out. I think, to save a few bucks, since some of the mailboxes are on my way to certain places, I will just drop them in the mailbox itself. What's the harm? They will get a warm Christmas message from us and I will save on stamps.....since I have a ton to mail!

Ok I better get going or I will never get going! LOL!

Until next time, America!