Weekend Outing & Missing Wallet

So over the weekend, we were finishing work on my room. The guys were working and we were out buying supplies. Apparently I stayed logged on to my Yahoo! Messenger because my aunt called me and asked why I wasn't answering her IMs. I told her we were out buying things for the guys--and they had a really great deal on clothes and the boys are growing so fast I jumped on the opportunity to get the most for my dollar! :)
Anyway, she asked me to warn my dad that a favor was coming through. When we got home I told him and it turned out she needed him to pick up a freezer she just won an auction for near us. (She lives in Delaware.) The we had to figure out how to get it down there too! I told him, I would do it since he's been working on my room and was tired and all. We both went to pick it up, but I took the boys with me to "deliver" it to her.
Not even a half hour out and Eli tells me he has to use the potty. I asked if he could wait because we weren't by a rest stop or anything and Mikey was sleeping. I would have let him pee on the side of the highway, but he's not big enough to go by himself and I didn't want to disturb the baby.
He made it through the trip--an hour and a half total--and when we got there, I just sat down to feed Mikey a bottle and he tells again me he has to go. My aunt asked if he wanted her to take him and he said no. Can you say "mamma's boy"?? My cousin, Mike, asked if he wanted to pee outside. They live in a more rural area. He thought that would be so cool and we went out. He wouldn't go with Mike either, so when Mikey took a break from eating--I know, amazing but it does happen!--we went around to the side of the house.
To my surprise, there were cows in her backyard. COWS! Not something you see in my parts. Her neighbor has two pastures...one in their backyard and one behind my aunt's. They were grazing in the neighbor's pasture, but one was extremely close and startle me. (They are fenced in.) The second potty trip we made out there, we went closer to see them (They were in my aunt's back this time). They all started moo-ing at us, so I assume we were bothering them.
Elijah had SO much fun there! My aunt has about 6 grandkids, so they have a lot of toys at her house. A little while after we got there, two of his cousins (my cousin's kids) came over. They were so cute together! He doesn't get much opportunity, aside from school, to play with other kids. I feel sad for him at times because of that.
On the way home, both of them slept just about the whole way home...it was so nice! LOL
Okay, so now fast forward a few days. My classes start next Tuesday and I still don't have my books. I called Financial Aid and was on hold for about 15 minutes before I tried another line...they picked right up!
Anyway, I talked to them about getting a book voucher and they told me I needed to schedule an appointment but I was just going to go in, get it and leave. Why do I need an appointment for that?! So I made an appointment, went in and got the voucher...well, I would have had I brought my wallet with me. So I called my "driver's" cell phone and told him I needed my wallet. He drove back to the front and I picked it up.
I went back up and there was this "slow" girl there asking the same question over and over, really irritating the receptionist. I think she was just going to ask her question until she got the answer she wanted to hear. After about 5-10 minutes of waiting, she asked for my ID, I showed her and finally got the voucher.
As I was walking down to the bookstore (it's in the same building, but you have to go outside and then back in another door to get in) I put the card in my wallet. (The voucher was in credit card form.) I went through the store, picked up my books, a notebook, a calendar, pens and a backpack. I then headed toward the checkout line.
I waited for about 10-15 minutes in line and when it was my turn I put my stuff up. But there was no wallet to be found! I panicked, though still held my composure. I looked all over, backtracking about 5 times, asking employees in the area if they had seen it thinking maybe when I picked up a book I set my wallet down or something. I mean, you would think something like a wallet would be heard if it fell to the ground.
They checked my order to see if maybe it got shoved in something or between something. No luck, and I was back looking again. I even got on my hands and knees looking under displays. I'm sure that looked cute!
So I gave them my information in case it was found. I went back to the financial aid building where security is and told them. I didn't know I had to fill out an incident report or I would have told my ride it would be a minute when I told him I was ready to be picked up. He was waiting while we filled it out and they guy asked me everything that was in my wallet. (I don't keep track of what I keep in my wallet and it took forever!) Luckily I don't carry cash, just my ATM card.
I got back in the van and we were off. Not even five minutes later, I got a call on my cell. It was the bookstore...someone found my wallet! Yea!
I went back to get it, and they told me that it was in the candy display (which is right under the counter). I didn't even THINK to look there. Everything was still there! Lucky for me someone was honest enough to return it and not take anything out of it.
So I purchased everything and went home.
Later that day, I took my wallet with me to pick up the kids--need my license to drive. I came home and went through the rest of my day. My mom and I went to CVS that night to pick up a few things. My dad offered his truck since my mom's car is on its last leg. :( So I needed my wallet again. (My mom won't drive his truck.) I couldn't find it anywhere...again!
So I went through the house trying to think of what I did when I came home. I thought maybe I left it in the truck, but it wasn't there. Then I remembered I put it in Mikey's car seat as I brought him inside--I didn't have enough hands to carry everything! I looked in his seat, not there. I looked on the TV, not there. I looked everywhere! My parents were suggesting places, and my dad said to look under the paper on Eli's table. I told him I did already and it wasn't there, just my camera. I looked anyway, to humor him. Boy, did I feel stupid. There it was! LOL When we came home my mom said, 'Hey Rebekah, it's 10 o'clock...do you know where your wallet is?' I forgot where I put it after paying at the store--I got Mikey stage 2 foods. Oh crap, where is it?! My mom panicked and said she was just joking about it. I looked in one of the bags and there is was.
So when I came home from the store, I put it right in my bag so I would know where it was!
My mom keeps telling me to carry a purse so I don't lose or forget things, but I don't have enough stuff to put in a purse and I feel silly carrying a big empty bag. Besides, that would be just one more thing for me to carry...I already have a huge diaper bag, two kids, bottles, sippy cups, toys, etc. Do I really need a purse to add to that mix??? I think not!
Anyway, there are my crazy update stories!
I hope you enjoyed my misfortunes! (I know I did!) :P
Also, another update--my cousin is coming home this weekend from rehab...hopefully everything goes well with the transition back!
*SMILE*
Rebekah
Sorry for the long post and congrats to those who made it through! :D Gold star for you!!!

Pictues...YEA!!! (finally)

Well, I messed up and can't move the pics around anymore. Anyway...here's a brief description of each--left to right, top to bottom

1. Eli with his cousins...Samantha and Abigail
2. Mikey in awe of Granddad
3. Bath time for Eli & Mikey
4. Eli doing what he loves most--building with Granddad
5. Eli enjoying himself at the ballgame! (His first Phillies game with Grammy while Mommy got to relax at home!)
6. Mikey doing what he loves most--eating! LOL
   

We are closing in the porch and that's where the one picture is taken--the one of Eli and Granddad. The picture with the cousins was for Aunt Sharon's birthday. When she got home from her mission trip, we finally got to celebrate. :) They have so much fun together, which is a rarity. Which is a shame because they only live right across town--town is about a square mile.

Anyway, new pics, yea!

Still alive...

It's been quite a while. I don't even know how a week got away from me--well, yes I do...I have two kids! :)
Just an update: I registered for classes for the fall semester at the county college. So, now I'll be working 9-2, some days 9-4 and then going to class some days from 5:20-7:50. Then on Saturdays I will go from 12-2:50. History, English and Math.
I'm a little apprehensive, but excited at the same time! I can't recall if I posted about this before, but I applied for child care assistance and got a reply. Though they see that I qualify and need assistance, they also don't have enough funding at this time. What's the deal with that?! I mean, if you don't have the funding, don't have open enrollment! So now I'm on the waiting list and when that clears up, I will have to go through the whole process again to prove eligibility. But whatever...so now things will just be really tight, budget-wise.
That's not a good thing either, because I have to go and get new clothes for the boys--they're growing like weeds!--and I also have to get some fall/winter clothes for me because I got fat (pregnancy) and it's not going away. And besides, all my fall/winter clothes were real tattered anyway. And I hate shopping for myself too, so it's not going to be fun! I'm sure I'll be bringing home more clothes for the boys that I will for me.
Let's see, what else is new? Not too much really. Mikey, although still not sleeping through the night, had two good nights this week were he did. Yea! Let's keep that up and get some kind of schedule going! I'm hoping that once next week starts and they go to school 5 days a week, things will get better. Since I'll be working 9-4 more often than now--to cover for daycare costs--That might help also. That will give him a chance to take an afternoon nap and then not want to go to bed at 5!
And still no teeth yet either! Elijah is just about totally potty-trained! He's been going just about all of the last half of summer through the night without accidents! The other night was the first one, but that was because he had some kind of bug--diagnosed by me of course. (Or like that one commercial says, "Dr. Mom".) :P
The pastor is on vacation at my second job--2-4--and I haven't been very motivated to go in. I work on an as-needed/available basis, but go in at least 2 days a week so that the bulletin gets done. I did some work at home for the Newsletter though, so at least I'm getting stuff done! I have to go in today and tomorrow to get the two days in. It would have been perfect to go these past couple days with the weather as cool as it was. The rain was not a good motivator though. :( Don't get me wrong, I love the rain, but not when I have to go a mile each way and don't have a car. LOL
So, of course with my luck, now the weather is breaking and it's supposed to be getting hot again! I can't wait until autumn comes! It's much prettier then anyway.
Okay, so now I'm rambling and that means time for me to go! ;)
Gee, I need to get some new pics up, don't I?
*SMILE*

In a slump

So lately I've been in a slump...I haven't been feeling 100%.
Today was just the icing on the cake. At it's only half over! I woke up around 4 with Mikey. I fed him and he started acting up again. He does this new thing where he'll drink about an ounce or two and then be very squirmy! I'll burp him and that will wake him up even more. This goes on for 8-10 ounces! So that takes about an hour. It's bad enough he's still waking up for a feeding, but now he's like up up. I put him down at around 5 and fell asleep. At 5:30 he started stirring again. I was not going to be getting up again. I went to get his music box--that was across the house on the porch--and on my way back, my dad said something to me. Technically, I wasn't awake, kinda like the walking dead at this point. He got mad that I didn't reply, but that early in the morning I don't care about much. Then I woke up at 7:30...tried to wake up Elijah but he wasn't hearing any of that. I probably should have just taken the day off. :( That would have been the smart thing to do.
Anyway, I finally got motivated to shower only to find that all of my stuff was missing. (I just got home from house-sitting yesterday and Sharon had all of her stuff all over, so my stuff just got plopped down in an empty spot.) So I showered anyway. When I came out, Sharon was waking up. I got Elijah up and was about to bathe him only to find that his stuff was missing too. Apparently when Sharon was cleaning up to pack, she misplaced it, and didn't really seem to care that it went missing. So my mom told me to use the Dove soap and I had to use my shampoo. Let me just tell you that Johnson's claim that they're tear-free...it's true! He got soap in his eyes while he was washing himself and then when I washed the shampoo out, he got shampoo in his eyes. So I've got this wriggly, screaming child in a tub, longing to get out and have his eyes stop burning...all before 8:30!
Then I got Mikey's breakfast together and got him up. I was trying to feed him but everything was distracting him...the tv, his brother, his grammy...it was a mess! So I'm already aggravated from my morning and now I get to struggle with a toddler to get dressed--he was still naked in the living room wearing his towel--and a baby to eat. I finally got everyone together and then it was finally my turn to get ready.
No wait, that's not true. I still had to get the kids' things together for school. I quick packed their bag and was about to get ready when my mom was telling me she had to leave. She was going to take Elijah, but he wanted to still hold Mikey. So I told him we'd ride in the stroller to school. He was game for that. Okay, everyone was settled and getting along...
I went out to get the stroller ready only to find that it was packed way up high in a pile of boxes on the porch. Scratch that idea. Luckily for me, Elijah was okay with walking. I was going to carry the baby, but found the baby stroller leaning on the railing. Also luckily for me, school isn't too far away.
I finally got them off to school and me to work only to find the organ tuner was waiting patiently for me to unlock the church. OOPS! Totally forgot about that scheduled visit. :)
Sigh...so here I am at 12:50 and not feeling any better about my day.
Michael called me (apparently a few times while I was house-sitting) only to tell me he was in the hospital. Okay, and you're telling me, why?? Nice that he can call me to get sympathy, but not to see how his son is doing. He told me that he's going to have a side job soon and then he'll bring me some money for Mikey. I'll believe that when I see it. He was also supposed to give me money when he got his check on the first too, but didn't. I'm not even looking forward to it. And I can't get a child support order because he gets social security. My case worker said it wouldn't even be worth going through the process because they'll just deny it. It doesn't make sense to him either, but whatever. That's just the way things go I guess.
Really though, when you think about it, I'm better off without. That way I don't have to keep bothering him to give me money, keep getting my hopes up that he'll help out...if he gives me money, he does--if he doesn't, he doesn't. I won't be holding my breath though.
Anyway, on a more positive note, I've been reconnecting with a bunch of 'old' friends lately. It's been fun to see what everyone has been up to and where they are in their lives. It's also a little depressing because everyone is happy with where their life it and I'm still here trying to figure out where 'here' is.
I was approved for assistance with child care through the state only to find that their funding is low right now so I'll be on a waiting list. I was really stressing about things, but it actually looks like things are going to work out okay for the time being. Things will just be a little more tight as usual...and I didn't even think that was possible. That's the state for ya!
All right, I guess I'm done rambling for the moment!

*SMILE*

Randomalites ???

So I'm house-sitting for some friends again. It's been pretty good so far I guess. The dog is really starting to get to me though...she's always got to be right up under you.
Elijah comes home tomorrow so I'm excited about that. I have to figure out what to do with the boys Tuesday and Thursday though. My sister is working, the people who watch him those days are both on vacation...sigh! It sucks.
Anyway, I thought I'd write since it's been a while. Not much has gone on though. I did see the baby roll though...that was awesome! I haven't heard from Michael at all this week either...that was really good. I guess he's just not going to bother with Mikey at all...which is kinda sad. I haven't heard anything about him trying to help out financially, figuring out how to see him without having him in Camden...good riddance I say. And now I have to figure out what I'm going to do about the electric bill. It was in my name and he didn't pay it the last month he was there, so now it looks like I'm stuck with it.
I got a letter from my cousin yesterday...he's doing really well in rehab--says it's hard though, no doubt! He sounds good though. He seems to finally have gotten his head on straight.
Well, I'm off to write back to him before I turn in...it's getting late and Mikey's already sleeping. I'll write about my exciting--yeah right--modern slide show presentation in a later blog.
Keep Smiling!

Feelin' blah

I don't know if it's the heat or what, but I'm just feeling blah. It's slightly warm out, but the humidity is just dreadful!
In big news though...kinda disappointed about it...the baby rolled over! I went to pick him up from daycare and she asked if he's rolling now. I said no and she told me that she went up to get him and he was on his back--she put him down on his belly. YEA! I wish I could have seen it though. He didn't sleep much today, but he went down for bed very easily, so that was nice.
I talked to Elijah the other day...he sounded so grown! I asked to talk to his dad and he says, 'DAD! (pause) Where are you? (pause) My mommy says can she talk to my daddy!' Then Josh got on the phone. What's that all about?! He's having fun though. At least it sounds like it.
Well, surprisingly it's a short blog. :) On a very happy note, I haven't heard from Michael for a while. Granted I called him yesterday and he hung up on me, but that's okay. If he wants to be immature like that, that's okay. I'm just glad he's gotten over being a harassment. :)
*SMILE*

The dust has settled...

If I had written a new blog the other day you would have gotten quite a piece of my mind. But, the dust has settled and so has my mood. Though, nonetheless still frustrated. I was supposed to be house-sitting again this week, but it seems I'll only be house-sitting for part of the week. They believe they are leaving Wednesday. That's okay though, soon--I hope--the rooms will be complete and we can paint and move stuff in and live there.
And I think I may have to switch "sitters" for the boys. It's kinda sad because Elijah has gone to her for about 2 years now. And now he'll be starting the pre-K lessons in September. It'll be cheaper though. I don't think the state is going to come through with the voucher for child-care assistance and I wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise.
I called Michael today to see what happened with him dropping off money. He told me he didn't have any and I explained how I was almost out of diapers and he said he would see what he could do. I asked why he didn't just call and explain that, and he said that I hung up on him the other day. I explained to him that he wasn't letting me talk and kept talking over me and he hung up on me. So I guess what he told me the other day about sacrificing some of his things to take care of the baby is not holding up. Okay, you needed food. Did you really have to buy your month's worth of food when you knew I needed diapers and was broke myself. (I wouldn't be broke if I didn't have to pay the state so much for those stupid tickets...or if I didn't have to pay all that for the baby to have clothes that fit!) He's still planning on going to the side job he was working, so why couldn't he have sacrificed a little and made sure the baby had diapers--they're only $20! I knew this was going to happen...but that's okay, I don't need his help. Hopefully the diapers will last until the weekend and then I can get them myself once money comes through.
I'm just a little disappointed about this whole daycare thing though. I mean, the lady they go to has really started to rub me the wrong way, but now Elijah won't be "learning" anything. I could enroll him into preschool, but I don't have a guaranteed way to get him there and back. Preschool hours are during my work hours. I don't have a car, but I was told if I needed to I could definitely go get him! There's also the option of trying to get setup with another mom or dad with carpooling or whatever. Maybe spend some time at their house until I get done work or dropping him at the office and just walk home with me when my day is done.
Oh well, things could be worse, eh?
*SMILE*

The silver lining???

First I would like to thank Vickie for her comment on the "...Dogs..." post. :) I enjoy reading my comments! Just an update, the dog and I made up. :D Also I was able to get my license issue cleared up--for a later blog! :) All I have to say is that God is awesome...again I will explain in a later blog.
Anyway, Michael called yesterday. I tried to call him the day before because his check was going to be mailed and he told me it was going to the old apartment. I went and checked on it and it wasn't there. I was trying to let him know so he could figure out where it was. I might not like the guy, but he does have bills to pay.
He informed me however that he got it at the post office...I guess he put a hold on his mail or something. Anyway, he goes on to say that he's going through some serious therapy and doesn't drink anymore. (I don't believe that though--he always goes through these bouts where he's not drinking anymore.) Although he did say that he's trying to turn his life around, blah blah blah. I asked him why now. Why not when we were together and if he thought that would have helped our relationship at all? He said that he's had time to think about things and that after he gets his life settled and is successful at that maybe we'll have a chance. I asked him a chance at what and he said of being together again. Without hesitation I said no. Why would I want to put myself through that kind of hell again?! And things are always different when you're not living together anymore.
I went to bed last night and all I could think about was the possibility of getting back together. I was coming up with example after example of how he would have to prove himself to me. I came up with staying sober for at least 3 years, getting a job, us going to counseling at least once a month, dating for a VERY long time before even thinking about getting serious.
And then I had another thought. I don't want to be back with him, so why am I letting it consume so much of my time, energy and thought space? And that worried me. Although, I still have thoughts like that about Josh. I know I would never get back with him...but still, the thought is there. "What if...?"
Anyway, enough ramblings on men.
*SMILE*

Why I Hate Dogs, by Rebekah

So I'm house-sitting for two weeks for some friends. I didn't realize what I was getting into at the time I agreed. I don't think "House-sitting them means also dog-sitting". If you haven't figured it out yet, they also have a dog. Things went fine the first couple days--except she peed on the carpet twice! Today on the other hand...she's supposed to be put in the kitchen while no one is home. I tried to get her in so I could finish getting ready and just leave. She was hiding under the dining room table and I couldn't coax her out. So I moved the chair out and put my hand under, I don't know what for...she didn't need to smell me to know who I was. Anyway, still no luck--I went to grab her collar and she growled and snapped at me. Where the heck did this come from?! I waited a little and tried again to no avail. I even threw a ball into the kitchen thinking she would fetch in...nuh-uh. So finally, I got her leash pretending I was going to walk her...mean, yes--but successful! Let's see her try that again...she'll stay in the kitchen permanently--except for her walks and outside time. I'm not going to chance her biting the baby.

One Big Mess

I don't know what's wrong with me. It's probably all of the stresses from the summer finally coming to the surface. I found myself so upset yesterday...I started crying. And I was sitting here at work and tears started coming. I don't know what's causing it either.
I took Mikey for his check-up Monday. He weighs 16 lbs 4 oz and is 24 1/2 inches. My sister and I went to the store afterwards and I was looking at baby clothes since he's outgrown the 3 months outfits. I checked one of the tags for 6 months...he's past the measurements so my ox of a son is in 9 months clothes.
I called Michael yesterday to inform him of the check-up (even though he knew about it and could have checked in on it himself). He went into this tirade of how everyone is interfering with him seeing his son. I asked who it was he was referring to. He asked what my parents have told me...I assumed they talked to him on the phone one day about it while I wasn't home or something. He told me they didn't tell him anything and I asked again who was. He replied that no one was...so where is he getting this information that everyone is interfering??? Then he told me that he wants to see Mikey and I told him he'd have to come here and see him while he's where he's at...he's two blocks away from a drug area and I'm not having that...and I'm also not comfortable with Michael having him solo because Mikey is at this stage where he's being very difficult and can make you very aggravated. Michael doesn't deal with aggravation well.
So end result, he told me he would see me in court and hung up...even though I wasn't done talking to him. But that's really nothing new. I can't even count how many times he's done that!
*SMILE*