Thanksgiving weekend

So for Thanksgiving, I drove for 2 hours to go to my sister's house for Thanksgiving with all the families. We got to see her new house, which is nice. I found out the day before that my little sister lost her baby after a little of 2 months of being pregnant. I have been trying to contact her, but I am unable to at this time. I hope she is doing alright.

I watched a few movies. SPACE CHIMPS, which was pretty neat. HANCOCK, pretty good for not being based off of a comic book. TWO TICKETS TO PARADISE was pretty funny throughout the whole movie, but the ending was stupid. The last one I watched was FRED CLAUSE. That was hilarious. Vince Vaughn is awesome. New movies are coming out Tuesday, but I will be unable to get any for awhile until I get paid.

Yesterday we sat around because it was black friday and I just didn't want to deal with it. This is the first year out of the last ten that I did not work retail and I couldn't shop because I had no money. Today, just lounging around. Well, I gotta go and deal with the kids. Til next time.

Still waiting...

At least I received an e-mail this morning that they will pay me some money, but it will probably be the end of next week that I get it. Other than that, I still don't hear anything. I really doubt I would get the "call" this week as it is a holiday week. I just hope it happens soon.

Nothing new to talk about lately. My brother and sister are thinking of flying the grandparents out in Feb. So it is my responsibility to look for the lowest price/airfare and everything. I found a few good ones, but it would be a drive for them to get to the airport so one of my uncles would probably have to drop them off and pick them up.

Looks like I will head out early today as my daughter is having a Thanksgiving party in her class and the parents are invited. Later tonight I have a conference call for the military so I hope it doesn't interfere too much with my shows. I think it is during the time FRINGE is usually on, but I think it is off the air until Jan. We shall see.

Good News or No News?

That is what I am wondering. I have been trying to follow up for the last few weeks on what is going on with this"job". Today, I just finally sent an e-mail up to let them know I can't keep doing this. I don't have rent, I can't make my car payment. I told them because of them I will have a repossession causing me to lose my security clearance and I will be homeless because I can't pay my rent. I should have done this awhile ago because now they are trying to jump through loops to get me money. I told them I can't keep coming in, but the only reason I do is to take care of the Soldiers. If I wasn't here, they wouldn't take care of them. All I need now is for them to call me, offer me the job and send my sign-on bonus immediately so Christmas can be saved.

I'm tired of seeing bank bailouts and now the car industry asking for a bailout. How about a taxpayer bailout? I mean, it is the taxpayers money, right? It is the taxpayers paying the money and almost every year a tax increase imposed on the taxpayers. It is the taxpayers that are hurting first hand which trickles over to everyone else i.e. auto industry, banks, etc. Bailout the taxpayers and that will get the economy going again.

In a few days it will be Thanksgiving, a time to give thanks. Unfortunately, the only thing I will have thanks for is that I still have a family. It is just unfortunate that the way things are going here and now in todays world, One is worth more dead than alive.

Yeah, another weekend

Well, I did get some money in today for the drill I did a couple of weeks ago. So I get to go grocery shopping and stuff. Thinking about taking the family to go see BOLT today at the theaters. Still waiting on the call as well. Doesn't matter how I look at things know because either way, I am screwed. Might as well make sure the family can eat and spend some time with them before all hell breaks loose.

My daughter and I got our flu shots yesterday. Boy, did she scream. I think it was more that she looked at the needle going in than the pinch itself. Of course I got my flu shot, as well as my tetnus shot. My arm is a little sore today.

Had a meeting this morning for my youngest son's IEP. He is in first grade and still in speech, but they say he should be done with everything before the school year is finished. They also gave me his progress report. The first quarter he only had two B's and the rest A's. Right now he has all A's. Hopefully my older son has improved as well. I promised them if they stayed on the Honor Roll all year, I would take them to Seaworld. It is a lot cheaper than Disneyland or Lego Land. Since I am in the military, we all get into Seaworld for free. So it is just gas and food I have to pay for. We have gone a couple of times before in the past couple of years and made it a day trip. Drive there early morning come back late at night.

Hope this weekend has a positive outcome. Maybe I'll win the lottery....yeah, right. One can hope though.

Tired

Yeah, I'm tired. Lack of sleep. I am also tired of the way things are going right now. Can't I just get a break? I am honestly debating about calling the higher ups and telling them I refuse to come in anymore until they pay me. The only reason I do at this point is to take care of the Soldiers. If I don't come in, I leave them high and dry and things don't get done for them. I just feel like I am breaking my back to take care of other people, but I am not getting it returned. Hopefully it comes back to me in a very large sum. I mean, who knows, once funds become available, they could back pay me, right? I know wishful thinking.

Nothing much to really post about. Nothing has happened in the last 24 hours to write about. Maybe tomorrow.

Still Waiting...

So I get an e-mail today from higher up saying they are going to check in on why I haven't been called yet for this position. I just really hope it happens soon. Like this year, before Christmas, before Thanksgiving, before the end of the week.

Yesterday was my daughter's first day of school. She really enjoyed going and had no troubles being dropped off or picked. Of course at the end of school the teacher came to tell us that she tested her limits. Of course she did, she's my daughter. No, I didn't say that, just thought it. Along with thinking this is only the FIRST day. Who knows, maybe she will be like the boys. They are themselves at home, but at school they are perfect angels. At least at the Parent/Teacher conferences we always have to ask if they are talking about our child.

Yesterday I rented and watched TROPIC THUNDER. It was pretty funny and has a lot of adult humor in it as well as profanity. Aside from that, it was a good laugh. I had already seen WALL*E in theaters, which came out yesterday. Next week there will be a few I want to see. In two weeks, it will be PRINCE CASPIAN.

The rest of this week I have very little going on. Have to go to the DR. tomorrow for flu shot and tetnus shot. Friday morning I have to go to the boy's school for my youngest son's IEP with his speech. Nothing planned this weekend. Next week the kids go to school for two days only. From what I am hearing, I will probably be going to my sister's house for Thanksgiving. One of her houses anyways.

First day of school

Today is my daughter's first day of school. I know it is only pre-school and it is only for 3 hours, but, finally. She will do 2 years of pre-school before she can move on to kindergarten. Only because you have to be 5 years old before September 1st. With her birthday being in Novemeber, she will be six shortly after starting kindergarten.

Watched HELLBOY II yesterday. I didn't think it was that great, but then again, I didn't like the first one much either. I have been reading up that there is talks of a few movies getting ready to start filming, but won't be released until about 2010, 2011. They will be comic book movies of course. THE FIRST AVENGER: CAPTAIN AMERICA will be released followed by THOR. Shortly after that....THE AVENGERS which is made up of Captain America, Thor, Hulk, and Iron Man. Rumor is also that no more Batman movies will be made.

Well, don't really have any other plans this week except to go to the Dr. on Thursday. My daughter and I are going for shots. Flu shots for both of us and a tetnus for me. The wife and boys have to schedule an appointment next week for their shots. For some reason the Dr.'s office says they can only see 2 people a day from the same family. Doesn't make sense to me.

The things I do

Well, it was an interesting weekend. After getting paid last week for RSTs for future drill dates, I was able to pay all the mid-month bills, get a dog that I have promised the kids for a very long time, and get gas in the car and enough food to last. I get paid later this week for my drill I did over a week ago. Right now I am trying to get in touch with higher ups to send more money to cover my rent on the 1st. They keep telling me that I should get "the call" this week, but we shall see.

Saturday we had one of my oldest son's friends stay over that used to go to school with him in Glendale. His dad is in the Army as well so I picked him Sat morning from the unit and returned him Sun afternoon. On Saturday I went to Graham Central Station. Dave Pratt is a DJ for KMLE country here in Phoenix and he wrote a book about his 30 years on radio. I prebought the book which just went on sale today nationwide. On Saturday he was having a book signing party. So I went. It was from 12-5. I got there at 12, maybe 80-100 people in front of me. It took me 4.5 hours to get the signature. I was glad I didn't bring the whole family. Besides, you could only get in if you had the book.

Sunday I just lounged around and watched tv. There is one good thing about the dog we have. When I got it, they gave us a bunch of food with him, and because he is a small dog, he doesn't eat much. With the amount of food we have for him, I don't need to get anymore until next year. The dog does not chew on anything or what not. He basically sleeps a majority of the day. When the kids want to play, he'll play, otherwise, he'll leave you alone. Only time he barks is when he has been left home alone and we come home. One of the best dogs I have had yet.

Still have HELLBOY II to watch. Need to watch it before Tuesday because there are a couple coming out I want to see.

Finally, some good news

Well, not as far as my job and money coming in, but at least it is some good news. I went to a conference yesterday regarding my daughter going to preschool. We have taken her in twice for testing, once in August and once in September. They never contacted us and after the first time, I continuously called. That is when they decided to do a second testing of her. After the second time I decided to forget it, it's already well into the school year and they aren't going to contact us. Well, they did...last week, and set an appointment for yesterday to go over the results. On all the tests she is slightly above average. They have decided to accept her due to her communication skills though because even we can't understand her. So speech is the only reason they are taking her in. She starts next Tuesday and will be attending Preschool every Tues-Thur. I am happy about this as well so she can actually play with kids her age and start getting into the habit of being around other kids.

I watched JACK AND JILL VS THE WORLD yesterday. It has Freddie Prinze Jr in it. It started off good and had a good story to it. The ending wasn't one of those that ticked me off, but it seemed like they grasped for a way to end the movie. After I finished watching it, I went back to Blockbuster and picked up HELLBOY II and BEER FOR MY HORSES with Toby Keith in it. I know they already aired it on CMT and will probably continue to, but they cut parts of the movie out when they do that.

I am hoping to get "the call" next week to accept the civilian position I have been working and not getting paid. We'll just have to wait and see.

Boring

Didn't win the lottery again last night. Don't think I ever will. Still waiting for the call for this job I am working and not getting paid for. Rent is due in a few weeks. Thanksgiving is approaching which means Christmas is not far behind. I need a drink. Haven't had one for almost 2 weeks now. Got a new dog last week for the kids. It is like a terrier mix. 6 years old, house-trained-sleeps all day. Good dog. It didn't have a name, or at least the place we got it from didn't know it, so we named him Buddy. It was the kids idea. I told them they all had to agree on a name and that is what they came up with.

Yesterday I watched KUNG FU PANDA. It was alright, but not one of Dreamworks best. watched CRIMINAL MINDS last night, and it was a good episode. Still have one movie to watch before returning them to Blockbuster. JACK AND JILL VS THE WORLD starring Freddie Prinze Jr.

My wife had to go to the school after lunch as my oldest was "sick". Once she got there, he puked all over the nurses office. So, I guess he was sick. Called him out for today. Yesterday was my daughters birthday and she turned 4. Last night she started coming down with a fever as well. Hopefully it stops and the wife and I don't get sick.

No Title

Well, yesterday was Veterans Day. I went to downtown Phoenix to watch my son march in it. It was pretty crowded, but I am glad he was in the first 30% of the parade as we left right after he was finished. So I didn't have to deal with all the traffic. From what I saw of the parade, it was interesting. No, I di not go in uniform as I did not want to be continuosly stopped by people thanking me. Not that I am rude or anything, but I do get stopped a lot when I am in uniform on any other day. I know who I am and what I do and i know people are thankful. I don't need to wear my uniform to go places to hear it. I guess I am the type of person that doesn't need to hear it all the time. I did run into one of my soldiers while we were there and he showed up in his Dress Blues. He was continously getting stopped and pictures taken and saluting every time a flag went by (which was every entry in the parade). So, I was glad I did not wear my uniform.

Last night I watched THE LAZARUS PROJECT. No, it was not a religious movie. It stars Paul Walker, Linda Cardillini, and Piper Perabo. It was a good flick. It is listed as Action, but to me seemed more suspense. For a movie that did not hit theaters, it was a great rental.

Well, I am finishing on paying the utility bills for this month and watching my account drain. Now I just need to focus and hope I can get next months rent collected and paid on time. Hopefully next week I will get the call for this position and actually start getting paid regularly.

Money Monday

I wish. That title just sounded good. Went into work for a little bit this morning. Didn't really have to since it was supposed to be a 4-day weekend due to Veteran's Day. I got screwed anyways because I had drill this weekend. So I went in to finish up on stuff I couldn't get done over the weekend. My oldest plays in the parade in Phoenix tomorrow. Probably go and see that. Picked up a few movies today including KUNG FU PANDA. We'll see how that is.

I retook my PT test yesterday. Of course the only working out I have been doing was the wii fit. Plus Saturday night I went out and bought new running shoes because the last test I ran in skater shoes. You know, shoes that are flat and no cushion. I didn't go all out on the push ups and sit ups because I wanted to make sure I could pass the run. Normally I give every event my all, but due to the run last time, I didn't want to use all my energy and not have enough for the run. But, nonetheless, I passed. Still need to start running to improve that score and then I'll be comfortable. The sad part of all this, comparing to the PT test I took in May, I have gained 15 lbs since then. I need to lose weight now as well.

Anyways, that wraps it up for today. Probably post again in a few days.

Funny thing

So I watched GET SMART yesterday. If you are a big fan of the tv show, you will be disappointed just as all tv shows turned movie have been. If you have never seen the tv show, this is a good movie that will keep you laughing. It kind of had a story and kind of didn't. I like Steve Carrell as an actor so, it was pretty amusing to me.

A funny thing my wife told me about last night. Now, we have a wii and the wii fit board. Somehow, my oldest son and my wife got on the conversation of working out and trying not to lose weight too fast or something like that. My wife had said something to the effect of when she loses weight she loses her boobs. My son asked why and she explained that they mostly had fat in them. His eyes opened wide and asked " momma, is my diddle made out of muscle or fat?" I laughed for quite a while.

I received a hilarious text yesterday on my phone. Normally I do not forward texts or text too much because some people (like myself) get charged extra for texts. I could not resist forwarding this one and sending it to like 14 other people in my phone book. The text goes like this:

ALL WHITE PEOPLE MUST REPORT 2 THE COTTON FIELDS TOMORROW MORNING AT 7AM FOR ORIENTATION!

I was laughing so hard. The main reason is because of who I received it from. It was one of my soldiers in my unit that is african-american. Even funnier I sent it to another Army buddy and he called and told me he received the same text 3 times within 30 minutes from AZ, GA, and KY. Wow, that got around fast.

Anyways, that is it for today. Chow.

Christmas already?

Every year it is the same thing. It seems stores start Christmas earlier and earlier every year. I think they shouldn't start putting out Christmas stuff until after Thanksgiving. I mean, Christmas is one day, but the holiday expands for 3 months. The day after Halloween, all Halloween stuff was gone and replaced with Christmas stuff. I am never too excited about Christmas because it always makes me think of all the money I will be spending. So seeing the stuff for one month is easier to deal with than for three months.

I finally have some money coming in, but enough to cover the bills due mid-month. Hopefully I will be called soon for this position so they will start paying me and I can get rent paid for next month. "not knowing" is always the worst part.

I recently watched JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH with Brendan Fraser. That was a really good movie. I wished I would have seen it in theaters as it is in 3-D as well. If you buy the movie, it will give you 4 3-D glasses, but renting, you don't get that luxury. I also watched THE CONTRACT. It is not a new movie, it is 2 years old. I saw it on a preview of another movie and it looked interesting. It stars Morgan Freeman and John Cusack. It was good as well. Morgan Freeman plays a free-lance killer who gets caught and John Cusack is an average father that ends up getting him handed over to him by a dying law enforcement official. Part of Morgan's crew is looking for him to rescue him and John and his son are of course in danger as they have him. Check it out.

I picked up GET SMART last night and will be watching that. I got about 30 minutes into it last night before my shows came on. It is really funny so far. Only Steve Carrell could pull off the part of Max.

The Day has Cometh

Now, I want to see the african americans say how we are suppressing them and keeping them down. That is the only plus I see so far coming out from this election. Am I racist...no. I just think McCain's ideas and plans were better thought out than Obama's. The people have spoke and now I will have a new boss come January. Because I am in the military. So I hope and pray that God directs him with the wisdom to handle this new position for him.

On a side note, I noticed today money showed up in my bank account so it is in the positive right now. I also noticed I will have another check deposit next week. After that is a guessing game again. So we will just have to see how things go from here.

Election Deadline

Well, tomorrow is the big day. I will be taking tomorrow off as I will probably be standing in line for a few hours to vote. Tomorrow will decide our future or our fate. So tonight would be a great time to search for religion and pray to your god.

Got back from Tucson yesterday evening. It was actually more fun to be a part of the process than going through the process. Can't really go into detail on it. I'll be leaving early today to take my wife to an appointment and then shoot back quick to pick up the boys from school.

Halloween wasn't too bad. We started at 5:30 and ended by 7:00. We didn't hit as many houses as we had in the past in different neighborhoods and cities, but they all made out like bandits. Of course I try to teach the kids every year about government and "tax" them. It was something my brother told me he has done with his kids for years so I adapted it into our tradition a couple of years ago. Of course I don't treat them like the real government. I only take three or four pieces instead of 50% of what they get. And their tax return is greater than what I take all year. If only we had a government like that.

I have drill this coming weekend, but the good news is that I'll have Monday and Tuesday off next week as it will be Veteran's Day. My oldest will be in a parade with his school on Tuesday in downtown Phoenix. The school is bussing them down, so I don't know if I'll be able to go or not. We'll see.