Letter from Roscoe Thursday, Nov 5 2009

I was greeted by this on the dining room table last night when I came home from school…..tired.

 I’mma need Bird to get off my  back…lol.  I’m not even sure what she’s talking about.  Ok…I may have not reviewed her work Monday night.  I think it was because they didn’t have school on Tuesday and they were in chillax mode.  The bad news is I forgot to give her $ for the book fair this morning…but she did too, so who’s fault is that??  Huh?? *sigh*

I did check her work last night.  I made a few highlightss that she corrected this morning. 

The girls REALLLY keep me on my toes.  I think I do a good job, but they are great about reminding me of things that I may let fall through the cracks simply because there is just soooo much on my mind. 

Just yesterday T reminded me to remind her pick-up that she won’t be out of school until 5:00pm due to Xmas show rehearsals.  I really do appreciate those reminders because I would surely forget.  Her pick up would arrive at 2:55 and then I’d have to apologize profusely.

6 Responses »

 

Octopus arms Thursday, Oct 22 2009

I am a planner.  I sit down and meticulously map out what I have to do to achieve xyz.  I’ve shared with you my plans to take x amount of credits for the upcoming semesters so that I can reach my target graduation date.

Last night me and another woman were called out of class to meet with an advisor.  When we reached her office she had paperwork already set out on her desk for us to sign. *eyes stretched*  She proceeds to tell us that we need to take a class starting Monday night.  I sat back calmly, yet defiantly and told her I can’t do another course right now…I’m already taking 16 credits.  Without a bat of her eye or a break in her stride she says “You have to“.  There is absolutely nothing I hate more than to be told or forced to do something…especially when I have good reason as to why I can not do it. 

My response to her was “I have a full plate right now…is there any flexibility because I can’t“.  She says “Well you can’t graduate without it, you can drop one of your other courses and take it next semester“.  “I’ve always had a lot of respect for this woman, but why is she bringing up graduation issues when I have several semesters to tackle before I reach that plateau??? *breathe*  “I.can’t”  Seeing that we were at a stalemate she left the office, and returned with the campus director.  GREAT!

She comes in with all of her bobble head animation “Kelly…what is it?  You have to take this course now…you just have to” *note that that really wasn’t a question; no one gives a sam hill as to why I can’t take it*  I’m silent.  Then she whispers “If it’s financial don’t worry…I’ll give you a retention”.  I resigned, and she left with a directive for me to email her in the morning. 

I sat down now so frustrated and overwhelmed that my eyes filled with tears.  I PLAN!!!  This was someone elses’ oversight that I didn’t have this course by now.  No I can’t drop what I already have and take it next semester.  Next semester I’ll be attending an LSAT prep course that’ll have me in class two nights a week…a weekend included, and taking 12 credits at the college.

It became clear to me that this was a crack down.  They were audited and now they have to do damage control in order to be in compliance.  It just sucks for me that now I’ll be away from home and the girls an extra night.  All of my other responsibilities that are already vying for time will now be condensed into one less day.

I’m not complaining…now.  I’m really just sharing.  I’m going to roll with the punches and do what I’ve always done, and give it my all.  I’m going to do my best to grow octopus arms because clearly I’ll need it.  I’ll buy stock in red bull because buying a lifelong supply to carry me through this semester…the stock is sure to rise!

4 Responses »

 

B12 Wednesday, Oct 21 2009

I just purchased today.  I’ll give a proper review in a week.  Something has to give.

7 Responses »

 

More than that Thursday, Oct 15 2009

I saw a young man this morning with his pants tight AND hung low.  I felt something stirring inside that made me want to slap him…really.   I started to quicken my steps and just when I came within steps he pulled them up and pulled down his shirt.  Ugh

I don’t have a son, but I have girls.  I’m telling them now that this is unacceptable.  Don’t even entertain a guy like that with eye contact.  I am so tired of seeing this anti-productive trend perpetuated.  It’s horrible.  It’s really only “our” people or other people trying to act like us.  A man can not be about business or accomplish anything with his pants low.  It’s just physically impossible. 

I don’t have sons, but I’m going to try to find a way to start reaching out to young men about this.  It makes us look dumb.  I know they think its just fashion.  It’s much more than that.  It’s a mindset.  Each one reach one.

How do you feel about this?

14 Responses »

 

1st day of School… Wednesday, Sep 9 2009

..and I’m so glad.  Last night I was stressed myself into a tizzy.  I was completely overwhelmed.  I left work 30 mins early to get a jump start on preparing for today.  I had to wash, condition and style Bird’s hair.  That’s always a feat.  T wanted her hair blown out.  I didn’t have extra $$ to accomodate that request so she said she’d wash and blow it so that I could go over it with the flat iron…fine. 

Well it took me 2 hours to finish Bird’s hair in between doing 2 loads of laundry.  By 8 pm I was exhausted.  Looking at T’s hair made me wanna cry.  It’s just sooooo much.  Using my very expensive flat iron was comical.  I need to find another conditioner for T’s hair stat.  What we’re using isn’t making the grade.  She may have seen the defeat in my eyes.  She told she would just wet her hair and wear it curly.  That weight was lifted, but I still felt burdened…to the point of tears.

There is no one to pass anything off to.  If I don’t do hair who’s gonna do it? If I don’t prepare the meal…If I don’t make sure the home is tidy..and it ain’t right now and that makes me VERY uncomfortable.  All of it is just exhausting sometime, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world. 

We all made it to bed at a decent hour and that was my biggest concern.  I wanted all of us to be well rested and prepared for today.

Yesterday, I called the girls and made sure they tuned into the President’s address.  I watched it online and his words made me emotional.  I heard it as a parent that wants so much for my girls.  Sometimes words of encouragement are few and far between.  The words he spoke were words of support and encouragement.  It felt like he was speaking directly to us.  This year we will strive harder and put in an even greater effort.  We will live up to our fullest potential.

For the past two weeks I’ve been searching for a math tutor for T.  She’s been struggling and its worn on her esteem.  I can not have that.  I’m happy that she’s attending the school she wanted to go to.  She’ll be dancing 4x a week. I won’t have to listen to her nag me about dance class.

Bird has a natural talent for music.  She used to take piano lessons and she was really good.  I could not keep up the lessons.  I was just discussing this with my godbrother yesterday.  Well, this morning I saw a notice at their afterschool program that piano lessons are being offered twice per week!

I pray that this will be a rewarding and fulfilling school year for all of us, my family and yours. 

6 Responses »

 

Playing dress up Friday, Jun 19 2009

There used to be a time when kids would go in their mom’s closet to play dress up.  You’d put on mom’s pearls and shoes…maybe there was a feather boa around..lol.  Nowadays girls don’t have to go into mom’s closet to play dress up because everything is right there in the stores. 

T is 11 years old.  She’s graduating next week and I canNOT find a decent graduation dress for her.  All of the clothes are party dress for 18 year olds!We started looking a couple of weeks ago and everything is halter, strapless, spaghetti straps or has a deep v cut for boobage…WTH??  Too much skin!  Who’s co-signing this fashion for young girls??  Or is it me?  Am I too prudish?  Nope.

I can’t even take looking anymore.  I’m tired and frustrated. I’m going to make her a designer brown paper bag.

9 Responses »

 

Take it away Tuesday, Jun 2 2009

When I came up with my academic plan I knew that I would need to make some lifestyle changes to accomodate the amount of time I’ll need to dedicate to school.  Not only that, but a better quality of life period.  I need to use my time effectively, and kick procrastination to the curb.

I have 4 tv’s in my house.  One in each bedroom and in the livingroom.  I will be returning 2 cable boxes. Two out of the bedrooms.  I’ve noticed that tv zaps the life outta me.  I’m in a vegetative state soon after it goes on.  I can feeeel the brain cells dissolving.  I don’t have alot of special shows that I watch, nor do I watch a specific program every night, however the dvr is my bestest friend and my worst enemy.

NO TV…thats the plan.  It’s a minute change, but I think it’ll effect a big benefit.  I’ll go to bed when I’m tired instead of forcing myself to stay up to finish a show.  Ideally that’ll give me sufficient rest and more energy. We’ll spend more time together as a family.  It would be great if they enjoyed pulling out Connect 4 or some game to occupy themselves.  Even going outside to play.  My  girls  T does not go outside to play.  T and her diva qualities.  Last year I tried to teach them double dutch.  That was fun.  Bird picked it up…T struggled a bit.  I’ll pick it back up this year.  The point is with my workload I will be busy.  I don’t want my “free” time to be sucked up in fantasy land.

I will also reduce my online time.  That’s another killa.  Thinking ’bout it…I may take the tv out of Bird’s room as well..I may.  Not to mention this will save me a good amount of money each month.

I’m going to see what kind of changes I see and post about it.  I remember Psonya wanted to get rid of her cable at one point.  Hey Psonya..did you ever do that?

I’m open to activity suggestions.  I plan to purchase a few games that I think the girls will enjoy.  I have to find that rope.  Bird has a bike.  I don’t and neither does T.  I’ll look into purchasing bikes as well.

7 Responses »

 

Exhale Wednesday, May 27 2009

I completely stressed myself to tears yesterday regarding school.  Although I’ve been blessed and have done as well as my peers with degrees.  I have shame that I didn’t go to school sooner.  Now I feel like I’m choking and time is against me because T is getting older. I’d like to have myself established in my career BEFORE she goes to college.  I don’t want us looking at each saying “whatchu gon be when u grow up…iono…whatchu gonna be when you grow up?”

This means finish school by 2011 (80 credits in two years), prepare for my LSAT,  get a good score so that I get accepted to a decent law school, go to law school f/t, and graduate.

In order to accomplish all of this before she graduates high school I have to not skip a beat.

It started with me realizing that I’ll have load up on my courses in order to finish by 2011. I went to complete my financial aid yesterday and was told that if I had things my way (12 summer creds+32 fall/spring creds),  I’ll owe the school $11,000+  for this school year*gasp*.  That’s when I felt the dam about to break.  If I stayed home and birthed babies for a living and taxed the system this wouldn’t even be an issue.  The truth is…if I had gone to college when I was supposed to this wouldn’t be an issue  *shame*.

The financial aid worked out. I’m scheduled to attend both summer semesters and take 14 credits in the fall. Once I finish summer I’ll have 60 credits and qualify for more money.  Then, I should be able to take 16 credits in the Fall and again in the Spring.

Its easy for others to say slow down, don’t worry.  Yesterday when I shared my plan to accelerate my academic workload my mother called me “impatient” and “type A”.  She doesn’t want me to stress myself out.  I’ve already let so much time pass me by and its important to me.

Thankfully, today my emotions are a bit more in check.  I’m pretty hard on myself.  Yesterday before I reached the financial aide office, I prayed that any door that is not for my benefit will be closed…in all areas of my life.  I’ll have to pray that my faith sustains me as that prayer is surely answered.

Have you overloaded courses before?  I have a plan of sorts.  I will be eliminating some things in my life in order to make this feasible.  I’ll share later.

The amount of debt that I’m going to be in after this is all said and done is enough to make me hyperventilate all on its own!

 

9 Responses »

 

My own Tuesday, Apr 14 2009

I enjoy my own cooking…most of the time.  Lately more than not, I don’t feel like cooking *sigh*.   I’m super busy (even on vacation) and when I get home the last thing I wanna do is get in the kitchen to cook.  Ordering out or picking up fast food is like a treat….cept right now its 11:57pm and I’m hella hungry.  I still don’t feel like cooking.  I have lamb chops thawing out.  Hopefully I’ll cook it in the a.m…that should eliminate my after work/after errand exhaustion excuse.

If I had a zillion dollars and I could have one thing..it would be a chef…hands down…then it would be in this order:

Cook
Cleaning person
Driver

One Response »

 

Where I been??? Friday, Apr 10 2009

It seems this is the not so new gadget rave.  This is the Flip Camcorder.  It holds up to 60 minutes of video and once you’re ready to upload it, you use flip out the usb and plug it into your computer. 

I’m not an electronic person, but I do lil gadgets that make my life fun.  I HATE reading manuals, but I’ve heard this is really really easy to use so my plan is to pick one up TUHDAY! *CHEESE*

2 Responses »