School and Brian

Brian has been in school since Sept. 3rd and when I got home from work yesterday there was a letter from the High School. Brian has lunch detention all of next week because he skipped an after school detention this past Monday. Apparently he forgot a text book for one of his classes and didn't think it was important enough to go to detention. He claims he forgot he had detention - I doubt it. Anyway, as I told him real good impression the first month of school. Anyway, he lucked out, because next week they don't have school Tuesday and Wednesday because of the Jewish holiday(s). Last night was back to school night and it went well. The only problem was that Brian doesn't know the room numbers of his classes, so I had a piece of paper with the teacher's names and what floor they were on. Luckily the school had seniors there to help parents find the classrooms. I only missed 1 of his classes - geometry. I was running around and going up and down many flights of stairs, but I did it. I forgot how confusing it can be. Anyway, all of his teachers seem really nice especially his Biology teacher whom Brian really likes also. I think I will be taking Brian to the hospital tonight. He messed up his right thumb pretty badly - very swollen, black and blue and painful, and I made an appointment at the orthopede, the same one my mom is going to for her broken arm/wrist, but it's not until Wednesday at 11am, and 1 the date is too far away and 2nd I can't take him Wednesday. We are having a big retirement luncheon for a guy at work and I am the one organizing it, so I have to be here, so I think I'll take him to the hospital either tonight when I get home from work or first thing tomorrow morning. Life with Brian is never dull. He makes for interesting times. I really do get a kick out of him and his friends. He has been friends with most of them for so long, since grammar school, that it's fun to see them now as they mature. They still annoy me and do things just to get me going, but for the most part they are GREAT kids/young adults. I still don't understand how in 10th grade he doesn't get much homework, but he's doing well so far, so whatever he's doing seems to be working. We now have our sights set on college and he desperately wants to go to college in CA so I have been busy going on line and getting info about colleges, just so he has an idea of what he has to do between now and college. His first choice, USC is out, he wouldn't get in and it's $47,000 a year, his 2nd choice is also out, I forget what it is, but he wouldn't get in and it's $45,000 a year, so now he/we have our sights set on Cal State, which is about $27,000 a year and definately doable as far as him getting in. It's also good because they have an outline of what classes he should be taking in preparation from 9th grade through senior year and gives him an idea of what his grades and SAT scores have to be. so, at least he's working towards something. The other nice thing I learned last night at back to school night, all 10th graders in Dumont HS take the PSAT's in school to get them prepared and the school pays for it.

Oh my gosh my car - again

Well, I called the idiot who struck my car last week to let her know I got a 2nd estimate from D&C Honda and it's $14 more than the 1st estimate, so she suggested I go to a friend of hers in Closter who fixes cars and does really good work and is less expensive. Well, I lost it on her. I told her I have left work early and arrived late getting the two estimates I already have, because of what her irresponsibility did to my car and now she wants me to go another place, a friend of hers no less. I told her I have already been inconvenienced enough and will have to borrow a car from my mom when my car is being fixed so my mom will also be inconvenienced. I said a lot of things to her and told her that if I had my way she'd be in jail for drunk driving. I was so angry and frustrated I hung up on her. Very frustrating. Also, I'm afraid that if she does say she's going to pay for it instead of insurance that when it comes time to pay she won't have the $ and they won't release the car until payment is made in full - cash or certified check, no credit cards. I have visions of my car being done and this girl not having the money. I tried being nice, but now I'm very frustrated and annoyed. I also picked up the accient report from the police and she was charged with not reporting an accident and leaving the scene of an accident. They couldn't get her for drunk driving because she was already inside her house when they got there.

Work

Well, here it is 9:14pm and I am at work doing drug testing. I will be here until at least 11:15pm. I was able to leave work at 5pm, usual time, go home, make dinner for Brian and me, sit down and relax for a little bit and then left the house at 8:20pm to come back here. Brian is at home playing video games with his friend Larry. I don't quite understand how he very rarely has any homework, but he doesn't and he's doing well in school so far, so..... I am a salaried employee, so I don't get paid overtime for this, but I can come in late if I want tomorrow, but I still have to get up anyway to drive Brian and his 4 friends to school at 7:40am. My boss is giving me off the day before Thanksgiving as we are going to my aunt and uncles in Washington DC for Thanksgiving. Brian and I will spend Wednesday night at my brothers house in Maryland and then go to Washington DC for Thanksgiving dinner (late lunch/early dinner) and then drive home Thursday. My brother and his family live a little under an hour away from Washignton DC so it's not bad at all. Very hectic, but it's nice to be with family. So I do get days off here and there for the time I put in doing drug testing. My boss is actually very good to me, so I'm not complaining. I am bummed though because I am missing the season premiere of Dancing With The Stars and I forgot to tape it, but I saw the 1st 2 before I left tonight. I am also missing Gossip Girl, but they replay tonights episode on Sunday at 6pm, so I'll watch it then.

My Car

Well, I got 1 estimate last night to repair my car and it seems it's a little more damaged than I thought - it's dented in more than 1 place and the estimate is for $1400. I called the girl who hit it and told her and after she started breathing again, I told her I'd get 1 more estimate and then she'll have to figure out what she's going to do, pay for it herself or go through her insurance. I don't really care just as long as it gets fixed.

My Car

Well, after "all the dust settled" yesterday and I had a good look at my car, it's not as bad as originally thought. There are no dents just a couple of small scratches and some paint missing. I reported it to my insurance company, but the girl who hit it came over last evening to apologize and ask if it was alright if she pays for the repairs out of pocket instead of going thorough her insurance, which I have no problem with. So, I have to take it to get an estimate and then based on how much it's going to cost, she'll make a decision on whether or not it goes through her insurance. The rest of my day yesterday went well. No other incidents to report. Brian was very concerned about me and the car, so he called me yesterday at lunch time to check on me which I thought was very nice of him. He is really a very considerate person and has a big heart.

My poor car

Good way to start your day - your car being struck in your parking lot by a drunk girl. This morning I awoke at 7am to my alarm and 2 girls, 1 my neighbor and the other her friend screaming and cursing at each other outside. I went out about 10 minutes later and told them to be quiet and stop with the language. One thing led to another and a lot of neighbors coming out telling them to be quiet and the sister of the drunk friend showed up to drive her drunk sister home. Well, that didn't work out too well and the drunk girl got into her car, that was parked illegally next to mine, she flew into reverse and struck the side of my car and then took off, while we all stood there in amazement. I immediately called 911 and in about 5 minutes 5 police cars showed up at my apartment, and luckily the girl drove home to her house in Dumont, so they got her at her house. There doesn't seem to be a lot of damage to my car, which is only 8 months old and only has 4600 miles on it, really nothing that some paint won't take care of, and if the girl had stopped after she hit it, we could have talked and I wouldn't have called the police. But now, she was drunk driving and left the scene of an accident. So that is how my day started.

Hair cut

Hi there, it's been awhile since I've written,but today I finally got a haircut that I like!!! It's short, for me anyway. It's neck length and a little layered, but I actually love it and so does Brian. Sean hasn't seen it yet, but I think he'll like it too. He likes long hair, so we'll see. So far so good with Brian in 10th grade. He is having regrets about not playing football this year, 1st year since he started in 1st grade that he's not playing. A lot of his friends didn't play this year either. In 10th grade they are on the JV team and not many schools have JV Teams so there are only 3 games the whole season and the rest of the time they are bench warmers for the seniors. Brian is going to play roller hockey again this year though, so at least he's doing something. Also, he will be 16 October 26th, so he is planning on getting a job after school and on the weekends. Things at work are going well, a little slow, but I still love going everyday. The weather in NJ is getting cooler and great sleeping weather, but it's still in the 80s most of the days.

School Started

Yesterday was Brian's 1st day of 10th grade and he said he was happy with all of his teachers and has a lot of friends in all of his classes. I don't think that's too good, but he's happy, for now, then again today is only the 2nd day of classes. Hopefully this year will be his turning point and he will actually try to do well.