Smells like Rain

I'm up, and I've yet to sleep. I know, I promised I would stop staying up so late. I was still going to bed late; however, I was going to bed earlier and waking earlier. Then I got sick. Then I got stressed out. Then Aaliyah got sick (recently) so I was up throughout the last few nights with her. Now I just have a stuffy nose, yet I'm still stressed the hell out.

Noel started a temporary job last week. It's out closer to LA so he moved back with some relatives. Yesterday was the first time in a few weeks since Aaliyah and I've seen him. He came to town only to head back at 3am today to get to work (by 5am). He said he didn't need to set the alarm since I'd be up awake.

Thanksgiving went pretty well. Aaliyah was being a little brat on and off because she wasn't feeling 100%. Once she settled down, she was way too happy to be playing with her cousins to eat. I was just glad to be out of the house and around family so overall the day went well. That, and stuffing. I wish I was eating some right now.

For the first time in the last 3 years I didn't purchase anything on Black Friday or Cyber Monday. I would have loved to get most of my Christmas shopping done now. I just lacked the money. Unemployment's messing up again. They shorted me on one check, I had to email them for an answer (there's almost no way to get through on the phone), a week later I received a reply, I followed the instructions and mailed the check back along with a letter explaining what went wrong and what I was instructed to do, and received a check for an even smaller amount. So, I'm waiting on another response for that, and another check for other weeks. What a crappy time for this to happen. I wanted to take some online classes, yet they cut you off for a phone interview (which takes 3 weeks to get, plus a week to receive your check) to determine if your school would interfere with getting a job. Online classes won't, I should be approved. School starts next month, by the time this is straightened out school will be started and I'll be cut right back off.

The list of jobs I come up with is getting thin. I'd go ball up in a dark corner and cry, but if someone saw me they probably wouldn't hire me.

My friend, Latoya, from back in high school called that night. Our little brothers are friends and hang out all the time. Not too long after she graduated in `06 she moved to the other coast, so we haven't seen each other in forever. We chatted for a while and made plans to get a few of us together before she heads home. Aaliyah's been feeling a lot better so we might go out to eat or catch a movie in a couple of days. It's been forever since I've gone out with friends, and that started before I had my daughter so I can't even blame that, lol. Hopefully my social mind-state sticks at least until then. I don't know. The last few years I've gone through long stages of feeling out of place when it comes to being around people aside from my family. Those days/weeks I just want to stay home.

Also, I've been craving apple pies from McDonalds. Haven't had those in a year or so. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

Good night. I think... I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.