Monday, May 23, 2011

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is going to be a big day up in the Case household. In the morning I have a pregnancy-related doctor's appointment (growth ultrasound) and Mr. Case is taking a drug test. 

The drug test is for a job he reallllllly wants. This potential job would mean rotating Saturdays off, better health benefits, and a quitting time of 5 p.m. 

The downside is that the dealership is sort've far, but we're at the stage where until he can leave his industry completely, we need to "give a little to get a little." Aside from the commute, the job is amazing. I really hope he gets the job. He passed the background check and he will (obviously) pass the drug test tomorrow. I am not sure what other requirements they have but with any sort of miracle he will be working sometime this week. Praise God! He has two other offers but one offers no health benefits whatsoever, and they are both 6 days a week; I don't think I need to explain why this neither of those is ideal. 

Please send up some prayers for Mr. Case. Heck, even crossed fingers are appreciated!

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Simply Put

My anxiety and fears are getting the best of me today...they don't deserve my worst, let alone my best!  Health issues, money issues, blah, blah, blah.

Not where my heart should be.

Do you ever feel this way? Like you're spiraling out of control and you need to re-focus?

I need to disconnect from the world and get my act together.

Tomorrow is a new day-catch ya on the flip side!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Love!

If you're in the mood to be moved, this YouTube video speaks for itself and is worthy of your time. I love a good marriage proposal!

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Update: TSA

I always try to be fair so I thought I would share an update on my incident with the TSA agent from Hell.  as you may recall, I went to the TSA website and filled out a complaint. I didn't think I'd ever hear anything about it but first thing Monday morning I got a call.

Much to my surprise, the head of the entire airport called me! (Any by "head" I mean the director of the TSA, not the actual airport; they're separate entities.) I reiterated the information in my complaint and he took down all of the information.

Now, this airport is huge. Larger than LAX and Miami! The director told me he has well over 1,000 agents but that he was going to endeavor to track her down with the info I provided. I was very impressed.

I will likely never know if he was ever able to find her, but I felt good that he took my complaint seriously and that he took the time to call me first thing in the morning.

He also informed me that at any time you are allowed to stop your screening. It is not the same as being searched by the police, where you basically have to endure the search till the cops decide it is over (I have never been searched by the police but this is my understanding.)

In the moment I never thought to ask for her to stop her tirade. Honestly, I assumed she'd punish me further by not allowing me on the plane. But, according to the director, you can ask for a supervisor to intervene at any time and the current search must end. You don't even need to list a reason or excuse for why you're uncomfortable. You only need to say, "Please stop my search and summon a supervisor."

This is good information to have going forward. Just like any other interaction, you might still come across someone who is a miserable person in general, but at least now we know we don't have to tolerate verbal abuse from anyone, especially out of fear.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Shame On You, TSA

This evening on the news they did a story on the TSA and how unprofessional some of the agents are. In my state specifically, they are looking to pass a law that punishes TSA agents for roughing people up unnecessarily and violating them physically beyond the requirements of their jobs.

Now, let me just say that I don't have a problem with TSA. The majority of times I have travelled, I have found them to be efficient and quick. Can't ask for much more than that. At Honolulu International Mr. Case and I were dismayed and concerned over two agents who were supposed to be monitoring the contents of the luggage ignoring the conveyor belt in favor of discussing how drunk they got over the weekend, but otherwise I have had nothing bad to say... Until this past week. Incidentally, the story on the news featured a former beauty queen travelling out of "my" airport who posted a YouTube video after a TSA agent allegedly touched her vagina during a pat down.

For medical reasons, my doctor instructed me to ask for a pat down instead of going through the full-body scanner. Prior to travelling I went on the TSA website to check on the most efficient way of getting this done, what the rules were, etc. In other words, I did my homework like I should be expected to. Through my research, I learned anyone can request a pat down, no reason needs to be given, and you simply need to inform the agents.

Here is how it all went down:

I arrive to the first agent and hand her my boarding pass. I ask for the pat down. She tells me, "OK, tell the agent in front of the scanner." I load all of my stuff onto the conveyor belt and proceed to the agent in front of the scanner. I state, 'On the advice of my doctor I would like to request a pat down instead of going through the scanner.'

No lie, the agent's face completely contorted with disgust and she proceeded to hold up the entire security line to give me a lecture on how I am ignorant and need to do the scanner.

When she was done with her tirade I calmly replied, 'I am not here to dispute any of your scientific facts. Now that I have listened to you may I exercise my right to the pat down?'

This infuriated her more. I am not sure why she took it so personal but she was not going to let me go without drama. She says to me, "Well if you're going to insist you're going to have to wait a long time." She then looks to the other agent and says, "Tell her she's going to have to wait a long time."

In an attempt to look unfazed I replied, 'Well, I did my homework and knew to come early enough to wait.' I then looked at the male agent (who by this time was squirming watching her mistreat me and hold up the 50 other people in line) and said, 'And if it is easier I will accept my pat down from a male agent if it makes your job easier.' In an attempt to bust my chops more she was stalling as long she could in using her walkie to summon a female agent to do my pat down.

I don't know what the heck the problem was. I know everyone has bad days but this agent was awful and treated me like I had insulted her personally by declining the scan for a medical reason. It isn't like I declined the scan due to some conspiracy theory, or to be a pain in the ass. There was no need for her to make a fuss, especially considering she was not even the one to perform the pat down!

I feel it is only fair to note that the agent who did my actual pat down was polite, courteous, efficient and quick. I have no complaints about her. Furthermore, she did in fact touch my genitalia, too, but she informed me of the need to do so before even beginning the pat down. There were no surprises, and there was absolutely nothing perverted, sexual or inappropriate by any means. The entire thing was over in seconds.

I know it won't do one bit of good, but I did fill out a complaint with the TSA so they can know what a bad name this woman is giving them (and her fellow agents!)

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Hitting the Trail

Due to the industry he works in, Mr. Case often has to head out on foot in search of employment. There are very few jobs posted in online resources such as Monster or Craig's List. It's just the nature of the beast.

Mr. Case spent several hours yesterday scouring the internet and applying to jobs both in and out of his field, but today he is hitting the trail.

This makes me sad for him. Mr. Case is shy, but will do anything for our little (growing) family. He humbles himself to walk up to complete strangers and ask if he can at least drop off his resume'. I could never do that. The constant rejection would be emotionally crippling. To wit, Mr. Case was very anxious and stressed before he headed out, but out he still went.

I love him for that. He prides himself on being a good provider and for that I am thankful. Putting yourself out there to countless strangers takes a lot of courage.

I'm indescribably proud of him. Please send him some good vibes!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Sick, Sick, Sick

I admit that this is a sore subject for me given the fact that several people I love (and have loved in the past) are addicts, but I am truly bothered tonight. As it is well know, Lindsay Lohan is an addict (as are Charlie Sheen and many other celebrities.) 


One of the gossip rags posted a story which detailed a probation report written about Lindsay. Now, I am not a fan of hers, have never seen one of her movies, etc. Frankly, I wish someone in her life would step up to the plate and sequester her, but that is neither here nor there. 


It is completely shameful and disgusting that anyone would publish a report that detailed, specifically, which medications Lindsay is one. Everything from what she uses to fall asleep, to her preferred birth control, to some antibiotics, were listed. 


Now I accept culpability for reading these sites and therefore encouraging them to print such garbage, but I honestly prefer the happy news of babies, engagements, etc. 


Listing someone's personal medical information is not acceptable. People laugh and say that because they're celebrities, they open themselves to the attention. To an extent that is true. But what does it say about us as a society that we discuss the personal troubles of people like Charlie Sheen ad nauseum? 


Sheen is another one with very, very, severe problems. He is an addict in the throws of a personal crisis. There is nothing funny about his antics. He has five children, none of whom will be "OK" should he meet an untimely demise, and none of whom will survive his addictions unscathed. 


Where is the line drawn on acceptable news and gossip items? Recovery is hard, and that is putting it mildly. Though I prefer him sober, from not only loving addicts, but working with them for five years, I can promise that I understood 100% when he said, "I was sober for five years a long time ago and was bored out of my tree." 


To maintain dignity as a culture we need to step back and allow these people to either heal, or self-destruct, in private. Yes, they do bring on much of it themselves, but that is not a license to feed their demons. 

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Blah

Today is not a good day.

I got in a fight with my brother which somehow morphed into an ugly fight with my husband.

Being away from alllllllll your friends is really, really hard. Seeing our friends this weekend was a painful reminder of that fact.

Depression is rampant 'round these parts but I am trying to keep in perspective what I can control and what I simply can't.

Tomorrow is a new day. All I need to remember is that I have my health, and that someone, somewhere, always has it worse. No time for a ride on the pity pot today!

I can't lie-things are rough right now, though. Any spare warm fuzzies, prayers or the like are greatly appreciated!

Monday, May 9, 2011

The Statue

I have seen this quote twice in one day and therefore think its relevance is a sign:

Not every day is sunny; some days you're the pigeon and some days you're the statue.


The day before we left for our trip to California, Mr. Case lost his job.

On the one hand, I feel very relieved. His job was awful. He was working a minimum of 10-12 hours a day, if not more, and making very little money.

Very little money. 

But, he stayed at the job for some valid reasons:

1. He is nothing if not dedicated to providing for his family. Frankly, I am pregnant and we needed the health insurance.

2. He thought if he demonstrated how industrious he was, then when things improved our financial situation would improve. Unfortunately, his industry dictates that when the economy is bad, so is our bank account situation.

So, needless to say, there has been a lot of mixed emotions. It was truly not a good environment in which to be spending the majority of your day. Without going into too many details, there are reasons we feel a peace about the situation.

And, most importantly, we are confident God will provide for our family as He always, always has. we are trying not to operate in fear, but of course we have our weak moments.

If you have any to spare, please send some prayers our way.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Random Weekend

This past weekend was about as random as they come. Saturday I ate some bad Jack in the Box and spent most of the day in bed. Later that night I met up with my friend Natalie who was visiting from Canada for a conference. We were joined by her friend Lauren. Natalie's mom, Lauren's husband and Mr. Case were all there, too. We ate at Mi Cocina (the only decent Mexican food in all of Texas, trust!) Here I am with Natalie and Lauren:



On Sunday I worked check-in at the nursery in church. Yikes! I'm skeptical I would cut it as an actual teacher. After church Mr. Case and I headed to the Dallas Convention Center for what we thought was a car show. We were so very, very wrong! It turned out to be a hip hop concert with some cars. And not just any cars, but pretty much the most ghetto vehicles you could imagine. It might as well have been called the "donk show." Ha! (If you don't know what a donk is, click here and see definition #2.) The fashion sported by most of the concert goers was unlike anything I have ever seen! I was not the only pregnant woman there but I was the only one not wearing visible thong underwear or full-body stockings as maternity wear. Some people have no shame!

Possible Mom-Mobile?

Gotta love snakeskin!

The foam oozing out of the seats was icing on the cake

Headlining artists, of course I have no clue who they are!

Nipples on your hood = classeeee (poor Mr. Case didn't want his photo taken!)