Helloo everybodeeeee!
Well, things are settling into a routine. I'll try to update all of you on various points of my life.
First and foremost, the kids:
Delaney's in third grade and about to turn 9 on Friday. Her teacher is the 'nice' one, the one everyone loves to have. She truly is a sweet woman. I've subbed for her, and she's really disorganized and can't spell, which for a teacher isn't my favorite trait. But...as long as she's good to my kid, that's the main thing. Delaney is NOT in a class with Ms. Bullypants, so that's a huge factor. Delaney got her ears pierced on Saturday. She had been uninterested before, so when she asked, I said yes. I wanted her to feel empowered and brave. And she was. I'll have to get JJ to post the pic of her as the earrings were going in. It's the cutest.
Greyson is in Kindy. His teacher seems nice, but not as bubbly as Delaney's. I think a good word to describe her is 'seasoned'. Greyson has fallen in love with Kennedy, a redhead. He sat by her at open house. I asked him if she was a new friend, and he answered, "What? I like redheads!" So far, so good. His handwriting is atrocious, but so was Delaney's at this age. He has the added challenge of being a lefty. He loves gym.
Next, you'll all want to know how it's going in the House of Eternal Remodeling: You'd be shocked at how good it looks! The outside is giving me fits due to a constant state of woodcutting/yardsale trash/various projects 'under construction'. At least these projects that are started are actually completed! We have laundry, a kitchen sink with disposal, a spray attachment, air in the upstairs bedrooms, we cleaned out the book nook....Basically, it looks like folks should actually be living here. The kitchen is our best room. I have introduced JJ to the joys of Fiestaware, and he is now a bigger fan than I am.
Mr. Technology bought a huge flatscreen TV with our yardsale $$ (We made over $600!!!) We also now have digital cable. Soon to come? Digital phone service.
{Note: This is starting to sound ilke one of those awful Holiday Letters. So sorry. Too tired to rewrite.}
Now, perhaps some of you would like to know what's going on with my new job:
So far, I really like it. Mrs. Long is a unique and special teacher. She's very...basic. She wears khakis, a polo, and tennis shoes every day. She has instincts like crazy. She already has our J. (the boy I had last year who has autism) doing his schedule, trying soft foods (I'm AMAZED) and talking a little. TALKING!!! When I say she's done it, she has. I have been sitting back and taking mental notes and direscion. Not to say that I'm just watching. Shoot, are we busy!!! My ass is tired by day's end. In the morning, I'm with Mrs. Long with the homeroom kids, meaning the kids that pretty much stay in the MH room. I'm there until my lunch, which is early, and then I go to a first grade classroom with two young students who are inclusion kids. They are both BIG challenges. Particularly, for now, the young man, M. I don't know quite what will work with him at this time. It hasn't helped that when I'm in there, it's afternoon, and he's tired by now, and each day so far has been a new day of specials (art, library, music, gym) where they have practiced fire, lockdown, and tornado drills. This kid is scared to death of these drills!! By the time I coach him through it all, we get back to class, get a drink, and settle he's lost.
More job related news: The teacher for whom I took over last year is not cleared at this time to return to work. It's an STRS physicians thing. I heard a rumour tonight that she may not be returning? Or may be returning mid year? And that I was the best candidate, and would I be interested in the job? Well, the answer to that is YES and NO. Yes, if the job were permanent. NO, if she would be returning midyear or next year. If you have to ask why, think abouit it. Even with the better pay and the happy placement and the fact that I'm already trained on the job and the fact that I love the staff there, I'd still rather stay where I am stable. I don't want to be on the job search again next year. Or the 'new kid' again. The stability is TOTALLY WORTH the extra money! TOTALLY!!!!!!!!
Here's something that happened the other day. You decide how fucked up it is. Both my district and my kids' school district were called off school due to the heat index. (It was 105!) At 9:20 in the morning, I heard the phone ring. I ignored it, because I was outside for a moment before the heat of the day overtook me. I heard it ring again, and so I went to see what was up. It was my mom. Apparently, I was supposed to be at work? No. I'm not. But I called in, and the superintendant told me that I had been reassigned for the day to Learning Steps (the school where I worked last year) to help with screenings. The call was at 9:29!!! I was in a tank top and gym shorts! So I sprang into action and made it in to work by 10:30!! Thank goodness my ex MIL was around! Anyway, I found out that this had been planned for a week. They were originally going to get a sub for me and have me come to work at Learning Steps!! A sub? On the third day of school? When we got back to school on Monday and I told Mrs. Long, she immediately got on the email and let our supervisor know that getting a sub for me on a regular basis was NOT going to fly!! My kids need stability and routine, not a sub here and there on a whim when they decide they need me. Grumble!!
What's worse is that I won't get paid or comp time. I will get paid my normal hourly wage, but nothing more, even though the other aides in my district had the day off. GRRRRR! Still steaming about that one!
Okay, I'm exhausted and we have meetings at 7:45 am. I gotta sleep! Hope you all enjoyed my long winded update.
Wooo hooo! I know I have no readership on here, but I am happy to be back blogging. The reason that I haven't been, is because the link was on my computer and it just got settled back. I will post a nice catching up post later today.