Transition

Wow! I think this is the longest I've gone without posting. I hate it when I do this because my blogs are always so long anyway, this one should be like War and Peace. LOL

I have been so busy with my regular job. The recruiting aspect that was added has really kicked in this month. October is the big recruiting month. So I have been going to many college fairs and events with my recruiter partner. This has involved both day and night hours. On top of that, I have been teaching that class. I am happy to say my early 8-week class is now over. I am getting my Thursday evenings back. (Although my regular job has some other things lined up for me on a few Thursday's in the near future. Ugh!) I posted my grades last nite. That was kinda of scary because it was so final. I had to give 3 failing grades but 2 were because they never showed up to class and never dropped it either. The third one contacted me yesterday, AFTER the semester had ended to make up his work. I consulted my dean and she said to give him a week. So, he's been duly notified of all the work he has to do. I hope he does it. I had to laugh at his email, it actually said, "Pretty please with sugar on top. LOL" Gotta love freshman students.

So now I am in a transition to teaching this same course online. That started last night. As I am sitting here, I should be keeping up with their postings but I have already read and responded to several. I just don't have it in me. I am exhausted. The very same course is so different online due to how the material has to be presented. Once again, I am in a learning process. However, my spring course is online as well, so that one should be a breeze. Let's keep our fingers crossed.

Oh and for the first time since I've worked at the college, I was sent to a big overnight conference - 3 days and 2 nites. That was last week and it was really cool. I learned alot and made some new contacts. Met some people from other colleges that I've talked to on the phone. Nice to have faces with the names. And my roommate, one of our Directors, and I really took advantage of the hospitality suite on our last nite there. We visited with our Rose State partners until 3 a.m. Yes, 3 AM. I never do that and let me tell you, I was one torn up puppy the next morning. We had 2 sessions to attend before we left to go home. She and I shared the Tums that our Associate Registrar brought. He doesn't drink but he sure was prepared! LOL

And to add some fuel to my fire, I am seriously thinking about pursuing my Masters degree beginning this spring. I have until mid November to apply. It is very scary since I am teaching now. I just worry I won't be able to keep up with it all. I feel like I'm neglecting my family as it is, but I think I need to have that paper to help me with my job. If I can come up with the tuition for one class for spring, then I will get tuition reimbursement for each semester after that. The reimbursement will cover all but $100. So if we can scrape up the money for books and tution for spring, I will owe only $100 and books for future semesters. I am only planning on 1 class at a time. I know I couldn't do more than that. My recruiter partner wants to go through the same program so we thought it would be nice to have the support for each other. She is kidless so it won't be so difficult for her. She will take 2 classes at a time. It is so scary just thinking about it. My stomach is doing flips.

I had a parent/teacher conference today for Tristan. I so wish most of the time that I didn't have to be a working Mom so I can help him with his issues. He is doing so much better and is enjoying school. But he is still doing his own thing on his papers. He's listening and understanding but he has problems putting it down. So today I met with the special ed teacher as well and she gave me some ideas to help him. We have to do that freakin evaluation, which is an ADHD eval, so they can identify the problem and get him the IEP he needs for coursework. We refuse to medicate him so they said they are going to try methods that don't involve that. I am a bit stressed over that but I know it will help him. I am just scared to death. I really don't believe he has a learning disability but more of a processing disability. It registers and he understands. He recites everything she's been teaching but he just can't write it down in the proper way. Oh and he now sings his version of the Star Spangled Banner each nite in the bathtub. You should hear it...it's absolutely priceless. I still love Mrs. Jones to death. She is going to be the teacher that made a significant difference in his life.

Taylor is doing fantastic in school. She is keeping all her grades up and I am very proud of her. I got her a math tutor and that is going well. So yea, I'm happy to say that both my kids are making outstanding progress this year. Finally!

Chance is busy with the fall flower season. We are both running ragged and working many late nites. He did have some time to start our Christmas shopping in September so that is really cool. His online store is going well. Now that he has switched it to football memorabilia, that is selling much better. The jersey's are moving. He just added hats and visors. Eventually he will expand more. We aren't making millions but it's a start. Every little bit helps. Even though we have that and my new teaching salary, somehow we still are broke all the time. They always say most people live beyond their means....yes we do much of the time. I think this new income is keeping us level! LOL

We are also trying to be as green as we can. We are both concerned about our environment and this global warming issue. We have changed all the light bulbs, bought some new energy efficient appliances, replaced our windows to energy efficient and replaced our heating/air conditioning unit to energy efficient too. Our electric bill was over $100 less each month this summer even with the pool running. That was awesome! Chance wants me to try to find recycled paper towels. We could do alot more than we currently are, but we keep trying to find one little thing at a time to help. After some time, it will add up.

Well, I'm getting tired and I need to get my clothes out of the washer and hang them up. I will try to write again sooner. Chara, I am waiting on that baby boy. I hope you are walking lots each day. Oh and isn't it spicy foods that helps induce labor???? Try that too!

Love to everyone.
B