- Work.. dare I say is finally on the upswing. I got rid of (sorry for the harsh term, but it's appropriate) two more unruly students that were making the environment so unhealthy. There were days that I was in complete meltdown mode and seriously considering leaving due to these two. They were really violent and verbally aggressive towards myself and anyone else in their path. My kids seemed to breath a sigh of relief when the last one left. So things are finally getting back to a "normal" state and education is actually beginning to happen. Sad that it took until now to finally be at that point. I can't save them all!
- Thanksgiving was nice. It wasn't what I hoped for, as my Grandmother and Grandfather were unable to be there. She wasn't well that day. I went over in the morning to bring them all the traditional fixings to have at home and to visit for a short time. I went back over on Friday to visit some more and she looked much better that day. My only wish is that she will feel well enough to join us for Christmas. They always ask about Julia, (which I love) but it makes me sad to tell them how far off it is because I know that she may not be around to ever meet her. It makes me proud to know she will carry her name. It is the most important thing I will ever do... Julia will ALWAYS know how amazing the woman she is named after is and how important she is to me.
- I decorated my house yesterday and I LOVE IT!!! I put up a Christmas tree for the first time in about 5 years. I always decorated, but no tree. I was so happy to come home today to a lit-up tree and all the pretty decorations. I have collected so many beautiful decorations over the years and I love taking each one out and finding a new place for it. It makes me smile just to look at it all!
- I'll be on vacation again in three short weeks... whooohooooooooooo. And this year is the year we get the longest possible vacation. When Christmas falls on a Thursday, so does New Years Day... so instead of bringing us back on the 2nd for 1 short day they give us until the following Monday, which is the 5th!!!! It couldn't have happened on a better year! I will so enjoy all the time off this month!
- My governor just signed a wonderful law that will entitle me to six weeks of partial pay when I take off for the adoption. It doesn't come into effect until July 2009, which doesn't matter to me since it will be more like 2020 when it finally happens. I'm just so glad to know that I will have some pay during that time. As it stood right now, I would not have been able to use any of my 100+ sick days, or my paid disability during the 12 weeks of family leave, so this is huge for me to have some money to work with at that time. It's a move in the right direction. I will still continue the fight with my district to match the availability of sick time that they allow maternity leave cases to use. I just want to have the option to use 30 of my days like you can if you gave birth.
- Things with the man are good... not where I'd like them to be, but thats my being a girl problem to sort through... I should leave well enough alone, right? Really, it's been great to be with someone that I really care about and enjoy. It would just be easier if we lived closer to one another!!
- I have been cooking up a storm lately... (no comment Mandy...) When I mention to anyone that I made this or that I get... You cook? Remember people, it's about choice not ability. I can cook, I just usually choose not to. I love to cook when it's for someone. When it's just me... most of the time I feel like, why bother! But I DO know how to cook, and i'm pretty good at it I must say!!!
- Anyone else notice how completely awesome the moon and the planets aligned with it are tonight??? I tried to photograph it, but being the worst photographer in the world... I could not capture the beauty of it.
- I am visiting with friends this weekend that I haven't seen in forever.... even taking a day off to do it!!! I can't wait to catch up and have some good ol' fashion fun!!
~Night all
13 comments:
Thanks for the update ...
I always enjoy knowing what's going on ... weird? Perhaps!
Anyway, glad to hear you got rid of the 'toxins' ...
Hi VSP,
Glad 2 c an update...looks like u r alive & kicking, as I am also trying 2 do - with the daily grind...I am off 2 sunny S'pore & A'lia again next week & will b there 4 3 weeks thru' Xmas...Merry X'mas...K
Wow, that's good news on the pay front. We are incredibly lucky - in my state we get the equivalent of maternity leave/pay for adoptions. That means I get 14 weeks full pay or 28 weeks at half pay. I'd be crazy to leave this job.
That's true about cooking being a choice, not an ability. I think people use the ability argument as an excuse sometimes when they're really just choosing not to have a go!
Enjoy catching up with your friends!
I love bullet posts!!!! Thanks for keeping us updating us..Way to go on the house decorating
Woo Hoooo! On getting the classroom back under control. How miserable it must have been.
I hope your grandma feels better. Keeping her in my thoughts. I didn't realize you were naming Julia after her. That's wonderful.
Have a wonderful time with your friends this weekend! ;o)
I wish our house was decorated. I don't know when I am going to find the time to do that.
Didn't notice the planets. We had snow last night, so no clear sky.
I think I hit all the bullets I wanted. :o)
My girl is being named after my Gmama too. She passed away from breast cancer when my mom was only 13 so I never got to know her either. But, my girl will carry her name. Unless, of course, she's a 'he' - then it's just Jack ;0)
Sounds like overall good stuff for you..gotta love that. I'm just sayin' ;0)
Hey, say 'hi' to those weekend friends for me!
Congrats getting the unrulies out of there! I know that feeling. I'm jealous that your house is decorated, I'm at least a week or more out on that one.
Have fun visiting with friends AND taking the day off!!
"Remember people, it's about choice not ability"... I LOVED this line! lol!
Sorry to hear about your grandma, John and I think about her often and when he asks me if I've spoken to you lately, he always follows it with "I was wondering how her grandmother is doing"... gotta love my man...
You MUST share with me this 6 weeks of partial pay business...
Hope you have a great time with your friends this weekend!!! Who the hell is so special that you'd take a day off to visit with them?????????? :P
BTW - I'm coming to see your new place while you're on vacation! Yes, I just invited myself... deal with it :P
That unequal leave thing just sucks, doesn't it? I'm entitled to 12 weeks FMLA. But because I'm not birthing my child I can't use my sick time (which I have gobs and gobs of after 19 yrs on the job). I have to use vacation days. And I can only carry over 6 weeks from year to year. It's a catch 22. They tell me I can take 12 weeks off.... but I can only get paid for 6 of them. Bastards.
I know how you feel. My grandma will be 100 yrs old next June. Yes I said 100!! Can you believe it? From the day I decided to adopt I've prayed she hangs in to meet my daughter. But ...... :(
You sound a bit brighter. The six weeks of partial pay sounds promising. I will take off sick days (thank goodness some of winter break is included in my travels!) Each district is so different. Heck, with 100 sick days you can go on another cruise!
The moon and venus and jupiter were gorgeous and sparkly. I am so glad you are decorating for Christmas. Sounds like you are living which is hard to do focused on waiting. Big hug. Oh and I'll be over for dinner in 10...what are you cooking tonight?! =)
Sounds like you are doing well.
Sorry to hear about you grandmother.. hope she feels better soon..
Happy to hear you are doing well with the your man.. that is always a nice blessing..
As for days off.. well I can have 12 weeks off but can only use 3 weeks vacation and a week sick.. they don't let us carry anything over from year to year.. so will have to go without pay.. that is awful.. I was counting on Short term.. but not birthing her.. whatever.. so far we have been prego for 19 months.. Have a great time with friends..
Hey you - haven't checked in for awhile...looks like you've been busy as ever. Hope you have a WONDERFUL holiday :)
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