Back in the Saddle

Wow, I made it through my first week as a long-term sub. It was an adjustment to start working for pay in September, because I had been a SAHM for seven years, but when I started subbing, I took a day or two off every week and caught up on housework and errands (and naps...but don't tell anyone). Then I stepped it up to working every day I possibly could (except the snow day and of course Presidents' Day) and that was another level of multitasking. Now I'm fulfilling all the responsibilities of a classroom teacher, all day every day, and it is a lot more work than regular subbing. I am busy every minute of the day except lunch, because I use any minute of down time to grade papers, plan the next lesson, record grades, provide make-up work, answer emails people who want me to do things I have no idea how to do, go to meetings, etc. The learning curve is steep, but the good thing is that I do enjoy doing this. You would think that would be a given, but I honestly wasn't sure I would like teaching again because I had a hard time when I taught eighth grade. Now I am having more fun with the students. I still don't like having to be the Mean Teacher (some students weren't too happy when they got bad grades on homework they had neglected to do and/or did a bad job on) but I am determined to get a thicker skin and make this my profession for life.

Today was Mr. Blue's birthday party. I can hardly believe my baby boy is four years old! I don't have the pictures on the computer yet--maybe I'll get to that before Monday.

Or then again, maybe I'll just fall asleep on the couch like I did three nights this week.

Friday Fill-Ins #164

 

1. Johnny Weir is someone I had to Google--and it turned out I'd heard of his costumes, I just didn't know his name.
2. Shamefully, I have not watched any of the 2010 Olympics (largely because my husband is not interested).
3. And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was overcome by the urgent need to earn a living.
4. Treat yourself to something nice if you get an urge.
5. Having sweet dreams is a lovely addition to a good night's sleep.
6. What does it take to keep going when you don't know where you're going to get enough energy to do everything that needs to be done?
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to putting the kids to bed, tomorrow my plans include going to a baby shower and (later) a birthday dinner for my dad and Sunday, I want to get ready for my first day teaching 9th & 10th grade English!

More Friday Fill-ins here.

Still Numb

I don't know how to write this except to just write it. On Thursday night we had a record-breaking snowstorm for our area, and during the night the snow caused the roof of my husband's cabinet shop to collapse and somehow started an electrical fire. The fire department put it out before morning, but we didn't hear Justin's phone while we were asleep, and we didn't know about it until yesterday morning.

Some of the cabinets, the computer, the van and the covered trailer were, thankfully, salvageable. The main thing is to finish the couple of jobs that were in progress (one of them involves three complicated cabinets that the builder is withholding $45,000 until they are installed). It looks like Justin and his partner may be able to lease a shop from a man in our church to finish these jobs. We were down to almost no money in the company due to this builder refusing to release any money, so it's only thanks to family that we are able to even take this step. We could really use your prayers for strength and peace and hope that better things are coming.

I feel like I haven't had time to check in--and that's because I haven't. Last week I worked 4.5 days and then left on Friday for a women's retreat on a ranch in East Texas. It was a good experience and I even rode a horse for the first time, which I enjoyed. (I chickened out on the zip line.) But after I got back on Saturday night, we had church and a Super Bowl party to go to. All that sounds fun and it was but I didn't have time to do everything I usually do on the weekend. I then went back to work on Monday. I was supposed to sub the second half of the day for the teacher going on maternity leave, and spend the morning observing her classes and planning ahead for when I show up to take over. Instead, a lot of teachers called in and there weren't enough subs. I ended up subbing in other classes, then running back to Mrs. S's class when they did find a sub. I subbed in the afternoon for the Pre-AP English I classes. I had to go to the grocery store after school and I was exhausted last night. It doesn't help that I've been waking up an hour early the past few mornings.

I don't think I should go into all the details here, but things are still tough here with the business and adding nervousness about doing a good job in this position isn't helping. I would be thankful if you would pray for me.

In Case You Didn't See This on Twitter...

I got the long-term sub job!

The assistant principal called me back on Monday morning (the interview was on Friday after school) to offer me the position "if I was still interested." I've never said yes so fast, except maybe when Justin proposed.

I'll be teaching mostly 9th grade English, regular English and Pre-Advanced Placement, plus one Pre-AP English II (which another teacher will help me plan for). I get to teach Romeo & Juliet, which I'm excited about because at least it's about love and that keeps teenagers at least somewhat interested. One week is the statewide test. I'll start once the teacher has her baby (she said, "I plan to keep teaching until the school nurse makes me leave") which should be the middle to end of this month, and so I'll be done the first part of April. Next week I'm going to sub for her while she has her doctor's appointment.

I wasn't sure at all that I was going to get it. All weekend, I kept thinking of how I could have answered the questions more smoothly. And the teachers (the one I'm subbing for and the department head) were polite, and they nodded and smiled when I answered their two or three questions--but that happened at the last interview I had, too, and I didn't get that job. So...you never know.

This will really help--I'll be making more money and getting my name in front of the right people when they are hiring for the new high school or hiring replacements at the OLD high school. I am grateful for the chance to show what I can do.

Remind me not to complain when I'm tired from working every day, okay?

Friday Fill-Ins #161

Yay, it's Friday (or it will be by the time y'all read this!) Before I do the fill-in, here's some exciting news: I have an interview! No, it's not for a permanent job--but it may lead to one. It's a long-term sub job for 9th grade English, and getting experience at the high school will definitely improve my chances of getting a permanent gig when the new high school opens in the fall. Plus, it's 50% more pay (which is only fair since I'll be doing all the grading, lesson planning, paperwork, etc. that the regular teacher does). There are apparently a lot of people who try for these jobs and I'm lucky to get an interview. Please say a prayer, cross your fingers, chant or burn incense for me--but don't sacrifice any goats. Unless you need fresh goat meat. But don't make a big mess just for me, is what I'm saying.

Oh, shoot--if you think sacrificing a goat will guarantee me a job, go ahead and do it!

Here's the fill-in!

1. Wouldn't it be easy if kids listened and obeyed everything we said?
2. My marriage is better than ever!
3. I love the taste of salty and sweet things together--like chocolate-covered pretzels, or crispy fries dipped in a milkshake. Mmmm, now I'm getting hungry.
4. My husband is flipping through channels in the living room.
5. The first thing we're going to do is talk about everything we've got going on.
6. The rain outside goes drip, drip, drip; all night long. (it really is raining; hopefully it won't become ice by morning).
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to making the kids pick up all their toys so I don't have to look at them all over the floor, tomorrow my plans include getting some scrapbook pages done with my group and Sunday, I want to celebrate 10 people getting baptized at our church!

Happy weekend, everyone!

50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind: #1-5

I ran across these questions over at The Wonder Worrier's blog and immediately decided to answer them, too. Like her, I'm going to do five at a time, randomly, whenever I want to blog but don't have something specific to write about.

Because I know you are all so interested in MEEEEEE.

No, seriously, I like reading other people's answers to these types of surveys, so if you decide to answer, post a link in the comments! And remember, like the original source said, these questions have no right or wrong answers.

1.  How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
I really do think I would be the age I actually am: in my mid-thirties. I like this age (well, I wouldn't mind being 32 instead of [gulp] nearly 35). I feel more confident and self-aware than I ever have been in my life. I've always been an "old soul" who never felt truly young and carefree even when I was. Of course, some days I feel about 80, but on the whole I embrace my current age.


2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Copying Steph again here: I really want to say that never trying is worse. Carpe diem, and "it's better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all," and all that. In reality, I have always dreaded failing--to the point that I deliberately avoid things that I'm not sure I'd be good at. If it doesn't come naturally, I don't do it. This is not something I like about myself, and am taking steps to change. For example, in a week I'm going on a women's retreat, where I have promised to do two things I've never done before: ride a horse, and go on a zip line. I'll report back. It may be... interesting, to say the least.
 
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
Well, sometimes you just have to suck it up and do some things you don't like. That's called maturity, or "acting like a grownup." I don't have much sympathy for people who blow off their responsibilities because they weren't feeling excited about their job or their marriage every day. There's something to be said for sticking it out when the going gets tough. But the tradeoff should be that you balance that with things you DO enjoy. For me, that involves remembering to savor the everyday moments that make up my everyday life, like letting the kids pile on top of me on the couch, or making time for a hobby I enjoy.

4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
Absolutely, because I talk a LOT. I hope my actions back up my words, however. One example: I hope my children don't say after I'm gone, "Mom talked a lot about loving us, but we never really felt she meant it."


5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
I think I've answered this before in a post, but am too tired to look it up. I'd like to end child abuse, because I think it contributes to so many of the world's problems. If every child could go to bed loved tonight, what a different world it would be.


That's all for now! I'm looking forward to answering the next 5 questions!