Gina 1, charter school 1
So.. since I have nothing else to really say, here is the update on the school saga.
I had Larry read the reply email to the 'it is an intimate setting' before I clicked "send"
And then it was modified.
He said I came off as witchy (or something that rhymes with that)
Heavily modified
Almost even polite but to the point
And I have gotten an apology. Actually 2 of them.
Now.. on to tackle the windmill of allocating equivalent funds/options to the kids who aren't physically going to school 2 days a week. Because as I figure it- they're getting $16K+ and giving me $600 in books which they will collect back at the end of the year to re-use and I meet with our adviser 8 times a year for an hour. If you paid her $100/hr, even if you round it up to 10 hours a year.. I'd like to know what they're spending the other $14,400 on. Because they "cut costs due to budget cuts" by putting everything online and having us print them. They "cut costs due to budget cuts" and eliminated the option to be reimbursed $50/month for extracurricular activities (which we hardly used, but still..)
I'm feeling a bit gypped and tricked. Even ripped off.
So.. off to right the wrong (as I see it). I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I think I have a case for discrimination- since it is a public school, it should be open to all students that they enroll, right? not just the family and friends of staff. It is particularly discriminatory to military families who don't know anyone or any better and are lured into this set up thinking one day they'll get off the "waiting list" but in reality- it won't happen. And they don't help us meet each other so we can't compare stories, organize or otherwise complain en-mass. (yet.. they've never met 'angry me' before)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
dumb school
Never mind the previous blog post about how I think this year is going to be better..
We are now 1 week 1 day into the official school year and I'm about 1/2 a breath away from emailing them or driving my angry butt down there to "discuss" my issues.
I guess it boils down to limited resources going to a select few.
The same select few for everything.
Cept they don't let you know up front that it's only going to go to an elite few- they tell you about all the wonderful opportunities your child will have at said school.
And then deny your children any chance to participate in any of them.
Even in stuff they say is designed for the ones that don't have a chance to participate in any of the other stuff..nope. sorry. try again next time. But don't worry- we won't tell you where/when to sign up until it's already filled up.
Mamabear lion here is pretty peeved.
So here I write it out before I start spouting off to them. So it will either make me feel better to get it off my chest, or it will give me practice for what I am going to say to them.
As soon as I figure out which of the "them" I should go ask for by name..
edit-
too late.
email sent as soon as I figured out which "them" to start with.
I think I smell flames on that bridge
edit again-
"Gina I’ve forwarded your email to the appropriate staff. They’ll get back to you."
great. I'll be waiting.
Last time I edit this, I promise-
(paraphrased)
'This is a new program we are starting up and for the first session, we thought we would have a brainstorming session with various moms who responded to our survey and due to the content, we thought an intimate setting would be appropriate'
Gee, thanks-
Thanks for the less than 24 hour cancellation notice.
Thanks for including us.
and most of all-
Thanks for being such a great school.
OK REALLY last time here-
From now on, I'll go by the name "don quixote"
Found another windmill to charge, and with an enabling husband... I am right on schedule to turn into my dad.
{{{{{shudders}}}}}}}
We are now 1 week 1 day into the official school year and I'm about 1/2 a breath away from emailing them or driving my angry butt down there to "discuss" my issues.
I guess it boils down to limited resources going to a select few.
The same select few for everything.
Cept they don't let you know up front that it's only going to go to an elite few- they tell you about all the wonderful opportunities your child will have at said school.
And then deny your children any chance to participate in any of them.
Even in stuff they say is designed for the ones that don't have a chance to participate in any of the other stuff..nope. sorry. try again next time. But don't worry- we won't tell you where/when to sign up until it's already filled up.
Mama
So here I write it out before I start spouting off to them. So it will either make me feel better to get it off my chest, or it will give me practice for what I am going to say to them.
As soon as I figure out which of the "them" I should go ask for by name..
edit-
too late.
email sent as soon as I figured out which "them" to start with.
I think I smell flames on that bridge
edit again-
"Gina I’ve forwarded your email to the appropriate staff. They’ll get back to you."
great. I'll be waiting.
Last time I edit this, I promise-
(paraphrased)
'This is a new program we are starting up and for the first session, we thought we would have a brainstorming session with various moms who responded to our survey and due to the content, we thought an intimate setting would be appropriate'
Gee, thanks-
Thanks for the less than 24 hour cancellation notice.
Thanks for including us.
and most of all-
Thanks for being such a great school.
OK REALLY last time here-
From now on, I'll go by the name "don quixote"
Found another windmill to charge, and with an enabling husband... I am right on schedule to turn into my dad.
{{{{{shudders}}}}}}}
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Still not signed
That contract to bid on the house.
Larry in his wisdom knows that he'll have to live with me if I'm unhappy with this house if we buy it now.
Smart guy. Doesn't ignore his wife's feelings.
well.. at least not in this case :-)
And we saw another house tonight.
5-yes-5 bedrooms AND a loft
big backyard (well.. big is relative)
Cul de sac
New carpet, paint, appliances-even appliances that aren't usually included- fridge, washer, dryer- and a front loading one at that
And the laundry room is upstairs where the bedrooms are- not outside on a porch or in the garage.
Kids riding their bikes in the street
sweet!!
it's a long shot.
A REALLY long shot.
So while we're going to bid on it, I know it will be divine intervention if we actually get it.
But it will be in September if we do get it.
Larry in his wisdom knows that he'll have to live with me if I'm unhappy with this house if we buy it now.
Smart guy. Doesn't ignore his wife's feelings.
well.. at least not in this case :-)
And we saw another house tonight.
5-yes-5 bedrooms AND a loft
big backyard (well.. big is relative)
Cul de sac
New carpet, paint, appliances-even appliances that aren't usually included- fridge, washer, dryer- and a front loading one at that
And the laundry room is upstairs where the bedrooms are- not outside on a porch or in the garage.
Kids riding their bikes in the street
sweet!!
it's a long shot.
A REALLY long shot.
So while we're going to bid on it, I know it will be divine intervention if we actually get it.
But it will be in September if we do get it.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
It has occured to me
that we have bid and been rejected on a house weekly.
And we've been looking for somewhere to live so long that I'm pretty familiar with at least 1 house in nearly every neighborhood.
And call me nutty but when I was praying about all this some time ago I got an 'answer' 'wait until September'
Now of course September is 2 weeks away
Did that mean we'd move in September or we should bid in September?????
Because we've known in our hearts that all the houses we've bid on were a long shot.
Up til now.
Tonight we looked at a house that we would be the only bidder on a non-short sale, non-bank owned, plain old person selling their house kind of house.
Quiet street, but no fruit tree, no solar panels, tiny back yard, only 3 bedrooms.
And we're hesitating.
Suddenly.. do we really really want to buy THIS house? It's OK, in good condition, but.. maybe the grass is greener somewhere else? Maybe we're supposed to wait til Sept to bid or make any big decisions?
Of course I told Larry about my 'feeling' that we were supposed to wait until September. But until a burning bush appears to him, I think he's going to think I'm just a little fruity.
And I am a little fruity
But not because of this.
And I'll always second guess myself if we bid on and have our offer accepted in August.
*sigh*
I have the contract to buy sitting here without my signature
And will I regret letting this one sit until September?
Guess we'll find out in the next 2 weeks- but for now the suspense is killing me.
And we've been looking for somewhere to live so long that I'm pretty familiar with at least 1 house in nearly every neighborhood.
And call me nutty but when I was praying about all this some time ago I got an 'answer' 'wait until September'
Now of course September is 2 weeks away
Did that mean we'd move in September or we should bid in September?????
Because we've known in our hearts that all the houses we've bid on were a long shot.
Up til now.
Tonight we looked at a house that we would be the only bidder on a non-short sale, non-bank owned, plain old person selling their house kind of house.
Quiet street, but no fruit tree, no solar panels, tiny back yard, only 3 bedrooms.
And we're hesitating.
Suddenly.. do we really really want to buy THIS house? It's OK, in good condition, but.. maybe the grass is greener somewhere else? Maybe we're supposed to wait til Sept to bid or make any big decisions?
Of course I told Larry about my 'feeling' that we were supposed to wait until September. But until a burning bush appears to him, I think he's going to think I'm just a little fruity.
And I am a little fruity
But not because of this.
And I'll always second guess myself if we bid on and have our offer accepted in August.
*sigh*
I have the contract to buy sitting here without my signature
And will I regret letting this one sit until September?
Guess we'll find out in the next 2 weeks- but for now the suspense is killing me.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Clause!
Ok. Seriously, now-
I can't tell you HOW many times I've muttered to myself and wished for a milkman- some one who would come and deliver the milk from his farm to our door a few times a week.
Particularly since we consume about a gallon a day. yep. we like milk here, apparently.
So...
lemme tell ya- yesterday when a sales guy knocked on the door (as we get sales guys often here) I almost fainted when he said he's a milkman.
Oh!!! I must be dreaming!!!
but nope- call or email that night and have milk at 5am the next morning sitting on your door step.
Hallelujah!
I can't tell you HOW many times I've muttered to myself and wished for a milkman- some one who would come and deliver the milk from his farm to our door a few times a week.
Particularly since we consume about a gallon a day. yep. we like milk here, apparently.
So...
lemme tell ya- yesterday when a sales guy knocked on the door (as we get sales guys often here) I almost fainted when he said he's a milkman.
Oh!!! I must be dreaming!!!
but nope- call or email that night and have milk at 5am the next morning sitting on your door step.
Hallelujah!
Friday, August 14, 2009
To catch up on the past week
Things have been busy.
In a kind of a back-to-school flurry that I guess you also experience in public school?
But we've had to meet with the kid's advisor, turn in our curriculum list, go through the books and curriculum already in the book room, fill our paper work (and since I didn't get it done before we had to leave for Kayla's dr visit- another story to come) we're going back today.
After we return our library books before we pay enough fines to add our own wing to the place
Followed by dropping/registering JM at drop in daycare, going back to my dr to repeat the abnormal gizmo tests. (which would be nice if they could figure how why I have double vision with a simple gizmo test- way easier than all the other neuro tests)
Earlier this week, I had to go pick up my contacts (which I thought was simple pick them up) but no, you put them in, they do more gizmo tests to check fit, then you wait to see the optician to check fit.. and of course had the kids with me - who did surprisingly well and we went to chic fil a to celebrate (they have awesome milkshakes)
Saw another house and bid on it
Went shopping for Larry's birthday dinner and present
Went to Ikea (which turned into an all day event) to get more storage ideas and pick up more storage bins for the toys I keep stepping on.
Went to Chic fil a for free chicken nugget night (probably going tonight for free chicken sandwich night- I LOVE chic fil a!)
Went to the kids' school and took Kayla BACK to the peds because she STILL complains it hurts every time she goes to the bathroom despite treating for UTI's, pinworms, and vaginitis. We now have an ultrasound ordered. *sigh*
I went to the Dr to get a referral to 'do something' with our blastocytes. I'm not getting any younger, this year Larry won't deploy- this would be the time to do it.
Which brings to to a topic which is all over the news- national health care.
I'd like to invite to proponents of national health care to experience it before making any decisions.
We have (according to the propaganda) "the world's best health care for the world's best military"
I'd hate to see the worst.
To be seen- you have to call the appointment line.
You will wait on hold listening to the message that they practice "hero centered care" and how honored they are to be able to provide our care. You will be sick of the message and music by the time you are on hold 15 minutes.
It is never under 15 minutes of hold time
Then you'll get the marine on the end, give them your number, person's name and you'll either get an appointment for whoever you get (don't even bother asking for a particular provider) or nothing will be available.
If nothing is available for a routine visit, you are told to call back on the date that they open the next month of appointments to get an appointment - they open scheduling a month or 2 in advance, then fill that up and on a said day open the next 2 months up.
If it's an urgent care visit, they'll put in a message to the primary clinic nurse, you'll get a phone call back at some point and you will probably get an appointment with someone. You will not have a choice as to time, provider, etc. You will see an nurse practitioner or an intern. I know real dr's work there because Larry has seen them and worked under them. As a common patient, you won't see them except maybe for passing in the hall. Or in internal medicine. (but you don't want to go to internal medicine, trust me)
If they run a test and you don't hear back, you have to call the appointment line, wait on hold, push #2 and wait again, finally leaving a message for a 'nurse' to call back who will then transfer you to the appointment line to get an appointment.
That's just to be seen.
Then once you are seen- if you need something - plan on spending the entire day at the hospital.
Don't expect the dr to actually *listen* to you or your complaints. Particularly if you're an adult being seen in internal medicine. Peds isn't AS bad and so far family practice was better, too. Internal medicine was absolutely hostile to having kids with you.
And waiting in the bare exam rooms, it's a no-eating or drinking policy, so you have to try to get the toys you pack to look more entertaining than the computer keyboard and screen that is pretty much the only thing there other than the sink and hand sanitizer dispenser- you can't hand out fruit snacks, cookies- nothing- so it's a joy waiting.
The pharmacy system is a 'ticket system' take a ticket, wait for it to be called, they call you up, check your ID, put your Rx into the cued system to fill the Rx (while you are waiting). Give you another number and wait for them to call number #2.
If you're in uniform you get sent to the front of the line. Larry has changed into uniform and met us there just to avoid the 1.5 hour wait for civilians. not a typo- 1.5 hours. The only time we didn't wait that long was on a holiday weekend waiting for a rx from the ER to be filled and that was because the only RX's being filled was the ones from the ER.
So you'll sit there forever waiting for your number to be called. If you've already been there 2 hours with your kids, they will be tired, hungry and fussy- particularly if they were sick which is WHY you were there in the first place.
There is standing room only and the only entertainment is fox news on the TV in the waiting area.
And your prescription will be from the formulary list- no exceptions. They don't have it otherwise and they won't get it. If the formulary drug(s) doesn't(don't) work, you're SOL.
If you need an Xray, you'll go to xray, give your ID and wait there
If you need an ultrasound, you go to xray give your ID and wait to schedule it
If you need labs- go to the lab, give your ID and wait (and wait) and then someone who just learned yesterday how to draw blood will attempt to draw it. If they know how to draw blood, they've been promoted from the lab to the battlefield, BAS or elsewhere where they would need those skills.
If you need a referral you wait at home for 3 weeks for the piece of paper to come with your approval and an incorrect/outdated number to call to make your own appointment within the given time frame.
If you need to make a return visit, you go back home and call the appointment line.
If you're out in the civilian world your dr will need to get pre-approval for every follow up visit so when they say they need to see you back, you'll go home and wait for that piece of paper to show up so you can call them up and make the appointment.
But we don't pay a dime for this. It's "free"
But they're pretty smart- I'll sit on hold a good long time debating if I *really* need to go in for said problem before jumping through the hoops to go in.
OR.. alternately.. you realize you can go the ER and be seen, have all needed tests done, and wait in the pharmacy in about the amount of time it takes you to wait on hold, get the appointment and be seen, thus saving a few hours of waiting in the traditional medical system. It's scary that the ER is an appealing alternative. Especially to a seasoned healthcare provider.
But the guy in the "welcome desk" at the hospital hails everyone who comes and leaves with an "ooh rah!" I guess that makes makes up for all the other deficiencies.
In a kind of a back-to-school flurry that I guess you also experience in public school?
But we've had to meet with the kid's advisor, turn in our curriculum list, go through the books and curriculum already in the book room, fill our paper work (and since I didn't get it done before we had to leave for Kayla's dr visit- another story to come) we're going back today.
After we return our library books before we pay enough fines to add our own wing to the place
Followed by dropping/registering JM at drop in daycare, going back to my dr to repeat the abnormal gizmo tests. (which would be nice if they could figure how why I have double vision with a simple gizmo test- way easier than all the other neuro tests)
Earlier this week, I had to go pick up my contacts (which I thought was simple pick them up) but no, you put them in, they do more gizmo tests to check fit, then you wait to see the optician to check fit.. and of course had the kids with me - who did surprisingly well and we went to chic fil a to celebrate (they have awesome milkshakes)
Saw another house and bid on it
Went shopping for Larry's birthday dinner and present
Went to Ikea (which turned into an all day event) to get more storage ideas and pick up more storage bins for the toys I keep stepping on.
Went to Chic fil a for free chicken nugget night (probably going tonight for free chicken sandwich night- I LOVE chic fil a!)
Went to the kids' school and took Kayla BACK to the peds because she STILL complains it hurts every time she goes to the bathroom despite treating for UTI's, pinworms, and vaginitis. We now have an ultrasound ordered. *sigh*
I went to the Dr to get a referral to 'do something' with our blastocytes. I'm not getting any younger, this year Larry won't deploy- this would be the time to do it.
Which brings to to a topic which is all over the news- national health care.
I'd like to invite to proponents of national health care to experience it before making any decisions.
We have (according to the propaganda) "the world's best health care for the world's best military"
I'd hate to see the worst.
To be seen- you have to call the appointment line.
You will wait on hold listening to the message that they practice "hero centered care" and how honored they are to be able to provide our care. You will be sick of the message and music by the time you are on hold 15 minutes.
It is never under 15 minutes of hold time
Then you'll get the marine on the end, give them your number, person's name and you'll either get an appointment for whoever you get (don't even bother asking for a particular provider) or nothing will be available.
If nothing is available for a routine visit, you are told to call back on the date that they open the next month of appointments to get an appointment - they open scheduling a month or 2 in advance, then fill that up and on a said day open the next 2 months up.
If it's an urgent care visit, they'll put in a message to the primary clinic nurse, you'll get a phone call back at some point and you will probably get an appointment with someone. You will not have a choice as to time, provider, etc. You will see an nurse practitioner or an intern. I know real dr's work there because Larry has seen them and worked under them. As a common patient, you won't see them except maybe for passing in the hall. Or in internal medicine. (but you don't want to go to internal medicine, trust me)
If they run a test and you don't hear back, you have to call the appointment line, wait on hold, push #2 and wait again, finally leaving a message for a 'nurse' to call back who will then transfer you to the appointment line to get an appointment.
That's just to be seen.
Then once you are seen- if you need something - plan on spending the entire day at the hospital.
Don't expect the dr to actually *listen* to you or your complaints. Particularly if you're an adult being seen in internal medicine. Peds isn't AS bad and so far family practice was better, too. Internal medicine was absolutely hostile to having kids with you.
And waiting in the bare exam rooms, it's a no-eating or drinking policy, so you have to try to get the toys you pack to look more entertaining than the computer keyboard and screen that is pretty much the only thing there other than the sink and hand sanitizer dispenser- you can't hand out fruit snacks, cookies- nothing- so it's a joy waiting.
The pharmacy system is a 'ticket system' take a ticket, wait for it to be called, they call you up, check your ID, put your Rx into the cued system to fill the Rx (while you are waiting). Give you another number and wait for them to call number #2.
If you're in uniform you get sent to the front of the line. Larry has changed into uniform and met us there just to avoid the 1.5 hour wait for civilians. not a typo- 1.5 hours. The only time we didn't wait that long was on a holiday weekend waiting for a rx from the ER to be filled and that was because the only RX's being filled was the ones from the ER.
So you'll sit there forever waiting for your number to be called. If you've already been there 2 hours with your kids, they will be tired, hungry and fussy- particularly if they were sick which is WHY you were there in the first place.
There is standing room only and the only entertainment is fox news on the TV in the waiting area.
And your prescription will be from the formulary list- no exceptions. They don't have it otherwise and they won't get it. If the formulary drug(s) doesn't(don't) work, you're SOL.
If you need an Xray, you'll go to xray, give your ID and wait there
If you need an ultrasound, you go to xray give your ID and wait to schedule it
If you need labs- go to the lab, give your ID and wait (and wait) and then someone who just learned yesterday how to draw blood will attempt to draw it. If they know how to draw blood, they've been promoted from the lab to the battlefield, BAS or elsewhere where they would need those skills.
If you need a referral you wait at home for 3 weeks for the piece of paper to come with your approval and an incorrect/outdated number to call to make your own appointment within the given time frame.
If you need to make a return visit, you go back home and call the appointment line.
If you're out in the civilian world your dr will need to get pre-approval for every follow up visit so when they say they need to see you back, you'll go home and wait for that piece of paper to show up so you can call them up and make the appointment.
But we don't pay a dime for this. It's "free"
But they're pretty smart- I'll sit on hold a good long time debating if I *really* need to go in for said problem before jumping through the hoops to go in.
OR.. alternately.. you realize you can go the ER and be seen, have all needed tests done, and wait in the pharmacy in about the amount of time it takes you to wait on hold, get the appointment and be seen, thus saving a few hours of waiting in the traditional medical system. It's scary that the ER is an appealing alternative. Especially to a seasoned healthcare provider.
But the guy in the "welcome desk" at the hospital hails everyone who comes and leaves with an "ooh rah!" I guess that makes makes up for all the other deficiencies.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
I. Will. NEVER. Catch. Up.
Here it is lunch time and I can't say I got 1/3 done that I had planned on accomplishing by lunchtime.
I realize there are 2 laws at work here.
While you think that Newtons' first law of thermodynamics (Objects at rest stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force) would apply to life.. it might. If I didn't have kids and husband.
Instead the other law - I think the 2nd?? applies here- where things move from organized to disorganized unless acted upon by an outside force.
it is a loosing battle and one I'm not enjoying waging.
I realize there are 2 laws at work here.
While you think that Newtons' first law of thermodynamics (Objects at rest stay at rest unless acted upon by an outside force) would apply to life.. it might. If I didn't have kids and husband.
Instead the other law - I think the 2nd?? applies here- where things move from organized to disorganized unless acted upon by an outside force.
it is a loosing battle and one I'm not enjoying waging.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
I am vindicated!
Seriously- remember that survey the kids' charter school sent out? And I let them know exactly what I thought and where they could improve..
Anyway.. with much reservation, I had re-enrolled them in the homeschool track. We weren't going to get the 2 day a week program anyway, since it's pretty much a closed society there. Since we weren't related to anyone in the older grades, we won't get in.. but that aside..
Today was the day I dropped our my list of what we were going to do for curriculum, pick through the available books to borrow and sign all the paperwork.
So as I'm reading through all the stuff.. I realize.. holy smokes- they took almost all my suggestions and implemented them!!!!!!!
Wow. I have power. Hear me roar!
Or I was one of a dozen who all said the same thing. Or I was the only one who bothered to complete multi-page questionnaire.
Either way.. it might be a better year ahead in dealing with them.
And if it goes poorly again, I'll re-think my suggestions and try again next year.
And realize I still don't have all the answers.
But now they have a bi-monthy meeting of all the C-track (the homeschool only group) with childcare provided. Cool. That was a gripe- that we didn't get to know anyone, our kids didn't get to form relationships with other homeschool kids and had no opportunity to interact, and another gripe was that they had stuff in the middle of the day and expected us to be able to find childcare. And then there was the gripe that they would cancel it at the last moment so by the time you got the babysitter there, and got to school, there wouldn't be anyone there and you'd have to track someone down who said they sent out an email canceling it and you get home and find the email sent out 30 minutes before the start of said meeting- after the survey they already seemed to try to give a day's notice on cancellations.
And my other gripes- C track is excluded on most stuff since it's at school and for the kids that are there at school that day or the 'labs' which were essentially for 2nd grade and up, etc.. Really crummy field trips which we were designed specifially for the other tracks- they now have field trips specifially for C track. I hope they'll be something worth going to and not the 'pay $5 a person to go clean up a beach' field trip, you provide your own transporation to it and your own stuff to collect the trash in' type of field trip. I mean, really.. get a grip.
So.. we'll see. Right now I'm optimistic it will go better. I'm thrilled to see any changes for the better in the doctrine and program coming from the school.
And I picked what we're doing and not using their cirriculum, so I'm *hoping* it will keep my kid's interest and be at their actual skill level.
But then again, I don't have a degree in childhood education- I might not have a clue. I'll probably have a clue by the time JM is in 8th grade. Maybe.
Anyway.. with much reservation, I had re-enrolled them in the homeschool track. We weren't going to get the 2 day a week program anyway, since it's pretty much a closed society there. Since we weren't related to anyone in the older grades, we won't get in.. but that aside..
Today was the day I dropped our my list of what we were going to do for curriculum, pick through the available books to borrow and sign all the paperwork.
So as I'm reading through all the stuff.. I realize.. holy smokes- they took almost all my suggestions and implemented them!!!!!!!
Wow. I have power. Hear me roar!
Or I was one of a dozen who all said the same thing. Or I was the only one who bothered to complete multi-page questionnaire.
Either way.. it might be a better year ahead in dealing with them.
And if it goes poorly again, I'll re-think my suggestions and try again next year.
And realize I still don't have all the answers.
But now they have a bi-monthy meeting of all the C-track (the homeschool only group) with childcare provided. Cool. That was a gripe- that we didn't get to know anyone, our kids didn't get to form relationships with other homeschool kids and had no opportunity to interact, and another gripe was that they had stuff in the middle of the day and expected us to be able to find childcare. And then there was the gripe that they would cancel it at the last moment so by the time you got the babysitter there, and got to school, there wouldn't be anyone there and you'd have to track someone down who said they sent out an email canceling it and you get home and find the email sent out 30 minutes before the start of said meeting- after the survey they already seemed to try to give a day's notice on cancellations.
And my other gripes- C track is excluded on most stuff since it's at school and for the kids that are there at school that day or the 'labs' which were essentially for 2nd grade and up, etc.. Really crummy field trips which we were designed specifially for the other tracks- they now have field trips specifially for C track. I hope they'll be something worth going to and not the 'pay $5 a person to go clean up a beach' field trip, you provide your own transporation to it and your own stuff to collect the trash in' type of field trip. I mean, really.. get a grip.
So.. we'll see. Right now I'm optimistic it will go better. I'm thrilled to see any changes for the better in the doctrine and program coming from the school.
And I picked what we're doing and not using their cirriculum, so I'm *hoping* it will keep my kid's interest and be at their actual skill level.
But then again, I don't have a degree in childhood education- I might not have a clue. I'll probably have a clue by the time JM is in 8th grade. Maybe.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
America~ I've got talent
What to know what it is?
Cooking. And it's a real special talent.
Tonight I burned spaghetti
Spaghetti.
Not baked pasta
Nothing in the oven.
Boil-on-top-of-the-stove spaghetti.
Put it in water on top of the stove and (heck, if I was paying attention to the time this wouldn't happen, so I don't know how long it took) I was beconned back to the kitchen by smoke and an awful burning smell.
The water had all boiled away and left me with charred, blackened spaghetti stuck to the bottom of the pan.
But that, my friends- takes special talent- so feel free to nominate me for that show about talent.
I got loads of it.
But with that joyful news, I'm leaving my kitchen a smelly disaster and packing up the kids who are eating batch #2 of spaghetti (somehow even the spaghetti on top had a particular smoked flavor that they didn't care for) so we can go watch fireworks at legoland tonight.
Larry's on the last 2 days before a big product demonstration, so we won't see him until after that's done, so instead of sitting around feeling bad that we're not having his company, we're going to have lots of fun he wishes he had, too. Today was the VBS ending ceremony with bounce houses, barbecue hot dogs and balloons... they were giving away backpacks of school supplies, but I thought it looked like they didn't have enough, so we waiting til the end and they were out of them.
I don't think they were something that Sonia would have picked out if she was shopping, but she was disappointed that they ran out, so we stopped by the mall looking for a bday present inspiration for Larry since I didn't plan well enough in advance to order it online.. and we got her a "Cinderella" backpack- just like she 'always wanted' - a million time better than the really cheesy cheap ones they were giving away.
But.. as of tonight I'm going to send them both to the one day a week school. Larry and I decided that they do really need more interaction with kids and learning 'socially acceptable' behaviours and I could use the 1 day a week break from homeschooling and the nonstop bickering.
So. Right now that's the plan. But Joey didn't want a new backpack, he was perfectly happy with his last-year backpack. So I bought him a new shirt. He was quite happy with that since he's noticed that he gets hand-me-downs more than new clothes- he's usually pretty easy going about it, but Sonia's such a gifts-driven kid that she's ALWAYS clamouring for a new outfit and he doesn't. So when he gets something new, he's pretty happy about it.
And he's really happy to be leaving for fireworks soon..
And I'm happy that God gave me coffee.. off to fix a cup.
Cooking. And it's a real special talent.
Tonight I burned spaghetti
Spaghetti.
Not baked pasta
Nothing in the oven.
Boil-on-top-of-the-stove spaghetti.
Put it in water on top of the stove and (heck, if I was paying attention to the time this wouldn't happen, so I don't know how long it took) I was beconned back to the kitchen by smoke and an awful burning smell.
The water had all boiled away and left me with charred, blackened spaghetti stuck to the bottom of the pan.
But that, my friends- takes special talent- so feel free to nominate me for that show about talent.
I got loads of it.
But with that joyful news, I'm leaving my kitchen a smelly disaster and packing up the kids who are eating batch #2 of spaghetti (somehow even the spaghetti on top had a particular smoked flavor that they didn't care for) so we can go watch fireworks at legoland tonight.
Larry's on the last 2 days before a big product demonstration, so we won't see him until after that's done, so instead of sitting around feeling bad that we're not having his company, we're going to have lots of fun he wishes he had, too. Today was the VBS ending ceremony with bounce houses, barbecue hot dogs and balloons... they were giving away backpacks of school supplies, but I thought it looked like they didn't have enough, so we waiting til the end and they were out of them.
I don't think they were something that Sonia would have picked out if she was shopping, but she was disappointed that they ran out, so we stopped by the mall looking for a bday present inspiration for Larry since I didn't plan well enough in advance to order it online.. and we got her a "Cinderella" backpack- just like she 'always wanted' - a million time better than the really cheesy cheap ones they were giving away.
But.. as of tonight I'm going to send them both to the one day a week school. Larry and I decided that they do really need more interaction with kids and learning 'socially acceptable' behaviours and I could use the 1 day a week break from homeschooling and the nonstop bickering.
So. Right now that's the plan. But Joey didn't want a new backpack, he was perfectly happy with his last-year backpack. So I bought him a new shirt. He was quite happy with that since he's noticed that he gets hand-me-downs more than new clothes- he's usually pretty easy going about it, but Sonia's such a gifts-driven kid that she's ALWAYS clamouring for a new outfit and he doesn't. So when he gets something new, he's pretty happy about it.
And he's really happy to be leaving for fireworks soon..
And I'm happy that God gave me coffee.. off to fix a cup.
Friday, August 7, 2009
What a difference!
We got our most recent shipment today.
And unlike other shipments where Larry or Larry and I took ALL DAY to clear customs, get to the warehouse, get it released from the warehouse, get it in a truck, get it home and unloaded...
And at the of the day we were covered in Third World grime and Warehouse dirt dust grease...
And we've been working our way up the import world slowly- the last time getting a rental truck and pallets and pallet jack... but still doing the manual labor ourselves
This week we had our customs broker take care of all the paper work the customs forms, bonds, inspection, moving the stuff from the dock to the homeland security inspection, back to the warehouse, pier pass fee, clean truck fee... All I had to do is answer the phone and approve the charges we had no control over, anyway. And he arranged for delivery (to a friend's garage since our garage and storage trailer are already pretty full). And I know- We really need to work on getting our inventory reduced a bit more. I have but now it's sorta organized and to load them both back to the ceiling is going to destroy my organization.. and hey.. they offered for us to use their garage. We'll get the stuff out of there in the next few weeks when we have time to do it. At our leisure- not worrying about the HOA complaining about a truck or trailer on the street, not worrying about getting the rental truck back in time.. and frankly some of the stuff we have coming out of our ears can stay there for a while until I come up with a way to sell it and fast.
And that friend had some starving college students willing to unload the truck for money when I asked him if he had any "strapping young friends who needed a few hours of work" Plan B was to pick up some day laborers from the streets that they line looking for work for a few days. (last resort, since I can see myself getting arrested for hiring an illegal alien that way)
So.. I all I had today was write a few checks and hand the college students some cash.
The stuff was unloaded and stacked in the garage in 30 minutes or so and I didn't get dirty or really lift a finger.
I feel like royalty. I could get used to this.
And unlike other shipments where Larry or Larry and I took ALL DAY to clear customs, get to the warehouse, get it released from the warehouse, get it in a truck, get it home and unloaded...
And at the of the day we were covered in Third World grime and Warehouse dirt dust grease...
And we've been working our way up the import world slowly- the last time getting a rental truck and pallets and pallet jack... but still doing the manual labor ourselves
This week we had our customs broker take care of all the paper work the customs forms, bonds, inspection, moving the stuff from the dock to the homeland security inspection, back to the warehouse, pier pass fee, clean truck fee... All I had to do is answer the phone and approve the charges we had no control over, anyway. And he arranged for delivery (to a friend's garage since our garage and storage trailer are already pretty full). And I know- We really need to work on getting our inventory reduced a bit more. I have but now it's sorta organized and to load them both back to the ceiling is going to destroy my organization.. and hey.. they offered for us to use their garage. We'll get the stuff out of there in the next few weeks when we have time to do it. At our leisure- not worrying about the HOA complaining about a truck or trailer on the street, not worrying about getting the rental truck back in time.. and frankly some of the stuff we have coming out of our ears can stay there for a while until I come up with a way to sell it and fast.
And that friend had some starving college students willing to unload the truck for money when I asked him if he had any "strapping young friends who needed a few hours of work" Plan B was to pick up some day laborers from the streets that they line looking for work for a few days. (last resort, since I can see myself getting arrested for hiring an illegal alien that way)
So.. I all I had today was write a few checks and hand the college students some cash.
The stuff was unloaded and stacked in the garage in 30 minutes or so and I didn't get dirty or really lift a finger.
I feel like royalty. I could get used to this.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
I really need a picture for this
But I was being lazy, so you get my description...
We found a Cozy Coupe car a month ago- we (Sonia and I) were driving home in the Civic after getting Sonia's ear's pierced and I made sure I stopped good and long at the stop sign I got that dumb ticket at.
I look to my right eying the police car parked there looking for signs of life in it.. and (it's garbage night) and there is someone throwing one of those Cozy Coupes out- ya know the big bright yellow with orange roof that toddlers get in and scoot around with their feet?
And it's in reasonable shape. So I pull up and ask "if you're throwing that out, do you mind if I take it"
And the guy says "sure, there are 2 we're getting rid of"
(uh, wow... and as I'm there his wife is putting out another, a scooter, and kids chairs)
So I try cramming in the trunk, settling for balancing it somewhat and leave the trunk open (we're not going all that far) and then stash it in the back yard before I have to admit to Larry that I picked through someone else's garbage... never mind that if I had more trunk space I just might have taken the other and the scooter and chairs...I'm sure I could find a better home for them than the landfill.
And the kids love it. And they also think the people throwing 2 of those our were crazy and wasteful.
BUT..
It's a 1 seater car.
I have 4 kids
Not to worry... I have resourceful kids.
And I walk outdoors and see one of them inside the car scooting it around with their feet and another on the roof of it.
And.. I know my kids- I'll tell them "stop, you'll get hurt" and as soon as I'm out of sight or in the 2 nanoseconds it takes them to forget they'll be doing it again.
So I say "That is an accident waiting to happen"
And they giggle and ignore me,. the one on the roof tells me she's not going to get hurt since she's holding on.
And I turn my back, heading back into the kitchen and I hear one call to another-
"HEY wanna play a new game? it's called accident waiting to happen"
We found a Cozy Coupe car a month ago- we (Sonia and I) were driving home in the Civic after getting Sonia's ear's pierced and I made sure I stopped good and long at the stop sign I got that dumb ticket at.
I look to my right eying the police car parked there looking for signs of life in it.. and (it's garbage night) and there is someone throwing one of those Cozy Coupes out- ya know the big bright yellow with orange roof that toddlers get in and scoot around with their feet?
And it's in reasonable shape. So I pull up and ask "if you're throwing that out, do you mind if I take it"
And the guy says "sure, there are 2 we're getting rid of"
(uh, wow... and as I'm there his wife is putting out another, a scooter, and kids chairs)
So I try cramming in the trunk, settling for balancing it somewhat and leave the trunk open (we're not going all that far) and then stash it in the back yard before I have to admit to Larry that I picked through someone else's garbage... never mind that if I had more trunk space I just might have taken the other and the scooter and chairs...I'm sure I could find a better home for them than the landfill.
And the kids love it. And they also think the people throwing 2 of those our were crazy and wasteful.
BUT..
It's a 1 seater car.
I have 4 kids
Not to worry... I have resourceful kids.
And I walk outdoors and see one of them inside the car scooting it around with their feet and another on the roof of it.
And.. I know my kids- I'll tell them "stop, you'll get hurt" and as soon as I'm out of sight or in the 2 nanoseconds it takes them to forget they'll be doing it again.
So I say "That is an accident waiting to happen"
And they giggle and ignore me,. the one on the roof tells me she's not going to get hurt since she's holding on.
And I turn my back, heading back into the kitchen and I hear one call to another-
"HEY wanna play a new game? it's called accident waiting to happen"
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
It's that time of the decade
About once every 5 years (so, twice a decade) I find myself doing marathon upkeep appointments.
So.. after cracking my 7 year old contact I was forced to face the fact that I probably needed to see an eye doctor and get my prescription and new contacts ordered.
And if I'm getting my eyes taken care of, I might as well get the teeth updated, too, since they hadn't seen anyone for more than emergency replace-the-cracked-filling visits since.. uh.. I was trying to get pregnant.
And now I can't feel anything from my eye to my chin and haven't felt anything for several hours.
HOWEVER.. this is preferable to the feeling stuff.
Like when I was sitting in the dentist chair and he hit a nerve and I nearly jumped out of my skin.
And I don't know if they teach "really dumb things to say 101" in dental school but- really-- do you really think saying "please raise your hand instead of moving if you need me to stop" comes across as realistic/smart or just plain stupid?
HELLO?
Really, it's reflexive- kinda like asking someone who got splashed with boiling water to stand still and raise your hand to say that you're getting burned.
And of course, I've reached that threshold where I'm looking at the dentist realize I am older than him. Possibly much older. And call me ageist but being fairly new in the practicing world doesn't have me brimming in confidence in all your experience. I like the thought that you might have seen most complications and been able to handle them before they arise in my mouth.
And after the jump-out-of-my-skin experience and the re-numbing that made my eyeball numb (never had that particular nerve numbed before) I hear mumbling about how deep the cavity is.
And he asks 'how much was this bothering you?' and it wasn't. I didn't even think there was a problem there. It WASN'T bothering me at all, until you messed with it. Now I can't drink, swallow or spit because I'm not sure 1/2 my mouth exists.
And yesterday I went to the eye doctor. Hurray. I made the appointment asking to see the ophthalmologist (knowing the whole double vision thing could use a little more experience than an optician) but still somehow got an optician. But this office had more gagets and gizmos than any of the neurolothamologists I've seen and because of abnormal findings with their gagets and gismo's I'll be going regularly until they figure it out or give up or Tricare decides that they're not going to approve another repeat-gizmo test. And I add- aren't I a little young for glaucoma??? But they also do lasix and cosmetic procedures.. so if I want to feel young, I can get my eyes fixed, my varicose veins stripped and wrinkles removed. Then I'll trot my butt down and get highlights in my hair and cool haircut that requires visiting the salon monthly to up keep it.
lol.
I do the salon about once yearly. (better than the every 5 years thing, I guess..)
But this week I signed the kids up for VBS 9-12 M-F. Yesterday for my eye dr visit, I found a home daycare with a space available this week since one kid was on vacation and it was nearly across the street from the chapel VBS is being held at.
So yesterday.. I didn't need to get a babysitter. Dropped the kids all off at their respective places, went to the visit and then got them out in just the right time.
Today Joey decided he didn't want to go. And knowing he gets nervous and anxious I didn't push it. He came home with me and helped me mop the floor. He decided he'll try VBS tomorrow (not sure what he thought he was missing by going to VBS... but I'm pretty sure he's cured of thinking it's a better alternative). Tomorrow the daycare didn't have an opening, so I'll have JM with me, but he's actually generally more agreeable when it's only him - and I might go for a jog- just me and the jogging stroller- not dragging a kid on a bike and listening to another whine that she doesn't like to ride her bike because she's outgrown it, but she won't try the newer bigger bike...
And the dumb dog ate the biking helmets, so I need to repair them before we head out on a jog/biking adventure.
But... I'm going to call about getting JM into 2 day a week morning preschool. It has been delightful to have him entertained for 3 hours a morning. absolutely delightful. I got the floor moped and cleaned, the area rug up and airing out and the legos decontaminated from the milk and water he dumped into their container. All while he was not causing more disaster and mayhem in the next room over if not in the same room I was in.
And then I'll go back and forth about sending Sonia/Joey to school. I can do an interdistrict transfer to get them into the best school on base.. but I'm betting Joey won't want to go. He's already declined Football day camp, one day a week school and Karate lessons. I'm gong to push him into Karate since I think he needs a little self confidence. And his sister and brother say "hi-ya!" and kick each other after watching a karate demonstration. I think Joey needs a little help with self-defense... or shin guards. maybe both.
Sonia on the other hand.. she wants to go. I'm the one hesitating what dynamic she might add to the classroom and what she might bring home knowing how she absorbs and repeats everything..
Ahh.. decisions...
my strongest character trait
(I hear the laughter.. just wait until I have to decide what pair of glasses to get to replace these... )
So.. after cracking my 7 year old contact I was forced to face the fact that I probably needed to see an eye doctor and get my prescription and new contacts ordered.
And if I'm getting my eyes taken care of, I might as well get the teeth updated, too, since they hadn't seen anyone for more than emergency replace-the-cracked-filling visits since.. uh.. I was trying to get pregnant.
And now I can't feel anything from my eye to my chin and haven't felt anything for several hours.
HOWEVER.. this is preferable to the feeling stuff.
Like when I was sitting in the dentist chair and he hit a nerve and I nearly jumped out of my skin.
And I don't know if they teach "really dumb things to say 101" in dental school but- really-- do you really think saying "please raise your hand instead of moving if you need me to stop" comes across as realistic/smart or just plain stupid?
HELLO?
Really, it's reflexive- kinda like asking someone who got splashed with boiling water to stand still and raise your hand to say that you're getting burned.
And of course, I've reached that threshold where I'm looking at the dentist realize I am older than him. Possibly much older. And call me ageist but being fairly new in the practicing world doesn't have me brimming in confidence in all your experience. I like the thought that you might have seen most complications and been able to handle them before they arise in my mouth.
And after the jump-out-of-my-skin experience and the re-numbing that made my eyeball numb (never had that particular nerve numbed before) I hear mumbling about how deep the cavity is.
And he asks 'how much was this bothering you?' and it wasn't. I didn't even think there was a problem there. It WASN'T bothering me at all, until you messed with it. Now I can't drink, swallow or spit because I'm not sure 1/2 my mouth exists.
And yesterday I went to the eye doctor. Hurray. I made the appointment asking to see the ophthalmologist (knowing the whole double vision thing could use a little more experience than an optician) but still somehow got an optician. But this office had more gagets and gizmos than any of the neurolothamologists I've seen and because of abnormal findings with their gagets and gismo's I'll be going regularly until they figure it out or give up or Tricare decides that they're not going to approve another repeat-gizmo test. And I add- aren't I a little young for glaucoma??? But they also do lasix and cosmetic procedures.. so if I want to feel young, I can get my eyes fixed, my varicose veins stripped and wrinkles removed. Then I'll trot my butt down and get highlights in my hair and cool haircut that requires visiting the salon monthly to up keep it.
lol.
I do the salon about once yearly. (better than the every 5 years thing, I guess..)
But this week I signed the kids up for VBS 9-12 M-F. Yesterday for my eye dr visit, I found a home daycare with a space available this week since one kid was on vacation and it was nearly across the street from the chapel VBS is being held at.
So yesterday.. I didn't need to get a babysitter. Dropped the kids all off at their respective places, went to the visit and then got them out in just the right time.
Today Joey decided he didn't want to go. And knowing he gets nervous and anxious I didn't push it. He came home with me and helped me mop the floor. He decided he'll try VBS tomorrow (not sure what he thought he was missing by going to VBS... but I'm pretty sure he's cured of thinking it's a better alternative). Tomorrow the daycare didn't have an opening, so I'll have JM with me, but he's actually generally more agreeable when it's only him - and I might go for a jog- just me and the jogging stroller- not dragging a kid on a bike and listening to another whine that she doesn't like to ride her bike because she's outgrown it, but she won't try the newer bigger bike...
And the dumb dog ate the biking helmets, so I need to repair them before we head out on a jog/biking adventure.
But... I'm going to call about getting JM into 2 day a week morning preschool. It has been delightful to have him entertained for 3 hours a morning. absolutely delightful. I got the floor moped and cleaned, the area rug up and airing out and the legos decontaminated from the milk and water he dumped into their container. All while he was not causing more disaster and mayhem in the next room over if not in the same room I was in.
And then I'll go back and forth about sending Sonia/Joey to school. I can do an interdistrict transfer to get them into the best school on base.. but I'm betting Joey won't want to go. He's already declined Football day camp, one day a week school and Karate lessons. I'm gong to push him into Karate since I think he needs a little self confidence. And his sister and brother say "hi-ya!" and kick each other after watching a karate demonstration. I think Joey needs a little help with self-defense... or shin guards. maybe both.
Sonia on the other hand.. she wants to go. I'm the one hesitating what dynamic she might add to the classroom and what she might bring home knowing how she absorbs and repeats everything..
Ahh.. decisions...
my strongest character trait
(I hear the laughter.. just wait until I have to decide what pair of glasses to get to replace these... )
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