Beautiful Weather

 Yesterday was an easy way to ease back into the work week. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Where last week I was trotting around in the rain, yesterday I was working under bright blue skies in 70 degree air. It was perfect! (As a bonus, none of my students complained about walking outside with me.)

I came home from work, finished some paperwork before heading outside to enjoy the firepit with Timmy. He spent the night swinging and riding his bike through the neighborhood. I am amazed that he has logged nearly 2,000 miles since receiving his new bike in April. I guess any doubt on whether or not he would like it has been answered.  

Today the weather should be just as favorable. It should be a good one! 

Relaxed

 I had a great weekend relaxing and hanging out with my Mom. While we didn't tackle anything on her constantly growing to-do list, we did go shopping and eat out most of our meals. I was delighted to find a sale on the 'perfect' work shirt and I grabbed one in every color. I felt like I hit the lottery with both the design and the price. (It seems that I am easily excited as I become older.)

Unfortunately I had to head home earlier than I would have preferred in order to get ahead of the encroaching storm. I was sad to leave, but I also left well-slept, well-fed and ready to tackle the week ahead. I guess there is just something about being with Mom that makes everything feel better!

This week won't be too busy and, with the cooler weather, it should not be physically taxing. Hopefully the weather and my schedule will align, making this a great week to end September.  Have a great day! 

PA bound

 Thursdays are rough. By the time I come home from work my legs feel like they are cement blocks and my back and hips are screaming at me. I've tried to rearrange my schedule to lighten the physical load, but logistics supersedes my comfort. As it stands, Thursdays are Mom's tired day and Timmy has learned to not expect a fancy or big dinner.  In all honesty, he usually benefits from my physical exhaustion by eating his dinner from a paper bag.

I suspect Hamlet will be eating several meals out of paper bags over this weekend. I'm going to visit my Mom for a few days, leaving the boys to fend for themselves. I'm looking forward to getting away to just hang out and relax with my Mom. 

Have a good weekend! 

Work Anniversary

 Yesterday marked one year since I returned to Orientation and Mobility full time. One year of putting on pants every day and working in front of people instead of behind a keyboard. While I miss the autonomy and the comfort of my work-at-home lifestyle, I really do like my job.  The students are amazing and, as long as I can float above the adults fighting, remain my only focus. 

In all honesty, I had forgotten about the bickering that is often the fodder in teacher workrooms. The school is inconsequential as it seems to happen in every single. Regardless of where I am in the county, teachers are complaining and the gossip is flying.  Working from home, I was able to skirt above the drama. Avoiding the gossip is still my goal, but now I have to be strategic about staying away from it. 

Although I still don't like putting on pants everyday, I think the great test of mom leaving the house everyday for work has been a success. Timmy has absolutely flourished under his newly anointed independence. I've figured out how to run the house while working outside of it, a task that felt overwhelming this time last year. 

Happy Work Anniversary to me. I love the kids. If I end up quitting, it will be because of the adults.  Wish me luck for year 2. 

Tin Man

 While I'm happy for a rainy day, I'm not entirely delighted with the associated body pain. I am not really experiencing phantom pain (knock on wood), but my legs are just sore and achy. Hopefully I will start to limber up as I move through the morning because right now I feel like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz. Getting old is not for the faint of heart!

Work has been unchanged. I adore working with the students. The adults and the bureaucracy are frustrating. Much like every other aspect in life, too many eyes overseeing a process tends to muddy the waters. Everybody wanting to justify their worth in the workplace erodes autonomy. Much like having to wear pants everyday, this is just something I need to accept. 

Have a good day! 

Charlie Cat

 No resolution on the payroll issues, but I feel more settled because I have a plan.  I'm not sure which path forward we will be taking, but I feel better knowing that I have control over the situation. In an absurd version of employment roulette, the County's actions will directly impact my path forward. So we wait and see.

In the meantime, I'm continuing to work and plan. This week is going to be rainy, which has me oddly excited because it should be good for puddle development. I love teaching cane travel with puddles. As long as it isn't pouring down rain, it should be fun and novel.  Hopefully my leg will cooperate!

Robby came home over the weekend for a bittersweet visit. His beloved cat Charlie is not doing well. I promised Robby that I would let him know when the time was near so that he could say goodbye. Robby spent the weekend loving on his old cat, a sight which brought tears to my eyes and tugged at my heart. I wish I could take away the inevitable and avoid the pain that I know is coming.

I really thought Charlie Cat would pass over the weekend, but he is still here this morning. He is very tired but not in any pain. It is my hope that he simply falls asleep on his electric blanket and crosses the rainbow bridge peacefully. Maybe the sound of the rain will help soothe him. 

Are they all LIARS??

 I feel like I am not being treated fairly nor professionally. I am tired of the rules constantly changing for a promised position for which I was invited to apply. I am gobsmacked that I have been dutifully working with students for a month and I still do not know how much money I will be earning.

What has shocked me even more is the blatant dishonesty. 

At this moment I have no words. Thankfully I am a blogger, so I trust that I will find the correct words soon.  Thank you for bearing with me through this vague entry, and hopefully soon I will be able to share this story.