And it's the end of spring break week....

My favorite way to blog is either with a cup of coffee (morning blogging) or a glass of wine (evening blogging)! Wonder what that says about me? No need to answer that question, I think I know ;)

It's been two weeks since Andrew's Eagle Project. The concrete has cured long enough and the forms came off today. The edges look great. A friend from the troop, his stepson, and another of Andrew's friends all came to help finish the project. It looks great. I have to get the finished pictures off Andrew's phone. I realized when I got there that the memory card in my camera was full (thanks, Jessica) and couldn't take pictures. Besides, the actual first flag raising won't be for just over two weeks, and I'll get plenty of pictures then.

This is my last week seeing students. I'm a little bummed. I really enjoyed working at the elementary level, and my current layoff status means I won't be working with them next year (although, there is a possibility our program will survive state budget cuts, but I'm not optimistic). And I'm thinking it's time I branched out and looked for other "real" jobs. I've only worked part-time since Andrew started Kindergarten, and even then I was home for 7 years before that. I really haven't worked full time in almost 20 years. Ack! What a scary thought, but an exciting one too. I put the time in raising the kids, and to be honest, they are fantastic kids. We couldn't be any prouder of them than we already are. Now it's my turn. There is no hurry so I'll put the feelers out and just see what happens.

Speaking of jobs, Jessica had a callback from Starbucks. I can TOTALLY see her working there. She has to call the lady back on Monday (during school, shhhh) and arrange for an interview. I hope it all works out, she's a great girl and really needs work experience. She has applied for federal work study next year at NYU, but I really think it would be a good idea to have something this summer as well.

When we came back from helping Andrew finish his project, we did some work in the backyard. Seriously, we have had NO sun so far this year. Normally we are swimming by this time of the year. Anyway, Joe had to fix one broken step, and in the course of how things usually work around here, one broken step has now led to a whole staircase remodel (outside staircase). No rest for us.

Next week (Tuesday) we head down to LA for a few days WITHOUT kids. I'll get to spend a day in the hot LA sun, by the pool of the Hilton (I LOVE it when someone else pays the bill) while Joe attends meetings. Then we're off to Disneyland and lunch at the famed Club 33. It's a super-exclusive restaurant inside Disneyland and it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to eat there (it's a work thing). Then we'll hit Universal Studios (probably) before heading home at the end of the week.

And did I mention that while we're away we will miss two of Jessica's awards dinners? I know, I feel guilty, but we asked her and she really is okay with it (very adult like of her), and besides, Andrew will be attending with her. I love that they will have the opportunity to spend time together, without mom and dad, before she leaves for college (I'm almost crying as I write this). The week after school ends we are headed for Yosemite, then it's home for a few days then we're off to Grandma's house in the Bay, home again for 10 days, and he's gone at camp for 7 weeks. When he comes home we'll be together as a family for only a few weeks before she leaves. It's the end of an era and it's coming up fast. Our family will never be the same AGAIN. We're still coming to terms with it. Some days excited, and others sad. I'm sure to mention it again (at least a thousand times!).

Jessica and I have plans on Friday to watch the Royal Wedding, from the time she gets out of school to the time it ends. The DVR will be set to record all one million hours (slight exaggeration) and we are excited to watch them all! On Saturday I'm throwing a birthday party for my best friend Trish. Excited to start the summer party season! We have great friends and love getting together with them for comedy shows, concerts, and bbq's all summer long. This year will be even better because Trish and her family are camping with us in Yosemite. We've talked about this for 10 years and it's finally happening. Yeah!!

So, my glass is about empty and it sounds like dinner is under way (made by Jessica and Andrew tonight). Happy Easter everyone!


This picture was taken at the EMHI conference in San Diego this past January. Me and Trish, always kinda crazy!

Crazy busy....

Boy have I ever dropped the ball! I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since I've blogged. Update, lets see...
Andrew's car wash was a success. He raised $300, combined with all the other fundraising it was almost enough to cover the entire cost of his project. Joe and I donated all the food and consumables for the car wash and project.
I was thinking the project was about a 5 on the 1-10 hardness scale. But after all the work done (still a bit more to do), and the comments from some of the other Eagle Scout parents, I have to amend the rating to be a 10. One of the dads (who has two Eagle sons) said it was the hardest project anyone in our troop has ever undertaken. To be honest, had we known what all was involved, we would have encouraged him to do something different. At least no one can accuse him of having a "soft" project.





He still has to take the forms off the concrete and raise the flag pole. After that it's all paper work. Once he has all the signatures, he can turn the whole binder in and ask for a Board of Review. Ideally this happens within a few months of completing the project, but since he's going to be gone this summer it might not happen until August or September, which is fine. He's got the hard part done.

Jessica declared her intent and accepted NYU for the fall. It's exciting (and scary) for mom and dad, but it's where she needs to be, I really feel that. She starts end August/early September sometime. She won't be coming home for Thanksgiving this year since we'll be heading out that way for Marie's wedding (so super excited), but she will come home for Christmas.

I've resigned myself to another layoff, and am looking at other options. I can be a classroom substitute teacher, or just start looking for another job. I might just start looking for something else. The writing is on the wall for the state of education and I'm just not liking what I'm reading. Besides, I'm tired of being laid off every year.

Joe and I are heading to LA the first week of May for a meeting he has, then it's back here for graduation followed by Yosemite. Otherwise we're just winding down the school year (finally, my kids are the BUSIEST I know, and I need a break)and relaxing with great friends this summer.

Busy, busy, busy...

I have 10 minutes to spare this morning, so here it is....
We've been so busy lately. Andrew's car wash is today (am leaving as soon as I write this), and the project is next Saturday. Joe and Andrew will take the flag pole down on Friday night just to get a jump on things. It looks like rain for Sunday so it's super important we get everything done on Saturday. If he cant' finish, or if it rains, our rain date isn't until May 14th. Please, oh please, let us get done!! I have a few sewing projects I want to start, plus other exciting family news that requires me to do some planning (of all kinds).

This is not that news! It looks like Jessica will be heading for NYU this fall. She hasn't sent in her letter of intent yet, but this is what I'm hearing from her. I'm excited for her. There are so many opportunities available for NYU students I just know she'll have a great time and get a super education. Most of their class sizes are less than 15, versus the other college choice of UCSB, whose class sizes average 50-75, with some common classes upwards of 100. It will be a change for her in many ways. We live in a city here, but not a BIG city. Also, she's never lived in snow, which requires many adjustments. She doesn't own a "winter" coat or boots. I know, it's just details, but really that's what I do and I do it well:-)

Got to run. Will try to remember to post pictures soon!