Last night marked the beginning of a new set of computer classes. I always am so nervous I about make myself sick before the first class. I have never had two groups even close to being alike and this group is no exception. I have six students and I think this is going to be a great class.
My heartbreaker is normally my students are working but "under-employed", this time, 5 out of 6 of them are unemployed. I have one lady whose husband past away of a heart attack at 48, my dad was 44. She has three kids, one in college, one in high school and a 6 year old. She has never touched a computer but sheer will and determination, she is going to be one of my best students.
I have another student who had worked for a major factory in the area for 20+ years, she was a victim of downsizing in December. She got severance but it ends in September and she is hoping to have something in place by then.
I always make a pretty busy list for the first night of class, how far I get on that list is a determaning factor to me as to how much I can teach them and what pace to set the class. I got all the way through my list and only went over by 5 minutes. I think this is going to be a great set of classes.
Helping People, Changing Lives.....it's our motto and days like yesterday makes me remember why I love my job.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Perfect and Prestine
Both words that came out of our Grants Manager's mouth today regarding our applications. You can't ask for more than that!
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Answer: Wheeeeeeeee
Question: What did the snail say when he took a ride on the turtle's back?
I feel like I have been on the back of maybe a panther. It seems I have a couple of times a year that things start feeling like they are spiraling out of control, I seem to be in one of them.
I spent the 8th-11th in Springfield at the LIHEAP conference. Lots of big changes coming. I volunteered to help with one of them and when I started getting emails on it last week, realized I am one of 5 in the state that will serve as a focus group. It will be a project where my LIHEAP world and my IT world combine, so though it is another thing on my plate, I am looking very forward to the end result.
I start classes again on the 30th. Right now I have 4 students, I have been hoping for at least 6, we shall see. We also decided last week we would seek accreditation for the classes, which means I may have a few more hoops to jump through over the next few months. I doubt if we can get it done for this group of students but it would be nice if down the road it could happen. I can't imagine what it would do for our clients to have a little college credit under them.
Our Grants Manager is spending most of the week with us next week, monitoring files, making sure we all know how to do our jobs and aren't doing anything contrary to our grant. For the last 4 months, our program has been number 1 in the state in several areas. Eventhough we get along great with Art, I know his job is to find something. My job is to make sure there is nothing to find. It is still nerve racking. Last year, I had a denied application that was missing one form it needed in it. I fixed it and it was marked corrected before the visit was over but I still liked to died over it. I will be happier next Thursday.
Today, we went and bought a new sofa and loveseat. I hate spending money. I fret over it, and now, eventhough I love what we got, I am second guessing whether or not we should have done it. It was even on sale, so I should be happy and I will love it once it gets here, I just freak out a little in the "adjusting" phase.
Here is a stock picture; we don't have anyplace for the regular recliner so we didn't get it and ours is a tweedy brown (think Chrissy with brown specks) It should be here in 4-6 weeks.
Robert is gone every night right now, between musical and church. His favorite time of year though. I haven't been down to watch practice, I try not to go too much so I get the full effect. He has practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Awana on Wednesday, helps with sets on Friday and church on Sunday. I don't know what he feels like he is riding, but in his "spare" time this week, he has put something or other new on his transmission, built a new tv stand for the basement, helped Nana burn some brush, and has done several loads of laundry for me. He and Jacob went to Effingham tonight for supper and to run around after practice. I had told Andrew I bet they would be home by 9, he walked in the door about a quarter til. I kinda gave him a hard time about it and he informed me they had both had long days, it was good to go but it was good to come home too. Yes, I have a stepford child. Don't ask me how he got that way, I was usually pulling in the drive as the clock struck 12. He is way better than I was at that age. All joking aside, he is a really good kid and I just thank the Lord that he is.
Andrew is doing great with his new schedule, he is really settling in and liking his job. I LOVE how much time he has been at home. He is getting some much needed projects done, little things we needed to do before we start on bigger projects. I am still up in the air about when to start on the kitchen. Part of me wanted to do it in April but I am having supper for the cast on Saturday between the matinee and the evening performance and I don't want to run a risk of my kitchen being torn up. I am also planning a Pampered Chef party sometime in May and would like to have at least some things finished by then. June is going to be another crazy month so if we do it, it has to be finished before the 27th of May....who knows, it doesn't look bad right now, just not the way I want it. We shall see, I may shoot to have it done by Christmas, no I'm not joking.
Well, that is the family update. I feel guilty for neglecting my blog so much lately, I really miss just writing down what is going on and I know some of our family relies on it to know what's up with us (sorry Andrew, LOL).
P.S. Thanks to those friends of mine who think our lives are exciting. Chaotic is sometimes the first word that comes to mind but you help me remember that we really do have lots to be thankful for. :-)
I feel like I have been on the back of maybe a panther. It seems I have a couple of times a year that things start feeling like they are spiraling out of control, I seem to be in one of them.
I spent the 8th-11th in Springfield at the LIHEAP conference. Lots of big changes coming. I volunteered to help with one of them and when I started getting emails on it last week, realized I am one of 5 in the state that will serve as a focus group. It will be a project where my LIHEAP world and my IT world combine, so though it is another thing on my plate, I am looking very forward to the end result.
I start classes again on the 30th. Right now I have 4 students, I have been hoping for at least 6, we shall see. We also decided last week we would seek accreditation for the classes, which means I may have a few more hoops to jump through over the next few months. I doubt if we can get it done for this group of students but it would be nice if down the road it could happen. I can't imagine what it would do for our clients to have a little college credit under them.
Our Grants Manager is spending most of the week with us next week, monitoring files, making sure we all know how to do our jobs and aren't doing anything contrary to our grant. For the last 4 months, our program has been number 1 in the state in several areas. Eventhough we get along great with Art, I know his job is to find something. My job is to make sure there is nothing to find. It is still nerve racking. Last year, I had a denied application that was missing one form it needed in it. I fixed it and it was marked corrected before the visit was over but I still liked to died over it. I will be happier next Thursday.
Today, we went and bought a new sofa and loveseat. I hate spending money. I fret over it, and now, eventhough I love what we got, I am second guessing whether or not we should have done it. It was even on sale, so I should be happy and I will love it once it gets here, I just freak out a little in the "adjusting" phase.
Here is a stock picture; we don't have anyplace for the regular recliner so we didn't get it and ours is a tweedy brown (think Chrissy with brown specks) It should be here in 4-6 weeks.
Robert is gone every night right now, between musical and church. His favorite time of year though. I haven't been down to watch practice, I try not to go too much so I get the full effect. He has practice Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, Awana on Wednesday, helps with sets on Friday and church on Sunday. I don't know what he feels like he is riding, but in his "spare" time this week, he has put something or other new on his transmission, built a new tv stand for the basement, helped Nana burn some brush, and has done several loads of laundry for me. He and Jacob went to Effingham tonight for supper and to run around after practice. I had told Andrew I bet they would be home by 9, he walked in the door about a quarter til. I kinda gave him a hard time about it and he informed me they had both had long days, it was good to go but it was good to come home too. Yes, I have a stepford child. Don't ask me how he got that way, I was usually pulling in the drive as the clock struck 12. He is way better than I was at that age. All joking aside, he is a really good kid and I just thank the Lord that he is.
Andrew is doing great with his new schedule, he is really settling in and liking his job. I LOVE how much time he has been at home. He is getting some much needed projects done, little things we needed to do before we start on bigger projects. I am still up in the air about when to start on the kitchen. Part of me wanted to do it in April but I am having supper for the cast on Saturday between the matinee and the evening performance and I don't want to run a risk of my kitchen being torn up. I am also planning a Pampered Chef party sometime in May and would like to have at least some things finished by then. June is going to be another crazy month so if we do it, it has to be finished before the 27th of May....who knows, it doesn't look bad right now, just not the way I want it. We shall see, I may shoot to have it done by Christmas, no I'm not joking.
Well, that is the family update. I feel guilty for neglecting my blog so much lately, I really miss just writing down what is going on and I know some of our family relies on it to know what's up with us (sorry Andrew, LOL).
P.S. Thanks to those friends of mine who think our lives are exciting. Chaotic is sometimes the first word that comes to mind but you help me remember that we really do have lots to be thankful for. :-)
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Blogger meets another Blogger
So, I thought it would be neat to have the titles the same on these. If you read Sarah Sez, you will see the same title under two of her blogs, I'm not sure if anyone else follows BOTH of our blogs. Sarah is our "mutual" friend; anyway, as far as the blogs are concerned. I found out my husband is a "mutual" friend too, which is just plain funny.
ANYWAY.....
Last Thursday evening, Andrew and I had a "date night". Some of the girls at Head Start had invited me to come see "Ben Glenn--The Chalk Guy". Robert had musical practice so we saw it as a perfect opportunity to hit Little Mexico for supper and then out for some entertainment. (Who by the way, was fantastic! he has ADHD AND Dyslexia, so we could relate in a big way!)
The first thing on the program for the evening was handing out awards to some wonderful daycare workers who are continuing their education. While we were sitting there, listening to the names being called, a very familiar name came out of Jackie Swango's mouth: "Amber McReaken". I instantly looked at Andrew and said "I'm gonna get to meet Amber!"-- I leaned down to the girls I work with, who were sitting in front of me and said "this is a friend I have never met". Only through the internet.....
ANYWAY.....
Last Thursday evening, Andrew and I had a "date night". Some of the girls at Head Start had invited me to come see "Ben Glenn--The Chalk Guy". Robert had musical practice so we saw it as a perfect opportunity to hit Little Mexico for supper and then out for some entertainment. (Who by the way, was fantastic! he has ADHD AND Dyslexia, so we could relate in a big way!)
The first thing on the program for the evening was handing out awards to some wonderful daycare workers who are continuing their education. While we were sitting there, listening to the names being called, a very familiar name came out of Jackie Swango's mouth: "Amber McReaken". I instantly looked at Andrew and said "I'm gonna get to meet Amber!"-- I leaned down to the girls I work with, who were sitting in front of me and said "this is a friend I have never met". Only through the internet.....
Amber and I started "stalking" each others blogs probably at least a year ago. This summer, we friended each other on facebook. One day on facebook, Amber asked for her friends to post how we met. I made the statement I felt like I knew her but we had never met. She then told me she had worked with Andrew at Olney, small world! Andrew remembered her immediately, especially since some of the time they were there, Andrew was over the TLE and Amber's good friend, also an Amber, worked for him. How cool was all of that??
Anyway, I spent most of the next day explaining my statements and my excitement from the night before. I still think the internet makes the world a much smaller place and times like last Thursday night even make it a good thing!
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