Still stressed

We've been TAKS testing all week. Our UIL competition was postponed and rescheduled. I had to cancel hotel reservations and make new ones. I had to submit my final yearbook list to the company. I'm still perpetually behind. I haven't done anything about the contract with the house or even started cleaning. I'll have this weekend off... but I still have a lot of school work that needs to be done. I had to design an ad for our Nationals program so I worked on it tonight. I need to order stuff for next year and meet with my principal about the budget, but I haven't had time to do that.
I really don't have time to blog, but I felt like I should write a little something. I haven't decided whether or not I'm going to take another grad school class this summer. I am leaning against it at this point.
Well, I'm going to head to bed soon. I'm just glad tomorrow is Friday!

Just stuff

I just got back from our regional competition not too long ago. It was a bit disappointing because the one student that really should have qualified for state is the alternate. We run into the same problem every year with judges that really don't know how to judge or know really what UIL prose and poetry is supposed to be. But on the good news front, our social studies team placed first. So at least my alternate student will still get to go to state in the off chance he might get to perform.
I have great concerns that I might be elected as the district chair for our NFL district. This is a job that nobody really wants because it is a lot of hard work with the impossibility of pleasing everyone. I heard from a coach at regionals that my name might have ended up on several people's ballots. I'm not sure how I feel about it. Of course I could be completely wrong... but I have this feeling. I think it boils down to the fact that I am one of those people that tends to get along with everyone... I don't burn bridges and I've been the middleman for factioning sides. We have several coaches that don't get along in our district and I've been the go-between in the past. I won't know the results for a few weeks.
Tomorrow starts a week of TAKS testing which will be fairly miserable I think. I have to get our trip request for state done by tomorrow and I don't know how I'm going to get that done since I'm not really getting a conference period tomorrow. I guess I'll have to get it done during lunch.
I scored a 10 out of 10 on my last assignment for one of my grad school classes. Now I just have the final exam for that class. I have a journal assignmnet due today for another class but I also have to go to church tonight.

Just need more hours

I don't know if having more hours in the day would really help me... especially when I'm so tired, I'm going to bed before 10:00 p.m. There's just too much to get done and I can't seem to get it all accomplished. But let me update you on a few things.

1. It looks like good news on getting a loan for the house plus extra money to have some work done. I have to fill out a contract, write a letter explain the credit glitches I have and get it all back to the mortgage "specialist" ASAP. But my credit is o.k. and I locked in a good rate at 4.5% My payments will only be $30 more a month than I'm paying now but it's a 15 year note and I'll get about $20,000 extra in cash that will be "gifted" to me by my dad.

2. I got the "thanks but no thanks" rejection letter from the second library interview. I'm not surprised or disappointed. I've decided to stay where I am for another year and just let go of some things to lighten my load. I committed to going to a retreat with other employees in July.

3. Played a band concert on Monday night and Josh asked the director afterward if he would consider having the band play one of his pieces. She said yes so we'll read one of Josh's compositions and hopefully play it in June.

4. Josh got his graduation cap and gown at school today. I guess it means that he is really going to graduate. We have announcements to send out so I guess that's another thing I need to deal with.

5. I'm going out of town yet again this weekend. This time to San Angelo for UIL regionals. I really hope one of my students is able to qualify for state. He is so talented but I think he was gypped last year.

And now I'm heading to bed because I'm just tired!

Let's add a little more to the pile

I got back from Waco around 8:30 p.m. yesterday. It was a good trip. I got to see one of my best friends from high school that I haven't seen in 7 years. One of my students placed 2nd in his grade level at this state contest and received a $500 savings bond. Both students that I took also received a $100 savings bond just for making it to state. We went to the Dr. Pepper museum before leaving yesterday. It was a long drive home but made it in pretty good time.
While I was down there I got a call from the banker (home mortgage consultant) that my brother and dad used for the houses they just bought. As you know, my dad is wanted to get the house put in my name. Since the house is basically my inheritance, it's a good idea to go ahead and do it - especially since he plans to get married in the next year or so. So I have a meeting scheduled with him on Tuesday. I have to bring several papers with me so we can look at my finances and such and see if it all can be done. I'm hopeful, but all of this means even more work before school is out. The house will have to be appraised so I've got work to do before that happens... which means cleaning it head to toe - including the dreaded garage. I'm trying to borrow more than the payoff for the house so that I can have some work done. So I guess I'll know more on Tuesday. I just don't know when I'm going to get everything done. I'm going to start cleaning after I get back from church today.
I didn't hear back from the school I interviewed with last week so I guess I'm not in the running for the position now. I'm o.k. with it though. I've resigned myself to sticking things out for at least another year... but lightening my load.
Well, I gotta go get ready for church. It's going to be a busy day.

Much to do

I spent last night grading a million papers. O.k. maybe a slight exaggeration. But I got grades entered for my comm. app. classes. Tonight I have to grade debates and figure out what grades to put in for my interp classes. I also have to get my sub information ready, get a test prepared, and update some online assignments for my classes.
I had another interview today. It was a brief preliminary interview with the principal (my former principal) and the assistant (who I worked with before when she was a yearbook adviser). There were about 12 candidates that they pre-interviewed and they'll call two to four of them back. I think the interview went fine but I'm still on the fence about really wanting the job. It seems that the district is wanting the librarians to take on a lot extra duties. They want them to be Gifted and Talented coordinators, plus do some literacy intervention, and be the technology coordinator on campus among other duties. They even questioned whether or not to keep librarians on every campus.
Well, tomorrow I'm heading to Waco for another competition. I'm very excited because I'll get to see one of my best friends. We were great friends in high school but she moved our sophomore year. We've stayed in touch and she was in my wedding. I haven't seen her in quite a few years so it will be good to visit.
Now I've got to get supper made (burgers and mac-n-cheese tonight) and then get started on all the papers I need to get graded.

A Day off from Work

But there's much work to do! I need to do a bunch of laundry today. My dishwasher is broken so I'm trying to keep up with washing dishes as they get dirty. My brother is supposed to try and fix it one of these days but I may just need to bite the bullet and buy a new one. My dad is adamant that I'll be able to get a loan to put the house in my name soon and I'll be able to get it all fixed up. I checked my credit today and it may be possible but I won't hold my breath right now.
I need to grade a million papers today. I haven't recorded any grades for this six weeks and it ends this Friday. I am so far behind. And yet I'm still sitting here in my pajamas doing stuff on the computer. I think I'm going to get dressed shortly and go get my daily coke and get busy soon.
I heard back on the elementary library job and I didn't get. I did get a call today from another school, however. I am supposed to call them back to set up a preliminary interview. I'm just not sure about it as I would be working for my ex-principal who was a bit intimidating to me and the librarian seems to take on quite a bit of work... including teaching classes that visit every week. I'm going to have to think about it for a while.
I'm still not certain that I want to leave my district. If I hold out for another year or two, I could potentially get the high school library job... but then again, they could pass me by for it which would be really irritating. I just don't know what I want to do right now. I definitely want to get out of teaching but I'm not sure if I'm really ready to jump over to another district in a job that I really have no experience with.
Decisions, decisions again.
Well, I better get off my butt and get going today.

A Delightful Saturday

Although I could have slept in this morning, I got up at a fairly decent hour a little after 8:00 and continued cleaning my house. I started cleaning yesterday and I'm starting to make some good progress. I've mostly focused on the kitchen and living room. I even cleaned out the refrigerator and some cabinets today. I also mopped the floor - I can't tell you how long it has been since it was mopped. I've just had enough of living in constant messy chaos. It's amazing how much having a clean house can lift my spirits. I'll work my way to the bedrooms this weekend, but I'm going to need to go out for a bit and try to find shoes to wear with my Easter dress.
We're finally getting some much needed rain. It is a bit cold, but it's nice to have the moisture. I went out to pick up lunch today and got my first coke since Lent started. I cannot tell you how wonderful that coke was. I'm still sipping on it and making the most of it.
I didn't hear back regarding the library job. I don't know if they are just taking more time in the decision or if I didn't get the job and I'll get one of those nice thanks but no thanks letter in the mail on Monday. I'm not disappointed. I was feeling really guilty about wanting to leave my current district because they have been very good to me. Besides, the librarian at the high school is going to retire in another year or two so it might be good if I just stick it out for a while. I'd still love the job I applied for in Albuquerque, but doesn't seem like that is going to happen.
Well, I'm going to get dressed and head out in the rain for a bit to see if I can find some shoes.

Four Day Weekend!

Boy do I need it! Of course it will still be somewhat busy, but at least it's still a bit of a break. I have a ton of stuff to get graded this weekend. I also need to do laundry and clean house. I'm also singing and playing at church every day until Sunday. No rest for the weary it seems.
My interview yesterday went o.k. I was a bit stumped by one of the questions but I answered the best that I could. It won't devastate me if I don't get offered the job. It seems that they're trying to stack quite a bit of extra work on the librarians these days. This job would be managing the library but also coordinating the gifted & talented program, and be textbook coordinator along with a host of other things. I am looking for a job that will be less stress for me. I'm still unsure about how I feel about elementary as well. But we'll see what happens. I'll know by tomorrow if they offer it to me.
Well, I gotta get ready to go to church.

Job Interview

It's been a whirlwind day for me. I got a call during my 4th period class today from the district that I sent my application into. I told the caller that I couldn't talk then but would call them back after 1:30. I called back and was scheduled for my preliminary interview at 4:30 today. Then just before 7th period today I was called by one of the schools that has a library opening and was scheduled for an interview tomorrow afternoon at 4:45. So I ducked out of school a few minutes early today and went to the preliminary interview. It went fine - I was interviewed by my former band director so it wasn't as bad as interviewing with a total stranger. I think I answered the questions well enough. I asked if all four of the library openings were available and he said yes, but I did get the idea that it is going to be competitive because he said that each school was interviewing 4 or 5 candidates each. So I guess we'll see how my interview skills go.
Tonight I am going to watch the play that my son is in. Then I've got to get some work done for grad school tonight. Well, I thought I should give you an update on the job search as it goes. I'm feeling guilty (as usual) about wanting to change jobs, but I've got to do what's best for my potential career. I definitely need something with less stress. The fact that I could get a library job before I graduate is very appealing.

Ready for a break

I appreciate all the wonderful comments that you've sent the past few days. Yes, I am always doing too much for other people. I guess I get that from my mother. Even when she was in her last few weeks dying of cancer, she kept asking questions like "Did everyone get enough to eat?" She kept working up until her last month when she finally lost the ability to walk. I guess it goes along with my inability to say "no."
I am looking forward to having a four day weekend. I promise to get some rest, but I will have to get some work done. I absolutely have to catch up on grading. I need to clean house and take care of some yearbook business that has been neglected for quite a while.
As far as the job search goes, I haven't been called for an interview so I'm not sure I'll get a chance for a library job next year. If not, that's ok. I will talk to my principal about my schedule for next year and give up speech team. I don't know about yearbook yet. I've done a really poor job with it this year. On the good news front, we will be able to get Nationals paid for this year.
This is another busy week. Tonight I had a woodwind rehearsal for band. Tomorrow, I'm going to watch the one-act play at Josh's school. Wednesday is choir rehearsal for the Easter services. I have an assignment due on Thursday and I have church this week Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Thankfully after Saturday I'll be able to have a coke again. It's been tough to give them up during the past several weeks that have been quite stressful. I'm looking forward to a very large Route 44 from Sonic after church on Sunday.
Well, I'm heading to bed early since I was up late last night finishing an assignment for grad school. I thought it was due today but I realized last night around 9:00 that is was due by 11:59. I submitted it at 11:10.

Still here but still busy

Insanity still reins here. I got my new iPhone on Tuesday. I haven't downloaded any apps but I have put in all my contacts and have been using the Calendar quite a bit. It turns out I have something in my calendar for the next 3 weeks... and that's just because I stopped putting things in until the end of the month. I like my new phone but I'm finding the battery does not last very long. Granted I was called all day yesterday at the competition but it drains rather quickly if I actively use it.
Earlier this week I was told that my district will no longer pay for the Nationals trip. This came as a shock to me and was trying to figure out how to pay for it. I only got a response from the superintendent when I contacted a board member about it. She couldn't figure out how I didn't know this information and tried to say that the principals knew about this but mine didn't. My principal came up some money for us and the team will have to pitch in about $1500 but we still need about $700 for it.
We had our UIL competition yesterday. The speech team and social studies team both did well. All the other academic students did not do very well... but that's kind of expected since they don't have any teachers that will work with them. Now I have to plan for our regionals trip.
Now I'm trying to figure out what's going to happen next year. Right now, I've decided to definitely give up speech team. It just takes up too much time. I'd like to give up yearbook too, but I don't know if I will. Of course, there's a possibility of a library job... but can't count on anything yet.
Well, I gotta go to a rehearsal and get something to eat. I didn't get a chance to eat supper last night and it was too late by the time I got home.