Honeymoon Over...

After reviewing my last post, it all sounded a little too idyllic, didn't it? The honeymoon is over. Bumps in the road and all that.

My assistants are griping and complaining.
I'm griping and complaining!
I don't like the fact that most of my students have autism....that is not my forte.
I've made some serious errors; have apologized and started over.

My assistants and I continue to learn more about each other and, despite our ups and downs, are melding into a good team.

A vision specialist is scheduled to come, FINALLY!

We had school pictures yesterday. I had to sit under the camera and sing songs and perform fingerplays of choice and hold favorite 'fidget's just out of reach to get the kids to smile.......I feel for families of kids with autism who try to have portraits taken!!!!!!!! If I had to stop and think about it, I would be embarrassed about all the antics I performed....part of the job, isn't it!?

I bought a cheap pressboard cabinet to put our snacks in. Previously, they had just run to the adjoining "kitchen" to get them at the last minute. Very untimely! The assistants even commented about how nice it was to have snack ready beforehand! I was flabbergasted!

My director met me for dinner the other night before we both attended a computer class. Being as distrusting as I am, I wondered if the invite was politically or friendship motivated. My gut tells me it was mostly political. The computer class will help me fill in those missing links for the Microsoft programs I know just enough about to make it frustrating to do a project in a short time.

I received my Boardmaker program at school (HOORAY!). It is a new version that is a bit different, so I've had to learn a few new tricks, but there are GREAT new pictures on it. My version is for Windows, so unfortunately, the lovely CDs JD sent do not work. I'm bummed about that. If I had Boardmaker on my home MAC, I probably could get them to work, but that isn't high priority on my financial list.

Speaking of finances. If any of you receive an offer on a job, get the salary offer ON PAPER. I learned the hard way. All I got were apologies. I think I may come out about even by the end of the year when/if I move again. There's not much to spend money on here. Walmart and KMart, the two big stores, get boring pretty fast. Home Depot doesn't hold much for me. Shopping by internet is fun, but somehow doesn't hold the same addiction for me! >grin< And most of the stores close about 6-7 o'clock in the evenings and earlier on weekends!

I just filled the gas tank for the second time since I've moved here......aren't you jealous? I've driven around town, too, and not really limited myself in that regard. I've taken two longer jaunts down the island about an hour's drive from here to see the scenery. It's beautiful countryside.

Frustration mounts as I weekly take my laundry to the laundromat. The onproperty laundry facility here is filthy and has only 1 of 2 wash/dry sets in working order. If I offer to clean them, I'm sure they'd love it, but wouldn't fix it up in any way. I've definitely picked a 'slumlord,' even though there is a property manager.....not on sight. She's nice enough, but definitely doing what the landlord wants.....which is as little as possible to accommodate his tenants. That's the next letter I write today!

My Lilo-cat is much more calm and playful here and the nighttime quietude has definitely helped me sleep better! During waking hours, it is more frustrating however, as my middle floor apartment gets the pounding vibrations of the rock music below me. That tenant does try to be respectful in turning it down when I ask, however, and doesn't play it past 10 p.m.

I have been able to walk a couple nights a week....when I don't collapse on the couch. I've also started back at Curves on a bit more regular basis. Until today, the weather has been sunny, or partly sunny. It is raining and dark today, but that's okay.

I've determined to keep my apartment heat off as long as possible. I'm wearing sweatshirts and t-shirt when I'm at home, with that extra blanket on the bed. The heat may have to be turned on soon! Of course, the heat in the classroom has come on full force! Combine 8 preschoolers, 80 F temperature, and 3 women with their own personal power surges and you've got insanity! So Friday, I finally got them to turn down our classroom thermostat. Whew! Wipe my brow! The adjoining classroom keeps their heat on enough for both of us!

I've developed a bit of a cold which I am trying to keep at bay. It is usually this time of year that I get bronchitis and/or pneumonia, despite the home remedies. I haven't found a doctor here yet, but just received my new health insurance cards, so at least that is in place! I hear that the vision insurance is really good, so I think I'll go for new glasses. I'm up for them, timewise.

I haven't had time to get my car licensed or driver's license changed over. Monday is the day I could sneak away early and of course, that is the day those offices are closed! Yes, there are separate buildings and offices for vehicle licensing and driver's licensing!


No, I didn't feel any of the 4.5 magnitude earthquake from Mt. Rainier yesterday.

Well, now to the laundromat. Life is daily.