at 03/06/09 5:46PM
Hello all~
Today I was not awakened before 6A to the "sub-central" calling me to substitute. I slept lightly with a sinus headache, but when I rose it was on my time!!
I did domestic duties of laundry, putting away the clean dishes from the night before, and ironing my husband's shirts. Then I took a leisurely shower (hoping the humidity and heat would calm my sinuses). Then dressed for a special FOS/Boy Scout luncheon at the downtown Hyatt. Outdoors was perfect Florida spring weather. Joel and I went in to the hotel and one of our scouts friends starting congratulating me. I was puzzled. Yes I am the new Camp Director for the council summercamp but I didn't think that rated congratulations. After the event several people, including the Council President congratulated me. OK Something is up! So the Coun. Pres. takes me aside and tells me that I am one of a select group that will be receiving the Silver Beaver Award at the Council Dinner later this month!!!! For those not in Scouting, that is the highest honor a volunteer adult can receive. I am still stunned! What a day!
at 02/18/09 8:38AM
Good Morning all~
Joel and I are still looking for gainful employment. Joel is working, more like volunteering his time, tirelessly on the high adventure program for McGregorSmith Scout Reservation and hitting all kinds of walls. I have enjoyed watching over little ones, Alex and Will. ALex when he is too sick to go to daycare, and Will when his mommy needs to go into the office for meetings. In February my substitute status was finally activitated. I think there are two advantages to being a substitute. 1) Interviewing in schools did not produce a positive result, so if I am in the schools, teachers and administrators can see me,hopefully a good thing. 2) As a sub, the county does not take Social Security withholding. Instead, they invest 7.5% of my pay with pretax dollars! When I stop substituting, I can take the lump sum and place it in an IRA. I will have to deduct my earnings when I claim my weeks with unemployment, but I will be putting something in to savings. I have been offered the Camp Directors position at Flaming Arrow. I am considering it because it will be 7 weeks of employment in a usually no pay time of year. But I will also have to commit to four mini camps and winter camp. I have a few directorships available if any college/singles or couples want to enjoy the Florida sun.
I also gained a new daughter. She is beautiful, smart, industrious, and loves the outdoors. :)
Last week was my 30th FC class reunion. It was a busy week. Monday night gathering, lectures, and Thursday dinner. We had a good turn out and emails from class mates not able to attend. Many of us had children involved in the drama production, Chorus, Friends, and Band. We reacquainted ourselves with a couple we hadn't seen since they left college. We tried to go sailing with friends, but the trailier broke...not in a usual place. The weather was perfect! Sorry to all who had to go home to snow and ice.
That's all for now. Love to all.
at 10/30/08 3:11PM
Jason may remember we had lawn chairs out by the trash cans for over a year. With an upcoming group meeting, I had in mind to revive these chairs. Result of watching way too much HGTV. Two of the chairs were previously covered in green canvas, one webbing. I went to the local Walmart and bought yellow, butterschotch, and navy stripe canvas. Then I found variegated blue plastic webbing. I restored the three chairs! The green patio furniture has been rusting. Must be repainted; I bought nave blue paint and spray painted the table and chairs. Now it all coordinates. The lighthouse has been pealing and rotting away. Joel bought the necessary supplies and he and Kelton painted the lighthouse navy with white trim. He also borrowed our neighbors flat trailer and hauled off all the trash aroung the shed to the dump. What a difference! While Joel was on his sailing expedition, Kelton and I burned the yard trash. Wow!!! what flames!!! Kelton had a hose on one side, I had a hose on the other side. Done in 15 minutes! I heard sirens in the distance. Quickly, Kelton and I made sure the area was no longer smoking and recoiled the hoses. The night of the meeting, Caitlin sat on a small camp stool. Ten minutes later the fabric split down the center. No worries... I still have canvas to repair the stool.
A group of ladies are gathering to learn and do crafts. I have recently learned how to crochet. I no longer feel guilty for watching TV. I am creating an object that my family can snuggle under and keep warm.
I was quartermaster for the annual Caya Costa event. We had over 50 participants. The weather was great and there was something for everyone to do, or not do.
Early in September I applied to substitute in the county schools. It is nearly November and I still am not activated. It is frustrating. However, I did take my resume to three schools this week. One to be a kindergarten aide, one temporary first grade position, and one third grade position. I am praying for the third grade position. IF your pray lists are not too long, please add my request to your list.
Joel had his birthday this week. A small family gathering.
Thats all for now. I hope I have appeased my little ones. Love you, MOM
at 10/30/08 2:38PM
Family members have strongly encouraged me to update. So I took the time to update. Actually wrote 5 paragraphs. pressed add entry. and zap. it was gone..........Debating if I should attempt it again......
at 09/03/08 3:52PM
It has been very strange as everyone else prepares to go back to school. This will be the first year in over about 15 years that I have not left any children at home alone to set up a classroom and attend boring preplanning sessions. SO...I have loaned out classroom library books, baskets, and other teacher necessities to two first year teachers.
I went to a come and go coffee last week and one of the ladies there reminded me that even though I am not in a traditional classroom, I am teaching. She's right. I am teaching Kelton 8th grade at home and have spent hours on the computer looking at Classical Education sites and schools checking and double checking that I have not missied anything that will "damage" Kelton's educational opportunities.
As far as his socialization, he was just elected as the Program VP for his Venturing Crew and is still involved with his Boy Scout troop.
Bye for now.
cooljoke
Please come to our concert, Friday, June 12, at 7pm. It will be at the Tampa Sam Ash Music store on Dale Mabry & Fletcher.
Some songs on the line-up?
Monkey Wrench by The Foo Fighters
Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi
Goodbye To You by Scandal
Just Like You by Three Days Grace
Almost Easy by Avenge Sevenfold
The Answer by Automatic Loveletter
Drops of Jupiter by Train
...and more!
Host: Paul Cazares - House of Rock
Date: Friday, June 12, 2009
Time: 7pm-9pm
Location: Sam Ash Music store, on the corner of Dale Mabry highway and Fletcher Avenue (in the shopping center with Bed Bath & Beyond, CiCi's Pizza, PlayItAgain Sports, etc.)
13133 Dale Mabry Highway,
Tampa, Florida
33618
Please don't miss this show!
We will have t-shirts for sale, too! Be sure to get yours at the concert.
To learn more about the House of Rock school, visit www.paulcazares.com
(For videos of some of our past concerts, visit www.youtube.com/user/TheVeronicaCook)