Long day yesterday. The memorial for my former boss was nice, saw lots of people -- but I'm so tired of seeing people at memorial services. Birthday dinner for my beloved was nice.
Got three little albatrossi done. The little ones are so fun. ;)
It is daughter's day off, and beloved took the day also, so everybody's knocking around here like it's the weekend! Except me.
The department of health confirmed that they got our complaint, and have begun an investigation of SIL's former facility. Yay.
What's new with you?
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59 comments:
Kathy a, I'm so glad that there's now an investigation at SIL's old facility, and I really hope the new place is giving her the care she needs.
W: toddlers. We're full force into the temper tantrums and battles of will. After Friday (which was an epically bad day), I feel like my fuse is so much shorter than it should be. I just don't have the patience that I need, right now.
Related whine: can we please send cluesticks to parents of older children who basically tell me that it's all going to get worse, since she's not quite 2? Or who act shocked that she has temper tantrums at all, because she's still 1 (for another few weeks). Is everyone else's kid a perfect angel until the second birthday? And seriously, when I tell you that she screamed for most of the day, tell me, "It gets worse."
It's like those "helpful" people who, when I couldn't sleep during my difficult pregnancy, said, "Get all the sleep you can now! You'll never sleep again once the baby's born." Least helpful advice ever!
I mean "don't tell me 'it gets worse.'"
Kids hit these developmental phases at different times, and do them in different ways. And "terrible twos" is just a generalization, anyway. No, mine were not tantrum-free until the age of 2. Nor did they tantrum about the same things. You are really good at trying to figure out why E is distressed. So those nattering nay-sayers can stuff it. IMO.
I second kathy a.
:) Neighbor Lady
Glad the wheels are turning re: SiL's former facility. That's just wrong.
QWP, some days it's better; some days it's worse. Your mileage may vary, but the sooner she can talk/sign language/communicate somehow, the happier she'll be. So many things in that brain that she can't express. No wonder it's frustrating. Which doesn't help much in the moment. Patience is in short supply around here too, especially when the mama has not had sufficient, quality sleep.
W: Took me 1 unanswered e-mail, 3 unanswered phone calls/no working voicemail, and one 5-minute phone interrogation before I could schedule a fireplacing meeting at a chunky place. As if some imposter was dying to schedule meetings. Albatrossi, indeed.
W: Oh, and Imma go ahead and whine about the cold. A full week of cold is too much for us. And it's not done yet.
AW: at least there was some sunshine today.
AW: Neighbor Girl's Bat Mitzvah is this weekend!
Lots of loved ones gathering
W: Neighbor Boy getting a rotten cold, Neighbor Guy getting over one--trying not to get it too!!!
W: school is overwhelming
AW: must remember they are 6th graders, and they are flexible and patient
--Neighbor Lady
Happy bat mitzvah, and passing the hand sanitizer!!
NL, you are a great teacher and person, and yes, the kids will be fine. xoxo
I echo NL's "school is overwhelming" whine. I got "demoted" last week. After having been beaten about the head and face and legs by a combative child (who also decided two days before that to pinch my nipple REALLY hard and twist), my admins decided that since there was obviously "a disruption" in the classroom that couldn't continue, I was switched into a PreK class, and that para was switched to my class.
None of the four staff members involved were ASKED about this, we were just told that it was happening. Many other people have asked me in the last few days exactly what is going on, but I can't tell them anything more, because that's all there is.
I am feeling further and further shut out by my admins. I feel as if they are trying to force me out, and they are doing a pretty damn good job. I have been asked to apply for this job at my friend's place of work, and I have already dropped t resume by their office. Now, only waiting for the job to be officially posted so I can apply.
Another teacher today commiserated with me and told me that the admins had told her at the beginning of this school year that they had already hired her replacement, and if she had any problems this year, she should go to her for advice. Ummmm...what?! Then, as if that wasn't creepy enough, they told her that she needed a theme song. What?! THEN, the AP proceeded to burn her a disc of songs that she could use as her theme song. WHAT?!? These people are fireplacing insane!
I really think I will be better off if I just go. Go, and move on to something that will make me happy again. Something that I will not dread getting up in the morning to go to.
Tired of fighting. Tired of feeling like I'm the bad guy here. Tired of being made to feel sub-par, sub-standard, and just plain unwanted.
((Klee))) I know you live in a "right to work" (for less) state but is there an ombudsman you can go to? I am so glad this other opportunity is coming up for you know, and I want to bash your current bosses over their heads with a two by four until they can't remember thir own names
((( KLee ))) What the fireplace? Sending blood pressure meds, and urging deep calming breaths, while you look for other options that do not include such insanity.
Pre-K might be really a lot more fun, though, than dealing with this kid who is out of control. xoxo
Yeah, also, about the Posse being all over this.
Oh my goodness KLee! Do teachers not have any job security or a union at your school? That's completely terrible. What TERRIBLE admins! We're rounding up the posse.
NL: Bat Mitzvah? How has NG gotten so grown up? I hope she has a wonderful weekend.
W: sinus pain kept me awake from about 2:30 - 4am. I guess I'm coming down with something. I think E has it too. We are definitely going to exceed the recommended screen time today. Maybe I can sneak in a nap while she watches Daniel Tiger.
I'm glad the investigation is underway kathy a.
(((QWP))) Never mind the naysayers. We will send Ralph for a good session of cluesticking to anyone who tells you "It gets worse" (seriously, who *does* that???!!!) Sorry about the sinus pain.
Congrats on NG's Bat Mitzvah NL!! Sending virtual hand sanitizer your way. Also, I hear you on the feeling overwhelmed.
(((KLee))) Hugs and more hugs to you. I can only echo what others have already said, mainly What The Fireplace????
Liz - awesome hulk-smash clue-stick imagery!!! I especially like the part where they don't remember their own names. :) Ralph will be proud.
W: Hubby decided yesterday to shave his beard and leave his moustache intact. I have always loved his beard. The good news is that he will grow tired of shaving it by Thursday and it will be back by Friday (which is why he grew it in the first place).
W: I look at him and all I can think is "Mario and Luigi." I'm a terrible partner.
BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Mario and Luigi. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
that's awesome.
W: Why doesn't QB allow one to export all transactions? WHY????
Hmm. I like the mustache, hated the beard experiments. (With my sweetie, not yours.) Remember him shaving it all off once and freaking the kids out.
KLee, continue to be horrified by the situation at your workplace.
That is hilarious, Sue. Mr E has only had one beard experiment, and I did not view it favorably. But at least it will be resolved quickly :)
KLee, I'm stuck on the THEME SONG??? What in the what? I think the signs are abundantly clear that a new direction for KLee is in order. What a miserable place to work.
Mazel tov, Neighbor Girl! Enjoy!
There's something I kinda needed to send yesterday, but my reviewer instead worked on a long thing that doesn't need to go in until Spring. And 3 hours ago, she said she'd review this little more urgent thing within the hour. Impatient, I am.
Ugh.
((((KLee)))) So sorry. At times like this I try to remember that karma is a you know what, and I hope you get to be a fly on the wall when theirs bites them in the tuckus.
--Neighbor Lady
NL! Definitely on the posse this week.
AW: the thing got edited and to the mailbox.
AW: the DofH investigator talked to both of us today, so we feel like we've been heard -- and we both stressed we do not want those people to treat other families this way.
MINI: GO TO SLEEP!
That is all.
Yay kathy a!!!!
I hope the magic sleeping pixie dust worked and there was sleep at your house.
Had a lovely breakfast with my old friend M and her friend D, who is interested in an issue that interests me. D told a story about taking a red-eye and sitting next to this professor, and the conversation they had about the issue of interest -- she wondered if I might have heard of the professor. In fact, the professor's son is a very good friend. Small world. That conversation must have been 15-20 years ago, but it obviously left quite an impression.
Dang, that's it. I'm fresh out of magic sleeping pixie dust. She finally fell asleep 2.5 hours after her bedtime. But she did not take a nap at school today, so there is hope for tonight. Cross appendages, please.
Montana -- the latest victory for same-sex couples. yay!
Thank you to whoever replenished the magic sleeping pixie dust! She turned out her own light and crashed before I ever went in to tell her to go to sleep! Hooray!
W: holy sinus headache, batman. Pretty sure I'm not going to have a voice by Sunday. As I'm preaching, that's a bit inconvenient.
Hooray for pixie sleeping dust! I'm so glad she's sleeping.
Esperanza, I'm right there with you with the ridiculous sinus headache. I feel like someone punched me in the face. I hope you recover quickly and can preach on Sunday.
I think we need some magic pixie sinus dust. (Wait. That sounds like drugs. I don't mean drugs.)
bwhahahaha!
Part of Mini's issue is that she hadn't been able to run outside for a few days in a row. Her preschools have the *ridiculous even for south Texas* rule that you can't play outside if it's below 60F. Not even kidding. Sweet's elementary isn't much better; I think their limit is 50F. Mini spends her whole time outside running, I think, so when that energy burn isn't there, it keeps her up at night. Today there was recess and we played outside at home. Much better match for her energy level.
60F???? That's INSANE! Kids are really fine at much lower temps with jackets as needed, even in the warmer states that do not currently have 6 feet of snow. (If we ever had snow, it would be hard to keep them out if it. Just sayin'.)
Not so much at preschool, but definitely at Sweet's school, some kids don't have sufficient jackets. It was 35 degrees for three mornings in a row, and kids were coming in sweatshirt weight hoodies, some only in shirts. That's it. School gives out LOTS of coats, but no responsible adult at their home will require them to wear it on cold days. Such is the way of things here. 60F is very ridiculous, in any case. 50F is more understandable, if you factor in the coatless children.
You guys, if we had those temperature limits, kids here would never get to go outside. Like, maybe for the first few days of September and the end of June, but it would be indoor recess all year round! At 60F, I don't even even put a proper jacket on E! Just a sweater!
Okay okay, I'm recovering from my shock. ;)
Can't there be a spare coat/sweater closet, so recess can happen? 35 is pretty darned cold, so I don't get parents sending kids w/o something substantial. But there's a solution here.....
That is a good idea (and I'm more sympathetic about having indoor recess when it's close to freezing point, in an area where it normally doesn't freeze, of course. I was just shocked by the 60F cutoff!)
W: E woke up a million times in the night, and then this morning she hit me (hard, with a hard toy) right above the lip, while flailing. It's swelling now.
(((QWP)))
I'd check to see if E has molars coming in. If so, dose w advil or tylenol (or both) before bedtime if your doctor says it's okay.
In the meantime, ice and advil or tylenol or both for your poor lip.
She does for sure have molars coming in, but last night, it was definitely gas that was bothering her (my fault: I should have rinsed the beans better, and cooked them longer). Mr. Q rocked her and rubbed her back for a while, which helped a lot, but we still heard peeps and shouts from her, periodically, all night.
Ugh. Gas is the worst.
AW: we rescued the morning by making oatmeal raisin cookies. E is overjoyed about having cookies in the house.
Tiny whine: I made heart-healthy cookies, because I'm going to give some to my mom as a treat (she's just been put on a low cholesterol diet). The cookies are okay, but cookies without butter taste a little bit like disappointment.
I find that to be very true.
QWP, yay cookies! But yeah, butter makes a difference. Poor mom.
Glad things settled with E last night. Poor babe.
Supposedly, you can "de-gas" (and prepare w/o soaking overnight) dry beans by boiling for 10 minutes, let it rest 1 hour, rinse, then continue with cooking. Works OK for us.
AW: Rain! W: gloom...
AW: a bit of a time crunch left me without time for my morning walk. No big deal, thought I. I'll walk to Sweet's school for my book fair volunteer shift, and walk back home. We'll call it exercise. I do love to be efficient.
W: Started POURING rain (unforecasted) about 10 minutes before I was supposed to come home. I had to call Mr E to come fetch me.
No interwebs all day because of some server upgrade across the city.
I'm glad the magic sleeping pixie dust eventually worked esperanza.
I hope the pixie sinus situation resolves soon.
Ouchie QWP - what Liz said re: advil/tylenol for you lip and for E's molars.
60F??? Wow. Just, wow. I guess whatever normal is where you live is...normal. Today it was -22C with the windchill and the kids at the school across from the church were out for recess. Sure, they were bundled up so warmly they could hardly move, but still, fresh air. That, by the way, is the story of my childhood....put on the snowsuit, take off the snowsuit, put on the snowsuit... good times!!
AW: Good workout today!
Working in PreK has been better, even with a few problem kids. I don't want to call in sick every day instead of facing going into what I know will be chaos, at least.
Funny thing is, two of the problem students have been HORRIBLE since I've been switched -- one got sent home early today (hopefully suspended, though I'm not sure) and one has been administratively placed in two other classrooms for certain times of the day. It took our regular principal being out for knee surgery and AN INTERIM PRINCIPAL (and in in only 3 school days, mind you) seeing what havoc these kids create in order to get him moved to Next-Door K Teacher's room for the morning, and Grade Group Chair K Teacher's class for lunch and early afternoon. This interim lady has been here since Friday, and she's already done more than our regular admin has!
It just goes to show you that it MUST NOT HAVE BEEN ME, and that their behavior is actually WORSE with me not in the classroom. I was the one keeping them in check. The regular teach, God love her, is a nice lady, but is not a stern disciplinarian. She often lets them exhibit bad behavior because it's not worth the fight, or will let the rowdy ones play on the computer all morning because it keeps them quiet and out of her hair. (I, personally, think it rewards them for acting like idiots, but I'm not the fully licensed teacher.)
At any rate, I have a lot less stress without them, and even though it pains me that other people got caught up in this madness, I am glad to have some relative peace and quiet.
We do have unions, and I am a member of one, but I am not making a stink right now because I have this other job hanging in the air. If I were planning on staying, I would be raising holy hell, but I am just ready to move on. Cut my losses. I will find my bliss again, and to hell with them.
KLee, it hurts my heart to think of what a kid must be going through to cause such a disturbance to warrant being suspended in *kindergarten.* Which is not to excuse horrible behavior. And does nothing to mitigate horrible behavior by grown-ups. Hopefully pre-K can soothe you a bit and the other job will come to fruition ASAP.
Amen. Sounds like your regular admin needs a clue stick to the bad knee. Yay for the interim admin and double yay for you being (relatively)!happy in pre-k.
Glad the pre-K class is working out better. Good the interim principal is shaking things up -- and you're right, the problem wasn't you. What Esperanza said, wondering what is going on with this kid to cause such acting up?
My internet went out for 4 hours yesterday, and that made me grumpy. Plus, when I called to find out when it would be back on -- after they verified my name, phone, address -- they asked for my ACCOUNT NUMBER "to protect sensitive information." ????? Like, the secret of when you plan to end the outage in my area?
Neighbor Girl, the one whose Bat Mitzvah starts tonight and is mainly tomorrow, came home from school with a migraine which then made her sick to her stomach.
Not fun for her ( or anyone....)
Please send good vibes that we can all get through this weekend intact.
--Neighbor Lady
((( Neighbor Girl ))) Oh, poor sweetie. Hope she is feeling better, pronto.
((((NL)))) I hope she feels better really soon.
(((KLee)))
Oh no! Neighbour Girl!
(((KLee)))
AW: my sinuses are improving and the sun is shining. It's warm enough that the snow is melting a little, and we had a nice morning playing with E's little buddies.
AW: Went to the gym again today. Good workout.
W: Took my little bottles of shampoo/conditioner/body wash into the shower and soon discovered that I had body wash and TWO bottles of conditioner. Ya, so home for the shampooing.
Sue's W: so something that I would do. Except for the going to the gym part. :)
Ha! Yeah, about the gym. Sue is keeping up the healthy lifestyle averages for some of us in the group. :)
NL, so sorry about NG's migraine! I hope she can get better quickly enough to enjoy her special day! Sending "no headache" wishes for her, and huge "mazel tov's" on her Bat Mitzvah.
Thanks for the encouraging words. I am holding in there. I hope it all works out for the best.
Yes, mazel tov to NG!
OMG! My son wants to take one of the pieces of lost furniture (stuff from my SIL currently stuffed in our house)!!
Tell him it's take one, get one free! (This is how we've furnished basically our entire house--hand me down's).
Hoping NG is feeling better, NL.
I tried to sell him on other items, but sadly, not a single other item can fit in his apartment. Not even the small ugly ones.
Not ugly -- stylish. If your style includes rabbits on a lamp, or a chinesy lamp that still has plastic on the shade. Etc. He's taking a small storage chest that can have cushions on top for seating.
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