End of September

First month of school completed..... eight more to go!
I can't believe I am starting the countdown now; Yes, it is that kind of year.

I've been wavering a bit to classify the year, but it has been bad.  Maybe troublesome is a better word.  Nevertheless, I am really not happy, nee "comfortable", yet.
Meeting with Patty Burke last week- nothing really resolved, more of a venting really (in a nice way).
Meeting tomorrow with everyone- me, Hathaway, Wachlin, school principals and Burke- to streamline the program.  Not sure how that is going to go, but preparing for argument.

 Bathrooms still not finished.  I think Kevin is planning on skipping out this week.  We've consulted a tile guy and fixing things (sloppy work) is going to be $$.  Kevin wants a check, but not getting it until we come to an agreement.

Getting estimates for painters.

I think something is going on- chi or karma is bad.  Too much negative energy around here.  Too much to be a coincidence, and thinking "cause and effect".  Maybe it started with sending Tim and Jessica back... (?)

DCFS (Patty) inspection last week.  With the new IL law that all agencies that receive state funds must allow GLBT foster/ adoption, religious-based agencies are dumping kids on the State.  Patty asked that we hurry it up- they are getting bombarded.  I'm thinking a month, but it will probably be longer to get things back in order.

New snowblower and rototiller and paid off a lot of bills (Aunt Jean $).  Mom told me that whenever Aunt Jean goes over 10 million, she sends checks out.  Thus far, for me, 125G- which I am absolutely appreciative, being able to get things done around here.  Still, a bit of jealousy with Mom getting 100G per my 25G.  If I received that much, these projects would come to completion much quicker.

Once the bathrooms are done, we have to get the master bedroom back together (still sleeping on the sofas) and then move to the kids rooms.  IKEA is coming to measure the kitchen, but that project is going to have to wait.  Originally wanted to tile the entry through the kitchen, but I think we'll have to wait.  Still have to flip the rooms (got IKEA dinning room table I wanted).

Next year landscaping to finish the orchard and begin the east yard.

School year begins.....

First full week down, 36 to go (?).

Applied for a last-minute position at Honnenegha, but did not get it.

Chaos would be both an understatement and overstatement- but either it is or I'm fussing too much about nothing.

1. Back and forth between FMS and CSMS.  Getting tiresome.  Mainly because I end up remembering tht I need something at FMS and have to stop there before school begins and race over to CSMS.  I only have one set of materials.
2. Sharing rooms is not totally bad, but I have no space to be during my planning time, which is bothersome.  
3. Still missing books and the CSMS librarian seems not to know how to take care of things.... In general, I am making requests at FMS for things as CSMS because I know they'll take care of it.
4. No one told me that the Board voted not to continue the IB program at the middle school level, so the work I did to develop the program was for nothing (not that it was finished anyway).... So that makes Spanish an elective.  At CSMS, it has been cut to 30 minutes.
5. 5th graders are a bit too immature for me.  Although I have accepted their limitations in many arenas, I am probably spending 1/3 of the time correcting behaviors.
6. Not much in the mood for FLIC, and have heard nothing from the HS kids about MAYO.  Going to start FLIC up next week and see how that goes (last year was bad!), and then deal with MAYO.
7. Classes are HUGE this year, particularly 8th grade.  Of all my classes, only one under the upper 20s, with a 31 and 32.  Crazy.

8th graders this year seem pretty good, actually better than years past.  The first test is next week, so we'll see if it is all an act or not.

Otherwise.....
Bathrooms still not finished, and got to the point where we were going to fire Kevin.  His attention to detail is bad, not thinking things through, and he seems to not have a grasp on the guys he pulls in.  Problems with the plumber and electrician not wanting to come back to finish/ fix things.  A lot of delays.  But, the end is in sight; I'm crossing my fingers to be done in another couple of weeks.

Aunt Jean sent another 25G.  I think that is 125G total over the last couple of years.  Very nice, but I find myself selfishly expecting it and, with the last check, actually expecting a bit more since Grandma died.  Very bad.  Paying bills with this set, including the car.  Whatever is left, I'll put towards the house plan.  IKEA is coming in October to measure the kitchen.....  Mom is in Montreal now.

Obviously no kids due to the bathrooms.  I'm on the line with it.  Not sure if it is something to continue.  We just want to provide a place for a couple of good kids- yes, every child has issues, but we just can not deal with chaos (at least, I can't).  So, we'll see.  I'm thinking we have to find a new contact, as I believe Patty does not have our best interests in mind- she has the kids', which is her job, but knowingly not making a good match just makes things bad.

Sadly, I think the end is near for Eva.  She is not as bad as Candi was, but slowly getting there.  Today was the first day I really felt it.

The beginning of the school year always brings that need for change and organization.... and here it is.  A bit tired of it, procrastinating and things are not getting done.  I think a lot of it, even over the summer, was the FB habit.  I would hesitate to say addiction, but it is something I do everyday- now why can't I say that for the gym?!  So, no FB this weekend so I can get things done.