Our mission to stay on budget has been mostly successful. We survived January. This is despite having to borrow more money to cover the repair of our car window, after it was smashed by vandals while we were enjoying an evening at the park (which we assumed would be free recreation).
One good thing which will come out of this long trudging season is that I will never be unable to have compassion on people who struggle and live paycheck-to-paycheck. I know how one setback can undo months of progress. It seems to me that it would be a simple and quick matter to become homeless. I'm planning to get involved in our church's homeless ministry this month, but I hope I'll be able to give more than time someday.
I will give the curious an overview of how we've spent our days since my last update:
On January 21st we joined the million plus people and marched in opposition to the new administration. It was a glorious day, and brought me the most hope I'd felt since November.
For it has been dreadful, has it not? The cabinet appointments, the immigration/refugee ban, the threat of ACA repeal, the menace of Russia.... I have frequent nightmares, but even more frequently do I call my senators and representatives.
We do not just watch. We resist, however and whenever possible.
Speaking of taking action, by mid-January I had my second week with 0 or 1 sub calls at PSAS and decided to find out just what it would take to start subbing for the county. I had already put in my application for my Maryland teaching license to transfer to Colorado. And I learned a month ago that I could sub for District 60 (Pueblo City Schools) with just the receipt from my application. So off to human resources I went on January 23rd, and I have been subbing for the district ever since.
Literally, every day. I have missed only one day of subbing for either PSAS or District 60, and that was on Valentine's Day, so that my blessed babysitter could volunteer for her kid's school. I have been in middle schools, elementary schools, and high schools all over the city, teaching English and Art and Spanish and Third Grade and everything else. I have seen schools that are falling apart and schools that are flourishing and schools in the middle. It's truly been a joy! Imagine being able to pick your job anew every day!
(This mural is a couple blocks from an East Side Middle School I've subbed at three times. Inspiring, right?)
(The view of Pike's Peak I had from one high school classroom)
My Colorado teaching license arrived at the beginning of February, though, and I'm ready for full time work. I'm hoping very much to get either a long-term sub job or a temporary teaching job for the rest of the year. Here's hoping.
The kids are thriving! Miles continues to excel academically in second grade. Socially... he's doing better. He still doesn't like to approach throngs of noisy kids, preferring to befriend outsiders and loners, kids on the spectrum, kids who have family troubles, new kids, and kids in special education. His hair continues to grow. He continues to take tap and is preparing for a Spring recital to music from the Princess and the Frog. He continues to be himself.
Adele loves preschool and her babysitter's house, which is a huge blessing. I love dropping her off knowing she's happy and loved and being nurtured. Alicia has worked with her on potty training to some significant success, she's coached her on cleaning and crafts and baking, and works with her on her school skills. Her preschool, as lovely as it is, doesn't challenge her. Adele is reading and doing simple math facts, and yet her preschool spends time reviewing letters made by alphabet sounds and identifying numbers. So, I'm happy to have her at Alicia's, even as I think the preschool has a lot of social value for her. She does love her preschool buddies. She goes to gymnastics every week and she glows with happiness while there.
I'm impatient to get full time work, but I'm a lot more hopeful. I'm enjoying choir; the friendships I've found there make church more enjoyable.
And this Colorado sunshine, and the evening romps with the dog, are lifting me up and nurturing me, body and soul. I'm calmly regarding the approach of Lent.
Speaking of taking action, by mid-January I had my second week with 0 or 1 sub calls at PSAS and decided to find out just what it would take to start subbing for the county. I had already put in my application for my Maryland teaching license to transfer to Colorado. And I learned a month ago that I could sub for District 60 (Pueblo City Schools) with just the receipt from my application. So off to human resources I went on January 23rd, and I have been subbing for the district ever since.
Literally, every day. I have missed only one day of subbing for either PSAS or District 60, and that was on Valentine's Day, so that my blessed babysitter could volunteer for her kid's school. I have been in middle schools, elementary schools, and high schools all over the city, teaching English and Art and Spanish and Third Grade and everything else. I have seen schools that are falling apart and schools that are flourishing and schools in the middle. It's truly been a joy! Imagine being able to pick your job anew every day!
(This mural is a couple blocks from an East Side Middle School I've subbed at three times. Inspiring, right?)
(The view of Pike's Peak I had from one high school classroom)
My Colorado teaching license arrived at the beginning of February, though, and I'm ready for full time work. I'm hoping very much to get either a long-term sub job or a temporary teaching job for the rest of the year. Here's hoping.
The kids are thriving! Miles continues to excel academically in second grade. Socially... he's doing better. He still doesn't like to approach throngs of noisy kids, preferring to befriend outsiders and loners, kids on the spectrum, kids who have family troubles, new kids, and kids in special education. His hair continues to grow. He continues to take tap and is preparing for a Spring recital to music from the Princess and the Frog. He continues to be himself.
Adele loves preschool and her babysitter's house, which is a huge blessing. I love dropping her off knowing she's happy and loved and being nurtured. Alicia has worked with her on potty training to some significant success, she's coached her on cleaning and crafts and baking, and works with her on her school skills. Her preschool, as lovely as it is, doesn't challenge her. Adele is reading and doing simple math facts, and yet her preschool spends time reviewing letters made by alphabet sounds and identifying numbers. So, I'm happy to have her at Alicia's, even as I think the preschool has a lot of social value for her. She does love her preschool buddies. She goes to gymnastics every week and she glows with happiness while there.
I'm impatient to get full time work, but I'm a lot more hopeful. I'm enjoying choir; the friendships I've found there make church more enjoyable.
And this Colorado sunshine, and the evening romps with the dog, are lifting me up and nurturing me, body and soul. I'm calmly regarding the approach of Lent.
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