Christmas cuteness

Excuse the poor Blackberry photo, but I just had to share! Isn't she adorable?! I put the tree up today and Lexie immediately crawled underneath it and fell asleep!

And, yes I am using an ISU throw for a tree skirt. Resourceful, no? :)

Hope you're all having a fantastic weekend!

A little bad, but a lot of good.

I am feeling a little sorry for myself tonight. I don't know if I'm just ready to be done with my job, or what but every little thing is bugging me.

Pretty sure it's a culmination of a bunch of little things and I'm about to burst, but I feel so unappreciated by my staff that I just can't take this anymore. I am so flexible and so lenient with these girls and I hardly ever get a thank you. All they do is, take take take. I'm just tired of managing people, I guess.

A simple thank you would go so far with me. It's really all I want, but I don't think I am going to get it. I know I'm not a perfect manager, but I know I'm not awful either. Things could be so much worse for these girls and they appear to think they have it so bad.

I have 21 days left, I know they are going to fly by but I honestly could not be happier. Managing people is rough. There is no way you can please everyone and for someone like me who wants to keep everyone happy it can be pretty wearing.

Some of the good things that did happen this week though...

• Wrapped up the semester and I'm 99% sure I have As in both my classes. I'm so, so, so pleased and proud of myself! I hope I can continue this with every semester.
• Finished quite a bit of Christmas shopping and now just have two presents left to buy. (Debating between a Kindle or a Nook for my dad)
• Got some great tips from a girl in my class that has been substituting for almost a year now. I'm so glad I talked with her, I have some great ideas now!
• We're continuing to work with Lexie, and she's doing fantastic. We weren't supposed to keep her but I don't see how we're ever going to be able to give her up. We're still struggling a bit with teaching her to let us know when she needs to go out, but it's getting better.
• Had a sushi night after my last final with one of my best friends. We had some great sushi, great conversation and some really great wine. It was definitely needed.
• Then tonight my four closest friends and I had our Christmas get together. We exchanged presents (we just do white elephant) and I got some really cute earrings and some Bath and Body Works lotion (in sensual amber! lol) it was a lot of fun but I'm bummed I forgot to take a picture! Here's an old one of us! :)

Overall, I know I have a lot to be thankful and I just need to get through the next month or so and I will have a break.

What was good about your week?

26 Days!

I have 26 days left of work.

TWENTY-SIX days! I'm 95% excited and 5% nervous. I think Suz said it best...

"Do not be anxious about anything instead with prayer and petition submit your requests to God." He will provide a way for you!

She is so right and that is what I am doing!

After this month no more grumpy women frazzled from too much shopping. No strangers snapping at me because THEY lost their receipt and I cannot refund them cash. No more lazy shoppers that refuse to pay shipping but still want to shop online and call the store and have ME run around and get their stuff. All of these things are things that happen to us on a daily basis! The last one irritates me the most! I've stopped answering the phone until we're officially open because of it. They will suck up all your time and then you're behind on opening duties. I hate being behind.

I finished the substitute teaching authorization class on Saturday and it wasn't bad at all! The weather took a nasty turn for the worse and since people from all over the state were in Des Moines for this class, the instructor let us out early. It was nice, gave me time to grab some dinner before heading in to work to close the store.

And, speaking of studying. I pulled my first all-nighter since starting grad school last night. Of cooooouuuurse I waited till the last minute to get two big projects done until last night. They were due at 9am this morning and I figured I could get it all done after work yesterday in a couple hours. Ummmm, no.

I got home around 8pm and got right to work. Then my sister came home... then the dogs needed out.... then I talked to my sister for awhile.... then I messed around on Facebook.... you get the picture. By 1:30 am I was 3/4th the way done and I was crashing fast. So I figured I would take a little nap and then get up and finish in the morning. That's what I ended up doing and it worked out perfectly. I have only had a little over 3 hours of sleep and so far I feel fine but I know I'm going to crash later!

Are you a procrastinator or do you get things done right away?

Rescue Dogs 2010

I'm not sure if I have mentioned that my aunt is a huge animal rights activist and frequently take in dogs from shelters that will put them down if they're not adopted within a certain amount of time.

She made this video and I just had to share!

One of the dogs mentioned, Lexie, is the one we're currently fostering. Parker, the dog at the beginning of the video was adopted by my parents (and is spoiled ROTTEN).

Please ADOPT!

Hoops

Nope, this is not a post about basketball.

It's a post about hoops you have to jump through.

Hoops to substitute teach in the state of Iowa.

Holy, moly. It's not easy. Every state has different laws and many states are extremely lenient. In fact, I think in the state of Alaska all you need is a high school diploma! In Missouri, all you need is two years of college.

But, in Iowa you must:

• Have a bachelors degree or paraprofessional certification
• Complete a 20 hour "Fostering learning as a Substitute Teacher" class
• Complete 2 consecutive hours of classroom observation with ONE teacher
• Get an Iowa and national criminal background check
• Be at least 21 years of age

There's some serious hoops there. But, subbing in Iowa pays pretty well... seriously, if you have a bachelors degree and need a part time job (and don't hate children) subbing is the way to go.

Tomorrow after class I am going downtown to get my fingerprints done. I'm hoping I can get all these hoops taken care of by the new year so that I can start subbing as soon as kids get back from break.

I'm not complaining about the hoops, though. Iowa has always been a leader in education and I am very proud of that. All states have their own core standards that they teach to, but Iowa's standards tend to be what the government compares standards to. They're that high! In my opinion they are not high enough (hello, the United States will NEVER catch up to China) but we're on the right track. Anyway, that's a different topic and for a different day! :/

Tonight was the first 4 hours of the 20 hour class and I really enjoyed it. One of my sorority sisters from over 6 years ago was in there, so it was super nice to see a familiar face! The next two days are full 8 hour days of class, but after tonight I am not dreading it as much! The instructor substitute taught (I totally just wrote teached) for 12 years and she's giving us so many great tid bits, I am so glad we have someone that has experience!

With each day that passes I am more and more excited and, more and more convinced that I am making the right decision!

Do you remember any subs? Did you have a favorite? Did your class do anything mean to your substitute teachers?

Why I love the blogging community so much!

You guys are so sweet. Thank you so much for your encouraging comments and prayers, they mean so much and remind me of why I love the blogging community so much!

I am so excited to embark on this new adventure, but it is terrifying! I QUIT my job last week. That is scary. I quit a job that pays well and is dependable, but on the other hand is frustrating and looks easy but is NOT. Two years ago I was so extremely thankful for the opportunity and I still am, I just know that my time is up and I'm ready for a new long term challenge.

My two main fears are pretty simple actually.

1. What if I don't get called to sub? I have my bachelors, which in most states enables you to substitute teach. In Iowa you have to take a 20 hour class (which I am taking this weekend) to get a substitute teaching license and that allows you to sub in grades 6-12. I've got the class under control, not worried about that. But, what if I apply to the school districts and I don't get called? I will be available Wed-Fri and I am depending on that for income. I suppose if it doesn't work out I can find a random part time job (or perhaps go back to the nursing home) but I really want to get my butt in the classroom!

2. What am I going to do for health insurance? I have looked into independent plans and need to make a few calls to get that going, but it is still one loose end that I need tie up. Going without health insurance is NOT an option for me. Although I rarely get sick I am a worrywart that will constantly be thinking about the "what if's" if I don't get it. I can get insurance through the college but open enrollment is only in October. So, I've got 10 more months to worry about! Anyone have experience with independent health insurance providers?

Those are my two main fears. I'm not too worried about finding a job once I'm done with school. My two endorsements are in demand so I should be good there, but hopefully I don't change my mind once I get going and deeper into the coursework! The main endorsement I am interested in is special ed, but I'm more interested in the intellectual disabilities. Not the behavior disabilities, but I don't think there's any getting around that one. BD children are gonna be in my room no matter what... ;)

Well, I'm off to hit the books. I have a TON to do in the next week and half. I had a blast this semester and learned a lot but I'm ready for it to be over and move on to something else...

Hope you're having a great week. Thanks again for your support, it means the world!

Leap of Faith

Remember last week when I implied I had something to tell? Well, I'm ready to spill...

I quit my job this week.

Yep, I did it. I actually quit. As of January 8, 2011 I will be unemployed.

And, it's flippin' scary.

So, as most of you know I started graduate school in August and it's going splendidly. I could not ask for more. Except, I do want more! More classes that is.

All of my time and energy expended towards work just doesn't feel right, I want to be putting that time towards classes and only working part time. So, in October I mapped out what it would look like for the next few years if I went full time and if I do that I will graduate in exactly two years!

After registering for classes I made the plan to tell my boss the Monday after Thanksgiving. I wanted to tell her so bad on Black Friday when I could do so in person, but that would have just been wrong. We had a few things happen over Thanksgiving weekend that made it really hard to stick to my plan, but I followed through and letting her know actually went very well.

You may be wondering why I am giving such a lengthy notice. I didn't have to, I didn't sign a contract or anything like that. My store is such a different case... it's very high volume and kind of a power-house. It can't be filled by just anyone. Finding someone will take time. A six week notice is generous, but necessary to find the right person for the job. I truly respect my boss and don't wish any ill will towards her so I felt it was the right thing to do.

You may be wondering what I am going to do for income? Very valid. Yes, yes it is. I'm planning (hoping) to substitute teach Wed-Fridays each week. In my hometown most districts pay subs $130 a day which will be plenty in supplement to my student loans. Next weekend I am taking a class that will certify me to sub in middle school and high school due to my already having a bachelors degree. I wish I could sub in elementary but in the state of Iowa you have to have a teaching certificate to sub k-5. :(

I'm very scared, nervous, excited... all rolled in one! What if I don't get called to sub? What if I hate it? What if I'm making a HUGE mistake? These are all valid fears, I know, but I need to find out if this is what I am supposed to do. My gut instinct tells me I am right and that I need to take this leap of faith. How will I ever know if I don't do it?

What is the scariest leap of faith you have taken in your life?