I am hunting for a new job. Somehow, after ten years away from the full-time workforce, I thought this was going to be easier than it has been. I know that some of my skills are rusty, and that my field tends to be slim in economic hard times, but I just knew it would be different for me. Because I'm delusional like that, I guess. After applying for 30+ jobs, I'm adjusting my expectations. Maybe working at the golden arches is a viable option. The boys would really think it was cool.
However, I did interview for a position this week. It's in training, and I will need to go back and present a sample class - it's really the only way to evaluate how well someone teaches. So, I'm casting about for an appropriate topic, given that I know next to nothing about my audience. If it were you in the audience, would you rather sit through 30-45 minutes on improving your writing, or basic presentation skills, or basic graphic design concepts, or some type of efficiency/time management training? This will be a multimedia extravaganza - PowerPoint is encouraged.
On a related note, the boys are really looking forward to the prospect of being in after-school care. I have let them know that I'm looking for a job, and some ways our life will change when that happens, thinking that this is a big change and I should prepare them for it. However, it really hasn't turned out that they are concerned - more like 'haven't you found a job YET?' Big Boy came downstairs the other morning and his first words of the day were: "So, Mom, what happens if you don't find a job?" Well, nothing, son. Things will stay like they have been. So, why did he look disappointed?
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
School has arrived!
Summer vacation is officially over. And . . . hmm. I thought I'd be glad, but this has felt like a season of endings the last few weeks. I'm looking for a job (and wow, that is much more difficult than I expected, but that's a thought for another day). I haven't held a full-time job in ten years, so this is a real titan of a change for us. This was probably my last summer at home, and I wonder . . . did I enjoy it enough? Did I appreciate the gift of being home with my boys the way I should have?
Big boy will be looking at middle school next year. Little brother will be looking at third grade, and really isn't a little boy any longer. Although he'll always be my baby, he's growing up, and seven is shaping up to be a good year for him.
Maybe I should look at what we accomplished this summer:
* The boys and I spent about three weeks working through age-appropriate Bible studies, which was some precious time learning more about God's word. They loved it, and so did I.
* Little brother really got comfortable with chapter books this summer. We spent lots of quality time with library books and all enjoyed reading.
* I've seen the boys change in their play. They are imagining together now, and it's such a treat to watch them. They have hideouts and are really enjoying one another's company.
* We spent wonderful time with our families this summer, helping them celebrate milestones in their lives. My grandmother celebrated her 85th birthday, and Hawkeye's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
* Hawkeye and I celebrated our 15th anniversary with a relaxing, wonderful cruise. I enjoy his company more now than I ever have, and we appreciated the time to enjoy our marriage. Thanks, Mom!
* I learned to can. I've canned salsa, tomato sauce, and today, watermelon rind preserves.
So, maybe this has been a good summer. Busy, but with good things. Fast, but packed with memories to savor. The boys are excited about school, so on with the school year!
Big boy will be looking at middle school next year. Little brother will be looking at third grade, and really isn't a little boy any longer. Although he'll always be my baby, he's growing up, and seven is shaping up to be a good year for him.
Maybe I should look at what we accomplished this summer:
* The boys and I spent about three weeks working through age-appropriate Bible studies, which was some precious time learning more about God's word. They loved it, and so did I.
* Little brother really got comfortable with chapter books this summer. We spent lots of quality time with library books and all enjoyed reading.
* I've seen the boys change in their play. They are imagining together now, and it's such a treat to watch them. They have hideouts and are really enjoying one another's company.
* We spent wonderful time with our families this summer, helping them celebrate milestones in their lives. My grandmother celebrated her 85th birthday, and Hawkeye's parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
* Hawkeye and I celebrated our 15th anniversary with a relaxing, wonderful cruise. I enjoy his company more now than I ever have, and we appreciated the time to enjoy our marriage. Thanks, Mom!
* I learned to can. I've canned salsa, tomato sauce, and today, watermelon rind preserves.
So, maybe this has been a good summer. Busy, but with good things. Fast, but packed with memories to savor. The boys are excited about school, so on with the school year!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Oh, yes, I did ride that carnival ride
Tuesday night, we went to a county fair. One that operates on a very large scale. It also, coincidentally, requires a capital investment roughly equivalent to our grocery budget for a couple of weeks. Oh, I wish I were kidding.
Little brother was disappointed that he was almost tall enough to ride some of the really cool rides. We did not allow big boy to taunt him, because really, having to be measured and coming up short is enough trauma for one day. We let him play some of the overpriced carnival games instead. He won a small stuffed puppy, so that was some consolation.
What mom liked: the fireworks; the cotton candy; that Hawkeye rode the rides with the boys; the very, very cute little farmer display that involved the children interacting at different stations (station one: acquiring corn and soybeans; station two: planting some of the corn and soybeans, and harvesting plastic produce; so on and so forth, until they sell their products at the farmer's market and spend their loot on an agricultural item - milk, ice cream, animal crackers or an apple). This was a wonderful idea, and was well-executed and fun for all the kids.
What the boys liked: the rides - the end.
What Hawkeye liked: spending time with the boys. When the rides ended. What his stomach did not like: the rides - the end.
So, for the last ride of the night, Hawkeye and big boy were riding something where little brother did not measure up. So, he wants to go back and ride something else. Which they wouldn't let him ride without an adult. Which is how mom ended up riding this carnival ride that literally flung you from one place to another as it revolved. Can I mention that I am almost 37 years old (next week) and am really past enjoying carnival rides? However, I was not willing to disappoint little brother any further, so I got on it. What my stomach, arm, neck, and other parts of my anatomy did not like: the ride. The end.
Little brother was disappointed that he was almost tall enough to ride some of the really cool rides. We did not allow big boy to taunt him, because really, having to be measured and coming up short is enough trauma for one day. We let him play some of the overpriced carnival games instead. He won a small stuffed puppy, so that was some consolation.
What mom liked: the fireworks; the cotton candy; that Hawkeye rode the rides with the boys; the very, very cute little farmer display that involved the children interacting at different stations (station one: acquiring corn and soybeans; station two: planting some of the corn and soybeans, and harvesting plastic produce; so on and so forth, until they sell their products at the farmer's market and spend their loot on an agricultural item - milk, ice cream, animal crackers or an apple). This was a wonderful idea, and was well-executed and fun for all the kids.
What the boys liked: the rides - the end.
What Hawkeye liked: spending time with the boys. When the rides ended. What his stomach did not like: the rides - the end.
So, for the last ride of the night, Hawkeye and big boy were riding something where little brother did not measure up. So, he wants to go back and ride something else. Which they wouldn't let him ride without an adult. Which is how mom ended up riding this carnival ride that literally flung you from one place to another as it revolved. Can I mention that I am almost 37 years old (next week) and am really past enjoying carnival rides? However, I was not willing to disappoint little brother any further, so I got on it. What my stomach, arm, neck, and other parts of my anatomy did not like: the ride. The end.
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