GLump and Vegas

My brother went and eloped. When I was single, we used to joke about running off to Vegas - but mainly that was because we were visiting Ddonn. I found out on Friday that my brother was engaged to the girl he has been dating...for almost a month. So Saturday my sister and I learned that they were planning to get married Wednesday - as in the day after tomorrow. He was a real pill, but finally agreed to let us meet her on Saturday evening, but only on HIS terms. In other words, drop everything you had planned because all the times we suggested didn't work for him, so with only a few hours notice, it was the time he chose or not at all. And then he was 50 minutes late. (I was already having an emotionally stressful weekend, thanks.) Good thing we met her, I guess, since 16 hours later he was calling my mom from Vegas to ask her for information he needed to fill out the marriage license. (He didn't know where EITHER of my parents were born...I thought that was a little humorous.) My parents were amused, and not really surprised. They called and told me yesterday only because they wanted to know how far the drive to Vegas was.

My mom called today and asked if we had heard from him. Um, no, he is probably having a little honeymoon...somewhere. Considering he didn't wait until Wednesday, I have no idea where he is. I don't think they had much more of a plan than 'Let's go to Vegas...now.' Also, considering that he didn't even bother to tell my sister and I that he was ENGAGED in the first place, I'm not expecting to hear from him for a while. Before you start worrying about the girl, getting married ASAP was her idea, preferably without any family involvement - together they turned the eloping idea into this idealized romantic notion, pitting themselves against family and the rest of the world. They are so in love, and nobody can understand, so we as family members are all 'the enemy.' Saturday we tried to show them support and diffuse this 'us against the family' sentiment, at least from our side of the family. I thought things had gone well, but whatever.

The strangest part is that they think this marriage is no big thing, since the REAL wedding will be in a year if and when they are sealed. "It's just a civil ceremony." They are "only getting married in the eyes of the law." But, it IS a marriage. I was reminded of what Ddonn's stepfather once said about reasons to get married...much more applicable in this situation than for Ddonn's wedding. She knows what I mean, and that will have to suffice.

Bringing Home the Bacon - Again

So today my boss gave me the official word that my contract is being renewed. I have until Monday to sign and finalize it. Looks like Werty will not be getting the job we were hoping for. He could earn more than I do, seriously, but the number of jobs are scarce. If the economy were different, sans hiring freezes, then I would quit or only work part-time. But instead, it looks like I will be working full time again and Werty will get to be the stay-at-home, part-time-working parent.

The bad news is that I didn't get the IB coordinator position. They are keeping the current person, saving them the expense of sending anyone for more training. I DO get to keep my IB class. I will be teaching half History and half ESL. That's right. I will be teaching ALL the ESL classes. That means 5 different lesson plans to prepare - currently I have 3 - and IB always takes 2-3 times longer to prepare. Beginning ESL worries me a little - since I don't speak Spanish. The ESL classroom is tiny - so I might have to float between two classrooms in separate parts of the school - because I don't know how I could fit 42 History kids in a classroom made for 20. The worst part is, I am replacing my former boss, who is also a colleague and friend. They are transferring her to another school. I am sure she is livid. I asked about only doing part time instead of full time - but it was made clear to me that I would still teach ESL either way, and nothing I could do would keep my colleague from being transferred.

My boss complimented me on my performance as a teacher this year, passing on praise that he has heard from various other teachers. Always nice to hear.

Shopping

The best part of Spring Break - aside from sleeping in - is spending the day with Werty. Not wanting to lose that, I dragged him along for shopping today. He actually knows what my "colors" are and can spot things that might work, even though he considers it to be a chore. Today I bought a pair of maternity jeans, a shirt/ jean shorts combo for summer when I am way more pregnant, and two maternity tops - one of which will be great for work.

I'm finally starting to show. I don't know how much longer I can hide it at work. One easy way to announce it would be to actually wear maternity clothes, but for now my slacks still fit. My biggest problem is that none of my skirts fit so I have nothing to wear on Sundays. It might be entertaining to announce in RS that I am having a boy - without previously announcing that I was even pregnant. One of the difficulties with telling RS is that there are people in RS that I also see at work.

Btw - things are not looking good for my job. There might be an opening at the middle school, or they might have one extra Social Studies section - so VERY part time. It has been suggested to my boss by others that I should become the new IB coordinator - so I would teach 1-2 sections and then work one period on IB stuff as a part time employee. If I weren't having a baby, then the middle school option would be the best for my career - earning tenure and having benefits, etc. Under the circumstances part time wouldn't be so bad - but there's no guarantee that I will be given the option. So we will pray that Werty gets this job - or a similar one with benefits - soon.

Spring Break...the flu and snow

I came down really sick last Thursday with a flu bug, and have been sick ever since. I barely managed to make it through Friday's funeral, followed by the NHS SpEd dinner dance that night I had to chaperon. Friday was a long day - 7am to 9pm, and I was SOO sick. In the end, I was glad that I went to my Aunt's funeral, and I hope that I didn't infect anyone. Saturday was lunch with my mom (in town for a couple days and the funeral), grandparents, cousins, and local siblings. That evening my sister Sue had an open house to show off their new place. So, no real chance to rest.

NHS tried to schedule a 3 hour activity for Saturday (the other advisor is out of town) without clearing it through the proper channels - and I had to say NO, I WON'T be there to supervise, I was there last night - straight from the funeral - and I have prior commitments with family on Saturday. (Can't you see it - sorry Mom, you were in town for 3 days, but I was just too busy to see you because these HS students have procrastinated until the end of the year to get their required hours.) So, students who went to the activity on Saturday could count it as personal hours instead of chapter hours.

For some reason, our school district believes that Spring Break should only be half a week instead of a full week. But at least it is a break. I've been using my time off to get some extra sleep and fluids. I want to be healthy by Monday when school starts again. My biggest fear is the amount of pain I have in my ears and head - since I am prone to sinus and ear infections. One of my students recently had strep throat - but thank goodness I am not prone to catching that. :P I have another student with mono, poor guy. I told my students to get sleep over the break so they don't come back sick - I see it happen every year - they come back more sick and tired than before the break. And since we are enjoying a week of snow and freezing cold right now, a lot of people are getting sick. Poor Werty is trying to fight this bug off and not catch it. He had a good interview last week, and he doesn't want to be sick for the second round of interviews.

It's a BOY!!!

That's right. I'm having a baby in August. We had the ultrasound today and everything looks normal. I have gall stones, but the baby is fine. :D

It was exciting to get our first peek at the baby. Man, the lady was fast! I think we were one of her last appointments for the day. Well, we are happy that our "boy vibe" was accurate. Enjoy this profile shot.

My birthday is coming

We got together with Werty's family today for lunch and birthday cake. We grilled up some hamburgers - I flavored them with spinach, yum! I made a citrus chiffon cake. I figured a mid-day celebration called for something lighter and fresher. Zinx was happy because there was fruit in the filling, and this last week he had commented to his wife that he wanted to see a cake with actual fruit in it. Not sure what we are going to do on my actual birthday. I am a little sad to be leaving my 20's behind, but with so much going on right now, I haven't had a lot of time to think about it.

To be employed, to not be employed...

Monday began with TQ day - Teachers work on end of term grades and go to meetings, kids have no school. Our department meeting went like this: "Well, there are 7 of us, next year we can only have 6." Hmmm, guess who is the only teacher in the department not tenured?

With the bad economy, schools are receiving less money from state and federal funds - some of which is usually generated with investments - and we all know what has been happening in the stock market. Our district is in better shape than most in the area - we started out in the black before the cuts. But my school has to cut 12 teachers. I know that at least 2 of us who were given new positions this year have received "the letter." This is the letter where they legally must inform you that they may not renew your contract for next year.

The week before, word in the department was that everyone was safe. Then the admin decided they would terminate the PAUS program unless they could get enough students to sign letters of intent for next year. With that program now exed - the affected teacher in our department now needs to fill the rest of his schedule with regular class sections - sections that would normally go to teacher #7. (They are also increasing class sizes again, 42-43.)

The school is facing a problem - the IB History curriculum is changing next year - and with money problems the school can't afford to send another teacher to IB training (over $1000). In the training I received last October I was given the new materials. This is the reason why the principal really wants to keep me. But so far, none of the other teachers has decided to leave or transfer. There's me - bottom of the totem pole in seniority.

The good news - if another position in the district were to open up, I can transfer with my admin's recommendation. The bad part of that is - I might be back to teaching ESL, might be teaching at a middle school (shudder), and I would NOT be teaching IB. (Best case scenario - I would be teaching at the rival school, and my 10 'bulldog' siblings-in-law might want to disown me). Plus, adjusting to a new school on top of everything else that is happening next year - I don't know if that is wise.

One of the other History teachers spoke to me when he saw that I was waiting for the principal - when I got the summons on Wednesday - I know what it meant. His comments were SO not helpful. "Well, you'll probably like your new school. You have less attachments here than the rest of us. You've been here, what, about two years?" "Five. This is my 5th year." "Huh. But you worked in ESL before. (so that doesn't count?) Well, I was at another school for 5 years before I came here. Sometimes I think about that school, but I like it here." (Yeah, me too...which is why I worked for less pay than what I was qualified for the last FOUR years to get this job. I decided to stay the last two years because I learned that the IB program was coming to my school - and I wanted the chance to be a part of it.)

So, who knows what is ahead for us. It's one of those times when you have to put things in the Lord's hands because it is all uncertain. At least, I had the chance to live my dream this year - teaching my favorite IB History class to a great group of kids. I hear my old ESL job will be available next year - but at reduced hours - better than being unemployed, right? We'll see what happens.