HodgePodge by Amanda

A is for amazing

The last few weeks have been a little tough getting out of bed.  The kids, who are normally up at the crack of dawn, have been snoozing well past the normal "Get your butt out of bed time!"  Hopefully, I can rise above yet again, and start to get up earlier.  Early enough atleast to have time to get myself ready for a potential, "Can you please come and sub today..." call.  Like today for instance.

My hubby was kind enough to inform me that the time was a ticking, and I had better get up.  I kept thinking, why the kids aren't up yet.  So I slowly start to pull myself out of bed and get dressed.  I have no clue what song my ring tone is set to, but it wakes me up.  Good thing.  It was the same number who called the other night, yet left no message.  Hhhmm... no response to the usual, HELLO!  Still have no idea who it is, but the call after is the one that got me into slight panic mode.  LPS and the subfinder system had a job that didn't start until 9.  Not a problem, Computers, not a problem, kids still not up, dressed, or fed... huge problem. 

I made it to the school with like a minute to spare.  I didn't know what to expect, it was the first time at this site.  I walked in to find out that it was orientation day for the new students.  OK?  So what exactly will I be doing?  Assisting with orientation?!??!?  But...

Wow!  What an amazing opportunity!  I listened to the Principal, the teachers, and most importantly the students.  It's an alternative school, where students come for many reasons.  Each student today had a goal - to graduate.  At their "home" schools, things weren't working for them, things were working against them.  Here they have an opportunity to start over, make better choices, and get some one on one help.  All they have to do is show up and try. 

Meeting the newest members of that small school today gave me hope.  Meeting the staff of people who wouldn't want to teach anywhere but there made me remember why I wanted to teach.  Hopefully, I will get a chance to go back, even if it's only for a day as a sub. 

My newest dirty word...

ORGANIZED!!!  Those who know me well, know that this is not a trait I practice.  My mother would say it is not one that I possess.  I beg to differ...  deep down inside is this little person, an organized, control freak dying to get out and attack my life.  I have fought hard to keep that person stuffed inside, saying I feared who I might become if I unleashed her fury on my life and those in it.  I have seen her in action before and it wasn't pretty.  No, I don't suffer from multiple personality disorder, just denial or refusal to grow up.  There has to be a happy balance between the fun, disorganized, and somewhat dysfunctional person I am and the organized, responsible adult I need to be, RIGHT?

I had the best of intentions this holiday season, ya know to decorate, send out cards, bake, etc.  Well, lets just say I was doing good just to make sure Santa could find the house.  We would drive by all the homes all lit up, and my oldest would get all excited, and then we would come home.  No lights, no tree, not even a simple holiday decoration.  My mom almost bought us some lights for outside, but then decided against it.  It seems that my dear hubby is a bit less enthused about this time of year.  I had hoped that having children would help change this, but alas it did not.  He's not a scrooge, even though I may call him that from time to time, it's just that there are other things more important.  He keeps saying that our next house will be decorated with lights.  I was hoping that just once this house could be trimmed in lights.  It cries out for it every year, and every year we seem to tune it out and enjoy the hard work of our neighbors.  I guess there is always next year.

We did manage to brave the lines at the mall, and yes fork over a tiny fortune for a picture with the big man himself.  I kept thinking, he seemed much happier last year.  Then after a Christmas there was an article in the paper about our Santa.  It seems that someone decided to lift his wallet, while he was visiting with the children one day.  Seriously, how does one steal from Santa Clause?  My boys look a little less than thrilled, but I love the photo.

Here's my fav photo from the holiday season. 

I hope yours was filled with good times, here's to a year full of promise and hope!