Grad School!

After being part of the RIF (Reduction in Force) process for my school corporation, I took a long hard look at what I wanted to do with my life. I sound so philosophical, don't I? Of course I've wanted to be a stay-at-home mom with kids....but, as stated before, that's not really a possibility for our family. SO...I applied to graduate school and was accepted into the program of my choice...go me! :) I will be starting grad school at IUSB in a mere two weeks! I was accepted into the Counseling and Human Services program where I will spend the next three years going to class two nights a week to pursue my masters. Well, towards the end, I have to do some internships and all that jazz, but for right now it's only two nights a week, which is not too awful. With this degree, I can either choose to become a school counselor or a mental health counselor (I'm leaning towards the mental health aspect....with all the crap going on in the schools, I want as much possibility of a good job as possible....plus, the mental health track really interests me). So, there's my life for the next three years. A little bit of unemployment, a little bit of DQ and a lot of school. It will be worth it in the end though, and I've got to admit, I'm pretty excited....this is something that really interests me. I think I'll be happier than what I'm doing right now, and hey, after this long year, I'm excited to return to some NORMALCY!

Speaking of which....18 MORE SCHOOL DAYS! I honestly don't know HOW I'm going to make it 18 more days. I'm tired. I'm drained. I'm mentally exhausted. I'm a mess. 18 DAYS AHHH!! The past two days have gone by slower than any days of my life....C'MON!

Well, there ya have it. Oh, and while I'm complaining, let's mention that my husband's work STILL hasn't cleared him to return to duty from his surgery and we STILL aren't receiving the money we were suppose to from his disability for being out for surgery. He's been out for, oh, almost 6 weeks and we have received about $900 altogether....WHAT THE HECK IS THAT, PEOPLE! Luckily we had some cash stashed away in our savings account...which is quickly being depleted from his ridiculous work and the IRS. Why the IRS? Oh, because they decided to inform us that they don't think Mark paid his taxes in 2007...even though I have the papers he filed from 2007...even though we PAID IN in 2007 and someone cashed the checks...and even though they gave us a refund in 2008. Nope, those Fawleys didn't pay in 2007. SO, we have to wait until FREAKING JULY to see what we're getting back in taxes...if any....once the IRS decides "what we owe" from 2007. Psh.

The end of this post sounds kind of negative. I'm really not angry...just tired and ready for the end of school and summer days :)

New Direction

Sooo, we've had some change going on lately! On Monday, I was informed by my school corporation that I (along with about 30 other teachers) was being laid off. I expected this, since my name was second from the bottom of the very long seniority list, so I had prepared in advance. I have put in an application with other corporations...but let's face it...Indiana's outlook for educators is not a bright one right now, so I'm not expecting much to come from that. I'm extremely blessed that the fact that I am losing my job will not affect my family financially or our stability very much. Since my husband's work has amazing insurance, I have always been on their insurance plan...so I'm not losing any insurance. Since my dad owns a business, I will be able to return and work a few days here and there for the extra income my paycheck brought it. Also, I have decided to go to graduate school and obtain my masters degree. IUSB (not my favorite school, but my only option around here!) has a really great graduate program in Counseling and Human Services that I'm extremely excited about. This field is something that is still in the School of Education - meaning I can use the credits to renew my teaching license in case I ever get it use it again (ha, I joke! hopefully some day!), keeps me studying in the field of education but also expands what I can do with my degree. After completing the program, I will be able to either do school counseling inside of the schools or mental health counseling in either a hospital or private setting. The program is only part time and will take three years to complete - which doesn't sound TOO terrible, right?! I have already applied and am now waiting to hear if I was accepted into the program....they only accept about 25 students each year into the program, but I'm hoping my previous GPA, degree and work experience in this type of setting will help me be seen as an awesome candidate :) I also had rocking letters of recommendation from three amazing colleagues! So, we will see. ALSO...with me only going to school part time and working only a few days here and there, I'll kind of get to be a "part-time stay-at-home mommy" for a little bit. So, I'm good with the whole thing! Maybe I'll get to have another baby in the mix here as well?!? Guess we'll have to wait and see.... :) I DO feel terrible, though, for the other teachers that lost their jobs in my corporation and corporations all around the state due to this whole funding issue. In my school alone, 5 teachers (including myself) were let go....and these girls were completely devastated. Some of them don't have spouses who bring in additional incomes or who have insurance they can use. Some of them had been there for THREE YEARS and had established their classrooms and themselves as teachers. The morale around school has been pretty depressing for everyone, and it's a shame that Indiana has allowed this to happen in our schools and to our kid's futures. Of course, there is a chance that a lot of the teachers could be recalled back to teaching positions within the corporation....we've all be placed on a recall list (or a holding bin) for two years....meaning any position that becomes available must be offered to us first. So, who knows! I just hope for the best for my fellow teachers at my school who were let go and hope that everything works out for them like I'm hoping it may for me :)

Well, that's all I got right now. I'm hoping to update soon with some good news!

Crafty 101

Soooo, it's been awhile. Since my post isn't really about the past and more about the present, I will quickly bullet what's gone on since I last posted (since I'm sure you are all just dying to know).

• Still no word on my j-o-b for the next school year. We return to school from Spring Break on Monday, and that week they will start RIFing (laying off) people. I, of course, am anxiously awaiting this time...there is an open position at my corporation's high school that I'd really like to snag if I could. Otherwise, I don't know what's gonna happen....
• I have to apply to grad school to start my masters. It's kind of crap that I make a small amount of money anyway, yet I have to pay to go back to school to further my education in order to renew my teaching license. Grrr. Right now I'm deciding between IUSB (duh) or online courses through Ball State. I really wanted to get my masters in Human Counseling & Mental Health Counseling through IUSB, but I just think the schedule would be too crazy for me to be working and having a family. I'd have to go from work straight to school 2 days a week PLUS do a lot of the work on the side (which I've heard is A LOT). Don't get me wrong, I'm not usually one to take the easy way out...I live for challenges. My family and Max does come first though, and I don't think I want to spend the next 3 years or so of my life juggling that and possibly neglecting my family while taking out an UBER amount of student loans at the time. So, online courses through BSU to get my masters in plain old secondary education is what I'll probably do. I'm still livid about the student loans though - I currently have no student loans from my undergrad and really don't want any. Unfortunately, we don't have an extra $5,000 cash laying around. Pssssh.
• I've gone back on my healthy kick. No, I'm not fat and no I don't sit and eat ice cream all day. I do, however, stress eat....eating pretty crappy things. Before I was pregnant with Max, I was very health conscious, working out everyday and watching what I ate like a hawk. After I lost my baby weight (well, all but that stubborn last 5 lbs....but remember, I gained around 60 lbs people...which is ridiculous and will not happen again!), I kind of lacked the healthy eating and lifestyle habits I had before. I've been working full time in a very stressful job, and I just felt as though I didn't have time nor did I really care...I just wanted to get through my work day/week! Well, folks, with the end of this job in sight (umm, 35 school days!), I've decided the make a return to that lifestyle during my Spring Break week. I have to say, I'm feeling really great and refreshed! I totally cut out pop, since it always made me feel extremely bloated. I've also stayed away from junk food and paid attention to my calorie intake. I've also worked out every single day, WOOHOO! I'm not exactly doing this to loose any weight (but hey, a few pounds or so is always nice, right ladies?!), but rather to tone back up and feel good again. I love it!
• I hate the IRS. I'm not going to go into an entire tirade here, but let's just that they are ridiculous.

Now, the real reason for my post - I need some HELP! Although I would love to be one, I am just not a very creative/crafty person. I watch HGTV all the time and am always like, "Wow, I could so do that!"....theeen, I go to do it, and yeah, it doesn't look all that great. In order to me to become more frugle with money, I feel as tough being more crafty would be to my benefit. If anyone knows of any good books or websites on directions for creatively-challenged people on how to be crafty, please share. I'm getting an itch to redo some things in my house (nothing major...yet....just more decorative)....so, I need some input here. Otherwise, I will get frustrated and go spend money that I really don't wanna spend. Alright, that's my plea. Now go enjoy the weather that has decided to become nice again at the END of my Spring Break....GRRRRRRR.

Waiting...

Sooo, a really really not-so-great trait of mine is me being extremely impatient. Impatient in life in general. So, when a situation arises in which I have to wait on certain things, I get quite irritable. When situations are out of my control, I get very nervous and crazy. So, imagine my temperament lately when "waiting" has become a major part of life. What am I currently "waiting" on?

• Notice of if I will be laid off or not.
• Two pink lines.
• Max to decide to walk independently.
• Money situation - will I be a stay-at-home mom or have to find a new career?
• Warm, summer weather.
• The end of the school year (Ahem, May 28th).
  

As you can see, that's a pretty decent list of pretty big life-changing events. Therefore, Brittany is not such a happy camper lately. After taking my frustrations out on any and all food in sight, I decided that eating wasn't going to help any of these situations. So, now I need to probably add "lose the feeling bad for yourself pounds you probably just put on, you crazy moron" to my list. *Sigh*. To be 12 years old again, without a care in the world! Those were the days! I know, I know...."patience is a virtue". Well, whatever. I can't help it - call it OCD, call it crazy, but I will probably continue to worry and WAIT impatiently until each and every one of those bullet points is fulfilled. I will just lay off the food. Hopefully.

In the meantime, you may not want to talk to me for a couple of months :) Just kidding, I'm not that bad!......yet.

Lucky

Mark, Max and I went to a party of one of my students this afternoon. This student was just recently adopted by his foster family, and they were having an Open House to celebrate his adoption. This little boy couldn't ask for a better family to be welcomed into, and I am SO happy for him. His mom and dad have been wonderful to work with this school year, and they are just so caring and compassionate. It really makes you think - because not all kids in foster care, or even who aren't in foster care, have great families. Most of my students that I see on a daily basis come from terrible home lives and broken families. Gena, her husband and their boys came to the party as well - and as I watched Max laugh and play with her boys, I couldn't help but be thankful for the life and opportunities Mark and I are able to provide him with. Which, in turn, made me thankful for my own parents - who raised me in a wonderful family and household, and gave me the opportunity to pursue and have a great life. In turn, my own family now has a wonderful life - which I am eternally greatful for. Unlike other kids, my kids will know when their next meal is coming. They will have clothes that are clean and are their size because I can afford laundry detergent and new clothes when needed. They will have numerous games, books and toys, because their dad and I are able to have nice paying jobs to provide them with that. They will not have to worry about abuse or neglect. They will grow up in a house where education is valued, and their good old mom will make sure their homework is complete and correct. Everyday, I see kids come to school with marks on them....hungry....in clothes that do not fit....homework not completed, parents not involved. It's sad. And I am grateful.

Yes, I'm still here....

I've been kind of bad with blogging lately....but I do have good excuses, mainly named Max and Harley. Life with a toddler and a puppy is double trouble! We've been working extra hard lately on the walking with Max...and although he IS making progress and showing improvement, my ever so impatient self is still hoping he starts really walking SOON. In order for him to walk 1o-12 independent steps, my hubby and I will bribe him with either the remote control, our cell phones or the computer mouse (three of his faves!). When it's just us working with him, most of the time he's in a good mood and will cooperate for awhile. When his physical therapist comes, though, Max SCREAMS for me the entire time she's there....making it quite difficult for her to work with him. Although Max is showing more confidence in his steps, he has yet to stand himself up in the middle of the floor and just either stand or walk. He just turned 16 months, and our goal is really for him to be walking by 18 months...that means April 21st, people! Moving on to the next baby in the house, Harley and her "puppy stage" are in full swing. She is biting everything and everyone. We do have her in one-on-one puppy training classes once a week, tomorrow being our third class out of six. Our trainer assured us that by the time our classes are over, she should be a lot calmer. She really is a smart dog and fast learner....at 12 weeks old, she's pretty much potty trained, knows how to sit, fetch and walk pretty well on a lease. She's getting into a little bit of a barking stage right now too, which we're working through. I can't wait until the summer when she's able to run off all of her energy outside and at the lake....she will be in 7th heaven!

In other news, the weather SUCKS. I've gone back and forth with the idea of getting out of here and going somewhere warm for an extended weekend or even Spring Break. We thought about taking Max to Disney World since we really wanted to take a vacation as a family of three before another baby comes along (no, I'm not pregnant...yet)....but we do think that Max would still be a little young, and it'd be kind of a waste of money since he wouldn't really be able to do much yet. We also tossed around the idea of going to Vegas since my hubby has never been there....but everything I've looked up regarding Vegas is so dang expensive, plus all the money you'll spend once you get there! There's also the issue of us tossing around the idea of trying to cut back and pay off my husband's car in order to get that payment out of our monthly budget. I'm really not too happy about the idea of spending our entire tax refund on paying down his car loan....as selfish as this sounds, I would like to see a little bit of that money go towards something fun. Although I guess an extra $325 in the montly budget would be fun as well, but my impatient self is all about immediate gratification though. We'll see. Also lingering over us right now is my husband's impending shoulder surgery. Although it doesn't sound like too complicated of a procedure with a quick recovery period, he will be off work for 4-6 weeks due to the intensity of his job. We'll still be receving 80% of his paycheck though, so it's almost like a mini-vacation for him and I, so I'm kind of happy with that :) We're currently debating when to schedule the surgery, in the Spring or Summer. When he does go back to work, he may have the opportunity to get on a better shift, which would be AWESOME...keeping my fingers crossed for that one!

Anywho, in the work department, I still have some time until I know my fate with my current position. Formal evaluations are due at the end of March in which I will find out if my contract will be renewed with my corporation....then in late April I will find out if I am being laid off from the coporation. With the current cut in education funds by Indiana, several school corporation are laying off several teachers and cutting school programs. Since I am quite low on the seniority list (third from the bottom, to be exact!), I have much reason to believe I will be laid off. Since I am in a unique position, though, there is a chance that the lay-offs may not touch me. Regardless, I have been exploring other avenues of employment and will be employed either way the cards fall...so, I'm not stressing like a lot of others are :)

That's all I have for now! I hope everyone's keeping their heads up in this crappy weather.....hey, it's almost March, maybe we'll see a few 40 degree days in there somewhere!

So, it's been awhile...

It has been a crazy few weeks...so in an attempt not to ignore the blog I finally created, I will post a few bullet updates as to what has been going on in my neck of the woods:

• We adopted a puppy from an animal rescue shelter in South Bend. We were all set on a Goldendoodle as our new pet, until we started looking online at all of the homeless pets that really needed a good home. Sooo....we adopted a (now) 10 week old Shepherd/Husky mix puppy we named Harley. Life with a toddler and puppy has been...difficult and fun at the same time. Harley is doing amazing with house training, and has only has a few accidents on the floor. She is a puppy though, and is almost as wild as Max at times. She also hates her crate, which we have had to put in the basement at night for her to sleep in since she whines so loudly in it at night (or anytime she has to go in it for that matter). I'm hoping that gets better soon....We've enrolled her in one-on-one puppy classes that began last week to help us get started right away on good doggy habits. Max and Harley have a love-hate relationship....when Max wants to play and be wild, he loves Harley. When he's trying to watch Sesame Street or is tired or just wants to chill and Harley starts nipping at him, he gets quite irritated. I have a feeling they will be best buddies soon though :) I am far too lazy to upload the recent pictures of my camera right now (that include pictures of Harley), so you will have to stay tuned to see our crazy mutt.
  

• I've begun to pursue a new career path that I'm kind of nervous, kind of excited about. It involves a zillion hours of paperwork to get started, so I'm currently trying to finish tackling that part. I'm not going to go into much detail just yet until everything is worked out and finalized, but hopefully I will have some good news too. This couldn't come at a better time, since my dissatisfaction with my job and the recent education budget cuts in Indiana are no joke. Sometime by the end of next month, my corporation with know the list of people who will be out of a job due to the millions of dollars budget cut within the schools. Scary stuff for all educators right now! I'm glad to have some back-ups.
  

• Max has been a sicky boy. Last week he had a cold, then this week the cold came back with a vengeance and turned into some nasty other illness. His runny nose was out of control, and last night his fever spiked up to 104 while he vomited all over daddy, the couch, the rug, himself and the floor. We had to put the poor thing in a cool bath and have cold washcloths all over him to get the fever under control....he was so miserable :( Luckily, he woke up today feeling better, although he still has a low-grade fever. Let's hope he kicks this thing once and for all very soon!

Well, that's all for now. I'll try to be back with more interesting news soon :) I hope you all are doing well while we wait for warmer weather around here!