HAPPY MARCH!

Well, it's been quite some time since my last update.........actually over 2 months. Since my last post Christmas has past, Ryan turned 14, Bill has had some "unplanned" time off, we purchased a new washer and dryer, and a new car.

Bill is finally back to work full time - and we hope the trend continues. In the past, he may have had a day or two off here and there, put unfortunately he was off for 3 weeks. With that in mind, my afternoon job isn't look very stable at this time either. Offices have been closing, reduction in staff continues on a weekly basis, and our new computer system is scheduled to begin in May, which will eliminate most of my responsibilites. YIKES!! After 27 years with the company, I have mixed emotions about leaving. I'm hoping if it comes down to leaving, I can go full time to the school to qualify for the health insurance.

Health insurance is a big issue, as over the past couple months we've had a few urgent care visits and can only imagine the out of pocket cost! Currently, the doctor believes I have pinched nerves in both feet and may need several more visits to help relieve the pain. I'm just getting over bronchitis, Bill had to go to the doctor because an infection was going through his body making it difficult to move his arm. Ryan had to go do to some personal issues, and after falling in the parking lot of work, the numerous X-Rays of my skull that followed sure would have been a HUGE expense.

Ryan still made out like a bandit at Christmas:

Keeping with our tradition received his yearly ornament(s) in honor of what he was interested in or accomplished for that year:

wrestling:

and being class co-treasurer:

Ryan turned 14 - believe it or not! (All of the sudden his pants are WAY TO SHORT!!)

Here is our new washer and dryer - the older ones we getting way too noisy and couldn't stand listening to them anymore: nothing fancy - just plain white Whirlpools!

AND FINALLY - my new car. Of course, a GRAND PRIX. My fourth in a row - It's a year old and hope to have good luck with it!!! We were putting way too much money into the silver one.

Sure hope to update again really soon - keeping up the school blogs and slide shows seems to take priority of my personal blog!

SNOW DAY!!

~Let it snow....Let it snow....Let it snow~

The day before Winter break we end up with a SNOW DAY!!! I told Ryan he's going to wish we had this day on the first day back instead of today! I am so glad I was thinking ahead and brought the 37 Christmas gifts I had under the tree for students, faculty and staff. Otherwise I would have had to store everything for over two weeks! Ryan decided to experience a day at work with Mom! He got to see how long the day can be at the office!

This past week has been a trying one! First I was rear ended while Christmas shopping, my check engine light has come on, I fell on the back of my head on the icy parking lot at work and ended up getting many X-rays of my skull - which is still extremely sore! It's causing me headaches and periods of nausea along with times of "confusion". A few people have told me that I've been repeating myself within an hour or two. The doctor explained that I hit my head so hard that it caused my brain to move in my head and I'm experiencing these symptoms because of it. It's been 3 days now and the second day was worse than the first......hopefully soon I will start feeling "normal".

At GOGO our area leader flew in under the impression I would except a position as "area accountant". This would require lots of travel throughout the United States! Not too sure what she was thinking after I've already turned her down as future team leader and to train in New Jersey since "I DON'T WANT TO TRAVEL OR WORK FULL TIME" there. The position I hold is being "restructured" and they keep giving me other duties with other offices to insure I will continue to work there. After turning down the area accountant position I explained that I had an opportunity to go full time with the school in insure I would have benefits. They keep telling me I'm a valued employee and they will fight tooth and nail to keep my there......what ever happens - happens.

For the holidays I will be off on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.....it will be a nice break, as I haven't had that many days off ever!!!!!

Ryan's been doing well with wrestling. I was able to go to my first meet on Wednesday. I arrived while the other team was practicing and wasn't sure how I would handle seeing my son's limps, head and body tortured! What an awful sport!





Hope to post again real soon - HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!! ~Lisa

Looking Back - a month or two!

Among all the blog updating I've been doing for work and school, I've sort of let my personal blog fall off to the side! Football season is now over. Ryan's team had a awesome year, only losing 2 games. His coaches gave him many opportunities as the season went on. I'm sure the highlight for Ryan was having the entire team chanting his name as he was placed on offense and was handed the ball in hopes of completing a touchdown. Sadly, no one blocked for him on either play and he was tackled immediately - but still the memory of hearing SADLER, SADLER, SADLER by the coaches and teammates is the football story he will be sure to share with his kids someday!

With football season behind us- Ryan has now become a member of the wrestling team. He really seems to enjoy it - although I don't know why. It seems so primitive to me. He lost his first match - but so did every other boy except two! I haven't had the opportunity to see a match - but hope to do so soon. The matches are on several different weekdays - and Wednesday will most likley be the only day I will be able to cheer him on.

School has been hectic. Being responsible for FIVE supported ed kids can be stressful at times. Although it can be quite rewarding. Two of my students have come from intercity schools and scored ZERO's on standardize tests at the beginning of the year. They both could not read a single word- had no phonics foundation what-so-ever, and did not have any math concepts at all. They are actually making progress and although struggle even with the modified work - it is so heartwarming to see them stand so proudly and smile over their accomplishments. I even been getting "love notes" on my desk. Sadly, I've never worked with so many children from needy families. At our school, the majority of families are well off......since the restructure of our boundries, we have aquired some children that are part of a a different economic level. Ryan and I went shopping one evening and as I walked through the store all I could think of was how some of these kids don't have hats and gloves to stay warm at recess - where others have many different name brand coats, matching hats and gloves, boots and snowpants. I purchased some hats and gloves and brought them to school the following day. One boy was so grateful, it was as if he had won the lottery! Each year I contribute to the holiday outreach program for the families at our school that may be going through a difficult time. At one point, our school had a total of 35 families. Last year, I believe it was 15 families. This year alone, in our classroom there are 6!!! I am hoping to contribute to each of the 6 families - more specific for the second grade child of each of these families. A "wishlist" should be released soon.

Speaking of Christmas, I've begun to wrap the gifts I have purchased so far. I have a total of 41 people to buy for (not including the 24 students I will purchase something small for.) I've completed 31 people!! Once the holiday outreach list is released there will be 6 more gifts to purchase. I'm hoping to finish shopping/wrapping soon, so I'm not so overwhelmed with the holidays.

I've made several photo books through snapfish for that "special" gift. I just finished creating a book for my uncle and two cousins, in memory of my aunt who passed away a few months back. I'm sure this holiday season will be very difficult; as it is the first without her. I hope they appreciate the sintament and thought that went into it.

I've been trying to find out a way to post or embed the collection of photobooks I've made......stay tuned!

~Lisa