Alive, kickin' and bitten

If there are any readers of this blog who haven't given up on me, I apologize for the 10 weeks absence. But, I am, indeed, alive and kickin'. I'll get to the bitten part in a few minutes.

After the holidays the reality of retirement set in. There just seemed to be too many days with nothing planned and too little money to do any planning. So ... thoughts turned to finding an other job. The tutoring I had been doing had dwindled as the economy folded, so I decided I would look for something semi-full-time if I could. In the education world that means looking for a job in education where I get a spring break and summers off. However, I didn't want the stress of true "full time" ... lesson plans, parent conferences, continuing education classes, etc.

The best option I could come up with would be to look for a teacher assistant (aide) position. I could still use my skills working with kids, get those needed breaks, and avoid the previously mentioned duties. In rural Ohio these positions rarely open at mid-year, but in a major metro area there are always openings.

I soon found out why.

I won't mention the particular school or even the school system (to protect the innocent), but I accepted a job as an assistant in a special education "conduct" class. In Ohio we called these severe behavior disordered classes, but I don't remember behaviors quite this disordered. I work with six little boys (ages 5-7) who swear, spit, bite, kick, throw tantrums and furniture on an almost constant basis but still manage to learn academics thanks to a wonderful dedicated teacher. I don't think I would have survived had the teacher not been so good.

I have survived six weeks and made it to spring break just in time. Last week I was bitten (severely) two different times. The school system requires written documentation of all injuries, so I am building up quite a file. But all in all, I think the boys benefit from my presence and other teachers in the building say things are so much better since I've been in the room. (I can only imagine what they must have been like before!!) I am sure with 10 days off I will feel like returning.

Barb also found a part-time job. She spent a few weeks grading proficiency tests from out-of-state. That project has ended, but she hopes she will be called back for future projects. She enjoyed the work and the extra pocket money, but sitting for eight hours a day grading tests was not good for her fybromyalgia pain level. Since her project ended we can enjoy the spring break together.

This week we'll head to Asheville, North Carolina for a couple of days, then drive onto Winston-Salen for my district barbershop chorus competition next weekend. It will be a nice getaway assuming the spring weather returns.

Also in the last couple of months we have become more active in our new church. We both sing in the choir and play in the handbell choir, so between barbershop and church music obligations we have filled many many hours each week with rehearsal time.

So ... no real humor in this entry, just a chance to catch up. I'll try to not let so much time pass between posts.