A good day ends with a visit to ER

Ker and I had planned to spend a few hours together, without kids yesterday. She had found this really cool National Park that has an awesome waterfall, so we chose that as our destination.

On the way up there I over shot the exit by one, not a big deal right? Just go to the next exit, turn around and get back on the interstate. HA!! That isn't what happens when the exit after the one you should have gotten off on is George Washington Parkway. Completely tree canopied, fall colors, and NO TURN AROUND AREAS in sight.

Not a problem. We aren't held to a time table when it is just the two of us. So we travel for a few miles and find another park, Turkey Run. I figured that there is bound to be a way to go back the way we came from the park.

We spent the next hour or so exploring the park. We got out of the car and hiked down to the Potomac River. It was an awesome view and we had a great time. The hile back up was rough, but we both enjoyed it. Still, we have a waterfall to go see.

Off to our original destination.

Great drive, awesome company, beautiful views. We spend another hour at the waterfall taking a variety of pictures. We are really enjoying our time together, we always do.

As we get ready to leave, literally. We are heading back to the parking lot, when another couple decides they need to go past us in the opposite direction. One things leads to another, Ker loses her balance and she falls. She hits the back side of her head against the rock wall as she falls. She doesn't pass out, but she does cut the back of her head some. We get back to the Visitor's Center and they call for the park EMT. The place an ice pack on it and check her out.

Fast forward 6 hours later and Ker isn't doing so well any longer. She is nauseous and has vomited. This is when the decision to go to the ER is made.

One CAT scan and xray later it is a definite concussion.

We had a great day together, even if it did end up with us in the ER together. It was a great day because it could have been worse. I am thankful that my day stayed a great day!

Life continues

We have now been in Viginia for over two months and although we have had some set backs, moving here was a good move for us.

Learning the new rules of the profession has been tough. I know I can teach, but learning the new expectations, the new language of the district, the state standards, and trying to get to know the department has taken a physical toll. I am tired more than I can remember being in a long time. Trying to get use to the time changes has been difficult. Not losing the hour, but the schedule change. I have to rework when I sleep and that hasn't been easy. K is a night person by nature and she hasn't changed that. She isn't adjusting he schedule. Learning to sleep at a new hour is rough.

I am enjoying my new work place, for the most part. The paper work sucks! But I am getting use to it, I think.

Teaching is still the same, everything else has changed

I am in a new school district and at times I feel as if I have changed professions.
My classroom is still just that, my classroom, but so much around me has changed. There have been a few times, I admit, that I have wondered if I am good enough to teach these kids. They are different. Yes, they are still teens, but honestly, they are different from the students I have taught previously.

The protocols around me are different. If I can just get a handle on the changes, maybe I will feel more settled in. I don't know.

October already

For the first time in years, October 1 has come along with temperatures below 80. Fall is really in the air. Not only has this brought in an environment change, but a psychological change as well. It is hard to explain, but the change in the weather that is happening is also creating a change for us. We will all be experiencing more new things in the months to come. It is exciting, but it does leave me a little apprehensive. What is in front of us? We agree that it will be good for us.

Along with the weather change has been a financial change. The first paycheck of my career here has finally arrived! The rough times aren't fully behind us yet, but now that we have had an influx of money we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. We have been worrying about paying things and now, many of those things have been paid, at least in portion. We do have a long term plan to make it easier and by Thanksgiving we know it will be easier.

School is going well. I am beginning to get a better handle on things there. Adjusting to the new atmosphere, the new routines, the new people, the new demands, and a ton of little things has been challenging. However, I think I am finally beginning to settle in, to a point. I am still trying to find my rhythm when it comes to the clock. It is difficult to adjust my internal schedule. Lesson planning takes time, grading takes time, and with there being a whole new schedule to gt use to, all of those things adjust as well. I am up every morning at 6. Which doesn't seem all that bad, except that it is still dark out. That is taking some getting use to. I actually start teaching my first class before the sun fully rises. I am finished teaching by 1pm every single day. That is VERY odd.

There are adjustments being made and there will be more ahead. There have been some pitfalls along the way, but when we survey they past few months we are still very secure and happy with the decision to move. It has done us well so far.

I have met the parents!!

Tonight was Back to School night. I was extremely worried, honestly. I was concerned that I would live up to the expectations that had been set up for me.

This is the first year that I have all honors kids and they have parents that are involved. They are the parents that will question the teacher, endlessly. They are the parents that you must be one step ahead and be fully prepared for the unexpected question.

However horrible it is, I enjoyed it! I think I actually connected with the parents. I can walk away from this night knowing I made a positive connection with the parents.

The administration was in here for a good majority of the time and I do believe they enjoyed the music video I showed the parents.

I feel confident in declaring this was a success!!

First week done

Our first week of school is done. It was a short week, but it was a rough one physically and emotionally.

Being on my feet all day long is tough and my paycheck from Texas was short. We are not happy campers when it comes to our finances. We have had to make some tough decisions. There isn't enough money to pay rent, the bills, and eat.

 I tried to get a loan from the new credit union. They offered new to the district teachers transition loans.  They made it sound like we would be able to receive $3500, but in reality it was up to $3500.  We were only given $500. That isn't enough to cover our expenses. We are being creative.

L has yet to return to work. We are both ready to beat her. She seems to feel no responsibility for herself or to help us even though we are feeding her, taking her toand from school, housing her, and just plain ole dealing with her. Neither of us are sure what to do. We have talked to her until we are our in the face. We have yelled. We have tried to explain how tough things are. Yet, NOTHING!

What are we suppose to do?

We look forward to the fact that it is only another 3 weeks before I get paid, but we do know that it will not be an easy October. We will have to figue out how to double pay on all of our bills. It will not be an easy couple of months.

We know how we are going to get out of it, but it will take time before we get it. I am going to have to withdraw money from my retirement account. The money will be used to catch up on everything. It isn't the best option, but it is the only one we have.

Neither of us regret the move, but it isn't what we expected yet.

Students arriving soon

I have been working within the district for two full weeks now. Seems impossible that it has been two weeks, but there are no more work days left before the students begin classes on Tuesday.

The adjustment is happening, slowly. Trying to get use to new terminology, new procedures, different ideas on things, and of course the new environment. One thing that hasn't changed, I still don't feel ready for the first day. My classroom doesn't quite feel like me yet, but in time it will.

Ker and the kids came up to help me finish what I could today. It was nice having them there, makes it feel more like mine.

The move, so far, has proved tone a good one. We have encountered some issues, but we are working with them the best we can. No regrets leaving Texas.