The Dungeon

In the on going chronicles of The Dungeon, we have a new chapter to write.

With the changing of the seasons, from summer to autumn, it has become apparent that new clothing, more lighting, and added bedding will be needed to maintain a more comfortable environment within the confines of the dungeon. While this is note worthy there is something that only adds to the brilliance and ambiance of our subterranean abode. We now have the addition of a moat. Yes, you read correctly, a moat. At the bottom of our stairwell we have acquired a small lake. In the two days of rain it has risen to an astounding depth of 1 1/2". Jake and I are considering the addition of an arctic alligator or snapping turtle to live in the moat. If the rain continues as it has been and the drain at the bottom is not fixed it will threaten to flood our front room. How fitting since dungeons are supposed to be dank and dark.

One week down

I have survived my first week at a new school with new kids all wrapped up in new sets of rules to follow. After days of not knowing what I am doing half the time, not with my new kid but on where we are supposed to be or doing, I can officially say that I love it! If I had to pick the most difficult thing that I have had to deal with it is my sleeping schedule. Having to get up 6:40am and be at work by 8:15am has proved my biggest problem. My body want to sleep. I think that starting to be sick hasn't helped much. But! I have made it and am ready and willing to push through it all because I love my co-workers and the students at Reagan Academy. They are truly the complete opposite of what I am used to working with. They fit me so much better. I look forward to the school year and getting to know them.

One week down and 8 months and 3 weeks to go!

The search is over!

I am now a proud new employee at Reagan Academy in Springville. This is another charter school with more structure, staff that are certified and who are seasoned enough to know what they are doing. I love it! I am going to be doing the exact same thing that I was at Walden. What this means is that I am responsible for helping to "normalize" an eight year old boy who has high functioning Asperger's. The only difference is that this little boy is not out of control. He is used to the rigors of the school and doesn't have emotional outbursts very often or ever anymore. He will just need me to help with the transitions between classes/subjects and to cultivate his social skills. Compared to what I had to deal with, this is going to be a cake walk. I am also being paid a little more, have more hours, and actually be part of a staff and not just the "hired" Jack-of-all-trades kind of help. Granted I have to dress a little nicer, which means I have to go shopping for more work appropriate clothes, but I think I can manage that. I am excited to start a new chapter and move on to greener pastures, as it where. I am grateful for the opportunity. The bounty may have faltered a little at the beginning and middle of the Summer, but it is turning into a fruitful Autumn.

Double crossing...no good...

As many of you know, I was laid off from Walden not to long ago. I have been looking for something new with out much success. I was browsing the internet and I came across an ad that has caused my heart rate to sky rocket and my blood to start boiling. What I found was a Help wanted for my old job!!!!! It is from Walden!! This makes me so angry, livid, irate...I could keep going. How can they get rid of me?! I mean what the heck. I was good at my job. I took a child that was on the verge of being pulled/kicked out of the school and made him into a functioning prospering student.

How dare they get rid of me and say it is due to budget cuts and the post my job on Craigslist. Budget cuts my fanny. If there was a problem I could have dealt with it and tried to fix it, but they took the cowards way out of the situation. What irritates me is that they didn't even bother to see if I was still available. I think all that school has lost all of its self respect if they are treating people like this, especially ones that worked as hard as I did.

Get right back on

This week, yesterday to be precise, something happened that really jarred my brain, well my elbow and hip to be more accurate. My friend and I were getting ready to take the horses out  when the wind shifted on us and started to blow the storms we have been having right back at us. I was on the horse and it got spooked by a flash of lightening and threw me. Now, I have never been on a horse that was so spooked that  much, didn't help that I was bareback. Luckily, I had enough wits about me and my friend was there I fell and rolled away from the horse instead of being trampled. I am just grateful that in the end all I came out with as some minor bumps and bruises and a muddled sense the experience. I now know: change of wind, lightening, and no saddle are a really bad combination. Don't worry, horse and rider are fine. Fine enough to be able to go out again this fine clear morning for a nice ride. Interesting that a flash of lightening with spook, but two snakes slithering across the path doesn't phase, this is the opposite for me. You do need to just get right back on and enjoy the ride.