Job update

Good news!  After several months, the long awaited full-time position for Tim at A&P Construction starts Monday.  He's already begun visiting sites and is adjusting to the new work pace.  He was hired over several insiders and I'm particularly proud of him for his conscientious, hard work as a consultant these last couple years which are now paying off.

I am recruiting host families for French exchange students and my group size just doubled on Monday.  I'm out 3-4 nights/week doing home visits.  The plan for July when the kids are here is coming together nicely and I'm expecting a good summer.

I also just accepted a job as the food buyer for Youth Farm, Anjali's favorite program.  I will be responsible to order and deliver food for 600 meals/week during the 8 week program.  My minivan is going to be put to good use. 

We're wrapping up homeschool in May and are looking forward to a change of pace.

A bit of craziness

This last 5 days has been action-packed.  Highlights, if I can rightly call them that, include:

Thursday- having a flat tire
Friday- Mark has stomach flu and furnace goes out and stays out
Monday- Anjali has stomach flu

Tire's fixed.
Mark feels fine after 3 bad hours.
Furnace scheduled to be fixed today.
Anjali on mend.

I used to pack my life tight and be crazed by the unexpected but I'm learning.  I hadn't overscheduled, I changed the plans I had, and I'm tired with my humor intact- not crazed.

Today is Mark and Anjali Day

Today, Anjali and Mark were superstars.  I had a job interview and they played stunningly well throughout.  We shoe-shopped and they each liked the first pair.  The van, which Tim calls Traveler, got a flat tire, and the kids waited for 1 1/2 hours through all the attempts at repair.  Then Mark sat patiently while I got my haircut. 
Superstars.

I wished I had my camera today when both of them were sitting on the steps of the house adjacent to Traveler, balloons on strings from the Shoe Zoo tied to their wrists, pink and blue straining in the breeze while the kids sat in the sunshine.  Beautiful.

Thanks, Mark.  Thanks, Anjali.  I'm very proud of you both!

Transitions

We are making lots of changes these days. 

First, our old computer was on the fritz so I was delayed in blogging lately.  I'm finally getting all my logins and passwords back in order so we should be back in action here.

Second, Tim's jobs are still in transition.  He was going to start March 1, then April 1, and is still working under the old system at A&P until he gets the word.  Also, his Saturdays at Fed Ex have been routinely running 12 hours and he finally was just given permission to train in some help.  He started training another guy yesterday and hopefully should be able to reduce his Saturday work load.  We are very grateful that he still has jobs.

Third, I got a part-time job coordinating home stays for French exchange students this summer.  After a rocky start recruiting, things are well underway.  My mom is going to be my assistant which is great, especially since she's more organized and more knowledgeable than I am.  We're planning lots of fun outings and I'm really enjoying my time with prospective host families.  Interesting bunch. 

Fourth, Youth Farm starts again this week.  Anjali loves this group and this is her top priority for the summer. She's anticipating starting garden clean-up and cooking classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  What a fabulous group and since I really can't afford to volunteer again this year, I'm trying for a paid position.  I've applied for a 10/hr/week position for the summer working as the food buyer for them and hope to get a call to interview.   

Fifth, homeschool is shifting a bit.  My mom has kindly agreed to teach Anjali writing as she will be retiring from public school teaching this June.  Mark is doing math with Tim, Starfall phonics on the computer, and lots of stories with me.  We're guessing he might start learning to read this summer or fall.  I'm hoping to finish the homeschool year by the end of May. 

We'll keep you posted!