My Life in a Nut Shell

3 surgeries for Endometriosis, countless medications, and lots of difficult years trying to conceive. We put the medical stuff on hold and decided to work on being parents instead. In July of 2000 we were blessed beyond all measure with a phone call announcing the birth of our daughter, Megan. Megan's birth mother had given birth the day before and was leaving the hospital. We had no warning that Megan was coming. At 4:29 in the afternoon we were a couple, at 4:30 we were parents. Deciding that we wanted a sibling for Megan, we looked into all our options. This time insurance covered IVF. One round and we were blessed with triplets, Abigail, Brigid, and Caroline. Did you know that there is a 70% chance of divorce in families of Higher Order Multiples? Almost two years after the triplets were born my ex-husband and I separated and eventually divorced. During that time both my Mother and Father passed away from cancer. In February of 2007 my sister came to live with us to help out. In December of 2008 she had to leave so now it is me on my own with the girls. In February 2010, Lisa passed away and finally found her own Peace.

Monday, November 24, 2008

My Resume

Anybody need a highly-educated, highly-trained teacher?

Objective To use my education and experience to be a productive team member and leader in an educational environment

Education
Bachelor of Science in Early Elementary Education 1991 University of Louisville
Master of Education 2001 University of Louisville
Certified in grades K-4 and self-contained Fifth and Sixth

Relevant Experience July 1999 to November 2003 Field Elementary, 120 Sacred Heart Ln. Louisville, KY 40206 502-485-8252 Primary teacher-Experience with teaching First Grade, Second Grade and a split First/Second Grade; duties included aligning lesson plans to the Core Content, collaborating with peers to increase our CATS scores, communication with parents, and working with parent volunteers; was a member of the literacy committee to incorporate skills as specified in the No Child Left Behind Act; created and organized the Field Elementary Literacy Night Program which included celebrity readers, a speaker from theNational Center for Family Literacy, and obtained funds to purchase enough books for each child in attendance to receive 3 free books; also have experience with administering the Observation Survey to determine the level each student was working toward
July 1996 to July 1999 Shelby Elementary 735 Zeigler St. Louisville, KY40217 502-485-8327 Primary teacher-Experience with teaching a multi-age, multi-ability classroom, First Grade, and a Second/Third Grade split; was a member of the curriculum committee to align lesson plans to the Core Content and Kentucky Teacher Standards, collaborated with peers to increase our CATS scores, used effective communication with parents in the form of weekly newsletters, progress reports, and daily reports; utilized parent volunteers in the classroom; was a part of the discipline committee for the school; participated with the principal in hiring new teachers; was an integral part of a grant writing team which earned a $300,000 grant to start a new literacy program in the school
November 1995 to July 1996 Field Elementary, 120 Sacred Heart Ln.Louisville, KY 40206 485-8252 Primary teacher-Experience in a Kindergarten/First grade split-duties included taking over a classroom in November 1995 and taking a non-reading classroom into a reading classroom; collaborated with academic team to align curriculum with the Kentucky Teacher Standards; began Kentucky Teacher Internship Program during this year
August 1993 to November 1995 Field Elementary, 120 Sacred Heart Ln. Louisville, KY 40206 485-8252 Director/Lead teacher in a tuition-based Pre-school program-Duties included managing a staff of six in a team-centered approach; researching and creating a curriculum to include age-appropriate lesson plans; collaborated with peers to partner the older students with the younger students for literacy activities; bookkeeping and purchasing of all supplies for the classroom; maintained records as a licensed childcare center by the Cabinet for Human Resources and ensured the classroom was aligned with all regulations mandated by the Cabinet for Human Resources and Jefferson County Public Schools

Other Experience
President of the Young Alumni Association at the University of Louisville 1997-1998-duties included creating, organizing, and leading school and community events, collaborating with peers, recruiting and presenting speakers at meetings and social events such as former football coach Ron L. Cooper at a quarterly meeting
Alumni Service Award Winner at the University of Louisville 1996-was chosen along with a single representative from each school (Medical,Dental, Speed, Social Work, Education, Arts and Sciences) to receive the award for outstanding contributions to the Alumni Association;received the award during half-time at the 1996 Homecoming football game
Chair of the Repair Affair at the University of Louisville through New Directions Housing Corporation 1997-duties included organizing and recruiting volunteers, obtaining business and community donations to repair 10 houses for elderly and disabled homeowners who were physically and financially unable to make the much needed repairs
Pre-Cana presenter for engaged couples 1998-2002 Archdiocese of Louisville
Extended School Services Teacher at both Shelby Elementary and Field Elementary 1996-2003
New Teacher Mentoring Program 2000-2001-duties included mentoring teachers in their second and third years of teaching; observing classrooms to provide feedback to improve teaching skills; provided recommendations for professional development; meet with teachers bi-weekly to answer any questions and provide support
Vice-President of Special Programs Field Elementary Parent Teacher Association 2008-2009-duties include organizing the National PTA’s Reflections Arts Program at the school level and organizing Field’s International Delight Night

Proficient in Word, Excel and Microsoft Office.

Happy Thanksgiving

We had Thanksgiving yesterday for the girls. They go with their Dad this year for Thanksgiving. So Lisa (Aunt Weesa) cooked Thanksgiving dinner for us. It was delicious!! They girls enjoyed it. I think they liked all the choices of food available. And I made hot chocolate with marshmallows, cinnamon, nutmeg, whip cream and a candy cane to stir it with. Yum!

Now I'm back at the library on my weekly Monday morning job hunt. I sooooo don't want to go back to McDonald's. Oh you ask. What happened to Tiny Tots? There had been a snafu in childcare for the girls for before and after school. Before I started my job on Monday I went to their school's YMCA program to start them there. I was told that they couldn't start until Wednesday. So I drove to work and told them that I would need to leave by 3:30 on both Monday and Tuesday but after that childcare would not be an issue. I preceded to get YELLED at by the owner who told me this was a job not a charity. That what I needed was to get back with my ex-husband and be a stay-at-home Mom. That nobody could be that unlucky to have both parents be dead. That I should take the child support money that everybody knows I get and use it to hire a nanny to watch the kids. And that I needed to provide WRITTEN proof that I had hired a nanny before I could start work. So I walked out of her office in tears and went to talk to the pastoral minister at our church. Keep in mind that this was at a daycare. I was humiliated and angry at the same time. Surely finding a decent job can't be this hard! I am frustrated because I WANT to work. I am NOT a lazy person. I can't believe that at every job interview I am always asked the same thing: who watches the kids when they get sick? I do. I do. I do. No, the girls' Dad will not help. Yes, both parents are dead. No my brother can't help because he has 4 kids and he and his wife work full-time. No, my sister can't help because she needs to work. Does this happen to every single Mom? Every single Dad? Ugh!!!! I'm tired of complaining too!! I just want a job. Is that too much to ask?

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Yard Sale Hell

So I had a yard sale today. In the rain. In the low 40s. In the garage. We made about $200. Not bad but it could have been lots better. I would have loved to put everything in the driveway and front yard but with the rain it wasn't possible. I met some great people. One of whom owns an antique store in Middletown. She was so sweet. She came in and appraised some antique furniture pieces for me as a bonus. So now I will turn to Craigslist to get the rest sold. I'm trying to come up with the deposit for the townhome we are trying to get into. I keep looking at all the stuff I own. It really is just stuff and I know that. But it seems almost overwhelming to get rid of so much. Really I would like to just get a big dumpster but that's not happening. I may just freecycle the rest. Donate it and go. I promised to get the girls room picked up this weekend as well. They are with their Dad this weekend. Hopefully Lisa and I can get a bunch of stuff organized. I know this move will be good for us. It will relieve so much stress that is involved with keeping a house maintained. And no more yard work. That really is a big deal. I save over two hours a week alone because I don't have to mow that gigantic yard. I hope to be in the new apartment by Christmas so that we can decorate for the holidays. I did promise the girls that I would paint their bedroom. That is the treat they get for having to move. And they all 4 must decide on the color together. How funny is that going to be?! Actually they are excited because they will get the master bedroom that has a half bathroom in it. And they get a big walk in closet that has a built in bench seat in it. I told them we could turn that part of the closet into a booknook and they loved the idea. And of course all I had to say was "pool" and that sold the townhome!! And I like that it is in St. Matthews. My favorite part of town. Closer to school for the girls.

Keep your fingers crossed for Lisa. She is applying for a 3rd shift job at Wal-Mart in St. Matthews as well. It is actually the grocery store. It's full-time with benefits. Life will be so much better for her if she gets it.

Not much else here going on. Well, really there is a LOT going on. But in my crazy life this is actually small potatoes!! And it really wouldn't be me and my life if it wasn't crazy and busy. I start my new job on Monday. And I'm looking for a part-time job for the weekends when the girls are with their Dad and for the extra day off I get during the week. By the way it is 4 10-hour days. I get one day a week off. And PAID HOLIDAYS!!!!!! And we are closed for Thanksgiving AND the day after. Wooohooooo!!!!!!

Friday, November 14, 2008

I'm trying the link again

a quiz
Take Are You a Jackie or a Marilyn? Or Someone Else? Mad Men-era Female Icon Quiz at HelloQuizzy

Take the Quiz!!

http://www.helloquizzy.com/quizzy/take


Here is the link for the Marilyn/Jackie quiz. Check out my results below.

Great idea Carol!!!!

I am a Marilyn

So I took this test that a friend had posted on her blog. Turns out I am a Marilyn. And truthfully this seems to be me pretty much spot on. I may not look like Marilyn but I definitely have some of her measurements!! lol

You Are a Marilyn!
You are a Marilyn -- "I am affectionate and skeptical."

Marilyns are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.


How to Get Along with Me
* Be direct and clear
* Listen to me carefully
* Don't judge me for my anxiety
* Work things through with me
* Reassure me that everything is OK between us
* Laugh and make jokes with me
* Gently push me toward new experiences
* Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Marilyn
* being committed and faithful to family and friends
* being responsible and hardworking
* being compassionate toward others
* having intellect and wit
* being a nonconformist
* confronting danger bravely
* being direct and assertive

What's Hard About Being a Marilyn
* the constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind
* procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself
* fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of
* exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger
* wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right
* being too critical of myself when I haven't lived up to my expectations

Marilyns as Children Often
* are friendly, likable, and dependable, and/or sarcastic, bossy, and stubborn
* are anxious and hypervigilant; anticipate danger
* form a team of "us against them" with a best friend or parent
* look to groups or authorities to protect them and/or question authority and rebel
* are neglected or abused, come from unpredictable or alcoholic families, and/or take on the fearfulness of an overly anxious parent

Marilyns as Parents
* are often loving, nurturing, and have a strong sense of duty
* are sometimes reluctant to give their children independence
* worry more than most that their children will get hurt
* sometimes have trouble saying no and setting boundaries

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Tiny Tots

The girls chilling in the living room. Don't they just look cozy?

I now have a job a really cute preschool in town. It was not at all what I thought it was. I will be teaching the 4 year old classroom. It is an adorable place and I am quite happy. Thank goodness I don't need to make fries anymore!!!
We are also moving. The end of the house finally came. And actually I feel a bit relieved. The struggle to keep it was just too much. And in the end it just wasn't possible. We have a really nice apartment that we will be renting. It is a 3 bd townhome. It has a big half spiral staircase in it along with a huge living room and a privacy fenced backyard patio which is a lot bigger than you would think. The girls can bring their bikes and playhouse. There's room for our patio table and chairs, grill, and our outside pots and planters. It's a little over 1500 sq.ft. Big for apartment standards. And the best part for the girls is that there is a pool for the summer. It's closer to the girls school as well. So all in all, not so bad. We are having a big moving sale this weekend, the 15th. I've got to get rid of a 2 car garage and family room filled with stuff. Need yard tools? Come by!! I think I will like not doing yard work and not having so much STUFF. We have too much STUFF. So I am going to look at this as a positive. Join me, won't you?