Hey, in anticipation of the move, (and since they will now change my cell number without penalty) I have a new cell phone number.
(512)706-5018.
Call me there and not on the old cell number - but if I am at home in CA, it won't ring, so call me at home if I am still there.
Jill
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Rachel's School
Just to keep people up to date on how things went down since my last rant on how society is teaching our kids the wrong thing here...
We went to Rachel's awards ceremony last week - she had perfect attendance - and right before they began the formal ceremony, the principal stood and was so excited because the parents had petitioned the governor with signed petitions, e-mails, and phone calls regarding the budget cuts throughout the school district. So they gave the district more money, and they realigned the budget so that they were able to rehire all the faculty that they had already given pink slips to, "and it was all thanks to our great parents who wouldn't back down from the governor's office when their kids' education was at risk. Thank you very much." Huh? In my opinion, the education shouldn't have been the first part to look at cutting. They have added new gymnasiums to many of the elementary school buildings - which in some climates is necessary, I am sure - but in Orange County, where they haven't had gymnasiums in Elementary Schools or Middle Schools in - oh, let's see - EVER, the use of gymnasiums for gym class, or for a cafeteria, or any use whatsoever that they are justifying, is a waste of money. Take care of the current buildings, for sure, but don't add unnecessary buildings the same year as budget cuts. A building never taught anybody anything. Use the money more wisely.
Is this too crazy? I just don't understand how this (and possibly others, though I am not sure) society can feel it is okay to require quality entertainment over quality education, and then throw a fit when the education - quality or not - is threatened, AND NOBODY BRINGS UP BACKING OFF OF THE ENTERTAINMENT, because "they deserve it", and "it's what has always been done here in OC", and "the other districts can, so why shouldn't we?" and "well, I went on those trips when I was in school, and that is normal."
Um, this state wonders why it has a high drop-out rate. I suspect there are more things at play than my simple analysis, but HELLO! I suspect at least one reason is that we reward and celebrate mediocrity! Congratulations, you lived to be 14! A birthday party isn't enough for such a great accomplisment, we are going to shower you with class trips, flowers, and all-day events while your younger contemporaries have to go to SCHOOL. Sure, high school graduation is "done up", too. But for 8th grade promotion, everyone gets new dresses - some of them several hundred dollar cocktail dresses - and sequins and they do balloon bouquets, flowers, etcetera, and gifts - some small, but if they do give gifts, they are usually on the bigger side like cell phones or the newest gadget. Strangers ask you what you are going to get your kid for graduation. I told one woman I still had 4 years to think about that. Anyway, in my opinion, when you celebrate HUGELY something that - unless tragedy strikes - everybody does, (because in this state you actually aren't allowed to flunk out of middle school - you might have to go to summer school to get promoted, but you don't miss any of the parties) then kids start to think they have "arrived". They have accomplished something huge. I say give them the parties when they personally can afford to pay for them. Yep, that is when they have arrived. Have a party when they can afford to buy a house, their own car, their own HAIRCUT! Sure, I am proud of my kids when they do well, and when they don't do well but they did their best, and when they don't do well but they didn't practice and did a terrible job! But I would prefer that society not teach them that they have done something spectacular simply because they had the physical fortitude to show up to school 85% of the time, which they are required to do by law. I want them to learn that in the real world, mediocrity begets mediocre results.
We went to Rachel's awards ceremony last week - she had perfect attendance - and right before they began the formal ceremony, the principal stood and was so excited because the parents had petitioned the governor with signed petitions, e-mails, and phone calls regarding the budget cuts throughout the school district. So they gave the district more money, and they realigned the budget so that they were able to rehire all the faculty that they had already given pink slips to, "and it was all thanks to our great parents who wouldn't back down from the governor's office when their kids' education was at risk. Thank you very much." Huh? In my opinion, the education shouldn't have been the first part to look at cutting. They have added new gymnasiums to many of the elementary school buildings - which in some climates is necessary, I am sure - but in Orange County, where they haven't had gymnasiums in Elementary Schools or Middle Schools in - oh, let's see - EVER, the use of gymnasiums for gym class, or for a cafeteria, or any use whatsoever that they are justifying, is a waste of money. Take care of the current buildings, for sure, but don't add unnecessary buildings the same year as budget cuts. A building never taught anybody anything. Use the money more wisely.
Is this too crazy? I just don't understand how this (and possibly others, though I am not sure) society can feel it is okay to require quality entertainment over quality education, and then throw a fit when the education - quality or not - is threatened, AND NOBODY BRINGS UP BACKING OFF OF THE ENTERTAINMENT, because "they deserve it", and "it's what has always been done here in OC", and "the other districts can, so why shouldn't we?" and "well, I went on those trips when I was in school, and that is normal."
Um, this state wonders why it has a high drop-out rate. I suspect there are more things at play than my simple analysis, but HELLO! I suspect at least one reason is that we reward and celebrate mediocrity! Congratulations, you lived to be 14! A birthday party isn't enough for such a great accomplisment, we are going to shower you with class trips, flowers, and all-day events while your younger contemporaries have to go to SCHOOL. Sure, high school graduation is "done up", too. But for 8th grade promotion, everyone gets new dresses - some of them several hundred dollar cocktail dresses - and sequins and they do balloon bouquets, flowers, etcetera, and gifts - some small, but if they do give gifts, they are usually on the bigger side like cell phones or the newest gadget. Strangers ask you what you are going to get your kid for graduation. I told one woman I still had 4 years to think about that. Anyway, in my opinion, when you celebrate HUGELY something that - unless tragedy strikes - everybody does, (because in this state you actually aren't allowed to flunk out of middle school - you might have to go to summer school to get promoted, but you don't miss any of the parties) then kids start to think they have "arrived". They have accomplished something huge. I say give them the parties when they personally can afford to pay for them. Yep, that is when they have arrived. Have a party when they can afford to buy a house, their own car, their own HAIRCUT! Sure, I am proud of my kids when they do well, and when they don't do well but they did their best, and when they don't do well but they didn't practice and did a terrible job! But I would prefer that society not teach them that they have done something spectacular simply because they had the physical fortitude to show up to school 85% of the time, which they are required to do by law. I want them to learn that in the real world, mediocrity begets mediocre results.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Wicked
What a show! It was really well done, and we had a GREAT night! We got the CD & the Program (which are WAY too expensive, by the way) and Rachel had such a good time. We were right up close, and it was just so much fun!
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to see "the real story behind OZ". I will never watch the Wizard of Oz the same way again, that's for sure.
I would recommend it to anyone who wants to see "the real story behind OZ". I will never watch the Wizard of Oz the same way again, that's for sure.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Break from packing
I thought I needed a break, so I am blogging. I am working in my office, and am filling boxes not nearly as quickly as I hoped I might. I decided to shred old bills and the like to use as packing material for fragile items instead of moving a bunch of papers that I don't need, but that takes time, and it heats up the shredder pretty quickly, and as a safety measure the shredder turns off at a certain heat level.
Anyway, things are going well. I am working on various things, including staying on top of Primary. My house looks like an explosion at a box factory, but I am thinking I am going to get my office finished packing, as I don't spend much time in there during the course of a normal day, and put the empty boxes in there to keep them in one place and under control. Hopefully that happens this afternoon.
Anyway, must get back to work. Thinking of my fabulous family!
Jill
Anyway, things are going well. I am working on various things, including staying on top of Primary. My house looks like an explosion at a box factory, but I am thinking I am going to get my office finished packing, as I don't spend much time in there during the course of a normal day, and put the empty boxes in there to keep them in one place and under control. Hopefully that happens this afternoon.
Anyway, must get back to work. Thinking of my fabulous family!
Jill
Monday, June 9, 2008
Well here is the schedule
This week is going to be a crazy one as far as schedule. The next seven days are wild. Between packing, Rachel and I go to Wicked on Thursday, the family goes to an Angels game on Friday, Catalina on Saturday, and then on Sunday Randy takes off for a training in Vegas. We were talking to a friend over the weekend, and he volunteered his wife and himself to watch the kids while I drove to Vegas to go see the Phantom of the Opera with Randy on Monday night. What a wild ride this is going to be! I will take Randy's car, and it will be quite a trip.
We pack in the meantime. The house has been inspected, and there are a couple of repairs the owner will need to fix before we move in, but they are relatively minor, so they shouldn't be a big deal. It will be nice to be homeowners again, even though it means a lot of responsibility and work. It has been frustrating on occasion to not have anything that we felt we should have to take care of, and that when we put the work in, we weren't just adding equity to someone else's bottom line.
Have had many ideas running through my head for how to set up the house, decorate the house, do the yard, etc. I just have to stay focused once I do get there, as it will be just me and the kids for a while. I don't want Randy to have to do a bunch of work when he comes on the weekend, as he works so hard during the week and will want to be playing, not just working with the family. Not that working with the family is a bad thing, but I am sure you understand what I want.
Things are good and things are wild. If anyone calls, just know that I am running around very focused, and will get back to you as soon as I can.
Love you all!
Jill
We pack in the meantime. The house has been inspected, and there are a couple of repairs the owner will need to fix before we move in, but they are relatively minor, so they shouldn't be a big deal. It will be nice to be homeowners again, even though it means a lot of responsibility and work. It has been frustrating on occasion to not have anything that we felt we should have to take care of, and that when we put the work in, we weren't just adding equity to someone else's bottom line.
Have had many ideas running through my head for how to set up the house, decorate the house, do the yard, etc. I just have to stay focused once I do get there, as it will be just me and the kids for a while. I don't want Randy to have to do a bunch of work when he comes on the weekend, as he works so hard during the week and will want to be playing, not just working with the family. Not that working with the family is a bad thing, but I am sure you understand what I want.
Things are good and things are wild. If anyone calls, just know that I am running around very focused, and will get back to you as soon as I can.
Love you all!
Jill
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
We got it!
Hey, thought people would want to know that we accepted the seller's counter offer (they met us halfway on the price reduction and upped the closing date) this afternoon. So that is exciting! We move in 45 days. What? 45 days? That's crazy! Yes, yes it is. I started packing a few weeks back, anticipating this, but still I hadn't REALLY begun to pack. Now the heat is on! I got more boxes and have been packing all afternoon, (mostly books and glass things I won't need before the move) and it is going to be a quick one!
Hope all is well with everyone!
Jill
Monday, June 2, 2008
Moving to Texas!
Hey, ya'all!
Rachel and I went out to Austin for the day on Friday - landed at 2:00 p.m. and the realtor picked us up & took us to Georgetown to look at a few houses. So we went through 3 houses, and last night we sent an offer to the realtor on the last one we saw. The house is a little dated, but that just means I have redesigning work to do once we move in.
We plan to move by August 1, so that is moving pretty quickly.
I tried to post the virtual tour link for the property, but I guess I will just put the site & let you copy it if you want to see it.
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=392784&idx=1
Hope you like it! I will keep you posted on where things are as things develop.
Jill
Rachel and I went out to Austin for the day on Friday - landed at 2:00 p.m. and the realtor picked us up & took us to Georgetown to look at a few houses. So we went through 3 houses, and last night we sent an offer to the realtor on the last one we saw. The house is a little dated, but that just means I have redesigning work to do once we move in.
We plan to move by August 1, so that is moving pretty quickly.
I tried to post the virtual tour link for the property, but I guess I will just put the site & let you copy it if you want to see it.
http://tours.tourfactory.com/tours/tour.asp?t=392784&idx=1
Hope you like it! I will keep you posted on where things are as things develop.
Jill
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