Easter with My Family

This year, Easter was at my house. It was a lot of work, but all worth it. I put in all new flowers and got the house all spruced up inside and out. My mom was the "food committee" and she also worked her little patootie off.

We had a wonderful time, the food was GREAT. We all ended up gathering in my backyard and enjoyed the PERFECT weather for around 4 hours.

Here are some photos of my kooky family. We laugh, we love, we eat! We're not perfect, but we sure do have a lot of fun!

Some things to look forward to.....and the "day after" the happy news...

As wonderful as yesterday's news was about my job security, it was also a bit surreal. I was thinking about it later. I'd carried around the burden of possibly losing my job for so many weeks that I almost didn't know what it was like to live without it. I'll tell you what it is like: WONDERFUL...

Last night I slept better and more soundly than I have in ages. I hadn't even realized the way the job stress had affected my sleep. This morning while I was getting ready for work I thought to myself how at that time yesterday I was gearing up for a day of preparing for today's sub, and how I had planned to leave so early to attend the RIF (Reduction in Force) hearing; it hardly seemed possible that I would be able to miss it.

At school our morning schedule was a little bit different, simply because teachers that do not have their own classrooms were needed as subs to fill in for those who DID have to attend the RIF hearing. I feel awful for my colleagues who had to go and whose jobs may still be in jeopardy. And, there is still the slim possibility that I could be bumped to another school (slim,) and to another grade level in another classroom. I'm just going to take one thing at a time and just be grateful for the fact that I HAVE A JOB. I have a job, I have an income--that's all anyone can ask for these days.

Next week my mom and I will drive to Carmel and spend 5 days/4 nights days at the LOVELY Cypress Inn. I can't wait. You can visit their website HERE. It is, literally, my favorite place to visit. I knew that it would be great to go there knowing that the RIF hearing was over, but now there is the added extra of going and knowing that my job is secure. That is certainly more than I could've ever hoped for. We'll have a great time, we'll take my dog, the hotel is stunning and the people so nice. It will be a wonderful break from everything as I head into the homestretch of the school year.

Life is good. I'm still amazed at yesterday's incredible news. What a miracle that was!

HAPPY, HAPPY NEWS!!!

After 3 long months, I learned today that I will not be losing my job at the end of this school year!!

Learning about this happy news was completely unexpected today. I expected to be preparing for my sub tomorrow, as I got ready for the school district's RIF (Reduction in Force) Hearing that would be taking place.

Instead, the vice principal and secretary came to my classroom shortly after recess and hand-delivered a letter from the superintendent telling me that my notice of possible layoff had been revoked, that I will be offered a certificated teaching position for next year, and that I do not need to attend tomorrow's hearing.

The relief I feel is indescribable! I've lived under this cloud of stress and uncertainty since the third week of January, and it has affected me greatly. And, despite the outpouring of support from family and friends, being in that state of limbo for so many weeks is exhausting.

And now it is over. I still can't believe it! I am SOOO thrilled and grateful to have a job!