" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="960" height="355" alt="PicMonkey Collage 85" />" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="960" height="355" alt="PicMonkey Collage 85" />" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="960" height="355" alt="PicMonkey Collage 85" />" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="960" height="355" alt="PicMonkey Collage 85" />" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="960" height="355" alt="PicMonkey Collage 85" />" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" width="960" height="355" alt="PicMonkey Collage 85" />" width="500" height="185" alt="PicMonkey Collage" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
" />" width="500" height="214" alt="ccb" />" />
Yes, I wash out my Ziplocs. Why not? It takes one drop of liquid soap and about 15 seconds per bag. The quality is great so you can do it over and over again. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Ziploc finds out and reduces the quality. Wonk wonk.
We are cutting costs and supplementing our income in other ways also. One way in particular has changed life as I knew it for 5 glorious years. Now, 3-5 days per week I have somewhere to be at 8:00 a.m.
Initially I went out looking for work hoping for something that would help out with Baby Smurf's preschool tuition (and a number of other bills). First I went down to the Department of Children Services knowing they didn't have any available positions. I introduced myself to the supervisor and dropped off my resume. And since I am not looking for something full time, it was a bit of a relief to find there were no full time slots that needed to be filled.
Working in children services is not something I ever dreamed I would be interested in doing again after my experience at the DeKalb County Department of Human Resources. It was a poorly run facility and because of it, the caseloads were unmanageably high and the stress was off the charts. Now that the mortgage and health insurance don't depend on my job, I think my level of stress would be radically different if I ever decided to work in the field again. Maybe when Baby Smurf is in school full time, I will explore this path once more. Maybe not.
I had a great interview at the library but couldn't accept the job because the pay wasn't high enough to justify putting Baby Smurf in more days of preschool. I then applied for a Special Education Aide position in the Delta-Greely School District through an extensive application process online. They called me for an interview but I declined because I had already accepted a position at Baby Smurf's preschool.
So, I now work at Imagine and Learn Development Center. I was picking Baby Smurf up from school one day and casually asked if she needed any help. Before I knew it, I was filling out yet another extensive application and getting an orientation type tour of the facility. The pay is fair, and I couldn't refuse when she told me in addition to the hourly wage, Baby Smurf's tuition would be cut in half.
While it is difficult to pry my body out of bed and become presentable and level headed enough to care for 14 preschoolers, I am grateful for the job. It is only part time and I like that I can earn money all while being close enough to Baby Smurf to observe and help her in a classroom-like setting. I can't imagine being an employee anywhere else that would be more suitable for me this year.
7 Comments
Good for you! It's wonderful to have a work routine. I'm so glad it's at your daughter's preschool too. You can observe how she's doing, but you're also in charge of 13 other little ones, so she can figure things out on her own and socialze with her friends.
ReplyDeleteYou're budgeting ideas are really preparing me for when I move out. I'll be reusing ziplock bags before you know it!
I'm glad that you will be there to observe Charley and other kids in that setting. I agree it seems like the perfect job for you this year. Charley is a very fortunate little girl to have you as her mother. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteChuck's Granny used to wash and re-use ziploc bags. Very good stewardship of your resources.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new job. Way to go! That is great. You will be off when she is out of school. You are so smart!
Wait...do you still need me to fill out the reference for employment document? I just received it this week.I agree, this is the perfect position for you right now...and the kids are goning to LOVE YOU!!!! Your so much fun!
ReplyDeleteIt is perfect for now. Though, I am not exactly the fun teacher type as the schedule is already in place. I am there to be sure things get carried out the way they are planned. Hard to make that fun. Ho hum.
ReplyDeleteCeleste, Yes! I still need you to do that. It is for this position but she needed me fast so she went ahead and hired me, but she needs it for the files. Thank you.
Janice, I love to hear that I am like someone's Granny, especially Chuck's. I wish my penny pinching Nanny and my my Grandmother and Granny and all of 'em were still here. OH how I miss them all. Somehow more today than yesterday and the day before.
The 8 o'clock daily thing reminds me of when we used to work at Joe McEachern (sp?) Photography (of course to be said out loud using Joe's answer the phone voice). Since it took me 30 min. to get out there from Ma's, I had to get up at like 6 or something everyday. Ma, I know you have had to get up at crazy early times most of your life, so I feel bad complaining about that, but I guess I'm spoiled with the not having to get up super early thing (most the time), and 6 am everyday of the week hurts me pretty bad. After you do it a few times, you're like, "Is this really happening? I have to do it again, don't I?" when you're on your way to the shower. I know I sound spoiled rotten here... I'm not really a get up in the morning person.. Heheh... But I do love morning once I'm up and through the pain. Don't you, sister?
ReplyDeleteYeah, Joe's was a little easier for me because I lived so close and I wore cut offs and no make-up. But 8:00 hurts in this fresh (a.k.a. freezing) Alaska air. Yes I like it once I am up and ready, but it still hurts. Don't feel bad. Some people are just morning people and some are not.
ReplyDelete