Signing Time with alia!

Several months ago, I saw where Signing Time was looking for instructors to offer classes in their own areas. “OOOOH,” said I, “I want to do that!”

Well, after several ASL refresher classes and me freaking out about things, I am extremely excited to announce that I have been certified as an Advanced Signing Time Instructor!

This means I can teach babies to adults using the Signing Time music and dvds, as well as sell Signing Time materials…but frankly, I am much more interested in teaching ASL!

If you want to know more about the Signing Time Academy, or check out a teacher in your area, you can check it out through my link here: Signing Time Academy, and click “Find a Class.”

That’s my personal link (I HAVE A PERSONAL LINK!), and if you have any questions about Signing Time or about the Academy, feel free to ask!

Posted in *poke* | Tagged | 3 Comments

Hay-Barn-Apple Tree

When we moved from Alaska, I was hoping we were doing our last move. Less then 6 months later, I knew we weren’t. Brandus hates it here, which has more to do with the school district and the political crap in his school than with hating the actual physical place. Although, there are issues with the physical place as well.

We live on an island, and we love it. We’re only 2 blocks away from the beach or the sound. But the biggest city close to us is Jacksonville, and there is a very large Marine base there. Which means the majority of the people in our area are military – and by extension, the majority are..conservative.

Being conservative (in whatever way, political or whatever) isn’t a problem. What IS a problem is how brandus feels like he has to bite his tongue about his basic beliefs in school. Brandus isn’t Christian. He’s vegetarian. We’re liberal. This makes us very different from most people around here – and so he feels like he can’t even be himself or express himself to his co-workers.

Add to that the fact that, here, if a child, a third grade child, an EIGHT YEAR OLD, fails the end of year exams, they have failed the whole grade. An eight year old. Failing an entire grade the first year they even have to take a high stakes test. It’s ridiculous.

So, are we moving? Maybe. At this point, it’s all down to finances. To move to where we want (which is currently Washington state, where Brandus can work at a BIA school, and I can do..something. I don’t care what) will be very expensive. Like, several thousand. Like five thousand OR MORE. And that doesn’t include our basic costs for the summer.

I think we’ll just..throw all of our stuff away and hitchhike cross country. It would be cheaper, and it would expose Voldemort to a vast array of new and terrifying and dirty adventures!

Posted in mawwiage, teach me, voldemort | Tagged | 3 Comments

Swiper, No Swiping

Sunday night, the very idea of going back to work felt a little like I was going to be pushed out of a plane in mid air. Possibly with a parachute, but it really doesn’t matter, I was still completely dreading it.

And getting up Monday morning required me to pry myself out of bed with a crowbar, but the kid popped right up and even dealt with the fact of NO WE CANNOT WATCH DORA RIGHT NOW, which is better than his normal reaction to that answer, which is to jump up and down and flail his arms and scream. Which is usually followed by my reaction, which is, IF YOU DO NOT STOP, NO DORA EVER. At which point he sniffles and says, Ok. Can I have juice?

Regardless, Monday actually went well, which just goes to show that pre-emptive dreading actually solves problems, and lack of whining leads to a happier Mommy and a non-Dora free house.

Now, today? Today was another ballgame. Complete with preschoolers climbing on top of furniture and staring at me to see what I would do, preschoolers stripping, and Voldemort getting time out after time out at daycare for snatching toys to watch other kids cry. AWESOME. WE’RE BACK IN THE GROOVE.

Posted in teach me, voldemort | Tagged | 1 Comment

Good Riddance, 2009!

Mostly, Ive heard stories of people dancing the year out, burning 2009 calenders, and being generally gleeful that the year is OVER. Now, it hasn’t been all hugs and puppies over here, but neither am I burning the year in effigy.

For me, this past year has been hard, yes. Back to teaching full time, bounced around in places of employment, on anti-anxiety…but I havent hated this year as much as some.

This year, with planning, we might be in another place. We might be having another baby. I might be doing something I really want to do.

This year.

Posted in *poke* | Tagged | 1 Comment

Buried

As of this writing, we have gotten the child a very small pile of gifts. Very small. Like..8. If you split the 6 finger puppets in half.

As of this writing, Im very content with that. Why? One, i dont want Voldemort going crazy over presents. Two, we are generally broke, thanks to repaying student loans.

However.

As of this writing, my parents sent us home at Thanksgiving with two big bags full of gifts from them and extended family on that side. Then, my mother tells me that she has sent two more boxes of gifts up here.

Then, we get three BIG boxes full of gifts from Brandus’ parents. And then they tell us today on the phone that they have sent another two boxes, AND they have a “few more things” at the house to send.

Holy crap.

We’ve been opening things in bits and pieces, so that he doesn’t get completely overwhelmed. So far, he’s gotten some very cool toys, some very LOUD toys, and some stuff that I have no idea what anyone was thinking…like the inflatable Winnie the Pooh doll.

Brandus and I? So far, he’s gotten a tie. I’ve got a mini umbrella. And we both got flashlights.

I think we can clearly tell who is more important, here.

Posted in voldemort | Tagged | 3 Comments