Work, Work, Work, Work

If there is one thing I would banish from this earth it's work. Well, not work but money. No, not money. The need for money. I would rather have it where we lived so simply off the earth that we didn't NEED money.

The whole money thing has gotten way out of hand. This love of money (greed) causes people to care more about making money than in being concerned, helping, paying attention to their fellow human beings. And if the powers that be think that no one is paying attention, they are sadly mistaken. The problem is, whether they're paying attention or not, people are letting the rich and powerful get away with murder--literally and figuratively.

Enough soapbox--though I haven't even begun to chip away at that particular iceberg.

Work. I've been going to work and hitting it fast and hard every day. My focus has been, in the back of my mind, getting through the days and getting back home to my sweet pup and doing things I enjoy doing. This is not to say that I don't do my job quite well, because I do. Not tooting my own horn, just a statement of fact. Nevertheless, it's not the best way to go about doing anything.

Rushing through just to be finished means something and/or someone is not getting the full benefit of being a co-worker or student of mine. I am shortchanging them. That doesn't really seem fair, does it?

It's sort of like being ADHD but, instead of not being ABLE to focus or pay 100% attention to the task at hand, I CHOOSE not to pay 100% attention.

So I thought, just the other day (and I'm sure part of it was inspired by my friend Kim at My Field of Dreams), what if I went to work for a day looking at it as an opportunity instead of a have to...an opportunity to make a new discovery about myself, the work and all that it entails- people and tasks; an opportunity to make a difference in the life of a co-worker or student; an opportunity to simply be aware of the work environment and the people by whom I am surrounded each day; an opportunity to truly get to know others and take an interest in their lives...

I've done it. And I will share my findings with y'all in a later post.

Meanwhile, do you find you rush through your days or do you look at each day as a new opportunity?

In Case Y'all Were Wondering

Cause I know you have been DYING to know all about my job, I thought I'd show y'all my lab. Well, not MY lab, but the main computer lab at school where I spend 97% of my time.

I have windows in the lab but they just look out into hallways and the media center. So I have to provide my own sunshine---

I keep that collage of pictures behind my desk---

No. My desk isn't always that messy. It's usually a lot worse.

When I stand with my back to my desk, this is what I see straight in front of me. Dead ahead is the Smart Board. The bulletin board to the left is about internet safety.

 There are 30 computers in this lab. This is to my right---

Those windows peek into the media center(I still call it the library). Sometimes, when a class is in there and students are at the computers under those windows, I go over and make faces at them. They LOVE it when I do that. Don't worry, they don't get into trouble. The media center specialist (I still call her the librarian) is hip to my shenanigans and she approves.

This is to my left---

I don't like that stuff on the wall too much. Mostly because it includes the G and H keys for the home row and home row is really FDSA on the left and JKL: on the right. But it was already there so I used it.

That's our word wall. I use the white board for it since I never use the white board. If I need a board, I use the Smart Board. And that podium to the left of the chair is where I put my laptop.

When I stand with my back to the Smart Board, this is what I see---

This little desk is just to the right of my desk. It's where I have my intervention groups. See those little squares of paper on the cabinet? Those are the 4th and 5th graders' incentive charts. When they fill up a row with stickers, they get a piece of candy. I don't use this for the kindergarteners. Because there are 16 of them and that would be a crap-ton of candy and they don't need sugar anyway- their natural energy levels are OFF THE CHARTS. But they do get a sticker IF they earn it.

There's another lab downstairs that the kindergarten classes use. It's usually a train wreck in there but I'm not responsible for that one. Then, upstairs, is another lab with 32 computers in it. The 3rd, 4th and 5th graders use it with their teachers.

I made these guidelines to illustrate proper keyboarding position and they're on the right side of the lab. The lab is so big I had to make two- one towards the front and one towards the back.

I teach keyboarding to all 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. That's about 560ish students. I have small group intervention with 16 kindergarteners (in groups of 5 and 6) and then my 4th and 5th grade intervention groups. And then I have taken on a couple of students just because they need help. Intervention is the best part of my job.

We're about to begin learning to use Microsoft Word, make a Power Point presentation and a spread sheet in Excel. So I'll be putting up more boards with shortcuts and such on them.

And that's it. Not very exciting. But more fun than you would think. And not just because of the students. The people I work with make it worth going there every single day. They are so positive and funny and caring.

Yes, I miss my free time. Especially since I never get it anymore with the husband around here every weekend. But I like what I do so, it's worth it.

And it makes me appreciate not having to get up at dark o'clock and walk the dog by dark thirty. Instead, I get up at dark thirty and walk him by sunrise o'clock. Ha!

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Working After the Nest is Empty

Even though I've come to appreciate certain aspects of living in an empty nest--the quiet, the free time, redecorating, new projects, the ability to do what I want when I want, etc.--- I am still not using my time wisely. As a matter of fact, a good bit of all that free time was being wasted.

Not to worry, I've discovered how to fix this problem.I got a job.

I was a SAHM for about 22 years. I started working as an interventionist at the elementary school the lovelies attended for 4 years (until funding ran out) and then found myself back at home. But no lovelies were here as they were all out doing their own grown-up living. So those first three years of the empty nest were spent floundering and misusing precious time.

Yesterday marked the end of my first week back at school after three years. This time, I will be in the computer lab and I'm really looking forward to it (after all this MAP testing is over and done with). I probably should have considered doing this before now.

Here's why:

• I use every second of my days to the fullest when I am working probably because my time at home is now limited-though not that much. Now, I get up and get moving and get things done whereas before, my mindset was something along the lines of having plenty of time to do things which led to never getting anything done at all.
• I feel better and don't spend time wondering what to do or sitting in front of the television.
• I feel energized from being around people I love and those marvelous students.
• I feel challenged because what the hell do I know about teaching computer I am learning about new things.  
• I don't dwell on negative/sad/depressing/etc. things because there's no idle time for that anymore.
• My mood is always good because you just can't help it when you're around positive people and happy kids and then come home to two dogs who make you feel so loved.
• It's very helpful with finding and keeping my mindfulness. 

These are all good things. Yes, I'm pretty dang tired after my first week. But that's to be expected. It's really busy right now with the testing and I have to get up and hit the ground moving because I still have to walk the dogs before I head out. Which means we're out there before the sun because, in order to get all the computers set up for testing, I have to be at school before the sun is up. That's fine though because the heat and humidity aren't as bad at that time and neither are the mosquitoes. Blasted things.

And let's not forget the financial aspect of this whole job thing. When one chooses to stay at home and raise the kids, one gives up any means of  financial independence. I wouldn't change my mind about staying home with the lovelies but I have to admit it is nice to know that I will have my own money.

So, if it came down to a vote as to whether or not taking a job when the nest becomes empty, I would definitely vote YES. No matter if it's returning to a previous job or getting a new job or getting a job for the very first time. I say, GO FOR IT!

What was/is the best job you've ever had? And you can't say raising your kids because those of us who have done it know how great that is! :)