Field Trip EXTRAVAGANZA!

We have a field trip planned for every day this week. Today we went to the bank. We took the kids over in two groups, and each group had about thirty minutes inside the bank. The bank manager talked to them about setting up an account, interest rates, and (their favorite part) how the security cameras work. Then they were taken behind the teller desk into the area where the drive-up tellers sit. They thought the vacuum system for transporting the canisters was cool, but they all gasped, "COOL!" when the teller opened the pneumatic drawer for the nearest lane. They're so nine-years-old.

Finally the bank manager took us into THE VAULT. My mind fills with images of stacks of money and gold bars behind a huge door (probably round) with a massive steering wheel-like locking mechanism. I'm sorely disappointed when we're taken behind a Plexiglas door into a tiny room filled with safe deposit boxes. THIS is the VAULT? We're told that the bank, while it has about 25 million in deposits only maintains a paltry $90,000 on hand at any given day, and it's secured in cashier drawers. That's it.

The kids loved it, though, and they all got suckers when we left. The most exciting part of the adventure, though, was pushing a student in his wheelchair over the icy sidewalks to and from the bank. Maybe next time we ought to bring our own ice pick.

Employment Outlook

I don't know if I'm going to keep up assisting in the kindergarten in the mornings. It's exhausting. I've got to drag C-Rex (formerly known as Taco) out of bed super early and sacrifice his morning nap so that Coio can follow me around at school going, "Mommy?"

I'm thinking I'm going to send out the fliers I made for Spanish classes. I'm going to go through the phone book and send a flier to every preschool listed. If I can get just four clients (at $50 per 30-minute session) a week, I'll be doing great.

Add to this befuddlement of mind and spirit the fact that my former employer has been telling people she's going to take me to court because I'm in violation of the non-compete agreement I signed with her. Forget the fact that I'm NOT COMPETING with her, but if she really wants to go there I'm sure I can convince her otherwise. Do you think she really wants her skeletons out of the closet? I'm inclined to Get Gephart.

Friday was my last day of work

But I have been enjoying my summer break for almost two weeks.

When I gave my notice back at the beginning of July, I told my former employer I'd stay on until August 17th. Then I found out she was telling people I am not honorable and that I lack integrity. Wha huh? I guess giving SEVEN weeks notice and continuing to go to work and act professionally while on the job wasn't enough. Honestly I don't know what I could have done to be able to make an amiable break from that place - probably nothing. My former employer seems to believe that anyone who leaves her does so not because they have their own lives to live and their own needs to take care of but because of some moral failing on their part.

After I confirmed what she was saying about me behind my back (gosh, that sounds a lot like gossip, doesn't it?), I went in one morning, gathered up my things, and confronted her. She behaved very much like a child - trying to justify herself and deny having said the things I knew she had said. I stuck to my guns and walked out.

It felt great to be free.

I've got a great new job lined up, and I've got two more weeks of freedom until I get back to the grindstone. I'm coming out of the fog that had overcome me in my two years at MLC, and it's great to be back into the light.

Spaving

A few weeks ago I signed up for the four-week trial over at The Grocery Game. I don't think I'm going to keep it up, because I find myself buying things I wouldn't ordinarily buy because I've got a coupon. In other words, I'm spaving. I'm still going to watch the ads on my own and clip the coupons for things that are on my regular list (particularly health and beauty stuff), but I'm not going to worry about stocking up on stuff I don't use much just because it's a few cents cheaper than normal. $ .40 off of the chips I don't usually buy is still $ .50 more than I would have spent without the coupon. It's not saving me money.

Boo!

Halloween is coming.

Yesterday I went to the fabric store and bought the pattern (#3626) and all the fabric and notions for Coio's costume.

Yikes - $75.

Well, maybe we'll put it on ebay when we're done with it. In the meantime, I don't intend to tell Mr. T how much it all cost. He'd have a coronary.