Last day of high school for Rebecca and unemployment

 

Her end of the year art assignment. Not only can she sing, but she can do art remarkably well as well. This self-portrait was done in graphite and the background is paint. 

Happy Friday everyone! Hope everyone is ready for this holiday weekend here in the USA. Not only is it Memorial Day weekend, it is also Graduation weekend for Rebecca. She had her official last day of school yesterday. Today she had senior breakfast at her elementary school, and then graduation practice. She then spent the day with a couple of her closest friends who are also graduating. The boys still have school next week. Jacob has finals on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Ben has classes on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. There is an early release on Thursday for Ben. 

I am still over here trying to figure out this whole laid off thing. I haven't had a lot of energy this week. I have caught up on laundry, deep cleaned the bathroom, and paid bills. I also attempted to apply for unemployment earlier this week only to find out that someone tried to use my social security number and birth date to apply for unemployment in February of 2023. Wasn't me. So I had to upload a ton of verification documents to the agency to prove that I am me. Today I got a phone call from the agency and was able to at least start the application process. 

I have to decided what I want/ need to do. With the budget cuts projected for the agency I don't want to be in a situation where I will lose my job since the agency might shut down. Do I look for a new full time job now? Do I hold out and stick with Head Start? I don't know. I have a lot of thinking to do. 

For now, I am going to put that aside for the weekend. I am going to enjoy being the mom of a graduate. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! 

5 Word Wednesday

 

Prom and Scholarships

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope everyone had a good weekend and Monday. It is a grey, chilly day here. I think it is supposed to start raining this afternoon/evening and then rain for the next 2 or 3 days. Oh well. It is what it is. Thankfully the weather this weekend wasn't horrible because Saturday was a special day for Rebecca. 

Saturday was prom. Rebecca spent the day doing her nails and getting ready. I am thankful that she is frugal in getting ready. I did feel bad that I couldn't give her the star treatment that it seemed others were getting (getting hair and nails and makeup done, etc.). She said she didn't mind. In fact, I think she enjoyed doing her own hair and makeup after watching YouTube videos. I am of NO help, as I wear my hair pinned up, in a bun or in a pony tail most days and I don't wear makeup at all. (On a side note, one of her friends did the same as Rebecca and did his own hair and makeup, the other got theirs professionally done) My parents bought her her dress, shoes and purse. We took pictures with her friends at a local bridge before hand and then in the park where prom was located. The theme for this year's prom was Garden Gala. It was at the event center at a local park here in town. They had a taco truck and an ice cream truck there for the kids to enjoy. She said she had a good time, and she even came home having won a raffle at prom winning some very expensive (think like $200 worth) ear phones. 

Last night, was the Senior Awards night at her high school. This is for invited seniors and is a presentation of a lot of scholarships that they have applied for and had won. Rebecca was invited to attend and we knew that there were 2 scholarships that she had won; anything else would be icing on the cake. Well, she walked away with 7 scholarships total (the 2 we knew about and 5 we did not). She earned over $7000 in scholarships last night to help with her freshman year. I am so proud of the young woman she has grown into and the dedication she has shown to her schooling and to her outside of school endeavors. 

So, what is next for her? Well she has classes until Thursday. Friday she has Senior breakfast at her elementary school and then in the afternoon graduation practice. Graduation is on Sunday. It is barreling towards us as fast as it can. I wish I could slow it down. 

What we've been up to the last month...

 Well, hello there. It's been a while. Almost a month. Well, I will just say life is super busy with end of the year stuff, kids, dealing with my mental health, etc. I feel like I sound like a broken record. I have been reading blogs on my phone but haven't had time to actually sit and write down anything. Finally, today I have a few minutes to catch up and so thought I'd hop on my laptop and write down a little update. So what's been going on since Easter and the death of Pope Francis. 

Well as you all know we have an American born Pope--- Pope Leo XIV. I am excited to see what he will do for the Catholic Church. 

In my own household... let's see....

Ben had his end of the year choir concert. Can't believe my baby is almost done with 7th grade. It hasn't been the easiest year. He also had his last track meet. He did really well with it being his first year. He is already talking about doing track again next year. He is taller than me and we still have our fair share of unease. He still takes his anger out over my divorce on me, but he has been working with a counselor and there has been a slight improvement. 

Jacob is finishing up his Freshman year. Again not the easiest year but I am proud of how far he has come. He fell in love with theater this year and hopes to continue in that next year. He also has confirmed his love for choir. He, and Rebecca, and their high school chorale went to the State Competition where they scored an excellent rating. They also just had their end of the year concert which is where the above picture is from. He is looking forward to performing in Chorale again next year. 

Then there was Rebecca. 

It is such a busy time for Seniors. We have had several awards ceremonies to go to. At the Kiwanis awards ceremony, she was awarded for her involvement in Vedette, which is their high school's literary arts magazine. She was also recognized for being in the top 10% of the Senior Class. 

Then she had May Fiesta, which is the end of the year Choir concert. It is a dinner and a show. This year they catered Mexican food during the solo singer's part. She performed a solo and was awarded "The Next Mr. G" award. This is a senior award given to the senior who is most likely to follow in the footsteps of their choir director. 

The concert itself was amazing. Part of the intermission also included a senior slideshow and awards given, where Rebecca was awarded her Triple Varsity Choir letter (which is the first time her director has had to hand that out), a $300 Scholarship for college, and the National School Choral Student Award which is awarded to the top Senior and means that her name will go on a plaque in the school hallways as well. 

The next day was Mother's Day. Mother's Day was an okay day. I got up went to church. Came home and went back to bed. I am not going to lie, it is hard being a single mom. The boys made me cards, only after Rebecca told them to. She made me a vase in her art class, that I am actually using in the kitchen as a utensil caddy. We went to my parents' house for dinner where my sister in law cooked dinner, but out of the mom's there, I was the only one who hadn't been showered with special things. I know I am being bitter, but it sucked. It is what it is and I think is maybe part of the reason why my mental health is just not in a good place these days. Even though I am seeing a counselor and taking medication, life is still really hard. 

This past week, we had another awards ceremony for Rebecca. This time it was for her 3rd year Academic Letter. (She would have her 4th year, but they had a different system in place her freshman year which made it impossible for almost anyone other than juniors and seniors to earn academic letters).

 

Next week, she has been invited to the Senior Awards ceremony. Tonight is Prom. She has been extremely busy and will continue for the next couple of weeks. 

Also this past week, was my last week of preschool teaching for the school year. This school year has been extremely challenging.  However, it is over and now it is summer break for me. It will be weird as I will be laid off. Not sure how I am financially going to be able to handle this summer, but I will do what I have to do. 

Well, I need to sign off so I can see how prom getting ready is going! All I have to say is being a mom of a senior is not for the faint of heart! 

Hope everyone is doing well. And hopefully I will be back sooner rather than later. 

Wonderful Easter, the Pope, and this week

 Hi everyone. Thanks for the kind words on my last post. It just stinks and gives me an edge of uneasiness. I am committed through the end of this school year which is mid May. I have said that my intention is to return in the fall, but who knows what is going to happen at that point. I am trying hard to be intentional in my thoughts and not let the what ifs take over.

Despite all the somber thoughts about my job, I ended up having a wonderful Easter with the family. The kids and I went to mass on Sunday morning. I forgot to get cinnamon roll dough at the store, so we had to make an emergency jaunt to Walmart as Ben was so upset that I wasn't going to do cinnamon rolls. Funny thing is that I made cinnamon rolls and bacon and he didn't even eat any as he was eating the candy out of his Easter basket. The Easter bunny had come overnight. 

I took a 2 hour nap on Easter Sunday. I am allowing myself to rest. 

Then we went to my parents house for Easter dinner. I picked my sister up (did I mention that she and my sister in law moved into a house a couple of blocks down the street from me!) and took her. It was a wonderful, family filled afternoon/evening. 

I woke up on Monday morning with the news of Pope Francis' death. He will truly be missed by the Catholic Faithful and it just felt weird all day long to think about him and his legacy. I also saw the news that my very first boss at the first school I taught at had died. Joan was an amazing example of living your faith and raising a family and keeping with your values. She was a mentor and I am so glad that she was there for me when I began my career path out of college. 

It has definitely been a week of ups and downs. Life is such in flux and I just need to be intentional in what I am doing and not doing. Life has it's good days and it's sad days. I can just do my best to live each day as best as I can. 

I might not have a job

So... how is that for a beginning. 

So this past Friday night, our director shared a USA Today article that shared that the upcoming FY26 Budget from President Trump, eliminates all funding to Head Start programs across the nation and essentially eliminates Head Start from existing. The link to the article is here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2025/04/11/trump-proposal-eliminating-head-start/83045346007/fbclid=IwY2xjawJtIT5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHv0cjO6b0DiHSkDxGfqQc8pn6YV9QJhudeL3oGKjzWi1q8iQUr5j_SxB3ne2_aem_xWIP3fTK_S0LjBbrafLKig

I work for Head Start. This basically means that if this budget is correct, I am out  of a job. This is devastating. It was a sucker punch. Not just to me, but to the families that we work day in and day out for.  

Then we had an emergency meeting on Tuesday where we learned that  funds that have already been allocated for this school year, have not been deposited on schedule and this has already caused several Head Start closures around the country. Right now I don't know if I will have a job in a month or not. I am praying for the best, but trying to figure out what to do for the worst. 

I don't typically get political on this blog, but this is hitting home. IF this happens, and it is looking more and more like it will, it will affect over 1 million families. It is hurting those most vulnerable--- children. I am so angry, hurt and I really don't know what to do. What I will be doing and what I am asking all of you to do is to advocate for Head Start across the country. Contact your state's senators and legislators and tell them this cannot happen. Head Start must be continued for the future. 

In the meantime, can I ask for prayers for what I am supposed to do? I am so stressed out it is making my body hurt. This sucks.  

College visit, track, birthday, and counseling

 Happy Saturday everyone! Like a lot of the Midwest it is a rainy,rainy day. It seems like it has been raining for days. There are some areas near us that have flooded. We have a little bit of water in a couple of  spots in my basement but not major. It is still raining as I type this up on this Saturday night. 

Life continues to be busy. (I know you guys are probably tired of me saying that!) 

Rebecca and I spent last Friday at Bowling Green State University for a visit day. She was super excited to be there and she also was super excited to see that they had Tropical Sprite in one of their cafeterias. It is the little things. 

We had a good visit. Got some dates for fall semester and some more useful information. It was a good visit. Next time we will be up there for June orientation. It is coming up quickly! 

This week is back to school for the kiddos after Spring Break. It was also back to rehearsals for the Spring Musical for Rebecca and Jacob and back to track for Benjamin. 

He had his first track meet on Tuesday and he admitted that he was very nervous. I missed his first event, which was shot put.  For shot put he threw 15 feet and 7.25 inches. There were supposed to be 3 teams in this meet, but only his team and the hosting school was there. The hosting school only had 2 or 3 throwers so their events went very quickly. I did make it in time to see him throw the discus. For discus he threw 51 feet and 4 inches. He was super excited to compete and he had fun! 

The next day Ben turned 13 years old!! I can't believe that my baby is a teenager! He had a good birthday with McDonald's for dinner, chocolate lasagna, and presents. He said "it was the best birthday ever!" 

We will be celebrating with family tomorrow. That means that today I have spent cleaning and doing laundry and running errands in the rain. I still don't feel ready for tomorrow but it will be what it will be. 

In between all that there was work and I finally got into see a therapist. I saw her a couple of weeks ago, but then she was sick and I couldn't get in until this week. I think this is someone that I can work with. Maybe one day I will go into more detail, but I have been diagnosed with depression, generalized anxiety disorder, PTSD and am dealing with lots of unresolved grief. It is a process but one that I need to go on for my own well being. 

Right now, I am waiting on the boys to get home from their fathers. I need to go flip laundry here in a few minutes and figure out what I need to get at the grocery store tomorrow. Oh and I need to go pay a few bills. I am back to reality. Hope all of you are staying dry and are having a good weekend. Until next time, I wish you well.  

A nice hike

 Happy Thursday everyone! Today has been a beautiful, sunny day here. The kids have been on Spring Break all week. I had to work Monday, Tuesday and yesterday. Today and tomorrow I have off for a little break. Monday and Tuesday I was in meetings and trainings all day long. Yesterday, I spent time cleaning at our center. We cleaned out a shed and had another meeting. So glad to be off today. 

Today the weather was gorgeous. It was in the high 50's and the sun was out. So the kids and I went out on a long walk. We walked over 2 miles. It felt so good to be outside. 

Thank you for all the kind words on my last post. I am still not okay but the sunshine today helped. I have a quite busy weekend ahead. Then the craziness really picks up next week when it is back to school and work. 

Tonight, I am going to watch "Mufasa" with the kids. Ben loves anything to do with The Lion King, so he is looking forward to it. 

Until next time, I hope all is well with you! 

Stream of consciousness

Good evening everyone! I hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. 

Just wanted to hop on here and put some thoughts down. I haven't really felt like writing. This was a long week. I don't know if it is writer's block, although I don't know that I would say that I was a writer. I don't know if it is because life is just overwhelming right now. 

Jacob has been sick off and on all week. On Friday he called me after school and said he had a fever and felt awful and could I come get him. I told him I would but it would be probably 45 minutes or so before I could get there as I was at work. 

Work has been busy, with the overlying stress of not knowing if we will have jobs next fall due to stuff going on in Washington. I will not make this a political blog, but just know that what is going on in Washington does affect the everyday person and it sucks. Friday was the last day with kids as they are on Spring Break next week. I don't really get Spring Break as I have to work Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I am grateful that we are off Thursday and Friday, but would have liked to have it all week. Oh well, be grateful I still have a job. 

I have been feeling off. I don't know. I feel alone in a lot of this and it is hard to put my thoughts into words that really express how I am feeling. 

I have failed at my Lenten resolutions. I gave up pop and Reeses. I have caved to both.

I did read a book this week, so there is that. I read Kristin Hannah's "The Nightingale." It was fabulous and I would highly recommend it. I am currently reading "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid. 

Speaking of books, I will not be attending my monthly Book club this coming month, as the meeting falls on the same night as Ben's birthday.  Usually the boys' dad has Wednesday off but for some reason they gave him Friday off that week. We will celebrate his birthday that night. 

Speaking of birthdays we have  3 coming up in the next 2 weeks. Monday is my mom's birthday. My brother's birthday is on the 29th and then Ben's is on the 2nd. Can't believe he will be a teenager. 

I am getting old. 

Well, I need to go and flip the laundry. Because if there is one thing that doesn't change no matter what is that laundry will be a constant. 

Hope everyone has a nice night. Sorry for the downer of a post this was, but that is just where I am at right. now. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day and catching up!

Happy Monday and Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those who celebrate. I am part Irish (my Paternal Great-Grandparents immigrated from Ireland) so I wear green and maybe make a green dessert. I don't go all out as I am usually working, however NOT this year. I had a personal day today and have loved every minute of it! Before I get into that let's see what's been going on this past week....

Last I wrote, the boys were sick with the stomach bug. Well they got over that and just in time for Ben's choir concert on Tuesday night. The 7th and 8th grade choirs sounded great and I loved every minute of the concert. 

Life continued for normal for about a day until I became sick with the stomach bug and spent Wednesday night and most of Thursday too sick to move. That stomach bug was nasty. I never had a fever (although I woke up in sweat twice). But man did I ache and couldn't keep anything down. Finally Thursday night I started feeling a little better. Which was good because I went out to see the Lunar Eclispe that happened around 3AM.

I did work on Friday but man I ached. Thankfully, I am back to feeling pretty normal now. 

Rebecca, during all of this, avoided us like the plague. She had District OMEA Large Group competition on Friday and COULD not get sick. Thankfully she did not end up getting sick. Jacob and Rebecca and their high school Chorale went to district's, earned a 1 which is the highest score and now advance to the State Large Group competition! So Proud of those kids. I was sorry to miss districts, but it would have been a tight turn around to watch them perform and I was still not feeling well enough to go. Both Rebecca and Jacob said that they understood. 

We did end up watching "Moana 2" on Friday night which Ben loved. I give it a B. Music and graphics were good, but the storyline left lots of be desired. 

Rebecca and I were supposed to go shopping for prom dresses this weekend, but like many other areas in the Midwest, we were dealing with storms and rain so we postponed to next weekend. Instead, I did some laundry, and spent a ton of time in the kitchen making food for this week as our schedule is super busy and I need to cook more at home than what happened last week. I made a pasta bake that I froze for later this week, chicken enchiladas for tomorrow night's dinner, tuna salad, peanut butter cookies, a green vanilla Bundt cake, and pulled a roast out for dinner tonight. 

Yesterday, I took a long nap. Laid down for what was supposed to be 20 minutes and ended up sleeping for over 2 hours. I guess my body needed it. I puttered around the house, folding laundry, etc. 

Today, like I mentioned I took a personal day from work. I took the kids to school. Went to Kroger to get au jus for the roast I am making today and they were all out except for the most expensive packet. I got it though as I needed it. Home to get roast in the crock pot and then it was off to spend the day. I got a massage! Ran to my lawyers to sign some papers (for the never ending divorce). Went to the bookstore. Went to Walmart. Went for a LONG walk in the sunshine. 

And now I am working on this post while I wait until it is time to put my mom hat back on and pick Ben up from track practice. It is almost time for me to leave so I will end this here. Hope everyone is having a good day! 

                            How have YOU been doing? Are you doing anything for St. Patrick's Day?