Oh the Places You'll Go....

Jackie got me a book by Dr. Suess when I graduated called "Oh the Places You'll Go". That seems to be the trend of my life right now. Oh the things that are happening and the grown up decisions that must be made....A lot has happened since my last post over a month ago.

Probably the most important and devastating news is the RIF (reduction in force) letter that I received in the mail March 5th. TSC has to cut $7.8 million out of its budget this year, making the elimination of teachers and programs unevitable. They have decided to lay off over 150 teachers and displace almost 70! I just so happen to be lucky enough to be one of the 150 RIFed teachers. While the letter we received isn't set in stone and for sure yet, it is basically a heads up letter that when the board meets again in mid-April that I will probably be having my contract terminated. Not only is it bad because we are losing one of our sources of income, it is also bad because last May I decided to start my grad. school work. I am now over halfway done and will graduate in December. The problem with this and getting laid off presents me as an expensive teacher with not a whole lot of experience when I do go back into the education job hunt. I'm going to take my chances though and finish my masters. I want it done and over with. I've worked too hard and paid too much money already to stop. This week we have had two meetings, one with the teacher's union and another with central office, about being RIFed and the process. It was all very overwhelming and emotional but a good opportunity to learn more about the overall process and get questions answered. I never though I'd be getting laid off after only being in the workforce two years. Being a grown up is definitely not as much fun as I thought it'd be.

In the midst of losing my job, I've been trying to research and think of alternative careers that interest me. The only one that I felt most interested in was real estate. I know this isn't necessarily the best field to go into right now either, but it's definitely been on my bucket list of thins to do and try during my life. So this past Tuesday I began taking classes to get my license as a real estate salesperson. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-9:30 and Saturdays from 9-12 for 6 weeks. Luckily one of those weeks (next week) is my Spring Break so I'll have one somewhat easier week. Call me crazy-I know! I've got a lot on my plate right now.

And as if I wasn't doing enough already, I decided to sign up to be an Avon sales rep. It was very cheap to start up and could be another possible method of bringing in some additional income without a lot of demand and time. I feel somewhat silly saying that I sell Avon now because I always made fun of my Grandma Wilcox for being an Avon fanatic. At least I know I'll have one customer! =)

Jessica and Phil had their baby boy, Carl Phillip Ferger V. He was born on March 4th and is adorable. We went down to Indy the following evening to meet him and see how Jess was doing. The delivery went well and mom and baby are doing just fine. It's so exciting to see our friends begin the next chapter in their lives and add to their families. Jesse and Libby will soon be having a baby girl and Brandon and Tonia are next having a baby boy! I also just found out today that my half-sister Hilary is having twin girls. Poor Ryan! He's totally outnumbered by girls in that household. Soon to be 5-1.

I'm trying to talk Kyle into taking one last vacation somewhere before I get laid off. It's not working very well. He would rather save money. I guess that's the smart thing to do. He turns 25 on Thursday! He's becoming such an old man. Hahah! I have to say though that I am floored that we have had a full week of temps in the 50s and 60s and he has still yet to go out and use his brand new golf clubs. Never saw that one coming! I'm sure once he does go though, I'll never see him again.

Hope everyone else is enjoying this nice weather as much as we are! I was getting so sick of the dreary winter! I know Tucker and Zeke are loving being outside and running around again! They are tired boys every night now!

=)