NOW THIS

Today we had a faculty meeting and were informed that the district is cutting 7% of its budget and will be cutting another 10% next year.....translation:

1. No pay raises (oh well, that is not abnormal....I have worked for Alpine School district for 10 years and I have only seen our salary scale change about 3 times)

2. Supply budgets are going to be slashed to almost nothing for sure (great, I spend so much on my classroom already with supply money.....I am going to be paying to work instead of being paid to work!!!!). I don't know of many other professions that require their workers to provide their own supplies to complete their work.

3. Insurance coverage is most likely going to be cut back or literally dropped (that will be so nice since we are paid so much as teachers in the first place!)

4. They are looking at cutting an hour out of my work day (which will be about a 6,000 dollar decrease in salary a year).

I guess the only good thing is that it looks like......at least at this point......I will have a job next year! Too bad my condo will be done just in time for the money crunch!!!!! If they do drop my hours, cut insurance and do not compensate for the insurance cut....maybe I might be able to qualify for food stamps....

hey, but I have a job ;-)

Times are definitely tight and crazy!!!!

Great News!

My flooring is going in.....yippy!! Too bad I had to drive all the way up to Salt Lake, early yesterday morning on my day off, to choose my carpet yet once again.....since my previous choice was discontinued while time lapsed.....but, who cares at this point....they started to laying it down today!!!!! I might actually move in......THIS YEAR!!!!!! I sure hope it works out and looks good!!! I so need an interior designer!!

Seeds and Flowers

In my class today, with Brad Wilcox, we were talking about writing. During the class we were discussing how important it is to focus on the child, instead of the mechanics of writing, and this thought came up.....I loved it.....so here it is!

If you see a "seed" instead of a "flower," don’t be mad it isn’t a "flower!" Instead see the potential that "seed" has and then go forth and nurture that "seed" so that it become the "flower" it is meant to become! You may either make or break that "seed," so be ever so careful!

Let There Be Cabinets....

I can't believe it.....but it is true, my cabinets have been installed!!!! YIP-PY!!! I can't complain too much, if I had them installed earlier I wouldn't have the cabinets you see below. Why, well:

For one, standard cabinets are normally 36inches tall. When I first put money down on my condo, I upgraded my cabinets to 36inch maples (it was the best I could afford and still looked pretty good).


At the time, I asked to have a cupboard built beside the fridge and was told that wasn't an option.....

The second time I had to re-do my cabinet choices, I was told that a cupboard next to the fridge was an option (YIPPPY!!!). You can see the cupboard in the picture below:

Also, when I was choosing cabinets again (since the 1st cabinet company went out of business) I only had one choice, knotty alder. Which is ABSOLUTELY beautiful (don't get me wrong--I LOVE the look and enjoy seeing it in others' homes) but I needed more of a traditional look to go with what furniture I own.


Luckily for me, the 2nd cabinet company offered larger cabinets (36inch and 42 inch cabinets--in a "skyline" cut). Unfortunately, for the owner, my contract was written up incorrectly and the cabinets that were supposed to be installed were 42 inch and 48 inch. This would have also been unfortunate for me as well since 48-inch cabinets would be practically running into my ceiling....


but no worries though, the 2nd cabinet company also went out of business (stupid recession!).....so when I went to pick out my cabinets the 3rd time, I noticed the measurement error.


When I realized that 48 inches cabinets would be larger than I really wanted, I discussed with the cabinetmaker my concerns. He had me walk around a huge gallery of kitchens to show me what options I had and agreed that 48 inches was way too big for my condo. I discussed with him the things I liked and why I liked them.......I then asked him if it would be cheaper to get cabinets that are not "sky lined" so that I could have more cupboard space. He said it would be a lot cheaper for the owner but not me, my contract says 42 X 48. So, I talked with the owner and she agreed that I could make all the cabinets 42 inches! :-)


I then was able to choose the front cut of my cabinets (I wanted a very simple face) with crown molding added to the top......I also got to choose the stain of the cabinets to compliment (hopefully) the tile and granite.......that was suppose to be extra.....but 3rd times the charm I guess.


Another fabulous upgrade option that was added during my wait was lighting above and below the cabinets (not installed...yet, but hopefully soon!). I am really excited to have this upgrade option!!!


Another great change that occurred (due to the 3rd cabinet company) was the type of cabinet to be installed above the fridge. Originally, the cabinet above the fridge only came out 12 inches from the wall and was about 12 inches high. I expressed to the cabinetmaker my concerns about space and looks and he talked with the owner and was able to install a much bigger cabinet, which I think looks SO much better!!!


I really have been blessed, despite the long wait! I guess that is why I am so excited! Please know I am only sharing...I guess after a year and a 1/2s wait one starts to rejoice and share every stinkin' little thing! I would ask what you think......but since I can't change it now, I am too scared! ;-)


Now I wonder how long it will be to get the granite and flooring down?!?!?!

GREAT, I just visited the condo to see in person my new cabinets.....ok, they are breathtaking (that is to me), but I can only reach the first shelf in each cabinet. This isn't unusual, when living with relatives I was only able to reach the first shelf as well....I HATE BEING SHORT!!!!!