enjoying my time

I flew up on Friday and will be staying with my daughter until tomorrow. We've had a really good visit. She is clearly gaining more self-confidence. She is also enjoying her independence, which I think will be a chief motivator as her dad & I help her out less & less financially. She wants to continue to live on her own & knows that the only way to make this happen is by working hard.

She loves her job, the people she works with, & is making sure that her boss knows that she needs as many hours as possible.

She also has someone new in her life who really seems to value her.

All in all, things are definitely looking up. I'm proud of the woman she is becoming.

update on the kids

So Artist Girl has been in Portland for a few months now. The first job didn't work out, but when she had interviewed for the first job, she had also interviewed for another job. They called her about a week and a half ago to offer her a job. She officially started yesterday. The really, really good news is how great she sounds. I think that allowing her some space by offering her this opportunity has made her more self-confident. While this job won't pay her rent at the moment, I think it is a good start to get her on a road of independence.

As soon as she turns 23, she wants to go back to cosmetology school. A relative that lives in Portland will help guide Artist Girl to legitimate programs. She's waiting until she's 23 to start so that any student loans will be under her name only.

Guitar Teen has been working since last September as a detailer for a dealership. He's trying to save up enough money to eventually get a place to share with one of his friends. Right now, he's staying with two of his cousins. It makes it difficult because he sleeps on the couch, so he doesn't have a room of his own.

About a month ago, he spoke to his boss about working more hours. At first, the boss told him no, but then a few weeks later his boss increased his weekly hours to 35 a week - almost full time. He is also talking about eventually going back to community college.

Benchpress Boy (aka Wrestling Fan) is finishing up his Freshman year. He continues to do his usual pattern of not focusing on school work, then managing to pull it out in the end by getting passing grades. Soooo frustrating to this former A/B student & teacher! Math continues to be his biggest hurdle. I'm looking at having him work with one of my colleagues over the summer. I honestly think it's more lack of confidence than ability.

All in all, things feel right & good with my kids. That makes me a very happy mom indeed!

California's State of Emergency

Over the past three years, there has been over $20 billion in cuts to education.

This has meant that school districts across the state have had to make painful cuts to many program, laying of 40,000 teachers and thousands of classified staff.

We are now 49th in counselor to student ratio.

Many districts have been forced to eliminate art & P.E. programs.

Many districts have been forced to reduce the school year by five days and further reduce the teacher work year by up to 8 days.

This is a crisis as the cuts to education reach the most severe levels since the Great Depression.

Something can be done and if you live in California, especially in a district that is represented by a Republican state senator or assembly member, urge them to pass a state budget that includes the tax extensions to save public education.

The fact that the Republicans have already denied citizens the right to vote on tax extensions and have further undermined the will of the people by fully suspending Prop 98 if an all cuts budget occurs, makes me angry.

They need to held accountable. All it takes is two members from the Assembly and two members from the Senate to vote with the Democrats and agree to these tax extensions.

Start calling your state senator and assembly members by calling CTA's toll-free #1-888-268-4334. You can also go to CA State of Emergency for more information.