It's Official - Carli has been enrolled in her new school for the 2010-2011 School Year

It's official. Carli has now been enrolled in her new school for the 2010-2011 school year. She's spent the last three years at an okay school that I have worked at. It was wonderful being there with her and it made sense having her at the same school in which I worked. Logistically speaking, it was a good idea. I didn't have a vehicle at the time, riding the orbit (our free circulator) to get her to another school was not an option time wise. So, she came with me.

I didn't have much choice but to continue taking her there and I really don't think the teachers/staff are that bad. Just the opposite, in fact. They are all very caring and do a really awesome job teaching the student population.

However, it is time for a change and for the better, I am hoping. Hubby and I (Carli's father) decided that she should be in a school that is smaller in class size, fewer classrooms and performs better than where she's been.

We had looked into sending her to a catholic school, but they are so expensive and she's not ready for that level of education, just yet. We haven't even started our RCIA classes, so catholic school still is not an option.

We also checked into other charter schools, looking them up on the internet and at greatschools.net to see what other parents thought of the schools. Again, logistically, this makes sense.

It's about three miles from our house, and is totally free. Ok, this is true if I get her on the free/reduced lunch program, but hey, you gotta expect to pay for something. And the nice thing is, I got her enrolled in time to take advantage of the free before- and after-school care program they have there.

And, I will take advantage of it. Carli, being an only child, needs the socialization that only comes with being around other children. I think it's always a good idea to socialize children, especially those that are only children. They learn things when they play together before and after school.

I now have the school calendar, as well. I know all the early release dates (which interestingly are on Thursdays - her old school it was on Fridays) and the holidays, Parent Teacher conference dates, school dinners (for Thanksgiving and Christmas) Cultural, Regional Fairs, a Spelling Bee, Field Day and when report cards are sent home.

I love the fact that I get to be a stay-at-home mom, be involved in her education and go be a homeroom mom on occasion. It will be nice. I think I might even join the PTO...see what's up with that and how I can help. It will certainly be different than being involved in a pretty non-existent PTA at her old school...at least I hope it will.

It's 2030 and I'm still up! I need to go to bed as I have been up since 0530 and have been on the go since I got out of bed.

I just read, with great disdain, some very rude comments from some very mean readers about an elderly woman who drove her car into a canal here in Tempe. She mistook it for the doctor's office driveway. I know where the incident occurred, and while I'm not even in my 50s, yet, I understand how she could have been confused.

Anyway...I commented back and told the individuals who were not very nice that they need to remember that someday they'll be old too and that they should cut this woman a break. Nobody was maimed or injured, fortunately.

Sheesh - these whippersnappers really should get a life and lighten the 'f' up!

Monday Musing - 6.28.10

I'm actually up early this morning and you know, it's really nice. I'm enjoying the peace and quiet of the day before I get dressed to take hubby to work so I can have the car.

I was originally planning on getting up at 0600, but then hubby woke me up to ask if his laundry was done...which it was. I'd forgotten to take it out of the dryer yesterday after it was finished. Silly me...no actually, I'd gotten busy doing other Sunday chores like helping get dinner ready and doing the dishes, by hand. Which, I might add is a very rewarding way to do them. 'A little off', as my friend Julie might say, but to see the dishes sitting in the drainer before heading off to bed makes me feel good.

Granted, I should put them away before I go to bed, but by then both my father and daughter are already in bed asleep and I'd really rather not wake them by clanging and clashing dishes and silverware. So, I don't.

I tend to put things away in the morning once everyone is up and about or out of the house and then I don't feel the need to be so quiet and careful - well, I'm careful of course because I'm not into breaking dishes.

Then I can really begin my day of sitting in front of the computer and blogging away or playing on Farmville planting, harvesting and generally doing not much of anything. Today, however, is going to be different. Yeah, I'll hop on facebook throughout the day, but I won't be spending a lot of time there.

I'm going to be dictating for Harry while he transcribes about his life and medical history for me so I can get it down. I would rather type it into the computer than write it and type it later. It'll be faster and in a permanent spot - one that won't get lost in the shuffle...Oh and I have to scan some paperwork before I send it in. I don't want to forget that!

Toodles for now. I have to get dressed and get ready to take hubby to work. Happy Monday everybody!

Saturday edition - 06.26.10

I love Saturdays. I get to do laundry and general housecleaning. It's my only real day I actually feel like doing anything. During the week my husband is usually home and hanging around and cleaning is not at the top of my list those days.

Not much cleaning is going on right now as I am seriously blogging on this blog and the other blogs I've got. I love blogging...it's like writing in a journal except you are sharing your life with others. It's all hanging out there for others to see and read (if they want to) and nothing is secret or sacred anymore.

But, I guess, when you post something on a public place such as this, you can no longer expect it to be kept private. Oh well, I guess that's why we blog...so we can have our friends and family see what's going on in our lives, what we are thinking and what we are planning to do for the day.

I'm glad this is here for me. I missed being able to journal...I get to put down my most private thoughts and feelings and blog about my day, or the moment I am in. Yay!

Insurance Companies and Dr's offices

So, I received an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from my insurance company in the mail late last week. I opened it, fully expecting it to be from my doctor I'd seen late in May.

It was not from my doctor. It was, in fact, from another doctor, for a visit on June 8th. The day AFTER my father arrived here. There was no doctor visit in another town, where I don't have a doctor.

I find the doctor's phone number on the internet (turns out the number there isn't right either). So I get the correct phone number and talk to a very nice lady who seemed convinced that I had been to see the doctor for whatever ailment.

I tell her my story, that I have never been to this doctor's office she says, 'but your file says...' she then asks me my date of birth, I give her that information...then she asks me, 'how do you think this is a mistake?' I ask her, 'does this "Donna Brown" have BlueCross/BlueShield", 'no, she doesn't', and when she asks me if I have been to this doctor's office, I tell her, quite simply, that I have not been to a doctor in Mesa. My doctors are either in Scottsdale or Tempe and nowhere else.

So, Colleen says to me, 'Well, let me check into this and call the right person to get this taken care of.' I say, 'Ok, thank you' and give her my phone number so she can call me back.

30 minutes later (or less), my phone rings. I answer it, thinking it's Colleen from this doctor's office I supposedly visited for what, I'm not sure. It's not Colleen, it's a lady named Beth from the billing company back East. She asks me if I'd seen this doctor, I tell her 'no ma'am.' She then asks me if I have had any x-rays recently, I again say 'no ma'am.' She then says, 'are you sure you haven't had any x-rays in the last month?' I again say, 'no.' She then tells me that she will take
care of it and reverse the charges and make sure the correct Donna Brown gets charged (and this Donna Brown doesn't even have the same insurance as I do!)

Well, I called the billing company back east and asked Beth how in the world this could happen. She explained to me that the person who entered the information did NOT check to see that it was the right Donna Brown, correct birthdate and insurance information. She said that she corrected it in the database. I asked her how could she make sure this wouldn't happen again, she said that she flagged the name to have whomever is entering data to check the name, dob and insurance information.

Well, you can bet your sweet bippie that I will most definitely be checking my EOBs from now on!

Today is Friday and Carli does not have Summer School. It's been interesting to have her home all day and she has pretty much kept to herself and done things on her own, basically entertaining herself.

We interact with her when necessary, but for the most part let her be independent and do her own thing. It's better for her to learn independence and that she is self-sufficient. I love that she wants to do things herself.

She got up pretty early this morning (I'm guessing around 0600) and brought herself out to the couch here in the living room and fell back to sleep. James and I finally got up a little while later and I made coffee for Harry, my father, and then made coffee for us.

We have a french press and an espresso maker - we prefer our coffee either way, Harry prefers the french press. I'm beginning to wonder if we shouldn't invest in a regular coffee maker again. Our Gevalia finally gave up a few months ago and we never replaced it.

When it was just James and I drinking coffee it was no big deal, it's still no big deal...I just make Harry's coffee first, which is a real no-brainer...and then do ours...it just seems silly making two different types of coffee. Oh well, it's a little inconvenience.

Summer School 2010

Day Two of Summer School. All is well. She loves her teacher, Ms. Kati Garcia and seems to be adjusting to the routine. She took her lunch today (her leftover sub sandwich from last night)...I hope it's ok that she did that!

Day Three - Dad took her to school by himself and I stayed home today. I didn't feel like going for a ride because it just didn't seem necessary to tag along. She's already got it down where she needs to go to have breakfast and the staff is so tight about making sure they have all their kids I don't have to worry - ok, much...but I still do.

Day Four - Again, Carli and Dad went to Summer School by themselves. Of course, when it was time to pick her up Dad had me come along, again like yesterday, but that's ok...it allows James to not have to park or wait in a long line of other parents picking up their kids from Summer School and there are a lot of kids going this year!

There are two weeks remaining in this year's schedule and I hope she learns enough to help her during Third Grade. It's certainly different than the enrichment program, but maybe this will inspire Carli to do better in school and she will be able to attend the enrichment Summer School instead of the K-3 AIMS program...or, perhaps we will not go for Summer School next year.

I'm not sure if I will even try and put her in Summer School between her 3rd & 4th grades...I know she loves going to Summer Day Camp at the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension Office in cooperation with 4-H. Yes, it's only a week long, but she gets to do so much and go places she'd never get to go.

Summer Camp is over...now onto Summer School

Carli had a wonderful time at Summer Camp. She only missed one day (Thursday) due to a camper having head lice! Needless to say I was not happy, less than thrilled and really pissed off. I appreciate that we found out, three days into the camp, but not thrilled that she was missing an entire day, not being able to go to Makutu's Island and totally missing out on the whole experience.

Oh well, hopefully they will be able to take a day and make up for it, I hope.

I haven't heard anything from the University of Arizona yet. Maybe they are still working on figuring out how to get something else for the kids to do. I sure hope so.

Yay for Summer Camp!

So, today Carli starts Summer Day Camp. She's also supposed to be in Summer School, but we were lucky enough to get it delayed a week - well, for her anyway...we don't have that kind of pull around the school schedule.

She is now at Summer Day Camp. We got there scads early, but I'm glad we did. She was second to arrive after a little boy. The gal running today's program called them into the room early and had them pick a seat in the circle. She took Carli's picture as I was walking out...I didn't turn around to watch, darn it.

But it's ok. I have to let her be with other people. It wasn't easy for me to walk out of that building, leaving her there and knowing I won't be picking her up until later this afternoon. Sigh...

Well, guess that's about all for now. I will post more later after we get her home and she tells us all about her first day at Camp.

Saturday musing 06.05.10

So, Carli and I just got back from riding the Orbit to Tempe Marketplace to buy her a new swimsuit and some other sundry items (detangler and ponytail holders). We first stopped to get a bite to eat, she an all beef hotdog and some popcorn for me. We shared the drink.

Then we went shopping for the most perfect swimsuit we could find. We (rather, she) found one she could live with and it wasn't all that expensive either. Only $13.00, which I thought was very reasonable.

See, when it comes to buying a swimsuit for a child, I don't think they should be anymore than about $15.00 full retail price. When you can find one for less than that the smart thing to do is snap it up before you walk away and regret not getting it.

Because I know from personal experience if you wait until later to go back and get it, it will not be there anymore, or at least not the size you need and have to end up settling for something you really don't like or the child does not appreciate.

So, while I don't have a picture of said swimsuit at the moment, rest assured when I do I will post it so all of you may see just how adorable it really is.

Saturday edition - 06.05.10

So, after spending most of yesterday cleaning, doing laundry and other various things to get the house ready for my father, it has come to my attention that today I would seriously like to take a break from all of that.

I awoke this morning just after 0800, and got up and made myself a cappuccino. Then I decided I wanted some french press coffee. I made a two-cup carafe of Black Onyx. I am just now finishing up the second cup of french press - if you're counting, that's three cups of coffee I've had before 1000. Unusual for me, but hey, who's counting! Oh, I am...ha ha.

Now, I know I said I'd like to take a break from cleaning, but that is really not in the cards. I still have some things to do before the house is completely ready. We still need to buy bedsheets, pillow cases, a comforter and a pillow. I think I'd like to have two sets of sheets and two comforters so that while I'm washing one set the bed is still made.

I don't know if Harry will be able to make his own bed or if I'll have to do it for him. James says he thinks Harry should have a headboard, but I disagree. Headboards make it very difficult to make a bed, besides his head is at the wall, so what's the dif?

Anyway, it's time to get off the computer and think about doing something productive. Ha ha...

Friday Edition 06.04.10

I thought I would take a moment to blog about my day thus far. I got up before 0800 this morning and made me a cappuccino. Yummy! I am so glad we have an espresso maker with a steamer for milk. Anyway, I digress.

As soon as my hubby left for work this morning, I started getting busy picking up and doing general cleaning of the house in preparation for my father's arrival on Monday, June 7th. I've also done some laundry and I'm watering the back yard, as well. Somewhere in there I've also managed to be on facebook and chat with my cousin Terri for about 5 minutes.

The only downside to having a child and dog in the house is that once I've swept and mopped the floor I have to do it all over again because my 7 year old 'accidentally' let the dog out the back slider and of course the dog runs straight for the running water and mud! GRRRR!!!

Anyway, I've about giving up mopping for today and anything else I was hoping to get completed. Not only does the 7 year NOT listen to me and do what I tell her, but drags the dog into the fray. I think it's time for a time out.

Well, perhaps that's a tad too much. But, I have finally put my foot down and told her that she is not allowed to run around the house like a mad person anymore and that she needs to stop hitting the dog with the dog's toy (a stuffed bear). I did put her in her room for a few moments and she came out and apologized.

Kids...gotta love 'em, especially when they're yours!

Tuesday Edition 6.1.10

So, here it is 8:34 a.m. and I have been awake for just over an hour and am on my second cup of coffee. The first one was a cappuccino and this one is more like a latte (steamed milk, very little foam).

I love having my own espresso machine that also steams milk. Coffee from a coffee maker no longer appeals to me. We also have a french press - which I also enjoy having coffee from. There's just something natural and delicious about a french press. Of course, the right coffee really makes all the difference!

We prefer our coffee to be organic in nature, but we are not always given the choice to have organic coffee in our house, so we do often settle for coffee that is not organic.

We went grocery shopping last night and got a Black Onyx coffee for both our french press and espresso maker. It will be nice having the same coffee whether it's an espresso or french press.

It is officially now Summer Vacation and the days are flying by already. Carli goes to Summer Day Camp next week, that evening her grandfather will be arriving in town.

She was accepted into Summer School, but I didn't find that out until after I'd already signed her up for day camp. I called the Summer School District office and asked them if there was any way Carli would still be able to attend Summer School, even though she would be missing the first week. The director said that wouldn't be a problem and that all I would need to do was inform the teacher at "Meet the Teacher" night on June 3rd. Not a problem.

See, during the first week of Summer School (K-3 AIMS) the teachers pre-test the students to see where there may be deficencies so they (the teacher) knows where they (the student) will need the most help. Well, since Carli won't be there, the teacher won't know, so he or she will need to readjust for her and make an exception. Perhaps give Carli the pretest on her first Monday.

Anyway, guess that's about all for now. Later!