New Job & New Adventures

So, let's see.....oh yeah....I have a new job.  Two years at St. Mary Academy was not long enough.  I really liked it there.  I felt I was doing some good in the teaching world.  Enjoyed my students & even found my voice amoung the resident vetran teachers.  Budget cuts from the Diocese of Manchester....from full time to 10 hours a week.  I was all for working 2 five hour days but that wasn't what they wanted.  They wanted two hours each day...so I'd spend the same amount of time in the classroom as I would in my vehicle. 

Resumes out & all over NH.  Only two interviews.  I'm back at Highwatch-now called Lakeview.  I can't believe I've returned here 22 years later.  This story is also so crazy.  When I started they told me there was a teacher who had until the following tuesday to get his certification done & in....what they didn't tell both of us was that on my first day they were going to "fire" him from his teaching position and move me into that spot.  They eventually gave him a program director position which was awesome & I took the teaching position. 

Then, he gets the teaching position I really wanted at KMS.  I can't believe it.  He was on the school board in Albany so that may have had something to do with it since not once have I ever gotten a call back or notification that they've gotten my materials.  Oh, & to add insult to injury.....Max got hired into the JAGS teaching position w/ only a degree in fine art....no teaching degree nothing.  UGH!

Eli's at PSU for her first year & depending on how the wind blows she likes it/she hates it.  This should be interesting.  GROW UP!!!!  She should have taken a year off like we wanted her to do.  But NOOOOO, she knew better.

K is finishing up her senior year at Loyola.  Just had a call back interview.  Booked herself onto a cruise for spring break w/ a bunch of friends. 

T is now a freshmen at KHS.  He's doing ok.  Had a great cross country season.  Had many personal bests.  Was the second alternate for the D2's state meet.

M is 8th grader at KMS.  Can't believe it's my last year at KMS.  Time has flown.

Matt is starting to feel the pinch of this economy.  Jobs are hard to come by....thank goodness snow is around the corner.  I'm hoping it snows alot so that we can make some money.  We'll need a new truck come July as the little pick-up won't pass another inspection.

I like this new job, but it's a strain.  The behaviors I have to deal w/ each day are ridiculous.  And, we're never fully staffed.  It's crazy.  However, I keep reminding myself that everyone is healthy in my family, that we can pay our bills, and that I have a job that gives us insurance. 

Life is good.

What A Life

It's been so long since I've posted.

K has returned for the 2nd semester of her Sophomore year. She's been accepted into the study abroad program in New Castle UK.

E's having a great ski season so far. Junior year has been interesting to say the least.

T's doing well at skiing also. School-not so good. All our hopes for having a good year in a new school have not come to fruition. We need to figure out how to help him organize so that he's not missing work.

M's just happy being here at home. I think he really loves the fact that when he's here he doesn't need to share anything with anyone.

It finally snowed so YEAH!!! Money in the bank for us.

New job is going well & I really like it. There are negative people there but you find that at any work place.

Missing my college friends alot lately. I feel so disconnected living so far away. I need to change this in the new year.

BREWSTER ACADEMY-PART TWO

So, Eli received her acceptance to BA today!!! YEAH!!! I'm so excited for her & it'll be such a good move for her. I drove straight from our house to her school to give her the letter & see her reaction. She was excited at first until she read that they accepted her as a Sophomore and not a Junior. She began to cry & now is unsure of whether or not she wants to attend next fall. Eli knew going in that they accept very few juniors and there was a possibility that they'd take her as a second year sophomore.

Of course, the big issue right now is how to pay for this tuition plus Katherine's college tuition. We're going to get NO (that's right NO) financial aid from BA for this year. It's so maddening I could scream. If I had an extra $29,350.00 hanging out I'd just pay the tuition outright & not apply for financial aid. Did they not read my letter that was included in the financial aid package that said I'll more then likely be un-employed after Labor Day!!!! UGH! I don't feel that I ask for much, but my goodness when will I catch a break?

However, today is all about Eli's great news, even though she's not happy right now it's still AWESOME!!!!

NEW JOB????

Something to possibly look forward too once the school year ends. What's bothering me right now is that my possible lack of income won't show up on the FASFA for this upcoming school year it'll show up the following year.

I didn't think I was "safe", I just figured my job was secure because who has time to deal with substance using students in the school system??? I mean w/ no child left behind, and the teachers working w/o a contract this year...things are pretty tense as it is.

Time to brush up my resume and promote myself as someone you want working in your organization.

ugh

PROM-GRADUATION & THE FUTURE

So, Matt & I officially have a high school graudate in our midsts. On Saturday, May 23rd, our oldest K graduated from Brewster Academy. It was an overcast day & it was quite cold at the school. I'm thankful that the ceremony took place in the athletic center. The luncheon on Brown Field was a bit cold thanks to the proximity to Lake Winni. But, otherwise it was a very nice day. We got lots of pictures & even managed to get all the cousins (minus LC) in a pic together. Mom was finally able to be in a pic w/ K too.

On Thursday, May 21st was K's senior prom. We arrived at the boathouse on campus to take pics of her & all her friends. I loved the dress she wore-made by Laurie. The color was great on her. K's date Andy was a nice young man. They had a wonderful time at Bald Peak Country Club. Afterwards they went back to Brewster and had pancake breakfast made by the teachers & their senior slide show. I think they got to bed around 2am-all sleeping at Hilary's house. I know we got a lot of pics that night too. My memory card was full by the time K & Andy got to the arbor for pics. Oh well.

The future-what will it really hold for my little girl, my oldest child.....
In August she'll pack up all her belongings & we'll drive her to MD where she'll begin her freshmen year at Loyola University Maryland. She goes to this school like she did Brewster-not knowing anyone. (Although, at Brewster she knew Andrea from camp-but camp world is different from the real world.) I know she'll make friends & have many opportunities that she wouldn't have had if she went somewhere else. It was a blessing that Loyola took her off the wait list & offered her a financial aid package that she couldn't refuse. Thinking ahead to August brings tears to my eyes, but they're tears of happiness because this is what Matt & I have wanted for her since her birth.....a future rich in experiences with good friends and family always by her side to support her in any decisions she has to make.

Good Bye "Bitty"

Helen E. Noonan

Helen E. Noonan Naples, FL
Helen Elizabeth "Betty" (MacNeil) Noonan, 81, passed away peacefully April 18, 2009 after a lengthy illness. Formerly of Wellesley, MA, she resided in Naples, FL and summered in Osterville, MA.
She is survived by her sister, Mary Lou Gumlak, of Marion, MA; her children, Deborah Weaver of Culpepper, VA, Robert Stansell Jr. of Cohasset, MA, Carol Stansell of Freedom, NH, Alec Stansell of Wellfleet, MA; and stepchildren, Ret. Gen. Robert Noonan Jr. of Herndon, VA, David Noonan of San Diego, CA, Richard Noonan of Chatham ,NJ, Jean Mojo of Ridgewood, NJ and Mary-anne Crutchley of Stamford, CT; as well as 21 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her brother, Norman MacNeil, husbands, Robert A. Stansell and Robert W. Noonan; two children, Norman Stansell and Neil Stansell; and stepson, John Noonan.
She graduated from The Dana Hall School and Skidmore College. She was a member of Wilderness Golf Club in Naples and the Oyster Harbors Golf Club in Osterville, MA.
Visitation will be at the John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Road (Route 28) Marstons Mills, MA on Wednesday, April 22nd from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be at Our Lady of the Assumption Church, Wianno Avenue, Osterville, MA on April 23rd at 10:00 a.m.
A private burial service will take place at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, MA.
Donations in Betty's name may be made to the Visiting Nurse Association of Cape Cod and the Dana Farber Institute.