So, I guess a lot has happened since I last wrote. I purchased a house (to be sold to Rick and Holly in the future) and moved in at the end of October. Rick and Holly moved in with me about a week and a half ago, and we have been having lots of fun getting everything all set up! Work has been crazy, as usual for me. 
Our Del Sol football team has made the playoffs again this year, so I've been going to a lot of football games. We actually have a chance to go to state this year, so my fingers are definitely crossed! 
I also got to go to Six Flags with the Key Club again this year, and as always had lots of fun! As for now, I'm looking forward to the Holidays and having a real Christmas this year!
Well, I don't feel like I have a lot that's new, but I guess most of you don't hear from me every day, so it might be new to you.School started a few weeks ago, and so far things are going good. Out of the 16 Special Education teachers I manage, I think I'm only going to have problems with 2 or 3, which is much better than last year. I also already have 3 expulsions going on, and I'm hoping it won't be this busy for the rest of the year. Our school was finally able to go Title I this year, so we have a lot of money to spend on new programs. I've only had to deal with a few crazy parent so far, but I'm sure there will be more as the school year continues.We're still working on finding a house and have put in several offers. Vegas real estate is a crazy business at the moment. Fingers are currently crossed that something goes through soon, although I have had several people offer me a couch to stay on if I can't handle my roommates any longer! I really can't wait for Rick and Holly to move down here!So, in all, things here are good. I've been getting out more, so I'm not quite as bored as I normally was. My friend has tickets to the UNLV vs. Oregon State game next weekend, so that ought to be fun. Plus, a bunch of us at work got a discount for one of the shows downtown, and are trying to decide on a date to go. Here's to a great school year!
So, when visiting Kathy, you just never know what's going to happen!
Over the past few weeks, there have been a few things that have made this school year entirely worth all the hard work I have put in.
- My efforts at pushing the school towards full inclusion have paid off in that more than 4 times the number of Special education students passed the proficiency exams than last year.
- Twice as many sped students graduated this year compared to last year.
- One of my student brought me flowers and a candy lei (filled with life savers) and said thank you for saving my life. I had never been to a sadder meeting, parents/teachers/counselor/student in tears because he wasn't going to graduate - we worked out a deal, and he did an incredible amount of work and is now graduating. He's such a great kid, and I am so glad I was able to help.
I am looking forward to the break, although I will probably still go in and work over the summer. I am mostly looking forward to the break from all the staffing and drama issues! I am now pretty sure I will never go into administration, because I never want to deal with personnel issues again!
Our Del Sol football team has made the playoffs again this year, so I've been going to a lot of football games. We actually have a chance to go to state this year, so my fingers are definitely crossed! 
I also got to go to Six Flags with the Key Club again this year, and as always had lots of fun! As for now, I'm looking forward to the Holidays and having a real Christmas this year!
The original voodoo doughnut
I got a somewhat plain maple doughnut face, while Kat got a banana fritter topped with chocolate, peanut butter and cocoa puffs!
Picking apricots...
Picking cherries...
We also picked raspberries at another farm in Spokane. It was really fun to eat fruit fresh off the tree! While picking raspberries, the farm we were at also had tay berries, a cross between a blackberry and a raspberry. Most had already been picked, but we were able to sample some. Very different flavor, not really my style. But I LOVE the raspberries and have been snacking on them all day!!!
