Trick or Treat? ...Treat.
Oct. 31st, 2017 04:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
grammarwomanFirst off - Happy Halloween, everybody!
Life has been a lot, lately.
I took my van to the mechanic for a oil change weeks ago, and it has been sitting on the lot since then, as the engine did not want to start after the change and instead made horrible noises. To fix the problem, a used engine would run us 3-4 grand, which is well beyond the blue book value. *sigh* So I've been researching a replacement vehicle and getting frustrated; I had grand plans to buy a used one and save a bunch of money, but the car I want would only be a grand or two less used vs. new, which isn't worth it.
This also means we've been limping along with one functioning car. I can work from home, and have been, but that meant that I missed the last weeks of sharing space with my co-workers before they all got let go. At least I got to see them off at an offsite party last night. It has also been a balancing act with dropping the kid off at school and having him picked up after, as my husband starts work extra late and has to be reminded to pick him up.
The kid in question turned 13 last week. 13!!! I have not yet fully wrapped my brain around that. I mean, it's not like he hasn't been exhibiting sulky/bratty teen behavior for a while; it's just official now. He has been struggling with motivation, attention, and other executive function requirements for school. Ever since we downgraded his IEP to a 504, it feels like the school is just shrugging off any need to monitor his progress, which pisses me off so fucking much. If a kid with developmental needs is getting a D in a class, that MIGHT BE A WARNING SIGN. Maybe you should EVEN NOTIFY HIS PARENTS. *argh* I actually wrote a politely nasty note to his coordinator, which was super hard for non-confrontational me. Now I have to be That Mom who nags both sides to keep to the plan. It doesn't bode well for him succeeding if he does get into the lab school next year.
Due to feeling just overwhelmed, I decided to not sign up for Festivids this year. I've had a blast doing it since 2011, but I'm such a procrastinator that I usually wind up doing the majority of the work in the last couple of weeks, which means my holidays are a bundle of stress. So I thought about taking it easy this year and felt so relieved that I realized I should probably take a break. I might - OK, probably will - do a treat or two, or pick up a pinch hit, because I seem to thrive on lowered expectations and tight deadlines. But otherwise, I'll have some brain cycles to ponder entries for the final Vividcon.
At least the autumnal weather has finally arrived. It is just wrong like the wrongest of things to require AC in October. Now I can sleep properly cold (while my thin-blooded family complains - wear PJs, dudes!).
I'm thinking this evening calls for some spiced wine and curling up with media while taking door duty for trick-or-treaters. Maybe some chocolate munching, too. :) I hope you all have a lovely evening!
Life has been a lot, lately.
I took my van to the mechanic for a oil change weeks ago, and it has been sitting on the lot since then, as the engine did not want to start after the change and instead made horrible noises. To fix the problem, a used engine would run us 3-4 grand, which is well beyond the blue book value. *sigh* So I've been researching a replacement vehicle and getting frustrated; I had grand plans to buy a used one and save a bunch of money, but the car I want would only be a grand or two less used vs. new, which isn't worth it.
This also means we've been limping along with one functioning car. I can work from home, and have been, but that meant that I missed the last weeks of sharing space with my co-workers before they all got let go. At least I got to see them off at an offsite party last night. It has also been a balancing act with dropping the kid off at school and having him picked up after, as my husband starts work extra late and has to be reminded to pick him up.
The kid in question turned 13 last week. 13!!! I have not yet fully wrapped my brain around that. I mean, it's not like he hasn't been exhibiting sulky/bratty teen behavior for a while; it's just official now. He has been struggling with motivation, attention, and other executive function requirements for school. Ever since we downgraded his IEP to a 504, it feels like the school is just shrugging off any need to monitor his progress, which pisses me off so fucking much. If a kid with developmental needs is getting a D in a class, that MIGHT BE A WARNING SIGN. Maybe you should EVEN NOTIFY HIS PARENTS. *argh* I actually wrote a politely nasty note to his coordinator, which was super hard for non-confrontational me. Now I have to be That Mom who nags both sides to keep to the plan. It doesn't bode well for him succeeding if he does get into the lab school next year.
Due to feeling just overwhelmed, I decided to not sign up for Festivids this year. I've had a blast doing it since 2011, but I'm such a procrastinator that I usually wind up doing the majority of the work in the last couple of weeks, which means my holidays are a bundle of stress. So I thought about taking it easy this year and felt so relieved that I realized I should probably take a break. I might - OK, probably will - do a treat or two, or pick up a pinch hit, because I seem to thrive on lowered expectations and tight deadlines. But otherwise, I'll have some brain cycles to ponder entries for the final Vividcon.
At least the autumnal weather has finally arrived. It is just wrong like the wrongest of things to require AC in October. Now I can sleep properly cold (while my thin-blooded family complains - wear PJs, dudes!).
I'm thinking this evening calls for some spiced wine and curling up with media while taking door duty for trick-or-treaters. Maybe some chocolate munching, too. :) I hope you all have a lovely evening!
