You Can't Fly If You Don't Jump

 

I have received many requests for an update on Stepping Stone Academy!  I am honored to oblige those requests - thanks for caring!

If you want to catch up on what has already happened...

Jump Into Your Purpose

Baby Steps for Stepping Stone

Making Mountains Out of Stepping Stones


The funny part for me is going back and reading those posts...and shaking my head at myself for being SO naïve.  I had no idea what I was getting into...or how much I would LOVE it.

This journey is, by far, the most exhausting, stressful, and Holy-Wow complicated thing that I have ever taken on.  And yes, that includes having two small children (ask me about this when they are teenagers, and I may change my answer).

I recently posted to the blog's Facebook page that I had 2 weeks to be DONE, and my Social Services application turned in.  Since then I have gotten a lot of "WHAT?!" feedback, so allow me to explain:

Social Services is a state agency.

Understand now? 

In all of their wisdom and beautiful bureaucracy, Social Services needs me to accomplish about 6 months worth of work in about 2 weeks of "real world" time.  Why?  So that they can have their full 60 days of leisure to approve it all.  Otherwise, I risk not being approved before our target opening date of September 2.

My one teeny problem with this:  I have been calling and e-mailing the same Social Services office, talking to the same people, asking questions (stupid ones, if I am to judge by their attitude when answering them) and slaving away through the night, EVERY NIGHT, for two months now on all of the crap that they are demanding of me....and you don't think this could have come up before now?!

The mistake that the licensing agent made was acting incredulous when I told her "No problem," she could expect me to show up to my orientation program on July 8 with my application in hand.

She scoffed at me.  I could hear it.  Right through the phone. 

Challenge accepted.

Any energy, perseverance, or sweat that I had invested over the last 8 weeks looked like a total joke when compared to the aftermath of that conversation. 

I am 100% aware that my reaction to this challenge is unhealthy.  The amount of determination I am suffering from is borderline "Lock her up in the padded room!"  In my defense, however, I shared with a friend that I thought I might be kind of crazy, and we ultimately determined that if I was truly crazy...I probably wouldn't realize it.  Therefore, since I AM aware that my behavior is erratic and abnormal - I am not actually crazy.  Do not argue with this.  It has been decided, and I am not open to disputes.

Sleep has been pretty much eliminated from my routine.  No time for such a waste of precious hours.  My meals, when I do remember to eat, have consisted of whatever I can eat with one hand while typing, holding a phone, or driving with the other.  My children have sought shelter at their grandparents' or babysitter's house during the day, climb all over me and sit on my head while I type or make phone calls during the evening, and sleep soundly while I work through the night.  They are annoyed with me, to say the least, but I have explained to them that Mommy has to be a busy jerk for a few weeks, and we will be back to normal soon. They totally understand (No, they don't) and therefore, behave like angels (No, they don't) and certainly don't do crazy, wild things to try and get my attention (Yes, they do).  My mantra right now?  "We will ALL survive this."

So basically, I suck as a mom right now, but I am kicking this application's ass...kind of...sort of...mostly.

You may be wondering what exactly does "the application" mean - what's so terrible about filling out an application?  People do it all the time.  You apply for jobs, credit cards, whatever - we all do it.

The application for licensing a Child Day Center with the state is not just a form to be filled out, however.  I mean, there is a form that you have to fill out (several pages long, in fact), but it's all of the "required attachments" that get you...

Social Services Required Attachments for Initial Licensure:

VA State Corporation Commission Certificate - This is the certificate that you get when you register your business with the State. Check!


Business License - This one was easy.  I just went to the Town Hall, filled out a form, and wrote a check...after I calculated my "expected" revenue for September-December 2014.

Character Reference Letters from 3 people that are not related to you by blood or marriage - I actually had four AWESOME friends who got these to me within a couple of days of me asking for them.  THANK YOU times a million for y'all's awesomeness!  


Annual Operating Budget - HA!  I am tempted to slap my whole bajillion-paged business plan with 3 YEARS of annual budget and cash flow projections on their desk!  I can take zero credit for the numbers, that was totally the CPA from the business center and the credit analyst from the bank, but still - BOOM!  THANK YOU, totally patient CPA and Credit Analyst!  I promise I'm not as dumb as our conversations while constructing this document made me feel.


Evidence of Insurance - My "insurance lady" is on it!  THANK YOU super nice insurance lady who was willing to put up with me calling and saying "Hey...I need insurance...TODAY."


Credit Reference Letter from a Bank - Because the bank that I am working with on this is THE best bank with THE best people ever....the V.P. whipped this up for me this afternoon.  Another big THANK YOU goes here!

Operating Agreement - In your face Social Services!  I already went on Legal Zoom and got one of these for my loan process.  Next!

Asbestos Statement from an Asbestos Inspector - Nice try Social Services, but I asked my bank pals for this weeks ago and we just got it in the mail yesterday.  

Written statement of organization (who is responsible for what) - Yeah, I'm just going to whip up a flow chart for this one.  It'll say:

Employees' Responsibilities = The kids, DUH. 

M's responsibilities = Everything else...oh, and the kids.  Questions?

Signed Sworn Disclosure Statement - This is a redundant form that you are required to fill out and sign, swearing that you haven't committed any crimes.  You turn it in along with your background check....which is proof that you haven't committed any crimes...wait...what...  Never mind.  Printed it.  Signed it.  Done.

Staff Information Sheet - This is a piece of paper that you list your employees on.  At this point, I feel like they are just making random requests for trivial documentation.  This is uncomfortably familiar from being a classroom teacher in a public school....

Copies of any brochures to be used - Really?  You need to see my marketing materials?  I just....*siiiiiigh*  YeahOKSure.  Why not?

Daily Schedule for each age group - Oh dang, I need a schedule!  I was just going to let all of the kids run around and bounce off of each other all day.  I better get on that.  *eye roll*


Inventory of all indoor and outdoor play equipment - When I read this, I thought that I was misunderstanding it - you are probably thinking the same thing.  "Does that mean an actual list of EVERYTHING in the building that the kids can play with (every toy, how many books for each age group, what games, every DVD, CD, piece of sports equipment...)?"  Yes. Yes. It. Does. 

Criminal History Record Check - This has been sent to the State Police and I'm waiting for it to come back....and sweating every time I check the mailbox and it's not there.

Child Protective Services Central Registry Check - Well, if you can believe it, this is a form that has to be mailed to Social Services...and I have to wait to get it back...so that I can turn it in to THEM with my application.  Yeah...try to figure that out.  Actually, don't.  Don't waste the energy.

Building Inspector’s Report - Building should be ready for inspection any day!  Woo Hoo!

Fire Inspection Report - I have a meeting with the Fire Chief on Friday to schedule an inspection and to go over my Emergency Preparedness Plan.  That's another gem of a document that I'm expected to produce.

Department of Health Inspection Report - I called to schedule this and they were like, "Yeeeaaah, you don't need an appointment.  We'll just come out there whenever you're ready."  Ummm, thank you for making that 5 minutes of my life stress-free, you beautiful people!

Floor Plans/Site Plans - I submitted these to Social Services 3 WEEKS ago for the pre-approval process...and this will shock you...I have still not gotten anything back.  It very clearly said on the paperwork that I would get a response in 10 business days.  When I called (and called...and called) and finally got a hold of the Inspector who has them, I was basically told that they were really busy.  When I questioned the licensing office about that, I was again told that they were really busy and it just wasn't a priority.  Nice.

Copies of all forms to be used - Wait...Every form that I will use at the Academy?  For everything that requires a form?  Yes.  Yes, that is what that means.  And in case you want to know how many forms that is... I don't know.  I haven't counted them all, but they are currently occupying a decent sized chunk of my flash drive.

Copy of Policies & Procedures - This is a work in progress.  I'm about a dozen pages deep on the Stepping Stone Academy Staff Handbook and close to the same with the Parent Handbook.  Not even close to done.  Now you understand the constant typing...and the development of what I am fairly certain is carpal tunnel in my elbows.

List of the Director’s Qualifications - How about "I managed to complete this application...without even being rude to ANY of the super snarky people at the Social Services office.  THAT = Qualified." (I have actually been overly nice, even when they are straight-up nasty to me...because I'm kind of scared that they'll "lose" my files if I retaliate.  I feel like there's potential for that to be a real "deep end" moment for me, and I'm trying to avoid it.)  Or I'll just attach a copy of my VA State Teaching License and the Certificate of Completion from the online Director's course that I'm taking.  Either/or, really.
 

Soooo....not your typical "application" after all.
 

Do not mistake this blog post for a complaint, however!  I have learned a lot about myself in just the short time that I started this journey.  For one, I discovered the gift disorder that I possess suffer from.  I'm a challenge junkie.  (Here we go!  Another thing that needs a support group!  See (Awkward Anonymous) The sense of accomplishment each time I mark something off of the list, and realize that I am one little baby step closer to making things happen...it's amazing. 

I have also learned a lot about the people in my life.  There were some who disappointed me, who were unable to find joy in my new adventure, or who tried to use me for their own benefit.  They are greatly overshadowed, however, by the rest.  I have been touched by the amount of support that I have received, the number of people that are willing to help me, and how much happiness people have displayed for me. 

So maybe I am a little stressed, tired, and overwhelmed. 

No really, "maybe" I am - I have no idea, I don't have time to decide.  All I do know is that I feel filled with a purpose, driven towards accomplishing something that will mean even more to others than it will to me, and surrounded by good people willing to share in my journey.

By the way, I hope all of those super supportive people will show up when I do an "all-call" for volunteers to put together furniture and inventory equipment next week. :))
 

♥M

More Important Things Than Punctuality

My goal today:  Make it to Vacation Bible School by 6:00pm. 

I live 25 minutes from church. 

I left the house at 4:25pm.

Why?  Because I am 10 minutes late everywhere I go, and it's never for any one reason....and certainly not predictable ones.  There's always such a conglomerate of things that occur, that I don't even bother trying to explain anymore.  I just accept the pleasant surprise that people display when or if I do happen to be on time, and I just shrug and roll with it when I'm late.

So what happened today?  Was 1 hour and 35 minutes enough time to get 25 minutes down the road? 

1. We left early so we could stop at the library (4 blocks from home).  We had to inspect all 154 board books and 87 children's DVDs before making a selection...even though I offered several reminders that we would be back later in the week and could check out every book in the whole building by the end of the summer, so JUST PICK ONE.

2. While checking out their books and DVDs, I realize that the 2-year-old has pooped in her diaper.  We return home to change her.

3. We get back in the car and start to pull out of the driveway.  The 4-year-old announces that she has to pee.  We go back in the house.

4. We make it all the way out of the driveway and a whole mile from the house, when I realize that I have left my cell phone on the charger.  We go back and get it.

5.  This time we make it an entire 10 miles from home when the 4-year-old announces that she has to pee again.  There are no bathrooms.  We have to get off of the interstate and do a roadside number.  We get back onto the interstate.

6.  Now we have to stop at the dance school to register for summer classes.  The owner suggests that I not pay for the 2-year-old's classes until we see how she does the first week.  Since she is running in circles around the studio, screaming, and slamming doors, I accepted this as solid advise.

7. As we're leaving the dance studio, I realize that the 2-year-old has pooped in her diaper...again.  I change her in the car.

8. The 4-year-old has to pee...again. 

9. We finally make it to church.  It is 6:10pm.

WHAT would be my excuse for being late?  Which thing do I bother picking?  The fact that we got in out of the car 256 times, and each time I was sternly reminded that there was to be absolutely no amount of assistance from myself with their climbing in OR out of the vehicle, CERTAINLY didn't speed things up.  Note: It is a slow and painful agony to stand their grinding your teeth while waiting for this.  I have to chant things about "encouraging independence" in my head the whole time.

I used to stress about being late.  For the sake of my mental health, I now just embrace it.  You can't rush little kids.  I mean, you CAN...but the only one stressed out is YOU.  And is THAT  how I want my kids to remember me?  That I was yelling "Hurry up!" all of the time?  If we have to be somewhere and I start getting everyone ready 3 hours beforehand....and we're STILL late...C'est la vie!  They won't be little forever, and I refuse to waste the time that I do have with them by constantly being frazzled.  THEY are the most important thing in my life...and if I'm WITH them...then what's there to stress about?

So hug your babies tight, make time to stop and examine caterpillars or count rocks...and just avoid making appointments unless absolutely necessary.

"I am always late on principle, my principle being that punctuality is the thief of time." - Oscar Wilde

♥M

Dear Toxic People of the World

 

We all know someone who just CAN'T be happy.  It doesn't matter what they have or how much people do for them - they refuse to acknowledge joy or accept love in this world.  Those people are toxic...and they will do nothing but suck the good out of your life.

What makes a person toxic?  Not enough hugs as a child?  A missing chemical in their brain?  An intolerance for life's stress?

I have no idea.

There are signs that a person is a toxic force in your life, however. 

1. They are rarely grateful.  The words "Thank you" are rarely passed through their lips.  In their mind, anything you have done for them is something that they "deserved" anyway.  So why be grateful?

2. They have a distorted concept of "truth."  A toxic person usually has a different "version" of most anything that has happened.  They also tend to hear the same thing you did, but interpret it in an entirely different way - resulting in them having a whole different "truth" to yours.

3. They can never tell you what they want.  You will never be able to satisfy a toxic person, because you will never truly know what it is that they want.  Why?  Because THEY don't even know.  As soon as you think you understand what will make them happy, they decide that's not enough, or is the wrong thing.

4. They have no sense of empathy for strangers.  They see a person who looks "needy" and is disgusted by them without wondering how they got that way.  They see a child acting badly and scorn their parents without considering their personal situation.  They hear a story on the news about a tragedy in someone else's life and assume it was their fault. 

5. They rarely confront people, but will always tell you how they feel ABOUT that person...behind their back.  They may go as far as giving someone the cold shoulder or even cutting off communication altogether.  But explain why, or bother to talk to the person about what they even got upset about to begin with?  Forget it.

6. They are completely ignorant to anything happening in anyone else's life.  Someone got engaged?  Has been sick?  Announced they're pregnant?  Lost a family member?  Got a promotion?  Lost their job?  Bought a new house?  Well...even if they did know about it...they don't care. 

7. They don't fight fair.  If they do end up in a confrontation with you, please don't expect a toxic person to keep their blows above the belt.  They will rely on any and every hurtful thing they can conjure up to inflict pain.  It doesn't have to be valid or even true - they will use it to hurt you.

8. They have zero ambition.  They are satisfied with believing that life sucks and will never get any better.  They are content with being Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh and are annoyed with you for ever suggesting that their is a silver lining in any situation. 

9.  Their life is nothing but a series of misfortunes.  They cannot possibly be expected to feel happy for anyone else, or pity anyone else's misfortunes, because they have so many of their own.

10. They are vindictive.  Reality never actually comes into play here - they only have to believe in their head that you have wronged them.  Any punches that can be pulled to "get back" at you will be pulled. 

If you are seeking some type of advice or words of wisdom about changing this kind of person - STOP!  The only person's behavior that you can change is your own. 

This may mean removing yourself from the relationship.  This may mean seeking professional help.  This may mean staying in the relationship, but learning how to keep an "emotional distance" from that person.  Whatever your course of action - do not think that you are going to change them, or that it is even your responsibility to do so.

The only way to maintain your sanity and preserve your life's energy:  avoid them, set boundaries, get over your guilt, and do not defend yourself. 

"Don't defend myself?!" 

No.  Don't do it. 

There are two reasons for that.  1) You don't owe them an explanation for what they perceive as your shortcomings.  2) You are wasting your breath because their reality is different from yours anyway.

This will go against your very nature - it does mine!  I personally feel the need to explain myself to any and every person that may be dissatisfied with me.  I have this human need to be understood and liked by all people.  Toxic people do not deserve your explanations, however.  They will not understand your reasons.  They will not accept your logic.

So go against your inner grain.  Shut the door on the toxic forces in your life.  Celebrate your successes, relish in your blessings, and be happy with what you have and who you love.  Do not allow the poison that is a toxic person to take away from what you have and the love you have to offer. 

Be happy.  And make no excuses for it.

"People inspire you, or they drain you - pick them wisely."  - Hans Hansen

♥M

Last of the Lasts

I passed out my last set of report cards, packed my classroom for the last time, and waved goodbye to my last second grade class.

I feel... sad... happy... nostalgic... excited... conflicted. 

I will miss my students and all of their unconditional love.  The stories, hugs, handmade gifts and cards...  The quirks, class jokes, and comfortable routines that you fall into...  The joy in their faces when they "get it" and the pleasure they show when you recognize their hard work and success...  Watching them grow and mature and become smarter, more independent people by the end of each year...Those are the things I will miss about "my kids."

 I will miss my co-workers and the bond that we share over a job that no one really understands without actually living it every day.  The people that I've spent years "in the trenches" with... The people that have thrown me baby showers, been reassigned with, suffered through the worst staff development workshops with, laughed with, cried on, and supported me during tough times...  Those are the people I will miss being with every day.

I will miss joking with the janitors, practicing my crappy Spanish with the cafeteria manager, driving the secretary crazy by forgetting to do my attendance, and leaving coupons for headache medicine on the guidance counselor's desk.

I will miss banging on the door while my breastfeeding co-worker is pumping and ordering a milkshake to go.  I will miss out on taking down my friends snowman decorations and replacing them with white paper "puddle" cut-outs in the floor.  I won't get to use my line, "Do you REALLY want me to answer that?" in faculty meetings anymore.

I will miss my second grade team... my "Mama P," my "Bossy Brother," and being the "Bratty Sister."  You rarely in life find a niche that you fit so perfectly into as the three of us have over the years. 

There are a lot of things, and a lot of people that I will miss.

There are some that I won't.

For a big, fat start - I will not miss working somewhere where I am treated like a hostile life form from Planet Idiot every day.  I will not miss being talked down to, being manipulated, or having to watch my back all day, every day.  I will not miss the stress of always waiting for the next "thing" that I've done wrong, said wrong, or haven't done/said at all.  I will not miss the anxiety of being called to the office, but having no clue why.  I will not miss being snooped on, torn down, and picked apart on a regular basis.  I will not miss the anger that I feel when I watch my co-workers go through the same thing.  I will not miss having to smile and pretend like it doesn't bother me.

I will not miss having to "hold it."  Teachers are real people, with real bladders, people.  We deserve accolades for many things, but the number one thing we deserve recognition for is possessing the superhuman power of being able to go 8 hours without a bathroom break. 

I will not miss leaving my own children every morning.  I will not miss trying to get ready for work while they grab onto my legs, pull on my shirt, cry and beg for me to hold them and stay home. 

Teaching is not a job.  Teaching is who you are, what you do, and the thing that you love. 

At what point do you stop accepting the things that "come with the job," though?  When do you say, "No, that's NOT okay."  Just because we've gotten used to being treated a certain way, assigned certain tasks, or being taken advantage of....does that make it okay?  Teachers suffer many injustices for the sake of teaching.  We are told, however, that if we DON'T - then we must not really love our job, don't care about the kids enough, or aren't as "dedicated" as we could/should be.

I will never quit teaching...but I have quit "accepting."

"Sometimes walking away has nothing to do with weakness, and everything to do with strength.  We walk away not because we want others to realize our worth and value, but because we realize our own."

♥M

P.S. I try to never disappoint you when you comes to awkward moments, so allow me to share my "speech" from our End of the Year Luncheon...

I attempted to graciously accept a parting gift and return to my seat sans embarrassing myself, but no such luck.  Right as I got to my chair, The Boss asked, "Aren't you going to say anything?" 

Ummmmm....  What to say on the fly?  What indeed.

"Well...this is awkward.  I guess if you know any 2-12 year-old children that need childcare in the fall, please refer them to Stepping Stone Academy.  Oh, and I'm accepting applications if anyone wants a job."

I did throw in something at the end about enjoying my years at the school, etc. 

Public speaking on the fly is not my forte. 

How Much Are YOU Worth?

All jobs have some sort of evaluation system.  There's nothing wrong with assessing employee performance, including strengths and weaknesses.  It's what keeps us accountable, encourages us to do our best at all times, and provides feedback to improve performance.

The State of Virginia started working on implementing a new evaluation system for teachers in 2010.  This was my first year getting the "full experience" of it, and I have to say...it's a pretty disparaging process.

On Friday afternoon - after a long night of working on Stepping Stone Academy handbooks and a long day of taking my students on a particularly stressful field trip - an aide came to my room and said, "It's your turn." 

My stomach went into my throat, and I marched to the office holding my precious "Doc Log" in front of me like a shield of protection.

The culmination of your school year - which you have spent packing your Documentation Log full of "evidence" that you DO your job, attending countless meetings and suffering multiple observations, filling out charts and spreadsheets, giving tests, recording data and crunching numbers - is one final Summative Performance Report.  Your whole year is boiled down to ONE evaluation, ONE numerical "score"...and you are at the mercy of the ONE person filling it out.

What is your "score" based on?  For us, there's a total of 40 points and it breaks down as follows:

1. Professional Knowledge (4 points)
2. Instructional Planning (4 points)
3. Instructional Delivery (4 points)
4. Assessment & Student Learning (4 points)
5. Learning Environment (4 points)
6. Professionalism (4 points)
7. Student Academic Progress (16 points)

What does all that mean?  Here's the layman's version:

1. Professional Knowledge: Yes, you are smart.  Yes, you understand the curriculum, you know the subjects you are teaching inside and out, and you teach them all well.  That's great, BUT - are you spending your personal time and money on continuing education?  Are you going to extra workshops on the weekends and in the summer (NOT the ones you're required to attend)?  No?  Then you, my teacher friend, are merely "proficient" at your job, and not much more.

2. Instructional Planning:  You use the Standards of Learning to construct lesson plans, you seek out resources to plan awesome activities, you use data (and data, and data, and DATA!) to plan for each student and their developmental level.  You have detailed emergency plans, sub plans, and plans for making more plans after your current plans are implemented.  You reteach as needed,  you collaborate with colleagues, you're always prepared, you adjust and are flexible when it's necessary...  Great.  This makes you a capable person.  Were you expecting a pat on the back?

3. Instructional Delivery:  You are engaging in the classroom.  You use a variety of techniques to help the kids "get it"...you stand on your head and juggle at the same time, if that's what it takes!  You enhance your lessons for the struggling students, the average students, AND the gifted students.  You keep things fresh and no one gets bored.  You are as magical as a unicorn on a rainbow.  So...what?  You're supposed to be.  Get over yourself already.

4.  Assessment & Student Learning:  You live and breathe DATA.  You "measure student progress" (i.e. gives a bunch of different kinds of TESTS) and use the results to create magical spells of remediation and conjure up cases of "Give-a-Damn-itis" for your students and their parents.  You give constant feedback and encouragement on assignments.  Bravo - you're a teacher.  Moving on...

5. Learning Environment:  You are loving, nurturing, respectful, positive, and maintain a safe atmosphere of learning at all times.  You meet every kid's individual needs while maintaining a fair environment that leaves everyone feeling valued.  You handle disruptions and discipline like a pro.  That's because you are - because you're supposed to be.  You are not special.  You are not unique.  You are simply capable at your job.

6. Professionalism:  Again, are you spending your personal time and money on fine-tuning your teaching skills?  You better be.  Do you have a good rapport with your students and their parents?  You should.  Do you get along with and collaborate with your colleagues regularly?  That's expected.  You are also ethical, communicate well, handle additional responsibilities with finesse, and attend all faculty meetings and staff development programs.  Imagine that...you behave professionally at your professional job.  I should hope so.

7. Student Academic Progress:  This is the BIG ONE.  This is 16/40 of your points.  It's black and white - did your kids pass their End of the Year test with the goals that you set for them.  Notice I didn't just say "pass."  No, no - they don't just have to pass.  YOU set a goal score that you think they can achieve - not a passing score, a rigorous one - and they have to meet that goal.  Did they make a 100/A+ on the last 10 tests they took, but had a bad morning and only got a 84/C on this one?  Sucks for you...and for your evaluation.  Don't worry though, only 80% of them have to meet their goals.  That's doable! Well...depending on the number of students in your class.  If you're a Special Education teacher with 4 students taking the test...they better all meet their goals, because if one doesn't - that leaves you at 75%.  Keep in mind this is all based on one test - nothing else.

My work of art that is my Documentation Log contained all the necessary "evidence" and more.  Not because I'm awesome, but because I knew it better...or else. 

More than 2 hours after entering the office, I walked out.  My eyes were red and puffy, my spirits were battered, but I held in my hands my final evaluation of my teaching career....with a final score of "Exemplary." 

I should feel good about myself.  Or proud, maybe.

I don't.

I feel disgusted that we have reduced the teaching profession to placing a numerical value on such a subjective career.

I feel angry that I had to fight to prove that I do my job well, even with a binder full of evidence in my hands.

I feel relieved that I won't have to go through it again.

I feel remorse for my teacher friends that have to go through the whole thing all over again next year.

So, yes, it is June.  Summer break is fast approaching.  Which means that you will be tempted to start making comments about your teacher friends and "all of that time off." 

Don't do it.

Just don't.

Summer is not a break - it's a recovery period.  We cannot physically, mentally, or emotionally reproduce all that we do (and handle all that we endure) in a single school year (with a whole new set of kids each time) without having some time to recover from what we've been through.

So if you know a teacher, and you see them this month, the following greetings are an acceptable replacement for "You must be enjoying all of this time off!"

1. Just give them a hug and keep your mouth shut.
2. "Here...I bought you a bottle of wine."
3. Discreetly drop a business card into their bag for a really good shrink.
4. Offer them your beach house.
5. Congratulate them on not needing rehab.

Happy June!

♥M



Making Mountains Out of Stepping Stones

Where have I been for TWO WEEKS?!

Mountain climbing.  And every time I get to the top of a peak...I find a new, bigger mountain beyond the one I just conquered.

I turned in my application for our Conditional Use Permit for the Town - check!  I almost had to sell my first-born child to some traveling gypsies to pay for it, but we decided we would miss her if we did.  (At least until the next time she sasses me...then that plan is fair game again.)  Now we just waaaiiiit for the public hearing on June 12th to find out if it will be approved or not.  That's a long time to hold your breath...

The business plan is written - check!  I learned four things from sitting at my computer for 12 hours and writing that blasted thing:

1. You shouldn't skip eye doctor appointments, because I'm pretty sure staring at the computer screen for that long melted my last pair of contacts to my eyeballs.

2. Being a "writer" is of no benefit when constructing a business plan because you're supposed to use the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid!). That meant I had to constantly go back and remove my beloved adjectives, adverbs, and personal flamboyance.

3. Retraining your brain to write about yourself in third-person is ridiculously hard. I don't like it, and the whole thing sounds, to me, like Elmo wrote it.

4. I am not a fan of writing business plans.

I worked with the Director of the Small Business Development Center through e-mail and it has been edited, revised, and polished.  Now I'm just waaaaiiiiiiiting to meet with the SBDC's Certified Public Account to complete the Financial section.  Shockingly, it turns out that some people have things in their life going on besides getting my business started (ummm what?!), and the CPA is unavailable until next week. 

I did meet with the Loan Portfolio Manager from the bank to discuss loan options.  I was pretty indignant when I found out that my children do NOT count as collateral.  ("But THAT'S where all my money is?!")  I was also informed by the LPM that my financial statement was the funniest one he had ever received.  (Baby Steps for Stepping Stone)  Not because of my financials (which would've been MY guess), but because of all the notes I had stuck on it.  His favorite: the note in the middle of our monthly budget that said, "Don't judge me."

I certainly haven't sat idle while waiting for the inconsiderate CPA to return from her vacation, however.  (Seriously...how COULD she leave at a time like this?!) 

I have turned my attentions to Social Services (a.k.a. The People That Own Me Once I'm Licensed and Forevermore) instead.

First of all, I was an idiot for thinking that reading their 99-page Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers guide three times (with a highlighter...and I took notes!) was an accomplishment.  I was informed by the woman I spoke with at the Central Licensing Office that I also needed to make friends with the following documents:

Code of Virginia (56 pages)
Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (42 pages)
General Procedures and Information for Licensure (37 pages)

No problem.  I like to read.  I mean, usually it's like, a murder mystery or historical fiction....but, I can be a good sport and highlight stuff and take notes in all these manuals, too.  I'll have to do it in my "spare time" though, because she dropped another pile of "to-do" in my lap, as well.

Also, it turns out that having a degree in education, and 7 years of teaching experience, isn't enough to qualify me as the Director of my own facility.  If you're thinking, "No way!" don't worry, I'm right there with you.  Ok, so a 20-hour online course to get "management training" and a Director's Certificate, it is.  No biggie, I've been through worse.

Now let's talk employees...

I was patting myself on the back for having most of the "who" parts worked out.  THAT is always my first mistake - feeling accomplished.  Finding the perfect employees is a drop in the bucket.  I also need to make sure that they have/receive the following:

1. 24 hours of staff development (before we open)
2. CPR certifications
3. First Aid training
4. MAT training (for giving out meds)
5. Training in identifying and reporting child abuse
6. Training in performing Daily Health Observations
7. Tuberculosis screenings
8. Background checks (including sworn statements, criminal history, and registry checks)
9. Staff orientation

Well, that's cool...I'm just going to have to talk everyone into giving me their entire summer.  I'm sure they won't mind.  I will bribe them with...love and appreciation. 

And while I'm reading, taking an online course, and training my staff... I just need to type up a few documents.

1. Emergency Preparedness Plan (which has to be coordinated with your Local Emergency Manager)
2. Injury Prevention Plan
3. Playground Safety Plan
4. Student/Parent Handbooks (with Policies & Procedures)
5. About 30 different forms for registration, medicine, allergies, etc.
6. Employment applications
7. Employee contracts
8. Schedules for each age group
9. Schedules for employees
10. LOGS FOR EVERYTHING

No problem!  I'm an organized person.  I found some resources online for a lot of it (I'm a Google pro...but so is my mom).  I even have a friend who offered to help type and create documents (LOVE her!)

So where does that leave me?

Tired.  That's where.

And yet...still excited!

I'm working with a designer that a friend hooked me up with on my logo.  (Eeeeek!)  I have my website up and published.  (It's still a work in progress though - I don't have all the info I need to call it "done" yet.)  I'm scheduled to attend my orientation with Social Services on July 8th.  (I was told to bring all of my "friendly" documents along...ugh.)  I'm also supposed to meet with an insurance agent to get quotes on liability insurance for the business in the next few weeks.

Oh yeah...

And I'm still teaching second grade full-time...while trying to fit in the whole "wife and mother of two" thing...

The hubs needs a shout out here.  He has been cleaning (only as is absolutely necessary, but still...whatever he does - I DON'T have to do)  He has been dropping off AND picking up the kids.  He has been the "dance mom" when I couldn't.  He even took on the task of researching grants for me.  He's earned major brownie points.

The important thing to remember is this:  It CAN be done.  It WILL be done.  And WHEN it is...

“Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling, enduring, and accomplishing.” - George Sheehan

 

♥M

 

Baby Steps for Stepping Stone

                                  

I promised readers that I would post regular updates about my new adventure in the world of small business and opening a child care center, and there is much to update you on, so here goes...

First, let me just say that the reaction to my last post, Jump Into Your Purpose, has been INTENSE.  I'm going to push pause right now, so that I may say THANK YOU to everyone who has responded.  There has been ZERO negative feedback, and TOTAL support with enthusiasm for this chapter in my family's life.  (All of the buzz has really cut down on my projected advertising expenses, as well - so to my local readers - keep up the good work! Haha)

Also, I want to acknowledge the INCREDIBLE amount of work that my predecessor put into this particular project before me.  (The building's previous owner completely renovated it with the intentions of opening it as a daycare.) A lot of the battles that I have been prepared to fight - he already did; and I have been able to fit my footsteps neatly into his.  Certain zoning issues, almost all of the building's renovations, and even certain permits/public notices had already been taken care of.  I've never met this person, but every time I discover an item he inadvertently has checked off of MY to-list...  Well, I am beyond grateful for all of his hard work.  At times, it almost makes me feel guilty to benefit from someone else's hard work.  Then, I look at the mountains I have yet to climb...and I go back to just feeling grateful.

I have kept my pace of "full steam ahead" for the most part since my last post, and didn't waste much of the past five days.  I kicked my Friday night off with a visit to the Town Hall, and by the end of the weekend, I had met with the town's Mayor, Vice-Mayor, Treasurer, and a Councilwoman (twice).  I learned a lot about the history of the building, and finagled as much information out of the treasurer as possible.  (She threatened to quit her job at one point... so I only asked for like, three or four more things after that.)  I tracked the county's Building Inspector down at home (luckily, he's someone I've known since I was a child), and I only harassed him about half of a dozen times between Friday and Monday.  I left a message with the county's Director of Planning...and then three or four other people did too - Whoops!  (He probably threw his phone out of the window after he heard my name the fourth time.) 

Monday, I met with the county's Building Official and Building Inspector on-site and discussed any items that still needed to be done in order for the building to meet code (which the bank was already well on top of).  We also talked about the big "mysterious mystery" that plagues me still:  CAN we live in the upstairs and run the business downstairs?  I was told that "zoning is it's own kind of animal" and that we needed to be very sure about the answer to that question before proceeding on an assumption.  Which, I think we all know, means that I will be leaving a lot more messages and making a lot more people sick of my name until we find out.  (I blame the 5-year-old inside of me saying, "Are we there yet?!  Are we there yet?!")

The Loan Portfolio Manager from the bank that was kind enough to make the offer of personally walking me through the business budget and financials, had the pleasure of being tracked down by myself today, as well.  He had e-mailed a financial worksheet and a list of documents that he needed in order to start putting together some pre-qualifications for me, and I did my best to oblige, but... Phew.  I don't consider myself to be a stupid person, but after spending an hour digging through files and scrounging through my tax returns, then squinting at the teeny, ant-sized boxes on the "worksheet," I called it quits.  I stuffed everything that I thought looked important into a pretty envelope (that counts for something, right?), flipped the worksheet over, scrawled out MY version of my finances, and tacked a note at the top that read, "FYI - your worksheet made me feel like an idiot. :) M"  I hand-delivered it to his office and introduced myself as the woman that he would probably wish his wife had never made friends with.  Luckily, he seemed to have both a sense of humor AND the patience of Job, so he may survive working with me after all.

The biggest, most exciting meeting to date, however, was the one I had today at the local Small Business Development Center.  The bank President and Vice-President set up a meeting for me with themselves and the center's Director to get things started with my official business plan.  I was a nervous wreck.  I tried to look the part and wore my big-girl business clothes, grown-up jewelry, and even a pair of heels.  I also spent ten minutes on my hair instead of five.  I'm not entirely sure that any of that was necessary, but I was operating on the belief that if I looked like an adult, it would encourage me to act like one. 

I called my brother-in-law, who's a Certified Public Accountant, before the meeting; and I demanded that he answer 101 annoying questions that I thought knowing the answers to could potentially make me sound smarter when discussing business structure.  I still tapped my feet, drummed my fingers on the steering wheel, and chomped on gum the whole drive there. 

I managed to survive the meeting without saying anything too incredibly stupid.  They were kind enough to act impressed by the meager amount of homework I have done, so that puffed me up a bit.  (I say "meager" because when you put the pile of stuff I HAVE done next to pile of stuff I NEED to do...it makes me cringe a little.)  When asked about a timeline for completing the business plan (a.k.a. 25-page research paper), the Director indicated that it would mostly depend on how quickly I got it written.  The V.P. laughed, and told her not to be surprised if it was in her e-mail by Monday.

I know she was joking, but...

                  don't be too upset, dear readers, if you don't hear from me for a couple of days.  ;)

♥M

 

P.S. Guess what came up during my business meeting?  THE BLOG!  WAY TO GO! readers, on spreading the word!  Y'all rock!

The Rugged Maniac



As you will have noticed with this post, I did in fact survive the 5K obstacle course that all of my training posts were in reference to...

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability - Part 2

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability - Part 3

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability - Part 4

High on Aspiration...Low on Ability - Part 5

I have to admit, I had really psyched myself out about this Rugged Maniac race...and it wasn't that bad. 

I don't mean that I was some total badass that dominated every obstacle and sprinted the whole course.  Not even close.  I did TRY every obstacle and only failed at two; but there was definitely more than one challenge that required teamwork and a helping hand (or two). 

What impressed me thoroughly about the whole thing, however, was the whole atmosphere of the "race."  All of the super competitive, every-man-for-himself types must have been in the first few waves of runners; because, by my 10:45am heat, the whole attitude was one of FUN, "go at your own pace," and "we're all in this together." 

I had a blast, and told my brother-in-law when we finished, "I feel like I could climb a mountain right now!  I CAN'T!  But I FEEL like I could!"

And since my dedicated readers seem to remain loyal, despite the fact that I constantly remind you what a crazy person I am, I will share my 3 HUGE pre-race fears with you:

1. My contacts...because if I lose one, then I can't see (duh).  Like (-7/20) Rx can't see.

2. My hair...yeah, yeah, I might not spend a lot of time on it, but I do try to make sure I won't be mortally embarrassed if I see someone I know when I leave the house.  What if I lose my headband?!  What if my bobby pins come out and my bangs end up standing straight up with mud?!  These are valid female concerns.

And speaking of female concerns...

3. My lady parts...I am sooooo sorry right now for my male readers, but let's get real - no lady wants her undies full of mud.  And for those that were worried about it, I did remember to wear undies - you're welcome (Freaky Friday).

I am happy to report that none of  my fears were realized; and I was a well-sighted, mostly comfortable person with respectable enough looking hair - including my headband - at the end of the race.

The course itself was 3.1 miles long and had the following obstacles:

1. Small Walls  - After a decent trail run over pretty clumsy-person-dangerous terrain, we arrived at two pieces of plywood that we were supposed to jump over.  Yeah, I climbed over them.  Carefully.

2. A-frames - A huge wooden A-frame ladder...only the "rungs" were like 3 feet or more apart.  These were my favorite because I actually climbed up, over, and down like a spider monkey and that made me feel super cool.  I did take a kick to the throat by an excited guy next to me, but he said, "Sorry," so I forgave him.

3. Mud Crawl - Crawling in mud...under BARBED WIRE?!  Um, no thanks on getting sliced up.  I went a little overboard on staying low here, because I have been known to miscalculate the size of my derriere and bump into things.  Not that big of a deal if it's like, a table, but a super huge deal if it's like, BARBED WIRE.  So I stayed almost totally flat in a push-up position and drug myself through the mud by my arms.  A good workout, to say the least (but my bum stayed safe).

4. Jump Trench - When I got to these huge pits in the ground, I thought, "Crap."  I have NO confidence in my ability to jump over things.  I clench up in the air and drop like a rock.  My landings are terrible, even if they are on my feet.  I got a running start, held my breath, and made it over about three or four of the pits before I got to one that was like, 5 FEET across and I screeched to a halt immediately.  I am not Batman - I will not pretend that I can jump that far.  That is the one and only thing I refused to do all day, and I walked around it.  I finished jumping over the rest of the totally reasonable, albeit terrifying, 3-4 foot wide pits and carried on.

5. Crawling Trenches - MORE BARBED WIRE!?  Back on my stomach, but this time I frog kicked/army crawled through the mud, under that danged barbed wire.  I am positive that THIS will be the ONE thing that they got a picture of all day.

6. Mud Pit - It was a pit...of mud.  Naturally, I got stuck and had to hold onto to a super sweet girl who took pity on me, and pulled myself out of the quicksand-ish mud.  At this point, I am already starting to be annoyed by all of the MUD.  Really unfortunate considering I had 19 more obstacles to go through.

7. Buoys - Huge pit of muddy water lined with buoys.  People were swimming under them.  They obviously didn't wear contacts.  I climbed over them all (very gracefully, I might add).

8. Tall Walls - These were huge plywood "walls" that you were supposedly going to be able to pull yourself up and over.  What am I, a Navy Seal?!  Basically, my brother-in-law boosted me as high as he could and I grabbed the top and pulled myself up onto my stomach, slowly did a 180, and fell over the other side. Then, I got my entire right leg stuck in mud up to my thigh and the trusty brother-in-law had to hold my arm while I horse-kicked my leg out of the mud (very UNgracefully, I might add).

9. Ladder Walls - Basically a repeat of #2.

10.  Show Catcher - Appropriately named, this involved wading through muddy water that dropped off in random places and varied from knee-depth to chest-depth mayhem.  Then, you got to a straight up wall of slick mud....that you were expected to climb up.  The ONLY reason I made it over was because of some awesome people that took it upon themselves to lay across the top and hold their hands down to help.  I really hope they were from out-of-state (and that I never see them again) because once I had run-climbed the wall as high as I could, they helped haul me over the top - but I landed like, ON them...and rolled down the other side. 

11. Bag Carry - This one made me laugh.  You had to throw a weighted sack across your shoulders and run to the next stop.  Please.  I carry one 30-lb. kid AND one 40-lb. kid on my shoulders/back/hips on a regular basis - at the same time.  These people should be ashamed to tell any mom that this was an "obstacle."

12. Tube Crawl - You slid down a tube, landed in mud, waded through it, and climbed up another tube.  It was harder than it sounds.

13. Pole Hop - This is an inaccuracy on their itinerary - THERE WAS MORE BARBED WIRE!  This time I just lay down in front of it and log-rolled under the whole she-bang.  Great plan, except I had no sense of time and space when I stood up on the other side.  I had to climb the mud hill on the other side at a diagonal angle because I was so dizzy, I wasn't sure where the ground was.

14. Ring Cross - These were rings that you had to swing from one to the other across a pit of muddy water.  This was the first EPIC fail I had.  My hands were so muddy that as soon as I jumped off of the platform and went to swing from one ring to the next, my hands slipped, and I went swimming.  I had to do the climb of shame out of the water hole. 

15. Mulch Climb - This was a GIGANTIC mountain of mulch that you had to literally run up and then down.  I want to know what they did with it afterwards, because my front yard is looking kind of shabby right now...

16. Balance Beam - Literally a balance beam (across a pit of muddy water, of course).  I rocked this.  All you had to do was walk...quickly and carefully.  Score.

17. Twin Peaks - I dunno what this name is supposed to mean, but what it was - in real life - was a scarily forever-long, mud tunnel under the ground that you were SUPPOSED to crawl through; but my knees and shins were so shredded at this point that I couldn't.  Instead, I crouched/squatted and used my fingertips to walk through the tunnel Orangutan-style.  Luckily it was dark, so no one could see this.  Another stupendous workout.

18. Seesaw - You had to run up a huge seesaw and then down the other side.  It looked really scary, but was easy enough to boost my confidence and lead me to believe I could try the next thing...

19. Ninja - Four boards, set at an angle, diagonally from each other, over a pit - you are SUPPOSED to "Ninja-leap" from one to the other.  I ran, jumped, and after hitting the first board, my confidence died an immediate death - I called it quits mid-air and dropped into the pit.  Epic fail #2.

20. Mount Maniac - Another appropriately named obstacle.  This was the one that I NEVER would have done, nor probably EVER could do, without help.  There was an insanely high wooden wall you had to get to the top of...then a rope wall to climb across AND up...then a slide to go down.  The wooden wall you had to "climb" was ridiculous, and if my brother-in-law hadn't pushed me while another guy pulled me, I wouldn't have made it.  I needed the guy at the top because my hands were covered in mud and and even though I could jump and grab the top of the wall, I kept slipping.  He grabbed my arm after my hands slipped the last time and ended up completely pulling me over the top of the wall.  At one point he asked me, "Are you Ok? Do you have a grip?" and I told him, "NO!  If you let go, I will fall and take down all of the people under me!!!"  He yanked me over the top and I thanked him (again, hoping he was from out-of-state).  After that, the rope floor/wall was no problem.  BUT - the slide scared the crap out of me.  Sitting at the top of it and looking down was intense.  I almost climbed back down the wall.  A girl offered to push me...but that freaked me out even more, so I just closed my eyes and did it.  Phew!

21. Superhero - We swam through....you guessed it!  Muddy water.

22. Crawl Under - MUD.

23. Pit - MUD.

24. Cargo climb - Running up...and then down...a mountain of...MUD.

25. Fire Jump - Running and jumping over three separate rows of burning logs.  Terrifying stuff for a clumsy jumper, by the way.

And then...THE FINISH LINE!  1 hour and 45 minutes after leaving the starting line, we were DONE!  It felt...insanely euphoric.  Enough so that people were actually getting ENGAGED at the finish line.  I couldn't see well enough to tell if there was a ring, and it was actually planned, or they were just CRAZY high off of the race and acting on endorphins.  My brother-in-law and I watched that madness, celebrated with a respectably brief hug and then then bee-lined to the truck to grab our phones and snap pics of each other to send to our spouses.  We're definitely bonded for life after this, but not in a Jerry Springer kind of way.  (I live in a small town, I have to state these things, sorry.)

Because I was so invincible after my race, I decided I would take advantage of my "free beer" wristband that came with my race registration.  I have been through college (including being a sorority girl) and have NEVER been able to drink a beer.  But I was a Rugged Maniac now!  Surely I could drink a beer!?  Phew - I tried.  I ended up sipping on it for 30 minutes and then had to pass it off on my brother-in-law.  Apparently, I am not THAT rugged yet.  *Gag!*

Did I enjoy it?  YES.  Will I do it again? YES.  Am I insane?  YES.

The fact that the whole thing was like a personal challenge rolled into a team-building exercise was awesome.  Hopefully, next year we can talk some people into joining us and make a whole team!  The sense of accomplishment when you cross that finish line - it's like no other!

"You are never late to live."

♥M

Jump Into Your Purpose

First let me apologize to my readers for completely abandoning you for a SOLID WEEK!  I promise that I haven't been twiddling my thumbs, though; and I hope that my excitement over why I have been absent will help you to forgive me...

Last week, I got a message out of the blue from an old co-worker at the bank.  It was one of those innocent things that can start an avalanche in your life...and this did, for sure.  The message was basically this: We (the bank) own a building that has been renovated to be a daycare.  We heard you are staying home next year, and thought you might be interested."

Psssssh!  Yeah, right.  I had made it clear to the 278 people that had previously suggested it - I was NOT opening a daycare.  That was one of those life's dreams of mine, and I was all too aware of what the venture would entail.  It would mean giving up everything (and every dollar) to strike out on my own, risk my family's security, and all just to become a small-business statistic concerning failure in the first 3 years. 

So on Friday, I went and checked out the building with the bank's V.P. 

It took my breath away.  It was so perfect, it hurt my insides.  The set-up is such that we could actually live upstairs and run the daycare downstairs.  I could live at work.  (Which is great, because I need any help I can get with my genetic predisposition to being 5 minutes late...or more...everywhere I go.)  I started dreaming on the spot...and that made me nervous.  I didn't deserve this!  I couldn't pull this off!  I didn't have start-up money for a business!  Every concern I had was waved away, only making me more hopeful...which made me REALLY nervous.  "What do you need from me?  What are you looking for?" I asked my tour guide.  The short answer?  Someone with a passion for children, who will commit to this project 100%.  Someone who will put the blood, sweat, and tears into this place to get it where it should be, and offer this community what it needs.

She described me.

I lost all control of my dreams, hopes, and "what if's." 

She handed me the key and told me to think about it over the weekend.  I spent the whole weekend obsessing, researching, and sharing my meanderings with my family.  I took the hubs to the building and showed him around.  He was immediately in love.  "M!  This is what we've been waiting for!  We can do this TOGETHER and BE TOGETHER like we always dreamed!"  I tried to talk him down.  "It's going to be our whole life!  It's all we'll do, all we'll think about, all we'll have time for!" 

"But we'll be TOGETHER.  We'll do this TOGETHER." he says.

And that was the end of my will power to say "No." 

I spent the weekend with my nose buried in business manuals, social services standards, and zoning and building code requirements.  I made lists and crunched numbers.  I called every contact I have that I thought could possibly offer me advice...or talk me out of it.  I consulted with a realtor, two social workers, a previous daycare manager, the principal of the school across from the building, someone on the county's board of supervisors, an insurance agent, a loan officer, and my pastor.  I spent hours on the Internet searching for helpful articles about starting a business, how-to blogs, and procedural manuals. 

I was a woman on a mission.

The most productive part of of it all?  Finding out exactly what people thought of me, and my potential business prowess:

"Sometimes, your plan isn't God's plan."

"Once your fire is lit on something, NO ONE can stop you - you WILL make this happen.  I know it."

"Life is like a puzzle, but you don't have the box cover with the picture, so you don't know what it's supposed to look like when you're done.  You just have to let Him fit the pieces together."

"If there was anyone that could succeed at this...it's you."

"Maybe this is what God's been preparing you for all along.  You've been through things and had experiences that, without them, you might not have been prepared to climb this hill."

"It's going to be a lot of work, but you can do it.  There isn't anyone who won't believe in you."

Wow.  As I'm sure you can imagine - hearing words like that...to your face...when you're feeling totally NOT confident...I cried.  (By the way - this stuff is documented now, y'all, so don't try to take it back when I fail miserably! Haha!)  I knew that I had super awesome friends, and that my family loved me... but to have that amount of support when you are doubting yourself?  Well, obviously, I was super awkward and said something to ruin the moment every time, but STILL - I heard their words, and it made my heart swell.

So what have I been doing this week?  Well, I have read enough state and federal material to probably fill three novels.  I have begun working on a budget and a schedule, researched and decided on a business structure, registered my business with both the state and federal government, secured my official certificate from the State Corporation Commission for my business... I've been busy. 

The to-do list is endless.  I still have to finish my research on all of the costs for start-up equipment and supplies, recruit top-notch potential employees, set up training and certification classes for said employees, get business and zoning and licensing through my town/county/state, and work my way through grants/loans. 

I should be overwhelmed. 

I'm not.  I'm enjoying the challenge.  I'm embracing the sense of accomplishment that each item checked off of the to-do list brings me.  That also worries me.  Why am I not freaking out?  Is six days just not enough time to fully realize what I am doing?  Will it sink in next week, or next month?  Or am I just actually on the path that I am meant to be on?  Am I FINALLY realizing a purpose, and a mission, and fulfilling some part of my destiny that's been waiting for me to catch up?  (Whoa, getting kind of touchy-feely again...)

Right now everything is in the "dream phase."  At any moment something could rear it's head and snatch all of my dreams away.  THAT is what my life's experience tells me.  THAT is what leaves me feeling skeptical at the conclusion of each daydream. 

But why let that stop me?  Why live waiting for the other shoe to drop? 

I can't.  I will never realize this dream unless I push through all of the self-doubt, ignore the people who aren't as supportive as my real friends and family, and take the biggest risk I've ever taken in my whole life.

Which leads me to what I decided to name my preschool.

I have faced many obstacles in my life.  Many things that I could have chosen to stumble over and not get back up from.  We all have.  Our children need to be prepared for the same thing.  If there is anything that I am passionate about, it is children...and their education beyond standardized tests and letter grades. 

Stumbling blocks in life are only stepping stones, but only for those who have been prepared to be strong, tenacious, adventuresome, and independent.

Which is why I am pleased to announce that I am the official owner and director of Stepping Stone Academy, LLC.

"Jump, and you will find out how to unfold your wings as you fall."  - Ray Bradbury

♥M



Spring Awareness

 

I've been out and about more than usual lately (Spring Break, Easter, etc.) and was struck with the inspiration to write another one of my lists.  Small tastes of Spring weather seem to bring out an extra dose of misguided experimentation in the fashion department.  I am far from being fashion conscious, and speak with no authority on such things as "trends" or "fads."  I do, however, sense a need for a certain level of "Spring Awareness" across the general population as the temperatures rise. 

What You Should NOT Be Wearing In Public:

1. Your clothes from last night.  Yeah...we can tell.

2. Bedroom slippers.  If I can't wear mine all day, then neither can you.

3.  Lingerie.  Seriously...I saw someone out in their lacy boy shorts and satin tank top.  (This will shock you... but I was at Wal-Mart.)

4. Your bathing suit...and nothing else...unless you are ON the beach or AT the pool.  Please.

5.  Sunglasses...indoors.  Unless you have a disability, this in inexcusable.  Don't.  Just don't.

6.  Short-shorts...with very few exceptions.  If you are under 18, you need a whippin.'  If you are over 25, then you are embarrassing yourself.  22 years old and jammin' at a pop concert?  Go for it.

7.  Open-toed shoes ...sans a post-winter pedicure.  I know you're excited because it's a random, warm day...but please - at least trim your toenails before bringing the flip-flops out of hibernation.

8.   The same outfit as your teen-aged child/grandchild.  If you are old enough to get a senior citizen's discount, then you are too old to shop in the Juniors department.

9.  Hair styling apparatus.  No, no, no - do not leave the salon's premises with your curlers or foils on your head.

10. Clothes that don't fit you.  I'm definitely guilty of trying to make a pre-baby piece of clothing work here or there, but let's not make it a habit.  If you cannot comfortably sit or bend over, then we can not comfortably be around you when you do it.

As a side note, I asked the hubs if he had anything to offer for this post.  His only helpful suggestion was to 'people watch' at Wal-Mart....which is kind of what started this anyway.  I also expressed my desire to be casually funny, without being snotty and sounding mean.  He said "Good luck with THAT."  Hmmm...

We've all committed at least one transgression. We get excited when that first 70 degree day hits, and just completely forget ourselves. Oh, the shame!

Are you a Spring Awareness offender and need to confess?  Did I leave anything pertinent off of the list?  Feel free to add offenses and/or confessions below! ;)

♥M