Ian

Ian is the 20 year-old college student that I started tutoring this week. I was a little nervous tutoring a young adult. My oldest students have been 6th graders. But it has been a really fun experience. I hate driving into town all the time, but at least I get to meet Mario for lunch afterwards.

Ian was born completely deaf. He didn't speak or hear until he was almost 6 years-old. At that point, he was given a cochlear implant. I can tell that the implant isn't completely effective for him because he reads my lips. So I have to be extra careful to look at him whenever I am speaking. But, I am impressed with how well he is doing. It is obvious that he has worked with a speech therapist for years. Unfortunately, he and his brother (who is also deaf) both have dyslexia. The brother is tutored with the Barton system at a private school in Phoenix and it has been very effective. So that's why Ian's mom contacted me. Ian is a student at the University of Arizona which is down here in Tucson and I am the only certified tutor in this town. If he doesn't improve, he will have to drop out of school and move back to Phoenix where he can get tutored there.

It was silly for me to worry about them affording my tutoring. Ian lives in a large home with a cleaning lady. He told me that his family has a vacation home on an island just off of Alaska. He drives a very nice truck and told me that he could pay me because he has a checkbook off his mom's account. Even though he sounds like he comes from a wealthy family, he in no way comes across as a snobby rich kid.

His mom would like him to drop down to only 1 or 2 classes next semester so he can work with me more. She also would like me to start tutoring him 1.5 -2 hours a day. Right now we have agreed 3 times per week but I know she would prefer 5 or 6. But I don't feel right giving up my volunteering on Tuesday and Thursdays at the school and I don't want to do evenings unless I can't do one of the other 3 days.

It was hard on me to leave the students behind in Monterey. I had so many that were making good process and there was no one to take my place since I was doing it free in the school. I know it will be hard to move next summer without completing the program with Ian. I just hope we can find him another tutor to take over by then.

What is Grass?

When we lived in Hawaii, I met a family at the park that had just moved in. The child was fascinated by the sand. He had never seen it before. I thought that was so odd. By time we move out of the desert next year, my kids are probably going to be fascinated by grass and everyone will think they are odd.

Here is Nathan enjoying the park in Idaho.

Idaho

Nathan has waited almost 3 years for his airplane ride alone with dad. Zach went to Connecticut with me in Jan 2009. Now Nathan is finally going. He and Mario left this morning for Boise, Idaho to visit Mario's Mom and Stepdad.

Fortunately they'll be back on Monday in time for trick-or-treating.



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Little Gasparilla Island, Florida Vacation Continued (Finally)

My sister found out about some beach houses on Little Gasparilla Island that are donated to military members who have served in Afghanistan or Iraq. A small realty company in Englewood, Florida started the program. We were lucky enough to stay in the owner's own beach home for two nights. The program allows for 3 nights, but we were only able to go for 2 because of Conference Weekend. We didn't want to miss any of the Sunday sessions. The home was donated along with the transportation by a water taxi. We couldn't believe that there was not a catch to the whole deal. In fact, they never even asked to see a military ID or anything.

We had the best couple days. It was so relaxing being out on the island that was practically deserted. I guess the busy rental season is over the summer. I have such fond memories of things like the battery running out on the golf cart and Mario having to push it back to the house while I steered (we can laugh about it now), walks on the beach at sunrise and sunset, teaching the kids how to kayak, playing legos with Nathan and Zachary, building sandcastles, and hanging out with my family. They were able to join us for one afternoon. If it weren't for church meetings, I think I could retire to an island like this. Mario and I LOVED it! It was so relaxing. Our view from the front window hasn't been this good since we lived in Hawaii Kai. In Hawaii we had a great view of the canal and then the ocean across the street. Oh how I miss those days! There's nothing like running along side the ocean.

Employed

I haven't made a dime working since I was a few months pregnant with Eric in 1997. But today that has changed. I now officially have a part time job tutoring 3 hours a week. Mario asks what I am going to spend my money on. He thinks I should spend it on whatever I want, like a new purse. I don't want to waste MY money on a purse. Then I realized that I have no problems spending Mario's hard earned money on a new purse, but I don't think I can buy one with my own hard earned money. That's probably not really fair to Mario and it really makes no sense since we have always shared our money anyway. He laughs when I say this, but I think I out-earned him while we were both in college. I think I will still put mine into savings so when we eventually buy our retirement home, I will feel like I contributed even if it is only such a small percentage compared to Mario. Or maybe I will increase the kids' mission funds. Either is a better option than the new purse.

Maybe Mario will get me the new purse for Christmas.

Shrek the Musical

I took Nate and Zach to see Shrek on Broadway. It was very cute. We really enjoyed it. It did have some potty humor that I made the boys promise not to repeat at school. I'm sure they've already broken their promise! There was no photography allowed in the music hall, so the only picture with Shrek is the fake Shrek in a car outside the hall.

Zach loves making me look like a bad mom. He told his teacher the next day that he didn't go to bed until 11 pm. He gave no explanation. So I assured her that his normal bedtime is normally between 7 & 8. Although tonight maybe it should be 6 since he tried to make me look like an irresponsible parent!

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Barton Tutoring

Well, I think I got my first, paid tutoring job. I was forced out of retirement (ha) by a desperate college student's mother. At first I told her I wasn't taking any students, but then I felt bad and agreed to tutor him since it will be during the day when my kids are in school. I meet with the student tomorrow to give him a screening to make sure he is ready for the Barton system.

I discovered the Barton tutoring in Monterey and I tutored about 9 students at the local elementary school. I tutored and volunteered so many hours that I got burnt out. So when we moved here, I took a break. I never planned on a two and a half year break, but it just happened. Most of the calls I got for tutoring were an hour away. Plus I get so busy with my own kids, that I didn't want to take my evenings away from them. Then Mario deployed, blah, blah, blah. I have many excuses. But now I have waited so long that I have to watch all the videos again and organize all my materials.

Can you tell how excited I am about it, I am blogging instead of prepping. Not a good sign! I am actually really excited about getting back into it, but I have become lazy. I like my days by myself at home. Now I will have to drive into town during the days because I don't want a college age guy coming to my house when I am alone. If he passes the screening, his mother would like him tutored as many days a week as I am willing. That presents a problem because I volunteer at the school at least 2 mornings a week. Do I give that up to make a few bucks tutoring? Not really worth the money. But when I look at it from this poor college guy's viewpoint, I think I owe it to him to give him as much tutoring as I can before I move next summer. But of course, my family will always come first.

My brother, Billy, always comments that he has no managerial skills. I have no business skills. When I told the mom my rate , I automatically responded with "I can give you a small discount since you want him tutored several times a week." She didn't even ask for a discount, but I felt so bad charging so much, that I offered her a discount. I think maybe I should put Mario in charge of handling my business affairs. I am just way too nice (if I say so myself.) Mario laughs at me and thinks I better not even cash the first check because I will probably feel so bad and give it back to the mom. He knows I would rather do it for free. But it is my time and my gas. I am charging the going rate for a certified tutor, so I shouldn't feel bad. But I do.