I’m connecting up once again with Kimberly at Caffeinated Reviewer.
Sunday was a nice relaxing day at home, other than having to mow in slightly cooler weather than normal. We had a frost warning in the morning, and it was only about 50 degrees when I went out to mow, because I needed to get that done before the latest White Trash Zombie Read Along Chat at 2 pm.
Monday was a busy day at work. Same old issues going on. The weather was beautiful. Sadly I got home to an email from the guy who did an appraisal on my house and it came in $17K lower than we’d hoped. He didn’t put that my house was 3 bedroom, but I doubt that makes that big of a difference, so I’ll just be trying to continue to scrape by and continuing to use the credit cards until hopefully next August when my raise will kick in at my miserable job.
Tuesday was busy, but because they had a group in the library first thing in the morning, and being a block day they wouldn’t keep the kids all hour anyway, they had the kids just go to one of the Interventionists’ rooms for the hall sweep. Found out my library clerk is going to resign because she wasn’t going to be able to come back and not take any days off, which would have meant they’d have to fire her. So I will have the sub stay for May, then we’ll probably be hiring someone to replace my clerk. Got a weird loan paper from the mortgage company offering me a loan for $3K more than what I already owe, so not sure why they’d think I’d want to do that when the interest rate is worse than what I already have. Tried calling and emailing the people I was working with, and haven’t heard anything back.
Wednesday went by pretty quickly. Not a bad day overall. My library clerk did resign for sure I guess on Tuesday, so while I asked her sub about if she wanted the job next year, she didn’t think she would. Especially since she has days she can’t work the whole day already. So I’ll get to interview for someone I hope!
Thursday was another mostly fast day. However in the afternoon the number of kids in the library for the hall sweep/detention thing was a little higher and it was not at all like a detention or punishment in my opinion. They were sitting around talking to each other. When I walked by one group of girls while I was checking on something for another student I heard one girl tell the other that she thinks I’m ugly. It was obviously said loud enough so I could hear it. I honestly don’t care what they think, but it’s really sucky to have them just be so rude all the time. Paid bills, broke again, still waiting to hear if the appraisal challenge will make any difference. But my guess is no.
Friday sucked. Another day I had to go to the back textbook room in my library and take a minute to let a few tears out and get them under control. Feeling like I just need to look for a job outside of education and maybe get my retirement as extra money at the age of 60 when I think I can get it without having to have taught any more years that I already have. But I’m going to reach out to the Missouri school retirement system and ask on that. And start looking at other jobs outside of education. My clerk’s sub has a background in finances and she offered to look at my finances for a month and maybe help me figure out some things I can work on. I know I’m terrible with money, so I am going to start saving receipts and see what she might be able to help with. I’m guessing I won’t get the refinance on my house, or they’re going to want me to do some things before I can get the money, and in a way, that’s the reason I want the money, to get those things done.
Saturday just didn’t feel like getting out of bed. Stayed there until about 9:30 am when my dogs heard the neighbors’ dogs barking and they wouldn’t go back to sleep because they wanted to go bark. So I got up, panicked a bit when I realized I hadn’t signed up for next year’s health care and I wasn’t sure how long I had to do that. But checked the email from the district and realized I had till the end of this week. Skipped coffee with my sister, dad, and stepmom, the last two just back from visiting my other sister in Scotland on Friday night. I had assumed they wouldn’t be up for that, and with having to chaperone prom in the evening, just wasn’t up to getting out of the house for any extra social/people activities. Spent most of the day commenting on blogs that I didn’t have time to do all week. Then had to go to the prom across town, and on a night there was a Tornado Watch, and possible high winds and hail, I did not want to have my car sitting out in it. But it ended up just being pouring down rain, and prom was nice to see the kids all dressed up. The theme was Great Gatsby and they definitely did a lot of matching the theme this year!
Books Finished
First was the ARC I started on Friday. The middle two were e-galleys. Passing Notes was for SmartyPants Romance, and The Love Algorithm for a blog tour. All reviews were posted this past week. Along with my DNF Report on Saturday. The fourth was an audiobook I fit in both to hit my Beat the Backshelf challenge as well as it was short and perfect to finish before I start the next WTZ book.
New Additions to My Library
ARCs:
None
Audiobooks:
None
Bookish Stuff:
None
E-galleys:
This one is from the author’s review team, should be posting a review in about 2 weeks when it is published.
Free E-books:
So there was a stuff your Kindle day on Tuesday and I might have grabbed a few freebies from Amazon.
The first one was also a freebie on Amazon, I found it listed on Bookbub. Second was a freebie from the author from being one of her Patreon members. I couldn’t find a copy of the discreet cover to share for that one, because I kind of prefer those than the half naked guy covers, lol. Third was also free on Amazon, the author emailed in her newsletter about it.
Physical Books:
None
What I’m Watching
All the usual shows! Decided to do a 7 day trial to MGM+ to continue watching the show I found one episode on Amazon Prime – From, I did enjoy the few more episodes I watched, but didn’t want to pay for another subscription so didn’t get to finish it. So sad about what happened on Survivor this week. My favorite contestant got voted out. But, to be fair, they had an idol and didn’t play it, so that was kind of stupid. So many contestants on there end up going home with idols in their pockets. It’s crazy!
Coming Up Next Week on My Blog
All of these are e-galleys, first for an author review team, second one was one I requested on Netgalley, and the last two are for SmartyPants Romance. All reviews should be posted this week.
There will also be my L-L-L Review post for the month, which will include the review for Happy Medium, as well as the April Wrap-up since it will be May on Wednesday!
Final Thoughts
We had some crazy weather this week! Thursday and into Friday we had some heavy rain and also some really high wind speeds! Saturday was supposed to have some bad weather in the evening, although the main part of the day was just cloudy with sun glaring behind the clouds to make it still a day for sunglasses when driving.
And another month bites the dust! We’re into May and the final countdown for the school year by the end of this coming week! Although I’m doing summer school, so I’m not quite done with my early mornings until July sadly. How was your April?
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Im really sorry to hear that this week has been so unkind to you! Hopefully something will come up with a job that you can find more happiness at and feel more financially stable! I save all my receipts in a month and look at them when my statement comes – it is helpful to really see what you are spending money on in a month. I know I have found ways to cut down my own costs that way.
Thanks. I’m just so on the fence of being able to just let things go and try to make it through the next 4 years to even just get to do the library things I enjoy and live for, the state librarians meetings and conferences as well as national ones too. Or do I try to get out now. Yeah, I know how I spend my money wrong, but need to do more with actually setting a budget to try to stop it.
I’m sorry to hear about your work troubles! That’s rough. I always felt like I wouldn’t be able to handle working in a school myself because I remember how teens were when I was in school and they were just as ruthless. I wish you the best of luck in trying to find something else that will work for you! I know how hard it is. Sorry to hear about your refinancing as well! I’m still struggling to find something that I can afford! I got excited about a house that was near my sister, but then was devastated when I heard they wanted cash only. Then my sister told me other things about her neighborhood that she learned–it’s all good now, but prior to her move there were things that made me worried about this house. Plus the price was pretty low, I knew TLC was going to be needed and pictures had yet to be uploaded. It was being rented so I thought maybe it wouldn’t be so bad, but then with what my sister told me and the fact that the owner wants cash only, no financing, I started thinking this might not be such a great idea anymore. Then another house popped up that I thought okay, I could possibly work with this…but then it was in a flood zone and I was like nope. So it’s back to waiting again.
Nice new reads! These are all totally new to me ones but I hope you enjoy each and every one of them!
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Have a GREAT day!
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It’s the kids, but not completely the kids. I mean I wouldn’t want to teach high school. But up until this past year, dealing with the ones in the library is different and not a constant issue with bad students as they don’t usually come to the library. Until you set it up like my school as a detention area. It’s so frustrating! Oh well. Yeah, it’s crazy that they didn’t appraise my house anywhere near what we’d expected when you look at how houses are still going like crazy! I wish you luck in your search. I think one of my sisters finally is going to be able to buy a house. But even though it’s in a neighborhood of KC that people might think they don’t want to live in, it is actually less crime statistically than the apartments where she lives now in a suburban area.
I not sure how you were able to not loose on that kid no one has the right to say that about anyone. It sounds like your burned out and i would say take a vacation but it not sounding like that in your cards. I hear you on that i work full time in my home as a caregiver so i rarely get out to socialize which is why i am still doing the library book club it only once a month but it a chance for me to get out of the house. As it right down the street so i can run home if my client needs me for something. I did not enjoy this month read at all it was Northern Spy by Flynn Berry i tried to read the print and listen to the audiobook but could not get past the first 100 pages and it only a little over 200 pages i was just so bored. Hopefully i enjoy next month read more. Have a great reading week.
I’m definitely burned out. Going to just make the rest of the year as easy as possible and not do anything extra. At this point my next vacation will be the trip to Branson on Memorial Day weekend with my family. Usually always am excited for that, but some things have changed and this is probably the last year we’ll have all of us go together, so worried it won’t be as nice as always. I can’t do book clubs because so many of the picks would probably not be something I want to read. But I can understand at least enjoying getting out of the house and being around some people for socializing. I hope you have a good week too!
I keep trying to comment on your blog, but it says some kind of verification has failed. :-(.
I’m sorry it is such a rough time with changes and decisions to figure out. I want to do more and can’t right now. Both my daughter’s health and money make limits. I hope you get a new clerk who is great or a better job. At least you get all the books!
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
It’s so much to think about. Four years of the hell I’m in so I can get my retirement and then go do an “easy” less stress at least job. Or get out now and then figure out how to get my retirement later on. It is the books and the things I do with state and national school librarian committees that I enjoy so much and I’m afraid I’d miss that if I left to go to a completely different field now. Not to mention when I took this job it seemed so great, so who’s to say that I wouldn’t take another job seeming great and end up in a situation I still am not happy. Gah! Yep, money is a big factor and I know you have to work with your daughter’s health to help her be successful and happy as well.
Working with kids is tough. They are so mean (to everyone-their parents, their friends, other kids, random strangers). I always remind myself I don’t care what they think, but that doesn’t make it hurt less, ya know! Sorry things are so tough. Hopefully you find something else. We would love to do a refinance because I want to redo the bathroom and such, but we can’t get quite enough because the bathroom needs redone. Sigh.
Yeah, I do that too, remind myself it doesn’t matter what they think. It just gets old when you deal with the constant disrespect in the library, an area which is like a second ISS room in my opinion these days with what they’re doing. Debating on leaving, because after May 1st, I already had to sign my contract since I’m probationary in this district, so I’ll have to pay $2000 to get out of it. It’s crazy with how they do the refi and say you can’t if this isn’t fixed, when what needs fixed is the reason you want to get that money! Hope you have a good week!
Sorry to hear about the loan issues. Stuff like that stinks. That was a cool Prom theme and glad the weather wasn’t as bad as expected. Too bad you didn’t finish From. Season 2 is so much better than the first one. Hope this week is better for you!
I might finish watching it at another time when I can afford to pay for the channel subscription. I do want to keep going!
Kids can be so awful! I’m sorry that girl said such a rude thing, Lisa! A lot of times they put other people down to make themselves feel better. I was bullied in school and had girls say horrid things about me too, and it hurts, no matter what your age. I’ve seen you on camera and you are beautiful, so please don’t take their comments to heart!
That’s nice that your sub clerk is willing to look at your finances to help figure some things out. I think the economy isn’t great right now. It’s not a good time to refinance with the interest rates so high. Maybe you can shift some debt to a lower interest card? If you’re able to get a better job out of education that may help as well. Help in more than one way seeing as you wouldn’t have to deal with kids and the admin in education. My daughter-in-law is a teacher and she says it’s awful! I hope you have a better week!
Yeah, I’m going to go ahead and at least apply for the other job. I’m just scared I’ll miss what I want to do in education. However I also think maybe I can concentrate on other things I have liked to do if I’m not dealing with that. We’ll see!
Oh, wow – I’m sorry work has continued to be so stressful. It’s bad enough to have to deal with mean girls as a student in high school, but the fact that you’re still dealing with them now is beyond frustrating!
It isn’t even that I worry about what they think about me, it’s just dealing with that and how disrespectful they are, as well as the fact that I can’t get any of the admin to do anything about how they have just decided they can come hang out in the library any time they want to hang out with their friends and skip class. Ugh. Oh well. I’ve just got to keep going for now!
I’m sorry your week was so tough and emotional, Lisa. I’m glad the school year is almost over, and even with summer school, that’s got to be less stressful. Hope you do something nice for yourself this week😁
I do need to do something! But I also need to stop spending money on books just because I’m sad, lol.
I hope you are able to hire someone who’s a good fit for you Lisa! Stay safe in that crazy weather and have a wonderful week!
Hopefully if I’m staying I will get someone good in to work with me!
I’m sorry work has been rough. I don’t think I could work in a school. I’ve done a few educational events at my job, and the kids can be brutal.
It’s harder I think because my last job was at such a good school, with kids who had to take a test to get in and they wanted to be there and be successful. I keep kicking myself for leaving that school even though I had good reasons at the time!
So sorry to hear that you’re having such a tough time:((. And yes – the library shouldn’t be a dumping ground for the children who can’t behave in the classroom. And you definitely shouldn’t be putting up with such disrespect from the students!! Isn’t there anyone you can report them to? In our school, if any member of staff was on the wrong end of such behaviour, they would be in for a thorough telling-off and then have to spend a breaktime writing a letter of apology for their rudeness. In the meantime, being trapped in a job you dislike so much is a misery. I very much hope you find something else that’s better and soon, Lisa.
Oh believe me, I’ve tried reporting them. And these are kids who are in trouble for being late or skipping class, yet they are now just coming and hanging out in the library with the interventionist almost all day, at least all afternoon. And I tried getting my principal while he was in there to do something last Friday, and he didn’t do anything. Acted like I was making a bigger deal out of it than it was. So I’m kind of getting to the point where I’ll just let what happens happen, and when we start having fights and all that in the library, that’s on them.
Sorry to hear it was such a lousy week and the low balled estimate on your house. Hope things turn around for you.
Thanks! Hoping for better as well.
I am sorry to hear how much you’re struggling and being miserable at your job. And that’s a shame your library clerk is leaving soon. Hopefully they can hire a new one. And how horrible that student was so rude and said it loud enough that you could hear. I hope you can find something that will help or that your clerk’s sub can help you out. Having financial stress is really tough, I’ve dealt with that for years until it finally got a bit better and it’s just so hard. I am glad to hear you didn’t get a tornado and that the prom was kinda fun at least. Nice book haul with all those freebies you grabbed. I hope this week is a better one.
The week is a little better since they are doing testing, at least I’m not dealing with the students who are the rude ones as much this week!