First of all I'd like to send apologies and purrs and hugs wherever
needed/wanted for those I haven't responded to or even read their posts
the last week (well since the 16th).  I'm afraid that this is the
roughest time of the year for teachers and by extension for us subs.
Next Friday is the last day of school here in Cumberland County and
we're hopping on our toes to keep them busy, give them end of grade and
class tests, prepare them for said tests, and keep them from getting the
end of the year crazies.

This year's ending is a bittersweet one for me.  Not only am I losing
some of my favorite students, but I'm going out on a limb and putting
myself out of a job for a few years.  Starting next fall, I'll be
attending the local community college (Fayetteville Technical Community
College) to get my Associates of Arts degree and then transfer to
Fayetteville State University to finish my English and Secondary
Education degrees and get my teacher's certification.

Unlike most states, North Carolina doesn't require a teaching
certificate for substitute teachers.  A lot of southern states don't
require one.  I have the basic credentials in spades (SAT over 1100, or
47 college credits, or a score of 85% or higher on the ability tests)
but I want to do more now and I need to bring in more in the way of a
future for our family.  So I'm taking that leap over a crevasse and
going for it.

I'm scared.  I turn 50 this year and may be too old.  It has been a long
time since I've been on the student's side of the classroom and I might
start critiquing my professors.  Worse, I might give up on myself and
refuse to attend classes or pay attention in them.  We'll see what
happens, but I'll admit that I'm terrified and thrilled at the same
time.  If I could, I think I'd become a professional student.

Now onto a more relevant subject.  The KITTENS!!  They are ready for
their forever homes.  They are spending most of their time away from
Sonya, have been taught basic litter box, food dish, and water bowl
etiquette, and have been doing their best to convince us that being a
hoolikitten is the best career for a young cat.  Basically, they are
driving Mandy nuts and I'm getting there.

They keep her awake all night long playing on her computer and among her
breakables.  Telling her to put them up does no good.  She says that
they have to learn to behave.  I tell her that kittens and little kids
are not the same.  Kittens don't understand the world is not a bap toy,
where kids understand it at much earlier ages.  We argue over this.
Sonya, in her wisdom doesn't get involved.  She rarely does anything
about the kitten borne mayhem that dominates our house.  On occasion,
she will call them to order, but that is rare.  Sonya clearly has
decided that her job is done and it is time to get the little parasites
out of here.  So, next week we will arrange to take them to The Haven
for their shots, neutering, and arrange for them to be adopted out.
I'll miss them, but then again maybe I won't.  The little sh*ts tore my
sewing/craft holder and I now have to replace it.

Pam S.