Our Island Family Life

So, Will has been working overtime with school stuff lately. He doesn't have any free blocks this year to do homework in because he got put into AP English. He had no idea that was going to happen either so he has two English classes this year. Also, since he didn't know he was going to be in AP English he didn't do any of the summer reading for that class. So he had two books to read right off the bat. He had done the summer reading for the other class though. He was really glad I had him read Picture of Dorian Gray over the summer because he compared it to Frankenstein (the book assigned for his new class) and I guess it impressed the teacher because the other students hadn't even heard of Dorian Gray (! shame !) and he got a 4 for the discussion and work effort. He was pleased. He told the teacher I had recommended it and she asked if I liked older works. He said pretty much and it was just something I had on the shelf I thought he would like. Which was true. She thought a minute and remembered me and said so and asked, "Was that your mother?" He said yep. She thought I was his aunt or older sister or something. (hee hee) She wasn't his teacher last year but we had met. He thought it was funny. So next year IF he doesn't go to Japan he was told the only classes he would need to graduate was a science class and a social studies class. That's it. If he takes Spanish again which would be his 9th year of a language and he would go to Costa Rica with no cost. He also would be able to fill out his classes with college course which would be free for him. However, his plan is still Japan. He hasn't had time to post on his blog but if he doesn't have to stay after school today he might. He had sent off a question to them asking if he really needed his dad to sign anything because he hasn't seen his dad since June of 2008. They sent back a reply and we may be able to do it without him signing off since he is estranged from his son. He knows about the trip. Connor told him. He has not called Will to offer help or encouragement in any way. Not filling out forms or offering money. Nothing. Not even, what a cool idea, good luck! I have some stuff to sign and need a notary but we are going to try it. There is a full scholarship available he is going to apply for this week. It is pretty tough but why not try right? I hope it works out. Not just the scholarship but the stuff with his dad too.

My free time vanished last night. We had a nasty storm come up and then we lost the power for a bit. By the time things were back to normal I was too tired to do much online. I really want some time to look stuff up and work on the blog. Oh well. I will make another attempt tomorrow. It is supposed to be my whole day off but I "think" I have to clean a house. Not sure yet. If it is a whole day off I am SO going take care of my own house and then hang with the kids and do mind numbing fun stuff. Tuesday I am bringing Cade to therapy and then some back to school shopping. Thank goodness I had a back supply of folders and stuff so all he really needs is a new pair of sneakers. He will need a new winter coat though. Sean never did take Connor shopping. I never thought he would anyway. I will probably bring Connor too to get things. He has no money left. Of course. At least he was smart in the beginning of the summer and got his $100 calculator the school requires. I was really worried about that. I can spring for some new sneakers for him and he can get his own clothes a little at a time. I do have to get him a binder but that isn't expensive (again...thank God). I got offered another cleaning job for next summer. It would only be once a month but every little bit helps. I am thinking of taking some classes at the art school this fall. The classes would be for photoshop and web design. I have been wanting to do those for so long now and it would have been something I would have taken if I had gotten the scholarship. Which I am still in the running for but I am not holding my breath on that one anymore. The only thing I am worried about is the cost of course. On the up side the classes I want to take are weekend workshops. So one in September, October and November. I know I will have a sitter on those weekends but it's $240 a pop for each class. I am thinking I might appeal to one of the islands groups. There is one on Long that might help. I don't want to ask the one here because they are going to help Will for his AFS and they are getting us a tank of oil this winter and I think I would be pushing it a bit to ask for money for some college classes. They told Will they would give him for sure $3000 if he got everything else in place possibly more. Well, I had better do some work now. I am again at the library. I was given the go ahead to work as many hours as needed this fall and spring here until it gets too cold. I can bring Sofie with me. More money...yippie!