I found out yesterday that I was transferred...2 new schools, sets of administrators, over 700 kids to meet and remember names, etc. Kindof sux, but at least I have a job.

I am looking on the bright side of things, too. I know that the principal here is going to kick herself after she sees my artshow Funny thing is, the woman I am switching with is actually someone I am mentoring! She will only be year 3 next year...

I'll miss the brand-new space and the kiln, and of course the kids I've gotten to know. But its going to be more of a PITA than anything - no major worries. I have taught in the toughest schools in the district and learned so much - this will be cake. And a chance to make new friends.

I covered bus duty this morning without being asked, and she came over while I was there, chatting and telling me about a problem she "solved" for me (I had already taken care of it with another teacher). Of course, no mention of me moving schools next year. Whatever. Another avoider.

*****

Well, went to the concert, early. Of course, x and his crew were just getting there, too! Blech; so much for plans. S13 and I just sat toward the back and left right at the end. X brought her home, where she found the flowers I bought her, then we went out to dinner - ended up a good night for her (even though I still got messed up inside - frustrating, but not terrible; poor S13 saw a weak moment, but not a weak night).

I had to call him back today - he left a message saying that he was picking the kids up earlier than I wanted (AGAIN!). I called him back and said no, that doesn't work for me, or the kids. He tried to get into how it always come back to ME, never him! Ah, poor baby. I just kept saying it doesn't work for me and the kids. He said he didn't understand why I "couldn't be ready earlier, isn't 1+1/2 hours enough, why aren't you packed the night before," etc., etc.. I said, You aren't here, and you can't tell me how to get ready the day before - this isn't about you, but about a calm transition for the kids. He complained that he had to change plans for haircuts - I reminded him that I have been telling him about this time change for a few months, now, and also that I let the kids go to his house more than an hour EARLY 3 times out of 4. I am trying to work together in this, don't make a huge issue over a half hour. [I didn't even mention him getting them back an hour late Wed from S13's bmx this week]
Finally, after some more whining from him, I just said You know, you CHOSE this life - deal with it! Very calm, never raised my voice.

Probably shouldn't have gone there, since of course he started saying "Oh, so its back to that again - get over it, etc., etc."
My silence made him change the subject to this weekend (he is taking the kids to Atlantic City since one of her girls is in some kind of competition), him telling me what he was doing with them (hotel for Saturday night, might be late Sun if traffic; my kids had already told me) - I asked what the sleeping arrangements were going to be for our kids... He said We'll all be in one room. I asked, S13 in a room with all those unrelated girls? He said Don't worry about it - he'll sleep with me. I started to ask, will a hotel even allow 8 people in one room? and he interrupted to say that he didn't have the money to spend on a hotel for a week in Boston (where I just took the kids). [Poor baby; life sucks, huh?]

I asked that if they couldn't hear the call on Saturday night, could he make sure the kids got in touch with me. He said Yes, I'll extend the courtesy, even though you never do. I said, When?
Oh, how about every Tues night when I am waiting for S13 to call me after Youth Group? I said, Look, I ask the kids if they called their father - sometimes they just don't feel like it - your relationship with your children is between you and them; I don't get in the way of that. He said he didn't believe it. Believe what you want.

So, he said he would be at the house "when he could," and I said they will be out to meet him "when they could."

Do these a$$es get some kind of playbook to go by?