Easter Weekend

 I booked a few extra days off around Easter, so have 8 days off (including the weekend). It's lovely. But of course there is still an issue with Jackson going to school. He doesn't. And he won't do the math online that I suggested either. It's very frustrating. We will probably have to go to the school, again, to meet with the VP and guidance counsellor. We went once already and he agreed to attend half the day, but hasn't done that. The one day he agreed, he ended up changing his mind after worrying it over too much. The problem for me now is it is really just frustrating every morning to not know if he'll go or not. I'm tired of him expecting ordered lunches and time to play and watch videos all day. He is still going out with friends after school, or in the evening. Which is good. I am worried he'll be far behind next year and that will lead to another year like this. I'd have no issue with simply home schooling if he'd just do the math, 30 to 45 minutes a day, and perhaps some grammar a few times a week, and make his own lunch during the week when I am working. So we'll see what they say, hopefully he can get his shoes from his locker at least, and go from there. But I will be pushing the math program at home daily. 

We are going to my sister's for brunch on Sunday, apparently to eat outside. It will be about 9 C and I just think that's cold. So not sure how long we'll stay but I am looking forward to seeing family. And having breakfast. Hopefully by Mother's Day it will be nicer out. It will be nice to see everyone. I have seen my parents a couple times but no one else really. Now that winter is over we should be able to see them more. 

We will be travelling at the end of May, cruise out of New York. We are driving there, parent's will watch the dog, niece is watching the cats. I cannot wait to go. It's been 4 years since we cruised. Disney last fall was nice but short. Even though I have to drive, I think it will be a relaxing trip. And of course it means that he'll miss another week of school. 

I've bought myself some new clothes, swimsuits, a dress, as well as some clothes for kiddo for the trip. Mine will last more than one trip I'm sure, his, probably not. I would like to go back to Disney and also go to Universal either in August or December. But I think after the cruise, we'll want to do another cruise.

All the travel, will impact moving. I still waiver on whether to go or not. It's a lot. A big choice. He has 5 years of this school left (after this year). The nice, new places do not have a cap on how much they can raise the rent because apparently there was a rule change in 2018 I didn't pay attention to. Staying here, saves money, allows more travel. But has it's downsides. I hope the landlord will do something about the deck this summer, I know supplies are expensive but it's falling apart and a safety issue for sure. I'll need to remind him this year I guess. I already hired someone to do the lawn, assuming if we do move it won't be until fall so worth it to not have to do it myself this summer. I am doing some updating but mostly things that can go with us or aren't costing a lot. Like the front entry, I'm adding some hooks because the closet is a bit of a pain to use, and then I also plan to hang a bag in the closet for the basketballs so they are up off the floor. I have a shoe rack that I bought ages ago that needs to be put together and will be nice storage. 

We may do a garage sale this summer, we have a lot to sell, but it's so much work! There is some stuff I'd like to sell online, and a few things to just get rid of. I am happy with my new TV and stand but I think my hydro has gone up because of them. I might need to look into that, figure out how to lower the hydro the TV uses. I think it's in standby mode most of the time because it's a smart tv, always waiting for me to turn it on or something. Maybe it needs to be in quiet/mute mode?

For this summer, other than the week in May, I am asking for two weeks in July and 3 weeks in August. it's a lot but I do have the time, still be able to take off over Christmas, and in April 2023 when we have two weeks of cruises booked. I've been walking again, and will keep that up over the summer. I would like to get season passes to the waterpark but they don't seem to be offering them. Hopefully that will change, I'd really like to be able to go more than once or twice, and more than that is much better to get a season pass. Or maybe we will go to Florida. I'm not sure I can drive that far, it'd take us 3 days I think, I doubt I could drive more than 8 or 10 hours a day, New Jersey is 7 hours so we'll see after that I guess! But kiddo hate to fly. We could just do another cruise from New York, I do have one booked for August but we can't afford what I booked, not with having to pay it off now. So maybe look at something else that is cheaper. But Universal, oh I want to go there! And back to Disney, because that's home. I need a raise :-)

Actually I may get one, I am in a process for a higher level position, and so far that's a good thing. My manager has also mentioned possibilities of a higher level position where I am, depending on how things go. I am hopeful something will pan out for me. I know the union is also negotiating, so that will lead to some back pay and raise again someday. 

Overall, life is better now that the snow is gone, but I am still anxious for even warmer weather. And also for our trip. I cannot wait to get away. It is going to be so much fun, and I just hope that I am able to do everything I want to do on it. And that the drive isn't too bad. We will miss the cats, as always, but it will be nice to get away. Jackson wants to eat taco bell on the way there, and I think we'll go to Applebee's for dinner, they don't have that here. And iHop for breakfast before the cruise, they don't have that here either. The hotel does have a pool, but it being later in May I am not sure we'll be able to swim, it may be too cold. I am sure it will be a nice night, I'll get a good sleep before the cruise. We also plan to check out the Liberty State park to see the statue of liberty before the cruise, just from a distance, we won't be doing a tour or anything. It's the one thing Jackson really wanted to see. I believe we can also see the Manhattan skyline from there so I am excited to see that.