Things have been a little busy and super HOT here in Portland consistently for over a week now. Some days have gotten up to 106 degrees! Today I think they said we are going to “cool off” to 100 degrees. It’s definitely the hottest I’ve ever seen it here and the whole town has had enough. Most local stores are completely out of air conditioners, thankfully we bought one for our bedroom a few years back. This is our first summer in this house so we are still getting acquainted.

Some other BIG NEWS  is that I have recently decided to retire my job as a child care taker and enroll into Cosmetology School! This has always been another passion of mine but I had been struggling with finishing up college financially and emotionally. I have been going to the same community college going on 4 years taking a class here and there in between working full time. I have been so burnt out with taking courses and being many credits away without reach of the degree. The inspiration and motivation wasn’t there, I hated pursing something (Early Childhood Education) that provided NO guarantee and the instability of placing my career into the hands of the school districts. Some say that there is never a guarantee with any job, which is somewhat true in today’s economy but education in Oregon the Educators are always the least priority. I have met so many certified teachers who have their bachelors and masters degrees and are on “sub status” because there aren’t any openings in the districts for new teachers. Many districts are downsizing their staffed schools and actually eliminating one teacher per grade, some combining grades to be a 3rd 4th split with class sizes in the 30′s! I could go on and on about the issues of Oregon Education, but I wont because I don’t want this post to be me ranting and raving this is about closure and moving on.

It will be nice and such a relief to move forward with something that I love learning about and will be considered a true career. It will be sad to leave the YMCA company and Elementary school I have worked for 5 years, I have had so many bright memories and friendships working with children and watching them grow in my presence. My Cosmetology Classes start September 8th (THE DAY BEFORE MY BIRTHDAY!!) so theses next couple of weeks I continue to work part time doing summer camps and relaxing at home.

I plan to take the full set of Cosmetology Courses to become licensed in Hair/Hair Design, Esthetics, Nails, and Barbering. All courses will take 66 weeks which is about a year and a half program. I do plan to continue to post kids crafts and projects because I love that too! Who says you cant have more than one passion?

Thanks to all my friends (and some family) who have supported my decision to change career paths and stand behind me 110%!

And thanks to all my readers who stop by each day to see what I think is post worthy and who bring a little cheer by leaving comments!