Internet Woes

Thank you my dear friends for your most supportive and helpful comments on my "reaching out" post from the other day. Staying connected is of vital importance I am finding. I have already implemented some of your suggestions but as I am using my iPad and have none of my photos on it I'll be posting about those things in another post hopefully in the not too distant future.

I really really really want things to get back to normal internet wise. But this is PEI!!  Normal in P E I is when the internet company shows up and "tests the site"!  Ok, admittedly I didn't really understand what that meant, now I do.  This particular company uses towers to transmit the internet signal (please forgive my lack of technical jargon) and proceeded to go up to my roof line in a cherry picker.  No signal.

It seems that my forest was blocking the signal! In this day and age they can't work around the trees? Nope, cut 'em down! Cut them all down! Actually their solution was to hire some guys to install a 35-40' tower at the edge of my property that might then allow a signal to reach little ol' me. Ummmmm no thanks.

So then on my cell phone I chat with an agent of Bell only to find out that wifi and "regular" internet are two different things and I can't afford wifi! The lovely agent said to try Bell Aliant and see if they provide service in the boonies.  To make a long story shorter I discover there is a Bell Aliant dealer in my local Home Hardware store so off I go. Well, I purchased a one year monthly contract (nothing seasonal available from Bell) but do not yet have an appt with them to come and hook things up. Sigh.....I'll call  THEM on Monday and see if I can get things moving, however I'll be away Tues. to Friday so things don't look too hopeful.

By the time I get things hooked up it'll be time to go back to London and I'll be providing free internet to the spiders and chipmunks over the winter months. Sheesh!

Sooooooo, today's post is brought to you courtesy of the only Starbucks on the island in Charlottetown. I'm headed to my sisters place so came early and had a spree at Indigo books as I had $120 left in gift cards. First thing I nabbed was The Globe and Mail newspaper-finally, news of the outside world! I also bought 5 bargain books (already on sale but if you buy five you get an additional 50% off!) I know how to work the system and get the most for my money. I also got a huge wicker basket for my overflow of books (50% off), a couple of books not on sale....GASP!, a blue glass pitcher with matching glasses, a passport holder, a monogrammed  keychain ($2.00), and I forget what else. One of the bargain books was the latest Reader's Digest of home repairs! Stay tuned for some DIY projects:)

So now I must head off into the wild blue yonder. I've been more positive the last couple of days thanks largely to you good folks. Oh, and exciting news! I met another blogger-"I am Sam!!  Many of you know her from her blog. She's wonderful and I'm so glad we finally met. One of these days I'll be coming to visit all of you! That road trip ideas is still in the back of my mind:)

Work Refusal - Day One

So I did it. Today I refused to work in my classroom due to it being an unsafe work environment. Knowing support was on its way in the form of the co-chairs of the Health and Safety Committee I walked into the principal's office and told him what I was doing...or not doing in this case.

After a meeting several hours long a list of eight recommendations were made to help try and resolve the situation. It remains to be seen if and when any changes will  be implemented and until then I am on a stress leave starting tomorrow.

I prefer to solve my own problems but there are times when you have to admit that the problem is bigger than you are. It feels a bit like failure but I know deep down that isn't true. There are many contributing factors to my toxic classroom and there is no ONE solution.

I'm glad I've taken the first steps towards resolution - that does lighten my step to some extent already. No one questioned my reasons for refusing work - they all offered support and possible solutions. Some may help, some may not, but at least we're moving forward as a group instead of me suffering on my own. There is definitely "strength in numbers."

I will keep you updated and hope to be able to turn out a few more lighthearted posts soon, with perhaps a serving of sarcasm on the side. In addition I've been advised to walk, read, garden and rest. Sound advice indeed.

On a more lighthearted note look what Carla made for me!!!

I find my new mug rug absolutely delightful! And it contains an embroidered quote from Herman Melville:
"It is not down in any map; true places never are!" A wonderful tribute to my bike riding ways! This special mug rug will be tucked into a box headed for PEI in only 45 more days!!