Saturdays in Star

Here's is a photo of the one traffic light that we have in Star.  This is the intersection of Star Road & State Street.  


A right turn will take you the slightly larger Middleton, Id.  They may have more traffic lights than we do, but we have our own police department & they don't.


If you go straight you will end up in Meridian.  (They have lots of traffic lights.  A LOT!)


A left turn will get you right to the heart of our fair city.  From the official Star City website: 


Welcome to Star, Idaho. We are a small town located about 20 miles west of Boise. Our community offers a pleasant atmosphere and we are close to many of the recreational opportunities that Idaho has to offer. Star offers a lifestyle that is still within reach, a four seasons climate and a very low crime rate. Because of this, many have found Star to be the community of choice to raise their children. It isn’t uncommon in Star to see local children walking down to the river with their fishing poles in hand.


It's true!  I've seen Opie Taylor.  Actually, the kids and I have gone fishing in that very river, the Boise River.  It's a short bike ride, south on Star Rd., just down the street from our church building.  


In the photo, you can see one of the two chain fast food joints in town.  And yes, they sell the $5 footlong!  Can you guess what the other fast food joint is?  A prize to the winner!


The building that you just barely see on the left houses a message parlor (do they still call them that?) and two hair salons (one on each end with the masseurs in the middle.  


Idaho is quite tough on speeders (since the crime rate is so low).  Most towns boast a speed limit of 20 mph unless otherwise posted.  And most traffic lights also have cameras.  Say cheese!  Luckily I don't have one of those souvenirs!!!

I Got a Job!!!

This week I was hired to work for a company called Access Living.  I'm going to be a PSR.


Psycho Social Rehabilitation at Access Living centers around effective and caring interventions that provide lifting reinforcement, current education and powerful techniques to change behavior.

PSR offers services for adults, adolescents and children and is a service covered by Medicaid. PSR uses an approach that encourages a person to develop to their fullest capacities through learning and environmental supports. 

It is a contract, part-time position.  I make my own schedule.  And with Ivan's schedule, I can work afternoons when he &  Ethan are home to watch the other two kids.  Because of my Master's degree, I get to skip out of staff meetings (which are at 8 a.m.) and a couple of other things.  I only have to report in to the office once a week to submit my time sheet & progress notes about client progress.  I'm excited.  It's not exactly what I wanted to do, but the hours & pay is great.  It's a foot in the door, so to speak.

Oddly enough, the job fell right into my lap.  One of Lucas' friends/classmates works there & when we exchanged numbers, she had given me a business card.  I asked about her work & the next thing I knew I had an interview the next day!  I love it when a plan comes together!!!  (Thanks Heavenly Father!!!)

Star Elementary: 4th Grade Thursdays

Problem Solving

This month I am teaching my son's 4th grade class about problem solving.

First we solved a mystery:  There is a a small room, with an open window, a small table, broken glass & water on the floor & two dead bodies.  Can you guess what happened?

Next, we learned about how to solve problems with a human flowchart:
     Identify the problem
     Generate Solutions
     Evaluate Solutions
     Is the problem solved?  Yes - then you are finished
                                            No - go back & generate more solutions

We used our new found knowledge to solve a couple of scenarios.

As usual, I read a story that went with our theme.  Today it was:

Then, because they were so quiet during the story, we got to play a game of "Beat the Rabbit."  (It's a racing game, not a violent one.)

After we were done & the recess bell rang, I got the sweetest note.  The teacher is using a program with the kids about filling other people's buckets.  Last week, the kids were noisy & the teacher asked them if they were filling my bucket or emptying it by being noisy.  (Emptying, of course.)  So I used that today because they were getting all wound up during the flowchart exercise.  Hence the message from the note.

Makes it all worthwhile!

Star (one 'r')

Star, Idaho.  Population 1795.  (1800 if you count us!)  

One traffic light.  One gas station.  One Mercantile. 

 One Elementary School.

We do have our own police department, fire dept., town hall, & BMV.

This isn't really what our fair city looks like.  I will have to go on a photo expedition.  

Stay tuned for more info! 

Inspiration

I need you ladies to send me some questions, ideas, etc. so that I can think of something to write here!!!  Help!!!

The Arriola's do The Monster Mash!

http://sendables.jibjab.com/view/E1Dh6B51xAfJXYq7

Desk

I need a new desk.  

The one I have is too small for all the junk that seems to end up there. 

My family thinks they need to put their stuff on my desk.  

My big desk stayed in Ohio.

Oh, how I miss it.

I have no elbow room.  

All the clutter stacks up instead of spreading out.

Then it ends up on the floor.

My daughter colors things she shouldn't because she thinks that the papers that end up on the floor are free game for her artistic endeavors.

Notes are getting lost.

Items stepped on.

Receipts are accidentally getting recycled.

I need a new desk!