A New Year Reminder

It’s New Years Eve and they say this is a great time to Plan, Do and Review for 2009. And to question, will you be focused and on course for reaching your goals? Are you on the right track mentally, physically, spiritually, financially, relationally, etc.?

As many of you know, I have a passion for quality early childhood education. I've been running my little program out of my home for quite some time. As a former primary grade elementary teacher, I have met children from all walks of life, and met parents of varying parenting styles. When I was teaching, I found many challenges when I was expected to follow the rigid pedagogy, fragmented time of classes, and the whole notion that the teacher is the sole/main dispenser of information and knowledge. This, combined with the experience of being a mother for over 16 years, has shaped my philosophy. This is why I'm so drawn to the Reggian philosophy, and why I want to bring this preschool to my part of Austin.

So, I'm moving forward and putting my intentions out there, and things are starting to roll now, which I like to take as a *sign*. Yesterday, I received sketches from the artist creating my logo and I'm so happy that he was able to get in my brain and create the vision I have. I've obsessed over these things because they have to have meaning. Just like the name for my program, which took me weeks to come up with, and bam! It hit me one day after much brainstorming with friends and family. Yesterday, I also received quotes on the website I want to create, which is part of the next step in moving my program offsite.

The biggest challenge has been [and I expected this] to find property.

We went to look at a property for sale this morning. I found it one morning when driving around. I decided to check out this older neighborhood close to mine JUST to see if MAYBE there was property for sale in a non HOA neighborhood. And I found something. A one story home on 1.5 acres, in terrific location. It's a corner lot, one street over from new commercial land off of a well traveled street. I forsee it being challenging to find a homeowner wanting to buy this property because of the strip malls that have sprouted within view of the yard, however, it's perfect for what I want to do, since I am looking to run a small business.

The two main considerations are, first and foremost, if I would even be given a permit to run my business out of this property because even though it's on the corner, it still is in a residential neighborhood. But it's close enough to the highway and all the commercial property around it, that my hopes are high, and there is no HOA. I know of at least 4 other preschools started by local women, that have done the same thing out of an older home in older neighborhoods. The 2nd consideration is, it has a septic system, so we would need to either upgrade to a commercial septic (big moolah, but at least it would be on property we own) or see if we can connect to the city sewer.

I also have a lease proposal in my hands, which we picked up this morning. A commercial property we've viewed twice in PRIME location as well. Two other preschools have had much success here, so much success, that the first one, custom built a larger preschool, and the current tenants, bought preschool property because they have a huge waiting list, and will be moving out next month. It's just not what I envisioned because it's not the cozy homelike place I was wanting. However, it will be ready for move in VERY soon here and I know the state will license it since it's been a preschool for the last 13 years. So, there are many decisions to be made here. And I'm not sure what to do. It's much harder to qualify for a 2nd home loan than it is to qualify for a one year lease. I've had many people tell me, the right place will present itself at the right time. Things happen for a reason and when it's "meant to be".

I have adrenaline, and much anxiety, but also a ton of hope rushing through me as I type this. This is it for me. This is what I believe I am supposed to do in this lifetime. To have that place, that where young children get their first and strong start. And like my dear friend Anja told me this week, I see you doing this until you're 60. Running your holistic little escuelita. She's right.

If you've read this far, [and as the popular Southern saying goes] "Bless Your Heart" for reading my ramblings. I never post journaling like this, and I'm not sure why I'm still typing away and about to publish, but perhaps I just needed to 'talk' about this, even if it's to cyberspace.

So, here's hoping to a properous 2009 for my escuelita and that this actually becomes a reality for me and my families. Part of my New Year's resolution is to know, that there will be MANY obstacles in this journey and that I need to be able to find the strength to not let the hardships I will face, zap my passion.