some things old, some things new

On Friday, my one violin student's mom told me they were going to "put lessons on hold for awhile" because the kid was only interested in playing when I was around. Had I been given a chance, I might have been able to inspire more regular practicing, but they'd firmly made their decision before saying anything to me. The mom emphasized it had nothing to do with my teaching and they were actually quite happy with that end of things, but touching the violin once every week or two wasn't worth continuing until Rebecca was ready to make more of a commitment.
Tonight, another prospective student's mom emailed me to say they don't want to wait until summer after all and could we start lessons over Passover break? Things have a funny way of working out sometimes.

I didn't end up getting to do my laundry because I was at my grandpa's apartment all day. Hooking up his TV (two plugs) and computer (more than two plugs, but very standard and even color-coded) made me a technical goddess in my aunt's eyes. His senior living community thing is very nice. It's a lot like a posh college dorm for old people with a very nice dining area (white linens and full service) on the first floor. It doesn't even smell like old people. He went out to brunch with a group of ladies and has already met a handful of people he likes. It's remarkably like college with flyers for scheduled activities in the elevators and a pair of ladies from floor five gossiping as they headed down to see their friend on floor three after dinner. The apartment itself is very nice with great lighting, tons of closet space, and separate kitchen, living room, and bedroom. My grandpa is thinking about joining the poetry club and book club and turned down the invitation to the Yiddish club, though will probably attend their "mock Seder" mid-Passover. It's just a shame the place is overrun by old people.
My aunt has done a whole lot getting my grandfather moved in and comfortable and she's extremely well-intended, but she's very intense and really needs another hobby. She kept answering for my grandpa and making decisions about where his things should go and what he should do and many many times I found myself saying, "well, why don't we ask him." She also always has to be the martyr, which gets old and frustrating when you actually want her opinion on, say, if she wants her hamburger bun toasted or not. "Whatever's easiest for you" is probably the most difficult answer, particularly when there are buns already going into the toaster so throwing one more in versus putting it directly on her plate makes very little difference in the easiness factor. It's like she's slow to say what she wants but quick to say what everyone else wants, even if she doesn't know. It's annoying. And it's very hard to complain about it (to her or otherwise) because she is so well-intended and she's done so much lately with and for my grandpa that none of the rest of us could have come even close. Still, you put together both of my parents and Topher's and Amy's moms and Jeni that week she lived in the silkscreening studio and that's about the level of my aunt's intensity. You can actually hear the pops where pieces of the universe implode when she starts making "suggestions." It's exhausting.

I just got some attractive offers for potential summer jobs, but I have to decide if I want a shorter day with younger kids or to be the "associate art specialist" for a little more money but all pre-fabbed projects. I should have at least a few weeks to decide, but it's something for my brain to chew on.
Tomorrow I'm half second-grade sub, half office wench. I found out they didn't hire a temp because I exist, so I can expect to keep up this pace of tons of hours for at least a little while longer. Yay money, and if I have to be doing temp work, at least I can take breaks and poke the children.