Autism Update

Article 1 - An All Out Assault on Autism by Michael Morella, US News & World Report

In the beginning of the article, Michael talks about a mom who became a full time autism mom.  She practice with her child several hours a day, has weekly planning session with a Nationwide case supervisor and they work with a team of five aides. (They work a total of 35 hours a week) They also meet with a psychologist.  So from age two to three and 3 months he has turned into normal on the charts.

The research is proving that early intervention is a must.  It can improve

• cognitive and communication skills
• language development
• anxiety and aggressiveness

Researchers are wanted to have images of the brains of people with autism along with their siblings to see differences. 

Most people with autism are affected through out their lives.  So at each period of transitions, assistance can be very useful.  Transitions such as elementary school to middle school, middle school to high school, moving, college, etc.

 Their are a few drugs that are going into drugs trials that can help in various areas of autism.

Article 2 - Taking life 'to the Max': Emily Colson talks about the joys and trials of raising an autistic child by Lance Shearer March 15, 2012 Naplesnews.com

Emily Colson wrote a book "Dancing with Max: A Mother and Son Who Broke Free".  Her husband left and she was a single mother  three days after his diagnosis.  She spent the first nine years trying to hide from society and finally had enough.

She wanted to take her child to church but he was disrupting services.  Soon she found a niche - Max liked to help clean up.  Her message is that children living on the spectrum belong in church congregations as well as other disabled people.  The church body should be helping these parents not shunning them.

Max is still unpredictable.  Emily concludes with, "Max isn't cured". and the world needs to deal with him and his brethren.

Back to Business

I have been sharing my tutoring business with others.  Soon I should be up and running.  My goals for the new year.

• Get new business cards printed up - waiting for file from graphic designer
• Go to autism meeting and meet other parents
• Bring flyer to each local school with information about my company
• Get new webpage up and running
• Make a budget and decide what software to use
• Find help for taxes

I also plan to sub.  I will take local jobs any day but only leave Point Loma on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

My parents moved to FL and my brother Jim, drove their car and dog down.  I am glad they have each other as well as a warmer place to be.  I will join them for a week in February.

Next year I will send Christmas cards out from my company. :)
This month went so fast with my daughter Becca having her second son.  I was able to help from Dec 4 - 11.  I miss them.  I had a dinner party for 10 for my husband's office.  I was able to attend my two bible studies December brunches.  So much fun.

But now it is time to get back to business and work every day for my company.  Please pass the work that I am available to tutor individuals or groups in the Point Loma area.

Autism Articles

Some people might like short details about autism from various articles I read.  I will always explain where the article is from so you can read the original yourself.  My mom sent a few from Indiana.

1.  Zionsville mother creates program for autistic children.  My mom left off a few details like where this was published but it is written my Julie Osborne editorial@youarecurrent.com so I am sure you can contact her to read the original.  This mother of six, Becky Cash has created the Autism Spectrum Disorders Parent Program.  She feels that no family so be without information on resources and where to obtain services for their child.  Wow, four of her six children have medical and special need and three of them have ASD.  She has also written a book called "Healing Autism Naturally".  You can check out more information at www.ASKPerspectives.com.  This might be great help for parents so check it out.

2. Progress in Identifying the Genetic Roots of Autism by Melinda Beck.  Of course this is one of the articles I found but also clipped off where it was published.  I will need to do better.  (Perhaps the Wall Street Journal or New York Times. I am so sorry)  The author states that sciences have found about 20% of cases of autism are related to genetic abnormalities.  Testing can help explain if siblings are like to develop this disorder.  They recommend more testing for Fragile X and other chromosome abnormalities.  Experts think there can be between 400 to 10000 individual genes that can play a part in autism issues.  I think this is an important area to study and that those with autism should be tested so scientists can study this in more detail.  Perhaps we can learn how to overcome some of the behavior by treating the genes.

Business Rantings

Today I have been paying bills and trying to make my desk organized.  There is always something about a job that is not fun.  I know the more I do in advance will make tax time easier.

Yesterday I met a local printer at Peninsula Graphics, right near the post office.  He said no job is too small and to let him quote on what I need printed.  That is good.

Today I took a call at 5:30 to work at a middle school, drove to the job only to be told we cancelled the sub because tonight is parents night from 4 - 6 pm.  Then I had a nice drive across down, through Balboa park because the highways were full of traffic.  It was a lovely and calm drive but back home by 8:30 am and off to do paperwork.

My friend who works on Peace, Love, Swap says she can help me on MailChimp.  I tried to work on it but am overwhelmed.  It is time to ask for help.  I donated 4 one hours of tutoring time at her swap.  I need to work on a marketing plan and a pricing plan.

Should I buy a book on How To Tutor? Maybe I could find one in the library. I need to sub many days to pay my graphic designer.  Friday I was going to sub but now need to sing at a memorial service at church at 10 am.  I need to keep remembering God will Provide.

Now I need to go to my library and start filing and organizing paperwork. :)

November 11

Today is Veteran's Day so the schools are closed.  I worked in two different schools last week.  I taught at a school near Lincoln Park.  Here I worked in two small groups to help them with reading and writing.  Then I was to work with another class but there were at ballet lessons.  They were not graceful, yet.  Then I worked in a second grade class with a boy who can't remember his letters.  He was much better remembering his numbers.

On Thursday I worked at a Middle school for a special education teacher but found myself in regular classrooms.  They wanted me to sub for the regular ed teachers so they could go to a meeting about how to encourage their students to learn.  I had close to 50 students in each PE class.  They had free play so they just hung out, jumped rope, kicked the balls around.  Then I went to a class in social studies.  I was able to get most of the class on task for fourth period but at sixth period I was in shock.  They would not listen; they just talked over me.  I had candy to hand out for completed work but even that was not a motivator.  I wrote the answers so they could just copy but even that was too much effort for them.  This made me aware that if you don't have good classroom management in place, a sub's job is very difficult.

I tutored one student this week.  We watched one Kahn video to go over the distributive property.  It was good but we also had cubes on the table to simulate what the video was saying.  I felt it was helpful.  We also reviewed negative numbers.  We went over the material on the quiz for Friday so I thought she was well prepared.  When I am working with a student I don't notice the time.  Suddenly her parents were back to pick her up.

I am working on the graphic design for Point Loma Tutor.  We have:
 the web page - www.pointlomatutor.com
Email - marty@pointlomatutor.com
Phone number - 619-356-0827

Now I just need to earn money subbing to pay my graphic designer and then work on a marketing plan.

Middle School Math

On Wednesday night, I agreed to sub for a special education teacher, mild moderate at Pershing Middle School.  This school is out east on the 8 and north on the 125.  I get there and sign in and try to become familiar with the sub plans.  The school secretary finds me and asks if I can sub for a math teacher.  I said sure.  On the way to the class, I met the math teacher who had to go home for a sick child.  They were benchmark testing all day.

The class was very well behaved. As she was leaving she said 5th and 6th period are very noisy.  I then had the 6th graders arrive for the test and they were fine.  Third period I needed to go back to the special ed teachers room to control a class for advising.  The vice principal was in there and set a good tone for the class.  The students worked on their homework.  I had 4th period free where I wrote notes to both teachers and alphabetized the tests.  I had lunch in the teachers lounge where they talked about 3 weeks of furlough days.  These teachers had two preps a day.  They have time to work together but the down side is they have 36 students in a class.  There is no room to move around.

My 5th period class arrived (right after lunch) and could not contain themselves in line.  I was quite, I yelled, I walked up and down the line.  They could care less.  They were quite so I brought them in.  The talking, moving, disrespect continued.  After I passed out the test, I said be quite or you can take you test in the office.  They thought that was a great idea.  I sent one after another to the office.  After four left, the test coordinator arrived and just told off the students.  They wasted about 15 minutes of their test time.  She said this test will count on your grade and she will call parents to tell them what their student had been up to.  She had a scowl on her face.  The students complied.  I don't know how to look really mean.

During 6th period the test coordinator and the team teacher came into the room.  They continued to notify the students to be quite and take the test.  The team teacher took 14 students back to her room for the test.  After this the students were very well behaved and worked hard on their benchmark test.
The secretary had asked if I would work for a 6th grade math teacher for all of next week.  I said I already had something on my schedule.  I had to be at work at 7 am.  It was great getting out at 2:20 but I was still too tired to work after returning home.

I am sure being an educational consultant is the right field for me.  I want to visit the school for autistic children in Ocean Beach.  I can't wait to hear from the graphic designer.  I want to start advertising my business.

Found a great Graphic Designer

Today I met with Irene Zabelin who owns Pyxideas.  I found out about her from my landscaper Andrew Draper who owns Nector Spaces.  Here at Point Loma it is all about connections.  Later I was having a meeting with my realtor and she has her daughter in another math tutoring program.  I told her to check out my tutoring center.

I need to determine what my passions are to help streamline my new webpage.  So far I listed working with middle school students, teaching math, being a special education advocate, using technology for learning and making learning fun.  I won the award for creating lessons that teach real-life situations and make school fun.

I want to have a logo created for my company and connect it with my business card, letterhead and statements.  I also want my webpage to look the same.  I bought my site PointLomaTutor.com for about $10 for the year.  Already Irene is helping me.

Tomorrow I need to go to the Apple store and find out why Adobe suite does not work on my laptop anymore.  Irene would like me to use InDesign for my print layouts.  It might be better for me to just have Irene do things and then I would bring them to a printer here in Point Loma.

Irene wants me to develop a business plan so that is next on my agenda.  I bought a new calendar which has openings until 9 pm at night.  I already had to buy new ink for my printer.  I guess I now get to write those things off as a business expense.  Also I need to decide if I need to buy "Quick Books"  or some type of accounting software.  I also asked Irene for the  name of a CPA or tax person.  I know I can do it but it should be better to have an expert.

Educational Consultant for Students with Autism

Last week went very fast.  I spent Monday at a local middle school.  The new model in San Diego is for co-teachers to teach classes with special needs students.  I found this does not really happen.  I sat and watched a teacher teach English 7.  She was terrific but all I did was help two students with special needs.  Then I went to a Math 7 class where again I sat and watched a teacher teach.  He gave the answers to the homework but did not show how the problems were worked out.  I think it would greatly benefit those who missed one to see the steps show on the overhead.  He asked does anyone need help?  No one responds.  Would you want to tell the class you did not get the right answer.

Then I had another math class taught by a teacher who goes rather fast.  His lecture was to do the problems in the text.  He did not allow processing time.  He yelled at a few boys whose writing was messy and not neat.  I told him having students use graph paper to line up the numbers was helpful.  He just said that the special education teacher can do what she wants with her students.  I thought his might be helpful for some of the general education students.

Then I had 1/2 for lunch and then I was able to teach a class called advising.  This is where students do homework or read.  Many students like to waste time in this class.  Then I had 5th period off which I used to write notes to the teacher and look for other sub jobs as well as check my San Diego Unified email.  The next period I watch another teacher in English 7.  I walk around to help where I can but it did not seem like he had great classroom management skills.  I think I am improving on how to evaluate teachers...

Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in the east part of San Diego.  Here I taught English to special needs 6th graders for periods 3 and 4.  Again the rest of the time I just watch other teachers.  It is a bit boring.  I walked around with an student with 'autism' and found him to be delightful.  I think he is a bit bored in the class of 35 students.  English is his least favorite subject.  He is very bright but squirms all over in his chair.  He is not being rude, just bored.

Thursday I had a chance to go back to the school I taught at on Monday but already made plans to be at home. I made cookies, took the dogs to the dog park, worked at church and finished the mission project and started the editing of the database to match the changes in the new directory.

Friday morning I was up at 5:30 with the dogs and found an assignment at my Monday school, so I just took it.  8:30 to 3:45 pm I wonder if there are any students here that would benefit from my tutoring.  I need to make up a flyer and work on my web page.

Today I am at Correia Middle School

I have been busy this week helping out at church editing the new directory and managing the Mexico Mission Trip that leaves today.  I missed taking several sub jobs.  Until my business grows, I will plan to sub everyday.  I think the experience helps me learn about San Diego School and the special needs students learning there.

So far today I have co-taught two classes.  I basically just help students learn like a classroom aide would do.  Language Arts where they do a Socrates lesson each Friday.  I noticed none of the special needs students spoke.  In math where I listened to a math review I notices two special needs students not understanding or even writing down the correct answers.

The third period class was having a test so the teacher said for me not to show up.  I went to the office to say I could help out during 3rd period but the secretary said she does not know every one's schedule so I was to just stay in the classroom.   I will have some students in the Reach program - study hall during 4th period.  This is the lesson plan the teacher left with me. "Study hall, students should work on homework or read.  Remind them to finish their key terms for Science on Friday, please."  Fifth period is a prep.  I co-teach for 6th and 7th period I do a study skills class.

Filed Fictitious Business Statement

I filed my Fictitious Business statement with the county yesterday.  The county office is right across the street from the San Diego Maritime Museum.  Today I contacted the San Diego Uptown to post it for four weeks and then 'Point Loma Tutor' will be official.  I need to apply for a business  permit and then figure out the taxes.

I still don't know if I should try to sell toys as well.  I do want to be the tutor that makes learning fun.  It would be great if parents would play with their children and help them learn as well.  I also want to combine technology with learning. I am wondering if I should obtain a business checking account, line of credit, and credit card?

Today I feel I did not get very much done.  I took some pictures to use for my website.  Put away plastic bins in the basement.  I tried to contact Infinite tile to see if they are going to replace my broken tiles.  I wrote an evaluation on yelp and yahoo to see if they are still in business.  I took the dogs to the dog park.  They are panting in the back ground while I am typing.

The church mission dinner is tonight.  I have things for the children to use while we have the dinner.  (books, maps to color, flag to color, pinata to break open) I have to miss most of it as I have choir tonight at 7 pm.

I need to know if I should pay for a web server for my business and how to collect funds using credit cards.  If you read this and have any advice, please send it my way.

Last Day as a Long Term Sub

I made it through the two weeks at Edison Elementary.  The last day was just hard.  They hired Rosa who has worked at Edison before.  She has a BCLAD and a credential in moderate/severe.  She spent the day making posters.  I missed my students and wish them the best.

I checked out my friend's business - Links Through Learning and was really impressed.  It made me pause and think about what I really want in a business.  I am using the word "tutor" and need to think if that is all I want to be.  I need to remember I can't be all things to all people.

I do want to help seniors with their technology questions.  When I was in the Apple store and could hardly hear above the noise of the customers, I felt seniors, especially those who where hearing aids can not hear what someone is telling them.

I would love to work with a group of high functioning autistic students to help them improve their public speaking abilities and social interactions.  I would like to work out of my house because it feels like a comfortable environment versus a school or office space.

After running a booth at Love, Peace, Swap, I found many were interested in purchasing my tools of the trade - ie Discovery Toys.  So I am also thinking of pursuing that on the side.  I called and found someone to work with me.

I think I am good at making learning fun.  I like to engage the learner so he or she enjoys what they are doing and then realize they are really learning things.  This is the market I think fits me.  Now to redesign my website and make flyers.

Home Sick

While teaching the Moderate/Severe class, I became ill and had to find a sub to take one day of my long term sub position.  I emailed the secretary at Edison but never heard back.  So I also emailed the Principal.  I guess there was trouble during morning line up.  I hope it was not my class...

I contacted IT and hope to be able to connect the printer tomorrow.  I downloaded many autism recommended sites to my iPad today.  I hope to bring that in tomorrow and entice my students to give me feedback.

I made copies of Pirate material.  At school I left CD's for relaxation, books on tape for oceans, pirate books etc.  I made a detail list for the sub.  I guess I will learn tomorrow if she/he received them.  I need my aides cellphone numbers and emails.

I met a lawyer on Sunday and got some great ideas from her.  I need to go to submit the fictitious name paperwork.  I can pay for my business license online.  She recommends I get a million dollar rider of insurance for my business.

I might be buying a booth at the swap for this Saturday.  I need to get my act together. I have enjoyed teaching and it has giving me good experience with non verbal autistic children.  I want to go visit the site in Ocean Beach next week that reaches out to autistic children and see what they do.

I am excited about starting my company.

Company on Hold

On Friday, before Labor Day, I was contacted by Human Resources of San Diego Unified School District to teach in a Mild/Severe K-12 class at Edison Elementary.  Of course at 6:30 at night the school was closed.  I was to start on Tuesday not evening know what the classroom looked like.  Edison is located in City Heights area of San Diego near 805 and University Avenue.  It is not the best area of town.

As I walked in to get keys, the Principal told me, "just ask for what ever you need."  This had been an empty classroom for years. 

Good things:  There is an in-class bathroom, two sinks and a drinking fountain.  There were also materials, toys, document projector, and a teacher office with a computer.  My class came with two terrific aides, Kim and Marcia.  It started with a K-5 class but I lost my K student after the first day as he was moved to a regular K class.  So I only have 9 students and 2 aides.

Bad things:  The computer is not hooked up to any printer.  No air conditioning and it gets quite hot in the afternoon. I can not figure out how to connect my computer to the wireless network so no internet to share with my students.  Two students are non verbal.  Many have autism.  I need more time to work on how to teach each child at their level.  One child has severe behavior issues--kicking, biting, throwing anything that he sees in the classroom, and yes that does include the one student computer I have.  I have filed a behavior report the second week of classes.

Overall, I am loving it but I am so tired.  I feel the 1- 5 classroom experience will only help me with tutoring that age group.  I had no idea how to schedule the day but I have something worked out.  It was hard scheduling everything with speech two times a week, OT once time a week, Music once a week, APE once a week.  Wednesday is our early day.  I am trying not to be an overachiever as the principal told me I can only sub for 20 days as I do not have the proper credential.

Decision Made

I was excited about joining the Banyan Tree learning center for a part time position.  But when I requested to work with them through my company they were not interested.  I do plan to promoted their assessments for my students if further details about a learning difficulty is discovered.

The day I was to start, my dad, who is visiting from Indiana could not see out of his right eye.  We made a quick trip to Scripts Urgent Care clinic where they found something (very small) embedded in his eye.

I hope to file for my fictitious name for my company next week. Then I can set up a bank account.  I also need to make a flier for the schools around here.

Now about the house:  The painters are finished, the tile has been completed, the plumber came and connected the hot water for the outdoor shower.  Also I hired an electrician who found another breaker box in my basement which fixed my lights in the basement.  (expensive way to learn how to reset a circuit.) The landscapers have just a few things left.  So I feel my house is finished for now.

My parents leave on Tuesday so I can start working on my business again.  My landscaper says he can help with my website and marketing.  I am so excited.

Job Offer

A local company which specializes in  educating special need students wants to hire me for teaching and administrative activities for $20 per hour.  This seems too low.  They also do not want me to tutor any students in my home.  I have a problem and don't know what to do.

Part of the reason I wanted to start my own business was for tax reasons.  Perhaps they could hire me as a contract employee.  I don't know what to do.  This company is about three miles from my house so about 7 minutes unless there is traffic and then it can take about 25 minutes.

This company would be giving me some excellent training.  They also have all the testing materials.  I don't have any standardized tests at my home yet.

On the home front, the painters should finish on Monday.  Today they are staining the garage door and repainting the front steps as I did not like the color I picked out.  It is so hard to pick out paint from a small chip about 1" by 1".  This is a concrete stain and is a medium brown now.

This is the meaning of a true roof deck.  My furniture was put up when they painted the deck floor.  Yesterday when the two tile guys were here one remarked, "Wow, you are better organized that most site managers."  I had three painters here as well as a landscaper and a plumber.  The day before yesterday I met with my gardener who will be shaping the front hedge and topping the California pepper tree in the back yard.  So I am going to pick up my surf board shower on Monday with hope of a quick installation.  Of course the deck and french drain need to be installed.

Another hot, sunny, and muggy day in San Diego so I need to decide to go to the beach or the pool.  Such decisions.

Skill set

I am wondering what skills I can offer to another company.  I have been a webmaster for the School of Education, Counseling Psychology, and Pastoral Ministries.  I updated the web for 14 years via the Liberal Studies Program, Chemistry Department, and the Pastoral Ministries program at Santa Clara University.  I know if should be updated on almost a daily basis.

I love training others on how to use technology.  In fact, while at Price Middle School, I helped veteran teachers learn how to use their smart board when I did not even have one yet.  I loved using it in the classroom and I think my students loved it also.  I use a mac and a pc. I had a computer for every student by my second year of teaching.  I know some of them were old but they worked.  I would love to work on empowering the Seniors around Point Loma and how to use technology.  I think I could help them use their cell phones better.  I can help them import pictures, use face time of skype to their grandchildren.  I have four laptops at home I can use for my tutor center and three printers. (too much)

Another skill I did not know I had was grant writing.  I wrote grants for things I wanted in my classroom.  I wrote a grant for a high speed scanner so I could have a copy of my students work for IEP meetings.  I also scanned to store to the students online portfolios.  I wonder how that project is going now.  I had to return the scanner to the school when I left so that is still in my 'to buy' list.  I would also like computer projector and portable printer.  This would allow me to bring my tools when I speak to PTA's and other interested groups.  Problems can occur when you try to use someone else's devices.

Fundraising skills come from my Pastoral Ministries program position.  I helped with events that generated money for scholarship programs.  We had fund raising dinners, silent auctions, and other various events.  I processed donations for various scholarships when I was in the School of Education at SCU.  I wrote newsletters with donations slips for our scholarship programs.  I also had a place on the web for donations.  I have run a few fund raising dinners but did the background work not the specific talks to raise money.

Update on the house:  The painters are here now just finishing the house.  They still need to paint the fence, refinish the garage door and front door, stain the deck and paint the two upstairs decks.  The tile guys are here started their work on the hot tub concrete deck.  The landscaper plans to start on Friday and the shower is ready for installation.  (But I don't have the deck and plumbing in for the shower yet.)

Do I OR Don't I

This week has been interesting because I met with Nanci Engle who runs the Banysn Tree Learning Center. (http://www.banyantlc.com/)  When she saw my resume with webmaster on it, my MBA, my administrative experience she thought there might be a fit for me in her school.  She has two teachers leaving this year.  She reiterated how low the salary would be.  She charges $70 per hour for her tutoring.  I guess this is a result of a large overhead.  She need someone who can write grants, raise funds, and increase technology for the school.  They do not have one ipad for student use.

So now I need to think about working for someone else or do a tutoring business on my own.  I think I will go check out the autism school they have in Ocean Beach. Pioneer Day School 
( http://pioneerdayschool.org/)

On the home front, my painters have been working on the outside so my dogs bark at them everyday.  I still need to get the first floor bathroom to stop leaking.  No one has successfully determined where the leak is coming from and what is causing it.  The tile company wants to come tomorrow to install tile on the concrete patio by the hot tub.  The rotten window sill was fixed yesterday by the company who originally "fixed it" before we closed on the house in April.  I have unpacked four boxes of Larry's stuff in the garage.  I tried to 'sort' it into similar categories so I can put it on bins and then on shelves in the garage.

In my spare time I am still updating the church's database for its directory.  Now when I make a change in the database it is not reflected when I print out a directory.  I am going nuts!!!  I guess I will resort to calling the company for help.  I sent an email request but have not received a response yet.  I am organizing the church mission trip in October.  I still don't know how much work that will be...

My painter is suppose to put some test colors up for me to decide which one to paint my house.  I am off to church for the knitting group as we make blankets for newborns at the orphanage in Mexico.

Need to do.

File for fictitious name for my company - Point Loma Tutor
File for business liscence
File for tax number
Design flyer for schools
Update web page

July 23, 2012

Good news! I received my authorization for autism certification by the State of California.  It only took 7 months.  I am reading the book about Habits in order to find a cue for my company that can lead to a reward like improved test scores for students, or technology success for others.

I plan to make a flyer for each school in the Point Loma area and deliver it as soon as the school secretaries return to school.  I hope to speak at each PTA as well as a few senior centers.  I still need to file my name with the state and get a San Diego business license.

I now have my new table and four chairs.

I am wondering if more people would like me to travel to their house or if they would like to drop off the student to my house.  I will have seating outside on the porch for parents, or inside the front room.

I might use this picture for my flyers but I might crop it.  My business is on hold while I enjoy by grandson, daughter and son-in law.

June 19th updates

Well I ordered business cards - Point Loma Tutor and the by line is It's Tutor Time.
It might be a bit corny but it is a start.  I also started my web page.  I need to figure out how to use charge cards and make a customer profile document to give to my new clients.  I am working on having my front and back yard landscaped as well as having the house painted.  I sold a book case and a rocking chair yesterday via Craigs List.  Today I had a call on my computer desk.  Things are selling slowly.  I just need to be patient.

Yesterday, I was able to have my TB test read.  Then I drove to the District Office and was finger printed for a sub position.  I zipped by the mall and picked up my new jeans that were hemmed and bought some makeup.  On the way home, I stopped at Tradder Joe's for groceries. I was starving for lunch.  I made it to Ada's to watch her boys for one hour after I worked for 1/2 hour at church.  I made an amazing chicken dinner which I was in the middle of when the people came to check out my stuff I am selling.  Larry returned home and I noticed Josie licking her mouth.  Yes she ate 3 of the 4 chicken cutlets.  I was furious.  This news makes many laugh.

June 15, 2012

Today I got a TB test so I can apply at San Diego Unified as a substitute.  I figure I can do that and run my business.  I got the document to register my trademark from the State of California. I have not found out about the workshops on patent, trademark and copyright issues at the library.   I only found book and art discussions.  So now I am working on the SCORE information.  I am waiting for a landscape designed to come by and look at my lawn.  I have too much dirt and dust.

Someone from my summer school class will be starting their own business in San Jose so we can help each other.  I am going to work June 23 at the conference so I need to have my business cards ready by then.

Wednesday, May 30

I have not worked on my business.  I have had Andrew visit from San Francisco.  He helped Larry bring our boat (27 ' Choate) to San Diego.  They put up the mast on Sunday.  Sunday night I worked the Alison Krauss concert. On Monday we took a two hour sale.  On Tuesday I worked at the church 4 hours updating their database with the pictures taken for the directory.  I am trying to update the emails and phone numbers for church members.  Today I brought the car in for maintenance and then worked at the church for two hours to complete the database updates.  Tonight I worked the Gillian Welch concert.  I met people who drove two hours to see her.  I enjoyed the concert but it was quite cold.  I was stopped by the police on the way home.  At the dealer they moved the light setting to just the fog lights.  I usually leave it on auto.  There was enough light in the car I never noticed the main lights weren't on.  At least they did not give me a ticket.  I think I will walk to my future concerts.  It is only 1 mile from my house.  Tomorrow I will work on my business.

Day 3 - I contacted Nanci Engle about her company Banyan Tree Educational Services.  I was given her name from John and Susan Laun on Opening Day at the Yacht Club.  I hope to meet with her next week.  I reorganized my library and tried to put my children's books at a lower shelf.  It still looks too messy for me. This is just one section of my books before I reorganized.  I will try to visit the public library tomorrow.  The one year old I work with, Hector, loves books and points or grunts to have them read to him.  His favorite is red firetrucks. Of course I make sound effects when I read.  Diego can read some books to himself.  He is 3 1/2 and has had a year of preschool. So far I don't feel I am making much progress.

Day 2 - Where does the time go?  I did work on the church database in the morning.  I was notified that I will be a volunteer for the ISTE conference so that is exciting.  I printed out the 10 Key steps to Starting a business by the city of San Diego and read them through.  It suggests I go to the main library to research trademark, patent and copyright issues.  I plan to go their over the weekend.  I also plant to attend some SCORE meetings.  The second step is to create a business plan. The third step is to determine a business name.  The fourth step is to determine the Legal structures of the business.  I think I will be a sole proprietorship.  The fifth step is to determine the Business Activity Type.  I believe I am in Educational Services 61.  This will determine if I can do business out of my home.  The sixth step is to select a site and determine Zoning and Site permit requirements.  Hopefully this won't be a problem but I do need to check on obtaining a Neighborhood Use permit.  The seventh step is to obtain any special licenses and Permits.  The eighth step is to get Tax Information.  That is the fun part.  The ninth step is employer responsibilities.  I don't plan to have any employees but if my business grows I will go into that area. I will have to get an EIN, or Federal Tax Identification Number.  The final or tenth step is to apply for a Business Tax Certificate.  I wonder how long all these steps will take?

Day 1:  I signed up as a volunteer for the ISTE 2012 conference in San Diego.  I rejoined CUE and also became a member of the Autism Society.  They are having a conference in San Diego in July so I might try to attend that as well.  I need to keep a file for my expense as an Education Consultant.  I decided not to consider myself a tutor because I want to do more.  One of my names for my business was "Do You Want 2 Learn More?  I would like to help people with their computer in their own home or in mine.  People of all ages.  I also want to work as a homework helper for busy parents.  I also would like to work with students who appear to be on the spectrum to help them succeed in school.  I am just missing the table in my library but I am looking for one.