This is part 1 of a series of blogs about my personal journey as my rising kindergartener prepares to enter the Wake County Public Schools System.

Although I’ve lived in Wake County for almost a decade now I honestly didn’t pay much attention to the school system at one point. My attitude was I pay taxes, schools are being built, there are buses, kids are getting on and off, the system is working. After my daughter was born in 2005 I became a little more aware.

"OK, that’s an elementary school."

"Hmmm , he’s running for the school board."

But one day, about a year ago while I was pregnant with our son (and probably overcome with hormones) I panicked. I realized that my little girl was going to be in kindergarten soon! I had to get up to speed. Some of the information I got, be it from the internet or friends who have children in the system, was overwhelming and a bit confusing. I want to share my experiences to help others.  Let's learn together!!

The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) has 157 public schools.  They have a pretty decent website (www.wcpss.net) that explains just about everything you'd want to know. However I’ll give you the short-attention-span version.

WCPSS has several calendar options due largely to our diverse and rapid population growth. Get used to hear the following terms:

• Traditional: This is – well traditional school. Start in August. End in June. Long hot summer. Holidays in the middle.  Your typical school year calendar. This is probably what you experienced growing up and what most people consider “normal”. Here is a traditional school calendar for 2010-11.

• Magnet: These are schools that have a curriculum focus. There are magnet programs for gifted and talented students, creative arts, Spanish, engineering, and international studies just to name a few.  Magnet schools follow a traditional calendar.  Click here for more information about magnet schools and here for a list of schools.

• Multi-track year-round: WCPSS operates 49 schools in 45 weekdays on/15 weekdays off cycles throughout the calendar year. Therefore students could be in school all summer and on break during October. The purpose of year-round is to utilize schools throughout the year and ease overcrowding and avoid (or ease) the cost of constructing new schools. When people refer to year-round schools this is most often what they’re talking about.  Here is a year-round calendar for 2010-11.

• Tracks: Those 45 days in/15 days off cycles on a year-round calendar. There are four total. At any given time (with the exception of holidays) three tracks are in session. You will often hear a person say that they are “tracked-out”. This means their particular cycle, or “track”, is on their 15 day break. The tracks are simply labeled 1, 2, 3 and 4.

• Modified year-round: I won’t lie to you, I don’t get this one. It’s like year-round since it operates on a 45 in/15 out cycle but because there’s only one track the facilities aren’t utilized during track out. So what's the point?  Why not be traditional?  But I digress. There aren’t many modified year-round schools.  Here is a modified year-round calendar for 2010-11.

Next time I’ll discuss how to determine which school your child is assigned to. Don't assume that you're assigned to the school down the street…

Like it or not, it looks like the Raleigh area will definitely get some snow and ice this weekend. Here are a few tips on preparing your family for the storm.

1. Keep a small battery powered radio on hand to listen to the weather forecast.

2. Make sure you have enough heating fuel or an alternative source for those of you who heat with electricity.

3. Keep external doors closed as much as possible in order to conserve heat. Close off unused rooms in the house.

4. Stock up on batteries, flashlights, candles, matches, and blankets. NEVER LEAVE A BURNING CANDLE NEAR A COMBUSTIBLE OBJECT OR UNATTENDED!!!!

5. Keep the floor clear of toys. There's nothing like stepping on Legos when the power is out.

6. Whatever we get will likely melt and refreeze for several days. Get some rock salt, sand, and shovels to keep your walkway and driveway clear.

7. Insulate pipes, allow indoor faucets to drip, and shut off the water to your external bibs (a.k.a spigots) to help ward off a visit from the plumber.

8. Keep plenty of "non-electronic" games on hand to entertain the kids (i.e. board games, cards)

9. Stock up on food. Be cognizant of what you're buying. Get the pop-top canned foods if you only have an electric can opener. Don't stock up on foods that have to stay refrigerated. It has been said that well balanced meals help you stay warmer.

10. Most importantly, BE CAREFUL and STAY HOME if you do not need to be out. Keep the roads clear for Emergency Vehicles.

Have fun!!

April 28, 2009.  I haven't posted a blog since April??  Has it really been that long?!?

Trust that although I've been busy I haven't forgotten about Active Rain.  I'm back now.  I hope some familiar faces are still around.

What's happened while I was away?  Well the baby (who was a few weeks old when we last spoke) is becoming a big boy now.  Big sis is getting ready for kindergaten.  And Dad and I are trying to figure out how to survive amongst all of it.

While I was away I had time think of several blog topics.  So what are some of the things I have planned for the first half of 2010?

• "11 Things Every Potential Buyer Should Do - The No-nonsense Approach"
• "How to Pay-off Debt Fast Without Robbing A Bank"
• "Create A Budget You Can Stick To"

I'm also toying with the thought of a local blog series.  As I mentioned, my daughter will be starting kindergarten this year.  The Wake County Public School System is one of the best in the nation.  However it is very unique in that we have several options (year-round vs. traditional calendars, magnet schools, private, charter, etc.).  I'm planning to blog about our experiences from the day we start the registration process until we tearfully walk her through the front doors on the first day of school.  You'll learn as we learn.

Stay tuned...

Not for a family member or friend.  Well, he has become my friend over the past year that we've been together.  But right now I think his life is coming to an end.

Who you might ask?

Toshiba.  My laptop.

Apparently my husband and I are too mobile with him.  Those days and nights of frolicking on the couch and in the bed with him are coming to an end I'm afraid.  A few nights ago while he was sharing YouTube videos with me I noticed a paleness on his face.  He wasn't as bright as normal.  He began to pant and felt warm, so I sent him to bed, warning my husband to let him rest for awhile as he must have had a long day.

Then the following night, as we cuddled on the couch after searching the MLS, he grew pale and warm again.

A checkup by Dr. Norton resulted in a clean bill of health.  But a mother knows better.  I'm afraid that months of moving him to and fro have made him weak.  It seems like only yesterday we brought him home from Best Buy and introduced him to his cousins, Linksys the Router and HP the Printer.

With each shallow breath he took on my desk last night it became clearer to me that the contract he was helping me write may very well be his last.

Unfortunately this will be our fourth lost in about five years.  His older brothers, Compaq, HP, and Gateway died of similar complications before him.  But HP was a fighter!  We took him to a specialist who helped him live a few extra months.  But we don't want to put Toshiba through weeks in a hospital just to prolong the inevitable.

So I'm looking to you, my Active Rain family, to help us in our time of need.  Although we don't want to "replace" him, we know that Toshiba would want us to move on.  And Linksys the Router and HP the Printer would be lonely without another companion.

If anyone can recommend a good, sturdy laptop that enjoys quite evenings at home, an occasional day at the park, doesn't mind being passed around, and is under $1000 I'd be much appreciative.

So I'm pecking away at my keyboard this morning when an unfamiliar area code pops up on my cell phone.  I've gotten a couple of calls from out-of-staters interested in moving to the area lately, so I answer.

"Hi Tracy Wilson this is [some dude] from [some company]."  Blah, blah, blah...

Wait.  Did you just call me Tracy "Wilson"?  I'm used to "Williams".  Or "Pender".  Or "Pender Williams".  But "Wilson"? Could be an honest mistake.  Besides, he just told me his name and I've already forgotten it.  I'm in a good mood today, so let's see where this goes.

"I've been studying your profile and think you're a great agent."

Apparently you didn't study it enough because I've never been Tracy "Wilson".  Besides, what profile are you talking about?  And not meaning to toot my own horn, but exactly what makes you think I'm so great?

So he goes on and on about how wonderful his referral company is (aren't they all?), gives the typical spill about how they're looking for agents to service my area, then asks for some local zip codes that I work in.  You know the drill.  Of course the first one is taken and the other two are available.  But they're showing a lot of activity, so I need to act on them now!!!

He then asks me for the average selling prices of homes in these areas. 

Wait, if you know that so many people are looking in this area and that we have a lot of activity, shouldn't you know that?

Like I said, I'm in a good mood.  Sometimes I like toying with telemarkets.  So I make up figures for both areas.  I know the figures I give him are both about $100K too much, but he says they are right. 

Oh really?  Well I'm looking at those zip codes in the MLS right now and it says... 

Nevermind.  Let's see what else he has to say.

Mr. Dude then tells me he can cut me a "deal" on these two zip codes for only $225 per month - each.  But don't worry, we're not like those other companies.  There's no annual committment.  Try it for two months then let us know how you like it.

Can someone stop the turnip truck this dude thinks I just fell from?

So I'm sitting there, amazed at how quickly he flew through the $500 per month and 10% referral fee for each closing when my office phone rings.  The caller ID indicates it's my husband, but Mr. Dude doesn't know that.  So I try to excuse myself by saying his price is outside of my budget and a client is calling on the other line.  Thank you for your interest, but I have to go. 

But this fool continues talking.

Umm, excuse me but I have a real live "client" on the other line that needs my attention.  Thanks but no thanks!

Then he has the nerve - no audacity - to say:

"So what, you're just going to give me six minutes of your time then hang up!?!"

First of all, you're lucky I didn't just hang up when you mentioned leads or said anything related to me giving you any amount ending in "hundred" every month.  In those six minutes you've given me inaccurate information, asked me to fork over $1,000, then got ticked off when I said no.  Besides, you're wasting my daytime minutes!  Plus, if you really want to work with "great agents" who would like to to help you with all of these people looking for homes, wouldn't you want an agent that - I don't know - wants to talk to people looking for homes?  How would you feel if one of these referrals called me and I blew them off because some dude was blabbing to me about the great leads he could sell me?  And how can I trust you to research these "leads" if you don't even have the ability to research my name or confirm the numbers I just made up?

Apparently he needs to read my blog about customer service.

Leads are important, but paying attention to the needs of the people who have trusted me to help them with what may be the biggest purchase of their lives is moreso.  Well, that and answering the phone when the Hubby calls, but again, our secret...

Besides a referal, rather personal or via a professional network such as Active Rain, is more important to me than a cold call from a rude guy that doesn't even know my name!!!

I was just reading an article regarding travel issues at airports (long delays, ticketing issues, fees, etc.) when I started to think about one of my own travel runarounds.

Back in the summer of 2001 I booked a flight from RDU to ATL for a long weekend of theme park fun for me, my younger brother, and two of our friends.  We were to depart on September 12th and return about three days later.

Well, we all know what tragedy happened the day prior to our scheduled departure.  And as you might recall commercial airline travel was non-existent for the days following the event.  One of those days was September 12.

As soon as I learned that all flights were off I called the airline to cancel my round trip tickets and get refunds.

"Sure ma'am, " I remember the agent saying.  After hearing the tap-taps of a computer keyboard in the background she said "I've processed a refund for your September 12th tickets from RDU to ATL."

"Ok, so what about the return tickets from ATL to RDU on September 15th?"

"I cannot refund that portion of your trip."

"Why?"

"Because air traffic for that day will be open and your tickets are non-refundable."

"Huh?  How am I supposed to get back from Atlanta if I can't get there?"

"I don't know ma'am, but I can't refund that portion of your trip."

Now, I've been known to bluntly say what's on my mind and point out a person's - shall I say - lack of reasoning.

"Do you realize how dumb that sounds???  I'm not cancelling the trip because I don't want to go.  I can't get there because you can't take me there!"

"Well ma'am I can reschedule your RDU to ATL leg on the next flight with openings after air traffic reopens.  That will be on September 15th."

"But that's the day I was supposed to return."

"Yes."

"Why would I fly somewhere two days late only turn around and come right back a few hours later?"

"I understand if that doesn't meet your schedule, but the ATL to RDU portion of your flight is not refundable.  Now, have I provided excellent customer service today by answering all of your questions..." Yada, yada, yada.

                                                           Are you serious!?!?

After several days of phone calls and arguments I was finally able to get all of my money back.  In fact that was my first experience with this particular airline and I've never used them again.  Whenever someone tells me they're booking a flight and mentions that airline I share my story and they quickly change their minds.  I can't help but wonder how many of those people have told others, and those have told others, and so on.  Additionally, I wonder how many other people were treated the same way when their plans were affected that week.  Is that the right way to treat a customer, especially when the cause of disruption is out of either party's control?

Sometimes we have to use some common sense to make our customers happy.  No, I'm not saying we should break the law or anything, but do something to make your customer realize how much you appreciate their business and want them to keep coming back (or refer others to you).  Call their lender for them if they've been too tied up at work to do so.  Stop by to lend a hand on moving day, or come by with a houseplant to say hello when the move is over.  Offer to help another agents clients or hold their open house for them if they're sick.  Even if you are on the verge of going over your cell phone minutes answer the phone when a familiar name shows on the caller ID - even if it's long after the closing.

Treat them like you'd want to be treated.  Always go above and beyond.  People always remember their best and worse experiences.  As which would you rather be associated?

I consider myself pretty technologically savvy.  I text.  I email.  I blog (not as much as I want, but I do it when I can).  I remember teaching myself how to write simple computer programs on my Tandy Computer when I was about six years old.  I created a wireless network in my house before the idea was pretty common.  I often help people around the office when they have computer hardware or software issues.  However, throughtout all of my of my experiences there is one thing I refuse to do unless absolutely necessary...

...read the instruction manual.

I don't know.  It seems to take away the challenge.  I'm a competitive person, and there's something about opening that little booklet that roars defeat.  And I refuse to be defeated - especially by a pink, 4oz piece of plastic!!! 

It is kinda cute though.

I spent a few hours playing with my new toy yesterday morning.  I must admit, I had to thumb through the manual to figure out the email setup.  I've had a Blackberry before - one of the older, black box, 7xxx devices that I kept for all of two weeks because I could never get the email to work correctly.  Then I moved to a Treo 650, which I used until I couldn't use it any more (see my blog My Treo - Should I Put Her Down or Let Her Die with Dignity?).  Next was an HTC6700. 

God how I hate Windows Mobile!! 

After the HTC and I agreed that a divorce was inevitable I went back and forth between the Palm Centro and the Blackberry Curve.  Remembering my God-awful experience with my old Blackberry I was pretty much sold on the Centro until I went to the store to compare them side by side.  The Blackberry looks and feels so much like my beloved Treo.  It's like it's been reincarnated in a smaller, lighter body without that stupid stump-like antenna thing.  And no more stylus to lose, although I will miss the touch screen.  Nonetheless, I was sold.

But now I need to figure out how to make the best of my new friend - without reading the manual of course.  How are you Blackberry conosours making the most of your investment?  I already see the versatility in this little gizmo, so I've upgraded to an unlimited data package and am ready to go!

For those who've yet to vote there is still time to do so before this Tuesday.  In an emergency meeting today, the Wake County Board of Elections unanimously voted to keep one-stop voting sites open an extra four hours on Saturday, November 1.  Polls will now be open from 10am until 5 p.m.

As of Wednesday, nearly 1.7 million people have voted at early voting sites accross the state. That's nearly twice the total of early ballots cast in 2004.

So while you're out enjoying the 73 degree weather tomorrow, take a few moments to cast your vote.

For the first time ever I used early voting this year. I must tell everyone that it was a breeze! Maybe it was the time I chose to visit my local polling place, but there was virtually no line. I was in an out in less than ten minutes.

If you've already made your decisions for this election I highly recommend visiting the NC State Board of Elections to find your nearest early voting location. If you have not yet registered you can do that as well. Visit this site for requirements and qualifications.

North Carolina is considered a battleground state this election.  Join the 1.2M+ who have already cast ballots.  But don't wait too long. Early voting ends this Friday, November 1! 

Has anyone seen the story in today's news about a house in Saginaw, MI that was sold on eBay for $1.75?  Apparently there's a pending foreclosure and back taxes due on the property.  The buyer has no intentions of moving into the property and hopes to sale it for a profit.  To each it's own - I guess.

I personally think that money would have been better invested at the McDonald's drive thru.

http://www.mlive.com/saginawnews/news/index.ssf/2008/09/abandoned_saginaw_home_sells_f.html
(Be sure to check out the sales history via the link in the second comment)