Weekly Preview

Monday - Writing
Tuesday - Writing & David turns 15!
Wednesday - Writing
Thursday - Writing, New Year's Eve (no plans right now!)
Friday - New Year's Day - thrift store sale!? & More Writing
Saturday - No plans! except Writing. lol
Sunday - Church

I've got a LOT of writing to do, since I've been procrastinating my work. I work best under pressure anyway, right?

The annual half-off clothing sale at my favorite thrift store should happen once again on New Year's Day. I plan to go and buy some new "skinny" clothes, in a size smaller. Some of them may be a little tight, but they ought to fit great within 5 lbs and they'll be good incentive. Plus I need an interview outfit.

Bob is working M, W, Th and F this week. I think it's 9-5:30 each day except once it is 11-7:30

Last week's workouts:
M - Tae-bo (30 min)
W - 3 mile run (hilly course)
Sat - 3 mile run

Tuesday I attempted a "Barbie" workout tape with Suzy. It was HER idea, but she had a little whiny fit in the middle of it and gave up, so I quit too. Got about 10 minutes into it.

I have been averaging only 3 workouts a week since the weather got cold. Once the New Year starts, I will work harder at getting 4 sessions in per week. If I have to do more Tae-bo or aerobics, so be it. I can only run outside if the weather cooperates. I won't endanger myself by running if it is icy.

Christmas Eve Photos

From 2009-12-24

It was HARD to get a satisfactory photo of all four of my goofy offspring! They weren't particularly co-operative and I ended up having to be satisfied with everyone looking at the camera and not making a silly face. Not sure what David was doing with the ornament. lol

I was much happier with the individual photos!

Do you like the shirts? I had given up on the idea of new PJ's for Christmas Eve since we have no money for stuff like that right now. Even though it's a tradition, we were going to have to let it go.....

Then I unpacked the Christmas craft tote and realized I had bought these shirts last year on clearance after Christmas. $2.25 each! Awesome, eh? They all wore PJ pants they already had.

Yeah, I know. We don't even "DO" Santa. LOL Makes it funnier, doncha agree?

Weekly Preview

Monday - Lessons & Writing & Baking
Tuesday - Lessons & Writing & Baking
Wednesday - Lessons & Writing & Baking
Thursday - Lessons, Christmas Eve Service
Friday - Christmas!
Saturday - Clearance Shopping?
Sunday - Church

The kids want to make card houses this week. We don't have anywhere really to go this week, but our plans could change at any moment. I don't have any shopping really to do, since we aren't really buying anything.

Bob is working M, T and Sat this week. I think it's 10-6:30 each day

Last week's workouts:
T - 3 mile jog
Th - Tae-bo (30 min)
F - 2.5 mile run

Gotta step the workouts back up to at least 4 per week.

Hump Day Update

Quick update.

Monday, we did some lessons and then headed out to spend the day at a friend's. She was hosting a scrapbooking day and the kids were going to have their SOCIALIZATION PRACTICE. Every homeschooled child needs this, you know. So, the moms socialized and the kids socialized. People came and people went. We stayed. All night. LOL We haven't seen these particular friends in way too long and the night was so fun! We laughed and laughed. She introduced me and another friend to Tyler Perry, whose movies I'd never seen. We also watched Scrooged. You know, for holiday spirit. Then we talked religion into the wee hours. We are all Christians, but go to vastly different churches.

Daylight came way too early and WHAT? This friend doesn't drink COFFEE! So I was bleary. Headed out late morning, stopping at Meijer on the way for gingerbread house supplies. Mid-afternoon I went for a 3 mile run outside. I took a new route. More hills. Ow. Had to walk some. Plus having only 5 hours of restless sleep probably didn't help too much. lol

The rest of Tuesday was spent in listing books on Amazon and job searching on the internet. OK, I may have played a LITTLE Bejeweled on facebook. So, that was Tuesday.

Oh yeah, and Bob got the big fridge moved into the kitchen! YAY He had Tuesday off. It's not hooked up to water yet. That will be a bigger job since that hookup doesn't even exist yet.

Today, I never even left the house. LOVE that when it's cold and windy. It was Gingerbread House Day here today and pictures will be up eventually at Cornerstone. We watched some Mr. Bean on DVD and had a long lecture (ahem) on expectations and how they would change if anyone here were to be enrolled in public school. Did you know they would have to be at the jr/sr high school around SEVEN AM? Ungodly hour, isn't it? They thought so too.

I did push the kids outside for a while today, but I didn't even do Tae-bo. Tomorrow is another day. If it is sunny and not too awfully windy, I will run 3 miles outside again. If the weather is icky, it will be a Tae-bo day.

Tomorrow I also have to get everything ready for Family Christmas on Saturday - gather all the white elephants together and make sure I have all the goodies made.

Friday we are going to the rec center for a swim party with the homeschool group. The kids are excited about that. They love swimming there and it's expensive so we don't go too often. Read that as Almost Never. We'll stop at the store after for any last-minute stuff and make sure we get a good night's sleep so we can head out bright and early Saturday for the celebration!

Weekly Preview

Monday - Lessons, Scrapbooking with friends
Tuesday - Lessons
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Christmas Pool Party for SOF
Saturday - Family Christmas in GR
Sunday - GR

The kids want to make card houses this week and I want to be sure to get gingerbread houses done sometime before Christmas.

I started selling on amazon.com. Created an account and listed some movies. Going to list books too - a few each day.

Bob is working M, W, Th 10-6:30 and Fri 11-7:30.

Last week's workouts:
S - 3 mile jog
T - Tae-bo (30 min)
F - Tae-bo (60 min)
Sa - 3 mile race (5K)

I had hoped to get one more running day in, but the weather was rather uncooperative.

I've decided to train for a 10K, with my sights set on the Mackinac Island Lilac Festival in June. That ought to be motivating, right?

Blessings

Whining about having no money? No, probably not.

More lists of jobs I didn't get? Boring.

Whining about the cold weather? Gets old.

Excuses about staying up too late? No one wants to hear that.

All the things that are breaking or falling apart? Even I don't want to think about that.

So, because I'm not writing about THOSE things, I haven't been writing much here. I am sure you're tired of clicking here and finding nothing new though. Pictures of James on his TENTH birthday are nice, but they don't really tell you anything NEW, do they?

Yes, my little boy has hit the double digits! My oldest will be FIFTEEN quite soon - amazing, eh? And my second born will be a teen in the spring, making me the mom of TWO of those exasperating and inspiring creatures known as teenagers.

I'm really glad Bob is working and he's adjusting to it pretty well, I think. I wish he had more hours since 32 hours at minimum wage just isn't enough. We continue looking for work. That reminds me, I have a phone call to make.

Have I ever mentioned I hate making phone calls? Well, this phone call is for a telemarketing job. Are those the only people HIRING nowadays?? I can't even get the local grocery store to call me. I even applied at Walmart, for gosh sake. Oops.... Ventured into boring territory there.

Got the tree up Saturday and we decorated on Sunday. Looks Christmas-y around here, although we don't do a LOT of frou-frou. I admire it in other people's homes though. My kids are all excited - snow, pretty tree, stockings hanging. They've been making presents and wrapping them. At least the girls have.

I'm going to try listing some books on amazon.com for sale. Maybe that will bring in a little money. I have three Spanish classes starting in January, and I thought about calling the enrichment program I used to teach for and seeing if we could get that on the schedule again there. Another phone call. Hate making phone calls.

I sorted out our medical insurance. (Bob and I finally qualified for Medicaid again. Thankfully!) Bob really needed to go to the doctor. He hasn't been in a year or so. He was off all his meds since we couldn't afford them. The kids and I changed health plans and hopefully I can get new glasses. I need bifocals, I think. Sigh. We are all going to try new doctors (except Bob). I had enough of the run-around that we got at the old practice. I need to call the new place and get the records transferred over.

Dentist needs a call too. Kids are overdue for 6 month checkups. Sadly neither Bob nor I can go to the dentist. Kids out there? TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR TEETH!

It takes a huge effort to stop thinking about money problems and focus on the kids. They need me to be directing my energy at their education and well-being. It's hard when there is so much stress.

Im not even going to mention the hot water heater.

Let's try counting blessings. That always helps!

• A friend just dropped off a box of goodies. I need to go poke through that. It'll make me feel loved.
• A local ministry is buying some gifts for the kids for Christmas. VERY thankful for that.
• Christmas money came in the mail from a couple different places. THANK YOU!
• I won a prize in that writer's contest I entered a couple weeks ago (and posted about on Cornerstone). When it arrives, I will blog about that.
• Everyone is healthy.
• The medical insurance finally came through.
  
• I'm still losing weight.
• I love having hot water whenever it decides to cooperate.
• We are not (very far) behind in any bills.
• I have book club tomorrow! That's always a bundle of laughs!
• I can find lots of good books and DVD's at the library.
• I'm still homeschooling. (That IS a plus, I keep reminding myself.)
• Bob's remodeling the kitchen to fit the "new" fridge Maryann gave us (was that 2 years ago?! lol)
• Christmas cards are rolling in from loved ones near and far.
• I have internet access in my home.
  
• We are warm and fed and loved.

There, I feel better. I'm going to go make some yummy potato soup.

James Turns TEN!

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church, Decorate Tree, Make Cookies, Youth Group (E,D)
Monday - Lessons, Teach 2 Spanish classes, ERRANDS!
Tuesday - Lessons, Young Marines?? (J)
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Lessons, Science Club (J)
Saturday - Santa Shuffle 5K, Book Club

Bob is working M, T, W 10-6:30 and Sa Fri 11-7:30. [UPDATE - Bob asked to work Fri instead of Sat and his boss agreed with no problem. This makes things much easier for us on Sat.]

Still haven't figured out James' birthday. Maybe we'll just be doing a sleepover. I can't figure out a good night either, though! [UPDATE - I think it'll be after Christmas as I think our available weekend dates are all filled.]

I am not sure if we will keep doing Young Marines. Neither of the friends James thought was going to do it with him has done so, and I hate the every-week commitment. Especially in Lapeer. And he hasn't LOVED it.

And Emily is hoping to have a gathering of her friends too, before Christmas, so we have to decide on a time to do that too. [UPDATE - I think we'll end up doing something between Christmas and New Year's for her, too. That changes her plans a little, but I think we can make it work.]

Last week's workouts:
M - 3 mile jog
W - 3 mile jog
Sa - Tae-Bo (60 min)

Yeah, I didn't manage as many workouts as usual. The TV didn't co-operate and life was a little busier. This week I hope to get in 3 jogs (including the 5K on Sat) and 2 Tae-Bo workouts (one long, one short). I'm going to run on the best weather days. I already started out with a 3 mile jog today (Sunday).

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Writing
Monday - NaNoWriMo Ends!!!, Lessons, Teach 2 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, James birthday, Young Marines (J), Keepers (E&S)
Wednesday - Lessons, Art class (E&J)
Thursday - Lessons, Ladies Christmas Party
Friday - Lessons, Star Wars Day (D), Living Nativity
Saturday - Living Nativity, Decorating the tree

Bob is working M, T, W, F 10-6:30. He won't be getting 40 hours anymore, I guess. This confirms that he has to keep looking for something else. Working 30 hours a week at minimum wage won't keep us solvent. It also makes it pretty clear that I need to bring in some income.

We are making some Christmas cookies this week and starting our Christmas School. I'll post some at Cornerstone about that.

I'm tossing around some ideas for celebrating James' birthday. He wants to gather a couple friends and go to the Community Center to swim, so I'll see if we can work that out.

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - None
M - Tae-bo (27 minutes) and 100 crunches
T - Jog 3 miles and 100 crunches
W - Tae-bo (attempted the long video, but pooped out before the end - made about 45 min)
Th - Jog 3 miles
Fr - Tae-bo (short)
Sa - None

The Employment Saga Continues

Tonight I sent out a few resumes and completed an online job app or two. Thought y'all might be interested in the jobs I've applied for recently.

The last three weeks have brought these employment opportunities to my notice, and I've applied for each one.

• Merchandiser
• Dispatcher at a Towing Company
• Special Services Notetaker at a local community college
• Stage Crew at the community college
• Clerical Assistant, also at the community college
• Coordinator of Learning Support Services, one more at the community college
• Any available position at a local grocery store
• Court Researcher
• Manager of a local tanning salon (cuz, ya know, I'm so TAN and all. lolol)
• Leasing Agent for an apartment community
• Teacher/Coordinator at some kind of daycare/preschool or something
• Weekend Assembly work at a temp agency (even THEY don't call me back)
• Office Assistant
• Field Interviewer
• Sales Associate/PreSeller for a portrait company (ok, I am getting desperate, eh?)
• Operations Manager for a nationwide movie rental company
• Nutrition Educator

I am trying hard to identify part-time opportunities that allow either a flexible schedule or non-traditional work hours. For full time, I am only considering options that have really excellent pay or weekends only because it would mean the kids have to go to school. And that isn't our goal.

I'd like to do some tutoring, so if anyone is in need of a tutor, please let me know. Also have considered (gasp) babysitting on a regular basis.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Night of Writing Ridiculously
Monday - Lessons, Teach 2 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, Live Well group
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Thanksgiving here at home
Friday - Writing, go see New Moon? (anyone? anyone?)
Saturday & Sunday - Writing
Monday - NaNoWriMo Ends!!!

Oh wow! This is the last week of the month! How'd that happen? I am only 60% done with the book! Good thing there isn't too much going on this week, so I can write. Or play Bejeweled Blitz.

Bob works this week on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat - yep, only four days again. At least they are eight-hour days. He will be working 10-6:30 instead of 8:30-5.

The 5K I plan to do has been moved back a week to December 12, so I have another week to get ready. But it also has another week to get COLD. lol

Planned Workouts - S - None, M - Tae-bo (short), T - Jog 3 miles, W - Tae-bo (long), Th - Jog 3 miles, Fr - Tae-bo (short), Sa - Make up any missed workout

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - None
M - Tae-bo (27 min)
T - Jog 2.4 miles
W - Tae-bo (60 min)
R - None (too distracted)
F - Tae-bo (27 min)
Sa - Jog 1.5 miles (tired & twinge in knee)

Going to up the jogging next week and hit a 3 mile run at least once, preferably twice.

Sagas 1 & 2 and 5K Coming Up

James went to the doctor last week and was put on an antibiotic. Well, THIS week, he seems to have turned up with a non-allergic amoxicillin rash. He is covered in red spots. I was going to take him to the doctor, but it turned out to be a lot harder than I imagined.

I called our regular pediatrician. Waited on hold for about twelve minutes before speaking to a human and learning that the doctor is out of town for 2 weeks. Gone to India. The office referred us to the pediatrician on call - he was gone to jury duty. (They can't excuse him during H1N1 season??? Really?)

So, I called HIS replacement and left a message on their answering service, which told me they would call back within 48-72 hours. Reassuring, eh? I then called BACK to our office and asked if James could see one of the family practice doctors. Nope, they were all overloaded, and all call-ins were being referred to the walk-in clinic. Farther away? During flu season? Not really a good idea, in my opinion.

Finally that last office called back and told me THAT doctor had gone home sick. I was talking to the nurse though, and she agreed with me that it was probably the non-allergic amoxicillin rash and James was probably not contagious. Keep giving him the amoxicillin.

But I kept him home from co-op anyway because he just looks so awful. He feels great though! The other kids have gone to co-op but I am home with James.

That was saga #1. Saga #2 involved a hard drive failure which thankfully is covered under warranty. I spent a lot less time on the phone with tech support than I did trying to get ahold of a doctor. lol A new hard drive will be sent to us within a couple business days, and we can get back to business. But everything on that hard drive is toast. All of my stuff is backed up. David and Emily both lost some work, though. Emily was devastated, but David was matter-of-fact. He told me his philosophy is basically "Don't cry over spilled milk" and got back to work typing in his lost 2000 words.

I have finished teaching the first semester of one of my Spanish classes. It will resume again mid-January. Three weeks remain in the first semester of the other Spanish classes.

This coming week appears to be calm - most activities are not being held because of Thanksgiving. I am hopeful that I can catch up with my writing. I am several thousand words behind.

I've been counting calories this week. I've not been recording my food intake in a couple of months, but I've gotten lazy. Next year? I better count calories around Halloween. I am going to try hard to make my goal by mid-December.

I found a 5K race, the Santa Shuffle in Lapeer, that I think I'll run two weeks from tomorrow. There is a fun run for the kids that I may be able to persuade the kids to participate in. Anyone care to join me?


So, fin

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Skipped church; rearranged living room
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines, S&E Keepers
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Co-op
Saturday - Book Club (going to see Shakespeare play!)

Bob works this week on Mon, Wed, Fri, and Sat - yep, only four days. :-(

Planned Workouts - S - None, M - Tae-bo (short), T - Jog 2.5 miles, W - Tae-bo (long), Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fr - Tae-bo (short), Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - None
M - None - resting,
T - Kickboxing at church
W - Jog 2.4 miles
T - Tae-bo (27 min)
F - Tae-bo (60 min)
Sa - Painting a room (2 hours or more)

The Tuesday kickboxing class isn't very challenging compared to the other class I took or compared to Tae-bo, but it's a good pace for Emily.

On Wednesday, I jogged TWO MILES WITHOUT STOPPING! I was so excited that I even woo-hoo'd right there in the cemetery. LOL I walked there and back and ran 4 loops. I even did a 20 second speed burst on each loop.

That was the only jog I managed this week - and it was such a nice week too! It's been too chilly for me in the mornings and I only managed an afternoon jog the one time.

I woke up today really sore (in a good way) from the long Tae-bo video I did Friday night, rather late. I worked very hard on it. Today we painted the dining room - mostly David and I - and sparkpeople.com says 2 hours of painting burns 700 calories! So, that was my workout for today - that and scrubbing the floor on my knees.

I'll jog Sunday.

Long-awaited update

I haven't written much of anything here except weekly previews and lists of completed workouts. I haven't had a lot to say, I guess. It's all pouring into the story. Heh heh....

The weather has been a nice surprise - late in the year for an Indian summer, but really nice. This whole week has been gorgeous. Next week also looks to be nice, although chillier with maybe some rain. I can still hang out my laundry on occasion and the furnace isn't running as much, which is nice when it comes time to write that check.

Bob worked Mon-Fri last week and Mon-Thurs this week. He works tomorrow too, which is the Grand Opening of their store. Next week, they only scheduled him four days, one of which is Saturday. Maybe he can use the two weekdays he is off to go apply at some other places. Now that he has some recent work experience, maybe that will help.

David has been busy listing items on eBay. Did you know you can list 5 items every month for free? You pay the final value fee if they sell, but no listing fee. He weeded out his PSP games and is hoping to earn enough money to buy an iPod Touch. He has some money he earned doing yard work for a friend of ours too.

James went to the doctor on Wednesday since he had a sore throat, swollen gland in his neck, and hasn't been sleeping well. The doctor took a throat swab (to test for strep) and wrote him a prescription for an antibiotic. He has been taking it for almost 2 days and feels better - the gland seems smaller. Haven't heard if it was strep or not. She also thought 'mono' was a possibility. If he wasn't feeling better by today, she wanted to see him back again. But he IS feeling better - thankfully. He told me this morning that his throat doesn't hurt when he swallows.

Suzy had bright red cheeks that same day, which is a huge sign a kid has Fifth disease. However, the next day, a lacy rash is supposed to show up on the extremities and she didn't have that, or a fever. So, I don't know what that was all about. I call her healed in Jesus' name!

David and Emily have remained healthy. I've made everyone take Vitamin C a couple times a day and let them sleep in. I bought some garlic for the dreaded garlic/honey/vinegar cure, but I haven't used it. Bob is fighting a sniffle and cough, but that's about it. He often comes down with something in the cold months.

I was supposed to go scrapbooking this weekend with friends, but one friend's son has H1N1 and the other friend is also sick, so we have sadly cancelled our fun times. The kids are bummed because they were going to get to go along as well. Hopefully we can reschedule. So, I guess we can do something family-oriented in the nice weather and we can all write!

Missing? The USB cord for my MP3 player. This will seriously cramp my style! It is a MUST-HAVE.

Stay tuned for details of the insane project I've undertaken since I didn't go away for the weekend.

Weekly Preview

Bob works 8 hours on Monday-Thursday and on Saturday this week. The store opens on Saturday for the first day of business. (Salvation Army in Oxford)

Goal each day is 1667 words. Need to be at 23,000 by Friday.

Sunday - Skipped church; photo shoot
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines
Wednesday - Lessons; Doug FM Free movie night
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Lessons; J Science, Scrapping?
Saturday - Scrapping? And writing


Planned Workouts - S - None, M - None - resting, T - Jog 2.5 miles, W - Tae-bo (long), Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fr - Tae-bo (long), Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

If I go to the Healthy Living class on Tuesday night, then I'll do kickboxing there and change my schedule around. Or maybe I'll just add it to this schedule, since that kickboxing is a rather sedate workout comparatively. I can only go if Bob takes James to Young Marines.

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts -
S - 3 mile jog
M - None - resting
T - Jog 1 mile (treadmill problems again! Argh!)
W - Tae-bo (50 min; I skipped the biceps/triceps work)
Th - Jog 2.4 miles (4 loops and walked there/back; kids went me)
Fr - Tae-bo (27 min)
Sa - 2.4 mile jog

On Saturday, I had hoped for 3 miles, but I was not in good form and my right Achilles tendon was tight. So, I alternated jogging and walking a bit more than usual and stopped after 4 loops instead of 6.

I tried treadmill jogging on Tuesday, but after about a mile, it overheated. That's what it did before. And not only did it overheat, it also popped the circuit breaker. And now even when I put in the little key thing, it pops the circuit breaker. In my admittedly under-informed opinion, it needs a new motor. This was a free treadmill we got from a church acquaintance. Her basement had flooded and the treadmill was in there. So, it likely got wet. Not sure if we will try to fix it, or just trash it. Hate to trash it. I was so looking forward to using it this winter.

And can I just say, I love Tae-bo?? It's not too hard, but it makes me sweat. Very good workout. Plus there are varying levels and lengths and different workouts so I don't get too bored. And once I've done it a few times, I can turn down the volume and listen to my MP3 player instead.

I do miss my kickboxing classes though. Those were 30 minutes of cardio kick and 30 minutes of strength/toning exercises. I need to add in those crunches and such-like to my routine.

I have just over a month to my goal date and I have 7 more pounds to lose to my goal weight. It won't be quite a year since I started. I need to get intense about that last bit of weight. I've come a long way and I want to hit my mark!

Weekly Preview

Bob works 8:30-5 Monday-Friday this week. That's the most hours he's been scheduled in a week so far.

Since NaNoWriMo begins Sunday, I will be writing like a madwoman all week. Goal each day is 1667 words.

Sunday - National Novel Writing Month begins! Attend Write-in? D&E Youth Party
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines & E&S Keepers at Home
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Co-op, J Sleepover
Saturday - No plans except Writing


Planned Workouts - S - 3 mile jog or a bike ride, M - None - resting, T - Jog 2.5 miles, W - Tae-bo, Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fr - Tae-bo if time before co-op, Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - Jog 2.9 miles (5 loops and walking there/back)
M - None - resting
T - Kickboxing 20 min and running 10 laps of the gym at church
W - Jog 2.9 miles (5 loops and walking there/back)
Th - Tae-bo video (27 min)
Fri - none (LOTR marathon day ALL DAY)
Sa - 60 min Tae-bo video (instead of Fri)

I ran a mile and a half (3 loops) without stopping this week. I've done that before, but I can't do it consistently. Yet.

I am not working on increasing speed 0r distance until I can consistently jog 4 or maybe 5 loops without slowing to a walk. I'm sure I can work up to that . Then I will tackle running a little faster (since what I do now is barely a jog, lol) and doing 3 miles as my normal run instead of my "long run".

Weekly Preview

Oops, I wrote this out before the weekend, but neglected to return to publish it.

Sunday - Sunday School & Church
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes, Bob OFF
Tuesday - Lessons, J Young Marines Halloween Party, Bob OFF
Wednesday - Lessons, Bob work
Thursday - Lessons, Bob work, Bob & I go hear Todd Wilson speak
Friday - Bob Work, LOTR Marathon Day!
Saturday - Bob Work, Trick-or-treating
Sunday - NaNoWriMo begins!

Thankfully Bob's Jury Duty will be over this week. He had to report for one jury selection last week, but wasn't chosen for the jury. He has to call in two days this week, but it's uncertain if he will need to go in or not.

I have no plot for NaNoWriMo yet. Hopefully something will come to me soon! I begin writing on Sunday!

Planned Workouts - S - 2.5 mile jog, M - None - resting, T - Kickboxing class at church w/Emily, W - Jog 2.5 miles, Th - long Tae-bo video, Fr - Jog 2.5 miles, Sa - Make up any missed workout or long jog

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts:
S - 4 mile Bike Ride with Suzy and James
M - None - resting
T -Jog 2.4 miles (4 loops and walking there/back)
W - Tae-bo Instructional Video at home with Emily (not much of a workout)
Th - Jog 2.4 miles (4 loops and walking there/back)
Fri - none
Sa - long Tae-bo video (instead of Fri)

I just can't make it to that 9:00 kickboxing class with Emily and still manage to do a proper day's lessons with the other kids. So until the class is at a more workable time, it's going to be Tae-bo videos for us.

Weekly Preview

Bob has to call in for Jury Duty twice. He hasn't had to go in except for that first day.

I am going to try to do an hour of cold calls each day Mon-Thursday. Check on me with that, ok???

Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes, Bob OFF
Tuesday - Lessons, S&E Keepers, J Young Marines, Bob work
Wednesday - Lessons, Bob work
Thursday - Lessons, Bob work, Pistons Game with J&S
Friday - Co-op, Bob Work
Saturday - Book Club
Sunday - Sunday School & Church

Planned Workouts - S - Bike Ride, M - None - resting, T -Jog 2.5 miles, W - Kickboxing Class with Emily, Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fri - long Tae-bo video, Sa - Make up any missed workout or jog 3 miles if I feel like it

Since Mondays are so hectic for me, I will probably use that as my rest day.

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts
S - None - resting
M - None, overslept and busy day
T -Jog 2.5 miles
W - woke up feeling queasy so skipped kickboxing (Em was pleased! lol)
Th - still feeling punky so didn't do any exercise
Fri - Tae-bo video (27 min)
Sa - Jogged 3 miles; walked there and back
Su - Planning to head out now for a 4 mile bike ride

Unintelligible?

So today, I was sitting in church listening to a young man play the piano and sing. I didn't realize he could play piano, so I was mildly amazed. The song wasn't particularly to my liking, but it was ok and he was doing well.

Then I heard the old guy behind me lean over to his seatmate and ask a question that nearly made me laugh aloud.

"Is he singing in ENGLISH??"

Jobs I Didn't Get

I've been applying for lots of jobs, mostly NOT teaching jobs. I don't really want to land a teaching position since it requires lots of out-of-classroom commitments as well as working the hours I need to be home in order to keep home educating.

So, I thought I'd give you an overview of some of the jobs I DIDN'T get. All of these were kind enough to let me know I didn't get the jobs. Much preferable to leaving me in the dark about that, I say.

• Support Staff/Library Media Assistant at a local school district (applied before I decided to really try hard to NOT get a school job, lol)
• Administrative Assistant to the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning (Again, another daytime job with a school, although this one's pay would have made it worthwhile! lol)
• Events Manager at a local university - scheduling events for one of their buildings (Oh, I thought I would be really good at this and I liked the afternoon hours.)
• Community Enrichment Program Coordinator - managing an after-school enrichment program for a nearby school district (Ok, hello? I already DO this for our homeschool co-op. I would have been perfect! But it was a bit on the far side....)
• Customer Service Representative for a local branch of an office supply chain retail store (I don't mind working retail, but they apparently didn't want to give me a chance.)

There are LOTS of other jobs I've applied for and have heard nothing, despite it being quite a while. Here are a few:

• Computer Instruction Coordinator
• Hospital Unit Clerk
• Administrative/Purchasing Asst
• Administrative Assistant
• Call Center Representative
• Merchandiser
• Assembly (several jobs with different companies/agencies)
• Library Cataloging Asst
• Proofreader
• Operator/Data Entry Clerk
• Collections Specialist
• Evening Support Staff/Receptionist
• Assistant Program Coordinator
• Business Development Specialist

I had a message today from a company whose ad had read WANTED: Responsible and Organized Person. Well, that's me, right? They called, so I'll call back and see what they might have for me.

I also applied today at a "local" sports venue (one you've all heard of, I'm sure! lol) to do something with food service during games. A friend of mine does it and she says they get great tips.

I'm not worried, as I know Who is in charge. But it all makes me wonder. I've always thought I would have no problem getting work. I guess my plans are not the ones that matter, eh?

Jer 29:11 (NIV) "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Something interesting about that verse.... Will share more later....

Weekly Preview

Well, the job didn't work out. It involved being deceptive and I decided my participation would not be a good idea. So, my schedule is less committed. However, I will be making some cold calls, trying finally to get my business started. Yeah, I know I've had a year's hiatus, but I figured if I was willing to make calls to sell water softeners, which I don't care anything about, I ought to be willing to make calls to sell my writing services. Right??

Bob worked 3 eight hour days last week. This week he will probably work 10-5 four days. Plus he has to call in for Jury Duty twice.

Sunday - Sunday School & Church, D & E have youth group at night
Monday - Lessons, Teach 3 Spanish classes, Bob work
Tuesday - Lessons, Tour Fire station, J Young Marines?, Bob work
Wednesday - Lessons, AWANA, James Soccer game
Thursday - Lessons, Soccer game for J, Bob work
Friday - Lessons, Bob work, card playing night?
Saturday - Last soccer games for J & S, visit a friend?

Planned Workouts (same as last week, I think) - S - None - resting, M - Tae-bo video, T -Jog 2.5 miles, W - Kickboxing Class with Emily, Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fri - Tae-bo video, Sa - Make up any missed workout or jog 3 miles if I feel like it, Su - rest and maybe a bike ride?

Completed Workouts

Completed Workouts -
S - None - resting,
M - Tae-bo video (65 minutes)
T -Jog 1.0 miles (darn treadmill died!)
W - Kickboxing Class with Emily
Th - Jog 2.5 miles
Fri - Nothing. My knees were bothering and I overslept besides. :-D
Sa - Jogged 3.4 miles (6 loops, plus walking there and back)

Weekly Preview

This week I start working in the afternoons. Tuesday is my first day. Bob is probably working during the day, but I don't know if it will be every day. Plus he has to report for Jury Duty on Tuesday. It's going to be a hectic week and I am getting everything done ahead of time that I can.

Sunday - Sunday School & Church, D & E have youth group at night
Monday - Lessons, Spanish classes, Bob works 8:30-5
Tuesday - Lessons, J & D soccer games, Bob JURY DUTY, I work 4-9, Girls have Keepers at the Nature Center
Wednesday - Lessons, AWANA begins (but I am not sure if we are doing it), I work 4-9
Thursday - Lessons, Soccer practice for J and game for S, I work 4-9
Friday - Co-op, I work 5-9, David's last soccer game (he's breathing a sigh of relief!), James Science Club
Saturday - I work 9-1 (no soccer games this weekend)

Planned Workouts - S - None - resting, M - Tae-bo video, T -Jog 2.5 miles, W - Kickboxing Class with Emily, Th - Jog 2.5 miles, Fri - Tae-bo video if there is time before co-op, Sa - Make up any missed workout or jog 3 miles if I feel like it, Su - rest and maybe a bike ride?