Pic of the Week

Enjoy the quiet right after the storm

Simple Woman's Daybook

FOR TODAY - October 7 Outside my window...well, I am not looking out MY window, I am at work actually, so from my post at the front desk I see the lights of the airport. I am thinking...about how I am going to get through this week. I have 3 days of 16 hours per day at either job. I house that needs to be cleaned and much organization to papers. I am thankful...for my kids, they are so loving and forgiving. They know this is a short season in time in which mom is extremely busy. In the kitchen...I forgot to take any meat out of the freezer as I was headed out the door, but it's Football day, so it may be finger food all day. I am wearing...black slacks, white blouse, uniform you know I am creating...oh how I wish I was creating, but I plan on starting to knit and I will try my hand at dish towels. I am going...to bed...after I get off of work at 6am, I have to be at my full time job at 3pm work unitl 10pm and than to the part time job from 11pm until 7 am. I am wondering...am I crazy and just misguided. I am reading...I am failing in this category as well, I just can't seem to grasp the time. I am hoping...for a focused week, that moves quickly so my normal schedule can begin. I am looking forward to...two field trips this week, recycling center and a schooner. I am learning..that it takes alot of hard work. Around the house...clothes need to be put away, books need to organized, and we could use some dusting. I am pondering...stability. A favorite quote for today...tell me when it over One of my favorite things...cuddling int the bed with the kids when I get home from work, that one hour of sleep with them is divine. A few plans for the rest of the week: work, classes, school, A peek into my day...(Have to buy a camera0

A Second Choice

So this second potential job, pays more almost $400.00 more montly and includes great benefits, health, dental, life insurance, std and ltd, etc. The only thing I worried about was if I could do the work. This job is a production job, so time and quantiy is of the essence. I have not worked in such an environment in many moons. I have enjoyed my low key lesiure jobs with lots of down time. Remember, I am a mom of 7 at home who are educated at home. So I have spent time researching, lesson planning, and preparing. If I would chose a job that now actually takes up the entire eight hours that I am there, where in the world am I going to find time to do my planning. Also I have to consider my mental well being. Will I be able to handle the stress of being under a task master and continue to perform well at home. Unfortunately these thoughts sit behind the fact that I need to feed my family. So montegary gains trumps the rest at times. I made decision to quit the first job I had and head into training with this second job opportunity. To leave Social Security alone and stand on my own two feet. I may really fall. Winter is coming and my depression gets worst during this season. But I am okay with the decision I have made. I feel good about being an active participant in my life. I also feel good about where I am placing myself and my family. So now on to my regular scheduled programs.

The First Choice

So not only did I find a job but disability came through. So what do you do? The first logical thing was to run the numbers. So the monthly take home pay from the job would be about $50 more than the social security payment. Add in transportation clothing and the enivitable eating out or snack food purchases and social security would come out ahead. So a done deal right. Well I don't think I am comfortable with not working. Two main ideas stick in my head. One I don't want to remain sick. I don't want to be ill forever. I want to get better to fight this thing. Also there can be much joy found in hard work. I was raised to take full responsibility of what is mine and what I do. So with that in mind I let go of the sure and put my feable brain to the test with work. I was content with the job and what was required of me to complete it. It wasn't stressful and being 3rd shift no management hovering over you. I then received notice that a previous application and interview was accepted and I now had a second job. Choice #2

So many choices...

I have been meaning to begin this post only a dozen or so times. But I received a jolt and some clarity just a few minutes ago, so I feel motivated to type. Work.... This noun or verb is a part of everyone's life. Some go to a building outside of their home, some chase children, others animals, even others may to hours scheming and plotting. The difficulty I have been having with this word as of late is how it should look in my life. I am a mom of 7 growing kids. So right there, there's a ton of work. In my situation I also have to bring in income into the household as well as educate and nurture my brood. The idea alone is sometimes over-whelming. Spiritual guidance, secular guidance, nutrition, medical needs and now add to that outside expectations. Add to this the fact that I suffer from bi-polar disorder with psychotic features. Needles to say my emotional make-up is sometimes a fragile one. But again I have to no choice but to add to the pot. Because of my disorder going into business for myself is not the wisest thing to do. So that leads me to getting a more traditional job in the work place. Last November, my mental condition came crashing in around me. I was completely disabled. I had to stop working and for the next ten months I focused on getting myself healthy and maintaining what I could of a stable environment for the family. My disability was so bad I was recommended for disability (Social Security) benefits. So it was six of those ten months of have a waiting game to see if I would be approved or not. I thought only if I get approved than I can focus on my kids and my health. Well ten months is a long time with no to very little income. Four of these ten months my husband was laid off from his job. So we had enough money to pay rent, one utility bill (out of four)and purchase some household items. There was visits to the food pantry, social service agencies, holes in socks, shoes. Once my husband returned to work we were able to catch up on utilities and pay for most of our basic needs. But still if someone out grew something, not to mention the upcoming school year in which books and supplies would needed to be secured. I began to really see that I needed to get back to work. Crazy or not, if I was a loon at least my kids would eat, right? Slowly I began my job search continuously questioning if this was right. Shortly, after a month or less of looking, I secured a job. Nothing extraordinaire, but something versus nothing is...well...something. I was okay with what I found. I began my training schedule. Not three days into this training, did I get a notice from Social Security stating I had been approved. Choice #1

Moving Day

So many things to post, too tired. The month of December appears to be another busy one for our family. We are on the move, my hubby's big plans have finally come into fruition so there will be post of home repair, renovation, new scary neighbor(hood)s, and very frugal living. Missed typing so welcome to our new normal.

Monday Monday

Monday's are an interesting day.  I usually view them with so much hope and anticipation.  There is a list of activities, events, books, and crafts to complete.  But since this is also life there are meals, bills, appointments, errands oh yeah and cleaning.  So there is a zeal and determination that I meet each new Monday with. 

Right around noon on Monday all I can muster up is a no, I can't nap yet, is this the baby boy's poop or the cat's, I don't care go ahead and eat the cake for lunch.  Shortly before I settle deep into piles of laundry, 2:30pm rolls around.  Time to dance. 

This event is met with its own chaos of hair, clothes, water bottles, and oh you expect to eat again-before I leave.  But what does this mama good is the walk.  We live well within walking distance to the dance studio; a 15-20 leisure stroll or the more frequent 10 minute power walk because I couldn't find my keys. 

I appreciate this walk, the sights the sounds.  I love the brightness of the sun shining over downtown shortly before sunset begins.  I appeciate the air the beautiful chill of Autumn inhaling deeply into my lungs.  I enjoy the changes nature is sharing as it prepares for a long winter's sleep.  I work on my connection with the kids taking turns of who will come along and giving them undivided attention. 

I really enjoy the 60 minute of quiet time that I might get while class goes on.  Mom of 8, out of the home worker,  Hubby's side job assistant, kids home full time, married means very little alone quiet time.  Normally I would never say I need or want that time.  I covet this time.  I feel refreshed and awake as I return to the other 9 and all the demands that I wholeheartedly accept. 

You might have to check back with me as our Indian summer turns to blistery frozen winter and we move out of walking distance...but for now it is this simple thing that makes my Monday.