I'm still trying to keep my head above water, working and homeschooling. It's not going very smoothly. Lorna is working, riding, hanging with friends and still getting school done. Malachi is, as always, my steady easy one. He takes everything in stride and asks for nothing. It makes it really easy to ignore him which isn't fair.
I feel like all I do is work, I go home and mostly sleep. I'm just so mentally exhausted each evening.
We haven't gotten any further with the property, there is no time for that. Our weekends are filled with all the things that don't get done during the week.
Homeschooling and full time work for both parents is not to be undertaken lightly! The only reason we are even getting anything done is because of the foundation we laid before I had to return to the workforce. I can't imagine what my relationship would be like with the kids if we hadn't been home together as long as we were. Lorna cooks and Malachi cleans and both keep up with my laundry so I can work.
I am so blessed to have wonderful kids!!!!
Friday, February 24, 2012
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Update
Wow,so much has happened since the last time I wrote here.
I got a new job, I received a promotion, Paul lost all of his jobs, he got a really good new job, he wrecked his car while going 5 mph (not his fault) which ended up being a really good thing,and we've lost and gained a number of animals.
That's the short version...
My new employer shall remain nameless but I get to use my degree working there. That's a nice change since I'm still paying off the loans. Not only that but my promotion came with better pay and paid time off which I haven't seen since reentering the work force a little over a year ago. I took some risks in originally accepting the position but the risks have more than paid off.
Paul went through a period of time where the 2-3 jobs he had laid him off. He was on unemployment for a few months but he has recently started a new job. Luckily he was in the right place at the right time and the job, while having long hours (12-14 hour days), is really good. The company is solid and seems to take care of it's employees.
We've lost 2 dogs, gained 2 dogs,and added 2 goats to the mix. The goats are fun and low maintenance. The kids are doing well. Lorna lost her riding job but continues to make custom tack and jewelry. Malachi is growing like a weed and continuing to mature.
Lorna and I are in the middle of transitioning to another chorus. We love to sing together so we decided to change choruses rather than just quit when we ran into obstacles within the chorus we were in.
I think that is all the major things. We are super busy but all doing well.
I got a new job, I received a promotion, Paul lost all of his jobs, he got a really good new job, he wrecked his car while going 5 mph (not his fault) which ended up being a really good thing,and we've lost and gained a number of animals.
That's the short version...
My new employer shall remain nameless but I get to use my degree working there. That's a nice change since I'm still paying off the loans. Not only that but my promotion came with better pay and paid time off which I haven't seen since reentering the work force a little over a year ago. I took some risks in originally accepting the position but the risks have more than paid off.
Paul went through a period of time where the 2-3 jobs he had laid him off. He was on unemployment for a few months but he has recently started a new job. Luckily he was in the right place at the right time and the job, while having long hours (12-14 hour days), is really good. The company is solid and seems to take care of it's employees.
We've lost 2 dogs, gained 2 dogs,and added 2 goats to the mix. The goats are fun and low maintenance. The kids are doing well. Lorna lost her riding job but continues to make custom tack and jewelry. Malachi is growing like a weed and continuing to mature.
Lorna and I are in the middle of transitioning to another chorus. We love to sing together so we decided to change choruses rather than just quit when we ran into obstacles within the chorus we were in.
I think that is all the major things. We are super busy but all doing well.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Flooding and Mud
Many of you have heard of the flooding in California.
Our little valley is about an hour outside of a relatively large city. There are 4 ways into the valley. The main way is a canyon road that goes directly into the city, there is a small mountain road that is open intermittently in the winter, a road that goes through another valley and then hits a major highway, and the last route goes through a pass out into the desert. This last week has seen all ways in and out closed for short periods of time. The canyon road has been closed since the first storm hit. Many of the people in this valley rely on that road into the city to get to work. For the last week and a half many of these people have been driving hours out of their way to get to work. Today all roads were again closed. I keep wondering how much longer employers are going to be understanding. Will they give up and hire people who are having fewer troubles getting to work?
I was really lucky, although I missed 2 days of work I was able to make them up. Paul has been suffering in that he can't get into the city to sell anything. Since his salary was revoked as of last month he isn't making any money. This is the last straw, bankruptcy is looming.
The road into our property was washed out in the first storm. Once the flood waters receded we were able to walk across the creek. The creek used to flow under a bridge which allowed access to the properties in the area and the BLM road that goes into the forest. Now the creek flows about 50 feet in front of the bridge. A neighbor was able to get our truck across using his bulldozer to get it through the mud.
For the last week we have been walking a half mile to the truck which is parked across the creek. Last night the latest storm dumped enough water into the creek that it came up to our knees in some spots. During the day the crossing isn't too bad but in the dark it's daunting. Getting food and small supplies in has been relatively easy. Unfortunately we are just about out of hay so we will have to carry 100 lb hay bales in one at a time. A load of hay consists of 36 bales, it's going to be a huge workout for all of us!
Our little valley is about an hour outside of a relatively large city. There are 4 ways into the valley. The main way is a canyon road that goes directly into the city, there is a small mountain road that is open intermittently in the winter, a road that goes through another valley and then hits a major highway, and the last route goes through a pass out into the desert. This last week has seen all ways in and out closed for short periods of time. The canyon road has been closed since the first storm hit. Many of the people in this valley rely on that road into the city to get to work. For the last week and a half many of these people have been driving hours out of their way to get to work. Today all roads were again closed. I keep wondering how much longer employers are going to be understanding. Will they give up and hire people who are having fewer troubles getting to work?
I was really lucky, although I missed 2 days of work I was able to make them up. Paul has been suffering in that he can't get into the city to sell anything. Since his salary was revoked as of last month he isn't making any money. This is the last straw, bankruptcy is looming.
The road into our property was washed out in the first storm. Once the flood waters receded we were able to walk across the creek. The creek used to flow under a bridge which allowed access to the properties in the area and the BLM road that goes into the forest. Now the creek flows about 50 feet in front of the bridge. A neighbor was able to get our truck across using his bulldozer to get it through the mud.
For the last week we have been walking a half mile to the truck which is parked across the creek. Last night the latest storm dumped enough water into the creek that it came up to our knees in some spots. During the day the crossing isn't too bad but in the dark it's daunting. Getting food and small supplies in has been relatively easy. Unfortunately we are just about out of hay so we will have to carry 100 lb hay bales in one at a time. A load of hay consists of 36 bales, it's going to be a huge workout for all of us!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Quick Update
We've moved the animals and ourselves and are still working on our junk.
We are currently living in an RV and Fifth Wheel and only have solar power. We are still adjusting to our new way of life but the kids and I are certainly enjoying all the space to ride!
We've been blessed by an outpouring of offers of help from friends and acquaintances. It's amazing the support we've been offered!
Once we have the internet moved and the generator up and running I should be able to post more frequent updates.
We are currently living in an RV and Fifth Wheel and only have solar power. We are still adjusting to our new way of life but the kids and I are certainly enjoying all the space to ride!
We've been blessed by an outpouring of offers of help from friends and acquaintances. It's amazing the support we've been offered!
Once we have the internet moved and the generator up and running I should be able to post more frequent updates.
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Strugling
Why is it that every time something seems to be going well we are thrown another curve ball?
We've been attending this wonderful church whenever possible but it's been frustrating because I'm scheduled to work almost every Sunday at the market. Last week the feed store offered me more hours, enough so I can quit the market! Since the feed store is closed on Sundays I was ecstatic. We've been making it on a severely reduced income, it hasn't been easy but it's been doable so everything seemed to be turning around for us.
Friday Paul got a call from his boss, it seems the company is doing away with his salary package and going to straight commission. Yes the commission and monthly residuals will be a lot better but there is now no guaranty of pay if he has a slow week or month. They gave the employees 1 week notice of the change. I'm optimistic that Paul can make this work but I'm terrified that we won't be able to make ends meet. I'm trusting that God has a plan because that's all I can do at this point. I'm praying for stronger faith to make it through this and I'm also throwing in that I'd really love to have a boring life in the near future :)
We've been attending this wonderful church whenever possible but it's been frustrating because I'm scheduled to work almost every Sunday at the market. Last week the feed store offered me more hours, enough so I can quit the market! Since the feed store is closed on Sundays I was ecstatic. We've been making it on a severely reduced income, it hasn't been easy but it's been doable so everything seemed to be turning around for us.
Friday Paul got a call from his boss, it seems the company is doing away with his salary package and going to straight commission. Yes the commission and monthly residuals will be a lot better but there is now no guaranty of pay if he has a slow week or month. They gave the employees 1 week notice of the change. I'm optimistic that Paul can make this work but I'm terrified that we won't be able to make ends meet. I'm trusting that God has a plan because that's all I can do at this point. I'm praying for stronger faith to make it through this and I'm also throwing in that I'd really love to have a boring life in the near future :)
Friday, October 22, 2010
Offer
We got an offer on our house.
I'm trying not to get too excited because it's really up to the bank whether or not to except it. Since we still aren't in foreclosure even though we should be I hope it is a sign that they would rather have a small offer than nothing at all.
We have been working on getting the generator in the RV working. Paul has replaced a few things and has a few more ideas but we know very little about them so it's difficult. I'm going to be optimistic and say that once we get it working we can move. I do have a back-up plan if we can't get it working, it involves buying a small portable one so we can charge the battery and keep the refrigerator running!
I'm hoping that getting the offer will be the impetus we need to get moving a little faster. The rainy season has begun so we really do need to get everything moved sooner rather than later.
I'm still working 2 jobs because I have a serious problem with saying no. Every time I'm convinced that it's time to get rid of one I hear a rumor that hours are going to be cut, it makes me leery to change anything because I just might need both jobs to keep 20 hours a week. I'm contemplating looking for a better job in the city near us and just getting rid of the local jobs. If I can find somewhere that I can work during the week for 2-3 days I can carpool with Paul and have more free time. Since we've found a new church home I really want at least 2 Sundays off a month which doesn't look feasible at the local market.
I'm trying not to get too excited because it's really up to the bank whether or not to except it. Since we still aren't in foreclosure even though we should be I hope it is a sign that they would rather have a small offer than nothing at all.
We have been working on getting the generator in the RV working. Paul has replaced a few things and has a few more ideas but we know very little about them so it's difficult. I'm going to be optimistic and say that once we get it working we can move. I do have a back-up plan if we can't get it working, it involves buying a small portable one so we can charge the battery and keep the refrigerator running!
I'm hoping that getting the offer will be the impetus we need to get moving a little faster. The rainy season has begun so we really do need to get everything moved sooner rather than later.
I'm still working 2 jobs because I have a serious problem with saying no. Every time I'm convinced that it's time to get rid of one I hear a rumor that hours are going to be cut, it makes me leery to change anything because I just might need both jobs to keep 20 hours a week. I'm contemplating looking for a better job in the city near us and just getting rid of the local jobs. If I can find somewhere that I can work during the week for 2-3 days I can carpool with Paul and have more free time. Since we've found a new church home I really want at least 2 Sundays off a month which doesn't look feasible at the local market.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Holes
Once in a while this is what I run across in the kids' education.
Last week the chorus had a coach come in from out of town. Lorna and I have a private voice lesson with her before rehearsal. During that lesson she asked Lorna to sing "You Are My Sunshine" which she didn't know. She then asked her to sing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" which was another thing Lorna didn't know. This happened a few months ago with "My Country Tis Of Thee". It seems I have forgotten to teach what I consider "cultural" songs. Things that everyone just seems to know.
Speaking of schooling I guess it's time I sit down and plan out our school year. I admit that I've really dropped the ball on formal schooling at the moment. The kids are still reading books and doing other school type things but no book work. This is yet another area that has suffered greatly since I started working. Not only has our diet rapidly deteriorated but time to do necessities like school planning and laundry has disappeared.
I told the feed store that I just couldn't work this week. I'm scheduled 5 days at the market and the little time I have off I need to keep my sanity. My working part time has morphed into full time, sometimes over 40 hours, because I have a problem saying, "No." When I work too many hours we don't actually see a monetary gain because we spend the money eating out due to not having enough time to cook. I'm still trying to strike a balance between working too much and not enough. Hopefully I'll get this straightened out soon.
On a really happy note we found a great church to attend! Right now we are averaging once a month because that seems to be how often I can get a Sunday off work but we are hoping to eventually make it twice a month. It's not as close as I could wish but it's a wonderfully solid church and the distance isn't so great that we can't manage it.
Last week the chorus had a coach come in from out of town. Lorna and I have a private voice lesson with her before rehearsal. During that lesson she asked Lorna to sing "You Are My Sunshine" which she didn't know. She then asked her to sing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" which was another thing Lorna didn't know. This happened a few months ago with "My Country Tis Of Thee". It seems I have forgotten to teach what I consider "cultural" songs. Things that everyone just seems to know.
Speaking of schooling I guess it's time I sit down and plan out our school year. I admit that I've really dropped the ball on formal schooling at the moment. The kids are still reading books and doing other school type things but no book work. This is yet another area that has suffered greatly since I started working. Not only has our diet rapidly deteriorated but time to do necessities like school planning and laundry has disappeared.
I told the feed store that I just couldn't work this week. I'm scheduled 5 days at the market and the little time I have off I need to keep my sanity. My working part time has morphed into full time, sometimes over 40 hours, because I have a problem saying, "No." When I work too many hours we don't actually see a monetary gain because we spend the money eating out due to not having enough time to cook. I'm still trying to strike a balance between working too much and not enough. Hopefully I'll get this straightened out soon.
On a really happy note we found a great church to attend! Right now we are averaging once a month because that seems to be how often I can get a Sunday off work but we are hoping to eventually make it twice a month. It's not as close as I could wish but it's a wonderfully solid church and the distance isn't so great that we can't manage it.
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