This week starts my internet marketing class...5 chapters followed by 6 assignments...yeaahhhh, until my teacher posts an update for our 'outdated syllabus' that said we only needed to read the first 3 chapters. I wish I'd have read that announcement before reading the chapters...I wouldn't be a day behind now, LOL

In any case, I'm 2/3 into next week's reading and only have two assignments left in that class (both fairly detailed), followed by one long algebra session (this week, anyway). Hopefully, next week will be better...

I'm almost finished with the one article...just have to add the references, then we're discussing the possibility of me marketing a site or two part-time. After my two articles this week, I might have a speech and powerpoint to do, but we'll see later about that...

It's a lot, to be sure, but if I can use the next two days busting ass on it, I might have a bit of the weekend after all...*fingers crossed*

Hope all's well with you all out there in the blogosphere!

A Relaxing Day

Today's been really nice, which is amazing since I've been up since 6am and it's 2:15pm now...so all day has been relaxing, so far. I managed to get ahead on an article I'm writing and get started (nearly halfway done) on another one, get some running done...all at a leisurely pace and without distraction. (watch, I'll say that, then it becomes instant chaos, hehe)

I even got an email from one of my employers who loved my last article so much that she wants to give me a $5/hr raise!!! Needless to say, I appreciated that idea very much! I'd been giving it some thought lately...instead of trying to start my own little biz or taking on additional work, I may simply stick to the work I have and use the free time I have during the day to be creative or lazy. I had griped that I no longer do anything I used to love doing and when the time came up, I wanted to work. Sure, I could always use the money, but the relaxation is more precious to me and will give me more time for cooking, sewing or reading.

The little one has really taken to daycare and we're all happier for it! Now he cries a sec when I pick him up, but just a sec... He gets to run his little heart out, play games, hang out with other kids and enjoy "messy" time (art). My oldest boy and my niece have adjusted to being back in school and it's all going smoothly. Heck, for that matter, my boyfriend and I are getting along better in many ways...er, well...we tend to get along well anyway, but I mean we react better to our stressors and don't take them out on each other as much.

I love the way Fall kind of slows us down a bit and makes us evaluate/prioritize things...this is a momentum I'd like to hang onto for a while, if I can. Here's to the smell of falling leaves, cozy nights relaxing with hot cider, inner reflection and the excitement of Halloween!

Summer's Coming to an End Already

Just when we get used to it, it wanes into fall...but that's OK, Fall is my favorite season, with Halloween being my favorite holiday. I'm getting giddy just thinking about it!

When I get my math caught up (it's due Monday), I'll start planning for the baby's birthday and the Halloween party. Today's my sister's B-day (she's 34), so visiting her will be this evening's priority...math can wait till I return. I have been trying to get the apartment in order since I had the free time and it takes my days, so I still have the practice and graded problems left to do. I'm not particularly looking forward to approx. 100 algebra problems, but once they're done, I can focus on other things.

I'd like to do a full smudging while I'm straightening up closets and cleaning rooms, but it would set off the smoke alarm and I don't have anything tall enough to stand on (even at my 5'7) to shut it off long enough. I'll have to make do with burning oils and clearing techniques...it really needs it.

I re-checked the Fixed-Price assignment I'm working on and am feeling much better about it. The writing is slow going, but we only committed to 10 articles a month, so I think I can get a rhythm going with it and be fine. I took a chance and applied for a social media marketing position...and got an interview! The terms look really good and I'm hoping I get it. It would be a good move for my marketing career.

The nights (and mornings) are getting cool pretty quickly but, despite this, Fall seems to be well on her way and bringing in some calm. Here's to cozy times and peace of mind!

My Lil Baby Boy

Just when I thought I had nothing to write about...my youngest started daycare today. I'm thrilled for the uninterrupted time to get more done, but it's gonna take a day or two to adjust, lol. I've even called to make sure he was OK (he freaked when he saw I was leaving and had to be led out to the playground along with the other kids). Luckily, he's doing great and has even adjusted to their lunch and naptime routines already.

I'm catching up on this week's math work and am near done...the syllabus is very well-structured so I shouldn't get all overwhelmed even when my next class (Internet Marketing) starts later this month. If I'm lucky, I may be able to get (and stay) ahead on it.

My block was helped by being given some topics to work with, which helped me focus. Right now, I'm dicey on the assignment but I'll know by next week if it's just my paranoia or not. I'm two articles in, but haven't yet seen them on the site they were written for and want to make sure I'll get paid for them.

In any case, I think I'm gonna hunt for a consistent assignment that will supplement the piece-work I've been doing. I should be able to spare 10 extra hours a week and still maintain my current load now that my little Mister is in daycare.

Here's to some peace and quiet this Fall! After some planning for the baby's birthday and Halloween, that is...

A Roadblock, Preparations and Hope for my Brainwaves?

The new gig on oDesk isn't going as well as I hoped...the employer is waiting for my first article to officially hire me. I'm not used to that, but considering it's the first Fixed-Price assignment I've given much thought to (I tend to avoid them, since they aren't guaranteed), I was OK with the 'per-article contingent on quality' terms...that's typical in professional writing.

However, despite the fact that I'm interested in both the subject matter and the website it's for, I can't seem to find anything to write about. I don't know if I've hit on some writer's block or if the mental burnout I'd been experiencing since the treatment started has finally fried my brain, but it's frustrating. I'm hoping it goes away and leaves me alone soon. Even if I blow it with this employer, I've still got work to do with others...and I'm still looking for an on-going thing...so I can't be all brain-dead and whatnot.

On a more positive note, I'm preparing to go back to school in a week and a half. My original estimate was off. Today or tomorrow, I'll be able to log in and see the syllabi for my courses, so I'll know what I'm in for this Fall. The school ordered my books on my behalf, but only sent the first two...I'm going to have to order the third myself. I think the problem was that the third class starts so late in the term that the school's system couldn't order it.

I start with math (Algebra)...not my best subject, though I managed to get a B in it's pre-req at a previous college. I signed up for a weekly live group session to help and the school has other resources if I wind up needing them. I expect myself to do well because this class is a pre-req for my Accounting and Economics classes...I need to know this stuff inside and out.

On an even more positive note, I'm still tired mentally but physically, I'm starting to perk back up! I'm actually remembering to take a vitamin (with my meds) and it's helping counter my lack of proper diet...soon I will have the energy to make healthy meal plans/recipes/shopping lists, prep them ahead to save time, etc. I even picked up my weights for the first time in who knows how long yesterday (or the day before). Also, I'm trying to phase out some (not all!) of the caffeine I drink with herbal tea, juice and milk. I'm not being an exact saint about it, but it's a start and every little bit helps.

I figure, at this rate, my brain should start waking up soon too, LOL Getting out of the house more often has helped me relax some and things in the house are less tense when I am home. For my niece's b-day last week, she, my sis and I went to get their piercings (monroe re-do and industrial for niece and belly for sis). They offered me an amazing (almost unheard of) deal to re-do my scorpion tattoo when I asked for a price quote...the lines got faded during my last pregnancy and needed to be touched up. It's looking fresh now (we even added new color) and the girl's evening out was the most fun I've had in a long time!

Here's to healing, re-energizing and great times!

New Horizons...I Hope!

So, one of my new employers is a skilled and certified naturopath who has helped inspire me to finally answer the call I've been getting (which has been more like a subdued screaming lately) to get back into doing healings and readings and things like that. Mind you, I'm an untrained natural shaman and empath who's been out of the game for nearly a decade and am looking into taking courses and gain the training I'd need to do it righteously.

I'm thinking that if I can re-locate my "center", then I can re-balance and if I can keep up with a new health regimen that my employer helped inspire, then I can regain my natural high level of health. I will be in a good place from there to help others.

All this has me in such a good mood that I'm even thinking I can add this somehow to my business plans. It's along the same lines, somewhat, and I'm now thinking it was a good thing that I have been unable to launch yet. The ideas are flowing and I've been adding to the original plan. Things happen the way they do for a reason and I think I may have discovered a fuller extent of my calling.

This is probably the most personal I've ever gotten in this blog but I had to tell someone...why not you?

Here's to hoping you are all well!

Random Blurbs and Saving on Groceries

I apologize (again) for it being so long since the last post. I've been off of treatment for a bit and I still feel crappy. It's only changed my symptoms, not reduced them, and now they tell me I'm hypoglycemic too (which explains why I'm still exhausted...I need to actually eat once in a while, LOL). I was also diagnosed with gerd, which sucks because the nurse said my body was so lacking in energy that I"m forced to nap after meals (digestion takes a lot of energy) and you're not supposed to lay down after eating or gerd will act up.

I'm trying to pick up more work on oDesk despite still feeling bad...daycare is becoming necessary, so, therefore, affording it is as well. The work I've found has challenged me, which will help my career goals, and the higher pay rate will really help. I'm now doing piece work for multiple employers over the long-term - diversification. School starts back in three weeks and I want to acclimate to my new schedule and get used to having more time to meet my deadlines.

Now...on to the main reason I'm here when I should be working on an article (or napping...I'm so tired). I want to spread the word about a wonderful program called Angel Food Ministries. They have volunteers all over the country that will take grocery orders and provide pick-up spots. Pick ups are once a month, on the last Saturday of the month. Every month, they provide menus with boxes to choose from...some are standard and others are just for that month. Until this month, I was getting their allergy-free boxes (gluten free breaded chicken and stuff!)...hopefully they'll bring em back next month! They take cash and SNAP (formerly called food stamps) in person and credit/debit both online and in person.

I've been doing this for 2 months now and have just put in my third order. The prices are great (a week's worth of nutritionally balanced dinners for a family of four is $28.95, dropped from $30) and the food is good quality. At a time when $400/month for groceries barely feeds a family at all, this is a great deal! My only suggestion is to make room in your fridge and freezers for all that food! I have a small deep freezer and still had to put in a smaller order this time (though much of that had to do with the fact that my dad was getting the allergy-free boxes for me as well, so I'm well-stocked, LOL!

I better get cracking back on that article because I just got more work and am getting hired for even more tomorrow...no rest for the ambitious, I guess! Besides, I need to try staying awake for longer stretches and hope it helps me regain my strength and brain capacity. I just wanted to check in and pass along that great site in the hopes that it can help you all save on groceries!