Progress Report 16

SOC is over! No more skit writing or practices. No more late Saturdays and early Sunday commotion. The stress is over. :)

Geoffrey attended his Lego Robotics Camp last week. He had a great time and has lots of stories to tell! It was a long week for him and he was very tired by Friday evening, but he always couldn't wait to go back the next day. I'm glad it was a positive experience. He's already planning on saving his money for next year's Robotics Camp.

I did get Dapper registered last week, finally. He's no longer an outlaw. The car, we realized doesn't have to be registered until next month, so we're holding off. We were able to get our burn permit and burn the brush that we'd piled up from our spring cleaning. The kids loved the fire even though it was raining. We even had burgers and ate outside (in the garage) to watch the fire.

We also took the kids to the park last week so they could play and ride their bikes. It rained off and on, but it didn't seem to dampen their day. We made sandwiches in the car and had a good day in spite of the weather.

The kids helped me wash and vacuum the cars and I was glad to see Row and her daughter on Sat. when she brought my mother down for a fun day on the town. I wish they could have stayed longer, but it was great to see them anyway!

This week I want to:

1. Catch up on laundry and dishes
2. Go to game night
3. Take kids to the circus
4. Have SS walk-a-thon

Progress Report 15

Last week was fulfilling. I finished every thing on my list without much prodding. The SOC drive is almost over. I wrote the last skit yesterday and handed them out to the actors. We have a practice Sat night and the final performance is Sunday morning.

This week is school vacation, though Geoffrey is firm that he will continue to do his school work anyway. He's bound on finishing the year early. He's already completed all of his math and literature. Starting Tuesday, Geoffrey has LEGO robotics camp. I'm very excited that he's going! Not just because it's a learning experience and he'll meet new people, but because he worked hard to get to go. The camp was expensive but Geoffrey raised all the money himself to go. I'm sure that gives him a good feeling.

This week I only work 2 days. They'll probably be long days. But on the other days, I can devote to things around the house. I also started writing what I hope someday will be a book. It's one of my items on my list of 30 Things. I'm going to write when I have something to write and not try to force anything for the sake of finishing sooner rather than later. I like to write and share knowledge. That's my goal.

This week I want to:

1. Register Eric's car
2. Register the dog
3. Get groceries
4. Clean the toy room
5. Clean the bathroom
6. Sew something
7. Write

Progress Report 14

Starting to feel like time is getting away from me. I have registered to go to a time management workshop May 7. Until then, I will use the excuse that I don't have the skills yet. :-) I finished the client logo, completed the QB update, went through 2 and a half lessons in my Illustrator class and started trudging through the second half of my computer course. I also designed and printed a bookmark for Bobbi's Build an Ear. Bobbi and her family head to CA next week for Bobbi's first surgery. They will be in our thoughts. There is a big send off this Sunday at their church. It has been amazing to be a part of their journey.

This week:

1. Go to Arianna's play
2. Sign Arianna up for high school classes
3. Finish the third lesson and do an original graphic for grading in Illustrator
4. Redesign my business card
5. Design a new ad for the SBS Guide
6. Fish for more work by completing Eric's header.
7. Huge dog and pony show at work on Friday; try not to kill anyone before that day is over. Wish me luck.
   

Progress Report 14

Last week was fairly productive. I worked hard on SS events and work. Dapper went to the vet on Monday to get caught up on his shots. I had a nice visit with Aunt Paula on Friday and a fun time digging for worms on Thursday. I also ordered 8 baby chicks Friday. They should be arriving the week of May 17th. We picked up Eric's car from the garage on Saturday so we finally have 2 good, working vehicles. We have to finish paying for the repairs this week, and then be free from car expenses for a little while. Then I can concentrate on getting my car paid off early. We also had our taxes redone to show the contract work Eric did for his job last year. We ended up having to pay into the State, but only a small amount. This year we'll have to stay on top of our taxes so the IRS doesn't come down on us at the end of the year.

This week I have to:

1. Write last skit for SOC
2. Mail tax payment to the state
3. Help Geoffrey get his worm business moving
4. Kids' 4-H meeting
5. Pay repairs on car
6. Go over new budget
7. Clean Ella's room

Nobody Likes Me

Guess I'll go out and eat worms... :) Yesterday, Geoffrey, Ella, and I dug worms for 2 1/2 hours. A strangely addicting experience. Whenever we thought we were done, the thought of "just one more" kept us going. Our friend Katie sells worms to fishermen at the end of her driveway and talked Geoffrey into going into the business for himself. $3.00 a bag for 40+ worms. I'm sure we picked over 1000 worms. If they sell, that's $75 for Geoffrey which equals $30/hour. Pretty good rate for an 8 yr old! Of course Ella and I helped too, so Geoffrey has agreed to pay Ella a few dollars from the first few bags sold. And I will chalk it up to capital investment and hope that Geoffrey learns a lesson in good work ethic. He has also agreed to pay me $4.00 for any additional trips to the "worm field" which is about 30 miles round trip. Geoffrey will be busy today, making a sign and bagging his worms for sale. I will be ordering my new chicks. Easter Eggers, Barred Plymouth Rocks, and Buff Orpingtons. Can't wait!

Progress Report 12 & 13

So the days seem to be getting away from me and I'm getting a bit inconsistent with my progress reports. However, after looking back on my last list, I've managed to do pretty well. I not only finished the clients marketing materials, but delivered them today. I am also mid process on another logo job and Bobbi's Build an Ear hired me for another project, which I sent out for printing tonight. I have completed two jobs with my vinyl cutter as well; commercial lettering for a pickup and a simple sign for the local rifle range. I also got my ad designed and placed in the Swap Buy Sell Guide for two weeks. I've gotten a couple of bites, but no takers yet. I am hoping that next week will see a better return as it is getting closer to the start of the season in May.

I have transferred a good portion of my files to my new computer and am almost done with the QuickBooks set up. It is far enough along that I am using it easily. I love QuickBooks Pro 2010. It is very user friendly and will make next year's taxes a lot easier. I've been able to talk to my accountant a couple of times for pointers. He's been great. I finally took my test this week; got a 97. I'm not complaining as this has been a terrible long section. The next half of the class is at least as long. Yuck. To shake it up a little I have jumped ahead into my Illustrator CS4 class. The first chapter is very basic and all review for me, as I have been using Illustrator in some form for about 10 years, but there are a lot of great new things in CS4 that I am really looking forward to getting into.

Arianna has made the tennis team, which means lots of after school practices. I'm hoping that work keeps coming in like it has. It's a great feeling.

1. Parents' night tomorrow at PIHS
2. Complete logo
3. Finish QB update
4. Update DbR website (long overdue)
5. BAND header if Eric hasn't given up on me. :-)

I think that is enough, as it is already Wednesday night. Life is good.

Progress Report 13

I happily finished everything on last week's list. It was a busy week and very stressful. This week is gearing up to be the same.

This week I plan to:

Work on SS skit

Sign and mail taxes

Visit with Aunt Paula

Have yard sale

Invite neighbors to church

After looking back on my initial 10 Things List, I have accomplished #10 on the list. We now have $1000 in savings! Yay!

Carpets/ Rugs

Some people call it a roller coaster ride. Some refer to it as mountain tops and valleys. This week I could only think of carpets and rugs. It's life. One day feels like a magic carpet ride and the next day the rug is getting pulled out from under me. It's kind of difficult to get any traction that way. I wish some things didn't irk me as much as they do. Some things are important. Some aren't.

This week, I've had some good news. One being that there is still hope to save our house. Two, I finally got my car back and a great deal to boot. My second job isn't working out the way I hoped and my SS drive involvement fell flat, on my face. I did get the skirts fixed and they were paid for. I'm still looking for some extra income from somewhere.

I've started reading a great book called 48 Days To The Work You Love. Dan Miller, the author helps you think about your goals and what you want to be when you grow up. More than a j-o-b, but something that fulfills you as a person and gives your life purpose. I haven't decided yet if I'm fulfilled by cleaning toilets. I definitely like helping people. And I like cleaning. But I like a lot of other things too.