We've Moved!

2010 Progress has become Her RESOLUTION. Join us there to change your course and let your dreams take flight!

Expanding our Blog Box

Over the course of this year, I have had the opportunity to speak to many women through the Women, Work & Community network, as well as through other venues. One of the things that comes up periodically is the 2010 Progress Blog that Mandy and I have been working on for the past year. This blog has been an invaluable tool for my confidence and organization. It’s similar to having a work-out partner. There is somebody else who keeps me accountable. I let others know how that kind of support helps to push me forward. And, the lists, the lists that keep us on task and keeps our sights set on the goals we set.

Hey, Mandy!

What if we expand our blog and put it out there? Offer other women a place to find encouragement, and to give encouragement; to write about their accomplishments and their failures; to allow others to learn from them and to learn from others the way you and I have done. The idea behind this blog was to move forward on dreams and aspirations we had put off due to our own internal restrictions. I think we could encourage others to do the same. We don’t have to be confined in these small, square compartments we think we belong in, or others tell us we belong in.

Do you think there is a need, a niche we could fill? Maybe we could be the next big thing in blogging.

Progress Report 47

Last week was a good week all in all. I spent some time with my neighbor and her family. We baked pies together and talked about God. She came to church with us Wednesday night. She agreed to a Bible study with me. I'm very thankful.

Thursday was Thanksgiving day and though my oven gave me fits and even high-jacked my turkey for a short time, it was great. I love to have family in my home to entertain and visit. The meal was wonderful and the games were great fun. I was very excited to have Row and Ari join us for a few rounds when they arrived.

Black Friday was a long day but entirely fantastic. Row and Ari and I hit the mall and stores early and even braved the weather to get some good deals. It was thoroughly successful! Spending time with Ari is always fun. I wish she were closer that we could spend time together more often. She's always fun to be with. Having Row with me that day just felt natural. Like she was meant to be there with me. I can't say that our sisterly relationship has never been strained, but this year has brought us closer together than ever before. I'm so thankful that she's been there for me and my family this year. I don't know what I would have done without her. I only hope I can return the gesture.

This week I will:

1. Clean up after Thanksgiving
2. Laundry
3. Fill out recipe cards for church cookbook
4. Work on SS walls
5. Christmas drama practice
6. Plan for SS party
7. Sort Christmas gifts

Progress Report 47

Let’s see, what did I accomplish last week? Oh, that’s right, I made it through with most of my sanity still in tact.

Monday I was asked to be part of a radio interview for Women Work and Community. I was nervous, but think it went really well, just the same. Spent the morning at work, went to the interview and then home. I was in no mood to put up with MMA. Tuesday, kind of foggy on that day. Wednesday, worked, baked a pie, did some other stuff.

Thursday was Thanksgiving. I got up, baked another pie, had dinner at J’s parents house, then packed Ari in the car, made sure Z had all of his stuff in his car and headed south; south to sanity. Z decided to head back to So. China early to avoid a nasty winter storm headed in. Being so new to driving on his own, we all felt it was best to get him home safely.

I had such a nice time Thursday evening. I finally got to meet my new niece, M’iah. She was happy and sweet and perfectly cuddly. I needed that. I also got to visit with Uncle Bob, Auntie, John, Mike, Rachel and Rachel’s mom. We ate pie, and played games, just like the old days. It was a happy evening.

Friday opened with Black Friday shopping bright and early. I found it wasn’t as bad as I had heard it would be. I enjoyed being out with my girl and my dear sister so much. Ari had a great time and that was the whole point. She came back with bags of stuff and broke; a successful shopping trip! I think my favorite part of the day was sitting quietly on the couch with Mandy, Little Women playing in the background, taking turns leaning on each other, that evening. I think we were both dozing and just enjoying the company. I wasn’t ten minutes from her front door, Saturday morning, and I was missing her.

Sunday, I made up for lost time and got a huge DbR project completed. Service First Auto now has a sign on the front of its building and a two-sided sign in their shop waiting for a frame to be built for it. I also started their business card design, finished some branding work for another client and designed a Christmas card for my brother. It was a good day.

1. Bridal EXPO meeting Monday night
2. Purchase laptop for MMA GFC
3. Bridal EXPO vendor hunting
4. Layout DbR shop sign
5. Update website and FB page
6. Finish two blog entries that I have started
7. Figure out a way to pay some bills *sigh*
8. Try to catch up on some house work

Life is Change

Life is change, but it isn’t always the kind that jingles in your pocket. Four years ago my life changed. It changed for the better, but it broke my heart to do it. Today, my heart breaks again. I know I did the right thing; the only thing I could do to live a better life. But, knowing that in my head, doesn’t heal the heart any faster. My biggest problem is how alone I feel with my pain today.

Progress 45

This week I will try not to be idle. There are several things going on but also several things that need to be done that I've been putting off. I've already started by going grocery shopping this morning. It's probably been a month or more since I've really gone grocery shopping. We've picked up a few things here and there but my husband opened the fridge and said, "Our fridge needs friends." Hint, hint. It has many friends now.

I clean twice this week, need to do some sewing, need to get the car to the mechanics, and will be going north to see my niece in her high school musical. Not to mention picking up the slack at home, i.e. cleaning the bathroom, doing laundry, picking up, etc...

My husband's job dissolves this week. We're praying for a job offer before the week ends.

This week I will:

1. Work
2. Sew
3. Clean
4. Visit my fabulous sister and her family!

Progress Report 45

Another crazy week, but very exhilarating. I spent Monday in Augusta at a state wide Ambassadors meeting for Maine Center for Women Work and Community. I was impressed by the energy that those women, and one man, exuded, and I was part of it. I even got up in front of everyone and did a small presentation. I was told I was a good speaker by somebody I had only met that day. She went out of her way to speak to me, just to pay me a compliment. I was floating. I am also surprised to find that I enjoyed it. I enjoyed being in front of 50 people, sharing information, and having them eagerly listening. I even got a few laughs, which was never my intention, but happened seamlessly. Maybe I have found where I will make the biggest difference; my hook.

On Tuesday I spent the morning at Penmor Lithographers, a print shop out of Lewiston. It is a large facility that offers a very wide variety of printing options. They don’t have a design staff, but some of their pre-press people design prototypes of boxes and packaging. I felt, again, I was where I belonged. I was able to converse easily with the owners of the company as they showed me around. Because of my experience with Northeast Publishing, I understood what the equipment did and what questions to ask. I was told more than once that it was nice to speak with a designer who knew the back side of the printing process.

I drove to Bangor and had lunch with Mandy, Eric and the kids. It was so nice to see them again, though the time flew by and before I knew it, it was time to head north again. I always feel my roots when I am around them. I can't wait to go back down for Black Friday Shopping with Arianna. Ok, so maybe not looking forward so much to the actual shopping and lines, but spending time with Mandy and the kids.

The last three days have been a whirlwind of running Arianna to her drama practices, finishing quotes and starting some of the projects that have been in the wings. Friday is opening night for Ari’s play, and I will be there, where I should be, cheering her on and taking far too many photos, in her opinion.

It has been a great week. I feel refreshed and have a new energy for DbR. Unfortunately I have to go back to MMA on Monday. I am trying not to think about it, as it will distract me from what I have to complete this weekend.

1. Complete design for Bartley b.cards
2. Finish typing notes from the WWC meeting for the local meeting on Thursday morning.
3. Work on SMP’s branding items
4. Clean the house
5. Find homes for some puppies

Progress Report 44

Last week was awesome! I was extra busy working for The Occasional Housewife. My clients were extremely happy with my work and were more than happy to pay for the service. One of my clients who initially contracted me for just the week, promised to contact me for regular cleanings in the future. Another client asked that I concentrate on her kitchen area because she was having dinner guests. So I did a little redecorating and clearing of clutter. It's always a little touchy not knowing what people will think of what you've done with their home, but she emailed me later to say Thank You and how much she liked it. The work is strenuous sometimes but the pay and compliments make it worth it, of course.

This week is not so busy. Just one day of work this week. However, I'm also looking forward to lunch and a little shopping with Row on Tuesday. I'll be spending some time cleaning my house and maybe clearing the garage. I also need to get the kids back on their regular school schedule. My being away much of last week, kind of caused them to slack off. Starting Friday we have a marriage seminar at church followed by special services. The Ensey's are always great speakers and I look forward to hearing them.

This week I will:

1. Clean home and away
2. Attend Marriage Retreat and special services
3. Meet up with Row
4. Take dog to vet
5. Sew
6. Set up school schedule

Time Urgency Syndrome

Mandy set me up with a subscription to Entrepreneur magazine. I received my second issue a couple of days ago. I finally got a chance to read it Sunday morning. There was a specific article that really resonated with me; TickTick Boom!

Time urgency is the constant clock checking, stressed-out, intense feeling of deadline panic. It is a pressure that we put on ourselves and is derived from our own self-induced, unrealistic estimations of what will make us successful.

I suffer from this, sometimes debilitating, ailment. I look at my to-do list and immediately begin to panic. My throat gets tight, my patience withers to non-existent, and I immediately want to give up or throw up or both. I have gone and done it again. I have over promised and now I will proceed to show myself as a sham. And, somehow, I know that I am forgetting something.

The article likens time urgency to intoxication. It hinders the ability to make rational decisions based on sound judgment. Because everything is an emergency, nothing get accomplished; and poor business practices become the norm, as projects are rushed through and mistakes are made.

It is at this point, the article recommends, you should do the last thing you want to do; step away from the task list. Take a few deep breaths; get rid of the clock; realistically prioritize the list and begin again. This time, pick a task and involve yourself completely in that one task. Worrying about the other dozen things will only muddy the creative waters and make you ineffective.

Though stopping the headless-chicken dance is difficult, I have found a great sense of accomplishment in going, step by step, through my lists. I have been surprised how much I can accomplish when my eyes are on the task at hand and not on the clock.

Progress Report 43

Happy Birthday to Me!! 33 years young. Feeling good. Working hard. Moving forward.

It is funny that Mandy was waiting for me to post so she could make the 100th entry. She deserves to make that entry, as I hadn’t even noticed we had written so many. I actually periodically check to see if she has posted, because once she does, then I feel the pressure to write one myself. Foolish procrastination. I actually feel pretty good this time as I will be posting numbers 100 and 101, back to back.

I am so proud of where Mandy and I have gotten to this year. There have been some major hurtles, but it feels as though we are both stronger and more confident because of them. A year ago, I never would have seen myself as a Women Work and Community Ambassador, teaching others, being a community leader. Or being asked to be part of a major Bridal EXPO due to my graphic abilities. Having young up-and-comers referred to me for advice and direction would have been unthinkable. A year ago the idea of making DbR a real entity was a dream. I am watching as it solidifies before my eyes and I am in awe.

Mandy had some of the biggest upheavals happen this year, and yet, she has persevered. She had an idea for a business, and due to circumstance, has made it a reality. I know we will end this year with a tremendous momentum that will easily carry us into next year.

Mandy, here’s to 100 posts. Love you, Sis. Thanks for being my companion in this journey together.

I can hardly put together what I have been doing for the past week. It’s been so hectic. I have managed to get my schedule transferred to Google calendar. My poor day planner was running out of room, though I won’t give it up completely. It has become like a security blanket. Since doing that over the weekend, I have been able to get some checks in place so that nobody falls through the cracks. I have completed all of the quotes that I had assigned myself to do, on time. There are a couple more to do, and some quick follow-up emails before the weekend. I finished NMMS logo to the client’s complete satisfaction. Met with two clients last week and had four meetings on Saturday. I am starting to feel like a real business. I am jazzed and full of positive energy.

I didn’t get everything done last week, but have made the conscious decision to move them onto this weeks list, as I think they are important enough.

1. Finish up two more quotes
2. Schedule client meeting for next week
3. Begin design work on a couple of projects
4. Contact non-winners with biz card deal
5. Contact possible bridal expo vendors
6. Get window fixed in house (finally)
7. Prep for next weeks travel and vacation

Progress Report 43

I was hoping Row would post first so I could have the privilege of posting our 100th post to 2010 Progress... Oh well. I'll give that honor to you, Row. :)

This week is shaping up to be very busy. Last week I met with a potential client who was ecstatic with the fact that I would come in for a one time cleaning. He loved the idea behind The Occasional Housewife and didn't hesitate to schedule a cleaning. With his wife working as a full time physician, 4 year old twins, his own terrible allergies, and an upcoming event hosted at their house, he needed my help. I viewed the home and gave him my hourly rate and a time quote. I started cleaning this morning. I'll be returning tomorrow to finish the job and then will go back on Friday to do a quick once-over before their event this weekend. I believe this could turn into a more permanent client.

Eric has an interview at a local bank this week. His current contract will be ending on the 15th of this month. I am believing God to open the right door, no matter how much I want it to be the door to this bank. :)

Today is November 1st. We're down to the last two months of 2010. I'm hoping it goes out with a bang and not with regret. I have really enjoyed having the outlet of this blog to keep things in focus and also be able to go back and look at everything that has transpired through the year... good or bad. Here's to making these last 2 months count!

This week I will:

1. Work, work, work, work!
2. Visit with a friend
3. Bake cookies for SS
4. Wood day/ project night
5. Sew

Progress Report 42

What a whirlwind of a week! I started the week off with a bang by becoming part of the Northern Maine Bridal EXPO committee. I believe it will be good exposure and good networking. I have created their logotype, which will used on everything from TV to swag bags. I have received good reviews from the rest of the committee as well. Tuesday, I completed the fourth proof, and received the go ahead immediately, with minimal additions, but no design changes. The rest of the week flew by. With Mandy's help, I ended up wrapping up the Vendor Blender stuff late Friday night. I think it was all worth it. Mandy and I spent the day networking and talking with people who were in need of my services. I actually seemed to be the busiest table there. I had visitors stopping at my table as well as most of the other vendors. It was a fantastic first experience at being part of a trade show. I was very glad that Mandy was with me. She was my moral support and subtle "hinter." It was also awesome to have been able to spend some time with the kiddos too.

Sunday was a difficult day. It was a dramatic turn from the positive energy of Saturday. First thing Sunday we lost one of the puppies. It was bound to happen. I was actually surprised that it hadn't happened sooner. It was the littlest of the batch. He just failed. J and I have been struggling with what to do with Sally over the last couple of months. Yesterday the decision was made and Sally-O is no longer in pain. It broke my heart, but J had the difficult job. He placed her with Grampy, Gram and JoJo. I am sad, but as a pet owner, these are the decisions we have to make sometimes. We will not be replacing her.

This week needs to be client focused. I have to follow all of the leads that I made on Saturday, including quotes. I am excited and anxious at the same time. Consistency will be the name of the game.

1. Complete requested quotes and rates
2. Contact non-winners with special offer
3. Rework NMMS logo
4. Meetings with clients Tues & Wed
5. Business photo session & client meeting on Saturday
6. Contact potential vendors for Bridal EXPO
7. Try to make planned meals each evening

Progress Report 42

Last week was busy and filled with hard work and fun. The highlight definitely being going to PI and helping Row with her Vendor show. I was very glad that I had the opportunity to go and help her with the preparation, set up, and working the table. I feel it was productive for her business and a great learning experience. Not only did Row get the chance to show off her design work, but she also had several opportunities to network and market face-to-face. I know she'll be busy this week preparing quotes and gaining new clients.

This week I have several things going on as well as several things that need to be done. Today will be focused on cleaning my house and catching up on laundry. Aunt Andrea and John will be stopping by sometime this afternoon. And this evening is the SCA craft night. Tomorrow is 4-H and an Advisor dinner and meeting at UTC. I'll have to pick up the babysitter in the afternoon. Wednesday I need to drop the babysitter back off at school. Mom and Dad will be coming in for coffee in the afternoon and then church that night. Thursday I will probably clean for a client and I also have to get my dog into the vet to see if we can remedy his itching. Friday is wood day at the church and sometime this week I need to sew a skirt for a student at ACA.

So to sum it all up... this week I will:

1. Clean my house
2. Go to craft night
3. Visit with family
4. Go to 4-H
5. Go to meeting at UTC
6. Pick up, drop off babysitter
7. Work
8. Take dog to vet
9. Sew skirt

Progress Report 41

Feast or famine. Two weeks ago projects for DbR were almost at a stand still. Last week four new jobs jumped in my lap all at once, plus prepping for a small trade show this coming weekend. I don't know if I am ready for it, but I have to get some visibility. Right now I am hidden in the woods and it's time to put my fears aside and put myself out there. I still have a lot of work to do, but I did get all of my bags labeled and tagged, discount postcards to the printer, give-away cards completed and discussed decorations with Mandy. She is going to be here, so I know everything will go smoothly. And, if it doesn't, she will be here and that makes life better anyway. I could really use her company right now, for sure.

As for client jobs, I got proofs for three of the four jobs done and out, with approval for one complete and to the printers. The fourth was awaiting information, which was received this morning, so proof should be done by Wednesday.

This past weekend proved to be eventful. Daisy had her litter of pups Saturday night. I'm still exhausted and reeling from the all-nighter. The pups seem healthy and Daisy is taking to motherhood a lot easier. I am making an appointment for Jiminy to get fixed ASAP! No more! And we are not keeping one of these pups. I have made my opinion known. Of course they are adorable, fuzzy little things and it will be fun to watch them grow, but I will be glad when the craziness is over.

This week, in addition to spending time with J and Arianna, cleaning my house, cleaning the whelping box 100,000 times and doing 100,000 loads of laundry, and making supper I will...

1. Monday - evening meeting for Feb. Wedding Expo
2. Tuesday - finish fourth proof.
3. Wednesday - sample wedding invitations
4. Thursday - sample greeting cards?
5. Friday - last minute DbR things for trade show & print customer flyers/posters
6. Saturday - setup and trade show all day

i.e. become Super Woman

Progress Report 41

I was sick last week. Not much happened. I ran a fever, I coughed, I blew my nose. I still have the lingering symptoms, but hopefully can function better this week. Especially since it will be busy.

This week I will:

1. Can chicken soup
2. Get car worked on
3. Bathe my itchy dog
4. Go to SCA craft night
5. Work
6. Sew skirt
7. Go to PI to see Row and family
8. Post to Broody Bunch

Progress Report 39

Hey, Mandy! It's Monday and I'm doing a Progress Report. Unbelievable. I am feeling a little discouraged right now. I'm not sure if it is the time of year, shorter days, colder weather, impending winter, my crappy day job or that I was geared up to do the trade show and then it fell through. I need a clear plan of action. I have been invited to be part of a Bridal Expo in February. I am definitely going to do that. It is far enough in advance that I can be really ready for it.

Positive stuff. I have really started drawing again. I've kind of made it my own personal schooling to draw better with pencil and paper. I started with eyes, then hands, then lips and am finally getting the hang of drawing noses. That was frustrating. I will soon attempt a whole face. It has been good therapy.

I've continued to read A Tale of Two Cities. I'm half way through now. When I'm done I would like to talk to somebody about it. Perhaps I will resurrect the Moody Readers.

I have been asked to be part of a grant committee again. I have an MCWWC ambassador's meeting next week and state wide convention in November coming up. I'm hoping that these connections will begin to show real results soon.

1. Wednesday Grant Committee meeting for MCWWC
2. Complete b.cards for NEP, decal mock-up for EW, cut decals for BM
3. Send out Ella's gift. (I'm such a crappy Auntie.) :-P
4. PAY BILLS
5. Clean my house

Progress Report 39

Though I hadn't planned to do much last week, it was very productive. I cleaned, I rested, I canned apple pie filling, and I did some yard work.

I also set up my first meeting with a prospective client for The Occasional Housewife which takes place today at 4:00pm. With the help of Katie, I found a home for the stray kitten who's been hanging out on our front porch, and I located a building for my chicken coop. Not only did I locate it, but I purchased it, had it delivered and set up. So now I have a home for my chickens! I also have a good lead on some chain link fence that will hopefully be purchased and picked up this evening. And on top of all of that, we picked up the hardware and tools needed to fix up the swing set for the kids. Half of it is up and functioning already.

We also went to the ReStore this week to check things out. What a fabulous store! It's a store for Habitat for Humanity. They take donated used or slightly damaged building materials, furniture, hardware and such from the local population as well as from stores like Home Depot and Lowes. They resell the goods for 50% or more off retail price and all the proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity. Doors for $3-$10. Shutters for $3.99 a pair. Ceramic tile for .75 /sq.ft. Furniture and appliances for $10 -$25. We will definitely be visiting again.

This week will be productive as well, I hope. I plan to paint the chicken coop. I found Oops paint at Walmart for 50% off and it's the color that I wanted. I have at least one skirt to make this week, and a couple more soon. I will be meeting a potential client and hopefully scheduling her in. I need to make a trip to the bank, hopefully open an account at the credit union, and get the car into the mechanic. Busy. But I really hope I can get it all done.

This week I will:

1. Sew skirt
2. Paint chicken coop
3. Meet client
4. Take car to mechanic
5. Open bank account
6. Find fencing, windows, flooring for chicken coop

Progress Report 38

Ya, I know it is Thursday and the progress report should have been posted days ago, but.... the nasty procrastination bug has struck again. I feel like I'm being pulled in a hundred directions and nobody is getting exactly what they need from me. Hah! Including me. So, in response I'm slowing down. Makes sense, yes? No, of course not.

I actually don't think I'm slowing down, but maybe treading water instead of swimming. I am hoping to be part of a trade show this weekend. If everything works out I will be one of many exhibitors at the Forum for the Fall and Winter Expo. It was short notice, so I am not completely ready, but the exposure is worth it. I want to have a raffle for free business card design and 250 cards to try to bring in some potential client information. Probably a lot of them will be junk, but there is bound to be a few good leads in there too. I'm waiting on the word from Matt as to whether I will be joining him at a table or not. I should know today.

I have also teamed up with Samantha Marie Photography to do photo Christmas cards. We are going to start that marketing in the next few days. I would like to see a nice strong response from that. I need to be making about $100 per day, five days a week to be able to get done work. It really isn't that difficult a goal if I look at business card designs or logo work. It is really only a couple of hours of work a day. I can do it. How? How do I get my name out there and make people want what I have. I guess it is time to start advertising.

I have my new driveway and we painted the outside of the shop barn red two weekends ago. So the renovations for this year, are done. The siding and landscaping will have to be put off until the spring. I have heat in my shop now too. Jay plumbed the propane tank into my fireplace. It keeps the shop at a beautiful temperature. Of course it has been warm the last few days, but I think it is going to be wonderful this winter. It should be efficient too.

Jay and I have also decided to get a pellet stove to supplement our heat in the house. Kerosene is so expensive and we use quite a bit of it. Jay has done a lot of research and talking with Matt to get just the right one that will be efficient on pellets, run long enough without being tended and won't cost and arm and a leg. Actually he found one through a local business that is getting ready to shut it's doors. Bargain...

...And I'm 100 pages into A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. :-)

This list will cover the rest of this week and next week:

1. Actively search out new clients, hopefully starting with the Expo.
2. Design some Christmas cards ahead
3. Complete a couple of client jobs, bill another.
4. Try to decide on a name for DbR
5. Clean my house. :-P

That's a good start. Hoping to do more, but will see about time.

Progress Report 38

It's Monday. I feel like I should be doing something. I was so busy last week (mostly with preparations for Ella's birthday party) that I feel like I've forgotten something today. I can't imagine what though.

The birthday party went very well. Ella was a princess and in her glory with little girls running around wanting to play with her and take part in the activities. We made fans from paper doilies, had a dress-up relay race, and feather boas for all the little girls. Two of her friends spent the night before the party. It was exciting for her but very tiring. By the time things were winding down Saturday afternoon, little Ella was ready for it to all be over.

Sunday afternoon we took Ella out shopping with the birthday money she received. She is a very good, efficient shopper. Before the day was over, she had spent every last cent, but I was pleased with her purchases. She bought 2 new shirts and 2 new skirts, an outfit and accessories pack for her new baby doll, and a BIG pack of gum (her favorite past time).

So, today I'll be doing some laundry, dishes, and canning. I picked apples last week with Katie and the kids. I've got to put up some more apple sauce and apple pie filling.

On a side note: I've had two contacts this week for The Occasional Housewife. It's a good feeling to see real progress on something that was just a concept a few months ago.

This week I will:

1. Rest
2. Clean
3. Can
4. Do yard work

pro-gress (n. prog'res) 1. A forward or onward movement.

Webster is obsolete. It must be the end of the world.

I have been thinking a lot about 2010 Progress. We're almost in the 4th quarter of the year, fall officially starts tomorrow, and it's getting cooler outside. Alas, 2010 is nearing the end.

When I think of where I started in January and what my mindset was, I really think that my quest for progress has turned into regression. In these past months I have found that I have been journeying backward more than forward. My personal progress has been a quest of how to live simpler. I want to break away from the ebb and flow of every day life as we know it here in America and carve out an existence in God's country like the pioneers did.

Geoffrey asked me once if I could live in any era of time, when would it be? I want to be Laura Ingalls Wilder. No, I want to be her ma. Those were the days when your talents and hobbies were all centered around survival. When picking out fabric for a new dress was exciting! and harvest was a community affair. That's when people played instruments, sang, and told stories for entertainment.

I guess what I'm striving for is fulfillment at my work. I want to work for the betterment of my family, not for a paycheck. The Occasional Housewife is work that I enjoy doing, especially because it helps other people, but honestly, it's a side business. It keeps the money trickling in.

Some things that I've gone back to this year, particularly this summer, are making bread, sewing clothes, raising chickens, gardening, canning, even hanging clothes out on the line to dry. With

the cool nights, I'm longing to start quilting, knitting and crocheting again. There is great satisfaction in having a hand in the making and running of a household. And there is even more satisfaction in knowing that your family appreciates it!

A few nights ago we all sat down to homemade sourdough bread spread with homemade grape jelly. I picked, squeezed, cooked, and canned that jelly myself. I fed the sourdough starter and kneaded the dough for the bread myself. Maybe it's just me. Probably it is. But I love it!