Friday, October 23, 2009

No Time for Pouting

I took one day for my own little pity party and to start looking for possibilities. I have no idea in what direction my life will go, but then I've never known that. I've sent two resume's to school systems, one in Terre Haute, one in Shiloh, Illinois. I might have to go back to working as a teacher's aid in the school system -- you know, those government-run institutions that have one-size-fits-all educational systems . . but, only if I don't land a new contract for freelance copywriting.

I have applied to two companies so far, one just a few minutes ago. The type of writing I would do for them would be for various interesting topics. Far less cut-and-dried I think.

I am also working on a book proposal that I've kept on the back burner for quite a while (excuse:too busy). Now seems the time to do that. I found a publisher through another writer. Prayers and a lot of finger-crossing would be helpful here!!

In the meantime, I will go back to the writing site that has what is called "Marketplace" and will try to sell another magazine article. Those usually pay enough to buy some groceries now and then.

I'm also trying to take advantage of the opportunity to get some school work of my own done.

MK has finished reading the entire Harry Potter series. She has rough-drafted a letter to J.K. Rowlings asking for more! Even though Rowlings included a chapter on what has happened to the characters 19 years later, MK wants to know what happens to the characters' children and other new students at Hogwarts School. We will need to work on a final draft of the letter and get it mailed.

I am thankful that today my niece, Cindi, is going home for her long recovery after weeks in the hospital following her car accident. She's home with her children and that's the best medicine of all.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Fired!

Ok, so yesterday I lost my freelance copywriting job . . . it happens. Moving forward. I will try my hand at doing some various freelance articles here and there while I look for another well-paying one that pays by the hour. It took me a year of serious hunting before I found that last one. . . It won't take long before the threat of being homeless will be looming over my head, so onward and upward!

I'm adding an URL to one article that published today. It isn't the greatest, but I took it from one of my assignments, and will do a few more to get me off to a running, but not great, start. I can take time for improvements soon.

MK and I have both been hit with a cold/flu-type of bug that lasted about a week, but we are both left with a pesky congested cough that just won't go away. (The week in bed is the final thing that clenched it for the copywriting layoff -- I got in only less than half of the required hours, therefore I did not fulfill the contract requirements.)

We pulled up all the rest of the carrots and got only a few that still had not grown much over two inches long. We put them in our homemade chicken soup and enjoyed them. So, no carrots put away for the winter. We picked the rest of the green tomatoes from the back yard today.

Financial Aid has been cut back so drastically for college, and they raised the fees again this year. It is so expensive per credit hour now that it is ridiculous. I've wanted to stick to my guns and graduate from SMWC in about a year, but if they keep raising fees and financial aid keeps getting lower, I may have to consider graduating elsewhere, or quitting. But, I'm pretty stubborn . . . we'll see.

I need a plan.

Squash Bloom

Squash Bloom
I found a new setting on my camera for shooting flowers!

Bean #1

Bean #1
So far, we have three bean pods. Bugs are eating the leaves.

Bean #2

Bean #2

Bean #3

Bean #3

Second Strawberry

Second Strawberry
The birds found the first strawberry (pictured yesterday) and ate right out of the center of it! This is a new one that showed up today. I'm sure it will be gone soon. We have buds for more.

"FLOWERS" NOT

"FLOWERS"  NOT
Actually, squash, lettuce, flowers, and grass where we planted what were supposed to be flowers! This is what happens when children help you garden. But, the squash looks excellent!

Our Recession Garden & First Harvest

Our Recession Garden & First Harvest
These are the beautiful squash plants growing where we planted what the package said was FLOWERS! Actually, I think MK may have mis-labled them in the spring planter box we started everything in.

Peony

Peony
The peonies were beautiful only a few days before being ruined by rain.

Leaf Lettuce

Leaf Lettuce
Recovering from being beat down by rain

First Harvest from Recession Garden

First Harvest from Recession Garden
This is actually from a "thinning" of the garden.

Parsley

Parsley

One and Only Strawberry

One and Only Strawberry
The birds had not found this strawberry, and so far, it is the largest one we've ever had left on the vine.

Onions

Onions
We planted MANY onions, but this is the only patch growing well. We thin it to get our green onions and they are tasty!

Potato Plants

Potato Plants
They are growing like crazy!

Hosta

Hosta
Aren't the leaves pretty?

Potato Plant Blooms

Potato Plant Blooms
Pretty light purple with bright yellow centers. I've never seen any before.

Our First Recession Garden Salad

Our First Recession Garden Salad

First White Rose of Summer

First White Rose of Summer
This is the first bloom on the white rosebush this spring.

Max the Mouse

Max the Mouse
Max the Mouse in Cinderella, Cinderella

Sledding Fun

Sledding Fun
FUN!

Sledding

Sledding
Another one bites the dust

More Sledding

More Sledding

Oh, that's gotta hurt!

Oh, that's gotta hurt!
And yet, another one bites the dust . . . er, snow.