Still Unworking

It appears that this blog is aptly titled.... I'm still "unworking". My plans to generate income have not materialized as of yet. Mystery shopping is a good way to make extra money, but most of the better paying assignments require that you work without kids in tow. Any "dabbling" that I do would be offset by childcare expenses. At this point, I'm just looking for a way to balance home and work without sacrificing too much of my time at home. I have been able to score free haircuts (last week was the first time I paid for a hair cut in 9 months). I have also been able to get free dry cleaning and a few "free" lunches with my mystery shopping. Thus, at this juncture, mystery shopping is a great way to obtain free services or food. I have also narrowed down my shops. I don't drive really far or fill out forms that require exhaustive detail. I'm also selective with the mystery shop companies that I use. So, while I won't break the bank as a mystery shopper, I will score a few deals and pave the way for when I do have more solo time on my hands.

The recession has hit hard in the neighborhood too. My monthly column in the local paper has been placed on hold as the paper pares down its publishing expenses. We may have to take it online with email subscriptions.... hmmmm....

Ironically, I have become President of our local MOMS Club chapter. This was unanticipated, but I am really enjoying rebuilding our little group and watching exciting things happen. It's also pretty neat to be "in charge" of something official. That will at least be good resume filler when the job hunting begins.

Ironically, the drive to "earn income" is really more my husband's desire than it is mine. After leaving a 13 year engineering career, I am really enjoying the logistical planning, flexibility and organizational prowess required to manage a young family. The best thing is that while time is spread thin, I am the master of my time domain. I decide what we will "do" each day, instead of hurrying from place to place because I'm *required* to be there.

I'm sure the landscape will change once the kiddies are school-aged. There will be more "running around". However, I hope that the frenetic activity will stem from activities we are passionate about instead of trying to keep up with everyone else's expectations.

Prayer of a Four Year Old

I wish I could have taped this conversation that my son had with God at the dinner table tonight. I'll do the next best thing, which is to memorialize it here. He said grace, and here's what he said:



Thank you God for giving us good food to eat.
Thank you God for plants.
Thank you God for Grandma coming tomorrow.
Thank you God for giving us a car for all our adventures.
Thank you God for toys and Mad Trax and...
Thanks, thank you God.
Amen


I kid you not. The boy really talks like this! I had a lump in my throat and my eyes got teary when I opened them (we usually hold hands and close our eyes). And, he actually ate part of his dinner, which was another thrill.


Being home for dinner with my family practically every night, having daily adventures and learning through the fresh eyes of my children make the toughest job in the world the best job in the world.