VQU (a.k.a. Very Quick Update) October 9, 2008

My fingers are flying like crazy over the keyboard in order to do this quickly. Okay, quickly as in 48-60 wpm, not very fast, but I like to think I’m an awesome typist. I have much to do. The kids and I are going to a church retreat tomorrow and won’t be returning until Sunday afternoon or evening. Then I’ll have to bake and frost a cake. It’s my birthday. My 34th to be exact.

Volunteering: I will volunteer every other Thursday through the end of the year then we’ll fill out a new calendar. The gym smells the same. The Asteroids arcade game isn’t there. It’s probably a good thing ‘cause I rock at Asteroids.

Photography business: I received my business cards, registered my business name, finished the family photos from last week and delivered them, finished up a wedding reception and will put them in the mail today. I have 2 senior photo sessions to do…then I need more work. I can’t really do any editing today because I am merging all my photo libraries into one library. Then I’ll go organize them better. So far I have over 16,000 photos in 3 years. Amazing.

I think I need to write a business plan, but I don’t know what that is or how to do it. It sounds good, though.

Reading: I was able to read Les Mis without interruption and I find it quite interesting. I still am not sure about a lot of things, but that’s okay. I’m also reading a book by Evan Morris called The Word Detective. It’s a humorous little book on word meanings. Do you know what bloviate means, by the way? And yes, it is a word!

I got a much needed oil change yesterday. I’m not sure why that made me feel so grown up. I used to actually change my own oil, but that was on my lovely Bertha- a 76 Dodge Dart slant 6. She was green with one yellow door and the gas gauge barely worked. Just ask Rob Porter. He ran out of gas in my car on the way to Cornerstone in Chicago.

My checkbook is balanced, my bills figured out, my laundry mostly clean, and I am showered and dressed. I feel accomplished.

What up! October 3, 2008

Here’s a clue: if I’m not posting that means I’m not doing well or at least I don’t perceive that I’m doing well. That’s when I need your encouragement.

As to date, I’ve only asked 2 women to hold me accountable. It is so hard to ask people for help. I think they’re all too busy.

Well, I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished much, but perhaps I’m not looking in the right place. So, I’ll list what I have accomplished as opposed to what I haven’t.

Volunteering: I contacted Meredith and will be attending a meeting to talk about volunteering 2 shifts a month to supervising at the Tina Miller Teen Club. There are so many levels to this. First of all, there is no “convenient” time for me, but I’ll have to sacrifice something. Still, I want to do this. Second of all, and more importantly, I haven’t stepped foot into that place since I was 10. I grew up directly across the street from it. We called it “The Old Gym”. At one point it was a one-room schoolhouse that my dad attended in the 20’s and 30’s. Perhaps, I’ll write more about it in my other blog. I can’t get into here for fear of becoming a blubbering puddle of tears.

Photography: I’ve finally finished up a wedding and family photo session. I need to get the family photos onto CD and into the mail. I’ve been working on another family photo session and senior photos. I’ve ordered business cards from Vista Print. I’ve started my photography blog, I think. I can’t remember if I’ve posted anything on it. I also started a storefront at DotPhoto, but have had trouble uploading my photos. I did design the header, though. Oh, I just remembered that I need to take pictures a newly built house so they can get it in the papers for the weekend.

Decluttering: I’ve made some progress. My house is still a mess. I’m trying to organize all our homeschool books and papers.

Reading: Well, not Les Mis. I’ve been working on photos so much. I have been reading more of my Bible and digging for jewels. I’m currently in Exodus, reading 4 chapters a day. This is the schedule for the Mandate Students so I’m doing it also. I’m in a little group where we commit to reading the same scripture, confess sins, pray for one another, and for the lost.

Being joyful isn’t currently happening, but I almost felt joy one night.  Also haven’t made soap, but will probably make laundry detergent today since we’re almost out. It equals out to cost about $.02 per load and it’s an easy process. I’ll post pictures and directions on my other blog.

That’s all. Now I need to write another blog post, shower, and get ready to run into town to do errands.