Life Changes

I’ve been gone for some time now, so I’m not sure who may actually read this.

I last posted in mid-July and since then I’ve had a lot going on.  I was stuck in a rut and I was deciding where I needed to go with my life from there.  I stepped back and really took a look at my life and decided that I needed to make some changes.  I realized that by taking dead end jobs, I have not been doing what was in the best interest for my family.  Don’t get me wrong, I love doing home care- it is rewarding and it is easy, but it was becoming apparently clear that it was not a job that was helping my family very much.  The pay is low and the daytime hours that I so wanted were just not there.  I could have taken all the evening hours that I wanted- I could have worked 7 evenings a week and make a better paycheck, but with the kids going back to school soon, that would mean that I would hardly see them.  That is just not an option that would benefit my family.  So I had to decide, ‘Where do I go from here?’

Probably the week that I wrote my last post, and the same time I was contemplating my next step, I received a catalog in the mail for adult education classes.  Something told me to really look at it this time, because they mail them out at least twice a year, and I always immediately throw them in the trash.  It did not take me long to put 2+2 together and realize that I needed to get specific training so I can really help my family and our finances.  There were a number of courses that I could take, but most would require me to take evening classes-again, didn’t want to be away from my family in the evenings.  One course really jumped out at me- Medical Assistant.  I have worked in health care for most of my adult life (except the 4 year stint that I was at Walmart) so medical assistant really appealed to me.  I read over the course description and realized that it was actually a DAY COURSE!   Monday thru Friday 9a-4p.  I could DO THAT!  So long story short, after a lot of discussion with my husband and the kids, I began taking the steps to try to get into the program. 

It has been quite stressful for us.  It was not something that was planned in advance, so trying to arrange the financial part is nerve-wracking, but I think we are going to be okay and I should be starting school in 2 weeks!  I have had to give up my job because I will need the weekends to study, spend time with family, try to keep the house in order, etc.  So it will make things tight.  Pretty darn tight around here- financially and time-wise- for the next 10 months.  I am not the most organized person, so I am a little scared.  I am doubting myself left and right with this decision, but I just have to keep thinking that God is in the drivers seat.  I am not looking forward to the struggle, but as long as I come out on the other side and finish the schooling successfully, my family will benefit greatly from the struggle to get there.

  All of my energy has been focused on starting school (mine and the kids), football practices (at 2 different times each day), and worrying about everything.  I have not touched a craft in weeks now.  I have several pieces that are still unfinished.  I just have not had the mental capabilities to focus on them!  lol  It’s hard for me to say right now what my life will look like in a few weeks, but I hope to be able to spend a little time on them.  I will know better in a few weeks.  God knows that I could use every penny that I could make by continuing to sell my cross stitch and crafts, but only time will tell what kind of time I will be able to put into making them.  I would like to imagine that my every waking moment will not include studying and trying to keep the house together, but for now I have to plan for the worse.  I am in the process of packing away my paints and fabrics (but not too far packed away) and making my work table for school use.  I will be keeping my cross stitch supplies and sewing machine out in hopes that I can stay acquainted with them throughout this whole thing.  Once I get most of that organized, I will try to get some UFO’s done and up for sale.  I have Fall and Halloween items that I need to get finished and sold, so if you may be interested, please bear with me a little longer and I hope to have them up for sale really soon. 

On a good note, the weather has been much cooler here the last two days- highs in the 70’s!- and my hair is finally starting to behave again!  lol  The heat and humidity we have dealt with this summer has been unreal!  I am loving this fall-like weather! 

On a bad note, sadly, Timmy has flown the coop.  He had been practicing his flying this summer and about a week ago, he left and hasn’t been back. :-(  Oh well, that is what we wanted.  For him to survive when we took him in and grow up to be a free duck.  Of course, we would have been fine with him being a ‘free duck’ on our pond, but I guess that wasn’t in the cards for him.  Perhaps he will find himself a mate and return with her one day.  Life changes for everyone :)