Okay, so I haven't been on here for a short while now.  My life has been temporarily turned upside down.  Its all in a good way I guess you could say, but it is definitely messing up my schedule and getting things done.  I am a creature of habit, and when my routine gets changed I don't usually adapt that well.  Wonderful hubby's work schedule is changed for a short time so he is here when he normally would be gone and that creates havoc in our routine in this house.  And I am one of those wives that actually likes being with her husband, so him not being as available doesn't make me happy either.  But without him, I would not be able to sit here and think about what job or career I want to embark on.  So I don't complain much...he works his ass off to make sure we are all taken care of.  So I guess I should stop making this all about me.

Speaking of careers....I may have come up with something that is definitely doable for me.  I am giving some serious thought to making cakes!  I made a cake for my youngest daughter's 5th birthday that wasn't just a round cake or 13x9 pan cake.  It was a doll cake.  This doll had her big dress on with dots, and frills, and everything on it.  If I could ever figure out how to post pictures on here and NOT have them show up sideways, then I would show my pictures to you.  Just know that I was proud of that cake.  And my girl loved it!!  I do enjoy cooking, just ask anyone in my family or circle of friends.  I would have considered catering, but where I live is a bit too rural and there are a bunch of caterers.  So suffice it to say that industry is wrapped up.  My mother in-law made cakes for years and put two kids thru college doing it....so why can't I??? 

I will do more and more and probably some more research into this and see if this is something that I really want to get into.  But I do know that I really enjoy cooking or baking....just being in the kitchen quite honestly is where I most comfortable.  But do I want to put myself into a career path with that and make it to where I HAVE to go cook every day because my job depends on it?  This is one of those questions that I need to really think on and answer before I can really move forward.  The experts say to do what you love and food is definitely something I love.  So I will have to do a little more thinking and soul searching, but I may be on to something here.

Is there a financial advisor in the house?

Alright, this post is going to sound a bit more soapboxing (is that a word?) than anything today.  A financial advisor is yet another idea I have had for myself as a career choice.  Not too many years ago I took a personal finance class.  I really enjoyed the class and learned a lot.  Most of it though, to me, was common sense stuff.  The teacher of the class even came to me at the end of the session and told me I should consider becoming a financial advisor because of my savvy for the stock market, handling money, etc.  I was flattered by the compliment, but at that time I had a 4 month old at home so that was not an option.

Now, here is where I step up on the soapbox.  Here is a question I have.  Why is it that ordinary Joe Schmucks like myself have limits?  We can only borrow so much to buy a house, a car, a credit card, etc.  We actually hit a point where the financial people say that's it...you  can not handle anymore debt....you don't make enough money to cover your debts.  Why cant the same be done to the government?  Financial experts say the way to get ahead is to live below our means.  Why doesn't the government do that also?  If we over extend our credit in our personal life we would be cut off and made to live C.O.D. (that's Cash On Delivery for all you youngsters that haven't ever heard that term).

Why cant we make the government live up to that principle?  The government has for the last 30 years lived on and spent the money in the next 30 years.  I wold like to have the money that I am going to make in 30 years right now to spend.  But then that would mean there would be nothing on the back side for me to spend later.  And its not like the American public hasn't made it known to the government that we want change. 

The Preamble says this nation's government was founded by, of, and for the people.  Since the Democratic party state that they strive to protect and support this, AND since we have a Democratic president in office....shouldn't they be listening a little closer to the people that put them there??

Not a sermon......just a thought to ponder on.

I would LOVE to help balance the money for the government.  I am such a cheapskate that I would have money saved in no time!!!  Or so I would like to think I could anyway.  A girl can dream cant she???

The freelance writing is on the wall....maybe.

Okay....so I am doing my whole research thing in search of the "thing" that is right for me to jump back into the work world.  Freelance writing jobs came up in my searching the other day.  Now I have never considered myself a writer.  I do like details and I do like doing research, but I have never been eloquent with my delivery.  Ask any of my friends and they will tell that bluntness is one of my attributes, whether it is a good one or a not so good one, it is there.  So does that make a candidate to write?  I am definitely opinionated.  Politics, world news, food, children, marriage; these are just a few of my many opinionated bits of knowledge I possess. 

I will admit, this whole blogging thing is turning out to be a lot of fun for me.  As I have said before, I have plenty of things to comment on.  If I don't have a comment at that exact moment, I will do my research and THEN make my comments and opinions known.  But is it enough to compete with copy editors, writers, freelance writers, editor type people.  You see my conundrum.  This feels like an elite group to try and jump in with.  Just as I decided to jump into this blog thing, maybe I should just jump in and start doing this writing thing and see where it leads.

I love my grandmother

I love my grandmother.  She is 86 years old.  She can recall the Great Depression and World War II.  She has been thru quite a bit of adversity in her years on this earth.  She still lives on her own, and very independently I might add.  She is the last of her family and friends that is still on this earth.  The love and admiration I have for her is beyond description. 

One of my thoughts on career choices have to do with helping the elderly.  I love old people.  They are cute (most of them anyway), full of life lessons and wisdom, and in need AND deserving of a little help from those of us that are younger.  They deserve more respect than our society shows them.  That is a whole other subject I will hit on another day.

So when I was visiting with her the other day, I had a question for her.  I asked her if any of her friends or acquaintances would pay to have someone (ME, ME, ME) help them out with errands or work around their homes, that type of thing.  My grandmother in her loving fashion pointed out to me that, while it is a good idea, most people can not or will not pay someone to do those things for them.  Many of them will feel they cannot afford it, and the ones that will pay won't pay what you feel would be appropriate.  Hmmmmm....food for thought I guess.

So this is what I think.  We need to utilize the people in our lives for feedback, support, and honesty.  How am I going to find that "thing" that is right for me if I don't ask for input and opinions?  Who better to give insight and opinions than someone that has lived a fuller life than myself?  I love having my grandmother in my life for her love, support, insight, and opinions (and she does have plenty of opinions).  I think everyone should take advantage of what the elders in our lives have to offer us.  Other societies value their elders and hold them in the highest regard.  We should be doing the same for ours.

Tax Time Tax Time Tax Time

You make my head numb!  I love that statement from a popular commercial on TV.  Right now I am working on gathering my tax stuff so that we can get our taxes done in a few days. My head is definitely going numb. Yes it is early, but I have to due to my wonderful hubby's work schedule...it gets crazy for a little while.  I spoke with my tax lady the other day to ask a few questions and she told me how well organized I am.  HA!!!!  I laugh at that statement.  She obviously has not seen where I have been piling up all my receipts and tax forms.  You name the corner that's where I found it.  My only saving grace is that my memory is such that I can still remember which corners I stuffed them in.  When I lose that, THEN I am going to be in trouble.

It is absolutely insane how the tax system works.  I have sat down and read the IRS.gov website for multiple topics (haven't I told you I am a geek...if I haven't, yes, I am a geek), and it is so convoluted that I can not believe I actually took college courses with the intention of becoming an accountant.  I like money.  I also like saving money.  But this IRS stuff makes it not so fun that is for sure.  Maybe that is where I should start looking to dive into a career....how to make tax time a little less painful of a process.  Why can't we all just know that when tax time rolls around we all have to sit down and figure out if we have paid our flat rate of say, 15% taxes on our income for the year.  I think my calculator and I could handle figuring that out and letting the IRS know the answer to that.  I know I am oversimplifying things, but a girl can dream can't she?

This is what I think...I think that the government has lost track of who is doing what and when they are doing it.  There are too many chiefs and not enough little Indians.  Now I could go off on a big old rant about politics, but I will save that for another day.  All I want is for the government to make things a little simpler so that I don't have to carry a briefcase (okay a slight exaggeration, but it makes my point) to my tax lady to get my taxes done. 

Now I must get back to my piles of papers that are surrounding me and try to make sure I have everything I need to get this process done before the dogs coming tromping in here and smear them with mud and muck and whatever else is on their paws.  Like that hasn't happen to anyone else before....you know what I am talking about.

Well here is my second entry into this new venture.  I have had my usual hectic week of carting kids to orthodontist's appointments, practices, games, and such.  It is now the weekend and should be my time (for the most part).  It is SuperBowl weekend and I am looking forward to the game.  I love my football and I am sad to see it end.  But after football is Nascar and that is a good fill in for me. 

So, I am in thinking mode of what I want to be when I grow up.  I have been running up and down the digital highway seeing what is out there that would fit into my lifestyle and be a decent career choice for me.  I am first and foremost a mom.  That is what I always wanted to be and am so thankful I have been afforded this opportunity in life.  But the oldest is off in college and the youngest will be starting elementary school in August.  When that moment comes of her stepping onto that bus the first day of school....it will be just me....all by myself....for the first time in 6 years.  While that sounds like a thrill I have waited for for a long time, that joy will be short lived.  There is only so much reorganizing and rearranging that can be done around this house before I will need something more to do with myself. 

This is where the search begins.  I am a person who wants to fix problems.  I like making decisions.  In fact I feel like that is one of my strong points.  I like learning new things.  I have done research on so many things that most people would probably fall asleep just saying the subjects to them.  Internet research is one of my possible endeavours.  I have researched and read up on the Patriot Act, septic systems, Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules, insects, wage rules, medicines, illnesses, and on and on.  I told you....very eclectic blend of subject matter.  I love to cook, so do I venture down a path to do with culinary interests?  I could go on and on with interests and such. 

So now I am off to do more research and see what I can find as inspiration to put me one step closer to being the next "me".  I am still me, but ready to move on to the next level of "me".  Because it sure is good to be "me".

Hi....my name is....

Hi....my name is...Chris.  I am a full time mom, wife, daughter, and friend.  I am married to a wonderful man who affords me the opportunity to be able to stay home and tend to our four kids.  Kid#1 is off in college doing her thing.  Kid#2 is in high school and the only boy in the bunch.  He is all boy and all athlete.  Kid #3 is my first born. She is in middle school and involved in the band.  She is an exact replica of me in appearance, but definitely her own unique person.  She is creative, hippie-like, and a bookworm.  Kid#4 is our little pistol.  She is 5 years old, very athletic, very girly, and very VERY quick-witted.  Look out world, you don't know what is coming your way.  All four of these kids are unique, beautiful, intelligent, and I am so honored to be their mom.


I am starting on a journey.  I am not sure where this journey will take me, but I think I am ready go.  I have an opinion about almost anything.  I do my research before I make a comment, because I like to understand things and make informed opinions.  I love a good intelligent dialogue on almost any topic....so don't be afraid to engage me.  The time has come, I believe, to start looking for that next step in life.  It is time to start reinventing myself....find my new place in the world.  I think I am at a point in life where I can balance being a mom, a wife, a daughter, and every other hat I wear, but I want something that is all mine.  This blog is that first step for me.  So I will probably start out a little slow and a little clunky in my subjects and storytelling, but it will mine and only mine.  My thoughts, my opinions, my insights, and anything else I want to throw in here...but it will be all me.

This is what I think.  It is going to be one fun ride through this experience.  So please fasten your safety belts, put your seats in their upright position and get ready for takeoff.