It's such a gross day...

I've basically spent my entire day sitting curled up in the nasty ugly pink chairs in my office reading, or doing some research-y type things on the computer or writing. Yes, I am writing again! Though I hesitate to say what I'm writing about, as I don't always (ok, like never) follow through on things of this nature. But I feel like, maybe, if no one really knows about it, if I just write down the stories I tell myself, then I might actually be able to finish it. Or, you know, at least get farther than 2 pages this time. But so far its good, I have characters, with names and descriptions and everything. I even sorta know where its going, I just need to figure out where it ends.... One step at a time, one step at a time.

I totally fell off the wagon

So, I guess my "I'm gonna blog once a week" thing totally fell through. Oh well, I'm here now, that has to count for something right?

What's new with me you ask? Well, I'm started taking a jewelry design and repair course online. I figured if I wanted to actually find a new job I may have to get a few more skills or something; and with my degree in art I figured it couldn't hurt to try something design related. So I'm learning how to make pendants and rings, how to set stones and fix mounts and stuff like that. Hopefully this will lead to a new job, or possibly my own jewelry being sold in a store or two, or my etsy shop. I do have a friend from church that owns a jewelry store, so fingers crossed my stuff will at least me good enough for her to consider selling.

Along with this, we decided that it was time to actually get a desk and fix up my 'craft room'. Luckily my parents had a computer monitor that they weren't using so we were able to finally stop using the tv as a monitor and move the computer out of the living room. Now my craft room has become more of an office, but its looking pretty cool so far. We got a desk and desk chair from Ikea, and we spent most of yesterday after Ryan got home from work painting, so now my walls are a nice shade of grey and the wall at the back of the built in shelves is ruby red. Its all coming together nicely. I still have to sew some curtains and reupholster a couple chairs to put under the windows, but at least, if nothing else comes from all this crazy-ness, we get a pretty new room.

I'd apologize for missing a week, but I'm almost 100% sure that only one person reads this, so....

Anyway, I MAY have found a solution to my work dilemma. I want to be able to work full-time for myself by September 1st. I don't care if the money starts coming in from one/both of my etsy shops or if my photography starts picking up (which would be awesome-- Kara if you have any advice on this, please, send it my way). I do have 3 newborn shoots tentatively lined up for sometime in April and May depending on when the littles decide to pop on out of their mommas. I'm hoping a bigger portfolio and more clients will help bring in more business, but it's torture waiting for Spring. So for real, if anyone out there in the bloggy world lives in/near the Philly area and has some small people they want photographed give me a shout. I'm great with kids, I promise!

The pessimist in me is convinced this isn't going to happen, that come September I'll still be stuck in the same jobs I have now with no prospect or way of going full-time on my own merit... But I guess we'll just have to see what happens and hope someone out there gives me a chance or two. So spread my name around people!

Work woes

So, I've trying to find a new job for the past year and a half or so and have found absolutely nothing. Well, not nothing, I did apply for a few here and there, but never heard anything back. My fear is that I've been babysitting for so long that no one will want to consider me for a serious job. The jobs I have now are difficult, but there are days (with more and more frequency) that I really feel the need to just get OUT. Especially from my afternoon family, I love the kids (most of the time), but it feels, quite often, that the parents take me for granted, or don't acknowledge the fact that I have a life outside of watching their kids. They are consistently coming home 15-30 minutes late with no warning, and SOMETIMES I get a 'sorry' when they do finally get home...

Anyway, come fall my hours at both jobs are going to be cut a decent amount, it's no ones fault, the kids are just getting older and going to school longer or for the first time. I'm not going to loose either job, which is good, but I really do need to find something else before September.

It wouldn't be super hard to get a retail job or even just to find a new family to sit for, but I don't want that. I'm tired of having a 'flexible' schedule, I don't like coming home at 6 or 7 at night when Ryan gets home around 4 everyday. Ideally I would be able to work for myself, or at least find a job I could do from home. I mean, I've got a butt load of student loans and what not and if/when we have a baby I'll need to still be able to work.

Life is hard, I don't like being a grown up, and I think money is stupid :( But if anyone out there has any job suggestions or ideas, or wants to pay me for something that would be awesome.

I remembered!

I haven't forgotten you already, blogosphere, I promise. I was all set to blog last night, but was unable to as it was Parent Observation Night at dance; and since I'm the one that drives there every week, waits an hour in the hall, and then drives home, I got to do the observing. Well, I observed and took video to email to the parents since they couldn't make it.

I do have a post or two planned out in my head, but at the moment I am still working and having to use my phone to write this. Once I get a chance to sit down at my computer at home I will type out a real post, promise.

Trying again

So..., I've had blogs before, and sometimes I kept up with them, but mostly I didn't. I've been wanting to blog lately though, so I thought a totally brand new blog might help. Plus my last blog was under an old email address.... Anyway, I can't promise to keep up with this one, but I can say that there will probably be at least weekly updates as I find myself with a rather boring hour between 4:30 and 5:30 every Wednesday night as I wait for dance class to finish.

What do I wish to accomplish with this blog? Not a whole heck of a lot honestly, getting some followers would be nice, having a comment or two would be awesome, making bloggy friends would be epic; but I'm not holding my breath. We'll see how it goes. 

For now all you need to know about me is this: 

~I am married, my husband's name is Ryan

~we have two dogs, westies, Jasper and Jethro

~I have a Bachelor's degree in Studio Art, no I do not have a job in my field, and I probably never will, still I can't seem to regret the decision to study art for 4 years

~I work almost full time as a babysitter/nanny/childcare provider/whatever you want to call it

~there are times I love my job, and times I absolutely hate it, both times occur daily

~I would love to be able to have my own newborn/baby/child photography business, so far this has not happened

~while I wait for the photography opportunities to present themselves (and in case they never do) I am trying my hand at starting my own small business making and selling handmade products for bath, body and home (PhoenixHollow.etsy.com, check it out if you get a chance)

~I look about 17, am actually 25, but feel like I'm 14

~I enjoy most Young Adult fantasy/Sci-fi literature, and in fact, dislike reading just about anything else

~I don't care about nutrition or how fatty foods are, if I want it I eat it. Don't hate me, but I have a fast metabolism and have never had to worry about my weight (which I'm afraid will catch up with me one day)

~I hate running, or really any strenuous physical activity, except maybe Nerf wars, those are pretty cool

That's about it for now, I'm sure, if you continue to read this, and if I can in fact keep up with it, you will learn more than you've ever wanted to know about me. Or, if you're like me, and love being "involved" in peoples lives (Ryan likes to call it snooping, it totally isn't) maybe you'll love it here.