Different Sort of Day Today

Saturday, December 03, 2011

I'm going to do a little bit of my usual routine this morning: exercise, straighten the house, put in a couple job applications. I will stop at 12 so I can have about an hour to pass out Avon books. Then I will be working a formal tea fundraiser at church. It's not hard work and it's fun to spend time with the good people that I have met at church. Then I will be spending time with a friend this evening. I know we'll have dinner together then I'm not sure what we'll be doing. We may just watch a movie. I considered going out to look at Christmas lights, but I'm not sure how many people actually have their houses decorated yet. It seems weird to actually have plans to do some fun things. But, I think I need it today. I've had such a down week that it sounds like what the doctor ordered.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FIFIFRIZZLE 12/4/2011 1:33PM

Patty with your struggle to find work, fun every day is essential. Report Inappropriate Comment

FITMARY 12/4/2011 10:34AM

I agree: sometimes changing it up is just the ticket. HAVE FUN!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SLIMLILA 12/4/2011 12:59AM

My day was certainly different too, but in a good way! I called a friend (actually my only friend in town) and she was in tears. She was missing her deceased husband and feeling very alone. She asked what I was doing and I suggested we go out together, so we did,it was good for both of us, except for the lunch and supper parts... always throws me off, but she needed the company and she was paying, so how could I say NO? My 3rd Chinese meal this week... HOpe your evening is fun... Report Inappropriate Comment

NPA4LOSS 12/3/2011 5:54PM

Fun is always something we should make time for. Report Inappropriate Comment

Planning Mode

Friday, December 02, 2011

I began a planning mode yesterday that seems to be continuing today. I'm going to take and run with it. This may be what I need to get into a routine and lifestyle that I can live with. It started when I decided to work on a budget. I got my checkbook and receipts out and really took a good, long, hard look at where I was spending money. I don't like what I came up with. Too much money going out and not nearly enough coming in.

I looked into whether or not I could lower some of my bills, like my phone, electric, cable and gas bills. I realized that I was on the best plans that I could possibly be on. I'm aware of how much I'm using and now can work on lowering the phone, gas and electric bills. I feel like I'm on a quest to see how much I can lower them. If I really watch how many phone calls I make and when I make them, I may be able to lower my plan and save $10 a month. Hey, it's $10 more to go to something else.

My grocery bills aren't bad. I used to be better at hunting down and using coupons and need to make a conscious effort to get back into the habit of doing this. I do keep track of how much I do save and I want to see how much I can increase it this month. I am also checking into seeing if there's a food pantry that may be able to help me out since my only income is what little I make with selling Avon.

I've been talking with other Avon representatives and going through some training videos on line. I'm now more aware of the fact that I need to expand my customer base and of ways to do that. I want to see how much I can improve in the next two months.

It's time to take another look at things around the house that I can possibly sell. I have sold a couple things this past month on Craig's List, but not as much as I had hoped. So, I'm going to check into a couple places nearby and see if they can help sell some of the stuff. I'm one that doesn't like a lot of stuff in the house anyway and this seems like the perfect time to get the place de-cluttered and organized.

I'm still spending a fair amount of time each day applying for jobs online. I wish there was an easier and less time-consuming way to do this. At least it's not like it was before the internet where a person had to go from company to company and fill out applications that way. I still get discouraged with the process and wonder what exactly it is that I'm doing wrong. But, I must keep plugging away. I have no choice.

So, I've got lots to do in the coming weeks. I'm off and running....

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SLIMLILA 12/3/2011 1:18AM

Go Patty Go!! I remember when I was selling Avon,I probably spent too much time visiting, but I met a couple of nice, older, lonely ladies who died the last year I did it, and I was glad I had met them and been able to spend time with them. (wow, didn't know I was going to go off on that seque) I am doing the same thing, just applying by internet but my dd told me too that there is an industrial park not far from us and e things I would probably have a job that day if I did go passing out resumes... so come January, I may do exactly that as I hate looking for work and that interim phase where I am not working. I wonder the same as you why I don't get more interviews and what I should be doing different... I'm sure you know all about making your homemade food and planning out your meals to save money. Unfortunately, it's the healthy stuff that is the most expensive. Iwish I could convince my dd of that.. But then, we both like to shop and I am a bargain shopper, so our fridge and freezer and stand-up freezer are stuffed full. I got 4 large skinned, boneless chicken breasts today for $4.62. I portion packed 4 packs for emergency meals for me and also packed up the rest into a package that she can use for either Chicken Caesar or Fettucine Alfredo. You always seem so upbeat even with as frustrated and stressed as you must be. I hope the utility costs aren't doing the same thing as here, the light bill this month is going up by 13% and my sil is going to be off for Christmas on Dec. 16 and no pay till they go back in Jan... I can hear "can you lend us?" coming on.... They just can't seem to catch up, but then with dd being on maternity leave, she's down over $10K and her husband has had a lot less hours and is down about $21K... Needless to say, I only worked half the year, so I am down a lot too. But I am very fortunate to have unemployment until April, so I don't have to panic yet... Take care of yourself and enjoy your weekend.. Lila Report Inappropriate Comment

Getting a Handle on Things

Thursday, December 01, 2011

I think I'm getting a handle on scheduling things. Of course, this involves my lists and timer and multi-tasking most of the day. I actually stumbled on something that sounds very silly, but seems to be working for me. I will tell my grandkitty that I will be doing some thing and will be spending x amount of time on it. Somehow, saying it out loud to another being helps keep me somewhat accountable, especially when I head out to run errands.

I read an article this morning that says women multi-task more than men - well, I guess we women actually already knew that. But the article reminded me that it adds stress to our lives. I've got enough stress without adding any. Now, how do I cut down on the multi-tasking and still get everything done that I want to get done?

I've been needing to make up a budget. I think that when I spend some time on one today, I can probably make up some sort of a master-schedule for each month. This being the first day of the month, it would be the perfect time to do it.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SWEETANGO 12/1/2011 2:58PM

I hope that you were able to get done what you were hoping to accomplish today! December 1st is a great day for new beginnings. Judy Report Inappropriate Comment

Starting Over

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

I had been so busy getting ready for Thanksgiving and having everyone over that my attempts at establishing a routine have left me. So, I'm starting again today, making my list and putting an estimated time line in my planner. I read a good article this morning that suggested making a calendar where I can mark things down and write down whether or not I have accomplished certain goals for the day. I'm thinking this may help me in getting into some of the good habits that I want to get into. I'm going to give it a shot. This way I will have something in writing as to whether or not I'm accomplishing what I want to.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NPA4LOSS 11/30/2011 9:05PM

Great plan! Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSLISA1973 11/30/2011 8:09PM

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SLIMLILA 11/30/2011 6:26PM

I thought of you when I was reading something this a.m. too, it was about making a "..Doing" list as opposed to a "To Do" List. I can't believe how easy it is to get off track, I went to a Gentle Fitness class on Monday and then my sister was here when I got home and wanted to go for Chinese, and that started yet another down-fall. I just don;t seem to make any progress at all.. How'd your last job interview go? Report Inappropriate Comment

Working on a Blustery Day

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

I was a little lazy and got up a little later than normal this morning. It had been windy and rainy all night and the day called for more of the same. Of course, this is the day that the employment agency called me in to work. But, of course I said yes. I had just been worrying about no money coming in last night. I guess small miracles do happen after all. Now to just get home in one piece. The news has been reporting about a million accidents.