What to do, what to do???

Well, we've been back in America for a month and it's easy to see that my hubby's schedule is not going to be flexible enough any time soon for me to go back to work full-time. He's recently challenged me to earn $10,000 a year, so we can contribute that towards our retirement without penalty, etc. Needless to say, I've been considering the ways I can go about this. Do I substitute teach, start a business around one of my passions, go back to direct sales, or a combination of many things? So many options...

I've toyed with the idea of teaching part-time and putting feelers out at local schools, but to be honest - I don't want to have a set schedule. I want flexibility to be there for everything with my family. In the past, I've had many "direct sales" jobs: Tupperware (at 18!), Creative Memories, & Pampered Chef. I really enjoyed them all; however, never saw them as a true way to earn a living. Maybe it's time for me to buckle down and commit myself to something that I am passionate about!

A good friend has been in touch with me about a brand new company that combines home decorating, food, wine... sounding good so far, right?!? I think I want to go for it and could possibly be the first consultant in the Oklahoma City area. Part of me imagines all the people I can reach out to and build a team with - that triggers my happy place and all the things I want professionally.

I want to do it; however, I don't take things lightly and want to commit myself to success.

Still thinking...

Do you want to join my team? Geez, it sounds like I've made up my mind - LOL :)

March Photo Challenge

Day 17 - Participation

I spent the morning with Loo Loo's Year 3 Class working on Math Group Activities. At the sand station, the students have to fill different containers and check to see if they come up with the same measurements.

Here is my daughter recording the measurement that we worked on together.

Cont'd from the March Photo Challenge 2011...

I didn't post my picture in time, so I was technically disqualified from the official site; however, I will keep posting the remaining themes here. Since I can do it at my own pace, they may not be "on time" or coordinated with the exact date. In four days, we'll be moving from Perth, Western Australia, AUS to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA - so things are crazy, busy, and a strung-out ;)~

P.S. I always have an really hard time deciding and narrowing it down to one picture, so I might post multiple pics for one day - yea!!!

Day 16 - Affection

Loo Loo with her best friend, Wil in front of the Indian Ocean at Port Beach after we had dinner at the local restaurant, "The Beach Bar". It is one of the few places in the Perth area with a kids' play area!

A self-portrait with my Aussie Sister, Kristy, after dinner. This is probably our last trip to the beach in Australia. I will definitely miss being so close to the ocean.

I tried to do this organization challenge and couldn't get through Day 3 - my life is in too much flux right now to pin-point goals, etc. beyond moving. Today I cam across my notes and didn't want to just throw them away, since I put a lot of thought into them.

DAY 1

Brainstorm of things that are important to me (in random order):

• love
• balance
• support
• achieving goals
• financial responsibility
• family
• healthy lifestyle
• educating my children about health ways
• maintaining important and meaningful relationships
• accomplishments
• not holding things inside
• being an authentic & true person
• making a difference in other lives
• helping people discover their passions & dreams - purpose
• inventing new lessons, programs, etc. (B.E.S.T. at UH)

CURRENT GOALS:

• Not only being happy (which is NOT achievable 24/7), but being balanced.
• Understanding my emotions & reacting appropriately: not over -or- under
• Mapping a career plan & steps needed for my return in ______ years.
• Supporting my family/friends without sacrificing myself. Quit "topping-off" everyone else, so I am less than "half full" and often nearly empty.
• Rediscover optimism!
• Exiting AUS in an organized & low stress way.
• Re-entering USA with reasonable expectations about: timeline, city/location, family's adjustment.

Day 2

My Top 3 Goals:

1) Family - Being present & actively involved in the moments with my family and showing/vocalizing their importance to me.

2) Myself - Maintaining balance & perspective about my emotional & physical well being.

3) Health - Consistently practicing healthy living through nutrition & exercise, while educating my family about healthy living's importance with my example.

Once these are established:

• Give to others
• Career path

Upsetting

I purposely avoid certain things, so I don't get upset. Today I had to confront one I hate, cleaning the pool area! It's not because I don't want to do my share, it's because of all the cigarette butts everywhere - yuck. Is this what I will be stuck doing for years to come?!? God, it's miserable to think that :(


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Testing...

I often wonder if blogging were easier (more accessable), if I would do more often. Well, here's my chance to see! I just got a new application for my iPhone that puts it right at my fingertips - literally ;)~

Now I just need to figure out what to write about... I rarely find myself at a loss for words; however, lately I've been either so lost in my own head trying to figure out the meaning of life -or- so pissed off that words cannot cover it. That feels a bit stupid to "say outloud", even if it's just into the cyberworld; however, it's true. I haven't been much fun to be around and feel guilty that I'm bringing the people around me down like the Titanic. Interesting thought that I'll be pondering for the next few days. Funny, but I don't think much about it when I might be bringing my family down, since I have a defininte "what goes around, comes around" feeling lately. That's not a good way to treat my family and I should work on putting out the attitude/feelings that I want in return...

See, my imaginary cyberfriends, this is why I should blog more!!! Off to work on my attitude. Seriously!

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His & Her's CookiesThe other day, DH busted out with, "No offense, but I'd like some real cookies without chickpeas!" Since, whenever I've cooked homemade cookies lately they are a health version from the "Deceptively Delicious" cookbook. The kids love them, so why should I bother to make something else?!?!? LOL!!! So, today we made two types of cookies "his" and "her's" :)

Soooooooooo...

It's been a long, long time since I've posted here. Life has been busy and I have been feeling down. However, I am hoping that things will be looking up soon, since I am actively trying to change things for the positive.

Today, I started a year long photo challenge with my friend of twenty years, Nancy. I am so happy to be doing it and hope to keep up with it, even though the next few months will be busy with traveling.

I have a few posts I did for another blog that I was doing privately, since I thought that this blog was being read by too many people and lost it's appeal as a venting place. Should I really care about keeping it private though?!? I don't know! I'm thinking about merging them here and just putting it all out there... We'll see what I decide.

Off to get some work done on a dreaded volunteer job that I am trying to get rid of. Maybe I will write here, again, tomorrow - maybe!