Long time, no blog, right? ;) I've been super duper busy this semester. The online classes are kicking my ass, it's a lot harder keeping up than I had anticipated. I'm doing well in all of my classes, though, so that's good. I was also busy for a while helping to plan my sister's wedding. She got married on October 18. Hopefully I'll have pictures to put up soon! We haven't been able to get together to get the pictures since she got back from her honeymoon. It all went beautifully, though. We had a houseful the weekend of the wedding. My sister, her boyfriend, and my niece stayed with us all weekend. Then we had my other sister and niece, more nieces and nephews, my sister-in-law. One night, we had 14 people sleeping at my house! It was a disaster area by Monday morning.
My dad came to the wedding, and we visited with him some the next day, which also happened to be my birthday! So, I'm 30 now. I was kind of dreading it, but it doesn't feel any different than 29 or 28 or 27. I don't feel any different than I did when I was 18, in fact.
We went and voted today, of course. We took the kids, and I let Maggie press the button to cast my vote, then gave her my 'I voted' sticker. I printed out a map of the US and a chart of all the states and their electoral votes on it. We colored in the map, and marked off each state on the chart for Obama or McCain. I told the kids they could stay up as late as they liked and watch the returns with us. I told them however things turned out, this was an historical election and I wanted them to remember it.
Hunter stayed up with us for the whole thing. We skipped around from MSNBC to CNN to ABC, and even watched Comedy Central's Indecision '08 for a while. The whole thing was very exciting. I was more nervous and energized than I was in the previous two elections. I feel like the country got it right this time, especially in comparison to the '04 election. I was grinning like a fool after it was called. I actually enjoyed John McCain's speech. I felt he was very gracious in his words, and I believed what he said. I couldn't wait to hear President-elect Obama's speech, and I wasn't disappointed. Not only do I like Mr. Obama's ideas and policies, but it is nice to see him act like a person, rather than just a politician. You can see the love between him and his wife, and the love he has for his daughters.
I am very proud of my country tonight. It is an awesome moment in our history, and I'm so glad to be witness to it. Well done, everyone!
11.05.2008
9.02.2008
My brother, the stranger
Back in June, my little brother got in touch with me. He was leaving for the military in September, and wanted to see my sisters and I before he left. He's 25 now, the last time I saw him he was 16. We didn't grow up together, we don't really know each other. All we had in common was our DNA. It was funny, though. When he got here, it wasn't all that weird or awkward. We had a great visit, and we planned to come to their house in Tuscaloosa as soon as we could. We ended up visiting a few weekends ago, and had another great visit.
My brother and I sat on his patio for over 5 hours, talking until the wee hours of the morning. We got to know each other, told stories from our childhoods (how weird is it that you have to share stories of growing up with your sibling?), and talked about our parents. We laughed, and we cried. A lot.
He left for the military this morning. I'm worried about him, and I'm kind of angry. I don't feel like I had enough time with him before he left. I know he won't be gone forever, but he won't be in touch until around Christmas time. After that, who knows. The closest he may be stationed to us is a 7+ hour drive, or he could be as far away as overseas. I still don't know him. I feel we're on our way to having a good relationship, but it's still weird sometimes. I don't feel as completely comfortable with him as I do my sisters. We don't have childhood memories in common. He was so young when our parents split, that he doesn't remember much from when we all lived together. It's the small things that bring it home to me how much we don't know about each other. I don't know if something I say might offend him. I don't know if, when we get off the phone, I should say 'I love you', or if it makes him uncomfortable. And I don't feel comfortable enough to just ask him, like I would my sisters.
I miss him already, and I just hope he stays safe. It's hard enough staying in touch with a sibling when you've grown up together, but it's doubly hard for us. Not only are we trying to stay in touch as brother and sister, we're still trying to get to know each other as brother and sister.
My brother and I sat on his patio for over 5 hours, talking until the wee hours of the morning. We got to know each other, told stories from our childhoods (how weird is it that you have to share stories of growing up with your sibling?), and talked about our parents. We laughed, and we cried. A lot.
He left for the military this morning. I'm worried about him, and I'm kind of angry. I don't feel like I had enough time with him before he left. I know he won't be gone forever, but he won't be in touch until around Christmas time. After that, who knows. The closest he may be stationed to us is a 7+ hour drive, or he could be as far away as overseas. I still don't know him. I feel we're on our way to having a good relationship, but it's still weird sometimes. I don't feel as completely comfortable with him as I do my sisters. We don't have childhood memories in common. He was so young when our parents split, that he doesn't remember much from when we all lived together. It's the small things that bring it home to me how much we don't know about each other. I don't know if something I say might offend him. I don't know if, when we get off the phone, I should say 'I love you', or if it makes him uncomfortable. And I don't feel comfortable enough to just ask him, like I would my sisters.
I miss him already, and I just hope he stays safe. It's hard enough staying in touch with a sibling when you've grown up together, but it's doubly hard for us. Not only are we trying to stay in touch as brother and sister, we're still trying to get to know each other as brother and sister.
7.14.2008
Working from home - not your usual data entry
Working from home is all the rage these days - anyone with a telephone can get a job answering phones remotely, taking orders, and providing other customer service. But there are a whole range of jobs available that vary from the norm - they aren't the usual telephone work or data entry. Some pay better than others, some have varying schedules, so it's not constant income. It just depends on what you are good at, and what your financial needs are.
Please note: It is a good idea to research any job opportunity, and don't get scammed! The number one sign of a scam is that you are charged to start a job. A real work at home job will not ask for money up front (disclaimer: a few reputable companies will charge for things like background checks, but they don't charge to actually start the work).
Research positions:
Organized Wisdom - This is a health care related website. You will choose topics on various health related subjects, and compile "Wisdom Cards" related to that subject. You must have excellent research skills, as well as a good grasp of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Court Researchers - Court researchers go to area courthouses, look through records (on anything from real estate to marriages and divorces), then input the data to the company's website. There are numerous companies that employ people for this type of work; I'm only listing a few of them. A Google search will turn up many more. This is not an "at home" position, but it does allow you to be flexible with your time, and work when you want to. You will need to be able to travel to the courthouse(s) that you choose, as well as work on a deadline.
Other court researcher companies: JellyBean Services, United Data Network
Writing:
Mahalo - Mahalo is a human powered search engine. As a Guide, you are considered a freelance writer, not an employee. You put together links, write up short information segments on search terms (with citations), and a fast fact list.
Helium - On Helium, you can write articles on just about any subject. You come up with the subject and content, send it in and if approved, it is listed on the site. Articles are ranked by other members (you can rank articles as well). Members are paid by a shared revenue system; the more you write and participate (reading and ranking other members' articles), the more money you can make.
Associated Content - On Associated Content, you also write articles. However, you are paid a flat rate per article you write. The pay varies, so be sure to read up on their terms of service.
Handwriting - Handwriting jobs are usually location specific. You do work from home, but you must live within a certain radius of the company's location, because work is picked up and dropped off in person. Handwriting jobs usually include doing things like writing out thank you cards. You are hired to write them for someone who may be too busy to do it themself.
Write On Results, The DNR Group, Aria Calls and Cards
Voiceovers:
Opuzz Voice - Doing voiceover work is a bit more complicated, because you have to have (or have access to) certain equipment. However, if it's something that you can do, I think it sounds like a lot of fun!
Live Search Guide:
ChaCha - ChaCha is a live search site. You are hired as a guide to basically do people's searches for them. You must have excellent search skills to do this job, as there is a small turn-around time in which you must find the answers. This is a very flexible position, as you log in and work when you want to. Another plus is, you never know what searches you'll get, so it's not boring!
Website User Testing:
User Testing - To be a user tester, you view new websites while talking (using software provided to you), to record the website's functionality, ease of use, etc. You fill out a detailed profile, and are contacted when there are websites available that match your profile. Pay is $10 per website tested.
Stock Photography:
Shutterstock - On Shutterstock, you upload your original photography, which is then sold to subscribers to use as stock photography. You are paid 25 cents per photo downloaded. Pay is available through PayPal, or a check in the mail. The more photos you have on the site, the better your chances are of having them downloaded.
Surveys & Product Testing:
Product Evaluator - This is not a paying site, but you are sent brand new, cutting edge consumer items to try. You must actively use the items, and then provide feedback via the web, through surveys, or on the telephone.
Women For Hire - This is a list of paid survey sites, as well as product testing.
Freelance Position sites:
Guru and iFreelance are two great sites to find freelance work in many different areas. You bid on jobs against other freelancers.
Paid Blogging:
Blogitive, iHype, PayPerPost, and PayU2Blog are all paid blogging sites. You choose items that you wish you blog about from their site. Once your blog post is accepted, you will be paid the previously agreed on amount.
Other job search sites:
Rat Race Rebellion and Work Place Like Home both list work from home jobs on a regular basis (RRR lists daily, WPLH lists as members find them). Although they try to only list reputable jobs, it is your responsibility to research and use common sense when contracting or accepting employment with any company.
Disclaimer: I don't have personal experience with each of these companies. I do have accounts with Helium and ShutterStock. The Shutterstock link is a referral link, but that is the only one. From what I have seen, they are all legitimate companies and not scams, but please do your homework, ask questions, get all information in writing, etc.
Please note: It is a good idea to research any job opportunity, and don't get scammed! The number one sign of a scam is that you are charged to start a job. A real work at home job will not ask for money up front (disclaimer: a few reputable companies will charge for things like background checks, but they don't charge to actually start the work).
Research positions:
Organized Wisdom - This is a health care related website. You will choose topics on various health related subjects, and compile "Wisdom Cards" related to that subject. You must have excellent research skills, as well as a good grasp of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Court Researchers - Court researchers go to area courthouses, look through records (on anything from real estate to marriages and divorces), then input the data to the company's website. There are numerous companies that employ people for this type of work; I'm only listing a few of them. A Google search will turn up many more. This is not an "at home" position, but it does allow you to be flexible with your time, and work when you want to. You will need to be able to travel to the courthouse(s) that you choose, as well as work on a deadline.
Other court researcher companies: JellyBean Services, United Data Network
Writing:
Mahalo - Mahalo is a human powered search engine. As a Guide, you are considered a freelance writer, not an employee. You put together links, write up short information segments on search terms (with citations), and a fast fact list.
Helium - On Helium, you can write articles on just about any subject. You come up with the subject and content, send it in and if approved, it is listed on the site. Articles are ranked by other members (you can rank articles as well). Members are paid by a shared revenue system; the more you write and participate (reading and ranking other members' articles), the more money you can make.
Associated Content - On Associated Content, you also write articles. However, you are paid a flat rate per article you write. The pay varies, so be sure to read up on their terms of service.
Handwriting - Handwriting jobs are usually location specific. You do work from home, but you must live within a certain radius of the company's location, because work is picked up and dropped off in person. Handwriting jobs usually include doing things like writing out thank you cards. You are hired to write them for someone who may be too busy to do it themself.
Write On Results, The DNR Group, Aria Calls and Cards
Voiceovers:
Opuzz Voice - Doing voiceover work is a bit more complicated, because you have to have (or have access to) certain equipment. However, if it's something that you can do, I think it sounds like a lot of fun!
Live Search Guide:
ChaCha - ChaCha is a live search site. You are hired as a guide to basically do people's searches for them. You must have excellent search skills to do this job, as there is a small turn-around time in which you must find the answers. This is a very flexible position, as you log in and work when you want to. Another plus is, you never know what searches you'll get, so it's not boring!
Website User Testing:
User Testing - To be a user tester, you view new websites while talking (using software provided to you), to record the website's functionality, ease of use, etc. You fill out a detailed profile, and are contacted when there are websites available that match your profile. Pay is $10 per website tested.
Stock Photography:
Shutterstock - On Shutterstock, you upload your original photography, which is then sold to subscribers to use as stock photography. You are paid 25 cents per photo downloaded. Pay is available through PayPal, or a check in the mail. The more photos you have on the site, the better your chances are of having them downloaded.
Surveys & Product Testing:
Product Evaluator - This is not a paying site, but you are sent brand new, cutting edge consumer items to try. You must actively use the items, and then provide feedback via the web, through surveys, or on the telephone.
Women For Hire - This is a list of paid survey sites, as well as product testing.
Freelance Position sites:
Guru and iFreelance are two great sites to find freelance work in many different areas. You bid on jobs against other freelancers.
Paid Blogging:
Blogitive, iHype, PayPerPost, and PayU2Blog are all paid blogging sites. You choose items that you wish you blog about from their site. Once your blog post is accepted, you will be paid the previously agreed on amount.
Other job search sites:
Rat Race Rebellion and Work Place Like Home both list work from home jobs on a regular basis (RRR lists daily, WPLH lists as members find them). Although they try to only list reputable jobs, it is your responsibility to research and use common sense when contracting or accepting employment with any company.
Disclaimer: I don't have personal experience with each of these companies. I do have accounts with Helium and ShutterStock. The Shutterstock link is a referral link, but that is the only one. From what I have seen, they are all legitimate companies and not scams, but please do your homework, ask questions, get all information in writing, etc.
7.12.2008
I am employed!
I went out and got me a job today. I've been looking, but not getting any responses from anywhere. On a whim today, I called the movie rental store I worked at a couple of years ago and talked to the manager. I asked him if they were hiring, and when he found out it was me, he told me to come in and get an application. When I showed up, he had already called the district manager and okay'd it with him to hire me. I start tomorrow. Woot!
I don't even know how many hours he's needing someone for, but I need a job, so I don't care. I know the hours they are open, and I can work any of them. I am a bit nervous about managing to work and go to school, but I won't be the first person to do it, and I'll manage it somehow.
Go me!
I don't even know how many hours he's needing someone for, but I need a job, so I don't care. I know the hours they are open, and I can work any of them. I am a bit nervous about managing to work and go to school, but I won't be the first person to do it, and I'll manage it somehow.
Go me!
7.11.2008
I have writer's block
I've been trying to come up with ideas to write about lately, and I've had plenty of them! I just can't seem to craft anything into a coherent, non-sleep inducing post to entertain the masses (okay, the two of you that read here). Something will happen and I'll think "Oh! I can make a blog post out of that!", only to discover when it comes down to it, that I can't think of much to say on the subject.
Maybe things will get more exciting here, soon. The kids do go back to school in a month, and I start a couple of weeks after that. Hey, maybe one of the kids will get a sucky teacher again this year. That will guarantee ideas. Okay, I'm just kidding there.
I think I may be getting a bit delirious. It is past my bedtime. Okay, uh, bye!
Maybe things will get more exciting here, soon. The kids do go back to school in a month, and I start a couple of weeks after that. Hey, maybe one of the kids will get a sucky teacher again this year. That will guarantee ideas. Okay, I'm just kidding there.
I think I may be getting a bit delirious. It is past my bedtime. Okay, uh, bye!
7.05.2008
Not much to say lately
It's been pretty boring around here lately, and I haven't had a lot to blog about. Last weekend was fun, we spent Saturday with my brother, SIL, nephew & niece. On Sunday, we took the kids swimming and then fishing. The rest of the week has just been kind of blah. We've done pretty much nothing.
Tonight was a huge bust. We were supposed to go over to a friend's for a party, but that didn't work out. So we just sat around here and did a lot more of nothing.
I've got some stuff I wanted to get listed on eBay, but I haven't even taken the pictures for it yet. I've still got to call and schedule Maggie's Pre-K physical, and Shelby has a dental appointment in less than two weeks. I want to do some crafts with the kids before they go back to school, which is in a month. The girls and I are going to do some tie-dye shirts, and I don't know what else.
Boring, I know, but I wanted to post an update.
Tonight was a huge bust. We were supposed to go over to a friend's for a party, but that didn't work out. So we just sat around here and did a lot more of nothing.
I've got some stuff I wanted to get listed on eBay, but I haven't even taken the pictures for it yet. I've still got to call and schedule Maggie's Pre-K physical, and Shelby has a dental appointment in less than two weeks. I want to do some crafts with the kids before they go back to school, which is in a month. The girls and I are going to do some tie-dye shirts, and I don't know what else.
Boring, I know, but I wanted to post an update.
6.27.2008
974 and 195
974 is the number of text messages my husband had on his cell phone for last month's billing cycle. More were received than sent, and all of them were from and to my SIL. 195 is the dollar amount that said text messages are costing us on our bill. Pissed doesn't even begin to describe me over this. Like we can afford an extra $200 charge on our cell phone bill right now. I think I'm going to have to break down and buy the $30/month unlimited texting plan because the stupid bitch doesn't listen when she's told not to text anymore. What is so wrong with dialing the number and actually talking? Get an IM program if you want to type out your conversation! JHC!
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