Somehow I don't even know where to start with this. I'll leap in....
A miserable, damp, rainy, gray, cool day like today makes me feel sunshine deprived and unmotivated, yet there
is work to be done and that's such a good thing.
First on my list of chores this morning was to pay whatever bills that I absolutely had to and maybe squeak in one or two more. I managed the three most critical and could have finished the rest, but well, there was no rush on those. I wrote up the list of what 'A' owes me towards bills and will collect off her tomorrow. Then, while I had calculator in hand, I decided to attack the business books. I thought I had 3 months to do. Found out there were four. Turns out that February was an outstanding month for work! Unfortunately not outstanding enough to make up for a dismal January, March, April, and May.
Last Saturday was the first Firehouse Trust Fair and I didn't participate. I called to see what the table fee was this year. It is still $50! Sorry, this is far too high for the size, location, and poor advertising. I'm not in the mood to lose money. The three of us went down to see how it was doing. It was around 2 p.m. and town was fairly busy. The craft fair wasn't. It even looked pathetic. Two with beaded jewelry, one with some nifty melted glass jewelry. One with knit baby clothes, one with individual watercolor notecards (maybe a couple dozen to pick from displayed flat on the table), and a table full of categorized old postcards. Not one table had any oomph. Blahhhhhh. The knit baby clothes lady had been at some of the other fairs last year. We asked how it was going and she said real slow. Glad I wasn't there. I think I'll be doing the Methodist Church Fair in July and the High School Holiday Fair in November. I'll probably throw in a couple others along the way. I'm considering Internet sales.
What upsets me the most is that there is absolutely nothing I can do about getting more money coming in. There isn't even a bailout line for me. I have considered presenting myself at the Department of Transitional Assistance and simply asking, "Do
you have any ideas?" "What can I do?" "I'm self-employed and business is overly slow due to the global economic status. I have a two day a week job to try to make ends meet and they won't give me any more time due to their economic hardship of state mandated employer contributions to the state healthcare system. I need a very flexible schedule (minimal days with definitive hours, preferably no nights) because I provide transportation for my daughter to her job AND for my mother to doctor's visits." "I've tried selling at some craft's shows, but darn, folks don't have money to spend due to that ever present economic strife."
"I'm open to suggestions."
I think I'll get a blank stare.
Anyway, on the good side...I called the financial person at the school system and quite pleasantly inquired about the 3 tunings worth of payments that are overdue to me, even by their payment scheduling. Thankfully, I have been assured that the check is in the mail. It may take the long way around the earth to get here, but it's on it's way! This is super good as nearly the total amount will be going to paying my quarterly taxes. Can't have the Feds on my back.
Well, I feel a bit more organized if not happier. I guess there is something to be said for that!
And here's a colorful picture of Mom's azalea...
when it was sunny last week!
when it was sunny last week!
I stained the back of our house. At least all that I could reach with a 12 foot step ladder and a 16 foot roller extension rod. How on earth am I going to finish the top part?
I may have to put the ladder out in the PRIVATE Way and climb it with the 16 foot roller extension. I reached the areas next to the window by using just the extension...no ladder. Hmmm. That'll just leave the front to do which will be a bit more complicated around more windows and shutters, too.
And a few updates. Our lovely robin's nest was attacked by bluejays. Two eggs stolen one day and then two pecked and eaten the next. No cute robin babies to watch this year. Late this morning, after shipping out some keys, I decided to try to make better my situation. I went to the candy factory where I work retail two days a week. I can't manage more than the two days on my feet, but I could certainly work in the factory part up to 4 days a week. It's somewhat self paced (I work efficiently) and not always standing. They need help this year as several are not able to return from last year. I offered to make the switch. I was politely told that it most likely wouldn't work. They need guys to do the big vat cooking. Yeah, I understand.
