The Idea Room: My Job Chart--Free Online Chore Charts

The Idea Room: My Job Chart--Free Online Chore Charts

Okay so here is one of my new changes...I am actually going to post again! YEAH ME!!

I was reading my long list of blog posts that I need to catch up on. As I was reading I came across this AWESOME online chore chart. I have kids and they have chores. We have tried the traditional hang on the wall chore charts with reward systems and have used several different "tokens". This is a whole SYSTEM...the chores, the chart, the reward system, and the kids can even be set up to receive their rewards from Amazon.com.

I love this....check it out!

Everything Changes...

I have to say that absolutely EVERYTHING changes. It is inevitable. When you start to think things are NEVER going to change, well friends that is exactly when they start to change. So my advice is to just put your seatbelt on, grab the "Oh Crap" handle and hold on as tight as you can because change is coming.

I find change a very unsettling thing to deal with. And unsettling is putting it quite lightly. Change actually puts my whole life into a tailspin. I can't handle it. However, in the midst of it I think I am handling it just fine. I think I have everything under control. Then to my surprise after I have been through it I look back or I talk to a loved one close to me and find out that the grace I thought I was exhibiting under pressure was just an illusion.

This year has brought so many changes to our life. I am sure this is true for everyone. It always seems like when I am looking at my life and the changes that have occurred they seem much bigger and harder than anyone else's. This is a very selfish and self-centered way of looking at things I realize. I am not really sure how to fix my selfish point of view, consequently I will tell you the changes that have occurred from my filter.

• Changed jobs
• Lost a job
• Moved
• Went into a hospital
• Moved again
• Blended a family
• Changed careers
• Began recovery

These were just the changes in my life. Some I have not listed because yes, some are way too personal right now to explain here. With all these changes I have reflected on how to continue this blog. I am still trying to figure it out, but I do realize that I want to continue it because it gives me such an outlet. But how to continue. Our family is SO very different now.

So...friends change is coming...I hope you will hold on and go through it with me.

Some differences...

So now we live in the country. We have lived here for almost three months now and there are some distinct differences in our life now as opposed to our life in the city. Let me know if you can relate...

If we want anything that is not sold in a convenience store we must "go into town".
Our neighbor rides his four wheeler up to the "big house" (our house) to throw away his trash.
The stars are so bright that you can actually find the constellations on a clear night.
Guineas run through our "yard" all day long.
We refer to the back yard as the back pasture.
When I look out the window in the living room I see cows and horses.
We do not lock our doors, EVER.
Our garage door stays up almost all the time.
Our cars remain unlocked in the driveway.
You cannot see the air.
My daughter no longer has asthma.
The kids run around outside everyday.
Our dogs run free.

These differences are all good. I can't think of too many that are bad. We are loving this slower life in the country. The kids have adjusted so well to school. I start a new job tomorrow with an agency called Mental Health Mental Retardation. I will be a case manager for youth and adolescents. I am really looking forward to it. I am nervous because I haven't had a job since March, but I am happy to get back into the workforce.

So....

Have you been wondering where I have been?

Well I have been around the world it seems and now I have finally made it back. Let's see if I can catch you all up on what's been going on with us.

I was in the hospital for nine days because my meds stopped working and when you are bipolar that can be a disaster. So on July 6th I went into the hospital and got it all straightened out.

We moved into our new house the beginning of August and we are still moving stuff from our house in Garland that hasn't sold yet, but I know it will I am not losing hope on that. We are also still unpacking stuff from both houses.

The kids started a new school on August 12th. They all seem to like it.

More soon. :)

Caleb's going away party...better late than never!

These pictures are from March, but I thought I would go ahead and post them anyway. For some reason I can't seem to get caught up with my digital scrapbooking. You know its supposed to be easier right? :)

Customize your own free digital scrapbook

Lake Texoma

Here is a smilebox of our visit to the lake on Wednesday.

Digital scrapbook personalized with Smilebox

Kool-Aid stand

So the kids have decided to remodel an old shed on the back of the property we live on. They want to make it a "restaurant". But in order to do this they need money. They decided to have a Kool-Aid stand to raise money. I decided to teach them a little about business. They had a little money to put in and we had a change jar they took some change out of. I took them to the store to buy their supplies...sugar and ice. We had lots of Kool-Aid so we donated that as well. They were so excited last night, and then this morning they got up and started making Kool-Aid and we set-up the stand.

Katie making the Kool-Aid.

Katie stirring first to get all the big pieces of sugar and the syrup bottle from breakfast was still out!

More Katie stirring with her trusty sidekick Emily.

Finally Emily gets to stir.

Then its Ben's turn.

Here they are trying to decide which kind to make for their second pitcher.

Filling the pitcher with water.

Making their signs.

Making more signs and the garage sale pile in the background!

Finally set-up for business.

Getting a little discouraged because I am their only customer so far.

The Superintendent walked over and bought a cup and gave them a dollar and told them to keep the change.

At the end of the day they made three dollars profit after paying back the start-up costs. But the most important lesson learned today was how to plan something and follow through with it even when it is hot and no one is stopping to visit your business. The bonus for me really was that everyone pretty much got along all day and they seem closer for the experience.