Busy, Busy

This week I plan to go over to see my parents in Chipley. I cleaned three condos this past weekend at my BBCJ (Backbreaking Cleaning Job), went to Confession at St Mary's in Fort Walton Saturday, and Mass at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pensacola yesterday afternoon. Big Weekend.

I'm sort of taking today off because I had to clean yesterday. A super cool thing has occurred! I got 2 responses from my 40 or so contacts last week with work at home ad selling endeavor (www.homeeddirectory.com)! I like how the directory folks have the process organized. After someone expresses interest, I simply send them the info pack along with form letter that I personalize via email . It's all very organized, simple, and flexible. I was really encouraged to hear back from some folks and it motivates me to shoot for 40 contacts/day. I contacted 25 on Friday so I think it can be done. Most of all I like that I can go visit Mom and Dad, work from their house, and return to Navarre Friday to clean next Sat.

Well you are all (Amy, Mardi, and sometimes cousin Joan :))completely 100% up to speed. I'm sure you've been waiting with bated breath...

More Setbacks and an Open Door

Man, I've had another trying couple of days. As you know, I was all set to begin my training with Cloud10 this past Tuesday. My computer had other ideas. The tech folks at Cloud10 are outstanding! They are patient and do everything possible to get you up and running, but to no avail.

Last night I had to completely wipe my hard drive and reinstall windows. Today all of the Cloud10 stuff had to be reinstalled, a process in itself. When it got down to trying my headset, all was lost again and my computer froze with the dread "kernal error". I have to either get my computer looked at by a computer shop or try a new headset. I'm waiting to hear from my supervisor, as we speak, to see what my options are with Cloud10, since training is under way. Bummer. WITHOUT ME!

The good news: Ever the Polyanna, I got all my training info for www.homeEDdirectory.com yesterday and soon will be up and running with the selling of the ads for this homeschool directory started by a homeschooling mom out of Phoenix. Thankfully, this iron in the fire is sparking up at the same time the other iron is smouldering.

Just continuing to jump through hoops as they are coming in front of me, one jump at a time.

My mind turns to others: Our US Gov't as it seeks to deal with our country's issues, all of us working stiffs as we try to deal with our country's issues, hostages on pirate ships, all the folks who go hungry every day in our country and abroad, the children in Africa who are missing a whole generation of parents, our priests and religious and other caregivers in our nation and abroad. The innocent unborn are included as well.

The pic was taken by yours truly of our Easter feast. (Sis Cheryl behind the lily, Casey and her beau Tyler on her left, and Natalie and her beau Chris on her right. Quick aside: I read a bit today about the Easter season and the jyst(sp?) was that it can be seen as a time of alms, prayer, and feasting. Instead of the alms, prayer, and fasting of lent. Live and learn!

God bless all who happen upon my blog this day!

"Getting Operational" was Postponed

Well, I spent pretty much my whole day tweaking this blog. The picture under the title is one I took last November just before driving home to the Southeast. I would like to say right now that I love Picnic App on Flickr. It let me crop and make that pic look better than it actually is. Cool!

I am hooked on blogging! Geepers. Truthfully, my goal is to have three blogs going and to write 330 articles for ehow.com in 6 months. Hopefully my day will consist of writing 2 articles in the a.m., selling ads for 2 hrs/day for www.homeeddirectory.com (really cool site - happy to be getting started with them), working 6.5 hrs/day for Cloud10, posting on one of the three blogs every night. Blah, Blah, Blah. Do anybody really care? Thanks for letting me vent. Long story short: I'm learning blogging so I can quickly make other blogs for income, using my gifts, doing something I enjoy, and spreading Gospel at the same time.

The other two blogs will be a.) Florida Cracker Cooking and b.) Catholic Voter's Guide/Social Issues based on Papa Bennie's Intentions (that's Pope Benedict - I like him a lot, said like the dumb and dumber guy). For that 2nd one I have a couple of guest authors in mind.

Shew, so there you go. Cloud10 was having technical difficulties today and my session was rescheduled, I blogged my bottom off, and I missed my pal Amy's phone call today because my phone was in my bedroom charging. Shout out to that gal who is on spring break up in Media, PA! Here's a prayer for her ailing Gram from www.ourcatholicfaith.org:

Prayer for the Sick
Dear Jesus, Divine Physician and Healer of the sick, we turn to you in this time of illness. O dearest comforter of the troubled, alleviate our worry and sorrow with your gentle love, and grant us the grace and strength to accept this burden. Dear God, we place our worries in your hands. We place our sick under your care and humbly ask that you restore your servant to health again. Above all, grant us the grace to acknowledge your will and know that whatever you do, you do for the love of us. Amen.

How about the earthquake in Italy last night? Please pray a prayer for the departed, their families, those working in and around the area, those affected, the injured, etc.

Father, thanks for another grand day. Amen

Pleasant night to all...

How about this stunning, serendipitous pic taken by dad between Jackson, WY and the Jackson airport.

A Recap of the Week

Wow, a lot has happened this week. Wait, Coco the Min Pin is whining big time to get in my lap. I will post pics of this sweet girlie at a later date.

Let's see, back to what has happened. I'm so ADD. Last Sunday, I believe, I got an email from Cloud10 sayingto schedule a project interview. For this particular work at home (WAH) job I had already taken all of the preliminary steps to be hired and was just waiting for a suitable project. It took about a month before I heard back from them about a project.

I scheduled my interview for Monday. The interview was brief, and I was asked about my work history, and was told about the project. This company has a bit of a harsh, by-the-book tone saying things like once you say "yes" at this interview and if you decline later, you can never work for Cloud10, and you will not be considered for any other projects. It seems from all the forums out there on WAH jobs that many folks who do this type of work need super flexible work because of families and whatnot. Cloud10 is more like working at an actual company, with little time off, and an offering of more hours. It sounds to me like that is the upside. I will be able to work 32.5 hours per week, not hoping to get 10-15, of which I may only be paid for calls and may get few calls.

Speaking of which, my sister works for LiveOps and for 6 months or so, maybe for even a year, she really made very little money and had to devote quite a bit of time. Now she is averaging $18/hr and has plenty of hours. It has been great for her because she has fibromyalgia. The hours are fairly flexible, so if she is not feeling particularly well one day she can work in spurts.

But, I digress. My sister (Joy), her new husband (Mike), and their sons, Matt (Joy's) and David (Mike's) got here on Sunday also. No, wait, Mike rolled in on Monday. Anyway, it was really stellar fun. I posted on that earlier. Basically, the boys both 17, skateboarded in a couple of different spots, and hung out at the beach. Mike and Joy spent some time at the beach. One day we all went to Pensacola. Unfortunately, there has been tons of rain, and the day we went to Pensacola, there was some flooding in the streets, Tornado watch, etc. -- typical Florida Springtime. Mike and Joy were able to check out some spots they would like to live in a couple of years, after the boys are done with school. They currently live outside of Jackson Hole, WY in Alpine, WY. I think definite highlights of the trip were being around the boys, going to Juana's and buying Mahi Mahi and Shrimp at Joe Pattie's in Pensacola. I love hitting that place, walking around outside, checking out the specialty foods and getting some crazily fresh seafood. Joy and Mike fixed up some good vittals. You better believe Old Bay played a central role. Nice!

The posted pic is when Joy and Mike got married under the arches in Jackson, WY with the boys looking on, all in view of the webcam. We all got to look on from all corners of the globe. They were married in March, and I am very happy to welcome the Cranfords into the family. Thanks to my cousin-in-law, Mandy Johnson, for the pic. (Hope it was ok to lift, Mandy).

I took them to the airport in Fort Walton today (sob). This evening I got back and went to my orientation for Cloud10 via computer. It's been a busy and wet week! At some point I started this weblog. Thanks for viewing and God bless.

Let's end up the night with a prayer for those folks who don't have employment. Maybe a person's name can be inserted as sort of an intercessory prayer. Let the Lord guide. This is from catholic.org:

PRAYER FOR EMPLOYMENT

God, our Father, I turn to you seeking your divine help and guidance as I look for suitable employment. I need your wisdom to guide my footsteps along the right path, and to lead me to find the proper things to say and do in this quest. I wish to use the gifts and talents you have given me, but I need the opportunity to do so with gainful employment. Do not abandon me, dear Father, in this search, but rather grant me this favor I seek so that I may return to you with praise and thanksgiving for your gracious assistance. Grant this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Transition, Lent, and Work at Home

Wow, there is a lot to learn on this here internet. I just spent probably half an hour trying to figure out how to affiliate with amazon.com. Anyhoo, I'm learning my way around the blogger site and enjoying it immensely. Soon, though, my time will be limited, as I've taken a job with Cloud10. Apparently, I will be a tech support person for a large cable company. The best part is I will be working from my home! It's been 4 months since I've had regular work, and I can't wait to get started. How incredible that I can go to work in my PJ's and step into the kitchen for lunch - lovely. Well, I just thank God that life is so good and so hopeful.

On the God front, a beloved priest once told me that sometimes our spritual life is sort of like an amphibian's. We travel up and down, coming up for air when we need it. I guess his hand gestures don't really translate. My bad. Basically I was going through one of these times where I just feel like I'm going through the motions, my prayer is off, and I'm just sort of "not into it". I figure it's sort of like when you married folks sort of settle down into life and some of the spark is gone. I know it always comes back, and it makes me trust Jesus the same, but I just feel like I'm not a very attentive follower. Does that make sense?

So, I've been in such transition for the last four months, that I feel like lent came and went before I really participated in it. If anyone is reading, give me your comments, perhaps what you gave up for lent (if you're comfortable doing so) and how lent has been for you this year and years past. God bless and to all a pleasant sleep...