How Do You Busy Women Do It???

Wow! I have seriously got to get a schedule or routine figured out, or I am going to go crazy.

With the dogs, working 9 to 5, coming home and doing Virtual Assistance work, blogging, preparing dinner, house chores, etc, I am quickly realizing there aren't enough hours in the day. I must admit that Hubs has really been picking up the slack for me, and I greatly appreciate that. However, I feel like I should be able to get it all done in a day. Other women get all of this and more done in a day - so, what's my problem? I can't seem to get it all done, and then I make myself feel like a failure and a bad wife when it is 7 p.m., I'm still working on a computer and dinner hasn't even been thought about.

Yesterday, I came home and walked in the house to discover that, while we were gone during the day, the puppy had got out of the room she was in and had free access to the rest of the house. NOT GOOD! She ate my best pair of dress shoes, my brand new sandals, and an entire container of ink pens!!! There were pieces of shoes and ink pen parts throughout the house, and I walked along afraid to enter each next room to see what else she may have eaten!

I just CAN'T wait until we have this house, buildings, and land set up the way we need it to be! We are running out of money, which is why I'm working three jobs... yet, things are breaking and going wrong just as fast as I can make the money for the OTHER projects! UGH. Not only do we have MANY huge home improvements to finish, buildings to move, a farm to get started... I have a puppy who eats my wardrobe, our toilet started leaking really bad this week and is ruining the floor underneath it, I need a new windshield wiper for my vehicle and probably new brakes... I'm not sure whether to scream, have a good cry, just ignore everything, or what - doesn't matter, I don't have the energy anyway. Gee, does this sound like a venting post? Forgive me.

The new job is great. I think I'm really going to like it. Right now, I've got my work cut out for me, because I'm trying to get an equipment dealership/repair shop organized, along with getting the entire year entered into QuickBooks. It's going to take me a while, but I enjoy working with the people and the laid-back environment.

Today, however, I am filling in at the insurance company, because I had already agreed to fill in for two days before I got the new job. So, you want to buy some car insurance?

My sister-in-law called me a little bit ago. I answered the phone, and she asked, "So, what county are you in today?" I told her that my mind was too full to be sure... I just went to wherever my vehicle took me, found a computer, and started working on it ;-)

Gosh, I really miss ALL of you, and I really am doing my best to try to figure out a better schedule so I can visit blogs more often.

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How Do You Busy Women Do It???

http://www.mistysmusings.com/2008/05/how-do-you-busy-women-do-it.html

Wordless Wednesday... Almost

(c) Misty DawnS

Will I ever get caught up? I'm beginning to think the answer to that is 'no'. I have OVER 500 unread posts in my reader! Then, when I participate in a meme, I visit all those participants! Now, I start my new full-time job today, in addition to coming home to do my Virtual Assistant work! Will I ever get caught up? I'm beginning to think not. I do promise to be better at visiting everyone's blogs... I just need to have a little while to figure out a routine and schedule... I'm a routine-kinda gal. So, right now, I'm feeling kind of overwhelmed.

Did I mention that my throat feels as if I have swallowed razor blades? I just keep thinking, "No, no, NO! I can NOT get sick right now."

I'll be back this evening, and I'll start trying to get that routine figured out... Don't give up on me, Friends!

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Wordless Wednesday... Almost

http://www.mistysmusings.com/2008/05/wordless-wednesday-almost.html

My News and a New Web Design Blog

I've got news! I accepted a job, and I'm really excited about it. I will be working for the couple from Argentina! Yep, I met with them last night, and we discussed what they want me to do. I really think this is going to work out great.

I will basically be their right-hand girl, and I will be doing a lot of work on their computers. Eventually, I will possibly be designing and creating a website for them too. That will be a lot of fun, because I love doing that type of work.

So, it was perfect timing that I found a design blog today. It's all about web design, and, after exploring the blog for awhile, I decided to add it to my reader, because it has some good tips on designing for the web. I found the post titled "Top Three Web Design Basics" to have some very useful advice. I'm looking forward to learning from future helpful posts on this blog.

In case you are interested, I'll tell you more about the job in another post. For now, if you like learning about web design, you'll want to check out that blog.

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My News and a New Web Design Blog

http://www.mistysmusings.com/2008/05/my-news-and-new-web-design-blog.html

Heads or Tails *Express*

Heads or Tails has its very own home now! If you click on the graphic above, it will take you to the awesome new HoT blog where you can sign up and start participating in this fun and popular meme!

Today's topic is Heads - Express. Well, you'd be really disappointed if I didn't have a story to tell, wouldn't you. Yeah, just shake your head and make me feel better about my obsessed story telling. Pretend like you like it. hehe

As you know, my grandparents raised me. Well, when I was growing up, my grandpa used to tell my dad, "I just want to be sure she is able to express herself." Grandpa was certainly good at expressing himself; although, we usually called it 'the gift-of-gab'. I can remember being sent outside when he would be talking with a customer who had come to buy lumber. "Grampa, Gramma sent me to get you, cuz it's time for dinner.".... .... .... "Grampa! Gramma is gonna get mad if dinner gets cold!".... .... .... "Grampa! Please don't make me go back in there without you! I'm supposed to be bringing you with me!" hehehe - I love both of them more than I can possibly express to you. ANYWAY, Last week, I would have certainly made my grandpa proud, because I was involved in a half-hour long conversation, and I didn't even understand half of what was said.

There is a couple here in the new county who own quite a bit of land and an equipment dealership. In fact, they own the land across the road where I always photograph deer. Anyway, they are from Argentina. They are a fantastic and friendly couple, and I am always touched, because whenever they drive by when I am walking down the road with my camera in hand, they stop to talk to me. Here's the hitch - they have very strong accents. Well, to them, I'm probably the one with an accent. Anyway, a lot of the time, I have trouble understanding what they are saying to me. So, I don't want to offend my new friends, and I just smile and nod a lot. Well, last week, I was on a sunset-photo-walk, and they stopped to talk to me. Apparently, I agreed to work for them and didn't even know it!

You see, I came home in the dark after our roadside conversation, and told my husband about running into to them and always feeling embarrassed because I stink at understanding people with accents. The next day, Hubs went to their equipment dealership to purchase a part he needed.

The owner of the dealership turned to his wife and asked, "Do you know who this is?" She replied that she didn't. So, he introduced Hubs to her. According to Hubs, she immediately got a huge smile on her face and replied, "OH! Your wife is coming to work for us!" Hubs quickly figured things out and asked, "Oh really? Ummmmm So, when does she start?"

Apparently, I'm expressing myself when I don't even realize it!

Oh, and you didn't think I'd end this post without expressing myself in my most favorite manner of expression, did you? This is what I was photographing when this friendly couple, who are apparently my new employers, pulled up and started talking with me.

(c) Misty DawnS

(c) Misty DawnS

What will this mean for my blogging? I'm not really sure yet. I'll know more tomorrow, after I have gone to talk to them about the details. I'm not willing to give up the friends I have found here (see my previous post) or blogging. So, one way or another - you're stuck with me. Tomorrow, I will discuss what is exactly expected of me, what the hours would be, and what the pay would be. Honestly, if the pay is not enough, with the price of gas now, I can't afford to be driving there and back each day just so I can say "I have a 'real' job." So, we'll just have to see. Hmmmm, I wonder if they have leather office chairs. I guess that's a little much to expect for a farm equipment shop, huh? *sigh*

By the way - My friends - PLEASE read my previous post. I put forth extra effort to make sure my 500th post was extra-special.

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Heads or Tails *Express*

http://www.mistysmusings.com/2008/04/heads-or-tails-express.html

A Job With Kids AND Animals

Considering my love of animals and children... do you think I'd make a good 4-H Youth Development Program Assistant? My aunt-in-law saw an opening for this position. She called yesterday while I was out on my daily dusk walk. You know, to get sunset photos (surprised, aren't ya?). Anyway, when I got in, my husband showed me the job description on the website.

Basically, I would be involved in assisting with everything to do with the 4-H Youth Program. So, I figured I'd fill out an application, attach my resume, and drop it off on Monday. It's only a year-long position, but it would probably help me make some connections in this community.

Anyway, I may not even hear anything (other than the thanks for your application, we'll keep it on file letter), but I figure it doesn't hurt to try.

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A Job With Kids AND Animals

http://www.mistysmusings.com/2008/03/job-with-kids-and-animals.html

Give Me Five Monday *Job Hunt*

My friend Becca started a new Monday meme called Give Me Five Monday. The 'Give Me Five' Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple short list! Here's how it works. Each week, she will put out a random topic from her list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back to her! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn't have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified. Go over to BeccA's Buzz and check it out!

This weeks topic is:
Give Me Five hints, tips, tricks, advice or any other stories related to resumes or succeeding in the great job hunt!

Well, considering my fight to avoid depression right now due to the fact that I am not earning enough of an income, I probably shouldn't be giving out any advice. So, I'll make this another short, sweet, and to-the-point Give Me Five post.

1. Do not be afraid to 'brag' about yourself. Usually, you don't want to sound too full-of-yourself. However, when attempting a get a job, you need to point out your abilities and strong suits, along with any major accomplishments.

2. Do not claim to know or be able to do things that you don't. If you claim to have abilities that you don't have, and you get hired, you will be faced with bad consequences when you are expected to be able to complete those tasks. Instead, be honest. State that you don't have experience performing that task, but that you are a fast learner and would enjoy learning new skills. As usual, honesty is the best policy.

3. If you are experienced in more than one field of employment, have more than one resume, so that you will have a resume geared towards each specific field.

4. Make connections. If you are attempting to break into a new field, network with people who are experienced in that field. Make connections and gain experience, knowledge, and references.

5. Don't be afraid to ask. If you are speaking with someone whom you would like to work for or feel that you could be an asset to that person, go ahead and ask if they are hiring or would be interested in the services you offer. If you don't ask, you'll never know.

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Give Me Five Monday *Job Hunt*

http://www.mistysmusings.com/2008/02/give-me-five-monday-job-hunt.html