We bought a used 2004 Toyota Sienna in August because our old van died. We make payments on it. DH was laid-off in October, and has recently started a lawn care business.

Alas, our savings is running out and the van will have to go. But a way has been made for us to have another vehicle. DHs friend asked us to sell his grandma's van for him (1999 Chevy Astro) and said that DH could have half of whatever he could get for the van. So we're thinking of keeping it and selling the Toyota. The Astro has had a major overhaul and runs well, but it needs a paint job and the tint has turned purple (clearly that doesn't matter mechanically, just a vanity thing for me).

I'm sad to have such a reliable vehicle go, especially because we'll take a loss on it of about $2k (I do not know how that happened! KBB dropped the value $4k since August... do used vehicles depreciate THAT fast?). But I'm glad that there is another van just sitting at our house waiting for us. I much prefer my Sienna, obviously, but I prefer being able to live in my house and feed my children more!

Hopefully someday we'll be able to get another great vehicle. And even more, we'll pay cash for it!

First, it's more money per hour and more hours per week. *Beneficial for my family.

MORE importantly, it isn't tutoring. It's what's called Brain Training. While anyone can do it, it works especially well with high-functioning autistic kids, kids with ADHD, dyslexia, and the list goes on and on. *Beneficial to those I get to work with.

Through a series of cognitive exercises, you train your brain to think better (more efficiently, enhance memory) because you have to really engage it to do these tasks. I was amazed! For instance, I had to take one of the tests and it involved flipping arrows 1/4 turn, then saying the new direction on the beat (a metronome was used), WHILE the trainer called out a series of numbers, that I had to SUM when I reached the end of the arrow line. It was harder than it sounds.

I'm not being paid to blog this, BTW. I just really dig it. The company is Learning Rx (add a dot com).

Posted on Craigslist and got two hits immediately. I'm thankful for the ability to help people with something I love so much AND for the ability to get paid for it!

Technically, this is my fourth concurrent job. Right now, I:
Babysit
Work in an afterschool program
Work for a company that teaches engineering through LEGO
Tutor math

DH is up and running with his lawncare business, so hopefully all of this will be enough to get us through.

PS - I'm also very interested in taking H&R Block's tax prep course later in the year so hopefully I'll add that to the bag of tricks for next year. I think times like this call for flexibility.

It is important to me to teach my kids how to save and spend responsibly. Since the lay-off, we suspended allowance. Recently, and of his own accord, DS called his grandparents to ask if he could come over and work for an allowance from them.

Yesterday was his (and oldest DDs) first job. DS worked hard! DD worked a little (apparently we need to work with her more). DS received $15, DD received $5. When asked what he'll do with the money, DS replies "I want to put it in my bank account." My heart skipped a beat!

DS is 6 years old, DD is 5. They're on the right track!

I used to love playing with LEGOs, and my kids now play with them. A lot of fun! Recently, I applied for a job where you go into schools and build LEGO robots with kids. Can you imagine?!? That coincides perfectly with what I did in college (Manufacturing... robotics classes, specifically) and what I did as a kid.

So...

I received an e-mail today asking when the HR rep could call, and a list of available classes to teach in my area. Holy Cow! I am overjoyed! It fits perfectly into my schedule with the other job and with my kids' schedules. Wish me luck on this one!

Okay, so I interviewed and landed a position! Hooray! I will be going to a local middle school and working with at-risk kids that don't have much of a home life. It is like extended day, but these kids stay until 7:15 pm. Can you imagine? The program pays for dinner for these kids, even. I'm glad I found a job which I can help someone who really needs it.

And tomorrow, I have an interview for another position for a field tech in a hearing aid company. This is a job with a friend of a friend, and they've pretty much decided I've got the job. They want me to come in and start after the interview.

AND DH is filling out an ap/interviewing with a construction company. The plan is to temporarily put the youngest babes in a friend's home for daycare part day while we both work to put our finances back in order. That kind of saddens me but I know it is temporary so I try to find relief in that. How temporary? I don't know.

Can anyone say "whew"?

I have my first interview tomorrow afternoon for a math teacher in a magnet high school. The school is an inner-city school, but it has a good mix of kids because it's a magnet (a magnet school has specialized programs to attract students from around the city. This school's magnet is computer science.)

I'm excited and nervous about the interviewing process because I haven't done it in more than 6 years!!! If you have them, throw some tips my way. I'm sure I'll be Google-ing all day long! Probably working some math problems, too

Well, in spite of his best efforts, the new job decided not to keep DH. The owner (a small business), said that while he knew DH could learn the job, he didn't have time to wait. I think he wasn't sure if he wanted to hire someone so this was just as much a trial run for DH as the owner. DH has decided to turn away from construction and find something else.

I don't know how to feel right now. Just a little numb from having gone through this twice in one month. It stinks, but it's life.

Google redbox codes (it might be that dot com) and use those codes. They work, just take a few with you in case one doesn't work where you are. One DVD per code. We've rented 3 so far for free.

And how my priorities have changed in just 2 weeks. I have a whole new respect for saving as much as possible. In that way, I'm glad we went through this. No sense in being sad about the experience, but to glean what's positive, learn, and move on.

He got the job that he interviewed for (his only interview). He will be doing estimating so that's a fabulous new skill to add to his resume. I'm glad for him and relieved... big time!

Thanks again for your kind words of encouragement. You guys are fabulous!

No new interviews yet. DH is still sending out resumes. It's only been a week but it seems like an eternity.

The one interview he did have last week resulted with a call back to the interview guy, who tells DH his computer crashed, but is now fixed, and "please resend your resume". The guy had a copy that DH took to him for the interview. This prospect is not looking so hot, which is depressing. Statistically, I know it takes more than one job interview to land a job. I'm just blah about it today.

He is journaling his contacts and resumes sent for follow-up purposes. The best remedy for the blahs is to be proactive. Again, "keep on truckin'".

Hooray! It's for the same title (Project Manager), but in a different environment. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I forgot all about what I dislike in this process. Résumé writing, cover letters, references, in this case a detailed project list... lovely.

But this time of reflection gives you the opportunity to look at what you've accomplished. That's nice.

We sent out about 10 résumés today so far. Who knows how many will go out before DH finds a job? Happily, he's willing to change gears for a different career. We hope it will open up more doors.

Contacted the lawyer and he suggested sending a letter to the ex-company for a detailed schedule of when they plan to pay him. Then, within a week if nothing comes back, we contact lawyer back for next step. I'm also ultra-excited about that, in case you couldn't tell ;[

And just like the 70's t-shirt suggests, we'll keep on truckin'.

His company went belly-up. He went in today, they gave him the "we didn't see this coming" excuse, and paid him $100 cash in lieu of his last check with a signed promise that they were liquidating equipment and they would pay him when they could. Did I mention that they already owe him $2,000?

Yes, we have a Labor & Employment lawyer. Lucky for me, I tutored his daughter in math and he's aware of our situation. But my question is how do you get blood from a turnip?

DH has contacts and is working on new employment.

We have $, and though it was what we could save it will only sustain us a few months (3). If I have to work nights I will.

Amazingly, I feel little stress. I attribute that to faith motivating me to action against times like these.

Thank you, my SA friends and mentors for setting a good example. I'll keep you updated.

My best friend is moving from FL to OR next week. I am really, really sad. Our kids are close and she is like my sister. But I knew this was coming as her hubby took a job there to be near family and he's already been gone for a month. She has been working diligently on her home to prepare to sell it (did I mention she's here alone, 6 months pregnant with 4 kids?). She's amazing!

Anyway, she's been such a great example to me of how to be a fabulous mom. I know our friendship was divinely created, as she has helped me change into something better. I am really going to miss her.

Argh...

DS has a Kindergarten party next week. Instead of asking the parents for donations of food, etc., they've asked for a $3 donation. DS paid for it out of his allowance, on his own accord. His teacher was just shocked!

DD #1 WILL NOT spend her money (4 y.o.). She pays her tithing, and is saving the rest for some flavor of Littlest Pet Shop toy. Good for her. She has a goal and that makes me happy.

I feel like it is really important to teach them about money now so that they will be better off than we are. I want the best for them, as most parents want for their children. And, for me, the best for them is a working knowledge of this world, and how to deal with life.

Last night I had a discussion with my children (5, 4, 2) about prayer. To see what they thought, I asked them a few questions.

"If we ask Heavenly Father for a bunch of candy, will it magically appear?"

"NO!!!" was their answer.

"If we need help with something, can He help us?"

"Yes!"

Then I asked "If we ask for a million dollars, will He give it to us?"

My 5 y.o. son replies "Um, no, Mom. You have to work for your allowance."

You have no idea how happy I was to hear that.

...from the children I know.

10. Time out is for babies, not sophisticated 2 year-old girls

9. No matter how hard you rub chicken nuggets together, they WILL NOT make a fire

8. A DVD will not play in a VHS slot

7. Refrigerators with the freezer on the bottom are a dumb idea

6. A 1-year old can fit more than one banana in his mouth at a time

5. The cops WILL be called if you don't let your 3 year old wear a cereal box on his head

4. Those b.b. guns at the county fair (you know, shoot out the red star and win a prize) are modeled after corn kernels and a spoon (the latter being more effective on targets, especially a sibling's head)

3. Kids will clean any room in two minutes if you set a timer

2. Spit-up on a black shirt doesn't look so bad, after all

1. There's nothing better than being the apple of a child's eye