Our son has been in China since February,teaching English to children and adults. He comes home next Monday! Yeah! I love looking forward to events like this. There is no stress involved, no preparations to make - well, other than to make his bed, drive to the airport, and maybe do a little extra grocery shopping.
It will be good to have him home again. Everything is a little more interesting with him around.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
So, You Want to Work From Home?
I have been a work from home, self employed, 1099 sorta person for the last couple of decades. Independence is in my blood - it runs strong on both sides of my family. We just don't do well working in a box, especially if that box is not of our own construction.
When our first baby was born, we determined to avoid day care, and resolved to do what it took to parent our children personally. It wasn't always easy, but has always been interesting. I've done all kinds of different things, taken on projects and work from home assignments that run the gamut from sales to real estate appraisals.
Over the years my business has morphed into freelance work, mostly writing, and other semi-technical creative projects. Lately I have found myself with more time on my hands than usual. Last week I set out to find some new clients. I started where I always do - Google.
1. Months ago I signed up with www.oDesk.com.. I did make one really excellent contact via this site, which led to inclusion as a contributing author in a published book. So, I would not count out this site entirely, but .....
The general feel of this site is that it is primarily towards non-US workers. The pay rates are VERY low, like $5 per article - crazy - kind of low, and the ads often say things like, "strong English skills important". It's sort of obvious that the hiring entities assume a large portion of their readers are NOT native English speakers. Plus, the website owners are all in between the freelancer and the client via bidding, and paying for the services. They take a percentage of every job that is facilitated through their site. Not a bad revenue model for the site, but not the best for either client or freelancer. In the future, I will probably skip these sort of sites. There are a ton of them out there, if you want to hire a person in Asia or India to work for you for cheap :).
2. A while ago, Carolyn Cooper of www.SimplyHealed.com told me about www.HireMyMom.com. She used the service to find her latest virtual assistant, and recommended them highly. I must admit, I looked at the site, but then forgot about it until last week when I began this quest for clients. This site is very different from oDesk.com.
They are geared exclusively towards women, primarily mothers, who want to work from home. The service costs $39.99/quarter or $99/year for a mom to sign up. The service is free for the hiring parties. They let you look at a sample of the current job listings before you sign up, which I found very helpful. The jobs are all reasonable, normal paying jobs for those living in America. They have a pretty wide variety of job listings, from virtual assistants, to graphic designers.
There are only a handful of new jobs added each day, so a client search via HireMyMom.com could take a while. I signed up for a quarter and we will see what comes of it.
3. I have been helping a friend with a traditional job search so, craigslist is a frequent stop for me. They have a few listings a month for writing jobs. Most of it looks pretty sketchy, but you never know. I recently spotted a section for "gigs" which translates to "temporary assignments" for those of us not in on the hip lingo of the music, or apparently craigslist world. Anyway, found some viable possible projects listed there. It's worth checking out in your city. It's at the bottom of the list just under "jobs" and is broken down by type, such as creative, writing, talent, etc.
4. I found this FaceBook guy that scans ALL of craigslist every day and posts the freelance writing jobs, at FaceBook4FreeLancers.com. In my book, he's pretty stinkin' awesome for doing all that work. I hope he has a good revenue stream built in for all his work. He certainly gets positive energy flowing his way from my direction for that service. I have applied for several very promising projects via his postings. What a great service!
In addition to the daily postings he puts out a summary every Tuesday - Morning Coffee Newsletter. It's good to check over and make sure you didn't miss anything good in the daily postings.
5. Some other great sites with opportunity listing are www.freelancephotojobs.com www.online-writing-jobs.com and www.virtualassistantjobs101.com. They have listings from craigslist, careerbuilder, etc. They seem to upload several times a day, if not in real time. These sites are free, and easy to navigate.
6. www.freelancewriting.com - This site offers a wealth of information about working as a professional freelancer. Those of us who work from home can get kind of isolated. A site like this can help you stay in touch and realize that you are not alone out there.
So, there you have it, a summary of my new client search education. Not bad for a few days work.
When our first baby was born, we determined to avoid day care, and resolved to do what it took to parent our children personally. It wasn't always easy, but has always been interesting. I've done all kinds of different things, taken on projects and work from home assignments that run the gamut from sales to real estate appraisals.
Over the years my business has morphed into freelance work, mostly writing, and other semi-technical creative projects. Lately I have found myself with more time on my hands than usual. Last week I set out to find some new clients. I started where I always do - Google.
1. Months ago I signed up with www.oDesk.com.. I did make one really excellent contact via this site, which led to inclusion as a contributing author in a published book. So, I would not count out this site entirely, but .....
The general feel of this site is that it is primarily towards non-US workers. The pay rates are VERY low, like $5 per article - crazy - kind of low, and the ads often say things like, "strong English skills important". It's sort of obvious that the hiring entities assume a large portion of their readers are NOT native English speakers. Plus, the website owners are all in between the freelancer and the client via bidding, and paying for the services. They take a percentage of every job that is facilitated through their site. Not a bad revenue model for the site, but not the best for either client or freelancer. In the future, I will probably skip these sort of sites. There are a ton of them out there, if you want to hire a person in Asia or India to work for you for cheap :).
2. A while ago, Carolyn Cooper of www.SimplyHealed.com told me about www.HireMyMom.com. She used the service to find her latest virtual assistant, and recommended them highly. I must admit, I looked at the site, but then forgot about it until last week when I began this quest for clients. This site is very different from oDesk.com.
They are geared exclusively towards women, primarily mothers, who want to work from home. The service costs $39.99/quarter or $99/year for a mom to sign up. The service is free for the hiring parties. They let you look at a sample of the current job listings before you sign up, which I found very helpful. The jobs are all reasonable, normal paying jobs for those living in America. They have a pretty wide variety of job listings, from virtual assistants, to graphic designers.
There are only a handful of new jobs added each day, so a client search via HireMyMom.com could take a while. I signed up for a quarter and we will see what comes of it.
3. I have been helping a friend with a traditional job search so, craigslist is a frequent stop for me. They have a few listings a month for writing jobs. Most of it looks pretty sketchy, but you never know. I recently spotted a section for "gigs" which translates to "temporary assignments" for those of us not in on the hip lingo of the music, or apparently craigslist world. Anyway, found some viable possible projects listed there. It's worth checking out in your city. It's at the bottom of the list just under "jobs" and is broken down by type, such as creative, writing, talent, etc.
4. I found this FaceBook guy that scans ALL of craigslist every day and posts the freelance writing jobs, at FaceBook4FreeLancers.com. In my book, he's pretty stinkin' awesome for doing all that work. I hope he has a good revenue stream built in for all his work. He certainly gets positive energy flowing his way from my direction for that service. I have applied for several very promising projects via his postings. What a great service!
In addition to the daily postings he puts out a summary every Tuesday - Morning Coffee Newsletter. It's good to check over and make sure you didn't miss anything good in the daily postings.
5. Some other great sites with opportunity listing are www.freelancephotojobs.com www.online-writing-jobs.com and www.virtualassistantjobs101.com. They have listings from craigslist, careerbuilder, etc. They seem to upload several times a day, if not in real time. These sites are free, and easy to navigate.
6. www.freelancewriting.com - This site offers a wealth of information about working as a professional freelancer. Those of us who work from home can get kind of isolated. A site like this can help you stay in touch and realize that you are not alone out there.
So, there you have it, a summary of my new client search education. Not bad for a few days work.
Monday, May 9, 2011
10 days and Counting
It's now 10 days and counting till graduation. It will be here before we know it, and gone and on to June. Ah, sweet, lovely June, with dark mornings spent SLEEPING! Yippee!! The next couple weeks will be fun, but ah ... sweet, restful June!
I find myself thinking lots of interesting things, but not writing much lately. I am not sure why exactly. Maybe the thoughts aren't really all that interesting, or maybe I am just tired of thinking about them and don't want to rehash all that old news again to put it down in words. I don't know why, but I'm quiet right now.
Maybe it's because my mind is in scanner mode. You know, the police scanner, the contraption that picks up all the police and emergency radio transmissions? Well, my brain is scanning - scanning for the important, scanning for the inspiring, scanning for opportunities. I'm open to receive - just waiting for an intelligent signal to arrive.
I find myself thinking lots of interesting things, but not writing much lately. I am not sure why exactly. Maybe the thoughts aren't really all that interesting, or maybe I am just tired of thinking about them and don't want to rehash all that old news again to put it down in words. I don't know why, but I'm quiet right now.
Maybe it's because my mind is in scanner mode. You know, the police scanner, the contraption that picks up all the police and emergency radio transmissions? Well, my brain is scanning - scanning for the important, scanning for the inspiring, scanning for opportunities. I'm open to receive - just waiting for an intelligent signal to arrive.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
27 days ...
On a quiet Sunday evening the sudden panic of a looming deadline came crashing in. One month to go, and then this phase of my life comes to a close. Like all deadlines of any significance, this one comes with lots of things to do, and permanent consequences for things left undone. It's not like I didn't know it was coming. It's a day that's been coming for years, the clock's been ticking since 1993. Yet, here it is, and it feels sudden and rushed.
There's a lot to do int he next 27 days. My mom comes in 20 day - aghhhh! It would be great if my mom could come and help me get the house ready for my mom to come stay. Wait, that doesn't work, oh well ....
Announcement s need to be printed and mailed, same thing for the grad party invites. Then there is planning and executing the actual events. Quincie has last minute homework and projects to finish. It's the mad dash to the end.
As our youngest child, graduation officially marks the end of an era. It's been a great run, I must say! I'd do it again, start to finish, all of it, and not change a thing, the good, the bad - just to have another chance to hold my tiny baby, giggle and play with my little girl, and marvel at each new thing she discovers and becomes. If somehow, that wish could be granted, I would slow down a bit. I would savor, rather than rush. I would realize that soon enough it would be over and each moment is worth lingering over. I really love being a mom. My kids are awesome.
In 27 days life is going to get pretty chill for awhile. Summer vacation will be a slice of heaven. I'm ready to be done with getting up before the sun, and I can't say that I'll miss all the driving up and down Ft. Weaver Road. This summer will be great! Then it's off to college she will go, and on to figuring out what I am going to do with an empty nest.
There's a lot to do int he next 27 days. My mom comes in 20 day - aghhhh! It would be great if my mom could come and help me get the house ready for my mom to come stay. Wait, that doesn't work, oh well ....
Announcement s need to be printed and mailed, same thing for the grad party invites. Then there is planning and executing the actual events. Quincie has last minute homework and projects to finish. It's the mad dash to the end.
As our youngest child, graduation officially marks the end of an era. It's been a great run, I must say! I'd do it again, start to finish, all of it, and not change a thing, the good, the bad - just to have another chance to hold my tiny baby, giggle and play with my little girl, and marvel at each new thing she discovers and becomes. If somehow, that wish could be granted, I would slow down a bit. I would savor, rather than rush. I would realize that soon enough it would be over and each moment is worth lingering over. I really love being a mom. My kids are awesome.
In 27 days life is going to get pretty chill for awhile. Summer vacation will be a slice of heaven. I'm ready to be done with getting up before the sun, and I can't say that I'll miss all the driving up and down Ft. Weaver Road. This summer will be great! Then it's off to college she will go, and on to figuring out what I am going to do with an empty nest.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Notebook
No, this is not a review of that awful Nicholas Sparks book. I can't read that sappy stuff. I've tried, thought I should like it if so many of my peers do, but I just don't. I am all for a story with some romance and a happy ending, but it needs more than that to hold my interest. I need a good plot twist that I don't see coming, something supernatural, or rich details of a different time or place. I do love books, but that's not what I wanted to write about this morning.
It's no longer morning, or even the same day, and I don't remember what I wanted to write about. Something about a notebook ..... oh ya, I remember. My notebook. For years I have kept a running notebook. I make to do lists, take notes of phone calls, write down important stuff like orders from clients, shopping lists, balance the bank statement, and jot down any thing I want to be sure and remember. I have years worth of these notebooks. They contain many of the mundane details of my life. Looking at them in a broader view they reveal the phases and stages of my life. There are years where each day fills pages and pages. Lately, I have found myself ignoring my notebook.
Somehow, I have even gone a couple of days without recording ONE THING in there. To be honest, those weren't my most productive days. Like take today for example - April 3, 2011 - not one thing written in there. It is Sunday, so that isn't too shocking. The other night, as I sat down to plan the day ahead, I realized that I had not gone all day without a list, and without a note. I had been a very busy day, how did I make it through without a list? Habit compelled me to make that list - even after the fact.
- Take Q to school (check)
- Yoga 8am (check)
- Update draft of PowerPoint for (check)
- Bank deposit (check)
I was writing them down, and then promptly checking them off. A few minutes in I decided I was being ridiculous. Do I honestly need a list of things checked off to feel like I had accomplished anything? Without a list am I unproductive? I stopped making my "done" list, and moved ahead to the next day. It just doesn't make sense to set goals in reverse. Reviewing past accomplishments is useful, but making a list what I DID was rather pointless.
Speaking of pointless ... I sat in a chair in front of the TV for almost 4 hours today. Do you have any ides how out of the norm that is for me? I just don't sit still for that long. I didn't get up even ONCE during that time. I was watching General Conference for 2 of those hours, but the rest of the time ... what was that about? I think after 2 hours I just got stuck there. After all of that sitting I was so tired I had to go take a nap. When I woke up I was so disoriented. I wasn't sure if it was Monday morning and I had woke up late, or what. I wasn't even sure where I was. All that inactivity really threw me for a loop. After a glass of water and gathering my wits, Q and I took the dogs for a walk.
Apparently while I was sleeping it had rained. It was so humid out there. We walked slow, the little dog freaked out when we saw little dogs, the bigger dog peed on his foot, and many a mongoose only escaped certain death by our firm grip on the leashes. By the time we got home I was sweating like I was in yoga class. It was that sticky out there.
Now here I sit, babbling on and on about nothing. I should probably get out my notebook and start a good list for tomorrow. Or, maybe not .... What was my point?
It's no longer morning, or even the same day, and I don't remember what I wanted to write about. Something about a notebook ..... oh ya, I remember. My notebook. For years I have kept a running notebook. I make to do lists, take notes of phone calls, write down important stuff like orders from clients, shopping lists, balance the bank statement, and jot down any thing I want to be sure and remember. I have years worth of these notebooks. They contain many of the mundane details of my life. Looking at them in a broader view they reveal the phases and stages of my life. There are years where each day fills pages and pages. Lately, I have found myself ignoring my notebook.
Somehow, I have even gone a couple of days without recording ONE THING in there. To be honest, those weren't my most productive days. Like take today for example - April 3, 2011 - not one thing written in there. It is Sunday, so that isn't too shocking. The other night, as I sat down to plan the day ahead, I realized that I had not gone all day without a list, and without a note. I had been a very busy day, how did I make it through without a list? Habit compelled me to make that list - even after the fact.
- Take Q to school (check)
- Yoga 8am (check)
- Update draft of PowerPoint for (check)
- Bank deposit (check)
I was writing them down, and then promptly checking them off. A few minutes in I decided I was being ridiculous. Do I honestly need a list of things checked off to feel like I had accomplished anything? Without a list am I unproductive? I stopped making my "done" list, and moved ahead to the next day. It just doesn't make sense to set goals in reverse. Reviewing past accomplishments is useful, but making a list what I DID was rather pointless.
Speaking of pointless ... I sat in a chair in front of the TV for almost 4 hours today. Do you have any ides how out of the norm that is for me? I just don't sit still for that long. I didn't get up even ONCE during that time. I was watching General Conference for 2 of those hours, but the rest of the time ... what was that about? I think after 2 hours I just got stuck there. After all of that sitting I was so tired I had to go take a nap. When I woke up I was so disoriented. I wasn't sure if it was Monday morning and I had woke up late, or what. I wasn't even sure where I was. All that inactivity really threw me for a loop. After a glass of water and gathering my wits, Q and I took the dogs for a walk.
Apparently while I was sleeping it had rained. It was so humid out there. We walked slow, the little dog freaked out when we saw little dogs, the bigger dog peed on his foot, and many a mongoose only escaped certain death by our firm grip on the leashes. By the time we got home I was sweating like I was in yoga class. It was that sticky out there.
Now here I sit, babbling on and on about nothing. I should probably get out my notebook and start a good list for tomorrow. Or, maybe not .... What was my point?
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The Salami is Coming!
Life has been a little too exciting for me lately. A week ago Friday we had a horrific storm in the early morning hours. The wind was crazy - ripped up large trees by the roof, and knocked down countless power poles with their attached power lines. Our power went out about 3am and was back on about 7am. We were the fortunate ones. Most of Ewa Beach was out of power for the weekend. At 3:30pm Friday our local electric workers union employees went on strike, and walked off the job, leaving hundreds of families without power.
It is a miracle that no one was injured or killed when all those poles and live power lines when down. The big hot mess was strewn all across the road. Private companies came to the rescue and by Sunday evening all of the power was restored. They have been cleaning up the mess and installing new poles all week. Traffic down Ft. Weaver has been atrocious all week.
Thursday evening, while at a dinner party at church, the tragic earthquake hit Japan. Hawaii immediately went under a tsunami watch. All the adults were talking about the pending natural disaster, discussing ways to be prepared, like filling our gas tanks on the way home, etc. It seems like with any natural disaster here in Hawaii, the first thing to go is the power, and all gas pumps are powered by electricity. Thankfully I had just filled up that afternoon, at a whopping $3.89/gallon - $50 - the most it has ever cost me to fill the tank in my little car. My friend's daughter, in all her 5 year old wisdom, was most distressed. As her mother tried to soothe her, she exclaimed, "but the SALAMI is coming!" Oh, if only it were a giant salami - salami makes a great sandwich.
Around 10pm the warning sirens began to blow to warn those in the flood zone to evacuate. The one closest to us was knocked down and rendered mute by the storm the week previous. Mother nature has brought her wrath upon us in too quick of a succession for a full recovery. Those sirens sound exactly like the tornado sirens from my youth. From elementary school, I have a vague idea of what to do when a tornado siren blows. For tsunami safety you just need to get to the top of the hill, and wait ...
Thankfully the waves came and went with no damage to Oahu. The worst I was inconvenienced was the lack of cell phone service Friday night, and several hours of much needed sleep. Many families in the low lying areas evacuated to higher ground and spent the night much less comfortable than I. The roads were blocked, and they were kept from their homes until we heard the "all clear" around 9am or so.
This morning I saw our little one legged bird friend out front this morning. Amazingly, and thankfully, we are all safe and sound.
It is a miracle that no one was injured or killed when all those poles and live power lines when down. The big hot mess was strewn all across the road. Private companies came to the rescue and by Sunday evening all of the power was restored. They have been cleaning up the mess and installing new poles all week. Traffic down Ft. Weaver has been atrocious all week.
Thursday evening, while at a dinner party at church, the tragic earthquake hit Japan. Hawaii immediately went under a tsunami watch. All the adults were talking about the pending natural disaster, discussing ways to be prepared, like filling our gas tanks on the way home, etc. It seems like with any natural disaster here in Hawaii, the first thing to go is the power, and all gas pumps are powered by electricity. Thankfully I had just filled up that afternoon, at a whopping $3.89/gallon - $50 - the most it has ever cost me to fill the tank in my little car. My friend's daughter, in all her 5 year old wisdom, was most distressed. As her mother tried to soothe her, she exclaimed, "but the SALAMI is coming!" Oh, if only it were a giant salami - salami makes a great sandwich.
Around 10pm the warning sirens began to blow to warn those in the flood zone to evacuate. The one closest to us was knocked down and rendered mute by the storm the week previous. Mother nature has brought her wrath upon us in too quick of a succession for a full recovery. Those sirens sound exactly like the tornado sirens from my youth. From elementary school, I have a vague idea of what to do when a tornado siren blows. For tsunami safety you just need to get to the top of the hill, and wait ...
Thankfully the waves came and went with no damage to Oahu. The worst I was inconvenienced was the lack of cell phone service Friday night, and several hours of much needed sleep. Many families in the low lying areas evacuated to higher ground and spent the night much less comfortable than I. The roads were blocked, and they were kept from their homes until we heard the "all clear" around 9am or so.
This morning I saw our little one legged bird friend out front this morning. Amazingly, and thankfully, we are all safe and sound.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Our One-Legged Kolea Friend
A few months ago I noticed a one-legged bird hoping around the front yard. He doesn't seem hindered in anyway by the missing limb. I was curious, so I did a little research to find out what kind of bird he is,etc. He is a Kolea, or Golden Plover.
I snapped some pics of him the other day. He's pretty tame, and I managed to get kind of close before he flew across the street and landed on Mary's roof.
I see him in the yard most days. I guess we are his winter home. Apparently they breed in Alaska during the summer and migrate to Hawaii for the winter. It seems like a good plan, but man, what a flight! and all with only one leg - I'm impressed!
Wikipedia Link - Pacific Golden Plover
I snapped some pics of him the other day. He's pretty tame, and I managed to get kind of close before he flew across the street and landed on Mary's roof.
I see him in the yard most days. I guess we are his winter home. Apparently they breed in Alaska during the summer and migrate to Hawaii for the winter. It seems like a good plan, but man, what a flight! and all with only one leg - I'm impressed!
Wikipedia Link - Pacific Golden Plover
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