Projects – Writing and Crochet

So far, I have four spring scarf patterns and one shawl to publish.  I have probably two more scarves I’ll make up and then I’ll go into publish mode with them.  This will mean a couple of days of getting the files set up, covers made, and then publishing.  After I publish, I will post on Facebook, Twitter, here, Ravelry, and a few other places.  This all takes time.

I’m hoping to have the two scarves done shortly – maybe this week.  I meant to crochet last night but I had such a headache, I could not manage it.  Light was hurting my head.  I gave up and turned off the lights, put my chair back and watched Criminal Minds in the dark.  I couldn’t even text without the phone bothering my eyes.

Hopefully tonight I’ll be able to work on crocheting.  I’ve got three things I want to finish before the end of the week if my head will cooperate.

Once that is done, I’ll probably look at editing as I have the two novels done for the first draft.  I need to do the searches for all the words I overuse.  Then a spelling and grammar check before I print and do a read through edit.  At the same time, I want to work on writing and finishing two other projects I have going.

The craft room still needs finishing.  I need to make time to finish it soon.  I’ve got more things to go in there as I’ve finished some projects and need to put excess yarn away from it.

I spoke with someone who said they retired from their job years ago but within a year went back to work because they were essentially bored.  I really don’t understand this.  I’d like more non-work time to be able to try out more of the things I like to do.

I know everyone is different.  I’m fairly certain it would take me at least a year to run out of projects (probably two years).  At which time, my daughter would have more projects she’d like me to do.  I don’t have enough time to get all the things done I want to do.

Busy Weekend

Yesterday was filled with tasks and today will be the same.  In the morning we went to Sorgs to get supplies for Thanksgiving.  We came home and I worked on my paper which is due on Tuesday.  We spent some time together watching tv and having lunch before we went to Ken’s brother’s retirement party.  Then it was back home to have supper and watch more dvr stuff while I crocheted.  I finished watching The White Queen series last night while I worked on another scarf for Vicki (one she is giving away). 
In the mail yesterday I got a package from Circle Magazine and was please to find a poem and essay were published of mine published inside.  The art on the page by Sophia Gill is beautiful.  She made a stylized tree which fits the poem and the essay beautifully. 
Today will be a homework day.  Ken will go to the grocery store to gather up the last of the Thanksgiving items we need.  I will work on finishing my paper, reading two chapters, diagramming four or five sentences, doing an exercise, and starting the research on my final project.
I only have three weeks left (I think) and I’m ready to be done.  Once classes are done I will have earned my second degree.  I’m not walking for graduation – it doesn’t seem worthwhile to me to sit through a ceremony which will have no relevance for me.  I’m not going out to conquer the world with my degree.  I got this degree for me – to improve my writing and editing skills. 

It promises to be a busy day as I have a lot of homework to do and some crocheting I want to get done as well.  So much to do and hardly enough time to do it in – I’m looking forward to not being in school any longer so I can focus on my writing and crocheting rather than homework.  

A Look Forward

I’m feeling a lot stressed out tonight.  I get all sorts of emails from my union and other political places and I try to be very conservative about what I pass on.  Today one of the things I got from my union was a link state employees can go to plug in their gross income and then answer questions about union status and insurance.  It will tell you how much you might lose from your check if this goes through.

Someone who is good at math do the math for me.  Okay I’ve already done the math.  I’m losing 11% of my income.  In one check I’ll be losing nearly $200 in the other I’ll be losing about $65.  This is on top of the 3% they are already taking for the furlough days. 

On top of this possible loss of funds, I’m looking at a strong possibility of being laid off because I’m still on probation.  The governor said today that layoff notice will go out tomorrow afternoon to 1500 workers who will have to be cut.  You only get like 65% of your income on unemployment right?

Then I look at the pump and gas just keeps going up and up.  It was $3.43 a gallon yesterday and they are calling for it to be nearly $5 a gallon before summer. 

On the news tonight I heard that our city is looking at having to up either taxes or fees because of the cut to the recycling program proposed by Walker’s budget.  This doesn’t address the nearly $300,000+ that the school district is losing (not sure on that number)

All I can see is money out of my pocket.  I’m trying to meet my bills and stay on top of things but at this point I don’t know if I will be able to. 

It doesn’t help that most of this is just a what if thing.  Will I get laid off?  Will I lose 11% of my income?  Will fees and/or taxes go up in the city?  Will gas prices go up?  If gas prices go up will food prices go up?  How many will end up unemployed? 

I guess the question becomes will there be a second job available for me when I need it?