Are you prepared?

There's been quite a few incidents lately that have people questioning their preparedness. From nature fighting back to crazed maniacs shooting up buildings to long term job loss. I've thought about those myself, but there's not much I can do to really prepare except stock up and hope some maniac doesn't snap. My biggest fear right now is what would happen to us if something would happen to the hubs? I'm not working outside of the home, and just starting the blog, so I don't have income flowing in here regularly yet. While I do have some direct sales companies I rep for, I haven't been able to market like I'd like due to no local mailing address (for tax purposes), and I was without a vehicle for over a month.
Would you be okay (financially) if something were to happen to the main bread winner? Savings, income, food? It's not something people want to dwell on, but you need to be prepared. Thanks to my insomnia, I get to dwell on these things in the early morning hours. We'd be pretty much broke. We are living in our motorhome, so we'd have a roof over our heads, but would I be able to pay storage? Would I be able to buy food? Would I be able to pay rent somewhere so we could hook up to electric and water?
Since we just started a new year, and we're in a new state, I figure it's time to start. I've started putting some money into savings. Not much. I'm following the 52 weeks of savings. Basically you save the dollar amount of the week of the year. Week 1 - $1, week 26- $26. At the end of the year you'll have almost $1400 saved. If you work it backwards and have an interest bearing account, you'll have even more saved! It's a great way to save for the holidays or even a vacation. I'm hoping to save more and use it as our emergency fund. We were without a truck for a month when the alternator died. It wasn't a huge cost, but I had other bills planned, so it had to wait. If we would have had an emergency fund, the kids and I could have explored our new city a bit.
I need to find my accounts and see just how much life insurance we have on the hubs. Not enough, I'm sure! While we don't make a ton of money, it's enough to keep us fed, clothed and housed. I have no additional schooling or training, and I'd prefer to stay home with my kids. Adding life insurance is high on my priorities!
We're doing all right money wise right now. Just the car loan, and 2 small credit cards. We can't refinance our truck due to it's age - according to the credit union. I'd prefer not getting a new (to us) vehicle quite yet. I'm hoping to have the money to by one with cash when we're ready. The credit cards should be at $0 before June.
That leaves our food situation. Normally I'd like to have our chest freezer and fridge freezer full plus a pantry stocked with canned goods, but we're in a motorhome with limited storage space. I may buy some gift cards to local stores and restaurants to have on hand. I'm working on clearing out my email with all of my surveys and click to earns so I can earn some gift cards as well.
If you have any questions or if I forgot anything, please let me know!

Trying again

Let's see if I can keep internet with my new hotspot while at the state park. We do know it didn't get reception in the wooded area, but we're now bayside and seem to do pretty well, so far. I do get some breaks in service, but usually at night when I'm doing some contests or pinning.
I'm trying to restart my blog as a way to share ideas on crafts (for kids and adults), recipes, reviews of books/products, homeschooling sites/ideas and more! Right now we're still in the motorhome, but I do have a few emails out (they didn't leave a number on their ad) to see a few rentals. Crossing fingers we get to move this weekend! Living in a motorhome when it's in the 40's and there's no heat isn't the most fun we've had since we've moved!
We managed to get my truck running again - after about a month of it sitting. Hubby and a co-worker had changed out a pulley and something, but said the alternator tested fine. Turns out the car place didn't properly test the alternator! So, we were able to pick one up Saturday and get it in, and I even got to drive to get my papers on Sunday! Woot!
Anyone else getting free kindle books? I get a bunch of pages on my facebook feed, and a few have links for free kindle books. While I don't get all of them, I do have over 200 books on my pc kindle now. Add in the books I've managed to win in the contests, and I could really use and extra few hours a day to spend reading!
Since we're mobile again, I'd like to do a field trip. The kids and I didn't get to do too much before the truck died, and we're still new to the area. I'll be checking into a few places this week to see what we can do for free/cheap. Maybe we'll take a drive to the beach (because, well, we can! lol), but I would like to do something a little more school related. Maybe an historic tour or something.
I know making money while staying at home is an issue for a lot of my friends, so I'll be posting some ideas/ places that hire home workers. I'll also share links I've gathered from magazine articles and books on career changes, what you should be doing (personality tests), etc. Try and help someone get into a job they actually like instead of something they drag themselves to everyday.
This week I hope to work on a schedule for posting - and post daily. I will be talking about long distance moves, living in an RV/motorhome, state park living and more. If you would like to see anything, please ask! I'll do my best to work it into a post. My oldest little and I have been talking about her blogging as well. Maybe let her do one post a week on different topics.
I would leave you with a picture, but for some reason I can't access my photos on my laptop.
Thanks for stopping by, and hope to see you again soon! Once I get more followers I plan to do a giveaway. Not sure what yet, but I'll let you know when I get that organized.

Almost Christmas

It's actually the Mayan Apocalypse today. So far, nothing has happened except my phone turned off  early. I'll have to figure out adding more time, since my oldest was usually the one who did that for me.
Still stuck in the RV. *sigh* We were hoping to be in some sort of rental, but the money we were counting on never came through. Figures. It's highly unlikely we'll be able to get in anywhere now. Looks like Christmas will be spent camping at a state park. Oh joy. (sarcasm)
I'll be starting a new blog soon. One more geared towards crafting and schooling. I was hoping to be in a place before then so I could actually *do* stuff to post, but I'll figure out something.
Maybe now I can convince the hubs to do some crafts to sell. Not like I do, but some pallet furniture and the stuff I pinned. The things you need power tools for! lol We have a storage unit (more of a large garage bay) that has electric. All we would need to do is move some stuff around and set up a work space. I could sort through some boxes while he does his stuff, and the kids could help "find" their toys. Try to get rid of a bunch before we get into a place.
I've been pinning like mad lately. Adding more crafts, garden ideas, sewing projects (I don't even sew!), and lots of food! I've also started to do contests/sweepstakes. I've won over 20 books from goodreads.com, and I even won a math curriculum from a blog! Now to get my mail from my friend - along with other stuff- so I can see what all I have. Would be nice to have a few surprise wins in my mail pile, but my luck isn't that good.
We can only stay at the state park for so long (I think 3 weeks in a row), so I'll be looking into places to move. With "Winter Texans" here in full force, most RV parks are full though. The rental market is crazy with pricing and most don't allow pets. We also have the 4 kids, and most parks are priced for 2 people. Add in a *per day* charge for kids, and you can rent an apartment! If only we knew more about RV living before we left. We would have bought a different RV and did things differently. Now it's become a major hassle most days, and our nerves are stretched to the limits with living in such close quarters. Not to mention my truck? Yeah, battery light still on even after they changed the pulley and something else. The alternator tested fine, was fine on the trip out here, then we go to leave for town, and the light is back on. *sigh* Here's hoping our luck changes soon!
Happy Holidays all!!

Sandy - we're helping

We recently moved to south Texas and less than 4 months later our area was devestated by Sandy. My oldest knows people affected directly, and I know someone who has friends and family affected. I am donating ALL of my proceeds from orders from my sites. I also have an address (working on more) if people would like to buy an animal (or 5) for a child who lost everything. My business facebook page is Shelszoo Superstores where I have my links listed. I'll be updating that page today with links on the front page with ideas for Christmas gifts. That's also where I'll be updating on our progress with donations. You could do all of your Christmas shopping through my sites and give back to an area that has been devestated.
Thank you for any help you can give.

Irene was here

We managed to survive a hurricane with no damage (personal), no power loss, and no flooding. We had some water in our basement, but just a minor leak that we always deal with when it rains.

Trying to get ready for some upcoming shows. I'm booked Sunday and a friend sent me an fb invite for one Sunday. It's kind of far, but if it actually has people that show up, it may be worth my time. Just not sure if my helper and I could manage to make enough stuff (other than what I sell through direct sales), to sell. With driving people to and from work, to and from practice, plus our first pasta dinner, making PB&J's, first game...this is going to be a crazy busy week!

I definitely ned to work in this room today so I can spread out and craft and get a tote in here to store the finished product. I have to make my list of printing I have to do (labels, pricing signs, journal jars, gift in a jar labels/ instructions), because we all know my memory is shot! Yesterday, I was going to get my papers and I completely pass the strip mall entrance and drive like I'm going to take the teens where they have to go. Totally passed where I had to go! Think that means I drive them too much! If we could swing the insurance, I'd be up to another driver. Major issue is we can't afford another car. This payment is a killer!

My crafting season is starting to heat up. I need to find some time to get some more stock made and ready to sell. My helper is starting her own little venture now as well. Tonight we hope to be able to start some projects. Just depends on the rest of the crew here. Everytime we start stuff they seem to need us for something.

Going to start listing on yardsellr, so go check it out! I have literally a TON of clothes that I need to sell! Plus school books and other goodies. Finally picked up some priority boxes at the PO the other day, but I'll need to do an online order and hope they actually deliver it this time!

Time to get busy!!

*sigh*

This is not a good week for me. Been doing way too much thinking and that's never a good thing with me. I did manage to find my batteries so I can start listing tomorrow. Planning to make a couple of headbands and glue more ribbons so I can start more. Maybe take them to the dinner so I can work on them while I'm sitting there. I can glue some hair clips tomorrow. I need to clear a space for them to "set" where the cats don't attack them. Going to try to get some inventory built up for a big show coming up. Once I get all the paperwork in for the girls to start school, and I have a good amount listed for sale, I want to work on my resume. I need to make money for *me*. Not too sure about things right now, and I'll feel better if I can support my kids. Just need to make it until November when football is over. Do school a much as possible to work ahead, list stuff to sell, start to look in boxes in the basement, do some weekend shows, get a night job. The only time I can work since I have to work around other peoples schedules. Maybe start working earlier than that. We'll have to see how schooling goes.

Did you ever just sit down and take stock of your life and wonder where all the years went? Like you were just treading water and you have some regrets? I don't regret my kids, but there are a few other aspects I regret. Now I have to dust myself off and make plans from here on out. I'll need to take my own advise and do what's best for me from now on. Scary as it is, it's time!

I hope to get working on my blogs more than a post here and there and a month goes by. They say to have a good log that could also bring in money, you have to blog 3 times a week at least! Wow. Not sure what all I actually do 3 times a week! lol

At least the weather has cooled down some. No more 100's! Maybe I'll get some time to rearrange some in my one storage unit - so I can get some stuff out of my aunt's since it seems to be bugging people who it shouldn't.

Did I mention I'm not happy? Not that I'm sad per se, just not happy. Discontented. Unsettled. Yes, definitely time for a change. Going to have to do some research and make sure I can get the support I'll need from my friends.

If you feel so led, kindly keep me in your prayers. I'm going to be needing all the support I can get!

August???

All ready? Really?? Yikes! I managed to start the enrollment process for the 2 little ones for school, of course I had issues, so I have to wait for the school to get back to me. Then the packages will start. A lot of them. That's why one day next week I'll spend time getting ready for the dozens of boxes we'll be getting. Have to figure out where 2 more desk tops will go, then all of their school books. Maybe some small totes for the misc stuff, keep the workbooks on the bookshelf. May need to grab another one to fit everything.

Did manage to get some clothes sorted today. Not all, and there's a bunch left, but it's a good start. I'd love to sort my clothes tomorrow. See what all I have, pack some away for when we own a house (clothes to wear to paint, do yard work, etc.), try on more. Maybe then I can start listing more to sell. See if I have more luck on yardsellr than I do on webstore. Might list some other stuff on webstore though.

I still have more planning to do for the move. I want to contact another realtor here about a foreclosure deal. Renting, not buying. We definitely want to move next year. Would help us save more money since the rent is so high here.

No real shows on the books for August. I should get busy and look for some fall shows, but I just don't have the energy right now. I'm working on more headbands to keep me busy. I managed to finish a thinner one yesterday while waiting at football. Just need to finish it off, then one of my girls can wear it to model it for me. I'll work on some lined gator clips later. I'll do plain and with some embellishments on them.

They want it to get hot just in time for football to start. Poor kids! I better get lunch stuff in the house for us since JJ will be gone all day soon. Yolanda works most days and usually doesn't eat before, but she might if I have some quick lunch stuffs around. I'd like the guys to do a session or 2 of making breakfast sandwiches to freeze. Then I know JJ would eat before he left for the day. I'll have to go through my coupons and plan out some deals first. I'd like to have some dinners done too for long days. More crockpot meals for the hot days.

I've been so tired lately and I've done nothing to warrant it to this degree. Although I am still thinking about working a night shift job. Just figuring out the logistics of getting people where they need to be, watching the littles, sleep. We'll see how things go in the next couple of weeks. If I clean out at least one storage unit, it'll help a bit. Selling a bunch online would help even more.

Anyone care to help me take pictures, download them and start listing stuff to sell? It actually shouldn't take me too long, it's the littles getting into stuff that'll keep me from getting a lot listed.

Guess that's all for now. Nothing much been going on. Just football, heatwaves, and driving.