Happy New Year...Out with the old...

IN WITH THE NEW....Starting my brand new journal today...and it felt good and I'm so ready for a new year...first things first...PURGE! writing in a journal is a good way to release your heart and free it up for the good things that are coming.

Purging is good around the house too...in fact..let me share a few things I did around the house to KICK OFF OUR NEW YEAR.

I decided to tackle the 3 bedrooms. (on a budget)

1) PURGE: It's free!  Clean out /organize closets, purge junk drawers, throw out or file old papers, organize laundry closets, etc.

You will be amazed at how good it feels to DECLUTTER.

2) REARRANGE: Once all the clutter is clear you have a clean slate. This will make it easier for you to move furniture around and give the space a new look. Beds should be facing the door, windows should be free of hazards, books should be neatly organized, keep it simple.

   Sidenote: I bought a lego stand from Goodwill for 10 bucks for my son's lego and it was perfect!

3) New BEDDING: Just changing the linen and comforter on my queen sized bed gave me a lift!!!

  Sidenote: If you can't change completely add a chenile throw or new pillows to spruce things up.
I also got everyone new PJS for Christmas ( a tradition) and let me tell ya it feels so good to relax in a clean room with new sheets and new pjs...HEAVEN

4) ACCESSORIZE: I bought curtain panels for my daughters room from Big Lots..the only place I could find teal sheers.  I found a beautiful blue crushed satin panel from TJMAXX for my son's room and it matched perfectly

5) PHOTOS: Add photos of your loved ones or swap the old photos for some that are recent. Showcase the people you love.

Other quick and simple ways:
Paint
Add a Border
Add Plants or Flowers
Get a new RUG for center of the room
Update lightbulbs, add a new lamp

YOU can do it, its never too late to rearrange and start fresh!

Crockpot Chronicles, Recipe No. 1 - Black Eyed Peas

Happy 2011! I'm so ready for a brand new year...2010 was a real downer...

To kick off the year I did my very first pot of BLACK EYED PEAS.

from Wikipedia "Eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day is thought to bring prosperity." and I need lots of it :)

I called my dad for his advice and he told me to buy the dry beans in the bag and let them soak over night...

I used about 6 cups of chicken broth, onion, salt and pepper and let them simmer for about 6 hours..I had some right before midnight and some for breakfast the next morning..they were so good!!!

Bring it on 2011, I'm ready!!!

Another New Job...

Kelly Services is sending me on a temporary assignment with a credit card processing company in the Direct Sales Department. I will be working with a team of account executives..will be good to be working again. Lets see how this goes

14 Years Ago...

Feb 2007, I made the State of Georgia my home.

-I followed my husband here.
-We became homeowners here.
-Our 3 children were born here.
-We became business owners here.
- I found my passion here.
-I lost everything here.

and then I found my FAITH here.

Georgia Benefits

Today I'm headed over to DFCS Department of Family and Child Services to see if I can reinstate my benefits from my divorce - Medicaid, Food Stamps and Child Care Assistance.

2  years ago I didn't even know these programs existed, but due to my divorce I made it my mission to keep my family together and survice and Georgia has been good to me!

Lay off No. 1...now what??

My last day was gonna be February 19th but they keep extending it...
What to do??

Unemployment Checklist:
Get letters of recommendations from VP and Director
Find local Department of Labor office
Find DFCS office for medicaid and other benefits
Delete personal info my company laptop
Spruce up resume
Rewrite Resume
Network...
Sign up for LinkedIn
Schedule Dentist, Eye Exams, Physical (before insurance runs out)

Lots to do...

Bye Bye Birdie...

YEP I'm now considered one of the 66,000+ registered at the DOL as unemployed and claiming benefits. I was in shock as I received my glossy grey packet (not blue like UP in the AIR) but same information.

It threw me for a loop when I first got the news that my company of 2+ years no longer needed me or my team after completing a successful project ...I had mixed emotions at first just as you get when you start the incline on a roller coaster..should I laugh or should I cry!!!

I wanted to cry when I realized I would be losing my health insurance if I didn't pay the $919 cobra fees..then I wanted to laugh because I was told they could reduce it to $321 since I was a single mom or some other requirements I met...but couldn't even afford that!

First things first,  I had to stand in line at the DOL. Luckily my local office is only 10 mins away so the commute was a quick one. My time there however took 4hours.

I waited in line to say WHY I WAS THERE, then I completed my paperwork, then I waited in line to turn in my paperwork, then I waited for my Orientation Workshop, then I entered in my info on the computer (I guess saving them some time).  I then signed up for a few mandatory workshops on Networking, Resume Writing and Occupational Choices. Then drove home in silence..looking at the road ahead and it seemed like a long one.

The biggest thing I noticed was that EVERYONE was there..not just young black mothers (which is what I thought the unemployment office would look like). Boy was I wrong. I saw every age, every race equally divided among men and women, Its all of us..we are all riding this boat together...

I should get my first check in about 3 weeks and for that I'm grateful.

Thanks Georgia Dept of Labor for all your help in keeping us thru this tough time.