All good

Well I am pretty happy with my market yesterday - made a $100 less market stall fee of $24.  It doesn't sound like much but I can tell you it will be very handy.

I have just finished more online tests with the employment agency so hope all goes well there and I get a call for work tomorrow.  They rang this morning to chase up the tests so hoping that means they are keen to get me on the books coz they have work.

And supposed to be (according to my own schedule) taking in a heap of recycling here for cashing in.  We get 10 cents a bottle for glass, plastic and cans. This just started here earlier this year. So I have a few friends that I collect from as they can't be bothered with it all.  And once a month I do  run and get anywhere from $50 to $80.  It all adds up I suppose.

This cute little lizard from Thailand 2009

Market Stall tomorrow.

Well... I've rang the market organisers and if I turn up at 7am tomorrow (Sunday) they will allocate me a spot for my market stall.  $24 for the day to have a stall and the markets run from 8am to 2pm.

I've spent the afternoon - doing a practice set up of my stall at home.  And I will finish the labelling, pricing in the morning and experiment with lay-out through the day to keep me busy.

For about 2 and a half years I did the markets when I first moved here.  I sold beads, jewellery, crafts, recycled clothing and bits and pieces.  Although I also worked full-time back then, the markets were my first taste of being self-employed and I loved it!!

My main aim at this stage though, is to bring in some money while having a big de-clutter before I have to fit in some inherited furniture later in the year.  And to have a bit of fun!

So the car is packed.... and I'll do an update after the markets - hopefully with good news to report!!

Cushions I made a few months ago - given as a gift. 2012

Feeling pretty pleased with myself!

Well - I feel I've done heaps this week - yay!!

My tax stuff except for say 5% is through to my accountant (2 years worth)

I have completed registration at the employment agency (just 3 online tests to do before Monday)

Again I noticed still having trouble entirely finishing tasks but thats my mission Monday coz hoping I should pick up some temp work Tuesday.

And I'm about 75% complete with organising my market stall for tomorrow - although I don't feel ready at all!!  But one of my favourite sayings when I wasn't feeling motivated is "Don't Think About It - Just Do It!!"  So thats my plan.  Just get ready, pack the car and just head off in the morning and see what happens!!

Technically, though and especially if I take the recycling in to cash it in and after the markets - I should have some money on Monday!!  Yippee...

Wild Orchid in Western Australia 2011

 

Plus check out some of my Pages - I have updated Travel Links and Travel 2011/2012



Distractions...

Singapore - save the elephant campaign 2011

 

 

Focus - I have to tell myself that all the time - I am soooooo easily distracted - I have so much running around in my head. And I try and do too many things at once without actually completely finishing anything. And so the house and outdoor area looks like a bomb has hit it - half finished market stall stock ideas, the recycling has built up and I need to cash it in, we have moved furniture out of the house and the stuff that was inside said furniture is still awaiting my inherited furniture to arrive (which won't be until at least November)  .  So today starts with a list - housekeeping first on it!

In saying that - I feel I have actually achieved something this week.  I was going to list what I had finished this week, but true to nature I realise how little I have finished but how much I started. 

So what I started this week that I need to finish:

Registration at employment agency
Tax for Accountant
Market Stall
Housekeeping


I just realised that Housekeeping ended up down the bottom of the list again - but if I finish the first 3 things on the list, it all means money in my pocket.  I am housekeeping in between paragraphs though, as I have spread out with trying to organise stock for my market stall.  

I'll do a separate post on the market stall later.

Well as much as I would love to keep on about being distracted - I'd better go and do some stuff (sigh)....

Homefront Update

I was just looking back over my posts of the year - didn't take long - ha ha but it was interesting and thought I might provide an update - more for my records and for future motivation.

My crocheting is going well - have spurts - the original rug is huge - and after the next pattern finishes I will finish the rug.  Its too big to take with me so I used to make cushion covers instead during my lunch hour. I made our dog a wee blankie too - a bit chilly this dry.

The vegie garden was going okay - until the scrub fowl got in there while we were in Bali and dug 50% up. So I will replant, repair the fence and go again.  Still getting good supply of chillies though and a few tomatoes (if I can beat my chooks to them) and my Lime tree is flowering heaps so I am hoping for a good supply this year - its only ever produced 2 limes 2 years ago for first fruiting.

My first attempt at preserving (Dill Cucumbers) was a flamin' disaster - the recipe asks for 1 cup of salt in the brine!!!  Completely inedible!!  Yuk!!  Although I did a fair bit of banana chipping there for a while and I experimented with a loaned food sealer - love it!! I also bought a 4 tiered sprouter (must put some in today) which is awesome.

And I have been doing maintenance (like the chairs below), and tiling and grouting the new shed bathroom - looks great - if I do say so myself.

Crunch Time

Its official - I'm broke!!

Soooooo....I know I should be a completely stressed out mess but I'm not.  In fact a little excited about the challenge!!

The last month of unemployment - just a few hours of work here and there - has chewed through the last of my savings.  And a month of high expenses - my notebook finally died so I had to get another so loving that, and we also travelled to Bali for the dentist (which I saved over $1000 compared to visiting an Australian dentist after flights and expenses were taken out!!). So that cost too - yeesh....

However the clarity (and therefore motivation) I have gained in Bali regarding my short term future is a relief!!  Maybe chewing through a book everyday and generally relaxing and not overthinking allowed my mind to settle.

So the plan (so far) is:

In late September I will be flying "down south" to attend to my dads estate and I will book a one way ticket.  And just stay until the job is done. Hoping not more than a month though.  Mentally and emotionally I feel I just need to get this done.

So in the meantime - get some income in - last week I registered and completed online tests and induction for an employment agency who I will go and visit.  I'll list on ebay also and if nothing comes through straight away work wise I will do a market stall this weekend.  Love it - reduce clutter and make some money! And I will just do temping until I go south.  I also am going to do my tax return for 2 years!!  Aim to have that in today!!  Whatever I get back will hopefully provide me with money for when I am away.

So all in all - a pretty good plan I reckon - not ideal but still a plan!!

I have used this particular photo - from the opening of the new Art Centre on Tiwi Islands - with the kids dancing - its all like a new era - a fresh start