Two Years Later

...and I am posting once again. I'm still in Oklahoma and I am living one day at a time. I have had some joyous moments and some down right wanna bash your head against the wall moments.

My kids are getting older and have just started 7th & 9th grades. I am taking a hiatus from college due to situations beyond my control (this is the bash your head against the wall moment). I hope to start up again in the Spring of 2010. I am praying that I don't get frustrated and just give up pursuing a degree all together.

This break from college classwork has allowed me time to think about the direction that my life has taken. It has caused me to research other opportunities that may exist for me career wise. I have never been interested in being an entrepreneur or having my own home-based business -- until now. I've been reading tons of information about virtual assistants and realized that not only do I have what it takes to be successful at this but I also have the majority of resources (aside from clients). I attended a seminar given by the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OSBDC) for those wanting to start a small business. I also checked out books from the local library that relate to small business start ups and I signed up with several virtual assistant networks.

My business is now official. I have designed a website via Wix.com and hope to start attending meetings with several networking groups in the area. My business, VersaNamic Solutions, will provide administrative support services to small business, non-profit organizations, and individuals. I am feeling motivated and understand that to be successful, hard work is required.

The past 7 months have gone by extremely fast. I can't believe I've been in OKC for over half a year now. There have been alot of changes (and a bit of drama) on my job. Things have gotten better though. It's a amazing how the gender of employees can affect the atmosphere.

I'm not knocking women (seeing that I am one) but there was so much peace when it was just me and the guys. Anyway, it has gotten better after I talked with upper management. I'm not sure what I'll do as far as employment wise once I get closer to obtaining my degree. I'm closer but it still seems so far away.

My kids will be in the 5th & 7th grade when school starts. They are growing so much! I have totally abandoned my workout schedule and hope to get back on track soon. I can't see it happening when the Fall semester starts. I'll be taking 2 courses and one requires the submission of portfolios in order to gain college credit. This is very new to me and I hope I am able to keep up.

I love my neighborhood and my neighbors are godsends as well.

I miss my friends and church in Dallas :(. I am still looking for a church home here. Could I be too critical of the churches I have visited so far? I can truly say that none have drawn me as OCBF did. I'll have to keep praying about this.

Too bad I couldn't get away from the heat. It is just as bad here as it was there! I'm about to go outside and enjoy the warm breeze and feel the sprinkles of mist from my water sprinkler! The sun is gone so I shouldn't melt.

Always something on my mind. . .

and now is no different. I'm thinking about my classes (getting through this semester), becoming financially stable (imagine that), whether or not I need to spend money on a trip to California in June, what summer camps I can afford to enroll my kids in this summer, why some parents are deadbeat. . . .

I'm still loving the OKC area (and to think I always said I would never move back to Oklahoma). I've been able to spend so much time with different family members -- I'm just full of joy. I love being with family (& close friends). My youngest niece and my nephew who attends OU spent the weekend with us. The weather was not appropriate for spending time outdoors (it actually snowed on Friday). My son had a soccer game on Saturday. I believe the high that day was 49 degrees (thank God for sunshine, which made it not as cold as it could have felt). Their teams was missing about 4 players and was actually a player short but they decided to go ahead and play instead of forfeiting. They lost 12 to 0!!! Maybe a forfeit wouldn't have been so bad -- just kidding. My son said he still had fun, which is all that really matters.

We spent Easter Sunday in my hometown. There was plenty of food. Seven of us have decided to participate in a weight loss contest. We each will put in $10 -- which totals $70. Whoever loses the most weight over the course of 2 months wins the pot. In case of a tie the pot will be split. We all weighed and a cousin who is not in the contest recorded our weight (many did not want their weight revealed to others). I was off to a good start as far as working out but have not had a chance to make it to the gym this week. I found a nice gym not far from my home that offers a yearly contract with a monthly fee that is not bad. Every time I've gone it has been peaceful and not crowded (which I prefer). Hopefully I will make it this evening. My goal in addition to becoming tone/lean is to lose about 12 pounds.

I really plan on winning this weight loss contest. I could use the money to help pay for summer camp at a local community college. I could also use a nice, soothing pedicure :).