... quite often you have to shut another one in order to go ahead.
Juggling 3 part-time jobs in order to make a living is stressful. On the body, the mind, and on ones relationships/social life. It seems like you're constantly working yet you barely make ends meet. I've been praying for things to get better and it seems my prayers have been answered. At a cost.
After starting to work in respite care a few weeks ago I finally had sufficient hours to really get an income. It was a blessing finding that job and I really enjoy it. Yet it made things more difficult because I had to juggle that plus kindy plus my various home support clients. Lots of travelling - and lots of rescheduling. Not always to everybody's satisfaction.
Yesterday I got a call from the Ministry offering me more hours with another child at a different center. At first I declined as it collided with pretty much all my clients. And then I started thinking... 2 jobs with adequate hours and good pay - nothing wrong with that.
So - even though it somehow breaks my heart to let "my old people" go - I handed in my resignation yesterday. Still have to tell a few clients and I know they won't be happy. But as harsh as it sounds - a therapist told me years ago I have to be more egoistic. Plus I'm a gut person and deep inside it feels like the right move. So let's hope I don't regret it...
What do you get when you accidentally fill the dishwasher with dishwashING detergent instead of dishwashER powder? A bubble bath in your kitchen! Not sure if the girls at kindy really thought it was that funny, though...
And what happens when you leave a plastic bag in the sink and then turn the washing machine on? You can kayak through your house! Now that luckily was NOT my fault and I have to admit I couldn't stop laughing when I saw it...
Living healthy isn't always easy. There are so many temptations you have to face each and every day. And since I have a very sweet tooth I tend to say yes a lot more often than no.
But I've been trying to be good - by adding more and more little goodies in between the bad choices. Like making my own fruit and vege drinks at home, snacking carrots instead of chips and adding lots of fresh fruit to my bowl of after-dinner-ice-cream...
Also for a few weeks now I've been carrying a bag of spare clothes and running shoes in the car for those days when I finish work early and have to wait for Matt. Of course since the bag has been in the car there were no such days... until today. Just been for a 10min run around the park and feel GREAT! My reward was instant- I saw the rescue helicopter land right next to me and the pilot wave at me (their base is right next to the park).
Now I hope to keep it up. Once a week is the minimum goal - with longer runs bit by bit and eventually more often per week. Until I can finally afford going to the gym again.
Oops - here comes the rain. Lucky me. Better get home...
What a day! Matt treated me to a day at Ngawha Springs but we almost ended up around the corner - at Northland's biggest Correction Facility. We've seen a few prisons on TV and how visitors get searched in the car park. Never thought that would be us one day!
For some reason Matt felt sightseeing today and wanted to do a drive-by off Ngawha Prison. Who knew you're not actually allowed to do that? Before I knew what was happening we were directed onto the car park by 2 fierce looking officers...
"ID please, then step away from the vehicle so the dog can search it!" Ahm... ok...
We had nothing to hide but it did feel a bit creepy. It was pouring down, too. After dog and police were happy our car was clean we were told that next time we wanted to come around for a look we should call... no thank you...
We ended up making it to the Hot Pools just after the rain was gone and relaxed for a couple of hours. What a bliss!
Hopefully next time Matt comes up with some less exciting detours *lol*
For quite some time now I've been trying to get a full-time job but - for the umptieth time - I've recently been turned down. Again.
But not all is bad. Instead of getting a full-time job that I might not even enjoy I have yesterday started a new part-time job (that makes 3 now) that I know will satisfy me. On top of my work with special needs children at kindy I will now also provide respite care for families with special needs children/teenagers.
Starting with a few shifts this week and really excited :-) it will once again be a challenge juggling all the jobs around each other. But hopefully I will finally work enough hours to be able to start saving a bit.
The good side about part-time work is I will still have opportunities like yesterday and stop at a beautiful spot like the Whangarei Falls to enjoy a lunch picnic :-)
Matt found another cocoon a few days ago and brought it home. We weren't sure a butterfly would actually hatch thinking the season for them must be over by now.
Ruffy is the coolest pet ever! She's as fast as lightning, really clever and sooo entertaining :-) wish I'd be fast enough to tape all her mean jumps and twists... yesterday she was chewing hard on Matt's jandals but hopped off every time I tried to take a picture or a video. She gets really upset when she's not the center of attention. As soon as you start ignoring her she starts annoying you.
The lighthouse itself isn't very special at all - but the view definitely is! Next time we go I'd love to book a quad tour and race around in the sanddunes *heehee*
This year I really wanted to spend Waitangi Day up north - in Waitangi. After all that's where New Zealand as we know it now was born. Matt wasn't too keen at first but this time I got things done my way *heehee* and MAN did we end up having a fantastic time!
Weather was beautiful today: clear sky, lovely sunshine and only a little breeze. Once we arrived at Paihia we parked the car and went down to the Marina. Instantly spotted the chopper on the beach... that was one thing I've been wanting to do for years but it's always so bloody expensive! But after going on antique Russian Antonovs, shabby looking Polish Wilgas and even a glider (last summer) the one thing still missing on my wish list was a helicopter ride.
Lucky for me Matt was in a generous mood today - thanks to the good pay from fighting that massive fire in Pouto until last week. Anyway... I finally got my Xmas present *woohoo* we checked out SaltAir - the local company offering helicopter rides - and we found the perfect one for us.
20mins all the way to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rocks. I have to admit I was a bit scared. Over a yummy seafood lunch Matt told me about every thing that can go wrong in a chopper and about all the guys he (personally) knew who'd crashed and died over the years.
But... it was too late to chicken out. 12.30pm we took off. And WOOHOO that was a great feeling! Our pilot Manu told us heaps about the area, pointed out islands that were good for fishing and a lit of bits and pieces. The flight was over way too soon but I've taken tons of awesome pics! Will upload some in the next few days to share this unique experience with you.
I can only recommend this to anyone! The flight was smooth as, the view magnificent!
We still walked over to Waitangi afterwards to have a look around the Treaty Grounds. But there wasn't even a hangi available so once Matt got his hair cut for just $10 we headed back home. What a memorable day :-)
My first "real" day of summer. What a bliss! It's been pretty windy all day but the sun was out and the surf was good. Spent a few hours at the beach around the corner, went for a swim and already got a nice tan. Even found a book on the shelf I hadn't actually read yet! Can't remember when I last read a book - sometime last year... Today was just what I needed after the busy season at the dairy. Refilled my energy to be ready for the kids at kindergarten tomorrow. Wonder how much they've changed over the past 6 weeks.
