Week 2 - There's so much we can do.

RubySewSew

I'm working 2 nights a week at the moment and have changed my Thursday to a Wednesday and it makes so much difference to my week! I always used to be exhausted and collapse on the sofa on a Wednesday night and then drag myself out to work on a Thursday night. Just by making that simple swap I feel like I have so much more energy and it feels like the bulk of the week is done sooner.

Hit the first hurdle with the co-operative. I already own a name and url and need to press ahead with getting a website up so I can advertise and market to ensure clients coming in for January. However, one of the other members has raised the fair point that she doesn't like the name and that is not in the interests of a co-operative to have a name that hasn't been agreed on co-operatively. I actually agree with this wholeheartedly but am really conflicted by the fact that I have to move quickly and I am so far the only one dependent on generating income quickly. I have agreed to open up the discussion again. Which is the right thing to do I would just rather focus my energies on other areas that need attention rather than redoing bits that are already done. Oh well,no harm no foul.

I also got a lovely unexpected afternoon off today which I used for a quick supermarket shop and a nap! I usually do work experience at another school but they only started back today. I've decided to do another 4 weeks with them so that I can focus my energies on the businesses, the bank accounts and the crafting. And they've asked me to lead a craft session for them! Yippee!

It feels like some energetic block has shifted, like things are moving and coming together. I had the calmest realisation that I know where I want to be and how I'm going to get there. The next year will be hard work but I will be in a different, better place at the end of it.

I've tried to move the divorce forward as well but we're stuck on the consent order. The ex doesn't want to commit to it at the moment as his business is struggling. I'm wary because I've left it drift before and he had another child which completely changed his commitment and legal responsibility towards our children. I also just want things to be finalised. However, I can see that it is not to anybody's advantage to push things through when things are lean. Does anybody else have experience of this? Or can advise?

Ok, I'm wrapping up. Need to get myself ready for bed. One more long day then a short little morning before the weekend! Hip hip hooray!

brizzledfw

Enjoying reading your diary...have read some and will read more over next few days. November is always an exhausting month but here's to days of wellness and celebration as we get nearer Christmas!

Cheery_Daff

Sounds like a good change with the working evenings Ruby, well done! :T

As for the name change - well, well done for doing the right thing. Perhaps you could set a deadline for sorting it out? Have you heard of 'consensus decision making'? Went on an info day about it a while ago, all about coming to a consensus when working in groups/cooperatives so everyone's happy, rather than making a decision through voting where some people still aren't

RubySewSew

Consensus decision making - that sounds interesting. I'd like to find out more. I've worked on guideline development groups which work by consensus so I assume it formalises a process I'm already familiar with. I'll look into it or feel free to fill me in! I've made the decision advertise classes in my own name as a precursor to the co-operative launching. That way I can generate business to my own timescale and then feed it in to the co-operative once we're ready to go. Feel more comfortable with that.

I spoke too soon about the midweek working! Came down with a killer migraine on Thursday. I was blacking out at work and then the headmistress caught me staring into the distance slumped in a chair with my individual needs child! That probably sounds worse than it was but it looked pretty bad! He was actually playing on the computer and I couldn't tolerate looking at the screen. Sods law that she didn't catch me the day before when I was helping him put on a show!! I have found out that I'm being paid at midday supervisors rate for my individual needs. This is about 2 quid an hour less and the violence and aggression I am having to deal with is increasing. Working towards getting other revenue streams up, running and consistent asap!

Have spent all weekend crafting which has been a joy. I have produced so much! I have had to spend out on some supplies but am hoping that I will easily recoup. Although I do need to keep track of costings or it could easily get out of hand. I'm feeling really inspired to do some work on my own house to. My piece de resistance is 2 little card tables that I bought 2nd hand as bedside tables that I no longer have room for. I have painted them a beautiful sage green and topped them with beautiful cherry blossom paper. I need to find out how to post pictures so that I can show you! I have a friend coming to help tomorrow and need a valued 2nd opinion on pricing and quality. I am working flat out this week - Tuesday day, Tuesday night, Wednesday day, Wednesday night, Thursday day, Friday day, Friday night and Saturday day. Phew! I don't have childcare sorted out for the Saturday yet so having a little mini panic about that. All whilst trying to set up and advertise a new business!

I have every faith that this is all going to be worth it.

RubySewSew

Facebook page set up for antenatal classes :j:j:j

Cheery_Daff

Sounds like you're moving forwards Ruby! :T Sorry about Thursday - pah, and rotten luck And also Pah to the school for paying you midday supervisors rate - was that deliberate? Do you have a contract? Can you recoup the money?

What a sensible decision to advertise on your own while the cooperative gets up and running! :T Means you're not waiting for anyone else :T Well done you!

RubySewSew

I'm covered in paint, I've superglued my fingers to the table, my kitchen is over run with half made crafts but I'm having so much fun! I have discovered that refurbishing furniture is the most fun and has the biggest profit margins. I've completed one card table, half way through another (they're a matching pair), have started a coffee table a letter tray and still have a nest of tables to go. Unfortunately, I'm back to work tomorrow and will have to put everything on hold. In the midst of this I have forgotten to mot my car which has now expired so will have to get up early and walk to school tomorrow. Well at least I can tick of one of my 50 day goals!

I haven't given much thought to money or rather the lack of it. That doesn't mean it isn't a concern but my focus has been on generating new income and changing my situation, moving things forward. I'm not sure if there is an element of denial to that. Being able to make things has neutralised the desire to buy things (although there is a whole new world to spend on!). It might be easier this month because money has gone into my account on time and I know that there is money coming in for the next month or two at least. I still have a lot of sorting out to do and I do need to make an opportunity to deal with that.

Ok, off to bed now so that I can get up early tomorrow! Working until Thursday night now and then through again until Saturday night. Will update when I can!

chevalier

hi RSS wow what a turnaround! Well done on that. I think that you are right to start on your own stuff as a precursor to the cooperative. It is a fine line between carrying people and carrying people along...

good luck going forward
chev

RubySewSew

My boiler has broken _pale_:wall:

And I have no money.

And I hate my job.

And every time I get even a little bit closer to getting straight something bigger and more expensive goes wrong.

And I was feeling so positive this morning...

Cheery_Daff

Ruby - get back up there and read your positive posts from earlier this week. You're moving forwards and finding a way out of your job :T

As for the boiler :mad: Do you know what's wrong with it? Do you have any kind of insurance?

((((((((have a hug))))))))) hope you're feeling a little better now xx