G, What's New?

Back 2 School 'Blahs'

September 10, 2010

Like most of you we had a very busy and action packed summer leading to a major case of the back to school blues.

• We finally took our hens Smooth Criminal and Santo out to the country for more space and peace.  Got 11 biddies - the smallest didn't make it - in exchange. They're hanging out in the old coop while we develop plans for a new and improved coop to house them.  We only want to keep hens and since they weren't sexed at birth, we're playing Is She or Isn't (it a) She looking for tell-tale signs of 'cockiness.'  In the process I found someone in the neighborhood who has a flock (and has been doing awesome business selling eggs in the wake of this salmonella scare) and is willing to take the roosters off our hands and share a few tips with newbie chicken farmers like us.
• AJ's back at school this year.  While homeschooling was an education for us both he sorely missed the social aspects of school.  What I love is that he still refers to stuff we covered on an almost every day. Yay!  He's still getting some home school type learnin' by helping me figure out how to make passive solar cooking an affordable and sustainable (and environmentally awesome) cooking alternative around the house.
• On top of reading, writing and arithmetic, AJ's picking out new recipes to add to his kids cooking page. Stay tuned for that.
• The fashionista-in-training entered high school this year.  She's loving the uniform free aspect of school and making unique pieces all the time.  Additionally, she entered a sewing contest on Instructables.com on August 7th and earned featured status in a matter of days.  As of today, her step by step guide on restyling pants into cute overalls is a popular tut with over 1,600 views!  We even earned a free Pro membership out of the whole deal.  I say we because her tutorial's posted under my subscription - I helped her edit the tutorial.  Unfortunately, the transition into high school, its been tough to keep her economical style page and fashionista blog updated but she'll be back.
• As for me and managing my adult ADHD, I connected with a local Life Management Center this summer and had incredible help choosing 3 specific goals to focus on for the next 6 months.  I worked with a great coach and we had phone meetings 3 times a week in which I chose 3 specific small tasks and reviewed my successes and challenges accomplishing those tasks.  For any adult out beating themselves up because they can't seem to get anything done, l highly recommend seeking out an ADHD coach.  Life Management even offers scholarships that helped me strengthen the skills I need to get closer to achieving my goals for half the regular fee, about $8 a session.
• As a board member for Metanoia CDC, I was privileged to attend a Neighborworks conference in Philadelphia this summer.  Even though I was out of town, I still worked my food coupons at the CVS up the street from the hotel. As far as grassroots community development goes, the conference was truly transformational for me.  I sat in on sessions that covered Working with Faith Based Institutions in Community Development; Grassroots Leadership Development; and, Taking Green Action In Your Community - I've posted pics in my urban garden page.
• I was proud to learn that asset based community development efforts, like Metanoia CDC, are the most effective at implementing community generated success in under-served areas. If you don't know how asset based community development works, the indianapolis Neighborhood Resource Center has an easy to understand explanation and simple action plan. What I left Philadelphia understanding is the only germane solution to wealth building is redevelopment of our inner cities!  What can be more cost effective (and environmentally friendly) than access to quality childcare, education, housing, high paying jobs, healthy food, health care, safe recreational and cultural activities within walking or biking distance from your front door?
  

G, That all Sounds Great - So What's Up with the 'Blahs?'

• Two days after that amazing Neighborworks conference, I literally spent over 2 hours in commute hell getting my husband and kids to work and school on time and had the repeat the process later that afternoon.  G, why does your commute take so long?  Well, for the last 9 years my kids have gone to magnet schools that were within minutes of my husband's job (and my old food bank job too).  Now that they've moved on to middle and high school, that's no longer the case. Every single public school - I'm talking elementary, middle and high school in our district is failing.  Many of you who struggle to make ends meet live this everyday - forgive me for being oblivious for so long.  POVERTY IS A VERY EXPENSIVE, TIME (AND ENERGY) CONSUMING LIFESTYLE TO MAINTAIN.
• That Monday through Friday commute is a painfully tangible drain on the resources we're trying to maintain. Last week, I had to end my sessions with my ADHD coach to pay for gas and maintenance on our car. This time waster is leaving me both angry and exhausted (hence the fewer number of full recipe updates, etc.) but not broken. Car pooling has cut the commute to about a hour. A Neighborworks classmate gave me my new mantra for this season of my frustration "the problem is the solution."  So I have to refocus and accomplish my original goals in a manner that not only benefits my family's assets and but also improves my community's assets - one completed task at a time. Wish me luck!
  

If the New Kensington CDC can beautify and energize their community, so can we!

We're Definitely Making Progress!

July 2, 2010

• AJ and I are still on speaking terms after our first successful session of home school.
• It's official, Ani-K is a true fashionista. She made her entire summer wardrobe by restyling school gear, that amazing romper used to be a pair of khaki school pants!
• We'll save at least $400 this year on haircare alone.  If you noticed all the natural coifs at our house. I cut hair for the men (AJ sported an attention grabbing sharkfin mohawk) and assisted the little lady in achieving several attractive styles.  Our hair has never been healthier! We learned everything from natural hairstyle Youtube experts Pretty Dimples and NaturalChica.com.
  
• Hubbie and I are empty-nesters for a couple weeks at least, the kids are off with friends and family. Going on to catch a movie in a couple hours.
  
• Its the end of an era! We've raised Smooth Criminal and Santo since they were 9 weeks old a year ago and they're going up on Craigslist today.  I'll spare you the messy details but 3 of our 4 hens fell ill when I got back from the Brazilian mission trip, we nursed two back to health by separating them and when we tried to reunite them it got a little ugly. They need more space to roam and we need to fix some design flaws in our chicken palace. Don't fret because we'll be chicken farmers again soon. Their last meal as our pets will be a great celebration filled with homegrown fruit and veggies. The next batch of chickens won't get names, if you know what I mean... (Update: It's July 5th and the ladies are still laying around in the backyard.  It's like tearing off a band aid but (gasp) it's better for us all.)
  
• I've been a workaholic my entire life and its been so rewarding to reconnect with our kids.  Every day hasn't been a picnic but its awesome to get to know them again as they're growing up so fast.  It's so important for us as parents to pour into their potential at an early age.  It's never too soon to help them envision a bright future!
  
• I can truly say that 90% of Sabbaths have been spent relaxing and enjoying one another.
• A Father's Day church service at the Dream Center helped solidify our budgeting efforts. We're striving to live on 80% of our income and sites like GetRichSlowly.org offer great and simple insights.
• With hospitality work drying up and a modest budget to manage, G's looking for a part-time gig as I slowly work to grow the business. Keep your fingers crossed that one of the grocery or drug stores will give me a call. Is feeding a coupon addiction a good idea?
• A random connection led to me reading an intriguing article on tips for adult entrepreneurs living with ADHD.  I'm reaching out to a local organization to work with an ADHD coach.  Tell you more as that unfolds.
• After six long months, I finally have the working framework for this website!!!  There'll be a lot of tweaking in the coming days and months and hopefully your comments will help drive some of those edits.
• I'm cashing in some of my Time Dollars to get some photography training, so pics will better represent content.
• Enough about me, what's new with you?
  

Dream Center North Charleston

Extreme Home Makeover

Dream Center North Charleston (Seacoast North Charleston campus) is at the forefront of bringing Jesus' unconditional love to the masses! Whether its through fellowship, the weekly sermons or a powerful praise and worship team our family's been blessed to attend the Dream Center and Seacoast Church for the last 9 years.

• Adopt A Block
• Dream Pantry
• Dream Closet
• Dream Clinic (with Mobile Medical, Dental and Vision Units)
• Dream Scholars

All services are great, but the One Prayer Series has got me pumped!

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