Strengths and Weaknesses

My strengths and weaknesses, in terms of finding a job as well as life in general:

Strengths:

• Detail-oriented (see weaknesses as well).
• Computer literate.  I can open up a computer and upgrade parts.  I can troubleshoot common problems.  I am very experienced with a whole slew of Microsoft branded programs and pick up very easily on any new program I am faced with without a lot of instruction.  
• I type fast.  To the point that my children ask if I can type slower because it distracts them from their schoolwork.  I used to be a medical transcriptionist.  I don't know accurate speeds but the quicky typing tests found online say around 50-60 wpm depending on the test.
• I love teaching people things.
• I love learning things.
• I retain knowledge easily and have a never-ending supply of information I'll never need again stored in my noggin.
• I love cooking, especially for other people.  
• I love helping people.
• Concrete thinker.  If you tell me exactly what you want done, I will make sure it's how you want it.  Again, see weaknesses as well.

Weaknesses:

• Detail-oriented.  To a fault.  I get distracted by details in conversations and in tasks.  Every little thing needs to be just so.  This is helpful in some circumstances, yet not helpful in others.  Hence why it's listed in both categories.  
• My meticulousness sometimes makes my progress in things slower than others, but done to the best of my ability.
• I don't drive in bad weather, specifically winter.  Yes, winter is a type of weather in my book.
• My family comes before anything.  Above all else I am a mom and a wife.  This will not change.
• I get bored easily.  I need to have variety in my day, and something that keeps my mind actively engaged.
• Easily overwhelmed by noise, motion, etc.  I was diagnosed with ADD as an adult and I am still learning how this effects me.  The best way to explain it is any noise or movement near me (within hearing or visual range) is as though it is right next to me.  There are no different levels to this, it's either on or off.  I can't ignore things or tune them out like many other people.  I work best in quiet, secluded environments or with a group of people working on the same task, but not where other things are going on.
• I'm not very creative.  I am a very concrete thinker.  If you give me an open-ended task, I am lost.

I'm sure I will add to this list as time passes and new things occur to me.  This is just a "throw it out there" beginning.

If you can think of any careers/jobs that the above characteristics would be well-suited, please let me know!

Here Goes Nothing

My entire life is in the air at the moment. I was told in November that the job I loved and envisioned myself doing until the end of time was ending as of 1/1. So, now what? I have applied for a bunch of jobs that I thought would fit our family well, but have only had one interview.

I have always envisioned myself as a stay at home mom, but the hard reality of that is that our family just can not survive off one income. We had already cut nearly every nice-ity out of our lives prior to this news (cable, vacations, savings, new clothes, new vehicles, and my much loved past time of going out to eat frequently with friends and family). What's left is vital to the survival of our family (one smartphone with the smallest talk package available, internet with the slowest speeds available, Netflix/Hulu for entertainment on the MANY days unsuitable for outdoor time, student loans, food, electricity, wood for heating, housing (a very meager 900 or so sq ft on .13 acres), water, taxes, phone, gasoline for the cars, auto and home owners insurance, and my husband's car payment on an eight year old car).

We homeschool our three children, and that is not negotiable for many reasons. I'm sure that will be discussed in future posts. I am also petrified of winter driving. Since we live in northern New England, the combination of these two facts makes it very hard to just go out and get just any old job. My husband works 2nd shift so I do have a few hours in the morning that I could work, but again, any time it snows or we have freezing rain (which seems to be a high percentage of days between December and April) me going anywhere is a no-go. Any of the typical part-time jobs that are actually worth the money such as waitressing tend to be in the evening hours, at least in this area.

So, to be able to vent my frustrations as well as to see my own thoughts in writing and therefore process them better, I've decided to write everything here. Lucky you, I know :) Over the next few posts, I intend to list my strengths, weaknesses, ponderings, daily accomplishments, and likely, daily failures. I will also share some helps that I have come across that have benefited our family in hopes that your family can benefit as well.