As much as I often hated going to work in the morning, being home alone most days isn't as fun as it sounds. Boredom really is the enemy.

And as much as I'd like to get a job, even the woman at the unemployment office recommended that I don't take something part time or for less than 80% of my previous salary or it will lower my unemployment. In other words, I'd be working...and making less (most likely much less) than I am not working. I do work once in a while with my sister at the dog boarding facility, but that's just cash and something to do when they need the extra help.

I'm trying to plan my future (as much as I can) but when my head hurts from thinking and getting nowhere, I have been trying to keep myself busy.

I get up with the kids in the morning. I bring the kids to and from school just because they don't like the bus...and I can. I've volunteered to do anything needed in my youngest's classroom at school and last week I was able to go to The Wizard Of Oz play with them! I really loved to be able to do that, something I obviously could never do before since I havd been a teacher for his whole life. I also do all the "house stuff" and errands of course, I try to walk lots of days with my dogs...but it still leaves too much idle time.

So this week I have: restarted blogging (obviously if you're reading this); started crocheting a baby blue blanket and started drawing in a sketchpad I bought myself yesterday. I'm not a talented artist, but I enjoy it and that definitely counts. I only know how to make blankets crocheting but I just ordered some patterns to make baby hats and booties and I'm looking forward to teaching myself how to do these.

It's a start!
I definitely give myself for trying and also for making myself go out of the house and do something every day. These may seem like small things to some, but they are things I have to push myself to do. I have learned though that things are much darker when I completely seclude myself and become absorbed in my own thoughts.