Summer Linky Party: My Accomplishment

Oops! I’m late to the party! As part of I Heart Grade 3’s summer linky party, many bloggers this week are writing about an accomplishment of which they are proud.

Summer Linky Party

When my children were toddlers, I desperately needed to increase my income. I was divorced, and my ex-husband refused to pay his court-ordered child support. Since he was a self-employed contractor, my lawyer told me it was pointless to go after him for the back support. I needed another way to raise the money.

Since my pay rate would increase by nearly $10,000 a year if I earned my Master’s Degree, I decided that I needed to go back to school. I also desired to gain more knowledge in reading instruction, so I decided to earn my Master’s Degree in Education, with a Reading Emphasis. This degree came with the added distinction of earning a Reading Specialist Credential at the same time as the Master’s Degree.

Thankfully, my Mom helped us out with childcare while I worked during the day and went to school at night. After a year-and-a-half I earned my new degrees, making it possible for me to support my family while I was working in California.

Since then, I have needed the money periodically to protect my children and myself from my ex–husband in court. (He demanded spousal support from me, and used my children to try to get support for himself and his girlfriend.) Although we struggle financially now, at least we are safe from him, as I now have sole custody, and we live thousands of miles away from the two of them.

I know God has a plan for us. As long as I know what He wants me to do, I will work as hard as I can to follow the path He sets.

Why Did I Start Blogging?

Why Did I Start Blogging? I never intended to blog. Of course, I never intended to be on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other social media, for that matter. As a quiet, shy, reserved person (except in front of my students!) I had no wish to reveal myself to strangers. Besides, who would care about what I wrote on a blog? Who would read it? Nope, there was no way I was going to put myself out there.

Social Media

It’s funny how life has a way of forcing you out of your comfort zone, though. When I hosted a giveaway on my Facebook page I asked for other sellers to donate, which many of them did. Unfortunately, I did not realize that they were expecting the giveaway to be hosted on my blog, which I did not have!

Where's Your Blog?

Not wanting to disappoint more than 50 other sellers, I quickly started my own blog, in the midst of my giveaway. What a crazy, hectic couple of weeks that was!

When the giveaway was over, I was left with this little blog. I didn’t know what to do with it (and I still wonder about it!), but I am trying to find my way, kind of like life, I guess.

While I have been typing this we finally got the rain we've been promised for the last month! Yeah! Here's a little video of Simon's Cat in the rain to make you smile, too!

What about you? Do you have a blog? Would you like to share why you started it? 

Weekly Blogging Topics

If so, head on over to Miss Monica’s blog at I Heart Grade3 to link up your own blog, or just to read through some of the other posts. Don’t forget to leave a comment here first, please! I puffy heart comments! Thanks!

 “See” you next time!

My Summer Reading List, So Far

Summer vacation started for my kids several days ago. I can’t really say it started for me, as I will be working (teaching adult education) during these months, but my schedule will definitely change.

First of all, I now have time to actually read a few books that interest me. Okay, so the first two books are part of my daughter’s summer reading list, but they still looked interesting.

The first one I read was Anthem, by Ayn Rand. The story starts out in a future dystopian society, where everyone works for, and is controlled by, the state. There is no individualism, only collectivism. By the end of the novel, these two are switched around for the main character, and there is only worth in what he wants. It was an interesting read, but I couldn’t really connect with the characters at any point in the book.

Next, I read The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd. 

I had a really hard time getting past the first few chapters, in which the main character, Lily, suffered harsh treatment at the hands of her violently abusive father. Once Lily escaped, taking her nanny and substitute mother, Rosaleen, with her, and escaped to live with a trio of black bee-keeping sisters, the novel improved tremendously for me. Lily's search for her mother's history leads the reader to a greater understanding of the meaning of motherhood.

From a friend, I borrowed a copy of The Kitchen House, by Kathleen Grissom. This story is set in the antebellum south, and follows the life of an Irish girl who comes to America as an indentured servant. Although Levinia is raised by black slaves, and considers them her family, her white skin rips her away from them, and forces both sides to act in a way dictated by Levinia’s white plantation owner husband. The story unveils the complicated relationships between owners, servants, and slaves, as well as the inherent evils of a society ruled by ownership of other human beings.

I’m not sure what I will do with the rest of the summer, but I have plenty of time to decide. Thanks for reading!

Now take a look at the other posts in the linkup here.

Weekly Summer Linkup

“See” you next time!

Earth Day Linky Party!

An InLinkz Link-up