I'm totally not very good at this whole "updating daily" thing. ;)
I am grateful today for:
-Second chances. The fact that we can wake up every morning and start anew. And as someone who makes a lot of mistakes, I really need that gift.
-My job. I can be frustrated with my work at times, but I still truly love what I do, and I am grateful that I have an employer who works with me and my schedule, allowing me to still spend the days at home with my little ones.
-Good books. I struggle going to sleep at night these days without the escape of a good read. When I first received my Master's in English Literature, I went through a spell where I had trouble reading for "fun" instead of for "work." Luckily, I am past that, and now have 5 hard copy books and 5 e-books I am working through all at one time.
-My friends. My friends have taught me that family is what you make of it, and that there's more to the concept than simply blood. I am blessed to have and know them.
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Showing posts with label work. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Little of This, Little of That...
A lot of random thoughts are brewing today...we'll see where they take me.
Animals. I've had animals on the brain a lot of late. We still have our foster kitty, renamed Sunflower (or Sunny, for short). I renamed her something more positive than Crybaby was, and I swear her personality has brightened under the name change. She has a propensity for searching out sunbeams and laying in their path, and since I call her "my little sunflower," she started answering to that, and it stuck. We've dealt with a few minor health issues along the way, but she is adjusting quite well to our family. Even the dog plays well with her (most of the time).
As I've mentioned, I volunteer at a local animal shelter. Our main mission is to save as many lives as we can, so we can match adoptable animals to potential forever homes. However, as with anything in life, there is occasional loss. During my shift yesterday, I spent some time helping with some sick kittens in our kitten nursery. Our shelter director was called out on an emergency, and we were unable to euthanize a very ill kitten, and a volunteer was holding it and attempting to comfort it as much as she could. I felt compelled to take a turn with the kitten. I wasn't sure why, but it made my heart ache, so I took over the duties with this little kitten. It was not easy. The kitten was in respiratory distress and suffocating on fluid. I held it in a blanket, as close to my chest as possible, up against my heart, as I caressed its fur, tiny head, and ears, and attempted to make it as comfortable as possible. It passed away snuggled against my breast. I spent a lot of the evening angry--angry at pet owners who refuse to care for their animals, who don't spay and neuter--and I tried to figure out why it was so important to take a turn with this kitten. It dawned on me. As hard as it was, it was easier to give something of myself, even if a little, than to walk away. It made me sick to think that the kitten was there, and I had to give something. It would have hurt more to walk away. I have dealt with dying animals before, but this one affected me so much more. It was one of the most difficult and yet moving experiences of my life.
On to more positive subjects. Lately, due to some questions I have about things, life, and whatnot, I have been investigating alternative means to peace and health in my life. We have been eating healthier foods, less meat, and less dairy. I have been doing extensive research into natural remedies, homeopathy, herbal cures, etc. for minor health concerns. When my church stopped funding for our counseling sessions, I started looking for different ways to reflect, meditate, and to find peace in our lives. We have been spending more time outside, taking in the natural world around us. I also experienced my first reiki treatment. (A good source for information on reiki can be found here.) I am blessed to have a friend who provided this service to me. It was a wonderful time for me to reflect and to ponder about my goals, my concerns, and so forth. I had this image that I was shedding this skin of negativity as I listened to the music in the background. When the session was finished, my friend asked me a lot of questions about my life that were spot on--she noted that I am often too hard on myself and that I have my expectations too high when it comes to where I feel I should be, and she said that she felt the need to express to me to work toward balance and being fair and kind to myself. She also noted that my healing colors were purple and green, which I have found myself drawn to of late before my session. It was a great experience, and I'm not sure I have ever so deeply meditated in my life. My friend also shares a similar religious background and understood where I was coming from when I expressed a weakness in my testimony lately, and was so willing to listen to how I felt, while supporting me in my questions and needs, as well as my desire to reconnect to my spiritual foundations while staying true to myself and my heart and what I feel is right.
So, what else have we been into? I've been enjoying the summer spending time with my family before I go back to the grind of teaching. We've been playing a lot in sand, and in water, reading stories together and watching movies. I admit to a growing frustration with my teething infant's lack of desire when it comes to sleeping, but we're managing. I'm preparing for a course redesign this semester, mandated by my department--I, along with two other adjuncts, will be testing out a new design for our freshman composition courses, and in some ways, I'm grateful because I felt I was starting to develop a rut when it came to my teaching/curriculum. The hubby received his HAM radio license, and I've enjoyed seeing him get so excited about this new hobby in his life. It especially proved valuable as a radio service during a massive storm in the area which did extensive damage to the region and has left tens of thousands without power (called a "super derecho," a violent and destructive wind and thunderstorm that was in a arc shape that spanned several states). The radio enabled us to stay connected to weather service updates during moments of unreliable power, as well as emergency updates, thanks to diligent amateur radio broadcasters. The storm was so bad that it took the neighbors' staked, full sized trampoline out of the ground, down the hill through our driveway (and over our car--sigh), and across our street into the next neighbors' yard. (Our car is OK--nothing a trip to the body shop won't fix. I will show a pic of the trampoline's landing spot.)
Well, that's about everything that I can think of. Now, if you'll excuse me, this sleep-deprived mama is going to search for rest. Good night. (Also, planning on getting back into our "What We Store" series soon. Keep an eye out.)
Animals. I've had animals on the brain a lot of late. We still have our foster kitty, renamed Sunflower (or Sunny, for short). I renamed her something more positive than Crybaby was, and I swear her personality has brightened under the name change. She has a propensity for searching out sunbeams and laying in their path, and since I call her "my little sunflower," she started answering to that, and it stuck. We've dealt with a few minor health issues along the way, but she is adjusting quite well to our family. Even the dog plays well with her (most of the time).
As I've mentioned, I volunteer at a local animal shelter. Our main mission is to save as many lives as we can, so we can match adoptable animals to potential forever homes. However, as with anything in life, there is occasional loss. During my shift yesterday, I spent some time helping with some sick kittens in our kitten nursery. Our shelter director was called out on an emergency, and we were unable to euthanize a very ill kitten, and a volunteer was holding it and attempting to comfort it as much as she could. I felt compelled to take a turn with the kitten. I wasn't sure why, but it made my heart ache, so I took over the duties with this little kitten. It was not easy. The kitten was in respiratory distress and suffocating on fluid. I held it in a blanket, as close to my chest as possible, up against my heart, as I caressed its fur, tiny head, and ears, and attempted to make it as comfortable as possible. It passed away snuggled against my breast. I spent a lot of the evening angry--angry at pet owners who refuse to care for their animals, who don't spay and neuter--and I tried to figure out why it was so important to take a turn with this kitten. It dawned on me. As hard as it was, it was easier to give something of myself, even if a little, than to walk away. It made me sick to think that the kitten was there, and I had to give something. It would have hurt more to walk away. I have dealt with dying animals before, but this one affected me so much more. It was one of the most difficult and yet moving experiences of my life.
So, what else have we been into? I've been enjoying the summer spending time with my family before I go back to the grind of teaching. We've been playing a lot in sand, and in water, reading stories together and watching movies. I admit to a growing frustration with my teething infant's lack of desire when it comes to sleeping, but we're managing. I'm preparing for a course redesign this semester, mandated by my department--I, along with two other adjuncts, will be testing out a new design for our freshman composition courses, and in some ways, I'm grateful because I felt I was starting to develop a rut when it came to my teaching/curriculum. The hubby received his HAM radio license, and I've enjoyed seeing him get so excited about this new hobby in his life. It especially proved valuable as a radio service during a massive storm in the area which did extensive damage to the region and has left tens of thousands without power (called a "super derecho," a violent and destructive wind and thunderstorm that was in a arc shape that spanned several states). The radio enabled us to stay connected to weather service updates during moments of unreliable power, as well as emergency updates, thanks to diligent amateur radio broadcasters. The storm was so bad that it took the neighbors' staked, full sized trampoline out of the ground, down the hill through our driveway (and over our car--sigh), and across our street into the next neighbors' yard. (Our car is OK--nothing a trip to the body shop won't fix. I will show a pic of the trampoline's landing spot.)
Well, that's about everything that I can think of. Now, if you'll excuse me, this sleep-deprived mama is going to search for rest. Good night. (Also, planning on getting back into our "What We Store" series soon. Keep an eye out.)
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| BTW, we need to mow our lawn. |
Monday, April 23, 2012
Getting Back on Track
I feel like my priorities have been out of order lately. I have all of these goals and ambitions, and yet, I've been giving in too much to the need to spend money, or to choose laziness over productivity, or choosing to focus on the negative instead of the positive. I'm also struggling with knowing which priorities to place ahead of others.
This is what I know I need to do:
-I need to show more love, patience, compassion, and affection toward my husband and my children, and strive to spend as much quality time with them as possible.
-I need to work to become more self-reliant, more prepared for emergencies, and more able to serve and protect my family in the event of a crisis--whether it is big or small. I caught a potholder on fire in my oven the other day, and my means of taking "control" of the situation was to yell for my husband, instead of dealing with it on my own. That's not good.
-I need to strive to spend less needless money, to learn to take care of what we have, mend what needs repaired, and focus on making do instead of giving into the urge to accumulate more, more, more. I also need to work harder on putting as much as we can onto debt and into savings.
-We need to take better care of ourselves physically--eat healthier, spend more time exercising, learn to discern what foods are good for our bodies, and what foods aren't (as I type this, my four year old is laying on the floor watching game shows and eating a cup of jelly beans, so this is definitely a work in progress).
-I need to spend more time taking care of our home--cleaning, organizing, getting rid of items we don't need, and so forth. I would like to work toward a more minimalist lifestyle, but that too will take time.
-I need to work harder on staying on top of my work outside of the home. My heart hasn't been into my teaching as much this term, mainly due to illness, and I need to rededicate myself to re-examining my teaching philosophy and giving my curriculum a much needed makeover.
-I need to be more charitable. I am working to spend more time volunteering at the animal shelter, but there is still more that I can do and give. It helps me to count my blessings when I am working to help those in need.
These all are works in progress, and they will all take time and balance. However, I need to refocus my efforts and get back on track in targeting and accomplishing my goals.
This is what I know I need to do:
-I need to show more love, patience, compassion, and affection toward my husband and my children, and strive to spend as much quality time with them as possible.
-I need to work to become more self-reliant, more prepared for emergencies, and more able to serve and protect my family in the event of a crisis--whether it is big or small. I caught a potholder on fire in my oven the other day, and my means of taking "control" of the situation was to yell for my husband, instead of dealing with it on my own. That's not good.
-I need to strive to spend less needless money, to learn to take care of what we have, mend what needs repaired, and focus on making do instead of giving into the urge to accumulate more, more, more. I also need to work harder on putting as much as we can onto debt and into savings.
-We need to take better care of ourselves physically--eat healthier, spend more time exercising, learn to discern what foods are good for our bodies, and what foods aren't (as I type this, my four year old is laying on the floor watching game shows and eating a cup of jelly beans, so this is definitely a work in progress).
-I need to spend more time taking care of our home--cleaning, organizing, getting rid of items we don't need, and so forth. I would like to work toward a more minimalist lifestyle, but that too will take time.
-I need to work harder on staying on top of my work outside of the home. My heart hasn't been into my teaching as much this term, mainly due to illness, and I need to rededicate myself to re-examining my teaching philosophy and giving my curriculum a much needed makeover.
-I need to be more charitable. I am working to spend more time volunteering at the animal shelter, but there is still more that I can do and give. It helps me to count my blessings when I am working to help those in need.
These all are works in progress, and they will all take time and balance. However, I need to refocus my efforts and get back on track in targeting and accomplishing my goals.
Monday, February 13, 2012
I Heart Ink Garden
So, I am contemplating starting a super small business, and I wanted to get some business cards to be able to market it, but didn't want to spend a lot of cash (who does)?
I saw a promo code today for 100 free business cards, either one or two sided, on Raining Hot Coupons, and found the cards I was drooling for--I had looked on VistaPrint, which I have heard oodles about, and really didn't find the right thing that struck my fancy (plus, their free cards carry ads...lame).
I made my card, looked at it a bajillion times, and I submitted my order. Then, I looked at it for the bajillion and one-th time. I realized, somehow, my English professor self missed a typo.
Ever though it was only $4.99, I panicked. We are rationing money, and I didn't want $4.99 going into business cards that weren't going to work. Their policy online states that they don't allow order changes once submitted, so I thought I was doomed--and called Customer Service anyway.
I was surprised to get a human--not an answering service--on the first ring, and Angela settled everything for me, and she says the order is canceled. It's still listed on my bank's online information, but it takes the bank a long time to fix errors on cards, so we'll see. If that goes through OK (which I think it will), I will be singing Ink Garden's praises even more--I will sing them anyway, seeing as it was my fault, and they still attempted to fix the issue anyway.
I think the offer for the business cards is for a limited time, so hurry over to Ink Garden, with my blessing!
(This post is NOT sponsored by them...I just was majorly impressed today.)
UPDATE: Even though the typo was may fault, they are giving me a $16.98 gift certificate, when my original order was only $4.99!! FABULOUS!!!!
I saw a promo code today for 100 free business cards, either one or two sided, on Raining Hot Coupons, and found the cards I was drooling for--I had looked on VistaPrint, which I have heard oodles about, and really didn't find the right thing that struck my fancy (plus, their free cards carry ads...lame).
I made my card, looked at it a bajillion times, and I submitted my order. Then, I looked at it for the bajillion and one-th time. I realized, somehow, my English professor self missed a typo.
Ever though it was only $4.99, I panicked. We are rationing money, and I didn't want $4.99 going into business cards that weren't going to work. Their policy online states that they don't allow order changes once submitted, so I thought I was doomed--and called Customer Service anyway.
I was surprised to get a human--not an answering service--on the first ring, and Angela settled everything for me, and she says the order is canceled. It's still listed on my bank's online information, but it takes the bank a long time to fix errors on cards, so we'll see. If that goes through OK (which I think it will), I will be singing Ink Garden's praises even more--I will sing them anyway, seeing as it was my fault, and they still attempted to fix the issue anyway.
I think the offer for the business cards is for a limited time, so hurry over to Ink Garden, with my blessing!
(This post is NOT sponsored by them...I just was majorly impressed today.)
UPDATE: Even though the typo was may fault, they are giving me a $16.98 gift certificate, when my original order was only $4.99!! FABULOUS!!!!
Monday, January 30, 2012
A Big Decision
Lately, as you're aware, I have been stressed out concerning the state of our finances, and about losing one of my classes/half my pay due to low enrollment (see previous post).
When I first heard the news about my canceled class, I was despondent, and I was also dead set on finding a full-time job. The income, according to my rationale at that point, would skyrocket us out of debt and afford our family opportunities to grow as a result. I was going to sit down and start putting in my resume and CV ASAP.
But it didn't feel good.
NOTHING felt good.
I was more lost than ever. A full-time job was the answer I was looking for, right? I mean, I had a very strong assurance that our financial goals were something we are meant to tackle this year, so when the class was canceled, I assumed that meant for me to look for something better. And seeing as my part time teaching pay is as much as a minimum wage full-time job, I thought this magical door to a higher paying full-time job would appear before me, and all would be right in the world.
It just never felt good. It never felt right.
So, what feels good?
The decision to stay home with my children and work part time teaching as I do now, when hubby is able to be home with the children in the evenings. Also, I felt very strongly to pursue a business idea I have been toying with for a while that would also allow me to set my own schedule and pay rate, though by no means making a high-powered career salary.
This is the only thing that sounds good to me. The only thing that feels right.
So, needless to say, I am terrified. This means a lot of scraping by, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of worries, a lot of frugality, and concurrently raising my children/maintaining a home/teaching part-time/starting a small business. But this feels so right, and I'm motivated to see it through. Fears and all, I know that the right thing for me at this time is to spend most of my time with my children, making our home and family the main priority. It's not the right decision for everyone, and I'm still very envious of full-time working mamas, but it just doesn't feel right for our family at the moment. I am trusting that we will be able to work through this period of transition for our family, while fulfilling our goals, and making our family our top priority.
When I first heard the news about my canceled class, I was despondent, and I was also dead set on finding a full-time job. The income, according to my rationale at that point, would skyrocket us out of debt and afford our family opportunities to grow as a result. I was going to sit down and start putting in my resume and CV ASAP.
But it didn't feel good.
NOTHING felt good.
I was more lost than ever. A full-time job was the answer I was looking for, right? I mean, I had a very strong assurance that our financial goals were something we are meant to tackle this year, so when the class was canceled, I assumed that meant for me to look for something better. And seeing as my part time teaching pay is as much as a minimum wage full-time job, I thought this magical door to a higher paying full-time job would appear before me, and all would be right in the world.
It just never felt good. It never felt right.
So, what feels good?
The decision to stay home with my children and work part time teaching as I do now, when hubby is able to be home with the children in the evenings. Also, I felt very strongly to pursue a business idea I have been toying with for a while that would also allow me to set my own schedule and pay rate, though by no means making a high-powered career salary.
This is the only thing that sounds good to me. The only thing that feels right.
So, needless to say, I am terrified. This means a lot of scraping by, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of worries, a lot of frugality, and concurrently raising my children/maintaining a home/teaching part-time/starting a small business. But this feels so right, and I'm motivated to see it through. Fears and all, I know that the right thing for me at this time is to spend most of my time with my children, making our home and family the main priority. It's not the right decision for everyone, and I'm still very envious of full-time working mamas, but it just doesn't feel right for our family at the moment. I am trusting that we will be able to work through this period of transition for our family, while fulfilling our goals, and making our family our top priority.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Passing the Test
The hubby and I have set some financial goals for our family that we hope will allow us to start breaking free from the bondage of debt. And while difficult lately, seeing as we have been down to one income, running behind on bills, etc, we have held to the fact that I would be starting work soon, and that we could finally start making progress on our goal to eliminate credit cards from our lives.
I signed a contract on Monday to teach two sections of an English class at the local university where I am an adjunct lecturer. Everything was a go, and I was excitedly awaiting the idea of the usual paycheck, knowing we could finally get to work on our goals.
On Wednesday, the start of the semester, I received word that one of my classes was canceled due to low enrollment, even though there was a contract signed--meaning my pay would drop by 50%.
I was devastated. Actually, to be honest, I still am. I felt like our goals were shattered. I felt forsaken. I had felt that we had made the right choices in setting our goals and were following the correct path, and now we will still be struggling in a land of being perpetually past due on bills, let alone getting out of debt.
This is definitely a time where I need to learn to exercise faith. I still feel very strongly that the goals that we have in place are still the right ones. I am trying to remember that, as the saying goes, "When one door closes, another one opens." I am praying that I will be able to know where to go from here. (Would it be too much to ask for God to mark the door with a flashing neon sign that says "GO HERE!" in ridiculously big, bright lights?)
I found a quote that seemed particularly fitting: "Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength." The quote is from Corrie Ten Boom, and I am desperately holding onto those words right now. I am a chronic worrywart, and a lot of times, I allow worry to take over and rob me of my strength and ambition, and if there ever was a time to hold fast and true to my goals, it is now. I need to be strong for my family, and to work on ALL of my personal goals to better myself not just for them, but for me, too.
Here's hoping I have the strength and the discernment to know how to accomplish the goals that are so important to us. I feel like I am being tested, as is my family, and usually I feel as though we are tested in our lives when we are close to heading down the right path. Here's hoping I pass this test with flying colors.
I signed a contract on Monday to teach two sections of an English class at the local university where I am an adjunct lecturer. Everything was a go, and I was excitedly awaiting the idea of the usual paycheck, knowing we could finally get to work on our goals.
On Wednesday, the start of the semester, I received word that one of my classes was canceled due to low enrollment, even though there was a contract signed--meaning my pay would drop by 50%.
I was devastated. Actually, to be honest, I still am. I felt like our goals were shattered. I felt forsaken. I had felt that we had made the right choices in setting our goals and were following the correct path, and now we will still be struggling in a land of being perpetually past due on bills, let alone getting out of debt.
This is definitely a time where I need to learn to exercise faith. I still feel very strongly that the goals that we have in place are still the right ones. I am trying to remember that, as the saying goes, "When one door closes, another one opens." I am praying that I will be able to know where to go from here. (Would it be too much to ask for God to mark the door with a flashing neon sign that says "GO HERE!" in ridiculously big, bright lights?)
I found a quote that seemed particularly fitting: "Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles. It empties today of its strength." The quote is from Corrie Ten Boom, and I am desperately holding onto those words right now. I am a chronic worrywart, and a lot of times, I allow worry to take over and rob me of my strength and ambition, and if there ever was a time to hold fast and true to my goals, it is now. I need to be strong for my family, and to work on ALL of my personal goals to better myself not just for them, but for me, too.
Here's hoping I have the strength and the discernment to know how to accomplish the goals that are so important to us. I feel like I am being tested, as is my family, and usually I feel as though we are tested in our lives when we are close to heading down the right path. Here's hoping I pass this test with flying colors.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
How My New Year's Resolutions Are Going....
I figured I would take some time and assess how my resolutions are going, resolution by resolution:
1. Spend less money on things that can be avoided. This means eating out less (and cooking in more), looking for gently used clothing or items when I can, working my food storage to my advantage/buying in bulk, avoiding buying "stuff" on credit cards, and focusing less on "wants" and more on "needs." I don't have to buy things to make me happy. I'm doing "better" in this category. I would not, however, say I am doing perfectly. I can't quite squelch all of my impulses just yet, but I've turned down opportunities to shop or spend excess money at times, though I admit I have spent money on some fun things. I tend to find myself saying, "OK, money is tight, so I won't spend anything," and I don't think that is practical. I need to find a balance. But do I honestly feel like some of my attitudes are staring to change? Yes. I hope I can keep it up. We are also doing a great job at buying food in bulk and snagging great deals on needed items like clothing and shoes. We have been trying to focus more on what we need as opposed to what we want.
2. Get out of credit card debt as much as we can. Use as much of MY income as we can to do so. Pay even a few dollars more than the minimum payment every month. This is going to be a long road. We will struggle making more than the minimum payments while we are behind on some of our bills. I also have not started back to work yet. So, another work in progress.
3. Work harder to get bills out on time. I am a lazy and ineffective bill payer, and sometimes juggle bills around intentionally. Another item that will take time. The hubby and I are working on trying to communicate better and come up with game plans, though, and for us, communicating is a big key to this. So, we're trying.
4. Be a more loving and compassionate wife to my husband. I can be a contrary butt sometimes. Trying. I will be brutally honest and admit that my hormones have affected my libido levels, as did depression. But, I think we are rediscovering each other as husband and wife, and not just pals, and it's been good for us. I think the hubby agrees. I'm just not an affectionate soul physically, so this is really hard for me, but I'm also enjoying it.
5. Be more patient and loving toward my children. Appreciate them more. React with love more than anger when I am frustrated. This is hard sometimes. I have a four year old who isn't pottytrained yet. And I have a new baby. But, I'm trying to learn to pick my battles, and appreciate them for who they are, and learn to focus on their needs instead of my wants.
6. Work harder to get my grading done on time and my classes more organized this year. I'm always grading papers at the very last minute. Same thing with grade calculations. Not anymore. My syllabus is due to my boss in five days. I haven't started it yet. I fail at this one.
7. Buy more locally grown and produced foods. I love fresh produce and homegrown yummies. And I'm lucky to live somewhere where they are accessible to me and within our budget. I'm going good here! Over the weekend, we went to a bulk foods grocer in our region, a new place to check out, and I was able to buy local bulk foods, produce, baked goods, meats, and cheeses. I even used this store to snag some of the supplies for The Goob's birthday party.
8. Take an active interest in cooking meals for my family and enjoy it even more. Working on this. Gathering recipes, planning fun desserts for our family this week...it's been fun.
9. Exercise for a half an hour at least three times a week. Today was the first day I even attempted exercise. I exercised for ten minutes and thought I was going to die. I suck at this. I'm pitiful.
10. Work to keep a cleaner, more organized home. Between getting new things for the holidays/birthdays, mess from said celebrations, etc., my house is a disaster. I plan on fixing that, ASAP. I'm using Pinterest for organizational inspiration. And I have been purging out old stuff, and I got The Goob's closet cleaned out, for the most part, and purged a ton of The Bean's clothing.
11. I will make/do a project at least once a month. Use Pinterest for inspiration. I totally have rocked at this resolution. Yay for me! The blog is proof!!
12. Be more charitable. We have been donating to our local animal shelter every pay check. I'll be taking bags of stuff to Goodwill soon. I've been trying to give things we don't want anymore to some people in need. I have done a few charitable projects at church. But, I could do better. I don't always take advantage of opportunities.
13. Give more homemade gifts this year. I bought the supplies to make homemade gifts for my mother's birthday, AND I have plans for Valentine's gifts this year that are handmade! I'm so proud of myself in this department, because it is SOOO not my forte.
14. Work harder to celebrate holidays and enjoy them more than I usually do. I'm doing this! I enjoy holidays, but find myself becoming depressed because holidays have so many requirements, so much stress, and I haven't had the best of experiences with them over the years. But, I am working to change this. We had a great celebration for The Goob's 4th birthday, and The Engineer and I had a great date night at home on New Year's Eve. I also have plans for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter. This is another area where I am proud of myself.
I encourage you, if you have made resolutions, to assess them every now and again, and see how you are doing. Obviously, some of mine are broken already, but I'm trying to dust myself off and start again. Each new day is a brand new start!!
1. Spend less money on things that can be avoided. This means eating out less (and cooking in more), looking for gently used clothing or items when I can, working my food storage to my advantage/buying in bulk, avoiding buying "stuff" on credit cards, and focusing less on "wants" and more on "needs." I don't have to buy things to make me happy. I'm doing "better" in this category. I would not, however, say I am doing perfectly. I can't quite squelch all of my impulses just yet, but I've turned down opportunities to shop or spend excess money at times, though I admit I have spent money on some fun things. I tend to find myself saying, "OK, money is tight, so I won't spend anything," and I don't think that is practical. I need to find a balance. But do I honestly feel like some of my attitudes are staring to change? Yes. I hope I can keep it up. We are also doing a great job at buying food in bulk and snagging great deals on needed items like clothing and shoes. We have been trying to focus more on what we need as opposed to what we want.
2. Get out of credit card debt as much as we can. Use as much of MY income as we can to do so. Pay even a few dollars more than the minimum payment every month. This is going to be a long road. We will struggle making more than the minimum payments while we are behind on some of our bills. I also have not started back to work yet. So, another work in progress.
3. Work harder to get bills out on time. I am a lazy and ineffective bill payer, and sometimes juggle bills around intentionally. Another item that will take time. The hubby and I are working on trying to communicate better and come up with game plans, though, and for us, communicating is a big key to this. So, we're trying.
4. Be a more loving and compassionate wife to my husband. I can be a contrary butt sometimes. Trying. I will be brutally honest and admit that my hormones have affected my libido levels, as did depression. But, I think we are rediscovering each other as husband and wife, and not just pals, and it's been good for us. I think the hubby agrees. I'm just not an affectionate soul physically, so this is really hard for me, but I'm also enjoying it.
5. Be more patient and loving toward my children. Appreciate them more. React with love more than anger when I am frustrated. This is hard sometimes. I have a four year old who isn't pottytrained yet. And I have a new baby. But, I'm trying to learn to pick my battles, and appreciate them for who they are, and learn to focus on their needs instead of my wants.
6. Work harder to get my grading done on time and my classes more organized this year. I'm always grading papers at the very last minute. Same thing with grade calculations. Not anymore. My syllabus is due to my boss in five days. I haven't started it yet. I fail at this one.
7. Buy more locally grown and produced foods. I love fresh produce and homegrown yummies. And I'm lucky to live somewhere where they are accessible to me and within our budget. I'm going good here! Over the weekend, we went to a bulk foods grocer in our region, a new place to check out, and I was able to buy local bulk foods, produce, baked goods, meats, and cheeses. I even used this store to snag some of the supplies for The Goob's birthday party.
8. Take an active interest in cooking meals for my family and enjoy it even more. Working on this. Gathering recipes, planning fun desserts for our family this week...it's been fun.
9. Exercise for a half an hour at least three times a week. Today was the first day I even attempted exercise. I exercised for ten minutes and thought I was going to die. I suck at this. I'm pitiful.
10. Work to keep a cleaner, more organized home. Between getting new things for the holidays/birthdays, mess from said celebrations, etc., my house is a disaster. I plan on fixing that, ASAP. I'm using Pinterest for organizational inspiration. And I have been purging out old stuff, and I got The Goob's closet cleaned out, for the most part, and purged a ton of The Bean's clothing.
11. I will make/do a project at least once a month. Use Pinterest for inspiration. I totally have rocked at this resolution. Yay for me! The blog is proof!!
12. Be more charitable. We have been donating to our local animal shelter every pay check. I'll be taking bags of stuff to Goodwill soon. I've been trying to give things we don't want anymore to some people in need. I have done a few charitable projects at church. But, I could do better. I don't always take advantage of opportunities.
13. Give more homemade gifts this year. I bought the supplies to make homemade gifts for my mother's birthday, AND I have plans for Valentine's gifts this year that are handmade! I'm so proud of myself in this department, because it is SOOO not my forte.
14. Work harder to celebrate holidays and enjoy them more than I usually do. I'm doing this! I enjoy holidays, but find myself becoming depressed because holidays have so many requirements, so much stress, and I haven't had the best of experiences with them over the years. But, I am working to change this. We had a great celebration for The Goob's 4th birthday, and The Engineer and I had a great date night at home on New Year's Eve. I also have plans for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Easter. This is another area where I am proud of myself.
I encourage you, if you have made resolutions, to assess them every now and again, and see how you are doing. Obviously, some of mine are broken already, but I'm trying to dust myself off and start again. Each new day is a brand new start!!
Thursday, November 17, 2011
New Year's Resolutions
I know it's early, but for some reason, I'm in the mood to start thinking about my New Year's Resolutions. I think maybe I just need the feeling and hope of a new start? I think every woman gets into those funks where you just wanna brush off your knees and hands, get back up, and start fresh after those occasional knocks that life sends your way.
1. Spend less money on things that can be avoided. This means eating out less (and cooking in more), looking for gently used clothing or items when I can, working my food storage to my advantage/buying in bulk, avoiding buying "stuff" on credit cards, and focusing less on "wants" and more on "needs." I don't have to buy things to make me happy.
2. Get out of credit card debt as much as we can. Use as much of MY income as we can to do so. Pay even a few dollars more than the minimum payment every month.
3. Work harder to get bills out on time. I am a lazy and ineffective bill payer, and sometimes juggle bills around intentionally.
4. Be a more loving and compassionate wife to my husband. I can be a contrary butt sometimes.
5. Be more patient and loving toward my children. Appreciate them more. React with love more than anger when I am frustrated.
6. Work harder to get my grading done on time and my classes more organized this year. I'm always grading papers at the very last minute. Same thing with grade calculations. Not anymore.
7. Buy more locally grown and produced foods. I love fresh produce and homegrown yummies. And I'm lucky to live somewhere where they are accessible to me and within our budget.
8. Take an active interest in cooking meals for my family and enjoy it even more.
9. Exercise for a half an hour at least three times a week.
10. Work to keep a cleaner, more organized home.
11. I will make/do a project at least once a month. Use Pinterest for inspiration.
12. Be more charitable.
13. Give more homemade gifts this year.
14. Work harder to celebrate and enjoy holidays more than I usually do.
What are your resolutions this year?
1. Spend less money on things that can be avoided. This means eating out less (and cooking in more), looking for gently used clothing or items when I can, working my food storage to my advantage/buying in bulk, avoiding buying "stuff" on credit cards, and focusing less on "wants" and more on "needs." I don't have to buy things to make me happy.
2. Get out of credit card debt as much as we can. Use as much of MY income as we can to do so. Pay even a few dollars more than the minimum payment every month.
3. Work harder to get bills out on time. I am a lazy and ineffective bill payer, and sometimes juggle bills around intentionally.
4. Be a more loving and compassionate wife to my husband. I can be a contrary butt sometimes.
5. Be more patient and loving toward my children. Appreciate them more. React with love more than anger when I am frustrated.
6. Work harder to get my grading done on time and my classes more organized this year. I'm always grading papers at the very last minute. Same thing with grade calculations. Not anymore.
7. Buy more locally grown and produced foods. I love fresh produce and homegrown yummies. And I'm lucky to live somewhere where they are accessible to me and within our budget.
8. Take an active interest in cooking meals for my family and enjoy it even more.
9. Exercise for a half an hour at least three times a week.
10. Work to keep a cleaner, more organized home.
11. I will make/do a project at least once a month. Use Pinterest for inspiration.
12. Be more charitable.
13. Give more homemade gifts this year.
14. Work harder to celebrate and enjoy holidays more than I usually do.
What are your resolutions this year?
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Why I am Grateful, #10: Good Jobs
I am grateful that, given the current state of the economy, that our family is blessed to have good jobs with adequate pay and benefits, so we can have a roof over our heads and food on our table, plus the occasional moment of fun now and again. Having grown up in a home where my family's paycheck was determined by individual jobs and wasn't regular, I cherish knowing what we will be bringing in every two weeks.
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