Category: Family

Years ago, I met a person who never seemed to hold onto money.

My mother’s statement for people like that is, Money is always burning a hole in their pocket.  She also likes to say… “Spending money on things you don’t need, to impress people you don’t know!”

I, along with a few others within their circle were occasionally asked for loans.  After loaning them money twice my answer was no… I also (politely) gave them some advice… learn how to manage your money. There are a lot of great tools to help you do that, if you don’t already know. I do remember them becoming indignant, that I would even suggest that they needed to learn how to manage their money better. He went on to tell me that none of his friends ever told him that. My reply, was if his friends truly cared about him they would be concerned and suggest that he make better choices.

I’m straightforward, so my response shouldn’t have come as a surprise. It’s foolish to always think you’ll have people to support you financially. What’s really sad is his money issues could have been avoided if he hadn’t put his wants ahead of his needs. That’s not the smartest approach, is it?

Years ago, I used to keep track of my budget on paper, and then I (eventually) moved onto a Excel spreadsheet. About eight years ago, I started using Quicken Intuit, I must say that I really like their software, since it does a great job of tracking my finances/investments. I set a budget, and when it comes to my wants list, I don’t overspend. In fact there are many months when I don’t even touch the money that I’ve allotted for that purpose. I’ve given myself a budget, and my wants never trump my obligations, which is how it should be. I’m teaching my daughter  the importance of making smart choices, as she gets older I hope she adheres to to what she’s been taught.

Occasionally, you have unexpected expenses, but I have designated a fund for that. None of this was achieved overnight, but with time, diligence, setting realistic goals, and actually adhering to a smart financial plan… it’s worked. I wish the US government would follow the same principles…

Oh my the time has flown by so quickly!

My daughter and I are looking forward to next month when we can finally go see The Hobbit, at the movie theaters.

We don’t watch too many movies at the theater, since we both seem to prefer watching them at home on our large flat screen television, without the potential crowding/noise that can accompany a theater… but I do believe we’ll make an exception for The Hobbit.

Last evening, I started making a cowl that I most likely will give away to someone, but I’ve decided to hold off and knit a few hobbity items for my daughter and myself. Now, I’ll just have to narrow down what I want to knit.

On Ravelry, The Lord of the Rings group, has numerous Hobbity patterns. I’ve already knitted a few over the past several months. And so I’ll be browsing those, and the pattern section at Ravelry so I can knit some hobbit inspired items for my daughter and me.

This has to be my favorite song by Toto, the drummer’s profile reminds me of a young Stephen King. I’m guessing it’s the glasses. 😉

The next few days will be busy as I prepare to get back into a working out of the home part-time basis on Monday. Of course, I’ll have to decorate my office space with some hand crafted goodies I most likely will make some type of knitted amigurumi, I still have a few days to make something. But what should I make? Decisions, decisions… 😉

Toto: Africa lyrics

I hear the drums echoing tonight
But she hears only whispers of some quiet conversation
She’s coming in 12:30 flight
The moonlit wings reflect the stars that guide me towards salvation
I stopped an old man along the way,
Hoping to find some old forgotten words or ancient melodies
He turned to me as if to say, Hurry boy, It’s waiting there for you

CHORUS:
It’s gonna take a lot to take me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never have

The wild dogs cry out in the night
As they grow restless longing for some solitary company
I know that I must do what’s right
As sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti
I seek to cure what’s deep inside, frightened of this thing that I’ve become

CHORUS

(Instrumental break)

Hurry boy, she’s waiting there for you

It’s gonna take a lot to take me away from you
There’s nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
I bless the rains down in Africa, I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa, I bless the rains down in Africa
I bless the rains down in Africa
Gonna take some time to do the things we never have

Yesterday was great, as normal I didn’t do anything spectacular for my birthday, but my daughter and I did squeeze in a bit more playtime, which made her deliriously happy. About an hour ago, I received another gift. Yep, even better than the yarn I mentioned yesterday!

I have a part-time job!  It’s a dream come true, since I’ve been looking for openings at this place for over a year. Back in 2005, when I started working for myself full-time, I knew the only thing that would tempt me to work outside the home again, was working with a faith based ministry that focused on helping others… So, naturally when I saw the advertisement for a management position I leaped at the opportunity! I do believe my spiritual gift is serving others. Which explains why I enjoy volunteering at our local homeless shelter, food closet, and making various items for those in need.

Since the hours are part -time, it means I can still handle my clients (easily) and now I can step out a few hours weekly to do something else I enjoy.

Later this afternoon, I’ll have to go and fill our paperwork. I’ve been self-employed since 2005, so it’s been a while….

Today my smile is a bit brighter than normal

Today is my birthday, and I must say the best gift I received was a nice bag of yarn from a family friend. They weren’t full skeins, and that doesn’t matter at all, it’s still yarn. Naturally I’ve already designated projects for some of the yarn. This year, my present to myself will be more yarn. I just need to narrow down what I want to buy. I do have a wishlist at KnitPicks.

High on my priority list is incorporating the above Horde emblem (from the World of Warcraft) into some knitted item. I’m thinking a hat. Mists of Pandaria was released last Tuesday, and while I’d initially told Anexxia I didn’t think I wouldn’t be playing until December 2012, I found time to squeeze in some ‘me time’ and had fun exploring the new world.  And while the emblem I’m incorporating into a hat is Horde — which happens to be my favorite faction.

These days, I’m mainly playing Alliance. The reason is simple, I have a lot of Alliance buddies, and am a guild officer with one guild. Those within the guild are polite, mature, and genuinely like to help one another; just like myself. We even have a few retired military within that guild. The guild leader is a retired Naval officer. It’s nice to surround myself with like minded people while playing a MMORPG.  still don’t play too much, but it’s nice to explore the lovely virtual world. A few of the people I met in-game have become real life friends.

Not sure if any of my readers play WoW, but holler at me (in-game) if you want to hang out sometime. I’m on the Ysera server/Alliance, one of my characters is Misere. Perhaps I can convince Jennifer and Beth to check it out. 😉

Last night, after my daughter was asleep, I started working on a special project. It’s a sweater I’m making for an 18″ doll. My daughters best friend,O, has three American Girl dolls, and because of the play dates at O’s house, she’s become quite enamored with them. I still haven’t purchase the doll, but I’m starting to create some lovely outfits; crochet, knit, and sewn. Of course I’m making a few items for O too, but for her… I’ll most likely stay away from knitting since her grandmother does that, and focus on some cute crocheted outfits for her dolls.

I’ve decided to include beads in some of the dolls outfits, and have already sketched a festive beret where I’ll be adding more bead work.  Of course I have a ton of beads. I love making jewelry and still (occasionally) design commissioned jewelry items. I’ve already set aside some special beads for my daughter and her best friends outfit.

For those unfamiliar with how you add beads to knitting, check out the above informative beaded tutorial by Cat Bordhi.

Today, I helped out in my daughter’s fourth grade science class….

The project they were working on was a barometer experiment, the barometers have been made in class, so now the children will be taking their projects home for a week. They’ll record their findings daily, log the information into the provided journal, and next week they’ll be returning it to class.

Each year, I tell my daughter’s  teacher that I’m available to assist if they ever need help, all they have to do is ask. One of the perks from working from home, I can occasionally help out at school.

Some of the teachers, even though they need the help, don’t ask too much… whereas others will. I’m so glad my daughter’s fourth grade homeroom teacher is the latter. Today marked the first time I helped this school year. I definitely appreciate everything the teachers at the Lutheran school, my daughter attends, does with our children.  I always tell them they have my support, throughout the year. I can’t say enough good things about the teachers at my daughters Lutheran school, they are amazing role models. The amount of love, compassion, and dedication they show for each student is apparent. I consider myself blessed that my daughter is taught by them.

Most of the students have attended the Lutheran school since kindergarten, so of course I remember them. I even know the three kids new to the school/class since my daughter told me their names and described them to me. You should have seen the look of surprise (and delight) on their faces when I was able to say all their names correctly. How did you know our names? asked S. I replied, “Don’t you remember I’ve been volunteering since kindergarten? How could I possibly have forgotten such wonderful children?” But how did you know the new kids name? asked K. “Oh, my daughter told me their names, and I remembered.” Even though it was something ‘small’ apparently I was a big hit in my daughter’s class.

The class size at my daughter’s Lutheran school is small, about 15 students — so that makes it easy. I love children, and enjoy spending time with them, and listening to what they have to say. When I pick up my daughter each day, not only do I as about her, I ask how the other children, in her class are doing. Upon leaving the science class, S thanked me for remembering his name. I remember how impressed  I was at that age, when adults paid attention to us children, and I promised myself if I ever became an adult… I would do the same thing.