Attitudes, they are a-changin'

For Math this semester, Hannah is doing the high school curriculum version of Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University". You may have heard of the general program, but he has filled out his program to make it a semester long and geared to private schools and homeschooled students.
Harry and I have been skirting the issue that we are OK money managers, but not excellent at having our money do the best job it can for us. You might remember me blogging before about watching the cash-flow and such because of the economy, but after a unit or two of this financial curriculum made for 10-11 graders, we are changing some stuff in our own financial mindsets.
What we're working on right now is the idea that way too much money gets spent on nothing. We've talked about tightening up (but not cutting off) the unaccounted for spending money.

Today Hannah and I took a trip to St. Louis because we were both going nuts looking at the same 3000 sf every day. We had a great time. We went to the St. Louis Art Museum (free but I dropped a 10 in the donation box) (hope to get time to write a separate blog about the visit) We then went looking for a place for Lunch. We by-passed The Cheesecake Factory for the food court in the Galleria. While in the mall I did something I have never done - walked into a Sephora and walked out with nothing. We did buy some stuff at Bath & Body - but Hannah had a gift card from Christmas - thanks DJ! Bought a pair of pants off the clearance rack at REI (and a birthday gift for Harry) and didn't even walk in to the really cool but really expensive kitchen gadget shop I adore. Went to Whole Foods and kept picking stuff up and putting it back. I did buy some stuff we can't get here, but my restraint was exceptional.

The bottom line was that I came back with a lot of the money I took with me. Huh. I guess it can be done.

~M.E.

OK, I bought a collection guide at the museum, but those don't count. That's an educational expense. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

On Newness

We've acquired a new computer. For the first time in nine years the box on this desk is a complete switch out. Oh, The keyboard, monitor, and mouse are the same, but 'mainbox' is sitting forlornly on the floor. It is the victim of a viscous one-two punch - a failing power supply and a nasty Trojan virus that even McAfee couldn't tell us how to remove from it's tangled innards.

Harry ordered a new Dell - one stripped of the crapware, and most of the price raising options. It's supposed to be faster, stronger, and have the capacity of an Olympic sized swimming pool. So far he has spent about 10 hours setting it up, feeding it programs and files, and trying to smooth out the spots where the os doesn't like *anything* we already own. This is my first chance to sit down and have a look.

I found my blog. I found my precious picture files - but also found out that if I approach them from the wrong direction it is like they are all thrown into a big box and jumbled up. (from the right direction they are neatly filed by dates, events, or subjects - just as I left them) I found iTunes, and my music, but none of the history, playlists, or checkmarks. It's ok - I need to tidy up my library of music anyhow.

I found out that there are broken links between Facebook and Youtube, and between blogs and Wikipedia. Going to have to figure that one out.

So, it's kind of like getting a new pair of shoes. It's really cool, but the breaking in period may be a mite painful. Thank God for Harry, who is in charge of this whole conflagration. I have no idea how people who don't have live-in computer geeks even keep these things running.

Now you know for sure what you have always suspected. I am pretty much computer illiterate. But, it's not what you know, it's who you know. *wink*

~Marci

Our Little School

It's a new semester at Goldenwood Academy. Our Star Student seems a bit reluctant to embrace this as an opportunity to knuckle in and excel at her studies, but that isn't unexpected. As the subjects get harder, the education days get longer and we both look back fondly at the time way back in the elementary school years when two or three hours of paperwork a day had her sailing through the rather artificial academic expectations of our American definition of a good education. Now in these highschool years when college testing looms along with the expectation of cogent writing and a working knowledge of history, science, literature, mathematics, and at least one foreign language - well the books are open a lot longer each school day.

My job, now that I can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, is to make sure that all of the requisite pieces are in place to insure her a successful start in her college career. I am facilitator, guidance councilor, motivator, disciplinarian, housekeeper and taxidriver.

Then, when she cheerfully goes off to college dorm life in the fall of 2012, I shall be - what? unemployed? Retired? - No, but certainly in for a career change.

lots to do between now and then, though. ~M.E.

Random Observations:

1) When I was at the grocery today I lined up behind a young woman with two kids in tow. Her order consisted of; three quart bottles of Colt 45, a large bag of Doritos, two boxes of store-brand 'Lucky Charms',two of those cardboard thin frozen pizzas, and a gallon of milk. She stopped at the front desk to buy cigarettes on the way out. I'm sure that the stock of whole grain foods, fresh fruits and veggies, and high quality proteins were just fine in the house, and she just stopped by to pick up a few treats.

2) There have been six or seven people in my Sunday school class (out of about 20) with foot issues over the last few months. It has been noted after my Thanksgiving attempt to slice my toe off that it was a heck of a coincidence. My friend Kitty fell and shattered her ankle 10 days ago - upping the total by yet another out of action pedal extremity. Is it time to schedule a Blessing of the Feet in this group?

3) I have started easing my driving restrictions imposed during the era of $4 gasoline. I am going to have to remind myself not to fall completely back into those old habits. Today it was a lovely day to be out driving. The sun is shining brightly enough to pretend it is sunny and warm. I saw two foxes walking along the side of tower road, enjoying the weather.

4) There is an article in our paper today about recycling televisions ahead of the HDTV only start-up in February. The TV being dismantled by the technician in the photo accompanying the article was much newer and larger than the one we currently use, and several of the TV stacked behind him seemed to be the same. The article quoted him as saying "we generally get sets that are 8-12 years old and have been sitting out in the garage for a few years, and people just want to be rid of them." So, is the average life of a TV only 8-12 years, or is our 14 year old (still in use, one-and-only) set just the exception to the rule? I know there are times when a TV is just ready to be shot. My mom's set was laughable when she died. 30 years old and had been reduced to green-and-white, but I can't see replacing a TV every 8 years...

Anyhow. Have a Happy and Safe New Year Celebration, Everyone. May 2009 be the year that God blesses you beyond your wildest dreams. ~Marci

Merry Christmas!

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

For God loved us all so very much, that he gave his Son to die for us. That we might believe, and have everlasting life.

In Christ is life, and in Christmas is a new beginning.

Blessings of this Holiday to every one.

~Marci

Don't tell Ralphie!

But he's getting a genuine Red Rider 200-shot carbine action air rifle - with a compass in the stock. Hope he doesn't shoot his eye out.

I know, It's been a while.

I haven't found the motivation to actually write anything recently. This time of year I have this ennui that comes with the short, gray days and specifically this year the lack of Christmas activities. There are no concerts to travel for, no big or little Church programs to do, and as far as I know no party invites. I really don't even want to try and put anything together myself, and I don't want to want to. Before you get all buggy-eyed and upset ( and you know who I'm talking to) no, you can't fix it. Some time in the end of February, or maybe earlier, when it is sunny and bright with snow, and the day light is lasting longer than 9 hours I'll find something that catches my interest and I'll find the inspiration and creativity that have deserted me in this gloomy winter. Until then I'll get along ok. I'll still smile and laugh - just a little less. I'll be happy with a day where I get the essentuals done, but it isn't likely I'll start any projects. If I do, they are just as likely to be abandoned. Don't take it personally. I should have been a hibernating animal. ~M.E.