Saturday, November 24, 2007
Busyness is definitely overrated
Since I last wrote, I've been busy with work and home. I don't remember what's it's like to have nothing to do. All I know is that I have a ton of things I don't particularly want to do. I'm feeling tired of being in school, tired of always having something at home break and need attention, tired of the kids not doing what they know they need to do, from brushing their teeth to searching for scholarships, tired of having to provide food every day for ungrateful people, tired of feeling guilty about being tired of all of this. I'd say I need a little vacation or to get away, but I know the situation will be the same when I get back. *sigh*
Monday, October 1, 2007
Yeah, it is.
Busyness really is overrated. September and October are often very busy months for us, and this year is no different. School, multiple projects at work, fall yardwork, homecoming, play practices, appointments, weddings, funerals, kids having to be here or there, daily and seasonal housework...
I'd love to write more, but I'm too busy!
I'd love to write more, but I'm too busy!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Royalty in the family
When our oldest came home from school a few weeks ago and told us he had a shot at being homecoming royalty, I thought, "well, yeah, everyone has a shot." Then, he made the cut to the top 25, and I thought, "Hm... interesting." Then last week he came singing down the sidewalk into the house and excitedly whispered to me while doing a little dance, "I'm on the homecoming court!"
I grew up in a smaller town of less than 10,000 people. There were just over 100 kids in my graduating class. Homecoming was a big deal in my town. I have to assume it's the same thing in a bigger city high school. Apparently, his classmates rank him in the top twelve or so of over 300 kids. I just had no idea that he rated so high.
I feel bad saying that, but how is a parent (or pseudo-parent) to judge where in their kid's society their kid is?
So, now we have to line up a tux, go to coronation, go to the parade, and whatever else it seems that the parents of homecoming royalty should do. Weird weird weird.
I grew up in a smaller town of less than 10,000 people. There were just over 100 kids in my graduating class. Homecoming was a big deal in my town. I have to assume it's the same thing in a bigger city high school. Apparently, his classmates rank him in the top twelve or so of over 300 kids. I just had no idea that he rated so high.
I feel bad saying that, but how is a parent (or pseudo-parent) to judge where in their kid's society their kid is?
So, now we have to line up a tux, go to coronation, go to the parade, and whatever else it seems that the parents of homecoming royalty should do. Weird weird weird.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Olive Garden
We went to Olive Garden for dinner last night, all four of us.
Before tip: $72.
How much do we average at the grocery store per week: $65.
I don't think we'll go back to the Olive Garden for a long, long time.
Before tip: $72.
How much do we average at the grocery store per week: $65.
I don't think we'll go back to the Olive Garden for a long, long time.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Where'd my inheritance go??
I learned something recently that everyone should know. When people are planning their estate (yes, you should PLAN!!), they often think charity and heirs are weighed the same in the eyes of the taxing government. This is not the case.
In your 401K or other retirement vehicle, you name your beneficiaries. If you list a person, the funds will be taxed twice: once as part of your final tax return and again as part of your estate. So, this money that you worked your ass off for will amount to less than 25% in the pockets of your heirs. See, the government approved these accounts as RETIREMENT accounts, not as vehicles for passing funds through to your kids. They figure that you're dead and can't use it anymore, so they may as well take it.
However, if you name a legitimate charity/nonprofit as the beneficiary of the retirement account, *all* taxes are avoided and the organization will receive everything. It's a much better deal than letting the government take the bulk of it.
The lesson is to name your favorite organizations as beneficiaries in your retirement accounts, and leave the rest of your estate (life insurance, savings, other investments) to your kids. A secondary lesson is to always use up your retirement money first, then dig into your other investments.
Please spread the word...
In your 401K or other retirement vehicle, you name your beneficiaries. If you list a person, the funds will be taxed twice: once as part of your final tax return and again as part of your estate. So, this money that you worked your ass off for will amount to less than 25% in the pockets of your heirs. See, the government approved these accounts as RETIREMENT accounts, not as vehicles for passing funds through to your kids. They figure that you're dead and can't use it anymore, so they may as well take it.
However, if you name a legitimate charity/nonprofit as the beneficiary of the retirement account, *all* taxes are avoided and the organization will receive everything. It's a much better deal than letting the government take the bulk of it.
The lesson is to name your favorite organizations as beneficiaries in your retirement accounts, and leave the rest of your estate (life insurance, savings, other investments) to your kids. A secondary lesson is to always use up your retirement money first, then dig into your other investments.
Please spread the word...
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Senioritis
It's a very strange feeling to deal with when people you first met as children come of an age that you really remember.
"Our" oldest had his senior pictures taken last weekend. This boy became part of my life over six years ago when he was 11. He entered his teen years fully taking on the role of teenager... moody, argumentative, uncommunicative, etc. Eventually, however, he grew into a somewhat fun, attractive young man (no job, no license, and still loves Pokemon... but still).
I very much remember what I was doing at his age, and I'm divided on whether I want him to be having as much fun as I did 15 years ago.
Regardless, this next year will be a strange one. We want him to become responsible, to go to college, to work hard in school, to get scholarships, to get a job, and to be able to survive on his own. However, I just can't see this 11 year old kid going out into the world on his own.
"Our" oldest had his senior pictures taken last weekend. This boy became part of my life over six years ago when he was 11. He entered his teen years fully taking on the role of teenager... moody, argumentative, uncommunicative, etc. Eventually, however, he grew into a somewhat fun, attractive young man (no job, no license, and still loves Pokemon... but still).
I very much remember what I was doing at his age, and I'm divided on whether I want him to be having as much fun as I did 15 years ago.
Regardless, this next year will be a strange one. We want him to become responsible, to go to college, to work hard in school, to get scholarships, to get a job, and to be able to survive on his own. However, I just can't see this 11 year old kid going out into the world on his own.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Sodi-yum!
What's the deal with packaged pasta and rice products these days? I can't seem to find one that has less than 25% of your RDA of sodium per serving, most are 30% to almost 40%. There's no way for the consumer to reduce the sodium content (other than making additional plain pasta or rice to add to the packaged stuff, which the defeats the purpose of using a convenience product). The saltiness is even distracting from the otherwise good taste of the product.
I understand that salt is the cheapest way to add "flavor", however by cutting down on the salt content, they'd still be saving money!
I propose that the FDA, or the companies themselves, deem salt as the consumer addition to the dish as they do water, milk, and butter/margarine. We can create a culture of salting food to taste, lower our salt tolerance palate, and save lives and money in the process.
I understand that salt is the cheapest way to add "flavor", however by cutting down on the salt content, they'd still be saving money!
I propose that the FDA, or the companies themselves, deem salt as the consumer addition to the dish as they do water, milk, and butter/margarine. We can create a culture of salting food to taste, lower our salt tolerance palate, and save lives and money in the process.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
The Clown of God
Sometimes I pick up kids books to give to my nieces and nephew. I always skim through them first, because... well, because. This latest one kind of creeped me out.
The Clown of God by Tomie de Paola is nicely illustrated and relatively well written. It's about a clown/jester named Giovanni who made a living since he was a child by juggling whatever. Eventually, he became old and people didn't stop to watch his performances anymore, so he gave it up. He finds himself on a cold winter day seeking shelter in a church. When he wakes, services are in progress with a full house, and he is told that it's Christmas - the Procession of Gifts. Giovanni is sad that he has nothing to give (everyone has left by now), but notices that the Christ child statue has a pretty stoic, dour expression. He realizes that he can give the gift of a smile to the child, and proceeds to put on his old costume and make-up and performs his little old heart out. Then he dies. A priest sees him on the floor and rushes to his aid, looks up, and sees the Christ child statue smiling.
It's a nice little story, right? So why am I soooo creeped out by a Christ child statue grinning his little ears off when an old man falls dead at his feet? Hm... not sure.
The Clown of God by Tomie de Paola is nicely illustrated and relatively well written. It's about a clown/jester named Giovanni who made a living since he was a child by juggling whatever. Eventually, he became old and people didn't stop to watch his performances anymore, so he gave it up. He finds himself on a cold winter day seeking shelter in a church. When he wakes, services are in progress with a full house, and he is told that it's Christmas - the Procession of Gifts. Giovanni is sad that he has nothing to give (everyone has left by now), but notices that the Christ child statue has a pretty stoic, dour expression. He realizes that he can give the gift of a smile to the child, and proceeds to put on his old costume and make-up and performs his little old heart out. Then he dies. A priest sees him on the floor and rushes to his aid, looks up, and sees the Christ child statue smiling.
It's a nice little story, right? So why am I soooo creeped out by a Christ child statue grinning his little ears off when an old man falls dead at his feet? Hm... not sure.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
That said...
... I really wish I needed to buy a new car. I'd like to have a new-new one. Both my brothers needed new cars recently, and each got an adorable Toyota Yaris... a cheap car that is very fuel efficient.
But, my Neon was paid off years ago. It has just over 50.000 miles on it. The insurance is low because it's seven years old and I'm a responsible chick. Mileage could be a bit better; it gets an average of 20-22 mpg, mostly in town with about one trip to the homestead about a half hour away per tank. It's not broken down on me in years, and even then it was drivable.
I just can't justify making a change right now. But it'd be so fun to zip around in a shiny new eco-car.
But, my Neon was paid off years ago. It has just over 50.000 miles on it. The insurance is low because it's seven years old and I'm a responsible chick. Mileage could be a bit better; it gets an average of 20-22 mpg, mostly in town with about one trip to the homestead about a half hour away per tank. It's not broken down on me in years, and even then it was drivable.
I just can't justify making a change right now. But it'd be so fun to zip around in a shiny new eco-car.
Feeling Peevish
It really irks me when I hear someone talk about "needing" a big vehicle (minivan, SUV) because they like to take a vacation once a year and need the room for the kids, the dog, air mattresses, tent, etc. So, the other 350+ days, they end up driving three times the vehicle they need to get around town.
People, it's cheaper to buy the car you need for every day use and then rent the massive gas-guzzler for a week if you think you really need it. You may discover that you don't.
People, it's cheaper to buy the car you need for every day use and then rent the massive gas-guzzler for a week if you think you really need it. You may discover that you don't.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Imposing your will
An older couple lived just up and across our alley from us when we moved in. They had a lovely yard, with roses, peonies, vegetables, rhubarb, phlox, and much more that I can't recall. They had to move for some reason, and a younger family moved in. Over the next two years, they proceeded to mow the beautiful garden into oblivion, put up a fence, and now park their car in that area. I often wonder if they had any idea of the wonderful things they destroyed, and wished I'd known of their ignorance or apathy so that those poor plants could have been rescued.
When we first moved in, I tried to make a conscious decision to let whatever grow, grow, and to only get rid of what I knew to be weeds. Because of that, I've been rewarded with lily-of-the-valley, fairy lilies, grape hyacinths, day tiger lilies, asiatic tiger lilies, foxtail lilies, sweet peas, echinacea, irises, peonies, raspberries, ferns, roses, gaillardia, tall decorative gPublish Postrass, tulips, daffodils, three varieties of phlox, rudbeckia, and I don't know what else.
Suppressing the desire to impose your will can be very, very rewarding.
When we first moved in, I tried to make a conscious decision to let whatever grow, grow, and to only get rid of what I knew to be weeds. Because of that, I've been rewarded with lily-of-the-valley, fairy lilies, grape hyacinths, day tiger lilies, asiatic tiger lilies, foxtail lilies, sweet peas, echinacea, irises, peonies, raspberries, ferns, roses, gaillardia, tall decorative gPublish Postrass, tulips, daffodils, three varieties of phlox, rudbeckia, and I don't know what else.
Suppressing the desire to impose your will can be very, very rewarding.
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Trained, licensed professionals
In April, we started to completely remodel our bathroom. Anyone who has seen it knows why. We are total do-it-yourselfers, and after having plumbers, electricians, a tile-layer, and roofers do work for us, we remember why.
We had a lot of plumbing work to be done... removal of old lines and "stack" and installation of new lines. The first visit from the plumbers took all day, we think. Though all four of us were home, they didn't say, "Hey, we're done... wanna look at the work?" or even "Bye... bill's in the mail." They just took off. We were sure if they were done or not, and thought by the look of the basement they just had to be coming back. They left a half-inch of watery stinky filthy ick on half the basement floor, and watery stinky filthy icky footprints all over the basement, kitchen, porch, and deck. No wonder they didn't tell us they were leaving. Later, the plumbers (different guys, same company) installed lines that were too short to reach the sink, neglected to inform us of how much space they'd need to run the shower lines, and decided to do the soldering work on the kitchen counter.
Electricians.... just a few little issues with these yokels. They didn't seem to understand where to put anything, so now we have outlets/controls in some odd spots on the walls. We have a set of outlets right next to the sink; one pair is GFCI, the other isn't.... wha??? Is the non-GFCI OK since it's a quarter inch further away from the sink? And, guys, don't wait until you get on a job to call the homeowner to ask, "white, ivory, or bisque," cuz I can't tell over the phone what the difference between ivory and bisque is. So, of course, I picked wrong.
Tile guy... he kept in touch with us from our first contact in March through completion of the job. However, he waited until the day of the job to show us the grout samples, then warned us that some colors would take a few days to arrive. Considering the toilet had already been pulled up, we settled for not-what-we-wanted simply out of necessity. If he'd only been bright enough to bring this up at any point in the three months prior, we'd have been fairly happy with this guy. Except, of course, that some of the tiles aren't level, which is why we decided to hire a "professional" in the first place.
Roofers... pretty simple job they had. We wanted them to replace the flashing on the chimney and vent pipe so that water wouldnt' seep down onto our fabulous new drywall. We also needed a vent over the bathroom for the fan. The didn't show up the afternoon they said they would... but did come the next day. Kid calls to tell me "the roofers are here" and I'm home within ten minutes, but no one's there. Turns out that they didn't replace the flashing, they just tarred. They didn't install the bath fan vent, they just installed a vent. And, at some point they needed an extension cord, which they didn't bring with them, so they pulled the one out from under the deck that we had BUILT the deck over so we could have power on the far corner. Complete effing morons, if you ask me.
I'll not tell you about the guy who did the steps out front a while ago (job was to take about three days, ended up taking a week... and the form "slipped", so the damn steps still slope back and collect water, which was why we wanted to replace them in the first place) or the guy who built the deck frame (square corners must be bad juju... and watch out for that hump in the middle). I hope we never have to pay people to come and "fix up" our property ever again.
We had a lot of plumbing work to be done... removal of old lines and "stack" and installation of new lines. The first visit from the plumbers took all day, we think. Though all four of us were home, they didn't say, "Hey, we're done... wanna look at the work?" or even "Bye... bill's in the mail." They just took off. We were sure if they were done or not, and thought by the look of the basement they just had to be coming back. They left a half-inch of watery stinky filthy ick on half the basement floor, and watery stinky filthy icky footprints all over the basement, kitchen, porch, and deck. No wonder they didn't tell us they were leaving. Later, the plumbers (different guys, same company) installed lines that were too short to reach the sink, neglected to inform us of how much space they'd need to run the shower lines, and decided to do the soldering work on the kitchen counter.
Electricians.... just a few little issues with these yokels. They didn't seem to understand where to put anything, so now we have outlets/controls in some odd spots on the walls. We have a set of outlets right next to the sink; one pair is GFCI, the other isn't.... wha??? Is the non-GFCI OK since it's a quarter inch further away from the sink? And, guys, don't wait until you get on a job to call the homeowner to ask, "white, ivory, or bisque," cuz I can't tell over the phone what the difference between ivory and bisque is. So, of course, I picked wrong.
Tile guy... he kept in touch with us from our first contact in March through completion of the job. However, he waited until the day of the job to show us the grout samples, then warned us that some colors would take a few days to arrive. Considering the toilet had already been pulled up, we settled for not-what-we-wanted simply out of necessity. If he'd only been bright enough to bring this up at any point in the three months prior, we'd have been fairly happy with this guy. Except, of course, that some of the tiles aren't level, which is why we decided to hire a "professional" in the first place.
Roofers... pretty simple job they had. We wanted them to replace the flashing on the chimney and vent pipe so that water wouldnt' seep down onto our fabulous new drywall. We also needed a vent over the bathroom for the fan. The didn't show up the afternoon they said they would... but did come the next day. Kid calls to tell me "the roofers are here" and I'm home within ten minutes, but no one's there. Turns out that they didn't replace the flashing, they just tarred. They didn't install the bath fan vent, they just installed a vent. And, at some point they needed an extension cord, which they didn't bring with them, so they pulled the one out from under the deck that we had BUILT the deck over so we could have power on the far corner. Complete effing morons, if you ask me.
I'll not tell you about the guy who did the steps out front a while ago (job was to take about three days, ended up taking a week... and the form "slipped", so the damn steps still slope back and collect water, which was why we wanted to replace them in the first place) or the guy who built the deck frame (square corners must be bad juju... and watch out for that hump in the middle). I hope we never have to pay people to come and "fix up" our property ever again.
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