Archive for December, 2007
Success is measured in the little things
December 30th, 2007
This morning I sat down to pay a few bills after breakfast. I’d gotten my credit card into a small mess last June when I decided to treat myself to a trip to Texas and tickets to “A Few Good Men.” Not a big mess, but I’d kind of over-extended myself. (”Over-extended for me does not mean having maxed out my card. It means the bill was over $2000. [Which reminds me of a story I'll relate in a minute.]) This month’s bill was for nearly $2000, but I was determined to pay it off in full, thus starting the New Year clean. I made out the check, then realized I’d sent in last months bill late. I went back over my account and was able to subtract over half the amount due. Yay! I feel so “clean.” 
While I was at it, I decided to pay off my line of credit. Now, I’m pretty good with understanding personal finances and loans, things like principle and interest. But lines of credit just confuse the heck out of me. I know they’re a good deal (or at least mine is), but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to pay them off properly. Or perhaps I set up my account wrong. I think that’s as good a reason as any to close out the account.
And now for the credit story. Many years ago, I bought a very unusual, one of a kind ring in Amsterdam. (I’ll tell that story some other time.) However, a few years later, I lost it. Eventually I decided to have a ring made to “replace” it (even though nothing could replace the sentimental value of the ring). I went to a jeweler to discuss what I wanted. I decided to apply for a store credit card to pay for the ring. While the salesman was in the back verifying my credit, I overheard another salesman telling a family they were over their credit limit and couldn’t purchase whatever it was they wanted. I thought to myself how credit has allowed so many people to live beyond their means. When my salesman returned, he whispered in my ear, “I’m sorry to tell you… your credit limit is only $10,000.” And yes, he was joking.
I guess that’s one of the ironies of life. The people with the highest credit limits are the ones who never come near it.
Tags: credit, finances
Posted in Money, Musings | Comments (0)
New year, new home
December 29th, 2007
I started another blog—just what I need when I don’t use this one enough. The purpose of new one is/was to record my progress through my attempts to fix up my home before I retire and put it on the market. I’ve been meaning to declutter and decorate for several years, but haven’t gotten to it.
The impetus for finally getting serious is that I miscalculated my retirement date. I thought I could retire in 2010, but apparently I goofed in my calculations and can’t retire until 2011. I was pretty upset, but decided to make the most of it by coming up with a plan to fix up the place. The idea is to take 1-2 months per room first decluttering, then decorating/fixing up.
I was just discussing this with someone and decided I better take a look at my schedule. January is dedicated to the kitchen. This room is first on the list because I want it to be an inviting place, where I’ll want to spend time preparing meals, thereby eating better.
I thought my next room was my bedroom, because it should be a sanctuary. But February is a short month (even with an extra day in 2008), and I felt I really needed a longer month for the bedroom. I realized the dining room is a better fit for Feb. It’s an appropriate follow-on to the kitchen, since it’s where I need to eat some of my meals, and right now the dining room table is filled to the brim with non-dining stuff. Things like my laptop, my happy light (a new addition), Christmas presents for wrapping (yeah, yeah, I know it’s past), financial papers, a set of blue margarita glasses, and other miscellaneous stuff. Compared to my other rooms, it should actually be fairly manageable, since I don’t really have any hidden drawers and cabinets to deal with.
So, that’s my plan for the next couple months. Oh, and the bedroom is planned for March, another “maximum” month. Wish me luck!
Tags: bedroom, declutter, dining, home, kitchen
Posted in Pack brat | Comments (0)
R.I.P Thursday Thirteen
December 21st, 2007
Last week I decided to get serious about this Thursday Thirteen stuff. I went to the official website and looked into the requirements for participating. Turns out you have to use the code they provide. I tried the code, and it looked horrible! So, in the interest of trying to keep the blog from looking too messy, I’ve decided to forgo this particular blogging community. Hopefully I’ll find another one at some point. I really do need to network more.
And, once again I’m wrestling with how to organize my blogs. I guess nothing will ever be perfect, and I’ll most likely always think of some way to do it better.
Posted in Blogging, Thursday 13 | Comments (2)
My year in review
December 17th, 2007
I’m borrowing this little exercise from my LiveJournal blog. I don’t duplicate posts, so this one will be different. And even though I haven’t posted very often, I do have at least one post from each month. The idea is to post the first couple sentences from the first post of the month. And then, I’ll comment on it (in italics).
January: The post is titled “Happy New Year.” Ok, so I’m a day late. What do you expect from a world class procrastinator? Procrastination is still a problem, but lately I’ve actually been not waiting until the last minute. Go me!
February: So, how’s my progress with my 2007 blogging goals? Really great! It didn’t last. But, I did finish the WordPress Treasure Hunt. And on time!
March: I’ve managed to fall about 3 days behind my blogging & treasure hunt schedule this week. First of all, I didn’t spend much time online on March 1, since it was my favorite day on QVC. (Big Bonanza Silver Day.) See how obsessed I am with the blog thing? And I did buy a few things on March 1, but I didn’t break the bank like some years.*
April: Titled “Thursday Thirteen: 13 things about me.” Well, it’s a good thing I wrote the bulk of this post during the week and saved it. I just got home from work (busy, long day) and I realized I ought to post this. I found Thursday Thirteen thing from Nuj, aka Natalie. I’ve done it off & on throughout the year, but I haven’t yet joined to official site. See, procrastination does still rear its ugly head.
May: It must be the May 2. It’s my best friend’s anniversary. They picked that date because the first weekend in May is the prettiest weekend of the year, with the dogwoods and azaleas in all their beautiful glory. Sadly, I don’t call her my “best” friend any more. Not because of a big fight; I just finally realized she’s never there for me when I need her.
June: I spent a good deal of time yesterday afternoon reading some of the news articles about the block of recreational web sites that the Department of Defense put in effect a couple weeks ago. In case you haven’t heard about it, DoD has now denied personnel on the DoD network from accessing such sites as YouTube, My Space, Photobucket, Stupid Videos, and a few others that I’d never heard of. I love this post. I put a lot of thought & work into it. I rant about how the press skews things and Congress is influenced by big business. And how much I respect the Service members serving in Iraq. I don’t support the military being there, but the general public has absolutely no idea the hardships these Americans experience.
July: I have been remiss not only in updating my blog, but also in furthering my blogging education. Finally this weekend, I went back to read my favorite blogstress, Lorelle on Wordpress, and boy, have I missed a bunch! Lorelle is my blogging guru. I’ve learned so much from her. I love her. 
August: Guess I better answer this challenge before Lorelle comes out with her next Blog Challenge tomorrow. See? Again with Lorelle!
So, what is my passion? I’m still searching for it. I know what my obsessions are, and I think I know what my passion is. But I haven’t acted on it yet.September: Thank you, nuj! I now have my very own Supernatural Season 3 countdown ticker, aka, cute sidebar thingie. Except mine isn’t in my sidebar. Of course, the countdown thingie is marking the time since the season premiere. Maybe I should change it to the next new episode, since we’ve had reruns for the past couple week.
October: I’ve fallen asleep on the sofa more times in the last 2 days than I have in the previous 20 years.
I had my first experience with general anesthesia on Monday, and it was probably the thing I was most nervous about going in for septoplasty, i.e., surgery to fix my deviated septum and improve my sinuses. I cannot believe how much this surgery has helped! I sleep better, breathe better, and I haven’t used Vicks/Mentholatum (which I was using all summer, and at least every night for the past umpteen eyes) since the surgery. I had no pain to speak of, and was off the pain medication after two days. Fabulous!
November: I was going to wait until after the holidays to get my blogging schedule in order, but realized that’s my own mode of perfectionism raising its head, preventing me from “just doing it.” Yay! Another breakthrough in my psyche! The difference between my mental state this year and last year is nearly unmeasurable. I have a ways to go, but it’s like trying to get off those last 10 pounds. It’s the hardest part.
December: One of my favorite memories of everyday life occurred many years ago. I was on my own for the first time, living in Rochester, NY. That doesn’t tell you anything about the post, but it sets up the scenario for remembering some of the small moments that stay with us forever.
Posted in General | Comments (3)
Stupid weather!
December 16th, 2007
It was supposed to be a horrible weekend. Rain, sleet, snow, freezing rain, ice. On Friday I stopped by the grocery store to pick the necessities. I already had enough milk, bread and toilet paper (the usual storm staples), so I bought the other necessities: wine, cheese and ice cream. I was all set to hunker down with the possibility of a “snow day” on Monday.
And what happens? I wake up Saturday morning and there’s nada. Weather folks said it would start at 3 p.m., then at dusk. Well, Sunday morning came and guess what. Nana. Now I have to go get ready for work tomorrow.
Stupid weather!
On the positive side, new Dexter tonight. Season finale. I don’t think Lilah’s long for the this world, but not sure about Doakes. Guess I’ll find out in a few hours. Unless they end the season with a cliffhanger. In that case: stupid tv.
Posted in Couch Critic, Griping | Comments (0)
Thursday Thirteen #3
December 13th, 2007
Just as the Four Major Food Groups evolved into the Food Pyramid Guidelines, I have expanded my list of Four Major Holiday Food Groups to Thirteen Major Holiday Food Groups.
The Thirteen Major Holiday Food Groups
- Eggnog
- Almond bark
- Spritz cookies
- Rum balls
- Rum (to go into the eggnog)
- Amaretto
- Scotch (my preference is for Johnny Walker Red—or Glenfiddich)
- Chex mix (the homemade kind with maximum Worcestershire sauce)
- Chips
- Chip dip
- Garlic dill oyster crackers
- Chocolate (anything)
- Pecan pie (particularly if eaten for breakfast)
Posted in Thursday 13 | Comments (0)
Some days are good, some are bad and some are good & bad.
December 10th, 2007
I often have a hard time letting things roll off my back. I’m much, much better than I used to be, but sometimes I still get pulled into that trap. That’s kind of how I’m feeling right now.
One of our senior sergeants, I guy I really like, retired today. Retirement and promotion ceremonies can be a formal or relaxed as you want. This one was pretty formal. Several of the military folks were in their “Class A Uniform” (as apposed to the “Army Combat Uniform,” or ACU, I see them in every day). I was walking down the hall and saw the unit’s senior enlisted man, who was coordinating everything. I commented that I barely recognized him all dressed up. He said “Master Sergeant B’s retirement ceremony is today. I think he’d like it if you were there.” I was planning to go anyway, but this little comment made me smile. When people I admire accept and appreciate me, it makes me feel good.
One of the neat things some of the enlisted folks did was present the flag, very similarly to how the honor guards do it. I always love the folding of the flag, because I have special memories of it. My dad taught me how when I was around 10 or so & in the Girl Scouts. (And when he died, his coffin was draped with the flag, because he was a veteran. As the American Legion fellows were folding it, and the bugle was playing taps, I could see my dad sitting in his comfy chair, leaning forward, instructing me fold by fold.) This folding was very precise and as each fold was made, the emcee spoke of what each fold means. I’d never heard that before and it was quite interesting, if a bit dated.
But this afternoon, all I got was “I need your help” for things that aren’t my responsibility and beyond my control. The crowning moment came when I sent a request to my headquarters asking for some assistance. What came back was a snotty e-mail saying to look it up on Google. The guy then called to say he had Googled it and found the answer in 2 minutes. As I was driving home, I wondered why this irritated me so much and found the answer. If I had been in his shoes and found the information, I would have passed it on.
People often tell me I’m too nice. Maybe I am, but I’m not sure I could live with myself any other way.
Posted in Family, Head Games, Military, Work | Comments (0)
Good aromas make for good memories
December 1st, 2007
One of my favorite memories of everyday life occurred many years ago. I was on my own for the first time, living in Rochester, NY. I had a nice studio apartment, complete with a full kitchen (& even a dining area), a private entrance, and two large picture windows. The larger of the two was in the living area and faced south.
In those days I was experimenting with my way around the kitchen. One winter I began the habit of baking bread about every other week. (And I mean rolling and kneading and raising, not putting a bunch of dough in a bread machine.) One cold, sunny Saturday, I’d put the bread in the oven, set the timer, then went into the “living room.” The sun was coming through the picture window, and my cat was lying in the spot where the sun hit the carpet. I laid down beside her, just to rest and relax.
I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was warm and comfortable in the sun, the cat was still beside me, and the smell of baking bread filled the room. It was heaven!
I had a somewhat similar moment today. I decided to bake one of the pumpkin pies I was supposed to make at Thanksgiving, but never did. After I put the pie in the oven, I decided to take a nap. For some reason, I was very tired. (It was probably the two helpings of macaroni & cheese I had for lunch.) I set my watch timer, laid down on my bed in an attempt to relax and get the (chronic) kink out of my neck. Gigi was lying on the sheets that had come out of the dryer (one of her favorite things), so I laid down next to her. Shadow, who is never very far from me, jumped up and laid down at the foot of the bed. And then Kimmi came in! She seldom sleeps with me, so this was a real treat. Gigi on my right, Shadow on my left, and Kimmi on top of me. (She weighs only 5 lbs, so I hardly notice her.)
This time I didn’t fall asleep, but I rested and enjoyed the moment. Relaxing on the bed, unconditional love all around me, and the aroma of pumpkin pie filling the home.
The pie is now out of the oven. Unfortunately, I have to let it cool for 2 hours before I can try a piece.
Posted in Musings | Comments (2)