The Difference of 5 Bucks

July 23, 2008

This past week has been one of some thought pondering moments for hub and I. We are taking off on a new business venture. Quite exciting for us. In the midst of this new venture, leads to discussions about finances. We had some of these convos with friends that are also getting involved in this journey with us.

These friends have a very different view of the cost involved. Not seeing it as much money. Not really batting an eye. It makes hub and I laugh because we are fathoming our worry about this “not a big amount” into our equation. It’s THOUSANDS of dollars. Now, to our friends, who have fairly easy access to this kind of cash, it’s really not a large amount. To hub and I, who barely have 500 bucks in our savings account and have to think about the fact that my mini van is on it’s last leg of life and that it’s rent week and that Des needs an eye exam and new glasses, it is a shit ton of money.

Our friends keep telling us, it’s all in the way you look at it. What is a few grand? We all spend that kind of cash on coffee in a year. It’s a few tanks of gas. A couple trips in the boat. It’s a small cut back on vacation. Pshhhtttt. They blow it off.

To us though, right now, it’s an investment with a promise of decent returns. It’s faith. It’s hope. Anyway you look at it, it’s a lot to this royal crew. So, the new joke between us, to try to give hub and I a reminder that it’s all in the way you look at it….”What’s 5 bucks? 5 bucks, 5 grand. No biggie.” Let’s hope that we are still saying that in a few months. Heh.

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It Comes in Stages

July 22, 2008

I didn’t blog yesterday. I know. Total shock. But I was busy. And I just didn’t feel like writing. So I didn’t. You see, sometimes, I get overwhelmed. Another shock. I know. Yesterday was the day that I finally sat down and took care of shit in my life. Stuff on my to do list that is setting here staring at me.

I did some planning for the upcoming school year for the kids. I also decided that this is the worst part about homeschooling. I hate trying to plot out our year. Which book lessons I will make them suffer through, where we can go and what we can do to learn the things that I feel like teaching the kids. We do use books. Not many but sometimes, there is just no other way to learn about a triangle, ya know? So yesterday I got the math planning done for a 6 week chunk. Today, I will do the handwriting and grammar plans. Tomorrow, History and Latin. Little chunks each day and by the end of my week, the first 6 weeks will be done. Then, I can start working on the next hunk. I need a plan in order to stay on track. That is my personal goal this year. Stay on track.

I also worked on my personal planner a bit too. Got some plans and obligations finalized. Written in. Stay on track. My day planner is one of those things that if I lost, I would probably have a serious meltdown. Like a need an entire bottle of zanax before I can pretend that it’s ok kind of meltdown. I used to have a Blackberry that was my day planner. Email, calendar, reminders, instant messages…I could take care of everything except cooking dinner from that phone. The trouble with it was that it cost me an extra 50 bucks each month. Hub got me that phone for Christmas and I really loved it. I just didn’t like the bill when it came time to work on our budget. I am staring at my day planner and thinking that it just might be worth it again.

Being more organized makes my life run smoother and THAT keeps me happier. Organizing the chaos. I am good at that.

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Going, Going …Gone

July 19, 2008

Hub and I have a couple of friends that are literally on the journey of a lifetime right now. I don’t know why I haven’t posted about them before, I think I was just in too much awe of what they were doing to think straight. Marc and Eliana, my apologies.

These two, we met through Geocaching. Yeah, that activity that I bitched about not long ago. FYI, these two were the good, kind & fun couple that I mentioned. Heh. In any case, Marc left his Exotic Animal Vet practice, Eliana has taken a break from her countless volunteer projects and school and they left for a whirlwind adventure across the continent. Like an Indiana Jones adventure…only hopefully they aren’t in any danger.

They purchased a VW bus. I know nothing about VW’s other than they always look like happy little cars. Theirs has been named Valentina and it’s more than a bus. It’s a camper too. They drive a moving little cottage. Val has been having some moody fits but as of the last two posts on the blog they are keeping, I am happy to say that the bus is now back in tip top shape. The bus is certain to be a celebrity before the travels wind down.

They left from Miami and have driven across the United States and now into Canada. They are planning to continue into Alaska before heading back south. I think a venture into Mexico and Central and South America is also a possibility. They are documenting their journey in their blog. I admit, I don’t read every day, but I do read every post. I am green with envy and so happy for them all at once. The kids and I are following their trip on a map. Marc has so wonderfully left the GPS numbers right on each entry so not only can we just find the towns, but we can actually PLOT their travels.

I encourage any of my readers here to hop on over to their blog and follow along on their journey with them. I have learned so much about this great country of ours via their blog and the photos are breathtaking. Just amazing. Leave a comment if you are so inclined. They are keeping up with everyone through their blog. Another great example of how great blogging can be. :)

www.marcandeliana.com

Queenies Mood: Cool as a Cucumber

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I Don’t Know

July 19, 2008

Today, I am going with a friend to check out a possible business venture. I have done a bit of research on this venture and I am really not sure how I feel. I am a smart person. I have common sense. This whole thing makes perfect sense to me. The numbers add up. The concept is good. Sounds like a win win situation at the moment. The problem is, the only thing I could find out about it was one site that had this listed as a scam and I know that at some point, with the concept, someone gets burned.

Again though, ONE site. The same site for each complaint. More than one complaint mind you but ONE site. Part of me is hoping that it’s not in any way a bad thing. Both for my friend and eventually myself. I would love for it to be what it is without any buts involved. It could handle a lot of things for both her family and mine. Quickly and easily. The sane and cautious side of me just is hoping that if it is indeed a load of crap that I will be able to see it for that before it’s too late for either of us.

In any case, I know that I will enjoy spending some time with my friend today. Can’t beat that.

Queenies Mood: happy and horny. Woot.

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It’s all in the ‘tude

July 18, 2008

After a shitty week, I made a decision: I am not going to be bitchy today. And just like that, I know that I won’t be. You see, I believe in the power of my mind.

Two weeks ago, when I was nursing sore muscles in my foot and lower leg, I got sick of hobbling around and I said to myself that I was done with it hurting and slowing me down. Guess what? Within two days…pain free. I have done this with colds too. I feel them coming long before I get the regular symptoms, I listen to my bod and wind up not being sick most of the time.

Am I strange? A bit I guess. I am reading my second book on this topic. The power of your mind. I am not in any way saying that illness and disease are all in a person’s head. What I am saying is that I think that our attitude, whether positive or negative, can affect our lives.

Try this for me this weekend: Smile and try to be happy. Even if it rains on your picnic - saves you from having to shower; you fall and break your leg - a pink cast is the fashion do this season; or your car gets stolen - let the thief pay for the 4.00 per gallon gas bill. If nothing else, this royal one can make you pause and possibly smile one more time this weekend. THAT is enough to make me happy today.

Ciao.

Queenies Mood: Happy

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