I love giving thanks for what I have, and who I have. Here's some thanks:
Thank you to my mother-in-law, who has always been there for us, and continues to do so, when we need her financially. There have been many occasions in which we would be homeless and hungry without her.
Thank you to my mom and dad who love us, who are there for us, and watch our kids when we need a breather.
Thank you to Lissa and Terry for the car, and the computers, and all the other help you continually supply, even though I know you are only a few steps ahead of me.
Thank you Cody, for always being there to cheer me up.
Thank you Chris for always being there for Eric.Of course, thank God for Scott, who, even though we havn't seen each other much in the last five years, is willing to help us by providing us shelter durring a very tumunctuas time in our lives.
Thank you to everyone in my life whom I haven't mentioned here. I am truely forever grateful for everything everyone has done for me and my family over the years, and I wouldn't be here today without all of you.
I love you all, and I will always pay it foreward. Someday, I plan to pay everyone back for the kindness they have shown me.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Returning to the Simple Life
Back before I was married and had children I thought that the only way to get by in life was to have a good education. So I got a student loan and started taking classes. After marriage, and while I was pregnant with my second cild, I went back again. A couple years later, I tried to send my husband to some classes. Then we got a credit card... and the rest is history.
Like many others at this point in time, I have been running from debts. Debts which are ignored, and ran from always come back at an inconvenient time.
My husband was laid-off a few weeks ago, and denied entry into the army because he is in somewhat poor health (he is, by army standards, old and has bad teeth). This has put a lot of stress on our relationship. My job stresses me out sometimes so badly that I seem to be having stomach problems. It is coming to a point where our futures are looking a little bleak.
Fortunately, at least in some ways, my father in law has been having some problems as well.
It seems the water-pump for one of the houses on his property has gone out, and there is no water in it. Because of this (along with a lot of other drama that we won't get in to) my husband's sister, who had run up a $400 dollar electricity bill, moved out and left him with an empty house, the bill and a female dog which has not been fixed.
On Saturday, Eric spoke with him, learned of his problems, and it was decided that we would move in with him, at least for a while, and help each other get back on our feet. We will be either fixing or replacing the pump, but until then baths, laundry and the like will have to be at his house (a two-story farm house with some interesting history and even more interesting archetecture--if you can call it that) and we will have to drink and cook with bottled water.
So, in mid-October (we are thinking the weekendd of the 10th) we will be moving to Calhan, CO, about 45 minutes from The Springs out on the Great Planes. We will be living with about twelve dogs (two dogs and their 10 puppies), but that is a good thing, because apparently there is a badger, and there has always been coyotes out there.
I mean, we are living in the middle of NOWHERE! I am so excited! The nearest towns are teeny-weeny, and 15 minutes away. We will be gardening, raising chickens and cows, and shootin' critters with ar 20 gauge, YEEHAW! And for anyone reading this who thinks I can't take it, go to Hell. I have raised chickens, and gardened before. I already know what it is like to pluck a chicken (can't say I am really looking foreward to THAT little bit), and I already know not to let my children out at night (coyotes, badgers, DUH). I also know that there will be a lot of hard work and surprises as well.
I am still excited.
I am INCREADIBLY excited for my husband. I just love listening to him and his father talking. I don't think I ever hear him have more adult, mature and natural conversation with anyone other than me and his father. They were talking about all their plans to update and improve the farm, and ideas to make it a little more homey as well. They talked about working on cars, and building greenhouses and fixing the garage and patching holes left in the walls by prior "tennants".
We also have a financial plan which we have started putting in to action already. We created this plan BEFORE the whole Calhan thing.
Step one was to minimalize as much as we could (this meant, at the time, attempting to get in to a low-income apartment, and getting on food stamps--there wasn't much lower for us to go from our current possition--now we will be living rent free for a little while, and then at a kind of sliding scale after that).
Step two: working with the money we have coming in (which is not much) begin saving a small $500 rainy-day fund.
Step two point five:Make more money!!!!! (I know that everyone has this ambition, however all I want is enough to be able to live comfortably while putting my plan into action)
Step three: working with the money we already have coming in (still, not much) start chipping away at the old unpaind, ran-from bills. STOP RUNNING, START FIGHTING!!!
Step three point five: Make more MONEY!!!
Step four: Do an actual rainy-day fund. You know, the three-six month rainy day fund all financial experts suggest. You may have heard of this system, Dave Ramsey is its spokesperson (I suggest you take a look).
Through this whole thing, I hope to stop just getting by, and to start living. My last 24 years have been all about learning to survive, now it's time to learn to live.
We can do this, I know, and with the help of our families (including the members we are leaving in Montrose) I know we can do this.
I have my fears, naturally, about the whole thing (especially the badger-what if it's rabid, eek!), but I know this is a good thing.
Like many others at this point in time, I have been running from debts. Debts which are ignored, and ran from always come back at an inconvenient time.
My husband was laid-off a few weeks ago, and denied entry into the army because he is in somewhat poor health (he is, by army standards, old and has bad teeth). This has put a lot of stress on our relationship. My job stresses me out sometimes so badly that I seem to be having stomach problems. It is coming to a point where our futures are looking a little bleak.
Fortunately, at least in some ways, my father in law has been having some problems as well.
It seems the water-pump for one of the houses on his property has gone out, and there is no water in it. Because of this (along with a lot of other drama that we won't get in to) my husband's sister, who had run up a $400 dollar electricity bill, moved out and left him with an empty house, the bill and a female dog which has not been fixed.
On Saturday, Eric spoke with him, learned of his problems, and it was decided that we would move in with him, at least for a while, and help each other get back on our feet. We will be either fixing or replacing the pump, but until then baths, laundry and the like will have to be at his house (a two-story farm house with some interesting history and even more interesting archetecture--if you can call it that) and we will have to drink and cook with bottled water.
So, in mid-October (we are thinking the weekendd of the 10th) we will be moving to Calhan, CO, about 45 minutes from The Springs out on the Great Planes. We will be living with about twelve dogs (two dogs and their 10 puppies), but that is a good thing, because apparently there is a badger, and there has always been coyotes out there.
I mean, we are living in the middle of NOWHERE! I am so excited! The nearest towns are teeny-weeny, and 15 minutes away. We will be gardening, raising chickens and cows, and shootin' critters with ar 20 gauge, YEEHAW! And for anyone reading this who thinks I can't take it, go to Hell. I have raised chickens, and gardened before. I already know what it is like to pluck a chicken (can't say I am really looking foreward to THAT little bit), and I already know not to let my children out at night (coyotes, badgers, DUH). I also know that there will be a lot of hard work and surprises as well.
I am still excited.
I am INCREADIBLY excited for my husband. I just love listening to him and his father talking. I don't think I ever hear him have more adult, mature and natural conversation with anyone other than me and his father. They were talking about all their plans to update and improve the farm, and ideas to make it a little more homey as well. They talked about working on cars, and building greenhouses and fixing the garage and patching holes left in the walls by prior "tennants".
We also have a financial plan which we have started putting in to action already. We created this plan BEFORE the whole Calhan thing.
Step one was to minimalize as much as we could (this meant, at the time, attempting to get in to a low-income apartment, and getting on food stamps--there wasn't much lower for us to go from our current possition--now we will be living rent free for a little while, and then at a kind of sliding scale after that).
Step two: working with the money we have coming in (which is not much) begin saving a small $500 rainy-day fund.
Step two point five:Make more money!!!!! (I know that everyone has this ambition, however all I want is enough to be able to live comfortably while putting my plan into action)
Step three: working with the money we already have coming in (still, not much) start chipping away at the old unpaind, ran-from bills. STOP RUNNING, START FIGHTING!!!
Step three point five: Make more MONEY!!!
Step four: Do an actual rainy-day fund. You know, the three-six month rainy day fund all financial experts suggest. You may have heard of this system, Dave Ramsey is its spokesperson (I suggest you take a look).
Through this whole thing, I hope to stop just getting by, and to start living. My last 24 years have been all about learning to survive, now it's time to learn to live.
We can do this, I know, and with the help of our families (including the members we are leaving in Montrose) I know we can do this.
I have my fears, naturally, about the whole thing (especially the badger-what if it's rabid, eek!), but I know this is a good thing.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Set Back
I lost my keys about a week and a half ago. I tore my apartment apart every day to try and find them. I checked all the places that they may have been, and looked under, behind and inside furniture, all to no avail.
On Saturday I was doing my laundry, and I heard a jingle. I checked the pockets of my shorts and found the keys I had been looking for all week. After a little song and dance (my life is a musical) I invited my children to walk joyously to the mail box to check the mail for the first time in almost two weeks.
My jovial mood was quickly crushed, however, when I saw a letter in the mail from the Department of Defense.
My husband was just finishing shaving, and beginning to get himself dressed when I somberly came in to our bedroom to give him the message. He asked me to read it to him. It said that the department was sorry, but he was permanently disqualified from the military because he has very bad teeth.
I was a little upset because my husband was going to be heading to Denver the next day (yesterday) to go back to MEPS and finish his physical.
“If Sgt. Miller is sending you back to Denver, and causing you at least half a week of missed work for nothing and he knows it he has a lot of explaining to do!” I declared.
He gave Sgt. Miller a call, and after Eric told him about the letter he just laughed it off.
“Oh don’t worry about that.” He said. “That’s why the physical has to be sent to a Surgeon General.”
Yesterday, Eric went to Denver to try to get a waiver. He will be gone until tomorrow at the earliest. He may not be home until Thursday.
Lord, I know he is scared, and worried. He has told me so on many occasions over the weekend. Please help him to stay calm and not to stress. I know that our lives are changing, and that our callings are calling, and that this is just one of the steps towards the new life we will be living. I know that the chances are becoming slimmer and slimmer that my husband will be in the army, but I know that if this is his purpose it will all work out.
We knew from the beginning that this would not be easy. No life changing decisions ever are easy, possibly simple but never easy. Thank you, Lord, for his persistence, and his courage to try so hard to accomplish this. Thank you for the courage he has shown in making this decision, which we know will cause him a lot of discomfort.
On Saturday I was doing my laundry, and I heard a jingle. I checked the pockets of my shorts and found the keys I had been looking for all week. After a little song and dance (my life is a musical) I invited my children to walk joyously to the mail box to check the mail for the first time in almost two weeks.
My jovial mood was quickly crushed, however, when I saw a letter in the mail from the Department of Defense.
My husband was just finishing shaving, and beginning to get himself dressed when I somberly came in to our bedroom to give him the message. He asked me to read it to him. It said that the department was sorry, but he was permanently disqualified from the military because he has very bad teeth.
I was a little upset because my husband was going to be heading to Denver the next day (yesterday) to go back to MEPS and finish his physical.
“If Sgt. Miller is sending you back to Denver, and causing you at least half a week of missed work for nothing and he knows it he has a lot of explaining to do!” I declared.
He gave Sgt. Miller a call, and after Eric told him about the letter he just laughed it off.
“Oh don’t worry about that.” He said. “That’s why the physical has to be sent to a Surgeon General.”
Yesterday, Eric went to Denver to try to get a waiver. He will be gone until tomorrow at the earliest. He may not be home until Thursday.
Lord, I know he is scared, and worried. He has told me so on many occasions over the weekend. Please help him to stay calm and not to stress. I know that our lives are changing, and that our callings are calling, and that this is just one of the steps towards the new life we will be living. I know that the chances are becoming slimmer and slimmer that my husband will be in the army, but I know that if this is his purpose it will all work out.
We knew from the beginning that this would not be easy. No life changing decisions ever are easy, possibly simple but never easy. Thank you, Lord, for his persistence, and his courage to try so hard to accomplish this. Thank you for the courage he has shown in making this decision, which we know will cause him a lot of discomfort.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
FINALLY! Some News!
Whew! It has been a long week of waiting! Tensions were high around my apartment while we waited for a call from his recruiter.
On Friday and Saturday, my husband became rather mopey, sitting on my couch, reading and drinking a lot of coffee. Occassionaly he would say "Maybe if I had a higher ASVAB score." or "Maybe if I were younger." I would break in and point out that we hadn't gotten a "No" from the recruiter, and that it had only been a few days since he dropped off the paperwork for his teeth. "It has been almost a week" he would say "I'm 28 and I didn't have a great test score, and now I am asking them to help me with my teeth. I don't have high hope."
I told him on Friday that I was certain we would hear back from the recruiter, but that maybe we should think of other plans. We talked about a few things we may do if he is unable to join. But I kept possitive that we would soon know what was going on. After a while, I let it rest. Like many other occasions when we are forced to wait, and we are highly stressed, I just bunkered down and did not speak of the tender subject until I had a for sure answer.
That answer came today.
During my lunch, while I was handling a million other things (one of those rare occasions where I am not bored to tears on a Thursday) I got a call from my husband.
"I got a call from the recruiter. I go back to MEPS for my physical on Sunday. We will know what we are doing on Monday."
I had to rush him off the phone right then, but I am so happy that I can't wait to get home and talk to him this afternoon.
Thank you, God! I know I will soon be wrapping my arms around a stronger man in uniform. I can already feel the canvas material on my cheek as I lay my head on his chest and tell him how proud I am for all he has done for himself and his family. I will be writing him encouraging letters for boot camp. I can see him standing in salute on his graduation day.
On Friday and Saturday, my husband became rather mopey, sitting on my couch, reading and drinking a lot of coffee. Occassionaly he would say "Maybe if I had a higher ASVAB score." or "Maybe if I were younger." I would break in and point out that we hadn't gotten a "No" from the recruiter, and that it had only been a few days since he dropped off the paperwork for his teeth. "It has been almost a week" he would say "I'm 28 and I didn't have a great test score, and now I am asking them to help me with my teeth. I don't have high hope."
I told him on Friday that I was certain we would hear back from the recruiter, but that maybe we should think of other plans. We talked about a few things we may do if he is unable to join. But I kept possitive that we would soon know what was going on. After a while, I let it rest. Like many other occasions when we are forced to wait, and we are highly stressed, I just bunkered down and did not speak of the tender subject until I had a for sure answer.
That answer came today.
During my lunch, while I was handling a million other things (one of those rare occasions where I am not bored to tears on a Thursday) I got a call from my husband.
"I got a call from the recruiter. I go back to MEPS for my physical on Sunday. We will know what we are doing on Monday."
I had to rush him off the phone right then, but I am so happy that I can't wait to get home and talk to him this afternoon.
Thank you, God! I know I will soon be wrapping my arms around a stronger man in uniform. I can already feel the canvas material on my cheek as I lay my head on his chest and tell him how proud I am for all he has done for himself and his family. I will be writing him encouraging letters for boot camp. I can see him standing in salute on his graduation day.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Teeth
We got my hubby's teeth checked for a quote. His teeth would cost just under $6,000.00 to fix! He would need four root canals with stainless steel teeth, a deep cleaning, and several fillings. Years of neglect on top of bad teeth genes have really added up!At work yesterday his co-worker started planting seeds of doubt because of this big bill. He came home disheartened and made the comment "Maybe if I had a higher ASVAB score they would take me."I didn't know what to say. I told him I didn't even want to consider the possibility of him not going.This is our time, I feel our lives changing. No, we may not have exactly what we expected in the end. If he does or does not go in is not what is important. What is impportant is the CHANGE.All the changes I have been working on in our attitudes towards life, money and work are begining to show in our lives. We will accept the blessings as they come, even if we misread what they will be.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Bright Side
There are many things in our lives that happen to us which we say we do not want. Death, breakups, lost friendships, accidents, sickness, etc. most people simply react to this with anger, sorrow, frustration, etc. The problem with this is that when you react to your situation, you only bring more of these feelings into your life. When you are sad, does giving into the sadness and throwing a fit really help your situation? No! Does it make you feel better? Not really.
I remember a while back when I became Overwhelmed and sat on my floor crying. The more I cried, the more I wanted to cry. Of course it didn't help that my daughter kept saying "Don't Cry Mommy!" with her own little eyes welling up.
When someone reacts to their surroundings they hurt themselves by perpetuating the bad emotions. You are telling your subconscious brain "This is the kind of situation that makes me feel bad." so your subconscious replies "Better keep feeling bad then!"
In other words, the more miserable you are, the more miserable you become.
You see, the human brain is made up of two parts: Your animal side (also known as your subconscious) and your human side. Your animal side is enormous. It is a database which remembers every slight detail of every experience. This is here to help you operate automatically in any normal circumstance. Your human side is what causes you to consciously consider situations and information.
The problem most reactive people run into is that they are on auto-pilot. They are animals. They only access their human side on rare occasions when their experience is something their animal side hasn't got a complete answer to.
When we experience our world, the best way to experience something new, or that we perceive as bad, is to look at the experience from our human side. This is more than just "looking at the bright side". This is making the conscious choice to continue at an emotion which is neutral, even in times when unexpected troubles come your way.
Children react to their environment like a victim. If they get in trouble for hiding in the closet with a bag full of candy, they react. Even when they did something they knew they shouldn't do, they assume the position of victim, and begin to blame their environment for their reaction. "I wouldn't have thrown a fit if my candy wasn't taken from me! It is your fault that I am upset!"
Many adults react this way as well. Take for example a young man who gets involved in an accident because he was not watching where he was going. When the officer starts writing him a ticket, he starts flying off the handle "I never even saw him! He was in a blind spot! I couldn't help but hit him!"
I know that some times I have had many "bad" things hit me all at the same time. In these situations I often get overwhelmed, and I want to just curl up in a ball and cry. Funny thing about it is the fact that giving in to these feelings does nothing for the situation. When I throw my little fits for the world to see, all that I achieve is smeared makeup and people around me saying things like "I am so sorry. I don't know what to do..."
So, what do we do? We stop. We take a step back. We disconnect and look at it from an objective point of view. We need to ask ourselves what we need out of this situation, ask God for help, tell your brain that it will be okay and let go. Don't stress. When you stress you push the remedy away by seeing only tithe problem. Give it to God and trust that it will all work out.
God will never give you more than you are prepared to handle. All the tools you need to conquer every situation you have locked away, waiting for you access.
I remember a while back when I became Overwhelmed and sat on my floor crying. The more I cried, the more I wanted to cry. Of course it didn't help that my daughter kept saying "Don't Cry Mommy!" with her own little eyes welling up.
When someone reacts to their surroundings they hurt themselves by perpetuating the bad emotions. You are telling your subconscious brain "This is the kind of situation that makes me feel bad." so your subconscious replies "Better keep feeling bad then!"
In other words, the more miserable you are, the more miserable you become.
You see, the human brain is made up of two parts: Your animal side (also known as your subconscious) and your human side. Your animal side is enormous. It is a database which remembers every slight detail of every experience. This is here to help you operate automatically in any normal circumstance. Your human side is what causes you to consciously consider situations and information.
The problem most reactive people run into is that they are on auto-pilot. They are animals. They only access their human side on rare occasions when their experience is something their animal side hasn't got a complete answer to.
When we experience our world, the best way to experience something new, or that we perceive as bad, is to look at the experience from our human side. This is more than just "looking at the bright side". This is making the conscious choice to continue at an emotion which is neutral, even in times when unexpected troubles come your way.
Children react to their environment like a victim. If they get in trouble for hiding in the closet with a bag full of candy, they react. Even when they did something they knew they shouldn't do, they assume the position of victim, and begin to blame their environment for their reaction. "I wouldn't have thrown a fit if my candy wasn't taken from me! It is your fault that I am upset!"
Many adults react this way as well. Take for example a young man who gets involved in an accident because he was not watching where he was going. When the officer starts writing him a ticket, he starts flying off the handle "I never even saw him! He was in a blind spot! I couldn't help but hit him!"
I know that some times I have had many "bad" things hit me all at the same time. In these situations I often get overwhelmed, and I want to just curl up in a ball and cry. Funny thing about it is the fact that giving in to these feelings does nothing for the situation. When I throw my little fits for the world to see, all that I achieve is smeared makeup and people around me saying things like "I am so sorry. I don't know what to do..."
So, what do we do? We stop. We take a step back. We disconnect and look at it from an objective point of view. We need to ask ourselves what we need out of this situation, ask God for help, tell your brain that it will be okay and let go. Don't stress. When you stress you push the remedy away by seeing only tithe problem. Give it to God and trust that it will all work out.
God will never give you more than you are prepared to handle. All the tools you need to conquer every situation you have locked away, waiting for you access.
An Introduction to the Basics of "The Law of Attraction"
There are a couple schools of thinking on the subject of the law. There is, of course the rookie belief that if you just think really hard on something it will come to you. There is the belief that you wanted everything that you have in your life, the good and the bad. There is also the belief that you expected everything that you have in your life, good, or bad.
I myself personally believe a blend of all of them.
It has been my experience with this interesting phenomenon that when I expect something to happen, it does not necessarily mean I want it. I do not want health problems; we do not want the people we love to leave us. But when we have a fear, and nurse that fear, even somewhere below our immediate consciousness, we begin to prepare ourselves for it.
Take the teenage girl who is dating her first boyfriend. It's true love! She is going to marry this boy. In fact, they have a wedding day set, and he is going to whisk her away to Paris and they will live happily ever after. Then, the relationship begins to cool. She becomes a little insecure/ He may have given her no reason to worry, but in the back of her mind, the grim reality of teen love is setting in. She begins to wonder, what would happen if he did break up with me?
She tells her friend one night on the phone “OH I would just DIE! My heart would break! I would never love again! I would be devastated and I would lock myself in my room and cry for days!”
Then it happens. He decides he likes her friend (the one she was talking to on the phone the night before), and he dumps her. She feels like she’s just going to DIE! Her heart is broken. She swears she will never love again! She is devastated and she locks herself in her room and cries for days! She does exactly what she expected to do!
Here is a question: do YOU believe you control the world? More specifically, are you willing to believe that you control YOUR world? If you are in total control of your life, no matter how your life is, this means there is no one left to blame but you.
You are in control of your habits and addictions
You are in control of your financial status
You are responsible for your career and work status
You are responsible for your vehicles.
This is a scary concept, but one I think we all must consider. Why is it that we are so willing to jump on blaming someone else for our failure?
A few months back, the company I work for fired an employee. After he was let go, he left nasty letters for his fellow employees blaming THEM for his being fired. About a month and a half later he called the owner of the company and left a message blaming the owner for the loss of his house because he was fired. Does he not see that if he would have treated his position in the company with a little more respect and maturity none of this would have happened to him? No, because to see your life as your responsibility means to accept that you made a mistake and that you could have done better.
I myself personally believe a blend of all of them.
It has been my experience with this interesting phenomenon that when I expect something to happen, it does not necessarily mean I want it. I do not want health problems; we do not want the people we love to leave us. But when we have a fear, and nurse that fear, even somewhere below our immediate consciousness, we begin to prepare ourselves for it.
Take the teenage girl who is dating her first boyfriend. It's true love! She is going to marry this boy. In fact, they have a wedding day set, and he is going to whisk her away to Paris and they will live happily ever after. Then, the relationship begins to cool. She becomes a little insecure/ He may have given her no reason to worry, but in the back of her mind, the grim reality of teen love is setting in. She begins to wonder, what would happen if he did break up with me?
She tells her friend one night on the phone “OH I would just DIE! My heart would break! I would never love again! I would be devastated and I would lock myself in my room and cry for days!”
Then it happens. He decides he likes her friend (the one she was talking to on the phone the night before), and he dumps her. She feels like she’s just going to DIE! Her heart is broken. She swears she will never love again! She is devastated and she locks herself in her room and cries for days! She does exactly what she expected to do!
Here is a question: do YOU believe you control the world? More specifically, are you willing to believe that you control YOUR world? If you are in total control of your life, no matter how your life is, this means there is no one left to blame but you.
You are in control of your habits and addictions
You are in control of your financial status
You are responsible for your career and work status
You are responsible for your vehicles.
This is a scary concept, but one I think we all must consider. Why is it that we are so willing to jump on blaming someone else for our failure?
A few months back, the company I work for fired an employee. After he was let go, he left nasty letters for his fellow employees blaming THEM for his being fired. About a month and a half later he called the owner of the company and left a message blaming the owner for the loss of his house because he was fired. Does he not see that if he would have treated his position in the company with a little more respect and maturity none of this would have happened to him? No, because to see your life as your responsibility means to accept that you made a mistake and that you could have done better.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
I love Bob Dylan, well at least his music anyway...
I watched the Watchmen last night, it reminded me of this song:
Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled,
The battle outside ragin'
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly aging
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come gather 'round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You'll be drenched to the bone.
If your time to you
Is worth savin'
Then you better start swimmin'
Or you'll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled,
The battle outside ragin'
Will soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'.
Come mothers and fathers
Throughout the land
And don't criticize
What you can't understand
Your sons and your daughters
Are beyond your command
Your old road is
Rapidly aging
Please get out of the new one
If you can't lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin'.
The line it is drawn
The curse it is cast
The slow one now
Will later be fast
As the present now
Will later be past
The order is
Rapidly fadin'.
And the first one now
Will later be last
For the times they are a-changin'.
Dreams...
A long while back, when I was still newly wed. I had a dream. One of those dreams you just can't seem to get out of your head.
Now, before I begin, I want to describe to you my dreamscape. A dreamscape is the terrain and "location" a person may have most their dreams in. I suppose it is possible that not all people have a common dreamscape, but I believe most do.
My dreamscape consists of old buildings- often in the small town I grew up in-usualy in a dull grey, or rainy kind of setting. Many of the buildings are abandoned, some are crumbling down and falling apart. Inside the buildings there is a labarenth of poorly lit rooms. I often feel as though the buildings are haunted, or there is some sort of presence. The funny thing about this is that it sounds like a horror movie, but in my dreams, I pay no mind to it all. I just walk through it all as if it is standard. I give it as much notice as you do the gravel you walk on every day.
In this particular dream, it was drizzling, as usual. It was grey, and my husband and I were walking through this abandoned and dirty town, past huge brick buildings with no windows, and sooty streets.
We walked past factories. We walked down unpaved alleys. Eventually we reached a place in the middle of town, like a park. The grass was green, and wet with recent rain. The clouds had parted and were letting in that kind of sunlight that comes through a thin cloud-cover. We climbed to the top of the hill and sat in the wet grass.
I remember looking at him, and hearing him say "see, wasn't it worth all that to reach this?"
I do not remember anything else happening, but I don't think it would matter if it did. The message got accross. I do not believe I will ever forget that.
Now, before I begin, I want to describe to you my dreamscape. A dreamscape is the terrain and "location" a person may have most their dreams in. I suppose it is possible that not all people have a common dreamscape, but I believe most do.
My dreamscape consists of old buildings- often in the small town I grew up in-usualy in a dull grey, or rainy kind of setting. Many of the buildings are abandoned, some are crumbling down and falling apart. Inside the buildings there is a labarenth of poorly lit rooms. I often feel as though the buildings are haunted, or there is some sort of presence. The funny thing about this is that it sounds like a horror movie, but in my dreams, I pay no mind to it all. I just walk through it all as if it is standard. I give it as much notice as you do the gravel you walk on every day.
In this particular dream, it was drizzling, as usual. It was grey, and my husband and I were walking through this abandoned and dirty town, past huge brick buildings with no windows, and sooty streets.
We walked past factories. We walked down unpaved alleys. Eventually we reached a place in the middle of town, like a park. The grass was green, and wet with recent rain. The clouds had parted and were letting in that kind of sunlight that comes through a thin cloud-cover. We climbed to the top of the hill and sat in the wet grass.
I remember looking at him, and hearing him say "see, wasn't it worth all that to reach this?"
I do not remember anything else happening, but I don't think it would matter if it did. The message got accross. I do not believe I will ever forget that.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
MEPS
My husband went to MEPS Monday. He took his ASVAB test and did well, even on the parts he thought he would do poorly in. He said there was one part he had problems with, something about puzzles which were not in the study guide. I knew he would surpise himself *wink*.
Yesterday was when the problems happened, however. This was the day of the physical (dun dun DUN!- that was dramatic music). Aparently, MEPS is like a window into the world of Basic. They wake you up at 3:30, tell you, basically to get your ass down to breakfast or someone will be up to get your ass down to breakfast. You have half an hour to eat and get your ass to the bus to drive to go fill out paperwork and see the "Doc". After he stood in the rain outside for an hour, he filled out his paperwork and was sent in to see the guy who would do his physical. They had him take off his clothes and they began to inspect him. When they looked at his back they saw the huge deep scar below his right shoulder blade.
"What is this?" they asked him.
He told them all about how he had punctured a lung and broken two ribs on a hook when he was little.
"That needs to be in a report."
They saw another scar on the back of his head. "What's this?" He explained it as well.
"That needs to be in a report."
Then they looked at his teeth. They told him he needed a report and an estimate on those. In other words, go home, have your recruiter fill out a report and come back another day.
His MEPS is in Denver, somewhere around a six hour drive from here.
When he started this journey (which is still just begining) we knew it would not be easy. So I hugged him when he got home, let him vent and then let him sleep; he was exhausted.
Yesterday was when the problems happened, however. This was the day of the physical (dun dun DUN!- that was dramatic music). Aparently, MEPS is like a window into the world of Basic. They wake you up at 3:30, tell you, basically to get your ass down to breakfast or someone will be up to get your ass down to breakfast. You have half an hour to eat and get your ass to the bus to drive to go fill out paperwork and see the "Doc". After he stood in the rain outside for an hour, he filled out his paperwork and was sent in to see the guy who would do his physical. They had him take off his clothes and they began to inspect him. When they looked at his back they saw the huge deep scar below his right shoulder blade.
"What is this?" they asked him.
He told them all about how he had punctured a lung and broken two ribs on a hook when he was little.
"That needs to be in a report."
They saw another scar on the back of his head. "What's this?" He explained it as well.
"That needs to be in a report."
Then they looked at his teeth. They told him he needed a report and an estimate on those. In other words, go home, have your recruiter fill out a report and come back another day.
His MEPS is in Denver, somewhere around a six hour drive from here.
When he started this journey (which is still just begining) we knew it would not be easy. So I hugged him when he got home, let him vent and then let him sleep; he was exhausted.
A Quote From The Onion
"The United States was founded in 1776 on the principals of life, liberty and the reckless pursuit of happiness at any cost- even life and liberty"
from The Onion's "Our Dumb World"
www.theonion.com/content/atlas
from The Onion's "Our Dumb World"
www.theonion.com/content/atlas
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
WOO HOOOO!!!! I am on the internet!
Thanks to my good buddy Terry, I have realized I have this amazing invention called "wireless internet". I am on the internet for FREE! Right now. I have to be sitting right here under my big front window in my apartment, and possibly on Cody's back porch (shh, don't tell Cody, heh heh heh...)
Awesome!!! Another Simple How To Use Standard Stuff Tutorial!
Summit (the company I work for) has employees all over the Western Slope of Colorado, and also a couple in Wyoming. Our Wyoming crew consists of a couple guys, with an incredibly nice (and talkative) southern man as the foreman. Last week, this foreman told me that the program he uses to fax me his time sheets had expired.
Now, all the other foremen come in to the office at least once a week, so they can just hand me their time sheets and I can give them new ones just as easily. Because this gentleman is in Wyoming (at least 8 hours from here) he does not come in to the office, and cannot physically turn in his time sheets, or pick up new time sheets here.
To remedy this he created his own time sheets and cover letters on his computer with a Microsoft Office trial that came with his computer. This trial has just expired, and he does not want to pay for the full version (and who can blame him).
So I suggested he try Google Documents. I love it, and it’s free! In fact I use this instead of Microsoft Office Myself.
He, of course, had no idea what Google Docs was, so I wrote him this tutorial. Enjoy!
How to use Google Docs Instead of the Microsoft Office Suite:
Step 1: Go to Google. Yup, believe it or not, the service called “Google Documents” is on Google.
Step 2: If you do not have a Google account, you have to make one (but that isn’t a bad thing because Google has all sorts of cool features.
Step 3: Log in to Google. Hope I haven’t lost you here….
Step 4: On the top right you will see a link that says “My Account”. Click it.
Step 5: Hey look! There are all the services you use. But wait, Google Documents isn’t one of them. Darn! Well, I guess we will remedy that. Beneath the label “Try something new” there is a link that says “more >>”, click it. Now you will see a list. On the right hand side, under the heading “Communicate, show and share” is a link that says “Docs” or “Documents”. Select it.
Step 6: Use Google documents to create spreadsheets, “word” documents and forms! You can also share documents from this page, so you don’t have to fax me everything, if you don’t want to.
Now, all the other foremen come in to the office at least once a week, so they can just hand me their time sheets and I can give them new ones just as easily. Because this gentleman is in Wyoming (at least 8 hours from here) he does not come in to the office, and cannot physically turn in his time sheets, or pick up new time sheets here.
To remedy this he created his own time sheets and cover letters on his computer with a Microsoft Office trial that came with his computer. This trial has just expired, and he does not want to pay for the full version (and who can blame him).
So I suggested he try Google Documents. I love it, and it’s free! In fact I use this instead of Microsoft Office Myself.
He, of course, had no idea what Google Docs was, so I wrote him this tutorial. Enjoy!
How to use Google Docs Instead of the Microsoft Office Suite:
Step 1: Go to Google. Yup, believe it or not, the service called “Google Documents” is on Google.
Step 2: If you do not have a Google account, you have to make one (but that isn’t a bad thing because Google has all sorts of cool features.
Step 3: Log in to Google. Hope I haven’t lost you here….
Step 4: On the top right you will see a link that says “My Account”. Click it.
Step 5: Hey look! There are all the services you use. But wait, Google Documents isn’t one of them. Darn! Well, I guess we will remedy that. Beneath the label “Try something new” there is a link that says “more >>”, click it. Now you will see a list. On the right hand side, under the heading “Communicate, show and share” is a link that says “Docs” or “Documents”. Select it.
Step 6: Use Google documents to create spreadsheets, “word” documents and forms! You can also share documents from this page, so you don’t have to fax me everything, if you don’t want to.
From Zen Habits
A great piece by Zen Habits (If you haven't noticed, I love this site and recommend it to everyone)
Be Still.
Posted: 19 Jul 2009 04:01 PM PDT
Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter.
Be still.
Just for a moment.
Listen to the world around you. Feel your breath coming in and going out. Listen to your thoughts. See the details of your surroundings.
Be at peace with being still.
In this modern world, activity and movement are the default modes, if not with our bodies then at least with our minds, with our attention. We rush around all day, doing things, talking, emailing, sending and reading messages, clicking from browser tab to the next, one link to the next.
We are always on, always connected, always thinking, always talking. There is no time for stillness — and sitting in front of a frenetic computer all day, and then in front of the hyperactive television, doesn’t count as stillness.
This comes at a cost: we lose that time for contemplation, for observing and listening. We lose peace.
And worse yet: all the rushing around is often counterproductive. I know, in our society action is all-important — inaction is seen as lazy and passive and unproductive. However, sometimes too much action is worse than no action at all. You can run around crazily, all sound and fury, but get nothing done. Or you can get a lot done — but nothing important. Or you can hurt things with your actions, make things worse than if you’d stayed still.
And when we are forced to be still — because we’re in line for something, or waiting at a doctor’s appointment, or on a bus or train — we often get antsy, and need to find something to do. Some of us will have our mobile devices, others will have a notebook or folder with things to do or read, others will fidget. Being still isn’t something we’re used to.
Take a moment to think about how you spend your days — at work, after work, getting ready for work, evenings and weekends. Are you constantly rushing around? Are you constantly reading and answering messages, checking on the news and the latest stream of information? Are you always trying to Get Lots of Things Done, ticking off tasks from your list like a machine, rushing through your schedule?
Is this how you want to spend your life?
If so, peace be with you. If not, take a moment to be still. Don’t think about what you have to do, or what you’ve done already. Just be in the moment.
Then after a minute or two of doing that, contemplate your life, and how you’d like it to be. See your life with less movement, less doing, less rushing. See it with more stillness, more contemplation, more peace.
Then be that vision.
It’s pretty simple, actually: all you have to do is sit still for a little bit each day. Once you’ve gotten used to that, try doing less each day. Breathe when you feel yourself moving too fast. Slow down. Be present. Find happiness now, in this moment, instead of waiting for it.
Savor the stillness. It’s a treasure, and it’s available to us, always.—From the Tao Te Ching:
It is not wise to dash about.Shortening the breath causes much stress.Use too much energy, andYou will soon be exhausted.That is not the Natural Way.Whatever works against this WayWill not last long.—Read more about simplifying in my book, The Power of Less.
Be Still.
Posted: 19 Jul 2009 04:01 PM PDT
Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter.
Be still.
Just for a moment.
Listen to the world around you. Feel your breath coming in and going out. Listen to your thoughts. See the details of your surroundings.
Be at peace with being still.
In this modern world, activity and movement are the default modes, if not with our bodies then at least with our minds, with our attention. We rush around all day, doing things, talking, emailing, sending and reading messages, clicking from browser tab to the next, one link to the next.
We are always on, always connected, always thinking, always talking. There is no time for stillness — and sitting in front of a frenetic computer all day, and then in front of the hyperactive television, doesn’t count as stillness.
This comes at a cost: we lose that time for contemplation, for observing and listening. We lose peace.
And worse yet: all the rushing around is often counterproductive. I know, in our society action is all-important — inaction is seen as lazy and passive and unproductive. However, sometimes too much action is worse than no action at all. You can run around crazily, all sound and fury, but get nothing done. Or you can get a lot done — but nothing important. Or you can hurt things with your actions, make things worse than if you’d stayed still.
And when we are forced to be still — because we’re in line for something, or waiting at a doctor’s appointment, or on a bus or train — we often get antsy, and need to find something to do. Some of us will have our mobile devices, others will have a notebook or folder with things to do or read, others will fidget. Being still isn’t something we’re used to.
Take a moment to think about how you spend your days — at work, after work, getting ready for work, evenings and weekends. Are you constantly rushing around? Are you constantly reading and answering messages, checking on the news and the latest stream of information? Are you always trying to Get Lots of Things Done, ticking off tasks from your list like a machine, rushing through your schedule?
Is this how you want to spend your life?
If so, peace be with you. If not, take a moment to be still. Don’t think about what you have to do, or what you’ve done already. Just be in the moment.
Then after a minute or two of doing that, contemplate your life, and how you’d like it to be. See your life with less movement, less doing, less rushing. See it with more stillness, more contemplation, more peace.
Then be that vision.
It’s pretty simple, actually: all you have to do is sit still for a little bit each day. Once you’ve gotten used to that, try doing less each day. Breathe when you feel yourself moving too fast. Slow down. Be present. Find happiness now, in this moment, instead of waiting for it.
Savor the stillness. It’s a treasure, and it’s available to us, always.—From the Tao Te Ching:
It is not wise to dash about.Shortening the breath causes much stress.Use too much energy, andYou will soon be exhausted.That is not the Natural Way.Whatever works against this WayWill not last long.—Read more about simplifying in my book, The Power of Less.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What I Will Need to Adjust in Myself for Army Life
I am going to need to learn to manage money better. There is a free class for army spouses on money management, which I will most likely take.
I think my more recent quest for simplicity and minimalism will be helpful. Eric and I have written off any kind of loans: no credit cards, paycheck advances, etc. We have also decided to start investing, some how. I will most likely find a good investment class of some sort as well.
I am also going to have to learn to be alone a lot more. I believe I am strong enough for this.
This is going to make us a much stronger family, I am excited (and a little scared) for this to happen.
I think my more recent quest for simplicity and minimalism will be helpful. Eric and I have written off any kind of loans: no credit cards, paycheck advances, etc. We have also decided to start investing, some how. I will most likely find a good investment class of some sort as well.
I am also going to have to learn to be alone a lot more. I believe I am strong enough for this.
This is going to make us a much stronger family, I am excited (and a little scared) for this to happen.
Monday, July 13, 2009
I have been a BAAD blogger.
I don't have the internet right now, so I am not really blogging lately.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
12 Days of Rest
Today is day 1.2 of my 90 day get fit challenge. Yesterday was supposed to be the first day; however, I have to meet three criteria every day for the next twelve days or I have to start over, yesterday I missed one.
Eat lean, clean and green
Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night
Drink an abundance of water
I didn’t get enough sleep last night. I think that one will most likely be my big problem area.
Right now it is 12:32 and I have drank 3 glasses of water and I am eating a salad of spinach, walnuts and citris... think I'm doing pretty good.
Eat lean, clean and green
Get at least 7 hours of sleep every night
Drink an abundance of water
I didn’t get enough sleep last night. I think that one will most likely be my big problem area.
Right now it is 12:32 and I have drank 3 glasses of water and I am eating a salad of spinach, walnuts and citris... think I'm doing pretty good.
Monday, June 1, 2009
WOOHOO Super-Cool Pivot Tables!!!
How to create a super-cool employee times pivot table in Microsoft Excel:
And now the moment you have all been waiting for…
I know, it isn’t what most people think of as super-cool, but I know most people don’t know how to do this on excel and I am over due to write a tutorial. To demonstrate I will be using examples from my Monday morning routine at work. Every week it is my job to sort out each employees’ hours, where they worked and if they worked over time. I spoke with another office assistant over the weekend, and discovered she does the same every other Wednesday, however she doesn’t have a super-cool method like mine. It seems to me that if you do it almost any other way you had better prepare yourself to pull out your hair.
Start with a labeled list.
Mine is labeled with the following information:
Month Week Ending Day Employee Name Project Name Hours Worked RT (Regular Time) OT (Over Time) Check Hours Days Worked
Now I will need a little explaination here on why I need so many catagories. In the office I work for our time cards are by the project, not the employee. Every time card usually has more than one employee, working different number of hours. I am trying to figure out how many hours an employee worked in a week. I have to sort out the time sheets by day, and then by project (because the foremen never leave them in order) prior to entering them. Once I have them entered in Excel I sort them by name. From there it is easier to calculate who has how many hours of overtime.
When I receive my time cards I type the information in the designated fields (i.e. name in the name, project name in the project name, etc.)
The “check hours” and the “Days Worked” automatically calculate themselves (I will explain why in a little bit).
Once I have done this, I sort the list by employee name. I add the hours and find who has worked over 40 hours. All hours which are for hourly rate are entered in to the “RT” and any hours over the 40 hour mark are entered in the “OT” column. The “Check Hours” column adds the OT and RT columns together to help me double check my math. The “Days Worked” column divides the hours worked column by eight for a man days report (which, again, I will explain later)
Now that everything is entered and sorted we do the easy part: the pivot table! Can I get a WOO, WOO!?!
Select all the information in your spreadsheet.
Go to Data: Pivot Table and Pivot Chart Report
Ta-Dum, Excel carries you through the process with a creation wizard.
Now, what can you do with said pivot table?
You can now take this table and drag Employee Name from the Pivot Table Field List (which is a list of all of your column headings) and drop it in to the field on the far left. Next drag the “Project Name” just to the right of the employee names. You can drag the date in to the top of the table and the RT and OT in to the big information field. Now we know what employee worked where and for how long. The Pivot table even adds up the total hours for us, isn’t that nice? Or, if you don’t want it to give you a total you can turn that option off in the Pivot Options menu.
Also, I make these databases for three months, with 19 employees that makes for a long list. What if I just want to see who worked where for how long on only the week of 5/25-5/31? We can now just drag and drop “Week Ending” in to the little title field up at the very top and now select 5/31/09.
If we want to see only work done in May, and not anything from April (even if it is from the same week) we can replace “Week Ending” with “Month” and voilla!
I hope you have as much fun with pivot tables as I always do (however unlikely that may be).
And now the moment you have all been waiting for…
I know, it isn’t what most people think of as super-cool, but I know most people don’t know how to do this on excel and I am over due to write a tutorial. To demonstrate I will be using examples from my Monday morning routine at work. Every week it is my job to sort out each employees’ hours, where they worked and if they worked over time. I spoke with another office assistant over the weekend, and discovered she does the same every other Wednesday, however she doesn’t have a super-cool method like mine. It seems to me that if you do it almost any other way you had better prepare yourself to pull out your hair.
Start with a labeled list.
Mine is labeled with the following information:
Month Week Ending Day Employee Name Project Name Hours Worked RT (Regular Time) OT (Over Time) Check Hours Days Worked
Now I will need a little explaination here on why I need so many catagories. In the office I work for our time cards are by the project, not the employee. Every time card usually has more than one employee, working different number of hours. I am trying to figure out how many hours an employee worked in a week. I have to sort out the time sheets by day, and then by project (because the foremen never leave them in order) prior to entering them. Once I have them entered in Excel I sort them by name. From there it is easier to calculate who has how many hours of overtime.
When I receive my time cards I type the information in the designated fields (i.e. name in the name, project name in the project name, etc.)
The “check hours” and the “Days Worked” automatically calculate themselves (I will explain why in a little bit).
Once I have done this, I sort the list by employee name. I add the hours and find who has worked over 40 hours. All hours which are for hourly rate are entered in to the “RT” and any hours over the 40 hour mark are entered in the “OT” column. The “Check Hours” column adds the OT and RT columns together to help me double check my math. The “Days Worked” column divides the hours worked column by eight for a man days report (which, again, I will explain later)
Now that everything is entered and sorted we do the easy part: the pivot table! Can I get a WOO, WOO!?!
Select all the information in your spreadsheet.
Go to Data: Pivot Table and Pivot Chart Report
Ta-Dum, Excel carries you through the process with a creation wizard.
Now, what can you do with said pivot table?
You can now take this table and drag Employee Name from the Pivot Table Field List (which is a list of all of your column headings) and drop it in to the field on the far left. Next drag the “Project Name” just to the right of the employee names. You can drag the date in to the top of the table and the RT and OT in to the big information field. Now we know what employee worked where and for how long. The Pivot table even adds up the total hours for us, isn’t that nice? Or, if you don’t want it to give you a total you can turn that option off in the Pivot Options menu.
Also, I make these databases for three months, with 19 employees that makes for a long list. What if I just want to see who worked where for how long on only the week of 5/25-5/31? We can now just drag and drop “Week Ending” in to the little title field up at the very top and now select 5/31/09.
If we want to see only work done in May, and not anything from April (even if it is from the same week) we can replace “Week Ending” with “Month” and voilla!
I hope you have as much fun with pivot tables as I always do (however unlikely that may be).
Thursday, May 28, 2009
A great post for more simple living.
This was in my Zen Habits Newsletter today. I agree with it totally.
zen habits
From:
noreply+feedproxy@google.com on behalf of Zen Habits (zenhabits@gmail.com)
Sent:
Thu 5/28/09 7:51 AM
To:
kahlefamily@live.com
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zen habits
The Art of Artlessness: On Living Simply and Naturally
Posted: 27 May 2009 09:12 PM PDT
“Simplicity is the essence of happiness.” - Cedric Bledsoe
Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter.
A lot of the complexity in our lives come when we try to keep up certain appearances.
A simpler, happier life can be achieved when we drop those appearances and just live naturally, without pretense or artfulness.
Let me give you just a few examples:
There was a time when wardrobe was important to me — I wanted to impress my superiors and so I had lots of (fairly) expensive clothes. Now that I’ve decided I don’t need to keep up those appearances, I normally wear shorts and a T-shirt and sandals to all of my meetings. I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not, and people can deal with me on those terms or not. I’m happier, and my wardrobe and life are simpler for it.
I’ve also decided that a huge, fancy house and beautiful luxury car are no longer important to me (not that I ever had either, but I did strive for them). Now I go for function, and I’m debt-free.
There was also a time when I tried to impress others with my knowledge, intelligence, competence. I’d try to show off, or take on more than I could handle, just to impress people. Now I worry less about this and instead just try to do the best I can in whatever I do. In the end, I’m more satisfied with the job I do, and with myself, and others seem to be happy with this as well.
Shaking off these pretenses, this atfulness, results in simplicity. It’s when we try to hold up the pretenses that things get complex. We’re also less honest, and less true to ourselves.
Learn to live a simpler, more natural life, and drop the pretenses one at a time. You’ll be glad you did.
A few ideas to get you started:
Dress: Do your clothes aim to impress? Do you have to keep a complicated, expensive wardrobe to maintain this image? How can you shed this need to impress, and just dress simply and functionally instead? I’m not saying you need to dress in rags (or wear sandals, as I do). But if you decide that you don’t need to impress anyone, you can drop a lot of your wardrobe “needs” and simplify things tremendously.
Grooming: I no longer worry about grooming as much as I once did. Now I have a shaved head, and my grooming tools are down to a reasonable minimum: soap, razor and shaving cream, deodorant, electric trimmer (for the hair). I don’t need hair products, aftershave, a comb, or many other grooming products. Of course, not everyone is going to shave their head, but going for a more natural look could simplify things: stop trying to look a certain way, and you can cut back on the number of grooming products and tools you use and keep.
Language: I know lots of people who use “impressive” language, often full of jargon or academic-speak or geek-speak. Well, that might impress some, but knowledgeable people know that you’re covering up a lack of real competence with complicated language. Speak simply, with plain language, and your real intelligence will shine through. You’ll also communicate better — a plus in my book.
Decorating: Almost every home I visit is filled with decorative things, perhaps meant to impress or convey a certain message about the home. I find that the simple, natural look is better — subtract as much as you can, until you are left with a minimum of simple, beautiful things. For example, my walls are covered by only three pieces of art (all done by my dad). Everything else in my house is functional furniture — no decorative anything.
Gifts: When we try to impress and keep up appearances, we can end up spending a lot of money on gifts, especially around the holidays but also on birthdays and other occasions. And while I think it’s great to show someone that you care with a gift, does it really need to be expensive? Can’t something home-made, or consumable, be just as nice? Or perhaps you can do something nice for someone, like a massage or chores or babysitting? Keep things simple, but show you care.
Work: Don’t do things at work to impress — you’ll end up doing things that are artificial and false, and often stretch too far and fail, or at least show your shortcomings. While there’s nothing wrong with having shortcomings (who doesn’t have them?), you should aim instead to do the best you can, not because you want to impress but because you want to feel good about the job you’ve done.
Transportation: Forget about an impressive car — go for minimalism and function. I have a van because I need one (yes, I have 6 kids, and yes, I know that’s not keeping things simple), but if you only need a tiny car, go for that. Or maybe you don’t need a car at all — can public transportation or a bike suffice? I’ve been walking more, for transportation, because I no longer worry about what people will think of me when I’m the only one in my town who walks places. As a result, I get more exercise, and I enjoy the outdoors more. Oh, and I help conserve resources a little more.
Devices: Do you have to have the latest and greatest gadget (the iPhone, the Palm Pre, the Android), not because you need it but because you want to show people you have it? I’ve done this many times. I bought a Macbook Air, telling myself that I needed a laptop (which I did) and that the Air was the best functional device for me because it was light and a Mac and fairly minimalist in function (I only need it for writing and Internet). But really I just loved its sleek and minimalist design. Pretension, not simplicity. Drop the pretension and get only what you need. (Btw, I don’t regret getting the Air — I really love using it and it works beautifully for my needs.)
There are many more ways you can live a simpler life by dropping artfulness in different areas. What areas have you changed by dropping pretenses? What areas would you like to change? Share in the comments!
“If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, then this is the best season of your life.” - Wu-Men
—If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Twitter. I’d appreciate it. :)
zen habits
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zen habits
The Art of Artlessness: On Living Simply and Naturally
Posted: 27 May 2009 09:12 PM PDT
“Simplicity is the essence of happiness.” - Cedric Bledsoe
Post written by Leo Babauta. Follow me on Twitter.
A lot of the complexity in our lives come when we try to keep up certain appearances.
A simpler, happier life can be achieved when we drop those appearances and just live naturally, without pretense or artfulness.
Let me give you just a few examples:
There was a time when wardrobe was important to me — I wanted to impress my superiors and so I had lots of (fairly) expensive clothes. Now that I’ve decided I don’t need to keep up those appearances, I normally wear shorts and a T-shirt and sandals to all of my meetings. I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not, and people can deal with me on those terms or not. I’m happier, and my wardrobe and life are simpler for it.
I’ve also decided that a huge, fancy house and beautiful luxury car are no longer important to me (not that I ever had either, but I did strive for them). Now I go for function, and I’m debt-free.
There was also a time when I tried to impress others with my knowledge, intelligence, competence. I’d try to show off, or take on more than I could handle, just to impress people. Now I worry less about this and instead just try to do the best I can in whatever I do. In the end, I’m more satisfied with the job I do, and with myself, and others seem to be happy with this as well.
Shaking off these pretenses, this atfulness, results in simplicity. It’s when we try to hold up the pretenses that things get complex. We’re also less honest, and less true to ourselves.
Learn to live a simpler, more natural life, and drop the pretenses one at a time. You’ll be glad you did.
A few ideas to get you started:
Dress: Do your clothes aim to impress? Do you have to keep a complicated, expensive wardrobe to maintain this image? How can you shed this need to impress, and just dress simply and functionally instead? I’m not saying you need to dress in rags (or wear sandals, as I do). But if you decide that you don’t need to impress anyone, you can drop a lot of your wardrobe “needs” and simplify things tremendously.
Grooming: I no longer worry about grooming as much as I once did. Now I have a shaved head, and my grooming tools are down to a reasonable minimum: soap, razor and shaving cream, deodorant, electric trimmer (for the hair). I don’t need hair products, aftershave, a comb, or many other grooming products. Of course, not everyone is going to shave their head, but going for a more natural look could simplify things: stop trying to look a certain way, and you can cut back on the number of grooming products and tools you use and keep.
Language: I know lots of people who use “impressive” language, often full of jargon or academic-speak or geek-speak. Well, that might impress some, but knowledgeable people know that you’re covering up a lack of real competence with complicated language. Speak simply, with plain language, and your real intelligence will shine through. You’ll also communicate better — a plus in my book.
Decorating: Almost every home I visit is filled with decorative things, perhaps meant to impress or convey a certain message about the home. I find that the simple, natural look is better — subtract as much as you can, until you are left with a minimum of simple, beautiful things. For example, my walls are covered by only three pieces of art (all done by my dad). Everything else in my house is functional furniture — no decorative anything.
Gifts: When we try to impress and keep up appearances, we can end up spending a lot of money on gifts, especially around the holidays but also on birthdays and other occasions. And while I think it’s great to show someone that you care with a gift, does it really need to be expensive? Can’t something home-made, or consumable, be just as nice? Or perhaps you can do something nice for someone, like a massage or chores or babysitting? Keep things simple, but show you care.
Work: Don’t do things at work to impress — you’ll end up doing things that are artificial and false, and often stretch too far and fail, or at least show your shortcomings. While there’s nothing wrong with having shortcomings (who doesn’t have them?), you should aim instead to do the best you can, not because you want to impress but because you want to feel good about the job you’ve done.
Transportation: Forget about an impressive car — go for minimalism and function. I have a van because I need one (yes, I have 6 kids, and yes, I know that’s not keeping things simple), but if you only need a tiny car, go for that. Or maybe you don’t need a car at all — can public transportation or a bike suffice? I’ve been walking more, for transportation, because I no longer worry about what people will think of me when I’m the only one in my town who walks places. As a result, I get more exercise, and I enjoy the outdoors more. Oh, and I help conserve resources a little more.
Devices: Do you have to have the latest and greatest gadget (the iPhone, the Palm Pre, the Android), not because you need it but because you want to show people you have it? I’ve done this many times. I bought a Macbook Air, telling myself that I needed a laptop (which I did) and that the Air was the best functional device for me because it was light and a Mac and fairly minimalist in function (I only need it for writing and Internet). But really I just loved its sleek and minimalist design. Pretension, not simplicity. Drop the pretension and get only what you need. (Btw, I don’t regret getting the Air — I really love using it and it works beautifully for my needs.)
There are many more ways you can live a simpler life by dropping artfulness in different areas. What areas have you changed by dropping pretenses? What areas would you like to change? Share in the comments!
“If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, then this is the best season of your life.” - Wu-Men
—If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Twitter. I’d appreciate it. :)
To Do and Not To Do...
I am taking a vow, I will start doing everything on my to do list and stop doing everything on my stop doing list.
My Stop doing list will come first:
I will no longer let my job hold me back from what I believe is my purpose.
I will no longer let my job keep me from hapiness
I will no longer depend on my job for my way of living (I really can't do much depending anyway)
I will no longer live my life to anothers' standards of success
I will no longer depend on others for my own happiness
I will stop looking for happiness where I have already looked (such as money, material possesions and food)
My Start doing list:
Live within my means
Live with what I have until I can afford what I want
Analyze my wants to decide whether I really want it (stop buying on impulse)
My Stop doing list will come first:
I will no longer let my job hold me back from what I believe is my purpose.
I will no longer let my job keep me from hapiness
I will no longer depend on my job for my way of living (I really can't do much depending anyway)
I will no longer live my life to anothers' standards of success
I will no longer depend on others for my own happiness
I will stop looking for happiness where I have already looked (such as money, material possesions and food)
My Start doing list:
Live within my means
Live with what I have until I can afford what I want
Analyze my wants to decide whether I really want it (stop buying on impulse)
Friday, May 22, 2009
How to Make a Super-Cool Comic Type Picture Using Photoshop
I have been drawing comic-style drawings for the last few years. I find it kind of calming. This week, for my teaching blog I am going to teach you how to create one.
First you need a good photo to work with. I prefer close ups, a picture which shows a lot of detail.
If you don't have many pictures of your own, or pictures with good detail, I suggest joining a stck photograph web page. My favorite is stock.xchng
I found this picture there.
Once I have opened the photo in Photoshop, I like to "desaturate" it - basically this means make it black and white. You do this by going to Image/Adjustments/Desaturate.
Next, I like to take as much of the background out as I can. Simplicity is key to my work, I like clean lines and simple pictures which do not distract the viewer from the feeling.
Before you start cutting it up, make a copy of the layer. You don't want to mess it up without having an extra copy lyin' around.
An increadibly handy tool for cutting out the background is the magnetic lasso tool. You should keep a close watch on it though. If you have a busy background (such as the one in this photograph) the magnetic lasso may jeer off occassionally. Just take the regular lasso tool and clean up those spots.
Print the page. You can print it at the lowest quality you can as long as you can see the details.Here comes the slightly controversial part: the part my Grandfather used to yell at me for... Take this print and do one of three things:
1. Use a piece of tracing paper and trace the outline of the shadows.
2. Use a light table to do the same. Side note: don't have a light table? Neither do I. What I use is a piece of plexiglass, and a cheap neon light. I have also used my glass end tables- just put a lamp under it and now you have a light table! Get creative, I'm sure you can figure it out.
3. Go the old fashioned route and actually sketch it. I do this rather often, seeings how my daughter broke my printer a while back.
Don't get too detailed, the object is to get a general idea of where the shadows and edges lie.
Next, take a black pigment pen (use those "uniball" liquid ink pens or felt drafting pens) and re-draw what you have done in pencil. Make sure you use a pen that makes a fine, yet black and CONSISTANT line. If you use a pen which is not purely black (like a standard ballpoint) parts of your drawing will be missed by your scanner. If you use a pen which is not fine, your lines will be too thick, and sometimes bleed. And, most importantly, if the lines are not consistant and black photoshop will pick up other colors in your drawing which leaves a lot of cleanup to do.
This is where my style comes through the most. I do a messy cross-hatch technique in ink. I do not fill in the places which require pure black at this stage; wait until it is uploaded on to Photoshop for that. I also do not fill in shadows unless there is ABSOLUTELY no detail in that part, or if I want to give the impression of darkness. I also use a filled black area in the pupils of eyes.
Erase the pencil slowly. Pay attention as you do so, in case you missed some spots with your pen. Should you miss some of the pencil, no worries! just stop, and draw it in with your pen.
When you are finished you should have a picture with very little more on it than black ink (or, as is often in my case black ink with a little harmless coffee spilt on one or two corners).
Scan this in to your computer, preferably in a black and white format. I typically tell my scanner it is scanning text; this keeps any little un-erasable pencil marks from showing up on the scanned product.
Save this file, and load it on photoshop.
That's the first half...
Stay tuned for the second, to be posted at a later date...
Thursday, May 21, 2009
The List
I see the world as operating on certain conditions:
Spiritual
Romantic
Social
Mental
Physical
These are the areas which I intend on repairing in my life. As I work through them I will continually set goals and reward myself ONLY when I achieve those goals.
In the spiritual realm I want to:
Define in words what I believe as best I can. I do not seem to have a "church" per say which believes what I do in my heart. I currently attend with a congregation with very similar beliefs, but some of what I believe is different (possibly controversial) in nature to anything even these like-minded christians believe. My first goal is to write an essay about why I believe we are all forgiven. When I finish I will reward myself with a day of reflection to myself- I will go to Orvis hot springs for the day.
In the romantic realm I want to:
Find out why my mind is so tortured in this area. I am married to a man who loves me deeply. By all means I should be the happiest woman you could meet because of this. The man thinks I can do anything. I need to probe further in to why I feel this awful when it comes to love. Why does love suck for me? I believe part of my problem is that I carry a lot of my emotions without ever expressing them, even when my husband asks what is wrong. For one month I will tell him what is on my mind. I will blog this, however in a private blog (there is enough "romance" in blogs as it is) to keep track and be certain I am following what I say I will do. I will also write him a love poem. At the end of this month I will take my husband on a date, where I wil read the poem I have written.
In the social realm I want to:
Figure out what I am best at, what I am meant to do so to say. There are four things that really turn me on: researching/learning, teaching, writing and music. The music seems to be the odd man out, but maybe it isn't. Guess we'll have to see. I will write this blog at least twice a week, at least one of those two times will be a blog to teach others something I know. I love teaching! To reward myself I will purchase a new set of cd's (up to 5)
Mentally I want to be at peace. I do not expect to be this way at all times, but I want to try to be more and more peaceful. Right now I am like a raging river, I want to train my brain to be a calm mountain lake. Sometimes the water becomes cold, sometimes warm sometimes calm sometimes stirred, but mostly contained (with the exception of the stream that feeds it and leaves it). Right now I can't keep hold of myself, I am like a river. This month I will learn a one minute and a five minute meditation which I can do to help myself get to a middle ground between high and low. To calm myself and even out my mood when I am having a rough day. To reward myself I will take a two hour retreat in the park alone to breath and meditate.
Physical:
I am overweight. I have joined the 90 day Fit For SUCCESS Challenge. My weight goal is to lose 20 pounds through diet and excercise. I am joining a gym tomorrow. I am going quasy-vegitarian (again). I will be using the Shawn Phillips strength for life program. My workouts will be during my lunch hour. I am going to plan my family's meals one week ahead of time to make sure I am prepared to make a nutritious meal instead of something quick.
Spiritual
Romantic
Social
Mental
Physical
These are the areas which I intend on repairing in my life. As I work through them I will continually set goals and reward myself ONLY when I achieve those goals.
In the spiritual realm I want to:
Define in words what I believe as best I can. I do not seem to have a "church" per say which believes what I do in my heart. I currently attend with a congregation with very similar beliefs, but some of what I believe is different (possibly controversial) in nature to anything even these like-minded christians believe. My first goal is to write an essay about why I believe we are all forgiven. When I finish I will reward myself with a day of reflection to myself- I will go to Orvis hot springs for the day.
In the romantic realm I want to:
Find out why my mind is so tortured in this area. I am married to a man who loves me deeply. By all means I should be the happiest woman you could meet because of this. The man thinks I can do anything. I need to probe further in to why I feel this awful when it comes to love. Why does love suck for me? I believe part of my problem is that I carry a lot of my emotions without ever expressing them, even when my husband asks what is wrong. For one month I will tell him what is on my mind. I will blog this, however in a private blog (there is enough "romance" in blogs as it is) to keep track and be certain I am following what I say I will do. I will also write him a love poem. At the end of this month I will take my husband on a date, where I wil read the poem I have written.
In the social realm I want to:
Figure out what I am best at, what I am meant to do so to say. There are four things that really turn me on: researching/learning, teaching, writing and music. The music seems to be the odd man out, but maybe it isn't. Guess we'll have to see. I will write this blog at least twice a week, at least one of those two times will be a blog to teach others something I know. I love teaching! To reward myself I will purchase a new set of cd's (up to 5)
Mentally I want to be at peace. I do not expect to be this way at all times, but I want to try to be more and more peaceful. Right now I am like a raging river, I want to train my brain to be a calm mountain lake. Sometimes the water becomes cold, sometimes warm sometimes calm sometimes stirred, but mostly contained (with the exception of the stream that feeds it and leaves it). Right now I can't keep hold of myself, I am like a river. This month I will learn a one minute and a five minute meditation which I can do to help myself get to a middle ground between high and low. To calm myself and even out my mood when I am having a rough day. To reward myself I will take a two hour retreat in the park alone to breath and meditate.
Physical:
I am overweight. I have joined the 90 day Fit For SUCCESS Challenge. My weight goal is to lose 20 pounds through diet and excercise. I am joining a gym tomorrow. I am going quasy-vegitarian (again). I will be using the Shawn Phillips strength for life program. My workouts will be during my lunch hour. I am going to plan my family's meals one week ahead of time to make sure I am prepared to make a nutritious meal instead of something quick.
Introductions
I am a lost individual right now. I am bipolar. When I am not depressed, I am really uncomfortably on edge. I do not want to take medication for it, I want to learn to deal with it.
So I have tdecided to use my up stages to work on bettering myself and keeping my eyes on the end of the tunnel in the down stages.
So I have tdecided to use my up stages to work on bettering myself and keeping my eyes on the end of the tunnel in the down stages.
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