Our Family: January 2009

Monday, January 12, 2009

The Old Utah West is Alive!

My Dad "Freemont Bob"

Here's a picture from the blog Bob sent me a link to. This blog is written by a 5 year old Australian Shepherd named Rosie. In today's day and age I'm pretty sure I can say it's not the only blog written by a dog, but I'm sure it's one of the best!
What a great read! Have fun with this one. I was hooked from the first entry. I especially liked learning what my Dad's nickname is. Freemont River Bob.

Let me know what you think!

http://redrockrosie.blogspot.com/

Monday, January 5, 2009

Thinking out loud....

The new year is always a time for reflection. Mostly I reflect on how much I spent on the Holiday that I probably didn't need to. I then go into guilt mode for being so materialistic. I have to say I'm a lot better than I used to be with spending, maybe it's because I have everything I could possibly need and want, or maybe it's the 67% pay cut I took when I decided to take a less stressful job. When it comes down to it, we can not escape stress because we create it for ourselves. I now have stress because I have no money!

My mother once told me she always wanted to give us everything she never had as a kid. She grew up in a family with 4 kids and a disabled father. They did their best, but didn't have a lot of "stuff" or vacations etc. My mom did a great job giving us everything we wanted as kids. I really can't think of anything I wanted that I wasn't able to have. (except my parents refused to ship me off to live at gymnastics camp for a year. But, someday I'll get over it!) Now my mom says she wishes she would have worked less and spent more time with us as kids. And, I've always said I want my kids to have everything I had as a kid. (except the camp thing - sorry Alex and Carlie) Kind of funny, huh? It doesn't matter what background you come from you want your kids to have things to be happy. It doesn't matter if it's a toy, or in my case I want lessons for the kids, and vacations with the family. We can never get it in our heads that all the kid wants is a box, a stick, some dirt and mom and dad. No money. They'd be happier living in a tent with both parents home. (the yurt is NOT dead yet!) However, for me it's not just about providing for the kids. I really do love the thrill of making a deal, and I love working when I'm making a lot of money. I'm torn because I also LOVE being a mom. I really do want it all.

So, back to the stress. Now I have stress because I have no money. I shouldn't say I have NO money, I still make more myself than a lot of 2 income families. My deal is that I love money! There, I've said it. How horrible! I'm suposed to be non materialistic. I do yoga, I do Reiki, I study herbal medicine, I want to begin Tai Chi. These people do not love money. I do love money, I love making it, I love collecting it. I love spending it too.

So, in all my reflecting I think I'll just stop my struggles with the whole money thing. I am not Buddah like. Never will be. Nope. I want to go to the Bahamas instead. I'll just have to accept that this is who I am. I'm not going to take anymore paycuts for less stress. Some stress is good, it motivates me. So, here's a cheer to a prosperous new year for everyone who wants one! Happy New Year to you all!