It’s 5:44 and thank goodness the workday is finally done. I bid this week goodbye and the 5 things I would like to share with you.
The more in control I want to be, the more anxious I get that I am not in control. So let it be. Take a deep breath and move on. Maybe this is the interruption we all need.
Yes, the house needs to be cleaned but no one is coming to visit. Relax. You have a house. The weekend is here so it will get done soon enough.
Enjoy each day, after all we don’t have forever to live.
Whine. Vent. Then move on. Once again. Groundhog day, y’all.
It’s Friday so forget about the week that was. Enjoy the weekend respite.
Good Saturday morning everyone! The sun is out and hopefully will thaw out the Midwest in the next few days. We had ice and snow the last 3 days, not anywhere near what Boston had but more than enough to shut us inside the house.
I have told myself to go out, brave the cold, and take pictures of the snowy landscape all around me. Winter brings about a different kind of beauty for me, particularly how the sunrise gives different hues each winter morning or how the barren trees cast a stark foreground to a beautiful blue sky.
This is what I see each day as I work and look out my window at home.
I never got around to doing it this week because let us face it – it is cold outside. I like my cocoon. I like my warmth even if I have acclimated to the cold winters for the last twenty years. An island girl always long for the call of the ocean wherever she is.
I did get to enjoying the snow before the day ended yesterday. Well, to be honest, my boys (for no matter how old they get, they will always be my boys) guilted me into going out. I spent an hour playing with them and the dogs (my girls) in the backyard. I know their goal – tackle momma in the snow. Every year. Every time. I do not really mind but of course, I do not tell them that. We know it and they know it.
Our mini bernedoodle, Leia, also discovered her mountain dog side! It was fun to see her rolling around in the snow, but it was a chore to get her dry. Our pandemic puppy is afraid of missing out and has separation anxiety. Two traits I hear are common with pandemic puppies, because we have been by their side the last two years.
Leia enjoying the snow and bolting to our neighbor to say Hi while I’m screaming for the boys to get her.
Now that I have written down my thoughts about yesterday, I am not sure why I am sharing the mundane with you. Maybe because remarkable things come in small packages especially time with family. More than anything.
So, as we bookend the week, I hope you enjoy today and tomorrow with the ones you love near or far. Enjoy the gift of time given today. Smile and see the treasure in front of you.
I have been trying to write a new post for the last four days. The words in my mind just would not flow freely via my keyboard. Probably because of the merging thoughts and to do lists cycling through my mind.
So, I sit and stare outside – watching the snowflakes swirl and flutter to the ground and listen, on repeat, to this song Shall Not Want. I am letting this song wash over me, remind me, let it stick to my soul, and for my spirit to listen.
Maybe we need more of this – a moment of stillness, to get centered. I am subconsciously making up for the last two years when everything slowed. I have lists (and a number of to dos) needing to get checked like Santa’s little helpers do on Christmas eve. I feel like the White Rabbit from Alice or am I Alice falling into the rabbit hole?
As I think and write about this, I feel guilty because mine are momentary troubles. There are others out there who cannot even make a list or look forward to tomorrow.
So, I welcome this hour, this time of silent reflection, even when my thoughts are all over the place. I recognize that I need to pause and appreciate what life is giving me. Trust that everything will work itself out.
I am welcoming the joy that rises within me as I write this. This hour is a reminder to be thankful for the small moments because they will fill up my bucket. Like the snow that continues to fall as they are kisses from heaven – each one special and distinct.
Friday night comes and I am sitting here at our local pub enjoying the buzz around me. I’m reminded that life has to be celebrated even in the most trying times.
The local pub’s DJ Booth
In case you are wondering – we are careful, we are mindful, and social distancing. It is good to see a semblance of normalcy even for a little bit. It has been a long week for me – work, writing, and trying to launch a small business. I need a short time away from my four walls. I love being in the midst of the bustle and camaraderie of the people around me.
Makes me forget about my doubts. One came last night – the thought of over sharing my life and exposing my vulnerability. The words were pouring out and I hesitated.
So I promised myself to take each day as it comes. When there are days that I can’t write, I need to stop fretting. The words will come like they always do. I am letting go of things that I cannot control.
So now it comes while I wait for our food. Not a nugget of wisdom to share – just enjoying a moment that life has to offer in simplicity. A fitting way to end the week that I want to share with all of you.
Enjoy the weekend ahead and enjoy the beauty around you.
It has been a whirl and we are just in the second week of the new year. The news is very depressing, and I am feeling a sense of déjà vu – is it 2020 all over again? I certainly hope not and to get my mind off these ominous thoughts, I worked on my financial goals for the year when I had the chance (which is usually after work or while I am eating lunch).
So let me take your mind off Covid for a moment and let us talk about money. It is always an exciting time to review where you want to be financially beginning of the year. I can share how I do my budgeting. Caveat: I am not a financial expert but will share what has worked for me over the years.
istock photo
For those whose goal is to be debt-free or just simply manage your finances, this is where you need to start. Budgeting is the key. There are tons of articles already written about this and you need to determine what works for you. Read Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps if you need help determining goals. It may take time, even years, but be patient. It took us years of practice mingled with frustration and curbing immediate gratification. We were finally debt-free in 2018 except for our mortgage and student loans which are main target now.
So how do I do it? I have a high-level monthly budget on my Excel sheet for every dollar earned and spent. I follow the Zero-Based Budget approach, which funny enough I just learned last week. I did not realize this is what I have been doing for years. Then I use Quicken to track my expenses, but I do it manually since I look ahead – far ahead.
snapshot of my budget categories
This year I want to be more intentional on where our income should go this year, so I created a 5-month forecast instead of my 2-month forecast. There is nothing special on the number, but I wanted to get a view before summer starts. I am overly optimistic that somehow this year is going to be better and will look more like our pre-pandemic years. I included vacation category in my budget so as a unit, we will be more careful about impulse buying on items we do not really need (meaning less trip to Costco!) as well as limit our dining out options (we are a big foodie group). I am robbing Peter on this account so Paul can save 😊. We have everything accounted for and we just need to stick to it as a family. If the vacation does not happen, then it will be a plus to my savings account.
Then I check Quicken at least once a week (in reality, 3x) and adjust, as necessary. Oftentimes there will be things that will come up, emergency or otherwise. Over the years I learned how not to fret and balance it with the YOLO phrase. Then I tell the family that next week or next month, we will not be doing this or that.
Budgeting is a work in progress and requires long term diligence to see effective results. If you have not already done so, try to work on a monthly budget to see where you are. It is the first step to achieving financial freedom. If you have questions, let me know where I can help.
I hope this post has been helpful. Drop me a comment if you would like to know more about our experience towards financial freedom.
Vian Wheatley 