January 6...Writing challenge 2018

Finances Shymances....

This Year I will manage  my finances better by being more self-controlled with whim spending.  You know, where you just throw the thing into your real life or virtual cart and then feel astonished that your “little purchases”cost $300 freaking dollars!  I most often feel heart attack symptoms at the grocery store due to this phenomenon!

I have always been pretty miserly and was taught to earn and save money by my awesome parents.  My mom often would agree to pay x dollars for something I wanted with me filling in the rest.  This was genius because it helped me judge if something was worth MY money or not.  It probably alleviated a lot of crap being bought and hanging around untouched for years until the dump or Goodwill was gifted with it.

My parents also made the choice to let me earn money for things that were not required.  For example, my mom gave me money for lunch and gas once weekly during high school.  If I spent carelessly, I’d be hungry or at home come the weekend!  Again, pretty genius thinking.  I never fell into credit card traps in college because I KNEW you had to pay for that crap eventually.... and probably a lot more with interest!  Yikes!


Lastly, my Dad taught me to be generous and giving with my money!  If somebody wanted something, work your hiney off  to get it for them if you wanted them to have it.  I’m thinking of the Dark Tower game purchased on a visit to Salisbury one fall weekend when I was in sixth or seventh grade.  It was not necessary, needed, and perhaps not even deserved.  But the magic of it was, he made it happen!  The cost (maybe 74 bucks?) was ridiculous and I LOVED that thing!  I am pretty sure we still have it in Wilkesboro!  Maybe it’s an antique?  All this to say.... gift giving should be a bit crazy!  And your money can make it happen!

These truths exist in 2018...
1-Everybody (pauper and millionaire alike) has financial issues.  Don’t let them control you.
2-Everything is expensive and getting more so.  If you find a deal on something you love and use, go for it!
3-You can’t take any money or things with you after you leave this Earth.  Enjoy your life and the people you’ve been gifted to treasure.  Do this and fianances will be become a little less important.

January 5...Writing Challenge 2018

A Time I Don’t Want To Forget

My mind is so full of memories that feel like they will never fade.  But like the world we live in, clutter causes the beautiful things to be hidden from view.  One specific time, I don’t want to miss is a beautiful sunny summer afternoon on the deck of our condo we refer to as the Mountain  House.  

My boys had just turned three and four and they loved life.  EVERY thing was exciting and their eyes danced with each new day’s  possibilities.  This particular afternoon their awesome Nana invited them to finger paint.  And finger paint they did.....every surface in sight.  The loved covering their sweet little chubby hands with paint and “monogramming”the table, deck railing, even a wall of the building.  We stripped them down to  their underwear and they morphed themselves into Indian warriors and ancient Shahmen and monsters and things I can’t even recall.  It was innocent.  It was pure joy. It was lovely! And in those laughter filled, judgement free moments, my heart sang a tune that still finds me today as I look at the 16 and 17 year olds that stand before me. Even tho the day was nothing special or razzle dazzle by world standards, this is a time to never, ever forget!

January 4...Writing Challenge 2018

Something I Would Like to Try This Year I have Never Tried Before

This year I would like to be fit and FEEL healthy and strong enough to ZIPLINE!!  I conquered the Alpine Tower at ASU and felt jelly legs and squeamish stomach but DID IT!!  The boys have Ziplined several times and I always wanted to go...but feared being out of shape and holding them back OR being just too darn fat to comfortably do the thing.

Ideally, I will do this with those same boys and enjoy the experience.  The biggest appeal is the exhilaration that seems to be on EVERY person's face I have ever observed completing this goal. 
The WHEEEEEEE feeling sounds totally fun and exciting!  I have read about some options but I am going to have to do my research to get the absolute BEST bang for my buck!!  Stay tuned....

January 3....Writing Challenge 2018

Your Day In Ten Words

 Chaos filled middle school mayhem....field trips are worth it!

January 2... Writing Challenge 2018

Three Goals for this Month... The Second in A Series of Journal Prompts

 1- I want to continue to chase better health.  Pound dropping and faster workout times are nice, but my ultimate goal is a lifestyle I can manage for the remainder of my Earthly days.   An investment of time and energy in my health promotes overall wellbeing, makes me a nicer human, and makes my pants not feel like they are made completely of rubber bands.

2-  I want to WRITE every day.  Not for work, not for an assigned task, but to just explore my own thoughts and challenge my ability to perform on command.  Lots of folks keep saying, "you should write a book" and that idea always brings a little glint to my eye (and a little nausea to my stomach).  BUT THIS I DO KNOW... I will never, ever be a writer if I don't practice, practice, practice.  Day two and I am still going.. so that's a plus!!

3-  I want to do some self-reflection and determine what things, places, events, and people truly make me happy.  I am approaching a crossroads in the not too distant future where I could find myself with two roles that will not require my full attention.  One being mom... because my boys are growing and changing and will {eventually} not be sharing a roof with me.  The second being that of teacher.  I am eligible to retire in seven years.... which seems like a LONG time away, but the past seven years have flown by and I must start preparing now because I am NO GOOD at change.   The realist in me says.. teacher and mom will always, ALWAYS be a part of who am I until I breathe my last breath, but I  will have some power over how those titles and how I will infuse them into my "new" lifestyle.  I need an exit plan and a next thing... always have... always will!

As a side note, I have never been big on goals.  Perhaps that is why I am always feeling like I am NEVER finished with anything.  Let's see how this goes... stay tuned!!

January 1.. Writing Challenge 2018

I have decided to write daily.  I preach  "readers read and writers write" to my students ALL THE TIME.  And I do one of these a lot.. writing is the loser.  So I will resolve to try to write a little each day.  I have found a plethora of monthly writing prompts and may stick to the plan or in normal Maria fashion go completely off the predetermined path and take a twisting, turning path of my own making. 

Today's prompt is "What are you most looking forward to?"

As 2018 begins, I realize my oldest "baby" is graduating and turning 18 in six short months.  These are HUGE milestones, but I am truly looking forward to them.  Mack is ready...oh so ready... to enter the next chapter of his life.  He is already a young man and operates mentally in the adult world.  I don't want to wish my life away and I can't deny that I find myself feeling winsome for bygone days with those little fellas.  Regardless, I will look forward to coming days and new forms of old relationships with those I love most.

Green Kool-aid, Saltines, and Roof-of-your mouth Sticking Peanut Butter

I’ve traveled the world and eaten lots of things. One meal I had cost nearly $500.00. It was lovely and wonderful and all that good stuff...but the truth of the matter is it is very difficult to beat homemade peanut butter crackers and a glass of cold Kool-aid. I have great memories of sharing these items with my mom at the picnic table under our carport in Westwood Hills. Even today, she almost always has the peanut butter and crackers or ginger snaps with her everywhere she goes. I steal from her when I am lucky enough to share the lunch table when she subs.  And she always smiles and laughs and offers “all I want”!  I’ve shared this delicacy with my boys and their daddy.  We probably should buy stock in Jif!

These thoughts lead me to  Christmas festivities and all the stress inducing preparation that  is often included. I’ve attended more functions than I care to count where the hosts were visibly shaken and {probably} going to argue like crazy just as soon as the last guests  departed.  I listen to others lament about HAVING to go to family functions, work functions, church and community events and they sound miserable about it all.

So here is my proposal...would it really be so bad to apply the KISS method to the holidays?  KISS meaning keep it simple, stupid.  What does your family really love that you cook?  Could you have vegetable soup instead of turkey and all the fixings?  Or hotdogs? Or make your own pizza?  Or heck...homemade ice cream for dinner!  I know, blasphemous!

But the truth lies here....  You do something unexpected, weird, and totally unpredictable and all those people you are trying to impress, love, and cherish will NEVER forget this Christmas.  They will be talking about it and how cool, amazing, fabulous you are for years... you could even become legendary!

Now...if you LOVE all the hullabaloo and it makes you happy...go for it!  Either way,
Merry Christmas to you!  🎄🎄🎄🎄