I received my fourth quarter email from Glenn Shepard on where I am with my 2009 Goals & Resolutions. This is what I submitted to him on where I stand on my goals for the year (review blog entry on 1/1/2009 for goals set):
1. 100% met = stay on track with monthly budget and financial planning
2. 50% = did not meet this goal in the way I had wanted (100% revamping of my casa), but I am grateful for the changes I have made in habits contributing to the issue; going forward it should only progress with my goal to achieve more in 2010
3. 0% met, no progress = must make this a priority for 2010
4. 75% progress = always good to recheck up on yourself and flow with life
5. 100% = have learned, need to continue to implement it
Many THANKS Glenn for your encouragement through the year!
for encouragement and to read others go to:www.glennshepard.com/nyr/2009.htm
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Daily Bible Verse
For Christ has accomplished the whole purpose of the law. All who believe in him are made right with God. Romans 10:4 (NLT)
Friday, December 25, 2009
First Winter Snow
Camp started last night and it was bad weather for many traveling in. We had our first Winter Snow for the year with lots of ice and cold weather! It was a blizzard yesterday like I have never seen here in the 13 winters I have been here so far! I took picturs before heading out to camp this morning, a litte bit has melted, but you get a good look at what its like here today. I love the snow...it is so pretty!
right side of backyard
very back of house looking at my bedroom window
left side of backyard
right side of backyard
very back of house looking at my bedroom window
left side of backyard
front of the house
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Brian Tracy Quote of the Day
Before a person can achieve the kind of life he wants, he must think, act, walk, talk and conduct himself in all of his affairs as would the person he wishes to become.
-Zig Ziglar, Author
-Zig Ziglar, Author
Friday, December 11, 2009
Brian Tracy Quote of the Day
Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach. It's the end you're after.
-Anthony Robbins, Motivational Speaker
-Anthony Robbins, Motivational Speaker
Monday, December 7, 2009
Quotes
Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.
-Tom Landry, football coach
-Tom Landry, football coach
Thursday, December 3, 2009
a text message
at 9pm tonight I received the following text message:
comingtotexasfortworthfridaythefourthninepmonthegreyhound
It took a minute for me to figure out the message since it came thru all as one word. The area code was 760, which is my parents, but it was not a phone number I had listed in my cell phone. I texted back: Who is this? I then got a call from that number, and it was Terry. He explained to me that Mom has had it with him and put him on the Greyhound Bus this morning at 11am out of Barstow, CA to come stay with me...and he was enroute, not really sure where he is, but on his way. Mom told him not to call me until he arrived here in Texas, but he texted instead because he felt bad and knew I would need to know. He told me not to call her, I told him he didn't need to worry about that, I was not!!! We talked a little bit as I struggled with anger towards her for trying yet again to control my life, for her not thinking that this might not be good timing for me (how did she know I was even home? 3weeks ago I was out of the country for a week.), let alone try to put the pieces of the story together and come up with a plan. He let me know that Mom expects him to stay here for 3-4 weeks as she needs a break and he did not have a return ticket bought back to CA. I have not heard from him in about 3months or so and he had not returned any of my voicemails, so I asked him what he has been up to. I told him I had heard from Grandma that he was back into drugs again (after having been clean for 2years) and had left home. He said yes, he had slipped and used once a month or two ago, but thats not what he wanted to do with his life. I informed him that I am still working my crazy work schedule with two jobs, so this is not good timing for me; there is no way I can have him here alone at the house for that length of time every day. I told him that I would have to check with some of the men and get input and call him back. He said he was sorry, knew this put me in a hard spot, if he couldn't stay with me and nobody else could have him, he would go to a shelter. My heart broke...I can't imagine such a life like that...but he is evidently used to that because he has done it many times before. I request all my friends to please pray for me and to please keep my brother in your prayers. Jeff will be coming up with a plan as to what we do from here, we have 24hrs. I haven't seen my brother in about 5years...I am looking forward to the time with anticipation and hopeful that I can be of an encouragement and strength to him to want to server our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.
comingtotexasfortworthfridaythefourthninepmonthegreyhound
It took a minute for me to figure out the message since it came thru all as one word. The area code was 760, which is my parents, but it was not a phone number I had listed in my cell phone. I texted back: Who is this? I then got a call from that number, and it was Terry. He explained to me that Mom has had it with him and put him on the Greyhound Bus this morning at 11am out of Barstow, CA to come stay with me...and he was enroute, not really sure where he is, but on his way. Mom told him not to call me until he arrived here in Texas, but he texted instead because he felt bad and knew I would need to know. He told me not to call her, I told him he didn't need to worry about that, I was not!!! We talked a little bit as I struggled with anger towards her for trying yet again to control my life, for her not thinking that this might not be good timing for me (how did she know I was even home? 3weeks ago I was out of the country for a week.), let alone try to put the pieces of the story together and come up with a plan. He let me know that Mom expects him to stay here for 3-4 weeks as she needs a break and he did not have a return ticket bought back to CA. I have not heard from him in about 3months or so and he had not returned any of my voicemails, so I asked him what he has been up to. I told him I had heard from Grandma that he was back into drugs again (after having been clean for 2years) and had left home. He said yes, he had slipped and used once a month or two ago, but thats not what he wanted to do with his life. I informed him that I am still working my crazy work schedule with two jobs, so this is not good timing for me; there is no way I can have him here alone at the house for that length of time every day. I told him that I would have to check with some of the men and get input and call him back. He said he was sorry, knew this put me in a hard spot, if he couldn't stay with me and nobody else could have him, he would go to a shelter. My heart broke...I can't imagine such a life like that...but he is evidently used to that because he has done it many times before. I request all my friends to please pray for me and to please keep my brother in your prayers. Jeff will be coming up with a plan as to what we do from here, we have 24hrs. I haven't seen my brother in about 5years...I am looking forward to the time with anticipation and hopeful that I can be of an encouragement and strength to him to want to server our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Brian Tracy Quote of the Day
Your goal should be out of reach, but not out of sight.
~Anita DeFrantz, Olympic rower
~Anita DeFrantz, Olympic rower
Monday, November 9, 2009
weekly devotion
Weekly Wisdom
Your outer life is your reputation with people, but your inner life is your reputation with God.
Your outer life is your reputation with people, but your inner life is your reputation with God.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Day 1 - Arrival to Cancun Mexico
Preface:
Mid October I decide to get more information on the EntreLeadership event with Dave Ramsey that was to be held November 8-14th, 2009 in Cancun Mexico. After much research, consulting, interviews and information, I started making my plans. It was a bit complicated due to the fact that my California Birth Certificate was an Abstract Birth Certificate and therefore since it was not a certified copy, it would not be accepted by the Federal Government for a Passport to be issued. I had to get a Certified Copy ordered and rushed to me, so that I could move on to the next phase. Once I obtained that, I learned that since I was within the 4-6 week window of passport issuance, I had to wait until I was 14days out and visit the local office in Dallas Texas. In order to do this, you have to make and appointment and must present proof of travel (which means a purchased itinerary) or letter from your employer stating you were going on business. I didn't want to purchase a non-refundable airline ticket on an airline I had never previously flown on, until I had a passport in hand, but neither did I want to take the time off of work to drive to Dallas and get turned down and have to drive back, purchase a ticket and make another appointment with the Agency.. My boss wrote a letter and I purchased my airline ticket the day of my appointment to get my passport in Dallas, Monday, October 26th, 2009. I got it all in smooth order, so I then confirmed with Dave Ramsey's Team that I was going! What a moment!!!
Today, was the big day...Travels to Cancun Mexico for my very first time! I left the house a little after 7.30am with Jackie who kindly offered to take me to the airport. I made it through security with no issues and was the second traveler at the gate when the attendent informed us that due to the hurricane in the seas off of Cancun, our flight was delayed until 3.30pm...5.25 hours after it was supposed to have left! I didn't know what to do. I called Jackie to inform her of the delay, as we discussed my options, I decided to just hang at the airport. To have her come back for me (though she wasn't that far down the road) and then bring me back a few hours later, would cause a hassle for all involved and interrupt the plans others had to attend meeting and the chili cookoff out at Sam & Brenda's. It seemed to make more sense just to stay at the airport and if I didn't get to travel, then have someone come get me. I spent the time trying to nap as I was pretty tired, and then started my knitting & listened to my MP3 player. I got lunch at Fuddruckers, though it wasn't quite the same. We boarded about 2.45pm and were off right on the money at 3.30pm! The flight went well and I arrived in Cancun at 6pm, went thru customs with no issues, got my bag at baggage claim (I had carried on a second bag and my laptop in case the other bag didn't make it) and then the final gate check security where my bags got the "red light". They searched them and then let me on my way. I proceeded out thru the lobby and to the curb looking to find a black sign with the label: EntreLeadership in white on a black background/board. Here I was met by two of Dave Ramsey's team, Dave (video dude) and Matt (VP of Operations). I then learned there were 3 other couples on my flight who were attending the conference event also and we got acquainted with each other as we waited for the others to arrive and complete their process thru customs and baggage claim. We were loaded into a 16passanger van and taken on a 20minute fast scary drive in the dark to the Paradisus Riviera Cancun Resort, http://www.paradisus-riviera-cancun.com/. Upon arrival, the bell boys unloaded are luggage, we got checked in and then got our luggage tagged and we were taken to our rooms on a golf cart with it. They brought it into our room for us an pointed us in the general direction of where we were to go. I quickly took a quick peak of my room and unloaded all my hangups into the closet so the wrinkles could fall out. I wanted to shower and change clothes, but the event had started at 5.30pm and it was now a bit after 7pm and I just wanted to head that way so I didn't miss Dave's introductory speech. I left my room and headed the way I thought the bell boy had pointed...20minutes later, I found the banquet room! Everyone had eaten and Dave was just getting ready to get up on stage. I quickly went thru the buffet line and sat down at a table with some of the couples on my flight and three of Dave's team, Matt and Chris & Debbie.
Dave Ramsey's speech, EntreLeadership defined:
(a few of the nuggets I got out of the time)The leader builds the team. Think of an excellent leader, what would an excellent leader look like? If you are going to be a leader, this has to be you! Servant Leadership is the only kind of leadership that works.
After Dave's speech, our table was asked to come and answer a few questions on camera that would be displayed later the next day at the beginning of each lesson. I got to know those 3 couples a bit more and what they did while we all hung out in the hallway by the pool and took turns having the spotlight on us and answering the questions Chris Mefford posed to us. After that, I went to my room and called it a night...thoroughly exhausted from my day of travels and class was to begin at 8.30am the next day.
and yes, because I know you are asking this question...the photos on the above link to the resort are exactly what it looked like when I arrived!
Mid October I decide to get more information on the EntreLeadership event with Dave Ramsey that was to be held November 8-14th, 2009 in Cancun Mexico. After much research, consulting, interviews and information, I started making my plans. It was a bit complicated due to the fact that my California Birth Certificate was an Abstract Birth Certificate and therefore since it was not a certified copy, it would not be accepted by the Federal Government for a Passport to be issued. I had to get a Certified Copy ordered and rushed to me, so that I could move on to the next phase. Once I obtained that, I learned that since I was within the 4-6 week window of passport issuance, I had to wait until I was 14days out and visit the local office in Dallas Texas. In order to do this, you have to make and appointment and must present proof of travel (which means a purchased itinerary) or letter from your employer stating you were going on business. I didn't want to purchase a non-refundable airline ticket on an airline I had never previously flown on, until I had a passport in hand, but neither did I want to take the time off of work to drive to Dallas and get turned down and have to drive back, purchase a ticket and make another appointment with the Agency.. My boss wrote a letter and I purchased my airline ticket the day of my appointment to get my passport in Dallas, Monday, October 26th, 2009. I got it all in smooth order, so I then confirmed with Dave Ramsey's Team that I was going! What a moment!!!
Today, was the big day...Travels to Cancun Mexico for my very first time! I left the house a little after 7.30am with Jackie who kindly offered to take me to the airport. I made it through security with no issues and was the second traveler at the gate when the attendent informed us that due to the hurricane in the seas off of Cancun, our flight was delayed until 3.30pm...5.25 hours after it was supposed to have left! I didn't know what to do. I called Jackie to inform her of the delay, as we discussed my options, I decided to just hang at the airport. To have her come back for me (though she wasn't that far down the road) and then bring me back a few hours later, would cause a hassle for all involved and interrupt the plans others had to attend meeting and the chili cookoff out at Sam & Brenda's. It seemed to make more sense just to stay at the airport and if I didn't get to travel, then have someone come get me. I spent the time trying to nap as I was pretty tired, and then started my knitting & listened to my MP3 player. I got lunch at Fuddruckers, though it wasn't quite the same. We boarded about 2.45pm and were off right on the money at 3.30pm! The flight went well and I arrived in Cancun at 6pm, went thru customs with no issues, got my bag at baggage claim (I had carried on a second bag and my laptop in case the other bag didn't make it) and then the final gate check security where my bags got the "red light". They searched them and then let me on my way. I proceeded out thru the lobby and to the curb looking to find a black sign with the label: EntreLeadership in white on a black background/board. Here I was met by two of Dave Ramsey's team, Dave (video dude) and Matt (VP of Operations). I then learned there were 3 other couples on my flight who were attending the conference event also and we got acquainted with each other as we waited for the others to arrive and complete their process thru customs and baggage claim. We were loaded into a 16passanger van and taken on a 20minute fast scary drive in the dark to the Paradisus Riviera Cancun Resort, http://www.paradisus-riviera-cancun.com/. Upon arrival, the bell boys unloaded are luggage, we got checked in and then got our luggage tagged and we were taken to our rooms on a golf cart with it. They brought it into our room for us an pointed us in the general direction of where we were to go. I quickly took a quick peak of my room and unloaded all my hangups into the closet so the wrinkles could fall out. I wanted to shower and change clothes, but the event had started at 5.30pm and it was now a bit after 7pm and I just wanted to head that way so I didn't miss Dave's introductory speech. I left my room and headed the way I thought the bell boy had pointed...20minutes later, I found the banquet room! Everyone had eaten and Dave was just getting ready to get up on stage. I quickly went thru the buffet line and sat down at a table with some of the couples on my flight and three of Dave's team, Matt and Chris & Debbie.
Dave Ramsey's speech, EntreLeadership defined:
(a few of the nuggets I got out of the time)The leader builds the team. Think of an excellent leader, what would an excellent leader look like? If you are going to be a leader, this has to be you! Servant Leadership is the only kind of leadership that works.
After Dave's speech, our table was asked to come and answer a few questions on camera that would be displayed later the next day at the beginning of each lesson. I got to know those 3 couples a bit more and what they did while we all hung out in the hallway by the pool and took turns having the spotlight on us and answering the questions Chris Mefford posed to us. After that, I went to my room and called it a night...thoroughly exhausted from my day of travels and class was to begin at 8.30am the next day.
and yes, because I know you are asking this question...the photos on the above link to the resort are exactly what it looked like when I arrived!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Brian Tracy Leadership Success Email
The Three Primary Virtues
By Brian Tracy
Adam Smith, in his important book The Theory of Moral Sentiments, wrote that excellent people have three primary virtues: prudence, justice, and benevolence, in that order. Each of them is essential to the others and to the living of a full life in society.
Prudence
The virtue of prudence refers to your developing the habit of providing well for yourself, your family, your friends, your co-workers, and your company. This requires that you think intelligently and honestly about the very best course of action to maximize your opportunities and minimize possible danger and threats. The habit of prudence means you investigate every investment carefully, think ahead about what might happen if you were to take a particular course of action, and take intelligent steps to guard against setbacks and reversals of fortune. The most successful people are those who are prudent in the conduct in all of their personal and business affairs.
Justice is Blind
The second habit for you to develop is the habit of justice. This refers to your commitment to the establishment and maintenance of laws in society that protect the person and property of every individual. The American republic has endured for more than 200 years because it was carefully established by the founding fathers on the basis of law, not men. At every level of our society, specific laws are prescribed and laid down that are applicable to all people, regardless of wealth or station in life.
John Rawls, the Harvard philosopher and author of A Theory of Justice (Belknap Press, revised edition, 1999), once presented a question to his class that has been repeated often through the years.
Imagine that you could write the laws and create the circumstances of your society. You are given the power to prescribe the economic, social and political relationships that would exist in your country throughout your lifetime. There is only one limitation on your power. You would set up this structure without knowing into what sort of family or situation you would be born. You would not know in advance what sort of physical condition you might be born with. Whatever system of laws and customs you decided upon, you would then be required to live by them for the rest of your life. What kind of structure would you design in this situation?
The answer to this question is the very essence of the concept of justice. The statue of justice, holding the balances and scales in her hand, is blind folded. True justice is therefore applicable to all people who live under a certain system, irrespective of their background. When you make the habit of justice an organizing virtue for your own character, you will insist that, whatever the relative power of the parties, everyone be treated fairly and justly in the resolution of any difficulty or dispute.
The habit of prudence is essential for personal success. The habit of justice is essential for the creation of a society within which a person can pursue his or her own best interests with the greatest of possibilities. The rule is that you should never want or demand anything from anyone else that you are not perfectly willing to accept for yourself.
Benevolence
The third quality you must develop is the habit of benevolence. This is one of the hallmark characteristics of the truly superior person. Aristotle referred to it as one of the eight essential virtues, that of "generosity." Most people are psychologically and emotionally structured in such a way that they are only truly happy and satisfied when they feel they are doing something that serves and benefits other people. When you give freely and generously of yourself to others, whether it is to members of your family or to members of the public, you feel more valuable and happier inside. When you dedicate yourself to serving your customers with the very best quality product or service of which you are capable, not only do you feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction, but you also put yourself on the side of the angels when it comes to personal and business success. You remember the principle: "The more you give of yourself to others with no expectation of return, the more good things there are that will come back to you from the most unexpected sources."
The regular practice of prudence, justice, and benevolence leads naturally to feelings and actions of kindness, compassion, and tolerance toward other people. You become more open minded and flexible. You develop greater patience and understanding. You are less judgmental or demanding of others. You become a better and finer person.
Action Exercise
Imagine yourself to be a person of complete honesty and impeccable integrity. Is there any behavior of yours that you would change?
By Brian Tracy
Adam Smith, in his important book The Theory of Moral Sentiments, wrote that excellent people have three primary virtues: prudence, justice, and benevolence, in that order. Each of them is essential to the others and to the living of a full life in society.
Prudence
The virtue of prudence refers to your developing the habit of providing well for yourself, your family, your friends, your co-workers, and your company. This requires that you think intelligently and honestly about the very best course of action to maximize your opportunities and minimize possible danger and threats. The habit of prudence means you investigate every investment carefully, think ahead about what might happen if you were to take a particular course of action, and take intelligent steps to guard against setbacks and reversals of fortune. The most successful people are those who are prudent in the conduct in all of their personal and business affairs.
Justice is Blind
The second habit for you to develop is the habit of justice. This refers to your commitment to the establishment and maintenance of laws in society that protect the person and property of every individual. The American republic has endured for more than 200 years because it was carefully established by the founding fathers on the basis of law, not men. At every level of our society, specific laws are prescribed and laid down that are applicable to all people, regardless of wealth or station in life.
John Rawls, the Harvard philosopher and author of A Theory of Justice (Belknap Press, revised edition, 1999), once presented a question to his class that has been repeated often through the years.
Imagine that you could write the laws and create the circumstances of your society. You are given the power to prescribe the economic, social and political relationships that would exist in your country throughout your lifetime. There is only one limitation on your power. You would set up this structure without knowing into what sort of family or situation you would be born. You would not know in advance what sort of physical condition you might be born with. Whatever system of laws and customs you decided upon, you would then be required to live by them for the rest of your life. What kind of structure would you design in this situation?
The answer to this question is the very essence of the concept of justice. The statue of justice, holding the balances and scales in her hand, is blind folded. True justice is therefore applicable to all people who live under a certain system, irrespective of their background. When you make the habit of justice an organizing virtue for your own character, you will insist that, whatever the relative power of the parties, everyone be treated fairly and justly in the resolution of any difficulty or dispute.
The habit of prudence is essential for personal success. The habit of justice is essential for the creation of a society within which a person can pursue his or her own best interests with the greatest of possibilities. The rule is that you should never want or demand anything from anyone else that you are not perfectly willing to accept for yourself.
Benevolence
The third quality you must develop is the habit of benevolence. This is one of the hallmark characteristics of the truly superior person. Aristotle referred to it as one of the eight essential virtues, that of "generosity." Most people are psychologically and emotionally structured in such a way that they are only truly happy and satisfied when they feel they are doing something that serves and benefits other people. When you give freely and generously of yourself to others, whether it is to members of your family or to members of the public, you feel more valuable and happier inside. When you dedicate yourself to serving your customers with the very best quality product or service of which you are capable, not only do you feel a deep sense of personal satisfaction, but you also put yourself on the side of the angels when it comes to personal and business success. You remember the principle: "The more you give of yourself to others with no expectation of return, the more good things there are that will come back to you from the most unexpected sources."
The regular practice of prudence, justice, and benevolence leads naturally to feelings and actions of kindness, compassion, and tolerance toward other people. You become more open minded and flexible. You develop greater patience and understanding. You are less judgmental or demanding of others. You become a better and finer person.
Action Exercise
Imagine yourself to be a person of complete honesty and impeccable integrity. Is there any behavior of yours that you would change?
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Quotes
A man of character finds a special attractiveness in difficulty, since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potentialities.
- Charles De Gaulle
- Charles De Gaulle
Happy Birthday Glenn!
Some of you know that I am a fan of a couple of authors, one being: Glenn Shepard. I get his weekly email newsletter called Work Is Not for Sissies. I gave all my coworkers his book How to Be the Employee Your Company Can't Live Without, at our year end party in 2008, because I benefited from it in some areas that I needed tweaking along with basic reminders about why and how it is important to serve your boss and work with the team to accomplish the goal, making the company money. Well today is his birthday...this is what I sent him in special thanks for his work:
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Real Simple Daily Thought
The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: Decide what you want.
―Ben Stein
―Ben Stein
Brian Tracy Quote of the Day
To try and fail is at least to learn. To fail to try is to suffer the loss of what might have been.
- Benjamin Franklin, statesman
- Benjamin Franklin, statesman
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
October 2009 Adult Verse Night
Deuteronomy 31:6 — Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not ... for it is the Lord your God who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
3rd Quarter Progress on 2009 Resolutions
I received my third quarter email from Glenn Shepard on where I am with my 2009 Goals & Resolutions. This is what I submitted to him on where I stand on the goals I set for the year (review blog entry for 1/1/2009 for goals set):
1. Met this goal at 100% July 2009.
2. 10% progress made. Reading any material I can come accross online & books to help me get new methods to achieve this goal to organize, cull, declutter, condense, minimize, etc.
3. 0% progress
4. 25% progress made. Still reading and learning with a desire to excel and be more productive
5. 25% progress made.
THANK you yet again Glenn for your encouragement!
1. Met this goal at 100% July 2009.
2. 10% progress made. Reading any material I can come accross online & books to help me get new methods to achieve this goal to organize, cull, declutter, condense, minimize, etc.
3. 0% progress
4. 25% progress made. Still reading and learning with a desire to excel and be more productive
5. 25% progress made.
THANK you yet again Glenn for your encouragement!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
book ~ simplify your life
Brooke let me borrow this book from her and I want to post my highlights from it, sort of a book report on it (so that I can remind myself later after I have returned it to her)
Simplify Your Life
by Elaine St. James
Let your boat of life be light, packed with only what you need - a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends worth the name, someone to love and some to love you, enough to eat and enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink, for thirst is a dangerous thing.
-Jerome Klapka Jerome
Like many others (the author writes), I had bought into the Bigger is Better and the More is Better Yet philosophies of the 1980s. We gradually began to realize that, rather than contributing to our lives, many of these things complicated them far more than we'd been willing to admit. We'd always known the Joneses weren't worth keeping up with, but we finally had to face the fact that the only thing we'd ever gotten from a power lunch was indigestion. The time had come for us to get off the fast track.
The goal of a simplified program is three goals:
#1 things in my/our lives (home, car, clothes, diets, finances) to be small enough and few enough and simple enough that they can be taken care of yourself/ourselves
#2 free yourself/ourselves from the commitments, the people, and the obligations that kept me/us from having time to do the things I/we really want to do, not felt I/we should do.
#3 want my/our life to be consistent with the desire to live in harmony with the environment.
Remember: One person's simplicity is another's complexity. The secret to happiness is not getting more but in wanting less.
#1 Reduce the clutter in your life:
If you haven't used it in one year or more, get rid of it. The idea is not to deny yourself the things you want, but to free yourself from the things you don't want.
#3 Use "Speed Cleaning" to clean your house:
(read Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell and the Clean Team)
#13 Keep Your Plants Outdoors:
It's time we realize that the photographs in the home-and-garden magazines don't necessarily reflect reality. They made having indoor plants look so easy, when they're anything but. Consider a window box (if you don't have a yard or patio to enjoy), visit your botanical garden, at the very least, don't replace it when t dies.
#22 Build a Simple Wardrobe:
Men already have simple wardrobes. First, pick a simple, classic style that looks good on you, and then stick with it. Forever. Second, build combinations of outfits that work as a uniform...two or three of the same similar style but in different, muted shades...each item should go with every other item. It is possible to create a simple, functional, feminine wardrobe by following the same principles men follow when it comes to fashion. (Didn't care for third point don't wear jewelry, don't carry a purse and wear only one heel height).
#23 Reduce Your go-Go Entertainment:
Most people come to realize the best things in life are free, and that doing less can mean having more - more serenity, more happiness, more peace of mind. Make a list of the things you and your family really love to do. And then arrange your life so that each day you have time to do as many of the things you like to do as possible.
#30 Don't Answer the Phone Just Because It's Ringing:
Just because it's convenient for someone to call you at this particular time does not necessarily mean it's convenient for you to answer.
#37 Take a Vacation at Home
#39 Live on Half of What You Earn, and Save the Other Half:
We've become a nation of spenders rather than savers. We spend far more than we need to on stuff we don't really require. Start by cutting back 10-15%, gradually building up to 50% over a year or two. Living simply is not a matter of living cheaply or of feeling deprived. On the contrary, it's an opportunity to get in touch with what is really important in your life, and to reach a level of moderation that will create not only a feeling of contentment and security, but also a sense of being in control.
#40 Rethink Your Buying Habits:
Designate one shopping day. Do I/we really need this? Will it just be one more thing to end up in the back of the closet? Delay the major purchases. See how long you can live without it. Try to come up with a creative solution rather than a buying solution to a perceived need.
#52 Do What You Really Want to Do:
Figure out what it is you want to do, and then arrange life so you an do it. It will be worth whatever complications you have to g through to get there, and it will definitely simplify your life in the long run.
#54 Work Less and Enjoy It More:
Cut back on your workday by 10%. Build time into your schedule for interruptions that are unavoidable time robbers in today's business world (phone calls, unplanned meetings, searching for misplaced papers). You will find you get more out of your workday.
#55 Stop the Busy Work:
Prioritize before you start work, and then don't do anything unless it's on your list, a lot of busy work will just evaporate.
#57 Simplify Your Eating Habits:
Healthy and nutritious diet.
#63 Beware Exercise Equipment, Fire Your Personal Trainer and Go Take a Walk:
Every day the expensive equipment or health club membership goes unused, the guilt level rises, which only increase the stress in our lives.We've become so addicted to compulsive, competitive behavior, that we've extended it to exercise, which, theoretically, we do for relaxation, and to improve and maintain our health. Now is the perfect time to get off it and go take a walk.
#67 Create Your Own Rituals:
The type of ritual I am referring to here is any special thing you can do on a regular basis that you look forward to, and that you think about with a happy heart. It's possible that you have been working so hard and moving so fast that you haven't taken the time to incorporate some personalized moments into your day.
#68 Learn to Laugh:
As children, we laugh naturally, but we gradually loose that skill as we become adults. Laughter reduces stress, relieves tension, and soothes the angry heart. Just imagine how much simpler your life would be if you learned to respond to stressful situations with laughter rather than with frustration, or anger or resentment.
#70 Learn to Meditate:
Medication is an effective way to maintain a simple life. Learning to meditate is not easy, nor are the results necessarily immediate. But both the physical and psychological benefits of a sustained meditation program are well known and well documented. They include a much greater ability to deal with the everyday problems we all face, and a calmness and serenity that result from few other disciplines. Most people also find that meditation produces more energy, more restful sleep, an increased ability to concentrate, and an overall feeling of well-being. Learning to mediate will give you a new understanding of your life, and will help you get clear on exactly how you want to live it.
#72 Clean Up Your Relationships:
Get out of a relationship that isn't working.
#73 Just Be Yourself:
Have you ever stopped to think about how much energy you spend - and how much you complicate your life - by pretending to be someone other than who you are? A good exercise is to sit down and go through all the major areas of your life and decide how each would be different if the only person you had to impress was you. How often we are untrue to ourselves because of the pressures of others.
#74 Trust Your Intuition:
All of us come equipped with a still, small voice inside. Unfortunately, our life-styles have become so fast-paced and hectic that many of us have forgotten how to listen to it. Learning to trust it will help keep your life in balance.
#76 Stop Trying to Change People:
We can't change other people. They change when they are good and ready. Most often what people really want is a supportive ear.
#77 Spend One Day a Month in Solitude:
Spending time away from the constant barrage of pressure we face can get us back in touch with what is real, and can help to alleviate the tensions of everyday life.
#81 Do One Thing at a Time:
Do we really get more done by trying to do everything at once? Maybe. Does it really matter? Probably not. Are we happier at this frenetic pace? Most definitely not. Start with a list, a list of things that really matter. Cut the list in half, then pick the most important thing and do it. Then, and only then, go down the list, doing each thing, one at a time. As much as possible, allow no distractions, no interruptions. You can learn to do one thing at a time, better, and happier doing it.
#82 Do Nothing:
It sounds so easy. Start with an hour. The idea is to just be with whatever is going on in your head without having to do anything about it. You'll be amazed at the clarity it will bring to your life.
#84 Just Say No
My weekdays are devoted, for the most part, to my work, and, unavoidably, there are deadlines and obligations I have to meet. But my evenings and weekends are my own. Simply say no. Thank you, no.
(read: When I Say No, I Feel Guilty by Manuel J Smith)
#85 If You Can't Say No, Prevaricate:
"Thanks, but I've got plans for Saturday night."
#87 Learn to Reinterpret the Past:
Constantly reliving past events only complicates your life. Reinterpreting them as positive steps forward, and then moving on, will keep things simple.
#88 Change Your Expectations
#89 Review Your Life Regularly To Keep it Simple:
Maintaining simple life requires a certain amount of vigilance. It is not realistic to go through the steps to simplify your life and then think it will automatically stay simple. Old habits die hard. It's your choice to resist the fast track, whatever or however.
#99 Get Rid of All the Extras:
In no time at all, having extra sets of things can get very complicated.
Simplify Your Life
by Elaine St. James
Let your boat of life be light, packed with only what you need - a homely home and simple pleasures, one or two friends worth the name, someone to love and some to love you, enough to eat and enough to wear, and a little more than enough to drink, for thirst is a dangerous thing.
-Jerome Klapka Jerome
Like many others (the author writes), I had bought into the Bigger is Better and the More is Better Yet philosophies of the 1980s. We gradually began to realize that, rather than contributing to our lives, many of these things complicated them far more than we'd been willing to admit. We'd always known the Joneses weren't worth keeping up with, but we finally had to face the fact that the only thing we'd ever gotten from a power lunch was indigestion. The time had come for us to get off the fast track.
The goal of a simplified program is three goals:
#1 things in my/our lives (home, car, clothes, diets, finances) to be small enough and few enough and simple enough that they can be taken care of yourself/ourselves
#2 free yourself/ourselves from the commitments, the people, and the obligations that kept me/us from having time to do the things I/we really want to do, not felt I/we should do.
#3 want my/our life to be consistent with the desire to live in harmony with the environment.
Remember: One person's simplicity is another's complexity. The secret to happiness is not getting more but in wanting less.
#1 Reduce the clutter in your life:
If you haven't used it in one year or more, get rid of it. The idea is not to deny yourself the things you want, but to free yourself from the things you don't want.
#3 Use "Speed Cleaning" to clean your house:
(read Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell and the Clean Team)
#13 Keep Your Plants Outdoors:
It's time we realize that the photographs in the home-and-garden magazines don't necessarily reflect reality. They made having indoor plants look so easy, when they're anything but. Consider a window box (if you don't have a yard or patio to enjoy), visit your botanical garden, at the very least, don't replace it when t dies.
#22 Build a Simple Wardrobe:
Men already have simple wardrobes. First, pick a simple, classic style that looks good on you, and then stick with it. Forever. Second, build combinations of outfits that work as a uniform...two or three of the same similar style but in different, muted shades...each item should go with every other item. It is possible to create a simple, functional, feminine wardrobe by following the same principles men follow when it comes to fashion. (Didn't care for third point don't wear jewelry, don't carry a purse and wear only one heel height).
#23 Reduce Your go-Go Entertainment:
Most people come to realize the best things in life are free, and that doing less can mean having more - more serenity, more happiness, more peace of mind. Make a list of the things you and your family really love to do. And then arrange your life so that each day you have time to do as many of the things you like to do as possible.
#30 Don't Answer the Phone Just Because It's Ringing:
Just because it's convenient for someone to call you at this particular time does not necessarily mean it's convenient for you to answer.
#37 Take a Vacation at Home
#39 Live on Half of What You Earn, and Save the Other Half:
We've become a nation of spenders rather than savers. We spend far more than we need to on stuff we don't really require. Start by cutting back 10-15%, gradually building up to 50% over a year or two. Living simply is not a matter of living cheaply or of feeling deprived. On the contrary, it's an opportunity to get in touch with what is really important in your life, and to reach a level of moderation that will create not only a feeling of contentment and security, but also a sense of being in control.
#40 Rethink Your Buying Habits:
Designate one shopping day. Do I/we really need this? Will it just be one more thing to end up in the back of the closet? Delay the major purchases. See how long you can live without it. Try to come up with a creative solution rather than a buying solution to a perceived need.
#52 Do What You Really Want to Do:
Figure out what it is you want to do, and then arrange life so you an do it. It will be worth whatever complications you have to g through to get there, and it will definitely simplify your life in the long run.
#54 Work Less and Enjoy It More:
Cut back on your workday by 10%. Build time into your schedule for interruptions that are unavoidable time robbers in today's business world (phone calls, unplanned meetings, searching for misplaced papers). You will find you get more out of your workday.
#55 Stop the Busy Work:
Prioritize before you start work, and then don't do anything unless it's on your list, a lot of busy work will just evaporate.
#57 Simplify Your Eating Habits:
Healthy and nutritious diet.
#63 Beware Exercise Equipment, Fire Your Personal Trainer and Go Take a Walk:
Every day the expensive equipment or health club membership goes unused, the guilt level rises, which only increase the stress in our lives.We've become so addicted to compulsive, competitive behavior, that we've extended it to exercise, which, theoretically, we do for relaxation, and to improve and maintain our health. Now is the perfect time to get off it and go take a walk.
#67 Create Your Own Rituals:
The type of ritual I am referring to here is any special thing you can do on a regular basis that you look forward to, and that you think about with a happy heart. It's possible that you have been working so hard and moving so fast that you haven't taken the time to incorporate some personalized moments into your day.
#68 Learn to Laugh:
As children, we laugh naturally, but we gradually loose that skill as we become adults. Laughter reduces stress, relieves tension, and soothes the angry heart. Just imagine how much simpler your life would be if you learned to respond to stressful situations with laughter rather than with frustration, or anger or resentment.
#70 Learn to Meditate:
Medication is an effective way to maintain a simple life. Learning to meditate is not easy, nor are the results necessarily immediate. But both the physical and psychological benefits of a sustained meditation program are well known and well documented. They include a much greater ability to deal with the everyday problems we all face, and a calmness and serenity that result from few other disciplines. Most people also find that meditation produces more energy, more restful sleep, an increased ability to concentrate, and an overall feeling of well-being. Learning to mediate will give you a new understanding of your life, and will help you get clear on exactly how you want to live it.
#72 Clean Up Your Relationships:
Get out of a relationship that isn't working.
#73 Just Be Yourself:
Have you ever stopped to think about how much energy you spend - and how much you complicate your life - by pretending to be someone other than who you are? A good exercise is to sit down and go through all the major areas of your life and decide how each would be different if the only person you had to impress was you. How often we are untrue to ourselves because of the pressures of others.
#74 Trust Your Intuition:
All of us come equipped with a still, small voice inside. Unfortunately, our life-styles have become so fast-paced and hectic that many of us have forgotten how to listen to it. Learning to trust it will help keep your life in balance.
#76 Stop Trying to Change People:
We can't change other people. They change when they are good and ready. Most often what people really want is a supportive ear.
#77 Spend One Day a Month in Solitude:
Spending time away from the constant barrage of pressure we face can get us back in touch with what is real, and can help to alleviate the tensions of everyday life.
#81 Do One Thing at a Time:
Do we really get more done by trying to do everything at once? Maybe. Does it really matter? Probably not. Are we happier at this frenetic pace? Most definitely not. Start with a list, a list of things that really matter. Cut the list in half, then pick the most important thing and do it. Then, and only then, go down the list, doing each thing, one at a time. As much as possible, allow no distractions, no interruptions. You can learn to do one thing at a time, better, and happier doing it.
#82 Do Nothing:
It sounds so easy. Start with an hour. The idea is to just be with whatever is going on in your head without having to do anything about it. You'll be amazed at the clarity it will bring to your life.
#84 Just Say No
My weekdays are devoted, for the most part, to my work, and, unavoidably, there are deadlines and obligations I have to meet. But my evenings and weekends are my own. Simply say no. Thank you, no.
(read: When I Say No, I Feel Guilty by Manuel J Smith)
#85 If You Can't Say No, Prevaricate:
"Thanks, but I've got plans for Saturday night."
#87 Learn to Reinterpret the Past:
Constantly reliving past events only complicates your life. Reinterpreting them as positive steps forward, and then moving on, will keep things simple.
#88 Change Your Expectations
#89 Review Your Life Regularly To Keep it Simple:
Maintaining simple life requires a certain amount of vigilance. It is not realistic to go through the steps to simplify your life and then think it will automatically stay simple. Old habits die hard. It's your choice to resist the fast track, whatever or however.
#99 Get Rid of All the Extras:
In no time at all, having extra sets of things can get very complicated.
Friday, October 2, 2009
song ~ not forgotten
Not Forgotten by Twila Paris
When you think your dream is dying
He has not forgotten you
When your body aches from tryin'
He has not forgotten you
When you worry for tomorrow
Even though the sky is blue
See the sun is shining
He has not forgotten you
When July feels like December
He has not forgotten you
When it's painful to remember
He has not forgotten you
When it seems you can not win
And there is not much left to lose
He has got a plan
And He has not forgotten you
He is faithful
He is with you
He is listening
He is love
If your tired flesh has squandered
What your spirit would have saved
And your aimless feet have wandered
Far from all you truly crave
Turn and run toward your Father
Do not wait another day
See His arms are open
And He is calling out your name
And hope will spring eternal
In the homes of those who know
That loving arms will follow
Every where we go
And even in the darkness
His promises are true
Keep this in your heart
He has not... forgotten..... you.
When you think your dream is dying
He has not forgotten you
When your body aches from tryin'
He has not forgotten you
When you worry for tomorrow
Even though the sky is blue
See the sun is shining
He has not forgotten you
When July feels like December
He has not forgotten you
When it's painful to remember
He has not forgotten you
When it seems you can not win
And there is not much left to lose
He has got a plan
And He has not forgotten you
He is faithful
He is with you
He is listening
He is love
If your tired flesh has squandered
What your spirit would have saved
And your aimless feet have wandered
Far from all you truly crave
Turn and run toward your Father
Do not wait another day
See His arms are open
And He is calling out your name
And hope will spring eternal
In the homes of those who know
That loving arms will follow
Every where we go
And even in the darkness
His promises are true
Keep this in your heart
He has not... forgotten..... you.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Quotes
The truth is that our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy, or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.
- M. Scott Peck
- M. Scott Peck
Monday, September 28, 2009
Handbook for 2009
(this was sent to me by one of my friends and I thought it had some good points to reflect on)
HANDBOOK 2009
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/Her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything...
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Please forward this to everyone you care about.
(so I put it on my blog for all of you to read)
HANDBOOK 2009
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.
5. Make time to pray.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile.
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/Her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:
25. Call your family often.
26. Each day give something good to others.
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:
32. Do the right thing!
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
34. GOD heals everything...
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
37. The best is yet to come.
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy.
Last but not the least:
40. Please forward this to everyone you care about.
(so I put it on my blog for all of you to read)
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Brian Tracy Quote of the Day
It's the little things that make the big things possible. Only close attention to the fine details of any operation makes the operation first class.
- J. Willard Marriot
- J. Willard Marriot
Sunday, September 13, 2009
rain, rain, rain
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Real Simple Daily Thought
A good deed is never lost: he who sows courtesy reaps friendship; and he who plants kindness gathers love.
―Basil
―Basil
Monday, September 7, 2009
September 2009 Big Country Camp
Saturday, September 5th, 2009
I headed up to Big Country Camp with Sylvia Woodall. I had hoped to get on the road about 7.30-8am...but I woke up so tired, I decided not to rush like a mad woman about trying to get on the road so I could be at camp in time for meeting. We left Burleson about 9am and had an uneventful drive sharing stories about work and life in general. We arrived to camp about 11.45am and meeting was still going. We got to hear part of Marty Jean's message on Confession. From there, it as lunch. I spent awhile visiting with a few individuals, and had a good long visit with Kay Bishop & Sherry Hudson and we talked business and shared stories about working with staff and the public in the healthcare industry. I then headed to the dorms to get my bed all setup. Then it was time for dinner. Then meeting. Weyman Zelder spoke on Words of the Tongue. It was an excellent message...very good reminders about the ways we can help or hinder in what we say.
a few notes from that message:
The power He has given His people...all for our benefit & for His glory. Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. A word aply spoken. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (a good heart vs an evil heart). Prepare the heart...your words reveal who you are. If you control your tongue you can control the whole body. Our heart has to begin with Jesus. That you may know how to answer. Every idle word. Let my words and meditation be acceptible.
Sunday, September 6th, 2009
I woke up about 4.30am in horrific pain. I wasn't sure what was wrong with me, I knew I had gone to bed not feeling well, but I knew if the pain continued much further, I was going to have to wake someone and get them to take me in to a clinic or hospital to get checked out. Thankfully, that didn't last. After everyone woke up, Brenda & Betty were concerned that maybe I was having an appendicitis attack since the extreme pain was on my right side. I decided to lay in bed and try to get a bit more sleep before meeting. I did this and felt some better. Jeff Grove spoke both the morning and evening message this day. Later in the day I had a talk with LuAnne Woods. She said I was probably either fighting kidney stones or a kidney infection. I visited with a group of ladies and we had a good time talking about thrift shopping, Dave Ramsey's program that I took, how certain things are hard to find when shopping for different figures, etc. I also had a short visit with Brittney and also Shelley. As the day wore on, I got more and more exhausted and it was harder to cope, but I tried to do my best without complaining. ;) I laid down a couple times to make it thru and ended up leaving the evening meeting about 11.30pm to head to bed because I just couldn't make it any more, the pain was bad and I needed my bed.
a few notes from the morning message:
Children sang "All that I need is my faith in Jesus, all that I need is my home above, all that I need is my Fathers mercy, all that I need is my Saviors love." Are you crucified with Jesus? Satan hates what Jesus Christ has done for me...but God is greater than Satan. Picture yourself at your end...it will come quickly. Am I going to fear the Lord or do what I want to do & serve myself. We quickly forget I'm crucifed with Christ...our reasonable service. The filthiness of the world torrments us, draws us away, tempts us, etc. Does your life demonstrate that God is all you need (as the children sang)? Jesus brought life...the world brings heartach and scars. It is just the little things because it is a lack of walking in his ways. Don't live a life like Lot. Yes, God delivered him but he lost so much. Its time to clean house and rid ourselves of compromise. The narrow and difficult way brings blessings. Are you mixing godliness & worldliness? service & pleasure? Godliness is outward...contentment is inward. Satan is going to corrupt your picture of what you want thru your lusts & desires. The truth from Gods word is what makes your picture happen. You just get one time.
a few notes from the evening message:
The opportunity we have to get wisdom and understanding. Are you passed feeling? You can't have the world and have purity & respect for God. Expel the wicked person among you. Serve the Lord without distractions. Don't fall into the category of knowing God but not glorifing Him. God is faithful to His Word. When we get to the point Gods word is too strong for us, we have issues. There are consequences. Be constraigned by the word of God. Start with an understanding and stay on the job. Don't frustrate the work of God in your life. You have been forgiven and redeemed. My Savior will never think laughing at immorality is funny. Build an environment of sanctification to build soberness and carefulness. Prepare yourself so you will be victorious. Be a servant, care for those with a need for support.
Monday, September 7th, 2009
I slept in again and then began the process of packing up to head home. I was feverish and felt awful. I headed out a few minutes before 11am. I called a few people on my drive home to keep me going. The only two I talked to were Phyllis Fostrey and my Granma Omi as nobody else I called answered the phone. I got home and unloaded the car, then took a nap and spent the rest of the day resting because I was in too much pain. I had originally planned on coming home to get some work done, but that didn't happen.
All in all, camp was good and I am glad I went even though I was really tired and had physical pain to deal with.
I headed up to Big Country Camp with Sylvia Woodall. I had hoped to get on the road about 7.30-8am...but I woke up so tired, I decided not to rush like a mad woman about trying to get on the road so I could be at camp in time for meeting. We left Burleson about 9am and had an uneventful drive sharing stories about work and life in general. We arrived to camp about 11.45am and meeting was still going. We got to hear part of Marty Jean's message on Confession. From there, it as lunch. I spent awhile visiting with a few individuals, and had a good long visit with Kay Bishop & Sherry Hudson and we talked business and shared stories about working with staff and the public in the healthcare industry. I then headed to the dorms to get my bed all setup. Then it was time for dinner. Then meeting. Weyman Zelder spoke on Words of the Tongue. It was an excellent message...very good reminders about the ways we can help or hinder in what we say.
a few notes from that message:
The power He has given His people...all for our benefit & for His glory. Death and Life are in the power of the tongue. A word aply spoken. For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (a good heart vs an evil heart). Prepare the heart...your words reveal who you are. If you control your tongue you can control the whole body. Our heart has to begin with Jesus. That you may know how to answer. Every idle word. Let my words and meditation be acceptible.
Sunday, September 6th, 2009
I woke up about 4.30am in horrific pain. I wasn't sure what was wrong with me, I knew I had gone to bed not feeling well, but I knew if the pain continued much further, I was going to have to wake someone and get them to take me in to a clinic or hospital to get checked out. Thankfully, that didn't last. After everyone woke up, Brenda & Betty were concerned that maybe I was having an appendicitis attack since the extreme pain was on my right side. I decided to lay in bed and try to get a bit more sleep before meeting. I did this and felt some better. Jeff Grove spoke both the morning and evening message this day. Later in the day I had a talk with LuAnne Woods. She said I was probably either fighting kidney stones or a kidney infection. I visited with a group of ladies and we had a good time talking about thrift shopping, Dave Ramsey's program that I took, how certain things are hard to find when shopping for different figures, etc. I also had a short visit with Brittney and also Shelley. As the day wore on, I got more and more exhausted and it was harder to cope, but I tried to do my best without complaining. ;) I laid down a couple times to make it thru and ended up leaving the evening meeting about 11.30pm to head to bed because I just couldn't make it any more, the pain was bad and I needed my bed.
a few notes from the morning message:
Children sang "All that I need is my faith in Jesus, all that I need is my home above, all that I need is my Fathers mercy, all that I need is my Saviors love." Are you crucified with Jesus? Satan hates what Jesus Christ has done for me...but God is greater than Satan. Picture yourself at your end...it will come quickly. Am I going to fear the Lord or do what I want to do & serve myself. We quickly forget I'm crucifed with Christ...our reasonable service. The filthiness of the world torrments us, draws us away, tempts us, etc. Does your life demonstrate that God is all you need (as the children sang)? Jesus brought life...the world brings heartach and scars. It is just the little things because it is a lack of walking in his ways. Don't live a life like Lot. Yes, God delivered him but he lost so much. Its time to clean house and rid ourselves of compromise. The narrow and difficult way brings blessings. Are you mixing godliness & worldliness? service & pleasure? Godliness is outward...contentment is inward. Satan is going to corrupt your picture of what you want thru your lusts & desires. The truth from Gods word is what makes your picture happen. You just get one time.
a few notes from the evening message:
The opportunity we have to get wisdom and understanding. Are you passed feeling? You can't have the world and have purity & respect for God. Expel the wicked person among you. Serve the Lord without distractions. Don't fall into the category of knowing God but not glorifing Him. God is faithful to His Word. When we get to the point Gods word is too strong for us, we have issues. There are consequences. Be constraigned by the word of God. Start with an understanding and stay on the job. Don't frustrate the work of God in your life. You have been forgiven and redeemed. My Savior will never think laughing at immorality is funny. Build an environment of sanctification to build soberness and carefulness. Prepare yourself so you will be victorious. Be a servant, care for those with a need for support.
Monday, September 7th, 2009
I slept in again and then began the process of packing up to head home. I was feverish and felt awful. I headed out a few minutes before 11am. I called a few people on my drive home to keep me going. The only two I talked to were Phyllis Fostrey and my Granma Omi as nobody else I called answered the phone. I got home and unloaded the car, then took a nap and spent the rest of the day resting because I was in too much pain. I had originally planned on coming home to get some work done, but that didn't happen.
All in all, camp was good and I am glad I went even though I was really tired and had physical pain to deal with.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Real Simple Daily Thought
A teacher is a compass that activates the magnets of curiosity, knowledge, and wisdom in the pupils. -Ever Garrison
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Brian Tracy Quote of the Day
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
~Beverly Sills, Opera Singer
~Beverly Sills, Opera Singer
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Quotes
Believe & Succeed
We cannot change yesterday. We can only make the most of today and look with hope toward tomorrow.
We cannot change yesterday. We can only make the most of today and look with hope toward tomorrow.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
song ~ Lest I Forget
Lest I Forget
Rebecca St. James
I, I sit in silence here
I'm filled with wonder once again
I'm overwhelmed by Your beautiful love
Now I, I'm falling to my knees, so grateful for the grace You give
The love I need I've found in you
Lest I forget
All of Your goodness
The blood You have shed
The cross I now remember
Lest I forget
Lord, You wept tears of blood for me
You hung in agony so deep
Carried my sin away for good
Now I, I take this bread and wine
Remembering You love divine
You walked through fire to free my soul
Lest I forget
All of your goodness
The blood you have shed
The cross I now remember
Lest I forget
Lest I forget
All of your goodness
The blood you have shed
The cross I now remember
Lest I
Lest I forget
All of your goodness
The blood you have shed
The cross I now remember
Lest I forget
Lest I forget
Lord, You, wept tears of blood for me
Carried my sin away for good
Walked through the fire to free my soul
I sit in silence here
The cross I now remember
Lest I forget
© 2005 Forefront
Rebecca St. James
I, I sit in silence here
I'm filled with wonder once again
I'm overwhelmed by Your beautiful love
Now I, I'm falling to my knees, so grateful for the grace You give
The love I need I've found in you
Lest I forget
All of Your goodness
The blood You have shed
The cross I now remember
Lest I forget
Lord, You wept tears of blood for me
You hung in agony so deep
Carried my sin away for good
Now I, I take this bread and wine
Remembering You love divine
You walked through fire to free my soul
Lest I forget
All of your goodness
The blood you have shed
The cross I now remember
Lest I forget
Lest I forget
All of your goodness
The blood you have shed
The cross I now remember
Lest I
Lest I forget
All of your goodness
The blood you have shed
The cross I now remember
Lest I forget
Lest I forget
Lord, You, wept tears of blood for me
Carried my sin away for good
Walked through the fire to free my soul
I sit in silence here
The cross I now remember
Lest I forget
© 2005 Forefront
Monday, July 27, 2009
Real Simple Daily Thought
weekends don't count unless you spend them doing something completely pointless
~ Bill Watterson
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
I'M DEBT FREE!!!
oKAY, so you think I am crazy? weird? absolutely nuts to be shouting out to you: I'M DEBT FREE!!!!!!! but secretly, you are jealous. I'm jealous for you to be too! I would be glad to share my materials with you and be there to encourage you along the way and sponsor you on this debt free goal, so if you are interested - jump right in and you can join me in being DEBT forever free!!! Let me tell you, the blood sweating painstaking extremely freakin hard, hard, exhausted hard work til you thought you were going to keel over dead is absolutely 100%, hands down (really I mean hands up), so worth it. TODAY, I celebrate! I am debt free other than my house. Yup, took one year of not having a life at all to achieve this...but I did it! No regrets. Not one! So you ask...what made you decide to do this??? and why??? Lemme tell you, my story...
I started working as a Part Time File Clerk in California, March 1996. I made $6 an hour, and only worked part time for the first day. I rode the bus to work, cost me $1 each way and lots of time sitting on the route; but I stashed money away like nobody's business. I was going to buy a car someday so I didn't have to keep riding this dumb bus with crazy people. Over the course of working, my tasks changed and I remained full time, never seeing a part time shift except my first day of work. At a year, I got a raise to $7 an hour. A year and 5 months later, things changed, my granma offered to cosign on a car for me so I could get me some wheels. This same month I got offered a job at a business in the same complex a few suites down, for $8 an hour as a Medical Biller. I made the $450 a month payments on my car, extra and many times double and got the car paid off in only 2 years spending 1K in interest. In 1997, I got my first credit card, one of those Walmart Secured Credit Cards where the money you invest in this mutual fund is your credit limit. I was doing well, so I thought, I had 6K in the bank; do the math, you will see that I lived on very, very, very little. After 3 months at this new job, I moved to Texas and got a job as a Receptionist making $9 an hour. I opened up a Mutual Fund account and started Investing, just a small bit, but it was a start. The job had lots of stress, no room for advancement, I left and took a small cut in pay to $8.75 an hour as a Receptionist in the Accounting Department. This company believed in raises and advancing internally, but was so full of office bureaucracy that I never liked my job, but I stuck it out to gain more experience and better myself. I got promoted to the Adjustments/Collections Clerk when the position opened. I loved both boses I had at this job, they were real role models for me in many ways, so they made it worth all the grief of the company issues. Eventually, I found a better paying position and at the end of my employement there I was making $10.30 an hour. My new job was as a Data Entry/Billing Clerk and I started at $12 an hour. Again, I got promoted within a short time and took on more tasks and became the Reimbursement/Collections Clerk for $13 an hour. I got hefty bonuses for working old AR, basicly a percentage of everything over 90days old that I collected. I even got a raise to $15 an hour due to my fabulous efforts. When I say fabulous efforts, I got two checks into the agency at 62K and 65K! The owner thought this money was lost, so you can see I made them absolutely thrilled with me. This is about the time my lifestyle started changing. I saw many of my peers eating out all the time. I had been limiting myself to once a week, but what for? If they could do it, surely I didn't need to be so frugile, you lived only once, right? so I could too. Why was I saving all my money only to have some guy come along and think he could marry me and make it his too and blow it how he wanted? NOPE - I guarantee you, that wasn't happening...not a chance of it in my life! I wasn't going to be the one to make his future bright and shinning with dough and let him take the credit for it. I became more aware of the Jones's, got tired of the status put on those who had new clothes and how cute they were raved over when they wore them, and started accumulating things. Nice Things. I am not saying expensive things, I am saying good to have things that you can get at Target, Pier 1, Container Store, Ross, eBay, thrift stores and other new stores. Good Things like collections of books, stash of yarn to knit, lots of clear vases of different shapes and sizes, lots and lots of picture frames, clocks of all types, white pottery/kitchen ware, almost two of everything (sleeping bags, bedding, lawnchairs, etc). I told myself I would get my house equipped fully before I ever built one which was a dream I had, maybe even still have. I always paid my credit card off, so I wasn't worried about my spending habits, why should I? Yahright, of course I was but I flat out didn't care. I made good money, still saved money, but I had extra so I could spend it the way I wanted to you see. Nobody could tell me no, sure they might make their comments, but its just because they were jealous, or didn't care for my things, or thought I had too much, or whatever; I seriously didn't think it was because they thought it was so wrong to have things because I didn't believe that I was covetous. They had "things" I didn't have - you know husband to spend an evening with, kids to hug & kiss, family to chat on the phone with and spend long weekends with, so why were they making comments about me??? Everyone has these things called opinions that they express so freely whether you want them or not, so I went on with my life...I simply wanted the good life. A good life to the best of my ability within reason. Never having had things very much in my childhood I held onto every little thing I did have. I sold my car and got a new, brand new, one. I did well to get almost 4K off the price. This time, I qualified on my own for the loan and did the same thing I did before, made extra and/or double payments on it and paid it off in 2 years also. I went on this way for many years, like probably 5 or 6 or so with spending money how I pleased. During this time frame, my current job was struggling, a lot! My paychecks bounced for 3 months in a row and it took a month to get the funds to be good. I made them pay my return check and bank fees because of this, but this meant I had to tighten up the belt and have a full months pay in checking so I could float everything. Okay, it really wasn't too bad to deal with because I was still living within my means. It appeared we were going to get bought out, none of us new if our position would be kept after the buyout, the new guys came in and interviewed each of us, but we didn't learn a peep out of them! So, I decided to find a new job, yah what a novel idea! I landed one, same pay, same type of work and life rolled on. During this time frame I also was doing a project for my christian fellowship and was upfronting the costs and not receiving reimbursement for a good year or more. I had the funds, but really didn't know where they were going and with the other spending habits I had developed, money went in and out very easily. Then I got to thinking, I needed to do better with money. I attended a free seminar in Fort Worth titled Smart Woman Finish Rich seminar by David Bach, with one of my coworkers and it motivated me to take a serious look at my "Latte Factor" and "Pay Myself First" and I got some more advise from a new financial advisor (but stayed with my current advisor) and started investing again, with more money. I bought property, 2 pieces of land with the intentions that someday I would billed a house. I was determined to pay this 4 year note off in 2 years, just like I did my cars. But life changed. Part of the land was purchased with a cash advancement from my credit card to do the remaining down payment because I didn't want to take it out of savings. Ugh, MiStAkE! Wouldn't have been such a bad idea if I agressively had paid it down, but I didn't. I had medical bills and some more medical bills...I wasn't able to make my payments in full and this is when I got irritated with myself, frustrated that I felt overspent with my money, but then would tell myself it was all for a good cause and I had legitimate things so it wasn't like I was just blowing my money on junk. And what did I do? Stop buying anything I didn't have to have??? Nope. I went and bought more things when the cash flow got better instead of saving for a rainy day!!! People told me that I was doing really well, and on one hand I thought I was too and on the other I didn't like my situation for one moment - but how do you change now? I didn't see any way, you just keep plodding along on this journey. I continued to save a small amount of money monthly, decreased my monthly investments a bit to make my land payments. Consequently the land did not get paid off in 2 years, it took the full 4 years. Then in the midst of all this, my business fell apart, I had no work & no income. I was doing anything to make ends meet. Paint your bedroom? laundry room? I will do it! Tear wallpaper off rooms in a house you are remodeling? I will do it! Worked for $8 an hour doing these things and took temp jobs from $11.50 to $15 an hour. I would have a job for two weeks and then the project would be done and then I might go up to six weeks with no work, then I might get an assignment that would last 6 weeks. I got stressed, I got majorly frustrated with myself all around, but nobody knew. I just worked thru the discouragement and feelings of being a failure and just looked like this hard working individual. I struggled like this for 11 months!!! I finally landed a job, the worst job I EVER HAD! But I needed the money and was so determined to succeed and make ends meet as now I had to have it, every bit of the income. The benefits were decent, though no health insurance policy, and the pay was great...so I kept to my task. I decided I was done with debt. I was going to get rid of all my credit card debt. I cut extras, I did without and I learned to be happy with no buying of things, or so I told myself. But deep down, I wasn't happy. My friends had husbands, they had vacations, they had trips planned to do fun things, they had beautiful houses, lovely new clothes! I hadn't let God take control of my life, I had made things important to me and I was still trying to do it my way. Then, I got a tip from a friend about this really cute house that she and her husband saw and she so wished I was at the point that I wanted to buy, because it was so cute! I went and looked at it, talked to my mentor, he thought I should bid on it, I wasn't prequalified, so I had to get that done, like right now, today because bidding closed on this foreclosed home in a little over 24hrs...went the next day and looked at it again, then off to realtors office and completed paperwork. The next day I was notified that I was the top winner of 4 bids on the house, I was now a home owner! I was so excited!!! A place to call my own, but oh, so much to learn about this process...and then the feelings of "what the heck did I just do?"...my land is not paid for? and I have credit card debt! I decided to cash in my mutual funds for a down payment and the remodel of the house. This more than adequately covered these things and I thought I had it all under control. Then murphy came to visit...air-conditioner went out on the house, pool had many issues and repairs had to be done to get it in working order, car had a few repairs, I had more medical bills and seriously had barely any money left in the savings account and zero in the mutual fund account. For the first time in years, I was nearly broke. How was I going to pay for these things? Yup, you know the answer, I slapped them on the credit card. It is then I decided I was done, totally done with my lifestyle. Or was I? I said I was...but in my heart I had expectations of what my house needed to look like when my friends came over. The yard needed attention before I could host the party you know. I needed little to no furnishings - just bar stools for the kitchen and a rug for the living room...the rest, I already had...but the yard??? It really needed some help. So I spent money on greenery for the outside. It was a cycle that I went thru, crack down no spending and do really well for 3-4 months and then spend some money. Say I wasn't going to do that again, and then something else would need fixing and I was forced to spend money. Overall the result was much improved, but not good enough. I finally got really determined and was limiting my spending. For reals this time. It was during this time frame when I was very focused on cutting my expenses that the job I held got down to a financial crisis and my boss asked us to be patient with him, but he could not meet payroll. I knew whether or not I was ready for reals or not, it was time to find another job, I had to have my income. And I found one, one that was closer to home and where I made an hourly wage and was no longer salaried and I had health insurance benefits. All this was a great plus. I had been used to being salaried for so long that this change took a little bit of getting used to but for the first 7 months, I had overtime and that helped with the expense cutting. Not 3 months into this new job, is when I got called from a previous employer to assist with the medical billing of her practice for a month while her biller had surgery. I knew I couldn't say no, I needed the money to apply to getting out of debt. I worked very long days, up and off to my regular full time job and then to my second job after that working until I felt I couldn't think or see straight any more, getting home about midnight or later and crashing in bed and doing it all over again the next day...6days a week. There was so much work to be done and I felt I needed to make the most of the opportunity for extra income. The plan slowly changed, the physician needed me to find her cash flow issues. I did. She exteneded the cleanup work project I was assigned to as she released the biller from working for her. We agreed that I would work for her doing this cleanup and complete it so she could hire an agency to take it over. So I continued the massive gruleing schedule, being paid as an employee and making the most of all I could find in work to get the task done and the debt a bit lower. Knowing that all the while it was helping reduce my debt. At this time, I really didn't know where I was financially. I had quit staying current in my Quicken and really wasn't sure I wanted to know my real financial state, no I was sure I didn't. I then decided I needed to get myself caught up for the year, face reality and make a plan. I did. The results, not pretty! Downright pitiful. Sure Quicken showed I had a nice net worth, but really did I if you looked at my debts vs savings? No. In many ways, it was suffocating when you looked at the figure. I thought I could get out of debt in six months, not really even logically probable. After 8weeks of this regime, with 2 more weeks to go, the physician and I agreed (after several conversations) that I would gladly be that billing agency and my business that I had never dissolved, Medical Account Solutions, would be back in business doing Accurate Medical Billing & Collection Services for her practice. This was my chance to get out of debt and it was going to take some long hard hours, and hours and hours, of work to achieve it. But I was determined once and for all to make a change. I had made tremendous progress at this and was 50% out of debt when a coworker told me about a course offered by Dave Ramsey called Financial Peace University thru her church. I asked if I could attend, she said she would check. She notified me that I could and that the cost was $97. Wow!!! When you are not spending on cent, that is a heck of a lot of money...could I do it? Though I know many money principals and have lots of knowledge, I felt it would be good for me to stay motivated and learn more. When you really wish to change bad habits, you will. As Larry Balderson says, you will never possess what you are unwilling to pursue. I thought about it for a week and decided yes, I could do it, really had to do it, but more than that I wanted to do it! The membership was for life so if I wanted to take the class again, I could. I learned several things in the class which I will share. Dave says in his class on finances that it is 20% head knowledge, 80% action and if you don't control your money it will control you! or as Zig Ziggler says, ifyou aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time. Dave is very zealous for God and encourages others to be so too. Dave has been thru bankruptcy and he has experience first hand that I will hopefully never have. Even in my finanical state, I have NEVER had a creditor call me and if late on a payment by accident, it has always been reversed. I learned several things int he class or found insightful and reasons for recommendation to others:
1. even if you are single, have someone you are accountible to who will work with you and hlep you with a budget and major purchases, if you are married - you both have to be on the same page, period.
2. how men & woman face money and handle money, how to view money, you work too hard to be broke
3. you MUST live on a realistic budget
4. save 15% of your income, period
5. research your purchases, don't be afraid to shop for a bargain or make an offer
6. lots of statistics and data that will inspire you to save $$$ at a young age, shortcuts are the wrong attitude
7. how "normal" people live and why you want to be different, normal is broke
8. the last 6 months are the most expensive time of your life, how to plan for this
9. types of insurance to have, how to shop for, what is good vs bad, etc
10. explanation of investments - KISS keep it simple stupid (silly)
11. understand yourself, strengths & weaknesses, commit to a lifelong change
12 remember God owns it all, we are asset managers, this affects how you relate to money (the live example was awesome)
I think the most memoriable of all was the video where he acted out "gazelle intensity". I was in tears - for more reasons than one.
The class was not hard, there was weekly homework, but it wasn't remendous and I always got it done even working two jobs! If you listen to Dave regularly on his radio show (which I don't because of my work schedule), you will learn many of his principals by listening to it with the live examples. You can watch some o fhis previous shows on the Fox Business network at http://www.hulu.com/. You could probably get all this data through various resources of books, talking to people and doing online research; but he does a great job at the way he presents the class and his points and there are no words for his experience, both personally and thru his business. Obviously the class spurred me on to keep to my goals and set new habits, patterns and learn many things about me which was the most important thing I could have gotten out of the class. So today I tell you
I started working as a Part Time File Clerk in California, March 1996. I made $6 an hour, and only worked part time for the first day. I rode the bus to work, cost me $1 each way and lots of time sitting on the route; but I stashed money away like nobody's business. I was going to buy a car someday so I didn't have to keep riding this dumb bus with crazy people. Over the course of working, my tasks changed and I remained full time, never seeing a part time shift except my first day of work. At a year, I got a raise to $7 an hour. A year and 5 months later, things changed, my granma offered to cosign on a car for me so I could get me some wheels. This same month I got offered a job at a business in the same complex a few suites down, for $8 an hour as a Medical Biller. I made the $450 a month payments on my car, extra and many times double and got the car paid off in only 2 years spending 1K in interest. In 1997, I got my first credit card, one of those Walmart Secured Credit Cards where the money you invest in this mutual fund is your credit limit. I was doing well, so I thought, I had 6K in the bank; do the math, you will see that I lived on very, very, very little. After 3 months at this new job, I moved to Texas and got a job as a Receptionist making $9 an hour. I opened up a Mutual Fund account and started Investing, just a small bit, but it was a start. The job had lots of stress, no room for advancement, I left and took a small cut in pay to $8.75 an hour as a Receptionist in the Accounting Department. This company believed in raises and advancing internally, but was so full of office bureaucracy that I never liked my job, but I stuck it out to gain more experience and better myself. I got promoted to the Adjustments/Collections Clerk when the position opened. I loved both boses I had at this job, they were real role models for me in many ways, so they made it worth all the grief of the company issues. Eventually, I found a better paying position and at the end of my employement there I was making $10.30 an hour. My new job was as a Data Entry/Billing Clerk and I started at $12 an hour. Again, I got promoted within a short time and took on more tasks and became the Reimbursement/Collections Clerk for $13 an hour. I got hefty bonuses for working old AR, basicly a percentage of everything over 90days old that I collected. I even got a raise to $15 an hour due to my fabulous efforts. When I say fabulous efforts, I got two checks into the agency at 62K and 65K! The owner thought this money was lost, so you can see I made them absolutely thrilled with me. This is about the time my lifestyle started changing. I saw many of my peers eating out all the time. I had been limiting myself to once a week, but what for? If they could do it, surely I didn't need to be so frugile, you lived only once, right? so I could too. Why was I saving all my money only to have some guy come along and think he could marry me and make it his too and blow it how he wanted? NOPE - I guarantee you, that wasn't happening...not a chance of it in my life! I wasn't going to be the one to make his future bright and shinning with dough and let him take the credit for it. I became more aware of the Jones's, got tired of the status put on those who had new clothes and how cute they were raved over when they wore them, and started accumulating things. Nice Things. I am not saying expensive things, I am saying good to have things that you can get at Target, Pier 1, Container Store, Ross, eBay, thrift stores and other new stores. Good Things like collections of books, stash of yarn to knit, lots of clear vases of different shapes and sizes, lots and lots of picture frames, clocks of all types, white pottery/kitchen ware, almost two of everything (sleeping bags, bedding, lawnchairs, etc). I told myself I would get my house equipped fully before I ever built one which was a dream I had, maybe even still have. I always paid my credit card off, so I wasn't worried about my spending habits, why should I? Yahright, of course I was but I flat out didn't care. I made good money, still saved money, but I had extra so I could spend it the way I wanted to you see. Nobody could tell me no, sure they might make their comments, but its just because they were jealous, or didn't care for my things, or thought I had too much, or whatever; I seriously didn't think it was because they thought it was so wrong to have things because I didn't believe that I was covetous. They had "things" I didn't have - you know husband to spend an evening with, kids to hug & kiss, family to chat on the phone with and spend long weekends with, so why were they making comments about me??? Everyone has these things called opinions that they express so freely whether you want them or not, so I went on with my life...I simply wanted the good life. A good life to the best of my ability within reason. Never having had things very much in my childhood I held onto every little thing I did have. I sold my car and got a new, brand new, one. I did well to get almost 4K off the price. This time, I qualified on my own for the loan and did the same thing I did before, made extra and/or double payments on it and paid it off in 2 years also. I went on this way for many years, like probably 5 or 6 or so with spending money how I pleased. During this time frame, my current job was struggling, a lot! My paychecks bounced for 3 months in a row and it took a month to get the funds to be good. I made them pay my return check and bank fees because of this, but this meant I had to tighten up the belt and have a full months pay in checking so I could float everything. Okay, it really wasn't too bad to deal with because I was still living within my means. It appeared we were going to get bought out, none of us new if our position would be kept after the buyout, the new guys came in and interviewed each of us, but we didn't learn a peep out of them! So, I decided to find a new job, yah what a novel idea! I landed one, same pay, same type of work and life rolled on. During this time frame I also was doing a project for my christian fellowship and was upfronting the costs and not receiving reimbursement for a good year or more. I had the funds, but really didn't know where they were going and with the other spending habits I had developed, money went in and out very easily. Then I got to thinking, I needed to do better with money. I attended a free seminar in Fort Worth titled Smart Woman Finish Rich seminar by David Bach, with one of my coworkers and it motivated me to take a serious look at my "Latte Factor" and "Pay Myself First" and I got some more advise from a new financial advisor (but stayed with my current advisor) and started investing again, with more money. I bought property, 2 pieces of land with the intentions that someday I would billed a house. I was determined to pay this 4 year note off in 2 years, just like I did my cars. But life changed. Part of the land was purchased with a cash advancement from my credit card to do the remaining down payment because I didn't want to take it out of savings. Ugh, MiStAkE! Wouldn't have been such a bad idea if I agressively had paid it down, but I didn't. I had medical bills and some more medical bills...I wasn't able to make my payments in full and this is when I got irritated with myself, frustrated that I felt overspent with my money, but then would tell myself it was all for a good cause and I had legitimate things so it wasn't like I was just blowing my money on junk. And what did I do? Stop buying anything I didn't have to have??? Nope. I went and bought more things when the cash flow got better instead of saving for a rainy day!!! People told me that I was doing really well, and on one hand I thought I was too and on the other I didn't like my situation for one moment - but how do you change now? I didn't see any way, you just keep plodding along on this journey. I continued to save a small amount of money monthly, decreased my monthly investments a bit to make my land payments. Consequently the land did not get paid off in 2 years, it took the full 4 years. Then in the midst of all this, my business fell apart, I had no work & no income. I was doing anything to make ends meet. Paint your bedroom? laundry room? I will do it! Tear wallpaper off rooms in a house you are remodeling? I will do it! Worked for $8 an hour doing these things and took temp jobs from $11.50 to $15 an hour. I would have a job for two weeks and then the project would be done and then I might go up to six weeks with no work, then I might get an assignment that would last 6 weeks. I got stressed, I got majorly frustrated with myself all around, but nobody knew. I just worked thru the discouragement and feelings of being a failure and just looked like this hard working individual. I struggled like this for 11 months!!! I finally landed a job, the worst job I EVER HAD! But I needed the money and was so determined to succeed and make ends meet as now I had to have it, every bit of the income. The benefits were decent, though no health insurance policy, and the pay was great...so I kept to my task. I decided I was done with debt. I was going to get rid of all my credit card debt. I cut extras, I did without and I learned to be happy with no buying of things, or so I told myself. But deep down, I wasn't happy. My friends had husbands, they had vacations, they had trips planned to do fun things, they had beautiful houses, lovely new clothes! I hadn't let God take control of my life, I had made things important to me and I was still trying to do it my way. Then, I got a tip from a friend about this really cute house that she and her husband saw and she so wished I was at the point that I wanted to buy, because it was so cute! I went and looked at it, talked to my mentor, he thought I should bid on it, I wasn't prequalified, so I had to get that done, like right now, today because bidding closed on this foreclosed home in a little over 24hrs...went the next day and looked at it again, then off to realtors office and completed paperwork. The next day I was notified that I was the top winner of 4 bids on the house, I was now a home owner! I was so excited!!! A place to call my own, but oh, so much to learn about this process...and then the feelings of "what the heck did I just do?"...my land is not paid for? and I have credit card debt! I decided to cash in my mutual funds for a down payment and the remodel of the house. This more than adequately covered these things and I thought I had it all under control. Then murphy came to visit...air-conditioner went out on the house, pool had many issues and repairs had to be done to get it in working order, car had a few repairs, I had more medical bills and seriously had barely any money left in the savings account and zero in the mutual fund account. For the first time in years, I was nearly broke. How was I going to pay for these things? Yup, you know the answer, I slapped them on the credit card. It is then I decided I was done, totally done with my lifestyle. Or was I? I said I was...but in my heart I had expectations of what my house needed to look like when my friends came over. The yard needed attention before I could host the party you know. I needed little to no furnishings - just bar stools for the kitchen and a rug for the living room...the rest, I already had...but the yard??? It really needed some help. So I spent money on greenery for the outside. It was a cycle that I went thru, crack down no spending and do really well for 3-4 months and then spend some money. Say I wasn't going to do that again, and then something else would need fixing and I was forced to spend money. Overall the result was much improved, but not good enough. I finally got really determined and was limiting my spending. For reals this time. It was during this time frame when I was very focused on cutting my expenses that the job I held got down to a financial crisis and my boss asked us to be patient with him, but he could not meet payroll. I knew whether or not I was ready for reals or not, it was time to find another job, I had to have my income. And I found one, one that was closer to home and where I made an hourly wage and was no longer salaried and I had health insurance benefits. All this was a great plus. I had been used to being salaried for so long that this change took a little bit of getting used to but for the first 7 months, I had overtime and that helped with the expense cutting. Not 3 months into this new job, is when I got called from a previous employer to assist with the medical billing of her practice for a month while her biller had surgery. I knew I couldn't say no, I needed the money to apply to getting out of debt. I worked very long days, up and off to my regular full time job and then to my second job after that working until I felt I couldn't think or see straight any more, getting home about midnight or later and crashing in bed and doing it all over again the next day...6days a week. There was so much work to be done and I felt I needed to make the most of the opportunity for extra income. The plan slowly changed, the physician needed me to find her cash flow issues. I did. She exteneded the cleanup work project I was assigned to as she released the biller from working for her. We agreed that I would work for her doing this cleanup and complete it so she could hire an agency to take it over. So I continued the massive gruleing schedule, being paid as an employee and making the most of all I could find in work to get the task done and the debt a bit lower. Knowing that all the while it was helping reduce my debt. At this time, I really didn't know where I was financially. I had quit staying current in my Quicken and really wasn't sure I wanted to know my real financial state, no I was sure I didn't. I then decided I needed to get myself caught up for the year, face reality and make a plan. I did. The results, not pretty! Downright pitiful. Sure Quicken showed I had a nice net worth, but really did I if you looked at my debts vs savings? No. In many ways, it was suffocating when you looked at the figure. I thought I could get out of debt in six months, not really even logically probable. After 8weeks of this regime, with 2 more weeks to go, the physician and I agreed (after several conversations) that I would gladly be that billing agency and my business that I had never dissolved, Medical Account Solutions, would be back in business doing Accurate Medical Billing & Collection Services for her practice. This was my chance to get out of debt and it was going to take some long hard hours, and hours and hours, of work to achieve it. But I was determined once and for all to make a change. I had made tremendous progress at this and was 50% out of debt when a coworker told me about a course offered by Dave Ramsey called Financial Peace University thru her church. I asked if I could attend, she said she would check. She notified me that I could and that the cost was $97. Wow!!! When you are not spending on cent, that is a heck of a lot of money...could I do it? Though I know many money principals and have lots of knowledge, I felt it would be good for me to stay motivated and learn more. When you really wish to change bad habits, you will. As Larry Balderson says, you will never possess what you are unwilling to pursue. I thought about it for a week and decided yes, I could do it, really had to do it, but more than that I wanted to do it! The membership was for life so if I wanted to take the class again, I could. I learned several things in the class which I will share. Dave says in his class on finances that it is 20% head knowledge, 80% action and if you don't control your money it will control you! or as Zig Ziggler says, ifyou aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time. Dave is very zealous for God and encourages others to be so too. Dave has been thru bankruptcy and he has experience first hand that I will hopefully never have. Even in my finanical state, I have NEVER had a creditor call me and if late on a payment by accident, it has always been reversed. I learned several things int he class or found insightful and reasons for recommendation to others:
1. even if you are single, have someone you are accountible to who will work with you and hlep you with a budget and major purchases, if you are married - you both have to be on the same page, period.
2. how men & woman face money and handle money, how to view money, you work too hard to be broke
3. you MUST live on a realistic budget
4. save 15% of your income, period
5. research your purchases, don't be afraid to shop for a bargain or make an offer
6. lots of statistics and data that will inspire you to save $$$ at a young age, shortcuts are the wrong attitude
7. how "normal" people live and why you want to be different, normal is broke
8. the last 6 months are the most expensive time of your life, how to plan for this
9. types of insurance to have, how to shop for, what is good vs bad, etc
10. explanation of investments - KISS keep it simple stupid (silly)
11. understand yourself, strengths & weaknesses, commit to a lifelong change
12 remember God owns it all, we are asset managers, this affects how you relate to money (the live example was awesome)
I think the most memoriable of all was the video where he acted out "gazelle intensity". I was in tears - for more reasons than one.
The class was not hard, there was weekly homework, but it wasn't remendous and I always got it done even working two jobs! If you listen to Dave regularly on his radio show (which I don't because of my work schedule), you will learn many of his principals by listening to it with the live examples. You can watch some o fhis previous shows on the Fox Business network at http://www.hulu.com/. You could probably get all this data through various resources of books, talking to people and doing online research; but he does a great job at the way he presents the class and his points and there are no words for his experience, both personally and thru his business. Obviously the class spurred me on to keep to my goals and set new habits, patterns and learn many things about me which was the most important thing I could have gotten out of the class. So today I tell you
I AM DEBT FREE!!!
Monday, July 6, 2009
2nd Quarter Progress on 2009 Resolutions
I received my second quarter email from Glenn Shepard on where I am with my 2009 Goals & Resolutions. This is what I submitted to him on where I stand on my goals for the year (review blog entry on 1/1/2009 for goals set & 1st quarter update on 4/1/2009):
1. 100% of this goal to be debt free will be met this week, with final payment 07.10.2009!
2. no further progress made on this...Help!
3. 0% progress: have not found exercise routine yet that works with my schedule which is still the same as last quarter...downright grueling and crazy!
4. a bit more progress, rented some books to try to get ideas on time management, but still desire to excel in this even more so I will be more productive
5. still trying to learn...think I have got more of an idea on why I try to be this way, but still trying to master not being that...so probably about the same as last quarter
THANK you yet again Glenn for your encouragement!
1. 100% of this goal to be debt free will be met this week, with final payment 07.10.2009!
2. no further progress made on this...Help!
3. 0% progress: have not found exercise routine yet that works with my schedule which is still the same as last quarter...downright grueling and crazy!
4. a bit more progress, rented some books to try to get ideas on time management, but still desire to excel in this even more so I will be more productive
5. still trying to learn...think I have got more of an idea on why I try to be this way, but still trying to master not being that...so probably about the same as last quarter
THANK you yet again Glenn for your encouragement!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
July 2009 Adult Verse Night
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15
(though I was out of town for this month, I still had this as my verse)
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thought from Dave Ramsey's show
The more valid reasons you have to achieve your dream, the higher the odds are that you will!
The thesis of book: Put Your Dream to the Test by John Maxwell from Dave Ramsey's interview with him on May 12, 2009
I want to read this book!
The thesis of book: Put Your Dream to the Test by John Maxwell from Dave Ramsey's interview with him on May 12, 2009
I want to read this book!
Friday, June 26, 2009
song ~ I Bless You
I BLESS YOU
Dennis Jernigan
verse:
I bless you with joy and peace
And love that won’t let go
I bless you with grace and faith
And fire in your soul
I bless you with dreams and visions
Most men don’t know of
I bless you with deeper knowledge
Of our Father’s Love
I bless you with strength and power,
Grace through any trial
I bless you with wisdom
And with comfort in your smile
I bless you with great adventures,
Journeys yet unknown
I bless you with hearts gone wild
Because you are His own
verse:
I bless you with the heart of a warrior,
Grace to stand and fight
I bless you with brothers
Who will stand right by your side
I bless you with courage
Till the battles have been won
I bless you with the faith to hear your Father say,
“Well done!”
chorus:
I bless you with joy and laughter!
I bless you with a steadfast faith!
I bless you with the hopes and the dreams
That your heart goes after!
I bless you with amazing grace!
Dennis Jernigan
verse:
I bless you with joy and peace
And love that won’t let go
I bless you with grace and faith
And fire in your soul
I bless you with dreams and visions
Most men don’t know of
I bless you with deeper knowledge
Of our Father’s Love
I bless you with strength and power,
Grace through any trial
I bless you with wisdom
And with comfort in your smile
I bless you with great adventures,
Journeys yet unknown
I bless you with hearts gone wild
Because you are His own
verse:
I bless you with the heart of a warrior,
Grace to stand and fight
I bless you with brothers
Who will stand right by your side
I bless you with courage
Till the battles have been won
I bless you with the faith to hear your Father say,
“Well done!”
chorus:
I bless you with joy and laughter!
I bless you with a steadfast faith!
I bless you with the hopes and the dreams
That your heart goes after!
I bless you with amazing grace!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
"Light the Night for Sight" walk at Alcon
This evening was the "Light the Night for Sight" one mile walk and fundraiser held at Alcon by Prevent Blindness of Texas. The fundraiser was extremely successful with $143K raised!!! The weather was a bit hot even after a late start of the events. The evening concluded with a 15minute fireworks display...very pretty!
Participation from both offices included: Dr. Tom Annunziato with his children (Christopher and Emma), Becca Annunziato (& boyfriend, Andrew), Dr. Latimer & Family, Cassie Hagin & Family, and me!
Participation from both offices included: Dr. Tom Annunziato with his children (Christopher and Emma), Becca Annunziato (& boyfriend, Andrew), Dr. Latimer & Family, Cassie Hagin & Family, and me!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Quotes
Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Breakin at the office
Break in at the office...
Pretty clever hole cut by this dork all for a laptop...you think it was worth it??? and yes, that is the laptop cord hanging out the window. My day quickly changed to vacuuming up glass so that everyone could at least walk around and doing some cleanup, calling the glass company out, getting a copy of the police report, etc.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Brian Tracy Quote of the Day
There is only one way to succeed at anything and that is to give everything.
- Vince Lombardi, American Football Coach
- Vince Lombardi, American Football Coach
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
June 2009 Adult Verse Night
My verse for tonight
blessed is the man who keeps on going when times are hard
james 1:12 (NIRV)
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Scary Drive Home
Yesterday was the wedding for Gentry Cotten & Carrie Moore. I got off work at 4pm, rushed to the grocery store to get ingredients for my Spinach Artichoke Dip & home to mix it up, jump in the shower and get ready to leave - hopefully by 5.30pm for Pecan Plantation. I left at 5.45pm and dropped my appetizer off at Brian & Shelley's house and headed to the wedding held at Drex & Bethany's...it was a nice evening even in spite of the little bugs I constantly felt crawling all over me about to drive me insane! Larry Balderson gave the ceremony and I appreciated his thoughts of Patience & Kindness being the pillars of love. The way he brought these two things out I thought was interesting and I wish to focus on this even more in my life with my relationships. Afterwards, I visited with many feeling like I have not had a chance to catch up with them with my schedule of late. I headed to enjoy the rest of my evening at Brian & Shelley's as they hosted the event out on the patio by their pool. They have done an incredible job at their yard (for which maybe someday I can have myself and won't be envious of) and the food was yummy! Yes, I cheated twice...I ate a half of piece of Chocolate Cake and Hawaiian Cheese Bread...so good!!! All in all, it was an enjoyable evening and I took myself home about midnight.
But...........I had the scare of my life driving home. I took the road back to Hwy 377 and up to FM1187. After I passed the intersection of FM1187 & CR1902...I was followed by two cars either dealing with road rage or out to have an exhilarating experience in a scary way. I do not know which, but it scared me to death! I mean it!!! The highway is a two lane road with a large center median for turning and ample shoulder space on the sides. These two vehicles would follow each other at breath taking speeds with little room between them or ride neck to neck side by side making the oncoming traffic the other way swerve to avoid them while attempting to pass me and the person in front of me. At one point the car following slowed way down, but then so did the car in front. This freaked me out again. I didn't know whether to slow down, stop, move over onto the shoulder or if they would even see me if I did this! I was very, very, very unnerved. I didn't know whether to call the police, or just speed very, very, very fast home. I was shaking so bad. At one point the car in the lead was even with me and kept riding that way...I wouldn't look...couldn't look, what if they had a gun? I sped up a little and a little more until I was ahead of him again as I was near my turn off. This whole ordeal went on until I turned off FM1187 at FM731. As these two vehicles approached me as I was turning, they had decided to roll down their windows and come to a near stop in the intersection...I didn't stay to see what happened, I just scurried around the corner and home glad that I had the degree of safety I had. I still don't know what was the best way to handle this situation, but the adrenaline rush at that hour of the night, was more than enough to do me in!
But...........I had the scare of my life driving home. I took the road back to Hwy 377 and up to FM1187. After I passed the intersection of FM1187 & CR1902...I was followed by two cars either dealing with road rage or out to have an exhilarating experience in a scary way. I do not know which, but it scared me to death! I mean it!!! The highway is a two lane road with a large center median for turning and ample shoulder space on the sides. These two vehicles would follow each other at breath taking speeds with little room between them or ride neck to neck side by side making the oncoming traffic the other way swerve to avoid them while attempting to pass me and the person in front of me. At one point the car following slowed way down, but then so did the car in front. This freaked me out again. I didn't know whether to slow down, stop, move over onto the shoulder or if they would even see me if I did this! I was very, very, very unnerved. I didn't know whether to call the police, or just speed very, very, very fast home. I was shaking so bad. At one point the car in the lead was even with me and kept riding that way...I wouldn't look...couldn't look, what if they had a gun? I sped up a little and a little more until I was ahead of him again as I was near my turn off. This whole ordeal went on until I turned off FM1187 at FM731. As these two vehicles approached me as I was turning, they had decided to roll down their windows and come to a near stop in the intersection...I didn't stay to see what happened, I just scurried around the corner and home glad that I had the degree of safety I had. I still don't know what was the best way to handle this situation, but the adrenaline rush at that hour of the night, was more than enough to do me in!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
song ~ different
Different
by Jamie Slocum with Mollye Rees
I have had the right
To stand and fight
But it would have still been wrong
I've had the chance to prove
A hurtful truth
I had to let it go and just move on
'Cause there's a gift called grace
That's captured my life
Though the way of the world is power and pride
I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because I am different
Let the difference be love
Let me have the kind
Of heart that shines
The light and shows you're real
And where hope is dim
And fear sets in
Will you use me Lord to help and heal
I don't want wealth or fame
To define the life I live
Oh let me be known
For what I give
I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because I am different
Let the difference be love
Every day is a chance to serve You
By caring for someone else
I will make the choice to surrender
And not live for myself
I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because
I am different
Let the difference be love
I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because
I am different
Let the difference be love
by Jamie Slocum with Mollye Rees
I have had the right
To stand and fight
But it would have still been wrong
I've had the chance to prove
A hurtful truth
I had to let it go and just move on
'Cause there's a gift called grace
That's captured my life
Though the way of the world is power and pride
I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because I am different
Let the difference be love
Let me have the kind
Of heart that shines
The light and shows you're real
And where hope is dim
And fear sets in
Will you use me Lord to help and heal
I don't want wealth or fame
To define the life I live
Oh let me be known
For what I give
I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because I am different
Let the difference be love
Every day is a chance to serve You
By caring for someone else
I will make the choice to surrender
And not live for myself
I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because
I am different
Let the difference be love
I want to be different, Jesus
Just like You
I want to be tender with mercy
Guiding all I do
So when others talk about me
Let it be because
I am different
Let the difference be love
Friday, May 15, 2009
song ~ can't take away
Can't Take Away
Mike Grayson, Sam Tinnesz, Jason Ingram
All around
All of us
Fear has come and so we must
Ask ourselves
In who we trust
What we have here
Is not enough
So let it ring
In freedom sing
You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
Oh, my God
Waves will come
Winds will blow
But it's not here I've found my hope
My beating heart
My very soul
Is held by one who won't let go
And so I'll cling
To You my King
You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
Oh, my God
A hope that can't be lost
A love that can't be bought
You can't take away my God
Nothing high or low
Nothing you can control
You can't take away my God
You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
No you can't
No you can't
Take away my God
No you can't
No you can't
No you can't
Take away my God, Oh My God, My God.
Mike Grayson, Sam Tinnesz, Jason Ingram
All around
All of us
Fear has come and so we must
Ask ourselves
In who we trust
What we have here
Is not enough
So let it ring
In freedom sing
You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
Oh, my God
Waves will come
Winds will blow
But it's not here I've found my hope
My beating heart
My very soul
Is held by one who won't let go
And so I'll cling
To You my King
You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
Oh, my God
A hope that can't be lost
A love that can't be bought
You can't take away my God
Nothing high or low
Nothing you can control
You can't take away my God
You can take away
Everything that I've been holding
You can take away the sun
You can take away the very air that I've been breathing
But you can't take away my God
No you can't
No you can't
Take away my God
No you can't
No you can't
No you can't
Take away my God, Oh My God, My God.
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