Here we go. Today is the day that we wrap up our Franklin virtues. We end with a doozy:
Virtue 13: Humility - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Dearest reader, I'm sorry to say that I completely blew it today. First, at work. I won't bore you with a long, dragged-out history of my job (and yes, it would be boring, long and dragged-out); I will just say that today there was a storm cloud of entitlement which settled in over my desk first thing this morning, and stayed there all day. I freely admit that I was a bear.
And then, tonight - well, I came home from work and did my taxes, which really torqued me off. I think I did them as correctly as I can, considering I'm in a divorce....but, well, I'm not sure. I guess if I get audited, I get audited, and life will indeed go on.
I'll worry about that tomorrow, Scarlett.
Anyhow, here was my day: Entitlement + Income Taxes = Humility. I'm sorry, that equation simply doesn't balance.
But fear not - tomorrow is a new month - and promises to be full of madcap adventures as I tweak this program for a 30-day self-improvement quest.
You do know, of course, that YOU are cordially invited to JOIN ME in each and every zany adventure on which I embark, right? WHO'S WITH ME!
~crickets chirping~
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Virtue 12 - Day 2
When we last left this channel, we were focusing on chastity. Not a big challenge yesterday. Not a big challenge today.
So, since having sex was out of the equation for the day, I decided to go to Chelan with 2 of my buddies. For those of you who don't know where Chelan is, suffice it to say that it's the town I'd live in if I could afford the taxes and could actually find gainful employment there. I love Chelan-it's a very small town with cute shops. Anyhow, we hit the quilt store, so that I could get fabric for my kitchen curtains and to cover my 2 "dining room" chairs (which also come with a card table!), the indie bookstore (my favorite place in a 60-mile radius, no contest) and the health food store (well, I like to go in there, anyway). I knew that I had $90 to spend, and between those shops and the Sweet River Bakery (my second-favorite place within a 60-mile radius) I believe I came in under the wire.
I haven't actually added it up though, and well, Monday is payday. Today's virtue isn't "keeping track of your spending."
Which brings me to...February.
I am making an executive decision to switch my schedule. Originally we were scheduled for a "spending fast" for the month of February. For those of you who are untrendy and don't know what that is, when you go on a "spending fast" you pay your essential bills and buy only the barest of necessities for a month. The idea being that you, at the end of the month, have a pile of money that you can roll around in, ala Demi Moore in that movie with Robert Redford. I believe it's colossally unfair to expect me to buy only the necessities during my "move" month. And since you all love me, and want what's best for me, I'm sure you agree.
So February will be the "how many sit-ups can you do in a month" month, and "spending fast" will be adjusted to that month. In case you can't tell by my cryptic language, I can't remember what month that is. But we'll figure it out.
So, since having sex was out of the equation for the day, I decided to go to Chelan with 2 of my buddies. For those of you who don't know where Chelan is, suffice it to say that it's the town I'd live in if I could afford the taxes and could actually find gainful employment there. I love Chelan-it's a very small town with cute shops. Anyhow, we hit the quilt store, so that I could get fabric for my kitchen curtains and to cover my 2 "dining room" chairs (which also come with a card table!), the indie bookstore (my favorite place in a 60-mile radius, no contest) and the health food store (well, I like to go in there, anyway). I knew that I had $90 to spend, and between those shops and the Sweet River Bakery (my second-favorite place within a 60-mile radius) I believe I came in under the wire.
I haven't actually added it up though, and well, Monday is payday. Today's virtue isn't "keeping track of your spending."
Which brings me to...February.
I am making an executive decision to switch my schedule. Originally we were scheduled for a "spending fast" for the month of February. For those of you who are untrendy and don't know what that is, when you go on a "spending fast" you pay your essential bills and buy only the barest of necessities for a month. The idea being that you, at the end of the month, have a pile of money that you can roll around in, ala Demi Moore in that movie with Robert Redford. I believe it's colossally unfair to expect me to buy only the necessities during my "move" month. And since you all love me, and want what's best for me, I'm sure you agree.
So February will be the "how many sit-ups can you do in a month" month, and "spending fast" will be adjusted to that month. In case you can't tell by my cryptic language, I can't remember what month that is. But we'll figure it out.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Virtue 12 - Day 1; and a shower curtain.
Our second-to-last virtue:
Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
Uh...I haven't "used venery" in well over a year. If venery leads to dullness, I'm the sharpest girl you know.
Moving on.
So, my mother called today and offered to buy my old sewing machine, which means I actually have some money to buy a little sofa of some sort, and maybe even a lamp, for my new living room. I went to the local furniture store and found a rather cool-looking sort of futon thing for roughly half of what I had expected to spend. I then found a super-cool lamp that is marked down by 66% because the shade (which is so custom, it's irreplaceable) is dirty. Well, it may be irreplaceable, but for about 15 bucks, I can buy some awesome fabric and trim, recover it, and have a custom lamp for my sweet new bachelorette pad. So, if I still want them on Monday, I'll pop back in and get them.
I made a little trip to Wally World today (yes, I know I was just there yesterday, you Nazi) and picked up some "Gee-I-Really-Need-These-Things-The-Day-I-Move-In" stuff. I got a shower curtain, some plates, bathroom rugs, other little stuff like that. None of it is particularly impressive and certainly not worth much money. What can I say, it was a fun girlie thing to do.
I've got my goods, I'm driving home, and I remember what my friend Crissy said to me today...she told me, basically, "when you move we should have a candle party at your place as a housewarming." And I started bawling. Yes, it's dark, I'm driving and crying with my new shower curtain.
You see, dearest reader, I've never really had what I am about to have. When I was a kid, I always wanted to have the kind of house where people just "dropped by" when they were out and about - maybe bring some little snackies or maybe a movie, or just come around and we can hang out until the cows come home. Then I grew up. "Growing Up" meant living with an alcoholic. When you are married to an alcoholic, you live in terror that someone actually will "drop by" unannounced and find out your family's dirty little secret. So, from 1988 until 1999, I made damn sure that nobody, and I mean nobody, just dropped by.
Then I was a single parent with 4 children under the age of 10. I was constantly scrounging, or so it felt, in pretty much every area of my life. I was always on the verge of being completely broke. I was scrapping around trying to establish some sort of career. I was, well, a single woman in my early 30's. I was in a chronic state of humiliation by the end of my first marriage, and later, by the man I was dating and eventually married. I felt that nothing I had was good enough for anyone, since it obviously wasn't good enough for the men in my life, so I needed to make sure that nobody saw any more than they needed to. So much for dropping by.
Then I was married to husband no. 2 (and according to the laws of the State of Washington, I still am for a little while longer). In case there's any doubt in your mind - my 2nd husband spent 10 years defiling, degrading, humiliating and neglecting me. During that time, I was relieved that nobody would want to drive out into the middle of nowhere to see us, because our home environment was mortifying; and, of course, all my fault for not being a better Christian wife.
Well, that brings us to today. I have no alcoholic around. I've cut out all the emotionally abusive people that used to be in my life. I'm about to move into a tiny, little house...and I CAN HAVE PEOPLE OVER.
Yes, my living room will feature what is, in reality, a pretty cheap sofa and my old recliner with the duct tape on it. If you are around at mealtime, you will eat off a white Correlle plate and use a fork that is rather lightweight or worn, and probably doesn't match the fork that anybody else is using. You'll probably have to hold said plate in your lap, because there's no room for a dining room table. But you are welcome to come over. I have nothing to hide, because I bet that if you are in my life now, you won't think my home isn't good enough for visitors. And just the thought of being able to offer this to you for the first time in my adult life, dearest reader, brought me to tears tonight.
When you come by, make sure you check out the shower curtain. It's super-cute.
Chastity: Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
Uh...I haven't "used venery" in well over a year. If venery leads to dullness, I'm the sharpest girl you know.
Moving on.
So, my mother called today and offered to buy my old sewing machine, which means I actually have some money to buy a little sofa of some sort, and maybe even a lamp, for my new living room. I went to the local furniture store and found a rather cool-looking sort of futon thing for roughly half of what I had expected to spend. I then found a super-cool lamp that is marked down by 66% because the shade (which is so custom, it's irreplaceable) is dirty. Well, it may be irreplaceable, but for about 15 bucks, I can buy some awesome fabric and trim, recover it, and have a custom lamp for my sweet new bachelorette pad. So, if I still want them on Monday, I'll pop back in and get them.
I made a little trip to Wally World today (yes, I know I was just there yesterday, you Nazi) and picked up some "Gee-I-Really-Need-These-Things-The-Day-I-Move-In" stuff. I got a shower curtain, some plates, bathroom rugs, other little stuff like that. None of it is particularly impressive and certainly not worth much money. What can I say, it was a fun girlie thing to do.
I've got my goods, I'm driving home, and I remember what my friend Crissy said to me today...she told me, basically, "when you move we should have a candle party at your place as a housewarming." And I started bawling. Yes, it's dark, I'm driving and crying with my new shower curtain.
You see, dearest reader, I've never really had what I am about to have. When I was a kid, I always wanted to have the kind of house where people just "dropped by" when they were out and about - maybe bring some little snackies or maybe a movie, or just come around and we can hang out until the cows come home. Then I grew up. "Growing Up" meant living with an alcoholic. When you are married to an alcoholic, you live in terror that someone actually will "drop by" unannounced and find out your family's dirty little secret. So, from 1988 until 1999, I made damn sure that nobody, and I mean nobody, just dropped by.
Then I was a single parent with 4 children under the age of 10. I was constantly scrounging, or so it felt, in pretty much every area of my life. I was always on the verge of being completely broke. I was scrapping around trying to establish some sort of career. I was, well, a single woman in my early 30's. I was in a chronic state of humiliation by the end of my first marriage, and later, by the man I was dating and eventually married. I felt that nothing I had was good enough for anyone, since it obviously wasn't good enough for the men in my life, so I needed to make sure that nobody saw any more than they needed to. So much for dropping by.
Then I was married to husband no. 2 (and according to the laws of the State of Washington, I still am for a little while longer). In case there's any doubt in your mind - my 2nd husband spent 10 years defiling, degrading, humiliating and neglecting me. During that time, I was relieved that nobody would want to drive out into the middle of nowhere to see us, because our home environment was mortifying; and, of course, all my fault for not being a better Christian wife.
Well, that brings us to today. I have no alcoholic around. I've cut out all the emotionally abusive people that used to be in my life. I'm about to move into a tiny, little house...and I CAN HAVE PEOPLE OVER.
Yes, my living room will feature what is, in reality, a pretty cheap sofa and my old recliner with the duct tape on it. If you are around at mealtime, you will eat off a white Correlle plate and use a fork that is rather lightweight or worn, and probably doesn't match the fork that anybody else is using. You'll probably have to hold said plate in your lap, because there's no room for a dining room table. But you are welcome to come over. I have nothing to hide, because I bet that if you are in my life now, you won't think my home isn't good enough for visitors. And just the thought of being able to offer this to you for the first time in my adult life, dearest reader, brought me to tears tonight.
When you come by, make sure you check out the shower curtain. It's super-cute.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Virtue 11 - Day 2
Okay, I'm totally maxxing out my points on Virtue 11. I met today with a county government official, to brainstorm ways to make a certain application process easier for our local residents; I, personally and professionally, will see only a negligible benefit. Tina...Champion of the Underdog. I can tell you are impressed.
So, tomorrow my youngest is going to a birthday party, which includes a hockey game. He's riding the bus home with his friend and they won't be home until midnight. He has been talking about it for months. For the past 3 weeks or so, he has talked about it constantly. Birthday party birthday party birthday party. I smile, I nod. Yes, honey, you will have fun. Fun fun fun.
It's 4:00 - we are in the car, one mile from home, having just gone to Wally World - and the words I have tuned out for the past 6 months finally sink in. My son. Is going to a birthday party. TOMORROW. And, dearest reader, what is the one thing a kid needs to take to a birthday party???
Yup. No gift. Heavy sigh.
Well, we went home, ate dinner, and jumped back in the car. Oh, did I mention it's JANUARY and it's FLIPPIN' FREEZING outside?? We hit the dollar store, and birthday boy is getting $4 worth of dollar store candy and a deck of "magic cards." He'll be thrilled.
I'm sure there's a virtue in there somewhere.
Good news of the day - I've found a rental and am moving Presidents' Day weekend. Woot woot! It's tinier than tiny, and I don't have any furniture, but it's good for us.
And, when it comes right down to it - the worst day in January 2011 beats the hell out of the best day in January 2010.
So, tomorrow my youngest is going to a birthday party, which includes a hockey game. He's riding the bus home with his friend and they won't be home until midnight. He has been talking about it for months. For the past 3 weeks or so, he has talked about it constantly. Birthday party birthday party birthday party. I smile, I nod. Yes, honey, you will have fun. Fun fun fun.
It's 4:00 - we are in the car, one mile from home, having just gone to Wally World - and the words I have tuned out for the past 6 months finally sink in. My son. Is going to a birthday party. TOMORROW. And, dearest reader, what is the one thing a kid needs to take to a birthday party???
Yup. No gift. Heavy sigh.
Well, we went home, ate dinner, and jumped back in the car. Oh, did I mention it's JANUARY and it's FLIPPIN' FREEZING outside?? We hit the dollar store, and birthday boy is getting $4 worth of dollar store candy and a deck of "magic cards." He'll be thrilled.
I'm sure there's a virtue in there somewhere.
Good news of the day - I've found a rental and am moving Presidents' Day weekend. Woot woot! It's tinier than tiny, and I don't have any furniture, but it's good for us.
And, when it comes right down to it - the worst day in January 2011 beats the hell out of the best day in January 2010.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Virtue 11 - Day 1
Yes, dearest reader - I am back. After 24 hours of additional healing time, I think I can now type without busting open the cut on the end of my finger and bleeding everywhere.
Our Virtue Du Jour:
Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
Well, in honor of our virtue, you will be happy to know that I went out of my way to help people out today. The only injury I've inflicted recently was on myself and my poor, mangled little hand. So far, so good. I will again go out of my way to be Superman again tomorrow. After that - woot woot - we can move back to mediocrity.
Just kidding.
So, have I told you guys about the book I'm reading right now? It's called "It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now" and is designed for people who are over 40. I've heard that some people actually ARE over 40. Isn't that strange? I've been 38 for several years now, and it's working well for me. Anyhow, basically this book tells you that you are never again going to be 25, so stop pretending like you actually are, and that you are able to compete with said 25-year olds in the career/dating/physical appearance arenas; embrace your well-earned mature self, quit your job because some 25-year old is breathing down your neck for it, and you hate it anyway; do whatever you want whenever you want, stop scheduling your life and wearing uncomfortable clothes, die happy, probably broke and in need of a makeover.
It's like the antithesis of my drawerful of Tony Robbins cd's. In fact, Tony probably just clutched his heart and yelled "NOOOOO" and he has no idea why.
Anyhow - what do you guys think of that? Is it okay to "drop out"? Or are you in the race until the end?
Our Virtue Du Jour:
Justice: Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
Well, in honor of our virtue, you will be happy to know that I went out of my way to help people out today. The only injury I've inflicted recently was on myself and my poor, mangled little hand. So far, so good. I will again go out of my way to be Superman again tomorrow. After that - woot woot - we can move back to mediocrity.
Just kidding.
So, have I told you guys about the book I'm reading right now? It's called "It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now" and is designed for people who are over 40. I've heard that some people actually ARE over 40. Isn't that strange? I've been 38 for several years now, and it's working well for me. Anyhow, basically this book tells you that you are never again going to be 25, so stop pretending like you actually are, and that you are able to compete with said 25-year olds in the career/dating/physical appearance arenas; embrace your well-earned mature self, quit your job because some 25-year old is breathing down your neck for it, and you hate it anyway; do whatever you want whenever you want, stop scheduling your life and wearing uncomfortable clothes, die happy, probably broke and in need of a makeover.
It's like the antithesis of my drawerful of Tony Robbins cd's. In fact, Tony probably just clutched his heart and yelled "NOOOOO" and he has no idea why.
Anyhow - what do you guys think of that? Is it okay to "drop out"? Or are you in the race until the end?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Virtue 10 - Day 2
DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW FREAKIN' MUCH IT HURTS TO TYPE WHEN YOU HAVE A VERY SMALL, YET VERY DEEP, CUT ON THE TIP OF YOUR RING FINGER?????!!!!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Virtue 10 - Day 1
Sincerity: Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
Honestly, dear reader, I think I should get a pass on this one. I am, after all, in the middle of a divorce. While controlling my tongue isn't much of a challenge (see "repression" in an earlier post), you can't expect me to control my thoughts. That's just not fair. And Ben was a very fair man. He wrote the Poor Richard's Almanac, after all. If he wasn't a fair-minded guy, he wouldn't have shown such consideration for the poor, now would he.
I await your decision.
On another note - today sucked. I had several unexpected "drop-ins" on Friday who sucked my time away, so I started the day behind. I then responded to what can only be described as an obscene amount of e-mail requests - I actually sent 15 e-mails in my first 2 hours at work - and guess what - 2 more drop-ins. So, I basically gave up on trying to get anything major accomplished, and just worked until 3, when I stopped and left. Some days you just have to do that, I guess. But I face a desk of half-finished crapola tomorrow, and that makes me cranky.
Oh, and when I got home, I started to do the dishes, cut my finger on a freshly-sharpened knife, and dripped blood all over the floor.
AND I have a Planning Commission meeting tonight, which will be 3 hours with the entertainment value of, oh, watching paint dry.
But - in the interest of our virtue - I present:
SINCERELY AWESOME THINGS THAT HAPPENED TODAY
1. My Zumba DVD's arrived in the mail. If you don't know what Zumba is, well, welcome to Planet Earth, Google it and be envious.
2. I registered for the "Write on the River" conference in Wenatchee, joined the Write on the River club (yes, there's a club, what of it?) and requested my appointment with a literary agent. It cost all my "fun money" for the next 2 months or so, but it will be worth it.
3. I got out of finishing the dishes because I was bleeding everywhere.
4. Synthia is making dinner so I don't have to cook.
Well, there you have it. Day 1 is in the bag.
Honestly, dear reader, I think I should get a pass on this one. I am, after all, in the middle of a divorce. While controlling my tongue isn't much of a challenge (see "repression" in an earlier post), you can't expect me to control my thoughts. That's just not fair. And Ben was a very fair man. He wrote the Poor Richard's Almanac, after all. If he wasn't a fair-minded guy, he wouldn't have shown such consideration for the poor, now would he.
I await your decision.
On another note - today sucked. I had several unexpected "drop-ins" on Friday who sucked my time away, so I started the day behind. I then responded to what can only be described as an obscene amount of e-mail requests - I actually sent 15 e-mails in my first 2 hours at work - and guess what - 2 more drop-ins. So, I basically gave up on trying to get anything major accomplished, and just worked until 3, when I stopped and left. Some days you just have to do that, I guess. But I face a desk of half-finished crapola tomorrow, and that makes me cranky.
Oh, and when I got home, I started to do the dishes, cut my finger on a freshly-sharpened knife, and dripped blood all over the floor.
AND I have a Planning Commission meeting tonight, which will be 3 hours with the entertainment value of, oh, watching paint dry.
But - in the interest of our virtue - I present:
SINCERELY AWESOME THINGS THAT HAPPENED TODAY
1. My Zumba DVD's arrived in the mail. If you don't know what Zumba is, well, welcome to Planet Earth, Google it and be envious.
2. I registered for the "Write on the River" conference in Wenatchee, joined the Write on the River club (yes, there's a club, what of it?) and requested my appointment with a literary agent. It cost all my "fun money" for the next 2 months or so, but it will be worth it.
3. I got out of finishing the dishes because I was bleeding everywhere.
4. Synthia is making dinner so I don't have to cook.
Well, there you have it. Day 1 is in the bag.
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