Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Timeless Design (or "Old Images I Like")

I'm posting this here because I want to keep it in mind for future birthdays, Christmases, etc. Not necessarily for me, but for so many in my life, particularly those who are teachers, artists, or married to them (which is nearly everyone in my immediate and extended family).

Content (though I haven't read the book, just what's on websites): the charts are from the last two centuries or so of Life in the pre-PowerPoint era. Considering my affinity for that which is enduring and intellectual, I think I would love to spend time in the pages of this books.

Aesthetic: I love the red cloth binding and simple presentation of each chart.

Further thoughts: I would love a wall-chart or two from this book A classroom map of the world (one or two to use as wall-art) would be fantastic additions to my home, though I'm not entirely certain where they would fit in to my little ranch house. :-)

For example:


Take care >^..^<

Friday, March 2, 2012

Finances, Flowers, and Adjusting Priorities

I think I want to start a new tradition for myself:
Buying flowers for myself on Fridays.

(from a dinner party we had for Thanksgiving/Christmas 2011)

Why?

1) I love the outdoors & I want to get as much of it indoors as I can.


2) I no longer work weekends, and flowers will serve a reminder of the blessing that that is.

3) (this is the long one) I'm starting a new budget tracker on mint.com (totally recommend the site!) because...I have started a new job!  Yay!  I am advising students at the local community college system.  I'm about 6 weeks into it and feel so good about what I get to do. My schedule is a blessing and I am so less stressed out!

The new routine is different and I need to remain focused in order to now fritter away my new-found resources: more head-space and soul-space as I have fewer burdens and crises that I feel I must carry, an increase in time at home (no on-duty time), responsibilities that allow me to use my strengths more regularly, and a substantial increase in finances. (How does this relate to flowers? I'll get there. Promise!)


Previously, I had a monthly budget that I had lived on for 3-5 years: pay all the bills and necessary expenses, then try to figure out how to ssssstretch the rest of the paycheck for things like--replacing clothes when they got old and worn, paying for gas to go visit my family in another state, spending a bit on hobbies (fun ingredients for recipes, yarn or fabric for a gift, etc.), and eeking out bits of money to have lunch or dinner or movies with friends.

Now that I've got the basic expenses covered, I'm learning that I can waste a lot of money when I have it. My weakness = food (and craft supplies, but I've been showing self-control here). There are many times when I have to eat a meal by myself and don't feel like cooking. Or I want to try a new recipe. Or I want to treat someone to a nice dinner. These are the times when I spend-spend-spend! I have gone overboard in some other areas since getting a new job, but I know that food is a serious financial drain. I like good food, effortless food, healthy food, and social food. Lots of food apparently.

 (Beef Curry from my birthday, as made by my best friend/roommate's mother)

(We made pita pizzas when a friend and her daughter came over to help tile the bathroom)

So going back to the flowers plan: I love plants. I love how they liven up the wintry gray that is settling in all around right now. I love how they last. They last longer than food most of the time. Sooooo, I'm going to reallocate some of what I have been spending on food into a new budget dedicated to buying flowers and plants on a regular basis and bringing them into my humble home.  Which leads to reason #4:

4) Flowers won't have a negative impact on my physical health (unlike milkshakes and garlic bread).

Love and flowers to you all!
Take care,
Amy