On the Road to Financial Peace

Budgeting. It's something that strikes fear into the hearts of many or is something we aim to do, but always put off until we have more money. Ironically, the lack of budget is usually what prevents us from having money in the first place.

Three years ago the boy and I began our marriage with a plan to set a budget. Then the boy lost his job. Then the car needed work. Then my student loans came due. Then I went back to school. A job loss or two more and more student loans and we soon found ourselves in the position so many Americans do: the race to keep up, living paycheck to paycheck. And not knowing where our paychecks were going in the first place.

The one blessing that has come out of this last week is the two of us sat down with all of our bills, our paychecks, and a calculator. We wrote down every bill - its average cost if it fluctuates - and what day it is due. We also broke down bills, like our car insurance which we pay every six months, to a month-to-month rate. We totaled everything and held our breath. To our great surprise, our net was much larger than we thought it was. (Three times what I thought it was, actually.)

After determining our net, we budgeted every cent for food, car payment (the Cavalier is paid off, but we plan on replacing it since it is not running safely now and costs more to repair than replace), gas, cat care, and savings.

We have watched two friends pay off debt greater than ours in two or three years, so we knew it was possible, but didn't realize how possible it really was. Honestly, we were so blinded by our debt we couldn't see clearly to make a plan. The car disaster gave us the motivation we needed to stop complaining and take control of our financial situation.

Our future is looking much brighter. Yes, there will be cutbacks. We don't have an entertainment budget for at least three months, which will be difficult, but three months to get ahead is not so very long. As Dave Ramsey says on the bottom of every page in his book, "If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else."

We're starting our journey to financial peace and this first step is very freeing.

Curse You Car!

You know those days when you wake up and know immediately you should stay in bed? Today was one of those days.

My morning started out like this:

• Took a cold shower as our water heater will only allow one person to have a hot shower, no matter how short the first shower was.
• Drove the DH to work and barely got him there in time - his morning started out worse than mine.
• Left the boy at work after asking if the car was going to get me to work okay since it was making burnt rubber smells. The boy assured me it would. That was a lie.

Approximately 10 minutes after leaving the boy, the car started smoking. I was distracted by the fact I could see my breath in the car, so it took a moment to realize not only could I see my breath, but I could see the car's breath as well. And it did not look healthy.

Five minutes after that I was on Scholls Ferry (on a hill, of course) when I hit the gas and the car did not shoot forward. So I hit the gas harder after confirming I was indeed in Drive while a little voice in the back of my mind said that may not be a good idea. (I didn't think I had parked it, but one never knows.) Never fear little voice, I did not slam into the back of the van in front of me.

The car was dead. As in would-not-start-dead. And I was not in the right hand lane which would have made pushing the car over easier. So, I did what most girl's have a bad day would do. I started shaking and then begged the car to start.

Begrudgingly, it did. Out of respect for its moodiness, I moved over into the right hand lane and realized I wasn't even halfway home, so there was no way I was going to risk driving all the way in to work. With a lot of whining from the car, I made it into my driveway. Still shaking. I called the DH, who did not answer and told him the car died on me and today was not a good day to not answer his phone. I then proceeded to call a coworker and ask if she could get me and then called my boss who said they could come pick me up on their way back from a meeting up the road from my house. At 11:30.

The boy called back and asked me to put more water in the car and then take it over to the radiator place up the road. I was not real excited about getting back in the car so soon - or ever - but I obliged and then had a lovely mile walk home while talking to a dear friend.

Now I am back in my work clothes - walking a mile in slacks and high heels that slip off my feet was just asking for trouble, so I changed into jeans and walking shoes - a bit sweaty, irritated, but no less worn and I still have about 40 minutes before I will try Go-to-Work Round 2. In someone else's car.

Goodbye, Christmas

Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love the spirit. I love the snow (which unfortunately causes much chaos in the Portland Metro area). I love trees, ornaments, presents, and eggnog. Today I went snowshoeing with some of the Monday Night Posse crew and was informed the holidays were over. This makes me a little sad. So here is my quick tribute to the 2009 Thanksgiving and Christmas season, as due to unforseen circumstances, I don't have pictures of the 1st Snowshoe Hike of the season. Oops.

Cook/Henshaw Cousins with Children & Significant Others
Thanksgiving, Santa Rosa, CA

Thanksgiving Revisited
December 4, 2009 - Bentley Chateau

Claire just might be the original Grinch, "Yay. I haz moovees."

Bentleys, Christmas 2009
(Not Jason's favorite Christmas idea. I love it, though.)

Santa visits the California Bentleys. Not the most flattering pictures, but my sweater did win the Ugly Sweater Contest. The picture does not do justice to its ugliness.

Yeah, it was a pretty good season.

6 Months Later...

With New Year's upon us and 6 months gone since my birthday, I decided it's time to check-in with some of the goals I set for myself. Especially considering one of my resolutions is to be more accountable to myself and stay committed to things I say I'm going to commit to...

Nike's 24 Year Old Goals Update:

1. Apply to volunteer at the Portland VA. ---> I have not done this. I am working on making myself useful at work, which will hopefully result in an increase in permanent hours (right now I am working 32-36 hours unofficially).
   
2. Seriously make time to practice and study Spanish. ---> I've been speaking Spanish to myself and recently found my books and CDs, so will start studying next week.
   
3. Sign up for a monthly volunteer project through Hands on Greater Portland. ---> YES! I love volunteering through Hands On Greater Portland.
   
4. Be a team leader for one Hands On project by June 1, 2010. ---> I have led TWO projects and am signed up to lead another two in the next couple months. I also took the training to be a regular Volunteer Leader for The Children's Book Bank
   
5. Send a card to someone I have lost contact with weekly. ---> I did this for a month. I suck.
   
6. Sew three skirts using the "Sew What Skirts" book. ---> My sewing machine has been out of commission. Jason bought me the part I need, so *fingers crossed* hopefully it fits and I can start taking off with this on Thursday Night Craft Nights.
   
7. Blog three times a week for three months, incrementally increase to daily by June 1, 2010. ---> Um, yeah... I'll take a mulligan on this one.
   
8. Start running again. ---> I have sort of started running again. Like, once every other week. I forgot this was on my goal list. I have the Hood to Coast deadline looming over me, so that's motivating me.
   
9. Apply to a Graduate School of Social Work ---> This has been postponed. I really really really want to go to University of Denver, but it will be another two years before I can apply. Unless I find a school I want to go to half as badly as I want to go to Denver that doesn't require relocating, this will stay on hold.
   
10. Learn each of my neighbors' names. ---> I learned the names of all of the neighbors on my side of the drive and then they all moved. The ones on the other side do not want to be my friend. One of the empty townhouses appears to be occupied now, so it may be time for another Neighborhood BBQ at the Bentley's.
    

Goal Revisions for Goals I Struggle With:

• Practice/study Spanish on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Send a card to friend/family member once a month
• Fix sewing machine, then start sewing Sew What Skirts
• Blog once a week starting Saturday, then increase to three times a week by June
• Continue doing strength exercises and work in running 3x/week
• Plan a neighborhood BBQ for March/April, with nametags this time
  

2009: A Less Than Insightful Review

2010 is upon us, are you ready?! Last year I lifted this exercise from Pink Spandex and it seemed like a worthwhile thing to do again. (For a 2008 refresher, click here.)

I haven't been blogging as regularly, or much at all if I'm honest, as I would like as my free computer time has changed drastically in the last seven months with the boy returning to school. I'll post a blog in honor of So Long 2008 to give a little more depth to my 2009 soon...

2009: The Survey

Was 2009 good for you? A lot of good came out of 2009, so yes.

What was your favorite moment of the year? Graduating from PSU - finally!

What was your worst moment of the year? The exact moment I realized Gus was paralyzed. The subsequent 24 hours were pretty horrific as well.

Where were you when 2009 began? At the Geiser Grand in Baker City

Who were you with? Some of my favorites

Where were you when 2009 ended? It's here for another 14 hrs and 36 minutes, so I'll tell you tomorrow.

Did you keep your new years resolution of 2009? The only thing I resolved to do was graduate and that I did. Oh, and it looks like I also resolved to keep in better contact with friends and family. I still suck at that.

Do you have a new years resolution for 2010? To keep in better contact with friends and family. <---Let's try that again. Also, to follow through with the not-so-fun commitments I make to myself. Did you fall in love in 2009? I fell more in love.

Did you make any new friends in 2009? No, making new friends is not something that comes easily to me. I became closer to the new friends I made last year. Oh, wait, I did make new friends! I just realized that I didn't know Cliff and Yoshimi prior to May. Now I feel like I've known them forever.

What was your favorite month of 2009? September

Why this month? Jason and I went backpacking in the Strawberry Wilderness for our anniversary and it was the first actual backpacking trip we've taken together.

Did you travel outside of the country in 2009? Still haven't made it to Canada. I have a friend that lives there now, though!

How many different places did you travel to in 2009? Baker, Metolious, Bend, Prineville, Salem, Seattle, Sisters, John Day, Rockaway Beach, Seaside, Tillamook, San Diego, Denver, Santa Rosa, Boise, and Reno...

Did you miss anybody in the past year? My brother while he was on his second deployment and people I let slip away.

What was your favorite movie that you saw in 2009? UP and The Proposal.

What was your favorite song from 2009? The two that popped in my head are both by Kelly Clarkson - "My Life Would Suck Without You" and "Don't Leave." "I Run to You" by Lady Antebellum was also a favorite.

How many concerts or plays did you see in 2009? I don't think I went to a single concert this year... we didn't even go to the Blues Festival. We went to one play (Faith County put on by Central Nazarene) and also went to Central's Evening in December variety show. Wow, we were not very cultured in 2009.

Did you have a favorite concert in 2009? Obviously not.

What was your favorite book in 2009? I became a Twilight addict in 2009. I'll admit it. Twilight and Breaking Dawn were my favorites.

Did you do anything you are ashamed of this year? Nothing comes to mind...

What was the biggest lie you told in 2009? I told the boy there wasn't anything wrong when I was actually quite perturbed.

Did you treat somebody badly in 2009? If I'm honest, yes.

Did somebody treat you badly in 2009? Yes, but I'm learning to deal with it.

What was your proudest moment of 2009? Receiving my diploma.

What was your most embarrassing moment of 2009? I fell down our friends' porch stairs, twisted my ankle (right before a hiking intensive camping trip), released gas, and landed on my backside. My dear husband, instead of saying, "Are you okay?!" when he saw me on the ground yelled, "You just farted didn't you?!" Which made me want the ground to open up even more.

If you could go back to any moment of 2009 and change something, what would it be? I would have said something to that horrible lady at Pioneer Square.

Where did you work in 2009? LifeWorks NW

Favorite TV shows(s) of 2009? Bones, Lie to Me, The Mentalist, Ghost Whisperer, and Criminal Minds

Favorite Band(s) of 2009? Lady Antebellum and Gloryana

Favorite Food in 2009? Sushi

Favorite Drink in 2009? Vanilla Chai Tea and Vanilla Rooibos Tea Latte

Favorite Place in 2009? Denver was pretty awesome

Favorite person(s) to be with in 2009? Jason, Aunt Deb, Dad, the Cook Cousins, and Monday Night Posse

Favorite person(s) to talk to in 2009? Aunt Deb, Bobby, Grandma+pa

Favorite trip in 2009? It's really a toss up between Reno and Denver, but the weekend at Marion Forks was pretty memorable as well.

Favorite stores in 2009? Victoria's Secret and REI... that's a random combo.

Hardest thing you had to go through in 2009? Putting Gus down, dealing with repressed memories, and listening to a very dear friend confess what she had been hiding for the last couple years.

Most exciting moment(s) in 2009? Graduating, trip to Denver, trip to Reno, and Christmas

Funniest moment(s) in 2009? The most recent one was sitting on a plane to San Jose listening to the pilot tell us he was going to turn off the cabin lights and then explain in great detail where the button to turn on your overhead light was located and what it looks like. He said multiple times, "It's the one with the light bulb on it," but he said it in such a way it sounded like he was refraining from saying, "It's the one with the light bulb on it, stupid." So Jason and I are already joking about this, when three rows ahead of me a gentleman hits every button except the one with the light bulb on it, including the Attendant call button. I was like, "No, no, it's the one with the lightbulb on it!" Making sushi with Jason, Crystal, and Yo for Independence Day was pretty funny as well.

Happy New year! May yours be blessed with kept promises, fun, and exciting moments.

Breathing Well

"Breathing is the greatest pleasure in life." ~Giovanni Papini

"For most people, taking a breath is just something you do without even thinking about it. But for me, it has become something that is not only on the front of my mind all the time, but something I must constantly work at to get around from day to day." ~Joel Cummings, 7/20/09

I am sitting in a dark office, my chest constricting, and eyes full of tears. I'm not really sure why the news of Joel's passing hit so hard. Less than an hour ago my best friend texted to ask if I'd heard Joel had died. That short sentence transported me back to 7th grade math class. Though Joel and I had gone to the same church for as long as I could remember, we had never really spoken and I cannot for the life of me remember what we were discussing in math class that resulted in Joel saying, "I'll probably die before I'm 20," but those words and the look on his elfin face were burned into my memory.

Throughout the rest of junior high and all through high school it was easy to forget Joel had a terminal illness - Cystic Fibrosis. We traveled together on youth group trips and he was active in tennis. I never saw the appeal of the sport in which felted yellow balls were launched at mach speed at my head, but had several friends who did. Our older siblings dated for awhile, which resulted in several shared meals and holiday celebrations. We graduated from high school in 2003 and went on our separate paths - seeing each other from time to time during the holidays at church, but never really speaking.

It wasn't until several months ago I started hearing rumors that Joel was in desperate of a lung transplant. The town rallied together and organized fundraiser after fundraiser to help Joel and his wife raise the $250,000 needed in hand to be evaluated for a lung transplant. The last I had heard a couple lungs had come through.

Last night, Joel passed on - leaving a young widow, three dogs, his family, and a community grieving. I rejoice in knowing Joel is breathing the fresh air of Heaven with 100% lung capacity now. He's probably playing tennis with the angels as I type this.

Joel, I bet Jesus will school you on your backhand. Peace until we meet again, brother.

Pinch Me, I Must be Dreaming!

12,000 runners. World's largest relay race.
1,000 teams accepted and more than 850 teams turned away.
197 miles - from majestic Mt. Hood to the sandy beach of Seaside.

Guess who was not turned away for the 29th Annual Hood to Coast Relay? That's right - ME! My check was cashed in October, but I waited nearly a month for the official acceptance letter. When I found it in my inbox Monday morning I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Because, here's the thing: I am not much of a runner. In fact, I haven't ran consistently in more than three years. One thing I've always known, however, is that one day I wanted to participate in the Hood to Coast. Last year the bug hit me hard and I called my dad and said, "Daddy, I bet you want to run the Hood to Coast for your 50th birthday." Much to my surprise (and delight) he confessed he too had always dreamed of running in this epic relay.

(Of course, this was a little more exciting when NIKE was the lead sponsor. I enjoyed the irony of seeing banners proclaiming "Nike's Hood to Coast Relay" everywhere and was looking forward to having a shirt that boasted the same, but, alas, OfficeMax stepped up as the headliner sponsor this year. So our shirts will scream "OfficeMax's Hood to Coast Relay," which doesn't quite have the same appeal.)

I have been wanting - but not bad enough to actually do anything about it - to start running again and with an August 27th deadline and 9.5 minute mile requirement my motivation has arrived. Team Speedy Turtles is ready to take on the challenge!