Just One Good Book...Please?

The seemingly simple task of picking out a library book is anything but with three kids in tow. Gone are the days of lingering in the new book section, reading the cover and giving heavy consideration to each book summary. My current technique is more of a quantity over quality method in which I quickly grab several books that grab my attention at any level while holding one child and keeping the other two from dragging books off the shelves. The problem with this technique is that when I get home and find an opportunity to peruse my hasty grabs, I usually end up with an eclectic blend of choices along the lines of “Benjamin Franklin, the School Years”, “The History of Egypt” and “One Woman’s Journey; a Transsexual’s Story”.

Sorry if I'm Neglecting You

I've been working on my other two sites and adding articles to my ehow account. Check out my "how-to" articles at www.ehow.com. Above the search box, click on the 'members' then type in ehowwriter (that's me). Click on ehowwriter when it comes up and it will list all of my articles. Let me know what you think and send me ideas. It could mean money in my pocket. Thanks for your support!

Lacking in Hours

I remember being on maternity leave with my first child, eagerly making lists, and more lists....and more lists; the long term projects I wanted to complete such as organizing pictures into albums and cleaning out the shoe closet; the short term goals of vacuuming, making dinner, and cleaning the bathroom. I oozed optimism at all of the things I would get done before I went back to work.

In short order, however, I realized that I was incredibly overly optimistic in my goal setting. I started getting frustrated that on Wednesday, I was still crossing things off Monday's list. I eventually learned to only list the really important errands and possibly an extra goal or two.

With even more experience, the list dwindled to include:
1. feed, change, and bathe baby
2. try to eat and shower

Finally, I found success...well, most days.

"Necessity" Defined

In this world of "Keeping up with the Jones", we often get caught up in the vicious cycle of working more, to buy more things. At the same time, we feel that we deserve nice things because we work hard. My question is a simple one; What are the necessities in your house?

With our recent 40% decrease in household income, this question comes up daily. However, our answer is likely very different from yours.


Is it cable tv? Internet? (obviously this one is for me if I ever hope to make money at it), chocolate?, gym membership? kids activities? eating out at least once a week? newspaper subscription?


A friend was having financial struggles a while back and asked my advice about how to make cut backs. We discussed cancelling the cell phone and gym membership. For her, those were not options. She used the phone for work and the gym was "necessary" because she had a job which kept her in the social eye, plus it was an outlet for frustration and stress.


Over the last month, we have concluded that we can do without 80% of what I might have called a necessity a few months ago. The basic list for us has dwindled down to food, gas, our family vacation next August, err, wine (that's bad right?), and love...it's a good thing some things in life are still free.

Welcome

Dutchie and Sarabhf. Thanks for joining. I hope you enjoy my site!