How about starting with a joke today...
Two blonds were traveling in a car to Disneyland. They were traveling along the freeway and were almost there, when they came to a sign which said "Disneyland Left". So they turned around and drove home.
Wow - I'm draggin today. Would love to go take a nap - not gonna happen. I'm afraid I don't have much to share today - trying to help mom and dad figure out what to do about selling their house. Sounds like Brenda has people interested in Erie and Auburn - we'll see how it turns out.
Maybe later - gotta roll...
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
Whoa - a busy day quickie post
I'm swamped, but didn't want to miss my daily post...
I'm pretty pleased at the idea that our little business is prolly worth 1.5M
It's hard to resist the temptation of selling, but we've got a mighty fine thing going there in Myrtle and I don't know where I'd reinvest right now anyhow.
Tonight is RiverCoty Studios - hoping we'll have an effective performance tonight.
I'm happy to be getting my crap together at the age of 33 (oh yeah - happy b-day to me). I'm finally getting a handle on our personal finances through the use of MS Money, etc. Just set up automatic pay draws for vacation, tax, kids' savings, and Christmas Club too!
Gotta run.
I'm pretty pleased at the idea that our little business is prolly worth 1.5M
It's hard to resist the temptation of selling, but we've got a mighty fine thing going there in Myrtle and I don't know where I'd reinvest right now anyhow.
Tonight is RiverCoty Studios - hoping we'll have an effective performance tonight.
I'm happy to be getting my crap together at the age of 33 (oh yeah - happy b-day to me). I'm finally getting a handle on our personal finances through the use of MS Money, etc. Just set up automatic pay draws for vacation, tax, kids' savings, and Christmas Club too!
Gotta run.
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
I'm back
I've been out of the blogsphere for a few days - did ya miss me?
What's on my mind today?
I'm bummed that Myrtle Beach property values have gone up so dramatically. It's good on one hand, as the stuff we already own is worth lots more. On the other hand, it's making it darn near impossible to justify additional purchases there for 2005.
I have 3 messages into a realtor couple in Gatlinburg, I'm waiting for them to get back from vacation to respond - may be our next place to expand. Their voicemail says that they're responding to email while away, but it doesn't seem that they are.
Local real estate is moving slower than I'd hoped. Auburn should be sold by now - Erie too. I hope Claremont goes quickly. Need to get Kennet rented quickly TO A GOOD TENANT!
Things are cool on the family front. Logan seems to be developing a relationship with the Lord - very cool!
We all had a very fun time last night talking about vacationing and other fun family activities. The conversation started around Disney World. I almost scheduled the trip, but then thought about how much more we could do by applyin that money elsewhere. So I turned it into a fun family activity. I rounded off the cost of a Disney trip to $2000 (very conservative for sure). Anyhow, each of the four of us was given $500 in play money. I told them that we could all turn in all of our money in exchange for a very fun filled 7 days at Disney OR we could brainstorm other ways to spend the money. These are some of the things we came up with...
Season Passes to Geauga Lake - as many visits as we want all summer
camping
cavern and Indian reservation tour
visit the Great Lakes Science Center
trip to Williamsburg (Logan is really into it)
trip to Hershey PA (Taylor likes, Logan not so sure)
Drive in movie
canoing
horseback riding
semi-pro baseball game
zoo
pontoon rental at portage lakes
biking the towpath
hiking
bowling
skating
dover lake park
circus
HOF parade
picnic
putt-putt golf
parks
garage saling
planetarium
host campfire story night
After "budgeting" money to all of these activities, we found that we still had almost $500 left over to consider an additional long weekend getaway. We considered a couple 3-4 day weekends to Myrtle Beach, A trip to the mountains, Niagra falls (Steph too worried about Taylor), or a coupe trips to an indoor water park during the cold months.
At any rate, the excercise really gave the kids an appreciation for money and stretching it out. Logan, who was very interested in going to Disney won't even hear about it now. She thinks we'd be fools to do that. She says it would be a much better choice to do all of these other fun (and some free) things instead.
In addition to learning about the value of money, we're teaching the kids about good behavior and helping out by offerring "tickets" for those things (we also take tickets away for bad behavior). The idea is that when they earn enough tickets they can turn them in to do something fun (I didn't want to make it a direct financial link). I think what I might do is tie these two things together by saying that mom and dad will provide the money for all the fun activities that we discussed, and that they will have to provide the good behavior to earn each activity with their tickets.
Anyhow, I'm probably a dork but we're having fun with it and it's working so what the heck.
What's on my mind today?
I'm bummed that Myrtle Beach property values have gone up so dramatically. It's good on one hand, as the stuff we already own is worth lots more. On the other hand, it's making it darn near impossible to justify additional purchases there for 2005.
I have 3 messages into a realtor couple in Gatlinburg, I'm waiting for them to get back from vacation to respond - may be our next place to expand. Their voicemail says that they're responding to email while away, but it doesn't seem that they are.
Local real estate is moving slower than I'd hoped. Auburn should be sold by now - Erie too. I hope Claremont goes quickly. Need to get Kennet rented quickly TO A GOOD TENANT!
Things are cool on the family front. Logan seems to be developing a relationship with the Lord - very cool!
We all had a very fun time last night talking about vacationing and other fun family activities. The conversation started around Disney World. I almost scheduled the trip, but then thought about how much more we could do by applyin that money elsewhere. So I turned it into a fun family activity. I rounded off the cost of a Disney trip to $2000 (very conservative for sure). Anyhow, each of the four of us was given $500 in play money. I told them that we could all turn in all of our money in exchange for a very fun filled 7 days at Disney OR we could brainstorm other ways to spend the money. These are some of the things we came up with...
Season Passes to Geauga Lake - as many visits as we want all summer
camping
cavern and Indian reservation tour
visit the Great Lakes Science Center
trip to Williamsburg (Logan is really into it)
trip to Hershey PA (Taylor likes, Logan not so sure)
Drive in movie
canoing
horseback riding
semi-pro baseball game
zoo
pontoon rental at portage lakes
biking the towpath
hiking
bowling
skating
dover lake park
circus
HOF parade
picnic
putt-putt golf
parks
garage saling
planetarium
host campfire story night
After "budgeting" money to all of these activities, we found that we still had almost $500 left over to consider an additional long weekend getaway. We considered a couple 3-4 day weekends to Myrtle Beach, A trip to the mountains, Niagra falls (Steph too worried about Taylor), or a coupe trips to an indoor water park during the cold months.
At any rate, the excercise really gave the kids an appreciation for money and stretching it out. Logan, who was very interested in going to Disney won't even hear about it now. She thinks we'd be fools to do that. She says it would be a much better choice to do all of these other fun (and some free) things instead.
In addition to learning about the value of money, we're teaching the kids about good behavior and helping out by offerring "tickets" for those things (we also take tickets away for bad behavior). The idea is that when they earn enough tickets they can turn them in to do something fun (I didn't want to make it a direct financial link). I think what I might do is tie these two things together by saying that mom and dad will provide the money for all the fun activities that we discussed, and that they will have to provide the good behavior to earn each activity with their tickets.
Anyhow, I'm probably a dork but we're having fun with it and it's working so what the heck.
Friday, February 18, 2005
I'm to friggin busy to blog
It's gonna be short and sweet today...
What's on my mind?
I'm glad that we finally got the druggie/prostitute out of our rental. Not sure if I want to sell that thing and reinvest elsewhere or deal with the headaches given that it provides a nice return...
Should be a busy weekend again. Hoping to spend some QT with the fam tonight
I really should figure out how to jazz this stupid bog up a bit...
What's on my mind?
I'm glad that we finally got the druggie/prostitute out of our rental. Not sure if I want to sell that thing and reinvest elsewhere or deal with the headaches given that it provides a nice return...
Should be a busy weekend again. Hoping to spend some QT with the fam tonight
I really should figure out how to jazz this stupid bog up a bit...
Thursday, February 17, 2005
New idea
Sad as it seems, I'm back to talk (type) to no one in particular again...
I've learned about memes and thought I'd give a couple a try, in addition to my daily "what's on my mind."
Here goes...
Tubing
1. How much TV do you watch?
More than I'm proud to admit - and Tivo perpetuates the problem. Like a needed a tool to make it easier to take on more programming. Our Tivo reconrdings are like a "to do" list.
2. What is your favorite type of programming?
Man, that's tough. If I had to pick a single flavor - I'd say reality. I'm a junkie for that stuff. I'm also a fan of the sit-com, and even some dramas (but those have either be a)though provoking or b) able to put me into some kind of fantasy life for an hour.
3. What is your favorite TV show?
Again, very tough but I think OC wins over Survivor by a nose hair.
4. Do you watch a TV show from beginning to end, or are you a flipper?
Beginning to end, unless it's sports. Thanks to Tivo, I pop back in the recording if I'm unsure about a word of dialogue.
5. Could you give up TV for a month?
It would be tough, but I think I could, and I think I'd probably get much more out of life by doing so. WILL I do it - that's highly unlikely.
Another meme
Pete. Re-Pete.
1. When you are getting ready to leave your home, what are three things you always do?
On weekdays, potty time comes first, then a shower, then I clean up puppy poop and pee.
2. What is the most annoying habit that you have?
I make lots of noise - I smack my gut, my legs whatever, just to make noise. I don't know why I'm compelled to do it - it just happens.
3. If you could develop a new habit, what would it be?
Excercise I guess. I'd love to love it more than lunging, but I don't.
4. Do you participate in any religious rituals?
I attend church weekly and am very involved in the church, but am still very far from being who I want to be just yet.
5. Describe one custom that is unique to your community or culture:
Massillon is a town that loves High School football like no other on the planet.
So, what's on my mind?
An already huge backlog of work is continuing to grow. I've been asked to do the impossible. There was a time when I would have been really stressed about it - no more. I know that I can only do so much and if they really believe someone else can do more for the same money I'd be surprised. I'm also comfortable with the possibility that they may feel that way some day and I'm confident that I wouldn't miss a beat if the hammer fell. There are too many ways to make money.
Also, church stuff. I hope I'm not gettin in over my head. I'm taking on a lot there too - upcoming conference in Atlanta, possible leadership of family production, and probably launching a new ministry to newly commited Christians. Whoa!
The balancing act - can I do all of this and STILL be what/who I want to be at home? It sure would be nice to be able to kick back and soak it all in sometimes. Unfortunately I'm not programmed that way. I can't relax much at all - I always seem to have a need to be busy. Maybe a sickness?
Catch you tomorrow - gotta go find out why my workload is doubling again...
I've learned about memes and thought I'd give a couple a try, in addition to my daily "what's on my mind."
Here goes...
Tubing
1. How much TV do you watch?
More than I'm proud to admit - and Tivo perpetuates the problem. Like a needed a tool to make it easier to take on more programming. Our Tivo reconrdings are like a "to do" list.
2. What is your favorite type of programming?
Man, that's tough. If I had to pick a single flavor - I'd say reality. I'm a junkie for that stuff. I'm also a fan of the sit-com, and even some dramas (but those have either be a)though provoking or b) able to put me into some kind of fantasy life for an hour.
3. What is your favorite TV show?
Again, very tough but I think OC wins over Survivor by a nose hair.
4. Do you watch a TV show from beginning to end, or are you a flipper?
Beginning to end, unless it's sports. Thanks to Tivo, I pop back in the recording if I'm unsure about a word of dialogue.
5. Could you give up TV for a month?
It would be tough, but I think I could, and I think I'd probably get much more out of life by doing so. WILL I do it - that's highly unlikely.
Another meme
Pete. Re-Pete.
1. When you are getting ready to leave your home, what are three things you always do?
On weekdays, potty time comes first, then a shower, then I clean up puppy poop and pee.
2. What is the most annoying habit that you have?
I make lots of noise - I smack my gut, my legs whatever, just to make noise. I don't know why I'm compelled to do it - it just happens.
3. If you could develop a new habit, what would it be?
Excercise I guess. I'd love to love it more than lunging, but I don't.
4. Do you participate in any religious rituals?
I attend church weekly and am very involved in the church, but am still very far from being who I want to be just yet.
5. Describe one custom that is unique to your community or culture:
Massillon is a town that loves High School football like no other on the planet.
So, what's on my mind?
An already huge backlog of work is continuing to grow. I've been asked to do the impossible. There was a time when I would have been really stressed about it - no more. I know that I can only do so much and if they really believe someone else can do more for the same money I'd be surprised. I'm also comfortable with the possibility that they may feel that way some day and I'm confident that I wouldn't miss a beat if the hammer fell. There are too many ways to make money.
Also, church stuff. I hope I'm not gettin in over my head. I'm taking on a lot there too - upcoming conference in Atlanta, possible leadership of family production, and probably launching a new ministry to newly commited Christians. Whoa!
The balancing act - can I do all of this and STILL be what/who I want to be at home? It sure would be nice to be able to kick back and soak it all in sometimes. Unfortunately I'm not programmed that way. I can't relax much at all - I always seem to have a need to be busy. Maybe a sickness?
Catch you tomorrow - gotta go find out why my workload is doubling again...
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
...and then I blogged!
Today I became a blogger - how exciting!
I have no idea why I feel compelled to blog, but by golly, it's catching on so I'd bet hop on the bandwagon and learn all about it.
I'm sure I can link the heck out of my website in hopes of raising my search engine rankings.
Maybe I can also do the daily journal thing to document my incredibly exciting life and my philosophies on everything under the sun. Sounds exciting doesn't it?
So what's on my mind now? (perhaps a good feature for me to address this question each day)
Well, I wondering how in the world I came to such a point in my life that I thought it would be a good idea to talk to myself in cyber space. I mean, who is ever going to read this? This is like a tree falling in the woods with no one around to hear it. I must have some serious issues!
Nonetheless, I'll continue to blog and learn. If you should find yourself reading my mindless musings and wish to join me for a daily chuckle, by all means, come back tomorrow and the next day.
Until then...
Later!
I have no idea why I feel compelled to blog, but by golly, it's catching on so I'd bet hop on the bandwagon and learn all about it.
I'm sure I can link the heck out of my website in hopes of raising my search engine rankings.
Maybe I can also do the daily journal thing to document my incredibly exciting life and my philosophies on everything under the sun. Sounds exciting doesn't it?
So what's on my mind now? (perhaps a good feature for me to address this question each day)
Well, I wondering how in the world I came to such a point in my life that I thought it would be a good idea to talk to myself in cyber space. I mean, who is ever going to read this? This is like a tree falling in the woods with no one around to hear it. I must have some serious issues!
Nonetheless, I'll continue to blog and learn. If you should find yourself reading my mindless musings and wish to join me for a daily chuckle, by all means, come back tomorrow and the next day.
Until then...
Later!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)