Practically Fearless Living

Where I've been

No postings in many days. Why?

• Out of town? Nope.
• Too busy with the kids? Can't really use that one anymore, they're pretty self sufficient.
• Too much gardening? Er, I'll post on that topic in a day or two.

Here's where I've been. In my own little cube, editing, laying out, proof reading, checking photos, and producing things like this:

Yup, that's what I do. I didn't design the cover for this one, a talented artist did that for me. But the rest, the layout, picking the photos, editing articles ... that's all me (with a little help from my coworkers).

I've done a lot of things over the years, but one of the things I like best is creating something that lasts. Maybe it doesn't last forever, but the sweat of my brow goes towards something that someone will hold in their hands and read.

I hope someone finds something useful inside. I like knowing what I do is of useful.

Interestingly, 99 percent of people who read the things I work on don't know who I am. I'm fine with that.

Being anonymous in your work. Can you do it and still feel fulfilled? If you're a creative type, can you put your work out there knowing very few people will see your distinct hand in it?

I think it takes a fearless spirit to do that. Do your best for an audience of one ... you. Be ready to live your creative life for yourself and perhaps your coworkers and family. Release the need to be recognized for what you do, and you release the fear nobody will notice.

 

Wordless Wednesday (My heart blooms ...)

This is my garden from last summer. Why am I posting this now, in the middle of March? This picture came to mind as I left my house this morning. It was my usual early, early depature time, but for some reason both Dancer Girl and the Builder were up. Both of them wished me a good day, and as I walked down the walk to my car, Dancer Girl's voice drifted out to me ... "I love you, mom."

Deep inside me this happened:

My heart just filled up with sweet, beautiful, blooming things. What a wonderful way to start the day.

If you want to read more (or should I say "see" more Wordless Wednesday posts, visit Sweet Pea over at Newlyweds. (Warning: Cute factor is huge on her blog today)

Cheers!

 Fearless Photography by Michelle

Five minutes of pure joy ... Wordless Wednesday

I didn't have to look far to find my first Wordless Wednesday post.

It snowed in Houston again yesterday ... for five minutes. Every kid who was old enough to walk ran outside and jumped around as the flakes fell. Every kid including my 16-year-old daughter. (The flakes are falling in this picture, I promise.) 
 

It was magic. It as pure joy.

Because I can ...

Today I will ...

Be glad for what I have,

Smile though I don't feel happy,

Hold those closest to me a little tighter,

Resolve to find the holy in each day,

Spend a minute or two contemplating friendships,

Cry for something lost that can never be restored,

Pray for a friend of my youth gone to God,

Long for the day when He returns to restore our broken world and remove all death.

 

Remembering Paula, who was creativity and energy embodied.

Michelle Yard Photos

Fearless Financals: My new budget strategy

Heck yeah, I need a budget. I have two kids in college, one in high school, five cars (yes, I probably qualify for a fleet discount on my auto insurance), two dogs, a cat, a mortgage and all that stuff. (Oh, I have a spouse, too). As times have gotten tighter, I've found there's not always the money in the bank to pay for school trips, the light bill, stuff like that.

The Web is your budget buddy

 Over the last few months, I've tried several ways to budget. I like things sort of high-tech, so I've used online tools, primarily. The advantage to a Web-based tool is it's there wheverever you can access a computer, because it doesn't reside on your hard drive.

Ease of access is a key, folks, because if a budget isn't easy, you're not going to use it, at least not with any regularity. That's a problem because budgeting is sort of like working out ... no matter how good your intentions are, if you only do it once every two or three weeks, you're not going to have much to show for your effort at the end of the month.

The frogs I kissed

Here's my remarks -- for me. Remember, a budget is a very personal tool. You've got to find the one that's right for you. As they say, you've gotta kiss some frogs, folks!

#1 Mint

This is a nifty online tool that aggregates your accounts into one place, so you can see all your money at work at a glance. Those  of use who have multiple accounts at various banks like this -- why I have so many accounts is a topic for another day. Mint has lots of cool tools. It can compare your spending to that of others in your region and offers all sorts of tracking tools, as well. If you classify your spending as it shows up on Mint, you'll know where your money is going, and that's really important.

What I didn't love about Mint is the inability to truly budget.

When I say budget, I mean: create categories for your spending; estimate what you'll spend in a given month in that category; track your spending, then reconcile it at the end of the month, category-by-category. With Mint you WILL know where your money went. That provided me with the launching pad for my true budget VS actual experiement.

#2 Quicken Online.com

Well, that was a few months ago, and near as I can tell, the Quicken folks now use Mint as their online tool. So, see #1 for my thoughts.

#3. My downloadable budget template and google docs

I found a cool downloadable, already set up, spreadsheet at Debt Free Adventure, a personal finance blog I'd recommend.

This already has some very good categories set up, the formulas are built in, and you can tweak the categories to fit your family, which I did. The author has some excellent descriptions and tips built into the spreadsheet, so if you're a newbie, you have someone sitting at your elbow coaching you a bit. That's nice.

My frog: The budget I'm lovin'

The google docs part is my tweak. I put the spreadsheet on my google docs so I can access it at home or at work and from any Internet-connected computer. I update my family budget at lunch during my work week, and it takes only minutes -- remember, it must be handy.

The perfect budget plan might be to track your spending on Mint for a month or two, setting up categories that fit your life, then set up your spreadsheet after you have seen how much your spending in each categeory for a month or two. You might want to use your actual spending as your "budget" figure in your budget VS actual setup. I actually tweaked my categories down a bit. I was spending too much overall.

So my point is this: If you want to be a good manager of your money, you need a budget. You need an easy-to-use budget that lets you plan, then track, then adjust your spending. Yeah, I'm 50, and I've finally figured this out.

Find your frog -- it might be free

Check out Mint, then do some Google searches for budget spreadsheets and plans. Try some stuff, then figure out what works for you.  Should you pay for budgeting software? I dunno, I didn't. This is one of those times it's important to find something you like and you'll stick with. If you find something you love, love, love, buy it. Then fer Pete's sake, use it. The main thing is this: Kiss some frogs, then find the one you think has the best frog-to-prince potential.

Winter Olympics ... I'm a fan

Maybe it's my Swedish blood, or some deep yearning for winter sports born of years spent in the Texas Gulf Coast, but I love the Winter Olympics.

I love this: 

Photo by Tatyana Kiseleva

And this: 

Photo by Zap2it.com

I am not a huge sports fan. But every two years, I become a raging fan. It's not about nationality, medal count or a specific sport. I just love watching it all. I love the excitement of the competitors, their families and the fans. I love the speed, the danger, the edge, even the goofy men's figure skating costumes.

I love the Olympics: from opening ceremonies to closing ceremonies. For just a few days, I'm part of something amazing, where people are always striving to be the best at what they've chosen to do.

Yes, the commercials are annoying ... fer Pete's sake, I've memorized them! Yes, it's a little sappy and a little jingoistic sometimes, but still, there's something about it. 

There you go. I love the Winter Olympics. 

Oh, and last night? I had a dream I was figure skating. Yeah, I can't skate at all. I love the Winter Olympics. 

 

Cilantro, you done me wrong ... again

I love cilantro. It's all I can do not to chomp on a few leaves right there in the produce aisle ... well, sometimes I do just that!

But a bunch of cilantro is such a commitment. Even in my house, were everyone likes it. Problem is, Cilantro has an allergic reaction to my fridge. Two days, three days max, and it's slimy, watery and downright nasty.

I wrap it in paper towel, I sit the tasty stems in a glass of water. I shower it with more attention than I do the family dog. And still ... you see what I get. The picture doesn't do it justice. It's got about a teaspoon of smelly cilantro water in the bottom of the bag. It's just nasty. (Have I mentioned that it's nasty?)

Don't even ask about the lemon. She went down the road to perdition with the cilantro when I wasn't looking. At least it can all go in the compost pile. Oh, the shame.

I love cilantro. It's all I can do not to chomp on a few leaves right there in the produce aisle ... well, sometimes I do just that!

But a bunch of cilantro is such a commitment. Even in my house, were everyone likes it. Problem is, Cilantro has an allergic reaction to my fridge. Two days, three days max, and it's slimy, watery and downright nasty.

I wrap it in paper towel, I sit the tasty stems in a glass of water. I shower it with more attention than I do the family dog. And still ... you see what I get. The picture doesn't do it justice. It's got about a teaspoon of smelly cilantro water in the bottom of the bag. It's just nasty. (Have I mentioned that it's nasty?)

Don't even ask about the lemon. She went down the road to perdition with the cilantro when I wasn't looking. At least it can all go in the compost pile. Oh, the shame.

 

When He closes a door...

You know the saying. When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window. It's about disappointment, right? And how we deal with the curve balls and sudden lane changes life hands us. I'm not so good with change. I don't really like having my cheese moved.

 So when my kids run into tough times, even if they are of their own making -- and teenagers do that a good bit in my world -- I want to fix it, and make it right. I'm coming to the conclusion that the most important part of that saying in my life is this part: He opens a window. Who opens it? He does. Not me. I can't rush in and fix things, not like I used to when it was a decapitated doll or broken bike chain. I have to guide, suggest, and sometimes cajole a little. Then, I have to sit back and let Him work in my child's heart and head.

Recently, one of my kids has struggled with direction, dedication and goals. It's tough to watch, but even tougher to resist the urge to fix things. Sheesh. Growing up is hard for parents, too, isn't it?

M.Yard photo. "Hurricane Ike"

Summer's comin' ... let's sit a spell

Here in the Texas Gulf Coast we have citrus trees in the back yard, pools you can swim in from April through October and an almost 12-month growing season. What we don't have? Hills. Not.One.Hill.

If I did have a hill, and my house sat on said hill, I'd have a delicious porch/deck on the back like this one. It belongs to Susan at Between naps on the porch. You want to visit her blog. You really do. You'll learn something on Metamorphesis Monday and be enchanted by Tablescape Thursday, among other things. I feel like one of the cool kids when I hang out over there. You'll see what I mean. 

 

This is a picture of the inside:

 Don't you want to grab your book, your glass of wine and sit a spell? I hear crickets and kids playing in the distance. Far off, I hear the hum of a lawnmower, which always says "Summer's here!" to me. (Notice I said it was far off. Not in my yard!)

It's cool and rainy here in Texas. I'm ready for some nice days.

I love a man who cooks (kid's episode)

My kids are almost grown, so there will be no cute kids cooking here, sadly. There also aren't any great recent pictures, because -- full disclosure -- I was drinking a beer after a 12-hour workday while he cooked.

On the other hand. I'm gonna brag. I need someone to help me cook this week.So I tapped Rugby Dude, who obliged as long as fire (barbecue) was involved.
 Maybe I was hungry, or maybe I was tickled to have someone else feed me. Either way, those were the best darned bratwurst I've eaten in a long time.

He's a keeper, that young man. I just have to teach him to make something besides "anything on the grill" and smoothies.

Dontcha love it when someone else makes you dinner? Oh, and the builder dude (otherwise known as the husband) cleaned up, too. 

I'm one lucky woman. Yes, I am.

Finally, I'm seeing a payoff for all those diapers and snotty noses. Uh-huh. 

.