10 Reasons I Like My Job

In this day and time, I should be happy that I have a job. And I am! As the current breadwinner of my family (hubby has gone back to school), I really need a good job. But sometimes, I feel less than happy when my company institutes pay cuts and lays off thousands of people. We are all asked to do more with less. I’m sure that’s not limited to my company. So, here are the top ten reasons that I like my job:

1. It pays the bills (although fewer than before)
2. I can work from home if I want/need to
3. Which allows me to at least save money on gas, tolls, and general wardrobe costs,
4. And lets me get dinner and laundry done sooner (since I am already home and don’t have to make the commute),
5. And sometimes means that I have time to go to daily Mass!
6. Since I’ve worked at this company for awhile, I have a number of vacation days
7. People know me and appreciate what I do, which can come in handy if I need to deal with some personal issues (doctor appointments, sick parents, child’s school function)
8. Did I mention that they pay me?
9. Company discounts on products
10. And I truly do like the people that I work with

Sometimes I have to remember to be happy, especially since I have a number of friends who have been out of work for months. And I am – I am truly blessed to have a job with such flexibility.

Celebrating my mothers' birthdays

Yesterday we celebrated Mary’s birthday with cupcakes. Unfortunately, they weren’t homemade (no time), but I suppose Mary doesn’t mind. No one in the family complained. This is the first time that we have done something like this for Mary’s birthday.

Today is my mother’s birthday. Happy Birthday Mom! We started praying our first family novena this week and chose the novena to St. Dymphna, patron saint of those afflicted with mental disorders. Why do I talk about our novena and my mother’s birthday in the same paragraph? My mother suffers from depression and OCD. We pray for her often.

Since she doesn’t believe in getting psychiatric help or counseling, there isn’t much we can do. Texas has very restrictive laws about having someone committed. Years ago, we did a family intervention and somehow got her to an emergency room where she was evaluated by the psychiatrist on staff. He agreed that she suffers from severe OCD, but she refused treatment. And since she wasn’t “waving a gun around” (i.e. threatening direct, bodily harm to herself or others), he had to release her. Friends of mine have suggested actions like leaving her to care for herself (the idea being that she couldn’t and would have to call for help). My father, sister and I truly believe that she would never seek help and instead just waste away.

It’s a very sad situation (and hard to explain if you are not around to see and interact yourself). St. Dymphna, pray for my mother. Blessed Mary, pray for my mother.

Building our marriage

We've all heard that marriage takes work, and that's true. However, working at a marriage doesn't mean yours is bad or that the work need be tedious. Spending quality time together (without the kids) can strengthen and renews your love and commitment to each other.

Hubby and I recently spent nine days (but who was counting exactly) without our daughter around. The house was certainly quieter! Little One spent time with her grandparents, and we were able to spend time with just each other. We also attended a marriage conference in Denton, TX: "The two will become one" (Ephesians 5:31). One thousand people (presumably 500 couples) registered for the event, and most were there. We listened to speakers Dr. Scott Hahn and Greg & Julie Alexander, ate lunch with other lovely couples, and had the opportunity for Adoration (which I had to explain to my Protestant husband). I highly recommend taking advantage of events like this going on in your diocese.

On another note, where does the time do? I can't believe over a month has gone by since I blogged about materialism. Surely that can't be right!

God spoke to me!

In recent weeks, we've been discussing materialism in our family (well, maybe it's just me). Personally, I've been struggling quite a bit lately with the desire for material goods. I fully understand and embrace the fact that I am blessed with a comfortable life: home, car, job, physical comforts, relatively healthy family. We are better off than 90% (or higher) of the planet. But it's when I compare myself to the other 10% that I start to feel down. Why can't we have a house with a yard? Why can't we just pop out and buy a new car? Why can't we go on a nice vacation?

But then I start to feel bad for focusing on material goods. Catholic guilt? Maybe. I certainly don't want to lose sight of the ultimate level of comfort: being with God in Heaven.

As if to reinforce the point, God spoke quite clearly to me this Sunday through the Mass readings (Ecc 1:2, 2:21-23; Col 3:1-5, 9-11; Lk 12:13-21). In case you missed it (and I hope you were there!), the theme was around the vanity and idolatry of focusing on material things. It's not that material things are bad. But when we focus on them, we are distracted from what truly matters: God.

Some things just seem so obvious...

...like NOT handing out condoms to elementary school children. But the Provincetown, MA school district recently passed a policy (thankfully now under review) that would provide condoms to any student who asks for one, including children in elementary school. No parental consent needed. That's right: your 6-year-old first grader will have access to free condoms. Of course, the student has to meet with the school nurse first so that he or she has the right information. I'm not even sure what that means!

Scary. And just a little sick.

Wow...

Wow, I can't believe how long it has been since I last posted anything! I blame it on my job (darn that job for getting in the way of fun stuff!). We've done some family traveling to visit both sets of grandparents, but there never seems to be enough time to really relax and enjoy the company. And on that note, we really thought that our prayers had been answered on where to move (stay in Dallas, or move to Houston or San Antonio where we have family): an opportunity to take over my late grandmother's house if we took out a loan to make repairs. Totally doable if that became our "mortgage" - as long as we could sell our current house first. But, just like that, this is no longer an option. So...back to praying about where God wants us to go. It still may be Houston, just not in that house.

Otherwise, we've planted cherry tomatoes, peppers, basil, sunflowers (birds ate those),and cucumbers (wow, do those get big!). But the birds and caterpillars take their share. I'm trying to be organic, so I don't want to spray.

Speaking of organic, we are trying to buy all of our meat and eggs from a local, free range, organic farm. You really can see and taste a difference! It's not cheap, but not really that different in price for organic meat from the grocery store (that may not be free range, local, etc.)

On that note, have a wonderful weekend!

Making the Big Money!

Since Little One turned four in March, she has been receiving an allowance. We discussed this concept for quite some time before hubby and I agreed on what an allowance means, how much, etc. Angie gave us a good outline from which to start our discussion.
First, her allowance is not tied to chores since she is expected to do her chores anyway. Neither will it be tied to grades in the future (a hot topic: hubby thinks it would have helped him in school to be paid for grades; I liked school enough that paying me would not have mattered). I believe that paying for chores (except perhaps something extra done by the child) or grades suggests that one should get paid for doing what one should do anyway.

We pay her on Fridays at 50 cents per year, so she currently gets $2.00. We require her to put 30% ($0.60) in the "saving" piggy bank, and give 10% ($0.20) to the church. The rest goes into the Hello Kitty bank to spend as she wants.

We've noticed several things since starting the weekly allowance. First, Little One is excited to put her two dimes, along with our Sunday envelope, into the collection basket at church. Second, she doesn't question the idea of putting aside some money for long term savings. And finally, we've been able to significantly cut down on the "gimmies " (from a Berenstain Bears book). All it takes to get Little One to stop asking for a toy is to tell her that she can use her money if she wants.

To me, the allowance is meant to teach fiscal responsibility, sharing with others (especially those less fortunate), and patience. She is still young, and it’s only been a few months, but I am pleased so far!