Rules, because this blog is boring

  1. Go where you're invited. Steve doesn't believe in this life philosophy, so I've become lax, but I think it's a good rule. This last Saturday I was invited to two events, each of which I did not have much interest in attending, so I didn't go to either. On Sunday I learned that both hosts had had low attendance and felt bad about it and it made me feel horrible. When I was about 8 my mom had a Tupperware party and no one came and she was hurt; even though it was a dumb Tupperware party, she took it personally. So even when I get invited to dumb jewelry parties,  I think it's a good idea to make an effort to show up because people are more important than me not being slightly inconvenienced. 
  2. Pay attention to the things you think about while falling asleep/when you wake up for whatever reason/first thing in the morning. Your (my) brain has usually had a chance to filter out the unimportant stuff and whatever is left often provides clarity and new perspective. This is what I thought about this morning when Calvin woke up at 5 AM:
  • Make extra sure there isn't a child behind the monster Tahoe when backing up, every time.
  • Don't put anyone on the spot in future RS lessons.
  • Buy a ticket to North Carolina, baby.

Emily out.

Comments

everydayjami said…
When are you going to north Carolina????
August 08, 2011 10:05 AM
Irwin (Lou) Purcell said…
I like your new background (new to me anyway).
August 08, 2011 11:12 AM
amyegodfrey said…
Very thoughtful words. I have clarity of thought when I take a bath every night. I review the events of the next day, for one thing.
Important thoughts about backing up. I have had a life-long concern about that very thing.
August 08, 2011 6:44 PM
Jord said…
Love the rules. They are true. I'm happy you got a car you love, although at an inconvenient time, but I'm sure your awesome budgeting saved the day.
August 08, 2011 11:42 PM
Jennifer said…
Your blog is anything but boring. It is one of my favorites. Your rules are spot-on. I decided a long time ago that my guilt plagues me far longer than my irritation at being inconvenienced for having to be somewhere I don't want to be (which is about 90% of the time.) As you can see, I still make it all about me and my own feelings.

And what are you doing in North Carolina? Woman, you travel more than anyone I've ever known. I won't even try to disguise my jealousy/admiration. Mostly admiration. I think.
August 09, 2011 12:36 AM
Sarah said…
good rules.
what's happening in north carolina?
August 09, 2011 9:27 AM
amyegodfrey said…
She's going to visit Neil and Diana. I'm going in October.
August 09, 2011 8:05 PM
abby said…
i love when i have 700 unread posts in my reader and 2 of them are from you!
August 15, 2011 8:14 PM
Neil and Diana said…
Emily, this post was beautiful. And then the North Carolina part was the cherry on top. <3
August 20, 2011 9:00 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Another taboo topic: money

I don't have a lot of real visible or artistic talents, but one talent that has served me well is an ability to manage and organize money well. A few of my sisters-in-law have asked me how I do the family budget, so this is a straight up accounting of how I do the accounting. When we get a paycheck: 10% tithing right off the top Then, with the remainder (net minus tithing), I divy it up into percentages and put money into different "funds" -- that I keep track of in the back of my paycheck because I'm old school like that. Mortgage: I figure out the percentage it will take to cover my mortgage. Usually 29-30%. I think this percentage needs to stay under 35% of take-home after tithing. Baby steps: 20% goes to meeting financial goals a la Dave Ramsey's baby steps. This means that you focus on one thing at a time, leaving the rest so that your money is not so thinly spread and you can make visible progress. This presupposes that one has abandoned using credit, and i...
Read more

Two things

Image
First and foremost, happy birthday to my wonderful mom! I honestly don't know anyone more generous, giving or good with people. I like to think of myself as being generous, giving and good with people, but I've got nothing on her . She schools me, bigtime. Some of the unique things that make my mom my mom: She loves my children absolutely, which is a joy and a comfort to me. When she is around, they prefer her to me. She would rather be with her grandchildren than out with the adults, but does not relax when they are around. It's constant counting heads, making snowcones, taking off too-warm clothing, changing diapers, getting drinks. It's exhausting, and she's good at it. And she loves it. (I'm pretty sure.) She hates flying, but flies all over the place, because travel and culture and enriching experiences and seeing family trump her fears every time. She also hates bridges. And swimming. And confrontation. And cooking. And bad grammar. And dopey people. And a...
Read more