You can't always get what you want....

Where did you spend your money?

Interesting prompt for today. I've really tried to live way below my means and save a considerable amount of money from each paycheck. The website that's really peaked my interest in personal finance is www.getrichslowly.org. I've topped off my pension designations and also quit using a credit card. Living debt free isn't always 'roller-coaster thrilling,' but I've had a lot of fun doing the things that I plan for, instead of mindless shopping.

So, to better answer the question, I guess I'd rather share where I haven't spent my money.
--No more magazine subscriptions.
--Hardly any music bought on iTunes.
--No fancy car washes anymore.
--No clothes or shoe shopping without a plan and a fistful of coupons.
--No fancy grocery store shopping: No Dominicks, Safeway, or Whole Foods.

And where my money has gone this year:
Tithing. Camping trips. Overnights with the Mexis. Glasses & Contacts. Dentist!

Chicken and Thunder

What astonished you?

I had to look up astonish this morning. I knew the word's meaning but I was curious about the root of the word.[To strike with lightning] And that got me thinking about camping. Crystal and I camped once a month from May to September this year. Our first camping experience in May was the coldest and rainiest we experienced. Since the word astonish has it's root in lightning, I'd have to say it was the quite astonishing to have a park ranger tell us to evacuate our tents and move to safer spots to ride out a massive storm picking up speed on Lake Michigan (we were about 200 feet from the shore). Alas, we arrived safely at a chicken joint in Wisconsin!

I am, I said

When did you celebrate?
Back in the day I used to go to Murphy's with my 2 neighbors who lived in my building in Champaign. One was a grad student and one was a singer/actress. We'd go to Murph's for Leinie's and cheap burgers on weekends and throw some dice. Some of my favorite mugs in my place are from Murphy's. We'd also go there for the jukebox. I believe it was the only establishment that had Neil Diamond's hits readily available for play. The last time I was in Murphy's was in the fall of 2001. Fast forward to last night! My friend, the grad student, became my friend, Dr. Hughes! The celebrating that we did last night was a mini-reunion of sorts. We told all the old stories in the beginning that I remembered. Then we got into the minor ones that I sort of remember. Celebrating Dr. Hughes' success was a great reminder to me that friendships can start in all sorts of places, even dingy apartment complexes. Here's to you, Dr. & Mrs. Hughes.

And you ask, what Neil Diamond song did we play the most? This one!

I Am, I Said:

LA's fine, the sun shines most the time
The feeling is laid back
Palm trees grow and the rents are low
But you know I keep thinking about
Making my way back

Well, I'm New York City born and raised
But nowadays, I'm lost between two shores
LA's fine, but it ain't home
New York's home but it ain't mine no more

I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why
Leavin' me lonely still

Did you ever read about a frog who dreamed of being a king
And then became one
Well, except for the names and a few other changes
If you talk about me, the story's the same one

But I got an emptiness deep inside
And I've tried but it won't let me go
And I'm not a man who likes to swear
But I've never cared for the sound of being alone

I am, I said
To no one there
And no one heard at all
Not even the chair
I am, I cried
I am, said I
And I am lost, and I can't even say why

I am, I said
I am, I cried
I am...

You're a freak.

MUSIC.
Nothing really sticks out to me this year. Maybe it's because I've made a vapid, dance music station one of my presets in my car. I could sing you a lotta songs, but I haven't really bought any good music lately. With that being said, my favorite music leading into a podcast is from Freakonomics!

Math

What was the best book you read in 2011?

A math equation that explains my favorite book of the year.


    500 pages minimum
    Baseball
    Fictional Midwestern towns
    Historical facts of Herman Melville
    A counter cultural love-story
+ House rehabs
___________________

Ans. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach

All my bags are packed...

Where did you visit this year?

Somerville AL, Gotha FL, Newark IL, San Pedro Sula Honduras, Copan Ruinas Honduras, San Salvador, El Salvador, El Tunco El Salvador, New Windsor MD, Arlington VA, Grand Rapids MI, Saugatuck MI, Minneapolis MN, Eden Prairie MN. Kettle Moraine WI, New Windsor MD, Phoenixville PA, and Philadelphia PA!

Black beans

What was the most delicious meal you ate?


I'd have to say it was while we all went camping! Fried eggs, a batch of garlicky mashed black beans, and tortillas. Coffee out of the french press helped!

Grateful

When was I most grateful?

Hmmmm. Hard one. Thanks, Dana. I'd say I was most grateful when I completed orientations. There's such a quiet thrill of being done, of packing up, of giving rushed hugs at the airport and knowing that I'm just coming home. That thrill of being done and sending off people and coming home happened in Florida and Maryland in 2011. I'm grateful for great volunteers (and crazy ones, too), great people at home (and dogs, too), and a quiet little life waiting for me when I come back.

Navel Gazing!

Hello friends! Let's do some mutual navel gazing! I look at yours, you look at mine! We'll take a new prompt each day in December. Here's a sneak peek at them!

1. When were you most grateful?
2. What was the most delicious meal you ate?
3. Where did you visit this year?
4. What was the best book you read?
5. What were your favorite songs?
6. When did you celebrate?
7. What astonished you?
8. Where did you spend your money?
9. What was your favorite blog post...that you read or wrote?
10. When did you take the easy way?
11. What rocked your world, changed your life, shifted the ground beneath your feet?
12. When did you feel the most relaxed?
13. What cracked you up?
14. Where'd you find the best cup of coffee (or tea, or wine, or beverage of your choice?)
15. When did you struggle?
16. What’s the most whimsical/spontaneous/ridiculous thing you did?
17. When did you see God at work?
18. When were you the angriest?
19. What’s been the best decision you made this year?
20. Who came into your life in 2011?
21. What did you learn?
22. What gifts did you give? What gifts did you receive?
23. What sunrise/sunset was most vivid?
24. What did you make?
25. Where did you spend the most time?
26. Who surprised you?
27. What did you give up?
28. Who was important to you?
29. If the year 2011 had a hashtag, what would it be?
30. What aspects of your life need attention in 2012?
31. Where were you on January 1, 2011?

Looking back!

Time for the 2011 Reflections in December!

Exhaustion!

15 orientations are under my belt. I guess I sorta understand my job. Clear indicators that I'm exhausted  after an orientation:

1. Falling asleep on the plane before take-off while people are still walking down the aisle to their seats.
2. Sleeping on the way home from the airport.
3. Trying to organize the dogs to listen to announcements before breakfast and dinner.
4. Falling asleep after a half glass of wine.
5. Sleeping during each car ride no matter the distance.
6. Trying to do a head count of all people (dogs) present before going to the grocery store alone.
7. Making lists of how I'm tired.

Orientation Photos!

61!

Holy moly! It's my mom's birthday! Highlights of her 61 years include (in no particular order):

• Teaching Jetta how to be the family dog. 
• Playing catch with me from the ages of 5-18!
• Playing countless hours of Go Fish! at the kitchen table and rummy in the later years.
• Teaching me about the best musicians: Neil Diamond, Journey, Air Supply!
• Being in a homecoming skit based on the New Kids on the Block!
• Making whoopie pies for my class, Girl Scouts, birthday parties, etc.
• Being the watcher of all water skiers and tubers in case we fell or let go of the rope while Dad drove.
• The amazing catcher of falling potatoes shot out of the family heirloom potato gun.
• Lover of her neighbors (Frannie, The Parks, The Hartsworns, The Rabbits, The Tills, the list goes on and on)
• Resilient mower of lawns when I was at Camp: our own, Franny's, and Lois'!
• Prompt letter writer, card-sender, thank-you note writer in always consistent handwriting whether I was at camp, sports camp, college, Nigeria!
• Survivor of one big romp of pneumonia!

Love you, Mom!

The view from my 12 speed, 1979 Schwinn Varsity

I've been biking at Busse Woods a lot this summer. It's a 7.7 mile loop plus another 4 miles to and from my apt. As I've become more consistent in my riding so have the types of people I notice using the same path. A quick snapshot of the regulars:

Older guy on a recumbent bike: neon green shirt, messy beard, appears to be sleeping and biking simultaneously.

Mismatched young adult couple: girlfriend is in running shorts and tank top, boyfriend is in khakis, polo shirt, black dress shoes. Neither one is talking. Just staring ahead and walking painfully slow.

Biker gang: 3 very skinny and tan men with skinny butts and huge bulging calves wearing matching shorts and red and black shirts. Their bikes also match. They never make eye contact(shiny sunglasses prevent that) with anyone, they average about 25 mph while dodging the previous mentioned folks, and like to say ON YOUR LEFT with arrogance.

Roller blader: Male: Usually a guy in 3/4 length pants (i call em' capris) a black tank top, and some type of fedora with actual feathers on the side. Female: mid 40's, brown hair, all spandex clothes, usually chewing gum at the pace of her strides.

I'll stop for now. Won't you join me sometime?

List.

So you wanna go camping! Here's a list of the essentials!

Meals:
Hot dogs, buns, onions, buns, ketchup, mustard, chips, smores, apple, beer.
Eggs, butter, garlic, tortillas, beans, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, coffee, half and half, sugar, beer.
Grits, butter, avocado, lime, salt, garlic, pepper, coffee, half and half, sugar, beer.

Stuff:
Hammock. Rope. Sleeping bag. Air mattress. Pump. Pillows. Fitted sheet. Lawn chairs. Stove. Camping fuel. Aim n' flame. Newspapers. Lantern. Cooler.
Pot. 2 skillets. French press. Camera. Water bottles. Fruit in drawer (see birthday edition). Bug Spray. Aloe vera. Swimsuits. Pjs. Shorts. T-shirt. Flips. Flops.
Tent. Screen house tent. Book. Journal. Camping reservation. Beer.

Best Parts: Vacation edition

Walker Brothers' Pancake house with 4 cups of resplendent coffee. DANA!'s mix tape (cd) as the background to Chicago traffic.
Hand made garlic naan with my Mexis.
Bubble tea  at the AHN.
Biking another 13 miles in flip flops.
Celebrating Alicia's life with a lotta ladies.

Best Parts: Random Tuesday

A belated birthday dinner complete with a sombrero and tequila poured down my throat in a very quiet and suburban Mexican restaurant.
My Mexis. Always quick-witted with middle fingers flying.
Biking Busse woods unplanned and in flip-flops, all 13 miles there and back with my best friend.
Being handy with tools and a cumbersome fridge that fell on me, slightly.

Best Parts: THE BIRTHDAY EDITION!

It's my 32nd birthday!

I went camping to celebrate!

We forgot all sorts of things: A Sleeping Bag, A Saucepan, The fruit in the fridge.

Thankfully, we ate a giant cookie at each meal!

Best Parts: Birthday Eve

Best Parts:

A super quiet office. Writing queries as a spiritual practice! The perfect avocado for lunch. An on-time birthday card from Aunt Linda.

Best Parts: Mid-week

Best parts:
Strong new tires! Picnic table lunches. A deep sleep on an empty couch. Getting back into the swing of things.

Best Parts.

Cleaning cleaning! A day off. A tiny apartment full of SURBER'S! Mom's snickerdoodles. Eli's retrieving ability. A hearty night of sleep on the couch!

Weekend Edition: Best Parts

Kayaking the rough waves of Lake Michigan. Shedding sadness and questions for a long paddle and an oversized life jacket.  Sleeping in my own bed. Eli snoring. South Indian food for dinner with my Crystal.

Best Parts

A day off. Even if it meant running errands and plugging my ears with my fingers while a toddle had a fit at the dealership. A big hug right when I got home. Driving through Michigan. Dana's mix tape (cd). Mexitexts to check on me. Living out a lamentation with honesty.

(No titled added. Please do a better job with that, please.)

Best Parts!

Footwashing at sunset with a dried out wheat field in the background.
DANA! knowing that my best part was a fake-out best part.
Watching people swimming in groups in a muddy lake.
Witnessing vols trying to hide from me as I came down to hang out on their 3rd floor.

Best Parts

Best Parts:

Ice cream at Baugher's after a day of interviews.
One of my favorite session leaders spending a few days with the group.
Jazzercising to Ken Medema's music with volunteers.
Singing the boring alto line in every boring hymn in a semi-boring congregation.
Calling Dad up for Father's Day. "Your Mom and I sure tried our best. We tried to make the best decisions that we could."