Mom and Dad told me a lot of things while I was growing up about what to expect in life. "Marriage isn't easy," said mom. "Never say what you would never do, until you're in a particular situation," said dad. "You have to pay to live," said both. But I don't think they stressed enough just how much I'd have to pay. Even having done most of the right things--finishing high school, graduating college, obtaining a good paying job with benefits, maintaining good credit-- life still has its times of simply being overwhelming.
I've always described my personal financial state as "my head is above water", but in today's economy that is not the safest place to be because the slightest change can sink me. When I reflect over past years, I know my situation has gotten better. I don't use credit cards like I used to. I've curtailed my frivolous spending on clothes, shoes, accessories, personal upkeep considerably. I even started putting an estimated amount of money from that spending towards savings, managing to accumulate an amount that makes me smile. HOWEVER, there is always something lurking behind the scenes to bring my spirits down. Two of those culprits are property taxes and insurance (auto & home). While these are necessary parts of adult life, I oftentimes, am ready to explode over how much of a rip-off they are, ESPECIALLY, if you live in an inner city!
As usual, I sulk for a time, then I pick my head up and look forward to better days. They are coming AND soon. And more importantly, during difficult times we have to learn to see the positive of the situation. For example, although I missed my deadline of age 30, to be credit card debt free, I am down to only two with very manageable balances. See there's a positive. I'll be buying a house mid-2009. A fear I used to have about this was that a larger house would automatically come with a larger mortgage, which would be a struggle if I still had the other debt to contend with. THANKS to the housing market, that won't quite be the case. I should be able to get a bigger house AND pay less that what I'm paying today.
Other pluses in my life are that I've learned it is nothing but the trick of the devil to distract me with all of these financial pressures to keep me from being unproductive with my writing, which is my meal ticket in the near future. With that knowledge, I combat him with the joy of GOD, who has told us in HIS word not to worry about the things of this world. HE'S got us! HE assures that ALL of HIS children's needs are met. WE just have to turn them over to him AND praise HIM!
That being said, I encourage ALL grown ups with grown up RESPONSIBILITIES, to keep your head up and know that better days are ahead.
Copyright @ 2008 LA Jefferson
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Holiday Shopping
It only takes the holiday season to knock one off the wagon of spending cutbacks. It's ironic, though, how throughout the year all of us were struggling with escalated & food costs, people losing their homes and jobs, and such. But as soon as Black Friday came, a surprising number of people found some money to make the total amount spent on that day surpass the amount of last year. Unbelievable! Then again, maybe not. I mean, Black Friday, historically, is the day that the best retail deals of the year occur. That being the case, it's a wonder more people weren't out.
Luckily, I wasn't pressed enough for any particular item that I needed to leave my house at sunset to get in line. But I did venture out at the more reasonable time of 8AM to see what I could make happen for my kids. I have a four year old, who'll be happy with whatever is under the tree for him and a thirteen year old, who knows me well enough to not ask me for an over abundance of things that she know I won't get anyway. LOL! At the conclusion of my outing, I had a reasonably priced digital camera in the requested color of pink and a 2-in-1 Leapster game system with a couple of games that were 1/2 off. Picked up a couple of DVD's for a steal. They may or may not be gifts, but what the heck--they were all under $5.
In addition to to the reasonably priced gifts I got, I also managed to treat myself to a few well-deserved items, like 2 pairs of boots, a butterfly necklace, and a pair of earrings. Oh yeah, and a coat. But that's minor compared to how I used to do it up for ME back in the good ole days.
With 98% of my shopping being done, I've regulated myself back to my mall avoidance tactics to reprogram myself to saving rather than spending. But I must say, the last few weeks have been a blast!
Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
Copyright @ 2008 by LA Jefferson
Luckily, I wasn't pressed enough for any particular item that I needed to leave my house at sunset to get in line. But I did venture out at the more reasonable time of 8AM to see what I could make happen for my kids. I have a four year old, who'll be happy with whatever is under the tree for him and a thirteen year old, who knows me well enough to not ask me for an over abundance of things that she know I won't get anyway. LOL! At the conclusion of my outing, I had a reasonably priced digital camera in the requested color of pink and a 2-in-1 Leapster game system with a couple of games that were 1/2 off. Picked up a couple of DVD's for a steal. They may or may not be gifts, but what the heck--they were all under $5.
In addition to to the reasonably priced gifts I got, I also managed to treat myself to a few well-deserved items, like 2 pairs of boots, a butterfly necklace, and a pair of earrings. Oh yeah, and a coat. But that's minor compared to how I used to do it up for ME back in the good ole days.
With 98% of my shopping being done, I've regulated myself back to my mall avoidance tactics to reprogram myself to saving rather than spending. But I must say, the last few weeks have been a blast!
Enjoy and Happy Holidays!
Copyright @ 2008 by LA Jefferson
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Creating Fit Kids
Here's the scene: Mom has returned home from a vigorous training session at the gym. After showering and changing into lounging clothes, she prepares her dinner of a palm-sized skinless baked chicken breast and green salad. The kids, on the other hand, who've been watching T.V. and playing video games while mom was at the gym, feast on some quickly prepared processed chicken nuggets and french fries, drinking Kool-Aid.
What's wrong with this picture? Everything.
Clearly, mom is handling her fitness business--working out, eating right. But what about the kids? If things continue along that path, these same kids will grow to be unhealthy and unfit adults. And it's mom (and dads), especially those making strides to get their ownselves together, job to guide their kids to health and fitness.
Sure, leading by example will yield long-term benefits as children do learn from observing. However, the here and now is just as, if not, important. Last I checked, the rate for childhood obesity has not decreased in the least bit. Even if your child isn't apart of the epidemic of chld obesity, teaching them early on about health and fitness will ensure they stay that way.
Believe it or not, it's not hard to incorporate your children into your workout routine. It doesn't have to be anything rigorous, like waking the kids up at 5 A.M., making the poor babies do boot camp drills! Simply get them busy somewhere in your schedule. For example, you plan to work out five days a week. On your cardio days, try skipping the gym and taking the kids to a playground or park that, perhaps, has a track that you can run/walk your laps. This is especially easy to do during the spring and summer months. Another option for family cardio fun is playing outdoor games like tennis, badminton, relay races (think parents against kids, females against males, etc).
If you think that sounds easy enough, changing the eating habits of children is even easier. Simply put, they eat what you eat. They eat when you eat. If you've adopted a "no meat" policy in your diet because of the digestion concerns of meat products, why allow your children to partake in it? If you cut off your eating four hours before you go to sleep, why allow your children to eat until they go to sleep. The fact that children have high metabolisms isn't reason enough to allow them to engage in eating habits that we've learned are counterproductive because how children eat as children, they take with them to adulthood until they learn better on their own. Why not teach them now?
I only caution those who participate in fad diets--Atkins, South Beach, etc). If you're on that kick, don't introduce your children to that. Only teach, at the bare minimum, the underlying basis of the diets. Children need to learn how to eat correctly as opposed to the quick fix solutions that fad diets provide.
So as you're running, lunging, bicep curling, and bench pressing your way into a musclebound haven or sleek, feminine-fit beauty don't forget to get your kids on the right track so they'll know early on what you probably had to teach yourself.
@ 2008 by LA Jefferson
What's wrong with this picture? Everything.
Clearly, mom is handling her fitness business--working out, eating right. But what about the kids? If things continue along that path, these same kids will grow to be unhealthy and unfit adults. And it's mom (and dads), especially those making strides to get their ownselves together, job to guide their kids to health and fitness.
Sure, leading by example will yield long-term benefits as children do learn from observing. However, the here and now is just as, if not, important. Last I checked, the rate for childhood obesity has not decreased in the least bit. Even if your child isn't apart of the epidemic of chld obesity, teaching them early on about health and fitness will ensure they stay that way.
Believe it or not, it's not hard to incorporate your children into your workout routine. It doesn't have to be anything rigorous, like waking the kids up at 5 A.M., making the poor babies do boot camp drills! Simply get them busy somewhere in your schedule. For example, you plan to work out five days a week. On your cardio days, try skipping the gym and taking the kids to a playground or park that, perhaps, has a track that you can run/walk your laps. This is especially easy to do during the spring and summer months. Another option for family cardio fun is playing outdoor games like tennis, badminton, relay races (think parents against kids, females against males, etc).
If you think that sounds easy enough, changing the eating habits of children is even easier. Simply put, they eat what you eat. They eat when you eat. If you've adopted a "no meat" policy in your diet because of the digestion concerns of meat products, why allow your children to partake in it? If you cut off your eating four hours before you go to sleep, why allow your children to eat until they go to sleep. The fact that children have high metabolisms isn't reason enough to allow them to engage in eating habits that we've learned are counterproductive because how children eat as children, they take with them to adulthood until they learn better on their own. Why not teach them now?
I only caution those who participate in fad diets--Atkins, South Beach, etc). If you're on that kick, don't introduce your children to that. Only teach, at the bare minimum, the underlying basis of the diets. Children need to learn how to eat correctly as opposed to the quick fix solutions that fad diets provide.
So as you're running, lunging, bicep curling, and bench pressing your way into a musclebound haven or sleek, feminine-fit beauty don't forget to get your kids on the right track so they'll know early on what you probably had to teach yourself.
@ 2008 by LA Jefferson
Monday, June 9, 2008
Kudos to dad!
After a very quiet, relaxing weekend, without the kids in tow, I made a point to begin this Monday morning on the right foot--at the gym. Not that I over indulged in fast food or junk food this weekend, but mainly because the week before I only managed to see the inside of the gym once. And that's just not acceptable for my 3-day minimum goal.
Before I began my warmup on the treadmill, I remembered my trainer reminding me that I need to stretch before I begin exercising, which I rarely do. I just kinda jump in there, hence a lot of soreness. I've got to remember I'm not the spring chicken that I used to be. So as I stand to the side of the track stretching, this young girl walks past me, commenting on my apparel, "Pink is one of my favorite colors." I respond politely, "Thank you", noticing how young she looked, maybe 12. But my limited time in the morning in ticking away, so I hurry to the treadmill. At the 8 min mark of my warmup, my attention is grabbed by another young person. A little young cutie peeping through a small space between the weights and cardio machines. I'm always looking through that space for whatever bulging muslces I might see to make my workout even more worthwhile. None that morning, but I couldn't help smiling at the handsome young guy, reminding me of an older version of my own son.
Then it dawns on me how early it is, seeming that I'm normally an evening gym patron. But it wasn't even seven o'clock yet. I'm thinking, "What are these kids doing here this early?" During my toning session on the machines, I would learn that the children, brother and sister, albeit, were with their father. And my heart just smiled :) Adoringly, I watched the boy working the tricep machine. From the strain across his face, he was obviously using all his might, lifting more weight than my grown self. Nonetheless, he made it through the set under his father's watchful eye. I didn't notice the girl on any of the machines, but she kept a steady pace walking around the track, probably complimenting other ladies on their workout apparel.
I was so touched that this father was instilling in his children the importance of exercising, so much so that he had them there even before the school bell rang. Now I can't say what the exact circumstance was this morning. Maybe he had his children from his bi-wknd visit with them. Maybe he's a fulltime, custodial dad. Whatever the case, the father obviously prioritizes exercising in his weekly schedule and I was proud to see that he involved his children in that important part of his life.
No matter what the circumstance that brought those children to the gym on this beautiful Monday morning, it will be an experience they'll alway remember. Special time with dad if nothing else. And the fact that they were being exposed to physical fitness at this time in their life, even if they pull away from it, the foundation has been created and they'll more than likely return to it later in their adult lives.
Kudos to dad!
Before I began my warmup on the treadmill, I remembered my trainer reminding me that I need to stretch before I begin exercising, which I rarely do. I just kinda jump in there, hence a lot of soreness. I've got to remember I'm not the spring chicken that I used to be. So as I stand to the side of the track stretching, this young girl walks past me, commenting on my apparel, "Pink is one of my favorite colors." I respond politely, "Thank you", noticing how young she looked, maybe 12. But my limited time in the morning in ticking away, so I hurry to the treadmill. At the 8 min mark of my warmup, my attention is grabbed by another young person. A little young cutie peeping through a small space between the weights and cardio machines. I'm always looking through that space for whatever bulging muslces I might see to make my workout even more worthwhile. None that morning, but I couldn't help smiling at the handsome young guy, reminding me of an older version of my own son.
Then it dawns on me how early it is, seeming that I'm normally an evening gym patron. But it wasn't even seven o'clock yet. I'm thinking, "What are these kids doing here this early?" During my toning session on the machines, I would learn that the children, brother and sister, albeit, were with their father. And my heart just smiled :) Adoringly, I watched the boy working the tricep machine. From the strain across his face, he was obviously using all his might, lifting more weight than my grown self. Nonetheless, he made it through the set under his father's watchful eye. I didn't notice the girl on any of the machines, but she kept a steady pace walking around the track, probably complimenting other ladies on their workout apparel.
I was so touched that this father was instilling in his children the importance of exercising, so much so that he had them there even before the school bell rang. Now I can't say what the exact circumstance was this morning. Maybe he had his children from his bi-wknd visit with them. Maybe he's a fulltime, custodial dad. Whatever the case, the father obviously prioritizes exercising in his weekly schedule and I was proud to see that he involved his children in that important part of his life.
No matter what the circumstance that brought those children to the gym on this beautiful Monday morning, it will be an experience they'll alway remember. Special time with dad if nothing else. And the fact that they were being exposed to physical fitness at this time in their life, even if they pull away from it, the foundation has been created and they'll more than likely return to it later in their adult lives.
Kudos to dad!
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