Ham Fried Rice

from the Wii.

I am imposing some rules regarding the Wii and they are not for my son… they’re for me. The last few weeks I’ve been staying up far past my bedtime to play the Wii. What ever happened to the sense of self-discipline instilled in me by my parents? Too much of a good thing has turned my brain to mush. I feel a brain cavity coming on. There have been several posts forgotten, housework neglected, maybe even husband neglected. (No, don’t worry. The children have not been neglected.)

And so, I’ve turned off the Wii… for now.

If you want a Chinese wife, here’s what you’d probably have to put up with:

• Incessant worrying
• Really great cooking
• Lots of smiles
• Sometimes frowns
• Respectful/deferential
• Courteous and dutiful
• Hopefully wise.

Matt can attest to this… and my type A personality. I should’ve been a lawyer…

Thanks to my friend “Chester,” my cover is blown. (Well, in this neighborhood, anyway.) Contact me if you want access to the family blog.

Many are familiar with Randy Pausch’s video on Youtube. However, I highly recommend reading his book, The Last Lecture. It’s a quick and easy read. Yet, there is so much truth and poignancy to be found within its pages. (It’s also more comprehensive than the Carnegie Mellon video.)

His story is life altering, giving us perspective on what’s actually important in this life. At times it’s quite difficult to get through, knowing that this is a man who will die within a few months, still attempting to leave a legacy for his children, to find a way to teach them, to be with them and love them, when he’s no longer with them. He’s defied death so far, but according to his blog, his cancer has metastasized.

He is a complete stranger, and yet I feel such compassion, sorrow, joy, hope and love for him and his family. What a courageous example to us all. Tomorrow I am going to paint one of his mottoes on my wall: Don’t complain; just work harder.

Staying up and playing the Wii until 1:45 a.m… especially when the baby was up at 3 a.m. for a feeding.

I’m a little tired, but I have to say it’s nice to feel like I have a moment to myself, no requests from friends, family members, kids or husband. Just Mii and the Wii.

I should be in bed, trying to sleep. But instead, I am about to go play my son’s Nintendo Wii. Because I am a video game junkie. Ha!

WE DID IT! We are credit card debt free! It took ten months and let’s just say it was enough consumer debt that could have afforded us any of the following:

1. Go to New Zealand (my dream!!) for our 11th wedding anniversary.
2. See the Sistine Chapel in Italy, 4 times.
3. Walk along the Great Wall of China, 2 times.
4. Take the kids to Hawaii, 3 times.
5. Take the family on an Alaskan cruise, 4 times.
6. Pay for more than half the cost of a new minivan, to haul the kids around town in luxury.
7. Take the kids to Disney World for a week or two, 3 times.
8. Buy a couple of extra large flat panel LCD TVs.
9. Install travertine floors, new vanities and redo the kitchen cabinetry.
10. Pay for 3/4 of the cost of finishing our basement.
11. Set aside partial college tuition for my children.
12. Buy the diamond ring I promised my mother, when I was 5.

Three months ago I wrote the following:

“As I read this list, I see that I’ve sacrificed my dreams (New Zealand,) and the worst is knowing that there is still debt to pay. It makes me want to vomit. We are paying dearly for the foolish mistakes and impulse buys we made over the last ten years. Yes, hindsight is 20/20 and the shoulda-coulda-woulda monster is not helpful in moving forward. But I mention this experience in the hopes that if my children read this someday, I want to teach them that there is absolutely nothing, NOTHING, worth purchasing on credit. You want some airline mileage, or some rewards incentives? Save your money and buy it with cash. Nothing is free in this world. Even if you’re disciplined enough to actually pay off your credit card (I only know 3 people who are disciplined enough to do it; my mom, my sister, and my friend Michelle,) think of the time you’ve spent budgeting to make sure it all comes out even. My sister and I determined long ago that our time is worth too much to sacrifice.”

As I read this, I sense the anger, frustration and despair in my tone. However, after following Dave Ramsey’s Total Money Makeover plan, we are no longer slaves to credit card bondage. It has taken great courage at times, to stand resolutely in a crowd of neighbors who say, “Looks like it’s time for you to get a minivan; you should get one like ours…blah blah blah.” and I unashamedly respond, “yes, when it’s within my budget.” (Although on the inside I think, that’s really none of your damn business, you jackass who put your van on a home equity loan.) And it has taken a tremendous amount of discipline. Discipline to say no when friends urge me to go out, to not buy when I really want to, to pay off debt instead of spending it on something. But ten months ago we set a goal and we accomplished it. I’m proud of our commitment, discipline, and strength of character.

Now on to the next monkey… that horrible clutter…