M.I.M

The topic of money is bound to come up sooner or later. It's impossible to completely remove oneself from it's sphere of influence. I suppose someone might disagree with me but then I'm not a backwoods, living off the grid type of person! I do like my creature comforts, like indoor plumbing!! Money certainly can give varying degrees of freedom but at the same time can also twist us up in knots.
The aspect I'm zeroing in on is Money, Independence and Marriage, or MIM for short! : ) Surprisingly enough, or not, being one in finances was/is one of the biggest adjustments for me in married life. Why? Hmmm... At first, it was difficult to even remember that I needed to consult Brian on some purchases that were out of the ordinary. How were the monthly expenses going? Did it fit in the budget at this time? Brian isn't tight fisted at all but there is only so much money that comes in monthly! As a single person, if there was money in the bank - why not!? A budget? Only I had to suffer any consequences of irresponsible spending. I don't think of myself as irresponsible so whether single or married there aren't a lot of problems. This issue is really in my heart and attitude.
The concept of a budget is not an anathema to me, quite the contrary! Knowing limits for types of spending actually gives me more freedom and security. I think it comes down to someone else taking care of me. How is that a bad thing?! It isn't!!!! I just think it tickles at that age old issue of mine called performance based love. I'm not doing enough - guilt. How am I contributing? I can't be pulling my own weight. I don't deserve this because I haven't done anything for it. Peeu - all that stinks!! In reality, whatever Brian and I bring to the marriage of a financial nature really has come from God. I want to share with him just as much as he wants to share with me. I don't want to cheapen God's provision for both of us by keeping tally (of whatever it might be), being burdened by guilt, or the pressure of earning it. God freely gives. I just have to remember from where the blessing is really coming.
It's funny, in both a Ha Ha and strange way, the aspects of life that can trip me up. I can make things so complicated or just plain whacked. I've got to recognize these issues first, but thankfully God is the one to make the adjustments in me so my load truly is light. In addition, I can talk to Brian about anything, even if it's stinky! All in all, thank GOD! : )

Anticipation

There has been a comment that this blog has been rather quiet lately. It's true! This means one of two things, generally speaking. The first - I'm processing something so I don't know what to write yet or it's too overwhelming to try and get it down in black and white. The second - I'm down and don't have the energy to write. April has been more of the first and a bit of the second.
I can tell you this, I'm feeling restless. The fall brought undetermined stirrings; January brought a couple new research directions, and April an acknowledgement of restlessness. All in all, a good progression and I think I need to fasten my seatbelt because it seems a new adventure is about to ensue.
I think the biggest thing I'm learning at the moment is to live in the moment. Brian is much better at this than I am. For some aspects of life, I like knowing the major direction for down the road a couple of years! Then that affects decisions in the present. But if I don't know the plan then I (unnecessarily) handicap myself in present day decision making, i.e. purchases - Do I look for a piece of furniture that we need for this house? Because I don't know if we'll be in this house. Silly I suppose and I put myself in limbo - no one else. I don't know how to live in limbo because I'm not in the present or the future!
I love a good roller coaster. When I'm riding one, I'm never anticipating the curve and drop that's a 100 yards away. Rather, I'm fully experiencing the curve, twist and turn I'm on by being jostled about, holding on and screaming with delight! I've always said I love a good adventure which by nature means I'm never sure what's coming up! Here I go enjoying the anticipation and excitement while living fully in the present!!

A Transcendent Experience!

A truly great coffee is sophisticated yet unassuming, elegant, yet accessible, a transcendent experience to be had everyday - authentic, evocative and true to the moment.

Yes, I'm having my Saturday morning coffee! As discussed previously, that particular weekly coffee tastes better than all the others! Not sure why but... : ) I can't say that the description above is original. It was on the cup of the coffee I purchased yesterday. Thought it worth sharing though. A bit over the top but why not have a little fun!?

Revealing the Most Interesting Man in the World

This is just a fun post. I ran across this link in another blog but thought it "worth" putting here, too. It's not such a valuable video but it certainly has it's funny moments. It can be a bit long but some of his advice at the end is interesting, too. I hope you enjoy it! I don't usually promote commercials but... it does fit with the current Mexican theme!

Coffee and Colonials!

Do the two really go together? Sure! They seem to for this girl! :) By the way, when I talk about colonials it's not the typical American colonial architecture, that leaps to my mind, with a symmetrical front, perhaps a couple of columns and 2 stories. Like this...
Actually colonial architecture has a few forms in America but the colonials in Mexico are quite different. The facade is generally very plain and flat which reveals nothing about the layout within. Here is one video of one such colonial. It is on the upper end to be sure but there are more expensive ones too. Thankfully there are less expensive as well! I don't know that this is my favorite but it's VERY nice and gives you a flavor of these houses.

OK, Maybe a Sickness!

My last post was entitled - Just Having Fun. At one point in the intervening days, I read another blog where the woman described herself as "sick in love with these colonial houses. Sick, can't get them out of my mind!" OK, I admit it! I'm close to that!! I can get them out of my mind...for a while! :) I still am just having fun but it's a bit of an addiction! Of course, is it possible to have "a bit" of an addiction?! They certainly are intriguing and when restored - WOW, they're beautiful, inspiring and intoxicating! Naturally not all of them are to my taste but still...

Just having fun!

I'm no longer "international" at least physically! I'm back in CA and enjoying get togethers with people to catch up! I'm glad that this past trip to Mexico doesn't have that usual surreal feeling, you know, like it never happened but was just a dream. I'm not sure why this trip is different than most, maybe because the pace was more relaxing, I'd been there before or what? Anyway, I thoroughly enjoyed the time and looking forward to the next time, whenever that is.
For the past few months I've been perusing Mexican real estate. Perhaps a vacation home in the future? Of course some lifestyle changes would need to occur to make that happen. In any case... I've loved looking at the old colonials and how people have restored them! It strikes that architectural bone in me of days long ago. I would never want to go back and work as an architect in some firm, besides I'm probably a dinosaur at this point. However, this colonial architecture is new to me and the climate is also different than anything I've ever worked in before. I wish I could see more before and after pictures of the same place. There are places both restored and not yet restored to look at but not usually of the same place! All in all, it's been a blast!
There have been some "overly desirous / covertness" issues to work through with God because I can get too involved or personal about things. That, too, has been good (the working through) so I can just enjoy the process and have fun! Whatever the outcome is or isn't. It's good to have some architectural juices flowing again!

Already March!

Well, February has come and gone. I thought, periodically, about writing but never actually did it! Now it's March 2nd and I've gone international! I'm sitting on the balcony of my boutique hotel in Mexico. :) (Well, it's not MY boutique hotel but you know what I mean!) Brian and I are taking some time away to relax, and get warm to the bone. Today while having my morning coffee in a wonderful shaded courtyard we had geckos and an iguana to watch and entertain us. The iguana was a surprise and I think he was surprised as well. He quickly climbed a tree to survey the scene from a safer distance. Yesterday we went snorkeling and saw lots of fish and one sea turtle!! That was one of the things on my bucket list so it was very cool! There are even pictures to prove it.
It's good to get away from the regular routine no matter what kind of routine it is. There is something about unfamiliarity to stimulate creativity. It's easier to see things in a slightly (or vastly) different way. I'm excited for the photo ideas that are coming and hopefully will produce something tangible and fruitful! Well I'm about to run out of battery so for now...