Another City?

Have you ever wondered what kind of salary you would need to make in another city to continue your current lifestyle? Or in other words, ‘How much would I need to make if I moved to…?’ I found a cost of living calculator that I loved several years ago, but it was removed from the site. I went looking for another one, and this calculator takes a distant second place, but gives a good comparison of the two cities. I do this when I start to miss family or feel antsy for a change…

Pro and Cons to living in Orange County:

Pro: The weather is mild and beautiful year round.

Con: The cost of living is lower just about everywhere else. Average home price here is $681,500.00

Pro: A million things to do

Con: Most of it costs money

Pro: Close to the beach

Con: Lots of freeways and traffic

Pro: Lots of parks for the kids

Con: The houses are so close together that your neighbors know more about you than you think.

Pro: Schools are well rated

Cons: They are crowded and some kids are spoiled by parents who feel guilty about working so much.

Pro: No shoveling snow

Con: No snowmen for the kids

Pro: There is lots to do when family comes to visit

Con: Family has to come to visit. There are no spontaneous gatherings.

(sigh) There is no perfect place is there?

Read More

Our Name’s Hidden Meaning

What Rob Means

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You’re always up to something.You have a ton of energy, and most people can’t handle you. You’re very intense.You definitely are a handful, and you’re likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous. You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things. Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times.

What Amy Means

You are usually the best at everything … you strive for perfection.You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.You have the classic “Type A” personality.You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.You master any and all skills easily. You don’t have to work hard for what you want. You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you’ll knock down anyone who gets in your way! You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you’re too busy having fun to care.

What’s Your Name’s Hidden Meaning?

Do these descriptions fit us?  Does yours fit you?

Read More

A Couple of Political Rock Stars

So, I’m not entirely sure what the message is in these videos, but whatever it is, I’m impressed.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3CmXGKXOmk

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1vwKZiDsY4

Read More

Our Candy Man

Hunter set up his first business this weekend. Not long ago he read an article in a magazine about a boy that ran a vending machine business. He thought it sounded like the perfect thing for him, combining his two great loves: selling and candy. Ever since he was very small Hunter has had that entrepreneurial spirit and has come up with many business ideas. Making paper fans, artwork, and lemonade sales are a few he came up with. However, they weren’t all that successful because he mostly sold to us, and there are only so many paper fans a family can buy…

Hunter and I brainstormed ideas for locations to set up a candy machine. A car wash, barber shop, mechanics all seemed like good candidates. Rob suggested that he could ask about putting one in the break room at his work. He asked and they loved the idea. Now Hunter just needed to buy a machine and candy to get going. We found a great looking machine online in his favorite color, green, and ordered it up. But since this is his business, his responsibility, and he will keep the profits, he was required to buy the machine and the candy to get started himself. This was his big obstacle. The candy machine cost $50.00 and Hunter said it would take him forever to save up that much money. So of course I did what any parent would do, I loaned him the money and made him sign a contract promising to pay me back.

I “hired” Rob as my attorney and outlined the conditions I wanted in the contract. He wrote it up with his daddy and lawyerly flair, suppressing all of his natural instincts to fill it with lawyer vocabulary and provisions. Then Rob reviewed it carefully with Hunter and answered all of Hunter’s questions about it. Hunter and I approved the agreement, signed it, and the contract was complete.

When the machine arrived we were all so excited! I took a picture of Hunter to put on the machine and he wrote up a little information about himself so that people would know that they were contributing to his savings account. (70% is required to go into savings, 10% for tithing, and 20% for fun as stipulated by his contract.) Saturday morning the family went to watch him set up the machine. Rob’s secretary happened to be there catching up on some work, and her young son was Hunter’s first customer. We’re all anxious to see if the M&Ms along with his handsome picture will lure these lawyers into spending a few quarters!

Read More

Two New Bloggers

Welcome to the blogging world Erica and Emma!

Erica called me today with some questions about getting a blog going, and now she’s up and running!  (Sorry if I outed you before you were really ready, but I’m so happy!) I know it will just keep getting better and better from here on out.  How can it not, with those cute kids’ faces all over it?

As I was on the phone discussing possible names for the blog, Emma insisted on getting her own too.  So she came up with the name and has already written her first post.  Creative writing has always been a strength of hers, so I look forward to her stories too!

Read More