Falling into Fall

Monday night. It's chilly. Dawson has been in bed for almost an hour. He was so tired this morning. We both were. It's 8pm and I'm yawning. I'm ready for bed already. It's been a busy couple of months since my last post. We took a vacation to Buffalo to see Dave, Isaac, Grandma and the Oates Family. We had a great time. I'm really looking forward to getting back. It really does seem like home. Every since I first with to Buffalo in 1996, I didn't want to leave. When I left in 2005, I sacrificed what I wanted at the moment for what I wanted in the long run. Of course hind sight is always pure, clear vision. I regret many things, but I don't think I'd have learned and experienced the things I have come to appreciate if I hadn't gone through the experiences that I have. It all seems to work out at some point. I'm still figuring out as I go along - but life becomes clearer with each passing moment.

In August, I submitted my worst money habit to the Dave Ramsey Show. I was selected to talk with Dave Ramsey on his show! It was a defining moment. He enlightened me that my decisions (particularly money) are made from fear. He is right. You'd think I'd fear spending money and not saving diligently - but I don't. He was kind enough to offer his FPU Class (Financial Peace University) to me at no cost. I was elated. I have been going for 3 weeks now and have learned so much. I'm working through old habits, slowly making changes, but have been much more conscience of each decision. Even the quick stops for dinner on the way home because we are tired and hungry. Each time we pass on stopping it's one step in the right direction. It's a great feeling.

I have also been working on a new opportunity at work to outsource myself to do planning for other advisors. I have been making great progress and almost at the point to accept new assignments. I have a meeting this week to discuss the opportunity with an advisor in particular and I'm looking forward to the feedback. So far, from the mentors I've discussed and worked with - I'm onto a great opportunity. I am looking forward to growing my business to eventually not have a full-time 8 to 5 job, but a lucrative paying job, be my own boss, and live life!

It's exciting. Lots of great things heading our direction!

That's my update. Off to bed to get some needed sleep. I have been dreaming lately and I don't think it's letting me get restful sleep! :)

~Sandy

Summer is almost over

There seems to be a sadness that it's August and Summer is almost over. Feels like it just got started. We had a late winter and to have school starting in a couple of weeks in boggling where the time goes. I look back and can't believe we've been here almost two years already. On the contrary, I wake up in the morning facing another day at work and it drags on and on. It's a joke between us that the clock stops at 8:00am. We bid out for the latest lunch possible just to make the afternoon go by. I'm not ready for summer to end. Dawson is growing much too fast and this time next year will be in Kindergarten. I already feel unprepared.

My friend Holly took summer pictures for us the other day. I love them! It depicts our summer so well. The fields of Idaho amidst the wheat. It will always capture the time we spent here when Dawson is older and we look back.

As I continue to contemplate our future, I've been doing a lot of reading lately. Shannon loaned me a book called "Execution, the art of getting things done". How appropriate is that. It's an excellent book. I often times find myself wanting to do something, have the initiative and will to do it, but to execute is a totally different story. And not only to execute, but execute well. I'm looking forward to finishing it.

I got a quote today: The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want now by Zig Ziglar. This is SO my life. A defining moment when every decision made over the past 3 to 4 years has fit into this very simple phrase. Our family grew up in the moment, I admit. A seeing my parents die at such an early age - they almost did it right. Enjoyed every single minute, then poof - you are gone. 59 is much to young to die and I don't want to die that young, but there is argument to be made for living in the moment. I live by that philosophy, yet was recently called out on NOT living in the moment and looking ahead with anxiety too often. Almost chronically. It made me think and reflect on many things in my life.

The simple matter is this - the same philosophy I educate clients on and have the desire to live by - what legacy do you want to leave? Something to think about as the summer comes to a close and "play" time is suppose to be done.