Archive for the ‘Relationships’ Category

Compromise in Relationships


11 Feb

This thread started out as a continuation of last week’s discussion on how couples manage their money. The poster talks about the fact that she and her boyfriend have lived together for three years and never had the “money” talk, until now. And it turns out they’re on different pages but need to get on the same one soon because she’s pregnant.

This thread has devolved, as YM threads are wont to do. But I think the end message is an important one- in a relationship, know what you’re willing to compromise on and what your not, financially or otherwise.

Couples and their Money


04 Feb

We’re discussing a 5 part series on Slate about how couples manage their finances. Do they combine all their money, just some of it, or none of it?

We’re common potters, in the author’s terms. It is what works best for us, but I don’t believe that is the only way for people to manage their finances. Much like everyone’s marriage is different, how they manage their money as a couple (or as individuals) is a decision best left up to them. There is no right way, there isn’t even a “grown up” way, other than not constantly bouncing checks.

Networking


01 Feb

I am bad at networking. I should rephrase; I am bad at work networking. Networking with people who have similar interests to me is easy. Networking with people where the one thing we have in common is the company we work for, much harder.

Today I am at an all day leadership conference. The first hour is dedicated to networking. It’s not that I don’t know anyone; I know quite a few of our leaders because of my former role as an admin to an executive director. It’s more that I have no idea how to relate to these people.

 

Dear 100 Words On…


25 Jan

Confession: I am addicted to advice columns. Dear Prudie, Margo, Miss Manners, Travel Troubleshooter, it doesn’t matter, I love them. I’ve never been a big fan of the daytime talk show, but I love reading about the train wrecks.

And now with internet columns, you can give your own advice, as well, in the comments section. So if you disagree with the maven, or just want to add your two cents, you can, though I generally don’t.

This may feed my love of the money boards. It’s like an advice column, only, people are actually asking for the group’s advice.

Calculus Tutor Needed


24 Jan

My husband is back in school and taking a combination calculus and physics course. I like math. I started undergrad as a secondary ed/math major. I took calculus in high school and calc II twice in college, getting a D in it the second time. At that point, I decided that math wasn’t the major for me.

And now, ten plus (and it’s not an insignificant plus) years later, I’m trying to remember it to help my husband with his homework. It’s frustrating because things look familiar, but I can’t remember how to get from point A to point B.

 

Giving Gifts


26 Dec

You know the old saying, its better to give than to receive? As a kid, I didn’t buy it. I loved getting presents. There was nothing better. As an adult, though, I love to give much more than I like to receive. In fact, I have a really hard time waiting to give people gifts. If I’ve found the perfect item, I want them to have it, now. Seeing the look of surprise and joy on the other person’s face is the best gift.

Of course, there is also anxiety. What if they don’t like it? But its mild anxiety.

Christmas Morning


25 Dec

On Christmas morning, my brother and I weren’t allowed out of our rooms until 7am. For years, my brother would come down the hall and get me. Together we would go into the living room to see what goodies Santa had brought. It was always a cornucopia of wonderful items, which we would then, one by one, rush back to our parents to show them- hence the 7am rule.

When we were older, I would wake my brother, but we still always went out together. It was what I missed the most the first year we didn’t spend Christmas together.

Christmas Traditions


24 Dec

My favorite tradition from when I was a child, was that on Christmas Eve, my brother and I each got to pick one present to open. We waited until after dinner, and weren’t allowed to pick “the big” present, but we always had (more than) enough to choose from.

I do remember one year when we opened our presents in the afternoon, and my brother didn’t get a choice. He opened a rifle from our grandparents, and then we went out and shot it. He wasn’t allowed to shoot it again until the barrel no longer came past his waist.

35!


21 Dec

Today is my birthday, my 35th birthday. It is also my grandparents’ 65th wedding anniversary. That’s a milestone I look forward to reaching. But for now, I am happy with where I am.

I have a husband I love, 2 dogs who bring joy to me every day, a job I like, a house that is our home, and an amazing and diverse group of friends.

I am lucky enough that I will get to spend time in the presence of those friends this evening, at my favorite restaurant. Mango curry and good conversation- what more could a girl want.

On Being a Feminist (7)


12 Dec

I am one of the lucky ones. Let me be very clear on this. I have wonderful, supportive parents and family, who are proud of my accomplishments, who would have been proud of me not matter what.

I have an amazing husband who has known from the beginning that I would be the primary earner, and does not feel threatened by it. (And does his share of the housework.)

I work in a field where women are prevalent in executive positions.

But just because I haven’t felt discriminated against doesn’t give me the luxury of pretending the problem doesn’t exist.

100 Words On

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