My melee campaign in the barren wasteland of my kitchen produced yet another victory last night.
Feelings of guilt and gratitude (go figure) inspired me to plan a surprise for my over-worked hubby yesterday. I recall him asking me to bake him a chocolate cake a couple weeks back and me blatantly refusing him. (I was at home already, and baking a cake would mean going out to shop for the ingredients. I was tired, okay. Don’t judge me.)
So, into my little car I hopped after work, I went to get the spawnling, and off to the market we rode, in the crimson twilight. Purchases in hand, I set a course for the kitchen and deigned to cook a meal (oven-bake fish and chips; with a side of gem squash) and bake the envisioned cake.
The kid was comfortable enough on the floor for a while. I had bought her new shoes (pink ones) and she was intently attempting to get her teeth into them, attached to her feet as they were. Regardless, she allowed me to get the food into the oven, and start mixing the batter. All went well. Hubby was home earlier than expected, so he was able to feed the kid when she started wailing for her din-dins.
I’d forgotten to add the baking powder, but the self-raising flour mitigated that oversight. The shop had no caramel, so I substituted condensed milk and cherries for decoration.
Dinner was a success.
I plan to one day have a dining room. There will be table settings, runners, tablecloths, napkins. My hopes and dreams are simple ones. I wonder if I’ll be able to incorporate the colours of my wedding: wine red and gold. Maybe some oranges and browns to bring in those warm tones…
Tonight’s meal remains a mystery.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
home schooling blues
I need a chair for my desk at home.
At this stage it looks like my studies have come to an abrupt halt because I am now fully planned at the office with actual work. What a bummer!
At home, there is the problem of not having a chair for my desk, so I never sit down and study.
When I do scrapbooking, I sit on the floor, because I need a lot of space. We have 2 desks, but no chairs for them. And the sofas are just too low.
As things stand now (ha-ha), until we spend some money (we don’t have) on some decent PC type chairs, I won’t hit the books again. And, that would be a tragedy.
And, no, the patio chairs we borrowed from his parentals are not adequate. Not only are they too hard, they are also too low and restrictive. No amount of pillows can fix this. I need comfort for the academic process to initialise!
In other news, the baby has taken to loudly declaring “babababa” and “dadadada”. She also indulges in yanking hair and jiggling keys – loudly. On hard surfaces for maximum effect. She is cute as a button though.
Today (and yesterday) I have lower epidural area back pain. This started when I carried the kid around at the mall yesterday. I thought my back would break. It’s not her fault that I am weak. But, I’m in some real pain today. It’s not fun. I had similar epidural ache for about 3 to 4 months after I popped the kid. It’s just a little eerie.
As I have mentioned, at work I am engaged in various projects; nothing too harrowing at present. I’m in a comfortable little niche at work. I know the people and their abilities; I know who’s work needs to be triple-checked and who’s doesn’t. Management is nice to me. Even more so ever since I passed my CISA exam – finally!
Financially we are still in the crapper.
I am happy. It doesn’t make for great writing.
At this stage it looks like my studies have come to an abrupt halt because I am now fully planned at the office with actual work. What a bummer!
At home, there is the problem of not having a chair for my desk, so I never sit down and study.
When I do scrapbooking, I sit on the floor, because I need a lot of space. We have 2 desks, but no chairs for them. And the sofas are just too low.
As things stand now (ha-ha), until we spend some money (we don’t have) on some decent PC type chairs, I won’t hit the books again. And, that would be a tragedy.
And, no, the patio chairs we borrowed from his parentals are not adequate. Not only are they too hard, they are also too low and restrictive. No amount of pillows can fix this. I need comfort for the academic process to initialise!
In other news, the baby has taken to loudly declaring “babababa” and “dadadada”. She also indulges in yanking hair and jiggling keys – loudly. On hard surfaces for maximum effect. She is cute as a button though.
Today (and yesterday) I have lower epidural area back pain. This started when I carried the kid around at the mall yesterday. I thought my back would break. It’s not her fault that I am weak. But, I’m in some real pain today. It’s not fun. I had similar epidural ache for about 3 to 4 months after I popped the kid. It’s just a little eerie.
As I have mentioned, at work I am engaged in various projects; nothing too harrowing at present. I’m in a comfortable little niche at work. I know the people and their abilities; I know who’s work needs to be triple-checked and who’s doesn’t. Management is nice to me. Even more so ever since I passed my CISA exam – finally!
Financially we are still in the crapper.
I am happy. It doesn’t make for great writing.
Friday, July 31, 2009
No turning back
Morpheus stole the slumber from my eyes at the wee hours of this morning.
At my request, my cell phone blinked the time at me: 03h30.
I can only hazard a guess at the cause of this disturbance in my sleeping pattern.
Over the past 2 weeks I have been obsessing and pouring over my text books of olde. I have been attempting (and failing) questions. This is all in preparation for the board exam which has successfully evaded me over the past few years.
My dad has agreed to finance me once more – but, repayment has been deferred at this stage, to some unknown future time.
Wealth flows from only inspiration or desperation...
My baby is officially 8 months old, as of 2 days ago. She has a full head of hair, two tiny teeth, and is in the habit of repeating the sounds the hubby and I make, but without meaning. Her little pudgy hands just wanna touch everything. Sometimes she reaches too far, and topples. Like, this morning. Luckily, she doesn’t cry easily or for nothing. She was okay. This morning she smiled at a random lady in a shop. She has always been very friendly, which is very cute.
Crawling still evades her. But, she is getting there. She has been doing push-ups for 2 months, now. She also launches herself at things she wants. She loves that DStv remote. And, cell phones. She just can’t get enough of the taste of electronics, I suppose.
I have 6 months till I write, things are becoming real now. The registration process is underway. R3,000 for the exam. Not good.
Oh, damn you, Accounting, and your trixie ways! Thou baine of mine existence!
At my request, my cell phone blinked the time at me: 03h30.
I can only hazard a guess at the cause of this disturbance in my sleeping pattern.
Over the past 2 weeks I have been obsessing and pouring over my text books of olde. I have been attempting (and failing) questions. This is all in preparation for the board exam which has successfully evaded me over the past few years.
My dad has agreed to finance me once more – but, repayment has been deferred at this stage, to some unknown future time.
Wealth flows from only inspiration or desperation...
My baby is officially 8 months old, as of 2 days ago. She has a full head of hair, two tiny teeth, and is in the habit of repeating the sounds the hubby and I make, but without meaning. Her little pudgy hands just wanna touch everything. Sometimes she reaches too far, and topples. Like, this morning. Luckily, she doesn’t cry easily or for nothing. She was okay. This morning she smiled at a random lady in a shop. She has always been very friendly, which is very cute.
Crawling still evades her. But, she is getting there. She has been doing push-ups for 2 months, now. She also launches herself at things she wants. She loves that DStv remote. And, cell phones. She just can’t get enough of the taste of electronics, I suppose.
I have 6 months till I write, things are becoming real now. The registration process is underway. R3,000 for the exam. Not good.
Oh, damn you, Accounting, and your trixie ways! Thou baine of mine existence!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Plagued by infirmity
My nose insists on leaking. This is a relatively new development. I am running low on tissues. On the upside, the pills my husband gave me to swallow alleviated the annoyance entirely so I could slumber peacefully last night.
It seems the kid infected me with this illness, and I may have infected her right back. She had the same thing last week, it went away, and this morning it made its loathsome reappearance on her innocent face.
Our little family have been sick on and off, and all at once at times, over the past couple of months. The medical aid is exhausted in its entirety. It’s all rather infuriating.
I was sort of hoping the winter would kiss us goodbye. This morning, however, the clingy bastard had us in yet another icy bear hug. My car was once again frozen over, which ensured my tardiness to work this morning.
I’d thought the season had turned. Not yet, it seems.
In the meantime this so-called “swine flu” is sweeping the globe. A bunch of people have died from it, and a bunch of people have been newly infected by it. Well, I don’t have any flu symptoms, so I suppose I’m okay.
I just want it to not be so cold outside anymore. The office is just freezing. I don’t think there is a heater at all. I’m freezing as I type this. This morning, my hands were so cold on the steering wheel of my car, they were burning. My hands were frigid, frozen and some unnatural colour tainted my poor appendages.
The weekend promises to be a pleasantly uneventful one. I plan to spend most of it in bed with a good book. And, if I’m lucky, maybe my family will join me. A girl can hope, can’t she?
It seems the kid infected me with this illness, and I may have infected her right back. She had the same thing last week, it went away, and this morning it made its loathsome reappearance on her innocent face.
Our little family have been sick on and off, and all at once at times, over the past couple of months. The medical aid is exhausted in its entirety. It’s all rather infuriating.
I was sort of hoping the winter would kiss us goodbye. This morning, however, the clingy bastard had us in yet another icy bear hug. My car was once again frozen over, which ensured my tardiness to work this morning.
I’d thought the season had turned. Not yet, it seems.
In the meantime this so-called “swine flu” is sweeping the globe. A bunch of people have died from it, and a bunch of people have been newly infected by it. Well, I don’t have any flu symptoms, so I suppose I’m okay.
I just want it to not be so cold outside anymore. The office is just freezing. I don’t think there is a heater at all. I’m freezing as I type this. This morning, my hands were so cold on the steering wheel of my car, they were burning. My hands were frigid, frozen and some unnatural colour tainted my poor appendages.
The weekend promises to be a pleasantly uneventful one. I plan to spend most of it in bed with a good book. And, if I’m lucky, maybe my family will join me. A girl can hope, can’t she?
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Influx
Just between us, I’m feeling a bit frustrated today.
I think I should have been or must have been a guy in my previous life. I’m less about listening compassionately about other people’s problems, and more about solving them.
That said, I think it’s no secret that the DH (darling husband) and I are in a bit of a financial bind. We have compiled our respective and combined budgets, we have compared figures, and we have come to conclusions. Our cashflow remains negative. And, not a little negative, a lot.
Now, if with every paycheque you get, you become poorer, that’s not an ideal situation. In fact, every month that our expenses exceed our income, means we are that much poorer. This is not sustainable behaviour. At some point, we are going to run out of assets. Our shares are dwindling as is.
It’s rather a bit of a no-brainer that getting the ole budget to balance means either decreasing expenditure, or increasing income.
It has been an uphill battle to find more lucrative jobs in the current economic downturn. (Can you really tell me no one needs someone with a BComm.?? Really???) Not even the government has anything available. I have been to websites and called recruitment agencies. Nothing.
I’m in the process of applying for extra work, part time. I also put the word out at the office (2 months ago) that I’ll take secondment jobs for the claims. It’s gonna suck, but it will be worth it. I have also made a new commitment to myself for passing the board exam next year. Surely, more qualifications will mean more lucrative opportunities.
There needs to be a place in the middle where our wants and dreams meet our financial prowess. I understand that. We want to have another baby soon. We want a bigger house. We want to… well, I want to go to Europe before I’m 30 for a 2 week tour of the museums. We need to be able to pay the mortgage. We need food for the kid and to save for the medical bills associated with a next kid.
The source of my slight irritation is … (I hate to say it) the DH.
Our situation is pretty dire, which he does not fully recognize. He doesn’t want to apply for every possible job, only the ones that interest him. (What, am I an auditor because I find it fascinating? NO.) He delays meetings and doesn’t make appointments. He doesn’t make the calls. He procrastinates. He is not interested in part time work. He doesn’t follow up on part time work.
From his behaviour, am I to assess that the situation is not as dire as the budgets show?
He doesn’t budget conservatively. I can’t go to Europe if saving for Europe is not in the budget. And, I can’t have another kid, if projected crèche costs are not included in the budget. A budget can’t not have some money over for incidental costs.
And, if the situation is thus, that we have to redistribute our expenses between each other, and I therefore have to make more money to make my wants happen, then I want to know. I want honesty.
He wants to move. Has he researched what this involves; the costs in moving? Neither of us has found a job in the big city. And we can’t move if only one of us has a job there. And the point is, we haven’t found anything; neither he nor I. It’s frustrating.
If we are not able to move in the next 2 months (which is the average time it takes to do so, once you’ve got the job), shouldn’t we adjust our spending? There are things we can do to break even. But, we don’t.
Now I look like the hypocrite because I had my hair done last week.
And, don’t tell me not to worry about the finances. Nothing irritates me more. It’s the “let’s just go on like nothing’s wrong” attitude that just grinds me and that gets people into a heap of debt and trouble. I’m financially literate, dammit. This is fixable.
I have a bunch of goals, and I don’t want to have to compromise them because we can’t manage our finances. And, I don’t want to be spending money we can’t afford to, because my expenses are covered, but my husband’s aren’t.
Yeah, you heard me. My expenses are covered. I’m getting extra work because WE aren’t breaking even. I suggested a redistribution of expenses, but was told not to worry. I don’t agree with this sort of leadership, if it can be called that at all.
He really wants to move, though. *sigh*
I think I should have been or must have been a guy in my previous life. I’m less about listening compassionately about other people’s problems, and more about solving them.
That said, I think it’s no secret that the DH (darling husband) and I are in a bit of a financial bind. We have compiled our respective and combined budgets, we have compared figures, and we have come to conclusions. Our cashflow remains negative. And, not a little negative, a lot.
Now, if with every paycheque you get, you become poorer, that’s not an ideal situation. In fact, every month that our expenses exceed our income, means we are that much poorer. This is not sustainable behaviour. At some point, we are going to run out of assets. Our shares are dwindling as is.
It’s rather a bit of a no-brainer that getting the ole budget to balance means either decreasing expenditure, or increasing income.
It has been an uphill battle to find more lucrative jobs in the current economic downturn. (Can you really tell me no one needs someone with a BComm.?? Really???) Not even the government has anything available. I have been to websites and called recruitment agencies. Nothing.
I’m in the process of applying for extra work, part time. I also put the word out at the office (2 months ago) that I’ll take secondment jobs for the claims. It’s gonna suck, but it will be worth it. I have also made a new commitment to myself for passing the board exam next year. Surely, more qualifications will mean more lucrative opportunities.
There needs to be a place in the middle where our wants and dreams meet our financial prowess. I understand that. We want to have another baby soon. We want a bigger house. We want to… well, I want to go to Europe before I’m 30 for a 2 week tour of the museums. We need to be able to pay the mortgage. We need food for the kid and to save for the medical bills associated with a next kid.
The source of my slight irritation is … (I hate to say it) the DH.
Our situation is pretty dire, which he does not fully recognize. He doesn’t want to apply for every possible job, only the ones that interest him. (What, am I an auditor because I find it fascinating? NO.) He delays meetings and doesn’t make appointments. He doesn’t make the calls. He procrastinates. He is not interested in part time work. He doesn’t follow up on part time work.
From his behaviour, am I to assess that the situation is not as dire as the budgets show?
He doesn’t budget conservatively. I can’t go to Europe if saving for Europe is not in the budget. And, I can’t have another kid, if projected crèche costs are not included in the budget. A budget can’t not have some money over for incidental costs.
And, if the situation is thus, that we have to redistribute our expenses between each other, and I therefore have to make more money to make my wants happen, then I want to know. I want honesty.
He wants to move. Has he researched what this involves; the costs in moving? Neither of us has found a job in the big city. And we can’t move if only one of us has a job there. And the point is, we haven’t found anything; neither he nor I. It’s frustrating.
If we are not able to move in the next 2 months (which is the average time it takes to do so, once you’ve got the job), shouldn’t we adjust our spending? There are things we can do to break even. But, we don’t.
Now I look like the hypocrite because I had my hair done last week.
And, don’t tell me not to worry about the finances. Nothing irritates me more. It’s the “let’s just go on like nothing’s wrong” attitude that just grinds me and that gets people into a heap of debt and trouble. I’m financially literate, dammit. This is fixable.
I have a bunch of goals, and I don’t want to have to compromise them because we can’t manage our finances. And, I don’t want to be spending money we can’t afford to, because my expenses are covered, but my husband’s aren’t.
Yeah, you heard me. My expenses are covered. I’m getting extra work because WE aren’t breaking even. I suggested a redistribution of expenses, but was told not to worry. I don’t agree with this sort of leadership, if it can be called that at all.
He really wants to move, though. *sigh*
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
The throes of academic pursuit
And so, my fellow bloggers, thus began the arduous journey of my ascent to the next level of mad auditor skillz.
To what am I referring?
Well, as you may or may not know, I (still) have ne’er but the board exam standing between me and academic, nay financial freedom.
The catalyst was of course when I was informed that I would be on away audit for 3 months. This, as it presents itself, is the perfect opportunity for me to “get my learn on”. The responsibilities at home are far too numerous and exhausting to enable a learning environment.
In any case, I did some planning last week, and now, I am studying towards Board One.
It’s a slow process. When I try to do practical questions, I feel so moronic that I must refer back to the theory. When I study only theory, I get so bored, I feel that I must do some questions to drive home the principles. What a conundrum!
Regardless, my new motto is to “Just Keep Going”. Therein lies the secret of success, I think. In previous years I may have given up too soon. This is the year I plan to correct my prior erroneous behaviour.
Also, this is the final curtain call. I will sacrifice and give it my all. For, after this ride on the merry-go-round, there will be no more.
Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers. This is not an easy course in the least.
To what am I referring?
Well, as you may or may not know, I (still) have ne’er but the board exam standing between me and academic, nay financial freedom.
The catalyst was of course when I was informed that I would be on away audit for 3 months. This, as it presents itself, is the perfect opportunity for me to “get my learn on”. The responsibilities at home are far too numerous and exhausting to enable a learning environment.
In any case, I did some planning last week, and now, I am studying towards Board One.
It’s a slow process. When I try to do practical questions, I feel so moronic that I must refer back to the theory. When I study only theory, I get so bored, I feel that I must do some questions to drive home the principles. What a conundrum!
Regardless, my new motto is to “Just Keep Going”. Therein lies the secret of success, I think. In previous years I may have given up too soon. This is the year I plan to correct my prior erroneous behaviour.
Also, this is the final curtain call. I will sacrifice and give it my all. For, after this ride on the merry-go-round, there will be no more.
Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers. This is not an easy course in the least.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Introspection
The studying process officially commenced yesterday.
And, already I am questioning my sanity.
The bain of my existence, nay, my achilles' heel is Financial Accounting. And, it is this heathen monster I will attempt to tame, or at least house-break, over the next 3 months.
Somehow and somewhere in my hectic schedule, I need to find time for gym as well. My ample gluteus maximus is more maximus than gluteus, if you know what I mean. So, I don't know, but I think the best solution will be to fetch the baby, then go to gym, taking her with me.
As clingy as I am, I suppose if I see my husband an hour later every day, it won't kill me. At least, that's what I'm hoping. I notice how we have started going to sleep later and later every day. There is much to do in a household, you know. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, baby washing and packing for, bed making, ad nauseum.
My parents suggested that they could take the baby for a week at a time during the exam time. Although our first instinct is to yell "Hell no!", this idea has merit. So, we are considering this solution. Both myself and the hubby have exams to study for, and we both write in January of next year. It's gonna be rough.
We have divided the days of the week and the chores that go with it. Will see how this unfolds. So far so good. I just don't think it is a sustainable plan.
I'm just tired of the subject matter, I really am.
But, my dad made me an offer I can't refuse: a 2 week trip to Europe for my whole family on completion of the chartered accountant qualification. (Point 9 and 10 of "Things I wanna do before oblivion strikes" refer. See sidebar)
That's my motivation and I'm sticking to it.
And, already I am questioning my sanity.
The bain of my existence, nay, my achilles' heel is Financial Accounting. And, it is this heathen monster I will attempt to tame, or at least house-break, over the next 3 months.
Somehow and somewhere in my hectic schedule, I need to find time for gym as well. My ample gluteus maximus is more maximus than gluteus, if you know what I mean. So, I don't know, but I think the best solution will be to fetch the baby, then go to gym, taking her with me.
As clingy as I am, I suppose if I see my husband an hour later every day, it won't kill me. At least, that's what I'm hoping. I notice how we have started going to sleep later and later every day. There is much to do in a household, you know. Dishes, laundry, cleaning, baby washing and packing for, bed making, ad nauseum.
My parents suggested that they could take the baby for a week at a time during the exam time. Although our first instinct is to yell "Hell no!", this idea has merit. So, we are considering this solution. Both myself and the hubby have exams to study for, and we both write in January of next year. It's gonna be rough.
We have divided the days of the week and the chores that go with it. Will see how this unfolds. So far so good. I just don't think it is a sustainable plan.
I'm just tired of the subject matter, I really am.
But, my dad made me an offer I can't refuse: a 2 week trip to Europe for my whole family on completion of the chartered accountant qualification. (Point 9 and 10 of "Things I wanna do before oblivion strikes" refer. See sidebar)
That's my motivation and I'm sticking to it.
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