Sunday, March 28, 2010

Woo Hoo - They gave me some of my own money back!

Well the days of getting a really HUGE tax refund (like I did last year) are over now that my wee little girl is 19. How is it that she is no longer a dependent?? She still lives at home, still goes to school, still works part-time, still drives my car, eats all my food even the stuff I hide, I still give her money every week towards tuition and still provide her with shelter, heat, electricity, cell phone and endless loads of laundry.



I still queasily pluck her long hair out of the bathtub drain, clean the sink each time she drops her mascara brush into it, wash same mascara out of the white hand towels she uses to wipe it off her face, collect dirty dishes from under her bed, repair her computer and buy her easter eggs!



The only thing that has changed is her age. And hey, it's only a number, right?? You're only as old as you feel? Well, I feel that's she's still only 13!



But I guess I shouldn't complain cause nobody likes a whiner. And I did get enough of my own money back (withOUT interest I might add) to pay for my yearly lot rental at my trailer park near Bayfield ($1686.00), and paid off my PC Mastercard ($81.76) and my Scotia Bank Visa ($730.00). I had about $60 bucks left and that was just enough to cover my small overdraft in my bank account.



So, I guess I got just the RIGHT amount. Enough. Now my only debt is my line of credit which is being reduced weekly by $205 (recently increased from $185 weekly) which will eliminate it in just over 4 years time. Can you say RETIREMENT Billy?



It's good to have just enough - not too little and not too much. If we could all have just enough then everyone (and I mean everyone) would be taken care of.



And that's what really counts!

On the road: Bangladesh - Episode 1: Rain and Rice

The World Food Program at work in Bangladesh due to two rice crop failures in a row: one due to drought and the other, ironically, due to too much rain.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Haiti

Each month I give $100.00 or more to charity. I don't have one charity that I support - I wait and see what happens during each month and something always captures my attention and my heart. For the past three months it has been Haiti.



I can't get that country and the people out of my mind even though news about Haiti has gradually left the front page of newspapers and migrated to the back page and then disappeared altogether. New disasters have taken its place but we can't forget Haiti, or at least I can't.



That's why when I heard that Canadian (Somali born) world music and rap artist K'naan had rewritten his hit song "Wavin' Flag" and gathered Canadian musicians (from Tom Cochrane to Justin Bieber) together to record it (all proceeds from buying the song or video on iTunes going directly to aid Haiti) I knew that I wanted to join the movement. It is a truly moving song - I have listened to it over and over and get shivers down my spine every time.



Already the song has reached the #1 spot on iTunes and the video is in second place (maybe first by now) and is reaching people all over the world. They have a facebook group "Young Artists for Haiti" and are also taking donations to support three charities: Free the Children, War Child Canada and World Vision.



So I found a place for my money this month and I bought the song, the video and joined the Facebook group. Have a listen to the song and watch the video - it may move you to give as well.

Young Artists For Haiti - Wavin' Flag

Canadian artists have banded together to create a lasting presence in Haiti. This song, originally by K'naan, can be bought at itunes for $1.29 or the video for $2.29 - please buy it and support those in Haiti who will need our help for years to come.

Saturday, March 6, 2010