John: Browse The Strips

Monday, September 13, 2010

Lynn's Comments: Balancing my checkbook was and still is one of my least favorite things to do. My daughter will chase down a discrepancy to the penny. I'm happy if my cheques don't bounce. When I worked for my dad in the jewelry store, I was fine with clients, cleaning and window displays, but I was kept away from the till. My guess is- that even with today's electronic calculators I would still find ways to make mistakes!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Lynn's Comments: For many years, my dear father in law looked after our book keeping. He was thorough and dedicated and would have given me a hand with my finances...I just never asked him to- preferring to say "close enough" when I had to come up with a balance!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Lynn's Comments: In fact, my system, such as it was, worked for me. I was always in the black because I kept a slush fund- ready to transfer into my wavering account whenever it was getting close to the line. The encouraging thing about my method of keeping track of my accounts is- I know I'm far from being the only hit and Mrs. Style of manager!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Lynn's Comments: The subject of money was not so sensitive to me as it was to a friend who felt she had to ask for handouts. I had a full time job, but she "earned" her income by working at home and the amount she spent was severely regulated by her husband who "gifted" her with clothing allowances and money for incidentals. I used her situation from time to time when money was an issue and Elly Patterson felt guilty for not "working".

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Lynn's Comments: As a kid, I thought being grown up would be the best thing ever. I thought about the freedom I'd have ... and now that I've experienced many years of freedom... I wonder why I didn't enjoy more those years when somebody ELSE did all the work and all the worrying!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Lynn's Comments: My husband grew up enjoying warm back rubs as he went to sleep. When, for some reason, his mom could not, he would bribe his sister to rub his back and so it went. When we were first married, I continued the practice...but then...as life became more stressful the bedtime back rub disappeared. This was not a good thing. I was reminded from time to time that something was missing- and it was. My advice, then to other newly connected and consenting adults is: If you can't keep something up forever and ever and ever........don't start in the first place.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Lynn's Comments: Back to school always meant "back to bed" as the kids bumbled home with everything from flu to pink eye. Mine had to be certifiably sick before I'd let them skip school...none of the "thermometer under the hot water bottle" stuff... I wanted proof. Proof of a certified illness usually came in the form of a shared experience, as we all came down with whatever was going 'round. "The family that's sick together sticks together" and we did...under quarantine.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Lynn's Comments: Negotiating for added income with my dad always involved chores. He rarely gave us extra for breathing...there was always a lecture about earning; about effort and reward. My brother and I sighed, rolled our eyes and thought he was mean for denying us a free ride. We grumbled through the assigned chores, watched the clock and thought of Cinderella and other storybook orphans forced to work under the cruel gaze of a merciless supervisor. When we finally received the money, however, there was a real sense of accomplishment in having EARNED it. Perhaps that's one of the reasons we have both been hard and reliable workers.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Lynn's Comments: More than once I said this to my parents. My mom was especially miffed because if she'd had a choice in the matter, she'd have definitely raised someone other than me. It was a subject I often pondered as I looked at the ceiling in my room wondering how I got to be where I was, in this form at this time in history. I remember thinking about other parents and if I could change mine for someone else's- who would I choose. After examining the families of friends, I almost always came back to the parents I had....even though they frustrated me no end with curfews, rules and restrictions.