Maui...It is beautiful here. And expensive. But if you know me, you will also know that there has to be some bargain angle on this or I probably wouldn't be here.
The angle is I inherited two weeks of Timeshare from my parents and can't get rid of them. I have tried, unsuccessfully. Gave the guy at the one of many Marriott kiosks promising free dinner, golf, boat rides or a variety of other expensive tempting fleeting vacation non-essentials I once fell for as bait to listen to their (strings attached) spiels...
So we debated.
He lured me in. I demured, telling him my husband wasn't arriving till Sunday and would not sit through another presentation. (They don't give the incentive unless both husband and wife attend).
He pushed; found out I was an owner and said, "Well, you must have recognized the incredible value you have" if you are an owner.
I told him not really, I inherited them from my parents and viewed them more as financial albatrosses that felt more like nooses.
I am certain he was glad no other prospective victims were close by, I would have ruined his numbers for the day...
We bantered back and forth and I said the best I could do was hope to break even financially with what the maintenance fees were (atrocious) and that I am thinking about giving them away.
He squirmed.
We continued for awhile and amicably bantered back and forth basically agreeing to disagree about the value of timeshare.
Granted, I am in Maui, and it is beautiful, but this is still not an inexpensive vacation which always makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. How could this money be better put to use? We live well and have other opportunities to vacation and create family memories.
But the girls did really want to come and if we were "paying for a hotel" (as if we didn't with the maintenance fees...) we will enjoy, but try to do so with some financial restraint.
Hard to do when we are staying at an Ocean Front Marriott.
BUT...we are off to a start...we brought our own snorkeling gear, and because I have a United Explorer Card managed to get the large (2) bags checked for free.
Bing. $50 savings. (that will be multiplied by two, based on round trip travel....) I told the girls they were required, as was I to travel with only carry-ons. No elaborate outfits necessary, because no elaborate events will be attended.
Even though we don't have a full kitchen (microwave and small fridge but full size dishwasher, still haven't figured that one out...) there are gorgeous gas grills scattered around the property, so Matt will be our willing chef.
We are not paying for the convenience of valet parking, the trek to the parking garage may work off a couple of mai tai's...
So there are ways to create memories without spending a fortune.
Which isn't to say we won't indulge in unique opportunities, we will, but will do so prudently, remembering that money can't really buy happiness.
Now, to apply some sunscreen, wiggle my toes in the sand and grab a soda from the fridge.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Interruptions and Invitations
Not sure how yesterday came and went...oh yes, I was open to interruption in my day and well, that is usually a request that God honors. My life seems to consistently be built on rabbit trails...
So my day started out without the typical drama that having two teenage daughters living under the same roof will bring, so that was a blessing in itself...but then I noticed three missed calls starting at 5:08 am. This generally doesn't mean good news if it starts that early, but I didn't recognize the phone number. And my phone was dead so I couldn't even check to see if there was a voice mail.
By the time I got home it was charged sufficiently to check the messages to learn that a young lady I have walked alongside (and did an intervention with) was coming through town and wanted to stop by. I have been wanting to give her a hug in person anyway, so that was great.
Her arrival time coincided exactly with when I was getting my mom up (caregiver had much deserved day off) and as usual I ended up doing two things at the same time.
Well, poor Amy has ridiculous skin that was all broken out and RED so that meant we HAD to go to the dermatologist. I happen to know one (my husband) who was able to prescribe her some good cream that the pharmacy had said they would fill to match WalMart's price, but somehow that didn't get conveyed and so we put it on hold (health care $$ ridiculous).
In the meantime she needed to arrange to be picked up, borrowed my cell phone, my house phones are completely dead (mystery illness) and I totally missed a radio interview for my book, UnDoing Church, Discovering Faith.
This is not good.
I didn't realize it until about two hours after the fact and went into a panic and immediately acknowledged it to Don, the publicist who set it up...His comment was one of encouragement and gratitude that I took responsibility for my mess up. Hello? I totally messed up, how could I possibly not acknowledge that?
But we do that, don't we? Try to squirm our way out of things that are definitely our fault and pin the blame on someone else.
Amy needed a friend yesterday. And I was that friend. It wasn't and intrusion, the interruption was an invitation.
It's a risky request to ask for interruptions. But they generally are invitations to serve...I feel terrible that I messed up my responsibility to the radio station...My daughter sagely asked if it was live...I don't know, but I hope not. Like I said, it wasn't good...but there was an opportunity to share the Gospel differently...
Where is God inviting you today?
So my day started out without the typical drama that having two teenage daughters living under the same roof will bring, so that was a blessing in itself...but then I noticed three missed calls starting at 5:08 am. This generally doesn't mean good news if it starts that early, but I didn't recognize the phone number. And my phone was dead so I couldn't even check to see if there was a voice mail.
By the time I got home it was charged sufficiently to check the messages to learn that a young lady I have walked alongside (and did an intervention with) was coming through town and wanted to stop by. I have been wanting to give her a hug in person anyway, so that was great.
Her arrival time coincided exactly with when I was getting my mom up (caregiver had much deserved day off) and as usual I ended up doing two things at the same time.
Well, poor Amy has ridiculous skin that was all broken out and RED so that meant we HAD to go to the dermatologist. I happen to know one (my husband) who was able to prescribe her some good cream that the pharmacy had said they would fill to match WalMart's price, but somehow that didn't get conveyed and so we put it on hold (health care $$ ridiculous).
In the meantime she needed to arrange to be picked up, borrowed my cell phone, my house phones are completely dead (mystery illness) and I totally missed a radio interview for my book, UnDoing Church, Discovering Faith.
This is not good.
I didn't realize it until about two hours after the fact and went into a panic and immediately acknowledged it to Don, the publicist who set it up...His comment was one of encouragement and gratitude that I took responsibility for my mess up. Hello? I totally messed up, how could I possibly not acknowledge that?
But we do that, don't we? Try to squirm our way out of things that are definitely our fault and pin the blame on someone else.
Amy needed a friend yesterday. And I was that friend. It wasn't and intrusion, the interruption was an invitation.
It's a risky request to ask for interruptions. But they generally are invitations to serve...I feel terrible that I messed up my responsibility to the radio station...My daughter sagely asked if it was live...I don't know, but I hope not. Like I said, it wasn't good...but there was an opportunity to share the Gospel differently...
Where is God inviting you today?
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Welcome! Writing and Community
Welcome to the home of PUB Church, a community of Prayer, Understanding and Belonging...It has been a long time since I have written; except for what I write in school which has actually been the catalyst for starting to blog again.
Last fall I enrolled at George Fox University's Seminary and have decided to pursue an MDiv. I started out tentatively deciding to enroll in the Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership Program, but being petrified of taking Greek and Hebrew is an absolute cop out to not pursue the MDiv. Anyway, I really want to study with Leonard Sweet in their Doctoral Program, so MDiv it is, even if Greek and Hebrew are equivalent in my mind to Calculus and Statistics. I'm not so young anymore and my memory not quite as good as it used to be, but the learning environment is affirming and stimulating and inviting me into a greater friendship with Jesus, which unfortunately isn't the focus of many institutional churches. I must say I have been fortunate that in the two churches I have worshiped with, Jesus has been the center, but I know it is not like that everywhere.
Anyway, then there is the issue of us people; we tend to hurt and wound each other, and the church people are no exception. Early experiences taught me quickly that despite the church proclaiming to be a place of healing, that often wasn't the case.
Thus my ramblings and musings on what a healing community of Christ followers might be...and since the Church is really the people (followers of Jesus) and not the building, a community where people can come together to Pray, Understand and Belong became my dream.
I dream of gathering with those who know, don't yet know, or have given up on church or even Jesus...
I dream of gathering in places people go to gather, hang out and enjoy food and drink, and not just coffee, but a beer or glass of wine as well.
I dream of gathering in a Pub and in a Coffee Shop.
I dream of others joining me with their thoughts and dreams...we can agree to disagree, we can wrestle with questions, seek answers, and support each other in community where all are welcome to the conversation.
Please join me!
Last fall I enrolled at George Fox University's Seminary and have decided to pursue an MDiv. I started out tentatively deciding to enroll in the Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership Program, but being petrified of taking Greek and Hebrew is an absolute cop out to not pursue the MDiv. Anyway, I really want to study with Leonard Sweet in their Doctoral Program, so MDiv it is, even if Greek and Hebrew are equivalent in my mind to Calculus and Statistics. I'm not so young anymore and my memory not quite as good as it used to be, but the learning environment is affirming and stimulating and inviting me into a greater friendship with Jesus, which unfortunately isn't the focus of many institutional churches. I must say I have been fortunate that in the two churches I have worshiped with, Jesus has been the center, but I know it is not like that everywhere.
Anyway, then there is the issue of us people; we tend to hurt and wound each other, and the church people are no exception. Early experiences taught me quickly that despite the church proclaiming to be a place of healing, that often wasn't the case.
Thus my ramblings and musings on what a healing community of Christ followers might be...and since the Church is really the people (followers of Jesus) and not the building, a community where people can come together to Pray, Understand and Belong became my dream.
I dream of gathering with those who know, don't yet know, or have given up on church or even Jesus...
I dream of gathering in places people go to gather, hang out and enjoy food and drink, and not just coffee, but a beer or glass of wine as well.
I dream of gathering in a Pub and in a Coffee Shop.
I dream of others joining me with their thoughts and dreams...we can agree to disagree, we can wrestle with questions, seek answers, and support each other in community where all are welcome to the conversation.
Please join me!
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