New Year’s Eve December 31, 2010

Istiqlál (Independence), 1 Sharaf (Honor), 167 BE – Friday, December 31, 2010 about 1:58 PM Pacific Time

It’s Friday, December 31, the last day of 2010. Tomorrow a new Gregorian year begins. Tonight at midnight, fireworks will celebrate the birth of a New Year. A New Year is a new beginning.

A New Year is full of potential. A New Year is full of promise. A New Year is full of hope. A New Year is a time to make changes. A New Year is a time to move things in the house.

"If you want to change your life, move 27 things in your home."

Author Unknown

One of the items I am moving is my dining room table. In 2007, when my mother got out of the hospital I moved my dining room table into the living room and it is still in my living room. In 2011, I am moving my dining room table back into the dining room. After I move the table, then I will decide on 26 more items to move.

I hope to complete moving all the items by March 21, 2011. However, moving items from one room to another or from one wall to another takes thought. It may take longer then three months to move everything. It may not take three months when I decided on the other items.

Two weeks left in 2010

Jamál (Beauty), 8 Masá’il (Questions), 167 BE – Saturday, December 18, 2010 about 6:28 PM Pacific Time

Two weeks left in 2010. I know they will be two busy weeks because I have laundry and a dozen other things to do before December 31. Tomorrow we’re going to do three baskets of laundry. I have to go to the laundromat, so three baskets are all I can handle and take Mom with me. Mom enjoys folding the dry cloths.

In addition to laundry, I have to clean off my hard drive. Once I’ve cleaned it off then I think I’ll have to uninstall some programs. I uninstalled one today, so my computer may be running a little better; it’s been extremely slow lately.

The End is near

‘Idál (Justice), 4 Masá’il (Questions), 167 BE – Wednesday, December 15, 2010 about 11:20 AM Pacific Time

The end is near, at least the end of the year. As 2010 draws to a close, I am looking at what I need to get out of debt, which is a depressing subject in these economic conditions. I want to set a realistic goal, but at this point, I’m not sure what that would be. I would like to have all my debts paid by the end of 2011; however, I’m not sure that is realistic.

The first step is to get all my mother’s debts and all mine together. The second step is to put the debts into a spreadsheet and compare them with our income (a frightening thought). The third step is figure out a payment schedule (another frightening thought). I have to do this and I can’t let fear’s little demons stop me.

I’ve just thought of a fourth step and fifth step. The fourth step is to list ways we can save money. While the fifth step concerns finding was to make more money. I’ve listed all the steps necessary to achieve this goal. Now I need to set up a spreadsheet and, since I already have 2011 budget books set up I can add another spreadsheet those books.

Saving Money at the end and beginning of the year

Jalál (Glory), 16 Asmá’ (Names), 167 BE – Saturday, September 4, 2010 about 10:18 AM Pacific Time

I sent for my first free 2011 calendar last night. The subject is Women's Health and it will take 4 to 6 weeks for the calendar to arrive. Free calendar offers always indicate the end of a year. Free calendars are a good way to save money. Instead, of buying a calender in the store, I send for calendars that interest me.

Calendars cost any where from $0.99 to $5:00, sometimes more, so a free calendar helps the beginning and end of the year budget. I buy calendars as gifts, but I don't buy them for myself anymore. The money I save by sending for free calendars goes to buy gas, food, or as a donation. Many people don't realize how much they can save simply by getting a couple of free calendars.

It's wise to look at your needs when sending for free calendars. I put a calendar above my desk, by the door in the living room, beside the telephone, and in my writing planner. I know I will probably receive four calendars from local business, so I need to have one more calendar. I may need another calendar for the dining room and the entrance hall. I will decide before the end of September if I'm going to put calendars in those locations in 2011.