How Much is too Much?

It's not always easy being "the successful one" in the family. Time was, my oldest sister and her husband were the "go to" people when it came to money. Not any more. For several years now, that moniker has fallen on me. I don't want it to sound like my family is a bunch of moochers - they're not. And I don't want to sound like I begrudge helping/giving - I don't (no, really, I don't); if I have it and you need it, I'll give it.

Note that I did not say "lend" - I don't "lend" money. I learned that lesson a long time ago. You see, if you "lend", that implies that you expect to get it back. What's wrong with that, you ask? Nothing, per se. But what happens if you never get it back? Most people would get angry, then resentful, then bitter. Bitterness is a terrible curse (yes, curse) - I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I've seen the damage bitterness can cause.

No, it's better to follow the advice in the Bible - if you give, give without expecting re-payment - count it "lost". That means that you do not go around reminding people that you 'gave' them anything. You don't hold it over their head. You don't go around telling other people that you once 'gave' so-and-so some money and you've never seen it again. Once it leave your hand, just forget that you ever had it. Trust me, life is a lot more enjoyable that way.

But how much is too much? I don't mind giving, but am I supposed to put myself in debt to help out others, especially when it's family? Honestly, I don't know.

Most of us will do a lot more for family, than we would anyone else. And so it should be. But there are limits, even with family. And I think I have reached that limit. I must draw a line - "this far, and no farther".

I do find it funny, though. It seems I just get my creditline paid down under $10,000, when someone else has a crisis. It's happened the last four times or so. I can't help but laugh.

Maybe God is trying to tell me something? Exactly what that would be, though, I do not know.

Random Thoughts

Have you ever just started writing, not knowing what you're actually writing about? I have. In fact, this post is a bunch of random thoughts (hence, the title - DUH!). I just started typing and whatever pops-into my little ol' cranium (ok, ok - it's not so little) is what comes out here. If you've not done this excercise before, you should. But be warned - you never know what's going to come out, or where your thoughts will lead you. So if you're posting, make sure what you've typed is what you want people to see.

Ah well. So, I'm on vacation next week (Woohoo!). It's not as exciting as you might thi9nk. Other than going fishing with my dad at least one day next week, I have no plans and probably won't be going anywhere. I just won't be going to the office. Which is a good thing. Though, at times, it would be nice to go somewhere - anywhere. But like going to the movies, most of the time it's no fun to go anywhere alone. So I usually don't.

I have no life.

My car has a leak in the transmission. It's a good sized one too. Bummer. I've got 197k miles - I wanted to turn it over again, but that's not going to happen now. So, I've been driving my dad's truck while I look for another vehicle. I was hoping I might get a small SUV, but I think I'll have to wait a bit, as finances would be tight. Guess I'll look for a nice, "cheap" 4-door. I hate really small cars - for one thing, I have trouble fitting into them. But another reason is that any passengers I might have (hey, it happens) would be too cramped. Hence a 4-ddor. Not all 4-doors have a lot of room in the back seat, but most at least have more room than a 2-door.

The vampires called today. That's what I call the Red Cross (they take blood - get it? Ok, ok - so it's lame. I don't care. Pppppffffttttt!). Guess they're short on my blood type. What is my blood type? Well, I joke around that "I'm so smart, that even when my blood is tested, it gets an A+." Hehehe. I scheduled an appointment with them Thursday. Last time, I was deferred because my blood pressure was too high. I think it was because I had just arrived and I didn't have to wait around like I normally do. I tested my BP a few days later and it was good, so it must have been an anomaly.

Ok, I'm getting tired. By back hurts, my shoulders hurt, my head hurts - I could use a shoulder massage, but there's nobody around to give me one. Too bad, 'cuz I'd trade and I give wonderful shoulder massages. Oh well.

I'm going now.