half the year is gone - let's seize the rest of it

It's been a while since I've written something. I've been a bit sick - still am, actually. But at least today I felt like getting out of bed wouldn't make my head explode.

There are a few things on my mind, none of which I really want to get into today - like the horrible accident that happened in front of our house two days ago, or the whole rainbow pride thing. I'd rather just share with you my strategy for success for what's left of 2015.

1. About God:  Find out what His will is for me, and do it. Get close to Him, so that I can
    know His heart about all matters at all times.

2. About relationships:  Have FUN with my husband. Spend quality time with close friends
    and go out and do some new stuff together. Go to towns that we haven't visited before.

3. About finances: Take it one day at a time. Don't just try new things, but stick to what I've
    started. Persevere. MAKE. IT. WORK. Tithe, invest and plan, but also spend a bit, and
    bless others.

4. About time management: There's a lot of time in each day. Make use of it. Watch less TV.
    Spend less time on electronic devices. Have a "to-do" list, and DO the things on it.

5. About health: Start exercising again. Have a schedule and stick to it. Eat more
    vegetables. Oh, and floss daily.

There you have it. That's my plan for success for the second half of 2015. What's yours?

the art of making a decision

I've been married to Mike for almost 5 years now. We have grown in many areas, but one thing that we both (still) suck at, is making decisions. I think we're okay with the big stuff, like deciding where to live and whether or not to get a pet (although this could also be kicked up a notch). But when trying to make the small decisions on a day to day basis, we definitely fall short. Other couples argue over who gets their way, but we argue over just having "a way" or a preference. 

This is how it goes... (I didn't use our names, because regardless of who asks and who answers, this is the typical outcome.)

Q: What should we do for date night tonight?
A: What do you wanna do, babes?
__________

Q: What do you want to eat tonight?
A: Doesn't matter, love. I don't mind.
__________

Q: Do you think I should hang this picture like this or like this?
A: Any way you wanna hang it. 
__________

Q: What movie should we see?
A: Whatever you wanna see, baby. Doesn't matter to me.
__________

Q: What time do you wanna go?
A: What time do you think we should go?

And after all these I could add: "I asked YOU." "But I really don't mind." "Me neither. Just make a decision." "I don't know, babes. Anything." (etc. etc. etc.)

I just told Mike about this post, and he said he is totally able to make a decision. Like last night, when I asked him what he wanted to watch, he said '+The Walking Dead'  (knowing that this isn't really a decision, because I don't do "zombie"). And I pointed this out to him, and said, "You could have said '+The Middle ' or '+Modern Family' or '+Community' or 'Big Bang Theory' or ... those cupcake girls - what's it called again?" And then his eyes lit up for a second.

So now this post is taking an unexpected turn. I was initially going to conclude that we would have to resort to a game of ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS for all our minor decisions in the future. (Although here in Taiwan it goes by "Paper, scissors, stone", and in South Africa we know it as "ching chong cha")

After our brief lunchtime chat, I finally know what I need to do to really find out what Mike's preferences are:  I need to start naming all the options... and not stop after 2. Just keep going, until I see that same spark in his big brown eyes that I just saw when he thought of "+2 Broke Girls". And if that spark doesn't come, maybe he really really really doesn't mind. (I'll test this theory and let you know if it worked). 

Now it's his turn to figure out my "tell".