Thursday, August 19, 2010

Balance

    Yesterday I sat down to do what I have to sit down to do every month...balance the checkbook. UGH! And yes, the words "balance the checkbook" is always followed by the word "UGH!" In my case it's followed by that word because my checkbook has not balanced since September!!
    There's no big surprise about why that is though, because that's when I was in the hospital for a week and my hubby, bless his poor dyslexic self, took over the household checkbook....Don't get me wrong, he is great with computers, gadgets, and numbers! He's just not good with schedules, timing, and WRITING STUFF DOWN!!! I spent a month, after I came home, with a frustrated, puzzled look on my face every time I picked up the checkbook!
    So, here I sat again yesterday...
    ...with that calculator, and numbers that make no sense, staring at me!
Good thing I had distractions!
    Okay, enough of that fooling around!...I finally made myself focus. I got a pen, my calculator, the checkbook, the bank statement, and some courage...and systematically went down the list, tabulating each transaction. When that was done and there were no deposits or withdrawals unaccounted for, I subtracted my outstanding checks from the month's ending balance and took a deep breath...................!
    Usually this is where I get weepy, start a fight with my hubby about why he didn't tell me he did....WHATEVER it was he did to make this "STUPID" bankbook not balance (because, of course, it's never MY fault LOL), and go on a hunt for some comforting chocolate! But today...this beautiful checkbook,
    ...with the beautiful checks with the beautiful roses in the corner......BALANCED!!!!!!!
   I dismissed the feeling of still wanting to be frustrated about it balancing (because I don't know how in the world that happened!), and just smiled! No chocolate, no argument with the hubby, no NOTHING! :-)
   Now what would I do with my time?!....Write a poem about balance, of course! ^_^

Balance

You teeter totter, in the middle,
Lean a little, OOPS! You're off!
Now you know that you're not balanced,
and you hope the ground is soft.

It's not easy to achieve,
and once you have it, to maintain.
In almost every part of life
our balance is so hard to gain.

You have to balance your emotions,
how you eat, and how you spend.
And when you're balancing your checkbook,
try to keep a level grin.

Staying somewhere in the middle
takes a conscious, careful touch,
because it doesn't take a lot
to go from balanced to 'too much'!

So try to keep a balanced eye,
 a balanced plate, and balanced life.
Keep your feelings all in check,
and minimize the stress and strife.

And don't compare your sense of balance
 to your neighbor's...you're alone.
Because your neighbor's also trying
to get some balance of his own!

10 comments:

  1. Yay!! You've conquered the beast!! I have a program on my computer to help me balance mine and I still get it wrong on a monthly basis! I guess I just don't add and subtract correctly. Glad it worked out for you. Great poem too, by the way!! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Bead! ^_^ Don't even get me started about computer programs!! I'd have to figure the program out...and then figure out how to make it set up right in order to balance what I couldn't balance without it?!....Sounds like more frustration than I can handle right now! :-)) I'm balanced....Leave sleeping dogs alone!!! ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Debbie! I am not good at balancing my checkbook. Most of the time I forget! I smiled when I saw your checks.....I had the same ones a few years ago! Always love those roses!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Cathy! Yes, I marvel at people who balance their checkbooks without a thought! Maybe now that I''ve done it ONE time though, I'll be able to keep it going! :-)) In any case, my roses will be keeping me company!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great work! I'm always happy to run into another writer.

    Following you from Mediocrity Chronicles. Please stop by again soon!

    http://mediocrity-chronicles.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love, love all the pictures you take for each post! And your distractions, well, they are fantastic, they would distract me too! -L

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mediocrity Chronicles, Thank you! I don't know if I approach my blog as actual "writing" or not. I just like to TALK my head off!! LOL But I appreciate the complement, especially from you!...And don't worry, I have you in my list. I'll be back!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lindsey Muth, Ha! Ha! Thank you. Pictures are something I appreciate, but I'm afraid they are always just a work in progress! :-)...And yes, I'm easily distracted these days. Good thing my talking is still a priority!! Thanks for leaving me a bit of encouragement! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Alicia9/05/2010

    LOL! I have to balance after every transaction... and I have no one to blame except the person in the mirror (sticking her tongue out at me).

    ReplyDelete
  10. Alicia, Ha! ha! How did I miss this comment?! *shaking my head* :-]

    ReplyDelete

Wait!! Click the "Join This Site" button, and leave me a comment! I'd love to get your thoughts! ^_^