3+ Books I Read More than Twice This Month

These are what I call my “Stairmaster” favorites because I literally climb the Stairmaster at 24-hr Fitness while devouring them. They made my best work-out buddies...

1. “Start” by Jon Acuff

- After reading his other book, “Quitter”, which piqued my interest in writing, “Start” has given me the keys to drive and explore the craft. Be awesome, NOT ordinary! And here are the stages to be awesome with some key points that will never leave me: 1. Learning- Be selfish at 5AM for at least 30 minutes a day. 2. Editing- Find the diamonds and rocks in your life. 3. Mastering- Volunteer. Don’t be a jerk! 4. Harvesting-Even if you harvest a thousand accomplishments during your time in this land, treat them as rewards for what you do, not the reasons for what you do. 5. Finally, Guiding- The desire to help others is a natural by-product of being AWESOME!

2. “Love is a Verb” by Gary Chapman

- Last summer, the library had a lot of copies for this so I grabbed one since Gary Chapman is one author whose other book, “The Five Love Languages” helped made our marriage flourish. I couldn't put it down. I have to share it with friends and families because love is indeed a verb. Now go ahead, type: “Love is a verb.” And receive a new copy from me (shipping to any parts of the world included). 

3. “Entreleadership” by Dave Ramsey

- I think I read all of his books but this one has moved me the most. In this, Dave Ramsey shares his formula for success: 

For the Christmas season, he’s only selling this book for $10. Go grab your copy now…

http://www.daveramsey.com/store/books/entreleadership-20-years-of-practical-business-wisdom-from-the-trenches/prodentre.html

Last but not least (Drumroll, please!)

4. “Matilda” by Roald Dahl

- Of course, I don’t bring this to work-out! But before bedtime, all four of us gather in my daughter’s room to read one chapter each night. She has a tree decal on the wall and glow-in-the dark stars on the ceiling, combined transform the kids’ world to what’s in the books’. While I rarely read fiction, I think this is the best dose of one.

A time to read is so scarce, I understand. But like any other, the task put on the back burner will be consigned to oblivion if not intentionally listed as a priority. On Stephen Covey’s time management matrix, tasks are classified into four categories: Important and Urgent, Important but NOT Urgent, Urgent but NOT Important and NOT Important and NOT Urgent. Erase all that are neither IMPORTANT nor URGENT, also the Urgent but NOT Important because really they are not at all important. Then list your book reading to Important but NOT Urgent. You will have a time for this indulgence.

Enjoy this treasure in the mundane! 

And if you ever get my giveaway book, enjoy it forever!

Love always,

Maria (Ehma) Porpio

DIY: Family Calendar & Personalized Boxes for Homeless Papers

Me: "Why didn't you tell me you have to work? I told the kids we're going sledding?"

Hubby JP: "My schedule is never a secret. You have access to my Outlook!"

This random argument happened because of false assumptions. Right then, our family decided to create a calendar visible for everyone. Outlook is nice but it's a hassle to open and the other activities that do not pertain the family makes it more complicated. 

We checked for ready-made family calendars but they are either expensive or too intricate to fit the family's needs. Then we saw some boxes at Sam's. These are the free boxes that they give away to hold bulk purchases. 

For no expense, we made our own Family Calendar:

Extra Boxes

Dress the box with beautiful gift wrappers!

We printed the calendars from outlook. Everyone agrees to update it during our monthly meeting!

During school days, we have papers, books, some mails that pile up the dinner table. So I made a home for these too:

Then everybody is happy!

Sometimes the random arguments can stir us to make something beautiful...

Enjoy your day.

Maria (Ehma) Porpio

Your Retreat: A Guide to Giving Yourself a Personal Planning Day!

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

I, myself acquired excellent work ethics from HARD WORK as my siblings and I grew up working for our parents in the store. We thought it was harsh for them to deny us for college tuition and privileges if we fail to contribute our time and effort in the business. My parents are both entrepreneurs of an empire they slowly built from rags 40 years ago. My dad who once worked for a Chinese capitalist learned the tricks of the trade, established relationships with suppliers and upheld the value of the secret to success, that was never really a secret to start with, that is and has always been HARD WORK.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

Delayed gratification is always more gratifying than instant rewards. If they learn to wait for their paycheck by the end of the week, they will also determine to plan and to take control of how much they will be able to earn. No amount of my advice will suffice even if I keep on telling them since the day they were born but if they see and experience it firsthand, they will know that HARD WORK is directly proportional to rewards.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

The smile on my daughter's face as she receives the paycheck that week because she will then be able to pay for a favorite book is so, so, so precious. Her $7 from washing windows, mopping the floor and writing songs are worth more than anything to her because she said, “I worked so hard for this.” It happened last week but the thought of it still makes my eyes mist over.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

They must never feel “Entitled” to anything they have not worked hard for. Entitlement is not a shortcut to being amazing, extraordinary and competent. If I fed and dressed my children in a way that mothers ought to but I forgot to teach them values that will last a lifetime, then I fail. If I raised intelligent, articulate and poised individuals but I miss to teach them HARD WORK, then I doubt they will become the best of who God wants them to be. As much as possible, it is my duty to keep my kids from the thought of “getting everything they want” at bay if I want them to grow to be more than mediocre.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

It keeps them grounded. They can have all the desires of their heart but when they haven’t worked hard for it, so they can't afford it, and then they will learn not to want it.

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

I am far from being a super mother. So unless they want to hear constant bellowing, somebody's got to help me with chores. It will perhaps drain me and my husband if we do everything for them. “Bored” is not an acceptable vocabulary in our household so there’s always dust to wipe, dishes to wash and books to read. 

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

I love them with all my heart. This value will never depart from them so that even when I'm gone, they will be able to find something to eat. 

I TEACH MY KIDS TO WORK BECAUSE…

Of the treasures in this mundane: Killing three (not two) birds with one stone; we finish a task while I steadily keep an eye on them and get to spend quality time together.

How about you? Why do you teach your kids to work? I would love to hear from you…

Love,

Maria (Ehma) Porpio

Shopped on Kids' Clothing for $0

Alright here's how I did it:

1st, I shopped at Goodwill, where our family usually does. I already got good bargains for nice items there. $2.99 branded and slightly used pants. Kids grow so fast and the way they carry themselves, nobody can tell their mom got them clothes from thrift stores.

2nd, I received a Goodwill coupon online, Buy $40 or more and get a $10-discount.

3rd, The weather was unforgiving yesterday. I think I was the only person in the store that's why there were plenty of good items to choose from.

4th, I only bought what they need. My son will turn 6 soon so I got him only 4-5 pieces of jeans that hopefully will last for 6 months to a year. And grabbed some for him to wear when he turns 7, the same thing with my daughter. 

5th, Remember my previous post

http://treasuresinthemundane.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-tale-behind-our-broken-microwave.html

about the microwave that Home Depot was supposed to install Wednesday? Because of the crown molding of our cabinets, they weren't able to to do it. 

That night Jonathan took the molding temporarily and we both installed it ourselves. Home Depot refunded us the $70 cost of installation. Then I paid for the Shopping Spree at Goodwill through the refund. 

This is the treasure we found in the midst of the very cold weather. I hope you find yours.

Please stay warm!

Maria (Ehma) Porpio

Setting Attainable and Visible Goals

Journal # 1

Halfway through that 15K Chocolate Run at a 30F weather in Denver, I was huffing, puffing and getting miserable. I could have sworn my muscles froze. It felt like there’s not enough blood flow to sustain heat all throughout my body. Kinetic energy equals heat, so like the other runners surrounding me, I deliberately carried one foot after the other, one at a time and kept screaming inside, “Just keep going, just keep going!” Like Dory, one of the characters of Finding Nemo when she wasn’t sure where they were at the moment but she kept on encouraging as long as they had a goal: Find Nemo. That’s what I was doing find the Finish Line and get there before dramatically collapsing.

I thought I was close because the announcer’s megaphone was already heard. A last turn in the corner street made the Finish Line visible. For somebody who has not run long races like that, it was jaw dropping. WoW! Then all of a sudden, I remembered sprinting. The rest is history.


Journal # 2

I love reading. I love reading free books. That’s why I love the local library wherein they supply most of the books that satisfy my hunger for knowledge. But there used to be a problem. Not the library’s problem but mine. I kept on forgetting to return them on time. Bottom line: I get FINED! Now that I started to get focused on nailing the budget, tiny leaks like this even if they are only $10-$15 per month could cost us one-day worth of grocery. So I got mad at getting my goal straight: to read what I borrowed and return them on time. Solution: prioritize reading materials (which one needs to be returned first, from top to bottom) and display them at my workplace to make them visible. The large pile of books in itself is so inviting and it motivates me or anybody to grab one. Savings for the last 10 months= approximately $120.

Journal # 3

Every time I throw food away, it makes me sick because I know somewhere in the other parts of the globe are people who have not have a bite to eat. We don’t intend to let canned goods expire but somehow it just happens. No more excuse, no more waste, I set up a system to make our household inventory attainable and more visible. This year, I cooked all canned goods already in my pantry. The bare space was where our new scheme was set in: 1st, to arrange the goods bought by expiration date and 2nd, to make everything visible either by display or by list. 

My daughter shares her visual goals too. That is where she records all her earnings allocated by different jars, Give, Save, Spend. Since it’s hard to see the total amount in a jar and she has a goal of getting more than $250 by February for her Theater Workshop, we have to make it visible for her. Otherwise, she’s going to end up disappointed by the beginning of the year because she’s $50 short. 

A famous author, Zig Ziglar shares his wheel of life, focusing more about setting goals in all aspects to attain balance. Like a wheel, air should be well-distributed to avoid a flat tire. He emphasized the importance of balanced goal setting. I think this is the best way to make visible short and long-term goals. And this is exactly what I will be working next for DIY, from our binder to this.

Attainable and visible goals are really important. Attainable because I can’t set a goal to be a lead singer when I can’t even hum a single note. Visible because it motivates me and keeps my family on the right track. If you have read my previous blog about how we saved a hundred percent of our Christmas Savings…

http://treasuresinthemundane.blogspot.com/2014/10/free-smart-phone-apps-that-saved-our.html

Aside from having attainable goals, it’s always good to have a goal larger than the other. 


Right now, my goal is to write to express and be renewed. If sometimes I fail on that aspect because of unprecedented criticisms, I have set myself a goal larger than myself: to share how much I learned no matter how small and unimportant to some. If I can inspire at least one individual then this blog is never for naught!


Smile. 

There’s always sunshine after the snow… a bigger goal after the other!

Love you always,

Maria (Ehma) Porpio

Angelica Writes and Sings about Budget

It's her school's Book Fair and her spending money is not enough to pay for everything on her wish list. So she went and grab the harder chores, one of which is a songwriting in order to accumulate more funds for more books.

Then she came up with this parody from "Under the Sea"...

Enjoy her video!

(with her permission to post)

Making the Fee

(A parody of Under the Sea)

written and sung by Angelica

It's always nice to go in budget.
It's part of my good mom's rules.
We don't pay high [expensives]- she meant "expenses
That's how we pay for the school
Just look at the world around you.
Some people just want some more.
They didn't even do the budget.
But you did something more.
You're making the fee,
making the fee.

You're in the budget no need to grudge it.
It makes me happy.
You have to work for your own pay.
That's how the money you will make.
If you consume,
too much money you'll lose,
making the fee.

If you don't do the budget,
no money means more debts.
But if you do the budget,
luck will come don't you fret.
My mom says slow and steady.
You don't get it right away.
If you don't do that action,
in debt you will stay.

You're making the fee,
making the fee.
If you will pay much,
you will [loose]- she meant "lose"
such amount of money.
If you just [loose]- "lose"
all of it later, you'll be stuck on an escalator.
While you save the money you crave,
you're making the fee.

Oh yeah!