Oh the Genealogy Life I'd Lead...If I Had a Trailer !

There are SO MANY little tiny town cemeteries! 

It's astounding how many we passed on the way to the DFW area. I just know that they have not been documented or anything. It was all I could do to just keep driving and ignore them. Really. Okay, it helped that it is a freaking 97 degrees on a cold day out here, and there's not a cloud in the Texas sky. And that I know that even a small cemetery is pretty close to an all day project, even if you cheat and just snap electronic photos and do the transcribing later.

Not to mention I would have absolutely NO CLUE how to document where I was on the road.

But OH how I wished I had a trailer so I could roam the Texas state highways and byways, memorializing these loved ones for time and for all eternity. I guess I can start with Bridgeport's and then also do Point, Wills Point, and maybe Decatur.

It would be fun :)

The Devil's Revenge

Not happy with our escape from California, the devil took his revenge. My DH is still in California. Crashed on his motorcycle the day we crossed over into Texas. DH is okay, bike....will be okay.

We arrived late (10pm) last night after leaving at 530am from Albuquerque. 

We could have stayed elsewhere, but after 3 days of getting up at 4am, I was ready to sleep in until 730am, which we could only do if we got all the way to the DFW area. I had a child care job interview Monday afternoon. After rethinking it, I determined it wasn't the right fit (2-3 hours a day M-F in the heart of Dallas.) Since we are going to be tenting it from a distance of 70-85 miles, I figured that wasn't the best use of mileage. Although in retrospect, it might have been.

We finalized our entrance and food arrangements at 6 Flags over Texas (6F). We now get free entrance, free parking, and two free meals a day per person, and unlimited free drinks (soda, powerade, lemonade, water.) Today alone, our meals were the equivalent of one "season dining pass." We still need to get our timing down; after all, we won't be just dropping in for the heck of it from 70-85 miles away. But we have to look for jobs in air conditioning somewhere. Might as well be at the local Arlington library or Starbucks as the one far far away. But in this heat, I'm LOVING not having to cook, even if it is heating up hot water for freeze dried food.

It is way the heck hot in Texas. OK, we lived four blocks from the beach in California and caught the cool afternoon sea winds every day. So anyplace is going to be hot by comparison. But since we get free electricity at our campsite, I am seriously thinking about buying a small air conditioner and running it in the tent <grin.> Sigh. An air conditioned trailer would be so nice. Although, as a friend of mine pointed out, so would a house or an apartment <grin.>

The weather is a small price to pay for living free. Coming down State Hwy 287 we passed a whole lot of churches (one tiny town had population 195 and 10 churches!), a whole lot of "God loves you" signs, a passel of "God Bless America" signs; things you never see in California. Ever. Everyone is friendly, says hello, goodbye and punctuates the end of their sentences with Sir and Ma'am.

I'm already over carting stuff around in the cars, so I think we are going to rent a small storage space somewhere convenient. (Do I really need to cart my 2000w generator with me every where I go? Prepper types may remain silent on that issue.)

So far, we are healthy, happy and looking forward to our new life of freedom. And we thought it a good omen that even the food says TEXAS!

We Beat the Devil out of California....

Rest assured, he's still there, but we managed to escape over the border even despite his best efforts. Reminds me of the Irish saying, "may you be in heaven a half hour before the Devil knows you're dead."

We got a late start this morning, compounded by a shopping mis-queue at Walmart. Yesterday they had the tent we wanted, this morning when we went to buy it at 6am it was completely sold out. Really, in southern California, the whole county decided overnight to go camping? We ended up buying a much larger tent that we had planned--still an "instant" but we'll see how cumbersome it turns out to be. We may or may not be returning it, the whole point after all, is not gigantic, but quick up and quick down.

We were about two hours out of Huntington Beach when my son (who was in the second car behind me) called to ask if I would step on the brakes. It turned out my brake lights had failed. Of course they did. So I pulled over, found a place at 8am who could look at it. Fortunately I asked "could it be a fuse?" and it turned out it was. A pretty fast fix and we were back on the road.

Shortly thereafter, the check engine light came back on. My mechanic has assured me (this is a repeating problem) that it's "just the EGR sensor and don't worry about it." And I did happen to see this last time around that the EGR sensor cord is very frayed, so I am hoping that this is all that it is. The car seems to be running fine otherwise, so we are continuing in faith to Texas.

While in Ludlow (about 90 minutes inside the California border) we realized we were well off track of our plan to be in Flagstaff tonight. I figured I better make a motel reservation sooner rather than later, so we stopped in Needles about 60 miles inside the California border. Why was I surprised to find EVERY hotel in Flagstaff sold out? Our choices were stay in Kingman (2 hours shy of Flagstaff) or Winslow (90 minutes past Flagstaff.) I knew our energy level wouldn't get us to Winslow, so here we are in air conditioned comfort in Kingman. 

This means it's unlikely we'll make it to Amarillo tomorrow as hoped, and likely stop for the day in Albuquerque New Mexico, nearly a 7 hour drive from Kingman. And that's if we get out of here by 5am as planned. We're not in a hurry to get to Texas (obviously), and I don't like crossing deserts in the heat of the day if I can avoid it. and we're passing through a lot of them: Mojave, Sonoran, Chihuahuan: three of the four American deserts in the United States. So we're taking it easy (oh, to be listening to the Eagles as we pass through Winslow Arizona, lol.)

Grateful to God we are not forced to travel on a shoestring, particularly with gas prices a whopping $5 a gallon out here. Grateful things are going smoothly. We didn't quite make it out of California before the Devil realized we were trying to escape, but are are well on our way to Heaven <grin.>

A New Blogpost-- And My Family Dwelt in a Tent

This is still my main blog, but I have started a new one. It's called "And My Family Dwelt In a Tent" and can be found here: andmyfamilydweltinatent.blogspot.com.

It's about our adventures as four of us (mom, 2 boys, 1 girl) live 24/7 in a tent. We are moving to Texas and the house we were going to purchase fell through after being in escrow 90 days. Since all our stuff is storage anyway, rather than jump hastily into another bad buy, and since it's summer, we are going to live life in a tent for a while, in a structured timeshare/campsite, while we regroup and figure out the best housing solution.

That may end up being a tent. It may end up being a 30 foot trailer. It may end up being a traditional home or apartment. But for sure, for the next 30 days, it's going to be a tent.

I don't want to spend too much time recapping on this blog. Once we arrive in Texas and settle in, some posts from that blog will be replicated here, as this blog has a pretty large following.

But in the meantime, please mosey over and take a gander as we embark on this exciting journey enabling us to become even more prepared for the last days.

Choosing Oppression or Courage

We were fortunate to be able to stay with family while we were in San Francisco last week trying to do some genealogy. We were blessed to have been helped a great deal by the Ethnic Studies Library at UC-Berkeley while researching the life of my paternal great grandfather, Tong, King-Chong  唐瓊昌

唐瓊昌

Most non-Chinese are familiar with Dr. Sun Yat Sen, the military face and leader of the Revolution which overthrew the Chinese empire, leading to the foundation of the Republic of China (a democratic Republic, not to be confused with the current communist government of the 'People's' Republic of China.) Most (older) Chinese know my great grandfather was the political face of the movement, leading the authorship of the ROC constitution, calling upon overseas (and mainland) Chinese to rise up and overthrow the Empire and establish freedom in China. Tong, King-Chong as Editor and publisher of the Chinese Free Press, the largest Chinese newspaper in the USA, wrote many essays and was widely published in english and chinese languages, and the most recognized Chinese person here in the USA by all white and chinese communities. He became the first Chinese lawyer in the US, and when Sun Yat Sen was arrested for treason here by the US government at the behest of China's Empress Dowager, served as Sun Yat Sen's lawyer successfully arguing for, and obtaining Dr. Sun's release.

Tong, King-Chong was born in China, a second son. In old Chinese culture, a second son is worth barely anything. Knowing his future in China was limited, he set out to America to seek his fortune and determine his own destiny. In this, he was similar to millions of other Chinese. 

The Chinese Historical Society of America, headquartered in San Francisco, tells the "story" of those "other" Chinese (although, they do reference my great grandfather in one of their publications--largely relating how his family was arrested in China for treason.) I was disappointed, but not entirely surprised, that the "Chinese story" told by CHSA is largely one of oppression, discrimination, racism, victimhood. To be sure, all of those things were true. But where are the stories of those 'other' Chinese who like my great grandfather, despite, language barriers, discrimination etc., rose up to live out the American dream: successful, contributing members in the own culture and American society at large, prospered because of the freedom afforded to them in America, and left a legacy of triumph for their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren?

To hear CHSA tell it, we were and are, a poor, oppressed, illiterate, woebegone people, waiting to be rescued, unable to lift ourselves out of our circumstance, forever to be slaves. WHAT A LIE. 

Tong, King-Chong is only unique by his fame. His story of arriving with nothing, believing in himself, and having the courage to live out his dreams is shared by millions of others. My other paternal great great grandfather, also a second Chinese son, arrived on the shores of America to pan for gold, and was reasonably successful (though not hugely.) He saw how the Chinese (and other) miners were being charged ridiculously high prices for mining equipment and supplies, so he gathered his gold, bought inventory cheap due to volume and then resold it at half of what other suppliers were charging. He became a millionaire in the process, eventually owning one of the main shipping lines from San Francisco to China.

Where are those stories, CHSA? Why not tell the stories of courage, of hope, of determination, of success? It can't be because you don't know those stories.

I know why CHSA (and organizations like them) don't tell those stories: they don't fit the narrative that America is bad, that white America oppresses, that the little man can't get ahead. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 required that you 'prove' you were entitled to come into this country. Was it a racist, oppressive law? Absolutely. But you know what came out of it? Millions of pages of family history, treasured stories, photographs and pedigrees which I, and other descendants of these wonderful people, would not have if it weren't for this "racist, oppressive" law (thank you National Archives for preserving them--btw, change your viewing policy!!)

You can choose to be a victim in your circumstance, or you can choose to be courageous and change your path. You can decide your destiny rather than believe the lie that your destiny has been chosen for you.  You like my ancestors and your ancestors, can chose courage when the choice is placed before you.

Overcoming Obstacles

Despite numerous medical setbacks, including spending the last four days in the hospital with a bacterial infection, my DD18 managed to graduate from college yesterday. She was pretty excited to be able to graduate with her class; bouncing off the walls, effervescent, full of energy.

We recognize what a miracle it is that she is still with us, let alone graduating. For us, it illustrates the importance of being prepared. DD18 went into the semester at nearly a 4.0 GPA. She didn't graduate summa cum laude but she managed to graduate cum laude (that's the yellow Honors stole you see her wearing), even with the tumbles that kept her out of school for nearly half the semester. Being so well prepared before the emergency hit meant that the impact of the slide down was not nearly as deep as it would have been if she'd taken the slacker party route through college. Her heretofore hard work and dedication bought her grace with her professors also, who were more inclined to work with her because of her previous performance, versus if she'd demonstrated she was a slacker.

The importance of getting and being prepared is one of the many takeaway lessons we have learned these past few months. We have seen the importance of getting out of debt and having a savings; we have seen the importance of having a familiar relationship with God (there are no atheists in foxholes) before the tragedy strikes; we know the value of friendship and the effect of lending a helping hand. 

We have internalized the wisdom of listening to 'that still, small voice' rather than the roar of panic. Did I mention we have to move out of our rented place by Sunday, there's problems with the title for the house we're buying, AND our truck blew a head gasket yesterday morning?) In all, we stick with the plan, make adjustments as necessary after luxuriating in a few minutes of self-pity, then move forward.

On the plus side is: we may be lake FRONT rather than lake SIDE with all the rain in Texas (higher property value, lol? I'm trying for humor here), DD18 gets a few more weeks with medical checkups and tests (we've decided she's truly more Asian like her mom after all--she's passed every medical test with flying colors!). We've been tossing, donating or selling stuff left and right. Still way too much for TinyHouse living, so I guess it's a good thing it's a regular house.

And once DS19 and I get work established post-move, we'll be able to buy a truck. In the meantime, one of us will get a lot of driving time :) At least that vehicle is reliable.

I'm not complaining about the 4Runner. We bought it very used for $2,500 two years ago and it has served us well. Overall, we are grateful that it blew NOW versus on the road in the middle of nowhere, stranding us towing a trailer.

We are grateful for the loving hand of God who has softened the blows of life for us. Others may think unless God prevents or erases all blows and setbacks that this proves there is no God, like the guy who is falling off a roof, prays for God to save him, gets caught on a nail which stops his fall and says "never mind God it's handled." 

We choose to recognize the nail for what it is: intervention. Softening the blow. "If it was going to happen" at least it happens in our favor, or the least impact. That life is often a series of obstacles which can be overcome with work, faith and prayer. 

That there is much joy and happiness to be found if we will simply stop, and take the time to recognize it.

Mahalo.

Dave Ramsey's Every Dollar budgeting tool

I've gone through a 'one month cycle' and at least from a systems analyst Point of View, I see where, why and what the problems are. I hope someone from Dave Ramsey Financial Solutions reads this blog and gives their tech team a heads up.

Despite the fact that much of this blogpost will be (justified) criticism of the software, I am thrilled that Dave Ramsey (DR) and his team have come up with a budgeting tool. Named EveryDollar, after DR's motto that "Every Dollar should have a name," it's strongest point is that it mirrors the DR Financial Peace program. If you have read The Total Money Makeover, or attended Financial Peace University, Every Dollar follows the Monthly Cash Flow budgeting worksheets, although not in such cumbersome detail as those sheets. Every Dollar can be found at http://www.everydollar.com, and the basic program is free. The paid-for version ("EveryDollar plus") ties in to your bank account so that transactions can be downloaded. It costs $100 a year, and it seems like a great idea (can't be worse than Mint.com), but the Basic/free version is buggy enough that I'm going to wait until the bugs get worked out before I start shelling out money and my bank account transactions.

So. Biggest upside? Enough line items to make a nerd crazy. Planned categories, actual expenditures, and remaining money categories. Those are nice columns, although the remaining money one doesn't work so well.

Let's start with a Tutorial. Actually, we can't. There isn't one. And I'm fine with that, but the flip side (in my not so humble 25+ years of designing software systems opinion) means you better have a really good, intuitive system then. Alas, intuitive is not an adjective which can be laid at Every Dollar's door.

But I do know why that is the case. I can see clearly that the DR tech team has fallen victim to swimming "too close to the product" test pool. If you know ahead of time how it's supposed to work, and you live and breath the DR FPU system, then their design is understandable. Transactions, a major component of this program, really fails due to the 'too close' syndrome.

Once you have set up your budget (which you can't really do until the first of the month if you want everything to square up), your budget will show planned line items. One would think you could simply tap the planned line item, enter an actual transaction amount, and save it. Nope. A window does pop up, but it doesn't save the information. It takes another 3 or 4 tries, executing the line called budget category, re-entering the data a few times, for it to finally "save." That's ridiculous, and counter-intuitive. On the other hand, if you look in the far right, upper right corner, you'll see a tiny little transaction icon. Clicking on that brings up the same pop up window as on the line item, which when you enter the amount, enter the "vendor", choose a category, then click on add expense, it will save it. 

You got that, right? FOUR steps to add a single transaction, and you have to hunt for the icon to get there in the first place, versus something which ought to be intuitive at the line item (but doesn't work either.)

Debt, another major component of the DR program, is a category which needs some overhaul. Say you start setting up your budget at the end of March. You more or less know what your outstanding balances are going in to the month of April, so you plan to start the month of April with a clean slate. Can't do it. You get this annoying error message which says "No Cheating. You're not in April yet, so you can't enter outstanding balances." I almost fell off my chair. If the EveryDollar system was tracking my interest rates, % of payment applied to principle and % applied to interest, that would be one thing. Then I could see why it wouldn't let me mess with its algorithm. But it doesn't. So why should it matter that it's March 28 and I want to enter the balances starting April 1? I actually have to remember to come back on April 1 and enter starting balances. That's ridiculous. And user un-friendly. And the trick to entering the balances as a line item isn't intuitive either.

Remaining balance. Once I figured out what it was doing, I calmed down, but this and the income are columns which need some major overhaul IMO. Or the DR tech team knows about the hiccup, but couldn't figure out a better way to do it, so they left it. 

Here's what happens: you plan/lay out your income for the month on April 1. For us, that's two of DH's salary checks, one of mine, and a low ball amount for irregular income which fluctuates. The first three are calendar items, for example, 1st, 15th and 30th. The income category algorithm treats all of the income as arriving on the same day. So your planned income is say, $5000 for the month, made up of two $2000 salary checks, one $500 salary check, and $500 in irregular income.

First check comes in and is short by $60 because you took an unpaid day off. The income column treats this shortfall as though the $60 is still outstanding and is owed to you. There's no way to get rid of it, other than to go back to the planned column and adjust it downward, which defeats the whole purpose. 

So you leave it.

You pay rent on the first, which in theory should leave you with a zero balance, but instead you are $60 to the good (rather than being $60 overdrawn if your entire check is used for rent as ours is), because Income thinks you are still owed the $60 and just haven't been paid yet. Because you actually paid out $2000 in rent, it matches the planned amount, so it doesn't show a deficit, and because all of the income is counted April 1 versus when it is actually received, your pocketbook doesn't register an overdraft, which is actually the case.

That's a major flaw, IMO.

Second check comes in, and it's time to pay the bills. So I pay all the bills, and by my math, I should have $145 left in the bank. Not according to EveryDollar I don't. According to EveryDollar I have $800 remaining (Remaining is the category name) because it assumes that ALL of the income comes in Day 1. It took me a while to figure that out...

Now, I'M a nerd. With an accounting degree. So when the T columns don't balance, I go looking for the reason why. But my DH is a free spirit. He sees "$800 remaining" and is likely to shout out "wooo hooo" and throw a party or buy stuff for his motorcycle with that "$800 remaining" balance. And that's a very real danger in every household, not just mine.

So my choices are: NOT plan for EveryDollar at the beginning of the month like I do with my spreadsheet (I have check 1 goes to x, check 2 goes to xyz, check 3 goes to x, irregular income goes to abc), and have it not balance correctly until the end of the month, which IMO is way too late to course correct, OR

come back MULTIPLE times in the month as the money comes in, and work it in reverse (because I will have already planned for the expense.) So now I am applying INCOME to the expense, rather than expenses to the income. It's a viable work around, but it is a huge design flaw if you are accustomed to working the DR plan.

Yeah, choosing either option defeats the purpose and is likely to get me to throw up my hands and give up if you're a regular non-budgeter. Me, I chose to go back to my spreadsheet.

EveryDollar is a great idea whose time has not quite arrived. It needs some major tweaking, which will be a painful upgrade given its successful download/launch. Many of these problems would have been avoided by better testing from non-employees of DR. I hope the tech folks undertake the changes. Dave Ramsey's Financial Solutions are phenomenal, and he deserves way better than this.