Inside Out - Lisa Rugglesa thousand times I’ve failed, still your mercy remains

Last night the girls had Crazy Hair Night at their Wednesday Warrior class. Chloe came home from school excited to get going on a new hair style. The crazier the better.

Emily informed me she wouldn’t be doing her hair. I was quite surprised that she didn’t want to participate in all the fun and craziness. I learned a long time ago to only engage in the battles that were important. So I agreed that she wouldn’t have to wear her hair crazy. I didn’t try to talk her into it. Just agreement from mommy.

About five minutes before we walked out the door Emmy had a change of mind. This is what we came up with in 5 minutes.

As we were walking out the door the girls started worrying that maybe it wasn’t really crazy hair night and what if they were the only ones that had crazy hair. It would be SO embarrassing.

The minute they walked in and saw everyone else’s hair crazy, they were fine. They were a part, no more insecurities just excitement.

Crazy hair girls, Kung Fu Fighting…..

I’m laughing as I post this. My husband just sent me the chart below.

Do you think he is trying to tell me something?

You can purchase the chart for $4.00.

Last week I woke up to a little person tugging on my arm in the middle of the night. Emily had woke up and wasn’t feeling good. I pulled her into bed and loved on her. Her tummy and back were hurting.

Note to self: When your mother intuition says, go get a bucket, do it!

Let’s just say we both ended up with puke all over us. I was kicking myself for not getting the bucket. Oh the things you go through for your babies.

I spent the rest of the night rocking her. It brought back memories of nights spent in the rocker when the girls were little.

The day after Chloe was born Brad’s Mom took him to pick out a glider. It will always be a part of our family. There are so many memories that were made rocking my little ones. Although not all were pleasant, it is piece of our history.

Chloe was a premie and very collicky. Brad and I would take turns being with her all night and when we couldn’t handle it anymore we would call in Grandma for relief. The first couple months of her life were really difficult. I had health issues, didn’t feel good, and had a screaming baby.

As I rocked Emily the other night, I held her tight and savored the hours in the middle of the night with my baby realizing that my little ones are growing up quickly. How many nights will I have to hold them and comfort them like a little child?

I have become very nostalgic with that rocker and it will always have a place in our home.

It is a part of our story.
What do you have in your home that holds sentimental value?

Along with the rest of America I have been following the crisis in our economy. I have had many different thoughts regarding the “Bailout” and how it effects our nation. Either way we aren’t in a great spot. Last night I came across Dave Ramsey’s take on our economy. It was encouraging and I thought you might enjoy it.

Dave’s Thoughts About the Economy

Over the past month, we’ve witnessed the largest bankruptcy in history, the stock market dropping like a rock, and the talking heads on TV freaking out that the world is coming to an end. I’m here to tell you the truth—we’re going to make it. We’re going to be fine. Take a chill pill.

This month I’ve compiled some of the most-asked questions I’ve gotten recently from you:

Are we okay, Dave?

Definitely. Remember Enron and WorldCom in the recent years? We survived that. But much worse than all this was the financial crisis of the ‘80s – S&L collapse and 1,000 bank failures in 2 years. We’re nowhere near this type of thing; that was probably 50 to 100 times worse than all of this.

What does all of this come back to?

Greedy banks financing homes to broke people. It all seemed to work okay in their minds when the economy was booming, but when the economy slowed a little bit broke people quit paying on their subprime mortgages. DUH. No wonder they went out of business. Stupid decisions.

Is there anything we can do to fix this bailout mess?

YES! Here’s a quick summary: Companies that had billions in subprime loans were feeling the effects of their stupid decision to make those loans in the first place, and practically gave them away for pennies on the dollar. But since no one wants these loans, and they’ve had to mark them down to market value, it has frozen the market. If we temporarily change the rule that forces companies to do that, that will free the market up.

This is an absolutely huge deal, and it involves everyone getting in touch with their congressperson before we spend hundreds of billions of dollars that we don’t need to! Learn more

Will the collapse of businesses and banks affect me?

No, not unless you work there. Thousands of stock brokers on Wall Street have lost their jobs in the past few weeks, but that happens in other industries across the country in good and bad times. This time it just happened in NYC where all the national news media is so they made a big deal of it.

If I have 401(k) money in a Merrill Lynch or AIG trading account, should I move the money elsewhere?

No. Your money isn’t with them; your 401(k) money is in the stocks. These big companies are just managers (unless you directly own stock in their company). The only thing that may be an issue is if they crash later, you may have some customer service issues, but your money is still safe. This is a good reminder to not have all of your money in one stock—that’s stupid. Always spread out your money in various growth stock mutual funds.

With these acquisitions, will my 401(k) account and entire portfolio with Merrill Lynch be lost?

No. They just own the company Merrill Lynch. Look at it this way—if I owned 6 rental properties and hired a management company that eventually failed, I would still own the properties; I just wouldn’t have a manager. Your broker doesn’t have title to your stuff. Your 401(k) is not a company asset; that’s the beauty of it.

Should I sell my US stocks to buy gold and foreign stocks?

Absolutely not! Why would you think foreign stocks are any better than US stocks? Again, diversify your money in good growth stock mutual funds instead.

What practical lessons should small business owners learn from these bank difficulties?

When you have no cash, you freakin’ go broke. You must keep some cash on hand, no matter what kind of business you have. Give yourself some wiggle room where you can take a hit and still be standing.

Remain calm, America. We’re in a slow time, but just pay your bills and you’re going to be fine.

Chloe’s school had a blood drive on Monday. I had signed up both Brad and I. I really hate being poked, but how can you deny a good cause?

Have you ever had those moments where you dream of how an evening should look? I pictured an evening that would start with eating dinner as a family, taking a family bike ride over to the school. Brad and I would give blood, come home and hang with the kids. But instead….

We are running late so Brad goes ahead to get started.

I finally get there with the kids, we have had multiple mishaps along the way.

I sit down to fill out my paperwork and the nurse says, can I have proof of ID?

(I think I said a swear word in my head at this point)

Me: No, I don’t have any ID.

Nurse: Sorry, we can’t take your blood unless you get ID

Me: Ok, I will ride back home and get my ID

I leave the girls with Brad and I’m back in about 15 mins. now I’m all hot and sweaty but I did drive back instead of biking.

Brad was hooked up and being drained of blood but still smiling. After seeing how much they took I really wasn’t looking forward to it.

Blood Guy: Ok, lets test a couple levels and we will get you going, have a seat right here

Me: In my head, I’m not having a good feeling about this.

Blood Guy: What is your weight?

Me: With a smile, you have got to be kidding! You want my blood and my weight, I don’t think so.

Blood Guy: As long as you are over 115lbs it’s all good.

Me: SERIOUSLY! Do I look like I’m 115lbs? (by this time we were both laughing)

Blood Guy: Who talked who into giving blood?

Me: Ummm…. there really wasn’t any talking I just made the appointments but now I wish it was just for him. (That’s the evil side of me)

Blood Guy: Well, it looks like you won’t be donating today, your Iron levels are WAY to low.

Me: Yeah, I don’t have to give blood but can feel good that at least I tried.

Unfortunately, I will still get poked when I go to the Doctor. I have had really low energy, so I’m glad that I found out my Iron was off.

And since what his is mine and mine is his, I guess I can feel like donated too!

Do you ever give blood or does the thought of it make you queasy?

Yesterday I invited Emily (my 5 year old) to play a game of Uno with me. With a huge smile on her face she quickly responded by saying, let’s play with cheating!

I explained to her that if she wanted to cheat, I didn’t want to play the game. Emily agreed to play by the rules.

After a little while, I had to go into the other room to help Chloe. While I was away Emily was kind enough to deal a new hand.

My cards.

Her cards.

Hmmmm……

I couldn’t find the camera. I used photo booth for the pic’s. Brad will love this one!

I love my girls school! Chloe’s teacher has asked parents to come in and read every Friday. Today was my day. I was able to pick any book and spend time reading and talking for 20 mins. I had a great time. Unfortunately, I brought the camera but forgot to ask the teacher to take a pic.

I picked one of my all time favorite books. It inspires me every time I read it.

I’ve included the book. Take a minute and read it, you will enjoy it!

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes
You can steer yourself
any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know.
And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

You’ll look up and down streets. Look ‘em over with care.
About some you will say, “I don’t choose to go there.”
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you’re too smart to go down any not-so-good street.

And you may not find any
you’ll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you’ll head straight out of town.

It’s opener there
in the wide open air.

Out there things can happen
and frequently do
to people as brainy
and footsy as you.

And when things start to happen,
don’t worry. Don’t stew.
Just go right along.
You’ll start happening too.

OH!
THE PLACES YOU’LL GO!

You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers
who soar to high heights.

You won’t lag behind, because you’ll have the speed.
You’ll pass the whole gang and you’ll soon take the lead.
Wherever you fly, you’ll be the best of the best.
Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.

Except when you don’ t
Because, sometimes, you won’t.

I’m sorry to say so
but, sadly, it’s true
and Hang-ups
can happen to you.

You can get all hung up
in a prickle-ly perch.
And your gang will fly on.
You’ll be left in a Lurch.

You’ll come down from the Lurch
with an unpleasant bump.
And the chances are, then,
that you’ll be in a Slump.

And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both you elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?

And IF you go in, should you turn left or right…
or right-and-three-quarters? Or, maybe, not quite?
Or go around back and sneak in from behind?
Simple it’s not, I’m afraid you will find,
for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

You can get so confused
that you’ll start in to race
down long wiggled roads at a break-necking pace
and grind on for miles across weirdish wild space,
headed, I fear, toward a most useless place.
The Waiting Place…

…for people just waiting.
Waiting for a train to go
or a bus to come, or a plane to go
or the mail to come, or the rain to go
or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow
or waiting around for a Yes or a No
or waiting for their hair to grow.
Everyone is just waiting.

Waiting for the fish to bite
or waiting for wind to fly a kite
or waiting around for Friday night
or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake
or a pot to boil, or a Better Break
or a sting of pearls, or a pair of pants
or a wig with curls, or Another Chance.
Everyone is just waiting.

NO!
That’s not for you!

Somehow you’ll escape
all that waiting and staying.
You’ll find the bright places
where Boom Bands are playing.

With banner flip-flapping,
once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.
Ready because you’re that kind of a guy!

Oh, the places you’ll go! There is fun to be done!
There are points to be scored. there are games to be won.
And the magical things you can do with that ball
will make you the winning-est winner of all.
Fame! You’ll be famous as famous can be,
with the whole wide world watching you win on TV.

Except when they don’t.
Because, sometimes, they won’t.

I’m afraid that some times
you’ll play lonely games too.
Games you can’t win
’cause you’ll play against you.

All Alone!
Whether you like it or not,
Alone will be something
you’ll be quite a lot.

And when you’re alone, there’s a very good chance
you’ll meet things that scare you right out of your pants.
There are some, down the road between hither and yon,
that can scare you so much you won’t want to go on.

But on you will go
though the weather be foul
On you will go
though your enemies prowl
On you will go
though the Hakken-Kraks howl
Onward up many
a frightening creek,
though your arms may get sore
and your sneakers may leak.

On and on you will hike
and I know you’ll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You’ll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You’ll get mixed up
with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life’s
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot with your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3 / 4 percent guaranteed.)

KID, YOU’LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

So…
be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray
or Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’Shea,
you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!

We finally celebrated Grandma Ruggles Birthday last week. We aren’t telling how old.

In good old Ruggles tradition, Brad made crepes for breakfast. Yummy! My girls always love it when Daddy makes the crepes. We filled them with apples, blackberries and whip cream.

Not healthy but delicious!

The girls couldn’t wait to give Grandma her presents.

We watched www.lifechurch.tv and then hung out and played with the girls.

Later in the afternoon we took Grandma and Grandpa out to dinner and did a little bit of shopping.

The girls have sure loved seeing their Grandma again!

and we had to try and get a couple family shots.

If you look at Brad’s blog, the pic he has is 3 years old. Pretty sad.

The girls couldn’t help but ham it up a bit for the camera.

We sure love our Grandma!  Happy Birthday!

I happen to think that I am married to one of the most amazing men alive! One of his talents happens to be in design.

Here is one of the shirts he designed.

If his design wins, this shirt will get printed and be available for purchase with all net proceeds going to Compassion International’s Global Food Crisis Fund. Brad won’t make any money from it, but it will help to bring food to many families in need.

The contest ends tomorrow, so be sure to vote today!

Every year on vacation, Brad starts a vacation beard. He always shaves at the end of the vacation. I’m always happy to see it go. About a month ago, we went camping and the beard began.

It is still here.

To be honest the beard sort of creeps me out. When Brad kisses me and my eyes are shut I feel like I’m cheating on him. It just isn’t right.

It is prickly. The girls scream when he comes near them for hugs and kisses.

And yet, it is still here.