The Captain's friend BK offered to stake me to half of $500 if I would put up the other half. He would register on my behalf and I would play. Obviously he has NO idea what $250 means to us. I know he regularly has 10 times that in a "pot". Winning and losing large sums is another day's work for him. At least he understands very well the ephemeral nature of money!
On the other hand, today I am going to Jax to invest in a different kind of stake. I'm going to work at the Florida Federation of Music Clubs Festival, where young people (under 19) are adjudicated, critiqued and encouraged to continue their musical education. I expect it will be a grueling day - 11:30 to 8 or so, with an hour's travel time either way. Then tomorrow morning, three of MY students are being adjudicated, as well, so I must be there at 8:30 with our accompanist. They are all SO well prepared. I find it thrilling to work with them - beautiful young voices, exquisite music, and their palpable excitement. Beautiful music is at the heart of civilized life. This is MY stake in their future, and in a much broader sense, the future of civilization.
Ha ha ha! The joke's on me. I decided I would take a chance on a $10 fee and see how it went. After completing the whole process to update my account, etc., the website would not allow me to play for money!!! What a good laugh that gave me!
Shhh! I have a secret. I love to play Scrabble! Last night I heard a TV commercial for an online Scrabble game where you can earn money for winning!
With a sharp bolt of lighting and a crack of thunder, a whole new world opened up! Fear and trembling! I skipped my stitching time in the evening and played. Did I put up any money? Heaven forfend! I merely played to see what my average was of winning games. I figure if I can win 60% of 5000 games, I can make a little money. We shall see. Of course they match players, probaby by winning percentage or by average or high score, and I am sure it is geared to let you win just enough to keep you hooked. They even offer free games to entice you. Pray for me! I know my obsessive nature. This will take LOTS of discipline. I need all the help I can get!!!
Awoke with a headache today, which must be related to the shower we were having at the time. When I drank I often experienced early morning headaches that were my version of a hangover. Seems rather unfair that I still have headaches and don't have the pleasure of my red wine in the evenings.
The heating and air-conditioning men are here installing the new heat pump, which, as it turns out, will cost us nearly $2800. Yuck! Ugh! Argh! Best laid plans of debt reduction.
So I have been researching "home based business" opportunities. Hmmm. I think they are only opportunities for those who have a yen to sell something, and I do NOT! More Daoist silliness, no doubt. How seductive to imagine making $500-1000 a week in 20 hours. No wonder they get so much traffic on their sites. I wonder if a business offering needlepoint/cross-stitch parties at home, rather like Tupperware parties, would find any takers? On the other hand, I know that I dislike invitations to such things, which are really ask one's friends and family to buy the product as a favor to the hostess. Even when I attend, I try to keep that in mind, because of my affection for my friend.
Chino, my 11 year old tabby (the bottom feline in the picture) just came down the hall into the computer room saying, "Rrrowww, rrowwww", with an orange plastic jack in his mouth, begging for play! When he was a little kitten that was his favorite game, and he would play it to the point of exhaustion and collapse complete with dog-like panting!!!! What an adorably engaging little critter he is!
So, if there are no get-rich-quick schemes that I can embrace, I need to be more creative. And creativity is something I do well...... ....
My Grammie and my mother used to say, "Where there's a will, there's a way," but I wonder....
Nearly 5 years ago, I suffered a stroke that left me with numbness and lack of coordination of my right hand and arm. For awhile, I could not speak normally, and I couldn't say my husband's name. With time and occupational and massage therapy, sensation began to return. My speech cleared up within the month. I relearned how to brush my teeth and hair, how to butter toast, how to handle a fork. I used a speech program on the computer for several months, because my right hand could not type. I am very grateful for the lessons I learned from this experience. After 5 years, a person is considered to be at no increased risk of having another CVA (cerebrovascular accident). That's my upcoming milestone!
