Thursday, June 24, 2004

Checkbook balancing - a thing of the past?

I was curious about something... last night I was rummaging through my bank statement which I always do just to see if there are any announcements that I should be aware of or surprises that I look different from my daily online viewing. I'm definitely pro-online banking and can't imagine it any other way. I never worry too much about fraud because I check my account everyday so I would know if something is suspicious. Anyway, here's my thought. On the back of the first page, it gives instructions on how someone could balance their checking account by using the enclosed bank statement. WOW !! I didn't know people still did that. By the time I get my statement, it's old news. In fact, I do 95% of all my bill paying online. The only checks I ever write are to friends or family to pay for something since they don't take Visa or my weekly tithe. I wish my church had an automatic draft. During the communion session when plate passing occurs, I could just let it go by. Or if I felt the "not giving guilt" that I would feel from others looking at me, I could put in a fake envelope with nothing in it !

Does anyone balance their checkbook by using their bank statements? It made think of one day trying to teach my sons on how to write a check even though they may never have to write one out by then. I'll have to teach them online banking instead. What other things are going by the wayside that I learned when I was little that my kids won't have to learn....

1. How to turn a TV channel manually (blessed remote)
2. How to set a VCR to record (thanks TIVO!)
3. How to change the oil in your car (my Dad taught me but I take mine to Kwik-Kar)
4. How to keep a journal by your bedside (thanks blog-mania)
5. How to write a hand-written note to family and friends (thanks email)
6. How to apply for scholarships (thanks to Colby's left arm and his mean fast ball at 18 mos. old)

Just some thoughts...

God bless you all,

SJ

Monday, June 21, 2004

Happie Fawders Day Daaaaddd !

The wheel. The computer. Microwaves. Cars. Liquid Paper (when you still needed it). Cliff Notes. And to Sonora Dodd for her great invention ! Sonora Dodd...??? (Huh?) To learn more about one of the great "inventors" and her invention, read this from http://wilstar.net/holidays/fathers.htm#HISTORY:

Sonora Dodd, of Washington, first had the idea of a "father's day." She thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909. Sonora wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. Smart, who was a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state.

After Sonora became an adult she realized the selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.

President Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.

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Hard to imagine that it wasn't until 1966 that we had a presidential proclamation. Wow - makes you wonder what my grandad's 3rd Sundays were like !! Just same ol' chores - no special treatment I guess. No fun !!

My Father's Day weekend was great. Having my family back in town was the greatest gift for me. They were gone for 5 days to visit other family but I sure was glad to see them. I had the forethought to think that my wife might need a little "away" time from the kids so I planned a date for us Saturday night when they arrived. I think she needed that. (pat, pat on my back!) We saw the new Spielberg/Hanks movie - thought it was good and funny. Not realistic but that's what differentiates a movie from a documentary. Enjoyed our dinner and Marble Slab ice cream afterwards as well.

Sunday was a great day for me. Once we got home from church and had put the kids down for a nap, here was my afternoon. US Open Golf on TV, snooze, golf, snooze, golf, golf and more golf ! That was it! Happie Fawders Day to me !!

For any of you out there reading this, hope your Father's Day was great. I was fortunate to still be able to talk to my Dad. Some of my friends don't have the luxury because of their Dad's passing or a strained relationship. I consider myself richly blessed in this regard! Blessings to all you Fathers out there !

God bless you all,

SJ