You did WHAT for 7 hours????

OK...So I'm sure EVERY mom (working or SAHM) can relate to the dinner time conundrum. Planning, Prepping, Shopping, Making, Mixing, Baking, Cooking, Serving...there's a lot that goes into having dinner on the table every most nights a week!! I for one have tried a few different tactics: Weekly Meal Planning Service (e-mealz) which was great but costs $5 a month and was some {let's just say} interesting meals, then there was the plan my meals by what's on sale which was great but then we got down to about 3-5 meals that we had ALL THE TIME. Plus both of these still involved me being home to cook and have dinner on the table before bath and bed time. So, I decided to TRY the once a month cooking. For those of you that are thinking...what did she say? Basically, I cooked for about 7 hours on Monday (my day off since I work most Saturdays) and ended up with about 20 something meals that included breakfast and dinner options (and lunch options since we take leftovers to work for lunch). Now, before you start saying I'm super woman for thinking of this...let me inform you of the website that LITERALLY gave me step by step directions, recipes and even a grocery list!!

It is www.onceamonthmom.com.

 She gives you these options for menus: traditional, whole foods, gluten/dairy free, diet, baby food and vegetarian. I did the whole foods menu option. (I'll tell you what I did and did not like about this in a minute)...OH...and by the way...did I tell you this is F.R.E.E.?!? ok. what I liked about this was: obviously, the no brainer, plan-ahead, freezer meals that we can literally pull out and know what we're doing. The grocery list was wonderful! She even has step by step instructions for the night before prepping and actual cooking day (the 7 hours included about an hour and a half of night before prepping). She also has printable recipe cards that can print on labels for the actual dishes in the freezer (so you know what it is you're eating and there's no mystery meat involved).   Like I said/wrote, I chose the whole foods menu because it uses a lot of ... well ... whole foods which equals healthy. But, she is serious. It has me baking bread, making pizza dough and even making my own tortillas (which I nixed and decided to go store bought). So, the whole foods is definitely hard core! But, the end result is sooo worth the time. We had our first meal tonight: BBQ Chicken Quesadillas. And, OH. MY. GOODNESS.  They were delish!! And, it took me all of about 4 minutes to get them out, prepare and plop in the oven!

A new perspective on Media...Guest Post by Tish Pitman

There are a few families/mommies that I follow closely because I admire how they 'do' family! Tish Pitman is definitely one of those. From the first time I met her and saw her precious family, I have watched them closely. And, what I appreciate the most is their wisdom in family decision making but their courage to go against the flow at times, as well. Their kids do come to church in flip flops in December, they do stay up late quite often and they do wear jeans to church! But, they are the most joyful and respectful children I have EVER met. And, if Justin and I can glean anything from their parenting style, I know our children will be better for knowing the Pitman family... (here's a picture to put a face with her words)



Mark, Graham, Morgan and Tish



Here she is ladies and gentleman...Tish Pitman...

Woo Hoo, guest blogger for Mandie!  If I only had a bucket list I could check that one off. 

Media.  Whew! Nothing can draw the ire of teen girls and women faster than a discussion of the two M’s, Media and Modesty. Don’t mess with my movies and cute clothes! 

Well, having grown up in the Information Age, I have had the opportunity to be exposed to quite a bit of what we now call “media.”  I’m certainly not opposed to it. I have a degree in Computer Science and actually enjoy technology and all that comes with it.  I’ve learned, however, that with all of the benefits and potential blessings come hazards, pitfalls, and much opportunity to experience the God-ordained consequences of reaping what we sow.  There is nothing inherently bad about ipods, DVDs, smartphones, TVs, computers, movies, the internet, etc. but the question we have to ask ourselves is: With endless access to unlimited information, mindless entertainment, and perpetual communication, are we controlling our media or is it controlling us?

A couple of years ago I spent the summer teaching teen girls at my church through a number of subjects based on the book, Lies Young Women Believe by Dannah Gresh and Nancy Leigh DeMoss. We spent four weeks on the topic, “Lies about the Media”, and came away with two major principles that will hopefully help us make wise decisions going forward regarding our consumption of all types of media.

The first principle we discussed is that our media lifestyles actually do change us whether we think they do or not.  A very common idea in our media saturated culture is that we can consume whatever and as much media as we choose and it will not affect us negatively if we don’t want it to.  That is just not consistent with reality.  All we have to do is look at our culture and we see a mirror of the entertainment industry.  Most of us think we are just being entertained, but in fact, we are also being educated.  The media’s influence is so powerful for several reasons. The most obvious reason is that we become desensitized to images and language and, most importantly, ideas that previously offended our conscious.  In turn, that desensitization affects what we think is normal.  What was previously shocking or abnormal is not any more.  The desensitization also alters what we think is entertaining and important.  Communication through the media is so well-crafted , we don’t even realize that false worldviews are being set up and presented as truth in very persuasive ways.  Even the design of our brain contributes to the power of media influence. The Lord obviously designed our brains to hold onto and store information.  Studies have shown that music and images are processed differently than printed words and have a powerful effect on emotions, affections, and memory.  It is easy to dismiss the danger because the effects are slow and subtle, but choice by choice, year upon year, they accumulate and we find ourselves and our children with ideas inconsistent with the truth of God’s Word. Of course, we all think we and our kids are the exception, but as a Christian, I have to rely on God’s Word to challenge me. “Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.”  Galatians 6:7

The second key truth we talked about is that we all need boundaries and that established limits and self-control are good.  Boundaries give us freedom and protection, and help us make intentional choices about how to use our time wisely and in a way that honors God.  I gave a list of guidelines to the teen girls that we have used in our home over the years regarding phone/texting, computer and video games, internet, Facebook, e-mail, books, magazines, movies, TV, and music.  If any of you are interested in those, I am happy to share.  I also challenged them to a 30-day fast.  Our family has taken the month of August every year as a TV-free month for the last ten years.  It has been an awesome time for us to reconnect and refocus as a new school year starts, and make sure we place our relationships with each other as highest priority.  Sometimes it is just best to unplug. 

There is so much that can be said on this subject, but I’m sure I’ve used my allotted guest-blog space and more!  The best words on this subject come from The Word itself.

Learn to discern. God has a lot to say about what we choose to put into our eyes and ears!

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 “Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

Psalm 101:3 “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless.”

Psalm 101:4 “A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.”

Ephesians 5:3 “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.”

Ephesians 5:11-12 “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.”

Romans 1:32 “Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.”

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”

There are many excellent resources that reference this subject.  Here are just a few:

Lies Young Women Believe by Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Dannah Gresh

5 Conversations You Must Have With Your Daughter by Vicki Courtney

Logged On and Tuned Out by Vicki Courtney

Sex is Not the Problem, Lust is by Joshua Harris

Preparing Your Daughter for Every Woman’s Battle by Shannon Ethridge

Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris

“The Myth of Adolescence” by Alex Harris

“Entertainment and the Christian” parts 1 and 2 by John Stonestreet

Focus on the Family Media and Culture resources

Family Life Media and Entertainment resources

Tish Pitman

Visit our family website and newsletter at www.pitmanacademy.weebly.com

A much needed new perspective ...

This year, Justin and I have decided to take Christmas a bit slower. Well, I finally gave in to Justin's wisdom...I should just listen to him in the beginning...but I digress.  Typically, for us Christmas involves a lot of gift planning, outlet shopping, party going and house hopping as we travel between family. I'm ashamed to say that we have typically fit Jesus in around the chaos of December! But, the Lord has taught us so much in the past year. It's not as important what others think of the gifts we get them or if we make it to EVERYONE'S Christmas party. I am in control of my stress level and the only thing that can create a chaotic Christmas is my perspective. I can choose to be consumed by the chaos or choose to be focused on the gift in Christ Jesus. Now, there are so many blogs about this topic right now. But, I came across this article that I simply must share. Happy Reading... (from Jen Hatmaker's blog)

The Christmas Conundrum by Jen Hatmaker

When I was in sixth grade, I received two Christmas presents I distinctly remember:

1.) The most coveted, desired beautiful "Forenza" tag on a pair of black leggings with a corresponding purple and black plaid shirt. (The outfit could've been anything, as long as it was from The Limited. Outback Red, anyone? Omg. If I could've conjured riches back then, I would've spent every red cent on OBR.)

2.) A fun, quirky red "football jersey type" sweatshirt.

I loved them both. Loved, loved, loved. I was certain these gifts were my ticket out of Dorkville. The feathered, product-less boy haircut and Bargain Selection glasses would become moot in light of my new, stylish garb. The popular kids would wonder what they ever didn't see in me. The cute boys I pined over would fight over inviting me to Sadie Hawkins, and they would say things like, "Why haven't we noticed her before? We're like Saul after the scales fell from his eyes." Or at least something very, very similar to that.

Until one very unfortunate eavesdropping session.

Supposed to be in bed but creeping in the hall listening to my parents' conversation which simply seemed like a naughty, awesome thing to do, I heard my mom say this:

"Her red sweatshirt? I found it at Walmart for $3.00."

Oh.
No.
She.
Didn't.

And just like that, the sweatshirt was ruined. In front of my eyes, it lost all its charm and it simply became something a Walmart girl would wear because she couldn't afford Esprit and her mother refused to buy her Guess jeans. All of a sudden, it communicated: I'm poor. (I was in sixth grade, people. It was a very dramatic time.)

Here's why I tell you about my persecutions: That is the only thing I remember from Christmas 1985. Not Jesus. Not reverence. Not generosity. Not gratitude. Just a selfish, materialistic reaction because every single gift of mine wasn't from an overpriced store with a namebrand I could casually brag about wearing. What a brat.

This sort of bull crap is still happening every year.

What happened to Christmas? What on earth happened to it? When did it transform from something simple and beautiful to what it is now? How insiduously did the enemy work to slowly hijack Jesus' birth and hand it over on a silver platter to Big Marketing, tricking His own followers into financing the confiscation?

We all know it. We all feel it. Every year we bear this tension. Each December, the world feels off kilter. But in the absence of a better plan or an alternative rhythm or - let's just say it - courage, we feed the machine yet again, giving Jesus lip service while teaching our kids to ask Santa for whatever they want, because, you know, that's really what Christmas boils down to.

I just cannot take it anymore, yall. I cannot.

What if a bunch of us pulled out of the system? What if we said something very radical and un-American, like: "Our family is going to celebrate Jesus this year in a manner worthy of a humble Savior who was born to two poor teenagers in a barn and yet still managed to rescue humanity."

I'm going to throw out some ideas for what I hope is a more meaningful Christmas; you may take some and leave some. Good reader, you may take none. Maybe you'll tweak an idea to fit your family. You might say, "For the love of Baby Jesus! She's ruining everything! We'll try one little thing this year, ok?! And then we'll quit reading her blog." Here goes:

1.) Because I'm anxious to make enemies and isolate myself from any goodwill you've ever felt toward me, let me just start with a biggie: We've pulled out of the Santa charade. Our newest kids are 5 and 8, preparing for their first Christmas in America, and we're just not doing it, yall. Maybe because we've spent the last four years trying to unravel the mess we've presented to our other kids all these years, but hear me say it: We are giving Christmas back to Jesus. Not a corner of it; all of it.

There is no fake benefactor this year my kids can petition to get more stuff. Because honestly? For a five-year-old, how can Jesus compete with Santa? Our children don't have spiritual perspective; when faced with the choice of allegience, they have a baby in a manger, or they can get a jolly, twinkling, flying character who will bring them presents. This is going to be an easy choice for them. My friend Andrew, who identifies himself as a member of the "non-believer corner" put it this way:

I always thought it was strange how Christians will tell me they have this giant and awesome truth they know is true deep in their soul and want to share with me, but when 12/25 comes around they lie to their own progeny because, apparently, that giant, liberating, and awesomely simple truth is somehow just not enough. It may be a good narrative, but it needs a little something to give it some panache.

As importantly, it sets this tone for Christmas: Be good and you'll get stuff, which becomes so deeply seeded, undoing that position is almost impossible. When we teach our children to understand Christmas through this lens, then tell them at nine-years-old: "Never mind! It's all fake! Oh, and stop being so selfish because Christmas is about Jesus"...we shouldn't be surprised when our kids stage a mutiny and ask to move in with Grandma. Young parents, this is so much easier to do right the first time rather than try to undo later. Give your kids the gift of a Christmas obsessed with Jesus - and no other - when they are little, and it will be their truth all their lives. Some practical points:

* When faced with Santa everywhere, everywhere, everywhere, we told our kids the story of the original St. Nicholas from the 3rd century, and his devotion to Jesus and the poor. We explained that Santa is a character based on his life, but one was real and one is pretend. We also told them some children believe Santa is real, and it's their parents' job to talk about that with their friends, not theirs. In other words, DON'T BE THAT KID WHO MAKES EVERYONE CRY IN THE MIDDLE OF CLASS. You're welcome, teachers.

* For the most part, we are not watching TV this month. We're allowing movies and Netflix, but the less commercials our kids have to digest, the less confusing this month is for them. Um, ditto for all of us. When there are commercials that say, "Hey? You know how to avoid the terrible Disappointed Face when you give your loved one her gift? Buy her a Toyota!"...we have seriously derailed, folks.

* Take a big breath: I got rid of all my Santa paraphernalia this year. No more severed ceramic Santa heads up in here. Try not to flip out. (I am in the "undoing" category I mentioned above. So freaking hard.)

* This is big: I AM NOT JUDGING YOU. If you put carrots on your front lawn for the reindeer and stamp bootprints all over your living room from Santa's shoes, that is fully your prerogative. You don't need to hide your Santa wreath when I come over or defend your position to me or anyone. For us, Christmas has gone through four years of reconstruction, each year progressively more simplified. I know God is doing all sorts of different things with different families at different times; everybody be cool.


2.) While you're stewing over Santa, let's go ahead and tackle this one: spending. Whatintheworld? We recently watched a video from Christmas 2004 when our kids were six, four, and two. (Sidebar: Those of you with a 6-year-old, thinking he is so big? You will die one hundred thousand deaths in seven years when you look back at videos and realize he was just an infant baby. And then you will cry drippy, sad tears because you'll realize that when all those old women told you to enjoy early childhood because it will pass so quickly, and you wanted to kick them in the shins, they were right. It is over in a nanosecond and the next thing you know, your "six year old" is texting and getting ready for high school and smells like the inside of a trash can.)

I digress.

When we saw the mountains of presents in front of our P.R.E.S.C.H.O.O.L.E.R.S. and watched them rip through boxes so fast, they had no idea what they even received, I caught Brandon's eye across the room and mouthed, "We were freaks!" Not to mention all this bounty was brought into a home burgeoning with loot already, so we had to get rid of a bunch of toys just to shoehorn in the new stuff. Kindly note that the recipients of all this commerce couldn't even wipe their own butts yet.

Insane at best, sacrilegious at worst.

Four years ago, we started this gift-giving policy for each kid: Something you want, something you need, something to wear, something to read. That's it. (This year we are adding something to give, and I'll talk about that in a minute.) Brandon and I don't buy for each other, and we draw names with our extended families, so each adult only buys one gift.

Friends and countrymen, we simply need to spend less on ourselves. There are plenty of practical reasons, like debt and financial strain and untold energy and stress. But even if we could afford to spend $500 on every important person in our lives, that sort of egregious consumerism is unbecoming for the Bride of Christ during a season that is supposed to be marked by the worship of Jesus.

We can find alternative rhythms to show each other our love. My mother-in-law is so very, very good at giving meaningful gifts based on making memories together. She takes my kids to plays and museums and day trips. She invites them to her house individually and spends precious time with them. My kids gobble this time with her down. Let's give the gifts of time and experiences and our creative talents and words this year. They will last long after the electric griddle has been forgotten.


3.) Let's MAKE DADGUM SURE the products we do buy don't come to us courtesy of slave labor. Like Ashley Judd said in Call+Response, "I don't want to wear someone else's despair. I don't want to eat someone else's tragedy." Our little church has joined the dog fight against human trafficking, and let me tell you something: When I refuse to carefully examine the vendors I buy from because it is inconvenient or overwhelming or I just really want that, I am turning the key that shackles the enslaved hands forced to produce my little goodies. I am as complicit as the abusers who exploit these laborers. And please don't tell me, "Not buying this one thing produced through a corrupt supply chain isn't going to make a difference." All that means is I don't care. If it was our children forced to work relentlessly in bondage, we would we hope and pray rich consumers across the world would battle that injustice by directing their consumer dollar with purpose, communicating to capitalistic opportunists "NO WE WILL NOT." We will call unethical business leaders to task with our words, our votes, and our money.

So many fantastic resources to help us become responsible consumers, calling vendors to reform and repentence using the language they truly understand...lack of profits:

* Download the Free2Work app, which allows you to scan barcodes and find out if that product is made responsibly or by slave labor.

* New to this conversation? Learn from our friends at Not For Sale. They are LEGIT.

* Need convincing? Download this Slavery Footprint and see where you land: "How many slaves work for you?" (Holy moly.)

* Know the top products made by slave labor, so you can be extra diligent on who you purchase them from. Careful...some of your faves are on the list (coffee, chocolate, cotton, sugar).

* Learn trusted vendors and stick with them, even if they cost more. We will not finance the slave industry because we are addicted to artificially low prices made possible by not paying the labor force.


4.) On the other hand, we can do so much good with our dollar! I think about the Acts 4 church, redistributing their resources "to anyone who had need." Such beauty. We can direct our Christmas dollar in two ways for great good:

Buying Products with a Conscience

These products range from beautiful artisan crafts made by former sex slaves or recipients of microloans; they include companies who use profits for international justice or employ vulnerable workers. Fabulously, these options are legion, and you don't have to look hard to find them. I'll include a few, then hopefully readers will add to the list of responsible vendors in the comment section:
www.cometogethertrading.com
www.redearthtradingco.com
www.furnacehillscoffee.com/index
www.preemptivelove.org
www.noondaycollection.com
www.bethejoy.com
www.goodnewsgoods.com
www.theopenarmsshop.com
www.commonthreadz.org
www.globalgirlfriend.com
www.3seams.com
www.ravenandlily.com
www.tradeasone.com
www.thehungersite.org
www.funkyfishdesigns.com

Giving

The second stream we can choose to float down this Christmas is out from underneath the consumer umbrella altogether (mixed metaphors, anyone?), and it is simply sharing our resources with those who need intervention to break the cycles of poverty and despair. This year, we are giving each of our children $100 to spend on the vulnerable. This is part of their Christmas present, because as you and I know, it just feels so awesome to be a part of Jesus' redemptive story. We will give them some options, and they can distribute their money however they want. Here are some trusted, responsible organizations to partner with, donating in increments as low as $10:
www.IJM.org/GiftsofFreedom
www.worldvision.org
www.mercycorps.org
www.miraclefoundation.org

5.) Finally (and all the readers breathed a sigh of relief), instead of just pulling old habits off the shelf and leaving a vacuum of void and guilt, let's replace American practices with - and I mean this in the most sincerest sense - Christian practices. Let's fill our homes with Jesus and find ways to worship Him with our little families every day this month. Let's join the Advent Conspiracy, daring to believe that Christmas can still change the world. May beautiful words fill our houses; lyrics like Come and behold him, born the the King of angels. As much as possible, let's mute the competing chatter trying so hard to invade our spaces; turning it down, turning it off. Celebrate Advent with your kids with diligence and anticipation. We ordered a fun version of the Advent Calendar, and each night the kids open a new envelope full of Scriptures and family activities. (Tonight we are reading about Jesus, the Light of the World, talking about what being a light in the darkness means, then playing flashlight tag. Yes, I'm sure someone will get hurt.)

The placement of our envelope string does not annoy Brandon at all.


Believers, let's do beautiful things together this month like serve and share and spend time with one another. Let's invite the loneliest people we know into our homes and show them Jesus. How about we make lovely food together, then share it. Parents, talk about Jesus' impending birthday like it is the most precious, thrilling, miraculous moment you have ever heard of in your life. Can we be brave enough to say "enough" to any further ruination of Jesus' day? Can we risk difficult conversations with grandparents and friends and our own children, understanding that Jesus called it the narrow way for a reason, and he wasn't kidding when he said few would find it? Let's listen to divergent thinkers and spiritual leaders who are courageously leading us in the ways of Jesus this December, helping us resist consumerism and selfishness and giving voice to our radical thoughts and inner tension.

Despite what your mother might say when you tell her you're scaling back this year, I am not trying to ruin your Christmas. On the contrary. I'm dying to rediscover what is simple and magnificent about the Savior of the World coming to earth, putting on flesh and saving my life. I so want my kids to marvel that Jesus came, just like God said he would, and he split history in two, forever transforming the concepts of hope and peace and salvation. And I just feel like when I create a season revolving around wish lists, frenzy, and alternate characters of honor, my kids will never understand any of this.

And neither will I.

Together, we have the opportunity to show a watching world something truly hopeful and sincerely beautiful this Christmas. We can live alternative rhythms in front of people, showing them something better than stress and spending and tension and exhaustion. We can raise children who understand exactly why the songwriter wrote: Oh come let us adore Him. We can partner with Jesus and bring good news to the nations yet again, fighting injustices and carrying hope to the ends of the earth through something as simple as sharing our money. Most importantly, we can render to Jesus the reverence he is owed, pushing all substitutions to the side and making our homes holy ground. This is why (from my favorite singular lyric in any hymn ever):

Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt it's worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn...

The weary world rejoices indeed. Thank you, Jesus, Lord at thy birth. Joy to the world.

You can go read the article on her blog here.

Great Links to Frugal/Make-it-yourself Christmas Gifts...

If you're on Pinterest, you've seen these everywhere. If you're not on Pinterest, step away from the mouse and do not enter. It has the ability to pull you in and not let go!! (Thank you Heather Boyd once again...)

From Creating Keepsakes (#9 on the list)

Here are some great links to great frugal gift giving ideas:

1) Gift Basket Ideas: http://darlingdoodles.blogspot.com/search/label/gift%20ideas
2) Neighbor Gift Ideas: http://www.howdoesshe.com/30-neighbor-gift-ideas
3) Homemade Gift Ideas: http://www.squidoo.com/diy-gift-ideas-for-men-women-homemade-present-tutorials-crafts-christmas
4) 40 Edible Gifts: http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/gift-guides/yummy-packages-38-homemade-gifts-from-the-kitchn-recipe-roundup-133621
5) Inexpensive Gifts: http://www.craftynest.com/2010/08/inexpensive-handmade-holiday-gift-ideas-part-1/
6) Handmade Gifts (This is probably my favorite!): http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/08/101-simple-handmade-gift-tutorials/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Everythingetsycom+%28EverythingEtsy.com%29
7) If you sew, this is a great one!: http://www.tipjunkie.com/home-made-christmas-gift-ideas/
8) Mixes in a Jar Recipes: http://www.mixesinajar.com/mixes/snacks/smoresquaresinajar.shtml
9) "Hip" Gift Ideas (This one looks pretty good as well): http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/articles/101_hhg_chapter_3
10) 400 Gift Ideas (who has time to think of this?): http://www.tipjunkie.com/2011-homemade-gift-guides/

Ok, that's the top ten probably. Enjoy your Frugal...Less Stressfull...More Meaningful Christmas!!!

Ahhh...nice breather...now back to blogging!!!

That was a nice little breather from blogging! Now back to it. Today, when I turned on the music in our model home (to 98.9 of course), to my surprise ok I admit it... to my delight, I heard CHRISTMAS MUSIC. My delight was shortly followed by the heart dropping feeling that I really need to start thinking about Christmas and all that it entails. Does it seem to sneak up on anyone else? Sure I think nice futuristic thoughts in September and October. But, November is the get off the pot time (was that vulgar?!?) time.  This year is a bit different for Justin and I. It's the BUDGET year. As most of you know, we have made the transition from nice, cushy/salary job to follow your dream/straight commission job. So, while things are actually going wonderful. We are extra cautious due to unknown droughts that could appear in our financial future at anytime.So, we are making a major move. I'm going to talk about the dreaded Christmas budget. *Vulnerability Alert* Our budget has always been a bit more in my opinion because of  the shear amount of people that we love and who also happen to be in our somewhat immediate family. In years past our budget has been anywhere from $500 - $700. Well, we're scaling back...WAY...WAY.........WAY back. This year, our goal is to do Christmas under $200! .................. sorry. I had to get my jaw off the floor. It's possible but here's what it involved to get to this point:

1) A re-evaluation of our finances.
2) A complete re-evaluation of the intended purpose for Christmas. (that was enough for us!)
3) Discussions with some family members to communicate our love but also our purpose this Christmas.
4) CREATIVITY!!

So, I'll be sharing some of my Christmas gift ideas this season (all the while trying to keep most things under wrap just in case friends and family peek here once in a while!). I'll give you my tally towards the end and let you know how this goes.

At the risk of completely annoying some of you....
HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND MERRY CHRISTMAS YA'LL!

Dum du du Dum...FINAL POST...weigh-in update

What a great month this has been! I hope you have enjoyed this as much as I have!! ok, here it is.......in the month of October...I have lost 10 lbs!! I wish I could say it was excercise, but I worked almost every day this month!! It was truly just thinking about what I eat and making some minor changes in my life.


I hope you're encouraged. Now the doorbells ringing with trick or treaters. Gotta Go!

Happy Halloween!!

Ramblings in the late night...

Our 31 days of health is coming to an end tomorrow! Wow! It's been a great month. Tomorrow, I will weigh in and give you the final number for the month. But, I will continue my weight loss and check in every once in a while with an update. Next weekend, I get to go see my sister in Virginia and run/walk a 10 mile race with her. So, this brings me to my truth for the night...working out/running/losing weight is always much more fun when you do it with someone you love!

Good night everyone!!!