ramblings and such

This week, I've been content.  Maybe it was the migraine that brought me to a jolting halt on Monday night and Tuesday.  Maybe it was making my motive God's glory.  Maybe it was just The Big Man Upstairs sayin' slow down, take a break, let it all seep into the cracks and crevices of your heart and soul, chew on it.  Maybe it was Uncle J getting good reports from his doctors and getting closer to a diagnosis.  Perhaps it was a lovely combination.  In any case, it's been a pleasant week and I am oh-so thankful.

Retail therapy's always good for the soul.  And since I haven't ventured out to do any real shopping and have only one long sleeve shirt that I've been wearin' the heck out of lately, it was time.  Totally.  So, one of my new bestest good friends and I went shopping.  Thrift store style.  We spent an enjoyable, lengthy time browsing and sorting through clothes.  In the end, I came out with a few great pieces for the kids and myself.  Oh let's face it, I got the most.  Miss K is of the age now that she must do her own shopping.  It's just that way.  My criteria:  I have to love it.  Haveto.  That's it.

With that being said, there's a few things that still bother me...

See this? 

 

It's the official lunch survey. I throw one in Miss K's lunchbox once a month or every other week or so. I color it a bit so it doesn't look so blah and she and her friends fill it out and they think I'm all hipster mom and stuff. {smile}  But then, today there's this...

 

 

 

If Mr.T (not of the A-Team) were to see this, I do believe his soul would be dampened, disheartened even.  Shoot y'all, if he weren't of the living, breathing type, I do believe he'd roll smack over in his grave.  Ya see, this was Miss K's favorite subject last year and it was due to the efforts of one Mr. T.  He was fantastic at teaching reading and writing.  He challenged these kids and drove them to new heights.  Now, I feel like Tanya Harding came by and whacked us both with a crow bar.  Honest y'all. 

 

I tell you, I'm not pleased with this school, with its staff.  As "the new kid", Miss K's taken quite a few undeserved punches and I really feel stepped on at this point.  If I wasn't a Jesus freak, I'd stomp right in there and act like a, well, you know....a, a, not so nice lady.  That's what!  Instead, we continue to pray for Miss Witch.  Don't laugh, it's really how part of her name is pronounced and I didn't divulge all of for the sake of the innocent.  Kinda ironic though.  At this point, she's about thiiiiisss close to me really going off in there.  Every day it's something new and Miss K has been known for her demeanor, her shy and obedient way.  I'm really taken aback by how these people haven't tried to cater to her, treat her special, being that she's the new girl and all.  She has a ton of friends.  Good girls, I might add.  They're cute and funny like her.  We host them here often.  It's sad, truly sad.

 

Now.  I feel like I'm harboring a secret here.  Really.  It's become a skeleton in my closet.  I'm afraid to mention it to our friends.  OK.  You twisted my arm.  We've looked online at real estate in a neighboring town.  There.  I said it.  They're rated one of the top 50 schools in IL.  They have soccer.  EEEEK!  And we hear it's a good town.  A little larger.  But good.  I'm interested.  It's 25 or 30 minutes from here.  Doable for sure.  We could still go to church, do the coffee shop/bakery, etc., etc.  I feel like I've cheated on my friends.  What is wrong with me?

 

Lastly, we've all had rough weeks here.  I stated last night, I wasn't afraid to go home.  We don't have to stay here.  Problem is, I don't know what's at home for us.  For me.  I've gotten a taste of life outside and it's good.  Very good.  Do I wish it were closer to my friends and family?  Yes.  Do I miss the heebie jeebies out of them.  Heck yeah!  I never liked contemporary church.  Now that we're part of one, I couldn't imagine anything else.  I love Steve's preaching.  He's so full of the spirit, passionate for Christ, on fire for the Lord.  He's spontaneous.  There's no neutering born-again Christians, you take their fire and run with it.  His messages punch you in the stomach and bring you to your knees. They make you wanna work for the glory of God.  Yesterday.  Put love in action.  Yesterday.

 

This place and I.  We have a love-hate relationship and most days, I can't figure out which it is.  Love?  Hate?  Hmm.

 

The Frugal Movement...

...or as Jayme puts it, the "Pink Chicken Revolution".

It's seems like an eternity since I last posted.

I'm not promising I'm back for everyday posting,

it's never been my thing.

I've missed everyone though, 

following their blogs, commenting here and there.

This post will seem long and I apologize for that but,

here goes...

Tonight, everyone was in bed early and it was just me,

sitting on the couch with the iPod, checking email, etc.

(I've gotten quite used to that, not getting on "the" computer.  It consumes me)

when I decided to see what was happening in the world of my blog friends.

I began reading this and this.

These people in blog space remind me of why I'm here.

I read their words and they are mine.

Their passions, their troubles.

I am compelled to read their stories.

Well, this post in particular struck a nerve.

I too have become more frugal.

Ewww, something about that word has never worked for me.

Anyway, we turned our cable off back some time ago

(No, not because we couldn't afford anything, I'll explain)

and haven't really missed it since.

I have to say though, I hesitated to make the phone call. 

Even put it off for weeks! Something about it just scared the pants off of me.

Afraid I'd feel disconnected.

Now, it feels somewhat liberating.

I recently found that I am in love with thrift store finds.

Not antiques or even home decor.  Clothes.  And you're thinking, ugh!

Well, just last week, I went to a place in town and found this fabulous purple turtleneck.

I know, I know.  A turtleneck, right?  Trust me, it's a cute turtleneck.

Realize, I am a t-shirt and jeans kinda girl. Comfortable is my middle name.

It was $3.75!

 I absolutely adore it though!

It looks great with this cute little scarf I have,

I can't get enough of it!

There's just something about saving money that gets me excited!

Why pay thirty bucks for a new shirt when you can find it already broken in for six or less?!

Does this make sense to anyone but me?

The Today show recently did a segment comparing name brand products to generics.

They found that in most cases the generic brand did

the same or better than the name brand.

So, in a one income family, why not save a dollar or two

towards the summer vacation?  Or whatever you have your eye set on?

I also changed our phone plan.

No caller i.d.
No call waiting.

No voicemail.  ever heard of an answering machine?
$5 at Wal-Mart if you don't have one.

No unlimited long distance calling.

No three-way calling.

No call intercept.

Basic phone service = $20/month.

Are we nuts? 

If our cell phones had better reception here,

we'd junk the landline all together.

Let me get this straight for you all.

We have no credit cards.
I take that back, we have a few store cards - Kohl's, etc.
Paid off, every month - if anything's put on them. rare.

Our only loan is for our car.

Granted, we don't own our home.  A blessing and a curse.

We owe no one nothin'!

Do you know what that feels like?

It's freedom of the utmost high.

YES, my choice was to stay at home and raise my children.
C and I decided when K was born, it was the best thing for us.
Which at times, has also felt like a blessing and a curse.
Ended up, she was a screamer and I hated staying home.

This time around, I am finding myself.

It may have taken a good long while and a lot of uphill battles but,

I am finally becoming settled and comfortable.

I too, was afraid of what people would think of me.

Would they look at me differently because I shopped at a discount food store?

Would they think less of me for shopping at a thrift shop?

Would they cock their head when I said we don't have "real" TV.

Just 9 channels from our television, which now sports

a fantastically attractive bunny ear antenna?

Mostly PBS, which is better for the kids, I might add.

I have since gotten over these fears, of what people might think and to my surprise,

I am finding there are so many more people like me
that surround me on an everyday basis.
At school, at church, my friends and family.

I'm not alone in this boat.

Everyday people, who too, want to live debt-free.

It's liberating!  It's freedom, happiness, like you've never known.

I can't say that the first time I set foot in a thrift shop, I wasn't feeling uneasy.

Walking swiftly to the door, afraid to look around, afraid someone might see me.

Yeah, I was used to donating things but, that felt different.

Now, I have this fearless heir.  It's made me a stronger, more courageous person.

It's helped me in my walk with the Lord, to be always faithful and trusting.

Knowing that He has a plan.

"But the person who trusts in the LORD will be blessed.  The LORD will show him that he can be trusted.  He will be strong, like a tree planted near water that sends its roots by a stream.  It is not afraid when the days are hot, its leaves are always green.  It does not worry in a year when no rain comes;it always produces fruit."  Jeremiah 17:7-8

So, kudos to you, Jayme, for going against the current.

I am with you.  We're all with you!  He is with you.