Do not fear

Call me frugal (or cheap... I don't care)

Tim has been out of work for 4 months now. A little over 4 month, actually.

But things are good. Really!
Although we already lived incredibly frugally compared to many, we found we had many, many places we could still cut.

I've had discussions with others and it amazes me how many people either never think of these things, or think they can't live without them:

1. Fabric softener. 'cmon... it's nice, but necessary???? Paleeezzzzze!
2. Dryer sheets. (see above)
3. Flavored creamers. Not only are they expensive, but have you read the ingredients in these things???? ewwwwwwwwwww
4. Eating out. You can buy a whole WEEKS worth of food for what you would spend on one meal! If you don't believe that, then you need me to teach you how to shop.
5. Fancy shampoo/conditioner/soap/lotion/etc. The cheap stuff works fine. Get over it.
6. Soda. I know... this is like asking you to stop breathing. But seriously, it might be the HEALTHIEST thing you ever do! At least cut down. A lot. And don't buy that bottle of soda when you stop at the gas station/convenience store. Buy a case and ration it out.
7. Convenience foods. Go the the library and get a cookbook. Seriously. It isn't hard and it will taste a million times better than that shelf-stable caca.
8. Movies- theater or rental. Watch tv. There IS enough on there. Try watching some classics or something educational. If you REALLY need a movie, move away from the cookbooks and check out (ha ha) some of their movies. The Cuyahoga Public Library System was rated #1 in the country for a reason!!!!
9. Driving- stay home! You'll save a lot of money! LOL At least consolidate your trips. Plan ahead so you don't have to go out for that one thing you forgot. We have a conversion van and a Ford Focus. We drive the Focus unless we absolutely NEED to use the van.
10. Use the clutter. Do you have a few dozen half used bottles of shampoo? Consolidate & use them up. Go through your make-up. Chances are you really don't need to buy a new blush/eye shadow/lipstick if you use the ones you already have. Look in the cabinet & use up all those odd n' ends cleaners instead of buying the newest one on the commercial you just saw.
11. Bleach & vinegar. They clean just about everything for less than half the price.
12. Fridge clutter: you can either google those things you don't know what to do with and find recipes, or use www.allrecipes.com and search under the ingredients tab. Use it up, don't throw it out.

That's the first dozen ideas just off the top of my head. I'll post more later, and feel free to share any of yours!

Ketsup

Or catch up.... whatever.......

Where do I start?

I'm still working, though not as many hours. The study I'm on is nearing the end, so my hours were decreasing. I also have leadership classes at karate as well as teaching cardio kickboxing every Tuesday. So my hours went from 36 a week, to 16. The drop in hours stinks, but I think I'm probably a bit nicer than I was when I was working like a dog.

Wednesday I got an email from work that they wanted to train me for a higher position! YEAH! It is more interesting, more challenging, and more pay. God is so good!

The highlight of the last couple months was on March 8th at about noon, when Garrett decided he wanted to ask Christ to be his personal savior!!!! We knew he KNEW Christ, but this was a step only he could decide to take. This is my greatest wish for all children. Without Christ, nothing else they do will ever matter.

A couple weeks before this, our church, Cuyahoga Valley Church, did Cardboard Testimonies. Both Sierra & Garrett participated. (Sierra's started with "God was boring to me", and Garrett is second from the end.)



I'll add more tonight or tomorrow!

She's alive!

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I AM still alive, just overwhelmed.

I will do my best to post later today!