Not going to count....

After a few really crazy days at work, and being too tired at night to post a blog entry, I have made the "executive decision" not to count my days.  It is a journey, after all, and should not be measured in time but rather in the steps I have made towards the end goal. 

I must admit that I cheated a bit this week and did back-slide into some old habits.  I have resolved, this day, to continue to move forward and to use the upcoming long weekend to run a little bit to catch back up to where I want to be. 

Okay.....so full disclosure on my back-sliding.....I didn't post a blog entry each day as I had committed myself to do; I skipped a day writing in my faith journal as well; I didn't pack my lunch and bought lunch out two days in a row; and :::insert gasp here::: I left dirty dishes on my counter last night!  I know what you are thinking.  None of those things are horribly bad, but I am working on making changes here to bad habit and trying to create new and positive habits for the future. 

On the positive side of things, I have started noticing a change in our bank account because some of the changes we have been making with the budget and shopping side of things.  Those are things to be discussed in future posts! 

What baby steps will you be taking today on your journey towards your goals?

Day 4 - Eat Your Pantry

One of the blogs I follow has issued a challenge to their family and to readers to "Eat Your Pantry" during the month of September.  

I'm sure a lot of you do what I do and stand with the cupboard doors open wondering what there is to eat.  Most of us have way more food on hand than we realize and this challenge is a good way to use it up!  Basically you eat meals using up what you already have.  Not only will you save some money on your grocery bills but you and your family may also have a good time creating new dishes or trying new recipes in the process.

I think I might be doing some baking over the next few weeks in order to use up the canned pumpkin I seem to have stock piled.  Good think I love pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips!!

Want to take the challenge?  Why not join us.  Feel free to post some of your challenge meals......

Day 3 - Back to School

We're getting ready, just like so many families, for the kids to go back to school.  At the dinner table recently I had a conversation with my kids about some of the changes we would be making this year.  Typically, because I work outside the home full time, my kids have eaten school lunch.  It was more convenient for me and they didn't seem to mind.  As for me, I have a really bad habit of eating on the run for lunch.  For the sake of convenience, we were spending a TON of money on food.  Between my morning coffee, lunch on the go and two school lunches....five times a week.....we were spending on average of    <insert gasp here>   $75 per week!!!!  That is almost $3,375 during the school year over and above my grocery budget. 

When I explained the math, the kids were rather shocked at how much we were spending.  They were all in favor of making a change.  We all decided that we would pack our lunches.  We could have fun with it AND we eat more healthy as well. 

I'm collecting all sorts of lunch ideas.  Feel free to share your favorites as well.....

Day 2 - I think I'm a hoarder

An embarrassing and yet freeing revelation yesterday as I began my journey in earnest....I am a hoarder.  I save everything, just in case.  I think I may have been on a steady decline to becoming my parents.  They are from the generation that saved it all. 

I decided to start with my linen closet and went to work pulling everything out of it.  I vacuumed all of the shelves and made sure there were no cobwebs.  Then I looked around at what I had pulled out.  Would you believe I still had CRIB SHEETS in there?!?  My youngest child will be 11 in November!  Why did I still have those?  What did I need them for?  I began making piles of sets of sheets and found that I also still had full sized sheets in my possession and we no longer have a full sized bed. 

When all was said and done there were two bags of linens and blankets that got donated to local charities and I was left with only the sheets that are on each bed and one spare set for each bed.  I folded each set and tucked them inside the matching pillowcase so they are "grab 'n go" ready for when I strip the beds.  All that is left is exactly what we will actually use, nothing more....

It felt really great to begin the process of simplifying my life.  More importantly, though,  I have started making  intentional choices so that my life will reflect my beliefs. 

Day 1: Time to change

How many times have you made a New Year's resolution, only to cave in and abandon the changes a few weeks later?  Most people, myself included, just don't stick to resolutions they make unless they are truly committed or convicted of the need to change. 

Over the past few weeks I have become convicted of the need to make some major changes in my life and in the lives of my family.  I hope to document the journey here.

All Signs Point to Change

I heard about a fairly new book out called The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin in which she documents a year long adventure towards happiness.  Shortly after I looked it up on the internet, a good friend lent me the book!  I was intrigued and began reading immediately.  I could identify with  many of the things she was writing about, especially when she says

"Time is passing, and I'm not focusing enough on the things that really matter." (Gretchen Rubin)

That same week, over coffee with a friend, the conversation shifted toward intentional living and simplifying our lives.  Even the sermon series at my church was speaking to me about changes that needed to be made in this area.  This was not a new idea to me and yet it seemed that every conversation I had, everything I read and even my devotional time each day was pointing me towards this change. 

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[a] your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[b] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

(Matthew 6:19-24, NIV)

I truly believe when God speaks to your heart, you must listen and obey.  I had no more excuses for not making changes.  Now the question was what did I need to do and how drastic would the change be?  Stay tuned for more of the adventure......