Responsible Gift Buying

Almost every day of the year, I buy only the items we really need and really can use. I have trained myself to be a person who does not buy on impulse.

However, about this time of year, every year, when I have already begun the gift-buying process, I get bitten by the shopping bug.

You know that "illness" where you see something for a great deal that someone would like or that would be the perfect gift for someone possibly many months from now? You know that feeling like "it is such a good deal; I have to have this ... and now!"

Well, this year, I am going to resist that urge to overbuy. Typically, in the past, this is when the good old Mastercard would just fly out of my wallet and ring us up a big old debt to begin paying in January.

But, I stopped myself mid-buy yesterday. I can do this. I can do this. I can do this.

Less is more. Less is more. Less is more.

It has been a long road to get out of debt and there are many hills still to climb to get into a strong financial place.

The economy is in the toilet and we are a single-income family with employment related to the success of the auto industry.

Black Friday is a hard time of year. The credit card bug tries to rear its ugly head.

Just say no. Just say no. Just say no.

I am saying NO to debt after Christmas this year .... for the first time ever since the credit card issuers put my name on a card and gave me free reign.

It is hard.

I am doing it for my kids. I am doing it because it is the right way to do things. I am doing it because it is the responsible way to live.

My future job

Today I had the opportunity to go on a field trip with ds's class. They went to J.A. Biztown, a mock community where the kids held jobs and simulated a real-life economy. Ds worked as a Lab Technician and I helped out at the bank. This trip was just such a special experience for the kids. But, it caused me to think a lot too.

I miss many things about working out in the professional world. I would never give up this opportunity to be home with my children full time right now while two of them are so young. But, I look forward to returning someday to that world.

Here are some things important to me in a future job. I am writing this here in hopes of remembering this someday --

1.) The multi-tasking in a professional environment. For some reason, multi-tasking with my kitchen clean-up and laundry just does not offer the same thrill. I remember the adrenaline rush of working on a deadline, with a team, to bring a project to a successful conclusion. When I return to work someday, I want to remember that I want a busy, active, team environment to work within.

2.) The variety. I need a job where everday is somewhat different than the next, with projects that vary and I want to work in an environment with high standards and respectable leadership.

3.) Autonomy. It is very important to me to work autonomously. If I am micromanaged, I become stifled and very unhappy. This is essential to me in an enjoyable job.

4.) Decent pay. I want to be paid at a rate that makes working worthwhile.

5.) Flexibility. Ideally, I would love to work part-time with a flexible work schedule. But, I no longer want to work from home now that I have three kids.

6.) An office to go to where I can work with people, yet without distraction.

7.) Paid time off ... need I say more ... lol!

8.) A flexible lunch hour and great co-workers to eat with!

9.) Great, caring, interesting and supportive co-workers.

10.) A job where continued learning is important.

11.) When I get bored, I want to find a new job and not just stay somewhere because I have been there so long or because I feel that I can't get a better job somewhere else. I want to grow and learn and then move on and grow and learn some more.

12.) Great retirement benefits as well as other benefits.

13.) And while I am at it, I would like a very large bonus each year =)

There it is. The perfect job. For someday.

Dollar Store Diva

The Dollar Store is my new, favorite shopping hangout.

It is the perfect store for an at-home mom who is watching the cash closely, but still wants to browse ... because if I find something I just can't put down, it isn't damaging to the budget.

I admit it though. I went nuts there this weekend.

I spent ........ a grand $8!

The girls had a blast there too checking out all the little Christmas goodies and cheap, colorful toys.

Here is what we bought for $8 and some change --

1 bottle of hand lotion (12 oz)
1 window scraper (with an attached glove) for my van
1 box of miniature candy canes
1 box of chocolate mints
1 package of three bouncy balls (for the girls)
1 package of individually-wrapped peppermints
1 eight-pack of Twix bars
1 package of 220 bendable straws

What a great lot of loot for $8 plus tax, huh?

Way cool!

I am not going to grieve any inability on my part to just shop for fun anymore. I am just going to become a Dollar Store Diva!

Restaurant Therapy

I have been thinking ... could eating out be like therapy?

After eating out twice on Saturday, and then with dh cooking dinner on Sunday, I almost feel like a new person.

Counting every penny for the last few months has just been so darn painful that I think I have felt a bit deprived ... not to mention exhausted of cooking.

I guess I should be thankful that eating out is probably my favorite frivolous pleasure. I could have more expensive vices, I suppose.

But, with eating out, I also think I appreciate it, and enjoy it more, when I don't do it all the time. Less can truly be more in that regard.

Good things happening

There are a lot of positive things going on right now --

I am getting a lot done around the house since I am no longer fixated on the election news.

The girls have begun to play more cooperatively, giving me longer periods of time between fights and spats.

Since beginning the 1-2-3 magic discipline program (that I used to use with ds many years ago), the girls have improved remarkably in their behavior.

I was able to take the girls on a very sane and enjoyable shopping trip to two stores this weekend.

We have enough money to pay our first installment of property taxes and are now just waiting for the bill to come (hoping we have the amount right.)

I have set a plan for Christmas and actually have completed a great deal of my shopping already!

I am nearly caught up on my laundry and I have almost completed the boxing up of the Summer clothes (finishing some additional Summer laundry).

I have lost five pounds.

I think Barack Obama might appoint Hillary Clinton to an important job in his administration and maybe John McCain too. If he does, I will have to hand it to Obama. I think his doing this would be very positive for the country. I am still holding out hope for Sarah Palin to be offered something, but it looks like she is in line for some positive things for her career regardless.

I am glad to have survived a difficult situation with some friends and even though I miss some friends too, I am in a decent place with it all. Change is one of the few things certain about life and so we move on; when some doors close, others open ... it is called life.

Five Wonderful Things

1.) I am beginning to feel so much better since I have been getting more sleep in the last week.

2.) Volunteering at my ds's school today was really fun and I look forward to doing it again soon. I am so grateful for this wonderful school!

3.) Mrs. Smith's cherry, apple and pumpkin pies ... on sale this week at Kroger ... and a household favorite! Super yum!!!

4.) Family, family, family .... what I cherish most and put first in my life everyday.

5.) Dh's job -- thank God my dh still has a job in this terrible economy; I am so grateful everyday and I pray for a fast turnaround for our economy as whole.

Eight Random Facts/Quirks/Habits

Well, I needed something to blog about and my friend Anita tagged me, and now I have something to write about!

Rules:
1. People who are tagged need to post these rules, and 8 random habits/facts/quirks about themselves.

2. At the end of the post you need to choose 8 people to get tagged and list their names.

Eight random habits/facts/quirks --

1. I am married to my high school sweetheart.

2. I check my alarm clock at least three times every night before going to bed.

3. I don't hand wash dishes; if they need don't fit in the dishwasher, they wait for the next cycle!

4. I hate to cook.

5. My job title was Vice President at my last place of employment.

6. For the most part, I don't care to travel.

7. I used to be a personal coach but now I think my life is too crazy to help others in that same way!

8. I am very sensitive, even though I don't show it outwardly.

Tagging (I don't think I know 8 people who read my blog, but here goes anyway):

Amy C.
Bridgett
Beth, except I am sure you were already tagged
Lee Ann
Jennifer
Janet
Valerie
Nicki

Redefining my blog

I have decided to erase my blog and begin anew, perhaps with a new direction or topic. Or, perhaps with just some different types of posts.

Or, who knows. I am not sure exactly.

I enjoy blogging and it is just time to unclog the blog.