Cornbread by Candlelight

Sometimes you have to make your own fun; when you do others join in too. Some folks in a town near me decided to break up the cold and the dark with an affordable meal and live music. The musicians come knowing they will depend on tips. Tonight was the first of this monthly event. It was a huge success. And it proves that a great idea will be rewarded with attendance.

 

The idea was that there would be no cover charge. Anyone could come and enjoy the company and music. There were two items on the menu with a flat rate charged. Drinks were extra. Some ate and drank; some drank; some bought nothing but contributed to the tip jar. All were welcome, none were judged. That's the way things should be.

It was a great time. If you happen to be in Langley, Washington on February 20, 2014, stop in at the Braeburn Restaurant (http://www.braeburnlangley.com) for the second event. The guest musician will be different, but the fun, friendly atmosphere will be the same.

Jim Page and Timothy Hull were the musicians tonight. http://www.timothyhull.org I don't have a web site for Jim Page, if anyone can help me out there, you can find him in Seattle, WA.

It's amazing what you can find, if you're looking in the right direction.

 

Timothy Hull

 

Big Picture Kind of Day

I have spent a lot of time today thinking about the bigger picture. What being debt free will mean and where I want my money to go when I'm there.

Thinking about the next step has helped me refocus on the current one. My frustration blew it's top yesterday because I was only looking at the moment. When I stepped back I could see the bigger picture again.

Ah huh!

The only way to see the whole picture is to step back.

Not a set back, a set up. So here we go again. Renewed energy, refreshed focus, resounding resolve.

As the painter of my own portrait I was seeing only the fine detail that I was working on. When a painter does that, their arm grows tired and muscles get sore. And the colors wash together. The best thing they can do is take a break.

Now I am scheduling breaks for myself. Not that I am going to purposefully spend money, but incorporating time and events to keep my mind busy.

I'm 9 days out from having two big checks to write. I can cover them, but it leaves precious little to live on until the following pay day. So, if I want luxuries, like fuel in the car, I have to get my tail in gear and earn it. Time to get my creative juices flowing. I have two crafts I'm working on to sell. Neither has any cost to make, so it's all win for me. So I must get to work on them. I'll post pictures when they're done.

Resourcefulness takes imagination.

As I look a my future, I feel more confident and sure of myself than I think I ever have.


Money saving moment of the day. Ha, you're going to love this. I live in a rural area. The farmer up the road had tilled his field. As I drove by I thought how beautiful the dirt looked. Ah-huh! So I stopped and asked if he would mind if I got some dirt for my container garden. He laughed at first. I said I didn't want to presume or trespass. That I wanted to respect his property, but I just couldn't stand the idea of buying dirt. He said he appreciated my asking and was sure he wouldn't miss what I took. So, free pots, free fertilizer, free dirt. I'm on a roll.

Remember, you never know until you ask.

What would I do if money wasn't an issue?

Why does money have to decide that? I will do what I can with what I have and if I want to do something, I'll find the money to do it.

Uh-oh, I'm afraid I might be growing up.



 

Bad Days Happen

Today was not a good financial decision day. I made an impulse buy, based solely on an emotional response to a situation I couldn't control.

There, I admitted it.

Okay, so it was $16. But when I have been working so hard to save every dollar I can, it's a set back. Or it's an opportunity to look at why I made the choice I made. The irony is, I did it because it's something I enjoy doing. I bought a box of chocolates (yes, I spent $16 on a box of amazing chocolates from a local company) and walked around offering them to the people at work. I ate 2 pieces, gave the rest away. It makes people smile and feel good that they get to have a special treat. And it makes me feel good doing it.

That's what I was looking for. That feel good moment of a random act of kindness. It's not a bad idea. However, there were plenty of things I could have done that did not cost money.

And, unlike the other day, I regret spending the money. I don't regret making 14 people feel appreciated. I will be wiser next time. I do have to learn to walk away and look around.

It made me look at other places in my life where I spend my resources, not always money, without thinking about the bigger picture.

Not saying "no", when I know doing one more thing will be too much. Letting someone else make a choice for me without standing up for what I want. It is so much more than money.

Oh good. Another character trait to work on.

So, I spent money. I will have to work tomorrow to make it up. I made the choice and now I'll live with it.

Have to admit, it was darn good chocolate.

Alone is not lonely

I am learning a lesson. I just hate it when I have to learn a lesson. I'm so bad at learning things the easy way. I'm not even sure I know the easy way.

The lesson that I'm learning is how to be alone.

I know, right. For some of you, that's a preferred lifestyle. Others of you just threw your hands up and said, "Oh no you are not!" For me, the very social; people oriented; outgoing person, to sit at home alone for more than a day, is tough. It's not unachievable.

What have I learned?

The still, small voice is easier to hear if I don't have the voices of people ringing in my ears.

The things I want my home to be are more achievable if I am here to work on them. (seems pretty obvious, huh)

To love myself and believe in myself, I need to spend time with myself.

To make flowers grow, you have to pull the weeds. I can more clearly tell the weeds, people or activities, that are crowding out the flowers.

That I am a better friend when I've taken time to recharge. This is advise I've given new parents. Now I'm finding it applies to all of life.

That when there is someone else in my life, I will know myself well, which will make the relationship better.

So step outside your social norm safety zone. If you always have to be around people, be alone. If you avoid people, join in. If you turn the t.v. on for the noise the minute you walk in, don't. Take a step and see what happens.


Do I get lonely? Of course I do. To love and be loved is a core human need. I handle those moments as they come. I call or text friends. I go out and see if I meet someone. I stand in front of a mirror and remind myself that I am learning. Which leads to some pretty interesting conversations between me, myself and I. I cry. It's okay you know, crying. It purges the soul to make room for growth.


   I am still a very social, people oriented, outgoing person. But now I am a better friend to myself for spending time with me. Yes, circumstances brought me to this place, I wouldn't try it on my own.

See, I couldn't do this the easy way.

Over 1000 Views! Woo Hoo!

 

Priorities

So, the weekend is over. How'd I do on my $300 goal?

I made $30.

The people in life were more important than the goal, that's as it should be.

I know I did the right thing because I don't feel bad about it. That's the truest test.

It all comes back to relationships.

There was still plenty of conscientious spending and saving that contributed to the over all success. Buying meat that was 50% off because it would expire the next day. I froze it as soon as I got home.
Buying just what I needed for sandwiches. Discount bread. And bartered eggs.

While I did some work at home, I listened to the football game on the radio. Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks! I canceled television from my internet package long ago. I am always busy doing other things, so I choose to save that money for those things.


It all sounds like a lot of work. I suppose it is. But it's a lifestyle for me now and I'm comfortable with it. Yes, it does bother me that I have to do these things. I look forward to walking into a grocery store and buying without worrying about if I have the money. I also know that I will always watch the prices, check the bargain racks, and be careful about buying too much. These are not bad things.

It all comes back to choice.

Tonight I'm feeling excited. I know that when I hit "publish" it will only take three views to be over 1000. Thank you all for the constant support. It helps knowing that I'm not in this alone.

It all comes back to support.

I am trusting that I will make the money else where. One never knows where it may come from.
As I was soaking my tired muscles in a hot bath with homemade lavender and Epsom milk bath, using the Christmas gift of homemade Honey Lavender Scrub I thought, "This is good, this is very good."

There are times when we have to choose to work or exercise or not go out. If you trust your instincts, you'll know which is right.

I'm excited how I find to make up the $270 I didn't make this weekend. Stay tuned!

This weekend I chose to support relationships.

Thank you Lord for people
Who bring art into our lives
Thank you for the people
Who make the economy thrive

Thank you for the cashier
And for the delivery man
Thank you for the musician
And the one that picks up my trash can

Thank you for the friend
That made my treat with honey
Thank you for the friends
That are worth so much more than money

Frugal doesn't have to be bland

Frugal breakfast: 2 eggs, bartered; 1 cheddar cheese pkg, .50; 2 slices of ham from the .79 pkg.; bread from the clearance rack .99 (so about .03 a piece); homemade jam, gift.

So I splurged and used a paper plate.

Yes, buying a bulk block of cheese is cheaper, if you cook with it a lot or are willing to take the time to freeze it in portions that works for you. I have done that, and likely will again. However, if you have limited space or limited funds, this is a sensible option.

Another omelet option is the single serving lunch packs. The ones with cheese, meat, crackers, and a snack. These often go on sale for .79. The crackers can either be instead of toast or packaged away for soup later. And who doesn't love having a bite size snack on hand?

Just wanted to share my frugal moment. Have a great day!