Dandelions and Daydreams

Yesterday I gave in, I broke my grocery budget. I had already spent the money for the week, but after three days without coffee creamer, I could take no more!

In desperation, I dug through the change jar looking for silver change. Feverishly, I drove to the nearest grocery store and ran to the dairy case. I let out a big sigh of relief and the angels started singing when I spotted it: Coffeemate Peppermint Mocha Creamer.

I picked up the bottle and caressed it gently as I walked to the checkout to pay for my treasure. I drove home, walked in the door and put on a pot of coffee.

This story is about more than just a limited edition coffee creamer. This story is really about how spending $3.50 kept me from going on a major spending binge.

Over the past month, we have really tightened up the budget. If I told you how much, you would think we are fanatical about saving for a down payment on a house. And we might be fanatical.

This process of cutting out the fat in our budget has mostly been an exciting time. We are really looking forward to having our own house and land by the summer. The anticipation of homeownership has carried me through most of the pain of small sacrifices, but that almost came to a screeching halt when I ran out of coffee creamer with a week to go before I get more grocery money.

Suddenly I felt poor and over stretched. As Bilbo said in Lord of the Rings, “Like butter scraped over too much toast.” I began to question whether we are being too ambitious in our savings, or if we should skip the down payment and go for a 100% mortgage.

The dissatisfaction was coupled with guilt and a strange longing to go out and buy, buy, buy.

I held out for three days. I desperately wanted to report back that I had stayed within budget on my groceries. Yesterday I gave in. I confess, I went $1.50 over budget on my groceries this week.

As I sit back and drink a cup of coffee, I know that this is the difference between being frugal and being cheap. Staying content while living frugally requires occasional treats. They are better when they are in the budget, but this was an emergency.

photo: Ahmed Rabea used by permission CC-By-SA

Christmas is upon us and the panic of buying “the perfect gift” has settled in. If you have a writer on your gift list, I have a few ideas for finding the gift that will light up his eyes and say, “I support your dreams.” To tell the truth, it may be more important for a writer to know the she has the support of her family and friends than to get the perfect writer gift, but the perfect gift is always nice.

1. Writer’s Market 2008. The Writers Market is the book for the marketing side of being a freelance author. The book contains information, addresses, topics, and tips for getting published in over 3,500 different magazines. The Writer’s Market is updated yearly with new publications and updated listings.
2. Notebooks. In this digital age, writers still rely on pen and paper to capture ideas. I like to carry a small pocket sized notebook with me all the time. This is handy for when inspiration strikes on the road. I use a lot of regular sized notebooks too. Even with a laptop computer that goes anywhere, nothing beats pen and paper for jotting a quick note or catching that fleeting inspiration.
3. Gift certificate to an office supply store. An office supply store doesn’t sound like the most “Christmasy” place to find a gift, but I’m being completely serious. I have an office supply addiction, and I suspect that many other writers have a similar addiction. I spend a lot of money at Staples for things that I need, like printer paper, ink, computer disks, etc. I could spend a lot of money on things that I want there too. My list of wants include a new microphone/headset, a external hard drive, and a 22″ computer monitor (or 2). Your gift certificate will be appreciated.
4. Post it notes. When I am writing, I often think of things I need to say later in the article. Sometimes, I realize changes that need to be made in stuff I have already written. If you could see my laptop computer, the whole wrist rest area is covered in post it note reminders.
5. Magazine Subscription. Give the gift of inspiration, all year long. There are some very good writing magazines such as Writer’s Digest, Writer, and Poets & Writers Magazine.  If the writer on your list already subscribes to these magazines, give him a subscription to a hobby magazine.  Writers are readers and inspiration can come from anywhere.
6. Tea/hot cocoa/coffee. In the cold winter months, typing on a computer always makes my fingers cold.  I love having something warm to wrap my fingers around.  There is something inspiring about good tea.
7. Spill proof mug. Have you ever seen the havoc a full cup of tea can cause when spilled on a keyboard?  If you spend hours in front of a computer, one day you will likely spill something on a keyboard.  Help your writer save her computer, buy her a spill proof mug.

I have given you a short list of stocking stuffers for writers, but remember, when all else fails, give chocolate!

My freezer cooking challenge got quite a boost yesterday. My husband called shot his deer for this season. He took a nice doe that weighed around 170 lbs. The result, after de-boning and processing, will be about 70 lbs of meat added to our freezer.

This adds a new dimension to my cooking challenge because I don’t know any good recipes for venison.

I have always heard about the “gamey” taste, but I refuse to think that venison is a junk meat because I’ve seen it command some high prices at fancy restaurants.

I plan on making some of it into jerky that we will take with us on backpacking trips.

Beyond that, I confess I am at a loss.

If you have any good venison recipes, leave a comment or e-mail me. I’ll test your recipe and write about it over the next few weeks.

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How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

Psalm 31:19

Today is Thanksgiving, and I am overwhelmingly thankful. God has been faithful this year. He has brought me into a clearer understanding of Him. He has led me through some dark days. He has enabled me to follow my dreams.

There are a million things I am thankful for on the surface level. When I stop and think, I am thankful for many of those same things on a deep, soul bearing level. God’s abundant blessings are overwhelming.

The deepest things that I am thankful for, are beyond description. The thankfulness is just something I feel. Word’s don’t do justice.

I am thankful for…

1. God–His love, His blessings, His forgiveness, His grace, His mercy…
2. Brenton–I have the most wonderful husband in the world.
3. Being self-employed–This past year has been an adventure in working for myself. I am starting to see some real progress, and I am thrilled. This has been an adventure in pursuing my dreams and embracing who God has made me to be
4. Writing–I have always been a writer at heart. I am actually writing now.
5. Family–I am who I am because of my family. When I got married, I added a whole new family. The best thing about family is that they love me, warts and all.
6. Nature and the great outdoors–I am an introvert. I love being around people, but when I need to recharge, I have to get away and be by myself. I love the fresh air and rustling leaves. Nothing is quite as enchanting as a walk through the woods in the rain.
7. God’s timing–He is never late, and He is never early. His timing is incredible. He works everything out just so, and we have no idea that He already has it planned.
8. Health–Being healthy means I can keep on doing all the things I love. I never take for granted being able to walk to the store from the last parking space in the parking lot.
9. books and literacy–Knowing how to read opens new worlds to me. My imagination soars, and my dreams take shape.
10. Love–True sacrificial love the kind that makes you grow. The kind that makes you cry. The kind that makes you fly.
11. Sunshine–It’s a rare treat right now, but so vital to my health and mental well being.
12. Day dreams
13. Hope

It’s the day before Thanksgiving, you’ve just gotten home from work, and suddenly it hits you…

You’ve put them off this long, but tomorrow they all have to be finished…

The Last Minute Details!!!

First of all, I have to ask, with all the things you still have to do, what are you doing here reading blogs?

Before you go, read these tips for getting handling the last minute details.

1. Get dressed to work
2. Spend 5 minutes and make a list, now number your list by priority
3. Tackle your list in order of priority, don’t skip anything on your list.
4. Once an hour take a short break. Drink some tea, prop your feet up, maybe do something fun on your to-do list.
5. Do as much as you can on your to do list, but when your time is up, stop working and enjoy your family.

The holidays don’t have to look perfect, but fill your house with love and grow memories. Love and memories will last long after the turkey and the pumpkin pies are gone.

Have a beautiful holiday.