Snowball!

H and I spent two nights this week in class.

Tuesday night was all about becoming and living debt free (hallelujah!). On Thursday night we learned everything anyone could possibly ever in their lives want to know about building a budget and living by it. Yep. I typed the word "budget." Now, we've lived by a budget in various forms over the course of our 22 years, but it's never gotten us out of debt. So when my company offered these classes and agreed to pay half of the fee, how could we resist?

Let me just say it right now. This is not going to be easy. It's going to work, and it's clear we've made mistakes in the past. But it's not going to be easy. And that's about all I have to say about that. So let me just say (in case you missed my point), it's not going to be easy. The good news is that H and I are in it together. And a bunch of my friends at work took the classes too.

Our teacher didn't teach us anything new; we all know there's nothing new under the sun. This stuff is all Old School Economics. Basically, pay off one debt and snowball that payment into the next debt. And so, we're calling this new adventure our Snowball Project. If all goes well (and surely there will be obstacles along the way) we'll be completely debt free in nine years. And that includes our mortgage!

Frankly, I never even considered the possibility of ever paying off my mortgage. We've moved so many times, each time trading one 30-year mortgage for another. I just figured I'd take that payment with me right up to the Pearly Gates.

This weekend, H and I have blocked out four hours to set up the plan (Lord help. Literally). On Monday, we'll start working the plan. There will be stops and starts, and highs and lows, but I'll keep you posted as we travel the road. I'd appreciate hearing any budgeting tips you might like to share along the way. Even before H and I committed to the Snowball Project, we tried to live within our means, so we've found some good resources along the way. A great blog that I've found is Simple Mom. Just one woman talking about living life within your means and finding peace while you do it. And couldn't we all use just a bit more peace?

So that's it! We're off on a new adventure! Send out some good thoughts in our direction and prayers on our behalf, 'cause I don't know if mentioned it yet, but this is not going to be easy.

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Have You Found It Yet?

{Image found here.}

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Second Best

Valentine's Day is just around the corner (I know...I can't believe it, either) and Paperwhite Studio wants you to fill in the blank. They've created a website where you can let your main squeeze know exactly who (or what) they beat out to earn the top spot in your heart. Just go to the site and submit your entry for I Love You More Than Blank. Your submission will appear on their website, printed in your very own heart!

The movement is catching on! Paperwhite recently moved to a new cyber location to be able to manage the many expressions of love that were pouring in. So go ahead! Get yourself over there!

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Signed, Sealed, Delivered!

I still don't really have words to express all that yesterday meant to me. I am over the moon! I think it will take a few days for me to recover. But when I consider all the years and lives it took to get to this point, a few days of recovery is probably justified.

Here's a small glimpse into the significance of the day: We went to a Neighborhood Ball last night. It was jam packed. The organizers had to turn folks away at the door. There was so much goodwill and such positive energy packed into that place! A band played Motown and Big Band hits and H - who never ever dances in public - danced the night away! We hardly sat down all night! There's a good chance it will never happen again, so just to be sure I always have a record of the event, I took this picture of my very favorite person as he was bustin' a move! Cute, huh?

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To My Children

Dear Jordan and Alex,

Today the world is opening up a little bit wider for the two of you.

At 11:56 AM today, on the steps of the Capitol in Washington, DC, Barack Obama will raise one hand and place his other on the Lincoln Bible, and be sworn in as the 44th President of the United States of America. For me, it is simply amazing. I feel so blessed to be able to witness this event.

For many people, I think it's hard to fully grasp the significance of the occasion. Here in The Middle of Nowhere, where your dad and I live, there's very little talk about our new President. Today at the gym, all of the televisions were broadcasting different tidbits about the MLK, Jr. holiday, and about today's historic Inauguration. Pictures of Barack Obama frequently appeared on the screen. And a woman on the machine next to me turned to me and said, "We've all got to support him. Whether we voted for him or not." I think her words echo the sentiments of most people who live here in The Middle of Nowhere. Not necessarily thrilled, but willing to go along with the program.

I'm sure that if we were together with my parents, or your dad's mom, we would sit around the kitchen table, laughing and crying and sighing, recounting the moment (yet again) that we learned that Barack Obama had, indeed, won the election. Oh that sweet mixture of joy, relief, sadness, grief, and giddiness! And to be alive to have witnessed it...to have voted...to have campaigned!

We've come a long way in America, and your generation hasn't felt the sting of racism as sharply as those who've come before you. Soon the idea of an African-American President will be no big deal. Oh what a reason to rejoice! Your generation and those that follow will witness more and more moments like these. They will become the norm. And so they should.

I thank God that the world is opening up today. I thank God for the sweet mixture...joy, relief, sadness, grief, and giddiness...that tells us all that something divinely significant is happening today. I pray that you take seriously your stewardship of this moment. So many lives were sacrificed for this gift. What a great price was paid. As we move forward, there are others who deserve the open world that moments like these afford - the poor, the hungry, the homeless, the sick. All those who find themselves on the outside looking in.

President Obama has said, "We are the change we've been waiting for." From the moment I first laid eyes on each of you, I knew you were destined to change the world. You've certainly changed mine. Your wisdom, integrity, generosity, authenticity, creativity, passion, humor, faith, love, and joy call me to be a better person. I'm often overcome with awe when I consider that God saw fit to let me be your mother. Step into the openness before you today. Be bold. Never forget those who need someone to care, to act, and to invest in them. Look for the way that God wants to use you to bring sweet mixtures of emotion to your family, your friends, your community and your world. This great opening of the world before you is not for you alone. As you celebrate the history of this great day, remember that you have each been uniquely gifted to open the world for others. Accept this torch being passed to you today, and run the race with purpose. Pay it forward. Fan the flame. And be blessed!

I love you always,
Mom

{photo by the amazing Khara Plicanic of KaBloom Studios}

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Look Who Got an Invitation to the Inauguration!

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History

Where will you be this Tuesday, when history is being made?


{photo courtesy of Reuters}

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A Lousy Ten Seconds!

Did you watch The Biggest Loser yesterday? Did you see that chick who just. would. not. run on the treadmill at 6.5 mph for 30 seconds like Bob wanted her to? And then she kept talking back to him? And then he just all-out freaked out on her? She reminded me of myself. Sometimes I just wanna run on my spiritual treadmill for 20 seconds when God is really pushing me (although in a much more loving way than Bob last night) to run the full 30 seconds. And then I try to rationalize that I'm not like everybody else. I should be able to just run 20 seconds, even though everyone else is running 30 seconds, and the fact that I'm running 20 seconds is dragging down the whole team. And I just keep standing there, talking. Not running. Just talking. And all the while God knows that if I just run the extra stinking 10 seconds I will be so much more fit in the end and all it takes is just a lousy ten seconds.

Whew!

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It's Coming to The Middle of Nowhere!

H and I are gearing up for this year's Weekend To Remember! It's a spectacular couples weekend, and it's coming to our town - The Middle of Nowhere (!) - this Spring.
If you're new to The Weekend to Remember, go here to find out more.
You don't have to be married to attend. In fact, the weekend includes special sessions for engaged (or thinking about being engaged) couples.
Oh how I wish I had known about this before we got married. But I digress.
More about that in another post.
The Weekend To Remember is great for couples who've got great relationships, and for those who are seriously ready to throw in the towel.
If you think you might like to join us for an amazing weekend that you won't forget, go to our WTR website where you can register...and save $80 per couple! Be sure to read our personal story about what the weekend has meant to us. This will be our third year attending!
Now what more could you ask for? A weekend away with your guy, and special savings to boot!

{Photo by the amazing Khara Plicanic at KaBloom Studios.}

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I Took a Test

Today, at KwanaWrites I found one of those online personality tests. This one tests your blogging personality. Just four easy questions, and ta-da! My blogging personality!
Funny, but this one seems to be right.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

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Thanks for Clicking!

Thanks to everyone who helped feed hungry people in 2008. Let's not stop now. We're just getting warmed up! I've still got the button on my sidebar, so don't hesitate. Click away, people!

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Back to Work

After multiple days of vacation, it's back to work today. Let the silliness commence.

{Photos found here.}

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Joy

I’ve learned and am reminded today that joy is not to be confused with happiness, which has at its root, “happen” and is based on what happens to me. Joy is more than my reaction to the goings on around me, right? It’s more than my reaction to the beautiful sunset, or the support of those who love me. That reaction is a manifestation of the joy that dwells inside of me…always. In spite of what is happening. And when what is happening is unpleasant, unjust, or unholy, joy is what gives me hope, perseverance, and fortitude. It pushes me to hope, to pray, to act…when the stock market is crashing, war is raging, and children go hungry and homeless. Joy is, indeed ridiculous. And what a blessed ridiculousness.

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