Budgeting.

I have fallen out of the habit of religious and intentional budgeting.  I guess I need to put myself back through Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University to revive my passion for it.  But tonight I decided to sit down and budget out the rest of the year (yes -- I just said budget out for the REST OF THE YEAR).  Why?

Well I journaled a few days ago (that's right -- I both blog AND journal) about how there is so much of this nation and this world that I want to see and experience, and how it's time for me to just bite the bullet and start knocking some of these things off my to-do list.  It's time for me to start exploring!  It's time for me to be an adult and DO WHAT I WANT!

So the first place I want to travel to is Washington DC.  I've never been to my own nations' capital (I've been to Canada's capital, I've been to England's capital, but I haven't even been to my own nations' capital! It's shameful), and I want to go.  I'm already taking some extra time off in December -- some of which I'll be using to visit Dad and Meghan in SC for an early Christmas.  And then I'll have several days after that where I don't have any plans.  So why not go ahead and take my trip to Washington DC then?  It'll be decorated for Christmas!  (hopefully there won't be any snow storms...)  DC is only about a 5.5hr drive from where I live, so this is a relatively easy trip to begin my travels with -- I don't have to worry about booking flights or ANYTHING like that.

But before I set my heart on traveling to DC, I needed to know if I could afford such a trip on such short notice.  Hence the budgeting frenzy.

And here's about how I felt:

I felt incredibly aware of money.  And I'm not going to lie -- I felt somewhat defeated by the numbers.  Not so much because I couldn't afford a trip to DC (because with $870 budgeted I believe I can afford it), and not so much because I can't afford any Christmas gifts ($470 sounds like a lot, but spread amongst about 10 people, it doesn't end up as much), but because I realized just how little wiggle room I have.  And how I really need to be very careful and conscious of how/where I spend my money.

Dave Ramsey spoke in FPU about how budgets aren't there to LIMIT us, but they're there to EMPOWER us.  This lecture was so long ago (nearly 2 years ago to be exact) that the passion and belief in this statement has faded.  And frankly, I feel quite limited.  I feel quite insignificant.  And I worry that I'm living outside of my means (but how in the world I could cut back is beyond me -- I'm pretty bare basics folks -- that much HAS stuck with me from FPU).

I suppose I need to look at the fact that I AM meeting all my goals. I'm tithing.  I'm saving for the wedding.  I'm saving for Christmas.  I'm saving for vehicle taxes (ick -- dreading that).  I'm paying more than the minimum on both my car and my credit card.  And I've found a way to put a little extra money aside (unfortunately at the sacrifice of a fuller wedding fund) to potentially fund a trip to DC.

But now that I know just how much I'd be putting towards the trip instead of putting towards the wedding, I wonder if it's the right thing to do?

Love the Green!

This weekend, I was blessed to spend some time with Daniels grandpa -- his maternal grandfather who lives nearby, but whom we don't see very often.  On one hand, this is a shame, but on the other hand, grandpa has a LOT of personality and a LOT of opinions.  So small doses spread out over time is sometimes necessary.

HOWEVER we had some great conversation.  Grandpa may be opinionated, but he is very wise and experienced in the ways of how tough the world can be -- and he has excellent financial advice.  Despite the tough judgments he passes on his family, one thing that he said really struck me.  He was talking about one of his other grandsons when he said "If he'd just put away $10 every pay check into a savings account, in 10 years he'd have $2,600 (plus interest)."  Now this may not seem like a lot of money, but the principle is this -- I need to go ahead and start saving for certain things in life that are going to come.  At some point in the future, I'm going to need to purchase a new car -- this is just a fact of life.  So why not go ahead and start saving, so that when I do have to make such a purchase, I don't have to finance much if anything at all??  Same concept with purchasing a home -- why not go ahead and start putting money aside so that when the time comes, we already have a hefty down payment ready.  And same concept with children!  We want to have them, so why not go ahead and start squirreling away some money to help out when they arrive??

So this is one thing that I want to start implementing!  More savings!

All this thought about smart money choices really makes me want to put my Dave Ramsey CD's on and listen to the wisdom flow!

Now if only I knew more about investments so that I could really maximize my money....
And if only I could find a third small job to help the money flow in!

A Year of Crafting... And Work.

Hard to believe it, but in 2 weeks I will have reached my "one year anniversary" of working as a PTA professional!  In that year I've gotten engaged, gained some weight, re-dedicated myself to my faith, purchased a wedding dress, dealt with drama, been able to visit my grandparents TWICE (something I couldn't have afforded prior to this job), paid off my student loan, bought a car, visited my Dad and sister TWICE (something I couldn't have afforded prior to this job), begun regular tithing, and become more acquainted with my self and my style.  It's been one heck of a year!  A year that has challenged me professionally, personally, emotionally, and spiritually.

But lately, my passion and free time has been invested in crafty activities. :)  Seriously, I'm obsessed. (Which is a good passion to have when you're trying to plan a budget wedding!!  Will come in handy soon...)  I'm working on crocheting an afghan as a wedding present to Daniel and I.  I'm enjoying teaching myself to quilt with the tutorials provided by Sewn.  Donna and I have played around with fake flowers as bridesmaid bouquets (no final project yet; just playing around with concepts and arrangements and colors).  And I've done quite a bit of scrapbooking this year.  Oh, and did I mention I've also been trying my hand at some gardening?? (Most recently planting my first ever rose bush)

It's been a year of crafting!  And I wouldn't have it any other way!

Just some of the things I've worked on...

7 days later...

It's been 7 days since my last post, where I really talked about being in the pits.  Emotionally, professionally, physically... Rough barely even scratched the surface in describing how I felt about life, about myself, and about where I was headed.

It's amazing what a difference a week can make in your life...

• I have continued my morning Bible study routine -- this coupled with worship/praise music at any opportunity has made a big impact on my outlook on life.  I may not be super confident, but I am happy, I am hopeful, and I am grateful for the blessings that I have in my life.  This is a big step forward in combating such a negative mindset.

• I have begun tracking my food using myfitnesspal.com.  Not so much for strict calorie counting, but to simply help keep me accountable and aware of how I am treating/fueling my body.  It has really made a difference in my food choices the last week.  And I really enjoy using this tool.  It has a phone app, so I can track anywhere.

• I have also made a conscious effort to do something active every day.  Some days it's a butt kicking BeyondFit Physiques BLT workout (seriously -- you have GOT to check out this group.  Yes, I am a part of the staff, but being in the middle of my own battle, these workouts and this support group has made such a positive impact on me -- BeyondFit Physiques Blog/Website to learn more about the company and read the blog or BeyondFit Life to sign up for access to monthly workout plans and nutrition -- the BeyondFit Life is what has made the difference for me!  I don't normally give the "Hey, check this out" endorsement, but seriously, it's wonderful.), somedays it's a Zumba class (they're so much fun), someday's it's a nice walk with a friend, and someday's it's a therapeutic run in the neighborhood.  Today my "activity" happened to be 4 hours of deep cleaning my room, but that's not a normal occurance.  Just as long as I do something.

• I have made the decision to pack (and eat) my lunch for work everyday.  This has really helped cut out a lot of the junk and control portions.  Not to mention I'm avoiding all sodas!

• I am reading You're Already Amazing by Holley Gerth.  I'm hoping this will help boost my confidence in the end, but right now we're at the point of the book that increases my faith, gratitude, and awareness of who I am.  I highly recommend this book also!

• I am trying to be quieter.  Not literally, but metaphorically.  I'm trying to be more peaceful, more in tune with my surroundings and my blessings, and more alert for God's whispers.

Good grief!!! It wasn't until I started writing down what I've done this week to change that I realized how much I had accomplished!  Wow... I'm more than surprised with myself.  But it's payed off -- I'm down 2 pounds and just slightly more confident.  :)

One of those...Seasons

Ever have "one of those weeks" where nothing seems to go right, all you can do is doubt yourself, you're so busy that you start questioning what your priorities are, and where all you want to do is crawl into bed and just stay there?

Yeah.  I'm there.

Except, it's been "one of those seasons" as opposed to just "one of those weeks."

I don't want to say that I'm depressed -- depression is not a topic that I take lightly or a word that I use easily.  Many members of my family have been struck by this disease and I've seen it's effects first hand -- so I don't want to diminish their experiences by using such a powerful label to describe myself.  However one thing is for certain... I am way off the beaten path that is normally "me."

And the last couple of days have really been rough.  Emotionally.  Mentally.  Confidently.  Professionally.

Just plain rough.

I've been in this mind set only once before in my life.  The summer before my senior year of college, where a break up sent my world reeling.  I lost all concept of who I was.  It was awful.  So much doubt, insecurity, fear...  Not to mention weight gain.  And I'm there again...  Priorities all twisted, life feeling somewhat upside down, the mundane day-to-day necessities even seem overwhelming.

Wah wah wah, right?
Put on your big girl panties and deal with it, Blair.

So today I began a habit that was put on the back burner -- morning Bible study after my workout.  And what a difference that made in today!  Positive attitude, confidence in my abilities and knowledge as a professional, empathy and patience.

So that was nice...  A good place to begin the re-organization of myself and my priorities.  And I pray that it's the beginning of the passing of this "season."

Weekend Recap

What a weekend!  I took a whirlwind trip to Wrightsville Beach, leaving home on Saturday morning and returning home Sunday mid afternoon, to witness and celebrate the marriage of one of my college friends.  I was really looking forward to this event for several reasons...

1.  An excuse to stay in a beach front hotel (even if only for 24 hours)
2.  An excuse to get away with the fiance on something that's actually like a vacation!
3.  Seeing many old friends from college that I haven't seen in a long time
4.  Witnessing a Jewish wedding ceremony (I'd never seen one before) of a college friend
5.  The delicious food for both hors devours as well as for dinner
6.  An open bar
7.  Being around a group of people that enjoy having fun and make everything fun wherever they go

It was a gorgeous hotel with beautiful views, the food was exquisite, the drinks were strong, and the laughs and dancing was plentiful.

Daniel had more than his fill of drinks, and paid the price today.  Unfortunately this put a damper on my hopes of spending more time on the beach and of spending some quality time exploring downtown Wilmington.  But I had such a good time seeing so many friends from college...

And my goodness... Being able to wake up and walk out onto my ocean front balcony and read with the sound of waves in the back ground??  Pure magic for me...

Relationships (with anyone)

I don't really understand why some people make relationships so difficult and complicated.  The people who thrive on this style of relationship also thrive on having the "upper hand," and thus rely on manipulation to get/have what they want.  So instead of an actual healthy relationship, it becomes something more sinister.  That sucks out the energy, positivity, and joy of having a relationship with that person.

In most situations, relationships like these begin voluntarily and innocently.  Friends.  Or maybe as a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship.  And then when the relationship goes south, they can't walk away from a terrible lifestyle because they have begun to believe the lies of the "upper hand."

I empathize with those in relationships like these.  Not because my main squeeze treats me this way (he  most certainly doesn't).  But because I have a relationship with someone who I can never sever ties to (aka: a family member) who loves to have a difficult and complicated relationship.

I could write for hundreds of pages about this relationship.  And I have probably already written several posts about this person and our relationship already.

I won't go into specific details, because God teaches me to honor and love.  Which is why it's so difficult for me to understand this relationship.  To honorably and truthfully interact in this relationship. Because I truly feel as if the works and efforts are not reciprocated.  I truly feel consistently let down in this relationship.

So what is involved in a relationship?  Here are my thoughts on what a relationship (with anyone mind you) should include....

- Communication.  You have to talk to each other on a fairly regular basis -- both about important/serious things, as well as light hearted things.

- Time.  You have to spend time with each other, building memories and stories.

- Trust.  You have to be able to trust the person with the serious/important details with your life and know that they will be there for you when you need them.

- Comfort.  You have to be able to feel comfortable being around a person.  You can't have a relationship with someone who gives you the willies all the time.

- Respect.  You have to be able to respect each other's needs, space, and decisions in life.  You won't always agree with what someone does/says, but you have to be able to respect their decisions.

- Love.  You have to be able to love and care for a person to be in a relationship with them -- and most of the time, this love is the source of respect for a decision you disagree with.

- Effort.  You both have to put in time and effort to reach out to one another and build/strengthen a relationship.

- Courtesy.  Courtesy of each other's differing beliefs, courtesy of each other's sensitivies.

- Sacrifice.  So often you need to sacrifice for the other person.  Sometimes this comes in the form of time -- sacrificing your time to spend with the person who needs you.  It's not always about you.

- Desire.  Desire to have a relationship with someone.

- Inclusion.  You have to include each other in your lives.  Granted you can't invite everyone to everything, but you need to include a particular person in plans and activities that are appropriate for the relationship.

- Open-ness.  You have to be open and honest with those you are in relationship with.  But you also have to balance the levels of open-ness with honoring your other relationships.