Debt-Free

Steve and I have made a resolution to become debt-free.  I have utilized Dave Ramsey’s advice and step program to ramp this baby up. (i didn’t purchase any of his kits – it’s not in my budget)  Credit Cards are gone – though it’s funny when you get rid of them, their load of debit remains.

I have also been keeping track of where we spend everything on an excel spreadsheet.  Hoping the bars and graphs I create at the end of the month reveal some secrets to ending our debt.  (actually I know the secret, just not quite ready to face it – quit spending). 

So, as I post, I am holding myself more accountable – to what I spend, and on the creative ways I am sure I can save more money.  Hang on – I’m going in! (niecy Nash)

 

The crack in the sidewalk

this morning, I went garage sale-ing in one of my favorite neighborhoods, Brentwood.  It’s an older neighborhood with large, beautiful trees throughout.  As I walked, enjoying the sunshine and just feeling happy, I saw a wonderful, big crack in the sidewalk.  You know the ones – one section has ended and the line strating the new section has raised about an inch or so.  I just smiled, thinking, “what a great bump!”  I smiled because of the soft feeling of nostalgia.  I remember when I was 6 years old and we moved to our house on the corner of Euclid and Colerick, here in Fort Wayne.  It was a great house, bigger than our apartment, and it had this long sidewalk that went from our corner all the way to Eckart St. 

The first day we moved in, I needed to try out that sidewalk with my roller skates (Yep, metal, clip on your shoes.)  I still recall that grinding repetition of metal against concrete.  I skated beyond our house, then the house next door, and then – the big crack!  It didn’t go all the way across the sidewalk, just one corner, raised high.  I hated that protrusion that either made me slow down, or gave me a trip.

Today, I smiled, remembering that crack, remembering a wonderful old neighborhood and knowing I don’t hate that bump.  That crack is an old friend from way back when.

The Sneeze (forwarded from my friend, Doreen)

Quite an ingenious idea.

  THE SNEEZE

They walked in tandem, each of the ninety-two students filing into the already crowded auditorium.

With their rich maroon gowns flowing .. and the traditional caps, they looked almost … as grown up as they felt.

Dads swallowed hard behind broad smiles, and Moms freely brushed away tears.

This class would NOT pray during the commencements—-not by choice, but because of a recent court ruling prohibiting it.

The principal and several students were careful to st ay within the guidelines allowed by the ruling. They gave inspirational and challenging speeches, bu t no one mentioned divine guidance and no one asked for blessings on the graduates or their families.

The speeches were nice, but they were routine…..until the final speech received a standing ovation.

A solitary student walked proudly to the microphone. He stood still and silent for just a moment, and then, it happened.

H

All 92 students, every single one of them, suddenly SNEEZED!!!!

The student on stage.. simply looked at the audience and said, ‘GOD BLESS YOU ,

each and every one of you!’ And he walked off stage…

The audience exploded into applause. This graduating class had found a unique way to invoke God’s blessing on their future with or without the court’s approval.

Isn’t this a wonderful story? Pass it on to all your friends………and GOD BLESS YOU!!!!

This is a true story ; it happened at the University of Maryland.

Oh, how I wish THIS one would take off and FILL the whole Country!!! 

 

taxing the “rich”

check out this wonderful commentary from dave ramsey:

Link: http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/cms/butt_scratching_and_bass_fishing_10192.htmlc?ictid=sptlt

I am a BLOGGER!

Crazy huh!  Oh, I have left comments on other blogs, spent the day muttering about people’s posts…but now I have jumped in with both feet to share my thoughts and opinions.  Little scary to see my thoughts in print – for the world – hope it doesn’t go to my head…….

Maybe this will be therapy, maybe my ideas will change the world, maybe ….gotta go the kids are awake!