Living Life's Country Song

So I've cracked the joke lately that my life became a country song. You know the cliche... Your car breaks down, spouse cheats/leaves, dog dies, BFF sleeps with your sister, your trailers repoed and you don't realized it until your flying in it in a wrecker down the interstate.

You get it.

Well it's not that bad. Truly. But my van I bought in March's engine seized and I have no funds to purchase a new car or fix it. And my husband was in a car wreck in Feb and is in a law suit and turns out slipped 5 disks from said wreck. Not to mention he's in construction and we are hitting the slow time.

But that's not what this post is about. It's about what I do have. Health, love, shelter, food, food storage, the bills are currently current (my editor will love that.) and a host of amazing friends. Online, close by, and faraway. They support me with honest guidance, kind words, well couched and placed reminders of my blessings. Not to mention two are willing to share the use of some spare wheels.

So let's talley

Blessing:10
Trials: 3

I'll remember that when it's hard and smile.

So dear reader how's your trials vs. blessings lately?

My bank account had 77 cents

I'm known to say " I'm good at poor. It's prosperity that got me." That statement could encompass my life. I gave a talk on at last Aprils Ignite Boise.

In fact I'm damn good at poor. I know it. It's steady. I mean the only thing you can get from nothing is up.

I remember one time at the end of a week we had 77 cents in our bank account. My husband wasn't hysterical but wasn't happy either. I on the other hand was fine. All the bills were current. We had plenty of food and he had work next week.

We have always been at the mercy of the building industry. Still are until he finishes that criminal justice degree. Another one of my mantras about our money situation was " chickens one day, feathers the next."

And that's the truth.

I can remember one month when we made $60,000. Of course we had $12,000 a month in bills too. And I was not happy. I had nothing to focus my drive, something to engaged my energy.

I am someone who must be anxiously engaged in a good cause.

So as I'm forced to bed because of sickness and it's cold and rainy indicating winter (our slow time) and fear whispers about the future.

I say I have crap to do hurry up antibiotics and heal me. And I'm going to let the hubster worry about the checking account since I'm on loratab.

So what about you...what engages you...holds your energy and focuses you senses through the bad time?

I'm Enough: The Battle of Desire and Guilt

I'm many things. Some good, some bad, all sassy. One of my greatest faults is I don't know how go half way or to do a decent enough job. When it comes to friends, family, & commitments I'm loyal to a fault.

However, in my age (I'll be 30 this year) and experience (I've lived 60 years worth of life) I'm learning that "it's enough for now and it is well." to be distinctly different than a half way job or just enough.

Everyday, every week is different. For most of this week I've been doing domestic things and that is well. My kids need to eat, my husband needs a clean house, & I'm taking the time to be frugal.

I'm still working everyday. That the beauty of home office and Internet. Although I always have a desire to do more I find it's that desire that drives my success. Nevertheless, I'm even more determined to be happy with myself and my efforts. Guilt is useless in this instance and I won't let it hold me back.

What's your greatest desire or what do you find yourself feeling guilty about most often?

I'm sorry there is no Santa Claus

Today as I rubbed primer on my face and filled in the potholes with concealer my mind wasn't thinking of my todo list but what I would do at the end of the day.

For Family Home Evening ( a weekly family meeting where we spend time together) we are going to discuss Christmas.

Why in October? I'm a planner. But it's more than that. As much as I'd like to say it's purely the spiritual aspect that motivates me. Its not. It's the frugality. But it's the spiritual that will make me follow through.

Starting this year Christmas will be less about gifts and more about service, Christ and family.

Each member will only receive 3 gifts. As Jesus Christ did. One gift will be spiritually related, one to magnify a talent, and the last with no restrictions.

In order to achieve this I feel the need to explain that Santa Claus is not who I've led them to believe he is. He's more of the spirit of giving that got put of hand.

My hope is that once done a new loving spiritual tradition will emerge. But I'm deadset on at least trying even if my hopes are an epic fail.

What about you? What's your thoughts on Christmas, holidays and gifts?