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Stay FAR Away from Buying in March
When it comes to a good deal, I do my VERY best to try to get to it. Today proved to be a fail in that department. Lunch time came, and seeing that my sweet 7th grade lady from Wyldlife and her friends had the day off, the idea of lunch out was tossed around. If I had remembered it was FREE PANCAKE DAY at IHOP, we would have headed over there, donated $5 to a children’s foundation, and gotten some tasty pancakes. Instead, $15 was spent, with none of it going to help kiddos out…and no pancakes. Yes, it was still a wonderful time full of laughs with the gals, but my money-saver self wanted to kick me later on in the day when this realization occurred. 
Seeing that I don’t want you to be kicking yourself when it comes to saving and spending that hard-earned cash, here are a few areas to watch out for this month. thanks to our friends over at CBS 19:
Closings and Delays: March 4th
School Delays and Cancellations:
Big Sandy ISD - 10 a.m start Tuesday
Bishop Thomas K. Gorman - 10 a.m. start Tuesday
Brook Hill School - 10 a.m. start Tuesday
Central Heights ISD - 10 a.m. start Tuesday, buses run 2 hours late Continue reading →
The Gym Wants You to Know…
Some have said that working out, just like other routines in life, can become easier and easier to do as time goes on. I’ll be honest, I never bought into this thought. It’s exercising: I’ll be sore for days, tired, and let’s face it, an excuse will come up that’ll make me “forget” to put yoga pants and sneakers on. But then, the whole idea of working out with someone made the statement become truth! At first, it was the hubby who went with me. But as work threw our schedules for a loop, I’ve found myself still going to the gym, but attending classes with other people (technically “working out with someone”).
Now, with Nathan, he loves me for me, and all the quirks that make me who I am. But when it comes to a room full of strangers, things could go down a wrong turn FAST. Thankfully, it’s been a smooth ride so far, but I’m always open to tips to keep me on the path of Gym Etiquette. And if you’re in the same boat, here’s are a couple of thoughts and advice from personal trainers around the country that you maybe never would have thought about:
It’s More Than Just a Cupcake Tin
They’re warm, gooey, and I have to control myself in eating just one: Cupcakes! For my personal obsession to them, I have to really thank mi amiga Ashton, who actually has a bigger love for the my-size cakes that create a buzz.
And it wasn’t until I moved to northern CA for a few years that I found myself enjoy these tasty treats more and more. So naturally, from eating them, I began to make them, especially with the help of a Cupcake Calendar my now MIL (Mother-In-Law) gave me for my first Christmas with Nathan’s family.
Saving that Doesn’t Make you Squirm
Right under Jesus, Me, and his family, the hubby could probably spend every day talking to Dave Ramsey. I promise you, Nathan’s not a crying guy, but I have a feeling he would probably shed a tear of joy if he met the man! And yes, I would at least take a mental picture of that moment. It’s not that he’s a uber-fan or anything, but Nathan feels there’s a lot of wisdom he’s gained from listening to his Financial tips, practices, and tools, and would enjoy getting the chance to say, “Thanks.”
If you’ve never heard of Dave Ramsey, then one of 3 things may have happened:
- Your church has never done anything with the Financial Peace University classes
- You don’t deal with any of your finances
- You don’t want to do anything with your finances…because the idea of saving and such scares you. Continue reading →
Surprise With a Sundae!
They go and they come, back and forth, on the same bus with the same kids. It’s the everyday school routine that, if you put yourself in their shoes, would feel as monotonous as it sounds like. You wouldn’t think the same-day routine would get old for your kids, but just ask them, “Did you learn or do anything new at school today,” and wait for the response…or then, lack of response. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked younger cousins, family friends, and my nephew this same question and the response is the same: “Nothing.”
Yep, your child is burning out FAST! So what do you do to make moments and days POP for your child? It could be as simple as some ice cream after school, and more, as blogger Mary Fischer points out:
Continue reading →
Sometimes it’s a matter of putting down what lifts you up.
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One of the things I’m trying to learn in my new place in life is that you cannot reach out and take the gifts God is trying to give you if you are clutching all of the old stuff YOU think you should have or need. You want to be open to what God may be offering you, but sometimes it’s a matter of putting down what lifts you up. The things you’ve wanted, thought you needed or had to have are in the way of what you have coming that is new. In order to get what God has ready to hand you – you’re going to have to be willing to trust Him enough to believe it’s more important to have this new thing, than to grasp the old to your chest like it’s a life vest and you’re leaving the Titanic!It’s like God is saying, ” You’re gonna have to put that down, Baby, or you’ll drop all of it and not have any of the wonderful things that are yours too!”On one hand, I get it…but sometimes …I feel like I’m having to pry my hands off of things I WANT.. instead of just letting go of them so I can open my hand (and arms) to the things God would lay into my life. Even when there’s a part of me that knows that He promises what He has for me is better than I could even imagine for myself! – I stand with my arms filled with all of the “old” stuff I want to hang on to, as bits of it and chunks of the “new” – even better stuff – drops to the floor and shatters!You see, we can’t carry all of it. We can’t keep piling more into our arms with a defiant – “MINE!” and remain open to “HIS” for us. We have to put down the old to pick up the new. But, here’s the rub, it’s not just once or twice in our lifetime. We may be called to put down even the good things we’ve held dear that have lifted us up in tough times. Otherwise we can’t reach out for the new that God holds out to us. One way or another something will drop away.Before you start to think I’ve achieved some sort of new wisdom for me, even though I understand this concept – it doesn’t mean that I’m getting this right in my own life yet. As Paul said in Phillippians, “Not that I’ve already obtained it, but I press on….”
The Drinks Hurting Your Exercise
You’ve been a running machine for the last 30 minutes, and for 30 minutes everyday the last few weeks. But what you’ve been seeing is that your clothes are fitting tighter than ever, “tired” is your common feeling most days. Have you taken a look at what you’re drinking lately? I know, it’s something so simple, but could be the key to what’s stalling your healthier lifestyle. Workout Momma and Blogger, Carly Pizzani, found a few drinks that could be pushing your workout plan into a halt, and some alternatives to try:
What’s a Slumber Party Without…
Cookies, candy, a few tummy aches, and maybe, just maybe, some pancakes in the morning. It’s a moment of childhood that almost every person has experienced once: a slumber party (or for guys, a “sleep over”). Whether you went to only one, or every weekend your parents got a break while you jumped from house to house between friends, a slumber party has it’s perks.
Well, that is, the perks come as a child.
As an adult, the idea of having 5 kids spend the night that AREN’T your children could make you woozy. But, with a few tools in place, you could get through that first sleepover, and maybe even a few after (as long as Junior or Princess is following the rules)
Volunteering 101
There’s an itch that keeps growing, a pull on your heart strings that won’t go away: the need to volunteer! I can tell you this, I’m VERY familiar with this feeling, and once it gets you it won’t let go. But that’s not a bad thing. In fact, to be more and more like Christ, it means loving on others the same way Jesus would, and what better way than helping at places that need the help. The question can then become, “Where do I start?” The good thing is answering that question isn’t a difficult process. In fact, the BBB has laid out game plan on how to go-about helping out, whether it be at your church, your child’s school, or anywhere in the East Texas community.
Identify your skills.
Volunteering opportunities are available for any skill level. Consider what you’re good at and what services you’d be particularly well-equipped to provide. From stuffing envelopes to construction or even providing pro bono legal advice, you can find a good fit regardless of your education or talents.