My "Latte-Factor"...1 month Credit Card Challange!

Ever hear of the "latte factor?" It's basically how little charges everyday can add up to a lot at the end of the month. $4 a day on a latte on the way to work each morning doesn't seem like much but it adds up to $120 by the end of the month. Although I don't drink latte, I have found that my "latte-factor" is a combination of arts & craft items, home decor, fun creations on Etsy (gotta support those great artists ;) and little things here and there for the kids. Anyway, a little charge here and there for these items has been adding up.

In order to lower my charges I have made a conscious effort to find out when exactly my new credit card cycle begins and have vowed to not charge a thing unless it's food, dry-cleaning or gym. Food, diapers, etc. will be paid for with cash.

Today is day 4 and so far so good. I actually went into Hobby Lobby today and kept my wallet hidden in the car and just walked around. There were a handful of supplies & decor I would have bought but I held on.

No more frivolous charges this month!

This month I will be a "window-shopper."

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

OK, this is not my best work but I don't have any turkey artwork at all. So, I made you the classic hand-trace-turkey! Remember tracing your hand when you were little to make one?


Aside from being thankful for my family, good health, roof over our head, food on the table, I'm also thankful that I actually get to be with my family during the holidays.

Ten years ago I worked at a TV station which was open 24/7 so working holidays was a given. One year I had to work on Thanksgiving and I remember how sad and left-out I felt as I drove my 63 mile commute passing tons of families driving in their cars to their Thanksgiving destinations. I knew they were going to be with their family and friends and I would be at my job which I didn't like (it was beyond non-productive). Each Thanksgiving I think about that day and how left-out & homesick I felt & appreciate every holiday that I am able to spend with my family.

My heart goes out to those in the Military who cannot be with their own families during the holidays. I think about it from each side...from the soldier who is out there in rough conditions, devoting and risking their lives for us...to their parents, sisters, brothers, grandparents, kids, and how they wish they could be with their loved one.

I am so Thankful for those men and women & I hope they can soon return home and be with their families.

A SIMPLE PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE

THIS LITTLE STORY WAS FORWARDED TO ME TODAY & I LIKED IT SO MUCH THAT I
WANTED TO SHARE IT WITH YOU. I WISH I KNEW WHO THE AUTHOR WAS SO I COULD GIVE HIM CREDIT.


A professor stood before his Philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.
He then asked the students if the jar was full.
They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full.
They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.
Of course, the sand filled up everything else.
He asked once more if the jar was full.
The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and
poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand.
The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided,
"I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

"The golf balls are the important things - your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions -

Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

"The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.

"The sand is everything else--the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued,
"there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls.

"The same goes for life.

"If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

Play with your children.
"Take time to get medical checkups.
"Take your partner out to dinner.
"Play another 18.
"There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

"Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter..

"Set your priorities.
"The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.
The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked.

"It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a cup of coffee with a friend."

Fall Leaves in Water

Yes, these are fall leaves soaking in my corning ware dish! I did this to preserve the colors as much as possible so I could use them in my artwork somehow.

My neighborhood has no trees so I picked these leaves up at my kids preschool. It is located in a college town with beautiful old homes and tons of gorgeous trees. I just love the fall and its colors and wanted to capture them. My last two attempts to bring leaves home resulted in them drying out as they were left in the car. These were starting to dry so I wanted to try to save them. I will share the art with you when I am finished :) Take care!