Day 89

Hi Girls,

Boy, have I blown it this week with the blog, forgive me!!! I came home from the retreat and was just pooped and then I have been fighting off a cold all week. by last night, I barely had a voice for Small Group. I'm ashamed to admit that I have given in, thrown up a white flag of surrender and have tried for the most part, to rest this week. Unfortunately, things have fallen by the wayside, the blog being one of them!! So much for "finishing strong"!!!

Since tomorrow is Saturday this is gonna be my last entry. I have savored our journey and have really enjoyed getting to know some of you better. Thanks for hanging in there with me. I know 90 days makes for a long study, but hopefully we will all take some gems from this experience away with us and continue on the path to becoming "women that God wants us to be" (I speak for myself when I say I'm far from that finish line).

If you walked this journey for the past 90 days you have now establish a daily TAG, keep up the good work. Donna has a couple of other books out there that make good companions for your TAG (check out her website). Remember, if you need encouragement, I'm as close as your e-mail.

I've enjoyed our journey~
Nola

Day 86

I had a bit of a rough start to this week, so I'm afraid I never got to the blog yesterday. The retreat was awesome, but quite frankly left me a bit tired! So I slugged my way through yesterday, got to bed early last night and am now back on track!

And that bring us to "Day 86"!!!

I really liked today's lesson. I love the whole idea of finishing strong, but without a Caleb Heart I don't really see the point. Ron and I are blessed to still have all 4 of our parents with us, although I gotta tell ya watching them age has not always been fun.

My dad, who is 85, is giving it all he has to finish strong, in spite of having a major stroke last November. We were blessed to spend some time with them (they live in AZ) a week ago and although it was hard to see my little daddy moving very slowly and dragging his right foot, he is a fine example of having a Caleb Heart. It may be hard for him to get around, but his spirit is still in tack. At this point in his life, I am grateful for each year the Lord gives me with him, but I am most gratful for his attitude and cheerful spirit.

Here's to not only finishing strong, but doing in such a way that we give glory to God all the days of our lives!!

Nola

Day 81

First off, my apologies girls, this Friday is our retreat and I have been slammed with last minute details!! Organization, anti-procrastination and time management have always been a challenge for me. I have been reading everyday though and have reaped some good gems out of this week's study.

Today's lesson on foolishness has hit close to home. We once co-signed for a loan and it came back to bite us in the end!! The good news is we learned at a young age in our married lives not to do that again. We have been asked many times to help bail a friend out here or a family member there and after much prayer and some thought we either do or we don't, but our mindset these days is never to give it unless we don't need it back. We always set up a payment plan and have been fortunate with re-payment, but we never give unless we can live without the funds being returned.

Nola

Week 12

Well, was I the only one or did you find today's lesson a bit on the depressing side? I agree with everything she was saying, but the thought of living until I'm 100 and more then likely reaching that ripe ole age without Ron is not a pleasant thought to me.

That being said, I will admit that Ron and I have a plan in place for both retirement and in the event that the Lord choice to make me a widow. Planning for retirement has not always been fun for me, I'm a live for the moment kinda gal!! LOL!! But as we draw closer to it, I'm grateful that the Lord gave me a husband who was wise enough to know and understand the important of it early on (even if he had a cranky wife). Our reality is that Ron could retire in as little as 10 years from now it is a nice feeling knowing that we will not be a burden to our kids!

All that said, it is wise to plan ahead and in so doing being able to laugh at the future.

Nola

Day 75

Hard to believe we have been at this for 75 days!! We only have two more weeks, are you still out there?

Today's lesson brought back a sweet memory. When I was in high school, I was a part of a youth choir at our church. We would practice all fall and winter and then in during the spring, we would go on "tour". We would perform at local church churches and then at the end of our season we would go away for the weekend and have our last hooray. When we did these trips we were always at the mercy of the local church body to give places to stay.

In my Senior year, we went to Chula Vista (just south of San Diego, literally within walking distance of the border). To say that this community was poor was an understatement! Or don't get me wrong there were some very nice houses, as there are in any community, but for the most part, the people at this particular church did have much, yet they opened their homes and their hearts to us.

I and a girlfriend got to stay with a military family who had two small boys (dad was overseas at the time). They didn't have much! Their house was a simple 2 bedroom bungalow with cold tile floors and sparse furnishings, but the mom's hospitality outshone all that!!! She had opened her home to strangers and had taken us in and feed us. Even though she didn't have much, she shared what she had with us. It spoke volumes to me about how we are to serve one another.

Today's Tip ~

Don't Be Robbed!

Don't be robbed of the blessing you will receive when you give what you have to others!! If the opportunity ever arises, open you home to serve others!

Nola

Day 74

I gotta tell ya, Ron and I have been opening our home(s) (we have moved 10 times in 30 years of marriage) for years now and I do have to admit that as a young wife and busy mom, it was not always with a gleeful heart, but we have been blessed in spite of my attitude.

Now, years later the Lord has blessed us with a house that accommodates groups nicely and we joyfully open our home. After living in Las Vegas for 4 years, I am grateful that the Lord brought us back to California and we have been blessed to be able to use our home for him.

I do have to confess that my home is not always "company-ready", but then again who's is? So don't let that stop you. Most people are just happy to have a place to fellowship. It's doesn't have to look like Martha lives there!

Today's Tip~

Check out FlyLady.com!

I know I have sung her praises before, but she gives tips, that if followed will help you be ready any time to open your home.

Nola

Day 73

OOPS!!! Where did today go? Sorry to be blogging so late in the day.

I kinda thought today's lesson was a wee bit scary! I mean I'm all for opening my home and being a gracious hostess, but I think the gal Donna introduced us to this morning was the first cousin to Martha herself!!!

Let's not forget that whether we supply 2-ply TP or give cute little wrapped gifts to our house guests, our real mission is to be willing hostesses, opening our homes and showing the love of Christ to our guests.

Today's Tip~

Save the Soap!

Whenever I go to a hotel, I always bring the little soaps, lotions and shampoos home with me. I keep them in a plastic shoe box and whenever we have overnight guests, I place the items on a folder bath towel and wash clothes that I leave on their bed.

It's just a little something to make them feel special and it didn't cost me a dime (except the price of the hotel room, LOL)

Day 72

I'm a big fan of dressing spiritually! After I've taken my bath (asked the Lord to forgive me for things I've said, attitudes I displayed and thoughts I've thought the day before), I get dressed in my spiritual armor. I mentally go through and put on each piece. I like to picture the "helmet of salvation" having a mouth guard for 2 reasons, one to keep me from saying things I shouldn't and one to help keep food out that I shouldn't eat. Doesn't always work, but I like the thought all the same.

The Lord has given us a great gift in providing armor for us to wear, let's not forget to put it on daily!

Today's Tip~


Read It, Write It, Wear It!

Look up the passage regarding God's armor starting in Eph 6:11. Then write it out on an index card. Memorize it so you can put on the pieces each morning and be ready for your day!

Nola

Week 11

Good Morning Girls,

I found myself smiling this morning as I read today's lesson. I get a daily blog called "Everyday Cheapskates" written by Mary Hunt and today's was all about breakfast!!! She gave some great tips that went right along with today lesson, so I'm gonna share~

Ready, Set, Breakfast!

Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but by many reports 40 percent of kids don't eat breakfast.

Why aren't your kids eating breakfast each day? Most likely it is because your family is already rushed and you don't have time, but breakfast doesn't have to mean homemade waffles or French toast every day. Here are some tips, tricks and ideas to get you started with quick and easy breakfasts, especially on school days, that are kid-friendly and nutritious.

Make it fun. Create your breakfast menu for the coming week, and post it on the 'fridge where even the youngest kids will see it. Give each day's breakfast a clever or funny name. Now, you're committed.

Get ready. Set the breakfast table the night before, even if it's only for juice and cereal.

New rule. In the same way you require the kids to brush their teeth each day before leaving the house, make eating breakfast a house rule. Repeat for 21 days straight and it will become a habit.

Make it ahead. Keep pancake or waffle batter in the refrigerator, ready to pour on the griddle.

Frozen muffins. On the weekend, make a batch of muffins all the way to the point of filling the paper-lined muffin tins. Instead of baking them, pop them into the freezer. In the morning take out the number of frozen muffins you need, place them in a muffin tin, allow to thaw for a few minutes then bake as instructed.

Poach an egg. Line a coffee cup or soup cup with a piece of clingy plastic wrap. Break an egg and drop it carefully in the plastic, bag it up like a goldfish and tie with a twist tie. Drop the egg pouch in boiling water. After three minutes, remove it with a slotted spoon and place it on a plate. Unwrap the plastic and roll your egg out. This beats the old way every time.

Microwaved eggs, cheese and ham. Put two or three eggs in a microwave-safe bowl and add chopped-up ham. Add some shredded cheese and a shot of milk (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) and mix. Microwave mixture on high for 2 to 3 minutes. Scramble with a fork every minute or so during cooking.

Peanut butter-banana smoothie. Add one small ripe banana, sliced, two tablespoons creamy peanut butter and one tablespoon honey to a blender. Blend until smooth. Add one cup cold milk and blend until foamy. Serve immediately. Serves: 1.

Banana dog. Spread peanut butter, banana slices and raisins on a whole-grain hot dog bun. This makes a quick, delicious and portable breakfast treat.

Breakfast taco: Place shredded cheese on a tortilla. Fold it in half and microwave. Top it with salsa.

Breakfast pizza. Cut an English muffin in half, brush it with leftover spaghetti sauce and top it with shredded cheese. Pop it under the broiler until cheese is melted. This is a big hit with most kids.

There you go: quick and easy ideas to get you going in the morning. Just in case you need more evidence that eating breakfast is the way to go, studies show that kids who don't eat breakfast are less able to learn at school, get less iron (an important nutrient) in their diets and are more likely to be overweight.

On the other hand, kids who eat breakfast do better in school, are more likely to participate in physical activities and tend to eat healthier overall. So tomorrow morning, don't run out the door on an empty stomach. Fuel up with a healthy breakfast!

In light of all that, I think I will skip Today's Tip. I think that is enough food for thought (pardon the pun,LOL)

Have a blessed day!
Nola

Day 67

"Dear Lord, thank you for creating the Sabbath as a gift for your people"

I think the opening line of Donna's prayer says it all! The simple truth is the Sabbath is a gift from our Father God. This is something that took me awhile to really understand. It wasn't until I was well into my thirties that I really took hold of it. At the time, we were given the privilege of living next door to a pastor and his family (what a blessing). It was Vernita, the pastor wife, who not only taught me the important of resting on the Sabbath, but she lived it. She worked hard throughout the week being the mother of four boys, but come Sunday she rested.

Today's Tip ~

It's OK!

If for some reason you have to work on Sunday (and sometimes we do!), it's OK! Don't become so legalistic that you are unable to help a friend move or tell your boss you can't work on Sunday. Make another day your Sabbath! Just make sure that you rest one day a week.

Nola

Day 66

OOPS! Missed another day, sorry!! Things are a bit busy these days and although I have read the lesson each day, I seem to be having trouble getting on the blog. I will do better! But I'm here today and I thought in light of today's lesson, it would be fun to share our own "family traditions". Here's one our family favorites, goofy, but well loved!

Every time it rains, we have waffles for dinner!! Mind you, we haven't done this as much in recent years with the lack of rain, but you can be sure to get a nice fluffy waffle at our house if there is even the hint of rain. In fact the first time our daughter-in-law, Jamie ever ate dinner with us, it was raining. I figure no time like the present to introduce her to our weirdness so we went right ahead and served waffles. If made for a fun memory that she talks about to this day (10 years later). Once they got married Ron and I gave them a waffle maker so they could continue the "tradition".

Today's Tip ~

Make a Memory!!

I am big on this!! Life is way too short not to have fun so start making memories and build tradition! It can be simple or elaborate, just make sure to make it a "we always".

Looking forward to hearing about your "We Always"!
Nola

Week 10

Hi Girls,
I'm back!! We had a wonderful relaxing weekend, but now it is back to the grind! Today we kick off week 10 and I gotta tell ya I was smiling when I read the part in today lesson about Dr Laura's book, "The Care and Feeding of Husbands". I know that you , Sarah are reading this book and it gives my heart a tickle to see a young bride striving to get to know her and learn how to take care of your husband better. I have yet to read the book, but I hear it's good one.

If I were to pick one thing off of Donna's list that I thought was a top priority for men to receive, I would have to pick respect! Respect your guy, girls!!! Respect his job, his hobbies, his looks and so on. A little respect goes a long way.

At any rate, I can tell you after 30 years of marriage I have done some things right and a whole lots things wrong, but I am beyond blessed to be married to wonderful guy.

Today's Tip ~

Get The Book!

As I mentioned, I have yet to read Dr. Laura's book, but I think I will get it and read it! You know the old saying that "life does not come with a how-to manual", well it does come with some really good reads that can help us become better people, wives and mothers. So read!!!

Nola

Day 60

Sorry you didn't hear from me yesterday, Ron and I are leaving today for a wedding up north and with organizing the up-coming women's retreat and getting the house ready for Community group tonight, I've just been buried! So...not so much a P31 women, but I learning to get more organized!! LOL

I loved today's lesson!!! We all serve God and each other!! When I was growing up I was the youngest of three kids and the only girl. Made for a perfect "Princess-in-the-making", which wasn't all bad but when I got married I didn't know too much about running a household. Now don't get me wrong I was taught to cook and clean, but I was never expected to do my own laundry, pay my own car insurance or make my bed. Please understand I had great, loving and Godly parents, I just led a very pampered (not to be confused with rich) life where I was clearly sheltered from the responsibilities of everyday reality.

So all that to say, when I had kids of my own, even though they were boys, I was determined that when they got married or one day left the house, they would be responsible adults who know how to cook, clean and heavens, do their own laundry.

Now our boys are grown and I'm happy to say this is the case. I cannot tell you the joy I get every time my daughter-in-law tells me I "raised him (Devon) right". There are time when I truly think my parents did me a disservice (even though they meant well at the time)and these are issues that I have dealt with (along with a very loving and patience husband) over the years. Trust me when I say you are doing your kids and their future spouses no favors by pampering them.

Today's Tip~

10 Minute Clean-up!

This works even if you don't have kids yet (husbands need to be trained too). Call the family together and set the timer. Tell them they have 10 minutes to get as much stuff put away as possible. Or assign jobs, one can vacuum, one can take out all the trash and another can load/unload the dishwasher. It's amazing what can be done in 10 minutes when you all work together!!! It's even kinda fun!!!

I'm afraid you won't hear from tomorrow since we are leaving in couple of hours and I won't have access to a computer, but know that I will be reading the lessons and will be thinking about you!
Nola

Day 58

The purging continues!! I have moved 4 times in the past 6 years so I have become the Queen of Purging!!! So I love everything about today's lesson. I grew up in a home with two packrats for parents. I love them dearly, but once I got married I learned you really could throw "it" away, even if you think you might be able to use it "someday"!!

Today's Tip~

Take 15 Minutes a Day!

Take 15 minutes a day and pick an area (preferably in one of your hotspot rooms) and start purging (set your timer). Once your time is up, stop and go back to it tomorrow!! If you do just 15 minutes each day by month's end you will have your hotspot put out.

It truly is amazing what you can get done in a short time frame! I love that Carolyn shared that she got her whole pantry done in 20 minutes!!

Happy Purging!
Nola

Day 57

As you can see I took a three day weekend! Sorry!! I was just so outrageously busy on Friday, the day just came and went and I'm not sure what happened to it! But I'm back and it's day 57!!!

This week we are going back to "Home Management". Today's lesson reminded me a lot of the Fly Lady (the Home Organizational/De-cluttering Queen who has her own website: www.flylady.com).

Breaking our home into zones is a great way to manage it. Than applying the 80/20 rule makes it easy to see what really needs our attention.

Today's Tip~

Use Your Timer!!!

For those of you who were at the our last Mugs and Muffins meeting (HOTC Monthly women gathering) you are familiar with the Fly Lady and using your timer. If you weren't there, I highly recommend checking out her website and then using your timer!! I break all my tasks into 10 or 15 minutes time frames, set my timer and go!!! It's amazing what you can get done in just 10 minutes (did you know it only take 2 minutes to make a bed?).

I'm off to clean my office!!! (:
Nola

Day 53

I have to admit right up front I had trouble with today's lesson (I'm a great leader,LOL). Don't get me wrong, I totally agree with Donna about real estate being a great investment, but let's talk turkey here!!! You have to have some big bucks to make this work and in this day and age, even with having a pristine credit rating it hard to find a lender who wants to part with their cash. So I will be honest I didn't even read all of Tamara,s strategies (hence not reading the entire lesson, if I missed something please let me know).

I'm sorry to be such a spoiled sport about it, but I not really sure if this lesson applies to any of us at this point in our lives. However, if and when you come into some money to invest, I wholeheartedly agree with Donna, real estate is the way to go!

Nola

Day 52

Direct Marketing, now this is something that I have had personal experience in. As I mentioned yesterday, I have sold a number things and have had a few home-based businesses. Two of those ventures were direct marketing. One was rubber stamps and the other was a line of clothing. I jumped into both of them because I wanted to get some of the product for myself, so imagine my delight when I started to actually make money beside being able to dress nicer and feed my rubber stamp obsession.

The clothing one didn’t last long, but the rubber stamp one prove to be rather lucrative, especially once I got some gals under me.

Today’s Tip~

Find Something You Like!

Find and sell a product that you would like. All of these companies give you a starter kit, which you get to keep for yourself and they all offer a substantial discount on their product line so find something that you would use yourself. If you like to cook then “Pampered Chef” may be your niche. If you like make-up then try “Mary Kay”, if jewelry is your thing look into “Cookie Lee”. It much easier to sell a product that you would use or believe in.

Nola

Day 51

This week is kinda fun for me because I have to admit the Lord blessed me with an entrepreneurial spirit. Yes, I was one of those kids that sold Lemonade on the street corner!!! Since then I have had several small home-based businesses (and a wonderful husband who has supported each and every crazy idea I’ve had).

I have done everything from selling clothes and rubberstamps for “home party” companies to painting and selling (quite successfully) tee shirts that I hand painted. Most recently I had a “Staging” business and for the past 20 years I have painted and personalized ornaments every Christmas, selling thousands of them to date.

I have never made a killing at any business (although the ornaments do pay for Christmas each year), but I did enjoy the small income that they generated and freedom to be at home while our boys were young.

Today’s Tip

Find your Niche!!

The businesses that have been the most successful for me were the one where I incorporated my God-given talent. I’m the first to admit that I am no Mary Englebreit or Thomas Kincaid, but I do enjoy drawing and creating artful things. So find your talent and start there! I have a friend who is an organizing whiz and she has started a home-based business helping small business owners get organized and stay there. My daughter-in-law, Jamie has an amazing talent for finding the best prices on hotels, air travel and rental cars. She is in the process of selling herself (and her talent) to companies who would save time and money by hiring her, via the internet as their in-house (all while she is in her house).

Nola

Day 50

Day 50, WOW. Hope most of you are still hanging in there with us!!! If you have made it this far congratulations!!! We only have 39 days to go (just a little over a month left), that seems pretty doable!

Day 47

“You can read the character of a man on the countenance of his wife”. I first heard this saying about 10 years ago when Ron went to a Promise Keepers Rally. He had heard it there and was deeply impacted by it. We have since used it many times when mentoring couples, but this is the first time that I thought about it with God as my husband. No matter what our life circumstances may be, we should as Godly women (darn I say P31 women) always have a Godly countenance.


Today’s Tip ~


Memorize it!


I came across Psalms 34:5 back in Vegas when I was doing “Fellowship with the Father” (a weekly e-letter that I sent out to encourage gals to have a daily QT or TAG). I loved it!! To me it summed up one of the core reason why we would want to have our TAG: to look radiant!!! Best beauty treatment I can think of!! So write it on an index card, a post-it note or a scrap of paper and put it on your bathroom mirror, your car dash and your kitchen cupboard, but memorize it, look to Him and start looking radiant!!!!

“Those who look to him are radiant…”Ps 34:5

Nola

Day ???

OK, I'm gonna do this quickly before I lose my window of opportunity and the blog kicks me out to parts unknown! My screen keeps flashing at me!!!

Sorry I didn't get a chance to check in earlier. My Sister-in-law is staying with us for a while (she had surgery earlier this week and I am playing nurse maid), so my time is being divided between taking care of her and my every day duties. Since I am not the Proverbs 31 gal that I would like to be (yet!!) I am just not that organized. Long story short, I missed today's lessons and apparently messed up yesterday's (great leader!!!) {:

So I ask your forgiveness and will try extra hard tomorrow to get back in sinc again.

Bear with me!!!!

Day 45

OK, so between Monday’s lesson, on only wearing your core color (half my clothes are black, not a good core color for us redheads) and today’s lesson on modesty (the other half of my wardrobe is skirts that hit above my knees, when you are my height wearing shirts below your knees only serves to make you look frumpy), I have nothing left to wear! I do love Donna’s enthusiasm, but here again, let me reiterate, that we may not be able to do everything she suggest!!

A couple of years ago I was watching a talk show where the guest made suggestions on what to wear and what not to wear. One of their suggestion was that grown women should not wear Mary Jane shoes. Well, for those of you who know me well, you know half my shoe wardrobe is Mary Janes, what can I say I like them. Upon watching the show I got toally caught up in the emotion of it and decided I needed t throw away my shoes and go get a more sophisticated style. Then I came to my senses!!! I happen to like Mary Janes, they are comfortable and cute and quite frankly I didn’t care if I should be wearing them or not so I kept them and now 2 years later, they are all the rage, go figure.

Today’s Tip~

Don’t get caught up!

It’s easy when you are reading to want to follow every suggestion to a tee, but don’t get caught up by your emotions. I think Donna has some great ideas, but for me to throw out half my clothes and give away the other half would make me a poor steward (a naked one at that). So for now I will hang on to what I have and in the future I will keep her rules in mind when I go to buy something new.

Nola

Day 44

Boy, talk about conviction! I am your classic “out-of-balance-gotta- lose-10-pound” gal! I’m better now than I used to be, but I will admit that at times I have been border line obsessive about my last 10 pounds .

About 8 years ago I got down to size 2/4 and weighed 113 pounds. It was great for the 2 days that lasted, LOL, but it was unrealistic for me to maintain. Now 8 years later, I hover around 135 and wear a size 10 comfortably. I would love to be a 120 and wear a size 6 but at age 50 that might be a bit hard to acquire (my hormones are running amuck!). So that brings me to “Today’s Tip”~

Today’s Tip~

Be Happy, Be Healthy!

Learn to love yourself!! I’m not saying give up the fight, if you need to lose a few pounds, by all means go for it, but learn to love yourself! It was a real eye opener (and hence convicting) when she said “the devil is always looking for someone to devour, and his target is the person who is out of balance”.

The simple truth of the matter is I have thighs!!! I mean I have enough thighs to share with about 3 people, but I learning to live with and accept the fact that that is the way God made me. Don’t get me wrong, acceptance does not give me license to eat whatever I want and not exercise, but I also know I will probably never see 113 again and I learning to be soooo OK with that!!!

Nola

Week 7

First off I need to apologize!!! Not sure where last Friday went, but it got totally away from me. I did read Friday's lesson and started to blog, but never got it done or sent!!! My bad.

Well, we are more than half way through with our books (is that cheering I hear?). For those of you who have hung in there, let me congratulate you!!! I will be the first to admit that this has been a very challenging study, but I love a good challenge!! Hope you do too. The fact that you are still here says a lot!

Looking ahead at this week, I think we are moving into easier territory (at least easier than diets and finances).

Today’s Tip ~

Give me a minute to Brag!

OK, so I don’t really have a tip for today, but I do have to brag a bit here (not for me, but one of our follow Donna Groupies)!!! Theresa shared with me on Saturday that she has lost 16 pounds and just that morning had cut up a credit card!!! You go Girl!!! I would love to hear more. If any of you have a success story, please share!!!

I have noticed that there are still quite a few of you checking out the blog, but not leaving comments (your name appears in on the right hand side of the main page so I know you are out there, LOL)!! I don’t know about you, but I am blessed each time one of you leaves a comments so please if you are checking out the blog, just take a quick minute and click on "comments" in the lower right hand corner of each blog and let us know you are still alive!

Have a blessed week 7, Girls and if you are still hanging with me, give yourself a pat on the back!!!

Nola

Day 39

Pay Cash!! Now there’s a concept that is hard to wrap our brains around in this modern day of plastic, but it is doable and liberating!!!

I loved the fact that she took us back to the 80/20 rule again!! What a great principle to put into place when we are considering making a purchase. Especially when you look at it from the flip side (after we have made the purchase and it has sat around long enough for us to call Goodwill).

Today’s Tip ~

Start Asking Questions

About two years ago Ron and I put ourselves on a tight weekly budget. In order for me to adhere to it, I found myself literally asking myself if we really needed it. The answer most time was “no” or “not right at this moment”! It stated to become a game and I found myself being able to say no more and more often!!

Donna gave this same advise when she said “Stop and Think before you buy: ask yourself is there any possible way I can live without this?”. I am willing to bet you can answer yes to that question 80% of the time!!!

Nola

Day 38

Reducing our debt!! I know this can seem like a mute subject, especially if our income comes nowhere near meeting our output. I’m sure at this point there may be a couple of you who want to throw this book into some black hole and forget you ever picked it up, but since you spent hard earned money on it, how financially responsible would that be? So hang in there!! Help is on the way! I cheated and looked ahead, in a couple of weeks (week 8 to be exact) she will be giving us pointing on how to make some income.

I love what Connie had to say yesterday ~

“Even though finances are a stressful part of our lives, God has really taught us to trust in Him for His provision. We always have what need, like food, water, clothing, and a roof over our heads. God has been so good to us!”

Yes, God is good to us!!!!!

Today’ s Tip ~

Quicken, Online!

I went online yesterday to check out Quicken and found that they have 60 day free trial and then it’s only $2.99 a month after that!! So I set up an account, way tooooooo cool. Check it out!!

Nola

Day 37

Ahhh Money Matters!!! This can be a sensitive subject and about as much fun as the 10 day vege and water diet. Also a subject that I am not an authority on! ...But I have learned a thing or two in my 50 years of living (after all I am married to a CPA, which has not always been pleasant when it has comes to our finances), none of which I will bore you with unless I am asked!

I will give you this piece of advice though. Coming next Spring Heart of the Canyons is gonna be doing a church wide study about finances. It’s a Dave Ramsey study (Donna mentioned his name) and it should be great!!! The study does cost to do, so my advice to you is start saving now so that when the time comes you won’ t have to say, I can’t afford it! It will be money well spent!!!

Today’s Tip~

Great website! (check it out!)

I have discovered an awesome website called Everyday Cheapskate. It is written by a Christian gal named Mary Hunt who got her and her family into such a financial state of upheaval she thought there was no way out!! Of course being a Christian she knew better, but being Christian also gave her the power and strength to reverse their situation. Her story is amazing and full of hope!! She has a daily newsletter with great tips that she sends out via e-mail, so check her out at www.debtproofliving .com. You will be inspired!

Nola

Week 6

Wow, what a concept!!

90% with God equals more than 100% without Him!!!! nough said!!!

Today's Tip ~

Be a good example!

I was one of the fortunate ones. Growing up in Godly home, I can remember sitting in my Sunday best every week and watching my daddy go their top dresser drawer and pull out a small preprinted envelope (that was provided by our church) and place a check in it each week before we headed out to morning service.

When it came time for me to get married and establish my own household, tithing was a concept that was so modeled to me as a young girl, there was no question what to do!! There was just no doubt in my mind, you give to God out of your first fruits!! It hasn't always been easy (we have made some silly financial mistakes along the way), but for the most part we have given to Him first and He has proven to us that 90% with Him is far greater then 100% without Him.

Because of my up-bringing, I have always been very open with our boys and now as adults it is easy for them to give of their first fruits. So be sure to be a good example, after all, don't you want the best for them besides yourselves?



I know in this time of financial difficulty, finances can be a tough a subject, but this is one subject (tithing) where you won't hear me say take baby steps. Today's scripture, Malachi 3:10 is the only place (to the best of my knowledge) where God challenges us to test Him, so do it!!

By now we have established our TAG, memorized 10 verses, made it through diet, exercise, cranberry water {: and household organization, if you are still hanging in there with me, this week should be a piece a cake.
Nola

Day 33

Oh Boy, another list!! YIPPY!! I know this week may have been a little overwhelming, but as I mentioned in yesterday’s comments, it’s all the Baby Steps!!! Whatever you do, don’t give up!!! Actually a “Tackle” list is great idea and I gotta agree with Donna, somehow putting the things you want to accomplish, big or small on paper, does take it off your mind and helps you view it differently with some peace.

Today’s Tip ~

Get a Timer!!

Get yourself a kitchen timer and set it for 10 or 15 minutes. Whenever you go to tackle a job on your list set the timer and work until it goes off!!! It’s amazing what you can do in 15 minutes!!

Nola

Day 32

"Stow away as much as you can!!" Now here’s a concept I have conquered! About 2 houses back (remember we have moved 4 times in the past 5 years), we moved into a townhouse that had a great garage, complete with built-in shelves with doors!! It got me totally inspired to “stow” things away. So I hit the local office supply store and bought some white banker boxes. Once they were number I started stowing, all the while making an inventory list of what was in each box. When we moved to this house, I simply had to move all the boxes that I had filled and cataloged into our new garage, it was great!

Today’s Tip ~

Don’t forget the inventory list!

Once I had everything cataloged, I made a master list in excel , now when I need something I simply refer to the list and get the box number and presto, I have my hand on the item in a matter of minutes instead of days, which used to be the case.

Nola

Day 31

Being the organizing nut that I am, I try to de-clutter at every turn. I’m not always successful, but I do try to keep things pared down as much as I can. Moving 4 times in the past 5 years has helped!!

I do have to confuse I have not always been this way, I grew up in a cluttered house with two pack rat parents (who I dearly love) so it has taken some time (about 30 years, celebrated our 30^th anniversary yesterday) to really learn to appreciate the beauty of not living with clutter. It’s truly does bring peace to your home!

Now don’t get me wrong, I am far from perfect and I would probably cringe if you opened my kitchen junk drawer, but I am a work in progress and feel pretty good about it!! (:

Today’s Tip ~

Start Small!

Start with a drawer, maybe as Donna suggested, your kitchen gadget drawer. As I sit here and type this, I know for a fact that I have two can openers in my drawer. I really don’t need both of them, but they are. So for starters, I’m putting one in my “give-a-way” box.

Nola

Day 30

Now that makes perfect sense! The 80/20 rule!! I have never heard of it before so consequently have never used it, but I think it could be fun!! As I mentioned yesterday I love to make lists and my all time favorite is my “things to do” list, however on most days, I get to the end of the day and find that I have not accomplished the entire list. In fact it is rare when I do complete the entire list, which usually make me feel guilty.

I think approaching my daily list using the 80/20 rule will help me prioritized and will definitely elevate the guilt!

Today’s Tip ~

Challenge Yourself!

Donna gave us some good example of how to apply the 80/20 rule, now think of some on your own and share them with the group!! I think I’m gonna go look at my closest using the 80/20 rule!! Just sitting here at my computer, I can tell you that I use on 20% of my clothes 80% of the time. With that in mind I think I could go clean it out in a more efficient manner then I have in the past.

Have fun with this! The benefits could be endless.

Nola

PS Congratulations to Missy C who will be closing escrow on their first house today or tomorrow!!

Day 29

Whew, made it through the last 2 weeks and I’m still alive. Didn’t do the vege and water diet, but have started the lemon water and cranberry water (yes, I drink all 64 ozs a day).

Now that we are on week five and Management Tools, I am feeling like I’m on more stable ground. Organizing, now that something I like to sink my teeth into!! Can’t really say that I’m using my notebook as much as Donna would like, but I do have it put together and it helping me get and stay a bit more organized.

Today’s Tip ~

Page 334

If you haven't already check out Donna’s forms starting on page 334, take a quick minute to do so. You can also print them out on-line by going to her website at www.donnapartow.com. Go to the bottom of her homepage where it says:

"For other resources mentioned in the book, click here", and it will take you to her forms.

Have a blessed and organized day~

Nola