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

Day 26

Today’s lesson is one of my favorite! I mean being told to take a bath, yippy, I’m all over that!! Once again I knew this was coming because she has it as part of her 90 day renewal program ( the first study I did), so I started doing this some time ago. Not only is it a wonderful time of relaxation for you,it’s a great time to turn the lights down low and meditate on your memory verses.

Today’s Tip ~

Buy in Bulk!

I got my Baking Soda at Sam’s so I was able to get a large box that will last awhile. I never checked to see if they carried Epsom Salts, but they probably do. Neither one is pricey so it all doable.

Note: I skip the oil because it leaves a film on your tub.

Day 25

Now this sounds like fun!!! Jumping on a trampoline to not only lose weight, but cellulite also, sign me up!!! I have read Donna’s exhortations of the rebounder in prior studies, but have yet to go out a get one. This time I just may give in!

Today's Tip ~

Buyer Beware!

There are a lot of rebounders out there!! I have found them starting at $49 (Target.com) to over $500. I agree with Donna that you should not get a cheap one, but please $500!!!!! I did go to her website and for the life of me I cannot find where she recommends the rebounders that she likes, so that took me to the internet!! Check it out! You can always go to "Play It Again, Sports", in Granery Square an look into getting a used or new one.

Happy Bouncing~
Nola

Day 24

Today's challenge is not so easy for me (bet you're getting tired of me saying that). Since I am not a night time snacker, it's not really that tough. The tough part comes in not eating three hour before bedtime. OK ,I know I'm not making sense here!! Let me explain. As a rule I am in bed by 9:30 (not always asleep, but well on my way), this means I need to eat by (and no later then) 6:00 or 6:30. Well since my sweet hubby get home at 6:30 or 6:45 we don't eat until 7:00 (on a good night) or 7:30.

Now as I see it, I have two choices;

• wait and eat dinner with Ron (a much more fun choice!)
  
• eat before he get home (a not so fun choice)
  

Since Proverb 31 is teaching us to be good wives (married or unmarried) I think selfishly sitting down to dinner at 5:30 by myself and telling Ron too bad, so sad, "I'm working on not having a 'food hangover'" may not be too Proverbs 31ish of me.

So that bring me back to "today's challenge is not easy for me". I do believe sharing a meal and quality time with my husband is far more important then my food hangovers so for now I will continue to do as I have and enjoy dinner with him.

Today's Tip ~

Enjoy Your Family

I know schedules can be crazy (I know some of you even have hubbies that work at night) so please don't get so legalistic that you sacrifice time with your fam.

Nola

Day 23

Boy, I'm a bit behind today, sorry!! Ever since my crazy weekend (with Beth Moore) I have been taking things at a snail's pace because I'm not so pressed this week!! I will try to be better!!!

OK, so on to today's blog and lesson! I started drinking the "lemon water" when I did her first study and although it was not always easy to get down, I knew I was doing something good for my body. And...even though it may not taste so good, it really is not the worst thing in the world.

Today's Tip

Get a Reamer!

Reamers are little, wooden, hand-held tools that help you get all the juice out of your lemon! They really are a nifty gadget. You can get them at Linens and Things in the kitchen gadget department.

Well, I off to the store to buy lemons (oh yeah and some cranberry juice)~
Nola

Week Four

Whew, feeling a bit more like I’m on solid ground here!!! Obviously from last week’s ramblings, I am not an expert (or fan) of healthy food and nutrition, but exercise, now this is something I can do. Still not a expert in this field either, but I do try to walk most mornings.

I started being seriously challenged about walking when I did my first "Donna" study a couple of years ago. I haven't been as consistent as I would have liked, but for now I'm doing pretty well!! Sure feels good! And...at this point in my life where my hormones are winning the weight lose game, I like to think that even though I may not be losing the extra pounds, I am keeping any extra one that want to jump on for the ride at bay, by walking!

Today's Tip ~

Get a buddy!!

I walk about 4 to 5 mornings a week down to the a local coffee shop (it's 2 miles from my house) and meet up with friends who also walk from their house 2 miles from the opposite direction. By doing this I get the best of both world; I get a good workout without being slowed down by chit chat and yet I get a nice visit in the middle of my workout before I head home and complete my 4 mile total route! There are mornings when I would rather skip the walk, but knowing that they are committed to meeting me there, make me get and go!

Liking this week a whole lot better then late~

Nola

Good morning Ladies,
Nola I'm so sorry to take your space. I thought more of our girls would see this if it was on the main page. Please Pray for Mary Renfrow. Her brother Jimmy passed away before her plane even left. She is in New York right now and will be spending the next 2 weeks with her family back there. It has been a very long year for her and her family, and Jimmy was the "baby brother". Mary if you're reading this I love you and we will all be praying for you.
T.

Day 19

Well Girls, we are wrapping up week three. Hope most of you are still hanging in there. Haven’t heard from some of you, but I for one know how busy life can be. Just don’t let it get so busy you miss your time with Him.

Today’s Tip ~

Fill Your Mouth!

I find that praise and worship music is good for a variety of ailments. If I’m sad it makes me happy, if I'm tired it rejuvenates me, if I’m happy, it just makes me that much more happier, so when I was reflecting the other day about what I could put in my mouth instead of food, I came across this verse ~

"My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." Ps 63:5

So crank up the tunes Girls and get satisfied!

Nola