This is a "off my head" post. Actually it's more of a "off my heart" post. I've been reading A LOT of posts on facebook about the lack of money. This is then followed by how they watched something on HBO... and dropped their cell phone and HAD to buy a new one... and went to Dorothy Lane Market for dinner "because I was just too tired to cook." Are you kidding me right now?!?! Shut. Up. Seriously. Shut up!
Let's do some math people... if you are that far in debt and money is that tight... lose the cable, find the cheapest cell phone plan, and for heavens sake get over your pride and let me introduce you to Aldi's!!
Now I know a lot of people are saying, "but Heather you drive a Cadillac, own two homes, and have a boat..." Yes, I do. And why? Because I save every other freaking dime so I can have these nice things. I clip coupons, buy my clothes at either consignment or during end of year sales (NOW is the best time to buy winter clothes!), I shop at Aldi, and I use this amazing thing called a budget. I also worked a second part-time for the first 10 years we started our business. Do you have the drive to work? I'm talking I waited tables. It wasn't glamorous, but I needed the money. Just do it!
If you have kids, then no you shouldn't work around the click and miss your children growing up. But you also shouldn't be having mommy meetings at the local Starbucks. Paying your bills and preparing for your family's future are SO important.
I'm pretty sure I've done this before, but here is today's lesson: Practice saying 'no'. Would you like to order some jewelry from my party. 'no thank you'. Would you like to buy this shirt? "nah, I have enough." Would you like to.... ? NO! Would you like to pay for your child's doctor visit? YES! Would you like to pay your car payments on time? YES!
For more information, please check out Dave Ramsey's website, here. And if you know me on a personal level and ever want advice, I'm all ears. And please note, this kind of crap is not repeated. But stop complaining and start changing!
This morning I woke up listening to the DJ's on K-Love talk about their fathers. You see, last night the Super Bowl was on and the most talked about commercial was from Ram Truck. You can watch this by clicking here: Ram Truck 2013 Super Bowl Commercial: Farmer | 2013 Super Bowl Commercials - Super Bowl 2013 Ads
The DJ was talking about how much he liked the commercial because it reminded him of his own dad. His dad was a farmer. A very hardworking farmer. As I laid in bed I started thinking of my own dad. He is probably one of the most hardworking men I know. He worked six days a week to make sure we had "enough". And after working six days a week he made sure we went to church every Sunday as a family. At the time I thought this was "normal".
As a grown adult now I see that this was not the norm. I pretty much had a Leave It to Beaver family and didn't realize it. Heck, we were lucky enough to grow up on a street full of Cleaver-type families.
Most people assume that my brother and I grew up wealthy because we own a successful business. I'm going to go ahead and squash that assumption. My mother was a school teacher and my father worked as a blue-collar worker at General Motors. He taught us how to save, how to serve God, and how to be kind to others.
You see these are all the things I thought about when I laid in bed around 6:30 a.m. this morning. And then at 8:30 a.m. when my mother called to say "Dad is in the hospital."... all of these thoughts came flooding back.
Funny how God works.
My dad will be okay. After almost 75 years of life they are taking out his gall bladder.
I, on the other hand, just had a slight taste of what it will be like when things won't be "okay". Because unfortunately my parent's aren't getting younger.
So take a moment, and tell your folks how awesome they are. They must have done something right... they made you.
I've been cooped up for the past 5 days. Correction... I boarded a plane Friday morning at 7 a.m. by the time I arrived at my layover in Atlanta I was close to passing out. Two hours later I finally arrived in Sarasota feeling like death warmed over. Luckily my two closest friends were there to pick me up at the airport. By Saturday morning I was in tears because my body ached so bad. After going to Urgent Care we decided to pack up the car and drive back home. I knew there was no way I could fly again. I then spent the next four days doing absolutely nothing. Not really the way I had planned my Florida vacation... or the ringing in of the New Year. So no matter how awful my weekend/vacation was..... None of this has gotten me down!!
I can't wait for this upcoming year!! I mean I am SUPER STOKED about it!!! Generally speaking I have always been someone who loathes the winter months. To the point depression starts to sink in, but I don't feel this way at all. And I really haven't felt this way in two years. Why? Because I made some major changes in my life. Choices. I choose to be healthy. I choose to be physically fit. I choose to hang out with some awesome people. I choose... no one else.
So what's on the books already for 2013?
January: Month of Crossfit!!... In addition to my usual workouts I have signed up for the Garage Games. Also during this month our gym has several teams competing in the Barbell Blitz. I will be heading down to Covington to cheer them on with some friends. We will also be measuring ourselves and taking pics the first week of January to measure our successes this year. I know, it's like I'm sick, but I seriously can't wait for this month to get started and going!
February: CRUISE baby!!!! I will be cruising with a few of my close friends to the Bahamas. We did this two years ago and let's just say everyone on that ship knew who we were by the time we departed. Not so sure if that's something to be proud of, but MAN we had a great time! Followed later in the month by Ladies Night at the house with the CCF Ladies (and now you all know this is coming).
March: Did someone say Crossfit Open?!?! The Open is five weeks of competing with fellow crossfitters in your gym. It is AH-MAZING! It doesn't matter what level you are, you can do this! Everyone cheers one another on and the excitement in the gym is like nothing you can imagine. And let's not forget my annual run in the Harrigan's 5K. Hoping to beat last year's time.
April: Hello Spring... nuff said.... and this leads into summer... boating... sunshine... etc....
As you can see, the months are jammed packed! But they will be so much fun and they will fly by. I can't wait to spend them with awesome people who are nothing but encouraging!! What does this mean to you? If you're finding yourself negative or down in the dumps - change your setting! You have the choice to choose who you hang around, where you put your energy, and how you feel. Only you. You don't have to do crossfit, but find that "thing" that gets you motivated every single day. Find people who encourage you every single day. Don't accept less for yourself. Now go out and be positive!!
