Surviving In a Recession

Previously, I blogged and encouraged those seeking extra funds in this time of recession to start their own business. I continue to stand by this suggestion. I confessed my love of craigslist and wanted to share that craigslist can also be a way of helping other small businesses or odds and ends type jobs stay afloat as we feel the brunt of cutbacks.

We had some materials that needed to be hauled away to the city dump and our SUV was not large enough to do the job, nor did my husband have the time. I placed an ad on craigslist describing what needed to be hauled and the price I was offering to do it. I immediately began to get responses! There were two in particular, one from a guy who said he was not a professional, just a guy with some free time who needed extra money and another from a college student who had a pick up truck and was trying to make extra money for school. In the end, the college student won out and he came by to pick the material up. He confessed that he was taking the metal parts to the metal scrap yard for extra money and then the other stuff to the dump. When he said that, we found a few extra pieces of scrap metal that needed to be gotten rid of, so he could add to the rest. I was so pleased with his ambition and determination to make ends meet by doing work and by knowing he could sell the metal and get some extra money. I was happy to have had the exchange with the young man. We both benefited from the transaction.

This past weekend my sister and I enjoyed ourselves at the Ruritan Indoor Flea Market. We set up for book sales and she brought in some goods from home to sale. There was men, women and children’s clothes, children’s shoes, crib sets, a glider, a rocker and jewelry and trinkets. That stuff was selling like hotcakes. It was priced right and she was able to walk away with a bit under $100. I was so proud and excited!

I still believe that we can make it even during these rough times. We may have to readjust our mindset and spending for a period of time, but we do not have to lack. God wants us to be fulfilled and happy. We have to use the resources around us. Just take a look, they are so very plentiful!

Many Blessings,

Tales of a Risk Taker

I missed my day to blog on Monday because I physically could not do it. I sat here looking at the computer screen with my right arm in a sling. The doctor says it may be broken and only time will tell. Apparently the X-ray was too hard to read with all the fluid and swelling. So, here I am. One-arm-Polly after a mom's night out to a local roller skating rink. We were well into the evening when I had my little accident --- speed skating at the tender age of 34. Of course I had signed the liability wavier before trading my sneakers for roller skates. But even if I had not signed it, I still hold myself accountable. I went in there knowing full well that I might fall. I prayed to God that I wouldn't break any bones and went on without worry. All I wanted last weekend was to have a little fun and for a few hours I had a ball. The pain from a dislocated elbow and a trip to the emergency room leads to my resolve; next time I'll where elbow pads!

Some folks say I'm crazy because I did it, but I just can't sit on the sidelines of life and not be involved. Because what if I didn't give it a try, what would happen then? That's right --- NOTHING! So my very nature demands that I go out on a limb (so to speak) every once in a while. It's the same reasoning I apply to business. That may mean cashing in an old IRA or scraping together other funds to reinvest in my ongoing vision. No matter the case, you've got to give some to get some. The outcome may not always be pretty, er...that elbow hurt like the dickens! But at least I can say, I took a chance. I seized an opportunity. So? I fell down. But look at me now! I'm typing again and it is only Wednesday. Who knows what I'll be able to do come next week? This isn't the first bone I've broken in my old age and I might bend a few more before it's all over. (Please God, no...)

I am a risk taker and I lived to tell the story. Was there ever a time that you stuck your neck out there?

In The Meantime...

Delay is not denial. While you are waiting on God to see you through and put you where he promised you would be, do remember to make the most of where you are. Here are a few ways to show a little gratitude...in the meantime.

1. Have an attitude of service - Blessing others can provide unspeakable joy.

2. Say thank you - He doesn't make a way because we've been so good. It's by his grace.

3. Take it all in - Stop and smell the flowers by paying close attention to the small miracles of God.

4. Proclaim his goodness - He deserves our praises just because he's Lord. Never miss a moment to pass the message along to a neighbor.

5. Be diligent - Idle hands can lead to a missed opportunity. Stay on task and work hard toward your goal.

Waiting isn't always easy, but there are real benefits to serving God as we prepare for his blessings. Please believe! For he will make good on his promise. Happiness can be yours today and tomorrow.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

Today (now yesterday since I posted this late) would have been our mother’s 53rd birthday had she survived her battle against breast cancer. She is the one who taught me to protect my sister at all costs. I will never forget that day at the playground. We were visiting relatives and were sent to play at the park that was adjacent to the house. A few of the neighborhood girls did not like the fact that we were outsiders playing in ‘their park’. They begin to bully us, demanding that we leave. My sister, normally the quiet one, continued to play until one of the girls approached her closely as if she wanted to start a fist fight. Well, knowing my sister the way I did, I did NOT want her to unleash that fierce tiger within. She was always so quiet and never fought unless backed into a corner. Once she was in that corner, she always came out victorious every single time. I disliked seeing her pushed to that point because I felt it was something she did not want to have to do. I always felt my sister was a sensitive being, always trying to be peaceful and avoiding discord. I jumped from the jungle gym and ran to get our mother, telling her that some girls were at the park bullying us and now Polly was about to fight one of them. My mother looked at me in bewilderment, grabbed me by my arm, looked me straight in the eyes and said ‘You don’t ever leave your sister!’ She gave me one push toward the door and I understood exactly what it meant. I was to report back to that playground immediately and stand beside my sister for whatever was to come. And that is exactly what I did! We never had any issues at that park again and that was the day I decided that I was the one who would protect my sister from anyone who tried to push her around.

My mother was a strong, outspoken woman. She did not tolerate much from people and she taught us to be the same way…to demand respect, walk with pride and love and protect each other no matter what. Those very simple lessons have stuck with me throughout childhood and now into adulthood. I am sure she would be so proud of the love and respect Polly and I have for one another. I envision her prancing around heaven, looking down on us and saying ‘those are my babies’. I am certain she is gushing with pride when she see’s how my sister is instilling the same positive values in her children.

When people tell me I am like my mother I smile. Like mother, like daughter in so many ways. Yes…indeed!

Family Fun

It seems I never realize how much I love spring until I'm longing for short sleeve shirts, pretty flowers and warm air blowing across my face. Spring weather also makes me more apt to plan family outings. So when this weekend's temperatures finally soared, I couldn't wait to get outside and soak it up.

Our children are small and one of their favorite pasttimes is park hopping. We go to all the good ones we can fit in over a weekend. My husband will join us even if he has to meet us later. The kids love this and so do I because I know it'll end in pizza or carryout on the way home :p. We're an outside bunch so it doesn't take much sunshine for us to log some quality time. We've been known to all wash the car together or just play in the front/backyard for an hour. No matter what we do, it's made better by spending time with each other.

One of my fondest memories from last year was shopping for a ceiling fan together. Although Home Depot or Lowe's outings are generally resevered for date night (don't laugh!) this time we took the kids. It was funny because we split the kids between us and pushed separate shopping carts as we looked around the store. We kept running into each other and swapping children while we daydreamed about longshot home improvements. It must have been 100° that day and so we ended with a trip to Baskin Robbins. Yum! Yum!

I'm also a big fan of outside festivals and we try to find a few to attend when it's warm. One of my favorites was this weekend: The 19th Annual Leesburg Flower and Garden Festival. Okay, so we've only been once, but it was a big hit. They have a huge area for children with painting, music and activities. The food is great (especially the smoothies) and walking around to view the flowers is free. Can't beat that!

Hurray for spring and yay for family time! What does your family do for fun?