Pelicans and Eagles, Oh my!

Yesterday, with 80 degree temperatures, blue skies and calm winds, we couldn't resist taking a boat cruise on the lake.  Oh, I've been craving an afternoon like that for months!  The simple bliss of feeling the warmth of the sun on my bare arms and legs was AMAZING!

There were other spectacular joys too, and that got me thinking about all the gifts we enjoy freely. (You were wondering when I was going to get to the free, frugal, saving money theme weren't you?)

Words can't describe the incredible sight of watching not one, not two, but three bald eagles soaring over our boat dock as they glided across the gleaming water on the lake and ascended high above the tall pine forest.  What a treasured moment to see these magnificent birds literally in our own backyard!

Oh, but God had more excitement in store for us. As we motored slowly north on the lake, we came upon a half dozen or so white pelicans, a common sight in the winter and spring months since they began migrating to our lake seasonally several years ago.

It was on the way back south toward home when we again saw the pelicans that we spotted one floating atop the smooth water right on the path we were taking. The picture isn't the greatest, but we didn't want to get too close and scare him away.  But, WOW! Another uniquely beautiful creature!

Our creator has fashioned a world of glorious beauty and unmatched artistry for us to behold. If you're struggling with ways to save money on entertainment, try spending afternoons and evenings in a natural park setting, on a lake, or sitting under the expansive arms of a giant decades old oak tree.  It's the perfect time of year in Texas to take those outdoor opportunities and develop an appreciation for nature's free "theme parks". 

Pay attention, listen, and meditate on the quiet and gentle splendor of creation. If you settle your soul and rid your mind of your day's worries, you may even hear the whisper of God, and that is a priceless treasure indeed.

Be blessed,

Heating Pads and Other Necessities

How am I doing with this frugal living challenge?  I'd say fair - maybe give myself a B+.

It's been moderately easy to keep a grip on my wallet when it comes to new clothing, books, music.  But, let's face it, I have plenty of clothes in my closet.  They may not be the latest fashion, or what I want, but I'm certainly not in need.

However, I'm learning there are modern conveniences that we don't want to go without.  And, some things I don't feel good about buying used even if I could.

Our 25 year-old heating pad that finally died is one example. First, I'll give my hubby some kudos because he did take apart the electrical control to see if he could fix it.  But, alas, 25 years is apparently all the life you get from an electric heating pad.  This thing looks like it was actually made in America - that should tell you how old it was!

Even if I could find a heating pad at a consignment store, I don't think I would buy it unless it was in the original box and came with a warranty.  Something about safety and electrical appliances just doesn't feel right.

So, we bought a brand new heating pad.  If this one lasts 25 years, I'd say that's a darn good investment and, although it's not an absolute necessity for survival, with all our aches and pains from gardening and overdoing it taking care of a large property, a heating pad gets plenty of use around our house and keeps us going for another day!

This was how the pain occurred for the most recent heating pad occasion.

I digress. 

The modern convenience of a solar powered gate at the entrance to our property also required the purchase of something new.  The control panel went bad and after spending months charging and changing batteries every week, we finally ordered the new part.  Costly!  And, not anything fun to spend money on.  But, we want the security and convenience of that automatic gate, so we paid.

Enough of these boring purchases, have I told you about the children's consignment sale we went to a few weeks ago?  Now, that was a fun place to spend money!

Here is my sweet grandson in the high chair I bought for our house at the sale. This is a $150 high chair that was in perfect condition, had all the features I wanted, and cost $45! 

I couldn't resist buying him clothes and he was ready for 6-9 month sizes.  How does $46 for $300-$400 of clothes sound?  Not a stain, tear or fray on any item.  Why would any sensible person not shop at these sales for children?

There's no new Easter dress for me this year, but that's OK.  I'll give myself an A for that effort though.  There is a lovely pink dress in my closet that's only been worn two or three times and that will do just fine for Easter.

How are you doing with your budget?  How are you doing in simplifying your life?

P.S.  Did I mention that my hubby's computer was run over?  Literally, run over in the driveway! Guess what the next new purchase is?

Be love and be blessed,

Choose To Be Happy

This morning I saw a post one of my friends put on Facebook.  It was about what happy people do differently.  What makes them happy.

Happiness isn't difficult.  It doesn't have to be elusive.  It's not a secret puzzle that can only be solved by a few.

Happiness is all about attitude and choice.

We choose to be happy or to be miserable.  PERIOD.

Each day when we get out of bed, we can have a glass half full attitude, or we can see everything as half empty.

I'm sorry, but it really is as simple as that (serious mental illness excepted).  Don't try to tell me that YOUR circumstances are different and that's why you aren't happy. Baloney!

Don't start with the "well, ifs".  You know its not true and I ain't buyin' it!

"Well, if I felt better I would be happy."  Brrrrp! (That's supposed to be that game show sound meaning "wrong answer".)  You can be happy when you feel terrible. You can choose to find the good things in life despite your health.  Examples of people overcoming physical disabilities and diseases and having a great attitude abound.  NEXT?

"Well, if I had more money I would be happy."  Brrrrp.  How much did you pay for that last package of Happy you bought at Walmart?  It's not a matter of money, or even whether you can pay your bills. It's about gratitude. Happiness comes from a truly thankful heart. Choose to live minimally and within your means, no matter how modest.  Focus on the gifts God gives - love, relationships, nature.  Next?

"Well, if I had more time for me I would be happy."  Brrrrp.  You choose how to spend your time. You're in control of allocating your time. If you're overwhelmed, you are the one who can change your calendar and your commitments.  Oh, I'll hear a lot of excuses here, but we waste a ton of time - Time we can reclaim for ourselves. 

You get the idea.  Happiness is your choice and only you can make it.  No one can ruin your day unless you allow it.  No one can give you gratitude - you must nurture that yourself.  No one can wave a magic wand and make all your troubles disappear.  But, you can choose to smile and be kind no matter what trouble the world brings.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? ...Matthew 6:24-34

I think the worry the Lord was warning us about was the kind of unhealthy focus that we allow to steal our happiness.  When we spend our time worrying and focusing on all that is negative, it becomes harder to experience gratitude and joy.  Jesus tells us that we are the most important thing in creation to God.

If we think about the greatness of the love from a God who would suffer and die so that we can enjoy a relationship with Him forever, how can we choose anything but happiness?

Be love and be blessed,