"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Matthew 6:34

rambling...

Don’t lie. We have all had our moments where we were very materialistic. I still have issues with always wanting a Louis Vuitton purse…or Marc Jacobs shoes (which are cheap compared to Manolo Blahnik – like 800$ cheaper)

It has been weird though…I have become really sensible. I have traded James Avery Jewelry and 200$ necklaces (no I have never bought one – I saw one at a trunk sale the other day and my jaw dropped) for $3.80 pair of earrings that look pretty expensive.

My husband and I are reading “The Christian Atheist” and the past chapter really made me think when he said something like this

We are buying expensive accessories to impress people we don’t even know.

We are buying expensive accessories that make us happy for a short amount of time.

When it comes to tvs and surround sound or whatever I like the nice kind…because the crappy kind really does sucks….

As for my 3 dollar earrings – you can’t tell the difference – they feel the same in my ear as the expensive ones.

That’s why I wait until clothes are 75% off before buying them…no way will I buy a GAP dress for $70.00 when I can get it for $8.00 a few months later.

Plus once you leave this temporary world with your temporary things….it won’t even matter. I can NOT wait until we are out of debt…I can bet you that a lot of our money will be going to charities. That happiness isn’t temporary.  

“I'm not against people having new cars. I'm against them having you. We spend a tremendous amount impressing somebody at the stoplight who we'll never meet. It makes you broke and keeps you broke.”

It is human nature to want it and want it now; it is also a sign of immaturity. Being willing to delay pleasure for a greater result is a sign of maturity. 

I have been doing WONDERFULLY on the No Gossip. It has been working SO WELL! Talking Nice about people really is a great thing…it is so much better than talking nasty.

I am also going to work on trying to not be so materialistic. I think I have always been less materialistic than the majority of the world but I have my tendencies. It’s ok to not have the top designers. WHO CARES. IT WILL NOT MATTER IN THE END…and GOD DOESN’T CARE. Quit trying to impress people who YOU don’t care about, Who DON’T care about you and people you have no idea who they are!

That happiness is temporary...and then you will have regret paying $4900 for a stinkin' pair of earrings and possibly be in debt if you used your credit card.

Money can not buy happiness - alot of people think it does though.

GOD does not want you to be happy...He wants  you to be blessed!!! (Thank you Craig G. )

I will never be perfect on this. I have designer stuff. People have gifted me designer stuff. My eyes have officially opened though. Quit trying to impress others with expensive stuff. it doesn't matter.

movies I want to see coming up

The Woman in Black - Read the book!

The Hunger Games - Read the books!

THe Dark Knight Rises

(couldn't find the actual trailer....)

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - Read the book!

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Read the book!

Snow White and the Huntsman

Warm Bodies - no trailer yet...but definitely read the book!

Happy Monday!

I had some crazy freakin’ dreams last night.

I recited an Amelia Earhart Poem in front of a class…..and there were judges…who judged my poem…but at one point they had to move to drier ground because the waves were coming in….we were inside a school btw...who knows about the waves

and then look what I got from ETSY today....

odd.

I also had baby dreams...i was carrying twins...they were both girls...Matt would have cried hahaha!

Not much going on today...no pictures today...haven't touched the home computer...maybe I will tonight....here is a cool Dave Ramsey Quote:

"A good definition of maturity is learning to delay pleasure. When you can't wait to buy the video game, or the car, or the phone -- that's a sign of immaturity. It's like a four year old fussing and whining, "I want it right now!" Give me a break!

btw: the no gossiping has been going WONDERFULLY!!!

Here is something new this week. BE STILL. Be still for 15 min a day and let God talk to you....be still and LISTEN to what your friends / spouse are saying...don't try to talk over them with your ideas. Good one for the week!

HISTORICAL TRIVIA

HISTORICAL TRIVIA                  Did you know the saying "God willing and the Creek don't rise" was in reference to the Creek Indians and not a body of water? It was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late 18th century. He was a politician and Indian diplomat. While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of theU.S.to return toWashington. In his response, he was said to write, "God willing and the Creek don't rise." Because he capitalized the word "Creek" it is deduced that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and not a body of water.                  *********************************         In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are 'limbs,' therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, 'Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg.' (Artists know hands and arms are more difficult to paint)                  ******************************         As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October) Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term 'big wig... ' Today we often use the term 'here comes the Big Wig' because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.                  *********************************         In the late 1700's, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The 'head of the household' always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal.. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the 'chair man.' Today in business, we use the expression or title 'Chairman' or 'Chairman of the Board.'                 *********************************         Personal hygiene left much room for improvement.. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, 'mind your own bee's wax.' Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term 'crack a smile'. In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt . .. . Therefore, the expression 'losing face.'                *********************************         Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A proper and dignified woman, as in 'straight laced' wore a tightly tied lace..                          ********************************         Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to 'go sip some Ale and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. 'You go sip here' and 'You go sip there.' The two words 'go sip' were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term 'gossip.'                  **********************************         At local taverns, pubs, and bars, people drank from pint and quart-sized containers. A bar maid's job was to keep an eye on the customers and keep the drinks coming. She had to pay close attention and remember who was drinking in 'pints' and who was drinking in 'quarts,' hence the phrase 'minding your 'P's and Q's'.         **********************************         In the heyday of sailing ships, all war ships and many freighters carried iron cannons. Those cannons fired round iron cannon balls. It was necessary to keep a good supply near the cannon. However, how to prevent them from rolling about the deck? The best storage method devised was a square-based pyramid with one ball on top, resting on four resting on nine, which rested on sixteen. Thus, a supply of 30 cannon balls could be stacked in a small area right next to the cannon. There was only one problem....how to prevent the bottom layer from sliding or rolling from under the others. The solution was a metal plate called a 'Monkey' with 16 round indentations. However, if this plate were made of iron, the iron balls would quickly rust to it. The solution to the rusting problem was to make 'Brass Monkeys.' Few landlubbers realize that brass contracts much more and much faster than iron when chilled.. Consequently, when the temperature dropped too far, the brass indentations would shrink so much that the iron cannonballs would come right off the monkey; Thus, it was quite literally, 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey.' (All this time, you thought that was an improper expression, didn't you.)

thanks

holla...

I added a new page today: Recite this everyday. I don't remember where I found this but I thought this was fantastic. You probably need to take 5 minutes each day and slowly recite this:

May today there be peace within


May you trust GOD that you are exactly where you are meant to be.


May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.


May you use tose gifts taht you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.


May you be content knowing you are a child of GOD.


Let this presence settle into your bones and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise, and love.


It is there for each and every one of us.


...

I have been doing pretty well with the anti gossip! Yesterday was rough (on the energy front.) We have bible study every Tuesday (I talked and I am so proud of myself! I never talk and I wasn't sure if it was 100% off topic - but i spoke!) and I never go to bed early…so Wednesday was exhausting. I was so tired! I put myself to bed around 8 and didn’t wake up until Matt came to bed and when Presley told me to politely get out of bed so he could go pee at 3:45am.  5am came nicely this morning. I feel a lot better now : ) except….I forgot to put on deodorant. Stinky Alex all day! I want to talk about more stuff but I rather the event be over with before I post it onto blogger. So look for what I did today….tomorrow! lol

I got my January Birch Box yesterday! (Ignore the Capri Sun....)

but while we are on the capri sun....

Thanks to my husband for finding this for me!

It was a detox month! I got a Larabar, fragrance sample that shattered....lol...a night cream, an eye cream and a really pretty nail polish!

I went and read outside during my lunch break yesterday (I will not be doing that today)

I am currently reading "Son of a Witch" it is part of the Wicked series...it is a lttle difficult to read (kinda boring) but I am pushing through it...lol! Must finish before classes get hectic!

Gossip

source

source

The following paragraph is from a daily devotional that Crossroads Baptist Church hands out....

The moment someone begins to gossip stop them and ask "Why do I need to know this? Have you talked to the person you're talking about?" Wise up; People who gossip can not be trusted. The bible says that when you listen to gossip you are a troublemaker: "These are the people who divide you, people whose thoughts are only of this world" Jude V. 19

The following excert is from Proverbs 31 Ministry

“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:8 (NIV)

Standing in line for the concert gave my family plenty of people-watching time. As girls and guys made their way to the back of the line, I pointed out all the immodest clothing. “Why would she wear those in public?” “Oh my! I can’t believe she feels comfortable dressed like that!” I commented as one-by-one they passed us.

I must have shared quite a few of these statements because my oldest teenaged daughter finally said, “Mom, you are being mean!”

I felt so small. I hadn’t thought I was being mean. I was simply pointing out to my girls how not to dress. But my daughter was right.

The truth is, my girls already know how not to dress; I have been teaching them since they were five. And now I was teaching them how to judge another woman. I was teaching them to be mean.

Since that night at the concert I’ve come to the conclusion that mean girls often come from mean mamas. When we point out other’s flaws, we are modeling for our kids a judgmental heart. Instead, what we mamas need to demonstrate is compassion.

Our key verse today says we are to rid ourselves of slander, which means a scandalous remark. In fact, in the verses before and the verses that follow, it doesn’t mention of any time when it is okay to slander others.

One way we are overcoming a mean spirit in our family is through accountability. When my girls are gossiping or putting another girl down, I gently point it out and my girls do the same for me.

At first, having my child call me out was a bit uncomfortable. But making this a family issue, rather than just me correcting my kids, is bringing us to a deeper level of kindness.

Like me, you may be surprised to discover just how often you say unkind things . If you watch each other’s words, both you and your child will become more compassionate, less judgmental and a whole lot more careful about the words you say! It’s working for me; I know it will work for you too!

Dear Lord, I want to rid myself of slander and in turn teach my children to do the same. Please cleanse my heart of judgment and help me to set a guard over my mouth. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The following except is from

http://www.joyfuldays.com/pruning-the-grapevine/

It’s much more useful to define our boundary between good and bad gossip. For me, the difference lies in both the intention and the consequence. Good gossip should come with both well-meaning intentions and beneficial consequences for all. Bad gossip is when either the intention or the consequence, or both, are not good. Here’s a simple illustration.

Examples of good gossip could be:

• Parents talking about a difficult child and how to help him
• Spreading word about a project a colleague did well
• Warning a friend about someone’s suspicious behaviour in order to protect her from that person

source

Socrates’s Test of Three (source)

I can’t remember where I first read this story and so am sorry that I can’t attribute the source. But it is the wisest way I’ve heard of managing gossip.

One day an acquaintance ran up to Socrates and said, “Socrates, do you know what I just heard about one of your students?”

“Wait a moment,” Socrates replied. “Before you tell me, I’d like you to pass the Test of Three. The first test is Truth. Have you made absolutely sure that what you are about to tell me is true?”

“No,” the man replied, “actually I just heard about it.”

“All right,” said Socrates. “So you don’t really know if it’s true or not. Now let’s try the second test, the test of Goodness. Is what you are about to tell me about my student something good?”

“No, on the contrary…”

“So,” Socrates continued, “you want to tell me something bad about him even though you’re not certain it’s true?”

The man shrugged, a little embarrassed.

Socrates continued, “You may still pass though, because there is a third test – the filter of Usefulness. Is what you want to tell me about my student going to be useful to me?”

“No, not really…”

“Well,” concluded Socrates, “if what you want to tell me is neither True not Good nor even Useful, why tell it to me at all?”

The man was defeated and ashamed and said no more. This is the reason Socrates was a great philosopher and held in such high esteem.

Pruning the bad gossip

Once gossip crosses over into the ‘bad’ categories, what can we do? Tempting as it is to hear the juicy stories, most of us know in our hearts that we are compromising ourselves by letting the gossip continue. Most people adopt one of the following strategies:

1. Remain silent: This is probably the easiest method. It allows you to continue listening to the gossip without actively participating in it. The problem is you may be condoning the behaviour by being part of it.
2. Speak up: Objecting to the gossip forces others to recognise what they are doing and decide what to do. This requires more courage as you have to stand up to your pals and may come across as a self-righteous person.
3. Change the subject: Safer and easier than speaking up against the gossip. The downside is that you may find yourself having to change the subject many times during the conversation.
4. Walk away: Giving a reason to excuse yourself is a subtle way of sending a message that this activity is not acceptable to you. Unfortunately, not everyone gets a subtle message.
5. Change friends: Drastic is this is, sometimes we have to accept that we are not strong enough to handle bad gossip, and the best thing we can do is avoid the gossip-mongers.

The Proverbs 31 ministry devotional really changed me yesterday. I wanted to stop the gossip. It makes me feel like crap! I really don't enjoy talking awful about people, reading about people, and searching facebook to see if they look like crap or if they are having a bad day. It not only is AWFUL but it somehow brings me down too. I decided to stop it altogether. I quit following (in google reader) all of the gossip blogs and I decided to THINK first before saying anything. Instead of getting pissed about someone not showing up to something for some reason I will be compassionate about it. Maybe they are having an awful day and need some alone time...Nothing good will come from gossiping about the person not being there....and it isn't even useful to talk awful about the person. There is no need to be rude. It helps NO ONE. Plus you get in a foul/devious mood for talking so badly about someone. Being happy is amazing! I am so INCREDIBLY happy with where i am at! The whole not gossiping has also DONE WONDERS on my mood! So goodbye to bad gossip. Hello to Happiness!!!!