Facebook Fever

Facebook Fasting

At first I thought I was the only one considering "fasting from facebook", then slowly a FB friend here and there said they would be too - so I didn't feel all alone. Then I was sent the link from a friend about an article the National Catholic Register ran about it. Now I know I am one of many who feel that it will be a sacrifice to give it up. It has only been 20 minutes since Lent began (it is now 12:20am - Ash Wednesday) and I already just want to pop in and respond to a friend request - I hope they don't think I am rude by not replying.

Lent

Next Wednesday is Ash Wednesday - how are you going to live this season?
I often struggle with this. Spending a lot of time discerning how I will spend the Lenten season, what will I give up? what will I add? Some years I do so much better than others. Last year I got to Holy Thursday and thought - " how did it go by so fast? and did I really grow in love and holiness?" I want this year to be different. I need my Lent to make a difference in my life. We all do. We live in such a secular-nonChristian world that we need to take a good look at our Catholic identity. Our Catholic faith and how we live it.

I will probably give up pop and between meal snacks and TV -these are my yearly sacrifices but I need to do more - daily mass, meditations, stop complaining, rid myself of excess in all areas - all things that I need to do anyways but the gift of Lent reminds me of them.

My plan is grand - but what is a plan if it isn't grand!

The Super Bowl Commercial You Didn't See

Catholic Spiritual Direction: How should I prepare for a meeting with my Spiritual Director?

Catholic Spiritual Direction: How should I prepare for a meeting with my Spiritual Director?

Catholic Spiritual Direction

www.rcspiritualdirection.blogspot.com

The blog Catholic Spiritual Direction which is hosted by Fr. Bartunik LC is a wonderful new blog that helps to explain not only Spiritual Direction but he also answer questions you may have about Spiritual Direction. It gives great help to those who are actively pursuing holiness.

What is a Legionary of Christ?

Facebook, MySpace

I have not blogged in awhile because I have been learning my way around Facebook and MySpace what serious juvenile fun. I can send stickers, throw Justin Timberlake at people, play games, see how compatable I am with you, right on your wall, design mine just for starters. My teenage daughters think I am a total geek to have both facebook and myspace but I love trolling both of them if for no other reason than to see the look on the teenagers faces when I ask to be their friend!

Do you really need another phone book

OK, I know it is the wrong time of year but do you really need a NEW phone book each year? With access to the Internet and the online phone directories which are very up to date you could certainly call your phone company and cancel your phone book. Or if you get more than one (why do they do that anyhow?) and still feel the need for one be sure to call and ask for only one. That is my plan. And don't forget to recylce your old ones.
God Bless,
Christy

(saving the world one phone book at a time)

Buy Local and in Season

One of the frugal and green hints that almost all blogs, lists and books bring out is to buy local and in season. Rarely did they tell me what was in season where I live. I know I *should* know what is in season but I don't. I found this site and now I know! Hurray!

God Bless,
Christy

The 80's had Reagonomics we have Reconomics

Reconomics? Yes, if you have ever bought something used - book, car, or house you are a reconomist.

The Reconomy is good economy. Good for the planet, good for the pocket book. Recycle, resell, reuse, rehab. Buying, selling, donating and sharing "gently used" items rather than always going for the brand spankin' new gizmo or gadget.

The Reconomy also promotes simplicity. By getting rid of the stuff you don't want or need anymore through selling, donating or sharing your life becomes simpler.

Not only does each item that is reused, recycled, rehabbed and or resold help both parties it one less thing that needs energy to be produced, it reduces the size of your personal environmental footprint and one less thing landing in the landfill. I love reconomics!

This week I was a reconomist in the following way:

• gave my sister all my leftover diapers for her babies
• bought Christmas flannel sheets from the Salvation Army to make into gift bags
• purchased a red hat lady book from a rummage sale for a 40th BD gift for a friend
• found 3 bags worth of stuff to donate to the Goodwill
• bought Ellie a pair of army pants from a rummage sale
• refilled and refrigerated numerous water bottles from the tap
• took the leftover broth from my mom's beef and noodles home to make soup (there was a half gallon of delicious broth which she was going to pitch.)

How about you?

The reconomy is economically frugal, environmentally friendly and really rather fun!

God Bless,

Christy

Bargains for the Groom and their family

Skip the rental shoes - why? they hurt like the dickens, cost about $10.00 and NO ONE will notice they are wearing their own comfy black dress shoes.

Buy your tux at Mens Warehouse for about $199 if, like my husband you have 5 daughters and 3 sons who may be getting married eventually. Dad doesn't have to match exactly does he? Nope!

God Bless,
Christy

Freecylce Yardsale

I was meandering around the frugal sites and happened upon a post about having a Freecyle Yardsale. Brilliant I say. I do not have the time, energy or umpf to post often to freecyle but I have tons of stuff to get rid of. This lovely lady suggests posting to all local freecyle groups that you are having a freecyle yardsale and then after having ruthlessly gone through your house haul it out to the driveway and wait and watch as people come. Once you have gotten rid of a lot of your excess it is easier to be frugal when your house isn't cluttered.

God Bless,

Christy

A little here, a little there

A little here a little there, that is a great mantra for so many things.

• Reuse plastic baggies.
• Instead of buying video games that your kids will beat in 2 days, borrow from the library.
• When shopping, just say no to one item that is frivolous.
• Drink water with your meals, at home and out - better for your health and save bundles.
• Drive less, take public transportation if possible, bike, walk - better for your health, the environment and your pocket book.
• Buy clippers and cut your husband and boys hair, your daughters' too if you dare.
• Squeeze every fiber out of clothing that is stained and not donate-able. Cut it up, use it for cleaning cloths or for personal care cloths. When it is nothing more than shreds, compost it.
• Unplug things, lots of things, like your microwave when not in use or the lamps in the living room and especially your cell phone charger.
• Keep your lights off in the day time.
• Buy in bulk - less packaging and usually cheaper.
• Bring your own bag to the store. Saves the environment and you get some use out of those bags you have hanging around.
• Pack your lunch. Even you - you know the sahm's - you save a fortune, calories, the environment AND if you bought your food locally you are supporting your local economy.
• Park in the shade. Not only is it more comfortable to get back into it also decreases the amount of fuel you lose to evaporation AND requires less a/c when you get back in - saving you $$.

I have literally hundreds of these tips. Maybe I will organize them into some sort of useful post. Or I won't. We'll see.

God Bless,

Christy

Frugal Hacker

So, I signed up to be on the Frugal Hacker Blogroll. I have never done this before ... I admit I am a little nervous that this site is not frugal looking enough. We shall see. I think that it should be based on the fact that we are a family of 10, living on 1 income and always have. My posts give others a little look into our world. We'll see. I also pledge, ( does that sound good) to post more frugal posts. Pledge, hmm is that too much? How about if I promise real nicely?

Here is my tip for tonight: reuse all your bags. Not just the obvious ziploc kind. I mean your bread bags, pretzel bags, cereal liners - anything that HAD food in it will be safe for short term food storage. I have to admit my kids think I am nuts - I have bags hanging all over the place because I rinse them out and hang them around. This not only save the environment a little but it also saves on purchasing ziploc baggies. What do I put in them you may ask - snacks for the road, leftover tomatoe halves, sandwiches to go, really anything that isn't going to leak.

God Bless,
Christy