tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83138624166141382992024-03-14T00:10:09.874-04:00JourneyLivingLife is a Journey... Enjoy the Path Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-30285061522470468552016-06-16T08:48:00.000-04:002016-09-29T07:49:07.404-04:00Frugal Fashion - Another Reason I Wear Skirts! <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I recently wrote a post about <a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2016/05/why-i-wear-skirts.html" target="_blank">"Why I Wear Skirts</a>." If you haven't checked it out yet, here's a quick summary: I like them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But, I have a quick confession to make. The real reason I first <i>started</i> wearing skirts so much? I was broke. Yes, I was broke, but I needed to expand my wardrobe. Skirts were the most frugal choice! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Whether you wear skirts out of conviction, preference or any other reason, I am sure we can all relate to the budget woes. Here are my reasons why I think skirts are such a great budget friendly wardrobe piece, and some tips for the best places to find skirts on a dime! (Affiliate links included) </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Versatile </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One of the main reasons skirts are
a great budget stretcher, is that they are so versatile! Skirts can be dressed up, skirts can be
dressed down. Skirts can be layered over
leggings. Skirts can be worn to work, to
church, or to the campground. Now there
are some obvious limitations to this – I don’t suggest wearing a sundress on
the ski slopes, nor do I think you should wear a corduroy skirt in August. However, a simple cotton skirt can be paired
with a button down shirt and cardigan for work, then mixed with a graphic tee
and flip flops for casual wear. I've never seen jeans <i>or</i> dress slacks pull of that versatility very well! </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Forgiving </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Another major reason skirts are more friendly on the wallet is that they are more friendly on the waistline. It is much easier to hide a few pounds gained or lost in a skirt than in a tight fitting pair of pants. While everyone looks for that "perfect fit," when jeans shopping, skirts don't require quite the same level of perfection. Though I don't have children myself, I know many women wear their stretchy skirts, or high-waisted dresses well into pregnancy - try doing <i>that</i> in a pair of skinny jeans!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Second Hand </span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is a follow-up to the "forgiveness factor." Since we (or at least I) are not you usually quite so focused on the "perfect fit" with skirts as we are with jeans, it means skirts are much easier to find second hands in thrift stores, on <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/HYA1LZ" target="_blank">ThredUp</a> or the like. Since skirt wearing has generally declined in popularity, I find the skirt racks at my local shops are usually a bit more full than the pants racks. And, since skirts can be worn year round, they are always in stock! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Frugal Skirt Tips</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(1) Look beyond the size! At the thrift store, I try to look in my own size and the ones above and below, since brands run differently!<br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(2) Measurements - if you are visiting a thrift store without fitting rooms, know your measurements and bring a tape measure. If you're not sure an item will fit, measure it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(3) <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/HYA1LZ" target="_blank">ThredUp </a>- One of my favorite places to buy second hand items! A virtual thrift store with tons of variety, and search filters to make finding that special item easier! If you're a first time ThredUp user, you can get a $10 shopping credit by using my<a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/HYA1LZ" target="_blank"> link</a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(4) <a href="https://www.schoola.com/stitch?ref=cp-3X9yzlQSW" target="_blank">Schoola</a> - This is another online thrift store, with good variety, and which also donates money back to schools. I haven't shopped here yet, but have heard good things! If you're a newbie, use my <a href="https://www.schoola.com/stitch?ref=cp-3X9yzlQSW" target="_blank">link</a> for a $20 shopping credit! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(5) Instagram Boutiques - Lately I have been stalking the Instagram resale world! Search hashtags such as #modestfashion #shopmycloset or #skirtsforsale. Check out my IG Boutique - <a href="https://www.instagram.com/secondhandskirtsonline/" target="_blank">Second Hand Skirts Online</a> - for lots of skirts for sale! Comment #journeyliving on your favorite item, for a chance to win shop credit! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>This post is linked up at the following:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/06/tell-tuesdays-link-party-69.html" target="_blank">Tell It To Me Tuesday @ Foundational </a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">The Modest Mom Blog</a>,<a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/06/titus-2-tuesday-211.html" target="_blank">Titus 2 Tuesday @ Cornerstone Confessions</a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">No Rules Weekend @ Sincerely, Paula </a></span></i></span></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-32164310766446425052016-05-30T08:04:00.002-04:002016-06-17T22:00:58.171-04:00Why I Wear Skirts <div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have recently been following along with a few modest fashion groups on Facebook. (Modesty for the Modern Mom hosted by Caroline of the <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">Modest Mom Blog</a>, Modest Young Women hosted by Christina of <a href="http://www.ourwoodhome.com/" target="_blank">Our Wood Home</a>, and Modern Modesty hosted by Lauren of the blog <a href="http://modern1modesty.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Modern Modesty</a>.) I have loved seeing all of the outfits people post, and have gotten inspiration to try pattern mixing, pairing different colors, and creating outfits I might not have thought of on my own. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Participating in these groups has also had me thinking about skirts. I wear skirts. I wear them a lot, enough that my grandfather once told me he "didn't recognize me," because I was wearing slacks! Unlike many women who participate in these groups however, I do not find wearing skirts and dressing modestly mutually exclusive. While wearing skirts is definitely a huge part of my modest wardrobe, I do not think it is necessary to wear skirts and modesty is not the primary reason I choose skirts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So you may find yourself wondering - just why do I wear skirts so much? </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The short answer - I like wearing skirts. </span></span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">A Few Reasons <b>Why </b>I Like Wearing Skirts: </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: red;">Feminine<br /> </span></b>I like that wearing skirts makes me feel feminine. When I am wearing a skirt I feel ladylike, and I find myself more aware of my attitude and behavior. When I look like a lady I want to act like a lady! It reminds me of asking my grandmother why she wore skirts so much when I was a child, she replied "I'll start wearing pants when men start wearing skirts." I like that a skirt is distinctly "woman." </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Faith</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like that skirts make me feel connected to my faith. In my area the majority of women who wear skirts, at least those who wear them regularly or exclusively and are seen wearing them for "normal" every day activities, are Christian.<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">Though I do
not wear skirts out of spiritual conviction, I know that wearing skirts
frequently may be perceived as a statement of faith.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I know that in wearing skirts, many people
will automatically view me as Christian, and I want to act accordingly!</span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">I want to be sure I am giving Christians a
good name, and to make my demeanor and attitude reflect the joy of my faith. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; text-indent: 0.5in;"><b>Strength</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I like that wearing skirts make me
feel strong. When I am wearing a skirt,
I feel connected to the women of yesteryear.
The women for whom wearing skirts was an everyday norm. I think of the strong women who helped build
this country in skirts. The women who
walked the Oregon Trail to new lives.
The women who toiled alongside their husbands on the frontier. The women who marched for Civil Rights. When I wear a skirt, I feel like I can do
anything!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">This blog is linked up at some fun places around the web, including:<br /><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2016/05/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-153/" target="_blank">Modest Monday @ The Modest Mom Blog</a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/05/tell-tuesdays-link-party-67.html" target="_blank">Tell It To Me Tuesdays @ Foundational</a>, <a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2016/05/titus-2-tuesday-209.html" target="_blank">Titus 2 Tuesday @ Cornerstone Confessions</a>, <a href="http://lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">No Rules Weekend @ Sincerely, Paula </a></span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-68251279022088175982016-01-04T18:08:00.003-05:002016-01-05T20:05:23.977-05:002016 - Year of Transformation & Mercy <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While I was reflecting on 2015, my #yearofgratefulness, I was also thinking and praying about an appropriate theme for 2016. I had an idea of what I wanted to accomplish in 2016. I knew that I wanted this to be a year of true, genuine, living. A year where I stopped hesitating, and starting going full force toward my goals, hopes and dreams. A year where I stopped thinking of the things I wanted "someday" and started enjoying and taking advantage of all the things that are here for me RIGHT NOW! <br /><br />I had lots of ideas but no idea as to how to put them in to words, or a theme. <br /><br />On Sunday morning, sitting in Mass, it somehow came to me. Transformation. 2016 is meant to be a year of transformation. It is the year when I will say YES to the things put before me. When I will say NO to fear, and YES to success. It is the year when I will say NO to the things and people that hold me back, and say YES to the hard work necessary to achieve my goals. When I will say NO to doubt, and say YES to faith.<br /><br />2016 is also the year I will say YES to Mercy. Being a Catholic it is hard to come up with my own theme for 2016, when Pope Francis has already declared this a Jubilee Year of Mercy for the whole world. Can anything really beat mercy? Probably not.<br /><br />And so - in 2016, I look forward to being absolutely TRANSFORMED by mercy. </span></div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Will you join me on a #mercychallenge </span></h3>
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Will you accept Christ's mercy in your life? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Will you extend mercy to others?</span><span style="font-size: large;">Will you perform corporal and spiritual works of mercy? </span><span style="font-size: large;">Will you allow your life to be transformed by mercy? </span></span><br />
<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-82959793937546613462016-01-04T17:58:00.000-05:002016-01-04T17:58:04.780-05:00Was 2015 a #yearofgratefulness <div style="text-align: center;">
I started off 2015 with a New Year's Theme instead of a resolution. For those who weren't following along back in January, my theme was gratefulness. I decided to "invent" the hashtag #yearofgratefulness... I don't think it worked. I suppose you have to be a major figure like Pope Francis before you can declare the year of anything and have other people listen.<br />
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I guess the real question, is did <b>I </b>listen? Did I live a year of gratefulnes?<br />
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Well I think I did. <br />
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Sometimes. </div>
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Yes. I tried to be thankful for the small things. For the moments with friends and families. The leftovers they sent me home with. Having a job, health insurance. and a roof over my head. Being able to pay my bills. A car, and only a small number of car problems. A promotion at work. Coworkers who I enjoy working with. Chocolate.<br />
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Yes, this has been a year filled with a lot of gratitude. It has also been a year filled with a lot of angst. A lot of anxiety. A lot of moments when I wished for more responsibility and opportunity, instead of being grateful for what was in front of me. A lot of moments of insecurity and jealousy as I watched people around me celebrate engagements, births, marriages and other milestones, while I just plodded along. <br />
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There were moments when gratefulness was a lot harder than I expected. My #yearofgratefulness reminded me to be grateful anyway. To be grateful when its hard. Sounds like success to me. </div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-32104318161009397462015-11-14T15:57:00.000-05:002016-12-27T14:21:16.204-05:007 Money Makeover Commitments <br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I've decided it is time to make my </span><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/p/my-total-money-makeover.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Total Money Makeover</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">total</i> commitment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> If I want to move myself toward debt-free living I need to make some changes and some new commitments!<br /><br /> </span>Recently I was catching up on </span><a href="http://www.ourlifeonabudget.com/search/label/budgeting%20diaries" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">The BudgetingDiaries</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> series over at </span><a href="http://www.ourlifeonabudget.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Life On A Budget</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> (one of my favorite blogs)… I am enjoying these series because it not only shows the deals, or the frugal life-hacks, it also allows me to meet people and learn their stories and their lifestyles. Learning about the "who" behind the "what" and "why" has been a great help in the motivation department! </span></span><br />
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<strong style="font-family: calibri; font-size: x-large;">7 Ways I Am Committing To My Total Money Makeover!</strong></h3>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(1)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></strong></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>Not Sacrificing My Mental Health for My
Financial Health</strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">This one has been (and likely will
continue to be) a struggle for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I
mentioned in my last <a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/11/bravery-and-humility.html" target="_blank">post</a>, I have been struggling with some issues relating to
depression and anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
determined that my second job is no longer a good fit for me, and I have taken
an indefinite leave of absence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the
short term this means some back-stepping financially, but I am committed to
looking at the big picture, and not allowing myself to feel guilty about what I
know was a necessary decision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also
committed to not allowing myself to allow the price-tag to keep me away from
proper mental health treatment. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(2)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></strong></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Simple Christmas</strong> <br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am committed to not spending money I
can’t afford on Christmas.<br /><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></i></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(3)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></strong></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Homecooking</strong> <br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I am committed to cooking at home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To making packed lunches for work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To skipping the fast-food and the coffee
stops. <br /></i></span></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(4)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></strong></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>Charity</strong> </span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I am committed to supporting charities in
accordance with my values and my budget. </span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(5)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></strong></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong><a href="http://lillarose.biz/laurenbrunault" target="_blank">Lilla Rose Business</a></strong> </span></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I am committed to my</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/lillaroselaurenbrunault" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"> Lilla Rose business</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am committed to working this
business to extent allowed by my career and to growing it into a valuable
income. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(6)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></strong></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>Order and Organization</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I am committed to growing in order and
organization. Neither of these virtues come naturally to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am committed to learning to better order my
time and space to best use these resources for my overall financial good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><strong><span style="font-family: "calibri";">(7)</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";">
</span></strong></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong>Purging</strong> </span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;">I am committed to sorting and purging excess
goods in a way which will benefit me financially (and help with #6).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may include bringing books to a used
bookstore, donating items to charity, consigning clothing, or selling things
online. <o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">This post is linked up at some cool web-places, including: </span><br />
<a href="http://www.thisaintthelyceum.org/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">This Ain't The Lyceum</span></a>, <a href="http://timewarpwife.com/titus-2sday-link-up-party-45/" target="_blank">Time Warp Wife,</a> <a href="http://themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">The Modest Mom Blog</a>, </div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-71052247767998191932015-09-26T19:28:00.002-04:002016-12-27T14:21:38.602-05:007 Smiles <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pope Francis has taken over my internet! When you attended a Catholic college, have friends working at Catholic schools and universities, an follow Catholic bloggers... I guess you should just be prepared for everyone to head to Philadelphia and see the Pope. Since I am not speaking at the World Meeting of Families, attending Mass in Madison Square Garden or anything else equally motivating - I thought that for my <a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/" target="_blank">seven quick takes</a> I would share some fun (mostly non-Pope related) links from throughout the interwebs to make you smile. So here you are... 7 quick smiles :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because, Buddy the Elf was right - "smiling is my favorite."</span> </div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(1) This post I found via</span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rebekka.crow.31/posts/1684310208470064" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"> New Wave Feminists</span></a><br />
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How cute is that baby?! </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> (2) These awesome </span><a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrell/this-nonprofit-creates-whimsical-halloween-costumes-for-kids?utm_term=.qgoVxP6o7#.hieX8GKNW" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Halloween costumes</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> - and the Dad who created an entire company dedicated to building even more of them!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(3) Pope Francis stopping his car, to </span><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-visit-philadelphia-kissing-boy-cerebral-palsy/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">greet a child</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> with cerebral palsy in Philadelphia (c'mon I said <em>mostly</em> not about the Pope). </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(4) The excitement of </span><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-seen-through-a-childs-eye/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">these children</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> who got to greet Pope Francis upon his arrival to Harlem!</span> </span></div>
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I love their attitude and the facts they share about him - his love of soccer, stamp collecting etc. (Having trouble posting the video, but watch it!!) <br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(5) The dedication of a <a href="http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2015/09/new_chicopee_middle_school_off.html" target="_blank">local school</a> in memory of a recent military hero.<br /><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">So often we see schools named for heroes from generations past, this school was named for a recent hero. A man who died less than 6 years ago after sustaining injuries in Afghanistan, and whose parents and family members were able to attend the dedication.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">(6) <a href="https://www.thedodo.com/man-builds-dog-train-for-rescued-pups-1362467342.html" target="_blank">Dogs on a train!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">(7) PYO</span> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> Number 7 is pick your own smiles :) This is for the little thing that made you smile throughout the week... I am probably missing some but there were many more things from the internet world that made me smile this week - the newly announced flexi styles from <a href="http://lillarose.biz/laurenbrunault" target="_blank">Lilla Rose,</a> the viral video of a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dallin.muti/videos/10153215449442199/" target="_blank">little girl</a> demanding her newly-divorced parents stay friends, lots of great pictures from friends attending weddings, and last (but totally not least) this awesome <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-apple-butter-93886" target="_blank">apple butter recipe</a> I plan to try next week! </span></div>
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<br />Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-75008271156413165992015-09-21T07:51:00.001-04:002016-06-11T14:11:52.079-04:00What Is Your Rice and Beans?<div align="center">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are a fan of Dave Ramsey, and know what it means to "live like no one else so later you can live like no one else," I am certain you know the significance of rice and beans!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Dave talks about being in gazelle mode, cutting all expenses to the minimum. Cutting your grocery budget down to rice and beans, beans and rice, rice and beans. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I am trying to get there. I quickly realized that a $50/month grocery budget was very unrealistic. I created a meal plan which could feed me for around that much money (I believe it consisted of pasta, canned tomatoes and eggs). But I was hungry, cranky, and craving other foods.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But it is time to cut back and so I needed to find a few "rice and beans" meals. What are things I can eat cheap, cheap, cheap so that some of my grocery money can become debt busting money instead! What can I eat beyond <em>just</em> rice and beans without breaking the bank.<br /></span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Rice-And-Beans Budget Meal Ideas:</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(1) Rice and beans </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Can't overlook the classic!</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(2) Pasta with tomatoes </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">I just use canned tomatoes in place of sauce. </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(3) Leftover Soup </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Make a soup using all the leftover veggies, scraps etc. you have from past meals. </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Canned Soup </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes even canned soup can get pricey, watch for sales! I was able to get 12 cans of the Campbell's Homestyle soups for $11 this week at Stop and Shop. Perfect for work lunches.</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(4) Eggs</span></div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">So many quick, easy and inexpensive ways to eat eggs. Scrambled, French toast, omelet, frittata, fried egg, egg sandwich.... Scrambled eggs with veggies is a very satisfying meal.</span> </em><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">This Post Is Part of My Frugal Food Series, Be Sure To Check Out:</span></strong><br />
<a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/lasagna-for-one.html" target="_blank"><strong>Lasagna For One -</strong></a><strong> </strong>How one simple hack makes lasagna the perfect meal for the solo kitchen<br />
<a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/frugal-hungry-and-single.html" target="_blank">Frugal, Hungry And Single</a> - My intro to the challenges of cooking for one on a budget <br />
<a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/more-meals-for-one.html" target="_blank">More Meals For One -</a> Four simple and versatile ideas for single cooking <br />
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Linked Up At:<br />
<a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2015/09/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-120/" target="_blank">The Modest Mom Blog</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeofmeg.com/2015/09/mingle-monday-blog-link-up_21.html" target="_blank">Mingle Monday @ Life of Meg, </a> <a href="http://www.givinguponperfect.com/2015/09/wfmw-dark-rising-book-review-giveaway/" target="_blank">WFMW @ Giving Up On Perfect</a></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-54911178171178459232015-09-13T16:47:00.001-04:002015-09-21T07:52:50.848-04:00Work, Prayer and FPU... <div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As is usually the case work has been a big part of my life of late.. but its not the only thing I have been up to. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prayer Life </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Over the last several years prayer and faith have definitely been an up and down road for me. I am fortunate to have found a few great resources to my faith life lately!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/XltWestfield?fref=ts" target="_blank">XLT at St. Mary's Church</a> - Westfield MA <br />I have attended this monthly event twice (despite being listed under Youth Ministry my friends and I were far from the only adults there, and certainly not the oldest by far). The first time I attended, the <a href="http://theweighandthetruth.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">speaker </a>really said the words my heart needed to hear!<br /><br />Modesty for the Modern Mom - FB Group <br />I have been a long (albeit inconsistent) reader of Caroline Allen's <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">The Modest Mom Blog</a>, recently I decided - despite not being a mom - to join her new private group on Facebook. I expected the group would be a fun way to see outfit ideas, but it has also been a huge encouragement to me from a faith perspective! <br /><br />Bible Study - Any Ideas?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I am entertaining the idea of beginning a young adult women's Bible Study at my house? Does anyone have any suggestions for a good Bible study for young-adult women (loosely defined as post college age around mid-20s to early 30s). My group of girl friends are currently all unmarried and none have children, though it could expand to include married women as we enter those stages of our lives and/or invite others. I am thinking it might be interesting to focus on Christian role models, both Biblical women and saints. The study does not need to be distinctly Catholic, but we would like one that is in line with Catholic teaching, if anyone has any resources please let me know! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>Budget Life</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am definitely still not in gazelle mode, but I have been trying to be conscious of my budget. I posted the figures of my total debt paid off since July 2014 as well as my current remaining debt on my fridge for motivation, and today I am FINALLY starting <a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/fpu/home/" target="_blank">Financial Peace University</a> at a local church. I signed up last year but it was cancelled by the church that was supposed to host it last time. I am hoping this will help me be a lot more intentional with my spending. <br /><br />Have you participated in FPU? Do you have any suggestions to help me in my debt-free journey? </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am totally understanding what Dave Ramsey says when he talks about becoming debt free as being about behavior not knowledge. I know how to coupon, budget, save money etc. but it is in the DOING where I sometimes have trouble. What suggestions do you have for maintaining motivation? </span></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-62923513964567059832015-07-15T07:28:00.001-04:002015-07-15T07:30:41.981-04:00A TMMO Update <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I have discussed a bit about my goal of a Total Money Makeover and the ultimate goal of becoming debt free before - so I thought it was time for a little update for anyone who might be interested! <br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Status:</span> </strong>The ultimate status is that I am not doing so hot, definitely haven't been in gazelle mode. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">The Bad:</span></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* </span></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On a plateau - definitely not in gazelle mode <br />* Struggling with a food budget - my grocery budget is in check, my penchant for getting fast food on my lunch break or the break between my two jobs is not.<br />* I quit my second job - not necessarily a bad thing, but definitely affects my abilities to take on the baby steps. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">* No snowballing or extra payments</span> </div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Good:</span></strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">*</span> <span style="font-size: small;">I have been cash flowing everything, no additional debts</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">* I became a consultant with Lilla Rose - hoping to use this to generate some side income which I can apply toward my debt free goal! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Received a promotion (and pay raise) at work </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Goals:</span> </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">* Use the time previously spent at my second job to support long-term financial goals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Generate side/secondary income.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">*Pay off my federal student loans before Thanksgiving 2015 </span></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-19174101447284571412015-07-10T20:03:00.003-04:002015-07-30T19:34:38.276-04:007QT<div align="center">
Yes, I disappeared again. But now.... I'm back! I would say "I really do plan to blog this time," but umm, <a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2014/11/catching-up-and-my-tmmo.html" target="_blank">been there</a>, <a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2013/11/life-happens-again-7-quick-takes.html" target="_blank">said that</a>. (I really do plan to this time but, no promises!). </div>
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So... while I was busy not blogging, what have I been up to? <br />
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<strong>(1) Working!</strong> <br />
I still work a lot. In the past few months I received a promotion, quit my second job, and became a consultant with <a href="http://www.lillarose.biz/laurenbrunault" target="_blank">Lilla Rose</a> so work pretty much is my life at the moment. </div>
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<strong>(2) Reading </strong></div>
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I am still a big fan of reading, but I still don't do it as often as I used to. </div>
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<strong>(3) Planning</strong> </div>
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In making the decision to give up my second job, I wanted to be careful not to simply spend the extra 20-ish hours a week lounging around my apartment or wasting time. I decided that despite the income they bring in, the hours spent at my second job simply weren't adding value to my life, so I decided to figure out what I COULD do with that time that would improve my life. I've decided to focus on a few key areas - </div>
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Personal Wellness - Mind, Body and Spirit </div>
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Professional Development </div>
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Hospitality </div>
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(4) <strong>"Wellness Hour" </strong></div>
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Wellness has been a bit of a struggle for me of late, and I know that all areas of my health, not just physical but also mental and emotional can really use some work. The biggest thing I've decided is to start implementing a daily "wellness hour." I am planning to put this into effect as soon as I am down to one job, by dedicating the first hour after I get out of work to doing something to support one or more of the areas of wellness i.e. walking, going to the gym, attending daily Mass etc. </div>
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Hmm... and now a few around the web quick takes of things which made me laugh, smile and think in the past few weeks: </div>
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<strong>(5) God Bless the White & Gray</strong> </div>
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Sisters' got talent! </div>
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<strong>(6) Baby Quinoa</strong> </div>
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I always enjoy reading <a href="http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/" target="_blank">The Penny Hoarder</a>, to get ideas on how to make and save money and continue (admittedly half-heartedly of late) my frugal lifestyle and <a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/p/my-total-money-makeover.html" target="_blank">TMMO </a>attempts. <a href="http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/unique-baby-name-quinoa/" target="_blank">This post</a> on how to get $10,000 by naming your child Quinoa made me laugh! </div>
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<strong>(7) This Video</strong> <br />
Yes, this is a video about Magic Mike. Yes, it is a PG-rate movie. Yes, I am aware I just linked up to a Catholic blogger link-up with a post about Magic Mike. Yes, Channing Tatum is handsome.<br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-29845732732314430062015-05-01T07:10:00.000-04:002015-08-17T23:54:26.134-04:00Saints <div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you haven't caught on yet from the frequency of their inclusion in my recent quotes posts, I like saints. What can I say, I'm Catholic? As a Catholic I see the saints as role models to help us in our faith journey, but I also know that the concept of saints is something which separates Catholic & Orthodox Christians from most of our Protestant friends. While some liturgical Protestants (Lutherans and Anglicans most notably) do have saints, the role is still a bit different. So here are a few quick takes about the saints, hopefully it can bring some understanding for my non-Catholic/Orthodox readers and also inspire some of those cradle Catholics who already consider themselves quite knowledgeable :) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>(1) Who ARE the saints?</strong><br />The term "saint" (as used in the Nicene or Apostle's creeds) simply refers to all of the people in heaven. All of them, even your grandma. Saint with a capital S, refers to a particular saint who has been canonized in the Church. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong>(2) Intercession of Saints</strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />"Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness... They do not cease to intercede to the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus... So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 956 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>(3) Icons</strong> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">"The icons of the saints act as a meeting point between the living members of the Church [Miltant] on Earth and the Saints who have passed on to the church [Triumpant] in Heaven. The Saints depicted on the Icons are not remote legendary figures from the past, but contemporary, personal friends. As meeting points between Heaven and Earth, the Icons... constantly remind the faithful of the invisible presence of the whole company of Heaven; they visibly express the idea of Heaven on earth."<br />-From a monk at St. Tikhon's Abbey in <em>The Holy Orthodox Church: Her Life and Teachings</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>(4) Veneration</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">" Basing itself on the mystery of the Incarnate Word, the seventh eceumenical council at Nicea (787) justified... the veneration of icons - of Christ, but also the Mother of God, the angels, and all of the saints... Indeed 'the honor rendered to an image renders to its prototype,' and 'whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it.' The honor paid to sacred images is a 'respectful veneration' not the adoration due to God alone." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">- CCC 2131-2132 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>(5) Saints Point Us Toward God</strong> </span><br />
<span class="text1"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Religious worship is not directed to images in themselves, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as images leading us on to God incarnate. The movement toward the image does not terminate in it as image, but tends toward that whose image it is.<sup> </sup></span></span></span><br />
<span class="text1"><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Summa Theologica</span></sup></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>(6) Heaven Rejoices</strong> </span><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Everyone in heaven is concerned about our repentance & salvation. </span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">"There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner that repents than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent." (Luke 15:7, NIV)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">"There is rejoicing in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><strong>(7) Patron Saints</strong> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">"The patron saint provides a model of charity and an assurance of his prayer." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Linked Up At:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/" target="_blank">This Ain't The Lyceum</a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/2015/08/modest-monday-and-a-link-up-115/" target="_blank">The Modest Mom Blog</a></span><br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-65350996168978909952015-04-23T22:37:00.002-04:002015-04-24T07:17:29.649-04:00Read A Book<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the advantage to me being back here on the letter R, while others are preparing their U posts to debut in a few short hours? I get to write a post about reading books... on </span><a href="http://www.ibtimes.com/world-book-day-2015-quotes-about-books-reading-help-celebrate-global-literacy-1893991" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">World Book Day</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bTdx0dcHL3o/VTmpdyCEC4I/AAAAAAAAATA/-TjYDUx5MfA/s1600/i%2Bheart%2Bbooks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bTdx0dcHL3o/VTmpdyCEC4I/AAAAAAAAATA/-TjYDUx5MfA/s1600/i%2Bheart%2Bbooks.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In celebration of World Book Day and my love for reading, I thought I would share a few of my favorite books from over the years. I am intentionally being a bit vague with plots and descriptions, so that you will be able to go and enjoy the books if you choose. I would love to hear about your favorite books in the comments as well! </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;">For Little Ones </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">When it comes to books for kids (and no I don't have any) I love books with great illustrations! They make such fun read aloud options. Here are a couple favorites - </span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442433558/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1442433558&linkCode=as2&tag=httpjourneyli-20&linkId=POGYJTJPZDJZLPNN">Strega Nona</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpjourneyli-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1442433558" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />" target="_blank"><img alt="<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442433558/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1442433558&linkCode=as2&tag=httpjourneyli-20&linkId=POGYJTJPZDJZLPNN">Strega Nona</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpjourneyli-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1442433558" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LwpKfJeAzwU/VTmsCfUW6iI/AAAAAAAAATM/nXOC0w4lUkA/s1600/strega%2Bnona.png" height="200" width="154" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1442433558/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1442433558&linkCode=as2&tag=httpjourneyli-20&linkId=POGYJTJPZDJZLPNN">Strega Nona</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=httpjourneyli-20&l=as2&o=1&a=1442433558" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />" target="_blank">Strega Nona</a> was one of my childhood favorites. I <em>love</em> Tomie de Paola's illustrations! They are detailed, yet somehow simple and classic. </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ightpdJvvkg/VTogy9qogOI/AAAAAAAAATk/PWZPyIIZNWE/s1600/the%2Bmitten%2Bagain.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ightpdJvvkg/VTogy9qogOI/AAAAAAAAATk/PWZPyIIZNWE/s1600/the%2Bmitten%2Bagain.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I absolutely LOVE the illustrations in Jan Brett's books. I first fell in love with her books back in kindergarten when my teacher read </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N4FX52S/ref=s9_simh_gw_p14_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-2&pf_rd_r=1NS8WGCH7KY082NNN53E&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079342202&pf_rd_i=desktop" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Mitten</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> to our class, and then we colored in our own mittens and animals to reenact the story. I still remember the activity some twenty years out of kindergarten, and actually found the </span><a href="http://www.janbrett.com/put_the_animals_in_the_mitten.htm" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">printables online</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> so I could do it at the after school program I ran! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;"><strong>For Not Quite So Little Ones </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I received a copy of <em>A Little Princess </em>when I was about nine or so from my library's summer reading book. I devoured it. It was (and still is) my favorite book! I loved the interesting names of characters like Ermengarde and Melchisedic, I learned about history as Sara's imagination transformed her attic garret into the Bastille, and I simply got enveloped in the life of this little-girl-who-was-not-a-beggar. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><strong>For Grown Ones </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Of course, the kids shouldn't be the only ones busy reading. Most of my fiction reads are historical fiction and things I find free on Amazon. Here are some of the other books I recommend: </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I attended the Los Angeles Religious Ed Congress several years ago I was told by the teachers I was staying with that I <em>had</em> to go to Greg Boyle, SJ's talk. When I went to the talk I <em>had</em> to buy his book. Greg started his parish ministry in Dolores Mission in LA, and went on to find Homeboy Industries, a (remarkably successful) ministry to gang members. This is their story. A story of heartbreak, compassion, love and lots of grace. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I figured I would throw in a fiction book as well, just in case someone is looking for a good read. Plain Truth is actually the only Jodi Picoult book I've ever read start to finish. Something about trying to solve a murder in Amish Country is just so surreal it drew me in!</span></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-41140597659380272262015-04-17T07:32:00.001-04:002016-10-17T07:33:54.060-04:00More Meals For One <div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />Since we can't just eat </span><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/lasagna-for-one.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">lasagna</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> all the time, I thought I would share few of my other favorite meals that I have found to be perfect for single living.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you think of a skillet and a mish-mash of ingredients do you immediately think stir-fry? WeIll for me, it is all about what I like to call "skillet pastas." Prepare your pasta as normal, then in a skillet or saute pan heat oil and whatever other ingredients you want mixed in with your pasta. Combine, stir and eat! To save on dishes, you can simply combine ingredients right in the same pan you boiled the noodles in (I simply pour the ingredients in to the pan while my noodles are in a colander then add the noodles back in and stir). Some of my favorite ingredients to toss in include tomatoes (canned or fresh), olives, frozen spinach, and garlic. If you are looking for a more unusual recipe check out this fun <a href="http://www.budgetbytes.com/2012/07/jewel-pasta/" target="_blank">jewel pasta</a> recipe from one my favorite food blogs, Budget Bytes. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Mini-Eggplant/Chicken Parmesans </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">I am in love with these yummy eggplant cutlets that I found at Trader Joe's. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;"><br />The whole box costs less than three dollars (more than a fresh eggplant, but way less per serving than a frozen eggplant parm entrée). I simply top the cutlet with sauce and some cheese, heat and voila eggplant parm. If you're more of a meat eater the same approach can be taken with chicken patties or breaded chicken cutlets for a chicken parmesan version. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Omelets & Scrambles </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Eggs are another great resource for single-living. They keep awhile in the fridge, so you don't need to worry about a dozen going bad on you. They also come to us already appropriately portioned straight from nature, simply take as many eggs as you like and cook. Prepare them any way you like but my favorite is scrambling them up with salsa, veggies, or breakfast sausage. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">Grilled Sandwiches & Panini </span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">No one can argue that a simple sandwich is a perfect meal when you're crunched for time or money. After a while though ham and cheese on whole wheat can get a little boring. I have found that grilling my sandwiches or cooking them on my Panini press, makes them a lot more enjoyable! Somehow the simple fact of heating the sandwich makes it feel less like a grade school sack lunch, and more like a meal. I also try to elevate the sandwiches with some more unusual (but not necessarily expensive) ingredients, something which works very well when the sandwich gets heated and everything melts together! Shredded cheese? Salsa? Sliced avocado? Chunky canned tomatoes? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />This post is part of my "Frugal Food" series, be sure to check out:<br /><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/frugal-hungry-and-single.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: small;">Frugal, Hungry and Single</span></a><span style="font-size: small;"> - my intro to the challenges of cooking for one on a budget </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/lasagna-for-one.html" target="_blank">Lasagna For One</a> - how one simple hack, makes lasagna the perfect meal for a solo kitchen<br /><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/09/what-is-your-rice-and-beans.html" target="_blank">What Is Your Rice and Beans?</a> - Beyond rice and beans on a rice and beans budget</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";">This post is linked up at:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.givinguponperfect.com/2015/04/wfmw-taking-kids-to-the-movies/" target="_blank">Giving Up On Perfect,</a> <a href="http://www.sarahtitus.com/2015/05/01/frugal-friday-link-up-party-week-37/" target="_blank">Sarah Titus' Frugal Friday </a><br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-84694236377080493122015-04-14T12:35:00.004-04:002016-10-17T07:33:20.341-04:00Lasagna For One <div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><br />Did you check out my post about the challenges of being </span><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/frugal-hungry-and-single.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Frugal, Hungry, and Single</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">? Are you too struggling with the stresses of cooking for a small household while trying (or needing) to stick to a tight budget?</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">May I present... lasagna for one. After all, who doesn't love lasagna?</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The great thing about this lasagna, is there is no wrong way to make it! Lasagna for one isn't about the recipe but the method of preparation, so if you have a family favorite lasagna recipe - do it up! I love my grandma's lasagna and she says her recipe came from the back of the Mueller's box. If you need a lasagna recipe check out </span><a href="http://www.muellerspasta.com/recipes/classic-sausage-lasagna" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">this one</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> from "my grandma" (aka the folks at Mueller!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">What is the secret to lasagna for one? Loaf pans. Simple, aluminum (disposable) loaf pans!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XD7e1rdr88k/VS0Earj4tHI/AAAAAAAAARQ/a_9chUAJxcA/s1600/lasagna%2Bsupplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XD7e1rdr88k/VS0Earj4tHI/AAAAAAAAARQ/a_9chUAJxcA/s1600/lasagna%2Bsupplies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here are my lasagna supplies & ingredients ready to go! (Of course I used cheese too). </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: large;">To make this lasagna I started like normal, by boiling my pasta noodles and browning some meat. I went with ground turkey. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RG7VOSbNlZ0/VS0EtOlp3uI/AAAAAAAAARY/oqAElu6mAnw/s1600/lasagna%2Bmeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RG7VOSbNlZ0/VS0EtOlp3uI/AAAAAAAAARY/oqAElu6mAnw/s1600/lasagna%2Bmeat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once the noodles and meat are ready it is time to get your loaf pans out and get layering! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sauce, noodle, meat, repeat! Oops - that's sauce, noodle, meat CHEESE repeat!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Once you have enough layers to fill the pan, your lasagna is done! Now it is time to wrap those pans up nice and freezer tight, and you have some yummy lasagna ready for the freezer! I used about a pound and a half of meat, 2 cups of cheese, and a box of noodles which yielded 3 loaf pan size lasagnas. I had lots of extra noodles however, so next time I plan to either boil only half a box of noodles, or add some veggies into meat mixture to bulk it up!</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This post is part of my "Frugal Food" series, be sure to check out:<br /><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/frugal-hungry-and-single.html" target="_blank">Frugal, Hungry and Single</a> - my intro to the challenges of cooking for one on a budget</span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/more-meals-for-one.html" target="_blank">More Meals for One</a> - Four simple & versatile ideas for single cooking</span></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Linked Up At:<br />
<a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">The Modest Mom Blog</a>, <a href="http://embracinghiswill.com/2015/04/blog/embracing-his-plan/designed/" target="_blank">Embracing His Will, </a> <a href="http://timewarpwife.com/titus-2sday-link-up-party-18/" target="_blank">Time Warp Wife, </a><a href="http://cornerstoneconfessions.com/2015/04/titus-2-tuesday-151.html" target="_blank">Cornerstone Confessions </a>, <a href="http://momstheword--livingforhim.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Mom's The Word</a>, <a href="http://www.lifeofmeg.com/2015/04/mingle-monday-blog-link-up_13.html" target="_blank">Life of Meg Mingle Monday</a>, <a href="http://www.givinguponperfect.com/" target="_blank">Giving Up On Perfect</a>, <a href="http://proverbs14verse1.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Wise Woman Builds Her Home</a>, <a href="http://candleinthenight.com/2015/04/work-in-progress-wednesday-15/" target="_blank">Candle In the Night</a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/women-with-intention-wednesdays-15/" target="_blank">Women With Intention</a>, <a href="http://our4kiddos.blogspot.com/2015/04/try-new-recipe-tuesday-april-14.html" target="_blank">Our 4 Kiddos</a>, <a href="http://www.sarahtitus.com/2015/05/01/frugal-friday-link-up-party-week-37/" target="_blank">Sarah Titus' Frugal Friday</a>, <a href="http://fdeanhackett.com/2016/05/tell-tuesdays-link-party-67.html" target="_blank">Foundational</a>, <a href="http://inthenewhouse.com/inspiration-thursday-42/" target="_blank">In The New House</a>, <a href="http://www.ducksnarow.com/" target="_blank">Ducks 'n a Row</a>, <a href="http://rchreviews.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Reviews, Chews & How Tos</a>, <a href="http://www.adishofdailylife.com/" target="_blank">A Dish of Daily Life </a></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-54613334943219545662015-04-10T09:10:00.001-04:002015-09-21T07:53:28.063-04:00Indifference, Inspiration, And Other Things I Didn't Say <div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When looking at the AtoZ blogging challenge for this year, I considered doing a quotes version with daily quotes by various famous and not so famous people that I liked and which had inspired me. I (obviously) changed my mind, and decided to go eclectic instead. But today is the exception as the biggest quote which stood out to me was one by Elie Wiesel about indifference. Since I <3 quotes here are the words of Mr. Wiesel as well as several other quotes I thought worth sharing. </span></div>
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(1) Indifference </div>
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<em>The opposite of love is not hate, its indifference.<br />The opposite of art is not ugliness, its indifference.<br />The opposite of faith is not heresy, its indifference. </em></div>
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<em>And the opposite of life is not death, its indifference. </em></div>
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<em>-Elie Wiesel</em></div>
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(2) (More) Indifference </div>
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<em>The most deadly poison of our times is indifference.</em></div>
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<em>- St. Maximillian Kolbe </em></div>
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(3) Simplicity </div>
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<em>I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things in life which are the real ones after all. </em><em>-</em></div>
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<span class="firstword">-<em>Laura Ingalls Wilder </em></span></div>
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<span class="firstword">(4) Love </span></div>
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<span class="firstword"><em>I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts there can be no more hurt, only more love. </em></span></div>
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<span class="firstword"><em>- Mother Teresa </em></span></div>
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(5) Suffering </div>
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<em>Human suffering anywhere concerns men and women everywhere. </em></div>
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<em>-Elie Wiesel, Night </em></div>
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(6) Challenges </div>
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<em>The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. </em></div>
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<em>- Martin Luther King, Jr. </em></div>
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(7) Habits </div>
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<em>We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not a virtue but a habit. </em></div>
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<em>- Aristotle </em></div>
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Linked Up At:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/atozchallenge?fref=ts" target="_blank">Blogging from AtoZ Challenge,</a> <a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/" target="_blank">This Ain't The Lyceum</a>,<a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up" target="_blank"> Missional Women</a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2015/04/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-167.html" target="_blank">Create With Joy's Friendship Friday</a>, <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">The Modest Mom Blog </a></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-26680187090055316202015-04-09T21:35:00.003-04:002015-04-15T06:33:31.220-04:00Get Off The Treadmill <div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This isn't a post about exercise. In fact, if you're at the gym - get back on the treadmill. I repeat, get back <em>on</em> the treadmill!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lFY6dAZ3lo/VScjreY6zjI/AAAAAAAAAQA/JaVzJCCMPYk/s1600/treadmill.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8lFY6dAZ3lo/VScjreY6zjI/AAAAAAAAAQA/JaVzJCCMPYk/s1600/treadmill.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But what if you aren't on a literal treadmill? What if - like me - you're on a figurative treadmill?</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What if you find yourself going nowhere fast? What if you're not going "nowhere" but you aren't really going "somewhere" either?</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">What if you want to be great, but you find yourself stuck at good?<br /><br />What if you just find yourself stuck? In your career, in your personal life, in your health, your relationships, your faith? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, then maybe you're just like me. Ready to get off the treadmill. Ready to move. <em>Really </em>move. Move forward.</span> <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qS4kfRfXqk/VScopH9-wFI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/2894Zu6hseE/s1600/tortoise_hare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9qS4kfRfXqk/VScopH9-wFI/AAAAAAAAAQQ/2894Zu6hseE/s1600/tortoise_hare.jpg" height="320" width="272" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After all - the hare didn't win the race. Are you better off building speed and running full throttle on a treadmill? Or are you better off slowing down a bit in order to get off the treadmill and start running (or maybe just jogging) down the road?</span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Interested in seeing just HOW I plan to get off the treadmill? - Check out my follow up post, </span><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/just-kick-it-in-high-gear.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just Kick It In Gear</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. </span><br />
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Linked Up At:<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/atozchallenge?fref=ts" target="_blank">Blogging from AtoZ Challenge</a>, <a href="http://www.solideogloriasisterhood.com/" target="_blank">SDG Sisterhood </a></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-66468699619152194012015-04-09T08:15:00.002-04:002016-10-17T07:34:46.403-04:00Frugal, Hungry and Single <div align="center">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />Like I said the other day in my post about </span><a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/04/couponing-and-cvs.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">couponing at CVS,</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> I am one of those people who likes couponing. I am usually pretty good with grocery and household purchases. Yet, since moving on my own I have found keeping a food budget quite challenging!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_gGsZSk038/VSZzUYNyz1I/AAAAAAAAAPs/9SE7tktQPbI/s1600/dinner%2Btable%2Bfor%2Bone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y_gGsZSk038/VSZzUYNyz1I/AAAAAAAAAPs/9SE7tktQPbI/s1600/dinner%2Btable%2Bfor%2Bone.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br />I thought shopping for one would be easy. After all, I am not feeding multiple people or caring for a big house, and I don't have a gaggle of teenagers or a house full of babies and picky toddlers. But single living brings its own challenges, here are a few I encountered (and some solutions).</span></span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Challenges of Cooking for One:</span></span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Recipes</b> – While
they can be adjusted relatively easily, most recipes are not designed for one
person and need to be altered. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Time – </b>Single
people often find their time stretched in different ways than non-single
people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I certainly don’t have as
many responsibilities as I will when/if I have a spouse and family, my life as
someone living alone is much less “home-based,” than it would be if I were
living with family or even roommates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
work multiple jobs, and all of my fellowship and family support is found
outside of my home. A lot of times that means my food budget is spent on drive- through meals and quick convenience foods. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Waste </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- When you’re cooking for one food waste can
be a big issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had fruit rot and
yogurt mold before I could finish containers, and have tried my hand at batch
cooking only to discover that I disliked the recipe or grew bored of the meal
before I finished it. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Cost Saving
Strategies Don’t Always Apply </b>- When you’re cooking for one person, buying
in bulk is out for perishable items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Sure the cost per unit is less, but that doesn’t save you money when you
simply can’t use the items before they will spoil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same can be true with Buy One Get One
(or Two) sales. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Overcoming the Challenges:<o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p> </o:p><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Batch Cook Basics</b>
– If you are set on batch cooking, stick with basic items.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cook a chicken, broccoli and rice casserole
on Sunday night and you may easily be bored of it by Wednesday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bake some plain chicken breasts and you can
have baked chicken and veggies one night, a chicken sandwich for lunch one
afternoon and countless other meals throughout the week. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
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Things That Keep – </b>It goes without saying, that non-perishables and paper
products can be bought in bulk regardless of household size, but what about
other items?<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>While buying warehouse
size packages of most perishable items is not the best idea for single-person
households, there are some fresh produce items which keep well, and come in
“semi” bulk packages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While I would
never buy a restaurant size package of apples or carrots, I can confidently buy
things like 10 lb. bags of potatoes or large quantities of easily-freezable
bananas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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greens buy just what you intend to use in the next few days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For fresh salad I often stop at my grocery’s
salad bar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the cost per pound is
significantly higher than regular produce, I am able to get a variety of salad
veggies which I otherwise probably wouldn’t buy for just one person, and I
don’t have to worry about anything going bad before it is eaten.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Linked up At:</div>
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<a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-42/" target="_blank">The Shine Blog Hop</a>, <a href="http://womenwithintention.com/" target="_blank">Women With Intention,</a> <a href="http://www.givinguponperfect.com/" target="_blank">Works For Me Wednesday</a>, <a href="http://www.sarahtitus.com/2015/04/10/frugal-friday-link-up-party-week-34/" target="_blank">Frugal Friday</a><br />
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-86524499807850275522015-04-06T07:52:00.000-04:002015-04-10T09:18:14.496-04:00Easter Greetings <div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To all of my Catholic, Protestant and other Christian readers - Happy Easter. To all of my Orthodox and Eastern Catholic friends - Happy Holy Week. <br /><br />And to all, regardless of denomination - Christ Is Risen!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3SLKGYJ3mE4/VSJ0HeXPlPI/AAAAAAAAAPU/JPKqz0M3Roo/s1600/easter%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3SLKGYJ3mE4/VSJ0HeXPlPI/AAAAAAAAAPU/JPKqz0M3Roo/s1600/easter%2B1.jpg" height="285" width="320" /></a></div>
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Linked Up At:<br />
<a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">The Modest Mom Blog</a></div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-40851915788966533592015-04-04T07:46:00.005-04:002015-05-03T08:40:51.873-04:00Debt & Money In The Bible <div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Today I am combining my participation in the AtoZ blogging challenge with participation in one of my favorite weekly linkups - <a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/" target="_blank">7 Quick Takes Friday</a>. I decided pretty easily that letter "D" would be debt. After all I have been reading Dave Ramsey, and I aspire to be debt free. Then I realized that right now, I have been far from gazelle intense toward that goal. I don't have one of those inspiring "getting out of debt" stories that I like to read on other peoples blogs. But my letter D is still debt.... <br /><br />In one of his talks Dave discusses debt from a Biblical perspective, reminding us that debt is not a salvation issue, it is not something to send us to Hell, but still the Bible has nothing good to say about debt! So for my inspiration and yours, here we have 7 quick takes on things the Bible <em>does</em> say about debt! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(1) Proverbs 22:7</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"The borower is slave to the lender." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(2) Proverbs 6 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">"If you have put up security for a neighbor... free yourself like a gazelle from the hands of the hunter." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">(3) Psalm 37:21<br />"The wicked borrows but does not pay back, but the righteous is generous and gives." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">(4) Romans 13:8 </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">"Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who has loved his neighbor has fulfilled the law." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">(5) Deuteronomy 15:6 & 28:12<br />"You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow."<br /><br />(6) Ecclesiastes 5:5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">"It is better that you should not vow, than that you should vow and not pay." </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">(7) Proverbs 22:26-27 <br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Do not be a man who strikes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you."</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">This post is linked up at:<br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/atozchallenge?fref=ts" target="_blank">Blogging from AtoZ Challenge</a>, <a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/sqt-seven-conversion-stories-for-easter/" target="_blank">This Ain't The Lyceum</a>, <a href="http://faith.5minutesformom.com/" target="_blank">5 Minutes For Faith</a>, <a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up" target="_blank">Missional Women</a>, <a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2015/04/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-166.html" target="_blank">Create With Joy's Friendship Friday</a> <a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/" target="_blank">The Modest Mom Blog</a>, <a href="http://kayleneyoder.com/finding-the-good-in-marriage-grace-truth-13/" target="_blank">Grace and Truth Weekly Christian Link Up</a>, <a href="http://donnareidland.com/the-jesus-code-linkup-2/" target="_blank">Soul Survival Christian Living Link Up</a></span></span></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-2376481032268400152015-04-03T17:15:00.003-04:002015-04-11T04:17:25.977-04:00Couponing and CVS<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It is of little surprise to folks who know me in real life that I like to coupon. I like saving money, watching others save money on Extreme Couponers. Mostly I like the puzzle of seeing how I can use these coupons to get the best deal possible on my stuff. I am far from being an extreme coupon-er or joining the ranks of folks who write books and blogs like the Coupon Mom dedicated entirely to coupons, but I like to think I know a thing or two! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">The main secret to my couponing success comes in three little letters - CVS. While I do clip and use coupons at other stores, I always seem to get the best deals at CVS!<br /><br />Here is last week's CVS "haul" which I brought home for a total $20.17</span> </span><br />
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<strong></strong><span style="font-size: large;">My "haul" included </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">2 <a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004L5E94S/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B004L5E94S&linkCode=as2&tag=hubp08713-20&linkId=5YWDLJBWRV32GOM5">all HE Liquid Laundry Detergent - 50 oz - Free & Clear</a><img src="http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=hubp08713-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B004L5E94S" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" />" target="_blank">All brand laundry detergents</a>, 2 Cover Girl Mascaras, 6 bottles of Pantene shampoo and conditioner, 5 different hair styling products from Garnier & Pantene, hand lotion, and some feminine products.</span> </span></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">My Tips for Couponing at CVS:</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">(1) <strong>Register</strong> <strong>your ExtraCare card.</strong> </span></div>
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Register your ExtraCare card online at CVS' website and receive coupons by email. My $10 off $40 or more coupon was a big help in last week's deal. Remember that if you have other coupons, the CVS money-off coupon can be applied before those other coupons. (For example, my total came to about $42 before coupons, they took of the $10 off $40 coupon and I was still able to use other coupons). </span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">(2) <strong>Print Coupons In Store</strong> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Make sure that your first stop every time you visit CVS is at the price-scanner and coupon printer where you can print additional coupons with your card. These CVS store coupons can be combined with manufacturer's coupons and offer great additional deals. Recently I have gotten 10% off Kotex products, 30% off hand lotion, and my favorite a $3 off $10 Garnier coupon which I combined with several other Garnier manufacturer's coupons for better savings.</em> <br /><br />(3) <strong>Multiple Transactions </strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>While you should certainly be courteous of people behind you in line, don't be afraid to do multiple transactions, they are the key to great savings at CVS. Multiple transactions will allow you to best use those ExtraCare bucks that you earn when shopping sales. Part of my success last week came from breaking up my transactions to that the $10 in ECB I received could be used toward other items I was buying. I bought enough in one transaction to generate the ECBs and then did a second transaction in order to use those ExtraCare bucks immediately. After all, who wants to lose free money? </em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><br /></em><span style="font-size: large;">(4) <strong>CVS Deal Blogs </strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><em>Another great resource when coupon shopping at CVS is the blogs dedicated to doing exactly that! They will tell you great deal scenarios and often have pictures of the next week's ad up well before you receive your Sunday paper. I <3 CVS is a blog dedicated exclusively to CVS but simply google "CVS coupon matchups" and you will find many other blogs discussing CVS deals! </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><br /></em><strong><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Couponing!</span> </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />And I am curious readers - Do you coupon? Want to try your hand at couponing at CVS? I am giving away a $5 CVS gift card to one of my readers! To enter please leave a comment answering one of these questions: <br /><br />What is your favorite store to coupon at? What are your best coupon tips?<br /><br /><em>This is not a sponsored post, all opinions are my own, as is the cost of the giveaway. I will choose the winner at random on Sunday April 12th, I reserve the right to cancel the giveaway if there are insufficient entries. </em></span></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-29397378290207251392015-04-03T11:23:00.001-04:002015-04-04T16:09:31.836-04:00Budgets, Bagels and Blogs <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmWVP_4XTr0/VR6sIYRynGI/AAAAAAAAAOs/SLBL8cU5zPo/s1600/a%2Bto%2Bz%2Bb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmWVP_4XTr0/VR6sIYRynGI/AAAAAAAAAOs/SLBL8cU5zPo/s1600/a%2Bto%2Bz%2Bb.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am still a day short and getting posts for A, B and likely C all up today! I was a little late to the party this year so I never got hooked in to the Linky List but I am having fun with this anyway.<br /><br />What are some of my favorite B things? <br /> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Budgets, Bagels and Blogs <br /><br /><strong>Budgets</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been slacking in the budget world the past few months, but I plan to get back on track because I have to say I love the freedom that comes with having a budget! I love the guilt free spending of stopping for an iced coffee and knowing I can afford it, or being able to make an extra payment on my student loans :) </span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Some of my favorite tools/websites for budgets are:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/specials/welcome?ectid=bing.daveramsey-online1"><span style="font-size: large;">Dave Ramsey</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="https://www.learnvest.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">LearnVest </span></a><br /><a href="http://www.saveup.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">SaveUp</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.thepennyhoarder.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">The Penny Hoarder</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Bagels</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">This one doesn't really fit in with the trend of links that are going on with my other two Bs, but I still enjoy bagels. Specifically I love French Toast Bagels with Maple Cream Cheese from a little café near where I work! If you are from Western MA it is definitely worth popping into Holyoke for a visit to the Dam Café. <br /><br /><strong>Blogs</strong></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;">Since one of my goals in the AtoZ challenge is to build and participate in community, I thought I would share with you a few of my favorite blogs. It is an eclectic list, but these (in no special order) are the blogs I find myself visiting most frequently. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://modern1modesty.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Modern Modesty</span></a><br /><a href="http://thepioneerwoman.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">The Pioneer Woman</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://thehumbledhomemaker.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">The Humbled Homemaker</span></a><br /><a href="http://www.themodestmomblog.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">The Modest Mom Blog</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.conversiondiary.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">Conversion Diary</span></a> <br /><br /><br />This post is linked up at the following:<br /><a href="http://www.create-with-joy.com/2015/04/friendship-friday-blog-party-social-media-boost-166.html" target="_blank">Create With Joy Friendship Friday</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/atozchallenge?fref=ts" target="_blank">AtoZ Blog Challenge</a>,<a href="http://thedeliberatemom.com/shine-blog-hop-41/" target="_blank">SHINE Blog Hop</a></span></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-9146605278161701592015-01-02T17:54:00.003-05:002015-04-10T09:31:07.927-04:007 QT - Grateful for the New & Old Years <div align="center">
Yesterday I wrote about my theme for 2015 - <a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/2015/01/2015-year-of-gratefullness.html">Year of Gratefulness.</a> I am only two days into the new year, but thus far I am enjoying my theme! As one year closes and another begins, I decided to share some of the things I am grateful for from 2014.<br />
<em>Linked up over at </em><a href="http://thisaintthelyceum.org/"><em>This Ain't the Lyceum</em></a><em> for 7QT Friday.</em><br />
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(1) <strong>Memories </strong></div>
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I am grateful for all the fun times and good memories from 2014. Some of my highlights included: frequent meals at a new favorite restaurant Mexicali; spending a week w/ my family at the beach; a special birthday date; a visit from my long-distance friend from grad school including a day trip down to Rhode Island & Mystic with her as well as an evening in Boston; seeing the Improv Asylum in Boston with friends from College; St. Patrick's Day Parade weekend; a daytrip to Mystic Aquarium & the beach; a family weekend trip to CT to celebrate my grandfather's 90th Birthday!; and a lot of fun holiday celebrations to round out the year. </div>
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(2) <strong>Dating a Great Guy</strong> </div>
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We are going through a season of change right now and not really sure where our relationship will go, but I am still grateful I had the chance to love and be loved by a really awesome guy, and to have a lot of fun together. </div>
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(3) <strong>New Friends</strong> </div>
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I am happy that 2014 gave me the opportunity to make new friends, and deepen some existing friendships. I am glad I have a great group of ladies with whom I can enjoy both fun times and fellowship. </div>
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(4) <strong>Family</strong></div>
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This one is nothing new, but I am still very grateful for my family! </div>
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(5) <strong>My Job(s)</strong></div>
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As of October I have now been at my full-time job for a little over a year. I recently had the chance to help with the training of some newer employees, and it really made me realize just how much I have learned in those fifteen months. I am really grateful to have a job I enjoy, the opportunity to work with good co-workers and a supervisor who I can learn a lot from. I am also grateful to work for a company which treats its employees well, and where there is opportunity for career growth. </div>
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(6) <strong>Learning About Relationships</strong></div>
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Before dating that great guy I mentioned in take 2, I didn't really have much dating experience. I had been on dates but no real serious relationships. As someone with mental illness, relationships have always been a struggle for me. Whether it is a friendship a love relationship etc. I always struggle with knowing when to open up and how much. I act confident, but still constantly worry what others think of me. I wondered if I was even capable of love. I am grateful that 2014 taught me that I am lovable and capable of love. </div>
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(7) <strong>God's Faithfulness </strong></div>
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I am grateful that God remains faithful to us at all times! <br />
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<em>Linked up at This Ain't the Lyceum for 7 QT Friday. Also linked up at:<br /><a href="http://www.missionalwomen.com/faith-filled-friday-blog-link-up">Missional Women </a></em></div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-27318075622887248582015-01-01T10:35:00.002-05:002015-04-10T09:31:27.247-04:002015 - Year of Gratefulness <div align="center">
I did make some career goals for 2015, and I do want to increase my fitness so that I can enjoy hiking this summer, but I am not really into the New Year's resolution thing this year. So, in lieu of a New Year's Resolution, I have adopted a theme for the year 2015: <br />
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<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large;">YEAR OF GRATEFULNESS</span> </span></strong></div>
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In 2015 I am challenging myself - and you - to be grateful.<br />
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At first glance this seems like a very simple challenge. After all, everyone reading this no doubt already has a lot to be grateful for. A computer or mobile device and internet access to start (and I can only assume you made sure your basic needs were taken care of first). I am sure most of us already spent the holiday season in appreciation for time with family, gifts received, time off work etc. But I am not challenging us to be grateful on Thanksgiving and Christmas. I am not challenging us to be grateful on the good days. I am challenging us to be grateful not only on the days of family parties, payday, birthdays and happy moments, but on every day in between as well. </div>
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I am challenging you to be thankful on the just okay days. And the less than okay days. And the flat out crappy days. </div>
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I challenge you, and me, to find at least one thing to be grateful for. Every. single. day. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7H3K6jjbTA/VKVpEw7U6uI/AAAAAAAAANI/K1INs97Perk/s1600/year%2Bof%2Bgratefulness.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m7H3K6jjbTA/VKVpEw7U6uI/AAAAAAAAANI/K1INs97Perk/s1600/year%2Bof%2Bgratefulness.png" height="65" width="320" /></a></div>
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Throughout the year I will be sharing many of the things I am thankful for. Here on my blog and also on Facebook and other social media, using #yearofgratefulness. Please join me! <br />
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<em>Linked up at:</em><br />
<a href="http://themodestmomblog.com/">The Modest Mom Blog,</a> <a href="http://www.spiritualsundays.com/">Spiritual Sundays</a><a href="http://www.servingjoyfully.com/">, Serving Joyfully ,</a> <a href="https://www.blogger.com/">Missional Women <span id="goog_1961808174"></span></a><span id="goog_1961808175"></span></div>
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<a class="irc_mutl" data-ved="0CAcQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.calendariu.com%2Ftag%2Fnew-year-2015-quotes&ei=8GClVLKwA8ypgwT55YG4DQ&psig=AFQjCNGbPA8ekcW0AOt_FTcCQd3znHikFw&ust=1420210766007085"></a> </div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-2012393106222449192014-12-06T18:45:00.000-05:002015-04-10T09:38:03.880-04:007 Quick, Quick Takes <div align="center">
I don't even know the last time I participated in seven quick takes! I have still been there as a reader on occasion, but I've been very much out of the blog circuit lately. C'est la vie.... </div>
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Here's What I've Been Up To Instead --- </div>
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<strong>(1) Working </strong></div>
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I work. A lot. So do all of you. It's not all too interesting. </div>
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<strong>(2)</strong> <strong>Dating </strong></div>
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I have a boyfriend. I like him. Sometimes we go on dates. Sometimes we both work 60+ hour weeks and there are no dates. Sometimes we fight. I love him. </div>
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<strong>(3)</strong> <strong>Budgeting </strong></div>
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I am working on a Total Money Makeover ala Dave Ramsey. It is part of the reason I'm back to blogging - it's a cheap hobby, and has the potential for side income. <br />
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<strong>(4) Shopping </strong></div>
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I like to shop. Yes I know I am on a budget. Hence why I am all about thrift stores and thredUP! Is anyone else digging thredUP's cute <a href="http://www.thredup.com/shop/women?shortcut=2006&filters[price]=1,2,3,4">"GiftUP"</a> section as much as me? <br />
(P.S. If you're not already a thredUP user here is a <a href="http://www.thredup.com/r/VZ11J5">link</a>, to get $10 off your first purchase!) <br />
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<strong>(5) Selling</strong>Part of my job involves sales. I thought I would dislike that part. It is actually my favorite part! And I am pretty good at it. Like more than 150% to my goal good at it. <br />
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<strong>(6) Moving</strong> <br />
I moved. This is my first "on my own" big girl apartment. It was a bit overdue. <br />
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<strong>(7) Forgetting</strong> <br />
Moving has been humorous when I do things like go to cook and forget that I have no silverware. On the plus side, I can scramble an egg with a spoon. (Literally I had a spoon. One spoon.) </div>
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<strong>(7b) Decorating</strong> </div>
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That first "big girl" apartment means I get to decorate. It is fun! Me and my $5 thrift store budget managed to get several decorations :)</div>
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Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8313862416614138299.post-36282024021423608282014-11-16T21:07:00.002-05:002015-04-09T22:50:19.617-04:00Catching Up and My TMMO<div align="center">
Once again I am here "catching up," I guess the question is how many times can I start a post with "so long, no blog" or something similar. Anyways, hopefully I am back here for more frequent blogging but given my track record I make no promises! </div>
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My life has been heading all sorts of directions lately, and unfortunately many of those directions have led me away from God. Yes I still believe life is a journey. Yes the <a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/p/about-me.html">goals</a> I have set for my Journey are still important. But I was ignoring them for awhile, and even now my approach to them is a bit different. I am back to praying regularly, but I can't say the same for regular Church attendance. I cannot say I have been doing much to model Christ-like living for others so I suppose both goals 1 and 2 need some major work. Goal 3, being able to see Christ in others and treat them accordingly, is almost second-nature to me though I suppose lately I have been treating people well more from a humanistic approach than a truly Christ-centered one. Goals 4 and 5 are both much less religious in nature, and I suppose I can say I have been doing very well at 4, making a positive difference in the lives of others, and not quite as well on 5, which is to work everyday at being the best version of myself. I definitely want to be the best me possible, but lately there has been a lot of room for more work! So friends, whether I continue with more frequent blogging or not, I would love to be in your prayers! </div>
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As you may have seen in the pages I am now working on a <a href="http://journeyliving.blogspot.com/p/my-total-money-makeover.html">Total Money Makeover</a> to help me with the big goal of becoming debt free! This is a major focus of my journey right now, one I am very excited about and plan to blog more about! The other big change in my journey is that I am preparing to move into my own apartment. After living back home with my folks for almost five years after college/graduate school I am excited to leave the nest again. That means you can also expect some fun posts about setting up house and all things domestic. While I did live in the dorms and an apartment in college, and in a rental house with roommates during my graduate program this is my first time really being "out on my own" and I am both excited and nervous about the prospect! Pretty grateful to all the family members offering me extra dishes, lamps, tag sale items etc. to help me move on a budget. <br />
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I am curious if any other bloggers/readers are working on or have completed a TMMO of their own? Did you make any big changes like a move or have a big change in expenses during your Makeover? Do you have any tips to share! </div>
Laurenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08888762000870536615noreply@blogger.com2