Compassion Challenge: The Smiling Shamrock

Today's the day! I have no idea what God will bring my way, or if I'll even respond (only being honest about my human nature). But, I prayed this morning that He would give me compassion and show me ways to act on it. I'm ready.. I think.

Our shower has been torn up, in repair mode, for eight months now. My husband's friend, who was laid off two weeks ago, has agreed to work on it, which I'm very thankful for. As I waited for him to come over, God gave me new compassion for all the people--at Steve's company and in our city, state and country--who have lost their jobs. I wish I could do more to help and comfort them. But, for now, all I know to do is pray and pay one person to do what he does so well--construction and home repair. I hope this eases his family's burden in some small way.

After a long day, Steve and I trekked to Lowe's to buy some things for tomorrow's work on the shower project. As we stood in line to pay, I realized that I hadn't done one thing all day to demonstrate compassion toward others. Discouraged, I pulled out my credit card to pay the cashier. Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a sweet, smiling face on a paper shamrock hanging on the cash register. It was a solicitation; all they asked for was one dollar to send kids with muscular dystrophy to summer camp. "This is it," I thought. "This is my answer."

I felt my heart beat faster and reached frantically into my wallet. I never, I mean never, have cash, but I dug anyway and, lo and behold, there they were: two beautiful, crumpled, dingy dollar bills. I fished them out and, smiling triumphantly, thrust them toward the girl behind the counter. As my husband and I sauntered out of the store, I thanked God for that little smiling face and His answer to my simple prayer.

For more information about the Muscular Dystrophy Association, go to: http://www.mda.org/

Compassion Challenge

I've decided to embark on a new 40-day challenge, starting today. I don't know exactly how it will play out, but the book I'm reading, Signs of Life by Dr. David Jeremiah, sparked the idea. The premise of the book is that, in light of society's generally unfavorable view of Christians, it is all the more important that Christians display signs that Jesus has transformed us and that we are committed to him.

The signs Dr. Jeremiah outlines are:

• Dusty shoes
• Worn-out knees
• Rolled-up sleeves
• An open hand
• Outstretched arms

From what I've gathered so far, it's essentially a call to compassion-a call we all should heed. I have already been convicted. Through the years, God has given me compassion for others, but all too often I refuse to act on that emotion. I lean heavily on my myriad excuses, everything from the tired "too busy" excuse to focusing on my limited resources more than God's provision for the sick and needy, if I will only listen to the promptings He sparks in my heart of hearts.

Today is a new day, thank God, and I'm shelving those excuses. By God's grace, I'm going to refocus on what really matters, not to me-but to Him-and pray that eventually the alignment of His heart for the sick, needy, poor and downtrodden and my faith in action will produce an explosion of random kindness and healing deeds. I have to admit I'm a little scared of what God might ask me to do, or that I won't pick up His signals, or that I'll continue in my selfish ways. But fear is precisely part of the problem. Faith, not fear, is the only way to truly love others as Jesus loves each of us.

I'm starting now. Join me, please, and let me know how God's love shines through your signs of life.

Day 27: The First Step

We got hit with a winter storm-complete with freezing rain, sleet and snow-so the kids are out of school today and probably tomorrow. Thank God for the food our friends brought, which we will enjoy while we're snowed in.

Today was the first day of Micah's new regimen. So far, so good. He took everything three times, just like the doctor ordered. It's hard for me to grasp that he's sick because he's so animated and energetic. The old "You don't LOOK sick" line that I've heard many times myself. I want to believe what my eyes see, that he's a "normal", healthy six-year-old boy. But, alas, blood tests and strange symptoms confirm otherwise. We were able to make an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist from Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City: March 2, 2:40. One more step down this long road called illness.

Thanks to all who are praying. Words can't express our appreciation.

Day 26: A Thousand Bouquets

Okay, the madness has got to stop! I input the receipts into our financial software this morning. Yikes! The grand total of our four-day lack of discipline is almost $75! Proof positive that letting our convictions slide has not been worth it. We are rededicating ourselves to the cause TODAY and making conscious decisions about how we use our resources, otherwise known as practicing what we preach.

Micah's first doctor appointment, an exhausting process, was today. He was able to confirm what we already knew and gave us some more information that explains some other problems he has had in the past. He's an M.D. who practices a unique blend of complementary medicine, including homeopathy. After my gastroenterologist gave me no hope, I started seeing this doctor, who has helped me immensely over the past three and a half years. I function better now than I ever have, so taking Micah to him seems like an obvious first step. He gave us some homeopathic remedies to start him on, which feels overwhelming and empowering at the same time.

Thankfully, I didn't have to think about making dinner because some friends of ours brought pasta, veggies and bread. They also brought a breakfast casserole, bagels and cream cheese, orange juice, lunch meat, sandwich cheese and two loaves of bread. Hallelujah! We are set not only for at least two dinners, but also breakfast and lunch for a few days. Such a blessing. A word to the wise: Don't ever underestimate the power of taking a meal to a hurting person or family. In my book, a casserole is worth a thousand bouquets and faithful friends are worth their weight in gold.

Day 25: The Little Things

I feel blessed, today especially, to be surrounded by faithful friends who are praying for my son, and all of us. As we entered the church this morning, we were greeted by hugs and encouraging words. But, after recounting the events of the past week at least 20 times, Steve and I were exhausted.

So, after church, we ate out again. Pushed by a sense of emotional depletion and pulled toward the proverbial "comfort" food, we opted for Wendy's chili and baked potatoes (grand total: $12.50). It's funny how the mind works, in order of priority. On January 1, our commitment to reign in our spending and improve our health seemed like a worthy goal. Today, and all this week, it has dwarfed in comparison to our now ever-present challenge: helping our son to heal. I know, intellectually, that we still need to stay on track financially, but my heart is having trouble following through. I guess grief works like that.

A friend invited me to her house this afternoon, and I'm so glad I stepped out of the fog and accepted her invitation. We took a cold, brisk walk around her neighborhood, followed by wheat toast with homemade raspberry jam and hot coca, complete with mini marshmallows. We talked while soothing music played in the background, and when I left I felt a little stronger, a little clearer, a little more convinced of God's presence during our suffering. I also got another reminder that food isn't the comforter, but that the Comforter works through compassionate people willing to offer their hearts, homes and hot chocolate to the needy.

Day 24: Oops! We Did It Again

True confessions: We did it again! Our daughters are away tonight, so Steve and I stole some precious time alone with Micah. We've stumbled around, dazed, in a haze since we got "the news" so we were anxious to enjoy our evening with our son. He and Daddy wrestled, then we all snuggled on the couch and watched a movie.

Micah's favorite outing is hanging out at the Bass Pro Shop, a cross between a monstrous retail store and a wildlife museum, so when we asked him what he wanted to do tonight, we figured it was a no-brainer. But, he surprised us and said he wanted to eat Chinese food at one of our favorite haunts. Yikes, dilemma. We looked at his sweet, round face, then turned to each other and... caved. When we nodded our heads, he jumped up and down, wrapped his arms around Daddy's neck and said, "You mean we're breaking the rule for no reason at all?" Yes, we are. Again.

We started with cashew chicken and vegetable fried rice at Canton Inn, a quaint, cozy family-owned restaurant. Then we headed to Bass Pro where we gawked at the snakes, turtles, ducks and fish; "toured" pontoon boats on the showroom floor and relaxed in rocking chairs in front of the massive stone fireplace before leaving for home.

Oriental food: $14.80. An evening together enjoying our son: priceless. Especially now.

Day 23: The Unlikely Healer

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am out of my mind today. I'm not sure I slept at all last night. Nausea and Kleenex are my constant companions. I can't seem to get my mind around my son's diagnosis and what it might mean for him. I'm grieving without even knowing what to grieve.

It's startling how quickly my convictions, no matter how trivial, go out the window the minute I get bad, okay terrible, news. For instance, there's my promise to myself to eat healthy. Gone. I don't care if, let alone what, I eat today. And, the only thing that sounds good is ice cream.

My family readily concurred with that assertion, so we betrayed our convictions and went out for ice cream. Actually it was frozen custard: sinfully delicious, terribly fattening, and ridiculously expensive (to the tune of $15.60, the price of about two gallons of ice cream). But we did it anyway. There's probably no doctor or counselor anywhere that would admit chocolate custard blended with raspberries and topped with hot fudge facilitates emotional healing. But you'll never convince me.

Day 22: Rules, Schmules

I went out to lunch today with a friend. We had been trying to get together for a while, but our schedules usually clash. So when she had an open lunch date, I hesitated but decided to make an exception to the eating-out rule. And thank God I did.

About halfway through lunch, the doctor who's been seeing my 6-year-old son for unexplained abdominal pain called my cell phone with devastating news: My son has the same autoimmune liver disease that I was diagnosed with when he was a newborn.

As I hung up, I dissolved into tears, numb with disbelief and scared of what the future holds for him. But God had already provided for my comfort, before I even knew I would need it. My friend is a wise and steadfast Christian and just happens to be a psychologist. She listened as I lamented, reassured me of God's love and providence and prayed for me and my family in the parking lot as we left. As I drove away, I was reminded that being led by God's spirit, instead of our own self-imposed rules, opens the door for Him to work in our lives and circumstances, all in His perfect timing. What an unexpected blessing during a trying time.

Day 21: Food, Not Medicine

Well, isn't this just self-discovery month for me? Not exactly what I was hoping for when we swore off eating out. Sigh. Today's "Life Lesson for Lisa" was that I use food, especially restaurant food, to self medicate when I'm sad or stressed.

Our beloved 98-year-old neighbor, Pauline, passed away and her funeral was today. Since neither she nor we have family in the area, we sort of adopted each other over the past decade. She was self-sufficient, spunky and smart. (The library delivered 12 books to her once a month, and she read every one of them.) Her stories entertained us; her independence amazed us, and her card-playing ability was legendary. (She won every time she played against my kids.) Her light shone bright in our neighborhood and in our lives. We loved her dearly and miss her already.

All that to say that I really wanted Chinese food today. I managed to convince myself that hot, steamed rice, seasoned veggies and tender chicken would heal my heart. What a sad commentary on the place food occupies in my life. My head knows that food can't comfort in the wake of grief, that Chinese take out won't bring Pauline back. But I was willing to give it a try. To be brutally honest, if it weren't for knowing I had to be accountable to others via this blog, I would have thrown my promise out the window and sprinted straight for Canton Inn.

So, maybe this month isn't about frugality at all, at least not entirely. Or, maybe our hearts' desires manifest themselves through the ways we spend money, even-maybe especially-when we're in pain.

Day 20: Give and Be Blessed

I'm sipping a pumpkin spice, white mocha steamer while I blog. Don't panic; I used the Starbucks gift card I got for Christmas. I didn't spend a dime. (Gotcha!)

Purely by coincidence, I'm sure, I turned on the radio this morning to hear Dr. David Jeremiah speaking about how God blesses those who honor Him with their money. This is not the "prosperity gospel"; far from it. It's God's promise throughout Scripture to bless those who give to His work. Two examples: "A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor." (Prov 22:9, NIV) "He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses." (Prov 28:27, NIV) In describing a virtuous woman, God says in Proverbs 31:20, "She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy." Since I don't believe in coincidences and I do believe God's promises, I took that as a charge and drove to Wal Mart.

Our local Pregnancy Care Center is trying to collect one TON (that's right, 2,000 pounds) of diapers and wipes before January 31st, so my first stop was the infant aisle for three packages of diapers and three boxes of wipes. Then, I hit the grocery aisles to stock up on kid-friendly foods, like granola bars, packages of peanuts, pop-top canned chicken and pasta for a local elementary school who started a "Soul Food" program. They provide backpacks full of convenient, nutritional food every Friday to kids who might need additional food over the weekend. I didn't spend a lot, but it was one of the most heartwarming Wal Mart trips I've ever taken. For a grand total of $50.56, I was able to give hope and encouragement to a scared, young mom. God will also use that money to provide for that mother's newborn child and fill tiny tummies elsewhere in the city. What a perfect example of how a lot of people each doing a little can demonstrate God's love for ALL people, including single moms, unborn (and newborn) babies and hungry children.

I challenge each of you to start looking today for ways to give-not just money but also your time and energy. Show God's love and invest in other people's lives in meaningful ways. When you do, you don't have to worry about your needs being met. The maker and owner of ALL promises that He will provide for you and, in the process, you'll be blessed beyond measure. I know I was.

Day 19: Give Like You Mean It

Today I discovered another benefit of not eating out and buying only essentials: It took me about half the time it usually does to reconcile my bank account, and we had only forgotten to write down one $3 transaction. Woo hoo! I could get used to that.

Another bonus: I can already see some progress toward our goal of giving more. We commit to a minimum amount of giving each month, but we want the freedom to give on the spur of the moment, as needs arise, not just to the ministries we partner with. Without getting into the details, an opportunity to invest in a teenager's life presented itself yesterday. If we had eaten out after church the past two Sundays, we wouldn't have been able to meet this particular need. But, for about the cost of two meals out, we can give a teenager the chance to attend a life-changing weekend event. Now that's a check I felt good about writing.

Day 18: Down, But Not Out

We crashed and burned today. I did manage to resist the temptation to grab a salad from one of my favorite restaurants after church and ate leftover chili instead. But Steve got stuck in the traveling trap and ate out - twice. The family planned to meet for lunch at a Mexican restaurant to celebrate his sister's birthday. But her son got sick, and they had to run Plan B - lunch at the lone restaurant in the small town where his mom lives. They don't offer kids' meals and the only Sunday option is the buffet. So thirty dollars and a couple of hours later, my family headed for home. Steve packed leftovers from lunch and last night's party for the trip, but there wasn't enough for everyone, so the three kids each ordered two items off the Wendy's dollar menu. Soda's a real killer, in more ways than one, so we rarely ever order it. The kids don't even ask anymore.

Grand total spent on eating out today: $36. It's a little disappointing that we couldn't make it work all month, but to put it in perspective: We used to spend about $35 every week after church, so we're still almost $100 ahead. Tomorrow's a new day, and the month isn't over yet.

I've eaten up all the leftovers this weekend, so I need to hit the grocery store or our eating out grand total is going to climb.

Day 17: Pushing the Envelope

I usually treat myself to Chinese take-out when my family's out of town, so this weekend is a test for me too. I ate breakfast at home, then went to the health food store to pick up some lemons and tea. I semi-cheated and bought a Thai microwave dinner for lunch instead of Chinese. It's not unlike me to push the envelope, but technically I didn't eat out. (There I go, rationalizing again.)

Steve and the kids ate breakfast at his brother's and lunch at his mom's. For dinner, the whole family congregated at Steve's brother's for our niece, Rachel's, 27th birthday party, complete with party food: sandwiches, veggies, chips and cake. My son doesn't like sandwiches, so Steve caved and bought Micah a Happy Meal from McDonald's. Not bad though. Two days down, one to go. Grand total spent on eating out: $3.50.

Day 16: Traveling: The Ultimate Test

My husband and kids are leaving today to visit family in Kansas, a six-hour drive. We've been wondering how, and if, we were going to be able to stick to our resolution but decided spending time with family is, obviously, more important than spending $20 on a couple of drive-thru meals. Besides, we aren't trying to be Nazi-like or starve our children on long trips; we just want to challenge ourselves to be creative and take control of the way we use our money.

This morning, we ate a hearty breakfast of whole-grain pancakes and turkey sausage, then packed sandwiches, pretzels, Chex mix, apple slices and bottles of water for the trip. Steve called tonight and said his brother bought pizza for everyone for dinner. What a blessing! This weekend might be the toughest test all month, but so far so good. One day down, two to go.

Day 15: The Wanderer

No temptation to eat out today, but I needed a couple of essentials: stamps (to mail my father-in-law's already late birthday card) and toilet paper. (No one's going to argue with that, are you?) One of the benefits of this challenge is that I'm learning more about myself and my habits, like I did today.

After school, Mackenzie and I stopped in to our neighborhood Walgreen's to pick up the previously mentioned must-have's. The employees are friendly, the store is cozy and the sales are unbeatable. TP was on an end cap, and on sale, right inside the door. Stamps are behind the checkout counter so everything I needed was within five steps of the door. That is the moment I learned that I am a wanderer.

I grabbed the toilet paper and just kept on truckin'. Toward what I don't know. Just "looking", "browsing", "checking out this week's sale items", blah, blah, blah. See how dangerous that can be? I have become so lax that it's automatic for me to get what I need, then continue to shop. Not a good idea, and not healthy for the family finances. I also learned that it really annoys my kids. (That might be the only good reason for continuing to do it. JK)

So, I'm going to implement a new habit, and a new slogan: GIGO. Pronounce it however you want, but implement it ruthlessly: Get In, Get Out. The biggest GIGO perk: I'll not only be saving money, I'll be saving time, a precious resource that none of us can afford to waste.

Day 14: Keep the Whoppers

Has it only been two weeks since we committed to not eating out? It seems longer, or at least today it did. This day was crazy! There was the usual stuff: the morning and afternoon school rush and taxi service (three kids at three schools today), violin practice, an after school basketball game Mackenzie just had to go to ("It's my last middle school game, Mom!"), and church. Add to that a Go Green! meeting @ the elementary school, past due reports for one of my part-time gigs and training for another of those gigs, my son's tummy ache and a call from a friend with a very sick child, and this day was packed FULL.

There was no time to eat, let alone cook, or so I thought. A handful of walnuts, yogurt and a string cheese (and that oh-so-tiny candy bar) didn't cut it, but it's all I had time for. I wanted so badly to swing through Burger King (the Whopper is only a $1 right now!) or Taco Bell (Have you tasted those fully-loaded nachos?). Maybe it's pride, maybe it's principle, or maybe I'm finally getting it. Whatever it is, I managed to avoid the fast food joints and keep driving.

But by late afternoon, my stomach was painfully protesting my low cal day, and I didn't really care what promise I had made. Thank God for Steve, the voice of reason. He had an insane day too, but we brainstormed for five minutes and decided homemade pizza was the way to go. He made the dough while I picked up Mackenzie, and 45 minutes later, we were all chowing down on that hearty crust smothered with tomato sauce and Italian herbs, topped with turkey pepperoni, veggies and tons of cheese. Just the way we like it.

We oohed and aahhed over that simple meal and as the days go by, we continue to be amazed at how pleasant, how satisfying, this month is turning out to be. We wouldn't trade those modest meals shared with the ones we love for all the Whoppers in the world.

Day 13: Soup, Heat Lamps and Life Lessons

I had no idea how addicted I am to restaurant food. Whenever I get sick, like today, I crave McAlister's chicken tortilla soup. It's loaded with chunks of chicken and crispy tortilla strips in a thick, spicy cheesy sauce. Yum! It's especially good for clearing the sinuses. But I'm committed to this challenge and I refuse to spend $4.00 for a cup of soup just because I WANT IT, and I WANT IT NOW! (Okay, I feel better...)

The other day our family decided that, as an extra challenge, we should each choose a favorite restaurant food and try to re-create it at home. We've already been able to do that with a few salads and soups. After all, Chinese stir fry is easy, the kids can even make their favorite fast food fare - chicken nuggets and fries, and homemade pizza is the bomb. So, what's the draw? Why do we flock to over-crowded, over-priced, microwave-then-heat-lamp-the-food restaurants? Pretty pathetic when I let myself think about it. I'm hoping this month will be the key to convincing myself, and my kids, that there is nothing "out there" that I can't find in here. Come to think of it, there might just be a larger life lesson buried in there too.

Day 12: Kids Eat Almost Free

Tonight is "kids eat free" night at one of our favorite restaurants. The food is healthful, the service is good and the atmosphere is quiet. As a bonus, they let you combine coupons. Once, we all ate there for less than a dollar. I haven't eaten all day, thanks to the lingering stomach bug, so letting someone else cook sounds like a brilliant idea. But, alas, I'm making chili instead.

Our family had a discussion last week about how much we like Wendy's chili and how cheap it is - only $1.29 per cup. But, when we dissected that argument, we figured out that we can make chili with all-natural beef, seasoning and sauce, veggies, and organic beans for MUCH less than $1.29 per person. This isn't rocket science, so why all the excuses for not eating at home, I wonder? So, tonight my kids ate almost free, at home sweet home.

Day 11: Tea Time

I discovered a new way to avoid the temptation to eat out: the stomach flu. I spent the day on the couch, alternately sleeping and sipping peppermint tea. Steve and Mackenzie had a meeting, with lunch provided, right after church, and Maddie heated chicken soup in the microwave for herself and her little brother. For dinner, Mackenzie baked 100% all natural chicken nuggets for everyone, except me of course. What a great compromise; the kids get chicken nuggets, I feel (slightly) better about the quality of what they're eating, and our family saves money (and future heart attacks). :)

Two Sundays down, two to go. Time for more tea...and sleep.

Day 10: Ugh! The Grocery Store

I really need to plan meals and buy groceries. We're getting dangerously low. Not dangerously close to going hungry, just dangerously close to falling in to the eating out trap. We still have some organic sirloin steak and a huge roast my mom gave us when we were there for Thanksgiving. I don't usually roast or grill meat, so I've been avoiding it. I think today's the day. I need to pull out my recipe books or get on line and figure out a mouthwatering method for cooking the beef. If I don't we're sunk tomorrow after church. Ten days down, 21 to go.

Day 9: Spending vs. Investing

My friend, Tarah, invited me to speak at a MOPs (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting today on the topic of "Ten Easy Ways to Go Green". Since I was diagnosed with liver disease and we've gone from two incomes to one, I've become much more interested in detoxing my body and house and in saving money. As I finalized my presentation last night, I realized once again how good stewardship (of personal resources like time, energy, money and possessions, and of God's creation) and frugality are the building blocks of a simple, generous life. I can't explain exactly how it happens; I just know that it does.

After all, what good is money if it's only used for things that break, blow away or burn down? We all have two choices. We can either spend our money on wants and whims or invest it in something that will live forever - people's souls. I feel so blessed when I can take part in helping an abused child go to summer camp, sending missionaries halfway around the world, donating diapers to young moms at the crisis pregnancy center or providing meals for the homeless in my city.

Money is amoral, and it isn't powerful in and of itself. But, in the right hands, it can be an instrument of blessing and comfort for stricken souls all across the globe. Maybe that's what this whole frugality experience is really about, that sinking sense that I'm foolishly spending, instead of wisely investing, the money God has entrusted to me for a few short years on earth. The economy might be rocky right now, but I know one thing for sure: using money to bring life and love to God's children is always a safe investment.

Day 8: Little Numbers Make a Big Difference

My sister called me last night to tell me she and her husband have canceled their home phone service too. She also downgraded her Dish Network plan with a total savings of about $60 per month, or $720 per year. After scrutinizing her spending habits this week, she's also decided to go cold turkey on her Pepsi slush habit and not color her hair for six months. I heard hope in her voice and the satisfaction that comes with feeling in control instead of powerless. Because the amounts were relatively small on a monthly basis, she said she'd never really thought about how they all add up to a big drain on the checkbook and her emotional energy. But she's making a big change, one baby step at a time. Bravo, Amy!

I used up the last drop of that hideous body lotion this morning. Now I get to treat myself to one of life's little luxuries - Arbonne Unwind body lotion. I found three sample size bottles that my mom had given me last Christmas. It's botanically based, the scent is intoxicating, and it moisturizes better than anything I've ever tried. Now let's see how long I can make these 2-oz. bottles last.

Day 7: Define "Need"

It's amazing to me what we, in this culture, and I, in particular, consider "essentials". After all, we made a pact - that we would only buy essentials for one month, just 31 short days. Yet, I found myself at the Batteries Plus counter today paying for a new cell phone battery. Granted, my cell phone is my only number now that we've done away with the home phone, and the schools might need to contact me, and the cell phone battery has been freaking out for a couple of months now. (See how easy rationalization is? I'm the master.)

Standing at that counter, my heart sank when I considered that 90% of the world can't get TRUE essentials, including food, clean water, and life-saving medication, as easily as I can get a life-draining cell phone battery. I felt wonderfully blessed and woefully burdened all at once.

We officially added the first item to our "30 Day List": a new American flag. We took our Christmas flag down, and it's time to fly Old Glory again. But, she's looking a little ragged. Approximate cost: $20. Truly a small price to pay to display our love for this country and to honor the people who have died protecting our freedom.

Day 6: Snacks, Snacks Everywhere

I took the kids to see our neighbor in the nursing home right after school which had "disaster" written all over it. They're usually hungry and grouchy, understandably, at that time of day. So I knew we would all be tempted to swing through our favorite ice cream place, conveniently located just down the street from the nursing home, and devour four 79 cent cones. You'll be happy to know that I avoided disaster by planning ahead. Snacks to the rescue! Before I left the house to pick them up, I grabbed a water bottle, grapes, string cheese and a box of graham crackers. Victory! We did stop by the grocery store on the way home to get some snacks for their lunches. Probably not the healthiest options in the world, but more nutritious and less expensive than school lunch.

Day 5: Does Coffee Always Smell That Good?

I visited my 98-year-old neighbor in the hospital today, and I swear the coffee cart in the lobby was screaming my name. I don't even drink coffee, but it smelled so good I almost succumbed to the $4.00 a cup scam. It was a close call, but I just picked up the pace and speed walked out the lobby, puffing my cheeks with held breath and trying not to look too obvious.

Sad to say we've already broken the no eating out rule. Steve was the offender, but in his defense, he was planning on coming home for lunch. But he found out this morning a friend of his is in the hospital, so he decimated the budget by squandering $2.12 in the Wendy's drive thru. I guess he can get a pass since he was actively involved in visiting the sick.

I really want to buy some new body lotion for my lizard skin. We're using up the half empty bottles we've had since last winter, and now I remember why this particular bottle never got used. It's terrible! But, I'm choosing dry, scaly legs until every drop of that horrible stuff is gone. It's the principle of the thing.

We'll be watching the Fiesta Bowl (and the 4,000 KFC, Subway, Hardee's, Pizza Hut and McDonald's commercials) tonight. I'm sure they won't affect us at all. Nerves of steel.

Day 4: Our First Sunday

We've told the kids about our January plan, but our son was none too happy when Daddy informed him we were not eating at a restaurant after church today. He was craving McDonald's or Mexican, not lame leftovers at home. We were all hungry and the thought of cleaning up yet another kitchen mess didn't appeal to me. But we stuck to our guns, heated up leftover spaghetti and bread, snacked on grapes and carrots and topped it all off with peanut butter pie and vanilla ice cream. We left the mess until after "family nap", but we all agreed it was worth the $30-$40 that we saved.

Day 3: Great Timing

Our washer has been terminally ill for several months. Today it died. Sigh. Since we consider a washing machine (and clean underwear) essential, we trekked to Sears and bought a Kenmore, thanks to the 12 months, no interest plan. I know a lot of people swear that off because of the risks involved, which I understand completely. But we have used that option through the years to buy many things, including carpet, garage doors, bedroom furniture and other appliances. We have always paid off the balance in full and have not paid any interest (knock on wood). Just don't tell Dave Ramsey. he he

We're having friends over for dinner tonight, and we talked about ordering pizza for our families. Tempting. Very tempting. Instead, I pulled out a pizza dough recipe I've been meaning to try. It's easy to prepare, quick (rises in only 15 minutes) and is much healthier (whole wheat crust, turkey pepperoni, all natural sauce and cheese, loaded with veggies). We all enjoyed it, unless our friends lied, and I tried something new.

Day 2: Bye Bye Land Line

The phone bill has been making me ill for several months, so I called today to see if I could find a cheaper plan. We have a home phone, high-speed Internet and two cell phones. After my husband and I scrutinized the itemized bill and discussed our priorities, we decided to ditch the land line ($60/month) and add another cell phone ($10/month + $19 for the phone). This will allow us to stay in contact with our teen and pre-teen daughters when one of us is gone and save $45 per month ($540 per year). I'll take it.

Day 1: So Far, So Good

No real temptations today. We have plenty of snacks left from New Year's Eve and all the restaurants are closed. I wonder if I could convince them all to close down for the whole month... Having food in the house is definitely going to be one of our keys to success. I need to regularly plan meals and shop for groceries, both of which I loathe. Here's to new habits in the new year!