Thankful: Dave Ramsey, Medication, A Car

Dave Ramsey

Now that I have a steady monthly income coming in, we were able to get back on track with our budget. We have been so stressed since April - not sure if we could make the next months rent, if we could afford pet food, or our own food for that matter. Being back "on plan" with our budget has made me much happier. Less stress = a happier Ashleigh.

This year we are not using credit cards for Christmas either. Last year, I maxed out a Kohl's credit card and added even more to my other credit card. Christmas isn't a surprise this year - we know it is December 25. We know we have get togethers where we will need to bring food and/or treats. We have a game plan, and we are sticking with it.

Check out my posts on Financial Peace University if you haven't already!

Medication

I haven't been feeling well since Friday. I think it's the weather changes. I've had migraines, sinus congestion, nausea, and stomach issues. Pepto-Bismol, Excedrin Migraine, and Dayquil/Nyquil have been making this "bug" less miserable this week.

A Car

America doesn't realize how lucky they are to have cars, let alone cars that are paid off. I am so thankful that I have reliable transportation to get me to and from work and class. My car also has heated seats and a rear defroster - very thankful and blessed to have that this time of year!

Thankful: My Creative Mind, Furbabies, Bible Study

I'm posting one for the last 3 days because I have been a bit busy lately. Finals season is among us!

My Creative Mind

Last year, we made a "visual" Christmas letter to send out to friends and family. I don't like writing, so it was an awesome alternative. I just finished up this year's letter and they have already been printed! We seem to be ahead of schedule this year, so I'm trying to keep it that way! Sharayah (from Little Neighbor Studios) is taking our family pictures next weekend so we can include some holiday pictures with the letters. An added bonus to making visual christmas cards...I can add them to my portfolio!

Furbabies

Mia, Oscar, and Bo are awesome. They are a bit of a handful sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way!! Oscar seems to be a Momma's boy and is always a therapy kitty when I need him!

Bible Study

Every Friday night, Jon and I go to a couple's Bible study. We look forward to it every week! The group is awesome and we seem to go later and later each week because we get into great discussions. I'm happy we were invited to join the group.

Thankful | iPhone

Seriously, what would I do without my smart phone? I wouldn't be as connected, that's for sure. It keeps me on schedule and on task. It is also great for relieving stress by playing games and chatting with friends.

I sometimes wish I could go back to the basic phone, but then I realize I would forget EVERYTHING. I still have a physical planner, but that often isn't 100%. My phone is great for those last minute additions to my schedule.

Thankful | My Job

I am so incredibly thankful I have a job that I enjoy going to every day.  The beginning of this year was very shaky and I was unsure of where we would be at the end of the year. God was there the whole time and ended up finding me a job I wouldn't trade for anything! I've gotten some emails and phone calls from recruiters with things for me, but I love where I'm at. They work around my teaching schedule as well as classes.

Thankful | Fountain Beverages

I look forward to my fountain coke every day. Without it, I'm sure I would be fine, but I love having one every day. It helps calm me down when I'm feeling the most stressed.

Thankful | Lazy Sundays

Today was very relaxing. Jon and I laid around all day watching football. In the evening we went to church and ate dinner out with our friend Sharayah. I stayed in sweatpants all day. It was glorious.

Thankful | Our Apartment

I am so thankful we have a roof over our heads. It has been a rough year with so many uncertainties, but we have always had somewhere to live. Not only somewhere to live, but somewhere to live in a nice neighborhood.

Where we lived before wasn't necessarily bad, but it wasn't a place I could see us starting a family. The neighbors were shady and our building always smelled like cigarette smoke. I'm thankful we were able to get back on our feet enough to move to a nicer place.

Thankful November (Round 2) | Showers

Well, guys I'm at it again. I did it last year, and I'm doing it again this year. Every day in November, I will be posting something I am thankful for. I loved doing it last year, and I'm excited to do it again this year.

Showers

This isn't our shower, but man, is it gorgeous!

A few weeks ago, Jon and I were without a shower because of lack of water pressure. We had to bathe "old school style" for a week until it got fixed. We would take pot by pot of hot water from the kitchen into the bathroom and fill the bath tub. It would take us about 1.5 hours each to get clean every night.

Life was a bit chaotic anyway because we just moved, then God had to lay this one on us. He definitely has a sense of humor - reminding me it could always be worse.

Ever since our shower has been fixed, I thank God every time I'm in there. When something you take for granted each day is taken away from you, it makes you think a little differently.