Stacie Mounts

I Am A Follower - Book Review

2012-01-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

I Am A Follower, by Leonard Sweet

This book captivated me in the beginning when the writer, Leonard, described an event at the Sasquatch Festival.
A lone man at this event started dancing on his own even though no one around him was engaged. He didn't care what they thought or if they watched, he was just happy dancing alone. It was a jerky, odd kind of dance with lots of tumbling and twisting. It wasn't what you would normally see every day.
After a few moments, another man came up and started dancing with him. Soon, others followed suit and everyone was dancing. It turned into a dance party movement and everyone was having a great time.
Just like Jesus, this first lone man was not embarrassed or afraid of what others might think of his bold moves. He continued to show others how much fun it was to be different and they followed suit.
Sometimes we are too afraid to be different and show others that we are indeed, followers of Jesus. It takes guts and determination to show how life could be if they followed Jesus, too.

The Voice New Testament: Revised & Updated

2011-12-19T06:29:00.001-08:00

The Voice™ Bible translation was a gift to attendees at the Catalyst Atlanta Conference in October, 2011. I was not an attendee, but a volunteer and somehow missed getting a copy of this book. It was quite the topic of conversation and I made plans to get this book after I returned home.

I was absolutely surprised and pleased when I found out it was available for book review through Booksneeze.com. What a blessing!

I must say, I cannot put this book down. The stories absolutely come alive. Even though I have studied the bible and listened to many sermons at church, I found myself learning more about God's word through this book. It has a very personal touch and an easy flow.

I recommend this book to both bible scholars and ordinary, God-loving people... like me!

The Encounter by Stephen Arterburn

2011-12-12T16:49:00.000-08:00

This book would make a great movie!

The characters and story line in this book are lively and interesting and I kept finding myself visualizing the story as a movie. It seems there are never enough Christian movies to watch these days and it would be refreshing to watch a new one. Especially this one!

The main character, Jonathan, is on a quest to find his birth mother and finds himself along the way. Totally arrogant and self centered, he has a tendency to use his power to get his way. This does not turn out to be the "norm" in Fairbanks, Alaska when dealing with the locals. He quickly learns different ways to get to the truth and eventually changes his heart and his mind about those who truly matter. A great story of forgiveness.

I found this book to be a quick read and finished it in about two hours. Not so much a surprise ending, but nonetheless, a great feel-good conclusion. I would recommend this book.

Start Something That Matters - Giveaway!

2011-11-28T13:56:00.001-08:00

Giveaway Alert!

Follow my blog and you could win Blake Mycoskie's new book "Start Something That Matters". Deadline is December 25th. All you have to do is become a follower of my blog and post a comment below.

This is a great read and I find Blake's business model so inspiring. Not only does he work his business with a generous heart, he is willing to work through his mistakes and learn from them. Entrepreneurs who want to "Start Something That Matters" would benefit from reading Blake's story. I especially like how he generously treats his employees with love and respect. Many of his original interns are still with him today. Great testimony to the way others should be treated in life and in business.

Follow me and comment below!

A Year with Jesus

2011-11-27T13:13:00.000-08:00

Book Review

I am almost done with my 100 day devotional so I am excited to get started with this new book "A Year with Jesus". It is 365 days and I can't wait to see how my life will evolve and change over the next year as I walk with Jesus and read His words daily.

Just looking at the cover, I can get a sense of peace from these words, "Make His Peace Your Peace". Just flipping through the book and reading random pages, I can see that this book is not only spiritual, but practical at the same time. There are some quotes from famous people other than Jesus who share their own struggles and accomplishments.

I cannot wait to connect more deeply with Christ Jesus through His words.

A Year with Jesus

2011-11-13T06:19:00.000-08:00

Too many times the impact and grandness of the actual words Jesus spoke, as recorded in the Bible, are lost in the telling of the story. In A Year with Jesus, the primary focus is to allow the scriptures that contain Jesus' dialogue to uniquely speak to the reader. The author follows each reading with insights and applications to help explain the context and nuances of the text. The unique titling of each meditation and the nontraditional themes and organization help bring Jesus to our daily lives.

I just ordered this book and can't wait to use it! I have been changed these past few months by daily devotionals and writing and I don't want to stop feeling this way. I want to know more, and grow more through Jesus.

Lord, lead!

Going Deep by Gordon Macdonald

2011-11-12T19:20:00.000-08:00

Dr. Gordon Macdonald, pastor and author, asks the question "what is a deep person"? Although the church is full of well-meaning people, are they truly able to make changes and create positive influence?

Dr. Macdonald challenges everyone to "go deep" in their faith and create a paradigm shift. Much like Francis Chan in "Crazy Love", there is an awakening in the idea that we are sometimes sleeping through our lives and just going through the motions. We need to shake it up and be alive with the Holy Spirit inside us.

Go crazy in love with your faith to truly make a life changing transformation for your community, home, and church.

iPad test

2011-10-30T13:39:00.000-07:00

It links like Blogger has updated their interface so I can use their tools on my iPad!

Book Review: Close Enough to Hear God Breathe

2011-10-15T16:15:00.001-07:00

Close Enough to Hear God Breathe, by Greg Paul

The Great Story of Divine Intimacy. Greg Paul shows readers that God has a powerful message for us all regardless of where we are in our life. God thinks of us as His children through all our blunders, faults and mistakes. He gently guides us and loves us regardless of what we've done. God's Grace is alive and freely given.

This book is filled with biblical stories weaved into the present. A delight for most who enjoy this type of writing style. A blessing for all.

Start Something That Matters

2011-10-13T04:53:00.000-07:00

I was honored to serve at the Catalyst Conference last week as a volunteer and met so many amazing people. The God Stories I took away are numerous and I have been in constant prayer ever since.

So many people that attended and spoke are so obedient and follow God's word with no fear or hesitation. They were an inspiration to me.

Blake Mycoskie, the founder of Tom's Shoes, wrote a book called "Start Something That Matters" and talked about his story at the conference.

My question is: What does God have planned for me? What does God plan for you?

I am hoping that Tom's Shoes will pick me as a candidate for Books for Bloggers. I would be honored to spread Blake's message!

Book Review: J.R.R. Tolkien

2011-09-15T13:44:00.000-07:00

J.R.R. Tolkien

By Mark Horne

I chose this book because I enjoy reading biographies of famous people and find it fascinating to read about what life was like years ago. It is somewhat like stepping through a time capsule and coming out on the other side to an entirely different world.

This book was a quick read and I especially found Tolkien’s childhood very interesting. His mother was a very strong woman. I don’t think other single mothers in that day were quite as creative when it came to providing for the family. She sacrificed it all for her children and made sure they received what they needed.

For those who have read Tolkien’s books or watched the movies made after his books, I highly recommend that they read this biography. It will give some insight on his character and imagination.

Book Review: Your 100 Day Prayer

2011-09-04T10:58:00.001-07:00

Lord, teach us to pray. — Luke 11:1

I was so excited to receive this book as a paperback so I could journal and write in it every day. What a blessing this book is!

What's inside: Before you even start the book, there is a place to record your start date and prayer request along with a prayer to begin your 100 day journey. Every day has a bible verse, short story, prayer and a place to list your progress. It only takes a few minutes a day but makes all the difference in the world.

This book could not have come to me at a better time. I am in a transitional stage both with my career and my physical state. I will spend the next 100 days praying over my goals and wishes.

I am excited about this book and will use it as a tool to catapult my new life.

Inspiration is where you find it.

2011-09-01T06:04:00.001-07:00

Great new video! Thank you, Sei Ohmori for letting me post this. Working on #26 right now...

29 Ways to Stay Creative

Get out of your hole

2011-09-01T04:14:00.000-07:00

Stop being complacent on old ideas, old ways of doing business. Get out of the hole and climb a mountain.

Stumbling into Grace Book Review

2011-08-25T04:28:00.000-07:00

Booksneeze Book Review for “Stumbling into Grace, Confessions of a Sometimes Spiritually Clumsy Woman” by Lisa Harper.

I could not resist the cover of this wonderful book about how we can still have grace even though we stumble and make mistakes. The design of the outside of the book fits perfectlywith the content. Both are equally charming.

Written like a diary, Lisa mixes her own humorous stories with bible scripture. I was especially drawn to her first story of a retreat she attended. During a small group study, she was able to connect in a miraculous way to a woman who had been clearly hurt throughout most of her life. This woman felt clumsy and ungraceful, but with the help of God, she was made to feel whole again and full of grace.

I highly recommend this book, it’s a great read of hope and love. Thank you, Lisa, for sharing your stories.

Stumbling into Grace

2011-07-30T15:31:00.000-07:00

I am a sucker for a cute cover, but I could not resist the title of this book, either! I just ordered it from Booksneeze.com and can't wait to read it!

Stay tuned!

Rumors of God

2011-07-30T15:26:00.000-07:00

Book review for Booksneeze.com

Rumors of God, Experience the kind of faith you’ve only heard about, by Darrne Whitehead and Jon Tyson.

I loved reading all the “God Stories” on how many people who simply walk in faith are surrounded by blessings and get a definite sense of what their calling is. I only wish it were this easy for most people who walk along life and constantly miss the way God shows up their lives.

As written in the epilogue of this book “May we be among those who believe that the greatest days of the church are still to come.” Simply follow the Lord and ask for His blessings. Don’t forget to keep your eyes open when the blessings do come.

New book review coming....

2011-07-05T18:35:00.000-07:00

I just ordered this book from www.booksneeze.com. Can't wait!

It's not about me....

2011-07-05T17:18:00.001-07:00

It's Not About Me Rescue From the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy
By Max Lucado. I received this book from www.booksneeze.com to review a few short weeks ago. It's a short, easy read that flows easily with scripture reference, songs of praise and prayer.

"To seek God's glory is to pray" is a reminder that we just need to stop, look and listen for God's grace and gifts. By praying we are not only talking to God, but we are praising Him at the same time. Promote God, declare his preeminence.

One of the best parts about the book is the study guide in the back. This book can easily be used for small group bible study and discussion.

This book is a treasure.

Back Home!

2011-06-27T04:32:00.001-07:00

We are back home again after being gone for 7 days. This beautiful family will now live in a safe, comfortable home built with love by our church team.

It's hard to get back into the swing of things after being unplugged from the internet for a week!

As I get back into work this week, t will be hard not to think of this wonderful family and the impact they have made on us.

The Final Summit

2011-06-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

Below is my book review for Booksneeze.com: The Final Summit A Quest to Find the One Principle That Will Save Humanity, By Andy Andrews and Published by Thomas Nelson.

This is the continuing story of David Ponder from Andy Andrews book, The Traveler’s Gift. David Ponder returns in his quest to find answers to mankind’s problems of greed, pride and hate. Seeing the end of humanity as it heads for disaster, David is once again called to meet with the other amazing travelers in history.

I was instantly hooked into Ponder’s story and the stories of others he met with. Filled with great narrative about past leaders who made history, it truly is a great read.

Like the description says, this book shows us what we must do when we don’t know what to do.

I give it five stars!

Location, Location, Location

2011-06-10T08:10:00.000-07:00

Our family has a favorite restaurant that's located on a very busy corner in our town. When we drive by, we can see the patrons through the large windows. It looks busy and popular most of the time.

The owner of this company picked a great location for their restaurant. But, they took it a step further....

The hostess always fills the tables by the window first. Genius.

Are You Showing Up?

2011-06-06T05:01:00.000-07:00

A great family friend of ours was in an airport and saw a colleague of his who is also in sales. He asked the colleague a simple question: "What is the most important thing I can do when making a sales call?"

The answer: "Show up."

Yes, it's that simple.

Now.... GO!

What are you doing this weekend?

2011-06-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

Whatever it is, make it remarkable!

Learn something new, reach out to someone to help them, step out of your comfort zone and be indispensable.

See you Monday... be ready, refreshed and ready to step out of the box.

Learning again and loving it!

2011-05-30T13:56:00.000-07:00

If you're not learning, you're getting left behind.

When I was a young adult, I desperately wanted to work in newspaper advertising design. Maybe it was in my blood because my dad was a pressman. Maybe.

I spent many years at print shops as a teenager getting paid one dollar an hour collating papers amongst the smell of ink and rolls of paper. I would sneak upstairs to the art department and be in awe of the compugraphic equipment, xacto knives, and sticky wax machine.

I only knew that I wanted to be a graphics designer and work in art. I wasn't sure how to get there, there weren't any schools for that field at the time, but I wanted to design.

I applied for a graphic design position at the local newspaper, but there were no openings with the exception of one in the circulation department so I took it. After a grueling year of answering phones and organizing paperwork, there was an opening in the graphic design department and I thankfully took it.

It was definitely a learning experience since I had no idea what to do with no training but I learned along the way and loved every step. The first two years I was at this job I was awarded an honorable mention in advertising design. I had found my "Element" as Sir Ken Robinson would say.

Little did I know then that the graphic design industry would change, and change, and then change again. I am constantly on the move to learn the next new kind of technology or way of doing business. These are exciting times and I can't wait for the next step.

In the meantime, I'll keep up with what's new instead of being left behind. Instead of an xacto knife, I'll be using my iPad2.

Bring it on!

Max on Life.... book review

2011-05-01T12:28:00.001-07:00

“Max on Life” by Max Lucado was offered for me to review through Booksneeze.com. This book was an easy read and it was a good book to have around when I only had a short time to read. Hope and love resonate throughout this book and it’s clear that Max is truly a gifted spiritual writer.

I loved the letter from a young child, Sam, to Max. Sam is terribly sorry about pulling the fire alarm after one of Max’s church services. The open honesty and pureness of an innocent child rings (no pun intended) loudly and clearly. I can only imagine how hard it was for that small child to sit down, write that note and send it. It is much like how we feel about God. We are sorry for our actions, but it takes a lot of courage to ask for forgiveness. God will always forgive and many times it is hard to remember that. We get caught up in our own fears and disappointments and forget we have a truly loving God who cares deeply about us. He’s crazy about us!

Max reminds us that no matter what your age, you will always have questions, ask for forgiveness and receive grace.

In Constant Prayer Book Review

2011-04-03T10:33:00.000-07:00

I chose In Constant Prayer, written by Robert Benson, to review for BookSneeze.

Initially, just looking at the cover of the book, I was excited to read this book. Any time I can read something to help me keep my promise to talk to and pray to God every day, I welcome it with open arms.

Robert Benson, the author, presents a structure where people can live in the reality that God is with us always. Too many people live their lives oblivious to the blessings around them. It is important to remember and see the blessings and wonder and joy that God provides on a daily, if not hourly, basis.

I am hopeful that others will find this book will create a deeper realization and fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

Book Review!

2011-01-28T17:36:00.001-08:00

Book review for The Power Based Life, Realizing your life's goals and dreams by strengthening your body, mind and spirit, by Mike Flynt.

After reading this book, I feel like Mr. Flynt was speaking to me personally! I am at a crossroads both professionally and personally and have been looking for spiritual guidance along the way.

Realizing strengths and finding the career that's right for you is a great way to find your path. I am taking this book to heart and will be reading it again with post it notes and highlighters.

Sorry, friends. I usually pass on great books to you, but this one is staying with me. Get your own!

The Grace of God by Andy Stanley

2011-01-02T17:01:00.001-08:00

Part of my 2011 New Year's resolution is to surround myself with inspiring and interesting people, read 3 non-fiction books a month and of course, lose weight!

So, you can imagine my excitement when I received this book for review from Booksneeze. I have been introduced to Andy Stanley through Dave Ramsey. Dave talks about Mr. Stanley's teachings and books on his radio show, "The Dave Ramsey Show". He has also had him as a guest speaker, which is rare for Dave.

Andy Stanley starts out saying that "God's promise of blessing was not anchored by the behavior of the recipient, but by the grace of the One who had made the promise." Like my community group leader keeps telling us, "You already have it". You don't have to ask for it, you don't have to want it.... you already have it."

With grace, comes faith. Such a strong statement in such a uncertain world. Believe.

I give this book 5 stars and will be passing it on to one our our church's small group leaders to share with her middle schoolers. Great read.

"You Changed My Life"

2010-09-30T09:34:00.001-07:00

Book Review: “You Changed My Life” by Max Lucado. This is a wonderful Christian book to give to someone who has truly made a difference in your life. It is filled with inspirational stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. God uses common people to show his love and compassion in all circumstances and situations. I especially enjoy Chapter 5, stories of “Hope”. The book is small and broken up in sections so you can take it with you anywhere and quickly read a short inspirational story. I highly recommend this book to both share with someone special or as an inspiration read to have at hand when life throws a curve ball. Love, Kindness, Commitment, Compassion, Hope, Courage, Wisdom and Friendship. It covers all the bases for a well rounded spiritual uplifting. Truly, any book that Max Lucado writes is a must read for anyone who is seeking spiritual support and guidance.

Book Review!

2010-08-08T14:47:00.000-07:00

The Portable Patriot. Documents, Speeches, and Sermons That Compose the American Soul edited by Joel J. Miller and Kristen Parrish will get you hooked on the second story, “Mary Rowlandson Recounts Her Captivity”. This young woman, the wife a pastor, was unfortunate to witness first hand the brutality of war. I will never understand her strength as she held one of her children and tried to protect them only to be shot with a bullet and die in her arms. Over the course of several weeks, Mary was held captive and relied on her strong faith to sustain her. Reading her story made me feel like I was right there with her. The other stories in the book are a great collection of American History wrapped up in the strong Christian faith that this wonderful country was built on. A good read.

Mind Your Own Mortgage

2010-05-24T16:43:00.000-07:00

This book is a must read for anyone interested in learning how to buy a house intelligently and pay it off early. There is detailed information on how to shop for a mortgage, how much money to put down and what the monthly mortgage payment should be in relation to household income. Even for those who already have a mortgage, the author explains how to manage any mortgage either by refinancing or paying it off early. Staying away from gimmicks is the key as well as reading the fine print and negotiating a better deal.

As an added bonus, the author explains why being debt free is the key to being wealthy. Much like Dave Ramsey in his Total Money Makeover book, Mr. Bernabé is also a believer of debt freedom. The author states, "Consumer debt has nothing to do with what you've purchased; it represents a current and future claim on your money." This is a foreign concept in our credit card using society but it is incredibly true. Financial freedom is powerful and attainable.

I will certainly be passing this book on to friends who are newly married and looking down the road to purchasing their own home. I only wish I had read this book 20 years ago.

Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go - Book Review

2010-05-02T13:42:00.000-07:00

This book is written by Lucille O'Neal who is the mother of the basketball star Shaquille O'Neal. Lucille tells the story of how she went from being a teenage unwed mother to a successful adult earning her master's degree in her fifties.

I enjoyed seeing the family pictures which made a nice touch. Overall, it was an easy book to read and made for a very interesting story as Lucille recalled her life journey.

I especially liked the bible verses as they pertained to each chapter of her life. However, I found a typo on chapter 32. Psalm 56:4. In the book it reads: "In God, whose word I praise in God I trust; I will not be not afraid." Too many "nots" in the quote...

Overall, I really admire Lucille and her courage to come out and tell her story. Although I can appreciate her dedication to her family and loved ones I was very disappointed that her marriage ended in divorce. Yes, life is hard and relationships go through trials and tribulations, but in the end it is harder to be alone than with someone you shared the majority of your life with. God is good and with his help anything is possible, including a renewed relationship with the one you committed yourself to.

Busy Busy Busy

2010-04-29T12:09:00.000-07:00

Wow, I can't believe I haven't blogged since April 9th. I have been so busy lately with traveling and working that I haven't stopped to record it.

Here is what I've done over the past two weeks:

Traveled to Charleston, SC to volunteer for Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover Live show and attend the full day EntreLeadership workshop. Both were fabulous!
Attended my father in law's funeral at Arlington. It was over the top and a great tribute to his service.
Worked, worked, worked

It's going down

2010-04-09T04:26:00.000-07:00

It's time for the tree to come down. It is now a hazard to our house.

The tree cutters are coming at noon today and it will probably take them a few hours to cut and then the boys will be stacking it in the garden away from the house.

Sad day, it was a great tree.

It's here!!!

2010-04-03T06:54:00.001-07:00

I just got my book in the mail and will be reading it today!

Stay tuned for my review!

Waiting

2010-03-31T07:49:00.001-07:00

I am trying not to be impatient, but this week has been incredibly slow. I could be working on a project, but the client is not ready yet. My fear is that all my work will start coming in at the same time and it will be overwhelming.

Seems like all I do anymore is pray.

In Mourning

2010-03-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

John's exit interview today.

Looking for Serenity and Peace

2010-03-29T07:47:00.001-07:00

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Amen.

--Reinhold Niebuhr

I'm weighing in on things I can change and things I cannot change.

What I can control:
My weight.
My outlook on life and family.
My anger at what I cannot control.

What I cannot control:
Whether or not John gets a job this week. Or next. Or next.
My son's lack of focus on his school studies.
The weather.
The agenda of the relatives.
Jacked up prices at Harris Teeter when they have triple coupon specials.
Customers who don't follow deadlines and become unresponsive.
Checks in the mail.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will direct your paths.

Proverbs 3, 5-6

Not sure how to take this...

2010-03-26T06:26:00.000-07:00

For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him.

— Philippians 1:29 (NIV)

This is today's verse and I'm not sure how to take it. We have been struggling through the month with uncertainty and doubt. I've been fighting it and it's been a battle. I've had some good days, but mostly bad. Does this mean I'm supposed to be this way? Is this the way God intended me to be? Why would he want our family to suffer? What is his plan?

I am completely helpless in this position. I am working hard and getting more contracts to keep our bank account afloat but it still hurts to put our snowball on hold. I keep seeing the bank balances and wishing I could take a portion of it and completely pay off our last credit card. But, I am worried if I do that, we will regret it and wish we had the money to pay the mortgage sometime down the road if things don't turn around quickly.

Everything was going so great. We were well on the road to debt freedom and building a comfortable emergency fund. It was fun, it was exciting and it made me feel smart with our money. I've never felt that way before.

I pray hard that this detour is short and we can get back on our debt free journey again.

Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go

2010-03-24T11:12:00.000-07:00

I have been accepted by BookSneeze.com to read and review books on my blog! Here is the book I will be anxiously anticipating and will post my review as soon as I am done reading the book. It looks like a very inspiring read and I am looking forward to it!

Lucille O’Neal shares her public battles and personal struggles as a young, single mother of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.

Lucille O’Neal would one day have it all, but not before fighting the public battles and personal demons that would threaten to shatter the very foundation of her life while taking their devastating toll along the way.

Over the past 16 years, Lucille O’Neal has become one of the best-known mothers of a celebrity athlete. But behind the scenes, the mother of four has her own story, at once heartbreakingly familiar in its pain and yet wonderfully inspirational in its outcome.

In this memoir, O’Neal candidly describes the pain of being an outcast and the stigma of becoming an unwed, teenage mother. Most interestingly, she candidly shares another side of fame and fortune—a side rarely revealed or admitted in public: her unexpected feelings of anger and resentment towards her son’s blinding success.

Book Reviews

2010-03-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Do you read what the reviews are before you read a book? I know I do! I hope to offer my insight on new books coming out with the help of BookSneeze!

Check back soon!

Keeping the faith

2010-03-22T12:45:00.000-07:00

Faith without doubt is powerful. Mark 11:23

There is no doubt that we will get through this blip in the road and continue toward our debt free plan. Lord, please make this part of our journey short. Amen.

Hope

2010-03-04T10:13:00.000-08:00

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

— Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

What happened?

2010-02-26T10:27:00.001-08:00

We were doing so well.

Our last credit card was going to paid off March 15th. Our very last debt was scheduled to be paid off the day before our 19th wedding anniversary. We have been living on a budget, throwing everything we had into our debts. Beans and rice, rice and beans all the way.

We are teaching our second Financial Peace class and feel like we've made a positive impact on the folks who attended. I was going to see Dave live in April for his Entreleadership class where my only expense was going to be the hotel and gas. And, I have been diligently checking Dave's website on when the volunteer applications would be accepted to work the program the day before I took my Entreleadership class.

I was looking into what it would take to home school the kids because I am unhappy with their school system. After researching it, I found that it would take anywhere from $150-$300 a month to fund their books and materials as well as tutors. Piece of cake..

Well "it" just hit the fan.

John has until the end of March to find another position in his company. If he doesn't get hired, he only has a few weeks of severance before we are on our "own".

The cat is at the vet after getting attacked by the dog. $426.15 is going out of our checking account for that. And, the dog bit my hand in the process. It hurts horribly and is still swollen. Thank goodness the rabies shots were up to date.

The other cat is puking in the hall. Sympathy pains?

I guess the upsides are:
We have $47,000 less debt than we had before plus we can start stockpiling our money now.
I received a free bible in the mail today. It's beautiful.
I have lots of work, new clients to tend to.

Trust in the Lord. Pray. Pray. Pray.

Teaching my first coupon class!

2010-02-21T12:04:00.001-08:00

We'll see how it goes. It's only for a half an hour and I doubt if I'll be able to cover everything, but I'd like to stress a few things....

The idea behind using coupons is to purchase items YOU USE at drastically lower prices than you would normally buy them at.

You cannot be brand loyal.

Shop early when there's a sale. Stores don't always stock up enough of the best sale items. Don't take it all. If the item is gone, ask for a raincheck for as many as you think you might purchase. Rainchecks normally never expire.

Be kind to the cashier. Tell them up front if you are going to make more than one transaction. If there is a line of shoppers be patient and wait for them to pay for their items before you check out.

The Sunday newspaper inserts are the best place to get your coupons.

Ask neighbors and friends if you can have their coupons. Stock pile as many as you can. If you know that the Sunday paper will have 5 or more inserts and they are usable, think about purchasing an extra paper at the drug store.

Only print out coupons if you know you are going to use that one in particular. Toner and paper are expensive and coupons, unfortunately, expire.

Shop the grocery sales, buy what's on sale and make your menu for the week with what you purchased. Keep an inventory on your fridge so you know what you have to work with.

Follow blogs like www.mycouponteacher.com. She will let you know the sales and coupons before they come out. She also matches the coupons to the stores with prices. It is unnecessary to pay for a coupon service. You can do this on your own.

Day Two of Lent

2010-02-18T06:56:00.000-08:00

It's day two already! I am trying so hard to be motivated and was able to finish one of my ads that I've been putting off for two days now. I'm on a roll!

I love lent and changing perspective. I am disappointed that I was unable to go to Ash Wednesday services but am happy that we were able to go mentor one of our FPU students. This really seemed more important, anyway.

Today is a day of short prayers, reflection and motivation.

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-11-19T13:57:00.000-08:00

Today is my 50th birthday.

It started out pretty blah because my husband had to quickly leave town to tend to his elderly father.

I was feeling pretty down and alone until I saw an email from DaveRamsey.com....

It was announcing his Spring tour and one of the locations is a mere 4 hour away! When I clicked on the EntreLeadership class I noticed there were FREE tickets still available! So, I am now going to see Dave Ramsey live and in person in April! Our target date for becoming debt free is in the Spring, so the timing could not be more perfect!

Not such a blah day, after all!

Integrity

2009-11-02T05:15:00.000-08:00

“The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty.” — Zig Ziglar

Today I will work my hardest on moving forward and not worrying about what I cannot control. I believe in God and know he has great plans for me. I will be a faithful servant and steward.

Pass it on, don't take it all

2009-10-31T05:08:00.000-07:00

This blog entry inspired me to post on my own blog after reading about a home economist who went shopping and scored a great deal on dishwashing soap. It was such a great deal, she felt compelled to wipe out the entire shelf. A little consideration for other shoppers goes a long, long way.

Here is what I wrote to her...

Hello,
I just saw your link from (name removed)'s blog page regarding the dishwashing soap you bought at Target at a 90% discount.

I am also a coupon clipper and home economist, and I would have loved to score a deal like that. I realize this was an unadvertised sale and you just happened to be in the right place at the right time, but I do think it's a bit selfish to buy all of the items off the shelf keeping others from scoring a great deal.

On a similar note, it is also discouraging to shop the sales with coupons only to find the shelf completely bare. True home economists should also be looking out for the welfare of others who want to save money for their families. Many times when I have been shopping if I see someone take an item off of the shelf and I know I have an extra coupon, I will offer it to them.

Pass it on, don't take it all, please.

Back from Shopping

2009-08-29T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just back from a two hour shopping trip, but it was so worth it.

Here's what I got:
Pack of AAA Batteries
4 lbs. dry cat food
1/4 watermelon
10 (6-oz.) packs of Raspberries
5 (6-oz.) packs of Blackberries
Bunch of Cilantro
Bunch of Green Onions
3 Bartlett Pears
Bunch of Bananas

Total was $72.86
Subtract $43.80 in coupons, I only spent $29.26!

Cheap! Cheap!

2009-08-29T07:01:00.001-07:00

Well, this week's grocery specials have been pretty sparse. After weeks of awesome deals, things have slowed down.

Here's the summary of my shopping specials this week...

8 bottles of Benevia (energy drink) for 17 cents, but after tasting one bottle, we decided to give them away. Yuck!

$5 coupon at CVS and will be able to get the AAA batteries free for my son's calculator for school.

Raincheck for two Lowe's Foods for blackberries and raspberries. $5 for 5 for 6 ounce packs.

Overall, I think I have done pretty well over the past few weeks. I wish I had kept track of the back to school supplies I scored. I figured I spent around $30 where in the past I have easily spent $150+ for supplies for two kids.

Shadow or Light

2009-08-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Which are you?

Who do you follow? Who do you want to be?

I find myself shadowing people I admire. I'm listening, reading and learning from them. It could be either their excellent business/financial management, wonderful personality or amazing faith. By following, I hope that I am in effect showing a light for others to see.

CVS Money Maker!

2009-08-23T10:31:00.000-07:00

Here's my money-maker at CVS today:
(2) 4-pack Sharpie highlighters. I had a raincheck for 99 cents each plus had two coupons for $1 off each.
(2) packs of Carefree pantiliners at $3.79 each. I had two coupons for $1 off each. [Extra Bucks: $3.79 each]
(2) Composition Books at 99 cents. [Extra Bucks: 99 cents each]
Overall, I spent $8.40 and got $9.56 in Extra Bucks!
Thanks to Money Saving Mom! Please read her blog, she uncovers incredible savings for your family!

Blessing in Disguise?

2009-08-22T14:24:00.000-07:00

No, it's not fall yet.

This once beautiful tree struggled through the years of drought and just couldn't go another season. I am so sad, I feel like I've lost a family member.

When we were building the house 10 years ago, we had it written in our contract that all the large trees in the backyard must stay. We had just moved from a house with a heavily wooded area and we loved the trees and all the wildlife that came with it. The builder fought with us over keeping the trees because it was more difficult for them to build with the trees so close to the house, but we were persistent. He predicted the trees would only last 10 years. At least he was right with this tree. There are others still standing and we hope they stick around for a while too.

I knew it was too risky to keep a dead tree standing so close to our house and it must come down. I had no idea how much it would cost, but fortunately, with our Dave Ramsey emergency fund, I knew we could "probably" cover it, but didn't know just how much.

The first tree trimmer came by and gave me an estimate of $825 with a discount of $125 bringing the total down to $700. He also offered to trim our crepe myrtle trees back for free since they are scraping the roof and will damage our shingles. He seemed nice and very professional. I thanked him and told him I would get back to him.

Wow, $700. I knew we could cover it, but it meant either a large dip out of our emergency fund or canceling a big snowball payment I had planned on sending to our smallest credit card. I hoped to pay off this card in the next month and it made me sad to think my plans would change due to this "Murphy".

I went to sleep that night wondering what I should do. The next morning I woke up too early, 4:30, and could not go to sleep. I laid awake and just started casually praying to God. I'm never formal, by any means! I just asked him how I should handle this dilemma and asked for help on how I could possibly make more money this week to cover the excess cost.

I got out of bed and started working on a few projects for my clients. I also listened to Dave Ramsey on my ipod. After working for a few hours, I decided to check my phone. There was a message from another tree trimmer I called the night before and he wanted me to call him back.

As I dialed his number I was thinking of the tree and remembered a conversation I had with my husband regarding the quote from the night before. He said he wanted to keep some of the wood. Of course! We could have the tree cut down and split into firewood! We go through at least one cord of wood a year and it's very expensive.

I called the tree trimmer back and he came over within a few hours. I showed him the tree and explained that we would like to keep the wood. We could stack it in one of the gardens and split it later. He and I talked for a while and he finally gave me a quote of $325! He also asked me how wide we wanted the pieces cut! So, not only was he going to cut down the tree , he was going to cut it to the size we wanted. All we have to do is split it.

I worked out the numbers and figured a full cord of wood delivered cost somewhere around $450. We are actually going to save money this winter by burning the very wood that is in our backyard.

Although I am sad to see this tree come down, I am thankful that we can recycle it and use it to heat our family room this winter. Talk about a blessing in disguise!

Financial Peace

2009-08-20T04:25:00.001-07:00

We are currently on month 8 with our Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University plan and are proud to say we have knocked out 40% of our debt, not including the house! We should be debt free by this time next year! If you don't know who Dave is, visit his website.

We keep a posted chart on the refrigerator door that marks our progress and keeps us on track so our children know what the plan is. Throughout these months, the children have seen that even though we tightened our budget, we have what we need. They have their own envelopes and know how much money they can spend on clothes. They have their own chores and get a weekly allowance so they never ask us for money — they already have it!

I have also become a coupon clipping addict and love going to the store and paying 70%! I also visit the blogs of other coupon clippers and get a wealth of information from them. Check out Money Saving Mom, what a wonder woman she is!

Next month (September) we are hosting the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace University class at our church. It's a 13 week program and we could not be more excited! Peace is the key word ... I am so less stressed now that am on my way to being debt free and cannot wait to share this information on how others can achieve this goal, too.

Blessings,
Stacie

Garage Door Opener Revisited Part Two

2009-07-28T09:30:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! We finally caught up with our finances and "Murphy's" and were able to purchase a new garage door opener with cash! We saved about $200 by having my son and husband install it. They took their time and did an excellent job! I think it was a great experience for both of them and I think my son learned a lot!
It seems like such a small thing to be excited about something as mundane as a garage opener, but maybe it's the little things in life that keep me going!

Busy, Busy, Busy .... wait ...

2009-05-28T09:40:00.000-07:00

The beauty of having your own business is being able to pick and choose what you want to do. Unfortunately, though, most of the time the jobs you want come in at the same time!
I have several jobs that are just getting started. I am in limbo until the clients come back to me with the materials I need to complete their projects. Hurry up and wait...
Right now I could use a time out from my office and computer, but I am intent on sitting here and waiting for my inbox to "come alive"!

Garage Door Opener Revisited

2009-05-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

The technician said it wasn't the door opener that needed to be replaced, it was the spring. Replacing the spring cost more than having a new door opener with installation.
So, after replacing the spring, guess what? The door still does not work properly. Back to the drawing board after our finances catch up with the last home improvement budget buster.

Attack of the Garage Door Opener

2009-05-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

*Sigh*

After living in our house for almost 10 years our third garage door opener will be installed tomorrow. It seems like our openers have only worked for about 95% of the time we have lived in this house. I feel like there is some kind of poltergeist ghost responsible for causing all our mayhem.

Mind you, we live on a very steep hill. Our driveway is vertical and that's not an understatement. The skate board kids in the neighborhood call it the "professional" hill. It is not an option to park anywhere else but the garage. My minivans' emergency brake can't handle the incline and the very narrow street is too tight. It's also against our association to park on the street anyway.

Anyway, I am hopeful the installer will cast away all the problems we've had in the past with our openers. If not, at least I can call the technician to come back....

Hit Refresh

2009-05-02T11:45:00.001-07:00

This is so refreshing! I have moved my office upstairs to the guest suite and it's sweet!

It feels great to clean out files and start over again.

New place, new projects, new perspective! Just like hitting the refresh button on the computer, I have hit refresh on my office.

It's Here!

2009-04-04T20:15:00.000-07:00

After my very long wait, my baby is here! I have so much to do with transferring files, loading software and bookmarking the new browser. Also, the RAM I ordered online is not correct, so it will take about another week to send the wrong RAM back and get the new installed. Oh well, I'm happy with the way things are and it will be interesting to see how much faster the computer will be with 2 more Gigs of RAM.

Pins and Needles.... !

2009-04-03T13:50:00.000-07:00

FedEx finally updated their tracking site and my new baby is finally in Charlotte! Time will tell if it actually gets delivered tomorrow. Torture!

Anticipating

2009-04-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

I am on pins and needles!

My new laptop is on the FedEx truck and was supposed to be delivered today, but the FedEx website says it's still "in transit" from California. It's not like I don't have plenty to do, I am very busy right now with work, proposals and possible clients. I'm just terribly distracted. It won't get any easier once my computer arrives because I'll want to play with it and get all the software set up!

O.K., back to work!

Thinking Green

2009-02-27T11:26:00.000-08:00

In my most recent quest to reduce our family's landfill waste, I have decided to discontinue (mostly) the use of beloved ziplock bags, or "baggies". We are a long time lover of these flexible plastic containers we've used for lunches, leftovers and backpacking. So versatile and functional, but I have come to the realization that they are wreaking havoc on our landfills.

I have also been taking our vegetable leftovers/cuttings and saving them in a container to be dumped into our yard waste trash container. We don't have a place for a compost bin, so I think this is a very good alternative to either using the disposal or throwing in the regular trash bin. Our roll away trash bin is usually 1/3 to 1/4 full most weeks, so I think we are doing a good job. Of course, we can always be better recyclers!

My latest project is a sandwich "wrapper". I used fabric remnants from my local fabric store. The outside is a colorful cotton fabric, inside is plastic coated tablecoth material. Although it is commonly used for covering a table, I'm not sure if it's "food grade", so I use a sheet of wax paper to separate it from the sandwich. The wax paper can be used several times before it can be recycled, it breaks down easily in a compost bin.

The sandwich can be easily wrapped up like a burrito and then it's fastened by a simple velcro "dot". The entire wrap also acts like an insulator and keeps the sandwich fresh for a few hours. I've also used this wrap for pretzels, chips and other snack foods.

Ash Wednesday

2009-02-25T08:35:00.001-08:00

Today at 3:15, I'll be going to the school to pick up the kids and get them a treat at Starbucks. After that, we'll be going to the church to participate in their first ever Ash Wednesday service.

The last time I went to an Ash Wednesday service, I believe I was in 6th grade and attending St. Anthony's School. I remember I went to church by myself and walked home afterwards. It was a somber time and I mostly just felt alone. I did not have the support of my parents. They did not take me to church, they told me to go, so I did. Catholic guilt ran rampant in our house. Most of the time I didn't even know or understand what it was that I should feel guilty about.

My hope is that I can teach my children about tradition and reflection during this lent season. They have yet to decide what they will give up, but I have one thing in mind. No arguing! What a peaceful house we would have if there was no bickering, complaining or finger pointing.

Personally, I will be giving up alcohol for this lent season. It should prove to be very challenging and I hope rewarding at the same time. I will be praying for strength and support during these 40 days!

Where to begin?

2009-01-30T06:01:00.000-08:00

There is so much going on right now both personally and professionally, I'm not sure where to start and don't want to just put random thoughts out there. I will spin my Wheel of Fortune and make one topic a day.

Topic for Today: Getting Out of Debt

I have been taking the Dave Ramsey Course now with John for three weeks now and we are both so excited about our new "vision". It seems like we've been living in a fog for so long and it feels like we got new glasses and are seeing our spending in a whole new light. I've also made a new piece of artwork... a credit card mosaic!

We've tried to mix our finances before with terrible results, but the way that DR has us set up our accounts, it's easy to see where we need to be and where the money is going. Cash is definitely the way to go. I will be closing my personal checking account today and merging with our newly made joint checking account.

One of our biggest hurdles, however, is that I work freelance and I don't always get paid on time. I spend a large amount of my time just tracking down where the checks are and doing the mailbox dance. I am seriously considering getting a part time job locally for the morning hours and working online at home in the afternoon. I can keep my clients as they are, but still have a solid cash flow. Most of my clients have cut back their spending anyway, so this would be a great way to keep my eggs in different baskets and have a back up plan.

Some options would be Target, Petco, or one of the many restaurants. I'm not really sure that I want to go into the food service, but if the hours are good and the money is consistent, it could work. Seems like people still have money to eat out. We, however, don't go out much at all and will be budgeting a certain amount and keeping within that budget.

The debt snowball plan is so exciting! We had so much fun with that particular spreadsheet! If we are diligent, we could pay off all our debt this year. We will be signing papers to refinance our home next Friday. This is something we wanted to do last year, but we hit a speed bump and it was not possible.

I am praying for a wonderful year with lots of changes for the good. I feel like I need to do something different!! I am active in my church, but need to do more. I'm not sure if a mission trip is in the plan for this year, I need to save up for something next year. Maybe as a family we could all go to Bolivia. I think it would be life changing and a wonderful experience.

I'd like to leave each post with a prayer or bible. This is courtesy of www.verseoftheday.com and I find it so relevant to my focus!

Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

God bless you all.

Thinking Positive!

2009-01-29T06:40:00.001-08:00

Welcome to my new blog! This year proves to be a gateway year for me and my family as we look forward to the future in a new way ... spiritually, financially and personally.