A person without self-control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out. Proverbs 25:28 (The Message)
I know I’ve been whining about how bad I feel ever since I returned from Guatemala so promise today is the last post about how ill I’ve been. I think I have milked it for all its worth. However, today is the first day that I felt almost normal since that day that misery and plague climbed into my suitcase and my gut. A follow up visit with the doctor today confirmed I am on the mend though he recommended I stay on the medicines that are making me feel weak and woozy for another two weeks just to make sure. While I did lose ten pounds, I did not have a parasite, thank God. I kept having visions of worms crawling out my nose. It is likely, determined from the length of the incubation period, that swooping into Mommy mode without gloves when Bree threw up the first day at the center was my undoing. All’s well that ends well, I say. (Especially since my end’s well is now healing up). Now, I can send my pictures of the children to Walgreens to be developed without having to fear I will drop into a swoon as I relive the time in the hotel bathroom. With my recovery comes the knowledge that living a more frugal lifestyle will not be as easy as I hoped. When I leave the doctor’s office, I drive right by Cakes by Carolyn and my car automatically pulled into the drive for a dozen cupcakes of mixed variety and four chocolate macaroons. My stomach told me I needed it, but then played a trick on me after one bite, so I thought that there was hope that maybe I will learn moderation after all. But, that prospect was short lived. I had to stop at the glass shop planning just to leave a piece for the owner to fire that is too large for my kiln. (Even my eyes are bigger than my kiln making pieces too large to fit! What was I thinking?) I will not buy anything, I will not buy anything, I chanted even as I moved towards the display racks. I came out with three large slabs of beautiful, but expensive glass. AGHGH! One day and one bank card at a time, I will prevail. But, it will take planning and determination. Not an easy fix to reduce my need for greed. I have figured out that if I don’t eat out at lunch once a week as I used to do, I can sponsor a child at the Malnutrition Center for a measly $30.00 per month. That’s only four half and half combos and lemonade at Panera Bread and a child can eat three meals and two snacks every day for a mouth. A wise trade I think. If you want to join me go here: http://www.orphansheart.org/ Orphan’s Heart
I can guarantee you will make a difference.
I'm glad you're feeling better! That was a long illness.
Spending in moderation is hard. We've been working on it for a while, but there's a bit of backsliding – especially when no one wants to cook dinner! Once things warm up a little, we're going to try to park the car as much as possible and use the bike and bus for our transportation (except in rain). We go to Goodwill for clothes. We take our lunches to work with one day out allowed per week. It's just a matter of figuring out what you need the most, what you want the most and eliminating the stuff that doesn't matter quite so much to you.
Glad to hear you are on the mend. We have adjusted some of our spending, but you are right, it is so difficult here in the states. I think you are correct in being a good steward too. WE have the wealth and should use it for good in big and small ways.