Sometimes I wonder if God is a sham....

I know that seems blasphemous and probably is, but I just sometimes wonder if He is really just a sham. I see people like my old boss, a Christian, whom everything he touches turns to gold. Although, part of that is that people buy into his scams, he makes money hands over fist. Then I see other people who are begging God to intervene on their behalf and he doesn't seem to hear them. I know in my own life, we had a great financial tumble and when you think things can't get worse - guess what they do. Hubby lost his job. We were already living less then paycheque to paycheque and now just after figuring out a budget and deciding to try to live below our means boom, carpet pulled out from under our feet. So I wonder are some people born to be have nots? Or is it possible to go from one camp to another? I was feeling pretty good about our life too, we were both working, have a nice little place, things are manageable. Now I need to try to figure out how to make due on one paycheque (impossible at best). Ah well. So God if you are reading this, I am asking for some guidance, some answers.

OK Lord What the ???

We are trying to pay down debt, setup a budget and found out we are living about 500 above our means OUCH. Then my fave uncle passed away last week and that pushed me into finding out what is all going on with my moms finances. I knew she was broke but I didn't know how bad it was. I went to her house to find out she is at least 3 months behind on rent etc. and is signing Payday loans etc. all over town. GRRRR. So we talked and I am trying to get guardianship so at least I can start helping her. Stress, stress, stress then Eddie goes to work today and gets fired. So the bible says God only gives up what we can handle. Well at this moment in time I am "handled" out. We have to go to Saskatchewan for the funeral (the only way my mom could get there anyways). Which means time off work, hotel, gas, food expenses, kenneling etc. I don't know if I want to throw up or cry. I thought I knew why we were out here (to help my mom). Now again I am wondering. I like my job and my house and I thought we had it all figured out. Now I am not so sure. Lord, I don't know if you are trying to move us in a different direction, a different place or what Lord. I believe that this is somehow for our benefit (although I can't see it) and I pray in Jesus name that you give Eddie the opportunity for a new job. One he can feel successful at Lord. I pray that you give us clear and concise direction for our life Lord - do we stay or do we go Lord. In Jesus name I pray.

2011 - One Word "Change"

This year is about "Change" for me. I hit the big "40" this year and I want to make some changes.
- Lose Weight. I don't want to turn 40 in this same old, tired, out of shape body. I want to lose, ultimately 40 lbs this year. Over 1/2 by May. This week I have worked on exercising. Next week I will work more on eating right. I am trying to follow the Food Lovers Diet (which I love btw) but after Christmas I have failed to get back on track. I want to be healthier and kick the BP pills. I feel better after exercising and sleep way better. I am trying to exercise for at least 30 minutes everyday. I want to set a good example for my girls and teach them to eat healthier and be healthier.
- Debt - Pay down Debt and not add to it.
- Project Life and Project 12. This year I want to work on a book for this year. I am trying to follow the Project 12 which is about taking pictures and then doing a layout by the 20th of the following month. I want to use my Digital Studio to do this in, thereby killing 2 birds with one stone. Learning to use my software AND having a great album for a month at a time.
- Read my bible EVERYDAY and I feel the need to get back into Isaiah again. I guess 2 years there wasn't enough. LOL
- Bucket List. I want to set some serious goals for the next 40 and aim for them.
- Family - I want to be better at meeting the needs of my family. We are going back to family night on Fridays.
- Gratitude. Spend more time being grateful for the things we have.
- Be better organized with time and our stuff. Purge our house. It is making me quite crazy. Back to Flylady I go.
- Blog more. I want to blog my journey this year! My failures, my triumphs and my challenges!
I am sure there is way more. But this is a good start.

Stampin' Up! demonstrator site and online store

Stampin' Up! demonstrator site and online store

Food Lovers Diet

Hi
I am trying the Food Lovers Diet by Robert Ferguson. Here is the link:
https://www.foodloversfatloss.com/
One night when I couldn't sleep I watched the infomercial on TV and I was hooked. So I did some research online and found out it isn't a "fad" diet. It is based on the Glycemic Index which is what diabetics use. The diet made sense and had good, unbiased reviews and Robert Ferguson is a certified nutritionist, so I signed up. I got my materials before we left on holidays so read as much of it as I could to be ready to go on November 1, 2010 my starting date. The products were bright and colorful, of good quality and I like that alot. I carry my book everywhere with me. Today I am on Day 4 - which is more healthy breads and sweets. So far I am enjoying this diet quite a bit. I write down all my food, I am practicing portion control, snacking AND I discovered I am an emotional eater so I am trying to stop that by having a glass of water BEFORE I grab something to eat. I weigh in and measure at Curves tomorrow so I am curious to see how the next 16 days go.
I'll keep you posted.

Our House

Our house has been a little crazy this past weekend. We had a very sick cat and that kindof wrecked our weekend. We had planned to go to WEM and Jurassic Forest but instead had to make two trips into the Emergency Vet Clinic. Now I have to do drainage tubes (keeping them clean) and antibiotics. Socks though is feeling much better and is back to becoming more of his self. He is also enjoying eating tuna, which apparently is much tastier then Whiskas.
I am also trying to decide if I should join Jenny Craig to lose weight. I am very frustrated with how my weight loss is going and trying to stay on track. I probably won't join, I'll just keep trying to exercise and continue trying to cut out the fast food and snacky things.
I have started reading Proverbs as Dave Ramsey said that it will make you smarter financially. I want to be debt free (excluding our house) and we need to start investing as we don't have a retirement fund yet. The kids will need University as well. Come join me on my journey as I start my next 40 years - hopefully I will make wiser decisions then on my previous 40.
Short term goals - Lose 30 or so pounds in the next 12 weeks. Don't buy any designer clothes or purses, and hopefully put in a Stampin Up order that is mostly other people buying. Make sure to stay on track of my course.
hugs and blessings!

The Gay Pride thing...

Let me say right off the bat, I don't hate gay people. I have strong beliefs on the issue but really what two consenting (non - Christian) adults do doesn't make me feel the need to hit them over the head with my bible. We have some friends that are gay and although spiritually, it pains me, they have made their decision. Sin is Sin. So whether you are gay, cheating on your taxes, committing adultery hey, we are kindof all in the same boat. (Saying that, God does view sexual sins in a different manner but that is for another blog).
My question is more that with gay people having won the freedoms and rights we all have now, why aren't we having a Heterosexual week? Someone commented to me "every event is heterosexual" but really is that true? I see these events as being open to everyone. I have never gone to a sporting event, a July 1 parade etc. where I was questioned on my sexual orientation. Nor have I ever seen an event that excluded people because of sexual orientation. Nor have I been to an event where there were open, public displays of heterosexual costumes, affection etc. I think it is about time we start celebrating some of our rights too. I am curious what the requirements are to have a "Heterosexual Pride Week" in Edmonton. Do I have to live there? Can anyone decide to have a parade and offer teen activities, beer gardens, church time, and seminars?
Something for me to think about!