I had to go to the grocery store and get a few things. It was funny to see what people had in their carts. Red, White and Blue Napkins and paper plates. Cups with stars. Cupcakes with little flags.....all costing a small fortune!
Pallets of pop that filled the entire front of the store. Special this for the picnic ...special item for this cookout.....Shopping carts filled to the brim ...some over flowing!
AM I a bad mom cause I am not buying all this stuff? Perhaps my cookout will not be up to par cause I do not color match!
Such trappings we can fall into!
We really have to be on our guard 24/7 or we will get caught in the same trapping of having to look and be and entertained like everyone else.
One time we were invited to our youth pastors tiny...And I MEAN TINY apt. His new wife and him were brand new to the area.
They wanted to give us lunch and get to know us...I kept thinking as we entered this TINY TINY dwelling...how would they feed and seat 6 people in this
closet of an apartment along with the two of them? I mean I think I saw two chairs and and bed and maybe a small coffee table. They served a wonderful bountiful fondue and we sat on neat cushions she had sewn. They had some sort of snake in a small cage....the kids got to feed it and watch it digest it all....my kids were in awe of this fun entertainment for about an hr or so. My KIDS LOVED IT!!!!!I still remember that meal and that tiny apartment. The neat way these two made it their own space and were so proud of all of they had done to decorate their little place. I had so much fun and it was so different!
I thought so highly of them to open their home and share what they had. It made me realize that we can be ourselves and be thrifty and yet be wonderful hosts and have fun. We can be great and thoughful and loving moms and dads without falling into hype and trappings. We CAN live a simple frugal lifestyle and be so content and so happy in our lives. We simply do not need all the trappings to go along with it.
Sometimes simple means keeping it real.
Holiday Shananigans
May 27th, 2006 at 04:51 pm
May 27th, 2006 at 07:48 pm 1148759281
I may (or may not) have matching items for the holidays...but if I do, it is because I bought it right after last years holiday and saved at least 75%...otherwise, we use what we have.
May 27th, 2006 at 09:06 pm 1148763999
People in this world have lost touch with the idea of contentment.
They are on auto pilot for spending. I feel sorry for alot of people I know. They look good and oh so with it.......but boy are they miserable.
Have a nice Holiday weekend Thrifty Ray! AS always-- I appreciate your comments.