Almost 4 months
I have been in Samara for almost 4 months now. It feels pretty crazy. 4 months of only dressing up on Sundays. 4 months of almost zero jewelry, except my wedding band. 4 months of no cell phone, no job, no cold weather. In 4 months the only fast food joint we've been to is 3-4 trips to KFC in the big town that is 45 minutes away. 4 months of not really carrying a purse, except on shopping trips, and not even then sometimes. (if you are reading this, and you are a woman, what is in your purse right now? I'm just curious) I don't wear any make up anymore. And it's been 4 months of not earning any money. All the income is from Ron. Since I don't make money any more, I pretty much refuse to spend it. What do I have to spend it on, anyway? 4 months of not driving a car. 4 months of not buying things for my place, because I live in a room at my Mom's place. Sometimes it feels like I'm 17 years old, all over again. But not in a bad way.
I love this place. 4 months, and I've only eaten onion rings once. I haven't spent any money on Christmas. either. In a good way. We bought a few things for my Mom, but not really for anyone else. Yesterday we told the kids: instead of expensive gifts we are donating money to local families, in your honor. We wrapped little token gifts, but they were from things my Mom already had. Plus, if we are to simplify life, let it be most evident in our Christmas holidays! I bought one thing for Ron this year. That's it. Just a calendar. He keeps saying he doesn't want anything. Let's see if he really meant it. This entire year has been a gift that can't be wrapped! The world needs more of those.
Several people have said to me: I'm sad, or frustrated: I can't afford Christmas this year. What do you mean? Who said Christmas comes with a price tag? Not me. Paint a pine cone and wrap it up. Find a friend with a ton of wrapping paper, you don't even have to cruise into the dollar store. No decorations? I've been there. Just take everything you own that's red and green and gold, and combine it on a shelf. Have you done a Google search on Christmas tree alternatives? I did. Last week. There were some pretty cool things. Go out and get some branches. Spend creative juices instead of money. Make it special, not expensive. Make it thoughtful.
I had a memorable Christmas one year. I was so broke I couldn't even afford to pay attention. I was a single mom with 4 kids. A kind person gave us a Christmas tree. I didn't even have any decorations. A kind person gave me a Christmas card with $100 in it. I couldn't buy gifts, I had to make sure the power wasn't shut off. Then I got a Christmas bonus at work! You know what I did? I bought a beautiful picture of Jesus. I wrapped it, and put it under the tree to the whole family. My Christmas had meaning. Their Dad's family gave them all the other traditional gifts and things.
If you are short on money, give time. Give hug coupons. It's something like 26 cents to print off a picture at Walmart. Give a picture, and write on the back of it. Just don't give up! Don't discredit all that Christmas has to offer because you can't buy everyone you love a new iPhone. You know what I mean? There are so many ways to show love. Don't feel unloved because I didn't get you anything this year. That's just silly. I love you more than ever, and now I have to prove it by appreciating you. I don't feel sorry for myself. Well, I kind of do, since I am so far away.
I love this place. 4 months, and I've only eaten onion rings once. I haven't spent any money on Christmas. either. In a good way. We bought a few things for my Mom, but not really for anyone else. Yesterday we told the kids: instead of expensive gifts we are donating money to local families, in your honor. We wrapped little token gifts, but they were from things my Mom already had. Plus, if we are to simplify life, let it be most evident in our Christmas holidays! I bought one thing for Ron this year. That's it. Just a calendar. He keeps saying he doesn't want anything. Let's see if he really meant it. This entire year has been a gift that can't be wrapped! The world needs more of those.
Several people have said to me: I'm sad, or frustrated: I can't afford Christmas this year. What do you mean? Who said Christmas comes with a price tag? Not me. Paint a pine cone and wrap it up. Find a friend with a ton of wrapping paper, you don't even have to cruise into the dollar store. No decorations? I've been there. Just take everything you own that's red and green and gold, and combine it on a shelf. Have you done a Google search on Christmas tree alternatives? I did. Last week. There were some pretty cool things. Go out and get some branches. Spend creative juices instead of money. Make it special, not expensive. Make it thoughtful.
I had a memorable Christmas one year. I was so broke I couldn't even afford to pay attention. I was a single mom with 4 kids. A kind person gave us a Christmas tree. I didn't even have any decorations. A kind person gave me a Christmas card with $100 in it. I couldn't buy gifts, I had to make sure the power wasn't shut off. Then I got a Christmas bonus at work! You know what I did? I bought a beautiful picture of Jesus. I wrapped it, and put it under the tree to the whole family. My Christmas had meaning. Their Dad's family gave them all the other traditional gifts and things.
If you are short on money, give time. Give hug coupons. It's something like 26 cents to print off a picture at Walmart. Give a picture, and write on the back of it. Just don't give up! Don't discredit all that Christmas has to offer because you can't buy everyone you love a new iPhone. You know what I mean? There are so many ways to show love. Don't feel unloved because I didn't get you anything this year. That's just silly. I love you more than ever, and now I have to prove it by appreciating you. I don't feel sorry for myself. Well, I kind of do, since I am so far away.
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