Tuesday, September 30, 2008

I'm Not Just Talking About Pumpkin Spice Lattes



Okay, so you know how I have this little thing for Fox News. I watch it and read it all the time. I just can't miss a thing. I have to know what's going on in the big world.

In this, you can basically guess that in real life I'm freaking out a bit (aren't you?) about the state of our economy and all the presidential (and vice presidential) stuff. I'm into it. I know what's going on. Even though I don't talk about it a lot over here, cuz I like to keep it all light and fluffy, I do have all that real life stuff in my real life, ever swirling in my head and threatening hives at any moment.

I try not to live in la-la land (my blog) all day long. It's tempting though. Very tempting, cuz the stuff out there in real life is pretty Scary Larry. I see a connection though of how it all fits in quite nicely with the Dave Ramsey class, Financial Peace University, we're taking. The class is about going back to the basics (a term I've heard a lot of the last couple of days). Basically no credit. You actually save up for stuff you want. All the while building up your savings (and emergency fund) and getting rid of that (dreadful) debt.



This change of lifestyle and thought has been extremely good for us. And hard. It's so sad saying goodbye to my friend, MasterCard. We've been through so, so much. Vacations. Concerts. On-line Christmas shopping, and many, many other important things. I scratch it's back, MasterCard scratches mine. Already, this class (along with what's happening in the economy) has been a huge reality check for us of how much money we actually don't have (this is the part I warned you about where I come on here all huffing and puffing and whining...don't let me get away with it). It's depressing and I just want to bury my head in the couch cushions and pretend like we don't need to do this. I mean Starbucks has their Pumpkin Spice Lattes out now and they are one of my very, very favorites (stomp, stomp, stomp). I look forward to them (but I look fooooorward to theeeeem). There might even be a countdown involved. I'm not saying I'm giving up the Pumpkin Spice goodness entirely, but do I really need to have one every day (as a celebration of Fall)? No. I know, it seems I'm making light of all of this. I'm not. Of course I'm not just talking about Pumpkin Spice Lattes. I just have to make it funny, or I really will cry, cuz this is haaaard. It's so hard to say goodbye.

It does feels like we're being smarter about the money now though. As much as it hurt to say "no" to TWO invites to the beach this past weekend, it felt pretty good afterwards (after the weeping), knowing we did what we were supposed to do. The Right Thing. We would not have given it a second thought three weeks ago (pre-class). Now we give it about ten thoughts. And then talk it up and down and around and around and then still say "no". Such a grown up thing to do, isn't it? (please say it is) We are going back, to the back, to the back to basics. It made me feel good to hear, today on the radio (the news), that Dave Ramsey had an opinion about the economy and what to do (what to do, what.to.do.). I know (of) him. I love how that all works together. I notice those things.


So to get my mind temporarily off the economy and Pumpkin Spice Lattes, I've started volunteering at my girls' school. I love seeing the world at knee-high level. So, yesterday I was reading a Junie B. Jones book to this little girl. She's listening very intently and seems to be really enjoying and comprehending the whole story. Just following along.



Out of the blue, she politely interrupts me and asks, "Did you just have a bath?" (that totally cracked me up in my head) I smile at her and say, "Why do I smell good?" She nods her head and smiles. WHEW! Cuz that totally could have gone another way.

So back to Junie B. for about another paragraph and she politely interrupts me again and states, "You're sweaty." Okay, so I totally had to laugh out loud, cuz I totally was sweating (it was a 90 degree day and it was sweltering inside the school), which is why that bath comment could have totally gone another way. She touched my nose and said, "shiny." Ha ha...you just have to laugh, right? Shiny. At least my shiny smells good. And, that laugh was completely free.

13 comments:

Jenny said...

Kids say the funniest things!

Pumpkin spiced lattes. How strange! Do they taste like pumpkin?

Dee said...

That latte looks nice. You are doing the right thing. I can write this in every comment if you like.
You know I will.

Breaking up with MC is hard to do. The withdrawal is terrible. But it gets better. Trust me.Though at times I still reeeealy wish I had him, I know its better left alone.

Always trust a kid to give you that little bit of joy when you need it.

Hillary said...

Ok, I'm not taking the class, but I'm trying the same principal of "no credit." Of course that might have something to do with being fairly well maxed, but STILL, I'm trying. Ok, I'm not maxed, but I don't want any bigger credit card bills.

So the past couple months, instead of closing my eyes when I'm near my bank records or closing my eyes while I swipe my card (who cares how much the register says?) and instead of getting something because ohhh it looks sooooooooo cool and I can use it someday...I've been telling myself "no." Lots and lots of no's. I'll take some items on a ride around the store in the cart and then go put them back on the shelves. People probably think I'm a Merchandise-Walker (like a dog-walker, hardy har.)

Keep at it, though, girlie. No whining! ;)

Does it help you at all for me to say that the mere thought of pumpkin pie or anything similar gags me??

And before my babbling is longer than your blog, the little girl's comments were funny. Gotta love the honest blurts from kids.

Sunshine said...

Jenny--Yes...they taste like pumpkin pie. They.are.good. (sniff)

Sunshine said...

Dee--Thanks for the support, girl. You know I'm gonna be a CHILD about this, right? I'll be all fit-ty. Ignore me when I'm like that. It's for my own good. But leave a comment and THEN ignore me. Ha ha...

Sunshine said...

Hill--Um...yeah, you not liking pumpkin doesn't help actually, cuz I've had those Pumpkin Spice Lattes and they are um...delicious. Okay? Like totally wonderful in a hot steamy cup. Okay? So yeah...when you say you don't like pumpkin, that kind of means...MORE FOR ME. See how I am? ;D

And I so appreciate the pep talk and good advice about being a merchandise walker (I just want to smeeeeell the merchandise...). I can see myself doing that. Did you KNOW there's a STARBUCKS in TARGET? There is temptation EVERYWHERE, I tell you! :)

Jennifer P. said...

It will be love/hate with Dave at first, but I promise you will fall head over heels for him in the end. I bought a $15 hot chocolate maker and some Torani syrup and it really does make a steamer every bit as good as Starbucks.

I'm glad you didn't stink too ;)!

Sunshine said...

Ha ha...thanks Jennifer! You said it! We are totally in that love/hate part of our relationship with Dave. I seriously have a little Dave sitting on my shoulder everywhere I go now. He's very into my business. ;D

And thanks for the tip on the hot chocolate maker...better save up...;D

Hillary said...

Target is a beast of a vicious ick-bod for putting the temptation of Starbucks at such a convenient location. A pox upon them. (Only not really, because the pox is kind of, ummm...deadly. So I'm being figurative here.)

LOL @ Smelling the merchandise. When I was a teen, my mom was on one of her diets and was staying off sugar. She would just smell whatever chocolate the rest of us were hogging down...and she was satisfied. I'm sorry but my tastebuds demand some satisfaction and it's not going to be from licking my nose!

Anyway...

This is totally NOT Starbucks, but if you like warm, sweet, hot addictive, but cheap drinks...have you ever had Butterfinger Hot Cocoa? It is to tastebuds what GP is to the eyes and the ears. ::siiiiiiiiiiiigh::

Hillary said...

...and if that ain't enough for you...it's Pierce on a cliff with the wind flipping at his unbuttoned collar...rubbing the back of his neck and looking at Meryl with that deep pain-filled regret...

It's good stuff.

Rena Jones said...

Cute story about the girl, Sunshine. And now you've got me craving a Pumpkin Spice Latte. Those are really, really good! I usually get Cinnamon Dolces, but this time of year the pumpkin ones are a favorite too.

Sunshine said...

Hill--LOL...very LOL!

Rena--Go get a Pumpkin Spice Latte, just don't tell me about it. It's not pretty when I cry. :)

Sunshine said...

Hill--BUTTERFINGER hot cocoa?! You're speaking my language girl!