A new season
I am sitting in my pajamas in our gigantic den, basking in the sunlight that is shining through the windows. I have coffee. My feet are in my old wool socks, and I can hear the whir of the washing machine in the basement. I have done the dishes, started the laundry, put the mail in the mailbox, and am about to get going on some serious job applications.
I think that I might love being unemployed.
But let’s be real. There’s always the money thing. I am broke as a joke.
So on Saturday, the Running Club gave me the inspiration to attempt going an entire week – 7 whole days – without spending a single penny. In preparation, I took out my car and gassed it up (with the $20 bill my mom sent me in a Valentine’s Day card – thanks Mom!), picked up my prescription at Wal-Mart ($4 for the generic drugs), and went home to hunker down.
Actually, I didn’t “hunker down.” I told PZC that I was “girding up my loins”… after which I had to ask him
a) What are loins? and
b) Do I have them?
I wrote checks for the bills that are due (including my rent, and a monstrosity of a heating bill… what on EARTH, February?), and organized my pantry, taking stock of the food that I have. If my cupboard is any indication, it appears that this week, I will be eating diced tomatoes, raisins, and a small packet of peanuts from my last Southwest flight.
Good thing we had a housewarming party on Friday night, and have tons of leftover beer! If Yuengling doesn’t count as sustenance, I don’t know what does.
Truly, this will be an experiment of epic proportions. I cannot remember a time that I went an entire week without spending any money. But I am confident that I can do it – and I am going to do it with panache.
– – – – – – – –
By the way…
I am still not scared. I know that I will survive this season of unemployment, however long it lasts. I am hopeful that this is the beginning of something good – and although I do not believe that “everything happens for a reason,” I want to believe that “nothing is ever wasted.”
Including those Southwest peanuts.
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tags: Happiness | Home | Money | Money | Poor | Sunshine | Survival | Trust | Unemployment | Unemployment
You would be terrified and inspired if you knew the impact of Yuengling on my adult life.
Yay! I love challenges like this. And I love that you are not afraid.
awesome! I’m doing the same thing with food. Buying nothing new and not eating out until I start getting paid again… which is in like 3 weeks. Gulp.
The good news is – I have a can of black beans and a can of corn… bring over your diced tomatoes and we can make salsa! Now we just need to find some crackers or something to scoop it… :o)
Ooh! What a great challenge! I can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Remember squirrel jerky is always a good, cheap snack . . . lol.
I look forward to hearing/reading about how you creatively overcome your current situation.
You’d might be surprised how many of us are in a similar spot. Praying for you blogfriend. ~ Matt
I don’t do this a lot, but I’ll tell you something I think God told me during my time in prayer this morning.
For people who have placed their trust in Jesus, there are no “good days” or “bad days” because we constantly live in His grace. On days full of wonder, love, and blessing, He gives us grace to enjoy. On days of trials and testing, He gives us grace to endure. Either way, His grace is sufficient. More than sufficient. It’s incomprehensibly good.
I hope that encourages you, friend.
Annie, I love the new look! I have tried the “don’t spend a single cent all week” challenge. While it isn’t the funnest thing, it is possible.
Just think, if you really are in need of some food, Costco and Whole Foods are always having some sort of sampling going on :)
i can’t stand the phrase “everything happens for a reason.” someone said that to me about my current work problem. it’s no good. it’s a terrible expression. it is void of meaning.
BUT i think your attitude is great, and i’ll definately be checking your blog for updates.
My office is going to have an opening for a front office gal in the next few weeks. You can move to Phoenix! Though, it would take money to get here….but at least I have a spare room for you :)
Bravo, Annie! Hope your week goes well and… that you figure out what loins are. ;)
Little Annie Parsons
Little AP, you always leave my favorite comments. :)
Hey girl,
It looks like we’re both in the same boat. I, like you, am now face-to-face with a fog of uncertainty. It’s as thick as pea soup as they say and I’m only able to see one step ahead. Sure, I’ve freaked out a couple of times – fearing that I’ll zip through my savings before I find a job, that Dino will die on me shortly after I arrive in Nashville (in a matter of days!) and that I’ll have to resort to living in someone’s closet to make ends meet.
BUT, in the midst of these fears, in crying out to God, in learning to trust His wisdom, love, care and provision, the fears are SLOWLY being replaced with a peace that seems irrational at best.
My charge for you (and for me) is to continue to breathe in the freshness that comes with each new morning. To bask in His grace and faithfulness. To trust Him (as I know you are doing). And to enjoy this time of COMPLETELY relying on Him.