The Rat Race

I was reading a blog this morning.

This is quite monumental because lately, for the past few months, I haven't had time to read blogs.  Not that I read a whole lot of blogs.  I only read a few, but still...

ANYWAY.

I was reminded!!

I remembered that I have no desire to have a spot in that nightmare of a race!!

Yes, it's true.  I had forgotten

I have to admit, except for my kitchen, and I really have to get over that, I am starting to enjoy my little home.  I don't think I want to ever go bigger because...why? ( except, of course, my kitchen.  lol)

It has been a long time since I felt the need to impress people.  It has been a long time since I felt so insecure that I 'needed' the perfect home to feel complete.  It has been a long time since I compared myself to what others have.  It has been along time since I went over someone's house, and I asked them where they got 'that', whatever 'that' may have been, knowing it was beyond our budget.

Don't get me wrong, I want my home to look nice and I buy things that we like/enjoy/need. ( usually at the thrift store) ( or at least on clearance) I just don't have a need to be like someone else.  Or like I said...impress anyone.

I mean, seriously.  I drive a 20 year old truck.

But it works!

And until we have to buy a new old truck, so be it.

I want my girls to love being simple.  I don't want them to 'need' anything, just enjoy them.

This may sound like a contradiction, but they are both getting their own American Girl dolls this Christmas.  It is going to be their only present from us.  They are thrilled beyond reason.  They will play the stuffing out of those dolls.  They are worth buying.

But that's what I mean.  This is going to give them so much joy.  If I got them the dolls because I felt like I needed to because all their friends have them ( I honestly don't know if any of their friends have them, and I don't care) but they didn't even like playing with dolls, then I would be a fool just teaching them to keep up with The Jones'.

We are sacrificing because the girls will love them.

Our oldest daughter was going through the catalogue with the girls as they are trying to decide which doll they want.  Our 26 year old was just as excited as she remembered her own childhood, remembering when she was old enough to get her doll, and yes, playing the stuffing out of them with her friends.  For years.


I want to know my neighbors better.

Our house is the neighborhood house.  I have kids at my house almost everyday.  I look out my back window and see kids playing and hear shrieks of laughter.  The parents keep asking me if it is ok, I keep telling them they make it easy for me.

I have a neighbor whose name is Babette.  She lives 5 doors down.  If you have ever watched Gilmore Girls, yes, she lives up to the name.  TOTALLY.  And though her husband's name is not Morey, he may as well be named Morey.

The other day, I was sitting on my bench, enjoying the morning sun on my porch with a cup of tea, getting ready for the day.

Babette was coming back from her walk, and she yelled at the top of her lungs, in her raspy voice " HEY BEAUTIFUL!!!  I'LL BE OVER LATER!!!" as she waved and kept walking.

I just laughed and waved back.   Because when was the last time someone called me 'hey beautiful!'?

THIS IS LIFE!!!

Or when we walk into our favorite mom & pop shops, and all the workers know all of my family by name.  They ask about John.  They help me decide because they know us.  They laugh with us,  we share stories.

Yes, we spend a little more money, but we are buying less over all.  So why not support the locals when we can??!!?

And yes, I still shop at walmart.  lol.

Anyway.

The reason I am writing about this is because I hope you remember.

I hope you realize one day that all the money in the world will not buy you real friends and family.

As impressive as you are, if you are selling your life away to be able to brag, what do you have left??!? Is it worth it?

Is it possible to have both money and real life?

I have met maybe 2 people who have pulled it off, but it was a deep discipline for them.

Nothing wrong with money.

It is a tool.

Just, do I want my children to be tools in order to get loads of it??!!?

no.

That being said.  My youngest son is planning his spot in the Rat Race.  He is thinking maybe near the front.  :P

I continue to pray for him because once, someone talked to him about what to do to make money, and he came home and decided we, as his parents, were losers.

Well, all I can say is... we love him. Deeply.

And our prayer is that he doesn't pursue that which is nothing but dust.  I told him he loves family, hobbies, all the things he does with his dad, his grandparents, his nephews and siblings, the outdoors.  All that will be sacrificed at the altar of the Rat Race.

He can still pick it.  And we will love him unconditionally.

But man.

That would be horrible for him.  And our family.


On another completely different note.

We started listening to Christmas music!!!

I love Christmas music, and quite frankly, one month is never enough time to have my fill.  It is hard waiting until the day after Halloween to start.  But man, when it comes, the girls come scrambling down the stairs and wait for it!!

I love Christmas music.

That being said, I refuse to decorate until after Thanksgiving.

Ok, we really have to start school.  The girls are reading and coloring right now.  And creating puppets.    Samuel is doing his history while watching the news. I need to go and join the fun.



OH!  and how much do I LOVE Instagram??!!??!  Let me count the ways!!!  It makes having a smartphone worth it.



Life is good.

Because GOD is good.  All the time.