Retail Therapy

I am not a shopper.......

OK let me qualify that.

I really don't like to shop.

I do NOT like trying on clothes or shoes. . .

Wandering aimlessly through stores is not

my idea of  a fun and relaxing day.

I may have mentioned that on here before, but

it bears repeating.

Of course if you look at what I have bought

and what I have spent this past year. . .

you would think I was a shopping machine.

Those of you that have been hanging here for awhile know

that my aging parents moved in with me when my father's cancer

made it hard for him to be by himself.

Since he was my mother's

caretaker, the task for taking care of both of them became my blessing.

Over the next 8 months, both of my parents had passed away and I continued the

"retail therapy" I had started when dad was first diagnosed.

I mean I have just about every electronic gadget and entertaining helper a gal could want.

OR NEED!

Now, believe me, I have been working on putting my time and efforts elsewhere lately

which isn't easy for a recovering shopaholic.

Of course someone trying to spend money on my debit card and having it frozen,

has helped curve the spending too.

So what I have I been putting my shopping energy towards?

Painting (which requires $$)

Crafting (which requires $$$)

Photography (which requires $$$$)

THEN, just like that, this weeks sermon at church slapped me right up the side of the head.

The pastor mentioned this shopping addiction, this problem of overspending, this poor way of dealing with grief and stress.

Was she talking about ME?

She said that at different times in her life "it has been my personal challenge to boost the economy".

WOW, that describes me to a tee this past year.

I sure have done what the politicians want.

Spend spend spend!

Stimulate stimulate stimulate!

She then went on to say that the #1 hobby in America is shopping -

a hobby that in the past I had no interest in.

She said that there are 17 million compulsive spenders in the US today.

Can you say GUILTY.

I went searching for more info and below are some statistics I found on my own:

2 in 5 families spend more money than they make.

As of May 2011: The total consumer debt in the US is $2.43 trillion dollars.

That equals about $7800 in debt for each and every person that lives in the US.

The average credit card debt per household (that carries debt that is) is $15,800.

I don't know about you but these are some SCARY statistics.

I would love to say I am a recovering shopaholic but unfortunately that isn't really a 'real' illness from what I read.

One of those things that makes you go HMMMMM

So I will take this addiction in hand and take baby steps toward spending less and saving more.

But of course I have to have something to do to keep myself away from spending

(unless it is business related-cuz that is necessary spending).

HMMM maybe CLEANING would be a good choice.

Not sure THAT will happen but we shall see.

I will be looking for new ideas to peak my interest and occupy my time and 

I will keep you posted how my journey back to my "old non-shopping self" goes.

Until next time...

Keep on creating!

As promised - MORE Halloween and Fall inspiration...

I can't believe how quickly it seems fall is passing me by.

I really had grand plans to decorate some for fall this year, but time has gotten the best of me.

But I have been doing more inspiration window shopping on some of my fave blogs and wanted to share some fun stuff I came across.

OH MY how I love these creative pumpkins. I adopted a couple of them myself. . .  Then  when my daughter threatend to steal them, I ordered some more for her and my daughter in law.

Check them out over at Nanticoke Creek Art and Design.

Check out this lovely simple fall get together at Hostess with the Mostess!

I couldn't post fall ideas without including these adorable Candy Corn Cookies from Kathie Cooks!

So cute and they look oh so easy to make.

What could be better than to serve your apple cider (mmmmm I love it warm) in little apple cups. Check out the tutorial over at gimme some oven.

Creepy Crawly Cupcakes I found over on How Does She?

And how about this idea for cupcakes in a jar from Glorious Treats. I have made little cupcake shooters before, but these give you lots more cake and definitely lots more icing (my fave)!

 

That's it for now, but before I sign off I wanted to share just one more pic.

I love this grown up fall party idea from Kara's Party Ideas.

Family getaways

I have been a little MIA on here the last couple weeks. Sometimes it seems life, and work and,

and did I mention life, gets in the way.

I have even been missing some much needed family time.

SOOOOO, since it seems like it has been WAY too long since I got away with my kids, I decided to do something about it!

Gone are the days of yearly family vacations with 2 little ones.....

who turned into 2 trying preteens.....

who, right before my eyes grew up and now have families of their own.

BUT this ole' mom decided it was time to plan a weekend away!

More than a weekend is tough with jobs and school (both for the little ones, and my daughter in law in nursing school) so I worked hard to come up with just the right weekend.

It helped that it was my birthday weekend and who wants to say no to mom on her birthday?

I will def be posting some pics of the family enjoying the wonderful fall weekend we had here in Ohio.....

So why don't I just post them now???

Well my dear son has a much nicer camera than me, and he forgot his SD card when we went away.

 So I let him borrow mine. And NOW I am just waiting to get it back.

So stay tuned!

Until next time,

Keep on creating!

And we have a winner.....

Sorry it has taken me a little while to get this month's winner posted!!!!

I have been off traveling for fun and time with family, but better late than never.

The winner of this month's $50 gift card is. . . . .

Tara @ LIVE*LAUGH*LOVE!

So stop on over and tell her CONGRATS!!!

Tara will get to pick any home decorating or craft store for her gift card as long as I can

buy it online. :o)

and while you are there be sure to take a look around her blog!!!

Until next time. . .

Keep on creating!