Find A Little Peace

I can remember the first camera that I ever owned.  My Oma gave it to me for a field trip.  It was pink.  I wish I could say that I still have it.  It would contrast with the other cameras of my collection, but it would hold the place of honor amongst them.

That was just the beginning of my obsession.  I have found my happy place in photography.  Behind the camera I find peace.  I can lose myself in the sunset, leaves, grass, rain, ocean, whatever you can imagine.  I don't think about the stresses of moving, of trying to have a real estate career.  I don't worry about anything, I focus on the beauty that God has created.

With the move coming up, trying to sell a house as well as buy a house at the same time, I have become so stressed that I can barely stand to be in my own skin.  I want to scream!  I want to run (no, literally, I want to run.  I want to lace up my running shoes and hit the road for an hour), but I can't because I have so much going on that I haven't been able to practice yoga or go no a run in over a month!

Photography, though, I can do any time.  I don't have to worry about getting sweaty before going somewhere, I don't have to have anything except my phone (yes, I'm a phone photographer).  I can snap a photo of the sunset off of my back deck, or I can click out a couple of the roses that grow in front of the house.

I believe that God knew that I would be high-strung, in need of relaxation, and that's why I was introduced to photography.  It is where I can forget the rest of the world and focus on the beauty that He has created.  I can find peace, I can have a moment where I don't worry.  

Where do you find peace?  Where have you been led where you can rest in God?

See ya!
~Amanda~

The School Bell's A-Ringin'

Graphics courtesy of A Beautiful Mess Photo App

Call me weird, but I love the first day of school.  I'm not saying this as a mom who has kids in school and can take time off for myself when they start back (does any mom actually do that?).  I have always loved the first day of school.  I enjoy organizing and "setting up".

{Disclaimer:  I can't stay organized for more than a day or two at a time, but I am really good at organizing for that day or two, but that may be a post for another day}

Back to school is coming in just a couple of weeks, maybe it's already started for your family, or, maybe it won't start until after Labor Day (lucky).  Due to some new blessings in our lives (another long blog post for later), I am learning to stick to a budget, especially for back-to-school shopping, which is an area where I can go completely overboard.

My ideas haven't been put into practice just yet, as I am wracking my brain, trying to come up with ways to save even more money, but I'm going to give you a small list of some of my ideas.

Reuse:  My kids came home from school last year with a couple of little things that are still in great shape.  I have a pencil box, two pencil pouches, headphones, and two pair of scissors that they can use again this year.  I'm even going to reuse their lunch boxes.  There is a piece coming off of Youngest's lunchbox, but all it needs is a little glue.  These things are still in great shape (I even put the scissors in the dishwasher to clean them up a bit), so there's no reason to spend the money on brand new items.

Tax Free:  Today starts our tax free holiday, here in Georgia, and I plan on taking advantage of it.  I am going to see about getting some of the boys' clothes and shoes.  The holiday includes clothes, shoes, school supplies, some electronics (I'm not sure that an iPod would be on the list, but maybe some of the super expensive calculators).   It does make a difference, especially when you get all the items at the same time!

Shop the Ads:  Pretty self-explanitory, huh?  I cut coupons and check the grocery store ads, anyway, but it it especially important when school comes around, because there is such a big list to purchase all at once.  

Buy A Little At A Time:  Again, self-explanitory.  If you know that your child is in the grades that use a certain type of paper, or maybe a box of pencils, then just stop by the supply isle while you are out doing your weekly shopping.  This may not save you much in the way of money, but it will save your sanity, so you don't have to wrestle through the throng of parents shopping at the last minute for their kids' school stuff.

Another thing that I have thought about, and teachers, please let me know if you don't agree, the odd items that are requested: ie. paper towels, Ziplock baggies, tissues, hand sanitizer...  Those items, I would like to send in on an as-needed basis.  I have been involved in the school since Oldest was in Kindergarten, and I have sent in these items during orientation, to find that everyone else has as well.  That is an awesome sight, seeing all of the support that the parents are giving, just by sending in all of the items on the list.  My thought and experience as a room parent, though, is that the items are received on the first day of school, but they run out by winter break.  Why not check with the teacher to see if they are in need, and send in when they run low?  Granted, I know that if everyone did this, no one would bring in something on the first day, so I'm not saying that it's a grand idea for everyone to do, but maybe if you are running on a tight budget, you could work out something with the teacher. They will appreciate the donations of items during the year, as well.  

These are just some of the ideas that I've come up with (and they are not orginal ideas, by any means), and I plan on putting in place this year.

What do you do to relieve the stress/financial burden of the beginning of the school year?  I'd love some more ideas and input!

See ya!

~Amanda~