Saying Goodbye to Visa.

One of my goals for 2011 is to pay off some debt. I read a book by Dave Ramsey last fall and it inspired me!

I've never known much about finances. I know this is naive, but I always thought I would worry about that when I was older/married. I have had a job since I was about 15. I worked multiple jobs through college and have always paid for things on my own. But I was extremely uneducated as far as credit cards, interest rates & savings go. This book really opened up my eyes! I would encourage you to read it if you have not. It put things in very simple, clear words and motivated me to want to do better! I want to be as responsible as I can with what God has given me. I don't want to put my life on hold.

So, I began planning to be debt free. I had:

{two credit cards}

{my truck payment}

{and the dreaded student loans}

I started using the "debt snowball" worksheet available in the book, which basically says to pay minimum payments on everything but your smallest debt, and throw money towards that debt until you pay it off. You then roll that money into the next smallest debt, etc...I guess this is why they call it snowball. I don't have very much extra money but since the fall I have been putting every bit of extra cash towards the smallest credit card. Electricity is down by $40? $40 to the credit card. I babysit for an extra $20? $20 to the credit card. I downloaded the PAID debt free app to my ipad to keep me on track.

I also printed and filled out a tracking sheet that I posted on my fridge so I can see it every day, and subscribed to his podcast.

Last Friday I PAID OFF MY FIRST CREDIT CARD! I am so excited. I can hardly stand it. I feel really proud of myself, and very much in control. Instead of wondering where my money is going every month I am telling it where to go. Even though this year has been restrictive financially, I know I will feel so much freedom when that debt is gone! I plan on having my other card paid off by December and my truck paid off by April next year. I am just saving as much as I can and throwing every bit of money towards those things.

I need to stop waiting to do things because I’m young or single. I keep thinking after I get married I will save for retirement or a house and that is a silly way to live. I want to pay off these debts and start saving so I can buy my next vehicle in cash, put a down payment on a house, or travel for Pete’s sake! The interest I end up paying is pretty ridiculous when I stop and look at it. I want to be a good steward, and I hope I’m well on my way. There are so many people in America who just live completely in debt and think it is normal. I don’t want to be one of those people. I don’t want to pay extra money to interest just because I’m impatient. I’m determined to save up and buy things with cash from now on.

I’m really hard on myself for the most part. I have high standards and it’s easy for me to think I’m not doing things well. But I’m proud of myself today! I am ready to attack that next card. Debt free here I come!

Warning: Sappy Girl Ahead

I am an adult. I'm not naive (well not THAT naive). I realize that men are not like movie characters. But it's difficult to grow up watching things and dreaming that they might be. Reality is not always a welcome friend. Every now and then I watch a great movie and I wish for a second that I could have one of those magical movie moments.

Today I wish...

He would understand without me having to explain it:

{Pride & Prejudice}

He would choose me over the prettier girl:

{Something Borrowed}

He would sing to me:

{Singing in the Rain}

{Country Strong}

He would be my best friend:

{Made of Honor}

He would dance with me:

{Hope Floats}

He would listen to my ridiculous stories:

{The Notebook}

He would believe in me when no one else does:

{Wild Hearts Can't be Broken}

He would kiss me in the rain:

{Sweet Home Alabama}

He would love me when it doesn't make sense:

{A Walk to Remember}

He would love me for who I am:

{10 Things I Hate About You}

He would miss me so much it makes him cry:

{The Holiday}

We would live happily ever after:

{The Princess Bride}

Wishful thinking I guess. I know life isn't like the movies. But I still believe that happily ever after is possible. And I believe I'll find it.....someday....

College Baby.

Two days ago a tiny baby left for college. That’s right people. My baby sister Cana, who was literally in Kindergarten just the other day graduated, and not only that, she left for college. Can you believe it? I know it seems like I am talking about my daughter rather than my little sis...but being nine years her senior I was entering high school when she was entering Kindergarten. I did her hair and dressed her up in little jean skorts and matching vests. She was our little baby doll and I can’t believe she is old enough to live on her own!

I am incredibly proud of the person she has become. She loves deeply – and she loves people who are different than her. If we ever start to talk bad about anyone, she is the one to stop us - even if they are awful. She has a compassionate heart and an ability to really connect with people. AND, she’s hysterical. She keeps us all laughing with her ridiculous impersonations and stories. Plus, she’s the BEST at doing hair and toenails. Pretty sure I’m going to look dumb now that she’s not around....haha. She headed up to school and moved in this week. Classes start on Monday. I know she is going to do wonderful. There are very few people in the world who do not like this little one. She radiates the love of Christ – and I think people can see that.

It’s really strange going over to my parent’s house and seeing her room empty. It’s strange that she is not there doing homework or trying on headbands or watching some cheesy movie. :) I know it will be difficult for my Mom. BUT, I am so jealous of her! Already she is making friends and going to small group meetings and movies and coffee houses. The four years I spent at college were some of the best years of my life and I know she will love it. I’m excited that she won’t be “the youngest Webb” or “the baby.” She gets to be her own person and I know that whatever she is she will be a great one.

“Until you spread your wings, you will have no idea how far you can fly.”

So here’s to you Cana...Grace...Taz....T....Razzle B....Little One....Hurricana....Girl...Graciela...Tazzy Cat. We love you and miss you but are so proud and will see you so soon! Spread those wings and fly!

“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” - Deuteronomy 31:8

Coffee Table

The first thing I did when I moved into my place (after figuring out my decorating style) was to save up some money and purchase a couch and TV stand. To this date, these two things have been my only purchases over $100. I firmly believe in buying major pieces in good neutral tones so you can change the tone/feel of the room with inexpensive accessories. Buying a purple couch is not a great move. What if you decide you don’t want a purple room next year? You’re going to have to get a new couch...and that can be pricey.

After I had a couple of pieces I knew I needed a coffee table. Of course I was looking for something that wasn’t too expensive, but something that had that girly, cottage vibe. I saw this gem at Goodwill one Saturday when everything in the store was half off. This is how the conversation with the saleswoman went:

Me: “Excuse me ma’am. How much is this table?”
Sales Lady: “Um...I guess you can have it for $6”
Me (Immediately...and with way too much excitement): “I’ll take it!! Do you have someone that can put it in my truck!?”

Haha...$6! Can you believe that? I wish I had a before picture. This thing was ugly...kind of a seventies grainy wood tone with messed up legs. HOWEVER, at thrift stores and garage sales I simply look at the shape/style and condition of furniture. Everything else can be changed! If you like the shape and it’s sturdy buy it!

I sanded and painted it white with a couple of coats of semi-gloss and distressed the edges a little for that lived-in cottage charm. But there are so many options. Can you imagine how cute this table would be painted glossy black in a modern space? Or a bright teal or yellow for a pop of fun color in an otherwise neutral room? Love.

This table is a great size too! Because space is limited in my little place, I really put this guy to work. There have been multiple occasions where we have surrounded this table with pillows on the floor for snacks/Bible study/board games. It was worth every bit of that $6 price tag!

Go hit up those second hand stores. I’m serious. Drop your pride and really dig in. You are going to find some treasures! It’s completely worth a little extra effort and can take your rooms from bland and matchy matchy to a lovely mix of conversation pieces.

Currently Crushing...

...on farmhouse tables!

Sites like Pinterest and Houzz (both of which I love) give me so much inspiration and I keep finding that I'm gravitating to the same things over and over again. Farmhouse tables are one of those things. I have a major crush on these big, rustic chunks of wood. If the wood is reclaimed? Bonus points.

I adore the way they look with modern or girly elements like crisp white chairs or a chandelier.

I also love that they are not easy to destroy! They already have nicks and dings that add to the character so you don't have to live in a constant state of stress, worrying about something happening to it. They have awesome history and I think they really help to warm up a space.

They bring back memories of sitting around my grandma's big table, talking to her while she cooked.

Etsy has some beautiful reclaimed versions of these...but you can buy them almost anywhere. If I ever move into a larger place one of these beauties is going to be at the top of my wish list!

8 Year Old Teachers.

So, I have done worse than normal blogging lately! It’s summer here...which means I am at the office from 7:30am until about 8:00pm every day. I don’t have time to renew my expired truck registration, much less blog. We just finished up our last summer camp and will be moving back into retreat season soon. A couple of weeks ago we finished up our last Kids Camp. These camps are for 3rd-6th grade students. I absolutely love having them here because they have such great joy for life...and they are ADORABLE. Running around sweaty and excited with bandanas on their heads and snow cones in their hands. Really really cute.

The office where I sit has two huge windows facing outside so I see a lot of the campers throughout the day – even though I don’t go outside much. One afternoon I saw a group of girls – probably 7 or 8 years old – running through the grass in their swimsuits and towels, laughing and eating ice cream bars they just got from the snack shack with their hair waving in the sun. I found myself wishing, for just a minute, that I could go back to that age. I can’t imagine being back there – worrying only about which flavor of ice cream to choose. Now? Now I worry all the time. How will I pay my bills this month? Why doesn’t a particular guy like me? No ice cream allowed on my low carb diet and you would never catch me running around in my towel. No way! Have you seen my thighs? Nope. No running in public.

How terrible.

I wish I could look back and choose a moment when I magically went from being a carefree little girl to a grown-up with grown-up problems. I think it was a gradual process. I stopped thinking I was pretty; stopped loving everyone just because; started caring more about what people thought about me than what God thought about me.

So the deep question is: “Am I really who God wants me to be; who I know I am? Or am I a version of myself?”

Would 5 year old Abby look up to me today? Would she be proud of who I turned out to be? Or would she laugh and tell me to stop worrying so much and just eat an ice cream bar if I want one? Would she understand me crying over the fact that some guy doesn’t like me? Or would she tell me that it doesn’t matter because Jesus loves me this I know?

I desperately want to figure out who God intended me to be, and not just who others expect me to be. I want to dream. I want to travel. I want to love people who are different than me. I want to write stories and eat chocolate and be content. No wonder Scripture tells us to have the heart of a child. I have so much “knowledge” now...so many years of experience...but I’m pretty sure 8 year old Abby was wiser in many ways than the woman I am today...