Tis The Season...

Hunting, Gathering, Preparing

Which season? Depends who you are talking to, I guess. Last weekend was the opening of Hunting Season here, but we are now readying ourselves for Holiday Shopping Season!! Just think about it: avid fans are preparing to hunt, gather, and provide for their loved ones. And, of course, bragging about who bagged the biggest. I just see it as another weekend hearing all about racks, bags, early morning hunts, bucks, and doe/dough. Whether you are hunting for deer, a bargain, a parking space...or a leftover piece of pecan or pumpkin pie, this weekend will seem like the beginning of a rushed season. More and more store ads are popping up about shopping; Some even plan on starting as early as 8pm on Thanksgiving! One of the things I am most thankful for is that I will not be among them!! Due to the traumatic experience when my cousin, Debbie, convinced me to go along with her to check out the early specials at Walmart nearly 30 years ago...my shopping ends before Thanksgiving and I avoid stores until several days into the New Year...unless it involves necessary food or cleaning supplies. Truthfully, I pretty much avoid shopping anytime of the year. So many of my relatives could spend hours just browsing that I sometimes would ask if I was adopted! Apparently it was merely that my brother got both of our shares of the "shopping gene".

Thanks to the internet, online shopping has created "Cyber Monday" to go along with "Black Friday" (by the way, does anyone know if Saturday and Sunday have special names?), and that is more my style...if I MUST shop!! There are 3 things I like to take into consideration:

1. Avoid Crowds! The internet may be busy too, but I can shop in an old pair of sweats ( or my sleepwear), and a pot of coffee nearby. Win/win!
2. Save Money! Sales and coupons are a great way to cut the cost of items, and especially if it is for something you planned to buy anyway. There are coupons available to download.
3.  Helping Others! This time of year, many in this country are preparing for a huge feast with family or friends, and we make it a point to remember our blessings. This often proves to be a time when charitable giving to others less fortunate rises tremendously. I feel that we are blessed so we can bless others.

Recently I was made aware of a group that combines all 3 of the above. Save1.com provides the opportunity to shop from home, save money, and help save lives!! Shoppers simply need to visit the Save1 website, type the name of any store in the search box, find the most relevant coupon or offer, and click "Use this Offer." Even if you love the thrill of the chase in stores, there are some things that are easier to track online!



Watch the video of Todd Smith of Save1.com explaining more about the company:

Family owned and operated, Save1 provides coupons and special offers from thousands of top online retailers on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and throughout the year---enabling shoppers to feed a hungry child with every offer redeemed. Incorporating the Save Money, Save Lives principle, Save1 donates the cost of a meal to one of its nonprofit partner organizations every time a shopper uses a coupon or special offer from the site. For more information, please visit http://save1.com.

LIKE Save1.com on Facebook and you will see that they are serious!! Explore their page and I believe you will be impressed! So, by all means, count your blessings and enjoy your shopping. God blesses us and we should enjoy His provision. However,  to also be able to share our blessing with others is a gift above no other. So happy hunting/shopping...and enjoy this special season in your life!!

And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such sacrifices God is pleased ~ Hebrews 13:16

Oh No!! Snow Flurries??

Once again it is that time of year in Alabama when we begin to hear rumors of the possibility of SNOW FLURRIES!!!!!! To be fair, we still have the memories of the infamous "Blizzard of '93" to remind us of the possibilities that we indeed can get a big snowfall in our area. Yearly we revisit this phenomenon with weather specials: Blizzard Of '93 or stories like Dennis Gordon's Weather Tales Storm Of The Century !! It has happened before, it could happen again!

Being unaccustomed to much snow, many of us were not prepared. My electricity was out for nearly a week; but, being one of those who does listen to weather forecasts, I was ready with non-perishables, kerosene, candles, and plenty of books!! We even had an unexpected smaller event in February '96 that made people a tad cautious. I know my cable was out a good 2 or 3 hours that time. Never fear, I had taped the A&E Pride & Prejudice, so I survived quite nicely.

But today the words Snow Flurries and Donner Party seem to be almost interchangeable words in the minds of some! :) Everyone must rush to the grocery store if even a rumor that "snow was mentioned" happens to circulate!! What are the necessities of life that we most fear losing? Candles? Batteries? Non-perishable food? NO!!!! MILK & BREAD!!!!! After all, one may be snowbound 2 or 3 hours before the snow melts!!!! I must admit, I may double-check to make sure there is plenty of coffee and chocolate. Nah...that is normal for a sunny day too. :) Chocolate is not as necessary for my well-being as coffee is....and coffee is necessary for the protection of others who may encounter me....but when I want chocolate, there must be chocolate available!

Now, I can recommend an excellent Facebook page for those who live in Alabama and need others to bond with as we struggle to survive the snow flurries. We who suffer together need a support group. Those outside of the state may also wish to check in on family and friends. Photos are taken and tales must be shared, & even a few suggestions of what to do with the massive supplies of milk and bread, abound as reports filter in on our Snow Flurry Days....and yes, our schools frequently close due to snow flurries! Check it out at Surviving Alabama Snow Flurries .

All of that, simply to share a prayer request for all kind enough to read this: Tomorrow is the only day I have available to go to Walmart and buy groceries!! It is Saturday....always a nightmare day there! It is December.....Christmas shoppers! SNOW FLURRIES are in the forecast! I really do NEED milk and bread this weekend...and there will be none to be had! I just hope I survive this monthly trek with such a triple threat lurking. I can only hope to arrive back home, battle-scarred and weary, but armed with enough supplies to get us through the month without my having to jump into the fray once again. :)