Julie Gumm - Author

Clothing Diet

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It’s been amazing to me how much I’ve seen on the news in the last few months about “clothing diets”. Turns out there’s a whole group doing the no shopping for a year thing. I’m not sure I’m ready for 6 items for 30 days though.

So we’ve passed the halfway mark. I’m looking forward to getting down the bins of winter clothes. Except of course it’ s not really cold in Phoenix yet. Heck, this week we finally made it down to the 70s for the high. Brrrrr!

There have been a few “special occasions” lately where typically I would have gone out and bought a new outfit, or at least a new top. Instead I got creative with what’s in the closet and my jewelry. Truth is that once you’re at the event you’re having so much fun it doesn’t really matter.

The gauntlet Mark threw down last April was mostly about money. But for me the purpose of this challenge, other than proving to him I can do it, is to truly discover why I shop. What are my motivations behind what I buy and how much I buy?

The first is Boredom with a capital B. I’m not sure if this affects all women or just some but I get tired of the clothes in my closet. Maybe because I’m a somewhat creative person I find more of a “personality outlet” in what I wear. Not sure. But I am getting REALLY sick of the clothes in my closet.

Second is vanity, pure and simple. Which is weird. Because really I’m not the type of person that cares what people think about me. So why am I trying to impress people with what I wear? Still thinking on that one…

Creative Adoption Fundraising

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Those of you who have been here for any length of time know that I have two “causes” I am passionate about (outside Christ, my family etc). That is orphans and living debt free.

When Mark and I adopted in 2008 we committed to complete the adoption debt free – the same way we had been living our life since 2000. At first I wasn’t so sure it could be done, but God used good old Dave Ramsey teach me something, again.

When I talk to people considering adoption one of the first fears they vocalize is the financial aspect. “We’re not sure how we can afford it.”

But the truth is that along with grants and tax credits there are a ton of really creative ways that families can raise money for their adoptions.

Sooooo (drumroll please) I’m actually working on a book on How to Pay For Your Adoption (that’s just the working title). I’ve been SLOWLY working on it for a year but I’ve got a fire lit under me now.

I’ve also come to the part where I need your help.

I’m looking for real life examples of fundraisers that adoptive families have done, including as much detail as you want to give me and how much money you raised. Garage sales, coffee beans, jewelry, spaghetti dinners, etc – I want to hear about all of it. Even if you think “oh, I’m sure somebody already submitted that idea” I still want to hear from you. Who knows maybe you’ve raised WAY more money doing it then the other person.

I also want to hear about any other ways you helped pay for your adoption – second jobs, employer credits, etc.

All you need to do is FILL OUT THIS FORM.

As I collect the ideas I’ll be choosing families to showcase in the book as examples. At that time I’ll contact you to get more details as well as hear a little bit more about your story.

I would love it too if you would spread the word – Facebook, Tweet (you can use the “Share the Love” icons above) or even mention it on your blog.

Thanks!

Quickie catch up post

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Mark took his fourth trip to Ethiopia this year (2 more than usual).

He was home a scant two days before leaving for Haiti. His first time back there since the earthquake.

The girls have whined about us ALWAYS being gone.

We had a little lesson on the correct use of the word “always”. (My mom taught me, “The words ‘never’ and ‘always’ are seldom true.”)

Knock on wood but I think the rest of the year is travel free (at least work-related).

It appears that fall has finally arrived in Phoenix and the weatherman is “confident” that we are done with 100 degree days. It was 93 today.

I’m looking forward to getting out my fall/winter wardrobe to alleviate some of the boredom that has set in at month 6 of the 12-month no-shopping challenge. Obviously it’s still a little early

Yes, that’s right – we’re half way there. And I haven’t had to buy a Bedazzler yet.

I am stressing that last winter’s go-to short black boots died late last winter (literally broke in half) and apparently I will have to go shoeless. Or wear brown boots with everything. (They were THE best black boots too – so comfy, casual enough to wear with anything, bought them for $9 in a “charity shop” in the UK in 2005. Sniff, sniff.)

I briefly contemplated participating in National Novel Writing Month were the challenge is to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.

Then I realized maybe I should finish some of the projects I already had started, including one non-fiction book. So I’ve put that on my list of things to do in 2011.

We had two birthdays in a month – Noah turned 11 and Natalie is now 8.

The boys had their first Junior Bible Quiz meet a few weekends ago. We got whomped but they had fun – our school is in it’s first year competing against some well oiled teams!

Basketball started for the boys and we’re still trying to figure out how we manage the schedules most effectively. This is when it would be nice to live closer to school. I see an increase in our gas budget coming up.

Mark had his 20 year reunion last weekend. It’s nice that we went to school together so I knew everyone too – lot easier when there’s only 50 or so kids in your class.

Got me thinking about my 20 year reunion which is next year – looking forward to that.

So that’s what’s going on here…