Frugalicious Friday. I lost count. :)

Owning your own business. The backstory of how mine originated out of a prayer to be debt free.
Update- now with pics!
Lots of people have asked for my story of how I got to be a photographer and run my own business, Adventure Photo & Design. I know I have not been in business a year yet, but please let me share the blessings and spotlight God's work through my business. This story of God fulfilling not just our family's immediate prayer need but also my heart cries has been an encouragement to several who are in the same place, so why not share it more?
This is long. Grab some toast.

If you were to meet me in person, I'm pretty sure you'd say that I'm a dead ringer for a Microbiologist*.

*INSANE CACKLE LAUGHTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*

Well, I do have an interest in diseases, I think they are crazy-interesting. I read 3/4 of the Hot Zone, I have what Mayo Clinic called, "An Unspecified Connective Tissue Disorder", and I wear glasses! So lay off! But alas, I earned my business degree and majored in marketing as one of the PROUDEST MEMBERS OF THE FIGHTIN' TEXAS AGGIE CLASS OF 2003- WHOOP!!!!!

This picture is disgusting. But the Fork in My Hat- got me props from the Sec. of Defense, past prez of Texas aTm: Dr. Gates. As I shook his hand he said, "Love the hat, love the hat!" Stick a fork in me baby, I was DONE! Thanks John for making that fork happen on my hat.
Jan. 2004:
I got out into the business world and just knew I'd be in a loft-ish type room maybe with a brick wall and filled with people rocking vests sitting around a table filled with pizza while we are throwing out ideas for ad campaigns while other Gap clothed people blew off steam by playing ping pong in the background 'cus you know being creative is hard work.
WRONG. REALITY.
"JILLIAN, WHERE'S THE COFFEE???"
Me, coming to, "What? Where am I?" Inner thought: I don't know how to make coffee Mz. Business Lady who's just an assistant to some dude!!!???
And thus, I promptly muppet-walked off with my hands glued to my sides in my best Lerner New York business outfit to find a coffee machine, just so I could totally not put water in the machine and thus set off crazy alarms- literally and figuratively. Oh I learned how to do a day's work, but my creative love and need died inside that day.
I was never able to move to Dallas, Miami, NY, LA, or wherever you go for real marketing purposes. I never tried to move I should say and was talked out of leaving, not by John, my sweetheart fo' life, but by family. And sadly, I listened.
And speaking of John, I'm so very glad I stayed in H'town, Katy, really. That's where God wanted me to be.
I mean, could you really see a doof like me in New York, i.e. Cool People Central? No.

So I temped here and there and interviewed and did all those businessy things. I failed miserably. It was not a good fit for me, that business world. I made a lot of mistakes. And then I was asked to do something unethical at one of my last jobs - what you mean that really happens!?- and I said no and left that afternoon. I know not all businesses are like this, but there was a message in all of it for me:
YOU ARE NOT CUT OUT FOR THIS.
I wasn't a Christian at the time, or else that would have read:
YOU WERE NOT MADE FOR THIS PURPOSE.
Oh things would have been easier if I was a Christ follower back then.

2006:
The best little blessing happened. We had our little Leelahbug. Then I began work at my current and most favorite job: being a mommy to this little girl. This is definitely the hardest job of all. That's cliche, but very true. I mean that's your heart you just gave birth to and now you have to watch as your little baby heart gets its little tiny heel pricked over and over again? Oh this is just too much I daresay!!!
But what a ride. What love that words can't describe. For her and for John.

2007-2010:
Began walk with Jesus. Best decision ever. Funny that this began the hardest trials of my life:
My father accepting Christ, then losing him a month later on Earth (but gaining him in Heaven)
Surgeries and pain, no more children.


Surgeries and no sight, but gaining the best sight of all: His.
No walking and not understanding, but leaning on loved ones.
Counseling for the past and learning for the future.
And the funny part was that these were the times that truly grew me up. I finally understood the underlying job assignment that I couldn't quite place all along: To love others with His love. How else could He have shown me without these trials? For me, there was no other way and I'm thankful for them.

Aug. 2011:
And then Leelahbug grew up enough to go to school. Tears. I had been promoted I guess to a Kindergartener Mom.

Sept. 2011:
I was beginning to realize that my life was not lived out of a doctor's office anymore. I had time to use a planner for fun things. This took a while to get used to. There's a reason why Leelah can't swim, I couldn't really take her to lessons or to the pool for 3 years of her life. What is this normal? Understanding non-medical normal is strange, but God gently shepherded John and I back to living unafraid.
We began to revisit our debt snowball and see that we might be able to start again on the work we began in Feb. of 2007 before all the trauma began.

We now had normal worries, like let's tackle this debt. So I thought, I guess I need to get a job.
I tried applying here and there. My heart wasn't in it. And I felt no peace.

And we decided to pray. John and I did as a team during a routine business meeting. We wrote out our fears, these new normal worries, and asked God to help us find a way. I even asked for a job to help support my family.
I began to long for the creative bent to be realized again, but then shut it down.
For 3 weeks, the Holy Spirit had been urging me to ask God, "God, I want to be creative and use my talents you gave me. That's what really brings me joy!"
So I did. Here's what He said to my heart:
"You love seeing beautiful visions of creativity. Why don't you create those visions yourself?"
Me: "Oh sure, Lord. Just make pictures that are artistic. How in the world do I do that?"
Lord/Holy Spirit: "I made you what you are. Be who I made you to be."
And then I got this feeling, "Like be a photographer and make my own art pictures that I love? I have no idea how to do that. There are so many photographers already. I'm embarrassed! I'm so not worthy."
And He flooded peace into my heart and told me: "I made you this way and it's time to enjoy your gift."

There are some that are scoffing at this. I understand it sounds very foolish and almost comical to you.

I did enjoy what I learned in business school. I loved the idea of running my own business and I LOVED the idea of marketing and branding. The consistency, the creativity, and I love people- particularly little ones.

So I told John what God had put on my heart and honestly, I was embarrassed to tell an engineer that God told me I should be a photographer. John was of course thinking- we don't even have a dslr. So we budgeted for a new one on ebay after I researched- well first I taught myself how a dslr works- and then I researched and settled on one.

I told a select few about God's vision for me all the while feeling embarrassed for one because it seemed to come out of nowhere to them and two- it was a "vision". But really, what glory to God that someone who was eating Ramen noodles completely blinded after one of 10 eye surgeries one year, could be beginning a photography business the next???

So I asked a friend who has one of the cutest babies in existence if I could do a Secret Garden themed shoot for her sweetie pie. And I had tears of joy the whole time I shot her photos of her sweet God-crafted face. Such peace, joy and excitement during the shoot. I read up on how to work my new dslr- not the fanciest but it works- and God took over. Guys. I don't know how but I learned FAST.

I do know how, God showed me. And being a photog, isn't just about taking pics, it's a business you run and a brand you upkeep and put out there. There's the editing. I have always had a knack for figuring out software and programs, but didn't know what to do with that. God had hardwired me to use Photoshop and I didn't even realize it!!! But it makes so much sense to me, it's scary. And I love editing.

I love dealing with the clients and treating them like stars for their big photo shoot.
Getting those genuine smiles out.
Editing the work.
All the details, God has equipped me for and I thank Him.

What does this have to do with Frugaliciousness? 2 things: I did not go into debt to start this business. I started in the black by budgeting for my equipment. I started small. I didn't go all in.
And secondly, now I'm able to help support my family and we are rolling on with our debt snowball. And the fear of debt controlling us is gone and is replaced with a plan to be debt free in a little over a year and a half. All the money I make goes to our debt snowball. Praise Jesus!

The best part is this:
God can be glorified in your work. I pray before every photo shoot, for God to be in control and to bless the photoees with wonderful images for them to enjoy. He then gives me the vision and ideas for what to shoot each time.
I give all the credit to Him for this vision that He has given me. I told John during the tough times in 2010 when I was unable to walk, "Oh I just want to go on an adventure someday." And I didn't even know what that meant. Now my photography company is named: Adventure Photo & Design. God lets me be creative and make art while being nice to people. And I get to give back by doing volunteer work with it to. I plan on applying to be a Red Thread Photographer next Sept. for families that have just adopted children and need family portraits taken with their new God-appointed child. His work is beautiful. http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif

Maybe you are doing a job that was never yours to do. I would suggest praying without abandon to a God that will excite your heart to do what you were made to do. He took Peter and made him a fisher of men, how crazy did that sound to Peter?
Thank you for reading my story, His story.

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,"
Colossians 3:23
Here's my new website- please enjoy the Lord's work in my photos at Adventure Photo & Design: Photography with a Vision.

Must Living Keep On

I'm sinusitis/laryngitis zombie Gillian again. But instead of Brains, I crave MINI EGGS. Actually, I don't think my throat could handle those right now.
But sick-talk that doesn't involve hospitalization is boring, so I'll move on and just tell you what I've been up to lately in random order.
-Being a Hot Mess (That's just me)
-Challenge Cubed (Don't ask!)
-PTA Stuff (Me, in the PTA? baahahahhahahahahahaaaaa LOL! Oh golly.)
-Building my website for my photography business (metatags and sitemaps boyyeeeee)
-Snapping Pics for said photography business (cute people and cupcakes)
-Going to Floor & Decor (6 times- we're all bff's now)
-Reading Entreleadership by Dave Ramsey (Love it!)
-Seeing Hunger Games with Husby (There was a nailbiter to our right that I wanted to harm and a big time choad teenage boy with his date that he would tell how awesome the assault scenes were in Girl with a Dragon Tattoo- I KNOW, I WANTED TO SNATCH HER UP AND HER CELL PHONE AND CALL HER PARENTS AND TELL THEM WHAT SCOURGE OF THE EARTH SHE WAS WITH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And no, I didn't see that trash movie that Scourge-Choad Boy was speaking of)
And while I'm on the subject, thoughts about the HG movie:
-They mis-cast President Snow. Totally missed the mark in my opinion. Loved Jennifer Lawrence. The actor that played Peeta had to grow on me. What about her styling team? Would have loved to see more of them. Stanley Tucci, as always delivers. Elizabeth Banks kind of stole the show for me.

And as of Monday morning say goodbye to our Pit of Despair, aka no-master bathroom shower for over a year...

We are getting a new shower, flooring, Leelah's shower, etc.
I say this as a praise. Thank you Lord! We have been waiting on these things for so long and we are thankful that He gave us the patience to wait so we could pay cash for everything (tax reFUNd!). What a blessing! After pics are coming soon...

Ya Down With B & B's ?

YEAH YOU KNOW ME!
What you think I should give up on Naughty by Nature? No way! No how!
So the Narnster and I took a little getaway to literally getaway on Spring Break and we CR-Ved on down to Gruene. Maybe it was in the up direction, but in Texas you say "go on down to HEB", shoot you'd say "Ya go down on that hot air balloon trip?" Digress.

It was really relaxing.
EXCEPT THAT THE BED AND BREAKFAST WAS ABOUT 300 YARDS AWAY FROM RAILROAD TRACKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I really got schooled, because I had NO idea that America still used the rail system as much as it did.
Listen/read good:
The. train. came. every. hour. even. through. the. night. DO YOU UNDERSTAND!?!? Night trains. Similar to My Cousin Vinny, but more like Blues Brothers-

John Belushi: "How often does the train come?"
Dan Aykoyd: "So often you won't even notice."

Oh we noticed alright. But okay, so there's a loud train coming. That's Normal for the Nichols. If we had a Reality Show that is what I would call it: Normal for the Nichols. That crap is always ALWAYS happening to us. At least it's interesting and funny and not boring which is death.

So we had the trains. But alas, there was also a scrapyard nearby. SCRAPYARD. Where they apparently are very clumsy with their gigantic metal scrappage, because we constantly heard booming. BOOMING - JOHN WHAT WAS THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????

I asked that on Day 1 of our 2 Day ordeal- I mean getaway- and finally on Day 2.5 he answered, "Oh that booming was that scrapyard I saw."

You've got to be kidding. That's what I get for putting all my eggs into this vacation luggage. But the food was great. The company was hilarious. The scenery was pretty and the weather was FANTASTIC! Not too hot and not too windy- perfection. I abhor wind. I mean I've cancelled playdates solely on the fact that there was heavy wind going on. Shut it down, there's wind I'm done.

So here's some pics from the trip. They're sweet and Texany. Oh and yes, we ate at the Gristmill, twice. And did a lot of 'tiquein and even visited a Railroad museum (well come on). And had some ice cream. I had forgotten how good just straight up Blue Bell chocolate is. Glad this trip rekindled that. And I'm glad I had my honey bunches of oats there by my side. I like him in his Angela Lansbury glasses.

And again with the Wisteria- it was GORGE!!!!

Major thanks to Nana for watching our little one. She even did the dishes- how sweet is that? Leelah adored her coming over!

We Have A Confession To Make...

John and I have done something we are not exactly proud of...
The other night Netflix had a tv show on that we hadn't seen in a loooooong time. Many years have passed since our ears have entertained what we think is quite possibly the most perfect theme song ever made. A theme song that instantly brings joy to our souls.
And so we turned it on. The first night we just watched the theme song opening credits deal a couple of times back to back.
But last night, we were bamboozled and we ended up watching the ENTIRE show all to end the night with putting in our nightguards and then we realized: Oh no. We are becoming old. I actually said tonight, "No I don't want to go to Freebirds for dinner. It's just too loud." In my defense, I did go to the dentist today AND to my therapist...
But has this realization stopped us from humming the perfect ditty? No. So for your pleasure that you are too embarrassed to talk about, but are kind of happy that I am real enough to, I present: Murder She Wrote.

And can we talk about what a precious dear and darling person Angela Lansbury is!?!?!?! When she shoots that silly fake gun, John and I just about come undone. Oh Mrs. Potts, you have a spot in our hearts. She is like the Honey Badger of Cuteness. Look at her riding that bike in a field, nabbing bad guys at night, wearing big ol' 80's glasses!!! I can't say it enough: WE LOVE YOU ANGELA LANSBURY!

Frugalicious Friday no. 19 I think...?

It was so exhilarating reducing our car debt from approx $9300 to $6300 in 2 months. PRAISE JESUS! Our debt snowball is coming along. Just 3 more debt payoffs: John's car, student loan and then my car and then NO DEBT EXCEPT THE HOUSE! Saaaweet!

I don't have the tally we've paid off. I know prior to medical bills it was $40,000 in cars, credit cards, etc. Then the trauma/drama of 13 surgeries happened for me and that shot up the debt. Now it's back down to $30,000! We have a goal for finishing in 19 months. "Just keep swimming, just keep swimming, what do we do we swim swim swim!" Thank you Dory. You forgetful genius fish, you!

We could have knocked this out sooner if it was for:
the blessing of
a new A/C
a new roof
4 new tires for my car
a new fridge
oh and the shower from last year. Yes. There is still a hole where a shower once was in our master bath. It has been exactly 1 year that we've all been using 1 shower. It's not been terrible, especially when you consider that some people aren't blessed to have any shower. So we're not crying Argentina over it. What did we do when this happened? We stopped the debt snowball- stopped paying off our debt- budgeted for what we could cash flow. But thankfully, since a lot of those were emergencies we were able to take it out of our emergency $1,000 savings. And then pay it back with the next paycheck or 2 or 3...

So if catastrophe hits:
1. pay it out of your emergency fund - $1,000.
2. If emergency is more- ask to break it up into payments w/o interest that you can cash flow. Tell them you will be paying in cash and a lot of times they will give you a discount!
3. If not an emergency, budget for it and stop paying off debt.
4. Rebuild emergency fund.
5. Start up debt snowball again.
6. Keep praying!
The shower- not an emergency- therefore budgeting.
The other stuff- emergency-use emergency fund.

You are going to have a heartchange with this plan.

Check what you need vs what you want. You will find that what you think you need is usually a want. Don't beat yourself up! God doesn't work by shaming (I know this is a Biblical statement, but can't remember address) so you shouldn't either. You've got debt. Now what are you going to do about it?

Do you have a question that you'd like to ask Dave Ramsey but don't have the time to call in? Check out his FAQ's section on his website, Ask Dave. I've checked it many times and believe me people are in your shoes and they call in with your questions! Will any of you join in by commenting on your debt snowball/payoff progress? Please do so we can encourage each other that it's cool to be Frugalicious! We will be a "slave to the lender" no longer!! God bless you on your family's path to freedom!

Things that Bring Me Joy!

Tree arcs bring me joy!!!

Awkward into Awesome

Do you ever just say something that in your mind is a solid joke, but when it leaves the safety zone of your mouthwalls it's just weirdness laced with coffee-breath?

This awkwardness used to happen a lot to me, and you'd think I'd learn and not say anymore jokes. No. I just kept (and still keep on) on saying them and then I feel the immediate after effects of: getting hot-faced, sheepish and sweaty.

Today the feeling of self-awkwardness said hello again... I attempted a joke and then POW! SPLAT! KADORF! the inner thought/disdain popped up in my mind to wreak havoc again, complete with: "Way to go Gillian, way to not make sense and you're sucha weirdo dorkface head. You are awkward!"

But then an awesome thing transpired in my brain, I heard myself thinking:

"Hold up. I'm completely forgiven and fully accepted by Christ. Stop the self-trashing. God's got my reputation and He loves me. I'm not an idiot, and plus, I do NOT know what the other person is thinking!!"

Freedom from self-loathing. Thank you Jesus.

Are you super self-critical so much that you don't even notice it- okay if you don't notice it then how can you answer yes to that question? Let me rephrase, do you constantly have that awkward feeling before, during and after social interactions and feel unworthy?

STOP IT. YOU ARE A PRECIOUS CREATION OF THE LORD! Girl, (Dude?) you need some truth cards.



These cards have been an excellent source of comfort for me in times of awkwardness and shame. I received them from my counselor. I pray they serve you well! Go ahead and print them on cardstock and keep them in your purse. Know the Truth!

Frugalicious Friday!! No. 18!

This is for all you mommies with itty bitties...
Cloth Diapers and Homemade Wipes!

But Gillian, or chick with glasses, you have a 5.654 year old? Yes, you're correct but I'm fascinated by this concept and I hear it can save you dollar dollar billz y'all, plus my kid had SUPERSENSITIVETUSHTUSH so this probably would have helped her out a ton (ever seen the movie The Others?? with Nicole Kidman?) AND saved us money from buying Vusion. Oh and Leelah totally ate that $100 ointment during a nap sesh. So that was fun.

And I also have a healthy fear of handling human waste, WHO DOESN'T? But I've been assured by numerous peeps that it's about the same as the disposable ones....

Look, I'm skeptical too, which is why my friend, Allison (mother of 3, former pharmacist, running warrior, and overall cool chick) is going to break it down for us. Breaking it down as Andre 3000 from Outkast would tell us to. Break it down Allison!

When my daughter was born, I decided to use cloth diapers for her instead of disposable. My reasons were: she had incredibly sensitive skin (read-nasty red rash at all times when using wipes and regular diapers) and the cloth ones were sooo much cuter....

I paid about $17 per diaper (18 for small ones and bought 15 medium ones). I paid about $600 for all the diapers.

Approximate cost for Pampers for 2 years: $1600. I saved $1000. Plus, I sold my used diapers when I was finished with them for $6 a piece (who knew there was a market for used diapers??) So in total, I saved $1200.

Yes, there is extra laundry. But it was only 1 or 2 more loads per week.

Yes, cloth diapers are "gross". But is wiping poo in anyway not gross? The 1st 6-9 months when she was only breastfed, the diapers went straight into the wash with out touching anything (just shake out the liner). Once eating food, the more sold pieces are dumped into the potty before going into the wet bag to be washed later.

Does it smell? No. The wet bag keeps them contained.

How do you wash them? Dump out solid pieces. Take out liner. Place in wet bag. Once or twice a week wash. Do a prewash cycle with detergent. Wash with hot water and do a double rinse. Dry in dryer on medium or air dry.

I will admit, I am a diaper snob. With disposables, I only used the Pampers Swaddlers and Cruisers and then for cloth I bought FuzziBunz. You can get cheaper disposable and can get much cheaper cloth ones. I just liked the cute colors.

I also used cloth wipes. (a soft wash cloth wetted with only warm water. When out on the town, I used California Baby diaper area spray to wash her bum with a dry wipe. When using cloth diapers, cloth wipes are actually easier since you just wash them along with the diapers. I did not estimate the cost savings of wipes. The washcloths are cheap.


Here is what resulted.

1. Red butt eliminated
2. approximately 4680 diapers did not go into the landfill
3. I saved $1200
4. My daughter rocked the pink, lavender, hot pink, aqua, periwinkle or blue bum--super cute!

Yeah!! for doing my part to save the Earth, save my daughter's tender skin and save us $$$$$$$$! You can reuse them for your next child and then save yourself another $1600!

And for the wipes here's what she had to say:
I bought microfiber cloth washcloths for wipes. I like those much better than the flannel ones (less seam area touching babes skin). They are pretty cheap and I don't sew.
Thanks Allison!

We are prayerfully considering adoption here in the Nichols Cottage. Prayerfully. So this info on cloth diapers and wipes might come in real handy for us...
We attended a wonderful, informative conference in Katy called: Together for Them. It gave us some much needed info. More to blog on that...

Things that Bring Me Joy!