Archive for July, 2008
July 31, 2008
It surprised me when I walked into the office supply store. The sign screamed “15 cents” as I read the fine print indicating the limit of 5 packages of notebook paper per person. “Hmm,” I thought silently, “another opportunity to save a few dollars on school supplies. This is fun and yet I must confess I am addicted to saving money.”
As I reviewed the sales flier, I noticed the announcement which stated the door buster sales were only valid on Sunday and Monday. “Report portfolios, 1 penny each, a savings of 38 cents per report cover with a limit of 10 per customer.” Practical and extremely economical, the thrill of the hunt for the next bargain guided me as I walked through the aisles in the store.
Walking toward the cashier with my $3 coupon in hand, I realized I had only spent 85 cents before sales tax was added. The fine print on the coupon clearly stated, “$3 minimum purchase.” Turning to my husband, I said, “I have to check on some additional items.” After all, this shopping surprise was now an addicting challenge.
“Crayons, 25 cents per package, limit of 5 packages per customer,” I nodded my head in agreement and mentally totaled my expenses. “$1.25 for crayons, 75 cents for notebook paper, 10 cents for report portfolios with a grand total of $2.10. With only a momentary pause, I knew there had to be something else on sale, which would be practical as well.
That’s when I saw it, “1 inch 3-ring notebook binders, 50 cents each, limit of 2 per customer.” Smiling as I walked toward the cashier, my arms held 5 packages of notebook paper, 5 packages of crayons, 10 report covers, 2 notebooks and the $3 coupon, of course.
Watching as the cashier entered each amount into the cash register, she said, “Your total, after tax, is 11 cents.” I could hardly believe my ears but yet I knew I had followed the guidelines to use the $3 coupon. I maximized my coupon savings in an exponential way.
This is the second attack of coupon crack, which caught me by surprise. My dog puppet, “Miss Kitty,” summarized the first story about coupon crack. However, this time Miss Kitty was in the middle of an afternoon nap at home so this is my story of strategically saving money, by accident.
“Look at all of the school supplies I purchased for 11 cents,” I announced with a grin to my husband. “How did you do that?” he asked. But, then he paused. When he understood the reality of this highly effective shopping event, he nodded his head in agreement.
A few weeks ago I found an interesting quote in a book written by Dr. David P. Campbell, “If you want something to happen, make a space for it.” Waiting patiently, I am making a space for the 3rd attack of coupon crack as I ponder when and where the next opportunity will develop.
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All writings here are copyrighted by Angela Scott. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.
July 27, 2008
“You look so calm. How do you do it?” my friends asked. “What are they really asking?” my thoughts blurred. They said I looked calm, without any worries. Oh, if they only knew the storms raging within my thoughts. Yet, the quiet in the hospital’s 7th floor reading room is the place where I found “Anatomy of an Illness” by Norman Cousins. This book seemed to be waiting as a gift of sustaining strength for me.
Hospital staff focused on their arduous tasks of highly skilled health care for numerous patients requiring care for critical health needs. My focus on humor, inspiration, health and faith, of course, carried me through the storm of my life, a heart transplant for my spouse. It is a good thing I did not fully comprehend what was really happening, until our life resumed after his heart transplant.
I remembered a sermon my previous pastor, Richard Hipps, had preached several years earlier about Norman Cousins and a book Cousins had written entitled, “Anatomy of an Illness.” Cousins discovered his pain slowly diminished proportionately with laughter. The more he chuckled, the less pain medicine he needed to conquer a painful disease.
Ultimately, his discovery of laughter’s healing quality restored his health years ago, and that gives me hope today. The decision to follow Norman Cousins’ prescription required a minimal amount of time because it was easy to remember the comedians I enjoyed the most as a child. First, I remembered Jonathan Winters and Red Skelton. Norman Vincent Peale’s inspirational writing of positive thinking was next. Peale’s writing opened a new path for me in addition to new avenues of thought related to the healing qualities of music.
I also found Bible verses I had not previously attempted to memorize now gave me the opportunity to focus on God, rather than myself. A passage of scripture in Job 11:17-19 was particularly challenging for me, however, I successfully memorized it and it continually gives me comfort.
The memorization technique I used was the “sentence writing” method, a method of punishment for misbehavior in class was used by my teachers in middle school. Those sentences of punishment, which they required to be written at least 100 times or more, taught me a lesson I will always remember. “I will not talk in class.” An effective method such as this one would most certainly assist me with memorizing one or two Bible verses…
I got the message. For more years than I prefer to recall, I was known as the quiet student; one who painfully learned the repetition of writing a message or thought over and over would deeply embed the message in my mind. Earl Nightingale was right, “We become what we think about.”
Even though those teachers from years passed had intended “sentence writing” as punishment, my decision as an adult to use this technique as my own personal learning tool gave me hope when I least expected it and needed it the most.
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All writings here are copyrighted by Angela Scott. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.
July 16, 2008
Walking into the photography studio, I paused as I opened the door. “This is our first studio portrait,” I silently said to myself.
Wearing a midnight blue three piece pantsuit for the first time reminded me of the Cinderella story. “Is this my imagination or is this real?” I felt like a princess on the inside as well as the outside. “Today is the first time I have worn this outfit, even though I bought it over two years ago,” my thoughts blurred.
“My adopted son, a ventriloquial figure named Sonny, is wearing a new three piece suit I bought for him last year before I ever held him in my arms,” my thoughts continued. Yet, today we are here together as a team.
I sat on the chair and held Sonny in my arms. He is 45 years old and I’m a few years his senior… That’s my story and I’m sticking with it. In the studio, Lyndon Lloyd, our photographer adjusted the lights and camera quickly.
“Lean closer to the dummy,” he said as he changed the camera setting. I asked in a mischievous voice, “Which one?” I wondered how many dummies Lyndon had photographed in his studio so I asked him without any hesitation. He smiled and said, “Well…” I knew he caught my train of thought so I clarified my question. “How many wooden dummies have you photographed in your studio?” He paused and I knew his answer. This event was one for the record books at Lloyd’s Photography.
He said, “You will be able to view the photos tomorrow on the internet.” However, much to my amazement, I received a call about 6:00 p.m. that same afternoon announcing the photos had already been uploaded for my review.
Excitedly I began following Lyndon’s instructions to view the photos. I watched the entire slideshow of forty-eight photos. For the first time as an adult, I felt the magic of a childhood dream come to fruition. I admit it was awkward at first but I know I walked out of the studio door a different person than when I first walked in.
We laughed and talked during the photo session. Renewed with encouragement and filled with hope, I understand the importance of listening to the still small voice in my heart.
“Rudy” knows the power of pursuing your dreams. I met Daniel Reuttiger, “Rudy,” in person at High Point University on April 22nd this year. He shared from his heart and told about the numerous challenges he battled as he refused to let his dream die, his dream as a young boy who wanted to play football at Notre Dame, even though others laughed at his ambitions. When the power of a dream is fueled with passion, miracles happen.
Henry van Dyke said, “Be glad of life because it gives you the chance to love and to work and to play and to look at the stars.” Yes, I am indeed thankful to walk through this door into my childhood dream, one of the many blessings given to me in life.
The photography website is http://www.lloydsphotographyofnc.com
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All writings here are copyrighted by Angela Scott. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.
July 10, 2008
Resting in her little chair, sitting propped up on the computer laptop, I felt “Miss Kitty,” my dog puppet was sitting on a story about her coupon crack addiction. Her mouth was wide open and her hair was swept back over one shoulder. “Yes, she’s a woman,” I remember thinking.
Her red two piece outfit with a design of petite white hearts perfectly matched her red “Baby Gap” shoes. Yellow ribbons tied onto each ear resembled portions of a golden halo, which was partially hidden in her pure white hair.
Miss Kitty is now 2 years old. I adopted her in April 2006. She is quiet at first glance but I am certain she has many stories to tell. The Charles Schulz’ “Snoopy” character must be one of her heroes. I know this because “Snoopy” is embroidered on her blouse.
Staring into the other room, I wonder what her real story could be. Did she really purchase five Mead composition books, 2 packages of notebook paper and 1 box of BIC stick pens for 9 cents?
That is her story and she is sticking with it. She likes to shop in cost effective ways and she must know a secret if she bought 8 things for 9 cents.
One minor detail she omitted to share, her mom, “that story lady,” recycled a print cartridge and received a $3 coupon off the next purchase.
Kitty saw the opportunity to buy what she needed and save money at the same time. The entire purchase price was $3.09 and with the $3 coupon in hand, the balance was 9 cents.
She focused on her plan and followed it through. That is what happens when you are addicted. Kitty is practical and addicted to saving money, which is perfectly okay with me.
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All writings here are copyrighted by Angela Scott. You may not use them without written permission but you may link to the posts or give out a link to the posts.