Tuning into Reality: A Look at TV Families

Yesterday while surfing the net I came across a story about a well-known TV family who had purchased a reported $1 million home for their brood. Having watched this family for a few years, noting their tips for living on a budget, I felt somewhat cheated. This whole time I thought they were "just getting by". But who am I to look down on people doing good for themselves right? Well, I felt like the image that this TV network portrayed was one of an average American family just trying to make ends meet. And here they were, living in an estate! I just couldn't shake it, knowing that all this time I felt inadequate thinking "well if they can manage to feed that whole family for $xx.xx and healthy, why can't I do it for two?" Then, it hit me. DUH! It's TV! It is not "reality"! These people are paid to do a program so that in itself makes them different from the average family.

There are other TV families that many Americans have become enthralled with. We watch their shows, follow their stories, and learn from their experiences. But we have to remember that it is just TV: no two families or situations are the same. Frugality for some of the nation has become the new fad, but television is a tricky business where not everything is as it seems.

A Frugal Bit from Paul Harvey

I'm not sure what Paul Harvey's reasoning was for this piece, but it is definitely applicable to frugality here. Enjoy!

We tried so hard to make things better for our kids that we made them worse. For my grandchildren, Id like better.
I'd really like for them to know about hand-me down clothes and homemade ice cream and leftover meat loaf sandwiches.
I really would hope you learn humility by being humiliated and that you learn honesty by being cheated.
I hope you learn to make your own bed and mow the lawn and wash the car. And I hope nobody gives you a brand new car when you are sixteen.
It would be good if at least one time you can see puppies born and your dog put to sleep.
I hope you get a black eye fighting for something you believe in.
I hope you have to share a bedroom with your younger brother. And it's all right if you have to draw a line down the middle of the room, but when he wants to crawl under the covers with you because he's scared, I hope you let him.
When you see a movie and your little sister wants to tag along, I hope you let her.
I hope you have to walk uphill to school with your friends and that you live in a town were you can do it safely. I
f you want a slingshot, I hope your Dad teaches you how to make one instead of buying one.
I hope you learn to dig in the dirt and read books.
When you learn how to use computers, I hope you also learn to add and subtract in your head.
I hope you get teased by your friends when you have your first crush on a girl, and you talk back to your mother that you learn what ivory soap tastes like.
May you skin your knee climbing a mountain, burn your hand on a stove, and stick your tongue on a frozen flagpole.
I dont care if you try a beer once, but I hope you dont like it. And if a friend offers you dope or a joint, I hope you realize he is not your friend.
I sure hope you make time to sit on the porch with your Grandpa and go fishing with your Uncle.
May you feel sorrow at a funeral and joy during the holiday.
These things I wish for you- tough times and disappointments, hard work and happiness. To me its the only way to appreciate life.
Good Day!

Paul Harvey

Family Ties

So I am finally back. I am back in town and back online with a working modem! Yay!

I spent Thanksgiving with my Mom's side of the family and had high hopes of posting lovely autumn ideas, but then a bout with a terrible cold left me in the fetal position on the couch. So I thought instead of backtracking now that it's December, I would just post some pictures of my favorite things at Mom's. A little photojournalism if you will....

For Today...

To learn about the Simple Woman's Daybook, visit http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/

For Today, November 13, 2008

Outside my window...it is raining and it puts me in the best mood ever

I am thinking...about this horrific backache that I've had for four days

From the learning rooms...my learning room consists of a small bedroom that harbors my never ending supply of books I love and reread over and over

I am thankful for...my husband who doesn't realize his selflessness

I am wearing...tee and adidas shorts, covered in baby drool and formula..yummy

From the kitchen...it is calling out to me to make something wonderful, but for now it is leftover pot roast

I am reading...Marie Antoinette: The Journey and I can't put it down

I am hoping...that everything will be revealed in due time

I am creating...a knitted baby blanket for my sister-in-law

Around the house...there are so many things to do that I am stuck in one place

One of my favorite things...my library card!

A few plans for the rest of the week...get back on Ebay to get us through Christmas!

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
My beautiful sister Athena with her chicken Choo Choo