*** Our New Kitchen Table & Chairs ***
Monday, July 21, 2008
Posted in In The Family Room
I wanted to share a picture of the pieces we purchased and kept on layaway for several months. When we moved here my agenda was to be careful with the money God gives us. If you've known me for awhile, you've probably read about our financial mis-steps based on my EXTREME spending habits and inability to learn to budget, balance a checkbook or save.
During that time in our lives, my husband was going to nursing school at the University of Akron, working full time and interning full time while the first 2 years I worked as a state tested Nurses Aid. I believe things started REALLY going downhill just after the third year, when doug and I decided it was time for me to come home as "Homemaker" because he was gone so much, things in the home like meals, laundry, basic financial errands weren't able to be taken care of because I was doing doubles and he was working around the clock.
To make a long story short, I learned that year that I was frivoulous with money and only cared about my own gratification and keeping up with the Jones' at Church even though we were living WAY beyond our means. It took two years later before we ended up in a Financial Peace University Class where both Mr. Thinker and myself learned how to deal with each others spending habits, took on a REAL BUDGET, started getting rid of debt and pay for things in cash, not to mention seeking out good deals.
Majority of my home is payed for in cash with such furniture beautiful furniture pieces that were found on Craigslist. My sofa, loveseat, chair and tv Armoir alone only cost us 400.00 total. I will take pictures of each room in the future to show the deals and the looks I got at a fraction of the price.
One piece of furniture I DIDN'T skimp on however, was our kitchen table. Now don't mistake that for us purchasing the most expensive dining table imaginable. Think more along the lines of moderately priced and on layaway for over 6 months. Yup! We wanted it, we budgeted it, we saved for it for a LONG time. Not to mention that stores don't often have layaways anymore. One AWESOME thing about it was that we chose to purchase our table at a local mom and pop shop called Marty's Barn Cellar. So our money was really utilized to keep our local economy going and we still stayed within budget each month until we FINALLY got our table. We chose only 4 chairs at the time and decided we'd order two more chairs and just the buffet table not the full hutch which will again, be put on layways until Thanksgiving.
The reason we decided on a new table was one, the sets on craigslist were either pretty pricey OR they looked pretty odd for our home. We have been without a table in our home for about 6 years. Either there was no time to eat together OR we'd eat in front of the tv on our tv stands.
Growing up in my grandmas care while we (my mom, dad, and I ) lived in the upstairs apartment from her...well, It became tradition for the WHOLE extended family to come each sunday and join in for sunday brunch, holiday gatherings, and card games.
The family table brought so much love and comfort to us all. My gram and her siblings handed down so much more than memories, they handed down the key to long-lasting family relationships. Sitting at the table, enjoying meals together, good conversations, a cry or two, LOTS of card games or domino's and music flowing through the house while she was dancing to the sound of Slim Whitman or Pavarotti in the kitchen as she was doing the dishes with that ol' dishrag hanging from her shoulder. That too, has carried on in me.
So our table, No, that was a piece that will carry on to our own children. While I do not honor a piece of wood before my Lord and Savior, I appreciate the meaning behind it and that the Lord afforded us the opportunity to carry on a long-lasting Legacy, hopefully filled with many delightful conversations. I give God all the glory from bringing us out of Financial Dispair to Good Stewardship. I pray we may carry that teaching on to our children and grandchildren from times to come.
Much love to you all
Rebekah
Comments
Monday, July 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by a1health
Rebekah,
I love the table and chairs. They are very old-fashioned and homey looking. You did a wonderful job saving for them!
Blessings,
~Farrah
Monday, July 21, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by GypsyFarmGirl
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with your touches of memories about Sunday Suppers. I do pray the Lord will continue to bless you and your family as you continue to seek Him in everything.
Jeannie
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