I have 2 routes...

I have 2 routes I take to work.

One is the highway.

The other is a main street that eventually winds through a golf course and ends up at my house.  The "other" route is also a good route to take once traffic hits and also it allows me to hunt for coupons and stop at like 8 stores all on the way home so there is no doubling back.  I love the "other" route when the sales are hot...

The "other" route also passes this church that has the best quotes on their sign:

"healthy boundaries in friendship"

"praying for your boss"

"keys to self sustaining relationships"

"when God says NO to your prayers"

"what to do if children hurt you"

"marriage"

"marriage part 2"

"preparing for it all"

and my FAVORITE

"what will it cost if you are wrong"

I reallly thought about that - especially since we like to keep ourselves prepared for a lot of situations.  What would it cost us if we are wrong and nothing happens? Well, let's see what does it cost us now?  Monetarily?  We are not spending more than we did before actually we are spending less.  Convenience?  Well, I probably had a few more hours of free time before per day - which were often spent at the book store or cafe writing or drawing --- I can always resume that if nothing happens - actually I can resume it now - we have a spare room i can oil paint in right now.  Space?  We are sacrificing a bit of space but our guest room is still a room with a bed, the office resembles an office plus a dog bed and the master bedroom is just a parking spot for a king size bed. Reward?  Peace of mind and listening to that Spirit that urges you to be prepared and do all you can do for yourselves and your family.  Downside?  Some months there is no downtime...but so what.  Even if there is no downtime the satisfaction and savings far outweighs the loss of "downtime"  downtime is a western concept - an AMERICAN concept.

In the 2 years we've done this - we've only had to make 2 major donations of stuff that was about to expire and we had about 20 lbs of cornmeal that was past it's prime which we mixed into the compost (great compost this year).  Other than that we've had few things expire because I'm good at keeping tabs on it.  And I donate it about 2 months pre-expiration to food banks where I know it will be eaten quickly.

2 years ago our extended family gave us a hard time about putting up stuff.  Now they all save because of what we are doing and all our houses are fluid.  I am happy to keep all of us saving.  I am happy to have items for trade.  If you see items that aren't the healthiest of products I buy them because of requests - because my friends/family would buy it anyway I might as well get it free if I can't convince them to not eat it at all.

so What will it cost you if YOU are wrong?

Lasik Update: 17 months later

I totally forgot to post the results of my lasik surgery - 1 year after.  I had my one year exam a few months ago and I told the doctor that my vision seemed a bit off and maybe it should be better.  I was quick to say this because I have a warranty on my eyes.  The warranty means that as long as I go to them for my annual exams (about $100) they will cover any adjustments needed to my vision.

I will say this - for some reason my night vision sharpened a lot more quickly than my day vision.  The doctor also said my eyes healed really well, very clear and you could barely tell any surgery had been done.  THEN..he laughed.  He told me my eyes were actually 20/20 when using one eye at a time but when viewing with both eyes I see 20/15- he told me they would probably be better than that if I stopped taking my OTC allergy meds that dry my eyes out. hahaha.

Lasik is my BEST PREP EVER.

That was always one of my concerns not being able to see in an emergency.  My contact kit, extra solution, extra boxes of contacts, 2 pairs of glasses - one of them light sensitive because it's very sunny here - all these things were always ready to go.  Some years my eyes were better and some years they were worse.  Weapon accuracy changes for me when I use glasses versus contacts.  I also didn't like it if I woke up in the middle of the night and I couldn't see.  Lasik reduced the potential for disaster.

I paid 2600 vs the original quote of 4800.  I paid it off in 11 months even though there was no need to hurry and pay it because I had 2 years 0% interest and I only put 1K down.  Versus the price of what I would pay for 8 boxes of contacts, 2 pairs of glasses plus the high cost of contact solution - I would say I'm ahead.

Plus it really puts my mind at ease that even if I didn't have my glasses or anything no one would have to drag me around in the dark like Stevie Wonder.  My eyes were -3.25/-3.5 definitely no driving or walking around or hiking in dark situations.  Way safer to crouch quietly in the dark than feel around for glasses and knock them over. I have not one regret at all in getting this surgery plus the staff is fantastic and cheerful.

Just sayin.