And of course . . .

The day after I vow NOT to spend any money during Lent, I get the JoAnn's flyer with the one machine I want on sale at like 70% off. Same price as on Black Friday. The one thing that made me think "if this thing ever goes on sale at that price again . . . "

We are not amused.

Actually, that's not true. My mom and dad were real amused when I told them about it the next morning, so at least somebody laughed. Then dad told me to buy it anyway, that it was a "special situation". Ok, dad, I'll see you in hell.

No, I did not buy it. Because this is exactly the point, right? That whatever we're giving up be something that is tough to give up. I figure at some point after Lent the thing will be on sale again, or, most likely, later this year some newfangled thing will be available and it will be better and cheaper.

That's what I'm telling myself, anyway.

My Promise for Lent

Due to a severe case of anemia which has plagued me my entire life, and which ended with emergency surgery being delayed because my blood count was too low to go through with it without transfusions, I will not be giving up meat this Lent.

Besides, giving up meat is hardly penance for me. I have had bouts of vegetarianism before and it wasn't too big a deal, and to me the true spirit of this 40-day vow is to give up something that will truly be missed. No offense to anyone who gives up meat for Lent or on Lent Fridays, this is just my personal view on things.

So, in order to honor the spirit of this promise, my choice for Lent 2010 is to give up purchasing, or otherwise acquiring, any and all craft items, AND also, to not start any new crafts during this time.

Not easy at all, when I've been lusting after Mirabilia's "Sabrina" - but no, the spirit of the thing is, nothing new. No new purchases. I have about a dozen Mirabilia patterns stashed somewhere in the garage, three of them already started, and I will work on what I have for the rest of the year.

Not easy, when I've been dying to try Alcohol Inks to make cards with, but then I remember I bought a super cool paper pack of 180 gorgeous ornate designs. I can work with that.

Not easy, with the gazillion ideas and projects out there that I want to try and emulate or adapt.

But that's the point for me. To give up something that's not easy.

That's my vow for Lent.