A pre-BK Easter...

[reallynervous]

We should be filing our BK papers next month. As with many of you, we have spent several months now adjusting our spending to our income and adjusting our mindset to our reality.

Last night I was reflecting on our Easter this year:

1. No Easter outfits this year. I missed the frills, etc., but our jeans were actually more comfortable.

2. No Easter portraits. I took pics of the kids myself in the front yard. I now have a much greater appreciation for the photographer we used to go to who was able to get such great shots of my kids, but mine will do for now. They actually look more like my kids really are than those little angels the professional photographer was able to uncover.

3. No Hallmark cards - we made them for everyone this year using the above-mentioned photos. Dd & I had a great time making them with some paper and stickers and everyone loved them.

4. Present for in-laws this year was a basket we put together of cheeses and crackers, etc - all purchased on sale or with coupons. I think they will enjoy sitting and snacking vs an expensive cut flower arrangement that will die in a few days.

5. Kids Easter baskets - not as much in them this year. 1 nice thing for each and a few fill-ins (like tooth brushes) and much less candy. I am happy to not have a ton of trinkets lying around my house this morning and will have less days of sugared up little ones.

6. No big meal here - we did a simple brunch. Less time in the kitchen - more time together. Then went to in-laws for supper.

Before bed last night, dd said, "Mommy, thank you for having such a fun Easter for us. I think it was our best one ever."

So while BK brings a lot of heartache, it has brought us some blessings too! Oh, and I forgot to mention - no creditor calls yesterday! It was so nice and quiet!

reallynervous

[almostthere]

What a great attitude to have! I really admire your creativeness and ability to adjust to reality.

Our Christmas was very similar to your Easter. No expensive meals but home cooked on the stove. It was kind of hard because the oven starter was out and we couldn't afford to replace it.

The kids made Christmas cards which turned out to be more personal and from the heart.

Instead of going to the mall for presents, we made scrapbooks for relatives using old pictures and new pictures using our cheap digital camera.

We obviously couldn't go on our annual vacation so we stayed at home and played board games almost every night.

I think we learned a lot about reality and happiness. You're not alone. We went through the phone calls which will stop after the auto stay kicks in.
Hang in there, the 341 comes and goes pretty quickly and the 60 days are pretty quick too.

Best wishes!

[SinkingFast]

Sounds like a wonderful day, ReallyNervous!!

[lrprn]

Before bed last night, dd said, "Mommy, thank you for having such a fun Easter for us. I think it was our best one ever." So while BK brings a lot of heartache, it has brought us some blessings too!

What wonderful life-long lessons you've given your children through this experience, reallynervous! The lesson of experiencing the joy of making special gifts by hand, the lesson of seeing how much friends and relatives appreciate personal things made with them in mind, the lesson of knowing that family togetherness is not dependent on buying things - it's the focus on the family that truly counts. Your kids are so lucky to have you as their mom!

I told a close friend of ours a few months the most valuable lesson we learned after we filed Ch 13 was finally realizing how much of the "you must have the best and latest of everything" advertising marketing spell we had blindly accepted. Like you, we have learned to live on what we make and are living a happy cash-and-carry existence. We won't go back to that former life, ever!

[wrinkleigh]

I can certainly relate to this.

In prior years, I can say between easter dresses, pictures, and easter baskets, I easily spent at least $500.00 on my two kids. Usually charged it all and never thought twice about it. Just went shopping and threw in whatever I pleased.

We skipped the dresses, and the pics too. I started shopping for easter basket stuff back when christmas stuff went on clearance, and picked up a few things here and there.

My kids did not notice the things we "didnt" have, they had a great Easter!

[SinkingFast]

This isn't an Easter story, but it is Spring related.

Hubby was laid off within days of school taking up in the Fall. It was Son's Senior year. Almost immediately, the Announcements Order package came home. While I did go ahead and buy announcements, I shopped thru the Order Form to put together the cheapest amount I could. Turns out, a small package deal was actually cheaper than ordering "ala carte" and we got some extras.

By the next spring, we still hadn't had Son's Senior Portrait taken. No money for a professional shoot.

A neighbor friend took Son Turkey hunting, end of April, first of May. Son got a Turkey. When they came home, I shot some pics of Son with his bird out in the yard. Proud conquering Hunter. Beautiful bird with gorgeous plumage. Tail feathers all splayed out in the fan shape.

I took the pics to Wal-Mart. Picked the 2 best shots. Cropped them a little. Got 25 copies of each. Spent a whole $6. Mailed those pics with Son's Graduation Announcements.

Family and friends loved 'em!!

Instead of some posed shots, taken in front of a perfect background, touched up by air brush,........... Everyone got to share in a wonderful moment in time of Son's life.