August 20, 2006 @ 11:37 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized
"When people keep telling you that you can’t do a thing, you kind of like to try it." —Margaret Chase Smith
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Okay, the challenge has been uttered, the gauntlet has been thrown down…
Mike doesn’t think I can go thirty days without Diet Coke.
Quite frankly, I’m not so sure I could under ordinary circumstances but – by George – I’ll certainly give it my all from now until…<gulp> September 19th.
Oh my, that’s quite a long time, isn’t it?
Now that I’m looking at the calendar I’m realizing that, in the course of these thirty days, I’ll be going through one scrapbooking midnight crop (how do you do that without some DC?), Labor Day weekend (lots of food, friends, and DC…normally), and a weekend retreat with friends (oh, just kill me now).
Still, there’s nothing like a good challenge to spark the motivation needed to begin working toward a goal. My goal is two-fold.
I have to say that I was inspired by my friend, Katy. Katy and her husband, Doug, gave up Starbucks (coined Four-bucks by Katy) over sixty days ago.
Their rationalization is that over these past two months they have saved $480 that is normally liquidly consumed. It got me to thinking…
If I made a conscious effort to give up my daily trips to Sonic for a large, ice-filled (don’t-forget-the-straw-please) Diet Cokes and – instead – dropped that same amount of money into our money jug…
Mike and I did the math on the way to church this morning. Two trips a day, one DC per trip, at $2.00 a pop (since I tip Meredith generously – and yes, I AM on a first-name basis with my Sonic people). That adds up to $20-$28 a week, meaning that I could "save" as much as $120 a month.
Just by giving up Diet Coke runs.
"Think you can do it?" Mike’s voice sounded suspiciously wicked.
"Do what?" I cut my eyes at him. "Give up Diet Coke?"
"For thirty days. Give up Diet Coke for thirty days and drop all that money into the jar." He grins at me. "I bet you can’t do it."
I was already feeling a twitch coming on, just thinking about taking on this challenge. But – he doesn’t think I can do it?
He. doesn’t. think. I. can. do. it.
Baby, you are SO on.
Beginning tomorrow morning I’ll be Diet Coke-free and I’ll begin "adding to the jar daily such as should be saved."
As for right now…I’m enjoying one last Diet Coke from America’s favorite drive-in.
And if you happen to notice an uncontrollable twitch or two from me in the coming weeks, don’t let it worry you too much.
Just know that I’m doing well in the challenge.
Oh. My. Goodness! Okay… okay… I am behind you. You can do it! I’ll be cheering you on! What a week to start! Nevertheless… I’m here for you! Hey, I gave up all regular soda (yes that is “northerner” speaking) since Jan. 1st of this year and haven’t looked back since. But take away my DC!!! (Or Diet Berry & Cream Dr. Pepper when I am at home)… you might have to lock me up… oh wait… I am sorry… YOU CAN DO IT! GO STACI!
Posted on August 21st, 2006 at 8:26 amthen totally blow that $120!!!!
Posted on August 21st, 2006 at 9:21 amHey — not to “cheat” or anything but if you don’t have to pay for it, does it still count? I could get you some free coupons if you drink it out of a 2ltr. And I bet Sonic has some coupons too!
Posted on August 21st, 2006 at 12:45 pmYou gals are cracking me up! I know, Rochelle – why THIS week, right?
And Tess, you can bet I’ll be spending it all – eventually, anyway! Right now, I’ll see if I can actually save all I don’t spend.
Paula, Mike lol when he read your comment! He said I was conspiring to get my friends to help me out. Funny, funny man…:)
Posted on August 21st, 2006 at 4:12 pmStaci–I entered a big honkin’ comment, and it didn’t post!!! I don’t know if I’m able to re-create the eloquence. Ha.
You are doing fabulously with the beginning of your challenge, and I’m SO proud of you! Watch that coin jar fill up and show your hubby what’s what!
Posted on August 21st, 2006 at 4:32 pmwow. I bow at your feet. I’m in awe of you. I wouldn’t even consider it. No deal. You are barking up the wrong tree buddy. Here’s $120 bucks… now go away and leave me and my DC ALONE!!!
Posted on August 21st, 2006 at 8:46 pmoh and Go Staci! If you find a case of DC on your doorstep, don’t question it, pick it up and back quietly into your house and thank the Heavens for manna! lol
Okay, it’s 5:45 in the morning and you have me laughing, Denise! I have to say, I am having major withdrawals right now, headache included. Yesterday I was thinking maybe after 30 days I would kick the habit for good. Today – I only want to make the thirty days just to prove I CAN do it. It’s a stubborn thing…
Posted on August 22nd, 2006 at 4:00 amI CANNOT believe he had the gall the challenge you like that. Ask him about his coffee!!! No DC for a month, wow! You can do it!! What about caffeine free????
Posted on August 22nd, 2006 at 5:12 amLove ya!
Hey… what about if you add it really, really, really, really crushed ice, and call it a slushi… and if you do the caffeine free DC, it will almost be like, well drinking water, right? And then if you don’t purchase it, just use one of those coupons… well, the possibilities are just endless!
Posted on August 22nd, 2006 at 5:31 amMy cousin sent me this link because she knows THIS is SO ME!!!! I don’t have a Sonic close enough…but would be the same way with them because I LOVE their ice with the diet coke. Now, I gave it up for 40 days before my son’s mission trip this summer…but it’s back in my life. I never really thought about the money I’d save. Hmmmm…maybe I’ll have to do that.
I’m wishing you the very best!! (From another DC fanatic)
Posted on August 24th, 2006 at 2:23 pmYou can DO IT!!! I’m rooting for you!
Posted on August 25th, 2006 at 6:43 pm