I checked on our worms today. I had some eggshells and onion peelings to give them. When I opened the bin, everything was covered in mold. No smell, though. The worms are alive and well. I think there is too much food in there right now. So the eggshells went into the trash (until the big compost is put up). Scott and I think we need more worms, so perhaps tomorrow I will go back to Petco and get another container of red wigglers.
Today I did a budget. Very boring. Very necessary. I feel so much better now! We made some decisions regarding our wedding, and our honeymoon, and our monthly spending. There will be no honeymoon. That was the decision. We decided that our goal for owning our own house was more important than spending a bunch of money on a trip. We are also trying to put as much money as possible a month towards cleaning up our credit reports so that we can purchase a home. Ugh, money!
We live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. We have a thousand dollar emergency fund, but that is it. We are hoping to get rid of most of our debt before purchasing a home. I can't wait to have a home of my own!
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Feeling Blah
Hooray, another week! The wormies seem to be doing fine. I’m trying not to check on them too much. I know they like the dark. I did add some more food to the bin; some fruit that had fallen on the floor, a banana peel, some onion peelings. And some more stuff that I cannot remember now. The drying rack and solar dryer are working well, I’ve been using one or both for every load.
Well, I’m back to feeling a little overwhelmed about the nebulous future. I know that I want to own a home on some land. I know I want to live sustainably and as self-sufficiently as possible. I know I want to live simply. But how on earth do I get from here to there? I have to work to stay at the house I live at now. And if I want to get a teaching job, I have to go back to school part time. Which is going to cost money and time. Money and time that I would much rather put towards my land and house. What to do, what to do?
I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. The children talking, the dog barking, the tv going off, too much noise! Ahhhh! I can’t concentrate at all.
Well, I’m back to feeling a little overwhelmed about the nebulous future. I know that I want to own a home on some land. I know I want to live sustainably and as self-sufficiently as possible. I know I want to live simply. But how on earth do I get from here to there? I have to work to stay at the house I live at now. And if I want to get a teaching job, I have to go back to school part time. Which is going to cost money and time. Money and time that I would much rather put towards my land and house. What to do, what to do?
I’m feeling a little overwhelmed by it all. The children talking, the dog barking, the tv going off, too much noise! Ahhhh! I can’t concentrate at all.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Goals and Plans
The worm bin is finished. We have 45-55 red wigglers wiggling around in our small under sink bin. I got to use my power tools. My drill. I even changed from one bit to another. Scott sanded it down to make it safe for the little wormies, and we laid down newspaper for bedding and wet it down. We had saved some broccoli stems and I had two out of date breakfast luna bars, and we had one apple that was soft. So all of that has been chopped up and fed to the worms. I really have to contain myself from checking on them every five minutes. They are so cute! Abby named two of them, Franklin and Bob. The fattest one is Franklin. I’m still not sure which is Bob.
I feel like I am making progress to living the way I want to live. We have been eating at home every day, except Friday. Scott made homemade french fries, which were absolutely delicious. We steamed some broccoli and had cheese sauce. I even ate a few bites of steak. I’m not a big fan. Friday night we went to Olive Garden. All of us. Three kids and two adults. We had decided ahead of time to not order sodas. But still, Olive Garden is expensive. Two of the kids ended up ordering off the adult menu, we also got an appetizer, and we split two desserts between the five of us. The total bill came to $90. We left a $15 tip. So our evening meal cost us $105! That is a weeks worth of groceries. I’m feeling a little guilty now, well, not guilty necessarily. But I really want to take a closer look at my actions and make sure they are lining up with my goals and my choice to live in a more conscious way. Because eating more than a day’s pay in one meal does not seem like a good way to live.
I’m now re-examining my goals, and I want to write them out and post them around the house, so I remember what I am living and working for. I asked the kids to be thinking about their life goals, and we are going to talk about it again next week. I told Scott what I was doing. He said he thought we were pretty clear in our goals. I explained to him how I was feeling and he supported me. He also said that he didn’t want us to become so goal focused that we lose capability to be happy now. It’s all about balance. Because I don’t want us to become so hedonistic that we never strive for better. So I am working on that. I’m also looking for inspiring quotes about living simply and things like that.
On a happier note, we purchased a drying rack and put it in front of the heater to dry our clothes. We also have a small clothesline out back, it won’t hold a full load or anything, but on nice days I have been hanging some out to dry. I call that my solar dryer. I haven’t named the drying rack. I’m hoping to save some money on electric, as well as extend the life of our clothes. It’s better for the planet, as well, by not using up precious energy.
I have a list of projects that we would like to start soon. Among them are a garden; a larger, outdoor compost; and a fenced area for the dog. These are all things that I can do at the place I am living right now. Oh, and I’m making a patchwork quilt out of old clothes. Nope, I’ve never done any of the above. Well, I did attempt a garden last spring, but it never grew. I got some weeds. Nothing edible. Yippee! This time will be different.
I feel like I am making progress to living the way I want to live. We have been eating at home every day, except Friday. Scott made homemade french fries, which were absolutely delicious. We steamed some broccoli and had cheese sauce. I even ate a few bites of steak. I’m not a big fan. Friday night we went to Olive Garden. All of us. Three kids and two adults. We had decided ahead of time to not order sodas. But still, Olive Garden is expensive. Two of the kids ended up ordering off the adult menu, we also got an appetizer, and we split two desserts between the five of us. The total bill came to $90. We left a $15 tip. So our evening meal cost us $105! That is a weeks worth of groceries. I’m feeling a little guilty now, well, not guilty necessarily. But I really want to take a closer look at my actions and make sure they are lining up with my goals and my choice to live in a more conscious way. Because eating more than a day’s pay in one meal does not seem like a good way to live.
I’m now re-examining my goals, and I want to write them out and post them around the house, so I remember what I am living and working for. I asked the kids to be thinking about their life goals, and we are going to talk about it again next week. I told Scott what I was doing. He said he thought we were pretty clear in our goals. I explained to him how I was feeling and he supported me. He also said that he didn’t want us to become so goal focused that we lose capability to be happy now. It’s all about balance. Because I don’t want us to become so hedonistic that we never strive for better. So I am working on that. I’m also looking for inspiring quotes about living simply and things like that.
On a happier note, we purchased a drying rack and put it in front of the heater to dry our clothes. We also have a small clothesline out back, it won’t hold a full load or anything, but on nice days I have been hanging some out to dry. I call that my solar dryer. I haven’t named the drying rack. I’m hoping to save some money on electric, as well as extend the life of our clothes. It’s better for the planet, as well, by not using up precious energy.
I have a list of projects that we would like to start soon. Among them are a garden; a larger, outdoor compost; and a fenced area for the dog. These are all things that I can do at the place I am living right now. Oh, and I’m making a patchwork quilt out of old clothes. Nope, I’ve never done any of the above. Well, I did attempt a garden last spring, but it never grew. I got some weeds. Nothing edible. Yippee! This time will be different.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Ready, Set, Go!
Welcome to my four day weekend! Woohoo! When I came home, I really needed to be outside and do some work. So I went over to the Yurt in the Holler spot, and cleared up the trash and put the fallen wood in the wood pile by the chiminea. I looked at the water that needs to be diverted, and tried to imagine how to accomplish water diversion. Build a dirt bank? Dig a ditch? Hmm. Both probably would be good. I need a shovel! And a wheel barrow. I have this strange desire for tools. Lots of tools. A machete, an axe, a rake. Time to hit the yard sales, I suppose. I can’t wait to start the compost and the fence projects. And the vermicompost project, as well.
Okay, talked to the family. We are starting our worm bin tomorrow. As well as getting a drying rack for our clothes to put by the heater to dry. Woohoo! I feel like I might actually be getting closer to living the way I want to live. Choosing instead of autopilot. Doing what everyone else is doing, just because I’m not thinking about it. I like action. Don’t get me wrong, I like planning also (okay, a lot), but I love seeing the fruit of my plans also. It felt incredibly good to see the Yurt in the Holler place cleaned up. And I felt incredibly good working toward one of my dream/goals.
Okay, talked to the family. We are starting our worm bin tomorrow. As well as getting a drying rack for our clothes to put by the heater to dry. Woohoo! I feel like I might actually be getting closer to living the way I want to live. Choosing instead of autopilot. Doing what everyone else is doing, just because I’m not thinking about it. I like action. Don’t get me wrong, I like planning also (okay, a lot), but I love seeing the fruit of my plans also. It felt incredibly good to see the Yurt in the Holler place cleaned up. And I felt incredibly good working toward one of my dream/goals.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Fires and Towels
All the dishes are done. I’m working on laundry now, I’ve folded two loads already, and have two more to do. Scott fixed us all a delicious dinner of nachos. The girls made us cake. Abby got rid of one shirt.
I washed all of the towels. We have a lot of towels. A plethora of towels. We have a myriad of towel choices when we exit the bath. In order to narrow down our abundance of towels, we are each choosing one towel to make our own. We can sew or embroider whatever our hearts desire on our one towel. This one towel will find a permanent home in the bathroom, preferable on the towel rack. This one towel will never be on the floor, or lost in the bedroom, or pushed to the back of the cabinet. We are also keeping a couple of extra towels for guests. The rest of the towels are going to ASPCA for the animals. I am tired of washing towels! I am simplifying my life by making less work for me washing, drying, folding, and putting away all of these towels every week! Yea, and go me!
We did have a fire last night. It was a lot of fun. And a lot of work. All of the wood and tinder was wet. We thought we were just going to have a paper fire, because I had four phone books and some old tax forms to burn, but the three logs ended up drying out enough to burn! And the cabinet, as well. We sat out there, watching the flames until well into the night, and had dinner at 11pm. That was certainly not cool, because everyone had to get up early and go to work and school the next day. That means tonight is early to bed. Our friend did come over for a little while, which was nice. We got to catch up for a few minutes and watch papers burn. They donated a couple of logs to our fire. It’s nice to have time to do things like this with my friends and family.
I washed all of the towels. We have a lot of towels. A plethora of towels. We have a myriad of towel choices when we exit the bath. In order to narrow down our abundance of towels, we are each choosing one towel to make our own. We can sew or embroider whatever our hearts desire on our one towel. This one towel will find a permanent home in the bathroom, preferable on the towel rack. This one towel will never be on the floor, or lost in the bedroom, or pushed to the back of the cabinet. We are also keeping a couple of extra towels for guests. The rest of the towels are going to ASPCA for the animals. I am tired of washing towels! I am simplifying my life by making less work for me washing, drying, folding, and putting away all of these towels every week! Yea, and go me!
We did have a fire last night. It was a lot of fun. And a lot of work. All of the wood and tinder was wet. We thought we were just going to have a paper fire, because I had four phone books and some old tax forms to burn, but the three logs ended up drying out enough to burn! And the cabinet, as well. We sat out there, watching the flames until well into the night, and had dinner at 11pm. That was certainly not cool, because everyone had to get up early and go to work and school the next day. That means tonight is early to bed. Our friend did come over for a little while, which was nice. We got to catch up for a few minutes and watch papers burn. They donated a couple of logs to our fire. It’s nice to have time to do things like this with my friends and family.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Communication is Key
Today Scott and I sat down and had a talk with our roommate. It can be hard to share living space, especially since Scott and I have children and a dog, and our roommate is a single guy, no pets. We hashed a lot of things out, it was a good experience. I certainly feel better about everything, and Scott says he does, too. We have to work on being better about training the dog, and be clear with the kids and with our roommate about expectations. Communication is key, as usual. Sometimes it is just easier to focus on the negative, but then I have to live with the consequences of my negative energy, which in turn affects my family, which in turn affects me. It can be a never-ending spiral of negativity, until someone takes a step to break it. So even though it was hard for me personally to confront my roommate, afterwards, it was so much better!
Scott and I are still working on cleaning the house today, focusing on getting the laundry all caught up and the dishes. Well, the dishes are all done, since yesterday, actually, but I want to make sure they don’t get out of hand again. We’ve done a good job on keeping up with them so far. I’m just worried about what happens when we are both at work again.
Tonight we are going to have a chiminea. We have a bunch of papers to burn, and an old cabinet that is falling apart for wood. We invited over a friend, and we will have s’mores. Yummy! It’s not too awful cold outside. I’m being deliberate about my activities today, choosing to have a relaxing evening before returning to work, instead of trying to cram in a bunch of meaningless tasks. With my laundry being done, I will have clean uniforms, so will Scott. The girls will have clean clothes all week. Scott and I did plan a menu for the week, so we know what we are having for each meal, each day. Shopping is being done by my roommate in exchange for cleaning.
I’m still excited about the yurt in the holler by our house. We probably won’t be able to do any work on it today, but maybe tomorrow after work we can begin. We did watch a video on vermicomposting and a video on the Loveable Loo. Yea! I’m kind of wondering if we could install a Loveable Loo on top of our existing toilet now in a way that would be easy to remove when we move, and would not be a permanent structure because we rent. I guess we could just put some wood around the current toilet and put in a couple of stairs, and have the Loveable Loo on top of the old toilet. Then we come to the next problem of not having a current compost bin to put the compost from the Loveable Loo. We need pallets!
It looks like Wednesday nights are going to be family meeting nights. This Wednesday will the first. Well, the first with Scott and Isaac present. Tori, Abby and I have had meetings in the past. We are going to talk about starting an electronics free time every week, starting with maybe an hour on Wednesdays. We are so hooked on electronics, like me and the computer, the boys and their video games, the girls and their movies. It’s a tough cycle to break, but we are making a step in the right direction. I also don’t want the kids to feel forced into making these changes. I want them to be as excited as I am to living a life that is fulfilling and fun and purposeful. They are older, and they certainly have their own opinions about these things, but I want there to be a balance. I don’t want to be the dictator of my family, and force them to do the things I want to do. I also don’t want to encourage them to be little dictators and decide what is best for the family. Communication is key, after all. I suppose that is what I am learning about today. Asserting myself, while still being attuned to the needs and desires of those around me. Not only is my life a deliberate adventure, it is a permanently open school. I love it!
Scott and I are still working on cleaning the house today, focusing on getting the laundry all caught up and the dishes. Well, the dishes are all done, since yesterday, actually, but I want to make sure they don’t get out of hand again. We’ve done a good job on keeping up with them so far. I’m just worried about what happens when we are both at work again.
Tonight we are going to have a chiminea. We have a bunch of papers to burn, and an old cabinet that is falling apart for wood. We invited over a friend, and we will have s’mores. Yummy! It’s not too awful cold outside. I’m being deliberate about my activities today, choosing to have a relaxing evening before returning to work, instead of trying to cram in a bunch of meaningless tasks. With my laundry being done, I will have clean uniforms, so will Scott. The girls will have clean clothes all week. Scott and I did plan a menu for the week, so we know what we are having for each meal, each day. Shopping is being done by my roommate in exchange for cleaning.
I’m still excited about the yurt in the holler by our house. We probably won’t be able to do any work on it today, but maybe tomorrow after work we can begin. We did watch a video on vermicomposting and a video on the Loveable Loo. Yea! I’m kind of wondering if we could install a Loveable Loo on top of our existing toilet now in a way that would be easy to remove when we move, and would not be a permanent structure because we rent. I guess we could just put some wood around the current toilet and put in a couple of stairs, and have the Loveable Loo on top of the old toilet. Then we come to the next problem of not having a current compost bin to put the compost from the Loveable Loo. We need pallets!
It looks like Wednesday nights are going to be family meeting nights. This Wednesday will the first. Well, the first with Scott and Isaac present. Tori, Abby and I have had meetings in the past. We are going to talk about starting an electronics free time every week, starting with maybe an hour on Wednesdays. We are so hooked on electronics, like me and the computer, the boys and their video games, the girls and their movies. It’s a tough cycle to break, but we are making a step in the right direction. I also don’t want the kids to feel forced into making these changes. I want them to be as excited as I am to living a life that is fulfilling and fun and purposeful. They are older, and they certainly have their own opinions about these things, but I want there to be a balance. I don’t want to be the dictator of my family, and force them to do the things I want to do. I also don’t want to encourage them to be little dictators and decide what is best for the family. Communication is key, after all. I suppose that is what I am learning about today. Asserting myself, while still being attuned to the needs and desires of those around me. Not only is my life a deliberate adventure, it is a permanently open school. I love it!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Yurt in the Holler
Today has been a day of hard work and inspiration. We are decluttering today, and catching up on some much needed cleaning. I think we are all tired. We drove around the neighborhoods, too, after taking a Taco Bell break (yes, I know, but we had been cleaning all day!). I knew there was a house that had a yurt in the yard, and the owner was friendly. So we found it again, and there was another yurt added! I adore yurts, and they bring me so much joy. I have read books and done research on the internet about yurts, but I have never been inside a yurt, or stayed in a yurt or seen a real live yurt. Something about living in the round just really gets me going. So anyways, we ended up talking to this very nice owner, and he was telling us about living off grid right in Prescott. What we could see of the yurts looked so beautiful!
When we got home, we were completely inspired again. We came home and found the best spot for our little yurt getaway. This will allow more room inside the house for our children. And for my brother-in-law. We have some work to do to clear the area that we have chosen, and we are going to fence it in first (with a pallet fence, anyone have a collection of pallets?), then put up the yurt! And water runoff from the mountain to divert. With a wood stove and a humanure toilet, we will be good to go. Scott and I are planning to use the yurt as a bedroom. Then when we move, the yurt goes with us. We are thinking to put the yurt on a platform of pallets, top that off with some plywood, then put down some heavy rugs. The yurt is going to be a small one, just enough for the stove, toilet, and bed. No electricity. Kerosene lamps and candles.
The other project we are starting is a compost bin. We are also making this out of pallets and galvanized wire. We might also start a worm compost. Under the sink. Because we are starting a garden! Yippee! Pet worms! I think the kids might like that project. Maybe I will put them in charge of doing it. They can decorate it and paint it and name it. Sounds like fun, maybe I don't really want to let the kids do it after all. Nah. I might let them do it. Possibly.
I am really looking forward to what tomorrow might bring. We certainly have our work cut out for us.
PS. For dinner, Scott made ham and mashed potatoes. I made corn and heated up dinner rolls. Scott kicked me out of the kitchen at the end. : ) I did the dishes. Scott says that I did half of the dishes. And he dried and put away, too.
When we got home, we were completely inspired again. We came home and found the best spot for our little yurt getaway. This will allow more room inside the house for our children. And for my brother-in-law. We have some work to do to clear the area that we have chosen, and we are going to fence it in first (with a pallet fence, anyone have a collection of pallets?), then put up the yurt! And water runoff from the mountain to divert. With a wood stove and a humanure toilet, we will be good to go. Scott and I are planning to use the yurt as a bedroom. Then when we move, the yurt goes with us. We are thinking to put the yurt on a platform of pallets, top that off with some plywood, then put down some heavy rugs. The yurt is going to be a small one, just enough for the stove, toilet, and bed. No electricity. Kerosene lamps and candles.
The other project we are starting is a compost bin. We are also making this out of pallets and galvanized wire. We might also start a worm compost. Under the sink. Because we are starting a garden! Yippee! Pet worms! I think the kids might like that project. Maybe I will put them in charge of doing it. They can decorate it and paint it and name it. Sounds like fun, maybe I don't really want to let the kids do it after all. Nah. I might let them do it. Possibly.
I am really looking forward to what tomorrow might bring. We certainly have our work cut out for us.
PS. For dinner, Scott made ham and mashed potatoes. I made corn and heated up dinner rolls. Scott kicked me out of the kitchen at the end. : ) I did the dishes. Scott says that I did half of the dishes. And he dried and put away, too.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Day to day
Day two of my workweek and it is proving to be more difficult to maintain my chosen deliberate lifestyle. It is very very easy to fall back into the everyday, just get through the day to zonk out in the evenings. Right now I am so tired I can hardly think straight. My eyes are burning. Not sure how much meditating is going to get done. I did clean the sink out of all the dirty dishes (with the help of my loving fiance!). I didn’t eat out today or yesterday. I actually cooked enchiladas, cheesy ones, of course. I packed lunches for all of us (again, with the help of my loving fiance!). We are going to be doing some discussion on our finances. Yippee.
Today I had fun daydreaming about my little homestead. This is my current favorite daydream, involving chickens and cows and greenhouses. Of course, I have absolutely no experience with any of these things, and may actually hate to care for animals. I certainly have no interest in pets. I want to have fresh eggs, though, and fresh milk. I don’t even know what fresh milk tastes like. I want to make my own butter and cream. I want to collapse exhausted in my nice bed after a day of hard labor on my own place. I dream of not working for anyone but myself.
Right now I am still working for someone else, doing things like stopping by a store to pick up ice cream without even thinking twice about what I’m doing. Flopping in the recliner at the end of the day with a big sigh of relief for making through the day. This is not the life I want.
I really want to get rid of more of my stuff. All the stuff I have now will not fit into my daydream of a homestead. I would need a yurt for me and a yurt for my stuff. Not cool. It’s hard to remember that they are just “things” and not a part of me. Nothing bad will happen if I get rid of it.
I just want to be real. I want to eat real food and do real work. I want to have real conversations and be a real mother and wife. That’s all, but it seems like it is very difficult to do. Obviously I am very tired, and feeling somewhat pessimistic right now.
Going to meditate on the blessings in my life now.
Today I had fun daydreaming about my little homestead. This is my current favorite daydream, involving chickens and cows and greenhouses. Of course, I have absolutely no experience with any of these things, and may actually hate to care for animals. I certainly have no interest in pets. I want to have fresh eggs, though, and fresh milk. I don’t even know what fresh milk tastes like. I want to make my own butter and cream. I want to collapse exhausted in my nice bed after a day of hard labor on my own place. I dream of not working for anyone but myself.
Right now I am still working for someone else, doing things like stopping by a store to pick up ice cream without even thinking twice about what I’m doing. Flopping in the recliner at the end of the day with a big sigh of relief for making through the day. This is not the life I want.
I really want to get rid of more of my stuff. All the stuff I have now will not fit into my daydream of a homestead. I would need a yurt for me and a yurt for my stuff. Not cool. It’s hard to remember that they are just “things” and not a part of me. Nothing bad will happen if I get rid of it.
I just want to be real. I want to eat real food and do real work. I want to have real conversations and be a real mother and wife. That’s all, but it seems like it is very difficult to do. Obviously I am very tired, and feeling somewhat pessimistic right now.
Going to meditate on the blessings in my life now.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
On Being Deliberate
Saying I’m going to be deliberate is very easy. It’s the follow through that is difficult. I know I spend much of my time on auto pilot, just doing things because I have always done them, or because everyone else does them. Yes, knowing that I’m not deliberate is half of the battle, but how do I even begin to be deliberate? I’m not sure how much of my day to day life is actually deliberate. Was I conscious this morning when I woke up? Am I awake right now? Of course, my eyes are open, and I’m out of bed, but how much of life am I missing by just doing things without being intentional while doing them? How many times have I zoned out in front of the TV when I could have better spent that time with my children or my fiance or my friends. How many times have I zoned out while actually doing something, like washing dishes or driving? Are my dishes really getting clean if I am thinking about the argument I had earlier while scrubbing the plates? Did I run that stop sign back there, because I was reflecting on whether or not the shade of blue on my shirt matches the shade of blue on my pants?
For me, being deliberate is going to require some work, some self discipline, and some dedication. I don’t think that a deliberate life is easy, but I believe a deliberate life has so many rewards that it makes all of the work worth the price. Short term will be difficult, because I am so hooked on instant gratification. But long term, I believe my life will be richer and filled with more joy. I imagine I will be able to make the necessary sacrifices to make these changes, but it will be easier and more tempting to do what I have always done, especially if it is easier. I want that easy button, too! I think I need to keep in mind why I am doing this, because I don’t want to feel empty anymore. I want to live, no, I want to LIVE! I am not a robot, I have a loving, feeling soul that needs more than material goods to thrive on this planet. I desire to be an example to my children, an example that I can be proud of, that I would actually want them to emulate. I want a grand adventure while I am existing on this plane, not to run around and around on a gray track with everybody else. I am unique. I do not agree with everything that the TV tells me to think. I don’t have to do what everybody else does or tells me to do. I can think for myself. I can stand up for myself, and by doing that, stand up for others. I have the necessary confidence in myself to make the changes that I need to make in order to live my life the way I want to live it.
My resolutions for 2011 are a part of my changes. It will take a lot of self discipline to meditate every day. But I will be so much more balanced, able to reflect on my day and my life so far. I will be more conscious, and more intentional, even if it is just for those five minutes every day.
Getting my finances in order will relieve a lot of stress on me and my fiance. Even though I have no credit cards, no car loan, and no mortgage, I have a sloppy credit report, and a humungous student loan from my BA. I always feel better if I know exactly where my money is, and where it is going. This will help me because I really want to purchase my own home next year. I want to be deliberate about managing my money, not let my money manage me.
My cluttered house needs to be streamlines so that it is a haven for my family, not just a place to keep our stuff. It doesn’t feel like a family friendly gathering place right now, and I want it to be a welcoming retreat for friends and family. I’m going to start by doing all of the dishes before I go to sleep. Every night. I’m also going to get rid of five things everyday, at least for January. Then I will step back, and reassess my needs.
Losing weight is really one aspect of getting back into shape. I want to be healthy all around, not only thinner. I would like to have endurance and strength as well. But because I am so so sedate and obese, this is where I am starting. Losing twenty five pounds will put me at a still fat one seventy five. So my starting point is to change my eating habits, and the biggest culprit right now is eating out. Right now, I estimate I eat at a restaurant at least once a day, if not twice. So, for January, I commit to eating out only once a week. This really benefits resolution number two, as well, since I won’t be spending money on eating out.
By doing these four small things everyday, I think I will be able to live more deliberately. Here we go!
For me, being deliberate is going to require some work, some self discipline, and some dedication. I don’t think that a deliberate life is easy, but I believe a deliberate life has so many rewards that it makes all of the work worth the price. Short term will be difficult, because I am so hooked on instant gratification. But long term, I believe my life will be richer and filled with more joy. I imagine I will be able to make the necessary sacrifices to make these changes, but it will be easier and more tempting to do what I have always done, especially if it is easier. I want that easy button, too! I think I need to keep in mind why I am doing this, because I don’t want to feel empty anymore. I want to live, no, I want to LIVE! I am not a robot, I have a loving, feeling soul that needs more than material goods to thrive on this planet. I desire to be an example to my children, an example that I can be proud of, that I would actually want them to emulate. I want a grand adventure while I am existing on this plane, not to run around and around on a gray track with everybody else. I am unique. I do not agree with everything that the TV tells me to think. I don’t have to do what everybody else does or tells me to do. I can think for myself. I can stand up for myself, and by doing that, stand up for others. I have the necessary confidence in myself to make the changes that I need to make in order to live my life the way I want to live it.
My resolutions for 2011 are a part of my changes. It will take a lot of self discipline to meditate every day. But I will be so much more balanced, able to reflect on my day and my life so far. I will be more conscious, and more intentional, even if it is just for those five minutes every day.
Getting my finances in order will relieve a lot of stress on me and my fiance. Even though I have no credit cards, no car loan, and no mortgage, I have a sloppy credit report, and a humungous student loan from my BA. I always feel better if I know exactly where my money is, and where it is going. This will help me because I really want to purchase my own home next year. I want to be deliberate about managing my money, not let my money manage me.
My cluttered house needs to be streamlines so that it is a haven for my family, not just a place to keep our stuff. It doesn’t feel like a family friendly gathering place right now, and I want it to be a welcoming retreat for friends and family. I’m going to start by doing all of the dishes before I go to sleep. Every night. I’m also going to get rid of five things everyday, at least for January. Then I will step back, and reassess my needs.
Losing weight is really one aspect of getting back into shape. I want to be healthy all around, not only thinner. I would like to have endurance and strength as well. But because I am so so sedate and obese, this is where I am starting. Losing twenty five pounds will put me at a still fat one seventy five. So my starting point is to change my eating habits, and the biggest culprit right now is eating out. Right now, I estimate I eat at a restaurant at least once a day, if not twice. So, for January, I commit to eating out only once a week. This really benefits resolution number two, as well, since I won’t be spending money on eating out.
By doing these four small things everyday, I think I will be able to live more deliberately. Here we go!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy 2011!
It is 1.1.11. I am leaving 2010 behind with a grateful heart and wonderful expectations for the new year. I am thankful for the prince of a man I met in August, that I am marrying in 2011. I am happy to have met my boss Angie this past year, and the opportunity to work at the school with all these amazing children and other women who make the school the success it is today. I had the chance to visit Sedona, the Grand Canyon, Virginia, California, and Flagstaff in 2010, always in good company.
In 2011, I have four resolutions.
1. Meditate every day.
2. Get my financial house in order.
3. Work on my housekeeping skills.
4. Lose 25 pounds before the wedding.
These resolutions fit with my life priorities and goals of living more simply, being balanced, and healthy.
I'm making my life a deliberate adventure.
I aim to keep this blog as a journal as I (with my understanding and supporting family), make changes in our lifestyles as we move to a more sustainable, simple life that brings the importance of our relationships with others to the fore, and pushes back the greed and unkindness of the mainstream.
Right now we live in a rented property with a nice front yard. We have two vehicles, which we drive around town and to and from our jobs. We have three incredible children who are all in their preteens. We do a lot of eating out. All of us are interested in making changes. Good luck to us all!
In 2011, I have four resolutions.
1. Meditate every day.
2. Get my financial house in order.
3. Work on my housekeeping skills.
4. Lose 25 pounds before the wedding.
These resolutions fit with my life priorities and goals of living more simply, being balanced, and healthy.
I'm making my life a deliberate adventure.
I aim to keep this blog as a journal as I (with my understanding and supporting family), make changes in our lifestyles as we move to a more sustainable, simple life that brings the importance of our relationships with others to the fore, and pushes back the greed and unkindness of the mainstream.
Right now we live in a rented property with a nice front yard. We have two vehicles, which we drive around town and to and from our jobs. We have three incredible children who are all in their preteens. We do a lot of eating out. All of us are interested in making changes. Good luck to us all!
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