Good Morning Friends,
I hope you had a lovely weekend. Today I'm grateful for home. Notice I didn't say 'a home'-which in these cold temps I'm ever so thankful for a warm place with four walls and a roof to keep me and my family snug as bugs. I'm talking about 'home'. A place where I am needed and presence is required.
When you have children it's easy to say "Oh sure, I have home. I need to raise my kids blah blah blah". But am I always present? As a mostly Stay-At-Home-Mom, this new calling and my required presence took some serious adjustment. Don't get me wrong-nothing is more amazing than watching your little beans grow into bigger beans. But sometimes those little beans drive you bananas and staying engaged is just too darn hard. Some days there is a tiny part of me that dreams of living out of a backpack for a year while traveling around the world and not having to watch the clock because you have babysitter/bedtime/school deadlines. Often times I dream of just having two days by myself in the woods in a cabin with just my knitting, books, coffee pot and a warm bed. Ahhh bliss.
In a fast paced and hectic world with crazy schedules and knowing that more nuttiness induced by the holidays is just around the corner a place that requires you to be present is a good thing. My challenge for you is to think about ways to be present and to create 'home'. No life partners or children required. First you need a place where you feel safe and happy. A big budget or a space that looks like a Japanese Spa is unnecessary. Your current space may drive you crazy but say a prayer of thanks that you have a place to hang your hat (or to store your yarn stash) and focus on the positive. If you need to, spend some time creating and tinkering to create a space that will give you peace of mind but then move on. 'Home' rather than 'a home' is the focus. What will require you to be present? Seriously consider adding something that requires your tender care and attention. It could be a plant or a small container garden with herbs or veggies, a rock garden that you rearrange every day, a fish or go crazy and buy a farm and get some chickens! If the thought of caring for anything living makes you weak in the knees consider cultivating a hobby and commit to spending some time on it every day. This could be something as simple as writing (take the NaNoWriMo challenge), or learning a new handcraft or lighting a candle and committing to 5 minutes of morning and evening meditation or committing to reading a spiritual text every night for 20 minutes. Find something that requires a little humble effort on your part and that requires you to be really present. I promise it will give you joy in return.
Buon Monday!!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Gratitude and Thankfulness-Day Five
Happy Spirit Sunday Friends!
Today I'm grateful for free will. What you say? Free will on a Spirit Sunday? Look. I don't have this whole 'spirit' thing figured out or God all figured out but I'm not sure you ever do and that's part of the fun and challenge of being a person of faith (not converting anyone-just sayin'). For me, I think there is a certain amount of fate involved in our gift of life and you need to roll with the punches. On the other hand, a lot of the decision making process is left up to us-a big task if you think about it and a huge responsibility. What are you going to do with this life of yours? Your thoughts, words and deeds?
Two things for the cooker today.
I had a great conversation this week with a dear friend and we were talking about 'the spiritual path' in life. She has been working with a meditation group and discovering some great things not only about herself but I dare say she is having a 'shift' in how she approaches life. (5 stars my friend!). One of the coolest things she told me that I keep going back to is that at some point you need to take responsibility and ownership for the energy that you put out into the world. I love this image and it's so very true. We have free will but we also need to own up to our actions. A nice way of saying poop or get off the pot :)
Today we celebrate Reformation Sunday in the Lutheran Church. It's my favorite Sunday of the year because not only do we sing my favorite hymns but we hear the message of Grace. Lutherans believe that by Grace we have been saved and not by good works. But again, with that comes huge responsibility. What are you spending your time and talents on? Martin Luther exercised some pretty serious free will, nailed his 95 thesis on the door, a revolution happened in the church and we have what is known as the Lutheran church today. While this is not quite what he had in mind talk about taking ownership.
Free will is pretty cool but can also be a daunting gift. In some respects living a life that just relies on fate would be easier. Dull, but easier. So what are you going to do today with your free will today?
Cheers and Happy Sunday!
Free Will is a pretty cool thing but kind of scary at the same time.
Today I'm grateful for free will. What you say? Free will on a Spirit Sunday? Look. I don't have this whole 'spirit' thing figured out or God all figured out but I'm not sure you ever do and that's part of the fun and challenge of being a person of faith (not converting anyone-just sayin'). For me, I think there is a certain amount of fate involved in our gift of life and you need to roll with the punches. On the other hand, a lot of the decision making process is left up to us-a big task if you think about it and a huge responsibility. What are you going to do with this life of yours? Your thoughts, words and deeds?
Two things for the cooker today.
I had a great conversation this week with a dear friend and we were talking about 'the spiritual path' in life. She has been working with a meditation group and discovering some great things not only about herself but I dare say she is having a 'shift' in how she approaches life. (5 stars my friend!). One of the coolest things she told me that I keep going back to is that at some point you need to take responsibility and ownership for the energy that you put out into the world. I love this image and it's so very true. We have free will but we also need to own up to our actions. A nice way of saying poop or get off the pot :)
Today we celebrate Reformation Sunday in the Lutheran Church. It's my favorite Sunday of the year because not only do we sing my favorite hymns but we hear the message of Grace. Lutherans believe that by Grace we have been saved and not by good works. But again, with that comes huge responsibility. What are you spending your time and talents on? Martin Luther exercised some pretty serious free will, nailed his 95 thesis on the door, a revolution happened in the church and we have what is known as the Lutheran church today. While this is not quite what he had in mind talk about taking ownership.
Free will is pretty cool but can also be a daunting gift. In some respects living a life that just relies on fate would be easier. Dull, but easier. So what are you going to do today with your free will today?
Cheers and Happy Sunday!
Free Will is a pretty cool thing but kind of scary at the same time.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Gratitude and Thanksfulness-Day Four
Happy Saturday Darlings,
The last 24 hours has been a whirlwind of research & discovery for this Church Lady. I have so many things to share and so much that I'm grateful for that I'm not sure where to start so I think the best bet is to spread the wealth over a few posts, deal?
Today I'm particularly thankful and grateful for good friends. Not to count out family because I'm super lucky that not only is everyone pretty great but we all get along. However, that's for another post. I have a wonderful small circle of fantastic people in my life that has blessed me with their friendship. I'm not talking about people I get along with really well or people that I'm friendly with. I'm talking about the truest of the true friends here. They cheer me on, drop everything if I need help no matter how crazy their lives are, they are funny, intelligent, beautiful, creative, nurturing, they keep me in check, ask interesting questions about the world, are adventurous, and just overall
awesome-sauce. Really. You can't get much better than that.
I have a love/hate relationship with living in New York (partly because I really want a cottage in the country with sheep-knitting on the hoof-but I digress). One of THE biggest drawbacks is that everyone on both sides of the family lives so far away that some serious travel is required to see anyone. It's a real bummer, especially when you have a little sweet-pea. No one can replace grandparents and aunts and uncles, but a good and true friend sure comes in a close second. Thank you dear friends!
Buon weekend!
The last 24 hours has been a whirlwind of research & discovery for this Church Lady. I have so many things to share and so much that I'm grateful for that I'm not sure where to start so I think the best bet is to spread the wealth over a few posts, deal?
Today I'm particularly thankful and grateful for good friends. Not to count out family because I'm super lucky that not only is everyone pretty great but we all get along. However, that's for another post. I have a wonderful small circle of fantastic people in my life that has blessed me with their friendship. I'm not talking about people I get along with really well or people that I'm friendly with. I'm talking about the truest of the true friends here. They cheer me on, drop everything if I need help no matter how crazy their lives are, they are funny, intelligent, beautiful, creative, nurturing, they keep me in check, ask interesting questions about the world, are adventurous, and just overall
awesome-sauce. Really. You can't get much better than that.
I have a love/hate relationship with living in New York (partly because I really want a cottage in the country with sheep-knitting on the hoof-but I digress). One of THE biggest drawbacks is that everyone on both sides of the family lives so far away that some serious travel is required to see anyone. It's a real bummer, especially when you have a little sweet-pea. No one can replace grandparents and aunts and uncles, but a good and true friend sure comes in a close second. Thank you dear friends!
A man's Growth is seen in the successive choirs of his friends. -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Buon weekend!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Gratitude and Thankfulness-Day Three
Happy Fun-Day Friday!
Grace and Thanks are wonderful things but it is easy to get bogged down in these Holy moments. On crisp, fall days we all could do with a healthy dose of whimsy.
In all seriousness-I am truly grateful for socks. A warm pair of woolies can really make the difference on a cold day. I was particularly grateful to have the luxury of putting on a fresh pair last night before leaping into bed and burying myself under the covers to hide from the cold. Even the Moosh loves them. If there is one thing this kid loves it is having her feet covered at all times. Sure, she loves to pull off her socks because it's a fun game but then wants them back on IMMEDIATELY! And if one should happen to come off when changing her diaper?! Yikes.
Some interesting facts about socks. The name socks may have been derived from the Latin word soccus, the name for the shoes worn by comic actors in Ancient Rome. (See! Proof that the Arts are good for society.) The first 'socks' were created by tying animal skins around the feet and binding them at the ankle. These fluffy feet warmers can be traced back to ancient Greece in 8th century BC. By the 5th Century AD socks were worn by the Holy folks in order to show their purity and 400 years later became a symbol of wealth.
Side note/commentary: Can you imagine sitting on the side of a dusty road during ancient times and staring at someones feet and longing for a pair of socks? Were there designer socks? Were people robbed for their socks? Kind of makes sitting on the subway and longing for that passengers expensive __(insert)__ seem silly in retrospect. This also gives me pause think about all those kids today in other countries who are unable to attend school because they can't afford shoes. I've heard stories of families rotating their shoes among the kids so at least they can go get an education one or two days out of the week. Complaining about your finances? Think if you didn't have socks or shoes!
The mass production of socks took off with the invention of the knitting machine in 1589 which meant that socks could be churned out at a rate 6x's faster than by hand. (Lisa!) Nylon was introduced in 1938 and the socks that we know and love today are a direct result of said faux fabric. As someone who knits this makes me a little woozy but I digress....
Socks are so much fun and can add that extra something special to any outfit. As one friend famously says, "a splash of color". But what to do with them as they wear out or loose their mates in the wash? Here is my Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without tip for the weekend. If you have a small hole in the toe then put in your favorite movie and get to darning. If you've darned those darned socks beyond repair or you have a pile of single socks it's time to recycle them into cleaning rags. A sock worn on the hand is the best duster for hard to reach spots-tops of doors, in between slats on blinds and those corners the vacuum just can't get. Genius!
Have warm feet? Say a prayer of thanks!
Happy Friday and Buon Weekend!
Grace and Thanks are wonderful things but it is easy to get bogged down in these Holy moments. On crisp, fall days we all could do with a healthy dose of whimsy.
In all seriousness-I am truly grateful for socks. A warm pair of woolies can really make the difference on a cold day. I was particularly grateful to have the luxury of putting on a fresh pair last night before leaping into bed and burying myself under the covers to hide from the cold. Even the Moosh loves them. If there is one thing this kid loves it is having her feet covered at all times. Sure, she loves to pull off her socks because it's a fun game but then wants them back on IMMEDIATELY! And if one should happen to come off when changing her diaper?! Yikes.
Some interesting facts about socks. The name socks may have been derived from the Latin word soccus, the name for the shoes worn by comic actors in Ancient Rome. (See! Proof that the Arts are good for society.) The first 'socks' were created by tying animal skins around the feet and binding them at the ankle. These fluffy feet warmers can be traced back to ancient Greece in 8th century BC. By the 5th Century AD socks were worn by the Holy folks in order to show their purity and 400 years later became a symbol of wealth.
Side note/commentary: Can you imagine sitting on the side of a dusty road during ancient times and staring at someones feet and longing for a pair of socks? Were there designer socks? Were people robbed for their socks? Kind of makes sitting on the subway and longing for that passengers expensive __(insert)__ seem silly in retrospect. This also gives me pause think about all those kids today in other countries who are unable to attend school because they can't afford shoes. I've heard stories of families rotating their shoes among the kids so at least they can go get an education one or two days out of the week. Complaining about your finances? Think if you didn't have socks or shoes!
The mass production of socks took off with the invention of the knitting machine in 1589 which meant that socks could be churned out at a rate 6x's faster than by hand. (Lisa!) Nylon was introduced in 1938 and the socks that we know and love today are a direct result of said faux fabric. As someone who knits this makes me a little woozy but I digress....
Socks are so much fun and can add that extra something special to any outfit. As one friend famously says, "a splash of color". But what to do with them as they wear out or loose their mates in the wash? Here is my Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without tip for the weekend. If you have a small hole in the toe then put in your favorite movie and get to darning. If you've darned those darned socks beyond repair or you have a pile of single socks it's time to recycle them into cleaning rags. A sock worn on the hand is the best duster for hard to reach spots-tops of doors, in between slats on blinds and those corners the vacuum just can't get. Genius!
Have warm feet? Say a prayer of thanks!
Happy Friday and Buon Weekend!
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| Socks on their last leg. |
 |
| A little 'holiday' cleaning. Hee hee. |
 |
| The cleanest this door has ever been. Serious! |
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Gratitude and Thankfulness-Day Two
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| Leave in the yard in Montana |
Happy Thursday Friends,
The temps are starting to drop in the East and it is DARK in the morning. I love getting up in the wee hours because the world is so quiet and I'm fresh and recharged from a good nights sleep. When it's dark and cold it can be a bit of a trudge from the bedroom to the kitchen to plug in the percolator for that first cup of precious coffee (keep in mind I live in a small place so we are talking maybe a 40 foot commute here). But you know what the best thing is in the morning and what I'm grateful and thankful for today? Hot showers. What a precious gift! Nothing perks a gal up quite like that hot water running over your head and body. Add a nice smelling soap and you have a small piece of heaven on earth. It's especially humbling considering that, according to the WaterAid America website, 884 million people in the world don't have access to clean water.
Those of you who know me well know that one of my passions is working with Water Is Life-Kenya. Every year I co-produce a fundraiser concert to benefit this amazing organization with Musical Offerings (a non-for-profit, grassroots company I co-founded to produce fundraiser concerts for charities-check us out on Facebook). The founder of Water Is Life-Kenya is a dear friend and it's so much fun to help support her work and especially when that work is benefiting some of the worlds neediest. Plus she's just a great person.
All of that aside, I want you to consider how much of a blessing a hot shower is. So basic and simple and yet a real gift. Let the water gently roll over you and shout out a prayer of thanks.
Happy Day and Cheers!
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Gratitude & Thankfulness-Day One
Dear Friends,
Happy Wednesday. Today is Day One in our 30 Days of Gratitude Countdown To Thanksgiving! I always feel so bad for Thanksgiving. So much focus is placed on Halloween and then consuming goods for the upcoming Holiday Season that it just feels like a blip on the chug to Christmas radar. Sure it's a national holiday but I wonder if we didn't have the Macy's Day Parade, football games and the dog shows would we even take the day off? Some people don't because they are lining up for early bird deals at the mall. I'm not passing judgement but I think we could use a healthy dose of "Thanks" before we consume. I know I need it!
The idea for this Gratitude Countdown was born out of some posts I saw on Facebook. A good friend always writes notes of gratitude for her status updates. It's refreshing, inspiring and gives me pause to think about my own life whenever I read her posts. Thanks T!
For the next 30 days we will be zeroing in on different areas in our lives where we are the beneficiaries of something wonderful. I want you to think of a simple way that you can acknowledge the gifts in your life everyday. It can be a Gratitude Status Post on Facebook, light a candle, take 5 minutes to meditate, make a piece of gratitude jewelry and say a quick prayer every time you touch it, journal, read an inspiring story everyday, take a gratitude picture everyday etc.
Love, love, love darlings!
Happy Wednesday. Today is Day One in our 30 Days of Gratitude Countdown To Thanksgiving! I always feel so bad for Thanksgiving. So much focus is placed on Halloween and then consuming goods for the upcoming Holiday Season that it just feels like a blip on the chug to Christmas radar. Sure it's a national holiday but I wonder if we didn't have the Macy's Day Parade, football games and the dog shows would we even take the day off? Some people don't because they are lining up for early bird deals at the mall. I'm not passing judgement but I think we could use a healthy dose of "Thanks" before we consume. I know I need it!
The idea for this Gratitude Countdown was born out of some posts I saw on Facebook. A good friend always writes notes of gratitude for her status updates. It's refreshing, inspiring and gives me pause to think about my own life whenever I read her posts. Thanks T!
For the next 30 days we will be zeroing in on different areas in our lives where we are the beneficiaries of something wonderful. I want you to think of a simple way that you can acknowledge the gifts in your life everyday. It can be a Gratitude Status Post on Facebook, light a candle, take 5 minutes to meditate, make a piece of gratitude jewelry and say a quick prayer every time you touch it, journal, read an inspiring story everyday, take a gratitude picture everyday etc.
 | ||
| Carolina Jasmine-the best smelling plant EVER |
There is one more thing I would really like for you to consider. Resolution is defined as resolving or determining upon an action or course of action. I understand how January 1st feels like you have a clean slate and how that is the best time to start some new habits. Why not start now during a time when you are focusing on all the wonderful things in your life as opposed to when you are bloated and hungover? Show some compassion to yourself and start to make changes out of a place of gratitude today. Many of you commented on how much you like the Use It Up challenge so why not continue that trend for 30 days? Or maybe you can take some ideas from a vegan challenge we did a while back? Or maybe you need to institute a spending fast or an exercise challenge. Just remember to be gracious to yourself.
Love, love, love darlings!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without-Day Ten
Hello Friends,
We've come to the end of this stunt and I'm sad to see it go. It's been interesting to research and enlightening in respect to my own habits. But don't worry, this is on the docket to be a 'revival show' in 2012!
On our last day I want to talk about food. I remember seeing a photo spread in a magazine a few years ago showing families from around the world photographed with their monthly food rations. Four families were photographed and I believe that they were all of the same social and economic backgrounds (middle class). The photo taken in America had a family of 4 in their kitchen with an overflowing table of food-some fresh but mostly boxes of ready to make meals. The European photo had a full table containing mostly fresh produce and whole foods. The Asian family had smaller portions, simple foods and less meat. The African family had a few small portions of grains on a blanket on the ground. I do not pass judgement on the types of food folks put into their mouths and certainly never will but I must say that these photos really shook me to the core.
While these families were all considered to be reasonably well off we read about millions of people living only a dollar a day. World Food Programme has some very interesting and educational videos on their website showing exactly what a dollar a day looks like for different groups of people.
In the past year I remember reading about folks in our generation who were embarking on their own projects of living on a dollar a day and blogging about it. It was very interesting to read and can certainly inspire you in your own kitchen. It hasn't been updated in over a year but the http://onedollardietproject.wordpress.com/ blog is where I first started reading about this stuff. A book was developed from the blog and it could be an interesting read during the holiday madness. The blog has some basic recipes and I'm anxious to make the polenta. When I think of ground cornmeal I am reminded of the work a friend of mine is doing in helping to get people water and better agriculture practices in Kenya. Cornmeal is a staple in their diets. You can check out more about her work here.
In reading about other people that were doing similar projects of frugality most of the food that was initially consumed was overly processed and cheap to buy-think Ramen noodles and generic brands of one pot meals. Most of the folks who carried out this project for an extended period of time had various recommendations. One was to buy things in bulk and to cut out animal products. Some people started their own mini gardens in their apartment windows. Lettuce will constantly grow back so once you get that puppy going you are set for a while. (I think these Window Farms look so cool but they aren't cheap and it would probably test my marriage.) One gal here in NY would shop the reduced priced produce bin at a local Astoria fruit/veggie stand. It is small and off to the side, the produce is almost ready to turn but it's being sold at $0.29/lb. I remember stories of my Grandmother working out deals with local grocers to find out when they were going to throw out their produce. Maybe she was one of the original Freegans.
Tomorrow we start our 30 Days of Gratitude in preparation for Thanksgiving as we enter the season of overindulgence in spending, eating and waste. My takeaway from the past 10 days is a reminder that we truly want for N-O-T-H-I-N-G and my challenge to you is to keep this idea in the front of your mind until the end of the year.
Buon Shenanigans!
We've come to the end of this stunt and I'm sad to see it go. It's been interesting to research and enlightening in respect to my own habits. But don't worry, this is on the docket to be a 'revival show' in 2012!
On our last day I want to talk about food. I remember seeing a photo spread in a magazine a few years ago showing families from around the world photographed with their monthly food rations. Four families were photographed and I believe that they were all of the same social and economic backgrounds (middle class). The photo taken in America had a family of 4 in their kitchen with an overflowing table of food-some fresh but mostly boxes of ready to make meals. The European photo had a full table containing mostly fresh produce and whole foods. The Asian family had smaller portions, simple foods and less meat. The African family had a few small portions of grains on a blanket on the ground. I do not pass judgement on the types of food folks put into their mouths and certainly never will but I must say that these photos really shook me to the core.
While these families were all considered to be reasonably well off we read about millions of people living only a dollar a day. World Food Programme has some very interesting and educational videos on their website showing exactly what a dollar a day looks like for different groups of people.
In the past year I remember reading about folks in our generation who were embarking on their own projects of living on a dollar a day and blogging about it. It was very interesting to read and can certainly inspire you in your own kitchen. It hasn't been updated in over a year but the http://onedollardietproject.wordpress.com/ blog is where I first started reading about this stuff. A book was developed from the blog and it could be an interesting read during the holiday madness. The blog has some basic recipes and I'm anxious to make the polenta. When I think of ground cornmeal I am reminded of the work a friend of mine is doing in helping to get people water and better agriculture practices in Kenya. Cornmeal is a staple in their diets. You can check out more about her work here.
In reading about other people that were doing similar projects of frugality most of the food that was initially consumed was overly processed and cheap to buy-think Ramen noodles and generic brands of one pot meals. Most of the folks who carried out this project for an extended period of time had various recommendations. One was to buy things in bulk and to cut out animal products. Some people started their own mini gardens in their apartment windows. Lettuce will constantly grow back so once you get that puppy going you are set for a while. (I think these Window Farms look so cool but they aren't cheap and it would probably test my marriage.) One gal here in NY would shop the reduced priced produce bin at a local Astoria fruit/veggie stand. It is small and off to the side, the produce is almost ready to turn but it's being sold at $0.29/lb. I remember stories of my Grandmother working out deals with local grocers to find out when they were going to throw out their produce. Maybe she was one of the original Freegans.
Tomorrow we start our 30 Days of Gratitude in preparation for Thanksgiving as we enter the season of overindulgence in spending, eating and waste. My takeaway from the past 10 days is a reminder that we truly want for N-O-T-H-I-N-G and my challenge to you is to keep this idea in the front of your mind until the end of the year.
Buon Shenanigans!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without-Day Nine
Happy Monday!
How is it day nine already!? Unbelievable. Thank you all for your nice comments regarding these daily emails. I just love the feedback and if you have ideas or just general bits and bobs or fabulous stunts that you are up to let me know!
You know I'm always thinking ahead and the 'cooker' is always full. It's still in the formative stages but I'm cooking up a BIG STUNT for the ENTIRETY of 2012 that will combine ideas from all of our challenges. Shriek!
Today is a bit of a random Monday post. I keep a journal next to my bed to write down ideas as I get them and since we only have 2 days left I need to get these babies out into the universe. :)
1) Exercise. I have to admit that I prefer working out at a gym because I love lifting weights and it provides a few precious moments to myself. The only hitch is in order for me to be able to have the time to exercise I need to be there by 5:00 AM before hubby goes to work. My local gym is nice and not too costly but I find a lot of gyms are either inexpensive but run down or super expensive. What's a thrifty gal to do? There are a lot of free sites online with health tips. Self Magazine has free workouts on their website. I found out about Pop Pilates, free 10 minute Pilate sessions on youtube, from one of my favorite blogs http://angrychicken.typepad.com/. One of the best ways to build strength and stamina is by using your own body weight: http://hundredpushups.com/ and http://www.twohundredsitups.com/and Couch-to-5K have great tips to get you lean and mean (or lean and nice-ha ha!) Most of us have at least one piece of exercise equipment or exercise DVD sitting around the house collecting dust. Why not set up a rotating equipment/DVD exchange on a weekly basis with your friends? I have visions of sitting around during the coffee hour at church exchanging DVD's.
2) Loose change really adds up quickly. Set up a jar and collect those nickles and dimes. Once a month take it to the bank and put it into your savings account.
3) If you live in New York you order a lot of things online. Fresh Direct, an online grocery ordering and delivery service, is a real blessing. The only problem is that the groceries are at the higher end of the of the price spectrum, you don't always get the freshest produce and you pay a delivery fee. Snoop around your local neighborhood grocery stores for the best prices and see if they deliver. Most deliver for free and you just need to give the carrier a tip. It will take a little homework on your part but if you have scoped out the best prices, have coupons and shop the sales, limit yourself to shopping every two weeks so you can really empty out the cupboards and then stock up, and then have it delivered for free it will save you $$$ in the long run.
4) At the end of the month I have piles of magazines sitting around my house. I've really made an effort this year to not have them sitting around collecting dust so once I'm finished with them I share them with friends. I used to want to save the articles and recipes but the problem is that they'd sit around my home in piles. Most magazines give you access to the recipes and articles online now or just scan the article and save it on a file on your desktop. The same ideas apply to books. I have shelves of them. Unless it's something very special that you read over and over again then give it to a friend or donate it to a library. You could even set up a book exchange (DVD's, books and magazines at coffee hour.....). Before you buy your next book see if your local library carries it or if you can buy it used online.
I wish you a Buon Thrifty Monday!
How is it day nine already!? Unbelievable. Thank you all for your nice comments regarding these daily emails. I just love the feedback and if you have ideas or just general bits and bobs or fabulous stunts that you are up to let me know!
You know I'm always thinking ahead and the 'cooker' is always full. It's still in the formative stages but I'm cooking up a BIG STUNT for the ENTIRETY of 2012 that will combine ideas from all of our challenges. Shriek!
Today is a bit of a random Monday post. I keep a journal next to my bed to write down ideas as I get them and since we only have 2 days left I need to get these babies out into the universe. :)
1) Exercise. I have to admit that I prefer working out at a gym because I love lifting weights and it provides a few precious moments to myself. The only hitch is in order for me to be able to have the time to exercise I need to be there by 5:00 AM before hubby goes to work. My local gym is nice and not too costly but I find a lot of gyms are either inexpensive but run down or super expensive. What's a thrifty gal to do? There are a lot of free sites online with health tips. Self Magazine has free workouts on their website. I found out about Pop Pilates, free 10 minute Pilate sessions on youtube, from one of my favorite blogs http://angrychicken.typepad.com/. One of the best ways to build strength and stamina is by using your own body weight: http://hundredpushups.com/ and http://www.twohundredsitups.com/and Couch-to-5K have great tips to get you lean and mean (or lean and nice-ha ha!) Most of us have at least one piece of exercise equipment or exercise DVD sitting around the house collecting dust. Why not set up a rotating equipment/DVD exchange on a weekly basis with your friends? I have visions of sitting around during the coffee hour at church exchanging DVD's.
2) Loose change really adds up quickly. Set up a jar and collect those nickles and dimes. Once a month take it to the bank and put it into your savings account.
3) If you live in New York you order a lot of things online. Fresh Direct, an online grocery ordering and delivery service, is a real blessing. The only problem is that the groceries are at the higher end of the of the price spectrum, you don't always get the freshest produce and you pay a delivery fee. Snoop around your local neighborhood grocery stores for the best prices and see if they deliver. Most deliver for free and you just need to give the carrier a tip. It will take a little homework on your part but if you have scoped out the best prices, have coupons and shop the sales, limit yourself to shopping every two weeks so you can really empty out the cupboards and then stock up, and then have it delivered for free it will save you $$$ in the long run.
4) At the end of the month I have piles of magazines sitting around my house. I've really made an effort this year to not have them sitting around collecting dust so once I'm finished with them I share them with friends. I used to want to save the articles and recipes but the problem is that they'd sit around my home in piles. Most magazines give you access to the recipes and articles online now or just scan the article and save it on a file on your desktop. The same ideas apply to books. I have shelves of them. Unless it's something very special that you read over and over again then give it to a friend or donate it to a library. You could even set up a book exchange (DVD's, books and magazines at coffee hour.....). Before you buy your next book see if your local library carries it or if you can buy it used online.
I wish you a Buon Thrifty Monday!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make It Do or Do Without-Day Eight
Good Morning Friends and Happy Spirit Sunday!
I found this story and just had to share it. It is inspiring and it's amazing the power that a name can hold. To summarize these girls in India had Hindu names that translated to 'unwanted'. Not only were they relentlessly teased but in a society where there is a high male to female ratio and women don't have as many rights (education, financial or social) this was just one more thing added to an already large deck stacked against them. In an effort to help try and break the cycle the government stepped in and had a renaming ceremony. The names that these girls chose were beautiful and now they have some hope. I have visions of these girls dressed up in their finest clothing with their hair combed and baubles in their hair and beautiful smiles on their faces as they say their new name for the first time. Just incredible and talk about do without!
Friends, what can you do without in your own lives? What cycles need to be broken? As much as life can be a struggle we are truly blessed to be living in this country because it is out of sheer dumb luck and that is something to say a prayer of thanks for every single day. My challenge for you on this Spirit Sunday is to find something to just do without and be done with it. Basta! Finito! Auf Wiedersehen! Ciao! You are even allowed to put on your finest clothing and give yourself a ceremony if that will help.
Enjoy the rest of your day darlings!
I found this story and just had to share it. It is inspiring and it's amazing the power that a name can hold. To summarize these girls in India had Hindu names that translated to 'unwanted'. Not only were they relentlessly teased but in a society where there is a high male to female ratio and women don't have as many rights (education, financial or social) this was just one more thing added to an already large deck stacked against them. In an effort to help try and break the cycle the government stepped in and had a renaming ceremony. The names that these girls chose were beautiful and now they have some hope. I have visions of these girls dressed up in their finest clothing with their hair combed and baubles in their hair and beautiful smiles on their faces as they say their new name for the first time. Just incredible and talk about do without!
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| photo from Associated Press |
Here is a link to the full article: 285 Indian girls no longer called 'unwanted'.
Friends, what can you do without in your own lives? What cycles need to be broken? As much as life can be a struggle we are truly blessed to be living in this country because it is out of sheer dumb luck and that is something to say a prayer of thanks for every single day. My challenge for you on this Spirit Sunday is to find something to just do without and be done with it. Basta! Finito! Auf Wiedersehen! Ciao! You are even allowed to put on your finest clothing and give yourself a ceremony if that will help.
Enjoy the rest of your day darlings!
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