Simplicity

I found a journal posting from May that I wanted to share on this blog. Random but definitely on my mind...and probably many others.

I just want to live simply. And yet, I have all these wants that make me buy things like good quality coffee and organic free range chicken and nonfat milk and whipping cream that I mix together to make whole milk since, oh yes, fat molecules should be larger than they are after the hydrogenation process. It’s crazy.

Today, I threw a little surprise birthday party for a neighbor kid who’s now 8. I walked him and some of the other kids home, and then talked with a parent for a bit. I mentioned that his kids were very well behaved but having a houseful of kids is overwhelming. He laughed and agreed (he’s the father of seven, he should know.) And I know too, I’m the oldest of seven kids, but somehow, I’ve forgotten. So the party and it’s volume was kind of a shock to my system.

I just hope that when I’m married and have kids, I will be able to live simply and quietly. Am I fooling myself? My life is truly simple now. I think I’m fairly good at not being materialistic, though that’s a constant struggle, but add more people to the mix and I don’t think it would be all that peaceful. Something to think about.

New Music

Check out Sara Bareilles....wow, what a singer! www.sarabmusic.com.

Just do it

Nike was right. I want to tell everyone about how cool automatic savings plans are! Before January of this year, I would work my paychecks like this:

1st - Tithe/giving
2nd - bills
3rd - savings

Then I kept reading about how automatic savings plans were helpful...I didn't really believe it, since I thought I was saving as much as possible already. Ahh, little did I know. Now my paychecks are divided up in this order:

1st - Tithe/giving
2nd - bills and savings

By treating my savings (paying myself) as a bill, and having it taken out automatically, I've been able to save about 32% more each month. And I don't feel I've denied myself anymore than normal. Don't ask me how it works, but somehow, my brain has been fooled and there is more money stashed away.

Just want to encourage all you lovables- if you haven't tried this, start today! (And lest you think you don't have enough, start small. I opened an online account several months ago yielding a 5.05% interest rate and automatically have $15 entered from each paycheck. It's really amazing how painless this is, and since I have it earmarked for a certain event in about three years time, I know I'll have the money available when I need it!)

Weekend in Bellingham

This past weekend, some of my extended family met up in Bellingham, mostly to see my cousins, Trevor and Philip, back from West Point and China, respectively, for the week. We had such a good time! It was beautiful, we spent all day Saturday on Lake Samish at my brother and sister in law's place, and being with my family rates high on the priority list. They are fun and interesting people!

I also moved up some items to my new place (I'm renting a mother-in-law apartment from my aunt and uncle starting August 1st) and opened a checking account, got some job applications and drove around the WCC campus. I kept telling myself that this would soon be the new stomping grounds, but I can barely believe it!

I am thrilled! I am terrified! I am anxious! I am exhilarated beyond words! I just don't want to fail, I want to succeed at this.

Have you any advice for me?

Zap Mama

The world is so sunny! Zap Mama is going to be at Bumbershoot! (Clouds part, the angels sound their major chord!) I'm going!

Scarves

You know...if I were to name one item of clothing than can do more for adding drama/femininity/luxury/fun/sophistication/youth/glamour/ than anything else...it would be the scarf. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarf

A scarf makes a statement! And...it's a statement you probably want to make! Lovely yet modest. You can look hip, serious, exotic, younger, older, witty or ambitious at will. Need some ideas to get you started? Check out the following link: http://www.greatestlook.com/tyingscarves.html. I've never seen a woman wearing a scarf who I thought would look better without it on. They are just marvelous!

I'll never forget meeting an older lady (65?) in Bath, England at the American Museum several years ago. It was a stunning fall day, perfect. This lady was sitting on a stone bench on a path near where I was walking through the grounds. She was the most gorgeous creature I may have ever met. She had white hair and grey eyes and she had on a long brown skirt with a white blouse and some artsy jewelry and a scarf. After meeting her by chance that day, I realized...You can still be drop dead beautiful when you're old. I don't think we have to fade as we age...we can still have some sparkle.