Making Better Choices

Today is day 14 and I'm really doing good. When I go to the store, I get only what I need. I actually made it throught Walmart again getting Poptarts and candy for the snow. I know, it's junk, but it's what my kids eat in between eating healthy! Gotta pick my battles!

During these last two weeks I've been feeling really in congruent with my soul. I just feel a solid, happy presence in me. Not sure I'm describing it correctly, but I feel that this is what is feeding my soul: making better choices, only getting what I need, not shopping, eating food in my cupboards, caring for my home, staying home and appreciating what I have. I know it's early in this project, but I'm already feeling it. I would always hear my soul screaming to me to stop and just enjoy, but I would ignore it. Some of you may not be as spiritual as I, so I apologize for offending you. In a weird way I also feel happier.

Apart from getting groceries, I met a friend for lunch at our favorite chinese restaurant. I feel this is a need for me because this is how we socialize and she's really the only friend I go to lunch with often. So for me, it's going to be a treat now since our family is going to cut waaaayyy back on going out to eat.

Speaking of treats, we go out to eat waaaayy too much. It's gotten to be that we don't know where to eat anymore, because we frequent these restaurants way too much. Last weekend we didn't even go out. That's an amazing feat for us. In fact, we allowed one night on the weekend at the beginning of the year, and we couldn't figure out which night to go out because none of them worked. Then my husband mentioned how we didn't even miss it! And I wonder why my waistline isn't shrinking!

I'm also doing well on the "no plastic bags" and I'm proud to say my husband is too! They even carried the groceries for dinner Saturday in their arms.

I've had one coke (did I mention I was trying to stop, but decided I have too many challenges so I changed it to cut back) since the beginning of the year. Normally I drink it when we go out which translates to a lot because we used to go out soooo much. I now get iced tea or share my husband's tea. Tea is my drink choice at home, so I didn't have to get used to a switch!

I've also been trying new recipes. I'm queen of ripping out recipes, then sticking them in a drawer! So far my "out-of-the-box" recipes have been Shepherd's Pie and a lasagne dish using raviolis. They liked them! So I plan to drag out all those recipes and cook them, then make a recipe book so I can refer to them!

So that is what has been going on these last two days. Soon I will need to go to Costco and Sam's Club. Those are very dangerous places for me, but if I get what I need and leave, I should be ok!

Here's to a great day!

Victoria

First snag.....

Well, I ran across two books I realllly want! One is Debbie Ford's 21 day cleansing challenge, as featured on Oprah's website! The other is and english book called The Rise and Fall of a Yummy Mummy. Gosh! Normally I would just get them, but I can't! Not that I already have a lot of books to read, but the former is something I need and the later is the prequel to the one I already read called Yummy Mummy and I really liked it.

I also saw the cutest necklace at Lisa Leonard's website called Jumble of Charms!! Soooo adorable and just what I love!! I know I have a lot of necklaces, but this is one I'd wear all the time! Maybe for Mother's Day..............

Victoria

Stuff

Stuff. It is everywhere. It's seems there is no way around how much "stuff" one needs!! I experience this everytime I go some where for a long period of time. Whether it be a day trip, the beach, a vacation, or just a trip to a family member's or friend's home. We, our family or me rather, have to bring soooo much stuff.

Like yesterday, when I took the kids snowboarding. Of course they need their stuff, but I on the otherhand brought books, the computer, water, lunches (yay me!), my daughter's purse full of things to do, chapstick, wipes, wallet (necessary!), snacks, a scarf, mittens, my large purse full of stuff and it just goes on! I was thinking while most of it is necessary, wouldn't it be nice to just walk in with a small purse and a water bottle? When I go on vacation I think, wouldn't it be nice to just have a small suitcase and my purse instead of a carload filled to the hilt? I know people who live a simple life would say, yes! it is possible. But for me it's not. I'm already sucked into the need to have it with me, just in case. Or better yet, I'm prepared as in Boy Scouts, that I will have everything that someone may need at any given point of my day.

I read a lot of blogs on living simpler, but it seems to me it's easier when it comes down to just yourself. When you have three kiddos and a husband (actually he only needs a water bottle!), it's hard to be more simple. Granted my boys are older, so having just their ipod is enough, but my daughter is six and still at the age where you need a lot of stuff.

I sometimes wonder, if you get rid of all the "stuff" does one's home become neater? As I look around my family room every morning and throughout the day, all I see is STUFF! I put it all away and there is suddenly more stuff!! I always wonder what I would do if I had to start all over.....would I end up with all this stuff again?

I recently saw an episode on Oprah where she visited homes in Denmark. This one woman's home was clear of stuff! It was really more austere than anything, but all their "stuff" was contained in small cupboards. I loved the look. I want to contain all my stuff in the cupboards. I don't want to have any stuff laying all around the house. Then I want to lock my family out of the house after 3pm. Is that illegal?

Here's to stuff! No way around it. Literally.

Victoria

Bookstore, Grocery, Target...Oh my!

Hi everyone! It's been a busy week! First off, my car needed a new tranny. What a way to start off the New Year. Luckily we have a 15 yo son and we kept my husbands truck so no need for a rental car!

Had to go to Target and get my son a new sweatshirt and some Twix bars for the snow Sunday (the are a ridiculous price of 2.25 ea at the snow- I got six for $3). I ended up getting the wrong size, so had to exchange it, but first caught myself saying " I could use this one and get him another one." Huh, WRONG. I couldn't believe I thought that, because in all reality, I don't need it! But in my defense, I don't have a gray one. :) But I went in and got what I needed and left!

My husband had gotten me a book for Christmas that he picked out on his own. I was soooo excited at his gesture and the fact that he took the time to find one was the best gift because reading is my favorite thing to do. Anyway, it was called Spooner. I struggled to get into it and just when I started to like it some unmentionables happened. So I plugged along and when the dog died I couldn't take it. It also was taking me a long time to read and that is not normal for me. If I like something, I read it in a day or two. I was able to return it to B&N. They have a strict policy for returns and my husband isn't a receipt keeper. So luckily they looked it up on his card and I could get cash or credit at the store. I chose credit, so next year when I can actually buy a book, I'll use that. I figured the cash would just get used on something else. So now I'm 2 for 2! My two "can't go in there with out spending money" stores were a success! I would have gotten another book, but I have soooo many to read at home and from the library, I thought I'd wait. And it wasn't in the need category.

Went to Trader Joe's and actually got exactly what I needed plus some orange chicken and rice my son wanted to get. When the kids are with me it's harder. Especially my daughter.

So that is my week so far. Oh, I did take my boys to the yogurt shop on Wed. It's an expensive treat, but we really hadn't been there in over a month. It's nice because that is not something we always do.

My weekend should go well. Gotta get ready for my daughter's basketball game!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Victoria

Six days in and still going strong!!

Hi everyone! Well, I'm a little behind in my posts, but yesterday was my first trip to Walmart! Yikes! But I did very well. I refused to look at the clothing while walking past and I kept my focus on what I needed. I had to get two bday presents for the twins party my daughter is going to on Saturday and donuts for breakfast this morning. Success! Got what I needed and left! I also went to the carwash. That is a need for me as I don't like driving in a very dirty car (dirty is ok, but this was weeks since I washed it!). I went in the grocery and got only what I needed. Yay me! It was a bit of a spendy day, but I chose Tuesday to be my errand day!

I'm also focusing on another challenge this year which is to try not bring home any plastic bags!! So far I've done great and it really helps to make me bring in my own bags to stores. I purchased a bag last year at Whole Foods that is really nice and portable and big so I can fit a lot of things. It just takes up a lot of space if you have a small purse. If I just bring my wallet, I open it and wear it like a purse. It cost $10 and the best part is I fed 100 children by buying it! Love that!

Well, I was hoping for a zero purchase day today, but I'm out of apple juice and may need to pick something up for dinner, to make that is! I'm not sure if these small trips are good or not, but so far I'm only getting what I need rather than what I think I need or want. Hmmm, my cupboards are halfway bare, so I may have to do a big shopping trip in a couple of weeks.

Here's to another good day!
Victoria

Enjoying the last few days!!

Hi everyone! I know I've been MIA for a few days! Saturday I took my boys and their friends snowboarding. My daughter hung out with me the whole day. She was such a trooper. I managed to not buy any food for myself, but the kids wanted a candy bar there and McD's on the way home. I have not included them in my no spending money/shopping challenge. My husband and I went out to dinner on our "approved" one night a week to eat out rule. Got a DQ blizzard after. I know, my bad.

Sunday was a nice day. Went to see my grama. Didn't take her out to eat like I normally would. It was nice anyway because we just hung out. Came home and cleaned the house a bit. My husband took my son to get some pants. Glad I didn't go. I'm not ready to go to any stores because I think the temptation would be too great even though there is really nothing in the month of January to buy. But I'm sure I'd find something to buy!

I've been in search of Mrs. Meyers cleaners since Target doesn't carry them anymore. I'm out of the cleanser and was going to try Whole Foods when I happened to find an extra can of it under my kitchen counter that was full! I'm sooo happy because this means it will last awhile and I'm not going to have to tempt myself at Whole Foods! My problem when I go places is, "Well since I'm here, I may as well buy this, and this and this..." I need to learn to let things run out, then replace them.

So today my kids are back in school. My daughter goes to afternoon kindergarten. I'm excited because my plan is to come straight home and start working on organizing my downstairs closet in the guest room. All hodgepodge has gone into this closet. I also want to get my scrapbooking organized because I'd like to start that again. I decided to give the whole of January to this project. By doing this I hope to learn that it doesn't have to get done in the three hours of my alone time. I have 27 whole days to work on it. My other plan is to go through a drawer of receipts and add up last years spending. Ugh! I have a Target return, but I may do it tomorrow as I have library books to pick up and a car to wash. Yes, I decided that that is a need in life. I don't like driving a dirty car.

Well, here's to another day of no shopping! I'm hopeful I'll make it!

Victoria

Here's to a Simple, Healthy New Year!!

Well, 2010 has arrived! I've been looking forward to this fresh start! I always love a new year. Clean start, new beginnings! I wasn't able to get my post in last night due to some technical difficulties. I was just going to say that I really didn't make an "approved" list of things I could buy this year. In thinking about it, it just seemed senseless. I likes how my son mentioned "only the needs in life" and I thought that would say it all.

So in the past two weeks I picked up things I'd needed and wanted and basically had my last hurrah so to speak. Ordered some books on Amazon and bought some clothes with my Christmas money. Basically bought more stuff. I'm sure I don't really need.

This blog may have a lot of complaining and whining, so I apologize from the beginning. I'm hoping to "find" myself through this experiment and not complain that I don't have time for me. I hope to stop looking outward for things and happiness and start looking inward and finding happiness and knowing that what I have is enough.

Day one, it's 8am and....so far so good!

Victoria