So far in my effort to not consume, it has gone pretty well. I did purchase a couple of things but they were not clothing or home decor items. Something for the computer and something for the car seats. I probably have save a lot already. I am planning on purchasing a spinning bike in an effort to be healthy. I am thinking about finding a hobby or a class to take to find something else to do with my free alone time. I figured since I am not consuming wandering the mall is not such a great hobby whether I buy something or not.
Good Things
1. Heading to Grandma's
2. Clean kitchens
3. Free time
So how are all of you doing with your goals?
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Can Mothers Really Be Happy?
Can Mothers really be happy? I ask this because at my house their is fighting children competing over toys and other really dumb things. The mother is constantly saying "pick up your toys, leave him alone, knock it off, and probably a hundred other phrases that many of you say yourself. I know that I am not the only saying more like screaming these little phrases. Is it all blissful and happiness at your house or are you all in denial? In my effort to be more happy, it is hard not to lose it with the kiddos. Considering that I am about the least patient person around this is my daily routine. I hope at some point in life it will be blissful and I can look back at these ornery days of childhood and say that I missed those days. It is hard for me to think at this point in my life I will. I read on someone else's blog that her goal for 2010 was to find joy in Motherhood and not look so forward to 8pm when the kids are in bed. I am not sure I am there yet. I would like to be there but realize I have a long ways to go but I hope I can find the day where I can say this is fun and I love being a mother. I know that motherhood will not always be blissful but hopefully I can find a part of my day that is bliss and that it is not after 8pm.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Clarification
I decided not to consume but as I was thinking about this I decided it needed more clarification. By me not consuming does not mean that I am going to stop purchasing things entirely. I will still grocery shop as we do need to eat. I will still buy pampers diapers because this is all about an effort of being happier. Cloth diapers is not going to take me there. I will not though purchase clothing, shoes, home decor, books, and the likes of those type things because lets face it...I already have plenty of those things. I will try to spend less of grocery shopping by using coupons. This really may be more of an effort to spend less. This may really be a challenge for me. I will probably have to find a new hobby or something to do. Good Luck to me.
Denmark: The Happiest Place on Earth - ABC News
Here is the link:
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=4086092
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/story?id=4086092
Here's to Happiness
Here's to Happiness
So after watching Julie and Julia, I decided I wanted to something similar. So here it is. I have been thinking a lot about what it takes to be happy. Is it the stuff we have, our relationships, our spirituality or a good balance of all of those plus probably a thousand other things. In my quest to become a happier person, I have and will continue to consult all sorts of books, shows, whatever it really takes. Here is the first result.
Yesterday, I happened to tune in to Oprah. She was discussing this very topic of happiness. Studies have shown that the people in Denmark are the happiest in the world despite paying nearly 50 percent in income taxes. As I was watching this, she went through 2 families houses, went through a market, and met with a group of women. My conclusion: People in Denmark live very simply. There houses are small, modern, and very simple. They didn't have wreaths, and picture groupings on their walls. Basically is what I saw was a sofa and perhaps a table in their family room. No television, basically no distractions to take them from what they really need to do, which is family. I did not see piles of toys in the kids rooms or mountains of clothes hanging in the closet or in my case that would by lying on the floor. Most of them do not own cars because they bike everywhere. What a way to stay fit. That means no gym membership. The thing that struck me the most is when one of the women said: we are happy because we don't consume, we live.
So I decided that is exactly what I want to do. Live not consume. So I told my husband today that normally I would buy the kids clothes if they were on a good clearance. I am not going to do that anymore. If they really and truly need it then I will make the exception. That goes for me as well. I don't want to feel like I have to have that sweater when I already have 5 sweaters. This is going to be challenging for me. But I think I can do it. I will have to remind myself of this often I am sure. Doing this will save probably a considerable amount of money.
I think that is going to be step 1. I am unsure as to how many steps this will take but that is a good start,
Here is to being happier!
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.
ANNE FRANK
So after watching Julie and Julia, I decided I wanted to something similar. So here it is. I have been thinking a lot about what it takes to be happy. Is it the stuff we have, our relationships, our spirituality or a good balance of all of those plus probably a thousand other things. In my quest to become a happier person, I have and will continue to consult all sorts of books, shows, whatever it really takes. Here is the first result.
Yesterday, I happened to tune in to Oprah. She was discussing this very topic of happiness. Studies have shown that the people in Denmark are the happiest in the world despite paying nearly 50 percent in income taxes. As I was watching this, she went through 2 families houses, went through a market, and met with a group of women. My conclusion: People in Denmark live very simply. There houses are small, modern, and very simple. They didn't have wreaths, and picture groupings on their walls. Basically is what I saw was a sofa and perhaps a table in their family room. No television, basically no distractions to take them from what they really need to do, which is family. I did not see piles of toys in the kids rooms or mountains of clothes hanging in the closet or in my case that would by lying on the floor. Most of them do not own cars because they bike everywhere. What a way to stay fit. That means no gym membership. The thing that struck me the most is when one of the women said: we are happy because we don't consume, we live.
So I decided that is exactly what I want to do. Live not consume. So I told my husband today that normally I would buy the kids clothes if they were on a good clearance. I am not going to do that anymore. If they really and truly need it then I will make the exception. That goes for me as well. I don't want to feel like I have to have that sweater when I already have 5 sweaters. This is going to be challenging for me. But I think I can do it. I will have to remind myself of this often I am sure. Doing this will save probably a considerable amount of money.
I think that is going to be step 1. I am unsure as to how many steps this will take but that is a good start,
Here is to being happier!
The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.
ANNE FRANK
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Goals for 2010
A couple of things. First, last night I watched Julie and Julia. I really liked it except for one very blatant naughty word and a little less clothes at a brief part. What I liked about it was that it was inspiring. If you have not seen it check it out. Julie does something kind of crazy but turns out to be very good for her. I wish I was more like that. It would be fun. You probably won't know what this is until you watch it. But it inspires me to do something different, something that i truly enjoy and something I haven't thought of yet.
Second, I was reading on the blog, Apron Girls (aprongirls.blogspot.com). On the blog many of the contributors wrote what they would like there new year to be like. Most of them chose one word to describe there year like: joy, focus, organized. You get the idea. Can you think of one word that you would like your year to be? I am still thinking on mine because I think as I was looking over there ideas I need all of those things. Here is a list of my b's for my year.
Be healthy. What that really means is lose weight.
Be joyous in all things
Be more spiritual by attending the temple more often and taking part in prayer and scripture study
Be Clean and organized
Be Done, my house that is
Be happy.
All of these things really entail more than one thing. So I guess my word is Better. Just to be a better person, wife, mother, to be better at those things that I really need to be better at. Let's be honest I don't need to be a better shopper. But I do need to be a better mom and a better teacher, and so many other things. I want this upcoming year to be about improvement. Self, house, however it works. What is your year going to be for you?
Good Things
1. Reevaluating
2. Knowing I need to change
3. Knowing I CAN change
Here's to 2010! Enjoy
Second, I was reading on the blog, Apron Girls (aprongirls.blogspot.com). On the blog many of the contributors wrote what they would like there new year to be like. Most of them chose one word to describe there year like: joy, focus, organized. You get the idea. Can you think of one word that you would like your year to be? I am still thinking on mine because I think as I was looking over there ideas I need all of those things. Here is a list of my b's for my year.
Be healthy. What that really means is lose weight.
Be joyous in all things
Be more spiritual by attending the temple more often and taking part in prayer and scripture study
Be Clean and organized
Be Done, my house that is
Be happy.
All of these things really entail more than one thing. So I guess my word is Better. Just to be a better person, wife, mother, to be better at those things that I really need to be better at. Let's be honest I don't need to be a better shopper. But I do need to be a better mom and a better teacher, and so many other things. I want this upcoming year to be about improvement. Self, house, however it works. What is your year going to be for you?
Good Things
1. Reevaluating
2. Knowing I need to change
3. Knowing I CAN change
Here's to 2010! Enjoy
Monday, January 4, 2010
THankful
Today I just got back from the funeral of dear John Young. It was a sad but good funeral.
Today I am thankful for many things:
1. That the Youngs were so willing to care for my kids on Thursday
2. To have such a good family
3. Proud to wore the orange and blue.
Today is also the Fiesta Bowl. Brian is in Arizona and I want you all to wear your brightest, best orange and blue today so we can teach TCU a lesson. Go Broncos!
Today I am thankful for many things:
1. That the Youngs were so willing to care for my kids on Thursday
2. To have such a good family
3. Proud to wore the orange and blue.
Today is also the Fiesta Bowl. Brian is in Arizona and I want you all to wear your brightest, best orange and blue today so we can teach TCU a lesson. Go Broncos!
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