My life, unorganized.

Okay, it's 8:30ish at night and I'm overwhelmed with the tasks I need to complete! I have work stuff, home stuff, other stuff…

So for my first thirty days I am going to Time Block my day everyday, except Sunday's. So, from now until March 1. I'm committing to blocking out each day and making time for stuff!

Here is a copy of the rest of the week so far … that I have completed in the last hour. Fun. Fun stuff.

So tired. Must. Go. To. Bed.

©Sarah

Ahh, Saturday. Why can’t every day be like you?

I went to the gym this morning. In fact, I have gone thrice this week. I ♥ me for that. I already feel better, I've been trying to get back on track for forever it seems and now I'm doing it. On my way to thirty I am going to lose thirty pounds. And this is how it's done.

Anywho. It's been a whirlwind first sixteen days of 2010. Filled with crisis, medical stuff (with the worst insurance ever, I might add … at least we have it, I suppose.)(Also, the crisis is not directly happening to Hubby and me, and it isn't the medical stuff.) and crazy, short, busy work weeks. I like my work that way though, it makes it more enjoyable when there's so much to do.

We started The Truth Project at work this week too, which was divine. Hubby even was able to come, since he wasn't working that day. I hope to talk more about that another time.

I rabbit trailed … what a surprise. I was saying how today is Saturday and I love Saturday. Even when it will be a day full of chores. As I said, I went to the gym and planned on taking a step class with my friend – Blingy (coming up with nicknames can be very difficult!). She is also my Weight Watchers buddy. Anyway, Blingy has done step before, though it's been a while for her. She convinced me to go this morning (I'm up to try anything at the gym, really). It starts at 8:30, so I left the house at 8:15 after a good oatmeal breakfast (I really do like oatmeal, mmm).

We get there she shows me what I need to do to set up. All the ladies are coming in, some very svelte others look like they too are beginning. So … it starts off – step up, step down, move to the side, repeat. Simple enough. Now let me say, I chose a position in the very back of the class, as anyone like me would. (By this I mean, I have NO rhythm and have never taken a step class.) And I did that for a reason! Very quickly, however, the back became the front. And there I was at the front of the class, not keeping up. Embarrassing. I can't even describe it to you. But I got the heck out of there. Blingy was okay with that because she has an old back injury that wasn't enjoying step class either.

Okay, it wasn't as embarrassing as I probably thought it was. But I was definitely in over my head. We did the cross-trainer and treadmill for the rest of our hour, which is always a good sweat.

The other surprising thing? EVERYONE and their mother is at the gym and out walking their dogs on a Saturday morning. I mean, I know I live in the suburbs. But, who knew? Here I am sleeping the morning away and everyone else is out enjoying the beautiful California day.

The rest of my Saturday? I'm working slowly but surely on a home improvement project. It's coming along, really, I promise. I'm staining and sealing the concrete in my living room. I've only been working on it since November. I'm just not the weekend home improvement project type of girl, okay?!

Anywho, I better get to it! Hope you have a divine Saturday too!

Sarah

(P.S. Before I go, have you seen Heidi Montag's newest bout of plastic surgery? Gah-ross!!)

 

On My Way To 30.

Dear Friends,

2010 is the last year of my 20s. I have mixed feelings about this, but mostly feel as though I should make the most of it. Right?

I don't think I want/can commit to another WHOLE YEAR of doing something. Plus, I feel like it's probably better to try habit forming for things that I want to accomplish.

So I'm going to try something new each month. Mostly these things will be mundane. But good habits for stuff I want to try. I haven't thought of 12 things yet. But here are a few things I am going to focus on.

1. Walking the dog.
2. cooking dinner
3. taking a picture
4. going to the gym
5. going to church

hmm.. I wrote a list down on Thursday at work of the things I had so far. I will have to revisit said list, because I cannot remember what was on there.

What do I want to start with? I don't know yet. Not the gym ... I am terrified of all the New Year's Resolution people that are going to be there. Anyway, I think I will decide tomorrow for what this month's thing will be.

Some of these things I want to try in hopes a habit will form and stick, others I want to just try (like the photo thing).

Anywho. Hope your 2010 is off to a good start. Mine has certainly been a whirlwind already.

Hasta!

Sarah

EOY Update

Well, it is nearly the end of the year and I am definitely Not Who I Was Then.

I (as usual) am too busy to do a full update, but here are a few things I have learned from my spending fast ...

1. Going without helps land you back to Earth - I have really identified the difference between wants and needs.
2. The pull to buy something I want is not NEARLY as great.
3. I have discovered what I can skimp on by purchasing "generic" (makeup, home cleaning products ...), what things I should buy "higher quality" for various reasons (clothing, shoes, organic food ...).
4. I have learned that I actually HATE spending an hour in Target and that if I'm bored, it's okay to take a nap, or go to the gym, or whatever.

Proudest accomplishment for this year: I have spent $0 at Wal-Mart!

Even though I don't blog often enough, I will continue to post here. I am always on a quest to be "Not Who I Was..." so stay tuned! I won't promise to be doing any one thing for a year or anything. But I am focusing on health, financial improvement, and whatever other fanatical, crazy ideas come into my brain.

Hugs!

And Just Like That...

July is nearly gone, August is nearly here.

It's been the longest year of my career. I have to keep reminding myself that going through hard stuff stretches me, grows me. It's good for me, it teaches me.

I heard this quote today and it will forever be my theme. It resonates with my being.

"That knowing is better than wondering. That waking is better than sleeping. And that even the biggest failure, even the worst, most intractable mistake beats the hell out of never trying". -Benjamin Franklin

Not spending. I realized this week that I haven't spent a DOLLAR at Wal-Mart this year. I swear when I realized that it felt like the biggest victory of this whole dang experiment.

Going to Tampa in a few weeks. Then to Baltimore and DC in September. Wow, then there is only three months left in the year.

We cancelled our cable. When I started this year I thought, "Wow, we will pay off all our debt and things will be a flowery field with a blue sky up above."

But we are literally scraping through by the skin of our teeth. I can't help but wonder, what money WAS I spending? And since we've cancelled the cable ... what time DID I use to watch TV?

Whew. I am glad that there will soon be only three months left in this tough year. Hopefully I still have a job at the end of it.

Wish me luck and happy no spending!

Hmm...

I can't believe it's June.

I am half way through this excellent {cursed} experiment of mine. I have learned a lot so far, so that's really great.

Hubby is now, as of this month, taking over our bill paying duties. I think this will be excellent on many fronts. Less stress for me on all of it. He's great with money too, so I know it will all be in good hands.

I have learned that I don't need to buy something just because it's a good deal. I am a lot better at identifying when I need something {vs. just want}.

Recently Ryan and I were going to a birthday party, and he wanted to go to Target to get a gift card. I told him we needed to just get it somewhere else and that I didn't want to go in there. He found this quite amusing...

Hubby: "Let's go to Target and just grab a gift card really quick."
Me: "Can't we just get it at Starbucks?"
Hubby: "Why?"
Me: "I just really don't want to go in there."
Hubby: "HAHA. It's like keeping a crack addict away from crack, I guess?"
Me: "Sure... something like that. Thanks for the support, appreciate it."

Oh well. He has been very pleased with my experiment.

Anyway. All is well on the no spend front.

Okay ta ta. It's bday/date night with hubby. So excited! : )

-S-

Absent.

I have had a busy May.

I have some updates to dish.

Update #1 - I fell of the wagon a little. But it was mostly intentional. I know that sounds bad. And I do have some justifications in my other posts, but for the most part they all share a similar thread.

Update #2 - I purchased some nicer clothes, but I got three outfits for $85 ish dollars. Yay me. The rationale: As you know I went to Dallas earlier this month for a business conference. And you also probably know that I received a promotion at the beginning of this year. Now, I work in a very casual workplace, however, I felt like I was missing the mark on most days and needed a slight upgrade in my clothes to fit my new position and travel to the conference. Well, like I said it was successful as I only spent $85 and got so much (One skirt, two dresses, one top, and two pairs of heels.) I felt good and do not feel bad.

#3 - Okay, now here is one of the few places it is not justifiable. While in Texas, a visit to this amazing mall was had and I spent about $100 on some more clothes. Oh well. What can I say? I probably shouldn't have gone to the mall.

#4 - Um, remember my post about Mountain Man loaning me his library book and how I don't do well with loaned things and etc, etc, etc.? Yeah, left the book on the plane TO Dallas. Oops. My bad. I had to amazon.com that sucker and replace it. This one I don't mind at all though because it was to right a wrong. So, it was the right thing to do.

#5 - I joined the gym. This one I actually did a while back, long before all the others (either late March or early April). However, since I am coming clean, why not come completely clean? While I do realize I have a blog, and that is putting me out on display, I choose what to share and what not to. So for this one I will say I visited the doctor and for health reasons, I joined the gym. Again, I am very happy with this decision. (Don't worry, I am very healthy, but I need to lose some weight. Interestingly, my doc said my cholesterol was TOO low. Weird.)

#6 - hmmm. Oh last one. I purchased a mini fridge and mini microwave for my office yesterday. RC Willey is having a nice Memorial Day sale. This goes sort of hand and hand with the last one. It's hard for me to pack a lunch, mostly because I don't remember each morning. So, I am going to fill my fridge for cheaper than it has cost me each week to eat lunch. And it will be healthier for me. Plus the microwave will help me eat breakfast too. So all is well.

Overall, since May has been more of a spend month than a non spend month, I can say I definitely feel MUCH MUCH better when I don't spend money. Plus, I realized I still have a long way to go to meet my goals in learning to respect money.

Thanks for being my loyal readers!

-S-

Money Pit

You know what is a money pit? Houses, that's what. I just had to pay the piper for the property taxes on the apartment we own. That's so fun.

The good news is, we ended April with more than we have in a long time, and more than we have all year so far.

So, in short, four months later, no spending is finally starting to pay off. That feels really great.

I was gone on business this week, and my hubby cleaned the downstairs. Wasn't that nice of him?!

I was in Dallas and I like Dallas a lot. I think it is nice and I love Texas!

But, in all honesty, I have only been there in April and May. So I am pretty sure it's not comfortable any other time of the year.

-s-

Confession

I have a confession to make.

I have been buying myself lunch for a while now. I am saying this not because I want you all to look down upon me ... but because I need to stop it. So today I brought a whole bag of food from my pantry. This food should sustain my lunches at least the rest of this week.

In other news, I have a million and a half things to talk about.

1. New book to read. My good friend, Mountain Man loaned me a book from the library. On this subject I have two things to mention. A. I am very excited to read this book. I just need to find the time. I am planning to read it on the plane to Dallas, so I need Mountain Man to renew it for me. (Mountain Man? Would you be so kind?) B. Secondly, for those of you that don't know ... PLEASE DON'T LOAN ME THINGS! I get all anxious about it and I am terrible at it. For some reason, every time I mention this to somebody they take it as an invitation to loan me their whole life! (Dear friends, I mean that with the utmost care and respect. If you like your stuff, I implore you to not loan it to me!!!) I lose things very often that are loaned to me. It's terrible, I know. I am just not good at it. It probably traces back to the time my best friend in 7th grade borrowed my favorite sweater, wore it, washed it, then hung it to dry on a wooden stained chair. Oh no, wait. That was me. Yeah, not so good with the borrowing.

Having said that, Mountain Man, thanks so much for lending me your library book! I promise I won't hang it to dry on a wooden chair.

Oh I almost forgot to mention the book. It's called Not Buying It: My Year Without Spending. Who knew this was such a "thing" to do? I have met a few people who have done the same thing, that's fascinating to me.

2. Yeah, on Monday I was evacuated from school because someone called in a bomb threat. Weirdos. I got all kinds of shook up by it too. Not because I was afraid of a bomb, but because the Dean walked in and said, "You guys need to pack your things and leave immediately. The whole school is being evacuated."

Um... hello! WHY, can you tell me WHY we are being evacuated? I had thoughts of Columbine, or some crazy stabber person. So my adrenaline starts pumping and I was all shaky. YUCK.

There was no bomb. It was fake. Missed sewing for no good reason at all. Thanks a lot.

3. LOST is on tonight, WOO! Good friends, good BBQ, good TV, good Xbox-ing. Love my life. Seriously.

Okay, I have taken up enough of your time for one day.

-S-

One Thing I Want To Do The Most...

So, I never used to go garage sale-ing, or good-willing. But I have been seeing SO many good things that people have done it makes me so JEALOUS!

I mean, it's not like I have decorated my house completely. There is always room for improvement. But you should see the makeovers I am missing out on!

Stevie always has some cool things, and I don't want to brag, but I know Stevie in "real-life". She always has some great finds. My favorite one was this tall dresser thing she made-over.

The Nester always has something great she has made too. There are more, but I need to get back to cleaning my bedroom (I have cleaned half of it and don't feel like doing the rest).

Anywho, don't get me wrong, I have a few makeovers up my sleeve. I have a spot I would like to put a vanity at in my bedroom now that it is (half)clean. Which I think would be great because I think I can keep the bathroom counter cleaner this way.

Okay, enough of my computer... back to work for me.

Hugs,

Sarah

People's Revolution

Sometimes I wonder if my parent's, or grandparent's had thoughts of the world ending like I often (as much as I would like to say it's not often, it's pretty often) do. And, I say this not out of, like, depression or something, but rather from the aspect of the world has never been THIS crazy, right?

I realize that the economy is horrid, um, Obama maybe wants to pretend to be Democratic, but really probably is a Socialist. I am aware that sometimes our lives aren't all we have hoped, and sometimes things we don't understand happen. And, like my dad has always said: "Life's not fair" - thanks for that by the way. :)

But, as cynical as it is, it's true. Life is not fair. So we make of it what we can, right? Right. And we count our blessings, right? Right.

I think the grass is always greener on the other side of the hill (yes, I am trying to use as many cliche's as possible, thank you very much.) so make the best of it I say.

Which is sometimes really hard to do.

I had lunch with my oldest (longest) friend yesterday. She is a beautiful mommy to two beautiful boys. She makes me happy. She reminds me of how when we were kids we would get bent out of shape over some dumb boy that didn't notice us, or some embarrassing- yet insignificant thing happened. But we were happy kids. And, after having lunch, I realized, we are happy adults. And that is a blessing.

Our lives may be slightly different than what we had imagined, some things better, somethings not as great. But, we are happy. I am thankful for that. I think we have both learned equally well that happiness is in the smaller things. Your adorable little boy laughing the sweetest laugh. Lazy evenings spent with your hubby and puppy. The rewards, though sometimes really small, that all your hard work brings.

Food is here.

I pray you will be happy.

Sarah

Back to Normal

Back to normal for a few days anyway.

So, I can't say that there is anything new with me. Ryan and I celebrated our 5th anniversary, that was pretty cool. We walked to dinner in our neighborhood, there are quite a few restaurants that are in walking distance for us, so that was nice.

He was very sweet and sent me flowers to my office. See:


That was very nice.

I got a manicure and a pedicure - but I didn't pay for it myself :) My lovely boss gave me a gift certificate as a birthday gift. OOOOHHH! The other part of her gift was a cute little bag and a sewing book! And, OH MY WORD! There are the CUTEST things to sew in it, and it came with a bunch of patterns and WOW oh WOW is it my new favorite book? I think so! Here are some pictures from the book (courtesy of John Gruen):






My sewing class is going really well. I actually have to work on a report, and my final project, which are due so very soon.

I mentioned that I was going to talk about summer plans ...

I am taking a swimming class at school. I will say that classes at the community college have been the BEST way to not spend, but stay occupied with some really great, productive things! So, yes a swimming class in the summer. We have two camping trips semi-planned, which is always a really fun, relaxed, inexpensive way to get away with great friends.

Hmm... what else.

My brother-in-law has deployed again, some of you know he is a Marine. His (I always butcher this...) batallion's (I think that's what it's called) families are doing a walk to support the guys, so I am participating in that, and it's free. It boils down to logging how many miles you walk each month from now until September something or other, and those miles are counted in support of your family member (my brother-in-law). So far, I have walked three miles. Ha! That sounds really funny. But it just started on the 1st. So we will see how many (FREE!) miles I can walk from now until September. I will keep you posted.

Okay, long post, so ta ta for now :)

Sarah

Well, The Time Has Come

I will soon return to all my blogging glory, because tomorrow, dear friends, is the day you have all been waiting for. Well, I have at least.

Tomorrow is the launch of our new database system at work, the reason for which I have been so absent. I can't wait! It's going to be a long day, and I really hope I don't have to miss sewing class. Have I talked about sewing class?

Anyhow, I really love my blog, it helps me stay focused. And while I haven't been naughty and gone off spending my money, I just haven't been as focused on the not spending thing.

There has been a lot of life happening around me, and to me, and I have gone a little crazy, but sanity has almost returned completely. This week will be that for me, I am hoping at least.

But beware, pledge drive (oh, pardon me, it's "gift" drive now...) is next week, and that always brings a little bit of craziness with it. But I am going to be diving right back into the blogosphere. I will share some gifts I got, some things that have occured (nothing too exciting, don't get overly anxious or anything) and my plans for the summer!

Oh summer! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE me some summer! And, tell me, WHAT on earth is better than a California summer?

Missing you all,

Sarah

Has It Really Been 15 Days???

I can't believe I haven't been here in that long. I am sorry friends, hang tight, I am almost done with the grand adventure that has been a database upgrade project!

But for now, my computer is at work, because I am tired of looking at it.

Talk to you soon!

Way Not To Spend #527

So I know I said I was going to blog some more last weekend, but I have been BUSY. This project at work is taking up every last drop of my spare time. So, please stay tuned.

But this weekend isn't looking good for blogging either K

Sarah

Absent Due To Illness

So, it has been a LOOONG time since I posted. That would be because I typically do the bulk of my posts on the weekend. And I was a sicky last weekend. I literally slept ALL weekend. Which was both good and bad.

I had made a list of 25 things I wanted to get done over the weekend on Friday night, and got like 5 done because I couldn't wake up for longer than a millisecond. But, who doesn't mostly love sleeping?

Last night we went to celebrate a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's, which is really pretty exciting. Don't worry the birthday boy was 2, not like 25 or anything.

Anyhow, I just wanted to check in and say I am alive. I hope to be back to my blogging self this weekendJ

-S-

Brrr...

I have been FREEZING all day today.

So, Ryan and I are going to attempt to get rid of some stuff via Craigslist. I set up a catchy email for it and everything.

I am not good at getting everything I want to sell in one place and taking pictures of all of them and everything. So I am going to follow the lead of my sister-in-law, Mrs. Crafty, and sell one thing a week. Starting next week, haha!

I am still catching up on regular work, okay?

In other fascinating news ... there was another domestic "situation" yesterday in my neighborhood. What the crap?!?! All our LOST friends (hahahahahah, that just cracked me up) were over and all of a sudden we hear pounding, like someone stomping down stairs, followed shortly by yelling and screaming outside by my lovely neighbor.

She is quite the catch. She has told me she has been married four times, once drunkenly ran over her water main to her house causing water to spew everywhere, and likes to sit on her patio talking loudly on the phone with her thonged butt showing from above her jeans (Gag! This is not attractive on ANYONE,ladies, a little modesty PLEASE!). Anyhow, these two guys (another side note, I can't resist, why does one have two random guys in her house at midnight???) start arguing about something.

You could hear a pin drop in my house as we all try to determine a)what they are fighting about, and b)will we need to call the police.

Thankfully we didn't.

This ding dang economy has to turn around, otherwise Lord knows what will happen next in our "'hood". And apparently I am no help because in a healthy economy, people spend money.

Oh well, at least my economy will be healthy. Maybe then I will hire security guards to sit in front of my house. They can wear red outfits, fuzzy, tall, black hats. And I will instruct them not to move when people try to make them laugh.

Alright, going to figure out what dinner will be.

-S-

Vacation, To Spend, or Not To Spend.

Besides food I didn't spend. Yay me.

I did look at everything with a new perspective. Will this thing be something I will even like a year from now? Probably not.

Ryan let me shop for my birthday gift. I knew exactly what I wanted, but I was way more selective. It took me three days to find just the right one. I enjoyed shopping more this way. Not just picking something because I sort of like it and it will do, but instead choosing something that I love, that will last, that will serve me the best it can. I wasn't sticking to a certain price range either. I found the thing I wanted at both ends of the price spectrum.

In the end I found what I wanted for a great price. If money weren't an object, maybe I would have gotten the really expensive thing, but I was sensible. I really love my birthday gift.

We did some wine tasting, found out that we will probably be going back to the coast for our real anniversary, this time sponsored by the Tobin James winery. We were invited to stay in their guest cottage. Ahh the perks of being "in the industry". The folks at Tobin James are super genuine, really friendly people. I can't wait to go back and hang with some good people.

Things we might be "perked" with: a stay in the guest cottage at the vineyard. Dinner with the winemakers at Tobin James. A limo ride to tour and do some tasting the coastal wineries.

Even if we aren't "perked" with those things, the tasting room was seriously full of some really nice, terrifically normal, fun people. I look forward to hanging out there. I say this a lot, but I LOVE CALIFORNIA!

Has anyone made any bread? Do share if you have. My friend R.M. emailed and said she tried making the bread, which she does a lot. She said her husband like it so much, it was the best he ever had! Great recipe, I am telling you!

Stay tuned, I hope to have some money making tips coming this week sometime, but I have lots of work to catch up on, so I will let you know!

Be well!

-S-

Wow. Don't Watch This While Sitting In Your Cubicle At Work, Trying To Be Quiet

Homemade Deliciousness ...

Okay so I didn't call it "It's Bakery Day!" sue me.



MMMM

3 cups flour
1 tablespoon yeast
1 tablespoon salt

Mix those dry ingredients together first, in a big mixing bowl.

Then add:

2 1/2 cups warm water (like baby bottle warm*)
3 tablespoons oil (I used olive, but any works I think)
3 tablespoons of honey (got some from Denio's mmm!)

stir that all together, it will be kinda wet and pasty/soupy.

Measure out 3 more cups of flour and mix it in a little at a time. When it's too hard to mix with the spoon turn it out to a hard surface to knead and finish adding the flour. Knead for 10 minutes. It shouldn't stick, it should just be smooth and soft.

After you are done kneading for 10 minutes, put into a clean mixing bowl (spray the bowl with cooking spray so it doesn't stick) and let it rise for 30 minutes or so, until it has doubled in size.

Then punch it down, roll it out on a flat, floured surface into a rectangle (maybe 12 inches by 18 inches?) so that you can roll it up into a loaf.

Put your loaf into a sprayed bread pan (so it doesn't stick) and let it rise again for another 30 minutes.

Now, bake for 35 minutes or so until it is golden and pretty! Oh, at 350 degrees!

I am going to use this for sandwiches, and tomorrow morning I am going to make toast with it. Can't wait!


*I have been trying to make a good "rising" bread all week and kept killing the yeast with my last recipe. This one was much easier. But just as my pointer ... use "baby bottle warm" water. Like, test it on your wrist and everything. I think that's what killed my yeast the first time I tried it. And, don't worry, if your yeast dies, it's not as dramatic as it sounds. You will just have a more dense bread, rather than and airy one.

Hugs!

-S-