I am...

One week down

2010-05-15T10:43:00.000-06:00

I have been vegan for one week!!!

Its not as hard as I thought it would be. I found some shredded rice cheese yesterday that I used on some baked potatoes that we had for dinner last night. It was good and it melted too. I have also found that I really like the Tofuttie brand of cream cheese and sour cream. I haven't had either of those things in years and am sooo happy to have found them. And even happier that I like them more than the cow milk versions.

This morning we had banana pancakes. Almond milk to sub the cow milk, veg spread to sub the butter, egg replacer to sub the eggs and they were fantastic!!!

I have noticed many things about myself since becoming a vegetarian. One is I have lost 60 pounds! I should also add I have done that without effort and very little exercise. I exercise but I don't kill myself doing it. Some pilates, yoga, and walking is about it. The thing I have noticed just recently is my skin. I still have some acne...I have heard rumors that when the dairy leaves so does the acne so I am crossing my fingers. But, the dryness in my skin has disappeared. I am a transplant to Colorado, originally from Texas. So when I moved here my skin and hair went into shock and 15 years later I still don't think I am fully acclimated. My feet and elbows being the worst. This year I have had no issues at all with that and I think its awesome, and I din't need any expensive miracle creams to do it...just veggies!

Yes....the power of veggies!

Silk Almond Milk

2010-05-14T07:32:00.000-06:00

On my birthday almost two years ago I got the book "Skinny Bitch". I think its the greatest book, its very graphic, really tells it how it is. At that point I was one year into being a vegetarian and I learned things about the dairy industry that I didn't know. After that I tried only to buy milk from dairy's I thought were being nice to their cows. Then I realized that I really didn't know how these cows were being treated. So I tried to look up the dairy but I couldn't find anything on it. So I stopped buying milk all together....

I started doing Soy but not a lot because soy in large amounts is not healthy for you either and then there is a lot of corn syrup in it. I have tried many other milks....rice, some almond, but I just wasn't happy with any of it.

Silk just came out with an almond milk....I LOVE it! It is good with my granola and I can bake with it and best of all there is no corn syrup!

Happy Mothers Day!

2010-05-08T18:31:00.000-06:00

I made these newspaper roses for my daughters Grandma for Mothers day. The vase I got at Hobby Lobby for $2, it was on sale! I used this tutorial. It was super fun and easy. I decided if I ever get married again I want to use these as my bouquet!

Happy Mothers day!!

Stress...

2010-05-02T14:00:00.000-06:00

I have stress in my life. Who doesn't have stress? There are very normal stresses like traffic and raising children. Or there are very abnormal stresses like ex-husbands. I am no expert on how to handle stress. Acupuncture is good.... I try to avoid stress at all costs. I have eliminated everything from my home that was clutter, that I didn't use or need any more. That helped. I don't do things that would cause unnecessary stress in my life. I meditate and exercise.

Im talking about stress because I have spent the last two days stressed out. And what I know now with my healthy life style is that stress is a deal breaker. When I have stress I don't sleep or eat well.

Sleep is really important for your body and mind and when you are stressed you don't sleep well. Food is really important for your mind and your body and when you are stressed you don't eat well. In order for you to function well you need both sleep and food. They are essential to life.

I took the day off of work today to try to get back in balance. I needed the time to sleep and to eat or I would have been worthless all week long. And I would have been trying to play catch up for a couple of weeks all because of one day. I don't know or care what will happen at work and I wish Americans were less about work and more about taking care of ourselves.

And as for the stress that forced on me yesterday, well, I think I may have to induce some stress on myself so that I may deal with him once and for all.

For the birds

2010-05-01T09:30:00.001-06:00

Today I will hang this out in a tree in our back yard. Its all of the yarn bits that I have saved for a year wrapped up in a cutie bag. The birds can make nests and its an excellent way to recycle!

Nail polish!

2010-04-30T17:13:00.004-06:00

At the beginning of the year I decided that one of my new years resolutions would be to stop wearing fingernail polish. In my quest to be green I found out that there are horrible chemicals in the stuff. I don't paint my fingernails any more but I have worn nothing but loud funky colors on my toes for many, many years!!!

Today I found OPI Nicole at my local Target. I was shocked. OPI at Target? And, it was only $6.99!!! And there was a lovely sign next to the display that said...."free of toluene, phthalate, formaldehyde and animal testing" So I bought a bottle of "loyalty to royalty".

When I got home I checked on the Peta website and found they are a cruelty free company and they don't use the harsh chemicals!

I am sooo excited to paint my toenails tonight! They have been naked for 5 months! I think next time I'll do a ton of research before making any super rash decisions!

Well its been a while...

2010-04-30T16:03:00.000-06:00

I haven't been writing, I want to write, I need to write...

So here I am again to try and write. Ive done many things over the last year. Making things, knitting and getting greener, but I think my main focus has been on food.

Im almost two years into being a vegetarian. I have lost 60 pounds and think I am calling myself a purist now. I have researched and read and still am researching and reading. I am cooking from scratch trying and testing recipes, and am becoming a very good cook in the process.

This is what compels me to write. I feel like I need to get my story out there. I feel like what I have learned can help others.

In learning about food, I have learned about myself.....

Hmmm...

2009-05-21T10:31:00.002-06:00

I have been a little uninspired and stagnant lately!! But this is what has been going on.

Tile Mosaic table for the wee ones room, celebration of small stuff, passing out random I Love you cards anonymously.

Moon Pads

2009-04-29T11:56:00.003-06:00

I tried the Diva Cup out not too long ago. I have been a tampon wearer for years and the Diva seemed to be a good option but I found that I was always wondering what was going on down there. So I decided to find another option. After doing some homework I found the moon pad.

Sustainable, made from organic cotton, super absorbent, and very inexpensive. I bought them here on Etsy. I haven't worn a pad since I was a kid and didn't know how I was going to like it so I originally only purchased 3 just to see if I liked them. I did, so the next month I bought 3 more. This month I exclusively used my Moon Pads and I love them.

There is nothing to throw away, I soak them in water after use and then use that water to water my plants. Now my plants are super happy. I throw them in the washer and then I am ready for next month. The cost for 6 pads was $40 that's less than I would have spent in an entire year for tampons and I won't buy them ever again so the savings is amazing. When my daughter starts her cycle I will get these for her also.

The trash in my bathroom is almost non-existent now. At this point I can maybe get rid of the trash can in there. :)

Toy society

2009-04-24T16:15:00.003-06:00

My Daughter and I had a ton of fun making and hiding these toys participating in the Toy Society. Check it out and practice some random acts of kindness. We will be doing more of this for sure!

Hello again!!

2009-04-22T12:34:00.003-06:00

I am having a great Earth Day!!!

I finally got my bed!!! I have set up my old bed for my daughter and all her new bed stuff. I have posted her bed on freecycle and it will be picked up shortley and I just bought this on Etsy....

It will be a birthday gift for my daughter. Not till August but it will be here very soon and she will love it.

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day

2009-04-22T08:35:00.003-06:00

WooHoo!!!! It's Earth Day!! Another holiday I can get down with. But, I have to tell you that even though I am happy there is a day for the Earth, every day should be Earth day... and at my place it is.

My daughter and I recycle and up-cycle. We are about to start composting. We buy most things in bulk and are very aware of our purchases that require packaging. We use re-usable bags when we shop and no longer clean with chemicals. We can do more, will do more and already do more but those are for future posts.

The above pic is something I made about a month ago from an old t-shirt that was just hanging in the closet. It was made into a nice little pouch that I was until the other day using as my purse. Now it is holding all of my knitting stuff. I thought today would be a good day to share this.

Composting was supposed to be my project for today but I think I may have to put it off until tomorrow. My Eco friendly bed is supposed to be delivered today and I have been waiting a month for it. Unfortunately that will trump everything else today.

What will you do for Earth day?

Yummy

2009-04-21T19:04:00.002-06:00

I don't know what I made for dinner tonight but man it was yummy!!!

One potato thinly sliced

one clove garlic diced

diced onion

diced green pepper

salt and pepper

2T oil

I threw it all in a pan, let it crisp turn down the heat and cover for about 15 min until done.

It was soooo goood!

my new love

2009-04-20T09:06:00.003-06:00

It has been many years since I have done any crocheting. I don't think I was very good and so I just stuck to knitting. Zakka life was doing a giveaway for a book called "Crobots" and I thought they were too cute. I entered the drawing and then went to the book store and bought "amigurumi world" (I am hoping to win "crobots") I just fell in love with all the little animals and thought I would give crochet another try.

The top image is a penguin I made for my daughter and the bottom image is Rudy the Rectangle. After buying the book I had to buy some yarn. I love an excuse to buy new yarn! Rudy is a free Lion brand pattern. I made these guys for my pregnant neighbor. One for the soon to be new baby and the other for the son she already has.

My next project will be for the toy society. I wanted to make a couple just to make sure I didn't suck at it.

I had so much fun making them and it seems I am not as bad at crocheting as I thought. I love it when I find new things out about myself.

A journal for my daughter

2009-04-19T09:02:00.002-06:00

I have always wanted to start a journal for my daughter but didn't know how to do it, and didn't know where to start. Would it be random letters that I would write and keep safe over the years or lists of things she should do, or read?

So I have decided finally that it is a simple journal (one for now) that I will write in and keep all of the stories that I hold in my heart for her. It could possibly evolve into something else over time, but for now, just stories.

I think that one of the things most upsetting to me is that I don't have stories from my family I don't know who they are or anything about them. When my daughter is old enough I want her to be able to read them and know who I am, what makes me up as a person. Maybe even be able to learn form some of my mistakes.

Already the pages are filling up, and I am taking a walk down memory lane. I think the process may be therapeutic for me. Maybe, I will learn a thing or two about myself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As far as celebrating the small stuff. I had a great opportunity this week and was unable to. As suggested by "Life is a Verb" I was to buy cupcake mix and candles to have on hand for the occasions but I had an angry tooth this week and went to the dentist. The very last thing I wanted was a cupcake so I decided to hold off. I wish I didn't.

My wonderful daughter came home with amazing mid term grades and I was so proud of her! But I had no cupcakes. So I told her what my plan had been and told her that it was time for us to stop being so negative and only focusing on the bad stuff. So I promised her that this week we would celebrate for her great grades. She worked hard and deserves to celebrate!

37 days

2009-04-14T09:31:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I found a very lovely blog called 37 days. I was so taken by the words I read on this blog that I went and bought her book. "Life is a verb" It is wonderful so far and just what I needed. You should go here and check it out.

Celebrating small accomplishments struck a cord with me. Something I don't do and should. So, I pledge that for the next 37 days I will celebrate all of the small things that I see and do. Especially for my daughter. I think I recognize that both she and I need to celebrate more, that even I take life too seriously sometimes. There needs to be less focus on what hasn't been done and more focus on what has been done.

Celebrate life!

My new kitchen scrubbers

2009-04-13T07:06:00.002-06:00

I have done away with paper towels. It has been a little over a month now. I wanted to make sure I could do it before I made any claim to fame. It is easier than I had thought. I don't miss them at all. The top pic is a basket weave wash cloth that I knitted out of cotton. The bottom pic is a small loofah sponge and an Eco friendly paper towel like item that is washable. I purchased it at the Sunflower Market in a package of 3. I love these items because I can just throw them all in the washer. I have managed to collect quite a few rags and when I have time I am going to knit a rag bag to be put in my kitchen to catch all of my used rags for wash day. I also think that I will knit up more of these wash cloths and give them as Christmas gifts this year.

Waste free lunches

2009-04-06T09:03:00.003-06:00

I took Spring Break off with my Daughter last week and we had a lot of little projects to do to keep ourselves busy.

We made fabulous snack and sandwich bags. I wish I could find the inspiration for the sandwich wrap but I can't. So know that it is not my own creation but I did make it and am in love. I used an outside table cloth cut to the size of a 1 gallon zip lock baggie. Sew that together and sew Velcro tabs on the corners. Fold from the points to the inside to attach to one another.

The snack bag is my own creation and I don't know how well it will work just yet, but I will keep you posted. I bought some yarn a few months back that my daughter just loved, I had no idea what I was going to knit out of it. I decided to make a simple pouch with a draw string closure. and lined it with a sandwich bag. It came out really cute. Someone asked me how I would wash it and so now I question the functionality of it. I am hoping that it works. My plan was to wash it by hand and if I need to I could throw it in the washer but not the dryer. I did not knit it of wool so it won't felt, but that may not be a bad thing either.

Anyway they make me happy and my Daughter loves them. The best part... I won't be purchasing any Ziploc baggies any more!

Lotion

2009-04-03T09:05:00.003-06:00

Last night I made lotion! Seriously I am very impressed with myself!

Here's the recipe:

1/4c olive oil

1c water

1/4c vegetable glycerin

1/4c emulsifying wax

24 to 36 drops essential oil

In a double boiler melt wax and olive oil. In a small saucepan bring water and glycerin just to a boil. When the wax is melted and water hot enough add the water/glycerin mix to the wax mix. It will turn a milky white. Let cool for a minute, add essential oil and stir with a chopstick. Pour into your container of choice. I reused some small lotion bottles that I saved and it made 4 bottles.

It was really a much quicker process than I thought it would be and the result is wonderful. I think it is much better than any store bought lotion that I have ever purchased and defiantly cheaper.

The end result is quite nice I can't wait to use it at work. I work in a hospital kitchen and we use hospital soap which is effective but drying and this winter has been dry enough. It doesn't matter how many times I put lotion on I am just dry. Already I can feel and see a difference in my hands and feet. This makes me super happy.

Again, the ingredients are simple and the list short. While becoming greener I become increasingly aware of what I am putting in my body and on my body.

Lip Balm

2009-04-02T09:50:00.002-06:00

I made lip balm last night!

Here is the recipe:

- 2 teaspoons of beeswax
- 2 ¼ tsp of jojoba oil
- grapefruit essential oil
- a small container

Melt it all in a double boiler and poor into containers

The batch I made was times 4 of this and it made 5 tubs. I was unhappy with the final product. I found it to be too hard and too waxy. So this morning I scooped it all back out and added coconut oil to it. I am sorry that I didn't do an exact measurement of how much but it was about two heaping tablespoons. Now I am in love with it. It has a nice smooth texture and I don't feel like I have a pound of wax on my lips. I used old lip balm containers that I have been saving for this happy occasion, is it recycling or up-cycling? No new plastic, nothing in the landfill and I know what is going on my lips.

Earth Day

2009-04-01T15:56:00.001-06:00

The picture my daughter did for the 2009 Earth day Auction.

Happy April!

Freecycle

2009-03-30T08:14:00.002-06:00

Freecycle is a yahoo group where you can post things you have in your home that you no longer want or take items off of other peoples hands. I discovered it a couple of months ago.

I'm a big fan of thrift stores, I usually take my things there. But, I am finding as I go through my stuff there are some things that I don't really want to take to the thrift store. They are nice or heavy and I would rather have someone else come lug these things out. Or maybe someone could benefit from getting an item that they could not really afford, even at a thrift store.

I haven't been lucky enough to receive anything from anyone yet, but I did unload something over the weekend. I decided to drop my home phone line, I was paying $40 a month for solicitors to call me. How nice am I? All my friends call me on my cell. So I had a nice VTech phone with a digital answering machine that I posted and now is in the hands and home of someone who could use it.

As I go through my stuff I find other things to put on there. I still will take much to the thrift store and will continue to do so but I'm liking the Freecycle. Google it in your area and see what you can find.

Earth Hour

2009-03-29T08:28:00.002-06:00

I am a little disappointed in the lack of participation that the Denver area had in Earth Hour. As I drove home from work last night I noticed very few lights out. I knew there wouldn't be a black out but I thought maybe there would be more people interested in it. It is only an hour and it is about the small choices we make.

I was still at work for half of it but, I participated in it. I did it all day though and not for the hour. Before I left for work I unplugged everything and turned off everything. I like to think that because I did it for the whole day that there was some impact however small it may be.

I am already conscious about unplugging my small appliances in the kitchen and things in the bathroom. I have also started to unplug my chargers and hope to go solar with my small gadgets soon. Now I know there is more I can do. I learned from the experience. I realized there is a clock in my kitchen that I don't ever look at but it's always plugged in. It will be going to the thrift store this week. I learned that when my daughter is at her Dad's that I don't watch TV and don't need the TV, DVD player and Direct TV box plugged into a power source. I learned that I am horrible about leaving my laptop on and will not only shut it down when I am not using it, I will also unplug it. I learned that my stereo is always plugged in sucking energy and I hardly ever listen to it since I discovered Pandora. And lastly I learned how horrible store bought candles are to the environment and me. Luckily my daughter was already wise to that and I had some soy candles around that she made for Christmas last year. All of the other candles will also be going to the Thrift store and I think we will make some candles too this year.

So anyway, I am happy with my Earth Hour experience. After all it's about the small choices we make in our lives.

Rosemary Garlic Crackers, No bake cookies

2009-03-27T08:22:00.003-06:00

We are had our blizzard yesterday and still feeling the effects today. School has been canceled for the last two days which never happens in Colorado. I'm not a big fan of snow, but I haven't had to go out in it so I think that it's really beautiful if I can stay inside and look at it. So, my daughter and I took advantage of the day and baked.

Rosemary Garlic Crackers

1c all purpose flour

1c whole wheat pastry flour

2T Nutritional yeast

1t baking powder

1t rosemary

1t rounded garlic powder

3/4t sea salt

1/4t pepper

1/2c water

3T olive oil

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees

Mix dry ingredients together and add liquid. Divide in half and roll thin. Sprinkle with a little more sea salt and use roller to lightly push into dough. Cut with pizza cutter into squares. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Bake 12-15 min.

I love these they have become a staple in my home.

Then we made no bake cookies. A favorite from my childhood. I had a baby sitter that made them.

2c sugar

3T cocoa

1/2c Milk

1/2c margarine

1 pinch salt

3c quick oats

1/2c peanut butter

1t vanilla

In a saucepan bring sugar, cocoa, margarine, milk and salt to a boil for 1 min. Add oats, peanut butter and vanilla. Quickly drop cookies on parchment paper and let cool.

Today I think we will make some bread and granola.

Haiku

2009-03-22T08:44:00.003-06:00

Time is what precious

Be present in your actions

Before it's too late

Homemade purse

2009-03-20T10:39:00.003-06:00

I love scarfs! I see them at thrift stores, buy them and then never know how to use them. So, I was on Martha Stewart's web site a few weeks ago and saw a tutorial for this bag. Tie it up in a few knots and... bam! You have a purse. I have now made all of my scarfs into purses and given them to my friends!

Yogurt parfaits, potato soup and granola

2009-03-19T06:46:00.004-06:00

I am all about food right now in an attempt to lessen my food bill and add some variety to a semi dull vegetarian diet. And just to let you know I am only Vegetarian not vegan. These recipes have milk based products in them. Sorry folks I love my milk, yogurt and cheese too much!

Granola...I love it but it's expensive. I didn't know that you could make it from scratch. Well you can and I did and it's good. This recipe is very basic but you can add anything you want to it.

4c old fashion oats (not quick oats)

1/2c brown sugar

1/2t salt

1/2t cinnamon

1/3c veg oil

1/3c honey

1t vanilla

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a large bowl combine oats, brown sugar, salt and cinnamon. In a small sauce pan heat oil and honey until the honey melts and stir in vanilla. Pour the liquid over the dry ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon. Spread on baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake 30 min. Cool enough to break into pieces. Put in air tight container and it will be good for a week.

So then I decided to pre-make a fruit and yogurt mix.

2c mandarin oranges (on sale at sunflower market)

3 bananas

2 apples

Vanilla yogurt

Brown sugar

In a large bowl combine all the fruit sectioned or chopped up. Add 3/4 of the Vanilla yogurt mix it up and add brown sugar to taste.

Now add the granola and I have fruit yogurt parfaits for the week at very little cost. I will get at least 7 servings out of it so that breaks down to about $1.50 a serving. Plus we have extra oranges for snacks and the left over yogurt will go with one extra banana for a smoothie for my daughter so it actually breaks down to be less cost but I won't go that far.

Then for dinner last night I made some potato soup. Nothing better than potato soup on a chilly night.

1 medium onion chopped

4 cloves garlic minced

2lbs potatoes

4c veg broth

1c milk

salt and pepper to taste

cheddar cheese

In a large pot over medium heat saute onions and garlic in 2T oil add broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil turn to low to simmer and cover partially cover for 20 min or until potatoes are done. Remove from heat and add the milk. Put soup in blender to puree, add cheese and chives.

I served the soup with homemade crackers but that is for another post. I had everything on hand but potatoes and veg broth. Total cost was $4 and I have soup to eat for a couple of nights.

St Patrick's Day

2009-03-17T10:30:00.000-06:00

May you live as long as you want,

And never want as long as you live.

Happy St Patrick's Day!!!

I Love being Irish!!!

Spring

2009-03-16T09:09:00.004-06:00

It's a strange time of year in Colorado. It's Spring-ish, its not, it's 70 degrees it's 40 degrees. I've lived here about 15 years now and still am not use to it. By the time summer gets here I wonder where Spring went. And even though I don't see any signs of spring outside just yet I do see it in my kitchen! My seeds have sprouted! That makes me happy.

My daughters cactus.. only one sprout right now. She is bummed because she wanted to give some to her teachers and right now it's looking like that may not happen. I'm crossing my fingers.

Baby Hat

2009-03-15T08:12:00.002-06:00

I have to admit that I didn't do very well on the 29 day giving challenge. I think I crapped out about half way through it. It did give me a great feeling to give away random gifts but having to do it every day was was a little too inside the box for me. So, I will continue to give but maybe a wee bit more at my own pace.

Yesterday I gave a co-worker this hat. She just had a baby a little over a month ago and this was the first baby item I have ever made. I got the pattern here. I can't wait to see it on her!

Brown Rice Patties

2009-03-14T10:16:00.002-06:00

Being a vegetarian can often be a frustrating thing. The looks and the questions people give you are just borderline stupid. The thought process being that you can't survive with out meat. I think it may be harder for my daughter than it is for me. Kids only know what their parents teach them and can be unforgiving and mean. But just as difficult is finding variety. I think it sucks that a restaurants only veg choice is a salad. So it's nice when I come across a great recipe that is kid friendly. I found this recipe for Brown Rice Patties here

My daughter and I both loved it and getting her to eat things with onion in them is almost impossible. She devoured it! Here it is....

Brown Rice Patties

3 cups leftover brown rice
1 cup grated carrot grated in food processor
1 medium onion, grated in food processor
2 cloves minced garlic, minced in food processor
1 t salt
½ t pepper
2 eggs
½ cup whole wheat pastry flour

Vegetable oil of your liking for frying

If you do not have a food processor you can use a box grater instead. Just make sure any onion juice makes it into the bowl, lots of flavor there!

Combine all ingredients except the oil. If you have the time to make this in advance and let it sit for a bit the garlic and onion flavors will blend even more, but it's not necessary, just nice. If the patties don’t hold together because they are too dry then add another egg. If they are too wet add a little flour.

Heat a frying pan or griddle on med - med/high heat until hot and add oil. Use a ¼ cup measuring cup to scoop out the rice mixture and gently lay them on the frying pan. Use the back side of the measuring cup to flatten out each patty. Cook until golden brown on each side.

On a side note my daughter did the most amazing, random thing all on her own. She is a girl scout and was selling cookies about a month ago. The lady downstairs had already purchased some and didn't want to buy. A couple of weeks later our neighbor asked if we were still selling cookies. Not door to door but we will be in front of the local Sunflower market in a couple of weeks. So she was a little bummed and asked if we sold again to let her know. Last weekend my daughter had a sale and bought a box of cookies for the neighbor. This morning she wrote a note telling her to have a beautiful day, attached it to the box of Thin Mints and left it at her door.

I LOVE HER!

Bread

2009-03-13T07:25:00.002-06:00

So in an attempt to live more simply and save more money I have decided to start baking my own bread. My Grandparents did it, so can I. My first attempt was a failure and that first loaf of bread cost me more than I would like to admit. But I found another recipe and tried again and I baked a gorgeous loaf of bread and I can pronounce every ingredient in it. It was very easy, here is the recipe.

1 pkg. active dry yeast
1-1/4 cups warm water, 110-115 degrees
2-3/4 to 3 cups bread flour
1 tsp. salt

Dissolve yeast in the warm water and let stand five minutes, until bubbly. By hand, add 1-1/2 cups of the flour and the salt. Beat well for a few minutes. Gradually stir in enough of the remaining flour to make a soft dough.

Knead dough on a floured surface until smooth, springy and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place bread dough in greased bowl, turning to grease top. Cover and let rise until double, 1-2 hours.

Punch down dough. On floured surface, roll dough to a 12x6" rectangle. Roll up dough tightly, starting with 12" side. Thoroughly pinch edges and ends to seal. Roll and stretch dough carefully to shape, making ends thinner than the center. Place the loaf of bread, seam side down, on greased cookie sheet sprinkled with cornmeal. Cover and let rise until doubled, 45 minutes to an hour.

Slash top of bread loaf with very sharp knife in three places, if desired. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-30 minutes, until the bread is deep golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped with fingers. (You can, if desired, spray the loaf with water a few times during baking for a crisper crust.) Remove from cookie sheet and let cool.

I had some trouble with the yeast and did some research and found that in order to get the yeast to activate you need to use some sugar so I added two pinches of sugar to the yeast and water mixture. I also substituted 1 cup flour with one cup whole wheat flour and lastly I baked it in glass loaf pan instead of the cookie sheet. Only because I was making crackers with my sheet pan. It turned out really great and now I will start baking my bread every week or when I need some. My daughter and I don't eat much bread, but at $3 to $5 it is costly and I am looking to save where I can, that's a savings of $12 to $20 a month!

Hi

2009-03-12T07:18:00.002-06:00

I have been so busy this week. I think the time change did me in to. But I have been trying all sorts of little experiments. Last night I decided to bake some bread...that didn't go so well so I will keep trying.

I wanted to tell you about a new shampoo method that I think I like better than the Dr Bronners soap just because after I wash my hair it feels way more normal.

Mix 1 part baking soda to three parts water and put into a squeeze bottle. Shake well before using and apply to the scalp. Massage it into your scalp for several minutes. Leave in for one to three minutes and then rinse it out really well.

Then in another bottle add 1 part white vinegar to 4 parts water. Add a few drops of essential oil to kill the vinegar smell. Leave on for several second and then rinse out. They say you can leave it in too but I haven't tried that yet.

Anyway my hair feels conditioned and normal and I am digging that. Give it a try!

Earth hour 2009

2009-03-10T07:19:00.003-06:00

Saturday March 28th, 2009 Turn out your lights for one hour and say yes to the earth!

History

2009-03-05T22:01:00.004-07:00

Wow I just had an emotional moment.

I have no ties to any of my family my Mother was the youngest of ten children. Raised by an Italian family. When she was old enough she eloped with my father and ran very far away so that she didn't have to be so involved in her famlies lives. So much so that I have no idea who these people, my family, are. My father not from as big of a family but still a good size was a loner. He passed away almost three years ago now. I know none of his family and I am an only child

I don't know any of my family or their stories. Most of the time it doesn't bother me but there are things that I would like to know. There is history that I wish I had knowledge of. My Mother and I haven't spoken in almost 10 years. It seems that she felt that when I called her I always wanted something from her, it appears that talking was wanting something and that was too much for her. Whatever... at this point I have come to terms with it and moved on.

So I was online tonight and stumbled on this site. The name said it all for me so I was checking it out. There is a post for yesterday called "Depression cooking" and there is this lovely old woman who has made some youtube videos about cooking in the depression. I watched the few that were posted to the site and followed it over the youtube. She has about ten little videos in all.

She is charming, I fell in love with her. She is everything I think a grandmother should be since I don't know my own. And then I found these...

One of the things I do remember about my childhood are these cookies. My little Italian Grandma would send them to me every Christmas and I loved them.

When I got older and my Grandmother passed on I asked my Mom for three things. One of her Cameo's, her recipe for marinara and the recipe for these cookies. Well I didn't get any of it. Instead I got a little bag of some gold jewelry that was hers not Grandma's and she didn't want the stuff any more. I think the items were things I had given her when I was little. I will be incorporating the items in a piece of art for my daughter. I have through trial and error made my own recipe for marinara. It's not Grandma's but it's good, and now...now the universe has given me this fabulous little old woman who I don't know with the recipe for the cookies I thought I would never find.

It makes me so happy that I am crying.

Cold coffee

2009-03-05T07:00:00.002-07:00

I love coffee and have just discovered that it can be brewed cold. In the summer I like to drink cold coffee but I brew it hot and then poor it over ice. Now when it's hot outside I don't have to run the coffee pot and that makes me super happy. Not that I think that the coffee pot uses that much energy but every little bit helps right?

1/3c Coffee

1-1/2c water

Put into an old spaghetti sauce jar and place in fridge over night. Strain twice through a cheese cloth. Equal parts water and coffee or to taste. Poor over ice and enjoy.

I also like it because it gives me something to do with some glass jars that I now don't need to throw away.

I made some simple syrup and put that in a jar too because I like sugar in my coffee and it's impossible to get sugar to melt in anything cold.

So great

2009-03-04T10:18:00.001-07:00

If your having a bad day you should watch this. It will make everything all better. Even if your not having a bad day it is still fantastic. Babies Rock!

whats wrong with us

2009-03-03T09:14:00.005-07:00

shiny happy people image from flicker

I know that as people we have grown desensitized to violence and sex due to TV, video games and movies. Have we also become desensitized to friendliness?

Working in food service all of my career I can tell you that I have been to hours of customer service training classes. People teach you how to be nice and what to say to consumers. But after you see 100 people a day how genuine can a person be especially when the people they encounter could care less what you are saying to them. It's when you don't say the right thing that people notice.

How is it we have come to this place where we expect people to be nice to us even if we don't deserve it? Originally this thought was provoked only from a consumer point of view after witnessing something totally random last night. But now as I write I realize that really this can be applied to all the areas of our life... relationships with our friends, coworkers, families... anywhere.

Now don't get me wrong. I am a nice person. I don't think we should stop being nice to each other but I do think that people need to stop taking niceness for granted. If you expect people to be genuine to you, be genuine to them.

As a consumer the next time you go somewhere to buy that thing that you really cant live without, take a fraction out of your life to look at the people selling you your stuff and be genuinely interested in what they have to say to you. Look them in the eye and thank them for being there to sell you your stuff, realize that he or she is a person and deserves your respect and don't get mad if they are having a bad day. Recognize them and make their day just a little brighter.

We the people are very selfish and it's time to break the mold!

shampoo

2009-03-02T09:27:00.002-07:00

I was raised by a woman who taught me to only use salon product on my hair and have all of my life. I think once in my 20's I decided to try grocery store shampoo. I realized that when buying salon product by the liter it was cheaper and there was less time being spent running to the store to get shampoo so that means less gas expense. So, I went back to salon products.

As I have evolved into the hippie that I am I have on occasions entertained the idea of making my own shampoo. Well, about three weeks ago I needed to go buy my salon product and with the economy being what it is I decided to save my $4o and finally make my own.

The verdict is in and I am loving it. It has taken this time for my hair to calm down yesterday finally my hair was normal. I warn that if you decide to do this you need to be patient, there will be a few bad hair days. But, my hair is soft, manageable, not frizzy and I noticed that I am not loosing as much hair.

Here is the recipe:

1/2 cup Pure Castile soap

1tsp olive oil

2T aloe

It cost hardly anything to make, I already had the ingredients and I used an old body soap bottle to put it in. It doesn't take much, the castile soap is concentrated. I also bought some coconut oil to put in my hair about 15 min before I get in the shower to act as a conditioner. About once a week I put it in my hair before bed and I leave it in all night. I have curly thick hair so this works for me but you may need to play with it a bit to suit your hairs needs.

Here's to a happy hair day!

Meditation

2009-03-01T08:43:00.003-07:00

image from all posters

I have started meditating again. I don't know why I ever stop because I love how I feel when I meditate. I think it has something to do with letting life get in the way. We should really stop letting our lives control us and start doing things that make us happy. Meditation doesn't take long and the benefits you get are worth more than the couple of minutes you loose from a day. And, it makes me happy. After meditating I can handle anything that comes my way.

Couple of side notes...

I am already starting to see some green in the seeds I planted! Exciting!

My daughter brought home a great report card Friday I am so impressed with her. Despite the challenges she has with her father she is still managing to bring grades up. She also got an award for "Excellence in Writing" She is just so amazing!

planting

2009-02-28T09:47:00.002-07:00

I am trying my hand at some seeds. I don't have a whole lot of luck when it comes to plants. I have a black thumb I guess, hoping that it will turn a greenish color. I have killed every plant I have ever tried to have including bamboo.... really.

I've lived in my current place almost two years. Last year I purchased a snake plant and it is still alive and I was so impressed with myself that I went and bought a rubber tree. After that a pony tail palm and now I am the proud grower of 7 plants. the latest being an Aloe and now these seeds...

Above are cactus that my daughter wants to grow.

And these are herbs...dill, mint, basil, oregano and chamomile. In hopes that I can make some pesto, and tea, maybe do some pickles and some very yummy marinara.

I am a bit of a vampire with out the whole drinking blood thing. I have always lived in places that didn't have much light because I like the dark and I until the last couple of years worked in the dark. Literally the light hurt my eyes. The place I'm in now gets some good southern exposure in my dinning room and the plants seem to like it there. Also in the past I think I forgot that I needed to water the plants. Sometimes I forget that I need to eat too, but now I am getting better at both. It helps that I have a wee child that needs me to feed her so when she eats I eat, and she reminds me to water the plants.

I really hope that it works. I live in an apartment and cant have a garden but really want to be able to try to grow some of my own things. I am hoping this goes well and maybe I will try some container gardening for a few things.

Cross your fingers for me...

Its Friday

2009-02-27T06:52:00.004-07:00

Friday, my Monday what will today have in store for me?

My Kiddo has been sick since Monday and she is going back to school today. It has been a fun few days despite her not feeling well. We had a ton of good inside projects that don't take a ton of time or energy. I posted a few already, here are a couple more...

A button bouquet made from antique buttons and another tea tin. I got the inspiration here. I think the jar might look cooler but I am happy with the outcome.

Then she was inspired by the buttons and decided to make a button man, very cute.

While off I decided to tackle the last closet I have that needs organizing. I didn't get too far but did manage to get some of it done. (There is a ton of stuff in there) I found this Mountain Dew pen. I have decided that anything not out or being used has to go unless it has some sentimental value. This does not, but I know a young girl who loves Mountain Dew as much as I do. I will give this to her today.

I also did some other things like get rid of paper towels. I had gotten to a point where I didn't use many over the last year but I have decided to do away with them all together. The sunflower market has these things called Twist, it's a sponge cloth that is washable so I purchased a package of those. I think with those and rags I will do just fine even with a small dog that occasionally has accidents.

Facial Scrub mask

2009-02-25T14:37:00.004-07:00

I found this great recipe online for a facial scrub a couple of weeks ago. I thought I would use it for a while before posting about it. The verdict is in, and I LOVE it. It moisturizes, it exfoliates, it is gentle enough to use every day. (I only use it every couple of days) I am very fair so when I say gentle I mean it. I tend to be a little blotchy, and I am a little on the pink side and this amazing facial evens out my skin tone. Best of all you can find all of the ingredients in your kitchen cabinet!

Small glass container (I used a old spice jar)

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 t olive oil

1 T honey

Rub on skin in small circles gently and let sit for a couple of minutes and wash off.

up-cycling

2009-02-25T14:14:00.010-07:00

So my daughter stayed home from school yesterday because she caught the crud. So I used the day to do some up-cycling. She enjoys making art as much as I do and I have found some really great ideas online and of course had the things laying around the house, not wanting to throw them away, and not really knowing what to do with them...

Pom pom flowers with wire hangers and a tea tin covered in spare paper that my daughter drew flowers on.

A pen/pencil holder hanging in the dining room. I can never find anything to write with when I'm in there. It is made with the end of the toilet roll, covered in paper and pinned together with paper clips. One on the bottom to close the hole, and the top one is to hang it with.

A plant stand made with magazines! This is my fave!

So even though she was a sickie we had a good day.

google 411

2009-02-24T18:31:00.003-07:00

I LOVE Google! Put this # in your phone.

Guess what...it's Friday

2009-02-20T22:05:00.003-07:00

Why?

I don't know why I thought it would change. After almost 10 years of being apart, and the 7 years we were together. After knowing him for 17 years why did I think that it would change and why do I let it bother me so much?

I know why it bothers me. I hate liars and I hate to be lied to. And really... it's about the kiddo and her not getting her needs met which seriously makes me angry.

He told me that it would change, that he would start being better about things. He agreed that it would be better for her. Well I am so over it. Nothing has changed. I still have all of the homework and reading and no fun or quality time with my child.

Tonight I was set off because she came home with a note from her teacher saying he had given homework due on Wednesday that she never turned in. I asked why she didn't turn it in and she said "because it was Aunt Lisa's birthday and Dad says there is no homework on Birthdays"

Initially I thought no adult would ever say that to a child, especially not over 20 minutes of math homework, and then I remembered who I was dealing with. I replayed the words in my head and said yes, yes those are words that would come out of his mouth.

I am so tired of his stupidity, his mentality, his bs. I am tired of fighting with him. I've gotten to the point where I choose those moments better than I used to, but really I'd rather not fight with him at all. I shouldn't have to after 10 years. But, this is a fight, it's on now. I know that one day he will pull his head out of his ass. I hope it's soon...

Why?

Work...

I don't know what transpired over my days off but something was said to the boss from hell. She didn't talk or make eye contact with me all day. I guess something happened cuz she is not happy. I'll find out tomorrow. My good medium size boss doesn't really talk to me about things unless I really need to know or I ask. She figures if I don't ask I don't care (really I don't as long as things get better). It was a quiet non stressful night at work and there's nothing wrong with that.

I'm not a fan of confrontation. I would rather not have that sort of drama in my life. I'm a red head and can't control my anger. I've tried for years. So the way to deal with it is not to. It's not that I don't deal with anger I think I just realize that people think differently than I do. I accept that and move on. Not really avoiding anger just not putting myself in a place that could make me angry. It seems to make me a happier person and I do less irrational things.

With my work situation I really could care less about the boss from hell... really. I know that she is just a miserable person and that's her problem not mine. She could be mad at me because I make more money than her. She could hate me because I am really very comfortable with myself and people fear what they don't understand. It could be that she just can't yell at me and get away with it. I think what bugs me most is that I can't figure her out, maybe she does need medication. I do want to know what happened though. Some very small part of me wants to be smug.

With my ex situation I care a lot because it has to do with my girl. I still would prefer not to have to confront people but for her I will do it. For her I would do anything.

Diva

2009-02-20T07:46:00.003-07:00

One last post on the Diva Cup for the month...

This may be TMI but I am a very lucky individual. Aunt Flo usually only visits me 3 day a month and there is very little discomfort when she is here.

I have read all over the Internet that woman report having less periods when they stop using chemical induced feminine products.

I just had a two day visit and couldn't be more happy. I am in love with the Diva!

Day 19

2009-02-19T16:33:00.001-07:00

Today I took 4 bags of stuff, clothes and misc items, to the thrift store!

Diva Cup

2009-02-19T13:28:00.003-07:00

So yesterday I did not have as much luck with the Diva cup as I thought I had. After a while my back started to hurt...a lot. So I worked on inserting it a couple of different times and did a lot of research on how to insert. I found this really helpful place, they have pics of different folds. The origami is now my fav. The other folds don't seem to want to open for me.

Today I think I will do just fine with the Diva cup. My back hasn't hurt, the new fold works much better than the "C" fold that the company recommends. It sits a little higher than I understood it would but removing it is not a problem. I haven't got it to spin but I read in a couple of places that the company doesn't say you need to do that anymore. There is a little leaking but it's less than a tampon.

There is a learning curve to this, but if I remember correctly that is also true for the tampon.

Day 18

2009-02-18T12:56:00.003-07:00

So I am searching for everything and anything to green up.

I have been researching menstrual pads and tampons. I have found that they are not good for us and they leave tons of unfriendly waste. (I think I must have been living under a rock most of my life) So during my research for safer alternatives I found these lovely moonpads that I will buy maybe next month. I say next month because this morning I started. So I went over to whole foods a grabbed a Diva Cup!

I know I only just got it and really it's been about an hour but I love it and I feel like a Diva! It was a little expensive but by the end of the year it will have more than paid for itself and I have eliminated the waste and both of those things make me feel very warm and fuzzy.

It took about 20 min for me to figure out how to insert it because it is not like a tampon, the website gave better instruction than their insert. I will keep you posted on how it goes.

Well, while at the check out at the whole foods my cashier gave me my loaf of bread. She couldn't get it to scan and instead of getting someone to do it, she just gave it to me. It was very nice of her. Then she asked if I wanted to donate to their whole planet foundation. Well yes of course you just saved me $5 I must donate that $5. Really cool, it's helping single mothers in other countries start small business in order to care for their families. You should go there and check it out.

I forgot to mention yesterday that a lovely friend of mine gave me a wonderful little silver heart trinket. engraved on it is "follow your heart" Love it!

Ugh part 2

2009-02-17T22:04:00.003-07:00

I have tied a knot at the end of the rope and I am not letting go!!!

The boss from hell needs to go away. She is the mother of all who is grown and starts drama. I know I have said it in past posts but I know in my heart that she had something to do with the rumor and I just can't prove it.

Tonight I hit my bs threshold with one of the three girls. The only one who actually went to HR and was promptly sent back to work. HR knows whats up and they aren't talking to anyone who has been on a final for 9 months. Now she pissed because nobody will listen to her.

She ignores me, she has no respect for me, she is just rude to me every chance she gets. So I let the good boss know that I was all done with her. It's really amazing to me that when everyone else was being horrible to this girl and singling her out for something they couldn't prove. I was the only one who was supporting her and now she treats me like this? Seriously? Move on....

So the good boss pulled her in the office, listened to her bs and let her know that her attitude would not be tolerated. Something the boss from hell would never do.

Well we discovered that the boss from hell was talking a little too freely with this girl not only telling her lies but things that a manager should never share with a subordinate. Talking bad about other employees, telling her things that if they were true should be confidential, and plotting. (those cocktail waitresses are sounding better and better)

We were just in the office earlier this week having a meeting with the boss from hell trying to get her to see we know that she lies about other things... why would she continue to do it?

So the good boss is going to the medium boss, who is also good, and letting her know about this new information and we will see what happens.

I do know that it needs to be resolved quickly because now we are going on three weeks and the rope just keeps getting shorter.

Ugh!

2009-02-17T07:12:00.005-07:00

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

I have been so busy the last couple of days. I think I am on day 17 of the giving challenge. On Saturday the wee ones Grandma and I did our usual coffee meet. I bought the coffee again and I also gave my daughter a really cute paper sphere thing I made. I will take a pic and post later. I gifted a morning to a friend on Sunday and worked for her because she was sick. I don't think I have ever had to be at work that early in the morning. It was difficult but I made it. Yesterday I don't think I gave anybody anything. Oops! I keep thinking about it but I can't find anything. I did send someone a text that made their morning but I don't know if that really counts.

Work is getting better. Things seem to finally have calmed down. I read a post at solomother a couple of days ago that really inspired me to keep going. It said... "The good guys don’t always win, but if the good guys give up the fight, then the bad guys will surely win". Sometimes we all need a reminder to stick to our guns. Two of the girls have lost the fight and I think the third one now realizes that she won't get anywhere so she is now backing off. I still know that the boss from hell has something to do with it but I don't know what and I may never know but it seems she has moved on to other delusional subjects. I don't really understand what her problem is, she seems to create negative drama because she enjoys it. I can't imagine anyone really having that much time or energy. The only other reason would be that she really is delusional and has no idea what she is doing. I can't believe that so I am going with the other. I mean if she is that clueless and has no idea what she is doing then she should be on medication and not in a management position.

Obama will be in town for the next couple of days. He is at the museum today. I wish I could play hookie from work so I could see him.

Happy Valentines Day!

2009-02-14T10:04:00.000-07:00

It matters not
who you love,
where you love,
why you love,
when you love,
or how you love,
It matters only
that You love.

John Lennon

Day 12 and 13

2009-02-13T16:52:00.002-07:00

I have enjoyed three days off this week. I wish I had one more day but the end of March I will take 4 or 5 days.

Yesterday was Thursday day 12. I gave my daughter some time and went to her school Valentine party. Fun! I also took my dog to the beauty parlor and got him a cute hair cut and little hippie pony tail! I think I want to see how long his beard will get and maybe tie that back too!

Side note...yesterday I took my laundry to the laundry mat I had too much to do and didn't want to spend all day doing it. I pulled all my stuff into the place and found the quarter machine wasn't working! I was dreading having to take everything back out to the car. There was a nice man there who had a giant jar of quarters and offered to sell me quarters so I didn't have to go find my own quarters. Thank you nice man! I think there is something to this giving thing. Some kinda nice weird stuff has been happening to me.

Today day 13 I took my daughter to a pottery painting place and we spent a couple of hours there painting. Then we walked around the area and did some window shopping. I little cold for walking around so that didn't last too long, but enough to get 20 min of brisk walking in.

I have spent a lot of my three days off cleaning and getting some areas organized. Looking for things to simplify. I still have a closet to tackle but I chose under the kitchen sink as the theme. I have decided to get rid of all of the plastic and aerosol containers that I have been cleaning with and go back to the basics. I now have three ingredients under my sink. White vinegar, baking soda and pure-castile soap. I also used some tea tree oil and lavender oil. I cleaned my whole place with it, even unclogged a sink! Everything is super clean and smells fantastic! It doesn't get much more simple than that. No more expensive, chemical cleaners for me.

I also made a facial scrub mask from sugar, honey and olive oil. It was a great exfoliater and left my skin soft and my skin tone even. All from ingredients that I already had in my kitchen. Super Fantastic!

All of the recipes I pulled off of the Internet but I will post here for anyone who may be interested in them.

Day 11

2009-02-11T09:20:00.002-07:00

Today I will give these to my daughter for Valentines day. I know it isn't till Saturday but tomorrow is the Valentine party at school and I want her to be able to wear them. They are made by me and needle felted.

A couple of really Random things...

I discovered Obama is doing a weekly web cast here... I love this!

And last night I was watching TV and saw a commercial for Millers new 64 calorie beer. I have to say that I think this is so ridiculous. As a recovering alcoholic I can say that while drinking, or when drunk, I never really cared how many calories I was consuming. Maybe the beer companies should spend more of their energy trying to figure out how to get people to be responsible, ie... not drinking and driving...and less time marketing something that won't sell.

Day 10

2009-02-10T07:38:00.002-07:00

Yesterday should have been day 10 of the giving challenge but everyone was taking so much from me that I didn't give a chance to give. I did go and buy myself this groovy new aluminum water bottle that makes me so very happy. So maybe I gave to the earth....

So today we will do day 10 just in case giving to the earth doesn't count. The cool little trinket above was the purchase for my daughters teacher which is what she is giving him today.

In the background... Girl scout cookies! A gift from the ex... weird.

I had the worst day yesterday. I hope today is better. I am so sick of dealing with this stupid poop at work. It's been two weeks and I am tired of it. Last night one of the three decided she didn't want to work with me and decided to move herself without any authorization and then thought it would be a good idea to yell at me. No, not so much. She got sent home....not because she was insubordinate but because she didn't feel good???? What!? I don't even want to go in today and if this doesn't get fixed and soon I may be looking for a job in this horrible economy where there may not be any jobs available.

Day 9 of the giving challenge

2009-02-09T08:50:00.003-07:00

Yesterday I gave twice. First was my time to a friend trying to find a Valentine gift for his girlfriend. He knew what he wanted, he just didn't know where to get it. He is very young and not great on the computer so I helped him out.

Second, I bought a pair of peace earrings for myself on Sat and wore them to work yesterday. Turns out they were a bit too heavy for me and my ears were unhappy. I gave them to a friend and she was ecstatic about them.

In return yesterday one of the girls I work with let me borrow her Coraline book. I really want to take my daughter to see the movie and was so excited about the book. Now we can read it and then go see it.

On a side note the rolled cigarettes are doing good. I've been tracking what I smoke and cost for two weeks now. What I smoke is cut in half and the expense is cut more than half. I am saving about $100 a month and am super excited about that. Also I feel much better about the filter thing. Maybe from here I can quit eventually.

day 8 of the giving challenge

2009-02-08T08:52:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was Sat and day 8. On Saturdays the wee one and I drive to Boulder to meet up with her Grandma and support a local coffee house. Then the wee one and her Grandma spend the day together. This week I bought the round of coffee and the wee ones fave Chi tea.

While at the coffee shop I purchased some local art to give to the wee ones teacher as a random gift for later this week. She just loved it and it was half off and I think her teacher will really dig it.

It's been a very odd couple of days. It seems I was right and the girls I am having trouble with at work were shut down before they got started. They were a little upset by this but seem to be trying to move on. Hopefully leaving me alone.

Friday while driving to the ex's house to pick up the wee one he called me and asked me to come in so we could talk for a minute. I immediately said no. I have learned from the past that those little talks usually are not fun they turn into an arguments and I am so tired of fighting with him. We talked until I pulled up into his driveway and it was pleasant enough so I went ahead and went in. I thought he had been cloned and I wanted to make sure that the person I was on the phone with was the same miserable human that I was use to.

It seems he has been doing some therapy and it is really doing him some good. He apologized for everything. He said that he knew he has not been a good parent and that he was going to change that and he said I would no longer have to carry the burden of parenting our child alone. I don't know who this guy is but I like him. I just hope he means it and in a couple of weeks we aren't back to the same bs. He still had a lot of excuses but it's a start, maybe with the therapy he can work through those excuses.

I don't know if the wee one is too hip on the responsible parenting idea. She kinda likes the fun Dad who she can manipulate but it's got to stop for her sake. It will be better for all of us.

Day 7 of the gift giving challenge

2009-02-06T08:36:00.005-07:00

I missed yesterdays gift, it seems I gave the day to myself. But today is crazy hair day at school and I gave my daughter the gift of not having to brush her hair before leaving the house. It was very hard for me to do, we could have done anything other than bed head, but it was what she wanted.

It is Friday....my Monday I wonder what the day will have in store for me today. Usually Fridays are not good days and I am going back to work after two days off not knowing what happened with my three angry, lazy people. I am going to stay positive and see what the day holds.

Day 6 of the 29 day giving challenge

2009-02-05T06:21:00.003-07:00

I taught my daughter how to needle felt yesterday and while I was at it made her this cool butterfly which I attached to a hair tie.

day 5 of the 29 day giving challenge

2009-02-04T09:16:00.003-07:00

Yesterday was day 5 and I was too tired last night to blog. I took the time to send an email to a friend that I hadn't talked to in a while. I think that counts.

So I have to say I am a little negative today so please excuse me. I try not to be negative but sometimes it gets the best of us.

I live a good life, I'm honest, I'm nice. I believe in Karma and I treat people with respect. This stupid, stupid rumor is still looming over my head and has spun out of control. There are three girls at work who took this rumor and ran with it. They now are going to take me to HR and tell them I treat them unfairly and have discriminated against them based on what everyone knows is something false. Same three girls who no doubt started the rumor themselves.

I know there is no way that they will get anywhere with it and it is stupid that they would think they could, but the thought of having to go through it all is stressful. It is quite possible that they will put the kaboshes on it before I ever catch official wind of it.

These three girls don't do their work and have no idea what accountability is. For some reason they think that creating lies to harm someone else will fix their problems. Bottoms line is they don't like having to do their work and would rather stand around and watch other people do their stuff. How fair is that to the other 16 people they work with? I think I might go back to the bars, cocktail waitresses might be shallow but at least they are smarter than this.

day 4 of the 29 giving challenge

2009-02-02T21:37:00.004-07:00

Today I gave the gift of warmth to a friend. She calls them hobo gloves and was so impressed with these. Me too I think I will gift a pair to myself.

day 3 of the 29 day giving challenge

2009-02-01T21:26:00.002-07:00

Today I gave my friend a leather jacket. It was a gift given to me about 2 years ago from a man friend. It's a very nice jacket, and a very nice gift, but I am a vegetarian. It has done nothing but hang in my closet since I got it. I've been wanting to do something with it and this challenge gave me the motivation. My friend was very happy, and so am I. I like this giving thing...it's kinda cool.

Day 2 of the 29-day giving challenge

2009-01-31T21:19:00.003-07:00

Today I gave a "The Audacity of Hope" to one of my co-workers. He is a not even 20 year old boy who is taking political science in college. He is so lucky to be taking that class right now! They are dissecting everything Obama, and he had not read that book yet, so I thought he should have it. I was pretty impressed with myself I didn't think that I would ever let go of that book. It made him very happy so I am pleased.

I also gave another gift out today. This gift was not of material matter and I don't think it was very well received, but that is not my concern. You see, there are two grown women that I work with, one the boss from hell and the other wishes she could be the boss from hell. They thought it would be fun to start some gossip about me. Well, it turns out that it was really only fun for me. Today I gave them the gift of truth. Truth....it's a really bad idea to fuck with me. Truth...it's not fun to be caught in a lie so it's better to be peaceful and forthcoming to everyone. Truth... people really need to get over their insecurities. It isn't my fault that I am a secure person and they are not and I won't apologize for not being made to feel uncomfortable. I made fun of the gossip, loudly and in front of everyone and now they know that when dealing with me they need to speak the truth. I'm sure they didn't catch it, but I think I made my point.

Day 1

2009-01-30T22:12:00.002-07:00

Today I started the 29-Day giving challenge and am super excited. Today I had a guy approach my car, (odd I know, but somehow I knew he was OK) he wanted to ask me about the music I was playing. (Audio Slave) He asked if I had a cigarette and... I did, and I gave him one of my finely crafted rolled smokes!

Cigarette butts

2009-01-30T08:36:00.002-07:00

As I look at this pick it makes me laugh. You can some up my life, who I am, by this image. I smoke, love coffee, watch TV, Knit, and am on the computer a lot. I wonder if you look at the contents of other peoples coffee tables would you be able to tell what makes them up as individuals?

Any way this post is about cigarette butts. I am...an environmentalist, I am... a person who has and is evolving into a hippie. A bad environmentalist I might add because I smoke. I would love to quit, it's been on the top of my list of things to do for many years now. I have tried several times and failed. But, that doesn't mean that I will stop trying.

So what brings me to this post is that I over the last week have decided to start composting. I don't have the vaguest idea how to do it so I have been researching online how it's done. During my research I found some stuff about the insane amount of trash from inaugural day, and they talked about the cigarette butts that people left behind. Then I found some stuff on the cigarette ban and how much cigarette butts are littering the world right now because people are being forced to smoke outside, but also because we smokers are not disposing of our butts correctly. Yes, I feel that as long as it is legal to smoke that businesses should provide receptacles for me to dispose of my butts properly but it is also my responsibility to take care of my own trash.

Well then I dug a little deeper and found that it takes 20ish years for a cigarette but to decompose!!! Scary! I had no idea. I have been smoking for that long. Then, they don't completely decompose. Not to mention the threat to wildlife and the water systems. This is so horrifying to me! I really had no idea.

So the pic above was taken not to show you my life on the coffee table but that I have changed what I smoke. Seriously you would think this new info would be enough to motivate me to quit smoking but...no. I have decided to roll my own. No more filters, less cost, less waste, better for me. Not only are there no chemical additives I have found that I smoke less.

Maybe I will quit sooner than later...

Holidays

2009-01-28T11:01:00.003-07:00

I love the kids I work with. I've been in the Food and Beverage industry for over 20 years now. Mainly with a bunch of shallow cocktail waitresses. (I bartended most of those years) When the smoking ban hit and the economy started to go down hill I decided to go into a kitchen in the health care field, it's safer right now. I'm glad I did because I just love these kids that work there. They are thoughtful and always have good topics of conversation.

Yesterday Valentines day was a big topic. Luckily they all get me, they may not agree with me but they get me, and they are always interested in my opinions. Being a non-conformist I am not a big fan of Valentines day. I think that it's a consumer holiday and when in a relationship don't have a need to celebrate. I don't need one day out of the year for someone to tell me they love me. Flowers die, candy makes you fat and restaurants are too crowded.

We also discussed the Super Bowl. I am not a big fan of football. They get paid way too much money for what they do and a large portion of them are poor role models to the kids. Plus it didn't help that all the years that I bartended I was working the games and didn't get to watch. My direct co-worker is closer in age to me but still very young. She could not believe that I didn't at least watch for the commercials. (I guess she doesn't get me) Really I could care less how funny they are, they are just mass consumerism at it's finest. Then she thought I should be at least interested in the day because it "gives you an excuse to eat bad foods and drink heavily"

So that sparked conversation about how people including her need holiday's for an excuse to do things they enjoy. Why do people need these days? You have 365 days in a year when you can do anything you want. Tell the person your in a relationship with that you love them, get dressed up like a girl and go out to eat, eat greasy foods and drink good beer or wine. We have gotten so wrapped up in the things that run our lives that we have forgotten that every day should be about what we want not what we have to do.

Live in the present, enjoy every moment and stop waiting for that "holiday"

Berry bag

2009-01-26T09:09:00.002-07:00

I made this little bag over the weekend, it's called a Berry bag and I got the pattern here. I didn't use the recommended yarn or needles because I had some Cascade wool that had already purchased. So I knit a few more rounds to make it bigger. It isn't exact but I love it. I felted it in the wash machine. That was a first for me and I liked it way more than doing it by hand! So excited to carry this today!

Proud

2009-01-25T08:41:00.003-07:00

Yesterday on my way to drop my daughter off at a birthday party I asked her what prompted the hour and half conversation she had with her Dad the night before. She told me that he had made a comment to her that she and I never do anything. He seems to be very concerned about what she and I do together. I haven't been able to get it through to him yet that he needs to be less worried about me and more worried about himself.

Anyway for the first time she stood up for herself and me and I am so very proud of her. She told him that because she doesn't do homework at his house that we don't have time to do anything fun because we spend all of our time playing catch up and that it would be nice to be able to do stuff but we don't have the time because of him.

So, even though I was wrong that I thought he would realize that she needs to be doing her homework for her own good he does realize the strain it puts on me to be the only responsible one. Although he wouldn't admit it out loud.

On a side note I finished this cool little project the other day. I love it. I painted the walls with some coordinating blue and made some flowers out of recycled wire from wire hangers. It is still missing something. I don't know what but I am super happy with it for right now. The missing part will come to me in time.

Friday

2009-01-23T22:04:00.004-07:00

O goody it's Friday again. I seem to have bad Friday's, maybe it's because it's my Monday. Who knows...

Luckily the boss from hell was not at work today. But I was the only boss there so that was a different stress. Running the whole kitchen is a big job. I will take my little section of the world back thank you.

After another week of endless homework and reading, all to be done in two days, and quality time gone again. I had decided to talk to the ex. Luckily I didn't have to. When I picked up the kiddo after work he said... " I have concern about her homework and we talked for an hour and a half about it. She doesn't like it when I yell so I will try not to as long as she washes her face." and "we need to be more concerned about her getting out and being more social because that is important too. Not sitting at home and watching TV all the time....I know that it's a difference in parenting style but..."

Um... excuse me? Thanks for not making me the one to have to bring it up (I'm sure his Mom said something to him...she is useful sometimes) But first of all there will be no trying, you will not yell at her anymore wheather she washes her face or not and what parenting differences are you referring to? The one where you don't do any homework and I do all of it. The only TV she watches is one hour of Chowder, the rest of the week we are reading and doing homework and have no time to do anything else except eat and sleep. He says "well being social is more important than reading" Did you really just say that to me? Maybe that is the problem....Seriously?

One thing at a time I suppose. At least he in his own way has admitted that he is slacking in the homework department and that the yelling has to stop. Maybe we can move on to a new problem.

So today I am thankful of course for my sweet girl and my cute dog. They took a day and made it much brighter.

Tam 2

2009-01-23T06:50:00.003-07:00

Well the first tam was good but not big enough. So I made another and had my African Prince come over to try this one on. He Loves it and so do I.

moving

2009-01-21T21:59:00.003-07:00

I glanced out my kitchen window this moring and noticed I had some new neihbors moving in. Several hours later I noticed they were still moving in, one truck and one load at a time. Out from one place and into another. I thought it must suck to be them. ( I really hate to move)

Then I looked around my place and just thinking about moving made me tired. Man my daughter and I have a ton of stuff!

Then I remembered the days when everything I owned either fit into the back of a truck or sometimes in the back of my 1969 Cadillac Sedan De ville. Boy I remember life being good then. Not that I think life is bad now, life now is also good, but good different.

Looking around made me realize that those days of picking up and leaving may not be as easy now as it was once upon a time. But I've traded the freedom for something better and she is worth way more than the feeling of lightness.

Although it wouldn't kill me to downsize a bit...

Obama

2009-01-19T08:20:00.001-07:00

Tomorrow Obama will officially be our new president. I am so excited for this. It's like being able to breath again after 8 years of Bush.

I am a child of the 70's, Generation X, a latch key kid. I am a cynic, a non-believer. I don't trust organizations or anything organized. I am confused by war, and think it's stupid. I grew up during a time of selfishness and greed, everything ever taught to me as a kid has been proven wrong. . My parents wanted me to be honest with them and then got uncomfortable when I did. I, like the rest of my generation has lived a long time without identity and not really fitting in any where. Silently living our lives the best way we know how. The way our parents didn't.

For the first time in my life like many people my age I got involved. Something small inside me said that maybe this time would be different and I trusted that instinct. I was right, and for the first time I have seen the system work. For the first time in my life I have been involved in something so much bigger than I am and it didn't let me down. What a great feeling that is. Now, I can tell my own child that it does work. That I have been proven wrong.

Thank you Obama for taking this mess on. Thank you for helping us believe. I wish you the best of luck. It won't be quick or easy, but it will be great. What you have accomplished already speaks volumes for your character. You have given me hope and I know that together we will make a difference.

Yes we can...

Time for a new tattoo

2009-01-17T21:40:00.000-07:00

OK... maybe two...smallish in size. Both are African symbols. The top one will go on my left wrist on the inside. It is called a SESA WORUBAN and it's a symbol of life transformation. In the center is the morning star which can mean a new start to the day. On the outside is a wheel, representing independent movement.

The bottom one will go on the front of a shoulder I don't know if it will be right or left yet. It's called DENKYEM it is supposed to be a crocodile but looks a little like a frog/turtle. It's a symbol of adaptability. The crocodile lives in the water but breathes the air, showing the ability to adapt to the circumstances.

I am so excited! I love getting new tattoos and I really like it when something comes to me instead of me searching for it. I wasn't even looking for a new tattoo, and when I saw these two symbols I just knew that was their intention, cool!

Love this

2009-01-16T22:54:00.000-07:00

If you need to know where to recycle your 'personal massager' go here. Thank you Tree Hugging Family! You made my night!

Grateful

2009-01-16T22:07:00.000-07:00

So, today is just one of those days. It didn't start well and it didn't end well. Not to say that it was a really bad day, it just could have gone better.

I am one of those happy kind of flittery people. I am positive and spend most of my time walking around in la, la, la. But, today was one of those trying, draining days. It started with stress about the kiddo and ended with stress about this witch of a woman that I work with. She is just one of those negative energy suckers that I would never be around if I didn't have to work with her.

So when I got home tonight I was having to look online for positive things to cheer me up. Looking around for what other people are grateful for in their lives. Trying to help remind myself what it is that I am grateful for. Luckily it's not that hard but I find it inspiring.

So I am grateful today for good coffee, warm days in January, a fantastic kiddo, my hands so I can create, my ears so I can hear the wind chimes outside, good music and the reminder that despite the bs I have to put up with from some people its tolerable because I have so many wonderful people in my life.

I stumble across this while surfing tonight...

There is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. That little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative...W. Clement Stone

Homework

2009-01-16T08:54:00.000-07:00

So this morning I have stress having to do with my daughter and her school work. It seems like I'm plagued with this a lot but mostly on Fridays for some reason.

First, I think that for a 4th grader she has too much homework. I now get that it's necessary. Kids now a days have so much to learn and a very short time to learn it in. If they don't get it right away they struggle. It isn't like when I was a kid and we spent weeks on something until everyone got it.

Second, it has to be hard on her that she spends equal time in two places. One parent very focused on her school work the other not so much. When she is with her Dad he is looking for popularity points and wants to have fun and that unfortunately causes me to be the not so fun parent. (back to the good quality time spent) But, when you have 5 hours of homework to get done it's got to get done.

Third, I get that her Dad yells at her when she does her homework at his place and that can't be fun so I try to make allowances.

Where do you draw the line?

Five hours of homework, Five hours of reading, Spelling and extra Math that gets sent home through the week, One hour of Chowder, dinner and she has two hours of tutoring every week. How am I supposed to get all of this done in three or four days?

I think this hits me on Friday because it's the end of the week and I have time to reflect. And man it pisses me off!

I know I need to talk to the ex about it, I have in the past and it doesn't get me anywhere except in an argument. One of the things I have learned over the years is that you can't change people and really after 15 years of this guy I am so tired of fighting with him.

So, how do I make it easier for this super fabulous kid? If it's stressful for me I can't imagine what it does to her...

My day

2009-01-15T17:23:00.000-07:00

I spent a very lovely day being domestic and learning a new art. First I learned how to needle felt and made this o so cute doll. I love her and she now hangs on my keys. I plan on making my fabulous kid some cool valentine gifts and I'm super excited about that.

Then I stopped procrastinating. I said I needed to declutter and I'm know where near done so I tackled a closet today. I wish I would have taken before and after pictures. I am super proud of myself that I got it done, it's been making me crazy! I have 4 bags of stuff to donate and I vow that I will no longer buy or bring things into my home unless I need them. Judging by the fullness of my closet I don't need anything else!

Frustrated

2009-01-12T21:48:00.000-07:00

I often refer to myself as a single Mom or single and a Mom, books often refer to me as someone who co-parents. Personally, I don't agree with those books. I left my daughters Dad when she was just three months old, she knows no other way to exist. I fought and fought with her Dad in the beginning to make sure that he stuck around because I wanted to make sure that he was in her life. I am a product of a single Mother, I know how much it sucks to grow up with out a Dad. I didn't want that for my kid and over the last nine years I have often felt very fortunate. I get free time to do what I want, I can date, I get me time and I get to have good quality time with my o so fabulous kid. But, I have found as she gets older that my "good quality time" is eaten up by trying to fix his bad parenting choices and I am so frustrated.

Most of the time it's the same few issues that I just can't seem to get resolved all revolving around self esteem. Dad says I need to loose 3 pounds...yea sweets your nine and have the rest of your life to worry about your body image...were not going to start now....No sweets it's not OK for Dad to yell at you while your doing your homework...No my love, the end of the world is not coming, not any time soon anyway.

The last couple of weeks she has had a new reading challenge from school. All the kids write down how many pages they read every day and the school collects the amount of pages for something. (I suck because I can't remember right now what it is, but it's cool) She has decided that 17 pages is her goal. Tonight she gets in the car and tells me that her Dad told her there was no way that she could read 17 pages in an hour and that even if she could he might kill himself if he had to listen to her read for that long.

Really?

This fantastic child in 2008 walked the 5k with me for Susan G. Komen, donated her hair to Locks of Love and became a vegetarian. She is so amazing and whats even more amazing is that she is who she is despite the crap her Father puts her through.

Why isn't there law against this kind of abuse? This isn't even the worst of it, it's just what happened today, but it happens all the time.

So then there is the long conversation about knowing herself regardless of what other people say to her. You can do what ever you want, be what ever you want. Did you tell him you can do it, and that you have done it and if he doesn't want to listed to you that you can silent read and that wouldn't effect him at all? I apologized to her because he isn't supportive of her. And the whole time all I wanted to do is tell her what an ass hole he is, that I am so sorry that I fought so hard to keep him around. That I wish I could take it all back and do it again.

It sounds so nice and peaceful, but I'm sure if it was different it would come with a whole new set of problems. I just wish it wasn't so hard on her. I'm really so about breaking the mold, I have done it, but I guess that you have to think something is broke before you can fix it.

Tam

2009-01-10T08:17:00.001-07:00

So I know I said that my next project would be a felted purse. I'm still going to do it, but maybe not the one I posted. I found a couple of other cute ones that I think I want to do instead.

So while searching the Internet I found a really cute slouchy hat and knit it out of some cashmere that I got for a song. I wore it last week while hanging out with my African Prince. He was excited to learn that I knit, and that I could make a Tam... "Whats a tam?" I asked him and he told me it was what I had on my head. "Really? I thought it was a slouchy hat." Well, he laughed at me and then said "So you will make me a tam, ya?" He told me he needs a new tam to contain his dread locks and wants it in rasta colors.

Well I just can't say no to my African Prince and I have completed my first Rasta Tam and I am pretty happy with it. It was very fun to do and I used my "slouchy" hat pattern to do it and made some minor adjustments to it. If you are interested let me know and I will provide the pattern.

a good end of day project

2009-01-07T22:31:00.000-07:00

Wow it's been a super long day but I am about to go to bed.

To relax when I got home I knitted this great little soap sack. I don't know if you can tell but it's in cotton and in these really amazing purple and green colors. I added extra to the top to make it more pouch like and added a longer cord that I braided so I could hang it. The pattern came from here in the January 09 mag.

I went back to bar soap last year because they have less packaging. I just love this bag because now I have something to do with the little pieces of soap that get left over.

I think I will learn how to make soap and this will be my Christmas gifts for next year!

Work

2009-01-06T23:36:00.000-07:00

I so have to be up in 6 hours to go back to work for a meeting. I can't sleep! I'm such a night person I never have to be at work during normal hours. I'm not use to going to bed for another 2 or 3 hours. This sucks!

Tomorrow is going to be a long day...

Hope

2009-01-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

Hope has become a very popular word lately. I think that it's pretty fantastic that people have hope again. I write about this topic today because I spent the day with my African Prince. He just got back from being in Africa for three weeks and had some good stories to tell. Mostly about how he has been reminded how lucky he is to be in America.

He recognized what even he had taken for granted....hope.

We in America have hope. Despite everything that happens in our lives we believe that there will be a positive outcome in the end.

In Africa there is no hope, no opportunity. He said some of his old friends looked old, tired and beaten down. They couldn't hope that life would get better. He went with his expensive things and thought he would show off a bit. Then he remembered that life is not about things, "there are people that don't have water and I'm wearing a $300 watch". He has come back a much simpler and much happier man.

I think we should all take a trip to Africa so that we may have a full realization off just what it is that we as Americans posses. But since we can't all be that lucky, lets just listen to my African prince he has experienced it first hand.

He said "In America we have choices"

What's your choice?

Men

2009-01-04T09:40:00.000-07:00

It's true...I am hopelessly single and I love it. I am not the kind of woman who at almost 40 is freaking out because I'm not in a relationship. I love being single! I love the freedom. I don't have to check with anyone to do anything, I don't have to worry about somebody else, mostly I don't have to worry about loosing who I am. Selfish as it seems its what I want and I have come to realize that its time for things to be about me. When I find the guy who is OK with me and how I am, that will be the guy that I will have my next real relationship with. One day, it will happen.

Now, that's not to say that I don't "see" a couple of different men, but they are emotionally unavailable...as I am. One I've been seeing for 10ish years another for a couple of years. That is what part of this post is about. Now I have attracted another emotionally unavailable man and I don't know why. This one I wont have anything to do with, although beautiful, he's married! It seems the more I push away the harder he pulls and I don't know what I do to attract these guys. I have decided that I will not see another man until I know he is emotionally available to me, and the right guy.

So here is the other part, the part that really irritates me. Part of being me and living as I do is being a reasonably private person. I am single, I don't run around telling people what I do in my private life. So, I don't go to work and announce when I have seen a friend, or gone on a date. So the men I work with assume that I am single and looking for a husband...because apparently a single female my age is supposed to be doing that. So of course they have made themselves available to me and of course I am not interested. I'm single, not desperate.

Well now I think one or two of them is a little bitter because I won't go out with them and men being childish as they are tend to lash out when they don't get what they want. Now I am dealing with constant bs from this guy (not the one above). I recently changed my schedule to work all weekends and he told me "well, if you had a man then you wouldn't be working all weekends"..."Really...Why? Then yesterday I asked him if he knew where I could get some wire cheap (I thought of a new project I want to do) he asked me why and I said I wanted to make something with it. He said "if you had a man you wouldn't be doing all that art, why don't you just give it up and get a man"

Seriously? Do I really need a man? Do men really still think a woman should change who she is just to be in a relationship? In a time where we can elect our first black president our opinions of women still haven't changed? I just don't understand it. There are places and times where I know to compromise but do I need to compromise my self? Do I need to look a certain way, behave a certain way, be home on weekends, have dinner on the table at 6pm, watch the news and be in bed by 10p? What about what I want? Call me a non-conformist but if these are the expectations men have... I want no part of it.

Simplify

2009-01-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

Eliminate things in your life that cause you stress.

Like this stupid shower caddie. Not only is it ugly but it would come unstuck every other day. Yesterday I realized that it really irritated me, so I removed it. With everything else in the world that can cause you stress why should something like this be adding to it. Get rid of it! I am going to see if I can take it apart and make some recycled art out of it otherwise I will donate it.

2009-01-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

So one of the things I will continue to work on this year is being green. One of the things that I struggle with is the darn grocery bags. Unfortunately I occasionally still want one or two of the plastic bags because its what I use to pick up the dog poo with. I guess one of the things I could do this year is find a better alternative for that.

Anyway I bought the cloth bags, they live in my car and for whatever reason it seems I still sometimes forget them when I go in the store. So yesterday I made a deal with my daughter. If she can remember to help me remember to grab the bags then she will get the money that I save for having them. So, you know the store gives you a dime for every bag you bring in, she will get that dime. We figured out that it would be about $24 a year that she would make for very little work or effort. We use less plastic and she has a little extra cash. Seems like a win win.

New Year Clutter free home!

2009-01-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Well, day one of 2009 and there is no time like the present. The tree has to come down, decorations packed away and closents to be dealt with. If I am going to be in there I may as well. My daughters Gifts are still in a large box sitting in the living room Ugh! If I have forgotten that I have it, it doesn't fit, or I havent used it in ages it goes to the thirft shop. Hopefully they will be open today so I can just throw it all in the car and take it.

Happy clutter free new year!

Happy New Year!!!!

2008-12-31T16:31:00.001-07:00

Good Bye 2008...Hello 2009!

2008 was definitely better than 2007 but I am not sad to see it go. And even though it was better it was not great. I found out that my Daughters father was drinking heavily and driving her around. A person that used to part of the family shot himself, I was diagnosed bipolar and then told I had been miss-diagnosed. The economy really sucks and gas prices were out of control. But on the upside I found a great job, I tried to quit smoking twice, my daughter and I walked the race for the cure and history was made with Obama.

I have decided not to make any resolutions this year. It's stressful and makes me feel like I have failed if I don't manage to do it....like quit smoking. So for 2009 I will do nothing more than continue trying to be present, be happy, live green and be a great parent. I will continue to de-clutter and simplify my life. I would like to continue being more healthy which means to quit smoking, exercise more regularly, meditate and practice Yoga more regularly but if I don't manage to do it I won't beat myself up about it.

2008-12-30T09:36:00.000-07:00

I have decided that this will be my next knitting project. I still have a couple of things to finish before I can get started. I think I will change the colors but the bag is awesome!

I love to knit! I taught myself how to do it many years ago and stopped doing it for whatever reason. I picked it back up again this year and am so happy I did. I taught myself how to knit in the round and am having so much fun.

The project I am doing now is just a throw I decided to knit when it got below zero and I was freezing. So its just a bulky soft throw I am putting together with some yarn I bought earlier in the year and never used.

I also have a couple of projects that I am working on for my daughter that I need to get done.

This bag is felted and I have only done one other thing felted. Also teaching myself how to do that...by hand...man that's allot of work!

This is a free online pattern...http://www.blacksheepbags.com/booga_bag.html

if your interested in making it yourself.

Brand new Blog

2008-12-29T21:28:00.000-07:00

I started this blog a long time ago and under a different name. I have changed the blog because I have changed myself. Anything going on a year ago does not have anything to do with me any more so I have deleted all of it.

The title is simply I am... I have based my whole person on those two words for almost a year now and boy what a difference that has made for me. "When I let go of who I am I will become who I might be." Love that.

I have let go, or am letting go of who I thought I was. The negativity, possessions, things holding me down and I have come back to a happy, secure person. The power those two little words have had in my life are so amazing. I am a better person, a better Mother and I can even deal with the ex a little better.

2008 was a better year...2009 will be even better!