BEING BROKE [prt. 2]

25 ideas. In listed form:

1.

Ride your bike in the morning (before the weather/heat pick up)

2.

Walk around taking pictures of flowers and blossoming trees

3.

Do an hour-long yoga practice

4.

Take a nap! (I bet you deserve it)

5.

Pick out a nail color you haven't worn for a while and give yourself a manicure

 6.

Bake! You could make a lot of breakfast and freeze it for early mornings, or you could stick with muffins, cupcakes, or cookies!

7.

Learn the basics of maintaining your bike (or another piece of equipment you use regularly)

8.

Repot your growing plants. I find this to be very grounding and I enjoy the time outside.

9.

Call your grandmother

10.

Learn something new. You could read about different art styles, the universe, a country you'd like to visit, marine life, the possibilities are endless!

11.

Take a walk around one of your city parks

12.

Volunteer at the animal shelter

13.

Organize your photos

14.

Organize your receipts and other paper stuffs

15.

Make a weekly cleaning schedule for your house

16.

Tackle the small repairs you've been putting off
(like changing that lightbulb, or fixing that button...)

17.

Plan out your meals for the next week

18.

Plan a fun stay-at-home activity for you and your sweetie

19.

Clear out some old clutter

20.

Meditate

21.
Go through the bookmarks on your computer

22.
Make some pinterest pins (crafts, dinner, dessert...)

23.
Wash your car

24.
Pick up that book you've been meaning to start

25.
Rearrange the house! Or just a room :)

BEING BROKE & WHAT I'M DOING ABOUT IT [prt. 1]

Well, folks, I did something expensive. But totally worth it. I purchased a bicycle! I haven't had one since I lived in Florida (so that's at least a year and a half!). As fun and exciting as a new bike is, it's never convenient to drop a pretty penny on a toy. Now, don't be thinking I spent 4 figures on a top of the line, name brand road bike. No, sir. I live within my means. It's a modest little thing that I purchased directly from a distributor (read: wholesale not retail). I'm a poor girl, with a modest budget, and now my itty bitty money is being stretched a bit more than usual. Which is totally fine. Really. I just have to find money-free ways to keep myself busy for the next little bit.

Now, you might be thinking, "come on, that's obvious: RIDE THE BIKE!" I have, and I will. But this week in E. Idaho we're getting windy gusts up to 30 freaking miles an hour. EVERY DAY! ALL WEEK!  On Sunday, my brother, his wife, and I did a 13 mile ride out in the country. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Oh, except for the 25 mph wind that we were riding against. That was hard. And frustrating. And I think at one point climbing a hill I even swore. Headwind + bike = not my ideal.

So, what do I plan on doing to busy myself while it's too windy to ride? I'm not sure yet. I'll probably just make things up as I go along.

So far this week:

Monday: 1 hour of yoga in the morning.

I read by the river (it may be windy but the sun is HOT this week. and I love it.)

I took the cutest, best dog in the world on a nice, long walk. I let him dictate where we would go. That way I was surprised and he was the happiest dog in the world.

Tuesday: I journaled.

1 hour of yoga in the evening.

I made phone calls and wrote emails I had been putting off (which was really a good idea because now I have a brand new headlight for my bike on the way. My previous one crapped out on me. Thank goodness for lifetime warranties!)

Chatted with my dad

I blogged! For the first time this year, hehheh...

I'd like to say that I'll post my cheap entertainment & busyness ideas every day for the next little bit, but let's be real, there's a high likelihood that won't happen. I am anything but a consistent blogger. However, I will try. For now, I think I will go to the library and browse the DVDs.

What are some money-free ways you have fun & keep busy?

madre

My mother came to visit.

I hadn't seen her in over a year.

I don't remember the last time we had a picture taken together, so one day we went out shopping and snapped a few shots.

She's beautiful.

And I love her.

appreciation 2012

I have not posted for a very long time! And in fact I have at least one other post I'd like to share, but in lieu of Thanksgiving this past week I'll post this first.

I believe that being grateful is one of the foundational habits of a happy and positive life. If we don't express gratitude, how will the Universe know which ways to surprise us next? How would our friends and family know when their actions or words are appreciated and welcome? One thing I have been practicing lately is saying THANK YOU, for just about everything.

So here it goes, my excessive expressions of gratitude. In list form:

-family. They've helped me out so much the past year. And my mom is here visiting from across the country!

-my job.

-new life. I have a couple of friends that had babies this past year and it's amazing how much light such a tiny little body can bring into the world. Nothing beats a baby's laugh.

-new wool socks. I love socks this time of year. My dad knows this. He's the best.

-ovens. Because I love to bake.

-Diane, my favorite yoga teacher at the gym I go to. Enough said.

-tea. I have been drinking lots of tea lately, and it really helps to calm me down if I'm feeling out of sorts.

-books. I've been reading a lot too.

-all sorts of resources, actually. I've been really into magazines and Pinterest lately (heehee)

-kind words. They're not heard enough.

-good deeds. They're not seen enough.

-a roof over my head.

-pets to cuddle.

-friends to laugh with.

-someone to love.

-the sky. It reminds me to breathe deeply. Especially right before the sun rises. I love the colors and clouds. Sometimes on my way to work early in the morning, if it's clear enough, I can see the Grand Teton. It makes me incredibly happy.

-mountains. I love the grandeur they add to the landscape.

-my safety. I feel like this is something most people take for granted. I know that Orlando has much more crime than eastern Idaho, and I'm so grateful to live in a safer community.

-the safety my loved ones experience, as well.

-my daily comforts. Like my bed and pillows, hot water, a reliable car, clothes, grocery stores (even though I still plan on having a massive garden and growing a lot of my own fresh foods, I'm glad grocery stores exist... most especially during the winter.)
-rain. I love the smell and the sound. I love the freshness that even just a little rain can bring to the earth, and my day.

-sunlight. It's been overcast for a while here, so it's been a big deal for me when the sun comes out and shines.

Review: THE DEFINING DECADE

I've recently come to accept the realization that I love self-help books. So when my friend of 14 years recommended The Defining Decade to me, I picked it up immediately.

Source

The book focuses on the fact that now, more than ever, twentysomething year olds are confused about how to tackle this delicate decade. Dr. Jay writes that the media delivers false information that decisions can be postponed during the twentysomething years, and that they should be "lived up". Jay argues that this is utterly detrimental to the future; the decisions made (or not made) during the twenties affect individuals for decades to come. The book was full of valuable information and facts. She writes with compassion, knowledge, and experience.

The book is targeted to twentysomethings who have graduated college and don't know what to do or where to go afterwards. In that sense, I couldn't really relate, since I haven't received a degree yet. But the advice backed by the examples she offers are invaluable. Plus, it gave me a great feeling of "there's still time for me to get, and stay, on track!" She talks a lot about work, love, and the changes the brain undergoes during the twenties.

I really enjoyed this book. It was straightforward and written very clearly, making it an easy and enjoyable read. I'd like to own this book to have as a reference, and to  also pass on some information to my teenaged nephew as he approaches this busy decade. I would recommend this book to all twentysomething year olds and their parents.

wisdom from a father is invaluable

I found a box of books a few weeks ago with many books I haven't read, and many that I love but haven't read for a long time. Since I don't have much shelf space in my room I decided to swap out the books I've read recently for new ones and old favorites.

While I was rummaging I came across a message my father wrote in a book he gave me for my 17th birthday. My dad always writes a little in books that he gives me and it's one of the most treasured aspects of my life. This particular book is a collection of poems and tales by Edgar Allan Poe. I always admired that big volume on his shelf but never opened it because I knew how much he loved it and how protective he is with books. What he wrote was this:

"Dear Clari,

Happy 17th birthday!

I hope you enjoy this book. It was my personal copy. I hope that you find it as enjoyable as I do.

Remember that a good book can be a good friend and an escape from the world when things get rough.

Also, Poe rocks!!

I love you.

Love, Dad."

I've been repeating the italicized sentence to myself over and over since I found it. Because my dad is right. He knew that I use books as an escape when things get rough; that's something I've always done, and he knows it's something I'll always do. Not to mention, my life was turmoil when I was 17 and I think this was his way of encouraging me to deal with life in a productive way. Reading is never detrimental.

Now, years later, it's incredibly relevant to my life. That book holds such wisdom. It could very well be my favorite because my father's advice is timeless. I feel so grateful to have such an understanding and wise father. And Poe does rock!

the summer: images

A few days late, but here are a few of the pictures I took on the summer solstice.

Sunrise with the wind turbines.

The view of Idaho Falls from Sunnyside; sunrise.

Purple fuzz; midday.
[I have no clue what this is.
Some sort of weed, I'd guess,
but it really intrigued me.
I think it's beautiful.]

Looking west; sunset.
[I love the golden sliver you can see from
the setting sun's reflection on the Snake River.]