Dreadies~6weeks

Wow. I still can't believe it's been six weeks. I think they still look crazy-but I guess it's because my hair is naturally curly and the curls of the stray hairs are still taking over.

I keep having to remind myself that this is an everlasting ongoing process-I'm not doing it for the "look". I also have to stop myself from time to time from trying to accelerate it. That's not the point. The point is the journey and what it is teaching me. First and foremost-TO BE PATIENT!!!

I guess it doesn't help when Tim asks me if I'm still dreading or did I take them out! LOL!

So, here are my 6 week pictures-let's see if there is any difference....

Woodruff Christmas Parade

Maddie and Virginia are honorary members of the Woodruff Preservation Assocation! They had a blast throwing candy to everyone....that's Tim in front of me in the second picture. The closest I can get to capturing his likeness on camera!

Dreadies at 3 weeks

It's late, so I don't have all that much to say right now. These pictures are about 2 weeks old. Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month, already!

I just got out of the shower, so they're kinda wet.









I'm very excited about this journey. I made the decision after a very turbulant court battle with he-who-shall-not-be-named aka the bastard. It's symbolic of my freedom, my path to where I am now, and the path I want to take in life. It's to teach me patience, and get rid of materialism~goes great with compacting!!! I only am using a sandlewood scented goat's milk soap made locally bought from the shop that is owned by my bosses. Actually, they gave it to me, so woo-hoo!

Any-who, I'll be documenting my hair about once a month, if anything, to see for myself how it's progressing~is that my impatience shining through? Hmm.....

Breaking News......

Just FYI, I'll be in the Greenville News on Thursday!!! I'll add a link to the article when it hits.....

ETA linkie poo

I Have a Very Frivolous Exception to Make....

Re: compacting.....I meet my friend for coffee once a week (for shame). I've realized that I can't give this up. Though, to make it a wee bit better, I only use change to buy coffee and only get a regular cup and I bring my own mug. Oh, I only support local coffee shops who buy from local roasters-so, it's not that bad, is it??

She's Rocking the Suburbs....

Virginia got a hold of Maddie's guitar and made up a cute little song about a train going down to the track. Unfortunately, the video quality leaves much to be desired, and there is no sound, but it's still cute as hell!

Mamas on the Compact: Official Start Date: 11/06/2007

From The Compact:

The Compact has several aims (more or less prioritized below):

• To go beyond recycling in trying to counteract the negative global environmental and socioeconomic impacts of disposable consumer culture and to support local businesses, farms, etc. -- a step that, we hope, inherits the revolutionary impulse of the Mayflower Compact.
• To reduce clutter and waste in our homes (as in trash Compact-er).
• To simplify our lives (as in Calm-pact)

We've agreed to follow two principles (with exception):

#1 Don't buy new products of any kind (from stores, web sites, etc.)
#2 Borrow, barter, or buy used.

I have been researching compacting for a while. I first came across the concept on MDC. Then, I found the blog, Mamas on the Compact. I realized, that this was exactly what I was looking for. I decided to take the 12 month pledge-no use doing something half-assed! So, without further ado, here is my pledge: I pledge not to buy ANYTHING new. My exceptions are as follows:

• Materials for creating gifts (I will try my best to find these second hand)
• Shoes for the girls (see above) their feet grow so dog-gone fast!!
• Gas and other needed car issues (oil, etc).

This is something I have been trying for a while, without really knowing it. I have implemented a strict reduce, reuse, recycle program in our home. We don't buy individually packaged food items (yogurts, drinks, etc), try to limit buying things with double packaging (bag in a box), try not to buy plastics, etc. I try to support my local farmers and businesses as much as possible. I have been decluttering my home slowly and make a lot of mine and my children's clothing. The Compact has given me a small community for me to glean from. People who are going through similar lifestyle changes to help support me in my journey.

Anywho, here I am finally posting my pledge! Wish me luck!

October 24, 2007

Weather: cloudy, 66 degrees. It's about time! We are in the middle of a massive drought, and it rained for 2 days straight!! I have to work at the Teapot today from 9 to @2:30. Then, we race home to get Maddie and it's sewing city. Here's what I'd like to accomplish:

• Maddie's costume for her play tonight-this is a must-all I have to do is attach the sleeves and fix the closure in the back.
• Maddie's halloween costume:she's a pirate wench
• Go to walmart (*shudders* but they ran every fabric store in town OUT) and get fabric for MY costume: Daisy Buchanan, you know, from The Great Gatsby. I'm very excited! I'll also need to get the accoutrement ie-pearls, notions for dress, makeup, gel....
• Finish my sweater boots. I only have one left to do....
• At 6 we have to be at the UU for the play Maddie's in-Lest We Never Forget by Mierke Tamme. It's about the Salem Witch Trials-Maddie plays an afflicted girl. Moaning and shrieking and whatnot-should be interesting. I also need to bring a dessert....hmmm, maybe I'll make it at work.....
  

29th Anniversary

My surrogate parents-Rob and Suni, Clay (in the middle) is the evil step child (JK!) I work for them at their fine dining restaurant. Rob through this surprise party for Suni, it was pretty cool. Around 8:30, everyone starting piling in and she thought we were going to have to serve them all. Thank goodness we didn't!

Yeah, so Sydney was cutting the cake and I was passing the pieces out. I turn around and SPLAT! She slams a piece of cake into my eye!

I take the piece off my face and smash it into her hair/face.

Really, I think we look like we went on a murderous rampage and slaughtered everyone....all in good fun, of course!

My Baby Is Growing UP

So, it happened. My 4 year old lost her first tooth. I really didn't expect it to happen so soon. I thought maybe later on this year or early next year. But, no. She had to become a big girl.

Two weeks ago it was barely moving. And now it's gone. Gone forever. Literally, we can't find it! She lost it and then she LOST it. But, somehow the tooth fairy knew and gave her $1.12 courtesy of her sister....

Reunion

So, last night, my three best friends from high school came over. One was in town from Hawaii where she blows glass for a living. The other two live fairly close, but due to life getting in the way, we lost touch.

I cooked a great feast for everyone. I wish I took a picture of it. I only got before and after shots of this yummy herbed italian bread.



I also made:

• Sesame Ginger Seared Tuna
• Insalata Caprese
• Three Bean Salad
• Spinach Feta Salad
• Wasabi Green Beans

We finally got to eat around 9 pm because we talked so much. We had to eat outside on the picnic table because Tim and the girls were sleeping. Everything was great until later, we were attacked by ants that smelled the food!

It was such a great night, and I loved seeing everyone again. Hopefully, I'll get to go to Hawaii to visit Jessica sometime soonish!



I love you girls!!

To Do list....

Today I am going to~

• Organize kitchen storage containers
• Bake massive amounts of bread and treats *yum*
• Clean the bathroom
• Take the recycling off
• Do two loads of laundry to completion-that means folded and even put away!
• Try to squeeze in 30 minutes of yoga
• Pick Maddie up from school
• Go swimming!!! Yay!!!

Now, let's see what actually gets done...

First Day of School...

This morning I dropped Maddie off for school. Though, we've done this before, it's still sad watching my little girl grow up. She is almost nine years old! Is that officially a "tween"? She sure acts like it. Picking out her own clothes, brushing her hair, carrying a purse!! WTF! She's definitely not a little girl anymore.




But, in the meantime, I have this little girl all to myself right now. I bought her a sketch pad this morning and she's already drawn me a beautiful puppy! I'm so glad that I decided to stay home with her this year. She'll be going off to kindergarten next year, so I plan on getting all the Virginia time I can.

Day Tripping

We went down to visit my mom for three days, well, two and a half really. On Monday we decided to take a little jaunt down to Huntington Beach. It was so quiet and peaceful out there. Not too many people, the wildlife is awesome.

Anyway, I am going to try to keep up with this better. I really would love to post a few times a week, but it seems my life is pretty boring!

I've got some plans to paint the girls' rooms. I'll post my progress as soon as I get started!


So, here are a few pictures of the girls prancing in the water. They absolutely loved it!

Until next time!

Step One, Fixing the Living Room

Okay. Here's the front door. Not too much going on here. What I don't like, is the keys hanging from a nail. I think it is slightly tacky. But, that's not too pressing.


Cutie Pie sitting on the couch. She loves to ham it up for the camera! I would LURVE to recover that couch...

Built in bookshelves with T.'s knickknacks. And the stereo. There's waay too much going on here.


This is a brick hearth where a wood stove used to be. I would love to get one, but alas, the landlord won't allow it. So, now it has plants on it. I'm attempting to paint the wall, maybe birdies??

Another bookshelf. More knickknacks o' T. Also, two tv's....ew...

Music. And Elvis...



This is my stuff. Books, kids games, pictures, and whatnot...also, a tub of MORE records...

Le' sigh...

Well, It Starts Today

Today is my first day of zero-spending. Aside from bills and food, I will not spend one cent. I am going to use all the fabric I have before I buy any more. We don't need any more stuff!