green is the new black

good afternoon!

back to the blogging.... i am finally starting to feel settled, in the new digs, new routine of not going into an office... just with me.

this morning, even with the dst change, our morning went very well. i was able to pack the fellas lunches from home - which they looove and request. that step alone is helpful on getting back on track after the move. we are still buried in boxes, but daily tasks are becoming more manageable. dinners and lunches from home - yeah!

some developments--- my cell phone has gone completely wonky. it has been dropped too many times. the screen is wacky and i can't see calls coming in and can usually only dial out if i know some body's number. but i can make do. maybe i'll look at a refurbished phone. we also got for the first times in years a land line. it's great, but i have no actual phone. so it's off to unique to try and find a gem. also, i need a coffee grinder, and i think through some divine intervention i may have one previously used on it's way. sometime you really do need to tell the universe what you need. (yes, i needed a coffee grinder)

the boys have been doing awesome as compactors, with the exception of showers that are still going longer than they ought to be... they haven't been asking for much lately, and are used to the response of not today or wait until we can go to unique... i have to admit i am a pretty proud parent that the boys are dealing so well, i was prepared for some backlash.

i recently was able to have a coffee break with a gentleman who not supports my philosophy of simplicity, but lives it to the max, i was invigorated by the support, encouragement, and understanding of my goals to declutter the junk to make room for peace, serenity, simplicity... family, friends... god. (thanks, i look forward to more coffee breaks)

for the green-minded job seeker... http://www.greenjobs.com/

green is the new black.

it's about time.

moving right along

hello!

well we have made the move. now it's just time to start going through boxes. so far i am loving the new digs. it's working. now i can get back into my routine of eating in and coupon clipping. it's really been a nightmare eating out and still using the ,dreaded paper plates. i think i seriously have $7 and some purse candy left for the week, so that's pretty awesome. why is moving so expensive? when am i going to start seeing the savings of downsizing, not paying for parking, not eating lunches out, not smoking, and the rest??? in theory i should be building up quite a little rainy day fund. the problem must be it's raining every day.

a special thank you to all the folks (mom, k, t, j) that helped with the move. i know they had much more exciting things to do with their weekend other than to watch me have a melt down packing.

and another special thank you and much love to the benetton crew. just because.

The Move....

Hello!

I am 90% done with moving. What a relief. Just a few more random items to pack up and move 2.2 miles. While in general I am not such a huge fan of moving - this move has been particularly liberating for me. It has come to my attention that my last residence, was one of transition. That is quite true, to be sure. When I last moved it was from my cozy little family home and family life in central MN to St.Paul to become a single parent and manage a new household solo. I am certain that I did not intend to be a single parent to three lively young chaps, but I'll take it.

This time, I feel like I have my bearings, I am more grounded, and not as much in a state of shock, you know, like the deer in the headlights. I think my blank stare has vanished, at least most days. There really is not enough time for one prepare for becoming single again after marriage, and to become single with kids.... It's a lot to absorb and adapt to. No matter how common divorce is, it is still a deeply personal matter, that effects not only the couple, children, but friends and family, not to mention finances.

I do not live in the world of the wacky sit-com divorced mom on the run.... hi jinx around each corner, I do not have a laugh track piped into my walls, no bumbling neighbor, (at least not one who walks in and out of my house unannounced) and no television worthy closet or furnishings. I am just me, trying to make do, and to do as well as I can.

So onto the compact and my pursuit of reducing, reusing, recycling, and restoring..... Not so good this past week. First of all... we have had waaaay too many meals out this past week. Seriously, it's embarrassing, not to mention unhealthy. Blech. Can't wait to get a home cooked meal. The new house has a claw foot tub, that I loooove! I never knew that I always wanted a claw foot tub. This tub was in desperate need of a shower curtain, so I did go to Target to get two new shower curtains. (two because they need to cover all the way around the tub) And to hang the curtains, I did purchase one pack of shower rings, on sale! $2.80. I found a gently used rug for the basement at Unique, but did buy a carpet remnant as well. All in all, not too bad for a move. far fewer purchases than I have ever made while moving. I don't feel as guilty shopping at Target versus other big box stores. Target still seems Minnesota to me, and I do know they give back to the communities they are in.

That is the current move status. The boys are adjusting well, and they are liking the new digs. I am happy because they are happy. I never moved as a child - so I can't relate. In fact my mother still lives in my childhood home, so I am spoiled in that way. As long as the boys are happy and doing well... that's the most I can ask for.

On a completely unrelated note... I would just like to say how wonderful it is that Diablo Cody won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. I will admit, I have not always been a fan, but Diablo and her work have grown on me. I think it is very inspiring, that the little screen play written by an unknown could cause such a stir at the Oscar's, not to mention the much talked about back story. It's inspiring to me and I think Miss Diablo is fabulous! Congrats!

Happy Danes

Hello to All!

I have been under the weather, with a bad case of the Minnesota crud.

I was able to catch part of 60 Minutes, this past Sunday. There was an interesting feature on how and why the Danes are the happiest people on the planet. They are not the healthiest, richest, or the best educated. The belief is that Danes have realistic life expectations and are not motivated or consumed by material wants. Those interviewed mentioned they didn't think having more would make them happier. The piece closed with a young Dane saying that Americans ought to rethink the American Dream, if they believe in it, they will be disappointed.

I couldn't agree more. So simple, yet so thoughtful.

The less I want, the more I hope to gain.

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As I get ready to move this weekend, I am starting to have concerns about whether or not I will need items for the new abode. Will I need rugs for the hardwood floors, window treatments...? Argghhhh!

I just keep reminding myself to baby step, baby step....

Hope you are keeping warm in this Minnesota Cold!!!