I quit.

We did it. We finally did it. We put our TV away. It is hidden behind Kenneth's dress pants in our closet, and I am feeling really good right now. Why? Are we crazy? Yep, pretty much. But now, instead of snuggling on the couch for a half hour of cartoons (or more) in the morning, we read books. Instead of watching a movie while the Mama catches her breath, we make a nest with blankets on the floor and read books. Instead of watching a cartoon to transition from nap to awake, we read books. We read a lot of books before...but with the TV there, the temptation was just TOO great from when I needed instant entertainment for my kids. And I have noticed (already in their short 2 years) the consequences. Addie was picking up sarcastic behaviors (PBS isn't perfect guys), they were starting to build a routine off the TV, and I was losing my motivation to find more creative ways to entertain. I did't grow up with TV. My dad rented a VCR once when I was 8 years old so we could watch the Music Man. TV isn't evil...in fact, I am going to miss it in a lot of ways. It did make life a bit easier. But the bad was outweighing the good, so good-bye instant gratification....hello real life. Let's see how long this lasts!

Lunch Quote.

Reading Sara and Abraham this morning, I remembered how much I loved opening up my school lunch bag every day and reading a quote from my mom. Sometimes it was a thought, a sweet "i love you" and sometimes it was a profound quote that took me out of my teenage mind and on to bigger and better things.

Today, I leave you with a lunch quote.

"TRY NOT. DO OR DO NOT. THERE IS NO TRY." --Yoda

I was reminded of this quote this week from my favorite site Zen Habits, and it was just what I needed. Life is not a dress rehearsal. Live every moment like you really mean it, and make every choice deliberate in creating and building your world.

Have a great day!

cravings.

White. Clean. Fresh. No distractions. Maybe you can tell what kind of day I have had. The kind of day that CRAVES this. No really. I want this bathroom!

A new song for a new year:

Yael Naim

This is my new FAV song. Maybe you saw it on Oh Happy Day or Tandgled and True already.
This one is keeping me happy:

I'm a new soul
I came to this strange world
Hoping I could learn
a bit about how to give and take.

Since I came here
felt the joy and the fear
of making every possible mistake.

Watch the video too.

Happy New Year!!!

Simple Living

In my pursuit of simplified living (my focus these past few weeks and months) I have been reading a lot to support my dream of simple living. I have been doing a cleanse this week (Isagenix) and feel great! My body is already loving this idea of slowing down and eating right. Simple, fresh, clean foods that support my body's health and vitality.

I am wanting to incorporate simplicity more into my home, my finances and all areas of living. Those of you who know me, know that I have a ways to go. It is a process, no doubt, but I am loving the process.

Simple diet.

Simple budget.

Simple home.

Simple love.

Simple living.

What does all that mean? I don't know yet. But I am getting there.

In an effort to simplify our finances and budget, Kenneth and I have been working out a few kinks here in there to make sure that we are still moving forward as a family. I have been revisiting my reasons for spending, and came across this article from www.everydaysimplicity.com It reminds me that money doesn't mean spend it...and no money doesn't mean you are missing out.


Forbes magazine keeps track of the rich, and lists the top four as: (1) Microsoft's Bill Gates; (2) money-man Warren Buffett; (3) industrialist Carlos Slim; and (4) IKEA founder Ingvar Kamprad. Kamprad's worth is about $28 billion, according to Forbes.

What Forbes doesn'f focus upon is that Ingvar Kamprad, 79, believes in frugal living. He drives a 15-year-old Volvo: "she is nearly new, just 15 years old, or something like that."

He always flies economy class. His home is furnished with his own IKEA furniture. He takes public transportation to work. He asks that all employees write on both sides of the paper. He also avoids wearing suits, and he likes to eat at inexpensive restaurants. Rumors exist that he replaces expensive Coca-Colas in the hotel mini-bar with cheapers ones from the convenience store before he checks out, to avoid the inflated mini-bar prices.

"People say I am cheap and I don't mind if they do," Kamprad told interviewer Darius Rochebin of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation in a rare interview recently.

His goal is to lead and inspire his employees, and to keep as much money circulating in IKEA as possible, so that its low-cost product can reach the most people world-wide. His goal is always to keep IKEA prices low.

Does he offer any advice? Kamprad recommends “Divide your life into 10-minute units, and sacrifice as few of them as possible in meaningless activity.” Sources:TheTimesOnline.com, NZZ.com, Forbes.com.

If the fourth richest man can do that, I can too!

bedroom makeover

So before i had kids, I was always attracted to reds. Deep colors with richness and a little drama. The bedroom was meant to be artsy, romantic with a european flare. After being pregnant for nearly two years, giving birth twice 380 days apart, breastfeeding for two years straight and wrestling my two little ones, red is SO not what I want to retreat to at the end of the day. I have totally changed over to needing soft blues and greens, clean lines, simple, fresh and light. Here is what I am thinking:



...the blue quilt with a light green accent wall, painted white and yellow furniture, with fresh flowers (mums and orchids), white sheer paneled drapes and some black and white framed pics of our family. Nice thing is I just need to throw some paint on some things, and the quilt is a b-day present, so it's a matter of some time and work...but I am already starting to breathe better:) what do you think?