Living Intentionally - I already made a mistake

I recently read a post from another blog Frugal Beautiful about how frugal doesn't mean being cheap.

Before the weekend, I signed up for this 'super-sweet offer' from a magazine company. For $39.90 (every 2.5 months and charged to my credit card) I can get 4 of my favorite magazine titles (which equals about $3.88/week), but after 72 hours I am locked in to this contract for 48 months. 48 MONTHS!  Um, what? I can't cancel? I am locked in for the entire contract?  'Well, we offer over 300 different magazines, so if you get bored of the ones you originally order, you can change it up and get 4 new, different ones,' they say. Hmm. So over the weekend, I did some research. Apparently many people are dissatisfied with the service, have had bad experiences with harassing/rude phone calls and have had to make complaints about the company at various state's Better Business Bureaus. Yikes! (Not to mention that I did this without discussing this with the hubby - something I am trying to do better with and more of).

It might not seem like a lot of money -  to save $40 every 2.5  months should be easy. And if it is for you - great! For me, in my current financial situation, saving for a few magazines to come to my door is going to be hard. After much research and hard thinking about this 'suddenly-in-my-mind-stupid-decision' - and not the first one I will ever make either! -  I decided to cancel that new subscription. Alas, I had to wait to Monday but it got done!

The main reasons I came to this conclusion:
1. We visit the library practically EVERY weekend. I almost always hit the magazine section and borrow 1-two past issues of my favorite magazines. And they are FREE.
2. One of my intentions this year is to pay cash for things I want (exception of big-ticket items). Charging my credit card every couple of months DOES NOT fulfill that intention. Sorry, but a charge card is not cash.
3. The library has FREE books and magazines to read. Past and present issues.
4. I went ahead and assumed I would have the extra money every so often to do this; most likely scenario? Do I pay my credit card bill or put gas in the car? Honestly, money is tight for us/me right now and I would rather put gas in the car so I can get to work.
5. Did I mention the library? That card is getting a TON of use, and we've only been here 3 months!
6. Reading this blog and all subsequent posts relating to this.

"Being savvily frugal is about putting your money where it matters & putting consciousness into your consumerism."

Quote is taken directly from this post.

She rants about frugality versus being cheap. And some of, okay, most all of what she writes about is in direct line with how I am trying to shape my life by living intentionally. Here is a few paragraphs from her post:

"I don’t think the issue with frugality is necessarily that we won’t buy high end items- it’s just that we need to direct our way from the impulse shopping, the cheap purchases that really add up over time.  It still amazes me how much my experience around shopping changed when I saved up for a pair of Christian LouBoutins, a MacBook Pro or a silver necklace from Tiffany & Co.    As soon as I curbed my “cheap” purchases- the costume jewelry, the shoes that I only bought because “it was on sale,”  or the obligatory nights out with overpriced martinis,  my spending was ready for the big fish and it felt damn good.

Frugality means buying less, but having more.  I have less junk now, and more shoes that I still swoon over- months later.  It’s authenticity.  When you wear a designer handbag- it may be the only one you own, but it’s bought and paid for- truly, authentically YOURS. When it’s not a debt, but it was paid for without someone (a lender) chipping in, you lie to no one about who you are."

The question came down to this: Would I rather shell out $40 for magazines I can get for free at the library (see? The library is famous!) or try to save that $40 for the Coach purse I have been drooling over for about a year now (pretty much since last Christmas but I feel is too expensive to just go and purchase outright without some major saving)? I'll take the Coach purse!

What do you think?

Hello 2014!

Gosh, can you believe it? 2014! Already? So much has happened this year in our lives - exploring all around Alaska as the last few months flew by around us, packing up our house and saying goodbye to close friends we have made in the last three years, traveling by car through Canada and parts of the US we have never been to, making new memories, settling into Colorado Springs, surprising family for Thanksgiving and enjoying the holidays in our new apartment!

I don't really like the idea of  'resolutions' for the upcoming year - mostly because I tend to break them. I attended my first heated yoga class at Cambio Studios yesterday morning, and the instructor started off the class with a little 'farewell to 2013, hello to 2014' quip and one of the things she said - she is going to be pursuing intentions rather than resolutions. Intentions. I like that. Making a resolution for the new year is setting you up to fail - after all, isn't the word itself sound so final? Intentions is more flexible; if I don't succeed, then there is room to grow and change and make the goal more suited to how life changes.

A few posts ago, I wrote that I want to live a fuller life. What does this look like? To me, this means living more simply, more compassionate, more servant-like. I am not going to be perfect and that is okay with me.

Some of the ways I have brainstormed to help make this overall intention succeed:
Read/listen to one book a month (List coming soon)
Volunteer in the Church's nursery
Experiment more with new recipes; find a couple of new favorites and make a rotating schedule
Sponsor a family for the 2014 Holiday Season
Spark my creativity - see tab under '52 in 52'
Attempt to stick to an allowance for myself every month (not that I spend a lot of money on myself anyway) - The point here is to use CASH for coffees, snacks, little purchases, stamps etc. When it is gone, it is gone. The Question becomes: What is really important to me? Do I really want to give up those $4 for a fancy espresso drink? P.S. The answer is almost always YES!
Attempt to only purchase/acquire clothes etc for the house from second-hand/consignment stores like Plato's Closet, The Salvation Army, Airman's Attic, Warrior Warehouse etc.
         *Exception to the intention (because there are always exceptions): Underthings, workout clothes, gifts given to me. If I have a gift card, intend to only shop the clearance/super-marked-down racks. Sneakers and shoes (special condition of the feet needing good support). The ONLY other non-second hand exception comes from super-discounted sales (like the one Old Navy is having right now to get rid of all their winter stock - Hello l/s shirts for less than $3!!)
Save for something of quality; rather than having lots of quantity. If I can save up for something and use cash to purchase it - it is authentically mine and I am more apt to take better care of it.

There are, of course, financial intentions for the upcoming year as well; some I may talk about on here while others I may not. Mostly because financial information within my immediate family is none of anyone's business except between Andrew and I, but I may share some of the frustrations that come from not reaching those goals or lessons I am learning along the way.

There are many other ideas and thoughts floating around in my mind on what it will mean, what it currently means, and what I have imagined it to mean, living a fuller life. Intentions will (and should) change as the year progresses but as for now, I am excited to see what this new year will bring!

Coming back from a loooong hiatus!

Well Hello!

Obviously I have not kept up with sharing my adventures to everyone. For that I apologize. Our last nine months in Alaska went by so fast and we crammed so much into that short time. A couple of days ago I re-vamped the design etc of this thing and I hope it will encourage me to keep this up!

I have been thinking about this past year and doing research on ways to live more graciously, more simply, and work on building up our nest egg/gaining full ownership of the red Subaru. I want to live a fuller life. Stay tuned for my thoughts on 2014!

Mt. Baldy, Everett, Seattle, Sedro-Wolley & the North Cascades Highway.

This is the Seattle Sky, from our tour of the area on Sunday. Andrew took this one. I think it's gorgeous.

Update, update, update!

Where shall I begin? Well, two Thursdays ago (July 5th) Andrew and I went hiking up Mt. Baldy.

I have *affectionately* names Mt. Baldy the Hill of Death. There is a 2,000 foot elevation gain over one mile and it is pretty much walking STRAIGHT UP the side. But besides that, uou will understand why in a minute.

Later that evening, we flew to Seattle and arrived at 5:04 am PST on Friday. I was tired and grumpy and really just wanted a nap, breakfast and some coffee. Oh and my leg was swollen and it hurt to walk. We had a wedding rehearsal Friday afternoon, the wedding itself on Saturday, Sightseeing on Sunday. Sunday evening I dropped Andrew off at the airport before Erin and I drove to Gina's house for the next few days. Monday I got driven around the North Cascades Highway and stopped at various places to see beautiful sights. We stopped at the visitor center and I got a pin for my backpack. I also got to stop at the original Cascadian Farms! I got some DELICIOUS homemade raspberry & chocolate ice cream and a do a short little walking tour around the farm stand. I was pretty excited. Here are some pictures from the trip:

Above: Beth's Cafe, where Alex took us to breakfast that Friday morning. This is a mural along the outside wall. it basically is the same as the inside decor.

A really cool monument/statue at the Mukilteo Lighthouse.

At the wedding, you take a cake pop and your table number. 

"Make-your-own-mini-cheesecake" dessert station

The wedding party.

Danielle had her side carry lanterns. Each one is different because each person has had a different impact on her life.

Saturday night after the wedding Erin, Gina & Ryan came down to Mulkiteo for a short visit. Originally all three were coming to Seattle with us on Sunday but Gina (and therefore Ryan) had to back out. But since Gina and Andrew have never met before, this seemed like a good idea. 

'Bikini Stands'

EMP - Experience Music Project in the Seattle Center. Wanted to go in, but didn't have time.

Atop the  Space needle. This picture took almost four tries, using a couple of different tourists. But we got it!

Please don't arrest me officer!

Blue trees invite people to pay attention to deforestation.

THE original Starbucks.

Kind of like the gum tree at Houghton. Only a wall.

Where we had dinner.

Riding the Carousel because the Ferris wheel was too expensive.

Outside the aquarium.

International Fountain back in Seattle Center.

Other photos from the trip can be found here and here.

Another update in a few days about my foot/lower leg!

If Andrew can do it, so can I.

I ran five miles today. The loop I usually do is between 3.1 and 4.2 miles (depending if I add the stretch to the second light) all said and done. So when I got to the 2.2 miles mark I thought, why not keep going? After all, I've been running for a while so I think it's time to move forward. No more easy 3 milers. It's four or more from now on. So I went past the second light. About a half mile past. Which means I have to go back that half mile too. Really, I wanted to see if I could do it. I debated for about, oh, 3 seconds, if I wanted to go all the way to Boniface gate - an additional 1.5 miles from the light I would turn around at...but decided against it. Seven miles today would have been too much. But 5 was okay. Took me about an hour. I was purposely going with an easy stride. In reality, I figured that if Andrew can run 26.2 miles then I can run 5. And so I did.

I've been flirting with the idea of running the half marathon during the Big Wild Life runs in mid-august. If anything, I will be at least running the 5k sponsored by Snow City Cafe. Andrew ran it last year. There are a couple of people I know who are making it their goal to be able to do the 5k - people who have never really exercised consistently before. Don't get me wrong - I am interested in their plans and I hope that they can do this - they will be super proud of their accomplishment. And hey - maybe later they will do more. One of the women suggested we put together a team and since I am the 'most experienced' that I be the head of the team and we run it all together....The woman who suggested this run/walks 3 miles in an hour. I KNOW I can do it in 28/29 minutes. This may be selfish, but I don't want to feel obligated or bogged down having to run as a group when I know I could get a PR for myself. I haven't told them yes or no or really discussed it with them because I don't want to say yes but then decide to do the 1/2. Because you can't do both. They race at the same time.

I am asking God to help me not to have the 'runner's attitude' as I call it. Which I just displayed some to you all. Thinking that I know better. Thinking that just because I have been running [relatively] consistently for the past 2 months that I somehow qualify as 'knowing my stuff' and am only out to get PRs for me, not helping and encouraging others to get outside and just go. 

I'm working on it.

Allergies?

You know it's a super-slow run when it takes 35 minutes to run three miles, whereas last week racing I ran almost four miles in less than that time. I ran today in the first time since Tuesday (and Tuesday was the first time after the race). I had been lying low for the past week because of the cold/cough thing going on since I wanted to get better. And most of last week it was cloudy/rainy when I would be running after work. But I must say, that even though this run was slow, the run on Tuesday was the 'painful one'. You know, the one that is still working the kinks out of the muscles after racing hard etc. So even though this one was slower, I knew my legs and lungs would support me - I just have to get back into the groove of running.

The cough thing: I went to the doctor today and she thinks it is just allergies. I have never been allergic to anything plantlike before. Plus, I've already been up here for a year and a half and last year I didn't have a problem. The runny nose - yes maybe that is allergies or at least some form of it. The 15-minute cough sessions that cause my whole body to shake and pull my stomach through my esophagus? I don't think that's allergies.

Parmesan Baked Potato Halves

I got this recipe from Pinterest! It was delicious!

Ingredients

• 6 small potatoes, scrubbed and cut in half
• 1/4 cup butter
• grated parmesan cheese
• garlic powder
• other seasonings (to personal preference) - I used bacon bits.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt butter and pour into a 9x13 inch pan and spread evenly across the bottom. Generously sprinkle parmesan cheese and lightly sprinkle other seasonings all over the butter. Place potato halves face down on the butter and seasonings. Place in preheated oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan. Serve on a plate with a side of sour cream for dipping.

To run and not be weary; walk and not faint.

Not my shoes, but similar.

 I have a love-hate relationship with running. I've endured it through high school when I played Field Hockey and Basketball and even ran track my last two years. I ran with friends in college - but that mostly just happened my junior year before I injured my knee and had to stop for much of the rest of my college career.

Then I met Andrew. Little did I know that one day I would marry him. Then run.

The Skini Mini 6k is next Friday, June 1st. I ran this race last year. Andrew got me started mid-march last year and ran with me a lot. I finished in 34:33. Then I stopped running. I picked it up sometime last October and continued on for a few months before stopping again.

Yet I've started again. This time is different. Andrew signed me up (and paid for) my race a mere three weeks ago. Out of the 21 days, I've run about 12-15 (don't know for sure) days. I am running a faster pace than last year at this time. I can run the 5k loop in 29 minutes. Andrew runs with me when he only has 3-6 miles to do otherwise I run by myself. I like to run with others because it pushes me to go past the limit I set for myself and do better. Go farther, push harder.

This is different. All my life I've despised running - especially by myself - because I lack motivation, I'm more likely to walk/stop etc. I've been running by myself....multiple days. Rainy days (like today). Days when Andrew has a rest. Days when he runs 10+ miles. Days when I am not into it. I am running.


I hate running because of the work/energy it takes. I love running because I like the way it makes me feel afterwards. I like that my legs are toning up nicely. I like that I am getting a tan (however slight it is, I still have a shorts tan line!) I like that I can run, eat healthier and feel great.


Recently I attended a bridal shower/get-ready-for-the-wedding party. I was unable to run that day. As I drove to the event I thought to myself  "Today is such a beautiful day. It's too bad I won't be running today."

What? Did I just say that?

And you know what? When I don't run - especially on those gorgeous days - my body misses it. I am actually beginning to enjoy running by myself. I can push or go slow, I rarely stop because I know this race is a short week away. I even have plans to keep running weekly after the race. I am looking forward to doing another race in July with Erin should she come for a visit and then again at the end of August during the Big WILD Life Events.

Who knows? Maybe I will become a mid-life runner. Andrew would surely be pleased!