One of my favorite companies to drool over is Saddleback Leather, whose founder designed the company and its products to outlast the purchaser; one of their catchphrases is "they'll fight over it when you're dead." The idealogy behind it is that it makes more sense to lay out a bit more money at the start for a quality product that will last, rather than saving money initially to buy something that will wear out much sooner and need to be replaced - thereby costing a good deal more in the long run.
This is certainly not a new idea. But he recently posted a lament about today's "disposible society" in which we purchase cheap stuff intending to throw it away. Plastic water bottles, paper napkins, jewelry and watches that fall apart after the first few wears, tools that break, wallets that separate into their respective pattern pieces the 500th time you unfold them...essentially, we live in a society that produces garbage. I mean that in so many ways.
I love the movie Kit Kittredge: An American Girl, based on the American Girl books set in the great depression. It captures the spirit of that generation - their determination, frugality, sense of community, and sometimes hopelessness.
A lot of people compare today's economy with the Depression era; this post talks about the differences in the actual economics (in language that my poor little dummy brain can actually understand) while this page gives a memoir-type synopsis of the life lived on a farm during those years. The comment on the bottom again contrasts the difference between this generation and way of living and those that survived the 1930s. We truly are the antithesis of that time, whose motto was "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without."
This has been on my mind a lot lately; it's part of what prompted my last post about doing and making more myself as opposed to buying ready-made (and often more expensive) items. Cooking more from scratch. Crocheting my own laundry baskets (and probably soon re-usable grocery bags). Not buying clothes unless I really need them - really, not buying anything unless I need it. I feel like our society needs to re-learn these things, the difference between wants and needs, between worn out and used up. Between the convenience of disposable versus the practicality and frugality of re-usable.
I want that classic motto to reflect my lifestyle, but it's such a big change in perspective and habits! We'll see how it goes...
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
DIY Wife
I love independent, strong women. I love the do-it-yourself attitude that my mom always had when it came to home projects and fix-it situations. I love creative solutions to problems and the satisfaction of having conquered a difficult task.
I lack whatever gene my mom possesses that has blessed her with these abilities. When I try to fix things, usually they just end up more broken. My husband has several tool sets and knows how to use everything in them; I have a girly multi-tool hammer and my swiss army knife.
But I did inherit my mom's nothing's-going-to-beat-me-attitude, the same one that promted her to successfully replace the carpet in the now-empty bedrooms with hardwood flooring. By herself. And they look awesome.
Which brings me, anticlamactically enough, to the subject of laundry.
Months ago I saw a really cute, clever idea post on Ikea wherein the laundry was sorted into cloth baskets hung vertically up the wall, thus not only saving floor space but making the dreaded task of sorting and washing clothes much simpler - and more attractive. The laundry has been winning since I got married and suddenly had double the clothes to wash and only knew how to properly launder half of them; my husband and I would often do our own laundry seperately as he is as baffled by the "delicate cycle" as I am by his sorting methods. Something to simplify this awful task? I thought this was brilliant, and finally my husband and I set out for that fantastic place to buy the necessary items. (My husband is careful of how often he takes me there - I can and do get lost for hours wandering around collecting ideas and spending hypothetical money. Sometimes *usually* I spend non-hypothetical money...)
Of course, by the time we got there, the baskets and hooks we intended to purchase were sold out. I spent some time internet shopping for similar products, but everything else I found and liked was prohibitively expensive.
So, I decided, why not just make my own? I love to crochet, I have the perfect yarn already in my posession, and then the laundry baskets will be as laundry friendly as the clothes they sort!
Figuring out the right pattern is taking a bit longer than merely swiping my card at the store, and then of course I have to make more than one, but I am having a lot of fun in the process, and then when the baskets are done they'll mean a lot more to me than something I just drove down to the store and threw in my cart.
This venture, though, has sparked something in me, and my poor husband is a little worried at the results. We need a new table eventually; the $100 "seats four" dining set I bought from Walmart when I first got my apartment really doesn't comfortably seat four people plus the food they eat, and everything is getting a bit rickety. Pricing dining sets, however, makes me feel a little ill; I don't want to spend so much just for a table and chairs I don't even like all that much! I want something a bit more rustic and cozy then most of what I see in the stores, so I decided: why not make my own? I've watched enough HGTV to know that a table is a pretty basic DIY project, and since I have a friend who enjoys woodworking to refer to for advice and any necessary assistance, why not? I'm looking forward to serving meals and teaching lessons on a table that I crafted myself.
But then, why stop there? I really don't like the square bowls that came with the dishes we bought when we got married (seriously, trying to wash bowls with deep corners is NOT FUN); instead of buying a new set, why not learn pottery and make my own? I even took a pottery class last week and loved it!
So maybe I'm taking this attitude to a bit of an extreme, but I've always loved crafts and learning new skills and working with my hands, and I find it very relaxing and therapeutic to have myriad hobbies into which to pour all my excess energy (thank you ADHD), so why not?
For now, I'll work on finishing these laundry baskets and save for the lumbar and clay I hope to purchase soon. I may not be able to fix a plumbing problem like my mom could, but I am totally okay with making my husband do that since it's gross anyway; I'll stick to the pretty stuff ;)
I lack whatever gene my mom possesses that has blessed her with these abilities. When I try to fix things, usually they just end up more broken. My husband has several tool sets and knows how to use everything in them; I have a girly multi-tool hammer and my swiss army knife.
But I did inherit my mom's nothing's-going-to-beat-me-attitude, the same one that promted her to successfully replace the carpet in the now-empty bedrooms with hardwood flooring. By herself. And they look awesome.
Which brings me, anticlamactically enough, to the subject of laundry.
Months ago I saw a really cute, clever idea post on Ikea wherein the laundry was sorted into cloth baskets hung vertically up the wall, thus not only saving floor space but making the dreaded task of sorting and washing clothes much simpler - and more attractive. The laundry has been winning since I got married and suddenly had double the clothes to wash and only knew how to properly launder half of them; my husband and I would often do our own laundry seperately as he is as baffled by the "delicate cycle" as I am by his sorting methods. Something to simplify this awful task? I thought this was brilliant, and finally my husband and I set out for that fantastic place to buy the necessary items. (My husband is careful of how often he takes me there - I can and do get lost for hours wandering around collecting ideas and spending hypothetical money. Sometimes *usually* I spend non-hypothetical money...)
Of course, by the time we got there, the baskets and hooks we intended to purchase were sold out. I spent some time internet shopping for similar products, but everything else I found and liked was prohibitively expensive.
So, I decided, why not just make my own? I love to crochet, I have the perfect yarn already in my posession, and then the laundry baskets will be as laundry friendly as the clothes they sort!
Figuring out the right pattern is taking a bit longer than merely swiping my card at the store, and then of course I have to make more than one, but I am having a lot of fun in the process, and then when the baskets are done they'll mean a lot more to me than something I just drove down to the store and threw in my cart.
This venture, though, has sparked something in me, and my poor husband is a little worried at the results. We need a new table eventually; the $100 "seats four" dining set I bought from Walmart when I first got my apartment really doesn't comfortably seat four people plus the food they eat, and everything is getting a bit rickety. Pricing dining sets, however, makes me feel a little ill; I don't want to spend so much just for a table and chairs I don't even like all that much! I want something a bit more rustic and cozy then most of what I see in the stores, so I decided: why not make my own? I've watched enough HGTV to know that a table is a pretty basic DIY project, and since I have a friend who enjoys woodworking to refer to for advice and any necessary assistance, why not? I'm looking forward to serving meals and teaching lessons on a table that I crafted myself.
But then, why stop there? I really don't like the square bowls that came with the dishes we bought when we got married (seriously, trying to wash bowls with deep corners is NOT FUN); instead of buying a new set, why not learn pottery and make my own? I even took a pottery class last week and loved it!
So maybe I'm taking this attitude to a bit of an extreme, but I've always loved crafts and learning new skills and working with my hands, and I find it very relaxing and therapeutic to have myriad hobbies into which to pour all my excess energy (thank you ADHD), so why not?
For now, I'll work on finishing these laundry baskets and save for the lumbar and clay I hope to purchase soon. I may not be able to fix a plumbing problem like my mom could, but I am totally okay with making my husband do that since it's gross anyway; I'll stick to the pretty stuff ;)
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Sports Movies
For someone who doesn't really care for sports, I sure do cry a lot when I watch sports movies. I just finished Rudy, the incredible movie starring Sean Astin that's based on a true story--if you haven't seen it, stop reading right now and go buy it. BUY it. Watch it. It's incredible. The character of Rudy grows up with a dream, to play football for Notre Dame, and everyone, including his teachers, parents, and older brothers, mock him and tell him that his dreams are hopeless. They tell him that he is too poor, too stupid, too small, and just all around too not-good-enough to ever make his dream a reality. The only person who takes him seriously is his best friend.
Rudy decides to show all the people who doubt him that they are wrong, and he works tirelessly towards his goal, suffering many setbacks and disappointments, until his hard work and determination become an inspiration to everyone around him.
That's what I love about sports movies: they are so inspiring. At the end, when all of Rudy's efforts come to fruition and he experiences his dream come true, I defy anyone not to feel stirred and hopeful and inspired.
I love finishing a movie that creates that empowering kind of finale, and since so many sports movies seem to have that magic, I may not be much of a sports fan (much to my hubby's chagrin), but I will always be a fan of good sports movies.
Rudy decides to show all the people who doubt him that they are wrong, and he works tirelessly towards his goal, suffering many setbacks and disappointments, until his hard work and determination become an inspiration to everyone around him.
That's what I love about sports movies: they are so inspiring. At the end, when all of Rudy's efforts come to fruition and he experiences his dream come true, I defy anyone not to feel stirred and hopeful and inspired.
I love finishing a movie that creates that empowering kind of finale, and since so many sports movies seem to have that magic, I may not be much of a sports fan (much to my hubby's chagrin), but I will always be a fan of good sports movies.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
NaNoWriMo!
So NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) started last Tuesday, and I have discovered that I am capable of beating out about 1000 words/hour. This is quite the revelation for me, and apparently with proper motivation I can be a prolific as the next gal; the key is to do it.
Every piece of writing advice I've ever read or received starts with that: you have to actually write. This month, I am doing just that. The goal of nanowrimo is to write 50,000 words of a novel during the month of November, and lots of people all over the world join up for the challenge of it. I'm having a blast. I've also rediscovered one of my favorite things to do, and my goal extends beyond November; my goal is to continue writing the whole year round, so that next November nano will by just an extra productive month, not the jump start to my dead writer-ly self. In the meantime, this thing is awesome, and if you want to check my word count (and feel free to congratulate or berate me, whatever seems appropriate), the link is: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/rsz
Happy writing!!
Every piece of writing advice I've ever read or received starts with that: you have to actually write. This month, I am doing just that. The goal of nanowrimo is to write 50,000 words of a novel during the month of November, and lots of people all over the world join up for the challenge of it. I'm having a blast. I've also rediscovered one of my favorite things to do, and my goal extends beyond November; my goal is to continue writing the whole year round, so that next November nano will by just an extra productive month, not the jump start to my dead writer-ly self. In the meantime, this thing is awesome, and if you want to check my word count (and feel free to congratulate or berate me, whatever seems appropriate), the link is: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/rsz
Happy writing!!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Correct Link
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/deeper-walk/features/26398-we-need-boring-christians
Okay, so the last attempt to post this link didn't work quite the way it was supposed to: here is the correct, complete link.
(Sorry, I'm still figuring this out!)
Okay, so the last attempt to post this link didn't work quite the way it was supposed to: here is the correct, complete link.
(Sorry, I'm still figuring this out!)
Faithful Service
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/
The article linked above talks about something that I just spent several months hammering out for myself: sometimes God calls to serve faithfully in a place that we don't really want to be.
I mentioned in a previous post that I have struggled a lot with burnout and feeling trapped at my job, thinking that there must be something else better, that surely I am not supposed to keep showing up to this place that weighs me down so heavily.
And then I realized that my favorite Bible verse, Colossians 3:23, doesn't say, "serve the Lord with all your heart because the work you are doing makes you happy," it says "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man."
I realized that all the reasons I originally felt called to this place are still valid, and that wherever God places me, my attitude is my own responsibility. I also had lunch with an older, wiser RN who told me that sometimes God puts us in dark places so that we can be a light for Him.
That really hit me, because I felt that my workplace had grown so dark and depressing, and every shift I showed up to felt like another nail in the coffin. I was ready to move on something more exciting and less frustrating, or else announce that this career was over!
Obviously, any job or workplace has politics and drama and everyone has bad days; it's up to us as Christians to maintain a good attitude and hold that eternal perspective: I am serving Christ in whatever I do. Therefore, I should do it well. End of story.
(But not quite end of blog)
I felt that this article validated that which I had already wrestled through on my own; that not every person is called to do things that are exciting or exotic or glamorous. (There's certainly nothing glamorous about cleaning up other people's poop.) But we are all called to serve faithfully, wherever we are and in whatever we do; as the Bible mentions over and over, God wants our hearts; He cares not only about our work, but about the motivation behind it. So wherever we are and whatever we do, let's do it for His glory.
The article linked above talks about something that I just spent several months hammering out for myself: sometimes God calls to serve faithfully in a place that we don't really want to be.
I mentioned in a previous post that I have struggled a lot with burnout and feeling trapped at my job, thinking that there must be something else better, that surely I am not supposed to keep showing up to this place that weighs me down so heavily.
And then I realized that my favorite Bible verse, Colossians 3:23, doesn't say, "serve the Lord with all your heart because the work you are doing makes you happy," it says "whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man."
I realized that all the reasons I originally felt called to this place are still valid, and that wherever God places me, my attitude is my own responsibility. I also had lunch with an older, wiser RN who told me that sometimes God puts us in dark places so that we can be a light for Him.
That really hit me, because I felt that my workplace had grown so dark and depressing, and every shift I showed up to felt like another nail in the coffin. I was ready to move on something more exciting and less frustrating, or else announce that this career was over!
Obviously, any job or workplace has politics and drama and everyone has bad days; it's up to us as Christians to maintain a good attitude and hold that eternal perspective: I am serving Christ in whatever I do. Therefore, I should do it well. End of story.
(But not quite end of blog)
I felt that this article validated that which I had already wrestled through on my own; that not every person is called to do things that are exciting or exotic or glamorous. (There's certainly nothing glamorous about cleaning up other people's poop.) But we are all called to serve faithfully, wherever we are and in whatever we do; as the Bible mentions over and over, God wants our hearts; He cares not only about our work, but about the motivation behind it. So wherever we are and whatever we do, let's do it for His glory.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
San Diego!
Hurray, Vacation! This weekend I didn't have work, and since it was 100+ degrees in Phoenix, we decided to make the most of it and escape to the coast for a few days.
We used an app for the iPhone called hotel finder to make last minute reservations (thanks, honey, for being so resourceful!) and our first night was amazing! We stayed in the Gaslamp Plaza Suites, a converted hotel that was originally the first ever skyscraper built in San Diego, way back in 1913! For anyone familiar with my obsessive love of American history and the early 20th century especially, this was obviously a big thrill. Our room was tiny that the bathroom was almost the same size, but we loved it.
Also, the next morning, they served a yummy free breakfast--on the roof! We had a great view--and counted almost a dozen flags flying from the tops of various skyscrapers, including ours. Gotta love the American pride!
Saturday we spent the whole day at SeaWorld, using our year passes that we got for our honeymoon. Last time we were there, of course, it was March, which meant that a) it was much colder, and b) there were fewer people. This time there were small chldren everywhere! It was kind of like an obstacle course navagating the crowds and trying not to step on any tiny kids. Last time we visited, Carlos wanted to sit in the "soak zone" at the Shamu show, and the signs do not lie--we got soaked! And because it was March, just as the show started, the clouds came and stole away the warm sunshine I was counting on to get dry. The result? Last time we were cold and miserable for half the day, and this time we did all the water rides early in the day and avoided the soak zones. We also had a blast! It was especially cool to see the night shows. Our favorite was the Sea Lions--those guys are hilarious! All the shows were spectacular, of course; I just love watching the animals swim and leap from the water; they're so graceful...so powerful...so majestic! I think my favorite might be the dolphins--they always look like they're smiling and laughing, especially after they splash you! I love the playful attitude they exude.
After we saw the night shows, it was time for the fireworks: glorious! I love firework displays, and this one did not disappoint. It was beautiful, and lasted a solid 10 minutes (ish).
That night we stayed in another great hotel, this one in the historic Old Town district only a few minutes from the park. It was really beautifully designed, with lots of dark wood and white stucco, and we had a much bigger room! Breakfast on Sunday was in the courtyard with lots of greenery and a fountain; beautiful. It definitely felt like vacation, especially since it was only 60-something degrees at 10 in the morning.
We had planned to rent a tandem bike out on Coronado island Sunday, but by the time we made it out to the rental shop they were out of tandem bikes, so we decided to just head home.
And so now I am typing this as we drive back to Phoenix! (I love my ipad!) I had a wonderful weekend escaping the heat with my hubby. Really, there is no better way to travel than road tripping with my man; what woman wouldn't enjoy listening to romantic songs in Spanish while her husband translates? Yup, this is the life! See you again soon, Phoenix!
We used an app for the iPhone called hotel finder to make last minute reservations (thanks, honey, for being so resourceful!) and our first night was amazing! We stayed in the Gaslamp Plaza Suites, a converted hotel that was originally the first ever skyscraper built in San Diego, way back in 1913! For anyone familiar with my obsessive love of American history and the early 20th century especially, this was obviously a big thrill. Our room was tiny that the bathroom was almost the same size, but we loved it.
Also, the next morning, they served a yummy free breakfast--on the roof! We had a great view--and counted almost a dozen flags flying from the tops of various skyscrapers, including ours. Gotta love the American pride!
Saturday we spent the whole day at SeaWorld, using our year passes that we got for our honeymoon. Last time we were there, of course, it was March, which meant that a) it was much colder, and b) there were fewer people. This time there were small chldren everywhere! It was kind of like an obstacle course navagating the crowds and trying not to step on any tiny kids. Last time we visited, Carlos wanted to sit in the "soak zone" at the Shamu show, and the signs do not lie--we got soaked! And because it was March, just as the show started, the clouds came and stole away the warm sunshine I was counting on to get dry. The result? Last time we were cold and miserable for half the day, and this time we did all the water rides early in the day and avoided the soak zones. We also had a blast! It was especially cool to see the night shows. Our favorite was the Sea Lions--those guys are hilarious! All the shows were spectacular, of course; I just love watching the animals swim and leap from the water; they're so graceful...so powerful...so majestic! I think my favorite might be the dolphins--they always look like they're smiling and laughing, especially after they splash you! I love the playful attitude they exude.
After we saw the night shows, it was time for the fireworks: glorious! I love firework displays, and this one did not disappoint. It was beautiful, and lasted a solid 10 minutes (ish).
That night we stayed in another great hotel, this one in the historic Old Town district only a few minutes from the park. It was really beautifully designed, with lots of dark wood and white stucco, and we had a much bigger room! Breakfast on Sunday was in the courtyard with lots of greenery and a fountain; beautiful. It definitely felt like vacation, especially since it was only 60-something degrees at 10 in the morning.
We had planned to rent a tandem bike out on Coronado island Sunday, but by the time we made it out to the rental shop they were out of tandem bikes, so we decided to just head home.
And so now I am typing this as we drive back to Phoenix! (I love my ipad!) I had a wonderful weekend escaping the heat with my hubby. Really, there is no better way to travel than road tripping with my man; what woman wouldn't enjoy listening to romantic songs in Spanish while her husband translates? Yup, this is the life! See you again soon, Phoenix!
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