Money is Worth More in Dreams than Dollars

Every year for my birthday, family members send money with a birthday card. Even though it feels like it's been ages since my birthday, I still haven't spent half of it. To me, it is far more interesting to dream about what that money could buy than to actually spend it. To walk into a store and realize you have endless possibilities, but to walk out with just one thing, seems disappointing. Was that one item the thing you wanted or needed most? Is it far more special than anything else you could have bought?

Sometimes being frugal is annoying. But it reminds me that spending money and buying "stuff" is not all it's cracked up to be. In fact, my hubby and I were talking just the other night about how we most enjoy gifts that allow us to spend time together in some way. My hope is that we will all spend and give wisely this Christmas season.

Lucy's Advice for the Overworked Human

This is from a card I wrote for my mother-in-law this week.

Lucy the Schnauzer's Advice for the Overworked Human

1. Solar charge yourself. Take naps in the sun.
2. Eat an extra treat.
3. Beg for a scratch behind the ears. Or for scraps from the table. Actually, just beg.
4. Make yourself comfortable on the biggest bed in the house.
5. Play with all of your toys and spread them all over the house. Toys = Happiness.
6. Bark at the neighbors. It relieves stress.
7. Be underfoot. It brings joy to others - even if they don't realize it.
8. Eat an early dinner. There's no reason you can't have dinner at 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon.
9. Chase a squirrel.
10. When all else fails, hide under the bed!

Thankful Thursdays

This week, I'm thankful for:

• my marriage
• hilarious and fun co-workers
• creative moments especially in the kitchen! (This week: beef lo-mein, pesto pizza with veggies, and baked burritos.)
• several free nights to hang out and do nothing, which is truly a rarity these days
• an endless pot of tea to soothe my scratchy throat and sniffles
  
  

Goodreads

Every now and then I like to put in a plug for goodreads.com. If you love to read, are always looking for new interesting titles, or just find it enjoyable to look back at what books you've finished, you should try it. Goodreads is part functional website with a literary focus and part social networking site. You create an account, add books as you read them, and post reviews if you like. You can search for books, read others' reviews, and even participate in free book sharing (which I've never tried).

I have a terrible memory for retaining information I've read, so I like to go back once in a while and see what I thought about certain books. It's interesting to discover which ones you remember most and decide to share with your friends!

Eat, Pray, Think

Earlier this week, I spotted the newest issue of Christianity Today on my boss's desk and took a second glance when I read the issue's title, "Eat, Pray, Think." Those who know me know I am obsessed with the way America's industrialized food system has changed the way we eat, the way we view health and medicine, and the way we view the world and the environment.

I finally got a chance to read the article, entitled "A Feast Fit for the King," by Leslie Leyland Fields. Reading through the first half, I found the author very articulate-she echoed my thoughts exactly about the largest pieces of the problem, especially as seen through a Christian lens. The second half of the article went on to discuss obsessions people sometime develop when they focus too much on food as an idol, not as a part of a larger call to environmental stewardship.

If you're looking for a short overview of the new whole food trend, read just the first half or so - it's worth your time. The article is not available online (or I would have shared it here), so the next time you're at your local library or bookstore, look it up.

Thankful Thursdays

This week, I am thankful for:

• an unexpected night off
• free tickets to hear Stravinsky's Rite of Spring at the NSO
• beautiful fall colors
• new (nice!) neighbors
• laughter at work
• an awesome youth Sunday school class
• no more CSA pickups! (I LOVE my CSA, but I also have a "homework-free" feeling when there is not an abundance of fresh veggies that need to be cooked every week.)

Stress & Cleaning

I had a really hard day on Friday. It was full of wild interruptions, and I felt so stressed with all of the things I already had to do! I was so glad for Friday afternoon to come, when I got to spend some time with Chris. After we had dinner and ran some errands, I went home to....CLEAN! This is what I do when I'm stressed. This time, I took it out on the pantry, and I am now a firm believer in an annual cleaning in your pantry or kitchen storage. I could not believe some of the things I found in there! Anyway, it is a day later and my pantry has been ridiculously cleaned and reorganized, and my spirit is revived.....for now.