Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Weekend Recap



It is great to have Maya back! We arrived at my sister Naomi's house at 4 in the morning Saturday, and Maya didn't bark at all. She was doing a super crazy whole body shake while on her back and whimpering. My mom said that they all decided that I would be more excited than her, so you can only imagine how I looked. It was great to see so many family members and catch up a bit. I really love them. The older I get the more I want to live closer to them. This is a picture of my nephew Henry and I. So adorable.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Maya!

I am so excited to see Maya and pick her up this weekend. She has spent the last 4 months! with my parents bonding and I'm sure making best friends with their dog Sunny. I'm really happy to have my running, walking, dancing and cuddling buddy back. Family reunion! Yeah! I'm also really excited to see my mom and dad and sister and her family. Should be a great weekend!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Second Job

Desperate times call for desperate measures. Dom is still currently unemployed, and so I'm looking for a second job, I'm thinking about 10 hours a week. As I've said, I really want to pay off all debt in a year and I can't really do that if we aren't even making ends meet with food and housing.

I've never liked the idea of a second job even though so many people do it (my sister Sarah worked 2 full-time jobs one summer). I guess that I take after my dad in placing very high value on my free leisure time. I'm worried that I will be more stressed, exhausted, eat worse etc. But, I'll only do it until we are able to float without it. I'm headed to a clothing boutique and coffee shop today.

When I brought up the idea of getting a part-time job at my current full-time job, it was not good. Apparently management does not like you to have another job which I have a hard time understanding. I mean I get it that they want you refreshed, whatever. But, what about people with really consuming hobbies or families or the ones who stay up late partying every night? Is that any better?? We'll see how it goes I guess.

Wish me luck!

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Farming

I want to be a farmer. Just 4 or 5 acres, enough to grow all my own produce and keep chickens and maybe a few goats or something. I can't stop thinking about it. My inner domestic goddess is itching to get out. On the weekend I made plum jam, went to a U-pick blueberry farm with some girlfriends and picked over 6 lbs of berries, made a blueberry pie with honey instead of sugar, picked blackberries.... and I completely LOVED every second of it. I love knowing exactly what I am eating and taking the time to make yummy stuff.

Recent books I have read that I really like and are influencing me deeply: In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan; Fast Food Nation; 100 mile diet (called Plenty in the US - so good); Food Inc. I've also made the decision to not eat any meat or dairy products unless they come from a local farm where they had a happy life (Read all these books and you'll understand why). Obviously it is more expensive to eat meat, eggs etc. this way and seeing my financial status above... well I'm eating lots of veggies and beans. But wow is the produce ever delicious this time of year!

Oh yeah, I also really want to be a beekeeper on my farm!