Friday Literature

What does it mean to be green? A few days ago, over on Simple Lovely, Jocelyn blogged about her New Year's Resolutions. One of her resolutions is to go 3 months without spending money. Today she elaborated on what drove her to this resolution. I was intrigued, because like so many others, Adam and I have decided to "go without" for the next 6 months. I know.. crazy. We made some guidelines (yes to movies, but no to the new cute sweater). Our decision was partly driven by finances, but moreso about not buying things we just don't NEED. (Sure I'm a slave to Anthro, but do I really NEED the adorable new bowls when I already have 20 perfectly good bowls? I find it ridiculous that I even have 20 when we are a family of 4!)

Her thought process was along the same lines, but also about being more mindful of consumption. She referenced this great article from the Washington Post. I found it spot on. I'm what you would call a lazy environmentalist. I'm a big talker, but not a big doer. Sure, I carry my enviro friendly bags religiously, but I've never thought twice about filling them up multiple times with things I JUST DON'T NEED.

"Keep those plastic bags away from me! I ONLY use my cloth bags."
"I'm so happy Lulu has 20 summer dresses to choose from each day. She really NEEDS them."

It reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend about recycling. I was going on and on about how great we are at recycling. As I was doing this I was pulling out individual bottles of water for a little gathering of 20 or so. He commended me on my recycling, but also pointedly asked why then am I not getting water from the tap, instead of using individual bottles of water? Sure I recycle, but wasn't I missing the point. I was taken aback. How daft could I be? I was a complete contradiction.

I've been thinking about my wasteful ways. Buying another bottle of water instead of filling up a cup I already have. Freshening up my wardrobe when really I just need to be more creative with what I have. I'm turning over a new leaf. Good bye consumerism. Hello to A NEW WOMAN.

5 because it is my blog

1.We have been weathering the craziness that is Texas weather.  Two days ago we had ICE on the trees and today- it was a pleasant mid-60's.  We took a lovely little stroll after I got home from work.  It was nice.  However, I'm desperate for some consistency.  It wreaks havoc on my joints.

2. I actually went to my rheumatologist the other day and competed with my little ones for his attention.  Before we even got to his office I tried to get Lulu to understand that it was very important for me to talk to my doctor and she would have to be patient and wait her turn to talk to him (he always makes her balloon people).  She did well for the first 5 minutes, but all my pleading and instructions obviously fell on deaf ears, because within 10 minutes she commandeered the conversation and all the attention.    I promise next time I am getting a sitter and going ALONE.

3. We have been cooking out of Everyday Food this week.  So far we have had:

Cayenne Rubbed Chicken

Mediterranean Salad

Rice Bowl with Shrimp, Snow Peas, and Avocado

I loved the first dish.  The second was good.  Not a huge fan of the last dish.  Too much ginger.

4. I've actually made it to the gym everyday this week.  Yippee for me.

5. After sitting down and looking through iPhoto, I realized I have not ONE photo since Auntie and Uncle Jake left.  Sad, sad news. I'm making a concerted effort to pick up my camera after this ridiculous and unexplained hiatus.  shesh!

Recap of 2008

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? Wore Mickie Mouse hats at Disneyland for an ENTIRE day with Adam.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I really never make resolutions because I always seem to fail in completing them. Although this year I'm looking at it in a whole new way (thanks Amy M.) .

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Several friends and my sister in law

4. Did anyone close to you die? No one necessarily close, but President Gordon B. Hinckley (my church's prophet) died this year and the loss of a prophet always seems like the loss of a friend.

5. What countries did you visit? NONE- can you believe it.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? I'd like to be content and a REAL budget.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? The day Adam received his commitment letter for his Pediatric Fellowship. The day I lost Africa for THIS year.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Going to the gym semi (cough) regularly. Don't judge me Carrie.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not sticking to my goal of 4 days a week at the gym. I'm working on it, I'm working.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? My lupus was much more active this year, but overall I was healthy.

11. What was the best thing you bought? My beautiful, gorgeous piece of art.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? I know, it is cliche, but Barack Obama. I'm also in total awe of all the bloggers that came to the aid of the Nielson Family. The world is really good.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? All the fat cats in business (no offense to my friends in business).

14. What did you spend most of your money on? Dental work for Lulu.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The prospect of Adam completing his residency... 11 years people (well including medical school). Only 2 more to go.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? The City by Joe Purdy. I'm sure I played it at least 1,000 times this year.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? 
b) thinner or fatter? 
c) richer or poorer? I guess happier, fatter, and even.

18. What do you wish you’d done more of? laughing, smiling,

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? loafing

20. Did you fall in love in 2008? Yes. I'm in love with all the blogs I've discovered and the many pretty little things that are out there.

21. What was your favorite TV program? Pushing Daisies (oh the sadness) and Arrested Development.. STEVE HOLT.

22. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? The executives at ABC for canceling Pushing Daisies.

23. What was the best book you read? Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.

24. What was your greatest musical discovery? Joe Purdy

25. What did you want and get? A trip to California with girlfriends.

26. What did you want and not get? A trip to Africa.

27. What was your favorite film of this year? I loved Slumdog Millionaire (I know it is rated R, but I still think everyone should see it), I also loved the Cursious Case of Benjamin Button, and Once (after a second viewing). And only because I still laugh regularly- Tropic Thunder. I know!

28. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? How pathetic- I have NO IDEA. I turned 33.

29. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Regular exercise

30. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Much more colorful than years past.

31. What kept you sane? Perspective!

I will get to California, but until then...

I ...

i am.... self absorbed.
i think...too much.
i do... crossword puzzles everyday.
i know... I belong to the true church.
i want... a house of my own.
i'm not... photogenic.
i would... like to be more creative.
i have... very few original ideas in my head, but I'm okay with that.
i dislike...whiny children.
i miss... living in Utah.
i fear... failure.
i feel... restless.
i hear.... nothing. The kids are in bed and Adam is at work.
i smell... lavender.
i crave.... some time with close girlfriends.
i cry... in the car. Every girl needs a good cry.
i usually... fall asleep on the couch and stumble to bed way too late.
i search... for peace.
i wonder.... why I am so terrible with budgets.
i regret... not going to law school in New Orleans.
i love... hearing Lulu and Teddy playing and laughing together.
i worry... my kids won't grow up with a "magical childhood" because I'm too lazy.
i am not... very disciplined.
i remember... driving with my heat on and the windows rolled down to the U of U in March.
i believe... we all have the ability to be extraordinary.
i dance...poorly.
i don't... like how critical I can be.
i write... terribly, but I still write.
i win... dow shop pretty regularly.
i lose... my train of thought and go off on tangents.
i wish... I could go to Africa.
i listen... to Joe Purdy everyday, all day. I've actually listened to the song "The City" for 8 hours straight.
i don't understand... why I'm not always kind.
i can usually be found... running like a chicken with its head cut off.
i am scared... my kids will remember the bad instead of the good.
i would learn... to take better pictures and photoshop.
i need to lose... my insecurities and just be.
i forget... to remember my amazing blessings.
i am happy... really- I am happy contrary to some elements of this list.