Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Why Pay for Something That I'm Already Paying For?

I can't believe I'm torturing myself like this. So I had this brilliant idea so get rid of the books in my small collection that I didn't want and trade them for new ones. It was great. I have no idea how much I have spent on postage. Don't even remind me. Then I got into thinking. What am I doing? I pay taxes and you can get almost anything from the library. This relization was followed by several thumping of palm to forehead.
What had gotten into me? Did the captialistic monster creep inside me and rip out my fugality? What the heck was wrong with me! This was also followed by vacation holds on all swapping accounts. There are a few things that I want to keep, which I'll certainly get from those systems but it's stupid to get books that I'll only read once and send out again.
Ugh...I started going to the library again, one closer to work. Man, I missed it.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

To Keep a Journal

For the past two weeks or so I've been writing in a seperate journal. There's a lot that I was to wrtie down but it's not really appropiate for this blog nor do I want it on my blog. It's a  great way to express yourself and to keep in touch with yourself. The idea maybe considered old fashioned in the world on today where everyone twitters, blogs, and has other social networking connections. But a journal gives you a certain sense of privacy that the internet will never give you.
The notebook that you choose to write in doesn't have to be some fancy leather bound volume purchased at a sationary shop. A simple composition books that cost about $1 will do but there are endless varieties out there to choose one so you can have a journal that truely is you. Another thing that you may want to purchase is a good pen or stick with the same pen day after day. If you choose a special pen to write with in your journal then that connection between you and your journal will be stronger. Another thing to consider using is a bookmarker to keep track of where you are in your journal.
I hope this inspires to start journaling!

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Revison

It has come to my attention that I haven't been so...eco friendly lately. I have no idea how I began to slip but figures could point to water.
In an attempt to cut high fuctose corn syrup from my diet, I started to drink more water. Somewhere along the line I had forgotten about using my reusable water bottle in favor of the disposable plastic bottles. You can pattle my behind for this but I honestly do not know how this managed to manifest itself to the point where I just simply just didn't care.
Everything changes now. I purchased a plastic reuseable water bottle a little while back fir $0.50 at the local thift shop. So, I have well water and it's alright. It's not as bad as 'city' water but it's tolerable. So, for my water consumption at home I purchased a Pur water pitcher which is GREAT!
Yesterday, I filled my plastic bottle with water but forgot it in the fridge at home. I'm going to push this effort more at eliminate ALL disposible forms of drinking vessals. It would be even better if I elminate eating out altogether, in fact, that's what I'll do.
Wish me luck!

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Getting Organized

If you've read my blog enought I'd know that I like a clean room. Well, what about an organized one? I thought I'd never see the day where my socks were folded and I could easily find a pair.
Before:

After:
That took about 15 minutes to go through, throw out some old socks and fold everything. I'm going to see if I can track down some sock boxes to make it looke more organized.
Next I organized my junk drawer. I spent $2 and bought some little drawer organizer baskets. To make it easier I categorized everything to make it easier to find. Sorry, I forgot to take a before picture. The drawer was filled and you could hardly open it. Note, I didn't throw out much from this drawer.

My next organization project is my closet. It desperatly needs some shelves. How are you organized?

Monday, July 12, 2010

The Tinicum Arts Festival

I could just kick myself in the rear for not taking my camera! I'm sure that most of you are unfamiliar with my little township in the middle of nowhere where even I, a girl that was born and raised in this mountains, still get lost on the winding back roads.
The Tinicum Arts Festival is put together every year by the Tinicum Civic Association, that gives money to the non-profits and clubs of the area (ei. Girl Scouts, historical places, parks ect.). The Festival is huge with over 50 vendors from the local area and food and fun to boot. At the center of it all is the "Art Barn" where they display art from the local artists.
First, before I could do anything I had to travel to Frenchtown to get some cash, which is a pain and a half to get and nearly got me into an accident because of lack of knowledge of parking close to the curb. I will restrain from making a snide remark about New Jersey drivers.
I arrived around 11 am when the grounds opened and it was already packed. My sole mission was get purge any books from the "book wagon" that I could (at 3 for a $1 for mass market paperbacks, 3 for $5 for trade paperback and hardcover who could complain?). All the proceeds from the sales and booths rental to local craftsman, go to the Tinicum Civic Association.
Since I went by myself it wasn't as fun but would have been better if I had brought my camera.
A got to see one of my friends from school whom I haven't seen in a year and I knew she would be there because she helps out with a booth for her church. After that reunion, a bag of books in one hand and a steamy hot funnel cake in the other it was already 12:15 so I high tailed it out of there. By then I counted my lucky stars because the field that they had us parking in was nearly full.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Another Poll

Look at the side bar for another poll!

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Two Interesting Clippin's

My county puts out a edition of a newspaper called The Bucks County Herald every week. I find myself flipping through it at work. I'm going to try to post something from it agricultural/homestead related every week. You're more than welcomed to read the rest of the newspaper online.
Here are this week's clippings:
"Anything sugar can do, honey can do better"
"'Take Back Your Kitchen' about growing and buying local"

Friday, July 9, 2010

New Favorite Place

So with the end of my old favorite place, the natural food store that I visited on breaks during work, I found another place to enjoy. It's a place called The Larder. It's pretty much what the name describes. It's a small shop on Rt 611 near Doylestown that sells dry goods.
From candies to flour to pretzels to spices, this place is a foodie's dream come true. Everything's sold in bulk and good prices and can choose from filling a bag yourself in whatever measurement you need or selected a prepacked item. It's not that far from where I work so it'll be a good place to go after work. Of course I went when I couldn't think of anything I needed to I got some ginger balls and anise bears. Yum!
So raspberry seasons here as well and hopfully I will get around to either picking some or just picking up two quarter containers from Trauger's. If anyone out there knows where Trauger's is and wants to pick raspberries, let me know! I'd love to join you.