Trying to find balance

So I have been watching way to many documentaries lately (I'm kind of a junkie).  Everything from "Maxed out" which I think EVERYONE should watch, to No impact man which I also recommend. (watching it that is not going as far as that family did for a year!) Watching these shows has made me realize that some advise I always got from my mom was so much deeper than I thought. "Take care of yourself, lookout for number one because no one else is going to." Now in my teen and early twenty years this advice was doled out specifically regarding boys. So for a long time that is how I took it. I did take care of myself, was never dependent on a guy for anything. But what i did not realize was that this advice was so much broader, I now know that NOBODY is going to look out for us, not the companies, not the government, nobody. Most of the people we think are looking out for us are really looking out for their bottom line. I guess this has been my biggest lesson in the last few years. I've said time and time again that I am so glad that we are back in control of our life, now I guess I am just taking that to the next level.

Today I finished watching "No impact man" It is a story about a family (mom dad 1 baby) who are going to live for one year causing no negative impact on the environment. No trash no cars, no electricity, no commercial soaps, no food that is not local (within 250 miles was their cut off) and no toilet paper..... They went to the extreme, considering they lived on the 9th floor of an apartment, and elevators use electricity they were committed! Could I go this far? No effing way! I have already implemented some "environmental" practices in our home, but I have to say it was purely to save money! So now I am thinking what else can I do? I am trying to have a compost pile for a garden that I have planned this spring...again to save money...but now I am thinking what else, what else can I do? what else am I willing to do? where can I make more budgetary cuts, where can I make more consumption cuts? what am I willing to do without? I am at a point now that I am figuring out what I am NOT willing or able to cut. I guess that is a start. I would never recommend or allow toilet paper to not be used in my house by why can't I make my own dish soap? I have more time than money...

We are still on track to be debt free in 23 months now I think, It is not fun, but actually seems do-able. I am afraid to say that we feel like we can see the light at the end of a very long dark tunnel. But It just seems to feel that way, having said that I wonder what is just around the corner that we haven't planned for yet! My washing machine is making a horrific noise! :(  Till next time!

:)

Spring Fever!

The last few weeks have been BEAUTIFUL here. Just the yearly spring tease though woke up today to what we call "snow" here in the valley. Meaning the grass had a white dusting on it.  I am ready for the warmer days and sunny sky's. So I started my herb garden and it is doing pretty well. I can't wait to start cooking with MY own veggies and MY own herb's/seasonings!! It's pretty exciting. I will post some pics of my workings as I can figure out how to do that and I have "workings" to post.  I am very much looking forward to this spring/summer season! I have wanted to have a garden for several years and now I have the yard I can do something!! YAY!!

:)