My quest for simplicity...

Something I have really been working on for the past couple months is simplicity. Just a general, buying less crap, being more thoughtful about where my money goes and why, and coming soon is a garden. Yes...I am going to plant a garden! I am actually pretty excited about it. I'm thinking beans, carrots, potatoes, tomatoes, strawberries and pumpkins...yes...PUMPKINS!! I can just imagine myself wearing a floppy hat, tending to my garden...simplicity in the finest.

I guess my quest for simplicity really started when I moved home almost 3 years ago. When I first got here, I was still rushing everywhere, walking at a fast "city" pace and really did take value in the things I bought. I loved going to the MAC store and buying interesting items because I enjoyed walking away with a full bag of goodies. I would buy large and extravagant gifts for my sisters because I loved the feeling of buying extravagant things. I think I have really gotten away from that...I have really tried to figure out what those purchases are actually doing for me, and trying to find that happiness in other things. And I'm not saying I no longer have great enjoyment from the MAC store...I am just so much more aware of what I'm buying. For instance, last month I went to MAC and bought the Viva Glam Cindi Lauper Lipstick...and that's it. That's all I REALLY wanted and I didn't really need anything else, so that's all I bought (and FYI...a GREAT purchase...I highly recommend. It's a very wearable red). I had a very tense moment of indecision when the sales girl told me that they had the Lady Gaga Viva Glam in stock as well and that it was selling out really fast; how awesome would it have been to have an item that was selling out really fast and was by Lady Gaga?! But then, reason prevailed...I liked Cindi more, I only told myself I could buy one, and the Gaga one was a bright bubble gum pink...I couldn't get away with it.

Looking back at all the posts from previous years, I am amazed at the small changes I see in my everyday self. For example, here I am...a Friday night, just got home from being away for the week and instead of going out for drinks with friends, I am sitting here watching WWE Smackdown with my nephew. I would much rather give him my time and strengthen our relationship than go out and drink away my paycheque. I'll go out tomorrow, but tonight I'm happy being an aunt to a great kid (who happens to be 13 now...he is getting too old!!).

So, I guess simplicity is coming slowly, but it's a journey that I'm enjoying.

Conversations with a 3 year old...

Me: Yes, you can have Kraft Dinner for lunch Zachary.

Zac: no eas (eat) Kass Dinna (Kraft Dinner), Mah (Aunt Melissa)

Me: Yea Zac...you love Kraft Dinner. We'll have it for dinner!

Zac: no eas Kass Dinna, Mah!

Me: Yes Zac...you can eat Kraft Dinner.

Zac: no...no YOU eas my Kass Dinna, Mah! No, you eas my Kass Dinner!!!

Me: I'm not going to eat your Kraft Dinner!!

Zac: *pointing his finger and squinting his eyes* Me mean it!!!



I think this kid has my number...I totally would have eaten his Kraft Dinner....

I won't judge you for judging me...

I am disgusting. Seriously. Disgusting!

I got home (aka to the crappy pillow Inn) from work and racked my brain about what I would have for supper. I was kind of tempted to be really classy and order a pizza so I can expense it and then take the left overs home tomorrow. I changed my mind though...I remembered that there was a Dairy Queen in this town...and that means a Flamethrower and a blizzard.

I know what your thinking...'that's not disgusting. Probably not the healthiest meal, but not disgusting by far.' Oh no...I think the disgusting part was that I immediately got into bed (under the covers...) and started eating my burger and ice cream...while drinking diet coke, sparkling peach water, and V8 fusion (gotta get that serving of fruit and veg!). I couldn't decide between the three, so I figured: Why not?! Tomorrow I'll be home and will have people judging me to my face. Tonight...Tonight is for me :)

Just a note before work...

Who ever picked out these horrible pillows at the Maritime Inn has obviously never slept on them. I am usually a die-hard 'no thanks...I brought my own pillow' type of gal, but I was slightly embarrassed to do that while I was traveling for work. Doesn't really spell professional: lugging a pillow wearing an old school Ronald MacDonald pillowcase around with you.

That being said....waking up every bloody morning with a sore neck and atrocious hair from moving around so much in your sleep, is much worse! These pillows are cheap and flat. One is too flat and your head is lower than your body, and two is just too high. And because they are cheap, they don't actually allow your head to sink into them...so pile two up and your head is stiffly stuck in a very uncomfortable position.

Trust me...The Maritime Inn will be hearing about this on my comment card!!

Starting again??

My last post was Oct 29, 2006. It is now May 26, 2010. Ohmygoodness! How is it that I got so used to writing blog posts that I got sick of it? I LOVED my blog...I kind of feel like I have just missed 3.5 years of externally shared journal writing. Ok..I'm going to give this a go again and hopefully not be as slack as I used to be.

I'm away for work this week. I'm in a teensy tiny little town in Cape Breton, and I am not really enjoying it. I have been here for two days and I already feel a migraine coming on. I actually think I'm going to have to scoot next door to the convenience store to get an advil or something. I am going to be so drained by the time I get home on Friday...it's not like this job is bad, or the people are bad, or the office is bad...it's just all together not for me. It's funny because its the same job I do everyday, nothing has changed...I just don't like it here. Actually, I think this is somewhat telling. I have been feeling very under-utilized (is that a hyphenated word?) at my job lately, but I LOVE the people who I work with. I guess it makes sense that when I am no longer with those fantastic people, I wouldn't enjoy the job as much.

Also...fun note: when I get home I will be having a phone date! With my good buddy, Dot! She is, of course, one of the major commentators of my blog 3 years ago, so I believe she deserves a shout out on the revival of 'spinning in circles until your dizzy'. I think you make friends in different stages of your life that you know will be there forever. I met Dot in my first year of University. You know, the funny thing was when we started chatting and hanging out I kind of felt like we didn't have much in common (only at the very beginning!) because she was into sports and basketball and stuff, and I was soooo not but in the years since, she has been one of those people who has always kind of gotten me. We don't talk much because time, life and distance has seriously taken a toll, however when I do speak or see her, it is like no time has passed. She is one of the people who will be there. Do you watch "How I Met Your Mother"? Well...I love that show and there is a storyline were they judge people based on the 'front porch test'; can you see yourself sitting on the front porch with this person in 50 years? I can see myself sitting with Dot...checking out the hotties with the bodies!

Ok...it's time to wrap up this love-fest. I should go get some headache meds and try to get it under control!

lots of love!
M