Simple living

Sometimes in the hustle and bustle of life you look up and say what am I doing... I've recently become interested in simple living. I am at the beginning of my thinking/experimenting with this lifestyle but really I am just interested in distilling my life down to what makes me and Mr. happy and fulfilled.
One of the ideas from the simple living manifesto (posted above) is to come up with simple pleasures and sprinkle them throughout your day. Here is a sample list. and here is the beginnings of my own list.

•  Coffee
•  Painted nails
•  a hot bath
• a glass of wine
• baking/creating
• a good book
• watching Mr and the dogs play
• blogging 
• catching up with a dear friend
• a massage
• getting my eyebrows waxed
• going for yogurt
• Christmas music/decorations
• laying on the beach
• walking barefoot
• a quiet saturday morning
• kolaches 
• fresh baked bread
• staying up talking 
• sitting on the porch 
• a baseball game
• a nice walk
• the way you feel after a good workout
• dinner out 
• pizza carryout
• new sheets 
• planning a weekend away
• dinner with friends
• a new piece of clothing or shoes
• curling my hair
• JIF peanut butter on bread
• a clean house
• clean dogs

I just came up with 33 things in like 5 minutes and just making the list brought a smile to my face. That is what I want my new lifestyle to be about: making myself happy (I hope you don't see this as selfish, I see it as filling my tank so I have more to give to Mr.'s and others), using my time more wisely and not stressing the small stuff. I look forward to adding to the list.

Book Review/Reflection: Portia de Rossi's Unbearable Lightness

I have been so eager to read this book. I reserved it at the Library. Waited two months. (not an easy thing for me) Started reading it in the parking lot of the library and finished it less than 24 hours later. I devoured this book.

In this book, Portia chronicle's her struggle with weight, self esteem, and food that becomes so overwhelming it almost overtakes her. The book is so raw and real. Portia takes you into her mind and into her secret rituals and you see her day to day dealing with insecurities.

Before this book, I had seen Portia only on Arrested Development. Even on the sitcom, you can see she is a complex person with layers who is very witty and intelligent.

I love the way she ends the book (the epilogue), I want a sequel so I can continue to read about her life and the person she is now. The book is beautiful. If you have ever struggled with weight, calorie counting, exercise, self hate, bad self talk. Read this book. You will be engrossed and challenged.

Cakeballs

After making them a couple times I finally perfected my skills. Jedi Cakeball makers beware.



Cakeballs like most everything in the pastry world are an undertaking to create. But the result is these cute lil bits of yumminess that my husband (and more importantly) Mother in law can't get enough of. What have I done!

By the way if you want my tips on making them flawlessly message me.

adjusting.

How's married life?

That has become the new salutation. So it has got me thinking....

People always offer the answer "not much different?"

But it actually has been. It has been so different being someone's wife. I am pretty independent, if I was to take a trip I go. If I want to but new shoes (in bone), I do. And now I feel the obligation to change. I inform Mr. that I am interested in going to so and so place and would he like to come. That I am buying some new shoes or should I save the money for the... future?

Different. Than I imagined. I guess I thought nothing would change but it is. I am assimilating into a new family and learning how to support Mr. and always think about what will be good for him.

A psych lecturer asked the question how do people learn to be Mothers, Wifes, ... etc. How to books sprang to my mind because I am an avid reader (i know it sounds dorky) of How to books. They are perfect for people like me who just need direction and instructions tell me how and I can do it. However, as I read articles and books I always think ... are they sure, what makes this person an expert. An article I read the other day was 10 things to do to avoid divorce. (in Real Simple) I was thinking just 10 things? are you sure your not missing some? I need a comprehensive guide. like the Harrison's of how to books. But I guess for now my answer is I will do the best I can.