Friday, March 20, 2009
A Renewed Friendship
I looked at her face and couldn’t believe it was actually her. She was one of my best friends about five years ago. So many months had passed though since we’d even talked or emailed. I almost didn’t recognize her, which was kind of embarrassing. I didn’t want to offend her, as if I’d forgotten her name or something. Of course I knew her name. I called out, “Dianne, I can’t believe it’s you!”
I explained how I’d been so busy with my three kids. Then, we exchanged the typical conversational questions about how each other’s husband was doing and about what the kids were up to. Wow, the time had flown by like a couple of seconds. My friend looked so good. I couldn’t believe she was my same age. Her face was full of vivacity; likewise, she looked so physically fit and tan. I was especially impressed by her energy and zeal for life. Within a few minutes of talking, I observed her radiant self confidence and her refreshing optimism. We exchanged some details about mutual friends and our equally overloaded schedules. But, wow, I was so blown away with how great my friend looked that I could hardly focus on my own responses.
Those ten minutes in front of the mirror were truly a blessing. They allowed me to see that I didn’t have to be the lethargic and exhausted mom that I’d become. My life was about more than just serving my husband and my children. I was buried down there somewhere and had been for a number of years. Somehow, I’d let the piles of laundry, the mound of dirty dishes, and the plethora of days I’d gone without pampering myself, to define me as less valuable. My list of tasks had become about everyone else.
I was blessed that morning when I looked in the mirror and remembered who I was. I was beautiful, talented, and full of dreams. That didn’t have to end just because my life had changed so much. That day, I decided I was going to set up a date with my new friend, “me”. I committed to clear out some time to rediscover who I was in order to rekindle some of my own personal passions and talents.
I explained how I’d been so busy with my three kids. Then, we exchanged the typical conversational questions about how each other’s husband was doing and about what the kids were up to. Wow, the time had flown by like a couple of seconds. My friend looked so good. I couldn’t believe she was my same age. Her face was full of vivacity; likewise, she looked so physically fit and tan. I was especially impressed by her energy and zeal for life. Within a few minutes of talking, I observed her radiant self confidence and her refreshing optimism. We exchanged some details about mutual friends and our equally overloaded schedules. But, wow, I was so blown away with how great my friend looked that I could hardly focus on my own responses.
Those ten minutes in front of the mirror were truly a blessing. They allowed me to see that I didn’t have to be the lethargic and exhausted mom that I’d become. My life was about more than just serving my husband and my children. I was buried down there somewhere and had been for a number of years. Somehow, I’d let the piles of laundry, the mound of dirty dishes, and the plethora of days I’d gone without pampering myself, to define me as less valuable. My list of tasks had become about everyone else.
I was blessed that morning when I looked in the mirror and remembered who I was. I was beautiful, talented, and full of dreams. That didn’t have to end just because my life had changed so much. That day, I decided I was going to set up a date with my new friend, “me”. I committed to clear out some time to rediscover who I was in order to rekindle some of my own personal passions and talents.
Labels: friendship, motherhood
Friday, March 13, 2009
Going Green While Saving Green
During tough economic times, everyone is feeling the pinch. But, of course people still need to buy things and order services. As many of you already know, there is a terrific website called Craigslist.org which offers a plethora of resources: community, housing, jobs, personals, for sale, discussion forums, services, gigs, and resumes. I love the fact that you can specify your search to your own local area; however, you can likewise search any regional area you want from Spain to Ireland and all the way over to Chile.
The “community” category offers several resources ranging from local activities, childcare options, and ride-share; it even has a lost and found category. “Services” include offerings from beauty, financial, legal, and automotive to a variety of people offering specific lessons. Haven’t you been dying to learn Spanish or French? If it’s not currently offered in a posting, you can list it under “wanted” under the “for sale” category. Maybe you’re ready to list your services as a math or science tutor. Perhaps, you’re an accomplished violinist with some extra time for offering lessons?
My favorite category is the “for sale” category. Within this category, I have especially enjoyed perusing the “free” section, which frequently offers free firewood or free moving boxes. I’ve even seen free fruit trees before. What I enjoy even more than the “free” section is the “furniture” section. I just love to decorate and have recently doubled my square footage. As an alternative to buying new, I’ve filled my home with stylish and reasonably priced furniture by shopping on Craigslist.org. I love that I can search for items with included images and that I can limit the search to just the city of Riverside if I want to by typing in “Riverside” in the “search for” box. If I’m willing to travel a little bit, I can include the whole Inland Empire and search multiple cities at the same time. Some people are even willing to deliver the item locally for free or will deliver for a small fee. I’ve even seen delivery services listed within the furniture section.
Within the past few months, I have purchased a light-colored Ikea coffee table for $25 that goes perfectly with my white sectional couch. Likewise, I have purchased an oak coffee table with two side tables, all for just $20, plus $5 for local delivery. Recently, I searched and found a pub table with four bar stools that I fell in love with. I wasn’t willing to pay the $120 asked for, so I emailed the guy and we worked out quite a deal: $40 cash plus a terrific rocking chair that I owned, which was perfect for his baby on the way. You can frequently barter on Craigslist, which makes saving green even easier. I’ve sold a few things too and it’s pretty easy posting pictures and interacting with local buyers. I wasn’t using my cappuccino maker and someone else is now enjoying it. It was as easy as 1,2,3, and I’m $25 the richer for it. Likewise, my kids outgrew an outside play gym, so that too is enriching someone else’s life. I was excited to use that $40 towards some new wood for reinforcing our kids’ bigger play set.
By valuing someone else’s treasure, I have saved money and gone green by saving the environment. For example, by buying used furniture or something that’s already been purchased, it saves a tree and avoids various manufacturing processes known to pollute the environment. But, there’s so much more than just furniture for sale. You can also search for bikes, boats, cars, rvs, and trucks. If you’re a parent trying to save a few bucks, there’s plenty of good stuff in the “baby and kids” section. Likewise, you can search for collectibles, electronics, and even event tickets. If that’s not enough, then take a peek at the “books” section to find a few great reads for spring break.
What I have enjoyed about using Craigslist.org besides getting totally cool stuff for a great deal is getting to interact with really nice people. Though I can’t guarantee you the same success I’ve had, I highly recommend you check it out for yourself. Use caution of course, just as you would in any buying or selling situation. Go green and save some green. You’ll feel better and you’ll help someone else out too. Craigslist.org is a great place for you if you want to save money or even if you want to earn a little green on the side. Sell something or buy something, or do both. It’s up to you!
The “community” category offers several resources ranging from local activities, childcare options, and ride-share; it even has a lost and found category. “Services” include offerings from beauty, financial, legal, and automotive to a variety of people offering specific lessons. Haven’t you been dying to learn Spanish or French? If it’s not currently offered in a posting, you can list it under “wanted” under the “for sale” category. Maybe you’re ready to list your services as a math or science tutor. Perhaps, you’re an accomplished violinist with some extra time for offering lessons?
My favorite category is the “for sale” category. Within this category, I have especially enjoyed perusing the “free” section, which frequently offers free firewood or free moving boxes. I’ve even seen free fruit trees before. What I enjoy even more than the “free” section is the “furniture” section. I just love to decorate and have recently doubled my square footage. As an alternative to buying new, I’ve filled my home with stylish and reasonably priced furniture by shopping on Craigslist.org. I love that I can search for items with included images and that I can limit the search to just the city of Riverside if I want to by typing in “Riverside” in the “search for” box. If I’m willing to travel a little bit, I can include the whole Inland Empire and search multiple cities at the same time. Some people are even willing to deliver the item locally for free or will deliver for a small fee. I’ve even seen delivery services listed within the furniture section.
Within the past few months, I have purchased a light-colored Ikea coffee table for $25 that goes perfectly with my white sectional couch. Likewise, I have purchased an oak coffee table with two side tables, all for just $20, plus $5 for local delivery. Recently, I searched and found a pub table with four bar stools that I fell in love with. I wasn’t willing to pay the $120 asked for, so I emailed the guy and we worked out quite a deal: $40 cash plus a terrific rocking chair that I owned, which was perfect for his baby on the way. You can frequently barter on Craigslist, which makes saving green even easier. I’ve sold a few things too and it’s pretty easy posting pictures and interacting with local buyers. I wasn’t using my cappuccino maker and someone else is now enjoying it. It was as easy as 1,2,3, and I’m $25 the richer for it. Likewise, my kids outgrew an outside play gym, so that too is enriching someone else’s life. I was excited to use that $40 towards some new wood for reinforcing our kids’ bigger play set.
By valuing someone else’s treasure, I have saved money and gone green by saving the environment. For example, by buying used furniture or something that’s already been purchased, it saves a tree and avoids various manufacturing processes known to pollute the environment. But, there’s so much more than just furniture for sale. You can also search for bikes, boats, cars, rvs, and trucks. If you’re a parent trying to save a few bucks, there’s plenty of good stuff in the “baby and kids” section. Likewise, you can search for collectibles, electronics, and even event tickets. If that’s not enough, then take a peek at the “books” section to find a few great reads for spring break.
What I have enjoyed about using Craigslist.org besides getting totally cool stuff for a great deal is getting to interact with really nice people. Though I can’t guarantee you the same success I’ve had, I highly recommend you check it out for yourself. Use caution of course, just as you would in any buying or selling situation. Go green and save some green. You’ll feel better and you’ll help someone else out too. Craigslist.org is a great place for you if you want to save money or even if you want to earn a little green on the side. Sell something or buy something, or do both. It’s up to you!
Labels: saving money
