SGF

I have a really great Blogroll....I am very picky about the blogs that I keep on that list and I really hope that y'all take some time to browse through them...because let me tell you...there are resources aplenty within them!

In keeping with my New Year goals...and working towards being more SGF (Simple, Green, and Frugal) ...I just had to share this post with you...it really inspired me:

How I Cut My Grocery Bill by 75%

I used to be very proud of what I spent on the weekly shopping, as if it was a mark of my commitment to my health. In fact, I remember not so long ago telling a friend I couldn't cut my grocery bill because I buy all organic and free range and I was committed to making healthy choices. Then suddenly, I found I could in fact still continue my same health and ethical commitments and yet save money. I started small, trying to shave £5 off my bill each week, but within a month I'd slashed my grocery bill by 75% - from £60 a week to around £15. Here's my top tips for how I accomplished it:....Read the rest HERE

I really love that she ended the post with these words: ....I used to think this meant I had to spend a lot of money, now I know it just means I have to make good choices, be creative, start enjoying baking and cooking and wake up a part of me I never knew existed!

Jake and Lola 2008

MMMMMMMMMM2008 was a big year for Jake and Lola....

MMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM


MMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMMMMMM

Ch ch ch changes.....

It's New Years Eve!

My New Year begins on my birthday (Jan. 13) so I don't make resolutions until then...but I am thrilled to be going into 2009! Every year I learn huge lessons and I think this year will be even more dynamic than the previous! This year my focus is going to be on balance.

I do not ever rest my brain...I'm always thinking of what I need to do, where I need to go, what I should have done instead of...you know the type! ..And the worrying...oh my...don't even get me started on the ridiculous levels that I take worrying to... This goes on all day and doesn't shut off at night...Sound sleep is a fairy tale for me...something that could happen if the stars aligned just so...but rarely does.

All of this comes at a very high price...my natural personality is masked by fatigue and ends up looking bitchy...oh yeah....if you didn't realize it I'm not actually a bitch..nope..just real tired ;)
It affects my motivation and therefore my health because I'm so exhausted that I don't want to get off my butt. Oh and gosh...there are a myriad of other ways in which my type A personality bites me in the ass.

2009 will be the year that I learn to control it! It will be the year that I learn to balance myself. I have a plan...that I won't bore you with...and I'm excited to see where it takes me!

Hugs, Laurie

Mt. Magazine

.................................

I had the privilege of spending this last Saturday on Mt. Magazine which is located just outside of Paris Arkansas.

Mount Magazine is Arkansas's highest mountain (2,753-feet), rising dramatically above the broad valleys of the Petit Jean River to the south and the Arkansas River to its north. Graced with timeless natural beauty, this plateau-a remnant of an ancient sea floor-runs east-west stretching six miles long and up to a mile across. Rugged, isolated, and rich in natural resources including rare and endangered species, Mount Magazine has long lured explorers, adventurers, scientists, and naturalists.

.........................................................................as described on http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/

......................................

......................................

.....................................................

............,............................

Aaaaaaaaaaauuuuuuuuuggggggggghhhhhhhhhh!

Speak Out!

.............................

Please speak out against discrimination and hate!
....................There is a rally near you:

...........http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/

Knitting Loom

I am getting so hooked on knitting...pardon the pun...LOL

I've been knitting for a while now...and I so was not going to try the knitting loom...I guess I kind of thought that it was cheating....Well call me a big cheater then.....

I LOVE IT! It's fun...it's quick and easy! It's not a substitution for knitting...it's like it's own thing....Here are a couple things that I made with it this weekend:

I'm making hats to donate to the Knitting For Noggins at AR Children's Hospital --This is my first one:

................................

http://www.archildrens.org/volunteer/Knitting_for_Noggins.asp

I wanted to try making a market bag with the loom....and I had this skein of yarn that I just hated....So I thought I'd practice with that....Voila!

...................................

....................The bottom is woven basket style.....
.....................

.....It can hold a lot more than this but here it is partially full:

...................................