Here Goes Nothing: A Year Without Clothes

Not exactly "without clothes". I just thought it sounded better.

I have decided to go ONE whole year without buying any new clothes. The Rules:

1) I am starting a new school, so I can buy school attire (t-shirts, polos) etc. I cannot go overboard because I get buy happy. Maybe 1 general shirt and then depending on if I coach/ sponsor anything, I will buy what is needed.

2) If I lose weight, I can buy clothes I need to replace what no longer fits. I will try to buy used first.

3) If I desperately am in need of something (and even my uber cheap  husband thinks so) I may buy it. Unfortunately I don't think this will happen. Chris informed me that "need" means I have no more shoes, jeans, shirts, etc. Considering I have multiple of each, I think I'm set.

4) We run our first marathon in October. This is a big deal. If the shirt we get is ugly, and they have other options for sale, I may buy something.

5) If we move somewhere with a totally different climate, I can buy what I need.

6) I can buy used clothing- but only if I need it. Not the desperate "Chris has to approve" need, but not buying things because I can.

7) Gloves/ Hats for winter don't count. Why? because I need (and yes, need is a great word to use here) new gloves. Mine have holes.

8) I think that's it for rules/ exceptions. Oh! If I get a gift card as a gift I can buy new.

Reasons to do this:

• I have too many clothing items. I really do. Some would say I don't have that much, and compared to many, I probably don't, but I still don't need all I have.
• I want to push myself. I like a good challenge.
• I really like a good challenge when people don't think I can do it. :)
• I am wasting money buy buying things that I don't need.
• It's kind of dumb to buy new when there are so many old pieces floating around.

The Help

I bought this book a while back, but it kept getting pushed to the bottom of the pile. A few people borrowed it and read it before I had time. But finally, I was able to finish it.

It was fabulous. I loved the dialect, the organization, and the depiction of the historical setting. Stockett did a great job! The plot kept me intrigued and the pages a flippin'. I loved the characters that narrated the story and the different point of views the story was told through. The relationship between the characters was impressive too. Stockett illustrated the tension filled friendship between the narrators in a way that made the reader understand the tension of the time and the struggles even those who looked past color had to face. And of course, what the story was trying to show, I was mesmerized by the relationship between whites and their help. It showed me just how horrible things were at that time. I had never heard it described that way.

What I didn't love was the ending. And for that, you will have to read it yourself. You should do that soon too; so, you can see the movie. :)

My favorite quote from the book: "Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought."

And one more: "All I'm saying is, kindness don't have no boundaries."

June Books

I actually listened to this book on tape while I ran (which is my new favorite thing). 

Overall, I really enjoyed it. Its overall message is that everything we do has an affect on someone- good or bad.  Ultimately, how we treat others can profoundly influence his life. It reminded me a little of "Hate List"- the meaning, not the plot. Great book. I recommend it. Not my favorite.

Here's a short synopsis of the novel: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1217100.Thirteen_Reasons_Why

BTW- this book is going to be a movie at some point. I believe it is going to star Selena Gomez as the lead.

My first running book. And one of the few non fiction books I have read (I am forcing my students to read one as their summer reading so I figured I should too).

I love it! It's funny, well written, and extremely intriguing- even if you don't run. It made me rethink all the running clothes, shoes, socks, etc that I spend too much money on. Maybe the barefoot running thing works? But I am too much of a whiner to figure it out. :)

Here is the link to a review (other people do a much better job than me): http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/19/AR2009061901078.html

Stuff

Chris and I are enjoying our last night of a week long vacation in Boston. Of course, I am feeling social media deprived, so I am catching up.

We have absolutely LOVED Boston and I can't wait to share photos; however, there's one thing I have noticed that I don't like. It's not something that only happens in Boston. I have noticed it before. I think I just needed a "big city" to really see it. I am tired of the obsession with "stuff". More importantly, I am tired of my obsession.

Our country is not doing too well when it comes to our financial situation. The nationalal debt increases all the time. The average family has $8,000 of credit card debt, according to DaveRamsey.com. This of course doesn't include student loans, mortgage, car loans, etc. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in June of this year was 9.2%.  And yet, our malls are packed. People shop ALL THE TIME. Designer jeans and purses seem to be a "must have" by consumers. It's no problem to drop $100 on a pair of shoes.

And, why? because they're "comfortable" and "fit better than others". Or my most used, "They'll last forever."

Lies. I know this because I use them. The fit thing- I get. I agree. But no- they won't last forever (usually). Why? Because you will get tired of them, or spill something, or gain/ loose weight. Most of my clothes don't last too long at my house- even if they were made well. So why do I feel the need to buy new things often?

For me: I love to shop. I like to have new things. I like the feeling of wearing a new outfit for the first time. I love to shop. Clothes make me feel good about myself- a little confidence boost.

So again- why? I don't need most of the things I buy (truly need, not just need- you know the difference).  I have plenty of clothes. I am confident-ish. I have plenty of things to wear. In fact, I need to get rid of tons of stuff.

Let me be clear- I don't spend tons of money on clothes. The most I have paid for a pair of jeans was 40 bucks. I go to the sale rack at stores. I buy second hand. My purses come from Kohls (1/2 off). I do spend money on shoes- but they're practical. Not just cute. I am cheap.

But still, I don't need this stuff. It's just adding to my collection of stuff. But I love stuff. But I don't need it. I really don't. Stuff complicates life.

So, in conclusion to my rant, I have an idea. And it's only an idea right now. Not my original because apparently people around the country are doing it. In fact look here: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/527947/the_compact_movement_asks_can_you_go.html
There's lots of other information too. Much of which I have not read, because I don't plan to do everything they do. But I am considering not buying clothes/ shoes new- and really only used when I actually do need something. And this need will be decided with the help of my Idon'tliketobuyanything husband.

I haven't decided yet, but I am seriously considering it. Any takers?

Marathon Training: Week 8

We did 14 miles! Yay! And it actually wasn't bad-at-all. partly because I decided to listen to a book rather than music and it totally made me lose track of time. We were also lucky enough to enjoy a downtown run in Chicago.

This week brings on another "longest run yet" for Chris and I. Fifteen miles!

Monday- Rest
Tuesday- 4 Miles
Wednesday- 7 Miles
Thursday- Rest
Friday- 4 Miles
Saturday- Walk
Sunday- 15 Miles :)

A Few Classics

I received a stack of about 10 books that I would be teaching this school year, so I have been slowly, and I mean slowly, working my way through them.

The first one is the ever popular "To Kill a Mockingbird"

 

I read part of this book in college but never got interested, so I didn't finish it. I used Spark Notes for the test.... judge if you wish. I'm not ashamed.

I enjoyed it much more the second time around and can't wait to teach it! So many great quotes to be discussed. A couple of my favorite are:

"They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself.  The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.  It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.  You rarely win, but sometimes you do."

The second book is "Of Mice and Men"



I am not a huge fan. Definitely will be great for teaching imagery, so that's what will be done. And maybe a good Euthanasia debate to spice things up?

New Years Resolution Update

For those of you who missed it, here are my new years resolutions: Bring it on, 2011

1. Making my own bread- check. I make 2 loaves of wheat bread every two weeks. I have finally found the "perfect" recipe which has become our staple. I also make our pizza crust, which is SO much cheaper than buying pizza. I am also able to keep some frozen, so when we are ready to eat it we pull it out, put our toppings on, and bake it! Super easy! Resolution #1 is so far an excuse!

2. Run 2 half marathons and a 10k before Christmas- checkish. I am running 3 half marathons and a full marathon. Not the exact goal, but definitely more of an accomplishment than the previous. Hopefully it all goes smoothly!

3. Menu's for the week- checkish. I did this during the school year, but not the summer. So far so good!

4. Go a year without cable- check.

5. Read the Bible more- uh-oh. This is not going well. It was, but then softball season hit and it went downhill from there. Hopefully I can get back on track.

6. Go through all the recipes on the frugalgirl- I give up. There's only two of us to eat lots of baked goods, and I don't want to get fat. It's for health reasons that I say no more of this goal.

I am definitely happy with the goals so far. Hopefully I can keep it up. :)

Marathon Training: Week 7

A little late. Whoops.

Last week went great! It was hot and humid which I have decided I do not enjoy. It's amazing how much the heat takes out of you while running. But overall the runs were very good.

This weeks schedule is a little different, but at least this time around I am being more flexible- so that's good.

Monday- 4
Tuesday-7
Wednesday- biking (apparently 25 miles....)
Thursday- rest
Friday- 14 (AHHHHH! This will be my longest distance. I feel like I should get a medal and T-Shirt after I finish)
Saturday- I may do 4. We shall see.
Sunday- either rest or do 4

We are definitely getting up there in miles now. I'm actually quite nervous about 14 but I know I can do it! Bring it on!

Things My Husband Learns

I may keep this as a regular. Maybe not. We'll see.

The hubbs has been working a lot lately. He comes home for dinner and leaves right after to head back to the lab. His thesis is due next week and I don't think I have seen him so stressed before.

He told me he would be home about 5 and I said I would try to have dinner close to being done so he could eat quickly and head back to school. He walks in about 4:45 and immediately says, "Why isn't dinner done?"

Ah-hem. This was not a good moment. Needless to say, I don't think he will ask that question again.

(BTW, he swears he was joking.)

The Marathon Kicks

Aren't they gorgeous? -- in a "I have to run 26 miles in these shoes" gorgeous? Yep- we're getting pretty close. There's nothing like the bond between a runner and her shoes. Sad thing is, this is my third pair of the same shoe. I guess I am not a fan of change. :)