Simplicity

This year Jen and I have taken vows, not marriage vows, ( I wish ) vows of another kind. we decided as a whole that we need to do away with a lot of what we think we need, or what we think makes us happy.

We started off the New Year kind of like the spring, we cleaned house. Since the attic became a 4th room we have started to store a lot of “things” we do not need in the office and the office closet. So we cleaned out the closet in the office and now what is left are our winter, fall, and spring jackest. Thats it. We also went through our closets and donated alot of clothes. We went through the entire house with the same intention —SIMPLIFY!!! . So much of what we have are impulse buys, things we really don’t need, or things in that moment we thought we had to have to make us happy. Well we just don’t want to live like that anymore. So this year we vowed to stop that kind of “need to have it” behavior. We are over that. We are very happy with what we have.

Another way we think works for us to simplify is to get rid of debt While we know we will always have some form of debt, we wanted to do away with most of it. I started the process about two years ago, to date everything is paid in full, except for one store card and our mortgage. We are saving and don’t feel as unhappy in our jobs because we know we can walk away, if and when we want to, and we would be okay for awhile. When the need to work is so great, then the things that annoy you about your job are magnafied because you feel your stuck. I know Jen felt like that before and for the first part of our relationship. Now I work part time, and we manage just fine. we are happy because we are making all of this work.

Some other things we started doing is accepting ourselves and appreciationg our health. For a long time I always thought losing weight would make me happy. Well I lost weight, but the happiness came much later. We realized for us its not about being skinny for us its about being healthy. While I may never be the perfect size others think is the best. Jen and I are both healthy, we eat well, and we make the time to take care of ourselves.

So far the year is off to a great start, and we really feel as a family and as a couple we are off on the right track. We hope to continue on this path to what will soon be for us “simple living” .

“ME” on my to do list

So Last night I was watching Oprah. I love her show. Always have and always will. Her shows the last two days have been about taking care of yourself, which we all want to do buut it’s really hard sometimes.

I had actually already decided in November that Jen and i had to stop taking our health for granted. We have a nice home, great families, good friends and beautiful pets what good is all that if you don’t have your health. YOU NEED YOUR HEALTH !!!

So in November I had a physical, along with bloodwork, an eye exam, and I also went to see my heart specialist. Despite me delaying it all until almost the end of the year, I did get everything taken care care. Jen waited even longer and went in December right before Christmas. everything with the both of us is fine.

I had a few scares this past year, one heart flutters, and two severe head and neck pain that sent me to the ER. My heart flutters are caused by my heart valve that struggles to evenly pump my blood, and the other scare still is a mystery. What I do know is after having some time off from work, and taking muscle relaxers for two weeks I was back in working order.

All in all I feel Jen and I are doing what we need to do to be happy and healthy for a long time to come. One thing we started to do is exercising together. Three days a week we do an hour of cardio, and one day a week 30 mins of weights. We enjoy going to the local college. Our membership was cheap, and the hours are great, open 8am to midnight. I like the bikes, and racket ball, Jen likes to walk, and racket ball. And while we tend to take a more holistic approach to our health ( vitamins, supplements, and otehr natural remedies) We know the key to overall good health is to keep moving and so we just move.

We all need to put ourselves in our to do list. As for me it is a must.

Peace and good health to all who enter here.

Happy New Year, a toast to now, and the future. 2008 wrap up

As another year comes to an end I have much to reflect on and much to look forward to.

Jenn and I will be together for sixyears this May and while it was not an easy start for either of us, right now I feel our relationship is where it needs to be, and we are happy.

We also are in our second year of having Lucy in our life. The love that little beagle mix has given me will never be repaid with any treat or belly rub. She is a wonderful member of our family and all of us love her very much. I am a better person because of this little dog.

We did a couple f things to the house, and it looks great. Over the last year our house really has become a home and we couldn’t be more happy and more proud as to what we have been able to do.

Jenn and I were also able to get away this past year. Once as a family and once just the two of us. Our trip to Maine was truly a dream come true. Both of us have wanted to go for a long time and this year we were able to go. We also rented a cabin in Canandagua. It was relaxing, and also felt nice to disconnect from our lives for a bit and just focus on “us” . It was fun and we hope to go back this year.

We are only eatting meat twice a week and the rest of the week has allowed me to explore my culinary skills. Lentil soups, black bean burgers, tofu stir fry, and veggie chili have become some of our favorites. We will continue to eat this way, and eat as much organic as possible. Over the coures of the year Jen and I went down in weight . We are not sure how much because the number on the scale is just that a number.

So in reflecting on this last year I have to say Jenn and I feel blessed to have the families we have and great friends in our lives too. When you reach a point in your life where you are truly happy, then you don’t ( I think) need to write resolutions for the new year. Whatever the year brings will be okay, good or bad.

With all the struggles and hardships that people are facing in the world right now Jenn and I are very fortunate to have our jobs, our beautiful home, our health, and our happiness that we share with family and friends.

May the year 2009 bring all of you the very best.

Peace and love to all who enter here. And Happy New year