Taking care of ME.

That is an unbelievably foreign concept for most Mommas...well, most women in general I think. You hear people like Dr Phil saying all the time how you can't take care of anyone else; husband, kids, etc., if you don't take care of yourself first. Raise your hand if you actually listen to that and DO it......did you raise your hand??? I DID! It has taken me a long time but I'm finally starting to realize I'M IMPORTANT too! I have to schedule my ME time everyday or it doesn't happen and I get lost in the shuffle of the day. Joelle started Summer School Kindergarten last week and somehow I feel like my life hasn't been the same since! lol My days have become way more organized with having to be at the bus stop twice a day. It has also given me the opportunity to walk every school day so far minus 2 days. I have to put the little 2 in the stroller to walk to the bus so I figured I might as well just go for a walk after the bus picks up Joelle in the morning. It's nice to start the day with my ME time. My days go so much smoother when I do.  I've walked a few mornings with my neighbor Jenni but it's mostly been just me, the girls in the stroller and my iPod. Over the weekend I bought the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit. I'm in LOVE! This morning I walked/ran 4 MILES!!! It really helped motivate and push me to go farther/longer than I have before. The little voice tells you how far you've gone and how much you have left. It tracks distance, time, gives you your "best mile" at the end and has a ton of different workout options. I can't wait for tomorrow's workout!! But now that I've had my ME time, I need to go take care of the fussy, teething baby and fix my salad for lunch! =)

Sharing my thoughts on life in general.

I had a blog a few years ago but let it fall to the wayside. I've recently become a regular reader of a few really great blogs and was inspired to start blogging again myself. So here are my thoughts...for whatever it's worth! ;)

My husband has so lovingly nicknamed me the "Eco Police". I'm fairly environmentaly conscious; recycle everything I can, use cloth diapers, make my own laundry detergent, use a clothesline and have a garden. 6 weeks ago I made a significant lifestyle change and became Vegan. Through all of these things I have found countless tips and ideas that I would love to share with others. I fully understand that not everyone has the same views or opinions that I have and I respect that 100%. I'm not the type of person to push my view on others. I would however like to help others in any way I can by sharing what I do know. I think that's why I like the idea of a blog so much. I can type whatever thoughts or tips I have here and if you want to read it you can. If not, no big deal. I certainly won't be offended if you chose not to read my ramblings! =)
I chose the title of this blog from a Rascal Flatts song, Mayberry. I find myself wishing for a simpler way of life sometimes, especially when I hear this song. Technology is nice (without it I wouldn't be writing this) but there are days that it causes me so many problems and I'd rather do without! I feel as though our lives are spinning too fast sometimes and we have a tendancy to lose sight of the things we should be focusing on. Yes, there are lots of times that the way I do things causes more work for me but it's the feeling I have in the end that matters most. It's that sense of pride and accomplishment when I look at something I've made. I want my girls to have memories of me cooking and baking from scratch, sewing and making things for them and others. I don't want to be like everyone else and just buy "it" at the store all the time. Where's the fun in being just like everyone else??
So, throughout this blog there's going to be a little of this and a little of that depending on the day and my mood. ;) I won't at any point try to pretend that I know it all about anything. I'm still learning every day. Ultimately, I hope how I live my life as a wife and stay-at-home-mom can somehow be an inspiration to someone else.