I Want to Ride My Bicycle

My first purchase of the new year was an old Huffy beach cruiser, complete with a basket on the front, for $65 off of Craig's list.

I had read on one of my favorite blogs, Zen Habits, that one of the reasons that as a whole, the Japanese are healthier than Americans is because they walk or ride a bike everywhere. While I am not going to ride my bike everywhere, I thought, What is close enough to me that I could ride a bike to? And what came to mind is the grocery store and gas station around the corner, which is located on a strip mall that has all sorts of other stores also. We are constantly making those trips around the corner for the ingredient we forgot or what we are "all out of," or renting a movie from the DVD kiosk at the gas station for $1.49 (this is one of our favorite habits).

What if instead of doing those quick trips around the corner in my car, I rode a bike?

I could save on gas and emissions, be green, and put some more activity in my life. Sounds good. And so I searched for a low-cost bike, so that if this plan turns out like most New Year's resolutions, at least I'm not out too much cash.


I also picked up a pink bike helmet for about $15 and a matching pink bike lock for about $13. All in all, a $93 investment. My goal was to spend less than $100 on the whole ordeal.

And yes, I did take my bike for it's maiden voyage to the grocery store, on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and I learned a few things:

1. People think it's cute when a child rides their bike to the grocery store, and a little weird when an adult does.


2. People don't want to make eye contact with a grown woman riding a bike with a basket wearing a pink bike helmet.


3. The only adult that made eye contact with me and smiled was an old hippie, wearing a poncho, who was also riding his bike.


4. Cars definitely saw me and gave me the right away--I also attribute that to the pink bike helmet.


5. It takes me about the same time to ride my bike to the grocery store as it takes to drive (because of traffic lights and parking).


6. It takes about 2 blocks before my thighs start burning.


7. Helmet hair is not as bad as I thought.

I have to say that I also enjoyed hearing the sounds of the outdoor world instead of my radio yelling commercials at me. My cell phone rang, but I couldn't answer it because I am not talented enough to talk and ride at the same time, and I enjoyed the time to myself not on the phone. I also got to reward myself with an extra cookie without any guilt.

My conclusion is that it was totally worth it and I will do it again!

The Quick Fix

We all have our ways to deal with stress. I really love a good massage, a pedicure, the scalp massage that comes with a good haircut, a movie with a happy ending. But most of those cost a pretty penny, and the daisy life is about living simply and low cost.


My husband and I took a recent trip with his parents to La Jolla, and during this relaxing week, I realized the quick fix to built up stress: A good hug (and maybe a kiss, but let's focus on the hugging part since kisses can be hard to come by, and it is the cold and flu season after all).

Yes, the beach and ocean are great, but I live in the desert of Tucson, AZ (though we do live right off the banks of the lovely Rillito, which should be Spanish for "really big sand ditch"), but really makes all those muscles in my neck release is a great big hug, a bear hug, a tight squeeze.

Here are some fun tidbits that I found online about hugging by googling "facts about hugs":

• Hugging assists the immune system



• Hugging helps induce sleep



• A snuggle is a longish hug



• Hugs are free



• Humans need 4 hugs/day to survive and 8 hugs/day to maintain a strong emotional level
  

Instead of spending extra money on a shopping trip or a gourme coffee drink to feel beter..I think I'll go hug someone!

Hugging "facts" found at: www.poofcat.com/friend9.html, www.superlaugh.com/1/hugfacts.htm, www.pennyparker2.com/facts.html

Daisy Resolution update:

1. Weekly blog entry: I completed a post--so it's not the most creative or clever, but it is posted.
2. Money spent on clothes so far: $0
3. Store less stuff: I have created a "garage sale" closet that will hopefully be empty by the end of January
4. Book: Still working on the Eisenhower biography
5. Balance my credit card: $0

A Daisy Resolution

It's true, time slips through all of our fingers, and looks like mine have giant gaps. However, it is once again that idyllic time when dreams of what can be accomplished in the next year, and as I sit in my pajamas on New Year's Eve at 10pm (Yes, I'm super-cool), I have a moment to think about what New Year's resolution to make.


I heard once that if you write down goals, you are more likely to accomplish them. So, let's give it a whirl, after all, the most it could cost me is personal shame and public embarrassment as I publicly announce (to all four of you who follow this blog) what I hope to accomplish next year.

1. Do a WEEKLY blog entry
2. Spend less than $500 total on clothes and shoes for the year--It would be a miracle if I spent less than $1,000 over the year, but I'm going to aim high (or low as it may be) and we will see where I end.
3. Store less stuff--This actually means "have" less stuff. Okay, so goals are supposed to be measurable and whatnot, but there is only a couple hours until midnight and all I know is that I don't want to complain about not having enough room for all my "stuff."
4. Read a book once/month--Cheater alert: I started this goal this fall, but it's good enough to carry on into 2010. My current read is Ike: An American Hero, a 700-page monstrosity of a biography on the late Dwight D. Eisenhower. Did I mention that I'm super-cool?
5. Stay out of debt--In 2009, we paid off my student loan, my car, and my credit card. Let's keep the good times rolling. I wonder if I can go through 2010 without accumulating another dollar on my credit card. Well, at least if I can do #2, I have a stronger chance to accomplish #5.
   

Maybe, I'll make this entry a homepage as a daily reminder of what my goals are, which in the end should either motivate me or cause me to implode into myself and become a puddle of failure. Either way, I won't be in the same place I am today!

Hello 2010!

Organizing the Glove Box

I feel like opening the glove box is done at my own risk as receipts, napkins, travel mugs, and who-knows-what-else comes billowing out. I stuff my glove box with whatever, and then of course, when it becomes important for me to find those important pieces of paper: registration and proof of insurance, I am buried in years worth of oil change receipts.

Then I came across an idea in Real Simple magazine. Take of those accordion files made for receipts or coupons and use it to organize the glove box. I found a small, plastic accordion file at Target for about $4. It even has a little zip lock compartment in the front! So, here is how I cleaned out the glove box:

1. Pull everything out of the glove box.



2. The first thing to go back into the glove box is the owner's manual to the vehicle.



3. In the VERY FRONT of the accordion file, place your current proof of insurance and registration.



4. Then, in the different sections, put the receipts of any car work done



5. Throw away any trash, and file any car work over one year old in your home with other home records--but get them out of the glove box.



6. Stick $2 change in quarters in the zip lock pouch for those unexpected tolls and parking meters.



7. Decide on the other 3 or 4 important items you want in your glove box. I have a tire pressure gage, napkins, phone charger, and an emergency poncho (because my parents gave it to me. Yes, I live in the desert and have no need for an emergency poncho, but I feel like as soon as I toss it, I'll find myself in a situation where I'll inevitably need it)

Thoughts on John the Baptist

Mark 1:6-8 (New International Version)
"And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: 'After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.'"

I was reading through Mark and came across these verses and they made me think about how John the Baptist was freed up from everyday burdens that tend to entangle us.

1. His clothing is simple--Not that we all need to reduce our closets to one outfit, but I have mentioned before that I can waste 20-30 minutes each day trying to figure out what to wear. John kept is simple. He wasn't concerned if people had seen his outfit before or sit staring at his closet wondering what would impress others.


2. His meals are simple--Sometimes we eat what we want, not what we have, or what we can afford. Yes, we live in American where we can eat anything we want at any time we want, but really, feeding our impulses can cost us at least $400 a month in eating out, instead of settling for the PB & J or spaghetti that is in my cupboard. Plus, at least its better than bugs.


3. His lifestyle is simple--No car payment, no house payment, no credit cards. He lives with what is within his means. Revolutionary.


4. His message is simple--Jesus is coming. John isn't busy explaining all the intricacies of doctrine and theology. His faith revolves around the promises of God, and his focus is just a Savior.
   

Of course, as my friend Sam would point out, John the Baptist did end up beheaded, but I think I can learn lessons from how he lived his life.