To Sell or Not

Okay, I've been back and forth about selling a bike for quite some time now.  It started when I bought my tri bike over a year ago.  I said I'd sell one (Joe's idea), if I bought the new one.  I put it off for a while, lending it to my brother-in-law for last summer's Minneapolis Duathlon.  So, he borrowed it, but didn't ride it.  I have it back, now, and I'm still faced with the potential sale.  Joe says we should sell it.  Of course, he has a bike in the basement with ZERO  miles on it!  Those on my side say you can never have "too many" bikes - I only have three!

So, with that said, if you know of anyone looking for a 54 cm '05 Trek 2100, just let me know.  It's a sweet bike, but really it may be slightly large for me.  It has some miles on it, but not a huge amount, and is in pretty good shape.

By the way, here's a photo of Joe's bike, in case anyone is interested in that one!

Happy New Year...Almost

And here I sit at the end of another year.  What a year this has been.  I had a load of new experiences this year - some good and some not so.  I'm sure most people can say the same about the year-gone-by.  It's not necessary for me to list my personal experiences, but maybe it's important for me to reflect and grow from them.  It's what we do with those successes and failures, good experiences and losses that makes us who we are.

I am not one who has traditionally set new goals for the new year.  When I was young, I tried it a few times, but just didn't make it work.  So, I avoided the hyped-up new year's resolution junket.  But now, as I "continue to mature," I see more use for having frequent goal-setting activities.  And if I can use the renewal of the calendar to my advantage, then that could be a good thing.

So, with that in mind, my resolutions for 2011 are to grow a well-planned garden, play more music, continue teaching (Sunday School and substitute work in the local public schools), continue work with local Girl Scout troops, get back to running (2 months is a bit more than "recovery" from my last half-marathon!), spend more time in the pottery studio (at least until major gardening season returns), play bridge, and renew my focus on prayer and meditation. 

That list seems strangely long.  When I first thought of itemizing the list, I thought it would be just three or four things.  And there are a few more things that I do, besides those eight things.  It's a funny thing, though, I really don't like being busy.  But I do like being productive.  Many of the activities are "productive," but some of them are just for fun.

And something I didn't mention there, is to continue my blogging - both this one and the Spring Valley Gardener.  I need to set a schedule so my entries are not so sporadic!

Well, for what it's worth - Happy New Year!!

No Words Are Really Necessary...

Christmas Music?

I normally roll my eyes when I see the Christmas displays pop up in various stores seemingly earlier each year.  Not that I am much of a shopper, but it is annoying when I see them.  I just don't seem to like to get into "the spirit" until closer to the actual holiday.  But here I am, sitting in my dining room and listening to Christmas music.  And it's not any Christmas music - it's John Denver's "Christmas Like A Lullaby" and "Rocky Mountain Christmas."  Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

Have a great day!

Walmart

For the past several years, there has been a growing concern with products made outside of the U.S. and the dangers they may bring, such as paint with lead.  As retail shoppers, we are are sometime left with picking the "less-worse" option for some goods.  And with our family's increased need to tighten our collective belt, we have struggled with finding the best quality for the lowest price.  My attempts to continue being a Target customer over the past several years have lead to frustration as that store seems to have decreased the selection available.  And to shop at Walmart is a daring act of survival just to get in, shop and exit the store with sanity in tact.

Today, lucky for me, my husband did some shopping.  His stops were at Walmart and Sam's.  Since I do a bit of baking and purchase flour and sugar in quantity from Sam's, I use canisters at home for easy access to these ingredients.  About a month or so ago, I dropped by plastic sugar canister and cracked the bottom of it.  Today at Walmart, Joe purchased a similar canister in a set as replacement.  I briefly looked at the minimal label, searching for verification of it's Chinese origins when I found, "Made in U.S.A." 

As I thought about that label, I realized that that label is very rare in our low-cost items.  I don't know if this is a result of some change or just some thing that has outlasted other retail goods, but it almost seems like a beacon of hope.  I'm optimistic that this is of a certain quality level and glad to know that we can be a little more "local" in our retail needs.

Today

Wow!  What a whirlwind the past three weeks have been.  Since BOTH girls have started back at school, I am busier than I've ever been!  I've had some for-pay work with Runways and started preparing for two other flexible jobs. 

My work with Runways Transportation has been sporadic this year - about 10 percent of what it was last year.  So, it was good to have at least a little work this month - both to get me back to "work" and put a few pennies in the bank account.  It's really rather strange to think about working in a structured environment again.  In my previous life, I was a "professional" and thought I like the work.  Well, maybe I did, but now I've grown accustomed to not working like that.  So, some work from home is good - not quite as intense, but still within the transportation industry.

My other work now is that I started an Arbonne business last Spring.  I became involved due to the quality of the products and look forward to sharing more about that soon.

And my third "in the works" job is that I am applying for my Minnesota short-term substitute teacher's license.  I really didn't ever think that I'd have any desire to be a teacher and maybe I really don't want the full-time structure.  But I think I could be happy doing that sometimes for fun and for a few of those previously-mentioned pennies.  But that's in the works and I still have to receive my transcripts from ISU and have a background check performed.  I was fingerprinted today and have collected all the other documentation needed.  So, we'll see what happens with all that.

And since I am fairly busy, I now need to get moving to accomplish just one more thing on my list for today - call about my failed battery on my laptop!

Anticipating the First Day of School

Tomorrow will be the first day of school for the girls - BOTH girls - meaning that for the first time, I will be alone in the house for the day!  I really am unsure of what tomorrow will bring for me.  But I think the girls are ready to go.  It's been a somewhat-rough summer, as they have had some pretty intense times of not getting along.  And they've had good times, too.  I think the time apart will be good for them.

But I am a little unsure of what I will do.  I have a tendency to fill my time.  But I also feel like I could nap tomorrow - all day.  I could get a lot done, or NOTHING.  And I really will miss them.  I guess I'll have to post tomorrow!