New Year

Well, it's been about a year since I stated some goals. I looked back today. I liked some of them and realized some of them weren't things that I wanted to do.

Anyways, that's fun.

I set some really practical goals for this year. More than that, though, I think maybe not setting goals and just changing things is possible. Maybe not. I don't know.

Starting of the decluttering! I have already looked
through all the clothes. 

Here's my goals -->
1. Be only five minutes late to things (I live late. Really late. Usually 30 or more minutes late...I hope to change that).
2. Declutter all the things. I was thinking of a goal to get rid of a certain number, but I think that's silly.
3. Only buy what I need. This was a goal last year. I think I just broke this goal. Oops.
4. Stick to my budget. I started using the envelope system (I'll probably do a post on this - it's helped a lot. And I feel super cool with all my envelopes).

Those are my goals. I don't like the idea of putting myself in a box of goals, so I'll just try to be on time and do the best I can with what I've been given. After all, the Lord asks me to be a good steward.

Peace.

Teaching Humans Human Things

It's been a while. Quite a while. Is a while one word or two? Anyone have any answers. I'm not really sure at all.

I haven't been doing much besides teaching and changing lives, so there's that. My real life update is that I've been able to teach couple different people sustainable life things recently, which has been actually quite lovely.

One of the things that I've been teaching is making an oil blend. Specifically, for focus.

Now, I have a feeling. Well, lots of feelings. But one of my feelings is that God made plants. Plants all have a purpose. I don't think plants were simply made to just be there and be pretty. I believe that plants are able to heal and having healing qualities.

Now, let's have a moment: I don't think all things can be healed with plants. Maybe one day I will have that feeling. Today is not that day. I don't think you should try and treat polio with plants. For some things, though, plants are a good option to take advantage of.

Essential oils are oils that have been taken directly from plants. Now, just like other things, not every oil is the same. Different ones do different things. Just like if you were to eat an orange and it would make you wake up a bit, orange oil does similar. If you were to smell lavender, it would be calming.

So. That's my introduction to that. I think God has made plants with purpose and we should take advantage of that.

A blend that I've been teaching a couple people to make is for focus. It has 10 drops lavender, 10 drops cedar wood, 10 drops vetiver. I put it all in a one ounce essential oil bottle (that's been emptied...that I kept for this purpose) with MCT (liquid) coconut oil.

This stuff is lovely. Y'all, we all know I struggle with focus. I can't do things all at once. I've paused at least 10 times writing this. And right now I'm staring off and looking at bakery items because there's a lot going on at this coffee shop. My brain works differently and that's okay, but sometimes I need to focus. This helps with that.

I'm thankful for plants to help me live. I'm thankful for plants. I'm thankful.

Peace.

Sunday Feelings

Welcome to Sunday.
Sunday is the day I get work done.
Saturday is my rest day.
Sunday I drink coffee and grade.
Sunday I bring my cup to church.
Sunday I rest while doing work.

I used to try and take a rest day on Sunday.
You know, a Sabbath?
That didn't work.
I ended up working all Sunday and stressing on Saturday.

The Bible says that a rest day is a gift.
So, to take advantage of my gift I take it on Saturday.
Anyways.
That.

Sunday is the day to see family.
And get work done.
Grade the papers that have been avoided.
Clean the apartment that blew up.
Go shopping for the groceries that may be needed.

Sunday is the day to rest.
While working.
I like Sundays.
They make my happy.

There's my feelings on Sunday.
Peace.

Pumpkin

I carved a pumpkin this year. It's the first one in a bit of time, as it's a bit nasty and sticky. BUT we had a lovely time (a group of friends and me). A very practically sustainable evening. I made soup (chicken and rice), my dear friend Lindsay and I went to the library to get movies (we ended up watching Megamind), and we carved pumpkins. Look at my lovely pumpkin! Now I can encourage recycling through a pumpkin!

Also, Lindsay saved all the seeds so she can cook them. How practical! I'm glad I have classy friends like that.

Anyways, here's my cool pumpkin. I should probably do work now.

Peace.

Biking, Books, and Bears (No, Pears)

There's this super grand pear tree near my apartment. It's at a childcare center. When the pears start falling down, I like to grab them. You see, I'm far too short to get them from the tree. I can't reach them. Sometimes my friends can, but I don't like to take advantage of my friends.

But. I went biking today. It was BEAUTIFUL outside. Just simply lovely. I had a big bag of books that I needed to take the Little Free Library five blocks from my apartment. So, what to do?

Grab the bike. Grab the backpack. Grab the books. Run into the wall. Head out.

Short Skirt, Long Jacket by Cake just came on. I'm so happy.

I biked to the little library. Dropped off my 12 books. Then I found five for my classroom! What joy. I'll honestly probably read them as bedtime stories and then bring to school.

OH MY GOSH. I forgot. I almost got hit by car. I was turning left and didn't have a stop sign. I signaled and the car started to drive. Maybe they didn't see me? Maybe they did. Maybe I failed at wearing my helmet.

Maybe then I contemplated wearing helmets while biking. And when driving. And then in everyday life. Basically, life's tough. Wear a helmet.

On my ride back, I found the pear tree and was thankful that the weather was cool enough that the bees decided to stay home and not eat dinner. On all the fruit. I took it. And now I will dehydrate.

Just another day in paradise.

Peace.

Shoes?

I walked out of my apartment today. Locked the door. Looked down. Noticed something odd.

I had forgotten my shoes.

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no.

Oh yes. An excuse not to wear shoes.

You see, despite what all humans think, shoes are not essential to existence. Unless you step on something that could hurt you.

That would be bad.

Anyways, there's this thing called grounding that talks about connecting you to the earth and the electricity of the earth. Here's some information about it.  I'm not really sure how I feel about it, besides the fact that it gives me an excuse to wear no shoes outside.

Anyways, I wore no shoes tonight to hang out with my friend Kristin. I planned lessons barefoot. Ate tofu barefoot. Took over the world barefoot. And graded tests barefoot.

Basically, best day ever.

Also, I would like to write you a letter. Please let me know if you'd like to receive a letter.

Peace.

Homemade All Purpose Healing Salve

I found another recipe that kind of goes over most others. Therefore, I shall post it.

All purpose salve. You know, because I constantly burn and hurt myself on accident and end up with all sorts of hurts. So, here's a way to help heal.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup beeswax
1/3 cup calendula flowers
25 drops tea tree oil
25 drops lavender oil

1. Put coconut oil and olive oil in double boiler. Or just have a glass bowl with water around it! Melt coconut oil.
2. Add calendula flower petals and simmer on low for TWO hours. Stir a couple times while this happens. If wanted, you can take this mixture and put it in the crockpot for three hours (on low).
3. Strain mixture through cheesecloth.
4. Add calendula oil back to saucepan and add beeswax. Melt beeswax.
5. Remove from heat. Let cool 15 minutes.
6. Add essential oils and stir.
7. Pour into glass jar and keep up to a year!

*makes one cup

Source.

Peace.