My consumerism diet: The first three days!

So far, everything seems to be going pretty well.  Thinking about it, this isn't really a drastic lifestyle change for me.  I live in such a small town that most of the commerce is locally owned.  My grocery store is family owned, and there is a farmer's market every Friday evening.  I did receive a Forever21 order in the mail on day one, but I had forgotten about it and only made the order because my friend is getting married and I am a bridesmaid.  I got my dress through them a few days before the "diet" began.  On Friday at the farmer's market, I bought some spice blends from a man who lives in my town.  So far, nothing really exciting or new.  No real new thoughts or intrigues...but hey, it's only the first weekend so we'll see!

The Challenge guidelines for "My year of NON-CONSUMERISM"

Okay, how am I going to do this thing?  I would like to really do my best NOT to consume (aka buy) anything wasteful or un-needed.  I am making myself two exceptions for now (do not judge, these are judgement free exceptions which could change should my willpower increase...it's gonna be hard enough dammit!).  Exception #1-Pepsi (I will switch to throwbacks only as I do not agree with high fructose corn syrup and would like to give it up entirely).  Exception #2- Cigarettes.  For now I am still a smoker.  I am working on it and would like to quit soon.  I do smoke American Spirits, which have no chemical additives, but it's still smoking.  I could find local herbs to make cigs, but we will be touching on that as it comes about so I am still considering it an exception.  Deal with it.  Now...as for the rules.  My point is to "vote" with my dollars against the evil ties of corporate consumerism!  So how can I do that and still live a decent life???  EASY!  At least it will be once the opposite isn't familiar anymore.   As the owner of a blog called "Oxymorons", I should try not to be one myself.  I can't care about the environment and spend money on industry that promotes the destruction of our finite resources!  So here we go...the rules.

1. I will not buy any items which are not essential to the health or wellbeing of my family from any corporate entity.  AKA- Toilet paper, food and or feminine products.  I am not trying to be a complete gross savage hippy, just trying to lower my intake drastically and see how it sticks.
2. I will buy any of the above mentioned items locally or by way of barter BEFORE attempting to get them from a corporation.
3. Yard Sales and thrift stores with a direct local benefit/charitable donation are fair game. 
4. Bartering is fair.  If goods or services are traded for goods or services that doesn't constitute market or monitary exchange.
5. If any "needed" items can be made I will take them off the purchase list.
6. EMERGENCIES:  If I need a bandaid or something...you know, I can be clumsy.
7. Does not include items I must buy for work or a client.
8. I can earn money as I must still pay my bills (I know, the ultimate paradigm or...oxymoron if you will)
9. I will document all days truthfully and candidly 

Well, here we go!  Since it is after midnight, I suppose this is technically day 1's beginning!  Wish me luck!

My impact on the environment and what I can do about it.

I have heard that by the year 2030, there will be twice as much demand as supply as far as natural resources go.  That is very scary.  I will most likely be alive to witness this and surely my children will. What sort of world will that be for them?  What sort of lessons and values will I have taught them to prepare for such a change?  I suppose that it would be wise to start now!  I must teach them that the earth was given to us by God to cherish and be grateful for.  Teach them that the earth is to be respected and treated with dignity and love.  That STUFF does not lead to happiness, but action does.  I would like to challenge myself over the next year.  I would like to come up with ways, tips and challenges to condition my own heart, mind and body to cherish only love.  Love for myself and my kids, love for my God, and love for my home...the planet earth.  I would like my children to know that their mother was a warrior for Love.  That she was not afraid to have no money, no fancy things, no "creature comforts" in order to be rich and abundant in love!  I am not sure what my challenge will be.  I suppose it would be smart to start small and work my way up.  I would like to not buy anything that I do not absolutely need for one year.  Now this is going to be difficult, but I would like to do it.  I will be back soon with more detail once I set up my own set of rules.  I would like to see what it is like NOT to contribute to the evil economic system.  To be a part of the solution.  To make a poignant vote with my only real democratic tool, my dollar.  In doing this I hope that I will be less wasteful, more thoughtful and far more aware.  Now, being a smoker this will be even more of a challenge as that is something that I feel I need sometimes although that is not really the case.  I DO need to feed my family, keep my home and lights, I do use the internet for school, so that might be considered a "need"...Wow, just thinking about this is making me more aware in an instant than I have been my entire life!  Tomorrow, I will assess my impact both environmentally and economically...and then, set the rules for my challenge.  Stay tuned!

Why have you done me wrong Google??

I wanted to formally apologize to any readers that I may have for being away from the blog for so long.  Recently Google shut down my Adsense account siting "Invalid activity" as the only reason.  No explanation, no remorse, and no chance for reinstatement.  I appealed this action and was simply told no, again with no reasoning or explanation.  Now, I didn't really make any money on this blog, nor am I a "for profit" writer, but it really offended me and made me swear off my blog for a time.  I mean, Google wants to protect the privacy of it's affiliates it says, but to punish innocent bloggers and then not explain why (not to mention after you appeal Google won't even read or consider future appeals) is just bullying!  Cyber bullying.  I thought about moving my blog altogether and even canceling my gmail account and google plus.  I mean, facebook would never do such a thing...Come on Google!  This is just unfair!

Martha Monday!

Let's see what our good ole' friend Martha Stewart is up to today....

Seems she is making a lovely magnetic collage board.  Shall we try it?  We shall.  Here is the scoop on how to recreate this lovely masterpiece.  I wonder if Tori McDermott will have something that compares tomorrow on "Tori Tuesday"?

Tools and Materials24-by-18-inch sheet of galvanized metal
Campus map
Spray adhesive
Utility knife
Frame
Foam board
Glazier points
Magnets and decorations

Magnetic College-Campus Board How-To1. Download and print a college-campus map from the school's website.

2. Turn map upside down on a protected surface and apply spray adhesive to the sheet of galvanized metal and the back of the map.

3. Lay your magnetic sheet on top of the portion of the map that will cover the board. Trim away excess paper around the edges with a utility knife.

4. Place map in frame, add foam board, and use 4 glazier points to secure.

5. Flip over and add magnets and decorations.

ResourcesSheets of galvanized metal can be found at home-supply stores. Frames, foam board, glazier points, magnets, and decorations are available at art-supply stores.

another lovely poem from my poet friend John

Pretty Bird

Pretty bird little bird
sitting on a limb
Pretty bird little bird
singing to the wind
Pretty bird little bird
singing to the sky
Here for a little while
then away they fly

Flying away
flying away
Flying away
flying away
Here for a little while
Then they fly away

Springtime's the fine time
everything is green
Days are warm life is new
with the smell of dreams
Winter is so long
It wears a person down
Waiting for the spring when
The pretty birds come around

Flying away
flying away
Flying away
flying away
Here for a little while
then they fly away

dear fleet foxes, this song changed my life....Love Nicole