buying nothing
I am doing a full month of not buying anything I don't actually need. I sat down and figured out a list of exceptions, because I need to make sure I don't find a good excuse to break my rules. Once I break my own rules, I can be completely deflated.
Here's my spread in my second (project) Midori MD notebook:
I left a block blank in case another section runs over. I gave myself a menu of free things to do in case I'm bored, and I'm trying to put a dot down each time I do something from the menu just to track how I spend my time.
On the right side, I track all my credit card swipes. Almost all of the spending I've done has been "allowed", except for a sad granola bar lunch the first day when I left my packed lunch at home.
I am on day eight. Something that's not allowed (for me!) is processed convenience foods, my weakness being Cosmic Brownies - which is kind of embarrassing. So far I have made peanut butter and oat protein balls for work snacks and peanut butter oatmeal cookies for friends. I've been walking the dogs and working out a little more. Yardwork is free, and I have sewing projects to finish. There's just no need for entertainment, really.
The only thing that was hard to say no to is a stained glass class with a friend, but we will circle back to see if there are spaces in June or just do the next one.
Peony Watch
Something no one seems to talk about is how much better northern US flowers are than southern ones. The south is great for tropical foliage and I miss my ornamental gingers, but it's hard to beat peonies, tulips, and irises. Peonies are just coming in, and I will plant more in June when I am spending again. Here are some from the neighborhood:
quilt progress
It's coming together quite literally now that I'm sewing rows together. I at least want to finish the top sometime this month. I'm not sure I'll use batting or exactly how I'll finish it. I might just sew it onto recycled minky since I want something soft and cozy, not stiff.
personal websites I've liked
lauren online - I'm about to settle in to watch some of the old 70's videos from her planning diaries page.
morning dove's nest is one I found via panko. Sometimes I stumble upon a website and I think "oh, this person could be in my friend group." Something about the textures of a person's life feel in sync with mine. I like to see what people are noticing, paying attention to, taking pictures of.
gar friend - this is probably the most beautiful slick indie site I've come across in awhile.
tw33dlieweenie - I really love their bike camping page. Again, the textures of this person's life make them almost seem a little familiar to me.
let's learn together - lots of resources for drawing and interpersonal work I am moving through. "I am passionate about learning and helping others. I am of the belief that everything constructive is knowable, and that we are capable of applying all knowledge towards everyone's benefit. It would be an honor if I can somehow facilitate that experience for you."