88. seal the tree chairs

When I first posted my list of 101 things, many people asked "What are tree chairs?". Well, here they are. We recently had some trees removed from our backyard and these are some of them. I spray painted them and sealed them and now my vision is complete. Perhaps I should have put "get grass to grow in the backyard" on my list, too.

78. Research why i don't eat certain foods

Artificial dye, wild caught vs. farm raised fish, organic dairy vs. conventional, organic produce vs. conventional. agave nectar vs. HFCS. I have an opinion on all of these things and have for a long time. But, when questioned why I don't eat certain foods/additives, I had a vaguely educated response if one at all. So, on my list it went. And I can now check it off.

I can tell you why I actually DON'T eat Agave Nectar, despite it's health food/whole food claim. I can tell you why I choose to buy organic apples over conventional apples, but buy conventional blueberries. I can tell you why I only buy wild caught fish, as opposed to farm raised. How I won't buy milk, yogurt, butter, eggs, ice cream, and cheese without it saying on the label that it was made with milk from cows not treating with rBGH. I can explain why I think GMO's should not be allowed yet. How I don't buy food containing artificial dye. I can tell you why I don't eat preservatives in my food and why I buy organic, cage free chicken.

Some may say I'm a little on the extreme side. They may be right. But, I've been charged with taking the best care of children as I can. For me (every family has different priorities and is different!), that includes being a little extreme at home. I don't buy it so I can send a message to those that make it that it's not what I want to see in the grocery store. We don't eat it at home so that I don't have to feel bad or concerned when we eat it out.

What I've found: we eat less meat because let's be honest: organic, free range chicken is expensive (good think I don't eat pork or beef). But, eating less meat is a good thing. We eat less processed food in general, which is great on our budget and I'm spending more quality (and teaching) time in the kitchen with my family cooking healthy meals together. Another thing I've found: the food actually tastes better. The eggs are fresher, thus taste better. The Newman's Own chocolate cookies are better than Oreos. Evaporated cane juice does make my root beer taste better and more authentic than HFCS.

I love coupons. I love free (or nearly free) things from the grocery store. But, what I've learned through this is that much of the cheap food on the shelves really is junk and actually ends up costing our country huge amounts of money in the long run in medical expenses. So I'm learning to be okay with my food budget rising a little so that we are healthier and happier as a family.

42. Make something for a friend.

Tonight I stayed up way too late making a mix CD for a friend. As I added songs from my new found love (AKA iTunes), I thought of lots of people I wanted to send this to. In fact, dear reader (are there any?!?!?), you may get one in the mail.

21. Write my will

Thanks to my sister, who is finishing up her last year of Law School and who gave me some Will writing advice, my Last Will and Testament is complete. And I hope it won't be read for many, many, many years.

95. Go to Ikea by myself and not feel rushed

 

 Thanks to my wonderful husband, Matt Tringali, I was able to drink my coffee and eat a cinnamon bun in peace, reading my book club book as I ate, and then peruse Ikea. No clingy baby to hold. No preschooler to watch. No 5-year-old asking to buy anything. I had as long as I wanted to look at the plethora of things at Ikea. I have been there 2-3 times before, but always with children and the need to get in and out. This morning I saw many harried mom's disciplining their children. I heard many more babies crying in their strollers. I saw more than one toddler run off with an angry and embarrassed mother chasing behind. And I was thankful that it wasn't me. But I did have sympathy for these moms...because next time, it could be me.

22. Walk to the library

Well, I did have a picture of me and my girls taking a walk to our beautiful brand new neighborhood library. But, the camera dropped and it no longer works; thus, I can't get the cute picture. So, a standard internet pic it is.

I decided to take a walk to the library today. Good thing too - Hickory Grove is one of the branches the county is closing due to cut backs. You may begin to notice some sarcasm now. I love the way the government manages our money. Spent a ton of it building a brand new beautiful facility at Hickory Grove. And now they are closing it. Brilliant. I really enjoy seeing my money being thrown in the trash. And my community. I had such high hopes of this helping out the East side. Dashed. And to add insult to injury, the county isn't leaving any branches open on the eastside of the city. I understand that something had to give. I get that if you don't have money, you can't do things. I DON'T get why they are spending $400K on a side walk on Park road, give Henry Jones a bonus, etc. and close so many libraries. Half of them to be exact.

Excuse me now as I go write/call/email/stalk my county commissioners to tell them that their decision is deplorable.

UPDATE

So, I fixed my camera. Here are the pictures I took on the way to the library:

 

90. Make a "just because" dinner for a friend

Okay, so I know this isn't a picture of the dinner. But it is the chocolate almond cake that I made. And let's face it, there are days when we eat dinner just so that we can have dessert like this, right? For integrity's sake, I did make  pork tenderloin, garlic and onion broccoli, rice, and sour dough bread for really good friends and one of the sweetest families you'll ever meet. I hope they enjoyed the meal, but I hope they enjoyed the dessert even more. Family, if you're reading this, let's get together again and have this cake (can you tell I want some cake?), Wii, and coffee with Bailey's again soon!