I am so inspired by any organization that tries to wake Americans up to the fact that we spend far too many hours working to pay for the few hours we have left to actually live. The supposedly "8-hour" workday doesn't take into account the commute or the preparation involved just in getting ready for work. The truth is your actual life; which consists of going to the bank, doctor appointments, children's extracurricular activities, grocery shopping, home repairs, cable installation, sports, hobbies; all of this has to be adjusted around your work schedule.
Why doesn't this sound wrong to more people in this country?
The truly sad thing is that countries in Europe are now changing their lifestyles in order to compete with America.
So... So... Wrong
America needs to slow down, everyone else doesn't need to speed up!
Here are some great resources to check out:
Work To Live
Take Back Your Time
Living 5 to 9
New American Dream
The Strategic Coach
The Simple Living Network
Friday, March 31, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Get your Girl Scout cookies fast...
they will no longer be on sale after next week. However, if you stock up you could eat them throughout the year in these recipes I found on the Little Brownies Bakers website. They are one of two companies licensed to bake the cookies that we love so much. Enjoy!
Southern Peanut Butter Pie
1 pkg. Tagalongs1 pkg. (3-1/2 ounce) vanilla pudding
1-1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup peanut butter
Grind cookies in blender or food processor and press into a 9-inch pie plate. Prepare pudding mix according to package directions using only 1-1/2 cups milk. Stir in peanut butter. Pour into pie shell. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with whipped topping and crushed peanuts.
Mint Delight (Makes 10-12 servings)
1 pkg. of Thin Mint cookies (crushed)
3 tbsp. butter or margarine (melted)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) softened cream cheese
2 pkgs. (8 oz. size) instant chocolate pudding
3 cups milk
4 cups whipped topping
Combine cookies with melted butter or margarine, (save ¼ cup of cookies for topping). Press cookie mixture on bottom of 13" x 9" pan. Chill. Combine cream cheese with 1 cup whipped topping. Spread over cookie mixture. Chill for 15 to 20 minutes. Prepare pudding with 3 cups of milk and pour over cream cheese mixture. Chill for 1 hour or until ready to serve. Top with remaining whipped topping and Thin Mint cookie crumbs.
Reduced Fat Lemon Chiffon Cooler
1 pkg. 3 oz. Lemon Jell-O
1 cup boiling water
8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese
1⁄4 cup sugar
8 oz. tub non-fat whipped topping
1 pkg. Lemon Coolers cookies (crushed)
Prepare Jell-O with hot water only. Refrigerate until begins to set. (If set, leave out to soften.) Spread ¾ crumbs in 9" x 9" pan. In bowl, blend sugar with cream cheese. Add Jell-O. Whip. Gently fold in one half or 4 oz. of topping. Spread mixture over crumbs. Top with 4 oz. of topping. Refrigerate several hours. Garnish with ¼ of crumbs just before serving. (Recipe can be doubled for a 9" x 13" pan.)
Southern Peanut Butter Pie
1 pkg. Tagalongs1 pkg. (3-1/2 ounce) vanilla pudding
1-1/2 cups milk
1/3 cup peanut butter
Grind cookies in blender or food processor and press into a 9-inch pie plate. Prepare pudding mix according to package directions using only 1-1/2 cups milk. Stir in peanut butter. Pour into pie shell. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with whipped topping and crushed peanuts.
Mint Delight (Makes 10-12 servings)
1 pkg. of Thin Mint cookies (crushed)
3 tbsp. butter or margarine (melted)
1 pkg. (8 oz.) softened cream cheese
2 pkgs. (8 oz. size) instant chocolate pudding
3 cups milk
4 cups whipped topping
Combine cookies with melted butter or margarine, (save ¼ cup of cookies for topping). Press cookie mixture on bottom of 13" x 9" pan. Chill. Combine cream cheese with 1 cup whipped topping. Spread over cookie mixture. Chill for 15 to 20 minutes. Prepare pudding with 3 cups of milk and pour over cream cheese mixture. Chill for 1 hour or until ready to serve. Top with remaining whipped topping and Thin Mint cookie crumbs.
Reduced Fat Lemon Chiffon Cooler
1 pkg. 3 oz. Lemon Jell-O
1 cup boiling water
8 oz. reduced fat cream cheese
1⁄4 cup sugar
8 oz. tub non-fat whipped topping
1 pkg. Lemon Coolers cookies (crushed)
Prepare Jell-O with hot water only. Refrigerate until begins to set. (If set, leave out to soften.) Spread ¾ crumbs in 9" x 9" pan. In bowl, blend sugar with cream cheese. Add Jell-O. Whip. Gently fold in one half or 4 oz. of topping. Spread mixture over crumbs. Top with 4 oz. of topping. Refrigerate several hours. Garnish with ¼ of crumbs just before serving. (Recipe can be doubled for a 9" x 13" pan.)
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Target has swag!
If you love Target then you must check out their company store. Here you will find items they do not sell in their retail stores. These items are used for their conferences and as incentive gifts, but you can now buy them for yourself*. Here are just a few from the site, which also feature "vintage" graphics from Target's 1972 advertising campaigns, like this nine-piece coaster set for $5 and the cool red t-shirt for only $6!
The other items are also budget priced: lunch tote $5, Bullseye black mug $7, Bullseye Dog cookie jar $22, and the messenger bag for only $14 .
* I found out about this from the cool blog Slave To Target . Thank you!
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Well...that was quick!
In my last post, I spoke about my grade expulsion form and how I thought I would have to wait to see the results.
Um...there was no wait.
The very next day, my transcript and GPA were adjusted.
Way to go, VCU, what a great way to help a returning student.
Um...there was no wait.
The very next day, my transcript and GPA were adjusted.
Way to go, VCU, what a great way to help a returning student.
Monday, March 20, 2006
...and this is why I moved back...
Today was the day!
I officially handed in my Grade Exclusion form. This is the piece of the paper; that once it is processed and approved; will justify my current existence in Richmond, VA. This document holds the titles of six classes I took between 1987 and 1991. . . and failed.
Once these grades are expunged, I can truly start over. They happened for a reason, like everything in life, but I'll feel much better when they're gone. Knowing that when I was younger I was so apathetic or depressed or whatever that I could not make myself withdraw from these classes when I still could, is something that I have beat myself up about for years.
In a few days or a week, I will be able to check my transcript and see a vastly improved GPA. That borderline B/C student from almost 20 years ago can now become an A/B student (or better!) over night.
Don't ever let anyone tell you it's too late to change your future.
I officially handed in my Grade Exclusion form. This is the piece of the paper; that once it is processed and approved; will justify my current existence in Richmond, VA. This document holds the titles of six classes I took between 1987 and 1991. . . and failed.
Once these grades are expunged, I can truly start over. They happened for a reason, like everything in life, but I'll feel much better when they're gone. Knowing that when I was younger I was so apathetic or depressed or whatever that I could not make myself withdraw from these classes when I still could, is something that I have beat myself up about for years.
In a few days or a week, I will be able to check my transcript and see a vastly improved GPA. That borderline B/C student from almost 20 years ago can now become an A/B student (or better!) over night.
Don't ever let anyone tell you it's too late to change your future.