Monthly Archive

I bought the September 12th, 2007 issue of Woman’s Day magazine yesterday and was sitting outside in the shade reading the magazine a few minutes ago.There was an article about slowing down the pace of life that I was enjoying. They had a small quiz in a sidebar to help someone tell if they’re too busy or not. As I was reading the quiz, it sounded a bit “familiar” to me … and as I finished reading it, I saw the author credit at the bottom of sidebar.  It turns out that I was the person who had written the quiz! ROFL!!!  No wonder it sounded familiar. 

Woman’s Day had contacted me about 6 months ago about slightly altering a quiz from my book, A Simple Choice, to include in this issue of the magazine … and I’d completely forgotten about it. LOL!

I’m such a ding-bat sometimes. 

~Debi

This summer, the Galaxy 8 movie theaters in Federal Way, WA began showing discount movies.  All shows are only $2 … except on Tuesdays when each show is only $1!

Since Federal Way is centrally located for pretty much the entire Seattle/Tacoma region, I’m hoping their business will do well.  I really appreciate being able to take my three kids to the movies on Tuesdays for less than it costs us to rent a new DVD.

The cost of drinks, popcorn, and candy is comparable to regular theaters, though, so if you’re looking for an inexpensive family activity in the SeaTac area of Washington state, be careful you don’t splurge on treats and spoil your movie budget.

~Debi

When I was growing up, my mom always kept a list of frequently called phone numbers taped onto the telephone stand in the kitchen. That way we always had easy access to those numbers we called so often, the phone book almost opened to their page naturally.

But, silly me, I never bothered taking the time to do the same thing in my own home until fairly recently. I just kept my personal address/phone book next to the phone in the kitchen, and then thumbed through it quickly whenever I needed a number. This system “worked” … but it was rather frustrating if someone walked off with my phone book to use it in another room, and then forgot to return it to it’s “home” in the kitchen.

Before we moved last year, I was inspired to finally make up a list of those frequently called numbers. I typed it up on the computer and printed out three copies, one to keep by each phone in the house. I used the computer so that if anyone on the list changes phone numbers or I need to add a new number or category to the list, I could just quickly update the information in the computer file, and then print out three new copies.

I taped each phone number list onto the wall right next to each phone so that the lists wouldn’t grow legs and walk away — with three active kids in the house, things always seem to be finding their way to other parts of the house where they don’t belong.

For some reason, I keep forgetting to make up a new phone list since we moved. I’ve put that on my agenda for this week because this is such a simple thing, but makes such a big difference.

I’ve kept our phone number list fairly short because in an emergency I didn’t want one of my kids having trouble finding a number lost amid all the others. I also didn’t include many friends’ numbers because usually only one person in the family would be calling each of those numbers. The listed numbers were the ones that all of us might have need to call on a regular basis.

The types of numbers I included on my list are:

• Family-related phone numbers (workplace, grandparents)
• Emergency neighborhood contact
• Voice messaging
• Frequently called professionals (doctors, church, vet, etc.)
• Each of our cell phone numbers
• Our home address*
• Our home phone number*

*(I included our home address and phone number on this list because in the midst of an emergency, it can be challenging to remember vital details like phone numbers and addresses.)

I’m amazed at how happy everyone in the family is with this simple change! When my kids need to call Grandpa, or I need to call a neighbor, there’s no fumbling around through the phone book. The numbers we need are there in front of us, right where we need them.

It’s great!

~Debi

Click below to join me in a pledge to Downshift Your Driving:

http://snurl.com/debi_c3

What do you have to do? Go just one day this week without getting into your car. Go for a walk, ride your bike, take a bus, grab a ride with a friend. Or plan a family fun day at home or a block party with your neighbors!

Each gallon of gas you don’t use keeps 20 pounds of carbon dioxide out of the air (plus saves you enough money to buy a cup of coffee and a chocolate donut or two). 

One-fourth of the United States’ carbon dioxide emissions are caused by cars, while one-fourth of the trips Americans take are less than a mile long. We could easily reduce our impact by walking or riding a bike on these shorter trips, combining errands, and improving our gas mileage. After you sign up, look around the site to find more ways to improve your gas mileage, reduce your carbon dioxide emissions, and cheat gas stations of your hard-earned cash.

New American Dream helps individuals and institutions consume responsibly for a better world. Climate change is a serious problem, but you can live well and have fun being part of the solution. Start lowering your carbon emissions today with six easy steps over the next six months with New American Dream – because big changes start with small steps.

Pledge to make a change and become a Carbon Conscious Consumer. There’s no better time to stand up to the challenge and live consciously for a safer planet!

Look at your calendar for this week and find one day when you can take public transportation, bike, walk, or just stay home. Have fun with it – plan activities to do with your family at home or within walking distance of it. Or have a get-together with your neighbors.

In Deep Economy, Bill McKibben says three quarters of Americans report that they don’t know their neighbors. Your car-free party could help turn that stat around! However you decide to keep the keys out of the ignition one day a week, this action will cut your vehicle’s carbon dioxide emissions by 1,700 pounds a year on average.

To join the campaign and learn more about becoming a Carbon Conscious Consumer, go to:

http://snurl.com/debi_c3

Thank you for making a difference!