Facing Our Fears

Old Sugarlands Trail - GSMNP

September 29, 2011

According to the National Park Service, there are approximately 1500 black bears in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  This past Tuesday morning, I met one of them up close and personal.  Unlike the dreaded grizzly bears of the west, black bears really don't want to eat you.  In fact, they are more intent on getting away from you than you are from them.  Unless of course, you mange to  a) get between a mother and her cubs,  b) startle or scare one, or  c) happen to encounter one that has been habituated to humans because of being fed (thank you so much for that, silly tourists!!).  Most hikers crave the experience of seeing a bear deep in the backcountry.  I can assure you that I am NOT one of them, but nonetheless. there we were about 2 1/2 miles down the Old Sugarlands Trail when I saw him.  He had already seen us and had stopped eating.  In our circumstance, we did exactly what we were supposed to do and he was courteous enough to do exactly what HE was supposed to do (turn around and amble away).  

But I will tell you that it scared the living daylights out of both my hiking bud and me.  Because it was one of those moments when you knew your life and your safety at that point in time was out of your hands and dependent upon the actions of a giant 300-400 pound ball of black fur.  And for me, it was a brief moment of true fear.  

After staring at us for what seemed like an eternity, he moved far enough away for us to pass and began eating again, so we headed on up the trail.  Did we consider going back the way we'd come?  Absolutely, but had we done that, it would've only served to make us more apprehensive about the next time.  And there will be a next time.  It might be next Monday when we hike again or it might be 25 years from now.  But turning back from fear was not the right thing to do.  And I am so thankful that we didn't although I'll have to say, we were extra vigilant for the remainder of the hike especially on our return trip past the same spot.  

That fear will always remain and I consider it a healthy fear.  But on the other hand, having been part of a "real" encounter and seen that the bear truly does exhibit the behavior exactly as it should, I am much more comfortable heading back into the woods and while never letting down my guard, will no longer take each step wondering "oh my gosh, what if we see a bear."  Knowledge and experience is power.

On October 1, 2006, with little preparation and not much hope, I began a journey to lose weight which resulted in a 65 pound weight loss over the next 15 months.  I don't know why it clicked that time when I'd tried so many times before.  Neither can I really pinpoint when the hope actually began to return that I was going to be successful.  But I do know this.  There was never a point in that entire 15 months when fear was not my constant companion.  Fear of failure.  Fear of no one noticing.  Fear of criticism of my eating choices.  Fear of regaining (yes, I was worried about that before I ever lost the first pound - it had happened so many times before).  Fear of not being able to handle myself when food settings were out of my control.  You name it - I feared it!!  

But one by one, I slayed those dragons.  Just like that bear, when I did the things I was supposed to do, my body did exactly what IT what supposed to do and as a result, I lost weight steadily and dare I say it, easily!  

I wish that I could say I had maintained that entire 65 pound loss as I approach this five-year anniversary, but you know that isn't the case.  And I've got some new fears to face and some old dragons that need to be slayed again.  My body is five years older now and those were significant years with many changes.  The dragon I cannot seem to slay is the one that keeps telling me I can't lose it again.  And that fear is every bit as real as the adrenalin that shot through my body when I saw that bear just off to my left.  

So on the eve of that important anniversary, I'm sitting here in my den thinking about that gorgeous trail that I meandered along seeing things like this:

 and this..................

.......while reminding myself that fear is a very real part of life.  Without it, we can quickly get ourselves in tough situations.  But fear is best used when it serves as a catalyst for learning, for education and for preparation to face the unknown.  

I've hiked in these mountains my entire life.  I've read the books, I've attended seminars led by rangers and I've witness demonstrations of what to do when you encounter a black bear.  I KNEW what to do and I did it.

I've battled my weight my entire life.  I've read the books, I've attended seminars led by everyone from doctors to celebrities to total quacks and I've witnessed the power that comes to me when I've faced the fears and been successful.  I KNOW what to do and I CAN do it again!  

Are you willing to share what you are most afraid of right now?  It doesn't have to be related to you weight or eating.  Sharing might help someone else (like me!!).

A Very Special Follower

Mr. B picking apples at Justus Orchard in Hendersonville, NC

September 17, 2011

He's A Special Guy!

Like all of you, I love it when a new follower pops up on my sidebar!  I'll never forget the thrill I felt when the very first follower signed on to read my blog regularly.  Actually, it scared me to death!!  I just wanted to write - I didn't even know what a follower was.  And I certainly didn't know how that person found my blog or why they cared to read it.  But a second one soon popped up and I quickly learned the joy of reciprocating.  

My sweet husband, whom you all know as Mr. B, does in fact, read this blog and I had often kidded him about remaining anonymous even going so far as to call him a lurker (lovingly, of course)!  About the time I had 50 or 60 followers, he one day said in jest, "I want to be your 100th follower."  I'd more or less forgotten about that as I've never done anything to solicit followers and had no clue if it would be months or years before I reached 100.  Believe it or not, he noticed almost immediately when it became 99 and asked what he had to do to become 100!  So my friends, I want you to know that ALL of you are special, but number 100 makes me happiest of all.  I hope all of you will give a very warm BlogLand welcome to my sweet husband of 34 years, Mr. B!  He is truly a saint to have lived with and loved me for 34 years.  We're hoping for at least 34 more.

I've just kept feeling the love this week and truth be told, I've sorely needed it.  No need to go into a whinefest, but let's just say I'm glad this one is in the books and a new one has started.  I received this award.........................

...................from two very special bloggers within days of each other.   Thank you so much, Joy and Michele for thinking of me when passing along an award that translates "favorite" or "love."  The rules are very simple.  You are only required to pass it along to other blogs you love which currently have 200 followers or less.  Those who immediately came to my mind have already received this award, so I'll put on my thinking cap and find a few others.  

My determination to Live Expansively has encountered a few setbacks, but I will not be deterred.  The intent behind that heartfelt post was genuine and although I refuse to live my life in a small way any longer, sometimes small things truly rise up in a big way!  But I'm not going there today except to tell you I'm fighting.  And I will wage war against every small irritation with double excitement over the joys.  

Here are just a few of those joys from last week.....................

1)  Monday, I was back on the hiking trail with my best hiking bud and we are eagerly anticipating making many miles (and memories) during the next several months.  This week's trek was only six miles, but took us up Jake's Creek Trail along this........................

past this...................

 

to our ultimate destination which was this......................

Backcountry Campsite #27 - Jakes Creek Trail

Great Smoky Mountains National Park - September, 2011

You see, we are decades old friends as well as hiking buds and we had not spent any time together since May, so our destination was this rock where we perched for 1 1/2 hours getting caught up on what's happening in each other's lives.  As we left, we both turned back to the rock and reminded it that what's said on the rock, STAYS on the rock!!  It was truly a great day.  We've got another one just like it planned for Tuesday of this week.

2)  Wednesday, I was so excited to meet blog friend, Kimberlynn, for the second time.  The conversation flowed as easily this time over lunch as it did the first time on a hiking trail in the mountains.  When we left, I realized we had been there for 2 1/2 hours.  I had NO idea!  We're making plans for more time together and that excites me.  She's a kindred spirit, a kind soul, a wonderful writer and now, I'm happy to call her my friend.

3)  Thursday morning, I had a wonderful walk along one of our beautiful greenways with my niece.  I only have two nieces and I don't take the privilege of being an aunt lightly.  Can't share her life story, but a big decision about her future that is somewhat out of her hands will be made in the next few months.  If you are of the praying sort, please remember her.  This concerns admittance into a very specialized grad program that only accepts a certain number of persons each year.  It is highly competitive and being the non-partial aunt that I am, I can't imagine her NOT being selected, but she knows there are others with higher GPA's and other criteria stronger than hers.  She is very busy and we don't get to spend as much time together as I'd like, but she'll be gone before I know it and I take advantage of every opportunity I can.  Oh, I can't forget to mention that for the second week in a row, I managed to get completely drenched while walking.  Yep, we got as far away from the car as we could get and it came a downpour.  All we could do was laugh!

There were other valuable life experiences for me this week and when you look at the big picture, the frustration and irritations, although painful, do tend to fade away.   I've got so many fun and exciting things coming up in the next few weeks, I can't wait to start sharing them.  A meeting of new friends who don't "feel" new at all and a fall break adventure that is totally hilarious, but let's me mark another one off the bucket list.  Betcha can't wait for that one to be revealed!  Now who wouldn't want to come back and read about that?

What's coming up in your life you can tease us about???

How 'Bout Them Apples

Cameo Apples - Justus Orchards

Hendersonville, NC - September 17, 2011

For a city girl, who religiously eats an apple a day, I hate to admit the fact that I've never picked apples before.  Considering I have distant relatives who actually OWN an apple orchard and the fact that I make FREQUENT visits to one of our local orchards further compounds the unusual fact that I've never been to a u-pick orchard and picked them myself.  That is, until yesterday.  Check another one off the bucket list.  

Mr. B and I set out Friday afternoon for a much needed weekend roadtrip to our "go-to" spot of choice, Boyd Mountain Cabins in Waynesville, NC.  This trip was a last minute decision and I was thrilled to find the Little Cosby cabin available due to a cancellation.  It is late enough in September that the leaf peepers are starting to travel and I wouldn't have been surprised to find no availability anywhere.  To get something exactly where we wanted to be was a gift!

Temps Friday evening in Waynesville were in the low 50's and we enjoyed our first fire of the season in the wood-burning fireplace.  On Saturday, we meandered across a short section of the Blue Ridge Parkway looking for fall.   And we found it.  Or maybe I should say, we found evidence it was on its way!

 

Blue Ridge Parkway - North Carolina

September 17, 2011

But we had a destination in mind and after a quick stop at Looking Glass Falls.....................

...............we found ourselves in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

North Carolina is the seventh largest apple producing state in the US.  85% of those are grown in western North Carolina with 150 apple orchards in Henderson County alone.  I had done my research using the Farm Fresh, North Carolina book that I've mentioned previously and chose Justus Orchards as the place I wanted to visit.  Their picking schedule indicated they had Cameo apples which are my favorite and not easy to find in Tennessee.  They also had a variety called Candy Crisp, with which I was not familiar, but sounded yummy and I was intrigued.  

So we arrived and we picked!   I LOVED the philosophy of the folks handing out your baskets and answering questions.  Here's what they said, "pick one off the tree, eat it, if you like it, put some in your basket."  Always with a smile and sending you off into the orchard with a hearty, "have fun!"  All I wanted was apples to eat, so we only picked 1/2 peck, but the Cameos are to die for and the Candy Crisp are delicous beyond description.  Turns out, the Candy Crisp variety was first grown in the Hudson Valley area of New York State, so maybe my friend, Lori (Finding Radiance) might know something more about them.  Normally, I'm not a fan of yellow apples, but these are EXCELLENT!  Crisp and sweet.  So yummy!  Can't resist sharing a couple of pictures of our adventure in the apple orchard...............

Yep, that's me!  Farmer Sharon sits atop her tractor!

You get the impression there weren't many people here.  Wrong!  The place was very crowded and obviously extremely popular.  The red covered area to the right were several picnic tables.  The orchards were off to the left.

And yes, they had the best fried pies I've ever tasted and fresh apple cidar doughnuts that literally melted in your mouth.  I would like too say I didn't indulge, but that wouldn't be honest.  However, I did make the conscious choice to only eat doughnuts while sitting at the picnic tables.  We brought none home with us which was a switch from year's past when at least an extra dozen would've left the orchard with us, but probably never made it home!

After leaving the orchard, we took a quick trip through our summer home, you know the one I've mentioned before.  Some people call it Biltmore Estate - we call it our second home.  We've had season passes for many years and although we rarely visit the house during tourist season, we take full advantage of the hiking/walking path, gardens, winery grounds, etc.  There is so much more to Biltmore than a big house!!  We knew it was a tiny bit early for the mums to be blooming, but hoped we might see the last of the roses.  As it turns out, the mums weren't even planted yet, but look what we found...................

Aren't they just exquisite??

It had been a long day, we'd traveled a lot of miles, so quite content with our day's activities, we headed back to our oasis at Boyd Mountain and spent a very quiet evening in front of another fire reading, talking and just enjoying relaxing.

This morning, we headed back home the long way.  Who needs interstates???  Back up on the Blue Ridge Parkway going in the opposite direction of yesterday with our first stop at the brand new Oconoluftee Visitor's Center at the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  There is a 1.5 mile riverwalk starting at the visitor center and meandering along the river that is just beautiful.  We enjoyed walking it and got some exercise at the same time.

Oconoluftee River Trail - Cherokee, NC

After that, it was another hour and a half across the mountain and we were home.  It was a short trip not too far from home, but both of us feel refreshed and ready to start a new week!  

And by george, I got to pick apples.

Have you ever been to a U-Pick operation?  What did you pick?  Is there anything you'd like to pick, but never have?

Living Expansively

Trail Ridge Road - Rocky Mountain National Park

June, 2011

I don't write my posts in advance and although I do have a lengthy list of things about which I want to write, there are some days none of those appeal and I just have to trust that something will inspire me.  As you know I'm a very early riser and my morning quiet time is a non-negotiable.  Not all of you look to the Bible as your guidebook for living like I do (and that's o.k!!), but I don't think anyone can deny that there is a lot of wisdom to be found in its pages.  If you've ever quoted the "Golden Rule," you've quoted wisdom taken directly from the Book of Matthew. ("Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them. Add up God's Law and Prophets and this is what you get."  Matthew 7:12) 

This morning I came upon the following "wisdom" while reading in the book of 2 Corinthians.  The apostle/teacher Paul was speaking to his friends who lived in the city of Corinth.  He said, "I can't tell you how much I long for you to enter this wide-open, spacious life. We didn't fence you in. The smallness you feel comes from within you. Your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way. I'm speaking as plainly as I can and with great affection. Open up your lives. Live openly and expansively!"  (2 Corinthians 6:11-13 Message Translation)

I was particularly struck by the words, "your lives aren't small, but you're living them in a small way," and then a few words later, "live openly and expansively."  As I pondered those words, I began asking myself some questions.  I know that my life isn't small!  It is of great value in many ways.  But am I ever guilty of living it in a small way?  Does my daily routine along with specific actions indicate a desire to live expansively?  What would that mean?  And what changes could I make that might reflect a genuine desire to live openly and expansively in a very BIG way?  

Of course, I don't have answers for all of those questions, but as the day has unfolded, I've reflected on each of my actions and wondered if they show that I'm serious about living expansively or will simply be content to live in a small way.   Here are some observations I've made today:

1)  It is my sincere desire to be an person of encouragement to the people with whom I come in contact with as I go about my day.  It often bothers me that since I retired my world is so small and there are days I interact with very few people.  I decided that today my world would be expansive in that I would make an extra effort to interact positively with each person who crossed my path.  My eyes would make contact more frequently.  I would smile and find extra ways to show courtesy.  I would initiate conversation in situations where it wasn't required, but wasn't intrusive either.  THAT sort of action plan, I believe, is part of living expansively.  Going out of your way, doing MORE than necessary not because you HAVE to, but because you WANT to.

2)  At an eye doctor appointment this morning, I received irritating news once again.  (Many of you remember my eye travails earlier this year.)  It's back to glasses for at least two weeks.  My first reaction was not a happy one, but I decided that was living in a small way, so I chose to live expansively instead.  I have two very functional pairs of eyeglasses that are less than a year old, but for $78 dollars, I can buy two more pair.  I have decided to go get two of most colorful, funkiest sets of eyeglasses that I can find and wear both proudly!  One pair at a time, of course!  LOL!

3) I left the eye doctor to go walk at my favorite spot along our riverfront.  It was cloudy and had rained while I was at the doctor, but seemed to have stopped.  I called Mr. B and asked him to check the radar.  He said, "oh yeah, the rain's all gone."  Of course, I got as far from my car as I possibly could and it began pouring.  I got SOAKED.  But this time, I didn't even have to think about it. I just started laughing and enjoying the moment.  I was properly dressed.  It was neither hot nor cold and I was so thankful that my city which has been dry and parched all summer was getting some lovely gentle rain.  

Those are the things that come to mind.  But wow, what fun to take a concept I read very early this morning and make it my goal to practice it for the rest of the day just to see what happens.  

What about you?  NONE of your lives are small.  Everyone of you is unique and special.  But are you living in a small way?  Will you join me in living expansively?  I promise - fun things will happen.  You might even get soaked......................

Looking Forward, Looking Back

Bald River Falls, Cherokee National Forest

Tellico Plains, TN - September 8, 2011

I will tell you that this is not the post I had planned for this morning.  But sometimes, there are so many emotions in a span of 24 hours that point one in a different direction, it finally becomes impossible to ignore.  My thoughts are all in a jumble, but I have been able to reach a few conclusions and in sharing them with Mr. B, have reached a calm sense of peace about the challenge set before me. Now I share them with you.

Like everyone else in this country, I have spent many moments remembering September 11, 2001.  What I was doing, what I was feeling, the disbelief at what I was seeing and the horror of comprehension.  But in my own unique way of looking at things, I chose to spend more time looking forward than in looking back.  And I have been searching for the way that I can personally and privately honor all those who lives were lost by making changes in my own life that reflect my level of care and compassion for those around me, the country in which I live and the world at large.  

I believe that has to start right in the very core of who I am and radiate outwardly from deep within.  For the most part, I am content with who I am, the values I hold dear, the goals I have achieved and the ones toward which I am working.  But the one with which I continue to struggle is the inability to find my way back to goal weight.  I am not obese and I am still very proud of the fact that I have NOT regained even half the weight I lost in 2006.2007.  But I have gained enough to tell it in my energy level and stamina, not to mention my clothes.  I have stopped and started way too many times.  And that is what frustrates me.  I make up my mind to do it.  Convince myself of all the facts and truly grasp that a few months of concentrated effort is all it would take.  But I continue to make poor choices.

About a year ago, I began following a blog that has nothing to do with weight loss or healthy eating.  It is a hiking blog that I happened upon when I "googled" the name of a specific hike that I was planning to do and looking for accounts written by folks who had actually done it.  Royce's blog popped up, his trail narrative was very helpful and I began following his quest to hike all the trails in the Smokies and his journey with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).  Royce lives just over the mountain from me in North Carolina, so most of the places he talks about in his blog are places with which I am familiar.  I'd noticed that it had been awhile since he had posted, so was excited yesterday afternoon when a new post popped up in my reader.  Here is a link to that post, but it was this sentence about midway through the post that gave me pause and then shook me to the very core, "I am however finally disappointed to announce that I can no longer hike. I have the energy to do so and the will power, I just lack the ability to walk down hill without pain."  Not very long ago, Royce was an athlete whose efforts put my meager hiking accomplishments to shame.  And here he is announcing to his readers that a horrid disease has forced him to end his quest for a goal that had become very important to him.  My heart breaks for he and his wife, Natalie.  

How can I, just a normal everyday Tennessee hillbilly, honor Royce's efforts and the life of each soul who died ten years ago yesterday?  How can I pay my respects to their families?  How can I tell them I care?  

Royce Cowen does not have a choice.  The people who died on 9/11 did not choose to die.  Their families did not choose to have their lives forever changed.   

But I do have a choice and I choose to honor all of those people, their families and Royce Cowan by exercising a level of care and compassion that starts with ME.  I cannot be fully content with who I am until my weight is where I want it to be.  I have been there - I know what it feels like.  And I want it back.  I have a choice and it grieves me more than I can express in words to think that my choices are right in front of me to do with as I please. When others have NO choice, I willfully continue making such poor ones.  But starting now, my choice is to work toward the goal until I can say, "it is finished."  

Mr. B has pledged his support as he always does.  It is 16 weeks from yesterday to New Year's Day.  That's plenty of time to accomplish great things.  I know - I've done it before.  And I've done it in that timeframe at this exact time of year.  

I had to do something.   This is what I can do. 

Trader Joes, Whole Foods and Costco, OH MY!

That's raspberries on the right, blackberries on the left and Mr. B in the middle!

August, 2011

On a gorgeous, but terribly hot, Sunday afternoon, Mr. B and I took off towards the mountains of western North Carolina.  It was a bit of a ramble further into this particular section of the mountains than we'd ever been.  Although we were never really lost, it often felt as if we were, but once we reached our end destination, what a sweet gem of a place we'd found!

In my journey towards healthy eating, arriving at, and maintaining an appropriate weight, I've set some higher standards for myself (and wishfully for Mr. B!) with respect to WHAT I eat and WHERE it comes from.  Earlier this summer, I stumbled upon the most wonderful book entitled, Farm Fresh North Carolina and I'm having such fun combining delicious food finds with really cool roadtrips!  Zimmerman's Berry Farm was one such discovery. 

It was the raspberries that drew me!!  I've picked blackberries all my life and have a wonderful source at our local farmer's market, but raspberries were new and I wasn't even sure our area was conducive to their growth.   These were plump, bright red and totally luscious.  It is such a joy to visit these local farms, meet the growers and experience some of their enthusiasm along with the obvious pride in what they've produced.  The grower happened to be in his little shed when we finished, but we had already discovered upon our arrival that the system was totally based on honor.  Inside the little shed was a scale for weighing what you'd picked and a place to leave your money.  In the spirit of total honesty, we left more money than what was weighed because it's my guess we ate half a pound as we picked!

I wished I had taken more pictures.  The only negative of the day was that it was incredibly hot, so we didn't linger long.  But you can bet we'll be back!

 Honor Shed for weighing your "gold."

An incredibly beautiful place in the mountains of western North Carolina!

I am a native East Tennessean and most of the time, am proud to call it home!  The one time I cringe is when any sort of health statistics, obesity/weight comparison or fitness oriented surveys are released.  I know we will always be near or on the bottom.  Not everyone in Tennessee is lazy or obese as we are often portrayed in movies, but many are and the news doesn't often seem encouraging!  

For me, the way this plays out is in our lack of convenient access to many things most of you take for granted.  It has only been in the last few years that we've gained access to a good farmer's market.  Most of our chain grocery stores are sadly lacking in locally grown produce, health foods or anything out of the ordinary.  Memphis and Nashville, the two largest metropolitan areas are bright spots with better options and both have a Trader Joes and a Whole Foods.  Without appearing to be totally negative, I am happy to say that here in Knoxville, we do have Fresh Market and Earth Fare, both of which provide better alternatives than our major grocery store chains.  We also have Three Rivers Market, a co-op where I have not shopped, but has just moved into much larger facilities and I plan to check it out.

So imagine my surprise and utter delight, when within a span of three months, Costco, Whole Foods AND Trader Joes ALL announced definitive plans to locate in Knoxville.  Rumors had been running rampant for years about Costco and more recently, Whole Foods, but Trader Joes came out of the blue and all three are a done deal.  I am so excited.  All three are to be completed and open for business sometime in 2012. 

Mr. B and I do not live on the newer side of town and this is quite by choice.  The Costco and Whole Foods will be a good distance away, but the Trader Joe's will be fairly close by and conveniently located next door to my favorite Barnes and Noble, a place I visit frequently!  I've patiently read your reviews, gazed longingly at product pictures and silently hoped the day would come I, too could shop at these places.  I know it's still a year away, but can you tell I'm pretty pleased.

Maybe there's hope for my beloved Tennessee to get with the program and catch up................

P.S.  I am so excited to tell you that when this posts Thursday morning, I will already be on my way to hike here.  With the record rainfall we had from Tropical Storm Lee, these falls will be gushing.  Me and my hiking boots are simply giddy with anticipation.  It's been far too long - can't wait!

Do you shop at either of these stores?  Are they close by?  Do you shop exclusively at this type of grocery or do you also use other sources for groceries?

Simple Girl, Simple Life, Simple September

Early September Morning Sunrise - Townsend, TN

September 5, 2010

September is one of my favorite months.  It is no secret that I really dislike summer and am never sorry to see it end.  September brings such promise.  Promise of cooler evenings and gradually cooler days.  Teachers, children and college students have returned to school.  In my town, that makes a huge difference in the amount of traffic, people in stores and the level of quiet that can be found in the parks and on the greenways.  September brings the promise of October and if you are familiar at all with East Tennessee, I don't need to say another word.  There are some stunning places in this country we call home, but none can beat the sheer beauty of East Tennessee in autumn.  September brings football, the start of prime hiking season, mums and APPLES!!  

For me, September signals a return to a simpler life.  I was an advocate of the simple living lifestyle long before it was COOL and I've worked very hard to make our life less complicated.  When I started this post, I kept thinking something seemed familiar.  Sure enough, last September 16, I wrote a post titled, Simple Girl....Simple Life.  It spoke of my frustration level at how complicated life seemed to be at that particular time.  I will have to say I'm pleased that some of those changes about which I spoke are still working for me a year later.  I grocery shop weekly and 4-6 p.m. is still my time for BlogWorld although I confess to sneaking peaks at my favorites early in the morning.  4-6 p.m. is still the time during which I most struggle with eating. Reading/writing blogs during that time was a brilliant idea that has worked.

But here we are in September of 2011 and since this is my New Year, I thought it time to revisit whether this simple girl can find even more ways to achieve a simpler life.  And I thought Simple September would be a great time to ask you to join me.  Being busy and being productive do NOT always go hand in hand.  Some of the most productive people I've ever known would appear to be the LEAST busy. That doesn't just happen. Those people have worked very hard to simplify their lives in ways which accomplish the important things, consolidate the things that can be merged and eliminate the time-wasters.  

When I retired and Mr. B decided he wanted to continue working for awhile longer, I took on the responsibility for all things related to our household and maintenance, finances, shopping, future planning, travel planning, caring for our parents, etc.  With the exception of travel planning and finances, none of those things was I particularly excited about!  So my first order of business was to make everything as simple as it could possibly be.  Since that time, here are a few of the things that have been accomplished.  I share them with you in the hopes that it might inspire you to search for ways to make your own life less complicated allowing a greater sense of freedom even though your days may be full.

Also, PLEASE bear in mind that I fully understand many of you have children at home and/or full-time jobs which I do not.  But neither do I believe that can be used as an excuse for a overly complicated life.  Everyone, I believe, can find ways to simplify if they'll only make the effort to try.

Household/Maintenance/Shopping: 

1)  We clean house once weekly usually on Sunday evenings.  Upon mutual agreement, this is a joint effort.  We each do things during the week that make the weekly cleaning quick and easy.  

2)  I do laundry ONCE a week and I do not consider the job finished until everything is washed, dried and put away.  

3)  I grocery shop once a week.  I shop from a list posted on our fridge.  If it's not on the list, it doesn't get bought.  Because I do not enjoy cooking, our meals are incredibly simple and can usually be made from ingredients on hand or in the freezer.  Those items are stocked as I find things on sale or in bulk.

4)  I dislike any kind of shopping, so that is something I try to do during the weekly grocery run.  Anything we need goes on the fridge list and I pick it up while I'm out.  

Finances:

1)  We have one checking account, one savings account and one credit card.  We operate primarily with the credit card and its balance is paid in full each month.  I cannot remember the last time I wrote a check and I make one visit to the bank/ATM each month for what little cash we use.

2)  Mr. B is paid through automatic deposit and all of our bills are paid through automatic debit.  That was a huge step for me when I was able to get that accomplished. 

3)  Speaking of bills, we have very few.  Within the past year, I was able to consolidate our Cable TV, Internet and Phone with one carrier meaning one bill.  One bill for all utilities as the same company provides our electric, gas, water and sewer service.   Both of those plus our mortgage, tithe to our church and monthly credit card payment are all accomplished via automatic debit.  I no longer subscribe to the newspaper and we are debt free otherwise, so other than a miscellaneous annual expense (i.e. AAA, car insurance, etc.) that about covers it. 

4)  I've done everything possible to eliminate excess mail and am thankful to say I'm reaping the benefits.  We live on a very busy street so changing all business documents/bills to be delivered electronically was not only a convenience measure, but a safety one as well.  Despite all my efforts, the vast majority of mail we receive is JUNK and I hate that.

Simplifying things in this way did not happen overnight.  It took a long time to get everything streamlined.  But I can tell you without a doubt, that it is worth every moment I spent setting things up to work this way.   I am reaping those rewards every day.   And I had to start somewhere.  One simple step at a time.

One word of extreme caution especially to all you younger singles, those with young families and newlyweds I know are reading.  Just because all of these things work automatically does NOT mean I don't monitor them very closely.  I spend an hour or so each month quickly checking statements, matching credit card receipts against the bill and making sure everything adds up.  Just last month, I challenged a charge on our credit card statement that resulted in a credit.  A few months ago, I challenged an incorrect charge from a restaurant.  The restaurant tried to dispute my argument until I was able to provide tangible proof because I still had the receipt.  It was plain that some altering had been done because the actual charge did not match the signed receipt and I suspect, a server found himself in deep trouble.  Getting someone in trouble was not my intent - I actually had no idea the tip was at issue, but between those two instances, I caught $45 in erroneous charges in a span of two months.  Simple does not mean oblivious or careless!

Simple girl, simple life, SIMPLE SEPTEMBER!  What steps have you taken recently to make your life less complicated?  Will you join me in making this September a simple one by making one change?  What will it be?

In Search of Fall

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Cherokee, NC

August 29, 2011

I left home bright and early Monday morning for a two-day solo roadtrip in search of cooler temperatures and any hope I might find that autumn is on its way to East Tennessee.  Can't say I found much hope in that, but what I did find was the peace and solitude I was seeking.  I also found an uncharacteristically clear day in the mountains.  My beloved Smoky Mountains don't bear that name randomly and at this point of the year following a summer of high heat and humidity in the valley, the name is totally appropriate.  But on this day, I was given a gift.  

We "natives" want you to love our mountains as much as we do and visit them often, but we also cherish the days when you go back home, take your children with you and leave the peace, solitude and hidden treasures for us to enjoy.   I drove quickly through the horrors known as Gatlinburg and Pigeon  Forge entering the long, green tunnel across Newfound Gap into North Carolina  and down to the entrance of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

My plan was to drive the approximately 80 mile segment from its beginning near Cherokee, NC to Asheville, NC.  There were a couple of short hikes along the way that I planned to do and hoped I'd see at least a hint of color in the trees when I neared the high point of the entire 469 mile parkway at milepost 434.

This was the view from the very steep trail to Waterrock Knob, my first stop.

And proof of my most excellent use of the timer feature on my camera at the Parkway High Point where I most certainly did NOT find any hint of fall.  

An hour or so later, I made it to the Mt. Pisgah Inn, one of only four lodging facilities located directly on the BRP.   I had this in mind for my lunch spot..............................

................and as you can see, it did NOT disappoint! 

By then, I knew I hadn't found autumn and I was headed into lower elevations where it was going to be warmer.  I was looking forward to my lodging for the evening, so I exited the parkway less than two miles from the Bent Creek Lodge just south of Asheville.

Feeling certain that once I arrived at this oasis, I wouldn't want to leave, I made one last stop at a nearby Chik-Fil-A for their yummy Grilled Chicken Salad.  After checking into the Wildflower Room which I'd managed to grab at a pre-Labor Day special rate of 25% off, I found my spot for dinner.

In the mountains, it gets dark early and this girl was happily settled into her luxurious queen-sized bed with windows wide open by 9:45.  I had a terrific WiFi connection and tried my best to read some of today's BlogLand wisdom, but unfortunately, the inside of my eyelids were more demanding.

Tuesday morning, I woke up early as usual and was able to watch the sun creep up over the mountains while drinking a steaming cup of coffee. 

Following breakfast and delightful conversation with the innkeepers who I learned were Inn Sitting for the owners who are away on vacation.  This couple has made a second career out of Inn Sitting and have "subbed" at more than 60 Bed and Breakfast Inns across the southeast.  I could've listened to their stories for hours.

But I had places to go and things to see.  My first stop was at the candy store a.k.a the Asheville Farmer's Market.

This place is HUGE and is a fully thriving seven day a week operation.  It is among my favorite stops in western North Carolina.   I came away with giant red peppers that are incredibly sweet, okra, sunburst tomatoes and the thing for which I was searching!   APPLES!!   FRESHLY PICKED APPLES!  Western North Carolina is known as an area that is conducive to apple growing and I knew that I might not find red or gold leaves on this trip, but if I could find apples, autumn CAN'T be far behind.  I found a grower with 12 different kinds who was selling them so that I could pick and choose among all 12 varieties for a single per pound price.  They won't always let you do that, so I was thrilled.  I eat an apple every day 365 days a year, so when I can start finding apples that haven't been in cold storage or shipped halfway around the world, I become a happy, happy girl indeed!

Heading back towards home contentedly chomping on a apple led me here..............

Depending on your source, the Foothills Parkway is considered a jewel of the mountains or a complete waste of millions of dollars.  Follow the link if you are interested in that story.  As for me, I'll enjoy it while I have it because both sections have incredible viewpoints off the ridge in all directions.  It was along the Foothills Parkway at this point..........................

............that I enjoyed my second lunch I had brought from home.  I will have to confess that I also enjoyed a second apple. From here, it was only about a 40-minute drive back to my home. 

It was a perfect roadtrip in every way and although I only drove 288.2 miles total, I felt as if I'd been in another world.  Not five minutes after I arrived home, I heard horns blowing and sirens screaming on the highway.   A far cry from the total silence I'd heard the prior night as I watched darkness arrive and stars jump out.  Why must we always stay so busy creating "noise" that we fail to search for and appreciate the joy and contentment a few minutes of silence would bring?  Could it be that we are afraid of what our minds might have to say if we stopped long enough to listen?  Maybe it's change we don't want to make.  Maybe it's a toxic relationship we don't want to sever.  Maybe it's a career decision to which we are unwilling to commit. 

I do know this about myself.  At no point in time yesterday or the day before, was food or my relationship to it EVER in the forefront of my mind.  While sitting in the rocking chair at Pisgah Inn, I could've been eating crickets and dirt for all I cared.  I was mesmerized by what was in front of me.  Only after I was undressed and in bed did I remember the melt-in-your-mouth type cookies I had seen on the kitchen counter.  They never entered my mind as I quietly rocked on that porch watching the stars come out and say hello even though they were less than 25 feet away.

If only my attention could be captivated in this way all the time.  That is my goal!   Thanks for coming along on my roadtrip!

When was the last time you experienced TOTAL silence and what did you do with it?