Warren Buffett

I finally finished the book on Warren Buffett that I have been reading off and on for over a year. It is really long. But it was an interesting look at a very wealthy and powerful man. It is more of an in-depth look at Buffet as a person and less at his investing strategies. So if you are looking to read the book to learn how to be just as wealthy as he is, you might be disappointed. Yes the book talks about his specific business transactions, but the best investment lesson I got from it is that I don’t have the time nor the ambition to do as much research as he does. Did I mention that the book is really long??

But the biggest lesson I learned from the book is that personal family and friend relationships are more valuable than billions of dollars in the bank. That is why I called him a powerful man instead of a successful man. He has certainly been successful in business but his personal life leaves a lot to be desired. I think that is the way it will always be…to be hyper focused on one area of your life will mean that other areas will suffer your attention. 

31 Days...

I check up on a few blogs from time to time, and recently I came across a blog called Remodeling this Life.  I found out that during the month of October she and several other bloggers are doing a 31 day challenge/focus. They have each picked a topic and will be blogging about that every day in October. It will be fun to check out their postings and follow along.  Here is a list of the bloggers:

31 Days to an Inspired Table :: My First Kitchen

31 Days to a Less Messy Nest :: Nesting Place

31 Days of Living Simply :: Remodeling This Life

31 Days of Autumn Bliss :: The Inspired Room

31 Days to More. . .With Less :: Beauty and Bedlam

31 Days to a Better Photo :: My 3 Boybarians

31 Days to Stress Free Entertaining :: Reluctant Entertainer

31 Days of Grace :: Chatting at the Sky

I would like to say that I will be participating in blogging every day in October too, but I cannot commit to that (I mean I’ve already missed day 1!). Posting more than once a month would be a big improvement! 

Hiking

I love hiking but I rarely take the opportunity to do it. I recently read an article about a mother who hikes with her children every day. I don't think I will be doing that, but I can easily go hiking more often with just Gage. So this week I grabbed Gage and his backpack carrier and went to Cheyenne Canyon for a short hike. It was really fun, but hard. Gage weighs over 20 lbs and the pack isn't light. Then I had to bring my camera, snacks, water, etc...making the pack 40 lbs? That was a lot to carry on my back for the first hike in a long time.

I forget sometimes how good the forest smells. And the sounds of birds, wind in the trees, and my feet on the gravel. I grew up in these hills and I love the opportunity to teach my son about nature and being outdoors. Right now he is mostly interested in playing with rocks, but he also stops to listen to birds. So where will we go on our next hike?

Going to the Library

One of the reasons I LOVE living downtown is to be close enough to walk or ride my bike to most of the places I want to go. Gage and I have been going to the library once a week for baby, and now toddler, time. It is a great free program that they offer which Gage enjoys. There is singing, stories read, puppets, and other kids to look at. The library recently got 2 new bunnies which we visit every week, but Gage is still a little unsure what they are. Most of the time he just looks with wide eyes, but sometimes he barks at them.
It is kind of sweet growing up in the same town that I'm raising my son, but I can do many of the same things with him that I enjoyed. I always loved going to the library as a child and remember that at the downtown branch they had guinea pigs to play with. I also liked participating in the summer reading program which fueled my competitive nature. I signed up Gage for the summer reading program and we get to fill in a circle for every 2 books I read to him. He REALLY likes picking out the markers and filling in those circles, but would prefer if I let him do it himself so he could make a mess.

Gardening - continued

Composting is a new endeavor we have jumped into. Danny built a great barrel tumbler composter for us and replicated it for several friends. (I’m so happy to have a husband who can build/fix things!!) We began composting for the benefit of my garden, and also for the environment. Since we have been recycling, and now composting, we have greatly reduced the amount of trash we are setting out on the curb, which is a great immediate improvement.

I have now been able to use the first of the compost we have made. I’m so excited about this for my garden. I incorporated some of the compost into the bed where I sowed some seeds, and I used some more in my iris border I cleared of weeds. Those irises have not done much blooming since we moved in, but after I added the compost I now have quite a few buds on those plants! It really makes me feel good to see my “trash” being used to make my plants healthy. And those flowers make me smile.

Since we are going more green, I liked this article on how to talk to kids about environmental issues. http://simplemom.net/use-storytelling-to-inspire-our-kids-to-go-green/\

Gardening

I’m really excited for my garden this year. Danny made me a new raised bed in the back yard in addition to the beds I had on the side of the house last year. I have planted all my seeds and got the tomatoes and squash in last weekend. It is wonderful to have fresh veggies from your own garden all summer.

My real battle is with the weeds in the flower garden in the front yard. I have beaten them back in some areas, but they are definitely winning out in a lot of the areas. I need a couple good sunny days and a cooperative son to get out there and pull those weeds. But as soon as I get one area done I have to go back and start all over again. They never go away! But I really find weeding pretty relaxing. I can let my mind wander while I’m doing it and I enjoy the physical labor and being outside. I may think differently in the middle of August, but right now it is nice to get some sun on my back.

Free Time

When Gage is napping I have a long list of things I'd like to get done that are easier to do when he is not under foot. Unfortunately, because I'm so tired (since Gage still doesn't sleep well), I usually lay down to nap myself or just catch up on email because it is easy. But today I sat in my sunroom and did some journaling while I drank a cup of coffee. It was really nice to take a break, be reflective, and enjoy the sun since it was so cloudy yesterday. So even though I didn't get much sleep last night, I was able to enjoy some time for just me.