Tuesday, August 5
OK, hopefully after this post it is back to business. Back to This Year’s Dozen.
I temporarily lost my “crafting” focus with so many things vying for my attention. Ideas and inspirations were coming from many directions. From other bloggers, friends and from that healthier person inside me begging to get out.
NO SPEND MONTH
First off… last month I read an article here on WordPress about a family of 3 budgeting only $250 for the month of July. NO SPEND MONTH and how they were going about sticking to it. This family is such a delight. It is well worth the read.
http://smallnotebook.org/2008/07/01/july-is-no-spend-month-whats-it-about/
I decided to adopt this plan for the month of August and apply it to my craft supplies spending. I will spend ZERO dollars this month for craft supplies. If you could see my stash, rather stashes if that is a word, you would understand. So, whatever I don’t have, I will improvise, go to plan B or go without. It is going to be tough for I do like to browse and spend.
However, there is one exception to this no spend rule. A scheduled craft class. I already signed up for this August 17th class to make a peyote fall leaves necklace. Class fees have already been paid but I need to buy supplies that day. But good news, they owe me $15 for overpayment on materials for the wirewrapped ring class I took last month. Couldn’t have come at a better time.
WALKY TALK
And now for the BIG NEWS of the day. I have joined an online walking group to get in some much needed exercise. This plan has me walking the length of the State of Michigan. All 3300 miles, one step at a time. **Correction: 491 miles**
I am so excited about this program that I have spent a good portion of the last 6 days walking around my neighborhood. Go here for details.
I created a new blog to track my progress and report in.
http://michiganmiles.wordpress.com/
So.. come follow along with me. Join me if you also need to get in more exercise. Or check with the health providers in your own state. Maybe there is a similar program being offered. Walky Talk is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, my health care provider. Wish me luck!!
Thank you, your words are very kind. Walking the length of Michigan? Cool!
I only hope the old legs hold up. I love your blog. It is a must read. I have been telling my friends about it.
I know that you will have great success with your exercise plan.
I think that most of us who craft or sew could probably go through left over fabric scraps and craft materials and probably not spend money for several months.
Just think how clean our houses/craft rooms would be if we used up all the leftovers from other projects. 
Thanks!! I know I would have lots of space IF only I could get myself to part with the leftovers. But as soon as I toss something, a few months later, I am looking for it.
Are you sure you’ve calculated the length of Michigan correctly? It’s only 1900ish miles from Massachusetts to Texas, so…something seems off.
IF only I could have a month where I didn’t spend $400 on gas commuting to college.
I hear ya, Totaltransformation. Next month I am going to look deeper into my spending and try No Spend Month on something else. 7 days of no spending on anything craft related!! Woohoo!!
Driftingfocus, I got the mileage from http://www.walkytalk.com. If you sign up, you will see a map of the State of Michigan and it has 3300 miles on it with a red dot as the starting point.
Maybe it is square miles. I am going to check into this. Thanks!!
I know it’s not square miles, because Massachusetts, my home state, is around 10,000sq miles!
From Wikipedia:
Area
– Total 97,990 sq mi
(253,793 km²)
– Width 239 miles (385 km)
– Length 491 miles (790 km)
– Latitude 41° 42′ N to 48° 16′ N
– Longitude 82° 25′ W to 90° 25′ W
So, I have no clue where they’re getting those numbers.
If you want walking advice, let me know. I walk about 6 miles a day on average (sometimes upwards of 15 or even 20), and have been for several years.
I want to be just like you… one day. I am only doing about 2 miles a day. I just started a week ago. Haven’t exercised in YEARS so I am taking it slow.
I e-mailed the walkytalk site to inquire on how the miles were computed. Will let you know if I hear from them. If not, I am going to call my BC/BS rep to ask. They shouldn’t have me traveling the length of the US if I am only supposed to walk through Michigan.
491 miles is more in my range anyway. At my current pace, it would take years to walk 3300 miles. Thanks for pointing this out. And I have lived here since 1965. I should have known. We drive to the Soo in the UP at least once a year and I think it is less than 400 miles. Mile marker 392 if memory serves me.
No spend month…I might have to try that.
As far as the exercise, good luck to you and those who have joined in your plan. Personally, I’m on my feet most of 8 hours every night at work. Don’t think I could handle it.
Thanks!! I haven’t lost any weight but I feel lighter, peppier.