2011 in Hindsight

I'm taking a moment to think back on the happenings of 2011. New Year's Resolutions aren't something to take lightly, so some hindsight is important.

And this past year has definitely been an interesting one.

January began with Jamie and I going to New York and Boston for his birthday. In the winter. We had a great time, minus the bed bugs I was plagued with in NY (yuck). I'd love to go back in the spring or fall sometime. Minus the bed bugs.


March put Fukushima on the map when the 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit, killing tens of thousands and putting many more in danger of nuclear exposure. Obviously Fukushima is now a ghost town, but people from the town are still dealing with the aftermath of nuclear exposure, homelessness, discrimination from other Japanese, etc. etc.


Oh, and Charlie Sheen was fired. Winning?

In April we bought a vacation package (NOT a timeshare). Last month was our final payment and now we can actually plan a trip! Anyone want to go to Europe or anywhere else in the world and split 5-star, $260/week accommodations?


We also celebrated the royal wedding of Kate and William at work. I won two prizes - one for best dressed, and the other for most creative dish. Thanks to my gingerbread cookie cutter and a couple of well-placed rings, my royal PB&J sandwiches were a hit!



In May, we learned that Osama bin Laden had been killed during a US Navy SEAL operation.

Jamie and his best friend, John, traveled to Gettysburg to play soldiers on the battlefield.

In June, Hikers Unite! took its first overnight trip to Yosemite where several members conquered Half Dome.


In July, the popular court case regarding Casey Anthony came to a close finding Anthony not guilty of her daughter's death.


NASA launched their final shuttle and officially retired their shuttle fleet.


Our own Sacramento LAUNCH experienced another successful event celebrating local art, music and fashion.


Jamie and I went to Alcatraz with my folks where my father and my husband experienced the cell blocks for the first time.


In August we moved into our new duplex where we now have two bedrooms, a real backyard and a fireplace!

September saw the 2nd Annual Autumn Harvest Masquerade after a false start in July. We had to push it back due to low ticket sales, but the actual event was beautiful, and we raised over $1500 for Wind Youth Services.


The Occupy Wall Street protests made headlines with tons of arrests and random acts of pepper spraying.


In October I tried my hand at jazz singing and, while I didn't end up with a regular gig (oops), I accomplished my goal of singing jazz at The Shady Lady.


This also marks the month of Steve Jobs' death.


And Cassie's birthday.


November. November and December both rushed by with holidays, birthdays, etc., but I'll never forget how fun it was to watch my closest family and friends compete in an Amazing Race themed birthday party for my 30th.


Did I mention we sent in our audition video for the actual Amazing Race TV show?

That just leaves December. I joined a band.

I also joined Marci's annual Candy Consortium and made delicious Oreo Truffles.


And Jamie and I celebrated Christmas with his and my families all sitting down to dinner together. That was pretty special, and I don't have a single picture of that. So here's a picture of someone else's family instead.


Sometimes I tend to remember events with the negative stuff, but this list was impressively positive (minus a lot of the the world news).

So I think my resolution should reflect that. Feel free to add your resolution(s) in the comment box and let's greet the New Year with a fresh perspective and a healthier life.

Susan's New Year Resolutions:

- Become more of the positive person you were created to be. Recall the positive moments and let go of the negative ones.
- Bring life and light wherever you go.
- Be more appreciative of those who have stuck by you. You're not the easiest person to deal with, and their patience and loyalty speak volumes to their character.
- Teach what you know to those who want to learn.
- Make time for the really important things in life. And no, washing the dishes and cleaning the house isn't ALWAYS an important thing.
- Don't sweat the small stuff (remember that one?).
- Pursue the lonely.
- Serve the needy.
- Love until you don't have to remind yourself.

Happy New Year!

How a Goat Saved Christmas, or, How to be the 99% Without Having to Hold a Sign or Face Potential Pepper Spray Incidents

There are lots of really great deals going on right now. But this year more than ever I'm struck with how many bad deals going on, too. And I'm so tired of my money NOT going to help people suffering from those bad deals that I'm shopping with a conscience for Christmas (and longer, hopefully).

It's no surprise that I buy most of my clothing and kitchen gadgets from thrift stores. Mostly because I like the search and the individuality you'll find there, but also because I don't care to support big businesses. This is a delicate topic, though, because I know not all big businesses are greedy corporations that only want to make money for their own welfare.

BUT, in today's culture, it's so difficult to figure out who is worth supporting and who isn't. And just because I support smaller businesses doesn't mean my money is going toward a better cause. Just because they're independent doesn't mean they spend their money "wisely" either. I place "wisely" in quotes because that, too, is up for debate depending on your definition of what a wise purchase would be. You see how quickly this issue gets complicated.

But I am an American citizen and a Christian, and I have a responsibility to steward my money and my earth wisely.

I'm tired of hearing how so many big businesses are screwing their employees out of good health care, overtime pay and good working conditions. I'm tired of filling my home with crap and supporting the businesses that underpay their factory workers (or worse, employ children to work for them).

I don't want to stand out in the cold holding a sign (I really hate being cold), and frankly I think there are WAY more effective ways of changing the government's spending habits and bringing the power back into the hands of the people than setting up camp and causing sanitary nastiness that MY tax money has to pay for! I'd rather it go toward education, or putting child abusers behind bars.

Furthermore, I feel I have a responsibility to purchase products that won't contribute to the massive growing trash heaps or belching smoke that plastic recycling plants create.

Anyway, a few years ago I donated money to World Vision in a "goat purchase" that would help a family in Africa (World Vision is totally legit; you can look it up). I did this for two reasons - 1. I knew my brother couldn't sell the gift to get something else (yeah, pretty crappy of me to be influenced by that, but I chuckle at it now). 2. The goat was a long-term gift that would provide milk and cheese and, if needed, meat for the family. It wasn't a trendy, plastic toy that would end up in the dump a year later.



I'm returning to that concept again this year, and hopefully I'll continue the tradition for years to come.

Whether I volunteer, donate money, or just make sure I'm purchasing used, handmade or small business products, I want to purchase for the long-haul and support the systems that I agree with. Helping starving people is one of those systems. And hopefully, if enough people stop giving their money to government subsidized businesses, the government would HAVE to change in order to make a profit.

So, in order to change my spending habits for good, I'm asking you all to keep me accountable. Here's my purchasing outline (it's not the perfect list; there are exceptions to every "good" idea, but you get the idea):



- Purchase stuff for someone who actually needs it
- Only purchase items from independently owned/small businesses vs. chain stores (food and drinks included)
- Only purchase clothing, shoes and accessories from 2nd hand shops/antique stores/online websites (Etsy, Craigslist, Ebay, Freecycle)
- If purchasing something new, make sure it's made by an artist
- Make a conscious effort to stay away from purchasing plastic, whether in the product's composition or in its packaging (bye bye to buying red plastic party cups...)

There are a few major areas that will take some time to find alternatives for, like communication, travel, household cleaning supplies, makeup and technology, so for now I'll still probably have to purchase those from big businesses. Let me know if you hear of good alternatives!

Goat image borrowed from http://blog.reversethecursechicago.com/