Humidity Stinks

Sorry I haven't posted in the last few days. I am in Florida and on vacation and have family down here - so you can imagine how busy I have been. The interesting thing is I haven't driven except two times since getting here last Monday. There isn't much driving I need to do while down here so I have been enjoying my "driving" time off. I also started a much needed work vacation last Friday. I don't get back into the coaching chair until Tuesday, July 6th. Yippee!!

Even if you love your job like I do - we all need to take a break from it. We often don't realize the everyday stresses work bring to us until we are lounging in the pool and smiling at how relaxed we are. My shoulders seem to be lower, my heart rate seems to be slower and my head seems more clear.

I take a week off of work every 3 months. It just seems to work well for me to have that mental and emotional break from coaching. As I said earlier - I LOVE my job and wouldn't want to do anything else - except maybe be a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model (like I said - I am on vacation which means I am obviously taking a break from reality).

If you aren't regularly taking a break - be it a week or a day - I encourage you to schedule one soon. There is no better way to give your best at work then by first giving your best to yourself.

Bumper Stickers

Each day, whether I am walking, biking, riding the bus or driving, I see all kinds of bumper stickers on cars. Some showing the drivers interest in sports - I HEART SOCCER. Some showing pride as parents - MY SON IS ON THE HONOR ROLL AT SOUTH MIDDLE SCHOOL. Some showing their political interests - OBAMA IN 2010. Some showing where we live or vacation - MARTHA'S VINEYARD.

Today I was thinking about what I would write on a bumper sticker if I could create my own. What would I want to share with the world on my bumper (of course, I don't have a bumper anymore, so maybe I should just create a tshirt). What am I passionate about that is important enough for me to put it out there - for all to see?

It would probably be something like this - WE CAN ALL IMPACT THE WORLD - IF WE WANT TO!

To me it means that we all the innate responsibility to help those who need help - whether they are homeless, hungry or hurting. It is just sometimes we dont' do it for whatever reason. The thing is - all we have to do is make the choice to do something. To take action. To want to help. That is it!!!!

What would your bumper sticker say? I would love for you to post them here for all to see. Let this forum be your open road to express what you feel or who you are.

The Toyota Prius

OK, so this blog is about cars - or so I thought it would be when I started. Now it has morphed into a way for me to share my thoughts, short comings, victories, and life with all of you. Thanks for the flexibility.

I was getting ready to go out for my run today when I saw a Toyota Prius commercial. At the end of the commercial the announcer says "Are you ready for a car that all others will want to be compared to?" It got me thinking - are you ready to be the kind of person that others want to be compared to? That is a pretty big statement. I started thinking, while running, what that even means. Is it a positive thing to be compared to or a negative thing? Does it mean I am modelling good behavior or that I am showcasing bad behavior.

It brings me back to a time when I was in high school. I have a very vague memory of being in the girls bathroom as a senior and having a Junior walk in while I was washing my hands. She stopped, looked a little scared, and then said "I know that you don't like me Kristen, but I wanted to say I like what you are wearing today." I was so shocked I didn't even respond. Was that what I was modelling in high school? Was I the mean girl? Possibly and unfortunately.

I guess that is what this whole experiment I am doing is all about anyways - looking back at things I did wrong and looking ahead for things I can do right. I want to be the person that people want to be compared to. Not because I am an egomaniac, but because it means that I have grown, that I have learned and that I am now loving those in my world.

Here is what I want to ask each of you to do today. Go buy a cheesy magazine (you know the ones - US, STAR, etc. - or go online) Read through it and ask yourself who in that magazine represents class and style and who represents the opposite. Now, ask yourself this question - "which style do I look more like?" You might find yourself just as shocked as I found myself in that high school bathroom. If you are - change. Make a difference and do something good. I did and I feel better for it.

Do I Want to be Right or Happy

A counselor once asked me in a session if I wanted to be right or if I wanted to be happy. "What's the difference" I jokingly asked her.

"Actually", she said, "A lot.". First, our quest to be right is often more important to us than our quest for happiness. Many of us have so many different views and opinions on issues that all we care about is proving that our stand on a certain issue is the correct stand. Think hot topics like abortion, the death penalty or religion. Many times we don't consider that if we allow others the same respect to voice their opinions and views - we'll be happier for it.

While I have serious views on the above issues, I oftentimes don't allow others to state what they feel about them and why. I tend to over control the conversation and shut down people who disagree with my opinion. I guess I have always felt that if you don't stand on the same side as me then we don't have anything in common. This puts a wall up between people, therefore making us less sociable with others - henceforth - more unhappy.

I am beginning to believe - wait for it - that I am wrong. Not on my views or stance on important issues - but wrong on how I allow others to share with me their views or stances.

This came to my attention while taking time away from driving everywhere (I told you I was doing some deep thinking during my biking and walking). Today while walking to Starbucks (heads up people, still no endorsement money from them - darn it - LOL) I just started thinking about how I used to feel "environmentalistic tree huggers" were a little bit crazy. So stressed about the environment, global warming, etc. I would barely hear when someone would be trying to prove to me that I had to start this or give up that in order to help our environment (please don't kill me - I am just trying to be honest). Well, yesterday on the beach at sunset a family of 4 were releasing balloons into the sky (quite possibly as a memorial to someone they just lost - at least that was my thought). I respected that they may be mourning, but to be honest I was more upset to think that those balloons would soon lose helium and probably end up in the ocean somewhere. That brought me to think of how we can't really afford to have more crap in the ocean, that with oil spewing daily and all the trash that is already there.

I STOPPED right there on the beach and thought - wow - how did I become this person who cares about our world more than I ever have before. First, it has to be that biking and walking has forced me to see our world more "closer up" if that is a term. Second, I am learning to allow myself the concept that other people may be right as well - and that my friends - MAKES ME HAPPY. Tell my counselor I am cured!!

Ahh - Florida

Rich and I got to our Florida house last night. Other than the fact that the heat is actually offensive - it is so good to be home.

I love that I have a car here, but will only use it about 1 time a week. We walk or bike pretty much every where we go while we are here (except the grocery store - the closest one is 4 miles away and you can't bike with 25 bags of groceries and a bottle of wine).

We bought a car for this house last year - a KIA SOUL. It is Alien Green and truly a fun car. Rich says it is like owning a golf cart with doors. That is such a true statement. But, the car is cute and functional and has air - pretty much all we need in Florida.

I have to work Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week and then I am off for vacation until the 5th of July. Yeah, vacation, FL and a car - life it good.

Can you bike off back fat

It has come to my attention that the older I get the more back fat I get. I am not sure what that is all about (but do suspect my love of beer as the culprit)- and I am not too happy about it - but it is a reality now.

This has been my source of vanity today. Yesterday I was concerned about my big toe nail - I broke it and it looks horrible.

Yes people - you read that right - I am a truly crazy person with truly crazy issues.

I am finding that as I age things are starting to fall "downward" and "out". For example, my back fat. It seems to not want to cooperate and stay in my jeans. It is almost like it is claustrophobic and needs to poke out of the top of my jeans for fear of being trapped in there for ever. I am wondering if I can get my back fat into some counseling - so that it will stay tucked away into my jeans and not feel the need to make an appearance each time I go out. Is there such a thing.

Just another day in the life of a woman without a car. What will I worry about next?

Vanity Smacks Me In The Face

I rode my bike to my women's group meeting today - which, as everyone knows - gives me lots of time to think.

What I'm discovering is - if you take away a material thing that you think was the root of your vanity, you get smacked in the face with a harsh reality - it wasn't. Because as soon as that is removed, something else steps up. It has just been waiting in the wings for you to get rid of the first thing so that it can shine in the vanity spotlight. Kind of like the Vice President. (Come on, you don't think each VP just wants to be #2 forever - they are just waiting for that President to kick the bucket so they can be #1).

I don't even have to name the next big "it" - it's different everyday. Yesterday it was my abdominal muscles (no freaking lie people). The day before it was my clothes. Who knows what is waiting in line for tomorrow. I am starting to feel like a shallow piece of meat.

So it brings me to the unfortunate conclusion that my car didn't' make me vain. I am vain - therefore I had to have that car.

Darn it!!!!

I was SOOO hoping that wasn't going to be the case.

Now what?

Do I have to give up all my material possessions and join the Peace Corps like my friend just did (props to her by the way - she ROCKS - and doesn't have a vain bone in her body - she is actually doing it because she wants to help people - geez).

I am sincerely perplexed with what to do with my new found discovery.

Anyone else out there ever deal with vanity? I would love to hear how you are personally beating it out of your system?

The Truth Shall Set us Free

So I am on my daily dog walk (yes, with poop in hand) and I walk by a huge honeysuckle bush. I love honeysuckles. Growing up in the South my summers were filled with the fragrant scent of honeysuckle in the wind. My best friend Ali and I would swim all day and then pick honeysuckles and eat them while laying in the grass on the hill outside of my house in the evenings while lightning bugs would announce their presence in the dark. Those were wonderful memories. How I wish I was back there - just for a moment - to remember how carefree life was.

I promised I would be transparent with ya'll, so I want to delve into another memory that came up during my honeysuckle recollection.

It was about that same time that I tried out for cheer leading. I believe I was in the 7th grade and our middle school was holding tryouts. So I tried out - and made it. Now - you should know there was nothing particularly special about me during that time - every girl made it. But either way - I was in. Because we weren't old enough to drive, our parents had to take turns driving us to and from practice and games. It was my dad's turn to pick up my friend Krista and me from the game. Krista was a pretty blond - lived in a huge house - and must of (to my 7th grade perception) had a lot of money. You can imagine my embarrassment, then, when my father drove up in his big green - beat up - construction truck.

I thought I was going to die. Looking back now I realize it was my first memory of vanity around cars. I immediately excused the truck to my friend Krista and we got in.

BIG MISTAKE. Now, my dad died just 3 years later, so most or all of you have never met him, but he was a force. A retired New York State Trooper who was 6'2" and about 200 lbs. of muscle (for those of you connecting the dots, yes his physique resembles that of my husbands - thank God for counseling - ha ha). Anyways, we dropped Krista off and then I got the beat down. My father told me to NEVER apologize for the type of car that you drive and to never feel embarrassed by him or make him feel that way again. He went on to say he was a business man who owned his own company, his own house and his own car and that I was ridiculous to feel the way I did.

OUCH. That hurt. I was the baby in our family and pretty much NEVER got in trouble. I was also extremely spoiled in the eyes of my sister and brother, so dad yelling at me was not common. I felt very bad about what I had done and apologized.

But do you know what - that is where it all started and it has taken this long (26 years later) for me to realize that I need to not put vanity in front of humility. Wow, what a lesson. I only wish dad had lived long enough to give me more lessons. Who knows where I would have ended up.

Peace out.

Today is Laundry Day

I am in no need of a car today, at all. This is good, considering that Rich took ours to Colorado Springs today, so I don't have one anyways.

So I figured I would start my day with a walk with the dogs. Then I rode my bike to get coffee with Adrienne and then headed home to start on that pile of laundry, because it isn't going anywhere by itself, it asked me to, and I know that Rich isn't going to do it (sorry to throw you under the bus honey).

It is funny, when you have time to think, what you actually uncover.

I work at home, and I exercise a lot, so when I was sorting through the laundry today I realized that pretty much ALL of my dirty clothes were sweats, t-shirts and socks. Pretty funny, considering I actually have a full time job and do go out quite a bit. Where are all of my nice clothes? Do I really wear sweats that much? When was the last time I showered. Wait - oh my gosh - when was the last time I shaved my legs (again, feeling the need to apologize to my hubby).

These are all disturbing revelations. I have got to get myself a car before I turn into a scuz. Or - here is another thought - I could just go shave my legs.

Choices, choices, choices.

It's All About the Health

Yesterday at church, Susie had an amazing message - take care of your physical, spiritual and mental health. She went into greater detail of course (and you can listen to it yourself at www.pathwayswashpark.org) but what she said really resonated with me and this experience I am going through.

Let's examine.

She mentions the importance of physical health. How we can't be our best without taking care of our bodies. This includes (but is not limited to) exercise, rest and relaxation. I started thinking about how my experiment is really helping me in this respect. Sure, I work out everyday, but then I rely on my car to get me to where I am going after that. Now I am biking and walking a lot more and I feel great. Also, because I am doing more exercise I am sleeping better than ever. So far - one for the win column.

Next was spiritual health. This is a win anyway you count it, as I am experimenting with breaking the chains of material goods. I feel great about my progress and where my heart is around this. I also have discovered the library, so I am saving money on books (which I read like 3 a month) and loving not needing to buy every book I want to read. I am pretty sure, however, that the car and book industry hates me. If I go missing one day - please check with Barnes & Noble. I feel they would be the prime suspect in my disappearance.

Last, she spoke of emotional health. Again, a win. I feel wonderful. I am using my walking and biking time to realize the beauty of my world. I am less stressed because I am not behind a slow driver, getting cut off by a crazy driver or stopping at every red light. I laugh more also (this is what Susie says is MANDATORY). Get this, on my walk with the dogs today I got to pick up poop twice. Then I made a song about carrying poop on my walk - and yes - sang it the entire way. Crazy - maybe. Funny - Absolutely.

I ask each of you to analyze where you are with these 3 health accounts as well.

Enjoy your day.

Today I Am Annoyed

It is still raining. I am heading to church and have to take Rich's car. This is actually starting to get annoying. Today I am annoyed, there I said it.

How do people live without a car. I have only "not" had one for 4 days and already I am bothered. I mean, yes, I have a car - my husbands - but seriously - this is starting to bother me. I didn't realize the freedom a car gives you. The pureness of just being able to - at any time - get in and go. Gosh - I miss that.

I think it has to be the fact that it is raining AGAIN in Colorado and I haven't seen the sun since Friday (and only for a brief moment). Maybe that is why I want to shoot myself.

So I think, just go buy a darn car, but that would be the easy way out and I don't believe I have learned or grown from this experiment enough yet. There are still 3 months and 3 weeks before I do that.

So today I look for the message at my church (Pathways at Wash Park for anyone in my area looking for a great church) to provide the much needed peace and comfort I am needing.

I hope everyone out there is in a much better mood than I am. Enjoy your Sunday.

What do you do in a Tornado

Day 2 without a car has gone something like this:

I rode my bike to Wash Park to run, then rode my bike to meet my girlfriends for coffee, then rode my bike to run an errand, then rode my bike home. Seems ok so far, right?

Now, it is raining, the tornado siren is going off, and there are storms all over Denver. No way I am walking or riding anywhere. Also, the bus stop is over a 10 minute walk.

So, when it comes to meeting friends for a good old fashioned Wisconsin fish fry at Spanky's tonight - I believe I will need a car. Thank God Rich isn't crazy like me and giving up his car.

Have a great Friday night ya'll.

My First Day without a Car

Today has been tough.

First, I had a coaching session from 9 - 9:30. Then I had to be a bible study from 9:45 - 11:30 about 4 miles away but then had to head to a networking luncheon at 11:30 (dressed professionally of course) another 5 miles away. This means I had to drive, and since my car went home yesterday, it means I had to take Rich's.

Rich drives that car that is too big for the road. I call it the Living Room - mainly because it is as big as one and has a tv in it. I can't navigate with this car. Let me share. I wanted to get a Starbucks on the way to bible study, but could not park this big car in the few spaces left in their parking lot, so no Starbucks (for the record, I am beginning to think Starbucks should be paying me for how many times I mention them, must make contact). Then I found a cute coffee place I could park at, but I can't parallel park it because, again, too big, so I had to park quite a ways away and walk. Next up, my luncheon. First I ran over a few curbs trying to park at the Denver Country Club. Then I turned on the windshield wipers trying to find the turn signal. I then proceeded to almost run over a dog when I was trying to access the map. Lucky no one died today. If you see me in a big black living room - my suggestion - get out of my way.

I am hopeless. I miss my sedan, my sleek - easy to drive - know where everything is sedan.

Will I ever be happy again?

R.I.P.

Today my car went home to meet its maker. Not God, the Mercedes Benz dealer.

OK, let me be transparent. I cried. Seriously!! There was 10 minutes in Rich's car that I actually could not talk. He kept looking over at me, asking me simple questions I could answer with a grunt (no) and a head nod (yes). Every other minute he would reach out and stroke my hand. It was both ridiculous and sweet.

It's gone and I actually feel quite empty. As I was throwing away my recyclables tonight (which I keep in the garage) I was struck by how empty it is. What will I do with all that space?

Rich came home with a shiny brochure for a new Mercedes. "Look honey," he says hopefully "you can get this car." My feelings, my crying, my depression tonight only reiterates the fact that I need to live for awhile without one. I am not happy, but I am hopeful.

I am happy, at least, with thoughts that somebody, someday soon, will get to own my car. They will feel that euphoric "new car" feeling. They will be proud as they come out of the grocery store, hit the unlock button and hear the angels sing the sound of their car being unlocked. They will proudly hand wash it for the first several months (before giving into the corner car wash, where they do it faster, cheaper and better than they ever can). They will love it, and I will be glad for them, because they deserve to own this magnificent car.

No More Turning Away

Here is the thing about this experiment. I am becoming more aware. More aware of my choices, more aware of my surroundings, more aware of my world. I should warn you, this message is deep. You have been warned.

I was listening to Pink Floyd's song ON THE TURNING AWAY this morning. It was weird how the lyrics really seemed to be speaking to the heart of what I have been feeling lately. Let's look at them (also if you cut and paste the link below you can hear the song as well)

http://www.lyrics.com/on-the-turning-away-lyrics-pink-floyd.html

On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
and the words they say
which we won't understand
don't accept that what's happening
is just a case of others' suffering
or you'll find that you're joining in
the turning away

it's a sin that somehow
light is changing to shadow
and casting it's shroud
over all we have known
unaware of how the ranks have grown
driven on by a heart of stone
we could find that we're all alone
in the dream of the proud

on the wings of the night
as the daytime is stirring
where the speechless unite
in a silent accord
using words you will find are strange
and mesmerized as they light the flame
feel the new wind of change
on the wings of the night

No more turning away
From the weak and the weary
No more turning away
From the coldness inside
Just a world that we all must share
It's not enough to just stand and stare
Is it only a dream that they'll be
no more turning away

WOW! Those lyrics really hit home to me on so many levels. First, why does it take a "limited car" experience to open my eyes to stuff around me. Stuff like littering, homelessness, sadness. Stuff like taking action to make positive change. Now, I am not saying I was blind to this before. I am also not saying I have never taken action before, it just seems that now, as I experiment with different ways to get around I am enlightened to our world.

JUST A WORLD THAT WE ALL MUST SHARE. That verse says it all. I need to dig in deep and make a head to heart connection and ask myself if I am doing enough as an inhabitant of this world I am part of. Are you you?

Getting it out of the way

I am training to compete in the Hood to Coast Relay in August. Today I had to run 4 miles for my training. 4 miles isn't hard, but I sure wanted to sleep in instead.

Plus - the place I wanted to run was over 10 miles away and since I am really trying not to drive (and I didn't have an extra hour to take the bus) I decided to run closer to home. At first I was kind of pissy about it (sorry for the word folks, but no other word I could think of really described my attitude). So I woke up, fed the dogs, mulled around for a moment or two and then decided to just do it.

I head out and just 5 minutes in get that "oh yeah I am running baby" feeling. Happy to be outside, at 7 am, when it is still cool enough to run without wanting to die. I start noticing how many beautiful ducks are swimming in the Cherry Creek (I run the Cherry Creek Trail). People are all around me, running, biking, walking dogs. The city surely is alive this morning, and I get to be one of it's inhabitants. I get to participate in life outside today. I start feeling bad for all those drivers in their cars, missing the heartbeat of our city. I then feel bad for all those still asleep - and what they are missing by not being outside. The temperature will be over 94 today, so about noon I doubt anyone will be out and about comfortably.

This is when it hits me (not a car, or a biker for that matter - which is a blessing, because I swear one day I will get taken down by one of those bikers with their endorsement shirts spouting Gatorade or Tampax or whoever has sponsored these people to harass pedestrians on the Cherry Creek Trail) why procrastinate on the things I have to get done. It is so much easier to step up, complete the task, and start my day productively. Because statistically, the longer you put off doing the things you need to do, the bigger the tasks seems. Also, we know that when we don't do things we need to do it truly affects the quality of how we do all the other things.

SO - THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT IS THIS:
It's Monday folks. Get out of bed, the sun is shining (unless you live in Portland - sorry Katie) the birds are singing and you have things to do. What better time than right now to start your week off right.

The Numbers Don't Lie

I started this blog over 2 weeks ago, with the hopes of journaling an experiment about giving up my car for 4 months and the impact it will have on my life.

So far, I have had a blast. Let's look at what was and now is:

Before this experiment I drove 90% of everywhere I went, biked 2% and walked 8%.

Since starting, the numbers now look like this:
Drive - 5%
Bike - 55% (hmm, could this be why my jeans are tight on my thighs, could I be developing some muscle I didn't have?)
Walk - 30%
Bus - 10%

In addition to naturally burning more calories because of the change, I notice I am eating more as well. Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing, we'll have to wait and see on that topic.

Also, if you have been following, you have read the stories of how I have enjoyed this great experience so far. The people I have met, the much needed reflection time, getting to know my city better. So far, it has been a true blessing. Will I be saying that on Thursday when I have to turn the car in? Who knows, but I am hopeful.

Again, thanks for following.

My Last Weekend

My last weekend with the car. It seems kind of funny, talking about it like it was a loved animal or child. But nonetheless, Rich and I drove the car up to spend the weekend at our Grand Lake house.

Rich wanted to bring up our boat and launch it for summer, but you cannot haul the boat with my car, so the boat is taking a back seat to our last weekend together.

Again, I laugh that it all seems so funny, but I wanted to one more time drive that car over Berthoud Pass. To drive to the farmer's market in Granby. To pass Shadow Mountain lake in the passenger seat.

I am doing well, I keep telling myself. I will not miss this car.

Who am I kidding.

7 Days

So I just picked up this book from the library, as a suggestion from a client of mine, called Peaks and Valleys - Making Good and Bad Times Work for you - at Work and in Life. If you haven't read it, I recommend it. The book is short, to the point, and pretty meaningful.

Check out this quote from the author Spencer Johnson, M.D.
The Path Out of the Valley Appears When you Choose to See Things Differently

In the book he talks about being in the valley as when we are experiencing hard times and being on the peak as when we are experiencing good times. It got me thinking, is this experiment I am doing considered valley time or peak time? I really can't answer that question right now and here is why.

I would say it is a peak time because I am learning so much, meeting wonderful people and viewing our world, my world, differently. These are all great and positive examples that would lend me to believe I am on top of the peak.

However, I am also in a season of reflection. Reflection about things I don't like about myself, actions I would consider "bad" and habits I want to break. I would then assume I am in the valley.

I guess, all in all, maybe I am on the way out of the valley and heading up to the top of the peak through this experiment. In that case - I would have to say this is a good thing and I am grateful for it.

Here is my challenge to you - are you living in a valley right now or at the top of a peak? Ask yourself what that means to you and where you want to be.

I guess the real quest of living, as the author quoted above, is to see things differently (read - more positively) no matter where you are because inevitably we all will be in the valley and on top of the peak many times throughout our lives.

Here's to the climb folks.

1 Step Forward and 2 Steps Back

This morning I woke up and took my 2 dogs for their daily 1.5 mile walk around the "block" in my neighborhood. It is a little overcast today so there was a nice breeze. The smell of cut grass and flowers was wonderful. Of course, walking both my dogs by myself is quite a sight to see. Think of me as a puppet master - getting the lines tangled. Being tripped by one dog crossing over the line of the other. Picking up poop while being jumped on. I really do wish someone would video it for me so that I can post it on YouTube.

But that isn't what I want to really write about today. Today I want to discuss last night and my regression from how far I have come.

So, my neighbor/friend Hassina and I decide to go out to dinner. I suggest we walk to a nearby restaurant. We plan for 6:30. I get a call from her at 4:30 saying that she was headed to Westminster to pick up her new car and that she may be a little late because of rush hour traffic. No worries here.

Then she calls at 6:30 to say she is still there, but that they close at 7:00 so she shouldn't be too far off. Still no worries.

Then she calls at 7:30 to tell me she is just leaving. She should be here by 8:00, but since she is running late, she is just going to pick me up in her new car and we'll drive to the restaurant. "Great" I tell her, "see you soon".

Not 20 minutes later she drives up in an S550 Mercedes-Benz. Black, HOT, wonderful. I get in and sink into the buttery leather seats. The dash looks like a cockpit. It is so smooth I actually look out the window to see if we are still on the ground. I am immediately jealous, and of course happy for her, she is a beautiful/wonderful person and deserves this car. I just can't help but feel a little sad as I enter day 8 of my car "turn in" countdown.

I think I will choose to digress a little today and take my car out for some Chick-Fil-A for dinner tonight. There is nothing a spicy chicken sandwich can't fix. Right?

9 Days and Counting

9 days until this car goes bye bye. I have truly enjoyed how much fun it is to bike, walk or take the bus to places I need to go. I also recognize that I will not go car less. I will be driving places, but so far not driving EVERYWHERE has been really rewarding.

I had the chance to bike to Wash Park yesterday and just lay on the grass and listen to music for 2 hours. It was heavenly.

I also biked to Starbucks this morning and am learning how to juggle a coffee cup while riding. Needless to say, I need more work on that.

The greatest reward has been my stress level. I notice that I am sleeping better and waking earlier. I feel refreshed and am enjoying myself. That is a victory all in itself.

Count down with me, as I discover if not having a car is harder than simply choosing to not drive my car. I am curious if there is a difference. Only way to find out - give that baby back to the dealer on 6/10. 9 days and counting - here I go.