Stuff

Not only do I want to make my home smart but I also want my home to be functional. I'm talking functional on a level where there are no unused spaces and there are no unused things.  I don't want to have rooms that are unused.   AND-I don't want stuff that just sits there and collects dust.  Stuff that makes me feel bad when I look at it because I should be doing something with it...I should be building it or reading it or knitting it or fitting into it.   

Stuff is funny in that it can trigger emotions like guilt or remorse.   It can conjure up the "I should haves" and "I could haves".  Well you know what... you didn't.  You didn't follow through with that acrylic art class a couple years ago because to be brutally honest, you can't paint. Sure you can make a decent abstract but so can a gorilla. When the teacher wanted you to paint objects with shadows, you failed.  Truth...but good for you for trying.   If you're not going to try again and I'm saying try again in the next couple of months then maybe those paints should go to someone else...like to a real artist or the next person who wants to try it out. 

What about those softball cleats.  You tried that too. Yes you tried to take up softball at the age of 31.  You never played softball a day in your life but your boyfriend and some friends were playing on a league and they sure had fun.  They needed a girl.  So you tried it. Hey- you're a good sport...you're even good at some sports.  But every Monday you got sick to your stomach thinking about having to play.  You literally got sick to your stomach standing in the out-field, 31 years old, praying that the ball didn't come to you.  And when it did you swore like a sailor as it flew through the air bound to land directly on your face.  You didn't even really bother putting up your glove...did you?  No, instead you looked at the others in the outfield hoping they would run towards you and save you from the disgrace of not only 1. Not being able to catch the ball but 2. Picking the ball up off the ground and not being able to throw it to the infield.

It's okay.  Give yourself credit for trying...cause isn't that one of the most beautiful things about life...trying? It's exciting to try something new...it's annoying to look at the items of your failed attempts.  Especially when there are other people who could be using those items right now and enjoying them!  Give the stuff away to friends, family, or strangers.  Sell it on Craigslist or Ebay or donate it to Goodwill or St. Vinny's or Easter Seals. There are so many great websites for getting rid of your stuff.  This is a neat one: http://www.tradesy.com .  If it's in good shape don't throw it away. 

Note: These are references to my own failed attempts.  I'll be putting softball cleats on Craigslist tonight.  Size 8.5 (Like New). 

And Mom - You can get rid of my violin.  I'm not going to start playing it again...hey think of the cute kids out there who would love to have their very own violin to play in orchestra!  Kids like us who didn't have enough money to buy one new. 

Smart Houses

My goal as a new home-owner is going to be making my home "SMART". 
I'm talking energy efficiency smart. This is going to require some work since our home is 103 years old with original windows, doors and perhaps the original attic insulation (which could be non-existent). In order to make our home efficient we have contacted Green Madison to schedule a Home Energy Audit.  http://www.cityofmadison.com/greenMadison/residents/index.cfm

Green Madison Provides the following services (taken from the website):

• Personal assistance—FREE, optional energy advocate guides you through the process and gives you tips for saving energy in your home.
  
  
• Proven testing—Professional energy consultant tests your home's energy efficiency and safety and provides personalized solutions.
  

• Quality improvements—Local, approved contractors make recommended energy improvements to your home. Trained energy consultants double check the work.
  
  
• Incentives—Financial incentives and a low-interest loan make it work within your budget.

Green Madison helps you coordinate with a consultant to provide the Home Energy Audit.  After the audit is complete you get a report card with suggestions on how to make your home more energy efficient.   The average cost of an audit is ~$400 but Green Madison will pay $200 when you coordinate with them.  

We're just in the beginning stages. We have our audit scheduled later in February.  I'm interested to see the suggestions that come back from our consultant.  If we implement some of the suggested changes and reduce our energy costs by a certain percentage point we can get reimbursed for portions of the contracting work. 

Focus on Energy is another program that will provide incentives for meeting energy efficiency goals.  City of Madison residents are eligible for incentives from both Green Madison and Focus on Energy! I'll update this when I have learned more about the process! 

Image is Powerful: Cameron Russell at TEDxMidAtlantic 2012

This is a great 10 minute video...all 12 year old girls should watch. Or just everybody...

Houses and Money

I think we are buying a house. I'm pretty sure it's happening. There's a signed agreement with the seller and I just signed something with the bank.  An inspection is pending and I'm certain more signatures will need to take place before it's official...but everything is moving in that direction.

It's a small house in a fabulous neighborhood.  You can see the bike-path from the kitchen and practically roll down a hill and hit some restaurants and shopping.  To me, it's perfect.  The yard is big enough for a garden and both Mike and I can walk/bus/bike to work and downtown. 

I've never spent this much money on anything in my life.  Even the down-payment and closing costs equal more than I've ever spent on anything.   It's overwhelming yet exciting.
To make the process less overwhelming, I've promised myself I'm not buying anything else (except food and necessities) until we're in this house.   

This is going to be hard tonight since I'm heading to State Street to have dinner with my sister and go shopping.  That will now be "window" shopping for me.   I don't really need anything or want anything but I do have a couple of special people I'd like to buy little gifts for...however that will have to wait.

I was in a yoga class yesterday and this song played during shavasana.  It made me think about the little house and my promise not to buy anything until I get into this house.

Society by Eddie Vedder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRUGvArWXLk

"When you want more than you have, You think you need, And when you think more than you want, Your thoughts begin to bleed.  I think I need to find a bigger place 'Cause when you have more than you think, You need more space"