Week 9

   I'm not saying that I don't agree with that saying, “the best things in life are free".  I do agree with that statement. For example, love is free and I think most everybody else would comply its probably the top pick for important stuff in life. I'll just be cheesy for a quick second: Love you share for friends, family, romantic partners, for yourself, all the important people- is the cream filling in the 'pie of life'.  And enjoying the beauty of nature, of 'mother earth' and embracing the pure joy of being alive is absolutely FREE. But with that said, come on, we all know better then that !!! Spending a few bones, bucks, or Benjamins never hurt(well at least not physically) and honestly, it does make it all a lot better. For example, a plane ticket to Hawaii can be kind of expensive, but it certainly aids me with fully appreciating this beautiful earth! Swimming in crystal clear water with sea turtles off a tropical island is free, but it just took some money to get there (and I've invested some money in a good snorkel as well). 

   Appreciating the pure rush of being alive is totally amplified when being hurled 500 feet off a bridge on an elastic cord. And watching the Northern lights do their exotic dance in the night sky above the Arctic circle I can only describe as purely euphoric. Being pulled in a sled by huskies in a snow covered valley was one of those unforgettable moments in my lifetime. And rock climbing up granite rock faces in Yosemite is not only exhilarating but definitely makes me cherish my life. Those moments or feelings of bliss are free, but they were created from those events, travels, and activities which definitely cost a lot more then a pretty penny to get out or to get the gear. Money doesn't buy you happiness, but it does buy you the ticket, rope or reins to get you there.

   And friends, they’re free, well hopefully most are. But going out and doing fun things with friends does indeed take some cash. It doesn't need to be a lot, but if you’re going on a hike, it may take some gas money to get to the trailhead. Or, let's say if you're camping and sitting by the fire, the marshmellows you're roasting weren't free, pretty close to it, but not free. In my recent case, I paid a $10 cover charge to hear a live country band at Rancho Nicasio this last Friday night and it was worth every dollar.  Laughing, dancing and learning the steps to 'Copperhead Road' with some girlfriends was the best (and free) part but it just came at a small cost to get inside the doors. So, I have to admit to myself that I may not have to spend money, but I want to because it's fun. I suppose I just need to figure out where and how I want to spend it. I think they call it "budgeting.' Interesting, such a new concept for me, but I'm learning...

   In the somewhat successful attempt of saving some money and enjoying the sunshine, this last Sunday I went to the Treasure Island Flea Market in a dress to do some of my own treasure hunting. It was a beautiful day and only cost $3 to enter, not free but almost. And I found some authentic $12 cowboy boots, which I put to good use on Friday. That was a totally justified purchase. 

Friday night: dressed up country, danced country, and listened to country

(Thank you Andrea for teaching us some country line dancing steps!)