RowdyKittens

RowdyKittens header image 1

“Diamonds are Forever”

July 24th, 2008 · No Comments

Our 5 year wedding anniversary has come and gone. And the timing is perfect! For what you might ask?

To sell my wedding set. Some of you are probably gasping with horror and wondering why I would do such a thing. Well…

After we got back from our trip to Chiapas a few years ago, I started seriously thinking about my consumption patterns, materialism, heterosexism, white privilege and Audre Lorde’s writings.

I started to wonder if I could make a difference in this crazy, violent world. Particularity, in a “political system populated by a bunch of spoiled, tantrum-prone six-year-olds…”

Ahh but I digress…
[Read more →]

→ No CommentsTags: Consumerism · Feminists · RowdyKittens News · Simple Living

“Little House on a Small Planet”

July 23rd, 2008 · No Comments

Peak Moment Television recently interviewed builder and author Shay Salomon:

Salomon pointed out that the “happiest home builders are often the ones with the smallest houses. They’re less costly to build and maintain, more likely to be finished, use fewer resources and help people simplify their lives.”
[Read more →]

→ No CommentsTags: Books · Consumerism · Peak Oil · Politics · Simple Living · Tiny Homes

Christian the Lion

July 23rd, 2008 · No Comments

I cried when I watched this video! Ohh my it is so cute!

→ No CommentsTags: Animals

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Simple Living…

July 22nd, 2008 · 2 Comments

Over vacation, I read the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Simple Living. Georgene Lockwood, the author of the book, remarked:

Simple living is about making choices that put you in the position of being more in control of how you choose to spend your money, not shunning money altogether. It’s for people who want to have more time for relationships and for doing things they really enjoy. It’s for those who are looking to go beyond simply organizing and decluttering…to a lifestyle that’s more sustainable for the future of this planet and our civilization.

During our trip I spent a lot of time spent reflecting on what I want out of life — thinking about everything from my career, to family, friends, scaling down our possessions, buying the tiny house and more.

If you are interested in learning more about simple living, I highly recommend this book. It is a fast, easy read and the author provides many suggestions for further reading. I generated a whole page of books I want to read in the next few months!

→ 2 CommentsTags: Books · Simple Living

Bank failures, wages, inflation, and more…

July 21st, 2008 · No Comments

Last week, IndyMac Bancorp became the fifth bank to fail in the United States this year. With $32 billion in assets, it was one of the largest bank collapses in U.S. history.

Laden with high-risk portfolios composed largely of no-document or low-document loans, IndyMac folded last week. The company is yet another victim of the national default crisis that has struck the United States economy in the last 12 months.

To top off this news, Frannie Mae and Freddie Mac are in serious financial trouble.
[Read more →]

→ No CommentsTags: Economy

Ski Bug…

July 21st, 2008 · 4 Comments

The winter ski bug has hit me hard and it is only July!!!! I can’t hardly believe it…

Pictured above — one of my favorite skier’s Picabo Street

I started skiing when I was 5 years old and then went on to race (giant slalom and slalom) in high school and college. After college, I continued to ski for fun. But I needed some time off.

I haven’t skied for 2 to 3 years and have been focusing my attention on other sports (like running, swimming and biking). During the last month I have been fascinating about putting on my ski boots on and speeding down the mountain…

So this year I will hit the mountain with Mama Bear — she is an avid skier and will probably kick my ass. :)

I may try and volunteer with the National Ski Patrol, at a tiny mountain up north. Good times!

→ 4 CommentsTags: Environment

Last day of vacation…

July 20th, 2008 · 1 Comment

Today is our last day of vacation — it was a fantastic, fun and very fast week.

Since our return from the coast we have been doing a lot of road biking and getting rid of unnecessary stuff.

To mark our last day of vacation we took a long ride up to old town Folsom for a yummy brunch, at the Balcony Bistro. Tomorrow, L heads to lab and I go back to the cubicle forest. :)

Below are some pic’s of today’s journey:

L flexing his muscles…
[Read more →]

→ 1 CommentTags: Bike · RowdyKittens News

Dee Williams is my Hero…

July 19th, 2008 · No Comments

I just listened to Say Hello to My Little House, on Weekend America.

I had no clue about tiny home living and the voluntary simplicity movement, until I stumbled across a video featuring Dee Williams’s tiny house, in January 2008. She inspired us to go small and downscale. Dee Williams is my hero!

Click here to listen to the story and view pictures of Dee’s tiny home. :)

→ No CommentsTags: Environment · RowdyKittens News · Simple Living · Tiny Homes

Update: 5 years of fun and love…

July 19th, 2008 · 5 Comments

Our trip to Salt Point State Park was amazing! The camping trip was a much needed escape from the internet, urban life and the cubicle forest.

Tortoise Shell Nursery Tour

On our way to the coast we took a tour of the Tortoise Shell Nursery.

Bill Kastrinos, gave us a tour of a few tiny homes that are being built. Bill is a genuine and sincere person and a very talented manufacturer of tiny homes. I have full confidence that he will create a beautiful tiny dream home for us.

I have to admit, downsizing to a tiny home is scary. Eventually, we can build something a little bigger (maybe a 400 square foot home), but this will be an excellent start. Life is too short to waste. I would rather take a swing and miss, versus not trying at all.

Salt Point State Park

We camped at Gerstle Cove — the campground was on a hill overlooking the ocean, trees and other scenery. The spot was peaceful and perfect. At night the ocean waves lulled us to sleep. :)
[Read more →]

→ 5 CommentsTags: Environment · Fitness · RowdyKittens News · Simple Living · Tiny Homes

5-years of fun and love…

July 12th, 2008 · No Comments

Today is the big day! L and I are celebrating our 5 year anniversary! I can hardly believe it — time flys when you are having fun. :)

My life is good with L in it — he is my best friend, ally, love bug and more. I don’t know what I would do with out him.

To celebrate L and I are going camping, at Salt Point State Park, for a week. So the RowdyKitten will not be blogging. Being away from the internet will be good for me. But don’t fret, I will be writing about our vacation adventures and taking lots of pictures!

We will be back next week on Friday evening. If you don’t hear from us by Saturday morning, send out a search party! Seriously!

→ No CommentsTags: RowdyKittens News