Sometimes, the best thing that happens on our journey is loosing another tooth.

Check In 7 weeks

7 weeks of winter have breezed by!  Maybe the worst is yet to come but it's kind of amazing how easy the weather has been on us.  I tell you the sun shines on my little peanut and me.  141 miles down the road and every day I still see something inspiring, joyous and worthy of taking a photograph.  The brilliance of nature and human design never cease to amaze me. 

Heard a cool story this week!  I found out I know someone that has been biking to work every day, no matter what for 3 years!  How great is that!  It's only a 1.5 each way.  It's one of those distances that used to make me feel sick, when I got in the car.  It feels so much better to simply bike.  Quick, simple and so delightful for the planet and  for health.  Are you doing that too?  I am sitting at the edge of my seat friends!  Tell me your story!

 My message to you this week is this:

Take the meaning you want.  Contemplate it.  Soak it in.  May it  be your mantra this week.

Keep on keeping on and keep on doing the right thing.

Shonna

Check In 6 Weeks

6 weeks and 115 miles down the road.  It was a huge week for commuting.  I realized this week that my learning curve for maintaining adequate energy and time for recreational running is no where close to finding the bell.  When will I run for pleasure again!?  So much time and energy is needed in planning the commutes of the day and teaching vigorous classes that I finish a day without thinking about running at all.  I can't even believe I had time to train for a marathon just a year ago.  Maybe this is the hidden treasure of our commitment, the sleeping lioness of all training, to cross train and not train at all.

Invested in a bike rack today.  Must get the heavy pack off my back.  Mule packs here I come.  By the way, I  bought it at Youngblood Bikes.  Youngblood is the greatest.  Kind man, really into bikes and friendly as can be.  He got my thumbs up as soon as I walked in from the pouring, cold as it could be rain, and I spotted hot coffee ready to warm me up.  Score.  Check him out.

http://youngbloodbikes.com/

Have a great week friends.  Keep on keeping on and keep on finding ways to make your community thrive.

Cheers,

Shonna

Check In 5 weeks

5 weeks and 87 miles logged! Leah is walking a mile without blinking an eye.  We walked nearly an entire mile uphill today and she didn't even comment on it.  She is getting so strong and she doesn't even know it. Well, until cheerleader mama pipes up, "Wow!!!!!" :D  Amazing.  Even better on our way back down the hill she was really noticing the view of the mountains as we looked down over our town and said, "Wait, mama, let's stop a minute and look at how beautiful this is."  Makes my eyes a little teary just thinking about it.

Here she is noticing the sparkle of mica in the rocks.

So winter is here and then she's gone.  Have to say as far as years to pick for this adventure, mother nature has been kind to us, generally.  However, over the last week we have had some very wet days and some  very frigid days too.  What do we say to that?  Why go anywhere.  We slowed way down on walking this week simply because it made more sense to stay put and enjoy what was right in front of us.  We cleaned, we baked, we played cards, and read.  You know, the basic stuff that fills one's soul with goodness.  And yes, it was good.  We highly recommend it.

Have a great week friends.  "Do good. Be good." -swami Satchidananda

Shonna

one of my favorite things about not driving, time opens up for tangible goodness..

A good day for the sun to kiss my face :)

Some days are best enjoying the soft light and warmth of inside.

Friends join us on our journey.

Check In 4 weeks!

4 weeks in, 77 miles of trekking so far!  Someone said to me a few days ago, I thought you would have accumulated more miles by now.  I reflected for a moment,  then realized that  would be true if we had a car.  If we had a car we would be taking thoughtless trips to the store, hopping over to friends houses and countless other journeys that just happen without well, thinking.  I always wondered how I went through a tank of gas so fast.
Now, without a car, life unfolds with much more intention.  Trips are thought through and time is allotted for the journey.  Unconscious acts of travel cease.
We have had some really cold days this week and really rainy days too.  Days we simply did not go anywhere and days that people simply would not allow us to walk.  I got texts telling me it was too cold and they would pick me up.  Yes, let's share the journey!  Lend us a hand if you are moved to!  Two families using one vehicle cuts our carbon foot print in half!  Our experience and ways of navigating through our journey are limitless!  How many ways can we find new solutions?  I don't know but I can't wait to find out.

I want to shout out about my amazing hair artist;) Amanda at Wildflower Studios on Merrimon.
Check out her sign!

5 bucks off if you ride your bike, walk or take the bus to her Studio!  Every time you go.  Sweet!  Holy moly I LOVE her cuts and her sweet sweet soul.  No she did not ask me to shamelessly plug her. Dang y'all she just ROCKS and I love telling people about awesomeness in our community.  Check this eco-loving business out!
http://wildflowerstudioasheville.com

Have a great week friends!  Remember to tell us what you are DOING in your community to make it whole :)

Shonna

It's nice when the rain pitter patters that brightness still ambles on..

Every time we pass by these fuzzies, my daughter picks one for me because 

she knows they are one of my favorite things.  I never tire of her sweet gift.

Peaceful play along the way

Some days are best staying tucked inside where's it's cozy and warm.

Check In

Three weeks already?! 61 miles of biking and walking! I called my insurance company today and cancelled my car insurance.  When the guy asked me why I was dropping my insurance, I felt so giddy when I told him we gave up our car.  I thought for sure he would waste my time trying to convince me to change my mind but instead he congratulated me.  But truly, we don't need accolades.  All we want is for you to feel MOVED, literally;)  Did you see what Julie posted last week on a check in?  Wow!  She has just re-committed to  not buying anything new for a year!

Here is what she wrote:
you know i love what this is about and you have definitely inspired me to do more. we already do a lot to keep our carbon footprints small(er), but after reading your blog, i have decided to *compact* for another year. i did this a few years ago and it was great. but like many things, once we fall off the wagon, it's that much harder to get back on. read about the basic concept here: http://www.ehow.com/how_4620644_buy-anything-new-entire-year.html
or google *the compact group* for more info. it does take some effort but it's really fun once you re-train your brain to buy only used items (except safety and health items). it's like a scavenger hunt that never ends.
join me (if you dare), starting jan 1, 2012, to buy only pre-loved/gently used for as long as you can, and as often as you can.
(FYI, the downtown market, next to amazing savings, has a little bit of everything, mostly used).

You are AMAZING Julie!  Thank you so much for sharing your call to action.  

Now, one little story about our week.  The other day my daughter's dad texted me and asked me where I was on my walk home so that he could drop her off with me.  Before they got to me, he asked her, "Should we give your mama a ride home or do you want to walk home with her?"  She said, " I want to walk with my mama!"  Later when she was telling me her choices her dad gave her, she said, "I have to get strong muscles mama, so that we can walk everywhere!"  Isn't she precious.  Isn't she inspiring:D

Have a great week friends.

Shonna

We love you festive people.  Thanks for adding sparkle to the season.