Affordable Fun With My Crazy Sister

My sister Miranda recently visited from Florida for a few weeks, bringing with her all the lovable, crazy fun that she is. Miranda is like a life-sized Loony Tunes character with no verbal filter. She's a hilarious companion to have on any journey, and while she was here we took a few.

For one excursion we decided to go hiking, but, being the former Belyea girls that we are, no simple hike would suffice. The Belyeas go big or we don't go at all. So we decided to conquer Mt. Washington, the highest peak in the Northeastern United States, a whopping 6,288 feet. I had made the trek with a group of girls last summer, and it took us about 5-to-6 hours to get up and another 4 or so to get down, so I was expecting the same.

Miranda and I started our trip early, arriving at the bottom of the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail at about 6:15am. We arrived at the top of Mt. Washington at about 9:45am. If you add that up it comes to 3.5 hours, which was a lot faster than I thought we could do—and pretty good if you consider that neither of us have done any hiking this year. Ahh, to be young :P

Along the way we stopped for pictures in front of waterfalls and the Lakes of the Clouds. It is a beautiful hike, and the day we chose could not have been better. From the top of Mt. Washington we could see mountain peaks as far as the eye could see!

For the trip down the mountain we chose to go the Jewell trail, but I have no idea why; it's the longest trail on the mountain and it is war on the knees!

Overall, the trip cost us only the gas money to get there and the $3 parking fee. It would've cost $36 for the two of us to drive up, or $136 to ride the train. I had ridden in our family van up the mountain before, and have even taken the train, but that's when I had free tickets from working at Clark's Trading Post. I recommend seeing Mt. Washington all three ways, if it's financially possible, but for this penny pinching hiker, the quality time spent with my sister, who I don't get to see very often, and the amazing views from the top made this excursion totally worth it!

Keep pinchin' :-)

Being Content When Life Isn't As Easy As I Want It To Be

If you remember our crazy lawnmower story from last week, it's easy to see how sometimes God decides to make things a little bit easier for people. Dani and I had spent a lot of time in prayer over our lawnmower situation, and God answered in a big, big way. Today, instead of pushing around an ancient little mower, we are blessed to have a brand new riding mower that was given to us by a very generous anonymous donor.

It's winter now, and for some reason God has decided not to miraculously bless us with a snowblower in the same way—imagine that. As any hardened New Englander will tell you, a snowblower is needed almost as much as a lawnmower up in these here northern parts, but God hasn't answered. It's not like we're expecting another giant yard appliance to simply fall into our laps, but to be offered a good deal on one would be nice, or maybe an affordable plow for the lawnmower. Something. Anything but shoveling it all by hand.

Alas, nothing. Nadda. God hasn't seen fit to answer us in that department.

It occurred to me on my way to work yesterday that whenever I pray for God to bless us with a snowblower, what I'm really asking Him is, "God, please make my life easier." That's what we usually pray isn't it? I mean, really, deep down, it's what we're asking—God, help me earn more money; provide me with a better car; give me a good night's sleep tonight.

Don't get me wrong, these are all good prayers—God wants us to verbalize our every need to Him, and He delights in fulfilling those needs—but I think sometimes we need to take a step back and accept the fact that maybe making our lives easier isn't always God's main objective. Maybe, for now, He wants me out there toiling in the snow by hand. Maybe it's His way of keeping me fit. Maybe He just wants me outside away from the computer, the TV, the phone, and all the other distractions of every day life. Maybe it's His way of spending some time with me.

And I've squandered it all away because I've been too busy moaning over the lack of ease in my life.

I think I'm going to be shoveling snow differently now. I think if that's what God wants me to do then there must be a good reason for it. We'll get a snowblower someday, I'm sure, but for now God wants me out in the snow with a shovel in my hand. I'll try to just trust His judgement and not complain so much... well, I'll probably still complain. A little. But not as much.

Keep pinchin' :-)

Exercising While Penny Pinching

Many of you, like me, may have put exercise on your list of things to work on for the year. For some of you that means getting a gym membership—which you may or may not actually get your money's worth out of. A gym membership isn't an option for me though, as we don't have that in our budget and I'm not willing to use the little bit of personal spending money I get for something like that. So, what's a girl to do?

• YouTube. YouTube is a virtually limitless source for workout routines. I have found several that are really good quality, that target the specific areas I want to work on, and can be done with or without equipment. What I love about using workout routines on YouTube is it gives me the ability to try something new, and easily switch-up my workout if I get bored or just want a change.

The Best Victoria Secret Ab Workout (16:33)
Victoria's Secret Model Workout: 10-Minute Fat-Blasting Circuit (10:31)

• Outdoors. My husband and I live in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire, but we don't take advantage of what we have available in the outdoors nearly enough. I would love to see us sled, skate, snowshoe, walk, hike, play tennis, bike etc. way more than we do, and hopefully this year we can do just that. What sorts of activities are available in your area—walking trails, tennis courts, hiking, biking? If it's free, take advantage of it!

• Activities. If you do a little research you may find great deals on activities that usually cost money. For example, in New Hampshire there is a learn to ski free week that includes rentals, lesson, and lift ticket to new skiers and snowboarders. Unfortunately I have had lessons in both, but they were also offering cross-country skiing, which I have never done, so a friend and I signed up for the free deal. I'm really looking forward to it. In the past I was able to get a free pool pass at a local gym by volunteering to help with their swim lessons. So, look around, make connections and find out what you can do for free!

Getting in shape this new year doesn't have to cost money, just perseverance, creativity, and maybe a friend or spouse to enjoy it with!

Keep pinchin' :-)