Things Currently Making My Day.

• Spring! Waking up to sunshine and birds chirping, is there anything so wonderful? This weather makes running and bike riding ideal. Mike has class most weeknights, but this Monday he had off, so we rode our bikes a few miles to Chipotle and the Apple store. It was all kinds of glorious.

Flowering trees are my favorite.

• The public library, where I can find an endless supply of of free issues of Vegetarian Times, sewing books, a ton of TV shows on DVD, Jodi Picoult novels, cookbooks, and a memoir to feed my obsession with Big Love. The best place ever.

• Starting to train for a 10K race. I'll be able to cross off yet another goal. Running is so empowering. (Plus! Steph just started a 30 Day challenge. Perfection.)
  

• In less than a month, I'll be at the BEACH after spending ten days in Texas. Heck yes, vacation!

• New, cute dresses for said beach trip. I'm so looking forward to a tan, freckled version of myself in a adorable, summery dress.

• A husband who still makes me giggle, sigh with happiness, and whistle (as in, "Haw-ttie!" after 20 months of marriage.
  

• Free Chipotle tomorrow at work (Chipotle twice in one week. Be jealous.). It's, like, Cinco de Mayo ALL WEEK here!
  

• Awesome sister is going to live at my parents' this summer instead of 2.5 hours away. Score! I love having my sisters close; the more often I see them, the better.

• Free Starbucks gift cards through my Discover Card bonus rewards. I get a free gift card every few months, which I use to feed my elitist coffee obsession. Hazelnut lattes, iced coffee, and caramel macchiatos are my elixirs of choice. Yum.
  

• This quote, which found in a bathroom stall in Ithaca, New York. It's sort of my new mantra:

Worth it Wednesday: Free is Even Better than Cheap, Yes?

I've always loved to read. When I was little, my mom had to strictly enforce "no books at the dinner table" and "no reading after bedtime" rules. {Which, apparently my dad was right. Reading by my dim little nightlight did strain my eyes. Oops.}

It only follows then that I adore public libraries. I've been a card carrying member of half a dozen different libraries. Even when we were only in the States for the summer, we hit up the library in my grandparents' town. Even when I was in Honolulu for only four months, I got myself a library card. Even when there was a library on my college campus, I got myself a public library card. (Until I racked up seventeen dollars in fines, then I was classy and stopped going to that library. I'm a terrible person.)

PUBLIC LIBRARIES

Worth: Nada. Zip. Nothing. Freeeee! (Minus any fines if you forget to turn something in, of course. They are usually fairly minimal, though.)

Works For: Anyone old enough to sign their name, and likes to read, listen to music, or watch movies.

What I Love:

• It. Is. Free. Seriously, can you top this?
  
• I can see if a book is worth buying by checking out from the library first. (Hello, Anti 9-to-5 Guide!)
  
• Less clutter in my house because I don’t BUY every movie or book I like.
  
• Longer loan periods than most video rental store.
  
• You might stumble across a book, movie, or CD that looks interesting. Amazon just can't do the same for you.
  
• Did I mention it costs NOTHING? Well, it's TRUE.
• It's a quiet place to study.
  
• Libraries are an awesome asset to any community - they provide computers and internet access, story times, activities for teens, craft activities for preschoolers, book clubs, classes, and more. Why wouldn't you support that?
  

What I Wish: That you’d get a library card already. Sheesh. (I love you. Now go get a library card!)

Library Lovin' & Lots O' Links

It's much easier to not buy new things when you can get an endless supply of free movies, TV shows, books, and cookbooks from the library.

I LOVE the public library! LOVE it. Libraries are hidden gems, totally underutilized (especially by 20 somethings).

Even when I was in college, I had a library card to the public library system (two, actually) in the city. My freshman year, I'd walk the two miles to the nearest public library. Because I'm pretty much addicted to the library. (You can judge me and/or call me a dork. That's okay with me.)

Happy Saturday. I'm off to go for a run on this gorgeous, sunny afternoon. (And then make some granola. Yum!)