topic Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March in Beauty

ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

just bee — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:11:28 GMT

The ComPact is a commitment to simplify, pare down, streamline. It began as a way to gain some control over our collections of beauty products. Why were we amassing so much, yet not using what we were buying? Why were we always searching for the next new product? Why couldn't we just find what worked for us and stick with it?

The ComPact, however, is not restricted to beauty items. If you have a collection you want to address, do it here. Choose an area you want to work on, and track your progress on the ComPact thread. Members will offer tips and encouragement.

Choose one of our many mantras (“One by one until they’re done!” “We are SPAHHHRRRTAN!!!” “Not until you really have to.” “Buy less, choose well, make it last.” “Resist the propaganda.” "If it's high, I don't buy!" “When in doubt, do without!” “Start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.” "Only the store, online no more!" “Shoplighters of the World Unite!”) or create a new one and share it. Target items each month to toss, donate, or use, and post your “chopping block” -- or “hit list.” Post temptations, post victories.

They say it takes 30 days for something to become a habit: Let's see if taking the ComPact one month at a time works for you.

Join us.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

momoftwo2007 — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 16:29:00 GMT

Hi, everyone,

I gave up shopping for beauty products during Lent. And so far so good, I have not bought anything. And I have found through this expenrience, that it is managable if there is a deadline in sight. And I didn't need anything. I had plenty in my stash. I will see after Lent is over, if I still have too much product. I might do another NO BUY for another month. One month at the time.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

geezerette — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 19:10:22 GMT

Thank you guys for your thoughts and prayers. Trite as they may seem, when you’re on the receiving end, they’re mighty welcome. Best of all I think they might have worked...

The Old Geezer was sitting up and looking better when I walked into his room this morning. He was a little stronger and the diuretic has worked a bit. The doctor said his lungs sound slightly clearer and he even slept a bit last night, albeit sitting straight up in bed. The doctors are still pessimistic, but just the fact that he’s still around today is a relief to me. Late last night the phone rang and my heart was in my throat as I answered. I literally could have reached through the phone and strangled the girl from the credit card company recording.

Everything is looking better today. I contacted friends last night and they had a contractor out first thing this morning fixing my drive. The rain finally stopped—at least until Sunday—and the sun is actually peeking through the clouds. Compared to yesterday, today is like heaven.

Another trite thought is when something like this arises in your life, all the things we worry about—material and otherwise—suddenly go completely out of your mind. The compassion and assistance from other live human beings becomes your life, and lifeline. In that vein, I would like to say I sure do appreciate you guys, even if I only know you through cyberspace.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

PAlady — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 21:42:33 GMT

Geezerette - I am sorry to hear about Mr. G's problems. I am very happy to hear he was looking better. I wish you both the best a speedy recovery to Mr. G.

I am glad to hear you are getting your driveway fixed, you really don't need that kind of problem right now.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

hellokitty — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 22:10:00 GMT

@geezerette I haven't been here for a couple of days and I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear about The Old Geezer. I am glad to hear that there is some improvement. I will shoot a prayer for both of you tonight.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

aprilskies — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 12:28:46 GMT

@geezerette, glad to see the OG is doing a little better. I hope he continues.

I think we are now getting your rain. It had been raining since yesterday.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

aprilskies — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 12:49:05 GMT

For March, I am going to focus on creating activities I can focus on. Things that keep me moving and even reading. I would like to get back to reading more. ...or at all.

I am going to make March a low spend month on nonessentials. The only thing I will not hold back on are 👠. This should be interesting.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

rnmom — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 11:59:58 GMT

I am good with Manageable March. I'm picking up extra days at work for the next 4 weeks because some girls are off so I'll be lucky to just maintain this month. I'm behind on a lot of appointments, eye doctor, haircut, medical, etc and I had hoped to get some of that running done this month but I don't know if it's going to happen now or not, I won't have many days off. It might have to wait until April now. At least I hopefully won't do a lot of shopping, but I probably won't do much decluttering either. If the weather improves maybe I can get outside a bit on the weekends which would be nice though.

@geezerette-I'm so sorry to hear about the OG's health issues. I can't imagine how hard it must be for you. My prayers will be with you.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

just bee — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 12:35:55 GMT

@geezerette

Well, as I said earlier, "thoughts and prayers" has been getting a bad rap lately and now I’ll go even further: Trite is taking a lot of flak, too. Sometimes trite is just right.

Life is complicated and in our quest to make it easier we’ve just made it more complicated. Often a kind word or a sign can make things seem less difficult. The rain stopped, the sun came out. Sometimes that’s all the reassurance we need. It’s simple, it’s trite, but it’s a sign that there’s something bigger, something more important than all the petty concerns that occupy our time.

I hope the sun keeps shining for you, G, and that your better-half comes home to you soon.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

just bee — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 13:12:17 GMT

Hey, all you HEPcats and HEPdogs! We had discussed making the Healthy Eating thread a monthly jam session, so I just went ahead and did a little improvisation.

This is an invite to our crazy crib where you can come and break it down! I say we go 18 karat on this and really swing. If healthy eating’s not your bag, no problem. But if it is, I dig.

It’s cool, I’m booted, let’s jump!

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

just bee — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 13:16:16 GMT

@geezerette

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

just bee — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 14:33:26 GMT

@momoftwo2007wrote:
Hi, everyone,

I gave up shopping for beauty products during Lent. And so far so good, I have not bought anything. And I have found through this expenrience, that it is managable if there is a deadline in sight. And I didn't need anything. I had plenty in my stash. I will see after Lent is over, if I still have too much product. I might do another NO BUY for another month. One month at the time.

@momoftwo2007

One month at a time, one tube at a time, one jar at a time, one bottle at a time...

One bottle at a time was the only way I could even make a dent in that shower gel collection.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

just bee — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 14:43:28 GMT

@aprilskieswrote:
For March, I am going to focus on creating activities I can focus on. Things that keep me moving and even reading. I would like to get back to reading more. ...or at all.

I am going to make March a low spend month on nonessentials. The only thing I will not hold back on are 👠. This should be interesting.

@aprilskies

I should have called last month Frugal February. I didn't want to part with a dime.

Here it is March and I still don't need anything. The car will need some attention and so will the yard since spring is upon us. The house is an ongoing project.

But I really don't "need" much right now. Maybe a haircut. The pixie is already covering the tops of my ears. And it's time to start thinking about new spectacles. What do frames look like these days?

Guess I better start checking them out...

@aprilskies

Time to make another no-spend pact?

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

just bee — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 14:48:57 GMT

@rnmomwrote:
I am good with Manageable March. I'm picking up extra days at work for the next 4 weeks because some girls are off so I'll be lucky to just maintain this month. I'm behind on a lot of appointments, eye doctor, haircut, medical, etc and I had hoped to get some of that running done this month but I don't know if it's going to happen now or not, I won't have many days off. It might have to wait until April now.

@rnmom

Same here. That's why I'd like to address some of that "maintenance" this month -- before April taxes. April is the left hook; May -- with property taxes -- is the right.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

momoftwo2007 — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 16:47:15 GMT

@just beewrote:
@momoftwo2007wrote:
Hi, everyone,

I gave up shopping for beauty products during Lent. And so far so good, I have not bought anything. And I have found through this expenrience, that it is managable if there is a deadline in sight. And I didn't need anything. I had plenty in my stash. I will see after Lent is over, if I still have too much product. I might do another NO BUY for another month. One month at the time.
@momoftwo2007

One month at a time, one tube at a time, one jar at a time, one bottle at a time...

One bottle at a time was the only way I could even make a dent in that shower gel collection.

@just bee Yes, definitely! One month at a time. One bottle at a time!

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

geezerette — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 07:25:08 GMT

A quick note to let you all know how grateful I am to read your kind words of support. The Old Geezer came home yesterday. He seems to be stable, although at times a bit disoriented, which is a bit concerning. I was most anxious to see if he would be able to transition to oral meds okay; guess it’s a bit early to tell about that. Since it’s about one a.m. and all is quiet, I guess he’ll at least make it through the night. He had a bit more bravado about recovery and how quickly he would be back up-and-at-‘em while he was in the hospital. Just getting home wore the poor guy out and he napped for three hours in his chair yesterday afternoon. That in itself was a good thing, since his main complaint before this episode was that he couldn’t sleep due to lack of breath. (Although I do admit to checking to see if he was still breathing every five minutes while he was asleep.)

I was hoping to calm down after he got home, but not so tonight. My own heart is skipping way too much right now to sleep, which of course, agitates me even more because I know I need the rest myself. I hope things will settle down in the next few days. I always overreact to things and normally it’s The Old Geezer that brings me back to earth. Of course I’m not going to burden him right now with my trivialities, so I’m venting them with you!

Again, thank you all for thinking of me. It means a lot.❤️

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

just bee — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 10:51:30 GMT

@geezerette

Put everything on the back burner for now and just rest. Do whatever it takes to create tranquility. Music, old movies, or just plain ol’ quiet.

It’s good to hear he’s home.

As for you, we’re here, so vent away!

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

just bee — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 12:06:30 GMT

Better-half has been making regular trips to Goodwill, but I'd decided that if I have to give up my stuff I'm going to give it to an organization that I choose.

It has come down to two thrift stores: Animal Humane New Mexico and Watermelon Mountain Ranch (local no-kill shelter). Yesterday we went to our local mall to check out WMR's store next to Dillard's. It wasn't there.

Since I'm always on the lookout for dogs, I saw a woman in the middle of the crowded mall holding a dog and wearing a WMR T-shirt. As it turns out, the store has temporarily closed and will reopen in another location in the mall in two months.

I could feel Better-half getting tense and knew what he was thinking.

1. She's going to hold on to this c__p for another two months?

2. How the ____ do we get the c__p into the store anyway?

Logistics. A thrift store in the middle of a large shopping mall is not conducive to a quick drop-off.

I figure I'll have more to donate in the future, so WMR will benefit from the next purge. For now, Animal Humane, which is on the other side of town, will get the items.

Better-half will stick with Goodwill because it's a quick drive and drop. He's all about convenience. Usually his.

And now I have to go back to watching West Side Story. The rumble’s about to begin…

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

aprilskies — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 14:04:42 GMT

@geezerette, so glad to hear the OG is home. At least he can rest a little better than in the hospital. Talk about irony, that is the least restful place ever. Although, now it is on you to watch over him. Stressful. But, please find a way to take care of yourself. I know that is easier said than done but so important. Go into another room for 10 mins with relaxing music, a funny tv show, let your pets distract you with their love, quirkiness. Be well. I hope OG keeps getting stronger. Don’t let him give up the bravado now that he is home. That’s the very thing that may see him through.

Vent here as much as you need to.

Re: ComPact 2018 – Manageable March

PAlady — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 18:54:13 GMT

geezerette - Please vent here anytime. If venting helps you feel better and relaxes you, we are her. Glad to here OG is home, it may take a day or two for you both to relax. Please take care of yourself.

just bee - I don't give anything to Goodwill - That man is a millionaire on everyone's free stuff. There are too many good organizations that can benefit from your donations. Okay, off my soap box. Good job on the decluttering.

One last thing - Must. Quit. Ordering. Girl. Scout. Cookies.

Have a good afternoon everyone.