Beauty

[rnmom]

geezerette- my hubby is a teacher so usually once a year during the summer he will venture in there and take everything out so we can at least sweep it and get the big chunks. I will mention it on occasion, but he will usually do it himself. I tried not to say much about all the stuff and how dirty it was because he gets defensive. If I just stand by and offer to help he does better. But I am always amazed at the stuff he feels he needs to keep. Empty milk jugs, remnants from all our home improvement projects, etc.  But he did let a few things go so I was happy. I rarely ever go in there because he does the major yard work and my gardening items are usually in the garage. Our garage isn't too bad because we have the barn. But I'd like to do the garage once this summer too if time permits. 

[aprilskies]

Just popping in to say hello but to, also, share something I read a few days ago that made me go "ah ha."  I try and just pop around some decluttering/minimalism sites so I can keep myself on track and here is a quip I picked up - Declutter your mind from what every one else thinks of you!!  This to me is powerful because it is something I think about but cant seem to get a handle on. Although, I am slowly making strides of letting "others" thoughts go, both at work and personal.

[aprilskies]

On the purchasing front, Skinn is having their anniv month and I am not tuning in at all.  I almost considered the kit with the cleansing cloths but I have plenty of other cleansing cloths to use up so it will be a pass.  I do really like his cleansing cloths though. Of all that I have tried, I do like his the best.  Too expensive though if not in a kit.

The weekend has arrived.  Have a good one, everyone.

[geezerette]

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@aprilskies wrote:

Just popping in to say hello but to, also, share something I read a few days ago that made me go "ah ha."  I try and just pop around some decluttering/minimalism sites so I can keep myself on track and here is a quip I picked up - Declutter your mind from what every one else thinks of you!!  This to me is powerful because it is something I think about but cant seem to get a handle on. Although, I am slowly making strides of letting "others" thoughts go, both at work and personal.

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Excellent advice!  And something I've tried to do for years, with varying degrees of success.  And it does go right along with decluttering your environment.  I think it becomes somwhat easier as I get older.  Or maybe it's because I just don't have enough energy anymore to give a darn what other people think of me! 

[just bee]

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@geezerette wrote:

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@just bee wrote:

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@Beauty$Junkie wrote:

So many good points to remember.  Thanks for posting, April.  I think this would be beneficial for a lot of us.  I continue to revisit my stash, but reorganizing it really emphasizes how much you actually have.  When the clothes don't fit in the closets or drawers, maybe you don't need more.  Seems so elementary, but yet I struggle.

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I went out last week to buy new jeans.  I really want cargo pants, but I thought I'd just go out and see what's out there.  What's out there is ugly clothes.  Better-half and I went from store to store and bought nothing.  I finally ended up picking up a pair of cheap jeans at Costco.  So the urge to buy clothes is dead for me.  Just wish I could get over buying shoes.  I have so many pairs of Alegrias that I have never worn.  Every month I tell myself that I'll wear a different pair each day at work but I don't.  Why is this?

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I can't agree with both of you more.  But it's challenging.  I don't like any of the clothing or shoe styles now, so I've stockpiled shoes (Birkenstocks) and black pants/leggings that I bought a while ago when I found some I liked and actually fit comfortably.  I've got boxes and bags stashed in a couple of different closets. 

Shopping isn't much of a problem for me since we don't have any around here and I'm not up to driving 50+ miles (one way) to a mall.  But the catalogs always get to me.  One of my huge weaknesses is sweaters.  I love them.  I guess because I also love cooler weather.  Problem is, for the last 40 years or so I've lived in areas that are warm-to-hot a lot longer than cold enough for sweaters.  So I don't really need many.  But I've got drawers, shelves, and boxes of them anyway.  Now that the fall catalogs are beginning to arrive, I'm finding my summer resistance to buying starting to fail.

I don't have a problem having a reserve of clothes/shoes I know I'll eventually use.  The problem is buying stuff I know I'll only use for a season or two, then find something else I want more while the first item is still fully functional.  It used to be so much easier when I couldn't afford things.  Then it's easier to say no.

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We went to a concert last night and I can't tell you how much trouble I had choosing what I'd wear.  Closet after closet full of clothes I cannot and do not wear.  What's the point of that?  Like you, I have collected so many sweaters, but I can't remember the last time I actually wore one.  When I moved here I bought a lot of cold weather clothes and I don't wear any of them.  Summer has always been a challenge because I don't like summer clothes.  I really need to pull out about half of what is in these closets and wave goodbye.

[just bee]

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@FindingMyJoy wrote:

This weekend, I tackled a mound of papers. I got a bunch of it shredded which felt great! Then last night, I spotted a bunch of QVC HSN package invoices that I had been saving for some unknown reason? I shredded them as well since none of them were recent nor returnable. It sort of felt like I was shredding money when I kept putting those invoices into the shredded...each one was a purchase - did I need it? Nope was the answer for the majority. It was depressing to see the waste of money. But I think it was a much needed wake up call.

Here is a sad little funny for you all - so I've been debating back and forth for a couple weeks about going to Chicago. My sister has a work event so the hotel is paid for the 5 days. I would need to pay airfare and have money for excursions to the museums, food etc like a regular vacation. Here I was debating about spending $300 for airfare but looking at those invoices that I shredded? I had no hesitation in the past spending that on a variety body gels, potions, lotions, makeup, and skincare. Yep, my priorities have been really warped. On the positive side, I did book the plane ticket so that will be my big purchase for the summer. Each time, I feel any temptation to buy anything not needed - I will ask myself if I would rather have that or be able to do a fun food walking tour in Chicago or the Art museum. I am hopeful that this mind set will eventually become easier to follow going forward.

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Isn't that funny?  The older we get the more we realize that maybe it's a good idea to invest a little more in things that provide experiences instead of investing in more stuff we just don't need.  I haven't been to Chicago since the early 70s.  It'll always be my hometown and I was happy to be born there.  Many very happy food memories.  If you go, have an Italian beef sandwich.  Noms!

[just bee]

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@sundrops wrote:
Hey just bee and others, just letting you know that we are on our way to ABQ!! Movers came early this morning and we headed out when they left. Put in 400 miles today. At hotel now. Have a very long drive tomorrow. Want to get to Amarillo. Should be in ABQ Thursday if we don't encounter any setbacks.

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We went to a Barenaked Ladies concert at Sandia last night and even Better-half, who could walk away from this town and never look back, had to admit that it was pretty darned nice.  The musicians all said the same thing: Impressive venue, beautiful weather.  It was a perfect night and we didn't get rained on.  We're in the middle of an actual monsoon season and the area's so green right now.  You picked a fine time to relocate.

[just bee]

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@geezerette wrote:

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@aprilskies wrote:

Just popping in to say hello but to, also, share something I read a few days ago that made me go "ah ha."  I try and just pop around some decluttering/minimalism sites so I can keep myself on track and here is a quip I picked up - Declutter your mind from what every one else thinks of you!!  This to me is powerful because it is something I think about but cant seem to get a handle on. Although, I am slowly making strides of letting "others" thoughts go, both at work and personal.

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Excellent advice!  And something I've tried to do for years, with varying degrees of success.  And it does go right along with decluttering your environment.  I think it becomes somwhat easier as I get older.  Or maybe it's because I just don't have enough energy anymore to give a darn what other people think of me! 

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No truer words.  I came home Friday morning after an unfortunate week at work and the experience was spoiling my day.  I didn't even feel happy about going to the concert that I had so looked forward to.  But a bad morning turned into one of the best times ever: We actually had fun.  I mean, real fun.  Took my mind off work and made me appreciate the perfect setting and weather.  We ran into a former coworker -- someone I'd hired almost 20 years ago -- and caught up.  Met his wife and kids and realized that I had left that job and things worked out pretty well.  Would I ever go back to that job?  No.  So I can probably walk away from my current one which has become just as toxic.

Why do we have to spend our lives working with people who are such miserable human beings?  I can handle the psychotic patients, but my psychotic coworkers are bringing me down.  BIG time.

[sundrops]

Hi, just bee. We got in late Thurs morning. Been busy with groceries, errands, etc. We have nice people around us. Our dog is still getting used to the new place. Comcast just left and Direct TV is due in a couple of hours. Movers are due tomorrow or Monday. Everything going nicely. Love it here so far. (Because we're not working yet---lol)

[kathie66]

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@sundrops wrote:
Hi, just bee. We got in late Thurs morning. Been busy with groceries, errands, etc. We have nice people around us. Our dog is still getting used to the new place. Comcast just left and Direct TV is due in a couple of hours. Movers are due tomorrow or Monday. Everything going nicely. Love it here so far. (Because we're not working yet---lol)

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Congratulations sundrops! Hope you are very happy in your new home.