Beauty

[just bee]

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.

[just bee]

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!

[geezerette]

After what has seemed like months, but is really just more like many weeks, of unbearably hot and humid weather, the first of August has started out cooler and drier around here.  I woke up to mid-60’s temps and tolerable humidity.  I sure could “Adapt” to this!😄  However, it is not destined to last but for another day or maybe two.  But it’s a welcome break, however long.

I need to start this month with a “Stop The Spending” motto.  Between necessary projects and allowing myself sympathy buys, I don’t want to get in the habit of tossing too much money out the door from now on.  I still have two major repair jobs in the works for this month, which I’ve already budgeted for.  And another repair that was covered by insurance—someone else’s—so that’s a draw.  I also did some Christmas buying, which I’ve told myself I have to also watch.  It’s too easy for me to go overboard giving people presents to try and show my gratitude.  This is a perfect time, and I have a perfect excuse, to cut the amount I spend on gifts going forward.  I am going to be generous with my closest friends, who have helped (and continue to help) me immensely these past months.  But I also have been extremely disappointed with some that I thought were close friends that seem to have disappeared.  

As for HEP, that is a major concern.  I went totally bonkers the last few days eating as much, or more, of what I wanted in the junk food area.  The idea was that I’d be so sick of that stuff that today, starting a new month, I’d have more will power to eat healthier.  So far it’s working, but then I’m only a few hours into my day!😄  

[just bee]

@geezerette

Maybe we should have gone with Abstinence.  I've been eating a lot of things I normally don't eat.  Perhaps I need to stop visiting that bakery.

The one thing I'm determined to not buy is more tea.

I think I should focus on a monthly project.  Part of that is keeping the desk in the kitchen cleared off.  The second half of the project is dealing with all the paperwork that would normally collect there.

Have to start shredding again.

Anyone else have a special project for August?

[KaySD]

New project? Maybe some of the old projects that have been sitting around--because I've been sitting around, sweating in the heat. 

I'm hoping we get some cool mornings, though, so I can make progress on my garage conversion. I have a to do list, but it seems like, before I can do anything, I have to do something else first. So I'm stuck.

I've done pretty well getting rid of things. Always more to do, but when will that not be true? Now it comes to moving everything around. Move one thing and boom! Gridlock! Like Jenga, or whatever that game is where you pile things up and pull out bits until the whole thing collapses. 

I did locate an inexpensive but sturdy pet pen that stretches out flat, which will let me open the overhead garage door about two feet, for air, without my resident furry critters getting out. So that's one kinda good thing. Now I need to gird my loins (what a weird phrase) and find a starting place. 

How do you take the first step forward after getting stuck?

[just bee]

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@KaySD wrote:

How do you take the first step forward after getting stuck?

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@KaySD

Just take a deep breath and plunge.

And make sure there's a bottle of very cold bubbly in the fridge when you're done with Step 1.

Incentive in a flute is a great motivator.

[Oshare-girl]

How is it August already? The kids go back to school next week, which is good.  I can literally see DS's brains getting mushy after all that time playing Fortnight. 

I just took the pile of donations to the Community Clearinghouse this week. It's great to see the chair now. 

I need to have an abstinance August too. Since July is my birthday month, I need to take it easy in August. @aprilskies I caved and bought the latest Milani eyeshadow palette. It's very nice and I like it. That's all, no other justification. 

I borrowed a book from the library. I've stopped buying books. I've also donated a bunch of recipe books.  I kept the ones from my grandmother's time.  Those are the ones filled with comfort food. All the new recipes can be found online so no need for books.

We are enjoying the fruits this summer. We're still eating cherries. At the Korean market I found huge white nectarines. That qualifies for HEP, right?

I got the heels on my sandals repaired a couple of months ago instead of throwing them out since the rest of the shoe is still good. But now the elastic that holds the buckle of the sandal is wearing out. I'm wondering if I should get that repaired too or just get new ones....

[geezerette]

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@Oshare-girl wrote:

How is it August already? The kids go back to school next week, which is good.  I can literally see DS's brains getting mushy after all that time playing Fortnight. 

I just took the pile of donations to the Community Clearinghouse this week. It's great to see the chair now. 

I need to have an abstinance August too. Since July is my birthday month, I need to take it easy in August. @aprilskies I caved and bought the latest Milani eyeshadow palette. It's very nice and I like it. That's all, no other justification. 

I borrowed a book from the library. I've stopped buying books. I've also donated a bunch of recipe books.  I kept the ones from my grandmother's time.  Those are the ones filled with comfort food. All the new recipes can be found online so no need for books.

We are enjoying the fruits this summer. We're still eating cherries. At the Korean market I found huge white nectarines. That qualifies for HEP, right?

I got the heels on my sandals repaired a couple of months ago instead of throwing them out since the rest of the shoe is still good. But now the elastic that holds the buckle of the sandal is wearing out. I'm wondering if I should get that repaired too or just get new ones....

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@Oshare-girl

Point #1:  Sometimes that’s all the justification necessary.😉

Point#2:  Yes, definitely!😄🌴

[just bee]

I brought another big stack of magazines to work this week.  From 1997.

[hellokitty]

Hello everyone.  I've been lurking but not commenting.  My life is so busy with canning and trying to work and keep the house looking half ways decent. Sorry I had to chuckle a little when I read bee's account of taking magazines from 1997 to work...when my now hubby and I were dating he asked me to help him clean the house because he had fallen behind.  He was working a full time job and a part time job.  So I said sure.  I found a stack of magazines from the early to mid 90's and was getting ready to get rid of and he had a hissy.  Hadn't had time to read them yet he said.  This was a big pile.  That was in 1997.  Fast forward to 2000 when we got married and the stack was still there, a few added and still untouched.  They went to the recycling center.