Category Archives: shopping

The 2012 List

The 2012 List

In 2012 I am going to do things a little bit different. You could call this my resolution list, but I’m going to call it my goal list instead.  I’m determined to improve, but “resolution” sounds so immediate and final, and having a goal list sounds more of a long term, flowly thing for me. So here’s my top 20 for the coming year…

  1. I’m no longer going to be the girl who calls to see what everyone else is wearing.
  2. Im going to wear my fancy shoes more often. Even with jeans, and to the grocery store.
  3. I’m finally going to finish the book “Quitter” by Jon Acuff…
  4. I have earned the “worst relative” trophy, so I am going to remember all of my families birthdays this year and respond accordingly… for a change. And I am not expecting or anticipating them to reciprocate.
  5. I will forfeit my nickname, “the enabler” and shop less. Sorry friends. Unless I move, I have no more room for anything…not even socks.
  6. I will pray for everyone who speeds past my house, even though the speed limit is 25 and they are obviously not concerned with the children playing in the yards.
  7. Quiet time. Yes. I will. Really.
  8. Walk my dogs. Yes. I will. Probably.
  9. Work unto the Lord in all that I do – that covers a ton. Mothering, relationships, blogging, serving…you get the picture.
  10. I will meal plan (again) and cook more healthy meals (again).
  11. Clean out my attic. (ha ha ha… just kidding – it’s on my wish list and really wants to be on the goal list, but I don’t think I’m quite ready)
  12. Use coupons at the grocery, not just at Macy’s.
  13. Mentor someone. Seriously.
  14. Catch up on my scrap booking.
  15. Learn PhotoShop.
  16. Participate in a women’s group…like a Bible study, not shoppers anonymous.
  17. Volunteer more. I’ve ebbed and flowed over the years, and 2011 was a year that I served the least, so I am ready to get back out there…
  18. I’m really going to put “journal more” on this list. I have volumes with missing months and even years… It’s kinda like serving. Both are always on my list.
  19. I plan on staying to my weight loss plan – it’s so much a part of my life now, I almost forgot to list it. Although, when I lose more weight, I will have to go shopping again…
  20. Listen more and speak less. I think I can, I think I can…Really.

So, there it is. My goals for this year. Most of those are reruns, but some are making their debut. What are your plans for 2012?

Stuff…

Stuff…

It’s that time of year when we purchase stuff for others, and they reciprocate.  Most of the stuff we exchange are things we don’t really need, and sometimes, they are things we don’t even want.  Thus the creation of the “wish lists” and gift cards.

My daughter is having a huge fund raiser tomorrow for her mission trip, and we are putting together silent auction baskets.  I was overwhelmed by the amount of stuff I was able to collect around my own home to make these baskets complete.  Stuff I’ve been given and purchased, and stuff I really had no trouble parting with.

Why do we collect so much stuff?  Do I really need a closet full of small appliances?  I’ve got enough craft supplies to keep a girl scout troop busy for years.  I’m not even going to share how many pairs of black shoes I own…Really…

At this time of year when shopping is at it’s peak, I thought I’d risk a little political incorrectness, and share a top 10 list to keep in the back of your mind while shopping for others and for yourselves…

The top ten ways you might have too much stuff…

  1. Your neighbors call you to borrow random items…like purple construction paper and you have plenty.
  2. Your closet is bigger than an average bathroom…and it’s full
  3. You have rubbermaid in your investment portfolio… or you should.
  4. When pulling out Christmas stuff, you find bags of gifts from last year… and the year before.
  5. You have paths in room(s) through your stuff..
  6. When your garage is open on the weekends, people stop and try to shop.
  7. TLC is leaving you messages…
  8. You can go 3 weeks without doing the laundry and not run out of clean clothes.
  9. If something’s on sale, it’s a good deal no matter how many you already have…cause you can give it as a gift…
  10. You can make several beautiful silent auction baskets and never leave your house.

So, this time of year think twice before you buy… for others and for yourself.  Be thoughtful and creative in your giving, and don’t just buy something for the sake of a package under the tree.  The happiest people I know, have the least amount of stuff anyway. Really.

What was the best or worst gift you’ve ever received?

Black Friday.

Black Friday.

Today is Black Friday.  The biggest shopping day of the year.  I am sitting on my sofa, still in my pj’s and it’s after 2PM.  I did get up around 9 this morning, but I cleaned the kitchen floor, did a load of laundry, vacuumed my bedroom, and the ceiling fan in my bathroom.   I have also managed to read about 4 chapters in The Circle, by Ted Dekker, the 25th Proverb and Psalms 132-135.  I’ve checked out Facebook this morning too.  Many of my friends have been posting about shopping and all of the great deals and crowds.  I’m not jealous.

There was a time in my life, when I planned my Christmas shopping and headed out before the sun.  I’ve stood in lines holding toys and electronics for hours.  I fondly remember applying for my Target card, while standing behind 200 other people, holding a hopping Tigger, that I almost didn’t get.  It was a dive and grab, and I was victorious.  My youngest son beamed with delight on Christmas morning, and we tolerated that bouncing, chatty Tigger for many, many hours, days and weeks after.  I asked him if he remembered that Tigger today.  He said, “no.”  I wanted to yell, “Really?!? What!?!  I almost committed assault and battery for that thing!  I stood in line forEVER!”  Really??  He said that he does remember the Thomas the Tank bike, that we purchased at 4:30AM at Zany Brainy in 2001.  I only stood in line for about 45 minutes for that one.   It was the bike he learned to ride, and I have scrapbook pages of the event in memorandum.  I guess I should have taken a picture or two of that dang Tigger.

Several years ago, we started a new tradition at our house.  We only give the kids 3 gifts.  A gold, which represents a treasure they have wanted.  A frankincense, which is something for their mind, and a myrrh, which is something for their body.  We still hang the stockings, and fill them with fun things, in keeping with Christmas traditions.  It has been AWESOME.  Having 4 kids, I still must shop for 12 gifts, but there’s a defined point and a plan.  When they tell me what they would like, it’s a short list.  Also, by calling it what it is, it keeps the theme of the real meaning of the holiday in focus.  I can usually get everything online too… Usually.  Last year they couldn’t think of anything that they really wanted, so we adopted a few families in our community and put all of our resources there.  We still surprised them with a treasure on Christmas morning, but it was more memorable to shop together, and deliver the gifts to those families than lots of gifts under the tree.

So, what did you do today?  Are you finished your shopping already?  I still have to get the 12…  I wonder if it’s too late to go find a good deal?