It seems crazy to say it has been one month since I have even been in a shop. Even crazier is the idea that I have barely spent any money on anything. I have purchased a couple of meals and a couple of coffees. That is it. I just received my spending summary for last week...nothing, zero dollars. Wow, I don't think that has ever happened before. Wow. This is going better than I expected.
I did have a few weak moments last week. My daughter sent me a link to an article about the very interesting, confusing, and fun collaboration between my love Lilly Pulitzer and Target. There were pictures attached, which were viewed. The stuff looks fabulous! Bathing suits, rompers, sundresses, scarves, superb bags: they nailed this collection for spring. One of the bathing suits is especially reminiscent of a Lilly bikini I owned and wore on my spring break over thirty years ago. Everything old is new again. I could have easily clicked over to Target on line and started shopping for Bridget and myself. However, I did no such thing. I simply emailed Bridget and told her she should do her own shopping. Yikes, I can't believe my self-control.
Also, I actually ran into some friends at the Starbucks in a Target entrance last Friday after school. I ran in to get my coffee so that I can stay awake for the unusually long drive home on Friday afternoons. I like to go west to 315 to avoid I71 on Fridays. I could go Cooke to Northwest, but the Starbucks is too difficult to get in and out of on Friday afternoons. So, I ran into Starbucks at the corner of Morse and High. That way I can just shoot down to Henderson and go due west to catch 315 south.( This driving description thing is a fall out of just one week in California) A few friends, as it turns out, also stopped Three of my De Sales colleagues ran in to that same Target location. Two to get coffee like me and one just to run errands. I sat way in front by the windows to avoid the store and I was easily spotted, it seems. It was so fun to chat and catch up for a few minutes at the end of the long week. It was one of those things, that never could have been planned in advance, it was just serendipity. Yet, it was such a relaxing way to close out the school day.
I really had to avert my eyes and attention as I walked out of Target Starbucks. I held on to my goal and my sanity by making a quick jog out of that devil place :) It is a good thing I don't actually know if all of that Lilly stuff is on the shelves yet. It is a good thing I am very determined and very tired on Friday afternoons. It is a good thing I have been doing this a month and don't want to be embarrassed by a lack of self-control. I really feel like I am on my way to success. Thanks for all of the support. Spring break is coming up in three days...things could get ugly. Stay tunes...
Monday, March 30, 2015
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Day 17---------ah, well
So, daily posting has become way to cumbersome for my life. As much as I do love to blab, I find that this venture into not shopping has not been nearly what I imagined and I, therefore, struggle to have very much to say about this experiment. As a matter of fact, except for a few tiny temptations, I have not found this fast to be too difficult at all.
It has been many years since I have gone almost a month without shopping. I have been a bit under the weather of late, that has helped me avoid shops of all kinds, on-line and catalog, included. Typically, I am readying myself, classroom, and home for the upcoming season and planning purchases as many do daily work agendas. There is much to do to spoil my children and students for the Easter celebrations of spring. Easter requires new clothes, baskets of treats, little surprises for friends and homeroom. It is a time to investigate new styles, colors, and patterns for the home and self. Generally, I spend hours perusing catalogs and websites. This Lent has been quite a serious fast from the usual.
I have most definitely enjoyed looking at my bank account. It is the first time in my life that I have logged onto the bank statement account website situation. I do find that I check on my progress at least once every few days. Although I know that I haven't even spent money on anything but meals and doctors, I still like that written confirmation. I do feel a sense of peace knowing that I have not added to my wonderful husband's stress level. I do feel a minuscule sense of accomplishment. That does seem silly, considering I haven't done a darn thing. I just feel a bit afraid for what may be to come when the newness of the venture wears off.
I find that I have more time for yoga. That is a true blessing. I cannot speak loudly enough about what yoga has meant to my life over the last year. I have never felt so good about my body and my physical strength. That is not to say that I am some yogi beast. It just means that I feel more empowered than I have before. I feel a control that makes me worry less about my continual aging in the face of this bear-of-a-chronic illness that will not leave me alone. The ability to balance and stretch and move with power give me a sense of contentment that I truly appreciate.
Well, that's my little update. I am on my way to a yummy dinner from Texas Roadhouse. Hopefully, the next time you hear from me, it will not be to say, "I can't do it." Not everyone believes I can really keep this up (Ross). We will just have to see, I guess. We will just have to see. TGIT!
It has been many years since I have gone almost a month without shopping. I have been a bit under the weather of late, that has helped me avoid shops of all kinds, on-line and catalog, included. Typically, I am readying myself, classroom, and home for the upcoming season and planning purchases as many do daily work agendas. There is much to do to spoil my children and students for the Easter celebrations of spring. Easter requires new clothes, baskets of treats, little surprises for friends and homeroom. It is a time to investigate new styles, colors, and patterns for the home and self. Generally, I spend hours perusing catalogs and websites. This Lent has been quite a serious fast from the usual.
I have most definitely enjoyed looking at my bank account. It is the first time in my life that I have logged onto the bank statement account website situation. I do find that I check on my progress at least once every few days. Although I know that I haven't even spent money on anything but meals and doctors, I still like that written confirmation. I do feel a sense of peace knowing that I have not added to my wonderful husband's stress level. I do feel a minuscule sense of accomplishment. That does seem silly, considering I haven't done a darn thing. I just feel a bit afraid for what may be to come when the newness of the venture wears off.
I find that I have more time for yoga. That is a true blessing. I cannot speak loudly enough about what yoga has meant to my life over the last year. I have never felt so good about my body and my physical strength. That is not to say that I am some yogi beast. It just means that I feel more empowered than I have before. I feel a control that makes me worry less about my continual aging in the face of this bear-of-a-chronic illness that will not leave me alone. The ability to balance and stretch and move with power give me a sense of contentment that I truly appreciate.
Well, that's my little update. I am on my way to a yummy dinner from Texas Roadhouse. Hopefully, the next time you hear from me, it will not be to say, "I can't do it." Not everyone believes I can really keep this up (Ross). We will just have to see, I guess. We will just have to see. TGIT!
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Day 16
It just occurred to me this minute that I am in the double digits on this days-off-shopping thing. I am fairly surprised by that. I will be rounding three weeks pretty soon and I may celebrate by eating a little dark chocolate tonight.
Yesterday was an ordinary day. Between doctoring, yoga, and my glass of wine last night, I had no real time to shop. I am overwhelmed by grading and some paper issues with my juniors. It seems there is always, always work to fill my shopping time. Who knew how much time I had for work?
I thought I would feel less stressed by this fast. In reality, paying attention to spending and shopping make me feel way worse. I feel more stressed and am sleeping really poorly. I am not saying the two are connected. But...you do the math.
My doctor suggested I try eliminating fructose from my diet. Dear God...it is all fast all of the time in my life lately. I have decided to try this, though. I have worked with my wonderful husband to create a shopping list for the grocery. I miss the grocery a lot. I love fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, meats, fishes, etc from the grocery. I find it to be an aesthetic experience, this grocery shopping. It is a fill for the senses and the palette. I miss the little taste tester bins and trial size offerings. I miss being able to examine and choose just the right squash or bag of spinach. Crazy. I know. What else is new?
Ah, well. Off to correct more papers. No time to shop; no time to reflect; no time to waste.
Yesterday was an ordinary day. Between doctoring, yoga, and my glass of wine last night, I had no real time to shop. I am overwhelmed by grading and some paper issues with my juniors. It seems there is always, always work to fill my shopping time. Who knew how much time I had for work?
I thought I would feel less stressed by this fast. In reality, paying attention to spending and shopping make me feel way worse. I feel more stressed and am sleeping really poorly. I am not saying the two are connected. But...you do the math.
My doctor suggested I try eliminating fructose from my diet. Dear God...it is all fast all of the time in my life lately. I have decided to try this, though. I have worked with my wonderful husband to create a shopping list for the grocery. I miss the grocery a lot. I love fresh fruit, vegetables, spices, meats, fishes, etc from the grocery. I find it to be an aesthetic experience, this grocery shopping. It is a fill for the senses and the palette. I miss the little taste tester bins and trial size offerings. I miss being able to examine and choose just the right squash or bag of spinach. Crazy. I know. What else is new?
Ah, well. Off to correct more papers. No time to shop; no time to reflect; no time to waste.
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Day 15
Day 15 marked a wonderful and enlivening event. For two hours yesterday afternoon, I helped to host the Battle for the Books quiz bowl in our school cafeteria. I had the job of reading/ yelling questions to groups of students from our feeder schools for the entire two hours. I was amazed by the groups' knowledge of the eighty-five books they were given to read. Minute details were examined, most of the time, correctly. The students were so excited when they correctly answered a very specific question about the title and author of a book. It was such good clean fun that I felt happy to be a part of it all.
I was reminded yesterday of my love of books. Everything about a book makes me feel good: the look of the cover, the feel of the paper pages, the way it spine softens as the book is cradled in one's hands. I used to be a voracious reader. I would run through several novels a week. My favorite genre is historical fiction, but I would read most anything, except science fiction and fantasy. I so enjoy discussing stories with friends and families. I miss reading so.
Three years ago I had a little case of shingles down the right side of my face. It was quite painful and left me with a challenging post-herpetic neuralgia that just refuses to subside. The trigeminal nerve is a mess and makes my eyes crazy with double vision. I can read only snipits for a short period of time before being shut down with double vision. The question reading was causing some upset in my face and ear last night as we finished up the student competition. It is not fun. It is not fun at all to have one of my favorite pastimes taken away.
I bring this up today because I felt a longing last night to shop for books. I used to love spending hours in the book store. Half-Price books is one of my most favorite places. I could lose a day perusing the one-dollar book shelf. Just think...for ten dollars I could have TEN books. I could get cook books, books on gardening and knitting, novels I might have missed from the best-seller lists, and books on health and physical fitness. I would super love to have some cool books on Yoga practices and meditations. I would fill up my arms and need my husband to carry my extra stack.
Books surrounded me at home, as well. My nightstand was piled high with the books I was set to read in the coming days. My books made me feel at ease, somehow whole. Shopping for books made me feel the potential for human growth that comes with reading. It made me feel like a good citizen of the earth. Reading made me feel truly human in some way.
Now, I have no place shopping for books. It is one thing I gave up three years ago. It has not been an easy fast. However, it reminds me of my will and power to take control over my life. It gives me hope for the success of my shopping fast. If you can read...do it. Spend a hour to two in the book store and just see what's new. I will be headed to the library. It offers the best of free shopping and no hassle returns. Pick up a book.
I was reminded yesterday of my love of books. Everything about a book makes me feel good: the look of the cover, the feel of the paper pages, the way it spine softens as the book is cradled in one's hands. I used to be a voracious reader. I would run through several novels a week. My favorite genre is historical fiction, but I would read most anything, except science fiction and fantasy. I so enjoy discussing stories with friends and families. I miss reading so.
Three years ago I had a little case of shingles down the right side of my face. It was quite painful and left me with a challenging post-herpetic neuralgia that just refuses to subside. The trigeminal nerve is a mess and makes my eyes crazy with double vision. I can read only snipits for a short period of time before being shut down with double vision. The question reading was causing some upset in my face and ear last night as we finished up the student competition. It is not fun. It is not fun at all to have one of my favorite pastimes taken away.
I bring this up today because I felt a longing last night to shop for books. I used to love spending hours in the book store. Half-Price books is one of my most favorite places. I could lose a day perusing the one-dollar book shelf. Just think...for ten dollars I could have TEN books. I could get cook books, books on gardening and knitting, novels I might have missed from the best-seller lists, and books on health and physical fitness. I would super love to have some cool books on Yoga practices and meditations. I would fill up my arms and need my husband to carry my extra stack.
Books surrounded me at home, as well. My nightstand was piled high with the books I was set to read in the coming days. My books made me feel at ease, somehow whole. Shopping for books made me feel the potential for human growth that comes with reading. It made me feel like a good citizen of the earth. Reading made me feel truly human in some way.
Now, I have no place shopping for books. It is one thing I gave up three years ago. It has not been an easy fast. However, it reminds me of my will and power to take control over my life. It gives me hope for the success of my shopping fast. If you can read...do it. Spend a hour to two in the book store and just see what's new. I will be headed to the library. It offers the best of free shopping and no hassle returns. Pick up a book.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Day 13 (and 14)
So I have been a little lax in keeping up with my blogging. The weekend was busy and I did have my challenges, but I just did not get to the page to remark about it all. It makes me feel good, actually, that I had little time to reflect. Life is somewhat about doing, right?
Friday was my sister's 50th birthday. Somehow this makes me feel old. It makes me feel older than my own 50th did. I don't know why. It just does. This was also the week that my daughter turned 21 and our close family friend, Ian turned 20. There was lots of celebrating to do. Friday night Bridget came in town to pack some things for the beach and drop off her lovely puppy, Evie. Bridget brings some serious challenge to the shopping moratorium. She is my partner in crime, no doubt. We also celebrated Ian and my sister this weekend.
Friday evening we gathered Ian and Bridget together at Wolf's Ridge Brew Pub for a nice dinner. I was having a tiny personal celebration at this dinner: I resisted shopping with Bridget at TJMaxx for summer swim suits. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do this when it came before me. I traded in a shopping trip with my baby girl for an hour of yoga and a glass of pinot grigio. Not a bad trade. So, at dinner I felt pretty good about my first two weeks of fast. We laughed a lot and ate a lot and enjoyed a lot. Bridget got to order a drink and the waitress didn't even card her...bummer.
Saturday was really busy, too. Most weekend days begins with yoga. It is centering and powerful. This Saturday I had to disrupt the normal plan by scheduling an MRI that turned out to be quite painful. The way they had my shoulder packed in that machine was brutal. It doesn't sound like much to say, "you will be out of there in 30 minutes." However, by the time 15 minutes were up, I was close to pushing that panic button to see if the tech could move me. I have rarely been in such pain. Normally, I would reward my MRI suffering with a bit of shopping. This Saturday, I just went home and did that hour of yoga my body, mind, and spirit so crave.
The long and the short of the weekend is pretty simple: nice meals with the my family, including my sister's crew and my son Kevin; yoga to calm my nerves and feed my soul; long talks with my husband; and much needed sleep. Conspicuously missing was shopping of all kinds. Also missing was grading. Therefore, I must get to work. Happy Monday morning to all. 70 and sunny today. Get out and soak up some sun!
Friday was my sister's 50th birthday. Somehow this makes me feel old. It makes me feel older than my own 50th did. I don't know why. It just does. This was also the week that my daughter turned 21 and our close family friend, Ian turned 20. There was lots of celebrating to do. Friday night Bridget came in town to pack some things for the beach and drop off her lovely puppy, Evie. Bridget brings some serious challenge to the shopping moratorium. She is my partner in crime, no doubt. We also celebrated Ian and my sister this weekend.
Friday evening we gathered Ian and Bridget together at Wolf's Ridge Brew Pub for a nice dinner. I was having a tiny personal celebration at this dinner: I resisted shopping with Bridget at TJMaxx for summer swim suits. I wasn't sure if I would be able to do this when it came before me. I traded in a shopping trip with my baby girl for an hour of yoga and a glass of pinot grigio. Not a bad trade. So, at dinner I felt pretty good about my first two weeks of fast. We laughed a lot and ate a lot and enjoyed a lot. Bridget got to order a drink and the waitress didn't even card her...bummer.
Saturday was really busy, too. Most weekend days begins with yoga. It is centering and powerful. This Saturday I had to disrupt the normal plan by scheduling an MRI that turned out to be quite painful. The way they had my shoulder packed in that machine was brutal. It doesn't sound like much to say, "you will be out of there in 30 minutes." However, by the time 15 minutes were up, I was close to pushing that panic button to see if the tech could move me. I have rarely been in such pain. Normally, I would reward my MRI suffering with a bit of shopping. This Saturday, I just went home and did that hour of yoga my body, mind, and spirit so crave.
The long and the short of the weekend is pretty simple: nice meals with the my family, including my sister's crew and my son Kevin; yoga to calm my nerves and feed my soul; long talks with my husband; and much needed sleep. Conspicuously missing was shopping of all kinds. Also missing was grading. Therefore, I must get to work. Happy Monday morning to all. 70 and sunny today. Get out and soak up some sun!
Friday, March 13, 2015
Day 12
So how is it going? Well, everyone I see happens to ask me this question about how this project of mine is progressing. To be honest, it is going better than I imagined it would. Although it has only been a bit short of two weeks, I am surprised about what I have learned about myself and other important things about the world.
I have more time to do petty research now. As you know, I have already studied eye creams and today I did some research on the history of mascara. Each morning of my life I send up a little prayer of thanks to God for the creators of mascara. I never knew the names of these beauty history greats until today. What I have learned about mascara is rather interesting and well-worth passing on.
Mascara as we know it today comes from two products, petroleum jelly and coal dust. Eugene Rimmel, God bless his soul, in 1917 created the first packaged mascara product out of these two basic ingredients. I am pretty sure I have seen the name Rimmel on some make up product before, but it has held no meaning until now. I find it interesting the this mascara was created by a man. I also find it interesting to note the ancient history of changing the color or shape of the eyes with this black joy-of-a-thing we see as so normal today.
In ancient times, most of us know, the eyes were considered the portal to the soul. They were marked with black kohl in an attempt to CONCEAL them! This practice was thought to ward off evil spirits, to seek protection, to celebrate life and death and cause success in war. Woman and men wore mascara and it was not considered a feminine practice. I think it is also the basis for why athletes mark their eye area with black before they go into battle. (I am making that athlete part up, but...) Now we try so hard to expose the eyes as a thing of personality and expression. I wonder why the change. I can bet change in ritual and religion had something to do with it.
Religious practice has influenced our culture so much over history, it amazes me. Who would have thunk that the application of mascara could be tied to religious ritual and protection of the gods? Certainly, not me. Whatever the reason, I am thankful. I try every day to beautify my eyes with mascara. I am pretty sure that this vain behavior is not too pleasing to God. However, it is darn pleasing to me!
I now know to offer up a moment of prayer to Mr. Eugene Rimmel each morning. May his soul be at rest, knowing how he has enhanced my life and lengthened my morning ritual.
I have more time to do petty research now. As you know, I have already studied eye creams and today I did some research on the history of mascara. Each morning of my life I send up a little prayer of thanks to God for the creators of mascara. I never knew the names of these beauty history greats until today. What I have learned about mascara is rather interesting and well-worth passing on.
Mascara as we know it today comes from two products, petroleum jelly and coal dust. Eugene Rimmel, God bless his soul, in 1917 created the first packaged mascara product out of these two basic ingredients. I am pretty sure I have seen the name Rimmel on some make up product before, but it has held no meaning until now. I find it interesting the this mascara was created by a man. I also find it interesting to note the ancient history of changing the color or shape of the eyes with this black joy-of-a-thing we see as so normal today.
In ancient times, most of us know, the eyes were considered the portal to the soul. They were marked with black kohl in an attempt to CONCEAL them! This practice was thought to ward off evil spirits, to seek protection, to celebrate life and death and cause success in war. Woman and men wore mascara and it was not considered a feminine practice. I think it is also the basis for why athletes mark their eye area with black before they go into battle. (I am making that athlete part up, but...) Now we try so hard to expose the eyes as a thing of personality and expression. I wonder why the change. I can bet change in ritual and religion had something to do with it.
Religious practice has influenced our culture so much over history, it amazes me. Who would have thunk that the application of mascara could be tied to religious ritual and protection of the gods? Certainly, not me. Whatever the reason, I am thankful. I try every day to beautify my eyes with mascara. I am pretty sure that this vain behavior is not too pleasing to God. However, it is darn pleasing to me!
I now know to offer up a moment of prayer to Mr. Eugene Rimmel each morning. May his soul be at rest, knowing how he has enhanced my life and lengthened my morning ritual.
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