Terrapin Station

30 DON Report

Whoops...

My Jazzercise studio is selling big beautiful mums for a fund raiser.  I had been thinking about buying a couple, but haven't been there in a while (being on vacation and hurting my back). 

Anyway, this morning I went to the 6 a.m. class and realized this was my last chance, so I ordered two! 

Then I realized:  That's spending on unnecessary items. 

Didn't realize it until after I left. 

Dang.

30 DON Report

There were indeed some things (not NO things) purchased on the Galveston trip (besides tackle and beach food, which were part of what we'd planned to spend for for the trip):

• a large mug with straight sides, because Ken spilled his coffee in the RV bed and fussed about his the curved-sided mug.  So that will be his RV mug from now on.  It has a robin on it. 
• Two refrigerator magnets of Galveston (gifts)
• Two postcards of Galveston (one of which got RAINED on!)

That's all.  Not bad.  And I continue to consider whether I should have bought those things.  It's not bothering me, exactly, but sitting in my mind looking at me. 

That's all for now.

30 DON Report

A week since my last report.  Today I had to go to the Student Union for lunch because I got caught here without any food and no time to go home as I usually do.  I bought a sushi platter and it like to gagged me to pay $5.03 for it!  I haven't bought any "fast food" this month.

My grocery shopping is very moderate, and I am using up a lot of what I have in the pantry and fridge...in some creative ways, too. 

Interestingly, when I see or think of something extraneous I might want to buy, I feel a sense of relief when I realize that I can't do it this month.  No fretting, no guilt, no obsessing over yes or no?

Something very important to be learned here!

Ken and I are off to Galveston in the RV tomorrow.  We plan to sit and look at the water, and when we get bored with that we will take a nap, and maybe later we will go wade fishing, and then more looking at the water.  I will have library books & dishcloth knitting, and we have DVD's for the evening. 

Life is good. 

30 DON Report

Still with the sinus infection.  I go to doctor this afternoon for antibiotics (clearly necessary!)  No energy for fun, and no spending to report.  The fact that I equate those two things is the core of why I'm writing now. 

This is more a thinking about the 30 Days of Nothing.  I've had several comments from folks, greatly appreciated, which have caused me to consider more deeply what I am doing with this. 

For me, I don't conceive of it as literally 30 Days of Nothing.  It's 30 Days of Nothing Un-Necessary.  And so my sweetie and I are, indeed, taking off to Galveston in the RV during the third week of the month, as long planned...God willing, and barring hurricanes in that area!  Yes, a lot of gas will be expended.  But we both need this time away so desperately, it's as if we are bleeding for it. 

I DO plan to minimize my spending on the trip...so I don't need to buy junk at the souvenir shops, or T-shirts, etc.  The goal is to park the RV at the beach and to stay there - we will buy bait, bread, milk...hopefully catch some fish to eat.  We may drive into "town," the East Beach where the Seawall is, to ride our bikes.  Talk about your adrenalin rush for this lady, because there is no railing on the seawall - that's the upper part that runs parallel to the sea.   

I mentioned something about a Swiffer WetJet - and let me tell you, if that is something that gladdens your heart (or your young daughter's) enough to make cleaning fun, then I would deem it necessary.  But here's the thing, I've tried a Swiffer WetJet! and the luster wore off for me.  Now, WHEN I mop, I mop with a regular mop because it works best for me, and I consider it a blessing of my home and family...thanks to Flylady. 

It was interesting, however, to note my reaction when I saw that Swiffer thingie in the ad circular.  Oh, my!  I was briefly and heart-stoppingly CERTAIN that I needed it!  And that's the richness of this experience...stopping and considering.  Not whether I need it, want it, or will buy it...but why I have that reaction to advertising?  And what could I better do with the time I spend thinking about it, and the money I could have spent on it? 

When I find these little pearls, I stop and thank God for what I have, who I have, and what I do NOT need. 

Each one of you is a huge part of 'Who I Have," so consider yourselves blessed and appreciated today. 

30 DON Report

Today was nothing in itself.  University was open but I'd planned to take the day off to work in yard.  Instead I have sinus infection and it rained all day.  Great for staying in bed, reading & sleeping. 

need to work on tax.  But not today.

30 DON Report

Another pantry/freezer dinner last night.  Ken was impressed with the turkey tetrazzini from scratch.  He said, "This chicken tastes kind of smoky!" 

I said, "It's smoked turkey, that you smoked." 

"Where did you get THAT!?" 

"The freezer." 

"Cool!  I don't even remember doing that!"

Therein, the beauty of the freezer. 

Sick with sinus infection, feel crummy, so not much call to spend money.  But I avoided the ads in the Sunday paper today...except for clipping 2 coupons for things we actually need (Scope * and milk).  Funny how those ads are generally for things you really don't need, like, um...a Swiffer WetJet. 

Now, if you use one (Swiffer thingy), great!  but to me those things are just a way to think that cleaning will get done easier...when in fact, cleaning is cleaning and it takes your time and some elbow grease.  No matter what the tools you use. 

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* Hmm, do we really need Scope?  Well, it's not for me; I don't use it. And my family didn't sign up for this fast, just me. 

30 DON Report

Yesterday I spent $6.61 at grocery store; milk and sodas for family...I bought the store brand.  There's not as much meat in the freezer as I remembered.  But by golly I plan for us to eat everything that is in there & the pantry this month...hopefully not too much mystery meat.

Returned a phone that didn't work as promised & got $54 credit; then spent $45 on a battery for another phone.  Ordered checks because I was out & had been for a month.  Bought a book for a Sunday school class I committed to long ago...public library doesn't have it. 

Promised myself I'd observe how this goes without beating up on myself...so that's all for now.