D minus 307 Day 58: Ahhh, Christmas

Well, I made it through the gift giving and taking with nary a wistful glance, but with a few sighs of relief. I cut down on my shopping, only purchased a couple of small gifts for R, and one each for the boys. I allowed myself to receive 3 gifts; one from my dearest friend - (a beautiful plate with freshly baked banana bread), and a fire pit for our backyard from the Christmas Gift Exchange with family. The 3rd gift was for both R and me and was created with great care by oldest son and his GF. They put together a special basket with microwave popcorn and popcorn holders to eat it with, a copy of "Up", and a gift card to one of my fav restaurants. You can't turn a gift like that down! Oh, and two new tree ornaments, "I 'heart' my Grandma/Grandpa". Very cute and they are residing on our tree this very moment!

We spent the holidays with hubby number 1 and his family. I know that is strange for most people, but with son #2 home for Christmas, son #1 and gf being with the 'Dad's' family, it just made the most sense. We had a good time in the mountains at their vacation home and spent a good two days eating, drinking and laughing. Just the way holiday's should be.

Son #2 and I went to Best Buy AND the Mall on Sunday. He had a few return items to take care of and we wandered around the sales for a bit. Not a thing hit me as a must have, but I must admit The Gap had so little merchandise, it was hard to be enticed. Nordstrom was busy and I found a non-sale dress (of course it wasn't on sale) that I stopped to admire, but I didn't even check the tag. Still on course for success. I'm not even in the 200's yet, meaning it has barely been 2 months!

I really feel so much better with this new appreciation for non-consumerism. I honestly don't know how I will feel later but for now, this is making me very happy.
Love,
S

Countdown 322

I watched Julie and Julia yesterday. It was a howly kind of day, wind was blowing, non-stop rain, and it was the perfect day to stay indoors, light a fire and watch a really nice movie - which it was. I've read both books, My Life in France and Julie and Julia, but it was well before I started this project or had an inkling I was heading in this direction.

I think it struck me how alone Julie was in her attempt to make all those recipes in 365 days and how the blog was her salvation. Now I know she had her husband and her gf (and in the book, her brother for a lot of the time), but she was still alone in her single mindedness to finish her project.

I have told few people about what I am doing, or not doing as the case may be. I am having trouble deciding whether to tell people or just kind of ignore it. I don't know many that would understand. It has been met with some nods of the head and "Oh, so you are really doing that", type reactions. But I am not even down to the 200's yet and it IS hard. I am glad Christmas is in the first 1/4 of the project, rather than the end.

S

326 - Day 39

Oh, the holidays. I love 'em. The house is decorated, I have made one batch of caramels and am planning a second batch for tomorrow. 75% of my Christmas Cards went in the mail yesterday. I have a list of holiday favs to create in the kitchen and our plans are firm for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. I should be set, right? Not so fast...

I am beginning to feel the "Christmas Noose" tightening. Aaarrrghhhh. I want to shop. I want to spend a day at Fashion Island in all the unique and funky stores. And it's not that I can't do it. Shopping for others is a pleasure unto itself, right?

It has only been 39 days, not even two months since I began. I am finding it much easier to shop on-line and be done with it all. But I so love the atmosphere, and I really want to not pay shipping.

Love,
S

Day 334 Countdown - Gifts!

I headed to the mall today to work my way through The Gap. I had a 25% off card that is good for today through Sunday and thought, what the heck. R was with me and we ended up buying him a couple of 2 for 1 shirts. The last time I was in The Gap they were running that same offer which makes me wonder if it ever went away. The cashier asked if I couldn't find anything for myself and I told her I wasn't shopping for myself today. R began to explain and realized it wasn't worth it, lol.

The bottom line is I found multiple items that would be great for stocking stuffers! There is a lot this year that I think would be good for small gifts for the boys. I didn't buy anything yet, but I am definitely heading back. I have always rewarded myself when shopping for my family with a little something for ME. I am sure I will find many little somethings over the next couple of weeks but I will satisfy ME with a skinny sugar free cinnamon dulce latte (my new fav), and call it a day.

Love,
S

Day 333 - New info from my sister

I just found out from sister 'P' that she is selling PartyLite Candles. I LOVE those candles and they have been my candle of choice for many years. As I was decorating the house on Sunday, I put out a snowman holder that requires one of the PartyLite 3-wick giants. The holder is supposed to have a red or green candle. All I have is a lite blue one. I kept thinking, "If I buy a red candle, I can use it all year and it is for the house, right?" Then I discovered P is selling them. I didn't cave, I am using the blue and have it with another decoration that repeats the blue and it will be fine. But that is one purchase I wish I had known I needed. P mentioned she started selling PartyLite right about the same time I started my Cold Turkey so she didn't even want to tell me.

Sigh, I hope she is still selling them next year.

Love,
S