The 29 Day Challenge: Day #19

So, I did make it over to the local Goodwill today to drop off some big items. I hope they all find good homes. Tonight I'm doing another round of cleaning out the closet. My goal is to find at least three pairs of good shoes to donate, as well as another bag of clothes.

I really do believe that the more you give away, the more space you open up in your life for whatever may come you way...

In other news, I pretty much have our recycling system set up in the garage. I went by the county recycling center, but I want to search to see if there is a closer drop-off point. It sort of seems counter-productive to have to drive 15 miles to drop off some recycling. My goal is to find a drop-off center within 5 miles of the house or at least on the way to another location that I drive to on a weekly basis.

The Southern Reading Challenge Update

I am deep into a wonderful book as part of the Southern Reading Challenge. Years ago, I read Richard Bragg's All Over But the Shoutin' and it instantly became one of my all-time favorite memoirs. Well, last week at the library I was lucky enough to not only pick up that book, but also two other books he wrote as well.

I like the author's style and the way he crafts language in a way that is both beautifully complex and simple. I like the way he portrays the human elements of his life and culture with honestly, while at the same time not making gross generalizations about an entire people. Most of all, I like the tribute he makes to his mother - he does not place her up on a pedestal, but instead focuses on her strength of character and incredible resiliency. The descriptions of his childhood serve as an important reminder of why we must honor those people in our lives who loved us no matter what, who believed in us even when we did not believe in ourselves, and who never let us stray too far from home.

The 29 Day Challenge: Day #18

So, today I am going to do what I have been, for some reason, putting off for a while. I am going to take some "treasures" from the garage that we've cleared out of the house and put them into my car. Tomorrow, first thing in the morning I'm delivering them to Goodwill. There's no good reason, except for procrastination, that I haven't done this already.

So, what am I giving away?

1. Two good lamps that we just don't have space for

2. A water cooler that we never use, but that still works well

3. A desk that we no longer need due to the very smart reconfiguration of an old bathroom vanity area

Why?

Honestly, aside from all the obvious altruistic reasons, I like a clean garage. I like to have a spot for everything and know that whatever I keep I am able to use on a regular basis. The three items above just don't contribute to my zen-like fantasy at all.

In other news, I am thinking about rejoining the compact next month. More on that later...

I've Been Remiss...

I have to admit, lately the only reason I've come to my blog site is so that I could use it as a portal to check other blogs that I read daily. Starting now, I vow to be remiss no more. I feel I have a lot of things to say, and even if they prove to be important to no one but myself, it is still helpful to post these ideas and get them out of there.

First of all, I'm resuming the 29 Day Challenge... really, I am. I am picking up with Day #17 today.

What I'm Giving Away: Another bag full of clothes

To Whom: The local Goodwill

Why & Misc Thoughts: I still have too much damn stuff... Why have clothes sitting in my closet collecting dust when they might go to other homes where they will be worn and made useful.

I must say that moving has turned me into a temporary super-consumer. I need to reverse that trend right now. For example, last night I walked into IKEA to pick up two items and ended up walking out with about twenty. And even though I bought one of their nifty 59-cent reusable bags, I'm hoping that I won't be venturing near an IKEA or any other type of consumer-trap any time soon. My willpower is just not yet strong enough, so I'm better off avoiding the places all together.

On a different note, I have been holding out on buying a new blender. I really, really want a blender, especially the more I read about all the amazing recipes on fatfreevegan.com and other recipe websites that require blending certain ingredients. And yet... I have not yet made the purchase. I'm hoping that either a) my aunt will find an extra one she can pass my way or b) I can find one used at Goodwill or another thrift store. So I am being patient, which I think is one of the main lessons I've learned from the voluntary simplicity movement anyway. Our society is so filled with instant gratification, but sometimes you just need to wait a little while to get what you want. And that is okay...

Resuming the 29 Day Challenge... Day #16

Well, life has been a bit hectic lately, but I think I'm settling back into some sort of routine and am ready to get back on-board with the 29 Day Challenge. I am getting together a car-full of treasures in the garage to donate to the local Goodwill and am also researching how recycling works in the new town I just moved to. They don't have curbside pick-up and so I have to locate the nearest recycling center and see how they want the materials divided. It overwhelms me just a bit that recycling is not standard everywhere and reminds me just how far we still have to go in terms of the choices we as a society make about what we value and how those values manifest, or fail to manifest, themselves in our policies and daily routines alike.

Today I am going to give away some time and TLC to the house. I am going to finish vacuuming, do laundry, and make sure this home knows I love and care for it, even though I'm a very new resident here...