What would you do if you lost everything? What could you live without if you could only take a few things with you?
These are the questions I ask myself when I think of all our culture regards as necessary. We live such a blessed life in this country, even during a recession! I have heard and said I will not. or could not, go without 'that'! since I started this mission. I understand things like air conditioning on a hot Oklahoma day! I don't want to do without that, and, thakfully, I don't have to.
But I do know- I don't need it all! We have done without the extra for years! I don't need a new car, a boat, or any of the other expensive toys that would go so well in my neighborhood. I don't need new or better of anything. I will still wake up and live. I will still wear the clothes in my closet and make what I have great!
So, my goal for October is going to be--no new stuff, for me or my family! I was thinking how this may work for Christmas and other holidays. I hope to buy only practical and functional gifts this year. I have several ideas already! Things my kiddos can make for those we love! Rather than running to the store to buy a new 'whatever' for someone, my kids can hang out with me and we can make something special!
As for September, I am doing okay. I bought some clothes at a consignment shop, later to remember and realize they are from Bangladesh and other similar places. But since then, I am, again, aware.
What I am suprised about is the dishwasher, or lack there of. I haven't really noticed it's absence. I was already rinsing my dishes, so I just added a sink of soap and hot water and a scrub brush. And the dishwasher rack works great for a drying rack!
Hubby and I had a conversation like this last night. Our homeowners insurance went up a lot this year, and we are going to ask our agent about decreasing the cost by lowering the replacement cost of our household goods. Yes, it would take a lot of money to replace every single thing in this house, but we're trying to list everything we really "need" if we were going to move into an unfurnished home. For instance, beds would be important, but dressers could wait. Just thinking through stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteSince I have had to take a part-time job in retail, I am beginning to hate that every single holiday is about shopping. I wouldn't be surprised if next February there were Black History Sales! It's beginning to get ridiculous. All of our holidays were not meant to be spent shopping and now they're meaning has lost its context. I feel as though since I live in a large city and interact with hundreds of strangers on a daily basis, the last thing I want to do is fight the crowds and spend money I don't have on a day off work. I would much rather spend the day visiting the people I love around a great meal!
ReplyDeleteI congratulate you on this one! It's not about the stuff. It's about the special people in our lives.