Nature hikes

We renewed our annual membership to the regional park for $25. During the summer it has a water slide so, of course, DD is excited to go there. I prefer the shoulder season events, though - fishing and long walks.

The walks are especially nice on those rare winter days when the sun comes out, the wind dies down and the weather warms. The park is nearly deserted on these days. I can go for a long walk and never see a soul (yes, I carry protection nonetheless). When DD comes with me we collect items to take back home so we can build fairy houses.

No, I'm not ignoring this board

Funny how life becomes very busy with other activities once we STOP filling up our days with shopping.

In all fairness, we did travel a little bit this last month and did pick-up a few souveniors: more rocks because the little one loves those so much and a dream catcher. I've already made up for those items - plus some - by doing another clean-sweep through the house just before trash day. I've become ruthless!

Shopping Update

The big birthday party has come and past. We survived without buying anything other than consumables. One of DD's friends took the blog to heart and gave her an experience. DD is thrilled - as she is with all her gifts.

We're now cleared to declutter more. I can't believe all the stuff that has accumulated around here, even without bringing more stuff in. The more stuff I get rid of, the more I want to see go.

I'm loving the open space!

DD's birthday come and past

DD had a wonderful birthday. Yes, she received gifts. Thankfully, most of those the items she received were upgrades of items I've already decluttered. When school starts up again, I will go through her bookcase and declutter some of the items there. I also have to go through all her craft supplies and do some serious downsizing.

Now it is the push to declutter for Christmas and hopefully, re-align expectations for that holiday.

Shopping Update - 08/29 and 08/30

Other than buying stamps the other day so I could mail DD's birthday party invitations, I haven't been buying anything. The shopping list has been growing, however. I've been trying to do without instead of running to the store everyday.

There was a while when I first started this that I was itching to shop just for entertainment. Now, because I have to go to the store frequently to get basic things we need, I don't want to go as much. Plus, DD has started riding the bus to school so I'm not in the car already. It is so nice NOT to be driving all the time.

The 'gift certificates' in DD's piano practice prize box are working MUCH better than expected. She has selected a trip to the park as her first item. It was a hot day but the park has a water feature and we brought DD's bathing suit so it turned out to be okay. The next night she selected to have me read her an extra chapter in her night-time story book. Yes! I can do that any time.

Shopping Update - 08/27 and 08/28

08/27: When will I learn? I promised to shop from a list and only buy what is on a list. Yet I went to the store and I got lulled. I bought another small gift for DD's upcoming birthday. Haven't I bought her enough already? Then I thought I remembered that we really did need a grocery item that wasn't on the list so I picked that up. I got home to find that I already had that item in the pantry. Apparently, I remembered we needed it the last time I went shopping.

08/28: The only trip was to a party store to get the invitations for DD's birthday party. I relented to buying a balloon for her, too. I consider everything purchased to be a disposable / consumable item.

Shopping Update - 08/26

Amazing how little shopping one does when we stay at home.

Well, we did go to church. My usual habit is to empty whatever dollar bills I still have in my wallet into the collection plate, on top of what we donate to the church through automatic check withdrawl. However, DD reminded me to "not give all my money away" because then we have nothing left to put into the donation basket for the snacks that are served after mass. Oops! Good thing she reminded me.