Compacting Mommas? - Page 6

[chasmyn]

Originally Posted by momaste

I made some changes to my blog. Would someone please check it and see if it looks like there are little tools in the corner of each section? It shows up for me, even when I log off, but I'm not sure if they're really there or just on my version. Thanks!

No tools

DH is on board! We're going to do it. We lawyered in a few exceptions but I feel it is going to be good - the idea is to minimize our footprint and be more mindful of spending/consumption and it will accomplish exactly that.

This weekend we spent so much time decluttering - and DH took it upon himself to launch the project, much to my delight. He got all kinds of papers and clothes cleared out - we have several bags of donations to give to different charities, we are Freecycling our rarely used microwave and Ebaying some maternity clothes. It feels so good to lighten the load!

We also bught some new dishes (I know, I know, but we've been talking about it for over a year, our old dishes - some are chipped and we had this huge set). We got light, chip-resistant dishes and only got what we'd really use. We didn't buy anything extra despite being at a giant outlet mall and browsing stores like The Children's Place, Osh Kosh and Stride Rite. We're donating the old set to charity and we've significantly downsized our dish cabinet.

We're starting the Compact as soon as I finish typing it out.

[Aguazul]

Originally Posted by chasmyn

DH is on board! We're going to do it. We lawyered in a few exceptions but I feel it is going to be good - the idea is to minimize our footprint and be more mindful of spending/consumption and it will accomplish exactly that.
...

We're starting the Compact as soon as I finish typing it out.

Woooohooo!!!! I'm so excited!

[kathirynne]

Please don't revoke my Compact membership...

I fell off the wagon this weekend. :

My uncle gave me a gift certificate to the mall for my birthday, and it was only good until the 16th. I went to Gymboree on Saturday to buy an outfit for my daughter to wear on swimming days. (She needs an outfit that is easy to get off/on, so that she can change into and out of her swimming things by herself.) I felt okay about buying this outfit for her, because it was for a specific purpose, and I have de-cluttered her wardrobe down to things that I know she loves and will wear. (Which means 6 school outfits - including the one for swimming days - and 4 dresses for church! ) I had $12 left after buying what I needed at Gymboree, and as I walked through Dillard's on the way out of the mall, I spotted a glass pitcher on the Clearance table. (I have been looking for a clear glass water pitcher for ages, and this one was only $10... )

I know I shouldn't have bought anything after making my Compact pledge only 5 days before, but I really didn't want my uncle's gift certificate to go to waste. (In my defense, I only found the gift certificate while I was in the process of de-cluttering my house. Otherwise, it would have just quietly expired, and I would have remained blissfully unaware and true to my Compact pledge...: )

Today is Day 1...I am back on the wagon.

[Aguazul]

Originally Posted by kathirynne

Today is Day 1...I am back on the wagon.

And that is what counts!

[momaste]

That's okay, I bought a pie plate. I'd been thinking about it for weeks since I bought my new dishes at the outlet mall. I don't have a pie plate and usually use the aluminum disposable kind, and I think having a stonewear pie plate will keep more junk from being added to the landfills. And it matches my pretty mixing bowls. It wasn't on a whim, though; I did think about it and decided to buy it and made the trip to get it because I felt like it would be useful in my kitchen and was worth the money.

I got a food dehydrator/yogurt maker at the thrift store, brand new in its package, for just $10. I eat a lot of yogurt and had wanted a yogurt maker, and I think a food dehydrator will come in handy for preserving my farmers market hauls. That was used, though, so okay in the rules.

And thanks for checking the blog for me! The tools still show up for me, even logged out, but if you're not seeing them then it's okay by me.

[Aguazul]

I don't see any tools either.

Does anyone know of a site that's like a blogging tutorial, but made really simple and easy for people like me? I totally don't know how to change my background, add elements like labels and other stuff.

[litlwons]

Originally Posted by Aguazul

Does anyone know of a site that's like a blogging tutorial, but made really simple and easy for people like me? I totally don't know how to change my background, add elements like labels and other stuff.

I need a tutorial as well for a blog. I set one up, but haven't the faintest idea on how to put that link here so I can share it. I am useless at it. I see how AMAZING some blogs are, with all the links and everything and it overwhelms me.: I really would love a tutorial....

I went to the "regular" grocery store today, one that I rarely visit. I needed some cleaning supplies (vinegar and BS). I couldn't believe the amount of "stuff" useless stuff they sell there. Halloween, dishes, ornaments, it goes on and on. All this stuff that I am supposed to need and know that I don't. I just can't believe how much stuff there is out there just waiting to be bought, be put in someones house and eventually goes into a landfill. I am so saddened by it.

So far so good with my end of the compact. My DH bought my DS1 a Halloweenie costume, but he told me that he already promised him. So he is thinking about it all and will have to do it at his own speed.

[Delight]

Here is the "Getting Started" page of questions for Blogger. Maybe someone else knows of an easier one...but I like Blogger because a lot of people use it, and it's easy to comment on other people's blogs if you're a member. Hope this helps!

[Delight]

Originally Posted by momaste

That's okay, I bought a pie plate. I'd been thinking about it for weeks since I bought my new dishes at the outlet mall. I don't have a pie plate and usually use the aluminum disposable kind, and I think having a stonewear pie plate will keep more junk from being added to the landfills. And it matches my pretty mixing bowls. It wasn't on a whim, though; I did think about it and decided to buy it and made the trip to get it because I felt like it would be useful in my kitchen and was worth the money.

Ok...so not to pick on you or anything But did you check eBay first? Or Craigslist? Or post on Freecycle? I'm just asking...because your rationalization is exactly what I would normally do, so I totally understand how you feel. And since this is a support group...I'm going to hold you accountable I promise I won't become the MDC Compact Police :

[Aguazul]

Originally Posted by Delight

Here is the "Getting Started" page of questions for Blogger. Maybe someone else knows of an easier one...but I like Blogger because a lot of people use it, and it's easy to comment on other people's blogs if you're a member. Hope this helps!

Great! I'll check it out. I'm using blogger because that's the only one I'm familiar with. But when I first started, I only had one or two posts and lots of links, I tried to change to a different template and everything --posts and links -- disappeared. So, I've been afraid to try anything. And I see such pretty blogs out there so I'd love to change mine around a little.

Originally Posted by Delight

Ok...so not to pick on you or anything But did you check eBay first? Or Craigslist? Or post on Freecycle? I'm just asking...because your rationalization is exactly what I would normally do, so I totally understand how you feel. And since this is a support group...I'm going to hold you accountable I promise I won't become the MDC Compact Police :

I think this is great. This is a big change for all or most of us, so there is a whole transition in our way of thinking taking place. I think its great if we can old each other accountable and remind each other of various options that we may not have trained ourselves to consider yet.

[snowbunny]

On Blogs
If you choose to go with Blogger, try the Beta Version. I think it's more user friendly WRT customization, and there's even a drag and drop layout feature that makes adding link lists, labels and other stuff really easy since you don't have to know any coding.

On the Compact
We were recently invited on an all expenses paid vacation to anywhere warm that we want to go during January! While I realize that vacationing is certainly acceptable , I know how wasteful vacationing--eating out a ton, buying worthless souvenirs--and I don't want this to be a vacation from compacting or a deviation from our choice to try to simplify.

Any ideas for making a vacation more compactable? Am I even making sense--it's been a really long day. I've been looking up eco-tours as a place to start. Hmmm.

[momaste]

I did check Craigslist and EBay for the pie plate first, but this was on a good sale locally and so I bought it cheaper than I could have on EBay. No one had any on Craigslist. I did consider the purchase first, though, and tried to find another option before buying, which is a step I normally wouldn't have taken. Normally I would have just bought it and been done with it! Baby steps, right?

My blog is on Beta version and they have a VERY easy to use customization area.

snowbunny - my husband and I went to Seattle for a week in September for his work and we were able to stay pretty much on budget. We stayed in a hotel with a kitchen so I cooked, and I looked before hand for activities in our price range that were baby friendly. It was a nice week away and didn't cost much more than being at home. You can make that work, and if I were you, I'd take it! You don't need souvenirs and you don't need to eat out each meal; just enjoy your time away.

[francesca'smom]

Originally Posted by Mom2Wilmo

: Still pondering taking the plunge here.

I'm pondering too.... have been reading everyone's posts.
The funny thing is, the more I think about it, the more I'm already doing it: not buying, finding substitutes, making my own, etc. It saves a lot of time not running out shopping for every little thing.

[momaste]

Yesterday I bought a book at the library sale - $1 for "Clutter's Last Stand" by Don Aslett. It seemed appropriate to what I'm doing in my life, haha, and it was used AND benefits the library.

I donated 5 bags of clothes yesterday, too, and went through my craft supplies, putting a full third into the Ebay box. It's slow going, but I'm getting rid of the stuff that's weighing me down.

[MrsSurplus]

I am just so impressed with what everyone is doing - including the struggles!

Snowbunny - what a great struggle to have...and how great that you are really considering how to do it and maintain your principles!

On blogs - I think I've looked up nearly everyone's on here and I think they are awesome! I've been inspired in many ways from the blogs of others here. (I was planning on making Honey Baked Lentils tonight as found on Sara's blog...but, alas we have leftover Prime Rib. Lentils tomorrow.) I really like those on Blogger...but Homesteadblogger.com is real user friendly as well...but a distinct community.

[Aguazul]

Originally Posted by momaste

Yesterday I bought a book at the library sale - $1 for "Clutter's Last Stand" by Don Aslett. It seemed appropriate to what I'm doing in my life, haha, and it was used AND benefits the library.

I donated 5 bags of clothes yesterday, too, and went through my craft supplies, putting a full third into the Ebay box. It's slow going, but I'm getting rid of the stuff that's weighing me down.

I have a clutter book by Don Aslett, it might be same one. It is good and talks about mental and other kinds of clutter as well as the physical clutter.

[chasmyn]

Okay, here is mine - a great deal of which is shamelessly hoisted from Sarah's blog. So thank you, Sarah, for wording it all so perfectly.

[Aguazul]

Originally Posted by chasmyn

Okay, here is mine - a great deal of which is shamelessly hoisted from Sarah's blog. So thank you, Sarah, for wording it all so perfectly.

Yay!!!!! This is great, Chasmyn!

P.S. I think many of us borrowed heavily from other blogs and from the Compact's yahoo group for the wording the express our intentions so clearly

[Delight]

Update

I had fun at the thrift store today! Blogged about it here.
I'm starting a Flickr set with the photos of my thrift store finds during the Compact...because I think it will help me be more "picky" about what I bring home and because thrifting ROCKS! I love seeing and hearing about other's finds at the thrift store.

I am finding the Compact to be incredibly freeing. It's been over a week since I started and I'm goin' strong. I haven't eaten out at all (which is a huge improvement!), I had a coffee/scone at the farmer's market (planned into the budget) and I haven't bought anything new. Phew! This is fun.

[momaste]

Okay, so I planned meals for the week, thought carefully about what food to buy, went shopping and purchased only organic, locally grown produce and just the essentials otherwise and was well in budget. I sent DH out for milk last night (just milk!) and he came back with two bags (paper, not reusable!) full of junk - boxed mac and cheese, hot dogs, cookies, SPAM!! I feel so defeated. I was at home making this healthy, local, fresh meal and he wants processed junk. I sent him for one specific (and locally produced, hormone free) item, with the brand name so he wouldn't get the wrong thing, and he came home with two bags of the wrong things.

When we talked about eating more locally, he agreed with me and said it was a great idea. When faced with the supermarket, though, he couldn't seem to pass up the canned meat. It's an unfortunate dent in my grocery budget, since I'm not preparing any of it.