January 3, 2010

Day #3 of no shopping - how am I doing? Pretty well, I think. These days after Christmas are traditional shoppers delight days. There is so much good stuff on clearance. It's been a key time in the past to stock up on gift wrap, ribbon, stocking stuffers, trinkets and sometimes, an awesome present that will be just as awesome next year, but at 1/2 the price. But none of that for me this year. Daughter #2 insisted on going to Target on December 31, to get a DS game. I provided transportation but managed to leave the store not spending one thin dime. And, I was challenged. As you know, I am a big fan of Barbie. And, Mattel managed to tantalize me once again. On the Target toy shelves were three reproductions of vintage Barbies. Now, vintage Barbie, with its evocations of my youth and sweet memories attached, are my biggest Barbie weakness. So, Mattel has reissued the vintage nurse Barbie (my personal favorite with a teeny tiny teaspoon for dispensing medication, a teeny tiny hot water bottle (for Barbie's teeny tiny cramps, I presume) a diploma, a starched white nurses cap and a navy blue cape. This is one of my favorite costumes from when I was little. There is also a student teacher Barbie, complete with a pointer and globe. Astronaut Barbie, issued in 1965, has a very professional looking space suit and helmet. Cost? A mere $39.99. These would be so nice to have to add to my collection of Barbie memorabilia. I am proud that I resisted breaking my resolution even before it had begun. And, know that in two months, or six, I would wonder what to do with these additional Barbie's sitting around my room. One negative about being a shopper is you also, eventually, become a storer of goods you have purchased. Closets become full. Shelves overflow. You can't find what you bought because of the clutter. And, all of this "stuff" becomes a load to carry, prohibiting you from moving fast if you need to. Both physically and spiritually.

Defining the terms of this "no purchasing" year, will I believe be ongoing. It occurs to me that simply saying no buying is too broad, too vague and too impossible a commitment to keep. I have already established there will be no new clothes for me. I also think it's appropriate to put no new DVD's, CD's and books into that category. I will rent DVD's from Netflix. I don't really care about listening and purchasing CD's. Books are harder - there are few things as pleasurable as purchasing a new book. But, the library has most all I could need reading wise.

I am not going to limit experiences. Part of the purpose of this "no shopping" year is to allow more money available for experiences. So the movie Daughter #2 and I went to yesterday was allowable. Our savings came in buying no concessions at the moview theatre, but in sneaking in our own popcorn, soda and candy.

Experiences are okay. So, that's enough for today.