Sunday, January 06, 2008

Inspiration Comes in Many Forms

We all know that this time of year evokes strong feelings of the organizing, de-cluttering, cleaning and regrouping sort. I have been a busy bee dusting the left-over Christmas dust, stashing items that the kids don't use anymore (in other words, hiding their old toys until school starts and I can bring them to the Goodwill) and trying to restore a sense of order and cleanliness to our home.

It's been an uphill battle the whole way because with every box I pack and place in our "crawlspace," I get a glimpse of the horror that lives in there all year long.

Boxes full of things I haven't looked at since college. Bins full of family heirlooms and things that belonged to my father-in-law. A boat. Hunting paraphernalia that hasn't been touched in 11 years. Not to mention more coolers and back packs than any human could possibly need.

These things live here. all. the. time.

We have more than enough family heirlooms inside our house. We have coolers for camping and soccer games in our trailer that we use on a regular basis. If my husband wanted to embark on a hunting trip, he does not need what is under the house. Does not need.

It has to stop.

One family has taken this a step further.

They have stopped shopping.

I have enjoyed reading "Notes From the Trenches" for a while. Chris' family amazes me, as does her talent in keeping it all together while parenting seven kids. She has shut down her former blog and given it a face lift, renaming it "A Year Off."

Here, she has begun to tackle the mountain of things she and her family does not need, and made a vow (at least for a year) not to bring any more of it into her home. Being a fellow Target aficionado, this is no easy task. But she is doing it. She is looking those useless, although shiny and pretty, items on the shelf in the eye and walking away.

So far, so good.

And so far, I haven't bought one item I haven't needed in 2008 either and I have a mound of things waiting to be donated. But I fear for myself, as I am out of laundry soap and we all know that the best place to buy it is . . .

Target.

I hope I can make it out alive.

15 comments:

flutter said...

ooo, the warzone.

Mrs. Fussy Fussypants said...

We move every year or two. So helps with the clutter! ;)

Lord help me if I go into Tar-chay.

xoxox, Alli

Girlplustwo said...

this is so totally cool.

Anonymous said...

I can't get enough target! I think I'm addicted.

LindaJ said...

I will be cheering you on, good luck. Target is my Kryptonite, well maybe Nordstrom too.
While you are getting laundry soap, will you get me some dryer sheets? I don't think I could be that strong.

Tamara said...

Target ~ she's a harsh mistress! Many have tried to resist her, not many succeed (including me).
(I found you on Annie's blog:))

painted maypole said...

I am so glad to know that someone else hides her kids toys and then gives them away when she isn't looking. What age, I wonder, will I have to stop doing this? ;)

My house needs way less clutter, too, and I am working on it. I, too, have quite a pile I am amassing.

Unknown said...

Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving the words on congrats!!

(bites nails, heart races, rocks back and forth)

What? No new clutter? (cringes) That sounds like a fabulous, fabulous concept...I would consider anyone with that kind of will-power to be some sort of super hero...me? I am weak for the large red bullseye...and a million other places that have clearance sales.

Besides what if I really CAN'T live without those silver chargers? Or what about the clearance Scotch tape!?!?

The list rages on...

Ann(ie) said...

ug. Good freakin luck. I'm the same way. I have piles to donate, but I know the second I step foot in Target I'll find much more crap I need. ug.

Family Adventure said...

Wow, what a worthwhile effort. Even if it means buying half as much as you'd normally do, you'd be a winner. Definitely some food for thought here. Thanks!

Heidi

Kellan said...

Oh, I should make this a goal for myself for 2008 - not to buy anything we really don't need! Good luck to you - I am working on organizing my kids' rooms today, something I do every January (like everyone else) - see you soon. Kellan

Aleka's World said...

Good luck! I go into Target needing a bar of soap and come out $56 poorer EVERY TIME!

Anonymous said...

Check out this month's Real Simple.. a great article about shopping at Costco...

Mom

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Be brave, lil soldier. Be brave...

Lisa said...

Am nodding alot with this post. Is so hard not to buy stuff you don't need at Target!

Is Chris going to post about how much money she's going to save?

That's a super cool resolution tho -- to clear the place of clutter and stuff not used and STOP buying it all too.