Shopping Spree...or Not!!!

We did it~the Material Fast is over...maybe!?


Our kids managed and were not deprived…maybe a little, but oh, what character it built!!! Even though we are done, we haven't gone on any shopping sprees, and don't plan to. I don't have the desire. I want new clothes, but plan to alter/embellish the old ones (at least until I lose quite a bit more weight).I am eager to make more gifts, since I love to create. The hours not spent shopping are well used in our abundantly stocked basement craft studio! When I create, I am using the gifts God gave me.

I did end up buying perennials and veggie plants for the garden...and broke down and purchased a composter. Probably could have waited until June for the latter, but...anyway!

For whatever reason, I have couch-issues. I tend to change couches often. They are typically used couches, so I am not spending much money. I think we are happy with our couches for the moment. This was one we got rid of at a garage sale several years ago. It's matching love seat has been recovered in floral and now resides at my folks house!

This will be the first year I don't have a garage sale. For the past decade I end up loading the driveway with our junk for two glorious summer days. We settled into the basement and don't have a lot of excess. I have taken small loads to Goodwill and pawned off some bigger items on my sister!

The big question now is "what kind of garage sale shopping sprees will I have this summer?" (eek!)

...beautiful day

BEAUTIFUL DAY(Sara Haze / James T. Slater)




Saturday is the smile on Mona Lisa's face

A little spare change given to the stranger on the corner

A pile of leaves, deep enough for my soul to jump into

And all my doubts fall away

And lead me here to say



It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY

Summer songs outside my window pane

And I don't need my umbrella

Cuz I've already been through the rain

I can feel the sunshine on my face

Not a cloud in my personal sky

It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY

It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY

Change the world

You know I would if I could

But all I have are my blue jeans and my black t-shirt

And that's just fine

Cuz everyday you know I try

To make art not war

And let love reign

And lead the world to say



It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY

Summer songs outside my window pane

And I don't need my umbrella

Cuz I've already been through the rain

I can feel the sunshine on my face

Not a cloud in my personal sky

It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY

It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY



The light will shine

In a perfect sky

The morning sun

Will be yours and mine

A sea of peace

Will wash over me

And I'll hold my breath and pray



It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY

Summer songs outside my window pane

And I don't need my umbrella

Cuz I've already been through the rain

I can feel the sunshine on my face

Not a cloud in my personal sky

It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY

It's a BEAUTIFUL DAY

© 2009 Sara Haze Publishing Co.

...so I wait.

My list of stuff to buy in June is growing...

I really need a grill. I really need a new screen door. I really need a trailer hitch for my car.

I think I really need these things?!

The girls really want shrinky-dink supplies. My little one really wants this gorgeous fancy dress she's had her eye on at Kohl's.

What will June look like? What we will decide we really need? I am interested to see how little we spent at the end of the month.

I had a thought last week. What if I didn't go to one garage sale all summer? How would that feel?

What would I miss?

What would I discover???

...no OLD stuff either!

With the warm weather comes the garage sales. The signs are everywhere. I constantly have to divert my eyes. I really love garage sales...a lot. But, with the commitment to no NEW stuff, I also committed to no new OLD stuff. There will be plenty of garage sales in June. But, I may have a new perspective. I may shop them more carefully. Now that I am driving a much smaller car, I can't bring home big stuff very easily.

This will be the first summer that I do not have a garage sale of my own. After finishing our basement, we settled in with what we have. Granted, I will always have a few knick-knacks and clothes to get rid of. I am trying to be more creative and pass them along to unsuspecting friends and family!

A Pais Street Market ~ Boulder!!!

Consider The Lilies will be at A Paris Street Market this summer. It's the first year the Market will be open in Boulder on 29th Street. We are hoping/praying/wishing to have our booth somewhere near Anthropologie...wouldn't that rock!?

My sister, mom and I have a business call Consider The Lilies. We make fabric flowers and attach them to anything we find!!!

Yesterday, when I was shopping (but not buying), I kept thinking how I was enjoying my time with my friend, but~ I would rather be in my basement creating or in the backyard gardening (with my friend, of course!). Hmmm? Could this material-fast end up being more revealing than I anticipated?

My Reward

Nine weeks ago I joined Weight Watchers. My friend Kari was going and I thought I would give it another try. Today I reached (and surpassed) my first goal...5%!!! Last month, I committed to holding off buying a new purse until I reached that goal ~ my reward. Well, here we are...but it's May...and I am not buying any new stuff. After a discussion with my husband, we agreed that this was possibly an expense outside the realm of the "material fast". Or was it? Kari and I shopped today at TJMAXX and Goodwill; just looking, no buying. It felt great!!! I really don't know what kind of purse I want. I do know it needs to be good qualilty, a fun color and reasonably priced. I really want a handmade purse, a unique creation. So, I will wait. Perhaps I will find one at the Market next month?! More on that adventure tomorrow...

NO NEW STUFF 30-DAY CHALLENGE

We are taking the challenge! We are committed to begin this 30 day "material fast". We will buy essentials like groceries, medications, etc. But no new STUFF! The money we "save" from not buying stuff, will then be donated or used for a special project...not sure which quite yet.

The girls were a bit distressed at first, but are gradually seeing the rational behind the fast. We were prompted by our friend Linden to take the challenge. Today, I had to exchange some shirts at the mall for my tweenager (wrong size purchased before the fast began...I had to remind myself to avoid window shopping and avoid temptation.

We are trying to avoid eating out also. This is not that difficult since we don't eat out much anyway. I did treat the girls to frozen yogurt...but refuse to buy Shrinky Dink supplies until June!