Non-Consumer Mish-Mash

by Katy on October 31, 2010 · 5 comments

It’s time again for Non-Consumer Mish-Mash, where I write a little bit about this and a little bit about that.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to one and all! My kids both invited a number of kids over to hang out this evening for trick-or-treating shenanigans. (Seriously, I have no idea how many kids to expect.) We carved pumpkins last night as well as fine tuned our costumes. (The 15-year-old is “Dark Link” and the 12-year-old is going as Zombie Justin Bieber.)

I need to go outside and rake up the slimy leaves so that no ghost nor goblins slip and fall on our property.

The bought on sale candy is currently incarcerated in the next door neighbor’s house, and since tomorrow is my annual physical, I think I may go lightly on the sweets.

“Why Ms. Wolk-Stanley, I’ve never seen such a high fasting blood sugar!”

Yeah . . . definitely need to abstain from all the tiny Snickers, Kit-Kats, Milky Ways and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Compact Christmas Shopping is a Year Round Endeavor

I am coming up on my fifth year of following The Compact, which means I pretty much buy nothing new. This includes items for myself, as well as all gift giving. Unfortunately, this also means that I need to pick up gifts throughout the year, because trying to find quality appropriate last minute gifts is as likely to work out as Lindsay Lohan joining a 100 things challenge.

Over the last few days, I’ve bought a tiny $1.99 Chinese calligraphy set for my 12-year-old son that will make a perfect stocking stuffer, as well as a $2.99 Starbucks Bearista dressed as a ladybug. My son collects these, and we have a tradition of always having one peeking out from his stocking. These cost $15 new, so I keep an thrifting eye out to find one he doesn’t already have.

The To-Do List Hits Another Generation

I am a superfan of the to-do list, although I don’t do them on a daily basis, (which makes them all that much powerful when I do.) I’ve found that the key to a successful to-do list is to balance the things I need to do with the things I want to do. Otherwise, it’s just the daily tasks of the scullery maid. And if I learned anything from watching BBC’s Manor House, nobody wants to be the scullery maid.

My younger son has an somewhat overwhelming academic load this year, and he’s still figuring out how to stay on top of everything. Today I tutored him on how to properly write a to-do list.

On his list were:

  • Feed the neighbor’s cats
  • Twenty minutes of social studies
  • Carve pumpkin
  • World domination
  • Review Japanese

And guess what? So far, the neighbor’s cats have been fed, social studies completed, the pumpkin is being carved and I’m not sure how this happened, but “World Domination” has been checked off.

You might want to lock your doors.

100 Things, How About 57 Things?

The minimalist/simple living community is all atwitter this week with the CBS news story featuring Everett Bogue, whose home contains 57 thoughtfully chosen items.

Click HERE to watch the two minute video.

Katy Wolk-Stanley

“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without”

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

Practical Parsimony October 31, 2010 at 2:48 pm

Hmmm, does he own one needle to sew on a button? Or, does he take it to his mother or girlfriend who can own more than 57 things? LOL Unless I am carrying it all on my back, 57 things is not enough. So, why doesn’t he get rid of the excess space he does not use? Thanks, Katy, that was rather amazing even if not doable for all of us.

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Megg October 31, 2010 at 2:49 pm

While I’m not sure I’m ready to take on The Compact for the whole year (with a little focus I’m sure I could do it, but we’ll get there!) I am going to try to do it this year for Christmas! So far so good…I have used books for my sister and used frames from Goodwill to put pictures in (I guess they’re new but I hope that doesn’t count!) for the grandparents! I didn’t plan to do this earlier in the year so we will see how it works out 🙂

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Joanne Wright November 1, 2010 at 12:47 am

Just wanted to add how inspiring Everett’s writing is, whether ot not you aspire to the level of minimalism he has achieved. I can’t as I have two children, a hubby, home, car and all that comes with it – I follow his experience and take from it what I can to suit my situation. I started following his blog when he first launched and it was Everett’s call to action on http://www.farbeyondthestars.com of a ‘minimal list’ in April this year that gave me the courage to do the same. Number 17 on the list was ‘start a blog’ – and I am incredibly passionate about simple home cooking. With regard the ‘100 Things’, I like many others am unlikely to get down to this few items but am a lot less cluttered since reading his, and many other’s blogs including your own – Thanks Katy it has been confirmed! I was always a bit of an anti-consumer at heart!

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Raffaella November 1, 2010 at 9:54 am

Oh no, another minimalist blogstar. LOL. Don’t get me wrong, minimalism is great, a very interesting topic for me as well but really, do we need yet another blog about it? This guy was inspired by Leo Babauta (who else?) and doesn’t add anything new to the discussion.
I really think these alternative lifestyles are just a clever way to get public attention and sell e-books. If you want to live like that, DO it. There’s no need to tell the world in detail.

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lynda November 1, 2010 at 10:37 am

Thanks for the link to the video. It’s horses for courses: what works for Everett, or works for the girl in New York isn’t going to work for everybody.

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