Pedomination

"Use It!"
A few years ago, I was really into wearing my pedometer and trying to get my daily 10,000 steps. I liked having the extra incentive to move more throughout the day. When I heard Dr. Oz* recommend getting more steps in to the obese teens on this week's Oprah, I thought to myself, "I need to start wearing my pedometer again." I found it (miraculous) but discovered it did not work. I thought it could be a battery problem, but wasn't sure. I was tempted to order a new one from Amazon. A new pedometer would cost about $15, but a new battery might cost $9 (exorbitant cost of special-sized battery purchased to put in the Barney Piano book of Bub's that cost a quarter at the church toddler sale). I hated to think that I would shell out for the new battery and find the pedometer problem had nothing to do with the battery. Anyway, I looked at CVS and realized the battery I needed was only $5. Sold. I put the battery in, and the pedometer is up and running . . . or rather walking.


*I am kind of annoyed by Dr. Oz but am not quite sure why.

Craft Machine Dreams

My nieces Swiper and Fancy are self-proclaimed "craft machines" and their mother LAP has already described. They have a new baby sister and have been stuck inside for almost this entire week due to snow and ice; plus, they were coughing and snotty for a good portion of the preceding week.

I've had baby's (waiting on LAP to help assign a blog handle) present for several weeks now. Along with the baby gift, I am sending a selection of crafting supplies for Swiper and Fancy with the hopes that these items will make some long afternoons at their house a bit shorter. For the record, I received LAP's permission before moving forward on this. I am not trying to pawn my stuff off on unwilling recipients. LAP knows she is free to "lose" anything she deems crap, though I tried hard to fill the box with good stuff. (I'd tell you what stuff, but I don't want to spoil the surprise). The box is ready for UPS tomorrow . . . and when Swiper and Fancy open it up and get down to crafting, I hope a beautiful convergence of "using" and "losing" follows.

Read My Lips: "No New Books"

"No New Books" is actually a promise I cannot keep, but I am trying to use the library, be thoughtful about my book purchases, and to "lose" the books I do not need to keep in my home. I mentioned "The Lingerers" in my initial Just Use It or Lose It post -- some books I have had on my shelf for more than five years, have moved with me at least once and yet still not read. I could give a history on how and why I obtained each book, but I won't bore you with backstory. I have other unread books on my shelf, but these titles are on the clock. I read them in 2009 or lose them. Without further ado, I present "The Lingerers" . . .

(the black book is You Shall Know Your Velocity by Dave Eggers -- backstory because I couldn't resist: purchased at a cool event in Chicago that I attended with my friend E . . . -- Dave Eggers, other writers from McSweeneys, personalities from NPR, and They Might Be Giants performing)

Do you have lingerers? Give me your titles and consider yourself on the clock.

Fourth Trimester

"Lose It!"
I have a bin of clothes labeled "Fourth Trimester" from after Bub's birth. I peeked inside of it this morning. Due to the differences between having a baby in January and one in June, none of my fourth trimester clothes for Bub did me much good after Little Bit (generously-sized pale blue cords or pink velvet jeans (for real) are not quite the thing for the Chicago summer). I ended up getting some fourth trimester duds for the summer. Several items from the 2006 bin went straight to the give-away pile. I kept others since we would like to have one more baby (though not in the near, near future). I'm thinking now, however, that I shall go through the bin once more. I don't plan to be as large as I was post-Bub ever again, and some of the items in the bin are just not good. The fourth trimester is a sensitive time when one is not feeling so confident about one's appearance so I'm going to take a look-through and ask of each item: Will this item make me feel better or worse about myself?

Sell By Success Stories

As I have mentioned on my other blog, I am a grocery store addict. Even though my neighborhood Jewel store pales in comparison with my beloved Kroger, I still fill my cart regularly. I add trips to Trader Joe's and Costco to mix things up. I recognize that my love for choosing groceries stems, in part, from more of those good intentions of mine -- I always intend to be cooking healthy, hearty, delicious, and creative meals for my family. I often fail to do so and thus also shop to keep up our stock of Lean Cuisines (me), Lean Pockets (hubby), pasta, sauce, and frozen pizza. I also take pride in selecting snacks and treats that will make my hubby and Bubby happy. I have trouble going to the store and leaving with "just a few things."

I am proud of my progress at the grocery store this year. I have been trying to use a list and stick to it. I have thrice remembered to bring my earth-friendly reusable bags with me. I have tried to have a real plan for what I buy instead of vague inklings that such and such ingredient goes in such and such recipe that I might make if I could locate it in one of my 55 cookbooks. The result is that I have spent less money at the store and had fewer temptations stocked around the house.

I have also been making an effort to "use" the food I buy before it expires. Sounds simple enough, but I often fail to use perishables and even pantry goods before their sell-by dates. When perishable goods go bad, typically the cause is poor planning. The pantry goods get tossed because I hoard them for that proverbial rainy day rather than use them. Can't say why.

So anyway, today I kept riding the wave of yesterday's successful use of beef from the freezer with some more culinary concoctions.

"Use It!" (I have starred the items that might easily have been tossed)
* Bubby and I made some instant pudding* (seems a no brainer to use a box of pudding mix before its expiration date, but I know from purging the pantry before Little Bit was born, that I hoard pudding and jello -- in June I tossed boxes that expired in 2006).

* I made a breakfast casserole with bread* (almost stale), eggs* (sell by date of Friday), cheese, basil* (leftover from weekend panini bender), sliced grape tomatoes*, sausage* (sell by date of Thursday), and milk. Now I have breakfast to eat for the rest of the week, which means I can continue hoarding my Lean Cuisine pizzas (default breakfast item).

Freezer Diving

"Use It!"
Some beef from our chest freezer was turned into a lovely stroganoff-type affair thanks to my trusty slow cooker -- husband "really liked the dinner, honey," which, around here, is equivalent to, "You should open your own restaurant." So, I'm feeling pretty pleased . . . pleased that the meal was good and pleased that I used the meat.

Also, those of you aware of my tendency to obsess over foods, will not be surprised to know that I ate seven paninis over the weekend.

Back in Bin-ness

I was so bone tired last night that I turned in at just before 9:00 p.m in the hopes of catching up on my sleep. Those hopes were dashed when Little Bit woke up at 5:00 a.m., ready to party. As I was checking my email in the six o'clock hour, I realized I forgot to post yesterday. Ah well, I guess I will just have to "lose" the idea that I have to report on using or losing every single day in order for this project to be a success. I've been working on letting good enough be enough for years now . . .

Tonight during Big Love, I attacked a medium-sized yellow bin I keep in the downstairs bathroom closet. This closet is important, as it houses both boys' pajamas (they take their baths downstairs) as well as my toothbrush and toothpaste (I have been getting ready for bed downstairs ever since Bub was a baby for fear of waking him up -- the upstairs bathroom is right next to his room -- note that my husband fearlessly brushes his teeth upstairs every night). The bin was full of junk, and I gave it a good sort, which resulted in the following list:

"Lose It!"
* Items from yellow bin in bathroom: dried up travel package of make-up removal wipes, three toothbrushes (mine?), a spray bottle of water with defective sprayer, a candlestick (seriously), lid to type of baby bottle we no longer have due to BPA concerns, tube of Target diaper rash cream (oozes odd, yellow, soupy goo that I fear to put on my boys' bottoms), expired generic infant Tylenol, tape measure (not "lost" but relocated), package of staples (again, not "lost" but relocated), and some feminine products gunked together with globs of toothpaste (TMI?)

I am tempted to lose the sensitive teeth toothpaste I have because it leave behind the worst aftertaste EVER, but I'm going to hold on to it as I still intend to do a better job of maintaining the health of my teeth and uber-sensitive gums.

Okay, I'm off to brush right now.

Fanfare Friday: Panini Party

"Use It!"
I finally busted out the panini maker that I asked for and received for Christmas 2007. My hubby, who had no idea we even had a panini maker, combined ham, swiss cheese, and aioli garlic mustard sauce (from Trader Joe's, of course). I delighted in tomato, fresh mozzarella, and basil (yes, I am still obsessed with basil) and brushed my bread with roasted garlic grapeseed oil. I had a few negative flashbacks to the George Foreman Grill (hated it and its grease trap and still hate thinking of the smell of chicken grilling on the Foreman) when I got it out of the box, but our paninis tasted awesome! I will now work on finding some more "lose it!" items in the kitchen so as to clear space for easy access to the panini maker.

Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I will add that I also crafted and consumed a second (albeit smaller) panini: tomato, swiss cheese, and the aioli garlic mustard sauce.

These photo booth photos from our laptop will you a glimpse of our paninis and of the exciting Friday nights we have around these parts.

Okay, it's Fanfare Friday, what have you been using and losing this week? Please share.

On Target

"Lose It!"
Several items in the freezer that are expired, several freezer burnt items stored in gallon bags that were apparently not freezer bags, some hamburger buns that, let's face it, I'm never going to thaw and use.

Inspiring Story:
Yesterday, I made my first trip to Target in 2009. I spent less than $10 on two natural cleaning products that I adore and have only seen at Target. Then, the Bub and I sat down in the old Target cafe (while Little Bit slept in infant seat) and had a snack. Note to self: All those times in the past when I took the boys to Target just to get out of the house, I could have done so without spending $100 or more. Good to know.

Tomorrow is Fanfare Friday. Prepare to share your tales of using it and/or losing it.

House of Cards

"Use It!"
I got out the greeting cards that are going to go in the file I am going to use to organize them. As it stands now, when I need a card, I do one of the following:
a. run to Hallmark or CVS (where I am tempted by other items--candy, scented candles, etc.)
b. try to turn a notecard into an appropriate card or otherwise "tweak" cards I own
c. send the card very late
d. neglect to send a card at all

When in doubt, choose D. I used to stamp my own cards and send them out. I hope to "use" my supplies to craft my own cards again. Besides stamping, I have a few more tricks up my sleeve.

It's been a tough few days around here so that's all I've got for today.

Britastic Fridge Factor

"Use It!"
I admit I haven't done a lot of research about water quality in Chicago, but tap water on ice tastes fine to me. We do have a Brita pitcher, which I enjoy for a nice class of chilled water sans ice. I am not all that vigilant about filling the Brita pitcher, a shame because the pitcher takes up prime fridge real estate, front and center, and it occupies this spot whether or not it's filled. That's right, I am sometimes so lazy that I will place a completely empty Brita pitcher back in the fridge. If it's going to block my view of other stuff in the fridge, it should at least be filled. Also, if it's filled, I use it and thus drink more water. Anyway, the past few days I have been really good about keeping the Brita filled.

"Lose It!"
* half gallon of half and half from December -- the expiration date says February 2, 2009, but the carton also mentions that you should use within seven days of opening and this half and half was opened before Christmas

The more I police the fridge, the more aware I am of what we have in stock and the less likely I am to buy duplicate items and to let items waste because they were obscured from view.

Wait for the tone.

Today's post is brief because mostly what we have been losing the past 24 hours around here is SLEEP! The Bub was up a good portion of last night with an extremely painful ear infection, and Little Bit added to the excitement with his typical two nightly wake-ups, plus one extra prompted by Bub's crying.

I did find a moment, however, to toss a book entitled Amy's Answering Machine into the books-to-go box. It's a small hardback book containing transcripts of loony answering machine messages Amy's mom left her. I remember finding it amusing, but I know I won't read it again and don't need it on my shelf to remind me of a past, positive reading experience. This volume was housed on one of the basement guest room shelves, and when I grabbed it, I noted that I will need to revisit those shelves for more losing.

I love books and do not feel any particular urgency to rid myself of the majority of my collection, but I am definitely starting to think more carefully about which books I "need" to have around and to buy in the future. Just curious, do any of you have a book policy?

One more thing, I am proud to report that the only two things I purchased at CVS today were: antibiotic for ear infection and children's motrin. I had to wait for the prescription for 20 minutes, and I didn't even peek at the Christmas stuff, now reduced to 90% off.

Roo hoo Roo hoo

I took a pass through my closet today and was able to prepare a large bag of clothing for donation. I won't detail all the items, but I am getting more realistic about what things I might wear someday and what things I am just kidding myself about. I moved a few items I was not ready to "lose" front and center in my closet, and I'm going to give them a month or so. If I don't wear them by March, they're out of here.

Though my hubby is still preparing his (S)Hit List of items that he would like to see put to the use it or lose it test, I know that one hot button issue of his is my many pairs of athletic shoes. I tossed one pair of shoes today and bagged six others for donation, including three pairs of Roos. One pair was a no-brainer "Lose It!": yellow with hot pink and purple accents and never worn outside the house. One pair (teal and aqua) I used to sport with a maternity sweatsuit I call "Big Teal" but I have not worn them in two years now (not even this past pregnancy when Big Teal made a few appearances). One pair I will miss sorely (light blue, navy, and a small orange accent), but they are very worn and pretty filthy now; indeed, I think I best move them from the donate pile and into the trash . . . actually, my stomach hurts a little thinking about giving them up, and I perhaps I will try to clean them up and give them a one-month stay of execution as well.

Hubby wants another gold star for cleaning the junk drawer.

Minimum at the Maxx

As I've mentioned in earlier posts, I have been repeating the following mantra as part of my efforts to use or lose the stuff crowding my life: "I have everything I need. I have everything I need." One way I can justify "losing" so much stuff--some of which, to be honest, will not be going to a good home, though I am trying to recycle and donate whenever appropriate or feasible--is by committing to STOP buying and acquiring more stuff.

To date, these efforts have been successful. I have not visited Target in 2009. I have been to CVS two times, but only to purchase necessary items like toothpaste and prescription eye drops for my son.

Earlier this week, I did have to visit two stores to make returns. On my way there, I reminded myself that "I have everything I need." At the first store, I was returning a sweater that did not fit. The sweater was a gift and so I received store credit. I am proud to report that I left the store with a sweater that did fit and NOTHING ELSE. However, in the spirit of this blog, I will be taking a pass through my clothes tomorrow with an eye toward "losing" a few sweaters/tops to make room for this one.

The second return was at TJ Maxx: a hastily chosen pair of shoes I thought I might need to wear to a holiday party. The sad news is that I was unaware of the 30-day return policy at the Maxx and thus received store credit instead of a credit to my Visa. TJ Maxx is the mothership for crap-magnet-but-recovering-stuff-a-holics like me so I knew I was on dangerous ground. I also knew that if I were to save my store credit for when I needed to buy a gift or something specific at TJ Maxx, it was fifty-fifty that I would have "lost" it in the meantime, and not purposefully. So, I did buy some stuff and feel the need to confess it: a plastic cover for my ipod, a fine strainer, a pair of black workout pants, and a Vera Bradley accordion file in the Java Blue pattern. The ipod cover was something I needed; the strainer something I have been seeking for rinsing small grains like couscous and rice that slip through the pasta strainer; the file folder is just "stuff" but I hope to make good on my good intention to sort the greeting cards I own already or can craft myself in some sort of file so that I can use them instead of running to Hallmark or CVS for cards; and the workout pants are LONG (very hard to come by) and have been worn twice already. Rationalizations aside, I am disappointed in myself for bringing more stuff into my house. However, I do want some props for not spending a dime at TJ Maxx and, in fact, walking out of the store with three cents of store credit left, not to brag. I will be looking to lose some seldom worn workout pants tomorrow when I take a crack at my closet.

"Lose It!"
* various rusty, broken, or underused items in my kitchen utensil drawer -- for example, some "steak" knives from my hubby's college apartment that can barely slice through bologna (not that I buy bologna), two ripped rubber spatulas, and 7 pair of disposable Chinese food delivery chopsticks (I can't use them and am typically too hungry to bother trying and really Bub should not get a hold of them).

"Use It!"
* two items from the deep freeze--ground turkey and corn from giant Costco bag--that were blended with some other pantry staples for an improvisational, but quite tasty turkey/corn/taco/chili soup


And, finally, my hubby receives a gold star for his "losing" today. He sorted through a closet and then lost two boxes of college files and books, business school cases, and job search materials. There's more losing on tap for tomorrow, so please stay tuned.

Fanfare Friday -- Going Wild

"Use It!"
* Wildtree Satay Sauce -- I attended a Wildtree tasting party last December, hosted one last March, and attended another a couple of months later. I love all the products, especially the varieties of natural grapeseed oil (which I cook with all the time), but have a tendency to "save" some of them (they have sort of an aura about them since I did not buy them at the regular grocery store) even though the products are meant to help you make healthy, tasty, easy meals. I save them in the same way one might save a nice bottle of lotion or a special bar of soap. Anyway, we enjoyed noodles with satay sauce and chicken for dinner tonight. It was nice to have a hot (warm and slightly spicy) meal on a cold night.

In other news, "'Fess Up Friday" has now been renamed, drumroll please, "Fanfare Friday" . . . What have you been using and losing this week?

Treadmilling again . . .

"Lose It!"
* two coffee table books -- we don't even have a coffee table

"Use It!"
* The YMCA -- we joined the YMCA in December after realizing Bub was going to continue getting shut out of swim lessons if we waited for non-member registration. Hubby has gone several times to work out in 2009 whereas, until today, I had opted for the workout that is getting a toddler dressed and undressed--including swim diaper--for swimming lessons in the middle of the coldest January in recent years and with an infant in tow. The steamy conditions in the Y's family locker room, coupled with my own winter wardrobe, add to the intensity of that workout. It's like hot box yoga or whatever the hell it's called. But today while Bub was at school and Little Bit with our babysitter, I used 45 of the approximately 100 minutes a week I have completely to myself to walk on the treadmill at the YMCA.

Remember, tomorrow is Fess Up Friday (or, maybe I should call it something like "You're Fabulous Friday" because I want to celebrate using and losing and "fess up" suggests shame or something) . . . I'll work on the name; you work on preparing your list of the items you've been using or losing this week. I want to hear about them in the comments tomorrow.

Fitness Challenged . . . Who me?

"Use It!"
* I just want to point out, belatedly, that in making yesterday's banana bread, I used four blackening bananas of the sort that usually get tossed despite the fact that our babysitter always comments, "You should use those for banana bread." I always nod and agree that I should and then admit that I likely will not. Then, I ask if she would like to take the bananas home for banana bread. She is yet to take me up on it.
* Though it is getting in the way of my plans to "lose" weight in 2009, I did "use" yesterday's holiday meatballs today; indeed, I ate meatballs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. However, this does not really count as a "Use It!" as those meatballs are the kind of leftover that would have disappeared around here anyway. There are still many meatballs left, but I am going to "lose" my meatball habit tomorrow or at least go easy on them.

"Lose It!"
* With the good intention of making fitness a family affair, I purchased a board game called The Fitness Challenge a few years ago. Developed by an engaged couple trying to get in shape for their wedding, the game involves setting up a system of fitness goals, logging exercise time, choosing rewards, and then engaging in friendly competition with your loved ones. It is fine, but honestly, I think most people could come up with their own creative system for that kind of thing and tailor it to suit their needs. Plus, though I always want to develop elaborate structures of tasks and rewards (something like creating a blog to keep myself on task for de-cluttering), my hubby would rather just, you know, exercise. If anyone is really interested in The Fitness Challenge, speak up as the Salvation Army Express will not be leaving until Sunday.

Also, for those readers who are interested, the hubby's (S)Hit List will be posted soon. A few items I know for sure are on it include: holiday dishes, my teapot collection, and excessive picture frame-age.

Up Tempo

"Use It!" -- The Cookbook Challenge is heating up . . .
* I made Easy Banana Bread from Masterpieces from our Kitchen, published by the Fairfield (OH) Tempo Club -- twas easy and tasty, if a bit overdone (blame user-error, not the Tempo Clubbers)

* I also used the old crock pot for Holiday Meatballs from Fix-It and Forget-It Recipes for Entertaining by Phyllis Pellman Good and Dawn J. Ranck -- I sampled a meatball and found it to my liking, but on this day when I prepared two different things in my own kitchen . . . I went out to dinner, which is why this post is so brief.

Cookbook Challenge Stats: 4 down / 51 to go.

It will be put to good use.

"Use It!"
* the little cards that we ordered with our wedding invitations and used for our thank you notes -- I've held on to them, but not used them for anything but wedding thank you's because I had the idea that recipients would think, "These are their wedding thank you's" and feel slighted or something. Who knows? Now, I'm thinking, so what . . . I don't want to "lose" perfectly lovely notes with our names on them, so today I started using them for my holiday thank you notes (which I've been too occupied using and losing to send out yet).

"Lose It!"
* several smallish decorative boxes from my Harry and David Tower of Treats (I've already eaten two pears this evening and am tempted to finish the other four tonight--so, so, so good). In the past, I would have held on to these boxes with the idea that I could use them to box future gifts. I have not yet put the large box that housed the pears (now ripe and in my fridge calling out to me) into the recycling bin, but I will work up to it, unless I find a legitimate "Use It!" for that beautiful box.

De-noted.

In preparing to carpet their upstairs, my parents emptied the closets in the former bedrooms of me and my siblings. They asked us kindly to go sort through our stuff.* I sorted my stuff and had winnowed it down to one (large) bin, but then with holiday gifts and bags and kid stuff filling our car, I had to leave that bin behind. Before 2009 began, I made the decision to lose my Sweet Valley Twins books, my Babysitters Club, and various others (I saved Beverly Cleary's works, my All-of-a-Kind Family books, and some others that were favorites of mine growing up. I also lost a large pile of 5x7 notecards that I had made to prepare for various exams in college. If someone ever wants to quiz about Theology 100 or Plants, Food, and Society (a science class for non-science people like me), I will now be sorely unprepared. I will spare you an account of all that I lost or not . . . a couple of items will likely need to be tossed again once the bin arrives in Chicago (I promise, mom and dad, I'm picking it up, next trip) and I have to ponder what is worth storing under my own roof. I was very close to throwing away a large box of looseleaf notes, often quite artfully-folded, that I had received in high school. I reread a few of them and they made me smile and I had the idea that I could read them all once more and then toss them. At the same time, I kind of knew that would take hours and was not necessary. Anyway, my parents were hauling my bin into their garage this afternoon and called to figure out what to do about the box of notes. My mom thought I wanted to toss them; my dad thought I wanted to save them. I am proud to report that I called back and authorized tossing the box of notes ("Lose It!"). Sure, I will never again be able to reference just how bored my friends were during fourth period, how tired from football practice, nervous about Homecoming, or annoyed by other friends . . . but I think I will survive. After all, I'm on Facebook now.

So, fess up, did you save your high school notes?


*I want to say that my parents are incredibly kind about storing stuff, considering that they are currently unable to park a single car in their multi-car garage, thanks to that sort of kindness.

Ms. Darcy no more?

We have a large closet under our front stairs that I use to store a variety of items: coats, hats, gloves, DVDs, wrapping paper, gift bags, tutoring materials, greeting cards, tennis rackets, some binders from college, and all of our son Little Bit's wardrobe that currently fits him (just easier than walking upstairs to find him clothes every morning). I also use this closet to hide items of our son Bub's that are getting on my nerves (i.e., paints, play-doh, new music table). In addition, when we are having company, I typically end up tossing random items into this closet, a shame really because then I cannot use it for storing guests' coats. Anyway, for the past two months, I have had to stand on my tiptoes in there just to choose Little Bit's clothes every morning.

I started on the closet today and made some progress . . .

"Lose It!"
* six different pieces of outerwear -- including a pullover I have had since 1995, black and grey and textured on the outside with a reindeer pattern of red, off white, and black. It has not made it into the rotation for the past several holidays, and I have other pullovers that are warmer and more attractive. My husband immediately said "lose it" when I showed it to him. Apparently, if he had first met me at a holiday party while I was wearing this reindeer pullover, we would not be where we are today.

* various home decor items -- including picture frames, blank picture albums, some mirrors, and a set of coasters that are made of picture frames that I purchased at Hallmark at least seven years ago

* the frosting and semi-burnt cupcakes leftover from Bub's third birthday earlier in the week -- we've had cake and cupcakes a plenty at this point, and there now seems something excessive about slathering frosting on a partial-height cupcake (due to having to cut off or avoid burnt part . . . note to self: pay attention to cooking time variations for dark metal pans).

What are you using or losing? And, help me out, how many gently-used gift bags should members of one household keep around? And, assuming I lose weight or get breast reduction surgery so that it can button, will I ever wear my black leather jacket from the 1999-2000 era again?

'Fess Up Friday & Adios, Vicky

This week has been a long one, and I find myself, nearing its end, and exhausted. I am going to recharge this evening and hope, with my husband's help, to do some major "losing" this weekend. I do have one thing for today's list . . .

"Lose It!"
* The Real Housewives on Bravo. I was nursing Little Bit and watching Jeana, Vicky, Tamra, et. al, as they try on hats, talk about themselves, and gossip/backstab each other like high school students. I thought to myself, "I am feeling uncomfortable" and then feeling anxious and super uncomfortable as Bravo gave glimpses of upcoming scenes and episodes. Then, I thought, "I don't need this shit." Then, I deleted all The Real Housewives timers on my DVR. So, I've lost some mental clutter and gained a bit of time . . . time that can be spent losing or using the other stuff crowding my life.

And now, friends, I want to hear from you. Stand proud and share your progress . . . what did you use or lose this week? Please share in the comments. Thank you all for the support this debut week of Just Use It or Lose It.

Urn, possibly Grecian?

"Lose It!"
* large decorative urn that has been hiding in front closet for four years -- was I going to put flowers in it? umbrellas? ashes? I can't say so I think it shall go
* bag of whole wheat flour labeled "better by August 2008" as have been advised by a wise reader (thank you, cake) that the stuff goes bad quickly and can make one ill.

"Use It!"
* 1 can from my 12 pack of tomato paste from Costco (10 to go -- to be clear, 10 cans not 12 packs, I'm not completely nuts)
* Said tomato paste was a required ingredient in the Barbecued Turkey Sloppy Joes I made in my slow cooker today, recipe courtesy of Natalie Haughton's The Best Slow Cooker Cookbook Ever. These were not the best slow cooked sloppy joes I have ever eaten, but I did neglect to add the "liquid smoke" and perhaps it would have made all the difference. I didn't have any liquid smoke (the name freaks me out a little), and I consider it progress that I did not run out to secure an item that might have become another potential "Lose It!" down the line. For those of you paying attention to my Cookbook Challenge, I have now made new recipes from 2 of my cookbooks so 2 down, 53 to go.

You are special today.

So reads the "special plate" that I used today ("Use It!") to serve my Bub's third birthday cupcakes. The "special plate" was a tradition in my family growing up. You ate your dinner on it on your birthday and on other days when you were especially special. I think tonight marks the first use of the special plate in our little family.

inVESTing in myself . . .

Today's "Lose It!" List:
* two fleece vests that I have not worn in several years and don't see myself wearing again -- I think I overdid the fleece vest look in the late nineties. I now wear quarter zip fleece pullovers with tank tops underneath. Then, I get overheated and walk around my house in just a tank top so I can admire my generous white arms.

* three novels by Elizabeth Berg -- As I have written about before, I really enjoy Berg's writing. But, for some reason, the Berg novels I own are not my favorites. Joy School gives me an icky, lonely feeling when I see it on the shelf. Talk Before Sleep is beautiful but so sad that I know I'll never read it again. There's one scene in Open House that really unsettled me, and not in a good way. I mean no offense to Elizabeth Berg though; my issue with the above novels is not with her writing but my own reaction to the subject matter and characters. I love many of her other novels, especially A Year of Pleasures.

* giveaway Washington Mutual Go Cubbies bag -- there is much more "swag" in this house to be lost. Was Michael Scott correct on the convention episode of the office that "swag" stands for "stuff we all get"?


Attention readers, Friday is your day to stand proud and brag on yourselves. I want reports on things you have been using and losing in the comments section. Start preparing so you have something to write!

So long Ronald.

"Lose It!"
We have a small backpack that is the "church" backpack. It is filled with crayons, a couple of matchbox cars, an activity pad, loose change, and some other items intended to keep our almost-three-year-old occupied during church. Assembled in a hurry several months ago, these items were collected into the first bag I spotted in our toy box: a small, clear plastic backpack with Ronald McDonald on the outside. I have had fleeting moments of shame that he takes a Ronald McDonald backpack to church because of that scene in Super-Size Me when the little school children are interviewed. Have you seen it? The littles ones are shown pictures of all kinds of famous people and most of the kids can identify Ronald McDonald but not Jesus.

But alas, the backpack is being tossed not because of my shame, but because there is a large rip on its side and it is no longer ideal for containing crayons and matchbox cars.

I wish I had more losing and using to report today, but this is the best I can do as this evening has been one that has threatened to make me lose my mind.

Wine box, not Franzia.

Today's "Lose It!" List:
* a beautiful red blanket -- have held on to it for years because it is from Pottery Barn and was a gift, but the fact is we don't use the blanket because it leaves red fuzzies all over our clothes and traps lint and dust bunnies like you wouldn't believe
* a size 8 black cocktail dress -- was purchased on a whim at TJ Maxx I believe (probably for about $29.99, possibly less), but except for 12 minutes in 1999 and 5 minutes in early 2007, I am not a size eight . . . if I am ever a size 8 and have occasion to wear a dress, you better believe I will be out shopping for a special one
* a cardboard box with three styrofoam inserts perfect for mailing wine (wine was delivered to us in this very box) -- gone with this box is the delusion is that I might need it to mail wine to someone; I haven't ever mailed wine to anyone and don't foresee doing so in the future

I cleaned out our pantry today, and am now aware of an abundance of the following ingredients: pudding mix, light Karo syrup, mini marshmallows, crisco sticks, food coloring, flour, sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar . . . looks like I am all set for all those bake sales (?) in which I participate. When attempting to make a new recipe out of each of my 55 (just counted them today) cookbooks this year (or give away those that get ignored), I will be on the lookout for recipes utilizing some of the above ingredients. Cookbook Challenge stats to date: 1 down, 54 to go.

I mean I wouldn't beg for it.

Today's "Use It!":
Back in May, I purchased a bag of whole wheat flour which I intended to use in a recipe for breaded buffalo chicken bites. A few months earlier, I had purchased Ellie Krieger's The Food You Crave, a healthy recipe cookbook that often calls for whole wheat flour, with every intention of trying many of Krieger's recipes and becoming ridiculously healthy. Fast forward to January of this new year, and the whole wheat flour had yet to be opened . . . until this morning. My son the Bub (3 next week) and I opened the whole wheat flour (despite the "better by August 2007" stamp on the outside) and made some whole wheat beer bread using this recipe I found online. It was easy-peasy to put together and smelled awesome in the oven. The final product was, um, whole wheat beer bread. When I asked my husband for feedback, he said, "It's fine." When I pressed for more, he revised, "It's good. Solid. But, I mean I wouldn't beg for it." I wouldn't beg for it either, but with some butter, butter and jam, or oil for dipping, the ww beer bread was more than acceptable. I do still intend to make those buffalo chicken bites.

Today's "Lose It!" List:
* a glass vase from a floral arrangement delivery -- gone with the vase is the delusion that I might sometime have the time and foresight to arrange flowers myself (from my nonexistent garden perhaps?) and bring them to a friend in that vase
* three hair-crusted and rusted disposable razors from the ledge in our shower
* two hinge-type pieces from the glass shower doors that used to be in our bathroom until one of them fell down into the tub (while I was taking a shower!!!!) . . . two and a half years ago
* a few items of baby clothes that my Little Bit (six months) has outgrown and that I do not want to save for our potential third baby


Just to be clear, "Lose It!" does not always mean throw it away. I am disposing, recycling, and donating as appropriate.

What have you been using/losing this new year?

Not as naughty as I thought, Santa.

Today's "Lost It!" List:
* the boxes that went with over half of our ornaments -- why have we been so dutifully re-boxing individual ornaments for the past five years?
* a carbon coated pine jar candle with wick melted into the wax (could have been lost three years ago)
* about 10 other holiday decor items that have no practical, sentimental, or aesthetic value -- most of which I have not taken out of the bins for at least the past three years. End result: one less red and green bin to be hauled back to the crawl space.
* a large artificial wreath that, despite my best intentions, I have not managed, in the five years since I purchased it, to decorate or hang up
* two pairs of shoes (one my husband's and one my son (age 3 next week) Bub's, ruined when tailgating in a bog/parking lot before the Notre Dame/Michigan game -- we have been walking past these shoes at least twice a day for the past three and a half months, and my husband decided today was the day to lose them, inspired by this blog of course.
* Bub's remaining Halloween candy (we already ate the good stuff!)

Today's "Use It!" List:
* a half package of almond bark leftover from the snow-covered turds I made before Christmas -- I melted the bark and poured it over some pretzel sticks for a delightful sweet and salty snack


An admittedly lame start to my year of using or losing it . . . progress is progress though.

Treading Water in the Sea of Good Intentions

I’m in danger of drowning in the sea of my own good intentions, and let’s face it, none of the following items could serve as a life preserver: scrapbooking supplies, unread bargain books, specialty Bundt pans, the response cards from my 2003 wedding, a 12-pack of organic tomato paste from Costco, a pillow case full of the notes I received in high school, the Dancing With the Stars workout DVD, an impressive collection of miniature hotel toiletries, or more pairs of running shoes and flip-flops than someone who rarely works out and does not live anywhere near the beach ought to own.

To be clear, I am not an obsessive hoarder (like those featured on Oprah). I don’t even consider myself a hardcore packrat. Thankfully I have not filled our house with expensive things we cannot afford, but I have filled it with many things that we don’t need, use, or enjoy.

When I choose to buy or save something, I have the best intentions. I buy workout DVDs because I intend to workout. I save my high school notes, eighth grade autograph book, and almost every post card I have ever been sent because I intend to look at them again and, I don’t know . . . discover the secret of who I am? share them with my kids someday? donate them to the Smithsonian? remind myself to “stay cool and have a great summer”? I overstock my pantry with ingredients (but usually not all the ones required) for various healthy or interesting recipes I intend to make. I save my college t-shirts (and my husband’s) in a bin because I intend to use the sewing machine I do not know how to use (or even thread) to turn them into a t-shirt quilt. Seriously. Some of my good intentions do produce good results, but not often enough to justify all the stuff and I'm getting weary of shuffling the stuff around waiting for “someday” when I will use, need, or enjoy it.

So, here’s the plan. Almost every day in 2009, I will report to you on an item I have decided to use or lose. The items I “lose” will be donated, pitched, or otherwise removed from my life and home. The items I choose to “use” will be ones that are currently taking up space until, you know, “someday.” So, for example, eating a Lean Cuisine will not count as a "Use it!" but finding something to do with the half gallon of half and half in my fridge (that seems destined to be pitched, mostly untouched, when it expires) would count. My posts will be on the brief side (they’ll have to be or I won’t be able to keep up). I hope that those of you who also struggle with stuff might be entertained (I will not go so far as to say inspired) by them. I will do my best to be creative in my losing and using.

A few guidelines: I do not want my “stuff” to become someone else’s burden. Therefore, I will not be donating items that I cannot in good conscience see someone else using/appreciating. I will not take advantage of other good-intentioned souls who might be susceptible to taking items off my hands that they are not likely to use or enjoy. If someone is interested in an item, I will happily hand it over. However, I will passing off my undervalued, underused items as gifts for others. I will be throwing away some things that may have some use value to someone somewhere or in some situation. There will be some waste. For that I am sorry, but I will do my best to make up for it by trying to end (or at least stem) the cycle of waste this year, to stop buying crap I don’t need, use, or enjoy (broken record, sorry). I’m not sure about blogging about this effort (“I was at Target and tempted to buy a vanilla candle but then didn’t . . .”) would make for riveting reading, but I am committed to this change even if I am not documenting it. My new mantra: I have everything I need.

Finally, I suspect that “Just use it or lose it” is not an ideal title for this project. There are, after all, items that I do not “use” but that I am also unwilling to lose. There are some items for which I think a “someday” may really come. Perhaps once I get into the use it or lose it habit, I will get a perspective on that "someday" though.

I'm going to see where each day takes me in terms of losing and using, but I do have three specific challenges in the “Use it!” category.
1. Try one new recipe from every cookbook I own. If I haven’t made something out of the cookbook by the end of the year, I have to lose it.
2. Learn to thread my sewing machine.
3. Make a list of “the lingerers,” the 8-10 books I have never been able to give away but also have never read. Many of these books have moved with me three or more times. As with the cookbooks, these lingerers need to get read in 2009 or find a new home.
4. Deal with the items on my hubby’s “(S)Hit List” (currently being formulated) at my own pace. These are the items whose purpose he questions.

If you’re at all interested, intrigued, or inspired, I would love for you to join me. Comments of support and encouragement are always welcome, but I would also like for readers to use the comments section of each post to report on their own efforts to use it or lose it each day.

Please join me as I lose (and use) my stuff before I lose my mind.

And, just to get the ball rolling, today’s report is a “Use It!”: I am making Chocolate Chips Cookies from The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook. I received the book for Christmas last year. I made my first recipe--some very tasty dreamsicle-type cookies that also required my zester (Use It!)--three weeks ago. I am hoping to get 2009 off to a sweet start by trying another new recipe from this cookbook.