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.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
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.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
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.
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.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, January 19, 2009
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.
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.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
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.
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.
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