We're starting to formulate a routine. Of course, it'll be thrown out as soon as E begins work, but for the moment we're both enjoying our time together.
If you visited us in Charleston, chances are good you just caught us in the midst of one of our cleaning binges. The house wildly vacillated between cluttered-but-straightened to a state of all-out disarray. We've made two pledges to change that here in Seattle:
1) If we don't love it, we won't spend money on it. I think we were both buying things that were a little bit cool, but not planned for. We ended up with a lot of stuff that was thrown away or donated during the post-match purge. Sure, the Mario paper-craft models were neat, but I don't think I got $6 of enjoyment from them. Our mantra is "purposeful spending." We're going to try our very best to just not buy a bunch of impulse stuff. This is natural for Elizabeth but not so much for me. I am excited to have nothing but things that are seriously useful or bring me lots of pleasure, though.
2) A clean house requires a million little decisions. Mom, I know you have spent many, many hours telling us to put things back when we're done. I know you may think this message, as self-evident as it seems now, was lost on me. Hopefully, I still have time to show you I was listening.
The house is still clean. Frankly, this is a little embarrassing to write as a 26 year-old married man, but I wanted to openly state our goals so that we might feel we owe it to you, our dear readers.
When you have no extra money it makes it much easier to resist buying junk. I remember when we were a young family living on one income. So many many times I had to tell you and Caroline no about things you wanted. We had to worry about paying the mortgage, putting food on the table, and paying for private school. You never had Lunchables or even snack size chips in your school lunch or juice boxes. Just remember what is important and you will make wise purchases.
ReplyDeleteI tried to get you to keep things put away but it seemed to be a losing battle. I had much higher standards when I was an at home mom. Now that I have to work I have to let things go and have a balance life. You will have to find your balance.
i'm just as messy as ever, if not more so. i'm also just as frivolous with what money i have. without a baby or baby daddy...when will i ever learn? i think i did need those bikes lights and sushi that i bought today, but those snack sized frozen snickers bars? probably. what else should i do in a heat wave? unfortunately, i too often find those little piles of my odds and ends sitting near my bedroom door after my roommates have cleaned the apartment. Mom, when can i find my balance? Mooooooommmm!!!! ???
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