{keeping space}
Oh the battle of stuff. This harvesting of material things only to reap nothing but stale memories and dust. I am a keeper by nature. I'm also an obsessively relentless recycler. But I'll save that for another post entirely. Weird? I know. Don't get me started.
I cling to the extras and impermissible collections. I man handle closet doors closed with a quick toss-n-shut to procure more crap. There, shoved, the kept binds me to maddening dismay. I move most of my life passion driven, and yet I can't find a dang thing I need. So naturally, I go buy more. Now would be an appropriate time to ask me how many bottles of Modge Podge I own. But we're on a blog. Hallelujah, for the sake of saving face, we are on a blog.
No, we have not arrived to celebrity status. In fact, A&E has no contracts with us for this show. It's just the little loose ends lying around, really. The waste of good space and really good resources for fun and for learning. They live in our graveyard of more, and we die slowly by our confiscations.
So let's get scraights to the point here, home skillets. I am their model. Their idea of home. Not that Kenny doesn't hold major props inside these 4 walls, but I am who they see 85% of the time. And my role boils down to truth. Do I want them to live in a sterile-alphabetized-white gloved tested environment? Hay-to-the-naw. Do I want them to chew with their mouth closed, wash their bottom end properly and learn to enjoy the gifts of home in a balanced sense? Um, now we're talking.
I am wrong if I extreme makeover my life our lives. I disservice them by expecting Barbie's Dream Home. And I'm wrong even more to live in squander. Reckless and unappreciative of things, gifts and space. To be the best mom I can be is to look at what services our family best. Then move that way. Unselfishly & and with conviction of the mindset, "Children learn what they live."
This summer the 4 of us began the process of making best use of what we have. We did what I have never done. We had a yard sale. GULP. I never realized the internal baggage I attach to stuff. This 2 day stint of watching people peruse my baby boys' sweater vests and try to finagle prices of twin sized sheet sets sent me into a deep dark place. Oh I caved. In bed by 8:30 each night. There were tears. Letting go was hard. {Over think things much, Meg?}
We used a portion of the money we made from the rip-your-heart-out and no-you-cannot-have-that-for-ten-cents-it-says-one-dollar-you-cheapo otherwise known as a yard sale, and Kenny built shelves in our garage for the remaining items we deemed as "keep". We have no basement, so the garage is our catch all for outdoor & extras.
I am a 90% Goodwill shopper. To those of you who frequent my reads here in this place, the answer is no. I don't have a tattoo of that yet on my forearm. Is the redundancy kuh-illing you? My bust, y'all. You see I have a lot of new readers. So I have to do what any good author of a book series would do. Story back log. You know, just in case a new reader didn't get a copy of book one from my series set.
The above image is of the boys' closets AFTER I had completely demolished, gutted and reclaimed good space and clothes that fit them for the upcoming year. This is prove of 2 things. Uno: The Lord will provide. We work largely off Kenny's teaching/coaching income for living. My custom design income too, but to be this stocked for our boys for an entire year? That's called provision. Better yet, blessing. Dos: Goodwill shopping can fulfill your family's needs. You can stretch your money for quality and quantity too. You need proof? Go here. Grab a cup of coffee and scroll.
As of late, the boys and I are working as a team to further rid ourselves of the unnecessary. I am verbally walking them through what it feels like to decide on what to keep, donate & trash. It's important that I show them that more is not always best. And, more importantly, that not using good resources of things and space is equally as unjust.
We live in wealth. America is a place of abundance & of freedom. Not every human being receives this privilege. To continue this idea of keeping space best for our family, the boys are going to sponsor a child less fortunate than them. They are both at a wonderful age where the gift of giving to those that have less will connect with them. My prayer is that this impacts their movements and decisions long term on what it means to live out love. I wanted to wait and begin this lesson with them when they were really ready to internalize the act of hope they're hands can make when they move with their hearts. We are looking into this organization. I am also checking out this one. I most definitely want monthly correspondence. It's important for the boys to see that being consistent in giving creates relationship.
Simplicity. Stuff serving us for its purpose. Enjoying the gobs of blessings and goodness we surround ourselves with daily A great library. Board games. Play rooms. Closets. Clean drinking water. A back yard. Frisbies. Beds to sleep in. This. This keeping space? It feels good. It beats the superficial feeling of man handling closet doors closed with a quick toss-n-shut to procure more crap. But I may need to resume my therapy sessions if I have to do one.more.yard.sale.
.mac :)
p.s. News flash. Scroll down for a couple tidbits!
I am honored and excited to announce that I am now a contributing author at the Knoxville Moms Blog. This is a a group of women who are passionate about providing resources, support and tools to moms in the East Tennessee area. I will be writing for them 1-2 times a month. My first post is set for September 9th. I look forward to working these wonderful writers to encourage moms of all ages. Go here to meet them and catch a glimpse of some .mac too.
Last but so not deliciously least, k.Mac has a new Fall scent to debut in September on the business Facebook page. There was one glorious sale on my Instagram feed this past weekend. You were able to choose ANY 1 k.Mac scent for a $10 sale price and receive the new Blueberry Pumpkin Pie scent for just $9. It's burning in my kitchen as I type this. Delectable is all around me with the aroma of fresh blueberries and hints of pumpkin spice all rolled into something fresh from the oven baked. I am extending this sale TODAY ONLY to the blog. Contact meghan@kmaccreations.com with your candle choice to go along with this blueberry pumpkin pie special. Sale ends: MIDNIGHT [est] tonight. Monday, 8.18. Go here to select your $10 sale scent.
Pricing will look like so:
$10 + $9 = $19 tax: $1.76 shipping: $5.70 TOTAL: $26.46 ** I will need the email associated with your PayPal account for billing purposes.