Welp....I stand to be corrected. I took it sitting down though. You can teach an old dog new tricks if the dog be me.
THIS WEEK, we will be finishing up the INCOME TAXES....my husband and I have two very distinct ways of doing things. He's the kind of CHRISTMAS SHOPPER that waits until CHRISTMAS EVE to go get gifts for others. I'm the type that shops through-out the year looking for bargains to fit the budget.
Not saying I'm better at this sort of thing, but it is my thang. Perhaps that's why I do the CHRISTMAS SHOPPING. grins. I am my Husband's Social Secretary. I represent him.
Waiting til the midnight hour to drop the IRS income tax papers in the mailbox drives me nervous. I explain to my Husband this, but it keeps happening. This is like living on the edge and I HATE THIS.
Over the week-end I went shopping for a new SPRING DRESS in just my size. I found a pretty one at Dillards, tried it on and sighed. My thinning down the wardrobe at HOME has not thinned down my body.....imagine that. I looked at myself in the mirror and went into SHOCK.
Dear Mrs. Scruggs who had a very petite figure and I worked with while in HIGH SCHOOL told me she always looked into the mirror to check her figure out. NOT FOR VANITY. She's one CHRISTIAN LADY that I have admired through the years. She was always colored coordinated even carrying an umbrella that matched her color theme. The inside of her auto was spic and span clean and her lovely small house was HOME BEAUTIFUL TIDY.
She shared with me about her childhood of having two dresses. One for school and one for church. There she stood standing and working in the Women's Department of JCPenney the head associate. Every hair in place as she always looked so well put together because she was well put together. The LORD JESUS helped her have balance, beauty and grace.
AS I AM 60, Husband and I are kicking it around as to what we should do in all areas of our lives. I continue to thin out our clothing occasionally replacing items with new ones. This is where the new SPRING DRESS came into being. I will wear it to Spring and Summer Weddings, Graduations and Church. I can no longer get into my other dresses. It's upsetting to me as my body continues to morph into the OLDER WOMAN with no thyroid.
Tonight we will purchase a new white shirt for Husband. He tried on a pair of slacks that we both forgot he had. Fit him nicely. Belt, shoes and socks are present. His white shirts he has now need dyed to a darker color for next FALL and WINTER. The under arm stains will be disguised when dyed and he'll have two new looking shirts to wear for a while longer.
I'll be in the closet later today going through my shoes to see if I need a new pair or not. I have most of my shoes in plastic shoe boxes that are neatly stacked in the closet.
My children's KEEPSAKES that I will be keeping have seriously been thinned down and are in sweater boxes in the closet. One box per child. Each child is getting 40 of their childhood memorabilia items when they turn 40. Last June my oldest Son received his 40. It was such fun to see his reaction as he opened each gift wrapped item. I had written a clue on the package as to what was inside the box. He did well guessing what it was.
Last year when we were going through the garage to clean and organize, we took into the house large tubs that held our children's childhood things that they have left behind at HOME and we have hauled around with us through the years, because I was sentimental that way. It has helped me to pull a few items that I will keep for a few more years that only means something to me as a MOMMA and PARENT.
The vinyl tubs are hidden behind the sofa as I leisurely pull an item out to box up to gift wrap. The wrapped presents go back into the oversized tub waiting to be given back to our children.
With going through so many boxes that were in the garage, I came across so many things that make me weepy as I go down memory lane. I have to do this so I can progress to being an old woman that is fitter in her walk of LIFE. My emotional muscles are not rock solid. All this emotional exercise has me wailing while I am going through the CHANGE OF LIFE right a long with turning loose of so much. HORMONES are howling as I wail. Then there's the episodes of sweating that prevail.
THAT OLD WOMAN I saw in the Department Store mirror LOOKING BACK AT ME will continue LIFESTYLE CHANGES. Walking on the tread mill will start up again, I hope. Eating more veggies and drinking protein drinks. Praying. Quiet times while sippin' coffee and just thinking.
We had a huge pile of trash that was hauled away. Two car loads of stuff were taken to THRIFT SHOP. The next round is to continue thinning out and letting go of more things. We're thinking about having an auction. Shall see about this. An Auction. I have attended auctions, but never had one. Another step in being better organized and living a more carefree LIFE that would benefit our souls.
Are you where you want to be?
Are you taking small baby steps in your walk of life or jumping up and down in frustration?
I'm sitting down to be corrected.
Thinking through many options and think it best to pray, think and pause.
Would you be content to just have two dresses?
I can't say that I would, but having two dresses that fit would be better than a closet full that don't.
Amen.
Sweet Blessings to you,
d
