Exceptions
I have identified two areas where I think I will have to make exceptions to my general commitment to Compacting.
First, for every single Father’s Day since he actually became a father, I have done the completely cheesy thing of going to the mall, having my kids’ picture taken at the “Mugz, Inc.” cart in the middle of the mall hallway thingy, and then had the picture put on a t-shirt for my husband. I then have the same picture put on a mug for myself. So, at work, I have my collection of mugs:
1999 - Izzy at 9 months
2000 - Izzy at 21 months
2001 - Izzy at 2 yrs 9 mos and Lola at 6 months
2002 - Izzy at 3 yrs 9 mos, Lola at ½
2003 - Izzy at 4 yrs 9 mos, Lola at 2 ½, Zelda at 3 mos
2004 - Izzy at 5 yrs 9 mos, Lola at 3 ½, Zelda at 15 mos
2005 - Izzy at 6 yrs 9 mos, Lola at 4 ½, Zelda at 2 yrs 3 mos
2006 - Izzy at 7 yrs 9 mos, Lola at 5 ½, Zelda at 3 yrs 3 mos and Judah at 10 ½ mos
I think this is a tradition I have to keep going. It is an amazing collection. Even if it means spending the $37 this June. I am comforted by the fact that these items will never ever ever become trash, as they are really cherished items for both of us. And they have become a really fun tradition.
Second, and similarly, every fall, we have our floating head black turtleneck pictures taken. Then, the kids get their once-a-year dose of fast food (that was the only McDonald’s they got in 2006). The price of cooperation. I don’t see us giving that up either.
Actually, for the father’s day shot, they get ice cream for cooperation. These are the only two times during the year I bribe my kids with food.
So, those are the exceptions that I have identified (aside from the "things I buy in Santa Fe" one that I started the year with). I think I can live with it. I still feel kind of guilty because in each case, for the sake of continuity, I will be buying from a big company things that are not, strictly speaking, necessary, but I have five months to get over it. For me, part of the trick is defining my exceptions and not allowing those exceptions to become permission slips for more and more exceptions.
First, for every single Father’s Day since he actually became a father, I have done the completely cheesy thing of going to the mall, having my kids’ picture taken at the “Mugz, Inc.” cart in the middle of the mall hallway thingy, and then had the picture put on a t-shirt for my husband. I then have the same picture put on a mug for myself. So, at work, I have my collection of mugs:
1999 - Izzy at 9 months
2000 - Izzy at 21 months
2001 - Izzy at 2 yrs 9 mos and Lola at 6 months
2002 - Izzy at 3 yrs 9 mos, Lola at ½
2003 - Izzy at 4 yrs 9 mos, Lola at 2 ½, Zelda at 3 mos
2004 - Izzy at 5 yrs 9 mos, Lola at 3 ½, Zelda at 15 mos
2005 - Izzy at 6 yrs 9 mos, Lola at 4 ½, Zelda at 2 yrs 3 mos
2006 - Izzy at 7 yrs 9 mos, Lola at 5 ½, Zelda at 3 yrs 3 mos and Judah at 10 ½ mos
I think this is a tradition I have to keep going. It is an amazing collection. Even if it means spending the $37 this June. I am comforted by the fact that these items will never ever ever become trash, as they are really cherished items for both of us. And they have become a really fun tradition.
Second, and similarly, every fall, we have our floating head black turtleneck pictures taken. Then, the kids get their once-a-year dose of fast food (that was the only McDonald’s they got in 2006). The price of cooperation. I don’t see us giving that up either.
Actually, for the father’s day shot, they get ice cream for cooperation. These are the only two times during the year I bribe my kids with food.
So, those are the exceptions that I have identified (aside from the "things I buy in Santa Fe" one that I started the year with). I think I can live with it. I still feel kind of guilty because in each case, for the sake of continuity, I will be buying from a big company things that are not, strictly speaking, necessary, but I have five months to get over it. For me, part of the trick is defining my exceptions and not allowing those exceptions to become permission slips for more and more exceptions.