Swaps

As I stalk other knitting bloggers, I hear more and more about secret pals and after hearing the great things, I decided that I wanted a secret pal. So, I've signed up for two different swaps. The first swap is through Swap-Bot, and I am sending my secret pal a cup of tea and a magazine article. This is a smaller type of swap, not something that will require me to mortgage my house (not that I own one). The second swap that I've signed up for is Favorite Color Swap 2. This one is more intensive but that means the rewards are great. I haven't found out who my swap buddy is yet, but once I do, I'll be ready to start gathering goodies for my secret pal's package. This is a great way to delve into my more creative side and receive some benefits. I just hope I don't let my secret pals down.

Not Much Time

Not much time to write, since studying for the February VA bar exam is underway. But, I am very excited to be participating in the Second Annual Favorite Color Swap!! I can't wait to get started on the package for my buddy. Also, I'm also very excited cause it's my birthday on Monday and I so very much love my birthday. Tonight I am meeting up with my new Charlottesville friends at the South Street Brewery to celebrate, after N and I go to sushi for dinner, my favorite cuisine.

My First Slip Up

I had my first slip-up yesterday. My future sister-in-law and I went to Barnes and Noble for some free entertainment to read books at the bookstore. However, I was reading this new magazine called "Craft" that just had put out its second issue. I was going on and on about how much I loved this magazine, and as we were getting ready to go, she took the magazine from me and ran to the register and bought it for me. I told her I was going to pay her back (it's a 15 dollar magazine). Anyhow, I am grappling with this slip-up because even though she bought it for me, I want to pay her back. She insists that I don't need to but I can't help myself. I guess in the future I just need to stay out of the bookstore and only go into the library!

Compacting 2007

I have resolved not to buy anything new for one year. If I can recall, I believe I started a few days after January 1st, but I'm just going to say that December 31st is the day I'm shooting for.

The original rules for the Compact are here.

So, here are my resolutions for the Compact:

My Compacting Goals for 2007:

1) To not buy anything brand new, except food and hygiene projects.

2) To knit from my stash rather than buy new yarn. If I want to knit something and I don't have the yarn for it, then I will got to a Goodwill, Salvation Army or yard sale and recycle the yarn from a sweater.

3) Use public transportation when possible - especially for work. The bus system in Charlottesville is great and there's no need to drive the car.

4) Hold a yard sale in the spring for unwanted items - start now by collecting items around the house that are just taking up space and bring them down to the basement. In March, start sorting the items to make the yard sale easier when the late spring/early summer comes. Also, bring clothes in good shape to the consignment store.

5) Whenever I receive a catalog in the mail that I don't want, immediately unsubscribe either by calling or by going online.

6) Once a week, carry a bag around the house to collect at least 30 papers to recycle. Also carry a bag around the house to collect items for the yard sale and the consignment shop.

7) Post wanted ads on craigslist and freecycle if I do find that I need something I don't have, or ask a friend to borrow it.

8) Sign up at the local library for a membership so I won't be tempted to go to Barnes and Noble for a new book. I have already started a book club with friends where we send each other books that we've read and another member wants to read. That way, there's no need to buy any new books. If I do have books that I've read and no one is interested in reading them, I give them to the local used book store, and I am awarded a credit for used books to buy.

9) Make my own cards to send to friends and family. Start early on holiday cards so I'm not forced to buy at the end of the year for lackof time.

10) Do not be judgmental towards others when they don't follow the same rules of compacting as you do.

11) When looking for something to do with friends - instead of immediately offering to do dinner out - suggest making dinner together at home.

12) Wait for movies to come out on video rather than run to the movies as soon as the movie hits the theatres.

13) Learn how to make one hand-made thing a month - ideas so far are paper, loofah, soap and shampoo.

14) Any money yielded from the yard sale or consignment shop goes toward saving for my wedding.

15) Make my own invitations for my wedding.

16) When a friend comes to visit, instead of immediately suggesting -let's go to the downtown mall (an area in Charlottesville with shoppping and restaurants) - suggest going to a museum or one of the million places having to do with one of our former Presidents (I live in Charlottesville, near the home of Thomas Jefferson, Monroe and Madison), or even a winery or hiking.

17) Watch less television, so I won't be tempted by commercials.

18) Unsubscribe from e-mails from companies who e-mail coupons -again, so I won't be tempted.

19) For every item I bring into the house, I must give one item away, or add an item to the yard sale pile.

20) Do not beat yourself up for every slip up that you make. Just brush yourself off, learn what went wrong, and get back on the horse.

I am studying for the bar and working part time, while my mother is undergoing treatment for breast cancer, so I may not be able to post for a while, but I will make sure to keep track of my progress in my home-made Compacting journal to transfer here when I get a chance.

Wish me luck!