We’ve decided to start getting rid of crap. We’ve established four rules for each item:

1. If it can’t be theoretically sold on eBay, it is to be thrown out or donated somewhere.
2. If we were to move next month, it should be worth packing up and moving.
3. Any item may be deemed “sacred”, which is non-arguable; But all sacred items must be added to a ranked list. (This list may have limitations imposed on it at a later date, hence ranking by importance)
4. Once purging is done, equilibrium must be maintained (New items brought into the house must be met by an equal amount of riddance).

We went through our books and some other crap in the attic today. We have chalked up 16.328 cubic feet so far.

Some notable riddances:

• The set of DIY encyclopedias (from at least 2 decades ago) that I bought for 2 or 3 bucks at the Library book sale a year ago. They’ll likely be going back to the library.
• An unmarked video cassette tape that Melissa mysteriously unraveled without explanation
• Two shark fin cable modems
• A LaVeyan Satanic Bible & the Complete Illustrated Old Testament Bible
• A large (7′) DVD rack

Melissa and I both think this round of purging wasn’t particularly painful — just carving away at the easy stuff for now. The difficult nitty gritty stuff is yet to come still, when we get to the basement.

*UPDATE*

• Purchased 3.450 cu.ft. (kitchenware)
• Purged 9.385 cu.ft. (table, baby cereal)

New total: 22.263 cu.ft.

Tags: cleaning, lost causes
Categories: Sustainable Living
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• Succulent lemon bars, lightly powdered with confectioner’s sugar
• Rich Magic Cookie Bars, a mixture of that delicious trio of butter, sugar, and egg combined with chocolate chunks and other goodies.
• Bronze-colored Donut holes, rolled in granulated sugar
• Pert little brownie bits, a rich dark brown chocolate fudge color
• Strawberries (only because they were on the same dessert tray as the rest of the things above, and I thought that if I reached for a Strawberry I’d accidentally grab a Lemon Bar)

Day 2 of the diet. I registered for my classes today, including a Weight Training and Conditioning course in the spring time. I was up late studying last night so I didn’t wake up early enough to take Bowie for a jog. My diet has been a lot more balanced. I eat just enough food that I’m not hungry until the next time I eat food. If I get some  hunger pangs in the meantime, I just drink water, and that seems to help.

I DID eat today:

Breakfast: 2 egg-whites fried in 1oz of Olive oil, 1-1/2 cups Kashi cereal with 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup cranberry juice.

Mid-morning snack: A large orange and some celery with natural peanut butter.

Lunch: Left over Tofu / vegetable stirfry and couscous.

Dinner: 5 Turkey meatballs in tomato sauce, a baked potato with cheddar cheese, and some romaine  lettuce with a glass of water.

In retrospect, I realized that the tomato sauce were enough starchy carbs that I didn’t need the baked potato. I should have just made it sans-potato. Maybe added some more romaine lettuce or something, for extra fiber.

Tags: diet, Health, lost causes
Categories: Health, Humor
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1. Delicious, moist, leftover Anniversary cake*
2. Some deliciously round and powdery donut holes in the break room
3. Hot, rich, Pizza or Garlicky Seasoned Breadsticks
4. Decadent and chewy looking Chocolate Chip Cookies during a meeting with the Library administrators
5. Delicious, moist, leftover Anniversary cake*
6. Cookies, candy, or ice cream while food shopping for healthier food

Yes, I am indeed determined to be healthier. There seems to be constant temptation to eat shitty foods, and I notice it all the more now that I am abstaining from such yummeries. I literally deliberated for 10 minutes this afternoon about eating ONE of those cookies, but ultimately decided it wasn’t worth it.

I’ve been taking Bowie for a walk / jog almost every morning. Last week was kind of an exception because I was sick (and then Melissa/Sullivan were sick and I was on vacation) but the past two mornings I’ve done it. Up at 7′ish a.m., find clothes, put shoes on, grab leash, and go. It’s about a mile around our usual route; Up the hill, around the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Back down past the high-school-formerly-known-as-Hibberd. It’s getting a little easier. I just started with situps / pushups last night too.

Once I get going with this and get to the point where I can jog at least halfway through my route, I’m going to start doing weight training again. I’m determined to get back in shape and return the spare tire to the trunk of my VW.

* “Anniversary cake” is actually the topper from our Wedding cake a year ago. It’s been in the Freezer for a full year. Believe it or not, it was still totally moist and delicious, in spite of its age. Just like me!

Tags: diet, Health, lost causes
Categories: Health, Humor
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