25% Off At The Zimmermans

The curse of online shopping is most definitely the resulting fire hose of email sales promotions. At this moment, Toys R Us is particularly driving me crazy. I’m sorry; I’m just not interested in your deal of the day AGAIN!

I’m simply not inspired to shop. And it’s not about spending money. I hate buying gifts just to give gifts. I don’t like the trend my family has taken of basically telling each other what to buy. Certain unnamed family members (by marriage) literally provide SKU numbers for the gifts they want. A couple years ago they even bought the gifts and just asked us to give them the cash. That’s when I surrendered to the fact that we have very different ideas of Christmas and I’m not going to let them spoil mine.

Moreover, I just have no desire to add more junk to our overflowing house. I am telling my family to please not buy me gifts, and really, the kids need nothing (read: keep it small, I’m begging you!).

Instead of standing in line for Zhu Zhu Pets or seeking out the best deal, this year I am spending my time purging. I have set the goal to reduce the contents of my house by 25 percent. (Really, it’s that bad.)

I’ve been honest here before that household organization is not my strong point. (Remember my tribute to Organized Audrey?) It was no joke when I said I am serious about it this time. I have spent a lot of time planning what needs to be done, and the bottom line is that there is no way to maintain this house in an orderly manner when it is completely packed with stuff. Really, how can I organize a closet that I can’t even shut?!

I have set a deadline of May 1 to complete this project. Our city-wide garage sale is the following weekend and my neighbors can look forward to a quarter of our possessions piled on the driveway up for grabs.

I’ve already started on the kitchen and the kids toys, and it’s been incredibly refreshing work so far. I’m not brave enough yet to post before and after pictures, but here’s a shot of the recently decluttered toy cabinet. The board games alone were a several-hour project – finding missing pieces and taping up boxes. Not fun work when I was drowning in piles of homeless junk, but worth the effort in the end. Sometimes now I open the cabinet just to look at the perfectly stacked boxes. (Maybe I need to get a life?)

I am quite confident that I purged a quarter of the toys from the main level of our house last weekend – and all of those I removed had not been played with in at least a year! I truly believe I could cut a fourth of our possessions without anyone in my family noticing. But I can guarantee that they will notice the result. I think it's going to be better than Christmas!

Enter Stage Light

I consider myself an optimist, but winter is one thing I have a hard time seeing the bright side of. Because of the darkness.

I work full time in a cubicle with no windows, so winter means I only see the sun on weekends. About 20 hours a week of daylight - down from over 50 in the summer.

Experience has taught me that embracing the dark and cold just isn't going to happen, so I don't even try any more. I've found a source of light besides the sun to help nurture my starving soul through the winter months - the Twin Cities fabulous arts scene.

There is always something new to see, to hear, to experience, to learn. It's almost worth the sacrifice of being shut in.

And you really don't need to spend a lot of money to get a full dose of culture. You can enjoy an entire season of the arts for about the cost of one snowmobile suit!

My family kicked off the dark season with November's free first Saturday event at the Walker Art Center. We helped build a reflective sculpture, explored the exhibits, and rocked out with The Commandos. We were even blessed with some sunshine for running around the Sculpture Garden.

It's days like these that make me thankful that I share my hometown with Target Corporation headquarters. The retail monster sponsors regular free events at all of the major museums and even offers free family shows at Orchestra Hall (available on a lottery basis).

Speaking of orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra offers a fabulous deal for young adults called Club2030. It allows us non-traditional patrons (I assume that's how the under-40 crowd is classified) to purchase best available seats to any show for only $10.

Community theater is another superb option for affordable entertainment. During November I took my daughters to an outstanding high school production of The Music Man, as well as Fiddler on the Roof at Phipps Theater in Hudson, WI. I have already purchased tickets for the whole family to see Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type at Stages Theatre in Hopkins this spring - I am SO excited to see one of our favorite kids books on stage!

Of course, when I can swing it I still love to make it to the Broadway-quality productions that frequent the cities and the Tony-winning Children's Theatre Company, but I have to stick with what the budget allows. Sometimes great deals, like two-for-ones, are available and I am always keeping my eyes open.

Last month I also had a chance to escape to First Ave for the Mason Jennings show. I love to see a local act becoming so successful. Mason's new album, Blood of Man, is phenomenal live. (He's coming again in December - just saying...)

The Twin Cities has a constant stream of awesome bands flowing through town, most of which you can catch for under $20. Sometimes it almost seems like robbery the shows are so good. Although, I will admit that I splurged and bought U2 tickets as a little early Christmas gift to myself. Occasionally you just have to drop the bucks. And I figure anticipation is half the fun, so I will get my money's worth just by having to wait until June for the show!

I'm glowing a little just thinking about it.

Gratitude

I can't let November close without taking the time to express gratitude for all that makes up my wonderful life.

On Thanksgiving, after we cleared the excessive leftovers from the table, I sat with my grandma putting away the good silverware in her storage chest. As I marveled over the tiny relish forks, it occurred to me what a bountiful life we live. Not only do we have plenty (and delicious) food to eat, we actually have a variety of special utensils to use for each of the many courses.

Spoiled. That's what we are. Completely spoiled. And we shouldn't forget it.

When I reflect upon all I am grateful for, I need to specifically mention the following things:

• My husband, for accepting me as I am, always, and being here no matter what.
• My children, for making me smile every day.
• My many treasured friends, each of whom is a special soul mate in a different way.
• My job, for allowing me to provide for my family and enjoy myself at the same time.
• My parents, siblings and extended family, for their unconditional love and support.
• My home and all the comforts that come with it, for being just that - home.

You get the idea.

Appreciate what you have and say it out loud - especially to those you love.

If you are a twitter user, check out @iamgrateful4, a collective gratitude journal. If you ever need a pick-me-up, it's a darn good place to start.

And next time you say the words "thank you," think about what you are saying and why. There is no practice more fulfilling than gratitude.