keeping my pledge

  Yesterday I added a few little halloween touches to the kitchen. It could only be a few because I've got rid of so much I only have a few bits and pieces left. A great thing, it makes it so easy to put out and will be quick and easy to put away again. I have no remorse about ditching so much.

But let's be clear, it is not easy to change the habits of a lifetime. I'm still having to think hard about things when I see them, and have a little internal discussion with myself as I look at things.
Saturday morning was a test. Being in Ikea, the place that has everything you need, along with everything you didn't know you needed until you saw it. So many eye catching goodies. The jar for sweeties in the kitchen was a no brainer, I've wanted one in that exact size and shape for months and looked out for it. It was £4 and is perfect for what I want it for. But then I spotted a basket and zoomed in on it. I picked it up and loved everything about it. The size, shape, colour, texture. I could picture it on the shelves in the kitchen. Violet said 'Get it'.

No. I did not get it. I looked at it and asked myself what would I use it for? No idea. So it would end up sitting on the shelf looking nice, but inside junk would collect. Tomato sauce sachets, pens, coupons, keys, you know the sort of thing.
It was £10, what was the point in paying £10 for something that would be nothing more than a holder of random stuff and probaby end up getting chucked out. I don't regret leaving it in the shop at all.

Nor did I buy another jar that I spotted in Asda yesterday. Last year I bought the Gingerbread Man jar, and I have kept hold of it during the Great Purge because I like it and will use it again this year.
Now they have one with candy canes on it and it is just as adorable.
I picked it up and said 'I'm getting this' and put in the trolley. Then I asked myself why. I have one and I'll use it again, I didn't need two. And the Gingerbread Man jar has candy canes on it anyway. So I took it out of the trolley and put it back. But I took a photo to show in case anyone is after a cute jar for a homemade gift or festive storage, £2 each, get them early they sell out quickly.
Oh, and an ironic tale. When I was dithering over the jars I heard Bill talking to a lady, she was asking if he could reach up and get 4 mugs from a high shelf for her, which he did. Then he came over to me to tell me of his good deed. I just pulled a face and reminded him that just last week I was the lady struggling to get something off a high shelf and had to accept the help of a kind stranger, because my helpful husband was just a couple of metres away not helping his wife!!! Men.

Something I have bought. Festive cake liners. I've looked at them each time I go into the B&M, picked them up and put them back again. But I use cake liners a lot, for both cakes and when making quiche too, and I've just run out.
I'll happily use these whatever the time of year, not just at Christmas. I mean come on now, pink and festive, how on earth could I NOT buy these?
Total bargain, just £2 for 20 and I already know they do they job perfectly well.

Got to say I am very pleased with my will of steel lately. I hope it continues, I'll do my best.
Porch people are here today, the roof is being tiled. They placed plastic over it for the weekend to make it waterproof, and it worked a treat. Yesterday we had heavy rain, thunder and lightning. I stood outside beneath the porch to watch the storm and stayed dry. It'll be even better now the tiles are going on.