Wanting for Nothing

I just returned from a 3 day, 2 night trip to Arkansas.

Yes, Arkansas.

Have to tell you that it was great fun (went with a group of about 25 women) and we visited a lot of incredible places -- the Clinton Library, University of Arkansas (even toured the Chancellor's home with his lovely wife), the Crystal Bridges Museum, and more.

I'm really glad that I went and if you haven't been to Crystal Bridges, GO.

That being said, I'm mad at myself.

Last night when I was going through my bags, I piled up the "stuff" that I'd accumulated on the trip -- some of it I was given (Anyone want a University of Arkansas paperweight featuring the Chancellor's residence in living color?), but most of it I spent my hard-earned money on.

Here's the list of my shame:

• 2 Blue Birds, glass, 2 inches tall
• 1 Soap Dish, ceramic
• 4 Presidential Quotation Books:  Jefferson (1), Roosevelt (2), Lincoln (1)
• 1 Lamb Christmas Ornament, fabric
• 1 Paperweight, glass, University of Arkansas Chancellor's residence pictured, in presentation box
• 1 Print of a Piece by Wayne Thiebaud, "Supine Woman", about 10 X 14 inches (shown above)

And I wanted to buy more stuff -- I held myself back!

NOTE:  As I type this post, I am looking at another recent acquisition from Dallas -- a Big Tex bobble head purchased one week ago today, obviously in the middle of a corny dog coma.

Why do I do this? 

For me, a lot of it is being caught up in the frenzy of other women who are purchasing.  Also, things look so much better when you see lots of them in a group (Alas, 2 blue birds do not a flock make...), so I make decisions that bite me later.

What makes me mad is that I had stopped buying stupid stuff -- I really had.  The last time that I went on one of these trips (JLD trip to NOLA), the only thing I bought were 12 sterling iced tea spoon sippers -- and I had always wanted some and love them every time I use them.

I want to stop this needless waste and use the money to do something for good.  The children at Community Partners of Dallas need more than a glass blue bird, and it is truly needed.

Now, I'm all for beauty and sentiment and I want you to buy souvenirs and love them.  I think that it is part of the joy of life.

I just want to remember the CPD kids at the next gift shop I enter.  My #FundraisingFriday gift is going to them.