Sunday, December 13, 2009

THE BINGE

Muffin and her ability to provoke thought and subsequent change . . .

When we purged last week, Muffin left a comment saying that we should instead say what we like rather than what's annoying. I appreciate the sentiment.

The purpose of The Purge is to--at least temporarily--rid the mind of recurring memories of the stuff that's bugging us because I don't see a way to go through life without being irked now and again; and if we can find a place to actually say that our self-righteous sister-in-law is driving us mad or that we can't stand how women with great lives constantly whine to their friends or that gals who wear leggings with mini skirts to church should be told they're actually rather immodest (by LDS standards), I believe that's a good thing.

Of course it doesn't meant that there aren't bits we love and could use a little more of. Thing is, we are so often welcomed and encouraged to talk about those things. Tell me more of what you're loving. What's good about today? Blog after blog asks questions like these in effort to get you to respond with sentiments that end up trite and overwrought. I take no issue with this; each blog's author has an intention and theme of sorts. There just aren't enough blogs asking for the opposite in effort to leave you room to actually remember the things that make you smile. My theme is Truth and As-is, and sometimes the truth of things as they are is that too much is too obnoxious to let lie.

Nevertheless, as some kind of proof that I truly do have bits and moments that induce a spell of glee, here's a touch of what makes my life that much more livable, the stuff I can't get enough of--what I'm happy to binge on:
Bouts of simplicity • throwing things away • teas • my dirty puppy • individually wrapped chocolates • solitude • all-wheel drive • my talents • kind, intelligent coworkers • my husband's utter love to serve me • hours of phone-talk with sister Whitney • twine • Signo Uniball micropoint retractable pens • spellcheck • pipes that aren't frozen any more • dreamless sleeps • throwing more things away • surprising people • our maid service • cocktail rings • to-do lists: done • abnegating obligations • having nothing to do with my mother-in-law • a handful and a half of mini marshmallows in my cocoa • friends like me • clementines • sweaty yoga practices • well-maintained, quaint-looking houses in bad parts of downtown • silence • people who tell the truth about their lives • late breakfasts
And because it's only polite to ask (and voyeuristic that I actually want to know), what are you happy to binge on as of late?

15 comments:

Megan and Keli'i said...

Like I said before, there's a time and a place for purging, and if you can't do it here, where can you?

That being said, I'm happy to be binging on my mom for two happy weeks. I only see her maybe twice/year and I talk to her every single day, so I can't wait to spend this next two weeks with her.

There's a damn ocean that separates me from the rest of the world, which makes it quite difficult to see her.

SeƱora H-B said...

*prettily-wrapped packages under the tree

*the dog--even if she ate her weight in cow pies last time we went to the in-laws' farm

*my husband's tolerance of my PhD-induced insanity

*fine-point pentel rsvp pens

*my sister-in-law's beautiful quilts

*the opportunity to purge our apartment before Christmas.

whitneyingram said...

I am glad you like talking to me. I like talking to you too. You are funny and you are a good listener.

I have all sorts of things I like and I will be back later to tell you all of them. Right now, Haley's birthday dinner has to be made. So I have to strap on an apron and get to work.

L said...

Today I am thankful to be going home. For my comfortable bed that awaits me. And lastly my little lioness whose love I so desperately need right now.

Darcy said...

The sweet smell of baby skin * candy cane Hershey's kisses * Christmas music * listening to my husband and baby boy snore in harmony * being 30 lbs lighter than I was on Halloween * wearing hats and scarves * my newly-framed Logophilia print (wink) * Jack's new-found smile ability

...there are so many more... but thanks for the binge venue.

Julie said...

Eggplant colored sheets. A happy husband. Baby Tylenol. Books. Netflix. My voice. Getting my point across effectively. Not crying. When I wear heels (that make me 6'4) and my husband is still taller than me. Emails from people who "get it." Bishop's who have a sense of humor. Sisters. Open arms. Throw pillows. Shoes. Pre-pregnancy pants being too big. A color coded closet. Friends who don't chatter mindlessly just to quiet the silence. White noise. Blankets. Father-in-laws. Hockey games. Art books. Clean sheets.

My25Cents said...

Ibarra Mexican hot chocolate in individual serving envelopes. Stationery... paper, envelopes, cards -- all of it! The kiosk at the post office so I don't have to stand in line. Sharpie Click markers in black. Williams-Sonoma pain au chocolat (chocolate-filled croissants) straight from the oven. Taking time to write in calligraphy for people I REALLY like.

Jessica said...

My weekend with Becky. My soul has been renewed by my friend and Dave & Tim. I haven't smiled that much since my wedding day.

whitneyingram said...

Fountain diet Cokes. Both of my sons ability to sleep well. Ethan's cooking. Totino's frozen pizzas. Christmas candy. Scraps of paper with Jack's writing on them. Christmas books. Thinking of things to do with the citrus I am going to bring home from California. The box fan next to my bed to drown out Ethan's snoring. Thinking about what Santa is going to bring my boys. The Food Network. Book suggestions. Making soups. The oranges sold at the gas station down the street. My favorite Gap maternity jeans. My long black sweater. Eggs over easy with Tabasco and avocados.

Unknown said...

Hope I'm not too late to join in the conversation...

The homemade from scratch cake I made was not only edible, but a total success~I'm resisting food/drink temptations left & right~X-mas crafts & shopping is done~Having my husband home, even if it is only on weekends~A dog that is behaving more and more all the time~Help from my in-laws so I don't go crazy~My beautiful/funny/sweet/ boys that remind me to chill out and enjoy life a little more.

whitneyingram said...

@rae- So the cake worked?! Do tell.

Mette said...

what happened to my comment? did you delete it? Hm. Maybe it never got posted.

Anyway. Seems like I have a way of provocing you. Fun.
I did however, not mean it in a "lets all hold hands and love each other" way, I just meant that i would like to see some positive lists. And I got it. :)

Unknown said...

@Rookie
I shall post about it on me blog today.

Megan said...

Muffin, I never delete a comment without saying I did and explaining why. So it must not have published.

Mette said...

Good to know. :)

I blame the mac.. my windows keep hiding in the back and dont show until days after when I finally close unwanted open windows. It's not seldom I find halfwritten comments or e-mails.