Days 3, 4 & 5

I had a few let downs this past weekend. I had to buy another light from Lowe's for our bathroom renovation; it had to match the others and we've already unpackaged the rest, so I had to pick it up. Made in China. We also went to visit some good friends and stopped at a craft store on the way home so I could pick up some more embroidery hoops. I checked the labels and it didn't say where they were from, so I bought them. I didn't notice until today when I had my face right up close to one doing some bead work, the faint impression on the metal clasp with those three little words I've been saying so much lately. Dammit.
I'm disappointed in myself for buying the hoops. I said that if I didn't know where something was made that I wouldn't buy it. I know that in the back of my mind, I was pretty sure they were made in China- they're cheap and mass produced. But I also have a really hard time finding them, and I've been waiting for a chance to visit that store to get some more. I let the want get the best of me.
I knew it would take commitment and resolve to do this, but I'm surprised how easy it was to whip out my wallet before my conscious had time to speak up. Like I could fool myself into thinking I forgot, or I really thought they were made somewhere else.
So I think I need some sort of accountability system, and I think this is what it will be. I really believe in buying things used. I love trading and bartering; I think they are pillars of a healthy community. To pass things along instead of sending them to the landfill, or to give an unwanted item a new home instead of buying a new (and often more cheaply-made) version is a valuable habit. It's better for the environment, it's frugal and it makes us talk to each other.
So, if I bring something into this house that was made in China- something else has to be donated somewhere else.
I bought 16 hoops.
I'll start filling a box tomorrow.

On a related note, the dog is being totally unhelpful. While I was showering today he stepped over my $30 Made in China fake Ugg boots and ate the heel off one of my worn-to-perfection, second-hand, American cowboy boots. That makes three pairs of boots I need to have re-heeled because of him. At least I will be supporting a cobbler when I can find a good one- I can't imagine in our disposable society that those folks are having an easy time making a living these days.