Out of necessity, The Pastor's parents lived with us for a little over three years. We made it through with relationships in tact, though sometimes I wondered if that would be the case because I'm an introvert and it sometimes isn't pretty when an introvert doesn't get the necessary amounts of decompression (alone) time. Especially this introvert.
Anyway, I have discovered that if you put any two women in any one kitchen, you'll find out a lot about the both of them. Who thinks what should go where. What the acceptable cleanliness level of the sink is. What the best location is for the measuring spoons. When older potholders should be replaced (never, if they were made for you by your BFF during 5th grade summer camp!) There are polite mini-wars fought every day on a battlefield of tile floors.
Anyway, I have discovered that if you put any two women in any one kitchen, you'll find out a lot about the both of them. Who thinks what should go where. What the acceptable cleanliness level of the sink is. What the best location is for the measuring spoons. When older potholders should be replaced (never, if they were made for you by your BFF during 5th grade summer camp!) There are polite mini-wars fought every day on a battlefield of tile floors.
They will also accumulate a lot of extra stuff. Duplicate spices. Extra cleaning supplies. More than one kind of sink scrubber. Lots of food items the other wouldn't buy... like Hamburger Helper, bags of frozen lima beans, and every sugar-free dessert mix known to North America (isn't sugar the point of dessert?).
Anyway, I've been going through the kitchen cabinets and drawers, and all of the nooks and crannies of the pantry. Tossing the doubles and cleaning out the unhealthy and unappetizing. Putting extra casserole dishes in the garage sale pile. Streamlining. Finding space. I have also been using up what we already have- you know, planning meals around what's already in the cabinets, fridge, and freezer and making sure not to purchase more duplicate items.
It feels good... like I'm using what I have instead of unnecessarily buying more, more, more and taking up more, more, more space. I like it. I know for me, that minimizing my life will be a series of mini-wars and lettings go. Of things I thought I needed. Couldn't live without. And guess what? I'm finding out I can.
