A woman on the run

Week 2 is Clothes. A lot of the girls in my group are only wearing 7 clothes for 7 days. But I decided that since my mommy wardrobe basically usually consists of jeans, yoga pants, tshirts, a hoodie and tennis shoes, I would probably not struggle there. Jen Hatmaker DID make us count our clothes, and shoes. It's embarrassing, and I've shared it with the people who need to know. That's all. But in my defense- a lot of what was in my closet was either a size too small, or business attire that didn't need to be party to spilled chocolate milk, spaghetti sauce or riding bikes with my kids. It just doesn't.

Collectively, the Women at Preston Trail are collecting gently used clothes for Hope's Door and Shiloh Place. Hope's Door is a shelter for victims of domestic violence, a place where women can go to hide, get their lives back on track. I was excited about this because I had all those really nice (some tagged) business clothes hanging in my closet. I haven't touched them in over a year. Plus I can't fit in quite a few of them. (I am working on that). The director of the shelter explained to us yesterday that these clothes will be placed in their resale store. Victims receive vouchers to shop for themselves and families for free. Excess clothes are sold to benefit the shelter's programs. So I felt good knowing that my suits, dresses and skirts were going to help a lady find a job, thereby feeding her children and providing her a safe place. I rounded up two really large trash bags of really nice, dry cleaned, pressed, barely worn clothes. Closet purge. I wish I could say I was blown away by how empty my closet was afterwards, but we're going to again call this Imperfect Progress. This was step one.


This was the stage yesterday morning with everyone's contributions. It does not yet include the contributions of the night study ladies. This is amazing. We had to get a U-Haul truck to take it over. A lot of little contributions become big.


For my fast, I decided that I would live in my clothing as a homeless person or domestic violence victim would. Whatever I could fit in the bag, would be what I wear for 7 days. Including toiletries, shoes, towel and wash cloth. (That last part is still wigging me out). After packing the bag, I was SHOCKED at how much fit when I rolled stuff. And yes, I rolled it. Because Martin saw a boho chick in Salt Lake City last week, rolling her clothes, and told me how he couldn't believe how much stuff would fit in a bag when rolled. And apparently she did all that right there in the airport, but I digress. Anyway, I rolled stuff. And I stuffed that bag. Here's what I had. (Do not laugh. It's a long list).

3 short sleeve shirts, plus the one I was wearing
1 Long sleeve denim shirt
1 tank top
1 neutral bra (plus one I was wearing)
1 black convertable strapless bra (for my church outfit and dark shirts)
4 pair undies (plus one wearing)
1 pair silver dressy flip flops
1 pair black flip flops
1 pair of black flats (calling for a lot of rain this week)
1 pair of tennis shoes
1 hoodie
1 maxi dress (that can also be worn as a skirt)
1 pair of jeans (plus capris I'm wearing)
1 sports bra
1 pair of yoga pants
pj pant, short, top
toiletries (travel size- if I had it on hand), make up, contacts, glasses, meds, hair ties, etc. Mild anxiety attack because I didn't have a travel size contact solution, and mine's almost gone. I did consider stealing hubby's from his travel bag but didn't want him to have a rude surprise on the road. So I didn't.
Dry shampoo(no blow dryer or hair spray)
3 pair of socks
1 black belt
Towel and a wash cloth
earrings, engagement and wedding band, sports watch I'm wearing

Now. Even as type this, I realize it's ridiculous. It's too much. Because I was going to allow myself one load of laundry during the week. This is NOT a stretch. But I wanted to get my work out clothes in there, and it fit. So called BFF, and we discussed and decided, that- no Laundry. Because they might not have money to go to the laundromat. So I negotiated 7 pairs of undies and an extra sports bra. She agreed. Here's my bag, packed.

I told you I packed that puppy. It took me a long time to pack this bag because I really stressed about what went in it.

After packing my bag, the fam and I were in the car, and some song came on the radio, and Mason repeated the lyrics ("your momma was a hippee"- yeah, I don't know)- and I laughed and said, "Yeah, you're gonna THINK your momma's a hippee after this week!" LOL.

Problems I've run into- neglected to pack my running hat, perfume (um, yes, since I'm repeating clothes, I'd consider this a problem for my family and friends- thank God I get to shower). Also, total first world problem- I should've thrown in some clear nail polish so I could've protected my Easter manicure which is a once a year indulgence. Sad. But, Gosh, I'm so shallow.

Problem two- it's really cold and rainy this week, and I anticipated a little rain, but not the cold. That part stinks more than anything. Because I don't like to be cold.

Problem three- accidentally broke my fast by throwing an apron over my clothes to protect them from sauce while making lasagna. It was my husband who pointed out that counted as clothes. Bless him for keeping me on track.

Problem four- my crisp white, brand new tank top drizzled in balsamic dressing. I should mention this is the top I have possibly planned for church on Sunday if I don't go with the dress option. Nice. Martin decided that it would be wasteful to let that stain sit until I can treat it Monday night, so he allowed me a Tide to Go stick and I washed it out in the sink. This is some irony because Jen Hatmaker talks about Tide To Go sticks in the book. Funny.

Problem five- what to do with my dirty laundry that I won't be wearing again- because everything has to stay in the bag- exception being toiletries. Ahem. There's only one item that applies. Martin said that if I "found" a bag to put it in, he would allow it. Ironically, I found a plastic Target bag while I was unloading my groceries. Surprise! ;)

Problem six- Unrolling, rolling, digging through one stinking bag makes it very hard to find anything, time consuming, and I look like someone who's left their laundry in the basket for three weeks, UNFOLDED. This is a challenge for me. My pet peeve.

Problem seven- I have a lotion/moisturizer addiction that I wasn't aware of. I keep it by my sink, and this week I have one tiny travel size that floats between my purse and my bag. I'm quite edgy without my hand lotion. (And yes, my purse is allowed. Because I tried on my backpack, and could still carry it).

Problem eight- I will have to transfer the stuff out of this bag into another one on Friday because Martin needs it to go camp with Mason. I had tried to get my family on board with this challenge, and they declined. The irony is, that Martin and Mason will be living out of a back pack on Friday through Sunday, and sleeping with the bugs, anyway. So I win. Muahaha.

So, that's the run down. I find that the clothes part is not that bad so far, because today I'm wearing my usual yoga pants, tennies, a top and a hoodie. If you know me well, you will ask how this is different from my usual day... well, because I have no hair dryer, and hair spray. I can't leave my house until my hair dries because it's 45 degrees outside in April in Texas for some reason. Well, I COULD leave, but I'm not.

So, pretty. Yes. Or no. What I've noticed so far: thankful for my closet. I miss just walking in and knowing where things are, and grabbing it. Dressing quickly and easily. Thankful for the chance to take a shower. Thankful for my razor- which is silly but it occurred to me that when their razor, toothpaste, shampoo runs out, they might not get to replace it. Yes, that is my ONE washcloth hanging there. I can at least brag that I'm not excessive about buying nice thick wash cloths.


Thankful that I have the money and resources to purchase the medicines my body needs.


Will keep you all posted on this fast, and what I'm learning.