Bin there?

I've taken a lot of time off from blogging, because I have found that the more I blog and read blogs, the more I get backed up on IRL things. I start to feel guilty about all the things I'm not doing. "The internet has a way of sucking the life out of life!"

Have you ever had a bad habit that you just couldn't shake? Well, that is what I'm working on this Lenten season. Shaking off the bad habits. Pulling out all the stops that are blocking my successes. Tackling the things that have been swept under the rug. You get the picture.

My family brought out a Sacrifice Bin this year. We all added something we wanted to give up for the 40 days of Lent. My oldest daughter put in her mp3 player, which she needs to learn their is a time and place for wearing it. My oldest son not realizing what was going on put in his favorite and largest John Deere toy tractor. He is learning that each toy needs to be treated with respect and we should be grateful for all the toys we have. My younger daugter, only 2, took her Tinkerbell musical toy and nonshalauntly put it in the bin. This is a toy she would turn on its "memorable" tune every morning to let us know she was awake. So yes, a blessing for the rest of us.

Of course, now it was Mommy's turn. After many laps around the house, I decided to put in a sealed envelope every credit card I had. No more extra spending during Lent. If you know me, you know this is HUGE of me to do. Each year too much money is put on those cards instead of purchasing with what we have. This has proven to be very effective, since I have been tempted to make many online orders since then - with the realization I had no CC number to enter at the checkout.

I keep telling myself that I will nudge my bad habits out of the way, one at a time - because that is all I can seem to handle. Many years ago it began with stopping my nail biting, which my little girl seems to enjoy doing. Years later I worked on not smothering my husband with PDA (public displays of affection). He has since tried to be more attentive to my clingy nature, or as my high school friends called me "Klingon." Yep, my Dad is proud, I'm officially a science fiction character.

So now I'm working on keeping bad food out of my mouth and my credit cards safe in my wallet for emergencies only. As God as my witness, I will get there. It's just a matter of when. As far as the "how," I think I'll keep that bin on hand for more than just 40 days.

What bad habit will you toss in the bin???

Now here's the funny part:

My husband decided (upon our insitance) that he will "Throw in the Towel" this Lent. He has been a dream guy for me, taking care of the laundry, dishes, washing floors and toilets, and more. Now he's working 10 hour nights and with our baby reaching almost 8 months old, I am ready to take on the tasks he's been doing for me. So HE IS NOT ALLOWED to do any of these chores for 40 days. So far, not so good. That stinker is making up excuses and cleaning anyways! He just can't help himself. He says, "Oh, I was looking for my pants at the bottom of the laundry basket, so I just put the rest away as long as I was digging through."  My daughter reprimanded him for doing dishes just yesterday. The nerve of the guy - how dare he be so nice! :)  I love him to pieces, and it makes me want to take over the chores even more. Luckily the kids are old enough that they are being taught how to help with it all.

Sacrifice Bin idea found here:
http://catholicicing.blogspot.com/2010/02/lenten-sacrifice-ideas-and-activities.html