Vicarious Rocky

Just reflecting on messy closets and car, an undone kitchen, and a few extra pounds.

My defining and default style is binge and purge. I starve during weekdays and eat what I want on weekends. My house "can" be clean, but every time it happens it's like Spring cleaning because I let it go until my hand is forced. My closets, cracker cupboard, and medicine cabinet have all been trashed and rebuilt over 5 times. I used to work this way as well. But for some reason, probably Pat Smith, I have been able to shift my work style into something more reasonable.

My folks were not extreme in their work or household styles. They both have a moderate style for cleaning and always "kept up with it" whether it be cars, the garage, or the kitchen counter tops. The only place I can think where I learned this in such a deeply ingrained way was with food, and it's ridiculous to think it's so pervasive in all other parts of my life.

Now, the food thing is definitely all my family's fault. :) I think everyone but Mike struggled with their weight and trying to manage that between all of us, had to be tricky. When Barb brought home the rare package of Oreos, we all descended like starving lard-fed vultures and would polish that puppy off in one or two nights max. I imagine Barb would sit back and shake her head sadly and think, "I can't do THIS again for a long time or we'll all be fat asses." And so then the next package of cookies were the above-pictured nasty-ass, almond Windmill /Cardboard cookies that only she would eat once a week. Then a box of donuts would show up and the whole thing would start all over.

You know what though? It works well and is rewarding -- I get to feel gluttonous and satisfied with the binge, and I get to feel righteous with the purge. I am curious how other people live without this motivation to extremes?