Spo-reflections on thrift vs. looks

Here is a picture taken at the PHX office to illustrate the ongoing question what matters most: is it better to hold onto something for thrift’s sake vs replacing things for the sake of ‘looking good’. This is my wrist rest for typing on the the keyboard at the PHX office .* the wrist rest works well but it is stained, fraying, and looks worn out – like my men. This doesn’t look good for patients to see. When I see my doctors, their offices are stylish – no rubbish indeed! They don’t have any shoddy objects. There is a part of me that thinks for appearance sake I should buy a new wrist rest and a new keyboard too (mine looks quite worn). On the other hand, what I have ‘works’ and to buy more is spending money I don’t have to do. There is also the matter of polluting the planet with discards. I hear tales of youngsters buying clothes they wear only a few times and then discard them to get new things. Oh the horror.**

A fashion plate I am not. Most of my clothes get used as long as possible; they get replaced when it becomes absolutely necessary. I recently bought after who knows how long two pairs of shoes and khaki pants. I wore them to work the other day and while no ones saw them I felt like a million bucks. If Someone and I go out to the theatre or a restaurant, I make it a point to ‘dress nice’ meaning not looking like I just came back from the gym or was outside working in the yard. Still, even when ‘dressing up a bit’ I can’t be mistaken for some glamor type in what I do wear out in public.

The thrift choice reigns at home. Nearly everything at La Casa de Spo is years if not decades old, and it looks like it. Several at-home items are approaching the need to be replaced level and will be done anon. However there are a handful of items not in immediate need of replacement but it would be nice to have a new-looking replacement. Last autumn we replaced the awful looking threadbare kitchen chairs. The new ones look great and it feels good to sit in them. Their sharp looks makes the kitchen table and chandelier look even more worn and old, if that was possible.

Last weekend at the department store I found our towels, the ones I keep harping about here in the blog. They weren’t that expensive either. Alas, Babylon! They was no purchase. Someone pointed out the towels we transferred from the guest bathroom are in good condition so we don’t need new ones. I sensed this wasn’t a time to be assertive or throw a fit lest there were ructions in the middle of Macy’s. Perhaps we are too Midwestern (and cheap) to change our ways.

Truth be told if I don’t worry or think about what others may be thinking of my frayed clothing and used items I am OK. While it would be nice to have fabulous things I guess they are not necessary. I will hold onto the wrist rest for now. When in use my hand covers up the hole.

*Pay no attention to The Yule Cat asleep on my lap. It is there for size comparison and get a few ‘ahhh isn’t that sweet’ comments.

**I avoid the thrift vs. looks quandary by wearing Spo-shirts which is my style rather than either.