I have a coat that I've been wearing for over 6 years now. It's my "too cold for a spring jacket but not cold enough for my parka" coat. I really loved it when I bought it. It's that faux material that looks like suede yet is washable. A neutral color, of course.
This morning when I got it out of the closet and put it on I thought to myself, "I have got to buy a new coat. I've certainly had this one long enough." I looked at the sleeves which are starting to get those little lint balls that form when something is well worn. Mentally I began thinking about what sort of new coat I would buy.
An hour later I walk into work and one of my co-workers exclaims, "I love your coat!" "Really?" I asked. I explained how it was old, how I'd worn it for years. I even pointed out the lint balls and mentioned I was thinking about getting rid of it. "Let me know if you are going to get rid of it," she said. (Side note...for those of you who wonder which co-worker I'm referring to, here's a hint...her admiration for my coat only deepened when she learned I'd had it for 6 years).
A couple hours later I walked into Panera and the two women behind the counter said in unison, "I love your coat!" Seriously? What is going on?
I contemplated the idea that there was some sort of conspiracy to mess with my head (after all, I have had stalking threats from one of my facebook friends), but dismissing those thoughts I decided to learn 2 things...
1. I don't need a new coat. I can live with lint balls. I don't need to spend the money. I shouldn't fall into the trap of thinking I need something new and better.
2. If you hold onto something for 6 years, it must eventually come back in style.
So let's hear it for one more year of the faux suede coat!!!
Excellent. I'm going to have my children read this. So does Julie get the coat after 7 years?
Posted by: Doug | October 30, 2008 at 10:46 AM
Ha! Love this blog; I wear coats way too long. Way past lint balls. But, I figure as long as it keeps me warm! :)
Posted by: Laurie | October 30, 2008 at 12:08 PM
So my clue was too easy, Doug? :) We'll see...maybe she'll get the coat in another year.
Posted by: Tammy Melchien | October 30, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Good for you Tammy! I would have gone and bought the new coat anyway.
Posted by: Theresa | November 01, 2008 at 09:34 PM
Really? A stalker? Wow. That must be unnerving. Scary even. I wouldn't know anything about that. . . see you "around."
Posted by: Becky | November 11, 2008 at 09:56 PM
Creepy, Becky, creepy.
Posted by: Tammy Melchien | November 11, 2008 at 10:09 PM