| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Sep 23 2008 : 10:26:17 AM
Well, my farmgirlfriends have convinced me it's time to pull the plug on the TV. That's been one of the steps I've been contemplating in my quest for a simpler, more fulfilling life. I've also been reading "The Good Life" by Helen and Scott Nearing. Simple isn't always easier. A lot of times it's more physical work and/or more time-consuming. But the rewards are so much greater.
We've been making the change to be more environmentally conscious (how's that for a couple of buzzwords?) for a few years. But the last few months - since MaryJane entered my life - have really been an eye opener. I didn't realize how much I missed embroidering, cross-stitching, baking, etc. until I started doing it again. And what was so all-fired important to push it out of my life in the first place? And just how many books and magazines do I really need? How much is society dictating my life? How much am I really consciously choosing?
Join me for the journey.....
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311 |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 8:42:36 PM
The olden days. LOL
My daughter asked if I the world was in color when I was little.
(She was around four-ish or so, and had just watched the "Wizard the Buzz".)
Bad Mommy that I was, I told her no, that was a only color a few years ago.
The cleaning fairies are still missing....
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| graciegreeneyes |
Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 08:06:59 AM
This is all making me laugh - my grandparents never had much money and the depression was very hard on them so my grandma saves everything!! When their boiler burst in the 80s they were on vacation and my dad went over and took the opportunity to throw away literally hundreds of empty cottage cheese containers and plastic bags. Grandma still has tins of spices that are more than 40 years old because "use it up, wear it out...." That's where I get my packrat gene. But!! My other grandpa worked for the railroad so they moved alot and there is nothing left, no family heirlooms. It is very sad, so there is a place for keepsakes - so, find the balance somehow and remember that somewhere down the road someone will want to look at pictures of you/family/the olden days
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without" |
| yarnmamma |
Posted - Sep 30 2008 : 04:08:59 AM
Ohhhh those cleaning fairies...whereeee arrrreeee youuuuu????
Come to me, come to me....
Linda in Scranton, PA
farmgirl #71
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Yes! I live in the Scranton "The Office" is based on! LOL LOL
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| kissmekate |
Posted - Sep 29 2008 : 9:46:07 PM
WOW! 4800 dollars?????????? Amazing.
I think part of it with the older generation is that they survived the depression, BUT they also survived after that and WWII when the economy got rolling and the standard of living was much better.
I have an aunt who is a hoarder. She not only took over her own house, but took over her Mom's house, and it caused a huge family rift. That situation is finally on the long winding road to mending.
Helping move her "stuff" out of my Grandma's house, caused all of us ladies to go home and clean clean clean our own.
I can still pare down a lot more. now if I could just inspire the cleaning fairies to get moving, they have been derelict in their duties lately. ;P
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Sep 26 2008 : 5:37:10 PM
After cleaning out many of my elderly relatives home and coming to the realization the no one REALLY wanted their stuff, I decided I would not be like that, rather enjoying what I have. It really does become a burden to family members or friends when someone lives like that and then someone else become responsible for the mess. I think my Great Aunt was the worst. She had a 4 bedroom home that was completely re-done in the 1970's. The old stuff was ALL put in the basement. We went to move a dining room table and it literally desinigrated in our hands. We found over 25 trash bags of cards, all had to be gone through because we started finding money in some of the cards. We found..get ready...$4800 in cash..we donated it to her favorite local charity. I think we counted that we found 800 pie tins in the kitchen alone, she washed and saved. After 2 weeks on intensive cleaning and 4 dumpsters, we had to hire someone to help us. It was unbelievable and she had been widowed in 1960 and passed in 1998, so 1 person did all of that. I had to stop several times because I could not breath.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| Jami |
Posted - Sep 26 2008 : 1:28:42 PM
The mentioning of parents and hoarding got me to thinking about my parents. They are so funny. They sold their business and hit the road in an RV about 12 years ago, sold their house and everything! They had to buy a bigger 5th wheel trailer about midway through their "retirement" (I put that in quotes because my dad is 83 and is still working caretaking places and in campgrounds and such on their travels)..anyhow, they sold a lot of their stuff before they downsized to their trailer but they are just hoarders still even with their nomadic lifestyle. Their trailer is so packed full of stuff and so heavy...they have had to put 2 sets of new brakes on their dually pickup since they've had it! They are pulling a load, let me tell you! There is barely room to move around in their trailer and it's a beautiful one and roomy with slide-outs and such. They are depression era children and stuff has come to mean more to them than me, for instance. When the dire day comes when us kids have to clean out their things...it of course won't be that bad because it's a 37" trailer afterall, I'm sure we will be amazed at how much they have in there. They visited a while back and asked..."where's this and where's that?" about things I have recently given away or sold in my clean-out...they cannot get over that I just get rid of things and think one should keep everything forever. I told them I'm like a rolling stone...gather no moss.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/ |
| LouisvilleMom |
Posted - Sep 26 2008 : 12:36:36 PM
Yes I saw the hoarding show and so did my MIL. I am so surprised that she didn't see herself. Now they are not that bad but they are about halfway there. They have no friends that come over because the house is so bad. They lose important things among the crap which is sad. For example, my oldest son was blessed in the same outfit that his father was blessed in and now it has been missing for over 8 years because they cannot find it among all the important crap that they refuse to part with. Their problem is that they won't get rid of something because it was "really expensive" or "we might need it someday". I don't care what something costs monetarily if you are giving up your life to take care of it then is it worth it. The only time I have seen the house clean is when my husband, my brother-in-law or I have cleaned it and then it reverts right back. The front room is really clean because they spent like $20,000 for new furniture and threw everything else out (really). Did I mention they have no will despite all of us begging them to do so? When they pass there will be probate and taxes galore. UH!
SAHM mom to four great boys.
http://ksfarnsworth.blogspot.com/ |
| homemom |
Posted - Sep 26 2008 : 08:21:06 AM
Kathryn,
My family is not that bad but they do have some of the same tendencies. They are always buying. I actually went in their basement one day and took things for a yard sale and to throw out. My dad is a bigger hoarder than my mother and he was upset with me. I threw away my bike, with a banana seat, that they still had and he wanted to save it. I could tell you alot of stories. He is also 70 and still working.
My in-laws are another story I can't even get into.
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/ |
| Suzan |
Posted - Sep 26 2008 : 06:09:23 AM
Kathyrn, I feel for you because I went thru that scenario last year - my husband is an only child and his mother moved into an assisted living home, so we (I) had to clean out the house before we sold it. It took months and alot of hard work (and she lived 200 miles from us). That experience caused me to start cleaning out my own stuff so my kids never have to face that! Just going thru the stuff to keep what she wanted (which was a hard decision for her), keep what my husband and kids might want, where to store the stuff she wanted to keep but didn't have room at the home for, it's a huge task - for "stuff"! |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Sep 26 2008 : 05:52:58 AM
Karen- I saw that Oprah and I have relatives, actually a lot of relatives, that live that way. It is scary and a way I don't want to live.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Sep 26 2008 : 05:51:10 AM
Kathryn, did you see the Oprah show last season about hoarding? It sounds exactly like your in-laws. Peter Walsh, the organizer they worked with, had a line that I never forgot: "When everything is special, nothing is special." I think I'm going to post that to look at while I'm doing my own decluttering to keep me on track.
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311 |
| K-Falls Farmgirl |
Posted - Sep 25 2008 : 6:38:46 PM
Simple living is to me.. Getting in touch with the basics, Family friends and caring about our environment. Recycling thing we no longer need or use and becoming happy with where our life journey has led us. Count our Blessings, Stop swetting the small stuff and laughing at yourself. Most of all telling those people that are important to you that they are valued and recognise authenticity. I agree it is not an easy path to follow but I sure am trying.
Cheryl #309
Farm girl sister
Keep life simple, to Simply live. Life is too short to worry about it. |
| LouisvilleMom |
Posted - Sep 25 2008 : 6:20:14 PM
We keep so much unnecessary stuff and my fear is that I will end up like my in-laws. I cannot even begin to explain the amount of stuff they have. Someday I will really get into details (it is amazing) but suffice it to say their 3200 square foot house is crammed, they had an airplane hanger that was full (we found a 1932 Plymouth--they knew it was there but was unseen until after 3 hours of cleaning) and random storage units full. They might need it, it belonged to a relative so it is sentimental, I bought it abroad (I have tried to explain that foreign crap is still crap), etc, etc, etc. I DREAD the day when I will have to clean out that house. I spend two hours once cleaning off their back porch and threw away molding countertops that had been replaced four years prior. Ladies I literally threw away the kitchen sink. I did not get a thank you but I did get reprimanded for throwing out a crystal candy dish (I think it was from Wal-Mart 2- years ago) and a picture of my husbands dead uncle that was mixed in with some very old magazine that were being kept for a recipe or article.
If I ever think that our house is getting cluttered I think of that house and it scares me enough to start flinging stuff into the donate pile.
Did I mention that they have 50 boxes of solid wood flooring in the attic from almost 20 years ago and several pallets of new solid wood flooring that they bought 3 years ago. The best part is that they bought a very expensive (like over $5000) desk and told the guy that they had to get their old desk out to make room. The truth was that they needed to clean the whole office because you could barely open the door. That was last September of 2007. They wonder why at 70 he can't retire and why they are always short on cash. Gee I don't know.
SAHM mom to four great boys.
http://ksfarnsworth.blogspot.com/ |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Sep 25 2008 : 4:49:38 PM
Oooo, Alee, I like that "tucking" idea.
I was just gonna post "Hi, Alee. Love you." But then I read the rest of your e-mail and had to respond. So now I'm gonna say:
Good night, Alee. Love you.
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311 |
| Alee |
Posted - Sep 25 2008 : 4:01:05 PM
Karen- Yay! That is awesome! When we moved we had a huge garage sale and donated about 3 car loads worth of things to the Salvation Army. On top of that we filled our garbage cans several times and even took a load to the dump (and really should have taken two!)
Even still I feel like I have too much stuff. I am on the downsizing warpath as well. If it isn't a beloved item, necessary (for mental or physical well being) then I am going to seriously consider if it needs to be here or not. There are a few things that I just really enjoy- like my tea cup collection that is not going anywhere any time soon!
One thing I have started doing is tucking a few things in with ever box I send out to farmgirls. Just little things that are nice but that don't really have a home here anymore. It's a great way to hopefully find new homes for nice things. :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Sep 25 2008 : 3:36:31 PM
Kate, I read your post to my hubby. He loved it because he has said (too many times to count) he would just love to back a dump truck up to the house and shove it all in. I'm going to take your advice and just mindlessly pitch. The excess/replacable stuff won't be hard but the sentimental stuff will. However, I've decided on a criteria for that.
Our dream - mine especially - is to build on the 20 acres about a half mile down the road where my great-grandparents had their cabin. I told my hubby last week that we could always sell this house and fix up the pole barn enough to live in for awhile til the new house is built. So then I started looking at everything through the lens of "Is this important enough to move into the barn?" A lot of "I need this's" have become yard sale/donate/pitch items. One my rib relocates itself, I'm on the warpath!
Keep the posts coming, ladies. I need all the inspiration and accountability you can muster!!!
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311 |
| homemom |
Posted - Sep 25 2008 : 12:21:27 PM
The simple life is the best. It may mean that you have to work harder but you won't be bogged down with all the "things". I have found that it has been great to declutter. Less to clean and more time to spend here.l
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com/ |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Sep 25 2008 : 09:54:30 AM
Can I add some more 2 cents??? : )
I once attended a woman's workshop whose intention it was to make you realize your real true goals and dreams to come true. The simpliest question asked was "What type of lifestyle did you see yourself living as a child?" My answer was "Beach bum." A child's perspective tends to be true because they may carry their caregivers ideas but they are well known for calling it like it is and for their creativity. Not that I didn't want to work but I want to live in flip flops, shorts and tanks, eating seafood, riding my bike, swimming and living in a little cottage. Then I met hubby who had almost the exact dream in life- he dreamed of buying a small boat and sailing in warm seas, island to island, working as a handyman to make money. I think we are the sum of our good thoughts and we can "make" the life we want, as long as we do it with an intentional and good heart. So that is where we are focusing right now.
When I first got married, I moved in with hubby and then both of us left on deployment, both came back, we got pregnant and life was on fast forward for a L O N G time. I got to the point where I just couldn't keep up. It wasn't from having a new baby, hubby helped out where he could, we simple were very disorganized and cluttered and packed to the rims. Each time we have moved, we have sold off or just given away so much stuff. We are down to the basics now, with maybe 2 bins of stuff left to do something with. I wrote the date on them of when I packed them. If a year from now, we still have them, they are being donated. Life is too short!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
| Montrose Girl |
Posted - Sep 25 2008 : 09:27:44 AM
Books, oh I love books. Otherwise I have a small house and nottoo much stuff. (except canning jars as my mom reminds me) All the moves have kept me pretty thinned downed, but after reading here there are a few drawers that need a looking over. I have a box of old videos I keep meaning to send off to recycle and just haven't done yet. That needs to be nearer the top of my list. I'm not tv free, but I don't have cable, so I only get a few channels anyways. Simpler is also cleaner and I do like tidy.
Best Growing |
| 82kygal |
Posted - Sep 25 2008 : 06:00:28 AM
I agree with all you gals. I went through that this summer. My hubby deceided to remodel our house, in doing so, I had to move this here and there and back again. I learned exactly how much unneeded "stuff" I really had and how it stressed me that I had no place to put it. Once the rooms started getting finished I didn't want to ruin the look by putting all the "stuff" back into it. So started the major clean out. I too had a garage sale and have taken many trailer loads to the dump and good will. It really is cleansing to get rid of all the things that are not needed. It has also awaken me up to how much money I acctully spend unnessisarily. I looked at some of this stuff and said why did I think I needed that. Since coming to MaryJanes sight I have gotten back to the basics. I picked up my crocet hook I haven't touched in 20 years. I am going to sit down here in a little while and try to embrodery it has been at least 20 years, I started gardening and canning again. I feel more calm and more relaxed. I do have a ways to go but the progress is very refreshing. Simple is always better.
With God, all things are possible. (Mark 10:27)
What ever you are, be a good one. (Abe Lincoln) |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Sep 24 2008 : 6:18:19 PM
What flipped a switch for me was I had friends over, and my friend's guy said that I have lots of "stuff". Kinda the pot calling the kettle black, since she has a garage, two large storage rooms and a shed full of stuff. Most of which, she/they will probably never use.
So, I had my Dad back his trailer up to my back door and whatever I didn't donate, I chucked. It took almost six months and four trailer loads to the dump, plus the piles of stuff I donated, to get rid of it. Now it is more managable.
A lot of it, I just mindlessly got rid of-I didn't dwell on it, or think on it too long.
You are just thinking too hard about it. If you haven't used it for at least a year, get rid of it. and just so you know, that may need it someday excuse. I have only regretted throwing one thing out, and it wasn't expensive to replace.
If it is something odd or spendy, and smallish, and you have a place for it (key words there)-keep it.
For example, the drain snake I have that coils up-spendy? not really, but when you need something like that, you are glad you have it and made a place for it. Especially when your hardware store closes at six most nights, and Home Depot is 40 minutes away.
I still have some things I should get rid of. But now, I have the stuff in my house I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Plus it makes room for the new stuff that you LOVE LOVE LOVE, or NEED NEED NEED.
The one thing I am debating on is my breadmaker. My shoulders are bad, so kneading dough strikes fear and dread in me and my advil bottle. Bread is so expensive now, I may have to dig that out and start making my own. So for now it is tucked away in a spot waiting to learn its fate.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| LivingWell4You |
Posted - Sep 24 2008 : 06:45:01 AM
Heather, that cottage is so cute! And relaxing!
Rene, your post about saying yes when it isn't what's really right for you hit home with me. I've been working on that a lot the last few years and am much better. When I read that yesterday though I realized I'm in the wrong Bible study group at church so last night I switched from the Beth Moore group (which is wonderful and I do enjoy) to the Women of Praise group (where my heart is as I love praise music). It felt easy and comfortable to just slide right in there.
So many of you talk about how important decluttering (tangible and non-tangible things) is and that's one of my biggest problems. I want a lot of this stuff out but (1) I have trouble making decisions, (2) the "I might need it someday and don't want to have to buy another one" mindset is ingrained in me from my depression-era parents and (3) there's a lot of sentimental stuff mixed in with the junk and I'm afraid to just pitch a box without looking through it. I've been telling my husband I just need someone to sit with me and keep me on track while I go through things. I love the quote by William Morris: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." Decluttering for me is a long journey.
Having said that, what flipped the switch for you, Kate? And got any mind-shifting tips for me???
God bless -
Karen ~ Chickherder & Farmgirl Sister #311 |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Sep 23 2008 : 8:55:20 PM
I am with you Debbie. JOY is the key word to a simple life.
I have in the past five (or so) years pared down "stuff" from over flowing-almost borderline hording (okay, maybe not THAT bad) to a little cluttered ( I hate housework) but much happier life.
I have donated carloads of "stuff" I thought would make me happy. It was actually like an albatross around my neck. Each time I pare down the "stuff" the happier I become, even if it just a little bit I drop off at good will.
Of course not buying more stuff, I have more money too.
And I only buy something if I NEED it. Wanting something, I have to contemplate for a while before I buy it.
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| bushelnpeck |
Posted - Sep 23 2008 : 5:35:46 PM
Some of the things that come to mind about the simple life to me are, contendedness because of a life lived by the code of integrity, high on my list is living within ones means and if possible below ones means so you have some to share with others, it brings much peace. Stopping to make choices about what works and is important to us as a family versus what someone says should be important to us, and sticking with those choices. Taking time to know older people and listen to them and their lived wisdom. Being out in God's creation fills up my soul and fills me with praise and worship for the Creator...simple means quiet and purposeful living, looking on purpose for the joy...Debbie
Farmgirl Sister #324
duty makes us do things, but love, makes us do things beautifully... |
| Alee |
Posted - Sep 23 2008 : 2:34:07 PM
Our household is a strange mix. Both my husband and I are very techie when it comes to the computer, but we refuse to get a cell (except for a tracphone for emergencies). We have a MP3 player to listen to books on long car trips and during house cleaning, and my husband would be very sad without his fancy dancy TV. He is an avid sports fan and I think I would get served divorce papers if I suggested getting rid of it.
That being said, he likes to garden to some extent and he is really proud of my crafting and such. He actually really likes having me be a stay at home mom and wife.
We made do or do without on almost everything. We have very few splurges. This lifestyle was brought on by necessity but I plan on keeping it in place even after we are more financially stable. I think it is a great way to live if we have some saving set aside so we won't feel scared when the bills come in the mail! *LOL*
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our blog: www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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