| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 4:47:43 PM
I have done a LOT of reflection lately and downsizing, not just for my sanity but for the good of others, has really opened up my happiness bucket. Finding simplicity while being able to donate to others has really inspired me. While, yes, it I could sit outside all day and probably make $200 or so, I figure I rather get that back in karma and good will. I have been trying to listen to what others are in need of and was able to give Charlie's daycare a bag of toys and household items they could use. I have never been one to focus on money and even with the amount we make on military pay, we are ok and have plenty, just have to tighten the belt some weeks. I truly believe it all comes back around. 
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| 18 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jun 21 2009 : 4:15:37 PM
AWWW Thanks Marly!!! Something happened this past 2 weeks and it feels right!!! YEE HAW!!!
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| Bear5 |
Posted - Jun 21 2009 : 3:15:44 PM
Heather:
Your big heart is shining through all of your postings.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jun 21 2009 : 06:40:05 AM
YEAH!! This is the Farmgirl spirit!! YEE HAW!!!! I too am a neat freak and I love my house this way, though right now it is full of moving boxes but I guess that makes it easy to clean. : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| sonflowergurl |
Posted - Jun 21 2009 : 06:25:16 AM
I've been working on clearing out stuff lately too (also grew up with a hoarder mom, but not like that!!!), and I just want to declutter everything. I'm a neat freak, but hate to let go of things too. Anyway, I was going to try to sell a bunch of stuff on Craigslist awhile back when a lady on FreeCycle asked for a couple of baby items that I was going to sell. I offered them to her, and in the midst of our email conversations found out that she had been on bed rest for months prior to her baby's birth, and was still on bed rest afterward too for the most part, so she had no money to get stuff that she wanted/needed for him. I cleaned out everything I wasn't using for Thad (who was about 7 months at the time) and gave it all to her. She was SO grateful, and to think I could've made some money on it that I really could use right now, I felt much better to help someone who was in need! It's definitely a great feeling!
Katee
A life without love is like a year without summer.
"Looking Toward the Son" http://sonflowergirl731.blogspot.com
Family Bolt http://theboltfamily.blogspot.com
Katee Did It
http://kateedidkreations.blogspot.com
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| peapicker |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 8:05:39 PM
I've been trying to get some boxes ready for the salvation army here and now you all have inspired me to get it done. Too much materialism clutters up life for sure.
Sharlet |
| babysmama |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 7:57:47 PM
I just donated a box at Goodwill today thanks to this post! I, too, want to pair things down around here and though I wouldn't consider myself too materalistic (we rarely have anything new or in style! lol) we do just have too much stuff! I've tried to always help out others by donating to Goodwill, our local charity shop, or the clothes closet at the church and donating food to the food pantry. It's nice to have a reminder to look around our house and see what we don't need and to give it to someone who can use it.
-Elizabeth |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 08:07:55 AM
Elizabeth,I will be there with spurs on!!! YEE HAW!!! 
I have never been a collector or attached to stuff. It is very rare that I would throw a fit if someone just needed something and I could spare it. I think it comes from living with hoarders and HEARING them say they always want to help others but they just don't have enough themselves. Crazy, I know...but that is how it was!!!
When I was 20, I moved back into my folks house while I was waiting to leave for the Navy. My mom couldn't wait to hoard all my stuff, as obviously I couldn't take it with me to bootcamp. I had about half a garage full of stuff from my apartment. 4 weeks before I left, my parents went out of town and I had a yardsale. I made $800 and sold 90% of what I had. The rest I donated. My mom just about had a meltdown over stuff that wasn't hers to begin with. To get "revenge" when I left, I had left 2 bins of clothing behind and 1 bin with personal items. She and my sister split up the clothes among themselves and took 2 silver picture frames and some vintage items. I was left with my bear, some pictures, a small wooden chair and some jewelry. I never said a word and they never said a thing and I thought that was absolutely awful to do to someone. I vowed from there on out never to place emphasis on material things again. Ok..that is my rant...anywho...off to donate 2 more bags. Going to let Charlie carry them in so he learns.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| babysmama |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 07:47:00 AM
Yay for Heather! Now can you come over to my house and help me clear it out?!
-Elizabeth |
| dutchy |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 07:34:27 AM
That is great Heather, I bet the daycare was very happy with the toys :)
Yes Phyllis, I believe so too. People who don't have as much as the "best" givers, from the heart and not from the wallet :)
Hugs from Marian/Dutchy, a farmgirl from the Netherlands :)
My personal blog:
http://just-me-a-dutch-girl.blogspot.com/
Almost daily updates on me and mine :)
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| Tn.Earthmama |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 07:26:37 AM
Heather you are a girl after my own heart, you go girl!!!! I think there are a lot of us looking to simplify and help those with less that we have. I find that folks that don't have a lot, are usually the most generous. funny how that works. Hugs Phyllis |
| paradiseplantation |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 05:52:12 AM
Way to go, Heather! I know how you feel. Not only do you get the warm fuzzies from what you've done, but a clean house, to boot!
from the hearts of paradise... |
| kissmekate |
Posted - Jun 20 2009 : 12:19:18 AM
Well said Heather. I wish I had figured this out years and years ago!!!
Don't miss out on a blessing, just because it isn't packaged the way you expected. ~MaryJo Copeland |
| lilwing |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 11:13:41 PM
(and wow! My last post was 700! LOL. Ahem. Sorry. Back on track now!)
~~~~
http://nightbirdtrading.etsy.com
http://www.stevietribute.com |
| lilwing |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 11:12:17 PM
I'm really starting to feel this way as well. Every time I go to the post office for the bartering I do here in this forum, I get a sense of giddyness at sending the stuff of to the other girls.. It really makes my day in the hopes that they love the stuff that is just literally sitting in my house doing nothing... so it's being hopefully loved by someone else!! The postage is worth it!
~~~~
http://nightbirdtrading.etsy.com
http://www.stevietribute.com |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 5:44:18 PM
Heather, you are a Gal after My own heart. I always try to help out people as much as I can, it makes me feel so warm and fuzzy. I will post another time on some of my helping I do.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 5:14:09 PM
Same to you Teresa!!! (((HUGS)))
I have had this drive to be more...oh...I don't have a word...earthly..loving..compasionate...back to basics I guess would describe it best. The "stuff" was getting in the way and though I am VERY thankful that I can walk into a store and buy as I wish, within means, I don't have that desire. I am finding contentment with a small closetful of clothing, all pretty and just right. I discovered the joy of repainting or repurposing items and seeing them for their single beauty and not all cluttered and bunched up. I can now spend a hour playing on the floor with Charlie because I am not behind in chores. It takes me a ***SNAP*** to clean the house and tidy up and I expect the same in Kentucky. I was behind a woman in Walmart with 3 kiddos, all without shoes and a bit dirtied up, she looked VERY tired and worn down and I just smiled at all her kiddos and they waived back and laughed. She turned around and I told her what darling kids she had. She smiled and blushed. She was trying to cash her welfare check and the line was impatient to say the least. I am not saying this to gloat but I think no one had looked that perty gal in the eye in a long time. That made me feel good. Maybe it will help her get through the next day or even moment and that is pretty good.
We just want to get out of debt by next summer so that monkey is off our backs and I want to graduate but suddenly, I am not in such a hurry and it feel good.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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| 1930sgirl |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 5:09:17 PM
That's wonderful, Heather!
I have been doing the same thing this spring. Feels great doesn't it?!
There are so many more blessings in this life than money. We have never had a lot of money and we really don't care if we ever do. Happiness is not about how much "stuff" we have...it's the relationships...the bond with others that is important. We are so blessed, and want to pass on our blessings to others.
Joyce |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Jun 19 2009 : 5:01:48 PM
God bless you
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
