| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Feb 22 2007 : 10:29:25 AM
I am so excited that we are moving back to Texas in less than 2 years. As you can see by my postings, I am making preparations. What I am finding is that I really want to get back to basics. I sooooooo could do without technology (I HATE my cell phone, the computer is used for email, checking out my favorite 2 or 3 sites along with referencing things and right now, for my online classes) I do love my digital camera because it is just so much easier. On the other hand, I want to make things as simple as possible. Easy food to grow, store and prepare. I find when I have too many choices, I just can't make up my mind. Clothing- I work in the medical field so scrubs make it easy and my at home clothes are jeans, flip flops, boots, t-shirts, love my fleece. I have gotten rid of most of the gadgets around the house that I just don't use. I had this HUGE griddle thingy that was so heavy, I hated using it because it was a pain to lift and clean in the sink. I am not going to replace the microwave once it dies. I rarely use it. I rather heat it up in an old pan.
My dream is to get back to the way of life my Nanna and Papa lived. Simple, country living. Not a fancy house, but always impeccable. My Nanna like a clean house without a lot of stuff.
I do plan on building a greenhouse, letting my son(and me  )keep some rabbits, joining 4H or something similiar in Texas, canning what food I do grow for use year around. I want us to eat as healthy as possible.
I also plan on having a clothesline. We just bought a new washer and dryer but I want to use it less.
My concept for my kitchen is to keep it open with shelves for my dishes/glasswear/odds and ends of things. Closed cabinets below for pots and things. I want lots of windows.
Just thought I would share my dream. |
| 16 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Past Blessings |
Posted - Mar 01 2007 : 10:39:39 AM
I too am wanting to get back to basics . . . too many activities, too many things, too many distractions. I am parring down. It is funny how our first house had tiny three foot closets we didn't fill and now our 2.5 times bigger home is busting at the seems and our walk in closets are bulging. Time for a major diet around her. I have been turning off the TV and really enjoying good reading and good country gospel music. Now if I could just let lose of my computer addiction! LOL!
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Mar 01 2007 : 10:29:54 AM
TAWANDA!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! That gave me a good chuckle.....
I look forward to simplifying my life as much as possible and slowing down when I am doing the things I love to do and get more time and enjoyment out of it.
The major decluttering I have done already is so wonderful. I now just have to put the house back together with what I love and polish it off. One thing I hate in renting, can't paint!!! : (
Anywho....nice to hear other's dreams!!!! |
| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Mar 01 2007 : 05:17:14 AM
momjolly, everyone was laughing at me because I wanted to use humane traps & said they will only come back. Well they havent & I feel good using humane traps. I watch very carefully now.
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
| Libbie |
Posted - Feb 28 2007 : 10:43:02 PM
It's so nice to hear what all of you are doing to simplify, pare down and enjoy the truly GOOD things - a clean clear house (or 5th wheel!) does wonders for the soul, if you're anything like me. Right now, I'm trying to get this ol' farmhouse back into shape for summer, so I can be outside doing the "farmy" thing instead of inside, like in winter, doing the "housy" thing. As of tonight, the kitchen and bathroom are finished - and now, on to...any other room in the whole house except the mudroom, which, right now, is just that - a MUD room. Yuck.
catscharm74, I love your dream. It's one of mine, too.
TAWANDA!!! (hee hee)
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
| momjolly |
Posted - Feb 28 2007 : 4:19:19 PM
Michele - a couple of winters ago I trapped 30 deer mice in my kitchen over the course of the winter months in cute little Have-a-Heart traps baited with peanut butter. No sooner would we clean up and turn out the lights, we would hear the door clank shut! I released every one of them out in the woods in a big brush pile, hoping the families could stay together, but also hoping to help the hawks and owls with their meal quests. Haven't seen a sign of them in the house since, but maybe it's time to be a little more aware! |
| bohemiangel |
Posted - Feb 28 2007 : 10:44:49 AM
Sounds great to me! I've been away from the forums for a bit due to grad courses. I am happy to say I am spending less money and am happier! Trying to get rid of stuff myself. Simple is sooo nice! :) Can't wait to hear more. HUGS
"... to thine ownself be true." |
| goneriding |
Posted - Feb 28 2007 : 07:21:57 AM
Congrats on going back to the simple life. I have actually lived in a teepee and we didn't have TV but did have a generator. It was a no-tech brand of living. Very quiet as we lived 23 miles from town but since we were so far out, some of the neighbors (I say neighbors but they were really miles away) thought they could be pills and the sheriff wouldn't do anything. Come to find out, that area was where the silent witnesses from the courts were 'put' and they pretty much had free rein. So be sure to check out who your neighbors are and if you are willing to defend your property on your own. Other than that, which subsided once they realized they coulnd't intimidate us, it was really nice and peaceful.
I've been simplifying for quite some time now and that's why we bought the 5th wheel and going for the easy life. I like a Low tech brand of living tho, not no-tech. In the last 5 years I've really aimed for the easiest way to do things, no or the least amount of stress.
Happy Trails :-)
Don't sweat the small stuff...
http://goneridingagain.bravehost.com |
| gregs_lil_farmgirl |
Posted - Feb 26 2007 : 10:55:09 AM
I have felt like I was born at wrong time. I have no microwave, no tv, and have become completly self-sufficient...ok..90%. Gasoline will probably be the only thing that ever prevents this for us...as long as we have it. but we grow, store, raise and sell all of our own food. I make our clothes, blankets and such. It is very liberating to know that I am not dependent on retail. I can live simply and cheap.. about 300$/month pays all expenses, most months. We are getting ready to put in wood cookstove which is the last step to needing electricity or fuel. We will still have electricity..but will not be dependent.
And who would've thought... I was born and raised in a big city and very dependant. I am enjoying my life back to basics. I am proud of and feel a certain kindredship to anyone who is trying this.I tip my hat to you.
-Simple pleasures make my heart smile- |
| westernhorse51 |
Posted - Feb 26 2007 : 10:49:20 AM
I was cleaning out my kitchen cabinets last night & found a MOUSE! He was sleeping (I guess) in a drawer w/ lots of warm pot holders. I didn't realize it cause I don't need to go in therer all that often. What a mess I found! Anyway we had humane traps (yes, I know im crazy) and I had my husband take him to work w/ him this am to drop in the woods. Cute little guy but I don't want him in my house!! 
she selects wool and flax and works with eager hands Prov.31:13 |
| shelle |
Posted - Feb 26 2007 : 09:41:11 AM
I agree with Valerie. If you have a good sized pantry to put your food items then you could make it work ok. I hadnt thought about the mismatching dishes being a problem. I can see it wouldnt be too pretty with mismatched items and plastic dishes that we accumulate.
Shelle
http://janzenfamilyjournal.blogspot.com/ |
| akcowgirl |
Posted - Feb 23 2007 : 08:26:06 AM
I am doing about the same thing as we are also looking for a new house with more property. I took 3 garbage bags full of clothes out of my closet abd there is still soooooo many clothes in there.
quote:
Originally posted by catscharm74
My concept for my kitchen is to keep it open with shelves for my dishes/glasswear/odds and ends of things. Closed cabinets below for pots and things. I want lots of windows.
Just thought I would share my dream.
Be absolulty sure you want to do this before hand. I had the same thing for a while and hated it. It looks really good if all the dishes are the same and you have the same amount of everything. you know 4 plates. 4 cups, 4 bowl and so on. but after life happens for a while and you break a plate it no longer looks good. also think about where you are going to have food storage. i don't have a pantry and food storage cupboards with no door look really messy IMHO
Valerie
Yes, I live in my own little world. But that's ok they know me here.
Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
 |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Feb 22 2007 : 3:04:59 PM
forgot to mention..I cleared out 8-9 garabage bag fulls of toys and clothes! Land sakes..where did they keep it all??? as the room wasn't that messy...but once I got started on the cleaning bug..it was fun..haha!..yeah..my kids still have toys...and clothes to wear..just not as much.
Next stop is the linen closet, then the master bedroom and bathroom, then on through the house.
TAWANDA!
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Feb 22 2007 : 3:02:31 PM
oh gosh..I have been doing major purge out of my kids rooms both yesterday and today...land sakes! feels so good to start clearing out things..although I routinely do a purge of the house..usually every 6 months.
This time around I am purging out because we are looking towards relocating soon. To Georgia.
We really want a couple acres..a quieter way of life..and to be able to have a few animals..let the kids get involved in 4-H, and to also grow alot of our own food...and have chickens, etc.
Plus I aim to get set up on growing our food with hydroponic gardening system when we get our new home/land.
So looking forward to the country way of life again!
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~ |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Feb 22 2007 : 12:53:56 PM
Maybe we were Simpler?? HAHAHA!!! I so can't wait to move....just getting ready and I am sooooooooooooo excited.
By the way, DH and I both went to our Navy schools in VA beach. It is where we met. It is a lovely place. Hope to someday go back and visit. |
| simpler1773 |
Posted - Feb 22 2007 : 12:28:06 PM
Are you sure we weren't seperated at birth?!
We just put our microwave out in the garage a few days ago, decided we aren't going to use it anymore. We've been downsizing everything! The T.V. is next to go (hubby just wants to finish watching his Highlander series we netflixed). I can feel the peace just oozing into the house as the clutter is escorted out the door.
Good luck with your dream, it's such a wonderful process :)
~Ricki~
You can't pour anything out of an empty vessel, take care of yourself! |
| vintagechica |
Posted - Feb 22 2007 : 12:09:06 PM
I am so with you here. Moving to WI has been a perfect opportunity for me to "get back to basics" as well. I plan on taking everything I have learned with me when we move to Va. Beach in June. Nothing like a good move to provide the opportunity to clean house and discard unwanted things. Good luck to you!!!
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A sure way to avoid housework...live outdoors.
Visit me anytime at my blog:
www.vintagechica.typepad.com |
