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Across the Fence:  i think i'm entering a NEW CHAPTER in my book ...  |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
 Posted - Aug 04 2008 : 5:28:48 PM
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of LIFE! i'm looking around at all the 'treasures' that i've had to pile up for this painting job .. and i'm honestly wondering if i want to still do 'the antiques biznezz' much longer! gosh .. i've done this for about 35 years now .. and while i will surely stop now and then to come across a special prize .. i don't think i have the 'passion' for it that i have had in the past. there is soooooo much to do still in life .. and at the top of my list is having adventures with our family, children, grandes, friends and each other -- and lots more travelling to see the country and the world .. ohhhh .. and i still love makin' dollies .. and haven't even done that in a few months now. TIME TIME TIME .. if i could only give up sleeping!!! i swaneeeee .. i'm gonna' mark stuff jus' a few dollars so that it can go to a happy home. wish ya'll could all come visit and help me go through it all! oh lordy! that 'schoolhouse'!!!! i can't even remember what is in there anymore! soooooo .. most of it couldn't be all that important to me now i don't think.
i dont' want to clean and caretake STUFF so much anymore!
this is all so exciting .. and lordy! my gurlz will be happy .. cuz' i know there is much too much stuff to leave to them. (NOW HONIES!!! i ain't goin' "NOPLACE" anytime soon .. i figger i have at least another good hundred years in me!!!
i'm happy and excited about this 'new chapter'!!! xoxo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2008 : 5:39:40 PM
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Oh, Frannie dear I know what you mean...I figure it took me 50 years to gather up all this STUFF and it will take me another 50 to get rid of it all! And my kids are the same way...they worry they're going to get stuck with clearing it all out and none of them have the room for it! LOL! And I must admit I would hate to leave them with all this mess and stuff so I'm "cleanin and clearin" and I may have a few sales an/or call up some antique dealers I know to sell some to them. Anyway...you're SO right....it's time to enjoy live not be a slave to it! You go GIrl!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226 |
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bushelnpeck
True Blue Farmgirl
262 Posts
Debbie
Sparks
Nv
USA
262 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2008 : 6:46:19 PM
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hello Frannie, over the past few years i have been paring down. i got tired of cleaning stuff, finding a place to store it, and now i can enjoy looking at it when i am out, but i don't feel like i have to own it. it really is a freedom, especially if you want to spend your time with family. i only bring stuff home very rarely, i kept my most favorite things and let the rest go. my kids and friends can enjoy it and do as they please with it. i rotate things for the seasons and i still enjoy that, now i try to use things in a new way and challenge myself to be creative. if something comes in something goes out. i love the clean lines of your newly decorated porches, they look fresh and inviting. it's ok to be in the paring down place, you can enjoy from a different point of view. Debbie
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all
Emily Dickenson |
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StarMeadow
True Blue Farmgirl
940 Posts
T
MI
940 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2008 : 7:50:10 PM
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When you put all that "stuff" back on the walls, put a little sticker on it with who you would like it to go to. May take the pressure off your girls a little, of course you could give it to them now and let them store it!  A friend of my mother's did that with all her paintings and fancy stuff. Mostly, the tags all said "a gift to ---" with the date. At that time there was a hefty "inheritance" tax in CA (don't know if there still is) so she avoided having to have them pay for items they got from her. My step-mother and her sibs went so far as to "buy" their mother's house and let her "live" there for 1$ a month in rent (or something like that). -- I say if you love making dolls and haven't made one in several month...make dolls! (you are so good at it!) |
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CountryBorn
True Blue Farmgirl
1545 Posts
Mary Jane
New York
USA
1545 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2008 : 7:54:25 PM
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Frannie, I am so in the same frame of mind!! We have been redecorating here and I am going through things as we go. I have boxes I am getting rid of and I feel the same way you do! I just want a change. Believe me my house will never be bare by any means, but it is for sure getting weeded out and pared down. We are just finishing up the master bedroom and I am so pleased with alot of the extras being gone now. I love stuff, but I don't really want all the extra cleaning. I like to GO now and enjoy ourselves,with each other,the kids and grandkids and our friends. I really enjoy it so much. I am going to go through the whole house and get rid of a lot of extra stuff that I haven't even looked at in goodness knows how long. Why keep it, I figure let someone else love it now.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
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Back Home Again
True Blue Farmgirl
584 Posts
Audrey
Albuquerque
New Mexico
USA
584 Posts |
Posted - Aug 04 2008 : 9:50:57 PM
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AMAZING Frannie!!!.....We definately need to get together again one day and compare life notes cause you and I are definately much alike!! As I mentioned a while ago on another thread....I had an antique business for a LONG time and a couple of years ago got to where you seem to be right now. And I too, like you, really still enjoy making my dollies and bears and sock monkeys and aprons but I was just ready to NOT do the Business anymore. We have the things in our home we really love and we still enjoy browsing antique stores when we are traveling or going to an antique auction every now and then .....but now it is FUN to just look and browse and find SPECIAL things for ourselves!! And...like you also Frannie, my hubby and I want to have more time to travel and go boating and enjoy the next part of the Life Course! As I said for my Book Title on myself.....We've Only Just Begun!!! And I too feel I have at least another hundred FUNFILLED years to go!!!
Until Later,
Audrey
~ Side by side or miles apart....dear friends are always close to the heart ~ |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 05:24:54 AM
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sandra .. a cute story ... a woman once told me that she doesn't mind leaving behind a mess .. she said:
'I CLEANED UP AFTER MY KIDS ALL THEIR LIFE .. NOW IT WILL BE THEIR TURN TO CLEAN UP AFTER ME!'
HA! actually, she told me that she had cleared out most of the 'junque' in her life and what she is leaving is things she wants her children to see .. to get to know her .. the part of a mother that a child never fully knows.
hey .. remember when the children found the diary of the woman ... The Bridges of Madison County?
ha! think i might leave one of those too.
but HEY! i've decided NOT to go .. i'm STAYIN'!! xo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 05:27:42 AM
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Debbie .. that's jus' how i'm feeling. . i do not regret for a moment each and every little doo-dah i've collected over the years .. it's just in these FREEDOM years .. like you said .. less dustin' and cleanin' and 'responsibility' to things.
OHHH honey .. by most women's standards .. they are going to still think i am a 'pack-rat' .. cuz' there are rooms that i jus' have to overflow with special things .. and i got a LOT of special things! but to me .. it will indeed be 'paring down'.
ha! probably won't stop me from going on antiquing frenzies from time to time though! xo
oh lordy .. it's more the 'paper' and 'crafting' supplies that are burying me! xo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 05:30:16 AM
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Star ... i've always told my daughters that when they see something in my home that they want eventually .. i want them to take it NOW .. enjoy it NOW while i can see them enjoying it. the only 'things' i can't give up NOW .. are THEIR childhood memory things that i love to touch and hold close to me .. gifts they have made for me over the years .. their school papers. neither daughter is into the 'primitive' like i am .. soooo .. i've told them to SELL it all someday and take a wonderous vacation together.
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 05:32:49 AM
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Mary Jane .. that is EXACTLY how i feel .. and like i said above .. this home will be no 'minimalist' .. that's for sure .. but to me .. i will know it is 'less'. yep! goin' and doin' is what i want even more time for!
even honey hunk has put down that protective cover thingie in all the gardens to help keep down the weeding .. we LOVE our gardens .. but don't want to be out in the hot sun so much weeding!
we've always been on the GO .. but now we jus' want to NOT have so much 'housework' to do. xo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 05:39:47 AM
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ohhhhhh audrey ... ZACKLY! ZACKLY! ZACKLY! (kindred sisters are we) ha! even with that little burn pile and 'stuff' ready for glovers' station .. i feel 'lighter' .. but i AM ancie to put lotsa' my treasures back in their little spots after the painting is done. i want to mostly keep very special things and things that i USE.
i have always used my 'good stuff' .. i remember when i was in my early twenties .. when i would visit my beautiful, elegant cousin, margaret .. she never had paper or plastic stuff in her house .. (she did NOT have children though!!!) i remember the day i changed to her philosophy ... i wanted a drink of water .. and took a beautiful hand-eteched glass from her cabinet (that's all she had in there .. beautiful good quality glassware .. china .. etc. etc.) i asked her if she didn't have something less fragile for me to drink water from. she smiled and told me that she always uses things that make her happy .. even to get a drink of water from. she said life is too short to use plastic when there is crystal to be used.
ha .. kinda' like a funny saying i once heard .. "life is too short to drink beer .. when there is wine".
well .. needless to say .. i had kids .. and i do use plastic from time to time. but i do use my best primitive silverware, pottery, baskets and such on a daily basis.
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Lainey
True Blue Farmgirl
2401 Posts
Elaine
Waco
Kentucky
USA
2401 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 05:55:00 AM
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When we first moved in our house over 4 years ago I thought I would never fill the rooms up. My house is not that big, we just had moved from an apartment. Now I am considering adding on to our house because I have several rooms just piled up with...stuff. I can't seem to throw anything away and my husband is just like me. I can get attached to just about everything. It's so hard deciding on what things to let go.
Farmgirl Sister #25
http://countrygirldreams.blogspot.com/ |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 06:06:35 AM
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lainey .. it sure is gurlfren .. i think that's why we accumulate so much! once we have 'memories' attached .. it is so hard to release. i once read that one solution to this is to TAKE A PHOTO of it .. and write a story of it .. that way we don't need to keep so many items .. we will have the pictures and stories for our memory bank. (i do plan on doing this someday with all my things ... of course, some of the 'things' will stay too .. but how wonderful to have a 'record' of what/when/how/where/why we collected what we collect. xo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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elphie0503
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Samantha
Gilmer
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 06:54:34 AM
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I am at the opposite end of the spectrum...we just bought our cabin, and I want to "Stuff" it up soooo badly! My Marmie says to give it time, that it will get there...but she also said about the time that I have it just the way I want it, my style will change and so will the Stuff!
Oh well...fun is as fun does.
Samantha
www.elphie0503.blogspot.com
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort~~Albright
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dkelewae
True Blue Farmgirl
1310 Posts
Diana
Saint Peters
MO
USA
1310 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 07:09:43 AM
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I've been finding that the more stuff we accumulate the more it starts to overun our lives. We have to store it, clean it, move it. When we do a purge we have to sort it, pack it, pitch it, sell it, give it away, etc. And of course there's all the emotional baggage and fretting over all that stuff when deciding what to pack, pitch, etc. We have to guard it against theft and damage. I'm looking forward to the day when I'm no longer a slave to all my stuff!...It's just too exhausting!..LOL!
Diana
Farmgirl Sister #272
St. Peters MO
Country Girl trapped in the city! |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 07:51:01 AM
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samantha ..i found what your marmie (i ADORE that word .. is that your mom?) said is soooooo true .. however, when you get to the ONE that STEALS your heart .. you will probably stick with it. i went through all the 'trendy' up-to-date .. latest fad styles until moved to colorado and fell in love with PRIMITIVE .. have never ever wanted any other style since then. you'll know when it hits you darlin'! xo and you are soooo right .. it is FUN to try out different styles in our lifetime. xo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 07:52:52 AM
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ha! diana .. that can be soooooooo true .. but i must admit .. it fills my heart with joy to sit in a quiet little spot and glance up and see something that brings smiles ... and sweet memories back to me ... ha! maybe i don't need so MANY smiles.
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 09:27:11 AM
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| My kids are 49,50 and 51. I have started letting go of stuff. For my daughter's b'day, I gave her the tiny dress, shoes an blanket that she wore home from the hospital when she was born. I also gave her the little beaded bracelet and a copy of the hospital bill. $75!!!!! Middle kid's b'day is comming up next week, he gets his home from the hospital goodies. |
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Past Blessings
True Blue Farmgirl
1083 Posts
Brenda
Orchard Prairie
WA
USA
1083 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 09:35:51 AM
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Hi Frannie,
It seems so many of us Farmgirls are in the same frame of mind. I just posted about being "overcome by stuff" in another thread and I just closed my antique store. I have really spent the last few months evaluating things and trying to figure out what is important to me and what I want to be "when I grow up!" At 45, me thinks I should probably start deciding! LOL! Part of the Farmgirl spirit, while very creative, is also living a life of peace and simplicity, so I think we have to find a balance with our activities and passions. I find myself "abnormally attached" to some of my antiques . . . finding they lead me to day dreams of a gentler time. This is what inspired Past Blessings in the first place . . . returning to the blessings and inspirations of the past. So I guess, for me in this journey, I am still learning how to walk the tight rope of simplicity while balancing all the things I love and hate to give up. Not a simple task for me!!
Hugs & blessings,
Brenda
Past Blessings . . . Celebrating Life as it used to be . . . when people loved God, loved their families and loved their country. |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 11:27:59 AM
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I thought it was just me......
Don't get me wrong I love the cherished items I have collected but for the past three years I have slowly been destashing. There is a part of me who just wants her toothbrush, spinning wheel and out the door I go. What seems to be my biggest hurdle is to decide weather to stay on the farm - I work way too hard by myself - I love every moment but one person does not need three bedrooms. I think I will take a nap and hope inspiration hits me - I had not trouble making the move here but I am not sure if I want to leave.....
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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elphie0503
True Blue Farmgirl
500 Posts
Samantha
Gilmer
Texas
USA
500 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 2:48:49 PM
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Yeppers...that's my mom...Little Women is one of my most favorite novels, and that is what the girls call their mother--tried it out one day and it just stuck!
quote:
Originally posted by CabinCreek-Kentucky
samantha ..i found what your marmie (i ADORE that word .. is that your mom?) said is soooooo true .. however, when you get to the ONE that STEALS your heart .. you will probably stick with it. i went through all the 'trendy' up-to-date .. latest fad styles until moved to colorado and fell in love with PRIMITIVE .. have never ever wanted any other style since then. you'll know when it hits you darlin'! xo and you are soooo right .. it is FUN to try out different styles in our lifetime. xo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
Samantha
www.elphie0503.blogspot.com
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort~~Albright
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 4:22:04 PM
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ohhh belle .. now THOSE are the 'keepers' until i die stuff .. i do believe my children's things are the most precious to me! (i think i have every pair of shoes they ever wore and every school paper they ever brought home!) i hope to someday go through those and let them pick and choose what they would like to keep or toss. (of course, they would be adding this to all the same things from their own children!) xo
what a SWEET GIFT you are giving! xo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 4:26:28 PM
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oh brenda .. it is indeed difficult to physically 'part with' PAST BLESSINGS. it seems all my most treasured treasures have a sweet story attached to them .. HA! but then .. i have lots of other stuff i've accumulated along the way .. that i just liked and therefore, purchased. lots of those i am releasing for someone else to enjoy.
i have to admit though . .that i am not sure that i personally (for me) equate peace and tranquility with owning less. peace floods over me when i look at or hold so many of the things i have in my home. and i have gotten rid of some things that just seem to leave a little hole in my soul.
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
Posted - Aug 05 2008 : 4:28:16 PM
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grace .. so many of my friends seem to be 'whittling down' .. perhaps it is because they are 'of my age' .. and that is just a natural thing to do for some people. honey-pie .. you will figger out just what it is you want .. and when it comes to you .. jus' make a plan and go for it! xoxo
True Friends * KENTUCKY FRANNIE
adopt a 'rag-chile'
http://sistermercysfoundlinhome.blogspot.com
treasures .. new and olde .. http://mudpiemanormercantile.blogspot.com
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CabinCreek-Kentucky
True Blue Farmgirl
8529 Posts
Frannie
Green County
Kentucky
USA
8529 Posts |
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Across the Fence: i think i'm entering a NEW CHAPTER in my book ... |
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i think i'm entering a NEW CHAPTER in my book ...
