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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Sept 25 2012 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
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Oh I'm sure it does Lindsay.. I have whole boxes of winter boots and heavy snowgear and long underwear that people in other places just don't need. And not only winter gear. Because we do swim team I have a tote with just towels for the pool. If I keep them out all year not only do I then have too many towels to keep up with but they get worn out much faster. And what other things you do.. do you need rain boots? do you need hiking boots? these are all things that might be ok not to have for the occational event but when it's all the time it makes a positive difference to have them.
And then the individual kids. Some kids just always get stuff on their clothes and if you want them looking decent they have to change before you leave the house or at least every day.. can't get away with two days of wear on the same pair of jeans with these kids..
And then your own schedule.. if you can be sure you'll be able to get enough laundry done every 3 days.. you can have less than if you hope to be able to get to the laundry each week.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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Barb.b
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| Posted: Sept 25 2012 at 4:41pm | IP Logged
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Sorry! Down in Texas here! Sometimes we Texans need a reality check on how much snow stuff others need!
Barb
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Sept 25 2012 at 5:50pm | IP Logged
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Barb.b wrote:
Sorry! Down in Texas here! Sometimes we Texans need a reality check on how much snow stuff others need!
Barb |
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 I grew up in Alabama. Moving to the NE was definitely an adjustment. There was a whole learning curve in footwear and coats and learning that you could wear wool comfortably and that scarves and hats were not merely vanity accesories 
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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drmommy
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| Posted: Sept 25 2012 at 10:52pm | IP Logged
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Ladies, I just had to jump in here.
First of all, I wasn't always so simplified. When my Mom died 8 years ago (she lived alone), my sister and I walked into her little home, and my jaw dropped. It was SO weird that there was so much "stuff"! You truly cannot take it with you. Knick-knacks, clothes bursting from her closet and drawers, and just an overflow of everything. It was an eyeopener for me. Actually, a shocker, as my sister and I just gave away or threw away mostly everything. I thought, what a waste of money, energy and time.
I went home and just started cleaning, throwing out and giving away. It took a LONG time, as I was holding on to "things" and memories. Then, I realized that the memories are in my heart and mind, not in things. It has been 8 years now, and my life is truly free and less stressful. I was pretty hard core about it, and threw out needless pictures, my yearbooks (my children were only interested in me, so I cut out those pics), extra linens, clothing, toys, everything. The toys were hard, because I bought most of them! China, silver, and crystal are gone. I had to detach from the "things" and slowly work on simplifying. We do not follow fashions, so that helped with the clothing decisions! We now have empty cupboards and drawers, and believe me, it is so freeing. After that, I worked on our schedules. Running around meant less time for prayer and reflection..which means less peace! It took a LONG time to come to this, but the happiness and peace in the family and in our schedules are amazing.
Reading the book, "Happy Are You Poor" by Fr. Thomas Dubay was also life changing. It helped me to get our priorities straight for our family. I grew up in a very materialistic and consumeristic household, and I did not want my children to be involved in that kind of lifestyle, as it really is not conducive to the spiritual life. It is so nice to have weekends relatively free to do fun outdoor hikes with my family, or just go to the beach.
The biggest hurdle has been books. I had to get real with myself, and ask, if I EVER was truly going to read that book again. So, I gave half of my books away, about half of the DVDs, and nearly all of my CDs. I keep my Catholic classics of books and DVDs, but the fictional reading moved on to better homes.
I just want to encourage those who want to simplify to GO FOR IT! Just keep plugging along, getting encouragement from blogs (if needed), and lots of prayer. I have more time for spiritual reading, Mass 3 weekday mornings, walking, discussions with my teens and children, and being present to my husband. The benefits are amazing, and we are so much happier. It is hard work, but definitely worth it. Having no TV is the best, and that actually was my husband's decision (and he used to be a sports nut)! I was dying at first, as I loved the home shows, but really, I was wasting time.
I hope I don't come off weird-sounding, but I cannot say enough about the peace in our lives. Now, it has taken 8 slow years to finally reach my comfort zone, but well worth it. I heartily encourage those who feel the need to simplify.
That being said, I live in California, and the wardrobes are easier to maintain than snow wear! Also, I do not have little ones, and my youngest is 10. When my kids were younger, it was a WHOLE different story!
God bless you in your efforts to keep a home. It is HARD work! Bridget
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: Sept 25 2012 at 11:01pm | IP Logged
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Bridget, thank you for posting! It is uplifting to hear that you can get to the point that letting go of things is freeing. That is my goal. To have freedom in my home.
Thanks!
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Simplifying, Organizing, Decluttering
