tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post4471917071738042097..comments2024-03-23T21:38:31.368-04:00Comments on Coffee Tea Books and Me: Sunday Afternoon TeaUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-66812325858159442162012-09-13T11:07:30.830-04:002012-09-13T11:07:30.830-04:00I'm still in the midst of raising children. Tw...I'm still in the midst of raising children. Two teens, one almost teen and one 7 year old. <br />We live in a cottage at a Bible camp- take a double wide mobile home , cut it in half then stack the two, add stairs, that's our house. One of the "rooms" is a second story porch. We are cramped - compared to most families of our size. I believe it can work. It's not so easy though. How can I pass on your thoughts to them? Just how many Barbies do two girls need?? Most of them come from other people! How about those stuffed animals? Part of my job description is "stuff manager".<br />There must be something I need to learn about Phil. 4:11 &12. "...For I have learned how to get along happily whether I have much or little..." NLTHeatherMavishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02184275453459327008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-19865982524727578962012-09-13T04:28:54.551-04:002012-09-13T04:28:54.551-04:00I have had this marked to read, but haven't ha...I have had this marked to read, but haven't had the time. Just sat down for a break and read. This is exactly what I needed. Thank you sooooo much!! I am empty nesting and know I need to downsize, but don't know where to start. I am so attached to things, but I need to let them go. It is too much for me to physically handle. Thanks for giving me some direction and a kick in the seat to get started!Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08925478164178364396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-17676120358893993482012-09-11T08:04:51.789-04:002012-09-11T08:04:51.789-04:00"At the same time... when one admires a beaut..."At the same time... when one admires a beautiful landscape at an art fair, there is never a mini van parked among the farmhouses or a 4 x 4 on the beach next to the ocean."<br /><br />Well, there's always Family and Rainstorm, by Canadian artist Alex Colville, 1955. It shows a mother and two kids hurriedly getting into their car as the storm clouds come in. :-)<br /><br />But yes, even though we are like you in "two or three become a collection," we keep trying to trim back too. A lot of our thrifted books end up back at the store, eventually, or passed on to someone else. One problem, though, is that our children get very attached to whatever comes into their lives, so we have to keep decluttering even more than maybe we would like to, just to try to be good role models.<br /><br />Mama Squirrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06941211100125966917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-24238977014196100682012-09-10T02:16:36.898-04:002012-09-10T02:16:36.898-04:00First, I just have to say that the colors of those...First, I just have to say that the colors of those zinnias are stunningly beautiful together, if one can use the stunning for such a subtle beauty. I just want to leave the comment and go back and look at them some more.<br /><br />I am trying to downsize. Not so easy because my physical strength is not what it was. I have to keep practicing that "little by little" that I know does work, but seems to be such a struggle for me. <br /><br />My children encourage me to "bless other people with your stuff". I know from experience that I feel such relief when I have done this, even just a little. Thickethouse.wordpresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17187303460677067276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-47054787092990373162012-09-09T16:49:01.626-04:002012-09-09T16:49:01.626-04:00"Simplicity is when I do not have more stuff ..."Simplicity is when I do not have more stuff than I can emotionally or financially handle and being satisfied with what I have." Oh I like this and would add for myself only, of course, one thing: more stuff than I can handle physically. <br /><br />I love how you cogitate on a concept until you have written an entire essay. It's a beautiful gift. <br /><br />Hope that your daughter's vacation was redeemed in many ways to make up for a rotten summer cold.Veehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00618654361869856894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-57227393942799357162012-09-09T14:48:46.751-04:002012-09-09T14:48:46.751-04:00Brenda, there is so much truth and wisdom here tha...Brenda, there is so much truth and wisdom here that I may have to write out quotes from this post on index cards and hang them on the fridge-to remind myself!<br />Blessings~karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13855394815629065618noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-59700241223538913532012-09-09T14:42:57.894-04:002012-09-09T14:42:57.894-04:00Love your phrase 'value instead of volume'...Love your phrase 'value instead of volume'. Now with our children residing in the corners of the country, I would prefer to get rid of everything and enter my 'vagabond' stage.<br /><br />I always thought I would maintain a cozy home for the grands. Well, with travel costs being what they are, it makes more sense for granny to downzixe drastically and hit the road.<br /><br />I am gently prodding my semi-hoarder hubby to see the light. :)Cherihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11388528649168161483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-35315242453126896432012-09-09T12:20:14.203-04:002012-09-09T12:20:14.203-04:00I can't tell you how many articles I have read...I can't tell you how many articles I have read on this very subjects. Yet yours gave the whole matter clarity!! That line almost to the end of the post that is in black says it all. Sorry I cannot remember it all at the moment. I intend though to post it in my home to ponder seriously. That is a problem I seriously have and this line says it all. Now is when we live and things to use for the now are what we should have around us. I wasn't expecting simplicity to be your subject for today but it was Exactly what I needed to be reading today. SarahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-4621869494259896452012-09-09T12:13:32.688-04:002012-09-09T12:13:32.688-04:00I always struggle with getting rid of stuff. I end...I always struggle with getting rid of stuff. I end up reorganizing it instead. My things have become old friends by now, but I still try once in a while. I can't really afford to buy new stuff anymore and so that helps. I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff that I later wish I had, but much of it I never missed. If I need room for a new project then it is easier to get rid of the old. I always enjoy your thoughts. I love reading about the Amish. I haven't heard of this book. I'll have to check it out. LindaAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04994473436725815322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-65193430163040742522012-09-09T12:09:00.089-04:002012-09-09T12:09:00.089-04:00I completely agree Brenda. What a challenge {and ...I completely agree Brenda. What a challenge {and a gift} to be able to manage our expectations and truly be content with what we have. I am constantly challenged to keep my heart in check as I find myself wishing or wanting something different than what I have. I treasure your wisdom as I walk the road of becoming a godly woman. Thank you. Joy @gracefullmamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01327923228538913829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-27721947963550026122012-09-09T11:36:12.451-04:002012-09-09T11:36:12.451-04:00There IS a fine line between collector and a hoard...There IS a fine line between collector and a hoarder! I so agree. I walk the line daily (and try to keep honest with myself about it.....) <br /><br />I have come to think that "simplicity" has different implications for different periods of my life...<br /><br />I think this afternoon I might take some time to reflect as you have here; come up with a general definition for myself; and then consider what that means for me at age 63.8 (as Social Security defines me at the moment).Rebeccahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08740950362293427086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32960314.post-51765477797168089822012-09-09T11:15:04.971-04:002012-09-09T11:15:04.971-04:00So encouraging! My husband and I are going through...So encouraging! My husband and I are going through forced simplicity but we are also making choices to do things more simply. He got his dream job, but it pays less, at least, for now. Real estate is more expensive in our new location. Our house hasn't sold in our old location. So I am looking for a home that will meet our needs and desires but one we can also afford. It looks different than we thought it would, but I am looking forward to downsizing a bit and once the other house sells we will be in a wonderful place financially :).<br /><br />-PaulaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com