But, it was my grandmother's---

When I talk or write about my down sizing experiences, I immediately get the same response. "What would I do with all my stuff?"  

I say, "Get rid of it."

They say, some version of---Oh-h, but that was my grandmother's, that was my mother's, when we did that or lived there, when the kids were little.

I do get it. I have sentimental things that have no purpose and I just can't part with.  When we down-sized here at home base, I took two cedar chests (one had belonged to my grandmother and one to my spouse's mother) to the summer cabin. I had promised myself to pare down my "keepsakes" to those two chests and I did. Since we are now settled in our tiny house at the home campground, I brought those two chests back this season. I went through them again and organized them to go into the small storage shed we have at home.

I greatly enjoyed just touching and seeing some of my mementos. I am glad to have them near, but they will go into hibernation and who knows when they'll ever emerge. 

The thing is, having some things that just are special and remind you of other times and people is not bad. BUT, if you have your rooms, your cabinets and closets, your storage areas completely filled with useless stuff, you honestly are smothering your life today.  You are not living your grandmother's or mother's life. You are not even living the life you lived 10 years ago---at least, you shouldn't be.  

You should be living your life today, in the present.  You should have the things around you that you use everyday in that life. By all means, if you still bake and cook and entertain lots of folks and family, keep all the dishes and tools that you love to use.  Don't keep cabinets and drawers of stuff that you truthfully never use any more.  Pardon me, but it's just crap.  Nobody needs 6 spatulas.  Trust me, you can get rid of massive amounts of material things in your life and still be very happy. As a matter of fact, you will find that you will feel much better when you have cleared away clutter and excess.  

Give your children things NOW, not after you're dead.  Give things to people that really could use them. Sell it, trash it, donate it.  Go out and get something that you really could use or just want. LET GO of the past. I don't mean merely the distant past. You and life has changed since last year, since last month. Just because you were happy in another time and place doesn't mean that you would be now. Memories are in your heart, keep them there, not cluttering your space now.  If you are lucky enough to be in the world, give yourself room to breathe and enjoy it.

More is Optional

At my age, I know a lot of people who have worked for years.  They had dreams and plans. A big nice home for themselves and their family is often part of the American dream.  And though many managed to achieve that dream, why are they not so happy?

I believe that the reason is people don't always recognize that dreams, wants and needs will change over the years. Now, that the work years are over, they find themselves stuck in an old dream. What once seemed like everything they ever wanted, suddenly is much more of a burden than a joy.

Now, I have repeatedly said, "downsizing your life is not for everyone." The same as travel or not working isn't for everyone.  If you need to be physically near your grown children or extended family, if a great deal of your life revolves around your location and contacts and you just aren't happy taking more than a short vacation on your own (or with your partner), then you are probably not going to be satisfied with a drastic change of location or even with a smaller home.

The hubby and I spend 3 to 5 months away from our home state each summer.  It's a privilege to get to enjoy a beautiful location and though we miss our family and friends, they have lives of their own and they are welcome to visit. We have had the unexpected pleasure of meeting some new friends in this away from home haven.  When we are home, we so appreciate and enjoy our grown children, grand children and old friends. You can trust me, there is a world and life out here, away from your roots.  Separation and change is not an abandonment of your family and friends. 

This is possible for us, because we have down-sized. We do not have large homes in either place. Our resources, funds and energy allow us to have two places to live that we enjoy and we do not have the burden of responsibility of owning and maintaining big homes.

Ask yourself---

     Do I only really use and live in a small part of my home these days?

     Have I began to feel resentful of the money and work it takes to just have and maintain my home?

     Do I envy people that seem to have a simpler life?

     Do I see or visit other places and long to spend more time there?

If you really are not happy any longer in the place you thought would be forever, explore some options.  Explore YOUR options.  In Texas, it's not unusual to own property. We do have friends who have just kept a small piece of their property and sold off the rest and have built smaller. Could you live in a park home or a travel trailer? Could you live in a condo?  Think of no taxes, no maintenance. Think of beautiful places.  Where there's a will, there's a way. If you achieved your dream and it makes you happy, smile and love it. But, if not, remember that More is optional, find your Less.

Rules are to be Broken

I don't think there is anything more outrageous than the so called "rules" of fashion or decorating. Who gets to say what is the correct thing for us to wear or the correct way to decorate the places where we live?

One of the best things about shrinking your life style is that small spaces don't necessarily lend themselves to trends and what's "IN".  It's a great thing about tiny houses and other downsized living spaces---they are perfect for breaking all the rules and decorating just the way you want.

When we were building our summer cabin, before we even decided to downsize our whole life, I knew from the beginning that I would furnish the little house with things that I enjoyed. I wanted things I loved and that I thought would be useful in the environment we would be living in. I didn't want a lodge, or a hacienda or any particular style. I wanted comfy and inviting. It took us three summers, (we lived in a travel trailer while we worked) to finish the cabin. During these three years, I often frequented estate and garage sales, thrift shops, etc. I didn't want all brand new.

A favorite project was collecting dinner plates.  I had decided loosely on a color scheme of blues and natural woods, touches of red and yellow. So, if I spotted a nice plate that had blue, I bought it. I have this great assortment of plates and store them on my open shelf on the plate racks. When company comes, I just say "Pick your own plate".  People seem to enjoy that, and I love it. No matched set of dinnerware. 

You certainly don't have to follow any set rules when you outfit your space.  Since I really do hate clutter, I have a rule or two that I think keeps my very eclectic spaces pleasant to live in or visit.

       

***COLOR.  Color is very important in pulling together a space. Not just one or two colors, but certainly not several colors that don't even compliment or match.  Color is more important than patterns or style. Different styles of furnishings and varied patterns will still work, if color is consistent.

***NO CLUTTER. Especially in smaller spaces, keep your junk in control and out of sight. Don't have your counter tops over populated with stuff (even though you use it), leave space to work and not be constantly moving something out of the way. If you have a nice long counter top, but you're usually working in a small area, after you've moved a half dozen things---you are wasting your time and your space. Don't throw the mail, keys and stuff from your pocket on a table,etc. Put like things in baskets, in cabinets, in drawers, on hooks or shelves, in anything that organizes and stores it---flat surfaces, counters and tables need to be visible, clear and usable.

Is More Enough?

I recently watched a documentary about the settling of the American West.  The first thing that stands out is the incredible dangers and hardships the adventurers into the wild and mostly unexplored vastness endured. I sincerely doubt that I, or the large majority of Americans today have the toughness of mind and spirit to make such journeys.

The second thing that really stood out to me was a commentary that when those that survived reached their lands of promise, they always began to clamor for the new territory to become part of the United States.  It struck me so clearly that it is in our very blood to constantly want more.

I do not believe that we, Americans, are empire builders. I don't think that we truly want to go out and conquer the world and gobble up land mass. I do think that we have this inherited desire for better than we presently have.  Even those like myself, who have embraced the idea that life can be smaller and simpler can't avoid that consuming need for making our lives the best. We want the most comfortable, efficient and unique small dwellings.  We didn't go out and pitch a tent and start growing potatoes.  We want less to be more.

Perhaps it is a human trait, but I somehow believe that there is some exceptional trait in Americans---we are dreamers and we reach out for the distant prize that will make our life better. The difference in those courageous pioneers that rolled before us;  they were willing to risk all, to give all to reach those treasures they sought.  So much of our present day population has lost all of that willingness to sacrifice and work for their goals.  Indeed, many don't even see why they should have to work for their prosperity.  Our success in acquiring "more" has weakened our character and strength of resolve.

While this diluting of the very blood that makes us Americans is a big disappointment to me, I'm still enough of a dreamer to believe in our spirit.  I truly believe that if a catastrophic disaster struck us tomorrow,  there would be those that survived who would immediately be gathering wood for a fire and looking into the distance, making plans to move forward. Even if we were reduced to nothing, I have no doubt that we would soon pick up our pursuit of more.

Disappointment

You're Killing Me, Dude!

What does being healthy have to do with a simple life? Well, plenty actually. I am convinced that there is a whole army of folks in our world today who are trying to convince us that THEY know the best way for us to live on this earth. For the most part, these dire warnings and predictions are just plain bunk and bull-crap. These negative screaming alarmist would have us eliminate all the progress that can make our lives easier and more enjoyable.

Do these brilliant and all knowing people arrive at their lectures and public wisdom sharing events on a bicycle? Are they naked or wearing clothing made from their own self woven fabrics? Are they toting home grown carrots (heaven forbid they would be in a plastic sandwich bag!), that they did not wash in the nasty polluted water? Hell NO. They are driving big cars, flying on airplanes and partaking of the risky indulgences of our world, just as you are.

Get a grip, folks.  The greatest risk in our world today is excess.  It has always been the way with humans. If you present an endless supply of something pleasurable and enjoyable to humans, they're not so good at taking just a bit. Do you really think that anyone ever died because they smoked one cigarette a day? Do alcoholics get liver disease because they had  one cocktail every evening?  A little moderation goes a very long way towards reducing risks in our lives.

Fifty years ago, after I had my first child, I was twenty pounds heavier than I had ever been. I was young and had been a scrawny little teen. (What I wouldn't give to weigh that now!) I panicked and started a life long battle with my weight. One of the things I did was started using saccharin---remember those little white medicine looking pills?---in my morning coffee and my iced tea. So far, that poison hasn't killed me. Maybe, any day now. Or maybe the diet drinks and other artificial sweeteners, whiskey, red meat, carbs, veggies with pesticides, polluted water or air. Yesterday, I read that French fries are pure poison and Cool Whip is deadly.

Truth is, as much as we hate it, we are ALL going to die. Something is eventually going to kill us. It won't matter how lovely you look in your coffin. It won't matter that the temperature yesterday was one million of an inth warmer than it was in 1918 or if a meteorite incinerates the earth that day. You are going to be dead and in whatever destination you choose to believe in. What does matter is how much you lived when you had the privilege of being here.

While I still have the opportunity, I will do my best to respect my body and the earth and do a minimum of harm. I choose to eat and drink a little of what I enjoy, today. I choose to take a little walk, appreciate that the wind is not howling across the Front Range and the temp is pleasant. If you choose to spend your day avoiding, throwing out and adding to your list of forbidden indulgences, that is most certainly your choice. I choose to LIVE.

Organize Your Thoughts

Whether you are contemplating downsizing your life or making dozens of other life decisions, you need to organize those thoughts that buzz around in your head.  

***You can begin by thinking of what you REALLY want, what you would like to happen, the answer you wish you could hear. Yes, you are allowed to consider how you feel about a decision. You can have your dream.

***Once you know what you want, get real and honest with yourself.  Is there a realistic starting point to accomplish what I want?  Is it possible to do what I want? Most importantly---what are the consequences of this change, both good and bad?

***Make a plan

Dreams are supposed to be lofty and big. It's okay to form that perfect scenario in your mind. Oh, I would love to live in that teeny portable house, be able to move around. Oh, I would love to live on a houseboat. Oh, wouldn't it be grand in the mountains? on the lake or river? I would love to have no yard work, no maintenance, no mortgage. Just be sure that it's your dream, not one that you saw on TV or heard from someone else and it sounded good.

When you get honest with yourself, start narrowing down your possibilities to a version of your dream that might actually be do-able and right for your situation. I'm sorry, but I just don't believe that those folks that enthusiastically move their family of five into a 250 sq, feet house are happy a year down the road---if they even survive for a year! What are your priorities?  Money, freedom from responsibilities, just being able to enjoy some of the simpler things in life?  You can do it. Do it the way that is right for you, though.

The hubby and I have never been city folk, we like nature and we don't like the metro life. However, I won't kid you. We like our conveniences and are not interested in living miles away from necessities and indulgences.  We like our television, we like our Wi-Fi, we don't want to drive an hour to get a gallon of milk, we are old and want some type of medical care to be reachable. We live outside of the city (in both of our locations) but we don't live isolated.

When you've examined the pros and cons, you will discover a reasonable path to follow. Make a plan now. It might be as simple as "I'm going to start getting rid of a lot of stuff that I don't need" as a beginning. Any small action that will move you toward your goal is worthwhile. Get that destination of change in your mind and move persistently toward it. Move an inch at a time or leap, just move.

Have a dream, get realistic and make a plan. That's always worked for me.

A Simple Summer

The summer season, for the hubby and I, begins with our arrival at the Colorado cabin. It's still winter on the high Spanish Peaks, our view from the front porch. Yesterday evening the hail peppered the deck and the temperature this sunny morning was 41 degrees. Everything is so green and the purple sage is already blooming beautifully.

We have been escaping the Texas heat and coming to the little green cabin for over ten years now. I have

to say that it was probably the beginning of us realizing that we could live a much smaller and simpler life and be completely happy. The cabin is a little less than 1,000 square feet. It has everything we need, including a second "potty" and small guest bedroom. After staying here for 4 or 5 months at a time, it dawned on us that we never missed a bigger house or a busier life.

So, during the past few years, back at home in Texas, we have downsized from 5 acres and a nearly 3,000 sq. feet home---to a house in town that was about half the size---to a travel trailer and then this past year to our Tiny House in the rv campground on the bay of a large lake.

There are some obvious but great advantages to downsizing your life:

             FINANCES---Whether you are older and retired or younger and moving toward that day, you can live smaller.  If you aren't maintaining, paying taxes and all that is involved in owning a big house, you have much more of your funds for the things you enjoy. We are lucky to have two houses in beautiful places for cost less than many spend for one home.

             PEACE of MIND---Trust me, your grown children, grand-children and friends are much more independent of you than you might think.  If you don't have the big house where everything happens and everyone stays, you can still have your relationship with all of those you love. With cell phones, text, e-mails and all the easy communications these days, we stay in very close touch with our family and friends. They enjoy visiting us in our smaller houses. When we are near to our family, we all appreciate each other and treasure our times together.

Moving to a tiny house or living in a far away location, even part time, is not the right thing for everyone. You must search your own heart. There are multitudes of ways to make your life a little simpler and smaller.  If your mind is closed though, on this or any other change in your life, you are possibly missing some of the most special times of living.

Ever Changing Life

Living/kitchen area of our new Tiny House

In my many years on this earth, one of the big things I've learned is that life is always changing. That is an absolute.

Over the last five years or more, my interest and passion has been in the writing of eleven novels and in the prepper self sustaining philosophy. I loved writing the books in the apocalyptic dystopian genre and still am amazed that folks read them. I also have not weakened on my belief that we live in a dangerous and unpredictable world. Many events, both manmade and nature made could happen to our complicated world and I very much am of the mind that everyone should have some preparations for catastrophe.

While I haven't lost my interest in these two basic things, life does move along and if a person doesn't have the desire or ability to adapt to those changes, I personally think it is a very detrimental to our physical health. It is most certainly damaging to our mental strength and peace of mind to not be open to new things in our lives. If you are open, change and moving on to new endeavors is probably the single most revitalizing thing that can happen to you.

It's not that far from the prepping and I certainly just could not quit writing, so my new passion will be the subject of my ramblings for now.  That new interest is living smaller in this big world and simplifying my life. I will be writing about the downsizing that my hubby and I have accomplished over the last two years on this blog site. Hopefully, I will be able to share some of the good and bad and pass along some lessons learned to anyone that is interested in streamlining their life in this big busy world. Looking forward to new horizons.  JO

Ain't it the Truth...or is it?

Yep, I'm still alive folks and not so unusual---I'm very frustrated. Where in the wide world is the truth?  There is so much information out there and it is so available. Indeed, it is pushed in our face constantly! You would think that meant we could always find out the truth. That's far from true. We are being drowned in untruths, half-truths and flat out lies.  All dressed up, stretched out and presented as irrefutable facts.  How can we possibly dig through all this stinky poop and find one little chunk of truth?

The hubby (my favorite old philosopher, by the way) says "The truth is always somewhere in the middle" and  "Somebody's lying!".   Now those words are reality. 

The scandale du jour is Bill O'Reilly.  He is being completely crucified in the media. Does he deserve it?  Is he a raving sexist pervert?  I, like most folks, would love to know the truth.  I am sorry, but several women who received millions of dollars just don't prove his guilt to me.  There are plenty of cases of sexual abuse, rape, sexual harassment and other injustices that are very legitimate. I don't deny for a moment that it is possible for a male in a position of power or authority to place a woman an impossible situation.

HOW-EV-ER---I am very weary of females who are supposed to be strong and empowered, whining and bitching because a jerk of a male said something nasty to her or inappropriately touched her. Really?  What happened to a slap, a kick to the cohones.  Whatever happened to a loud voice that says NO, says don't you ever talk to me like that again or don't you ever come near me again? We are not talking about physical attacks here, we are talking about the big Taboo of our time---someone offended me.  And the thing that really makes me angry and question these injured ladies is why do millions of dollars make it better?  I've been around a long time and  I've had nasty minded and mouthed men say disrespectful things to me. I think quite a bit of myself, but never in all my nearly 70 years has someone said something that I thought big bucks would fix.

I so wish that I knew the truth. Like so many hyped and spinning stories these days, it's practically impossible to get to it.  I do know that the politically correct, over sensitive and sue for money crazy atmosphere that we live in, is part of the reason that Donald Trump is now our president.  The freedom of speech and all of our rights can't exist if the rule becomes no one can ever say anything that is offensive to another person. Of course, this is just one old gal's opinion.

Where's The Middle Ground?

I don't understand what has happened to the middle ground these days.  Where is the point of compromise, the place where people of diverse opinions find a safe area?

I have always said that I'm the Queen of the middle. I'm not the worst and I'm not the best, not the ugliest and not the most beautiful, not the unluckiest but catch a bit of luck some times...and so on. I've always been fairly comfortable, if not sitting on the fence, at least approaching it and peering across.

I admit to becoming much more set and stubborn in my beliefs and thoughts in my aging years. Still, I'm willing to acknowledge and try to see that MY way might not always be the only right way.  There's not a whole lot of that attitude out there in our America, it seems.  There is division and anger and when any advantage is gained by a particular faction, they grab it and bash the other side over the head with it. 

While I did not fully embrace the idea of Donald J. Trump as our new president, I did whole heartedly believe that we needed a change, we needed to back off from the direction the country was heading and take a good look at some of the drastic changes that had been occurring over many years. I am appalled at the destructive, nasty and divisive behavior of those that were unhappy with the election results.  But, I'm also appalled that many of those on the side of victory act as if they now force their ideas into others.  Why is it so hard for people to understand that in order for ALL to have rights, each will have to come give some?

On social media, there is a constant  If you agree...If you want this or that, then share, say yes, like.  That is a perfectly acceptable statement of, I believe this, do you? But, folks two wrongs don't make a right.   One question was "should Jesus be back in our schools?"   Are you kidding me? NO...religion should not be in the public schools. NO religion.  Discipline, accountability, patriotism...many things should be back in our schools.  Religious beliefs are a personal choice and the freedom to have your beliefs is guaranteed.  You are not to impose those beliefs on others or teach them as part of education.  

I am disappointed that the very people who complain of their rights being infringed on, are suddenly perfectly willing to stomp on the right of others.  To me, winning this election meant a hope that through our laws we could affect change in some of the illogical and extreme evolution that has been altering our culture, some of the over the top political correctness, some of the carelessness with our borders and security, some of the entitled minded attitudes.  I never thought that my own personal beliefs, even if held by a majority would become the superior rule of the land.

Why Trump?

I'm no fan of Donald Trump and I'm the most normal everyday middle class American citizen that you could find. Lots of folks have asked "Why Trump?"---why did we elect an arrogant, obnoxious, abrasive and often plain offensive man to be president of these United States?

I'll tell you what I believe. Thousands of Americans who would never even admit that they voted for him, DID.  Our country has been drifting far away from even some type of middle ground for many years but the last few years has seen us veering at an alarming pace.  Even though it has been near impossible for some to believe and accept, an overwhelming number of citizens made their decision for change. 

We have began to reap what we've sown. We have ruined a whole generation. We have allowed no accountability, we have thrown away discipline; we have promoted an attitude of entitlement; in the name of religious freedom we have de-valued all religious beliefs; we have twisted freedom into an atmosphere of disparaging patriotism and loyality.  In our absolute wild quest to be politically correct, we have made it an insult to note any of the diversity that makes us the amazing uniqueness of being human.  We have a generation that is first and foremost, ME---what I need, what I want, what makes me feel good, what I deserve.  Worst of all, what some have insisted must happen for equality has made us a nation without unity, with no team spirit or allegiance to the very laws and values that made us a free country.

Millions of Americans have become weary and alarmed at the changes and the consequences of those changes. Do you honestly need any one religious book or set of rules to know the basics of decency? I don't---I may not be the most wonderful person in the world, but I promise you that I would not murder or steal or cheat or betray.  You don't have to have religion in schools to teach children the right way to live among your fellow humans.  Discipline, respect, reward for accomplishment and personal responsibility make adults with values and character. Those things don't have to be the law of any one god or religion. And loyalty to your country and the flag that represents it, has nothing to do with religion. Patriotism is not a religion.

So, why Trump? Because sometimes it takes an extreme change to back up from a very destructive path.  America has gone way past electing a president who talks a little different, claims to make change and is in reality just another version of the corrupt politicians that we have handed over our country to.  Personally, I want all the bribing lobbying corruption in the government to STOP. I want all of the insane, way out of proportion and logic, political correctness to STOP. I want the stupidity of admitting all of those who talk, act and look like our enemies, all of those who do not respect our borders or laws to STOP.  I don't want to be part of a global community. I want a safe, prosperous and unified America---the United States that I grew up being taught was the greatest country on earth to live in. 

Can Donald Trump give us any semblance of that country back?  Are we too far down a socialist, destructive path?  I honestly don't know. I do know that he is NOT the same political despots that have brought us to the edge of a dangerous cliff.  He's promising to build a bridge to a better future. I'm walking across. Because behind us the foundation of America is falling away.