Happy midweek to all. I surely hope this finds you all well and safe. It is a blustery morning here. We are in the low 50's, breezy and sprinkles. May get rain later today and tonight in our area. Looks like southern part of the state and in many other areas are already getting rain.
For those in certain areas - don't forget the time change this weekend. Turn those clocks back an hour. I sure wish we could just pick one and keep it!!!
I do think good old home making has become a lost art to some point. Many of us started small, and worked hard to buy a home, and then moved our way up. Many of us kept that small one. Today so many want instant gratification, and they want what mom & dad worked years for - NOW! That causes big debt and many times the loss of the nice things. It causes a lot of stress as well.
I know many partners both work, and then they hire cleaners to come in and take care of things. They eat all their meals out - as 'they just don't have time'. PRIORITIES! People need to choose.
I know several members of my family have chosen to stay home and home school, and many have jobs that allow them to work from home (and make great money). So, they do all the 'stuff' we were taught as we grew up. I have so many of the younger ones, wanting ideas and recipes and things from 'grandma'. I love that.
It is also going to come to pass (in my opinion) that people are going to need these ideas and skills.
Yes, we have technology now, and everything is modernized and tech driven. I believe that may be our demise. I think we are going to have to take a step back and learn to do for ourselves!
Frugal/thrifty living is a means to an end. It helps us save some money and conserve while perhaps saving for a goal. A vintage way of life is not a bad one. I am seeing more and more Vlogs promoting the simple ways of life today. They are choosing to do the 'things' over going out and spending and having that second job. They are choosing family life and a simple life. That really warms my heart.
We need to get more practical. Use what you have. Love what you have. Take care of what you have.
Learn to be creative in all aspects of life. Cook from home and use 'ingredients' vs. buying premade items.
We are influenced every day at all times to BUY and GET the newest, brightest and fanciest gadgets. Seriously, why do we need them? Keeping up with everyone else? Not this girl. I could not care any less about the gadgets. I will take my easy and simple life.
My stuff is older. My vehicle is older. I AM older!!!!! It all works!
Learn to be creative in your home, your cooking, your yard, your crafts, your life. Use and reuse things - not only does it save some funds, but it also saves things from the landfill and reusing things is a wonderful way of honoring this earth. Learn new skills - we are never too old to learn.
Value teaching others - I think that is our greatest gift to the world - impart your knowledge on others. They can't know and learn unless we teach.
Don't let things like homemaking and cooking and creating be a lost art.
A simple life really does make for a peaceful and non-stressed life.
LOVE YOUR LIFE JUST AS IT IS.
Have a beautiful day.
Oh, I really like this blog post, Cheryl. So many good things from the past that can help us today. And I also truly believe that people are going to need these ideas and skills. I too have been reading more and more about the simple life. To me, it is much easier to live a simple life than to try and keep up with the latest gadgets. For example, now younger people want to pay at yard sales with Cash App and Venmo, but some people are not into that, including me. Good old cash works well for me.
ReplyDeleteOh Belinda a gal after my heart! I am a cash person. I use a CC now and then to make bigger purchases - then pay it off at the end of the month. I also want the cards to stay active. I pay cash for most things I buy. I would never think about using an app at a yard sale - my goodness.
DeleteWe are going to need the old ways someday - well, maybe not you and me - but the youth of today.
Indeed. I have stuff from my childhood home, and I have some things from my grandparents' homes. They're still useable and they look ok.
ReplyDeleteI remember staying with my much older brother when I got out of school and was looking for a job. He had neighbors who, every few years, got rid of all their furniture and bought new. He and his wife were astonished by this the first time, thought some terrible thing had happened, but then a few years later it happened again and they learned it was those folks way. I don't want to lose these things I've got, I love my stuff - probably too much - they mean *home* to me!
Every morning when I awake I thank the Good Lord for my home, for peaceful sleep, for my warm bed, my cat, friends - one could spend a whole day in bed just saying "thank you"! :)
MaryB
Me too! I have so many older things - I cherish them. I use them.
DeleteSome people get a new car every year. I can't imagine. Always having a payment - yikes. The people behind me put there furniture out for heavy trash every year or so. I don't know if there is something wrong with it (they have big dogs) or they just want new. What a waste.
Like you, I love my things - and YES they mean home.
I thank God every morning and every evening for all the wonders in my life. Sometimes in between those times as well. We are just so blessed.
It never made sense to me to work your fanny off and then not enjoy the fruits of your labors. Same way with having a family and sending the kiddos off to childcare, spending very little time with them. Years ago, I knew two ladies who sent their young girls to a local daycare instead of keeping them at home with them during the day. Another thing that didn't make sense to me. Some folks do need the new and shiny, I think for their own egos, "Look at me! See what I have!". It takes a confident (and smart) person to drive a 25 year old car. It takes a confident (and smart) person to live in the home of your own choice, not what everyone else thinks you should have. It is not the age or size of your home that matters; it is that you are a good steward of the gift that Yehovah has given you. I have seen large, expensive homes that were messy and downright dirty. That is not taking care of what you have been given.
ReplyDeleteBefore my feet hit the floor in the morning, I thank and praise Adonai for his goodness and mercy. Even, the change to cooler weather, as we are experiencing right now. He knows what is best for the land. The beautiful colors take the chill off somewhat! ha!
Enjoy your day! We are having veg beef soup that the Farmer made yesterday. A big enough pot for a few days.
I agree - big and shiny says 'look at me'. There are most assuredly times that size and age do not matter!!!
DeleteI worked in HVAC years ago - and the guys always talked about the homes they went to maintain in THE neighborhoods. Many, many times the house were basically empty - void of furniture. It was a prestigious address only. I do not understand that kind of thinking.
All things are blessings. The soup will be perfect this chilly week.
Your blog today was spot on! I always joke with my hubby that our starter home has become our retirement home! We still live in the first home we ever bought and that was in 1988. The newest car we own is 12 years old and still runs beautifully. We clean our own house, maintain our own yards, wash our own cars, make our own coffee, and prepare our own meals. We are fortunate, and thankful, that we are still healthy enough to do all this for ourselves. Jenny
ReplyDeleteYes mam, ours did too. Hubs bought this house in the fall of the year we met in 1985. We married in January. So 40 years here.
DeleteYou are very smart. Taking care of our things makes them last, and we sure can appreciate them.
Life is too short, to spend it toiling for $$$ all the time. Yes indeedy, we are very fortunate. Good health is a huge asset!
If only we could all be just happy with what we have. It is so easy to get caught up in the new and shiny!
ReplyDeleteYep. I am totally content with what I have. New and fancy doesn't temp me. I guess I am just old fashioned!
DeleteI feel proud to be able to help when my daughter rings up to ask for a family recipe or advice on how to remove a stain.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty neat isn't it? I love it when one of the younger folks in the family, ask questions and want knowledge. It should make you very proud!
DeleteThanks for reminding us about how much we could have; we just need to change things here and there, adjust our mindset. The older I get, the less I want. Too bad that feeling didn't start sooner :D
ReplyDeleteExactly. We can switch things around, and the biggest thing is just changing our attitude. We need to just be grateful for all the gifts we DO have. I want less as well - and I am working on that! Keeping what I love.
DeleteWe have so much that others do not have. A roof over our heads, food in our tummy, clothing to cover our bodies, and a way to get where we need to be. I truly believe that living a simple and frugal/thrifty life enables us to leave a smaller footprint on the earth and make the world a better place for those who come after us.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Love this post. I’m, 71, single.Bought 2 BR house when 28…in same home of 42 years. Don’t need marble countertops and constant renovations many friends spend money on. Content with what I have thought carpets getting worn in areas but waiting as I don’t trust this economy and I know they are clean just used.And not much company and no family so really just me. I do all I can myself but have to hire out some services, but an also pay mostly in cash. I don’t / can’t afford all the travel many friends need to do each year. I am content and grateful for my life and safe home and food on the table.
ReplyDeleteYou post made me laugh a bit as it’s implying it’s the youngsters who want things handed to them and done instantly. I laugh as I just read a blog today that was sent to me of an elderly lady call 911 because her car wouldn’t start and she wanted help NOW! Many of us young people work hard to stay organized and be accountable to solve problems on our own. So I tend to think the message is a bit flipped in many cases. Jean, NH
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI’ve lived most of my life below my means. The house I’ll be selling is the only house I’ve owned, for 35 years. The house I’m living in now was built by my parents 60 years ago. All of my furniture is old. But there is something that bothers me a lot about the homesteading movement. So women should make all food from scratch, clean the house, take care of kids and homeschool them and work at a job from home? And I know that women are now being encouraged to have more children. I wonder the role of spouses. When I was in college, women were just starting to be accepted into professions like law, medicine (doctors), engineering and dentistry. I’m old, no kids but I hate to see women be discouraged from those choices. I know I’m in the minority here - a frugal misfit that somehow managed to become financially secure and retire at 55 without the old ways. I have an iPhone and I’m not a spendthrift. I’m happy where I’m at but I still have things I want to do.