Twirling Ballerina: this is what my head
feels like most days.

We all wear hats.  These are mine:

• Wife
• Mother
• Daughter
• Friend
• Teacher
• Housekeeper (don't laugh.)
• Cook
• Nurse
• Seamstress (a beginning one.)

and the list could go on.

With our move my hats have been so jumbled and I can't decide which one to wear at any one time.  I think I look like a crazy version of the Caps for Sale character and his encounter with all those monkeys.  On top of that I am suddenly opposed to clutter and not so sure how to combat it.  We are in, have been in a perpetual cycle of purging, simplifying and the saga continues.  But, where to start?  It's all in chaos and I was looking for a starting place and somehow a rabbit hole led me to this website, a place called Zen Habits and he has written an awesome list!  It's long and overwhelming and he gives a simplified version for those that can't look at all 72.  But I wanted it all so I started at number 1....

1.  Make a list of your top 4-5 important things. What’s most important to you? What do you value most? What 4-5 things do you most want to do in your life? Simplifying starts with these priorities, as you are trying to make room in your life so you have more time for these things.  

Leo Babauta, Zen Habits

 So I am not thinking about the garage and all the organizing that needs to be done (we have done enough for now), or the quilt that remains to be finished (it will be).  I am starting at the top, getting my goals down, the important things with which I can then base other choices on.  How awesome is that?  I have been making a weekly schedule so that the house stuff doesn't loom and a daily schedule so that we fit it all in, the important stuff.  The creating, the togetherness...the stuff that matters to me.  It all goes by so quickly and I don't want to miss it, and I already have so my goal is to miss less.

Right now I am sitting somewhere between four and eight on the list, working out tasks for the day, shredding my inbox down to a manageable size and trying so hard to limit my time on the computer.   I feel less overwhelmed, like I have a plan in front of me that will take me through the steps needed to get a grip on this thing called LIFE.  The last few years has taken a toll through unemployment, family health issues and now a huge move...I am trying to get my groove back, although I am not sure I possessed it to begin with.

Water fell from the sky!   So we needed to catch some, since it may be awhile before it happens again.
So thankful.

:)

A Place For A Coffee Cup

When funds are not plentiful we tend to shop at home, looking through what we have and asking if it's being used the best that it can be where it's at.  We also try to find a way to make it ourselves which often means some work but it's rewarding, right?  Fresh baked bread, homemade granola, a skirt, pajamas and maybe a coffee table?

Justin came across an abundance of pallets at his work and if you do a google search or are a fellow Pinterest addict then you know that pallets can be made into nearly any kind of furniture.  So being the handy guy that Justin is, he made a coffee table for our living room.  We needed a punch of color, naturally we chose red, it's a color we lean toward pretty consistently.  Blue is our favorite color but right now we have a lot of blue happening so we needed a pop, something to break it up.  We needed some functionality; a place for books, some games and maybe a picnic for movie night.

This picture was the inspiration piece:

with a little more of this:

 we found the casters at the Katy Antique Mall, 4 for a $1. 

We still need to get a piece of glass cut for but it is so useful already!  We have some trays inside the openings to hold games.  The trays are in need of some TLC so it gave me an extra project, yeah!

Farm Tour

We belong to a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) located in Capay Valley, California.  Farm Fresh To You delivers a box of fresh from the farm organic fruits and vegetables right to our front door.  We pick the size and how often we want it delivered.  So every Wednesday we get a box of "Mostly Fruit" and it has replaced goldfish crackers, pretzels and crackers of various sorts.  I. Love. It.

Periodically during the year they have farm tours and this year (we just started ordering in November) it was in December.  We loaded up and headed to the farm, in the rain, a lot of rain.  It was about an hour and a half drive and so worth it.  It is a second generation farm...young men, brothers, are running the farm their parents began.  It was humbling walking on the land that supports these men and their families, learning about the planning that goes into getting us this food that we eat and the fact that the rain we had just driven through was the very water that would be stored in the reservoir and water this land.  We picked oranges and stomped in mud puddles, drank hot cider, made caramel apples and grapevine wreaths.

In every box that we get each week there is a newsletter that tells us what is happening that week at the farm.  What's growing, what's not, how things are going.  We read it every Wednesday.  I hope it gives Caeden (later Maleiah) and idea of where our food comes from, what it takes to get it to our mouths and that people are involved in that process, including us.

Welcome to the Ride Called Life

January was "No-Spend Month" which then turned February into "No Job Month" with Justin getting laid off and having to file for unemployment for the first time ever. He works in the construction industry doing remodels and he builds park structures every once in awhile too. He loves it! But, as you know the housing market is tanking in so many ways and this just happens to be one of them.

I have loved having Justin home, so have the kids. It really is nice. He thinks it's swell that we like him that much. :)

He gets to see what we do everyday and he has even helped us in some areas!

Anyway...we are simplifying, we are doing more together and attempting to be more creative. We are paying down our credit cards as much as we can. We are trying to do what we set out to do this year inspite of the lack of funds.

Where will we be in 6 months? I have no clue, but the ride will be wild.

No Joke-No Spend Month....LOL

So No Spend January turned into..."Oh My Gosh Justin Doesn't Have a Job Past January" so DON'T SPEND ANYTHING! That kind of month.

So here we are and there is no work for his real job right now, bids are out, we are hoping the work comes in and a prevailing wage job wouldn't be bad either. Luckily he has some side jobs lined up and work at his dad's on the weekends. We haven't been here for 7 years! The year Caeden was born there was little work. We made it through then, we will make it through this time too although it will be tougher since we are in the midst of a recession. Or is it depression? Just kidding, no depression here! Panic? Sometimes.

So we are enjoying nature in the hills and RedBox for some cheap entertainment. At least tonight we are. :) Horton Hears A Who...is it any good? I might let you know.

At The Pond

My father-in-law has a pond up at his place in the hills. There are Koi that hide under the bridge and lots of pond scum to examine.

Of course the birds need to be fed and millipedes to be found.

I am acquiring a whole new persepective on nature.

No Spend January-Week 2

Trader Joes: $48.00

Ink Cartridge & Paper: $20.00 (Ink will be reimbursed by school. :))

Lapse In Judgement, Drive Thru: $16.00

This week I realized, after searching a few (hundred) blogs that this idea was not well planned out. :) Meaning that my only goal was don't spend anything, pay off debt. I should have made a budget to give myself some grace and give us some boundaries....duly noted. With that, I couldn't have foreseen that Justin potentially could not have work in 2 weeks.

So how does that change things?

I have no idea.

But it will definitely make the no spend part a little easier....LOL.

We have no available cushion so we don't have some great plan for the next 6 months. Our only plan is: find work.

Have you ever seen Stuart Little? His dad (Fredrick Little) says there is always a silver lining....here is mine.

This is stretching me, taking me into territory that doesn't feel good but I know it is good for my character and helping me focus on the small things and using my creative side in new ways.

I learned this week to say, "Yes, Lord" and when I feel like freaking (or when I do...) out I ask God for help and I say with quivering lips, "Yes, Lord. I will trust you and not myself. I will keep going because the other side of this mountain, though crossing it will be painful at times, will be better than now. Better because my faith will be stronger, my God will be known deeper as I trust each step he takes with me."

Justin might have work, he might not. This time though seems heavier since the economy is shrinking and so are the jobs. My human eyes see all the possibilities and the worst case scenario's but for some wierd reason it feels good to embrace it. Change is good, right?

No Spend January-Week 1

It is nearly impossible to NOT spend anything when you have kids or...are breathing. I mean I can say NO to the big stuff but when the milk and eggs are gone on the SECOND day of the no spend month what's a mom to do.

I went to Save Mart, not as pretty so I won't be tempted by pretty things but I got a good deal on milk and eggs.

• $7.39 (2 gallons of milk, 2 dozen eggs)
• Mid-Week grocery stop...$13.39

It's been kind of a joke in the house lately about this "no spend" idea.

Justin said, "Maybe we could change it to No Spend February?"

• Gas for the gas guzzling SUV: $25.01

We have eaten pancakes all week for breakfast (much to Caeden's delight!) and had PB and honey (Costco purchase WAY back in November and we aren't even halfway through!) for most lunches so we aren't lacking and we still have options in the pantry and freezer!


Justin needs new tires. :)


Maisie our bright dog may have swallowed a needle that was attached to a string of popcorn...she left the button at the end. So far she is fine but we can't find that dang needle anywhere, just the button. So we watch her, hoping it just got kicked under the couch.

So to wrap up week one I would have to say, WOW.


This is hard. But worth it.


I am reading Your Money Or Your Life (Simple Mom Book Club) and it is rocking my world and I am only on chapter 1! More on that later...this one is long enough. :)

Space Is Limited-Using It

When you live in an 1100 square foot home you need to be creative when it comes to space. Using it, finding it and maintaining it are three very important tasks. Simple is best, less is better.

Using it...

We use every inch. Sometimes the floors are layered in toys, paper scraps from a 2 year old that loves snipping paper with scissors, piles of books, laundry that just couldn't possibly make it into the laundry basket which is right next to said laundry, on the floor. So then we ask the question of how we are using this space. Is it being used purposefully? Creatively? Sometimes, yes. Sometimes, no.

We needed more food storage and we knew this shortly after moving here so we converted the entryway closet into the food pantry. Coats and jackets were moved to the extra bedroom closet, which is now Maleiah's closet.

Caeden needed storage in his closet so instead of just using the floor and top shelf, Justin built shelves to store, toys, games, books and clothes that will be worn later. This same closet idea will go in Maleiah's room. :) Also in Caeden's room Justin built a window seat/toy box along one wall. This is perfect for toys as well as all the bedding needed for his room.

In Maleiah's room we decided to do something on her window wall as well but we wanted it to be different. We opted for bookshelves on either side and we put my mother's old church pew in between to act as a window seat. The bookshelves are gorgeous and they hold toys, quilts, books and other mementos. She is getting older and has more toys and we are going to need that closet soon! (hint, hint)

We are making plans to build 2 more bookshelves, one by the entryway to house things that are coming and going as well as the large amount of library books we bring into our home. This one I am really excited about. :) The other will be in the living room and will sit between the couch and desk. It will act as a divider between the two spaces. This shelf will hold mostly school stuff, there is lots of it. :)

Justin enjoys building things and it is nice to see something and have him say, "I can make that." Yeah! Less expensive! Yeah! Using our space creatively and purposefully. :)

The Simple Woman's Daybook #1

Go here for more daybooks! Share the simple life. :)

FOR TODAY December 29, 2008

Outside my window...sunshine and leaves

I am thinking...about organizing and putting some Christmas decorations away.

I am thankful for...my friends that I have made this last year and the friends we have had for many years and how special they all are to me.

From the learning room...not much since we are on break. :) We will be finishing up some math so we can start our new book when school starts again on the 8th.

From the kitchen...Leftovers! Ham sandwiches tonight with melted brie cheese...yummy.

I am wearing...pajama bottoms and a sweatshirt.

I am creating...a christmas quilt (thanks Amanda!) for the kids for next Christmas.

I am going...nowhere, just being a homebody. :)

I am reading...The History of the Ancient World (this one will take awhile) and The Tale of Despereaux (with Caeden).

I am hoping...for a simple life.

I am hearing...Maleiah ask for TV and Hullabaloo..."winner do a funky dance!"

Around the house...it's a mess, I really should not be doing this, I should be scurrying around. No fun though. :)

One of my favorite things...Justin coming home and music all around.

A few plans for the rest of the week:

• Cleaning, purging
• Quilting
• New Years Party!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

pink and camoflauge...what a mix!

Simplicity

For many years Justin and I have talked about living a simple life, simplifying in our home, getting rid of clutter and making better financial decisions. All this is wrapped up in simplicity, at least my version of it. Due to the economy and various things we see in the world we live in we are making 2009 the year of beginnings and I thought I would start by making myself accountable on my blog. I am not sure to whom I am making myself accountable since there are not a lot of readers (...heelllllloooooo!!!!) but whatever, just in case...LOL.

We want a better healthier life for us and our children and we want to leave them a legacy that is filled more with the character of God than what the world thinks is important. We want to have fun as a family in ways that are frugal and promote our relationship with each other, to God and to the people around us. We are so blessed to live in the country we do where we do have so much more than others, even though I sometimes feel like the rope is tightening we are still freer than some. I would love to not look at my home and sigh because of the mountain of laundry but instead find joy in my home. (Laundry never ends, but my perspective can change!) I want my kids to enjoy nature and know about the world they live in because they are in it, not because they read a book about it. I want them to touch and feel the world around them and appreciate it.

I have no idea what this will look like...we are on a journey. Here are some things we are doing to start:

No Spend January:

(which may extend to February, March, April....you get the picture...:)

• During this time we are basically going on a spending fast. We will pay the bills, use up what is in our pantry and only go to the store for the necessities (are they really necessary?).


• We are going to build up our savings account with any and all extra $$ and apply it towards our credit card. Basically that is our main goal and reason for this..PAY OFF DEBT.

Use What We Have:

• We have a coat closet size pantry and an extra freezer. We plan to empty that during this process. :) Creativity will be playing a huge part in this!


• We are going to use the local Farmer's Market in order to pay less and get fresher produce.


• We have a Netflix account which is our one luxury for entertainment and we will use that as well as our local library for reading and movies.


• We are so lucky to have the backyard that we do. It is a great source of entertainment for the kids and it houses a large garden that we will be putting to even better use this year. Our seed catalog is in the mail!

Cash Only Christmas

As I sat looking at our tree last night surrounded by toys I was filled with excitement for the morning. This Christmas was different for us because we knew work would be tight and we planned ahead for the first time ever. We actually had all our shopping done for the kids before Thanksgiving! We also decided that Justin and I would not exchange gifts which for me, honestly was tough in the beginning. But as Christmas came nearer I grew to like this new idea. My parents have done it for years although I never really understood it...that dang selfishness seed lives in me and I am not going to lie...

I really like recieving.

This year has been so different for me though, I loved giving and creating, I loved that nothing went on the credit card for the first time in my life. I loved watching my kids open their gifts and then I realized

...that was my gift.

It wasn't purchased but it just was and my heart is filled with gratitude.

Our Thanksgiving Table

This year I didn't think about how I would set the table until the morning of Thanksgiving. I had no festive napkins or anything and so I stared and hoped for inspiration. I was very pleased with the end result.

I had these bamboo placemats in the garage, my friend gave them to me a few years ago and I thought they were very woodsy looking so that meant we would use as much nature as we could to set the table. :)
I had some gift tags and found a leaf stamp that I used years ago for cards. I had a brown ink pad and I found a bag of the ribbon stashed in my scrapbooking stuff.
The lanterns on the table were up in the closet and the pumpkins were in the front yard. I made the Giving Thanks journal this year and we plan to record all the things that God has done for us each year. It will be a testimony of his goodness and history for our children.
Just another view of the table...
The turkey...he is yummy. :)

I was very glad to whip something up and I thought it was very simple and pretty. I didn't spend any money on it either. I used black napkins that I had leftover from Caeden's pirate party.