Who writes this stuff?

My photo
I try to keep my priorities in order: Jesus, my Andy, our children, everything else. I homeschool our boys, love to read almost all written words and have been challenged by the military life for 18 years. Right now my faulty human body is demanding a lot of attention. One day at a time, learning as much as possible every day and remembering to look for JOY when other things threaten to overwhelm.

My Blog Title Verse

"For the Lord gives wisdom. From His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Proverbs 2:6 NKJV
The Message translation puts it this way "God gives out Wisdom free, is plainspoken in Knowledge and Understanding."


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

A study in minimalism

 Weeks and weeks ago I promised Mom and my friend Carrie pictures of the new place here. Living as minimalists has been fascinating. And truthfully, quite eye opening. There are many things I don't miss.
 However, there are definitely some I do!

Our lovely house with fabulous front porch. We have a little pool on it now, and that has been a lifesaver on these hot afternoons! 
Strangely enough, I seem to have gotten use to the crooked "A". 
It was difficult, but I have learned to let it go. 
Eat in kitchen - with lots of counter space, now that I have none of the usual things to put on the counter... Isn't that the way it goes? I keep it full of random schoolwork instead! 
Our living room has a nook for an "office", stairs heading to the basement, (which is completely empty, but would be a fabulous thing to have if we actually had our furniture here!) our camp chairs and a couch we found next to the dumpster at the top of the hill. That is the nice thing about living in a community that is primarily military. People are always moving in and out. There was actually a nicer couch out there the other day and we thought about trading, but we already cleaned this one up.
 I was actually quite broken hearted to think of the waste: a perfectly fine couch (and loveseat) going to the landfill rather then the Salvation Army. I rejoiced when we came home and it had disappeared. It seems someone else around here thinks "dumpster diving" is a good way to furnish their house! 

Canaan and Zion's room - an air mattress and camp cot.
The "play room", which tends to be covered in toys most of the time. 
They were both allowed to bring two stuffed animals, and one "set" of toys. Canaan picked Legos and Zion brought his Cars. Both of those can take up an entire room by themselves if you let them! You would think that with a whole room they could keep it contained... but most of the time they still drag them out into the living room so they can be near us while they play. 

The master bedroom. The built in shelf has been a lifesaver. We didn't bring any dressers so my jewelry, candles, and a few pictures that I couldn't live without have had someplace to land.  
 The closet "daily organizer" cloth shelves and collapsable boxes have been lifesavers also. 
Where else would socks and underwear go? 

Living with little has made me appreciate how much I have. Most of what I brought here will be left here. But I have so much to go back to. Truly, I am so blessed. 

Life is a little hectic right now, but I miss my online world. I am coming back eventually... I hope! In the meantime, 
Blessings, 

4 comments:

Carrie said...

I think that is a really fun way to live for a little while! ha ha.
AND don't stress. I would be willing to bet lots of money that most of the furniture placed outside the dumpster hardly EVER makes it to the landfill. :)

Marcy said...

Hi Bethany! I feel like it's been forever since I have commented. I do check in every once in a while. I can't wait to see how this changes the way you live once you get back to all the stuff you left behind. I hope you are doing well!

Angelia Sims said...

I think the most important things you have - your boys - definitely fill that home. I had to get over "stuff" when I lost all my Christmas decorations from Sydney's early years when my ex disposed of them, rather than letting me have them. God kept reminding me, it's just things. Sydney and I make new Christmas ornaments every year now as a tradition.
Thank God that what fills our hearts can never be left behind.

:-)

EmileeHope said...

This makes me want to clear out all my closets and drawers and start from scratch...oh wait...maybe that is just because I LOVE shopping!!! I have to remember it isn't about filling all the closets back up again...it is about clearing out the clutter!