Simple is hard.

One of the intentions for this move is to learn to live with less and simplify our lives. It's ironic how hard it's been to do that. Simple = Easy...right? Well, not exactly. I feel like things are exponentially more complicated as I try and untangle the web we've spun ourselves into over the last few years. I wish the "simple fairy" would just fly down and figure out how make it happen for us.


This process of simplifying and letting go has actually been a work in progress over the last few years. I've had yard sales and taken countless loads to Good Will, the FUMC rummage sale and needy families. I've stopped using retail as therapy for a bad day. I've gone "shopping in my closet" for functions instead of getting a new outfit. I sold my business. I've stopped mindless spending trips to Target & Old Navy. I'm mindful about cooking food that is in our pantry and eating leftovers. I've learned to say "no" to any volunteer projects that I'm not passionate about. I've cleaned out every closet, cabinet, closed door & chest of drawers... weeded out, sorted out, thrown away, recycled, donated and passed down. I have pondered on Sheryl Crow's song lyrics: "It's not getting what you want....it's wanting what you've got...." reallllllly pondered on those words and have come to truly believe them.


So, as I'm packing for our big move on Thursday I'm wondering why it is that we still have all this STUFF?!? Yo Sheryl...when you have 30 t-shirts in your closet do you really need to want that many because you've got them? I guess the bigger question is why as Americans do we feel that we need all this stuff?....obviously I think I need it or I wouldn't have it.....or... maybe... I just want it....thus the untangling begins. It's hard to be simple!

First on the list to go....cable tv...really- it's gone! We've talked about doing it for years...even threatened the kids a few times with it but we've really actually done it! It's amazing how you don't really even miss it...ok, so maybe we've missed it a little but not nearly as much as I thought. And, perhaps if I don't have someone telling me why I need all these things then the list of what I want will become more clear. Maybe I'll be able to recapture my own sense of style which was so much part of who I was when I was younger rather than falling into the "Pottery Barn" version of life we're bombarded with now. It's sad how homogenized we've become...did you know the Target in Keene, NH has EXACTLY the same merchandise as the Target in Dothan? Did I expect something different? I must have because I couldn't help feeling disappointed when I made this realization.

Second to go- marketing by email...I have been consciously unsubscribing to all of the Gaps, JCrews, Banana Republics & Anthropologies telling me about their deal of the day. Thanks Bluefly- I'll pass on the extra 15% and by the way, unsubscribe me from your list. Even Oprah and a whole bunch of other "self-help" e-newsletters that I've subscribed to haven't made the cut. If I can figure out how to remove myself from all of the catalog mailing lists I'll do that too....although I think this might be a little trickier. It would be interesting to save all the paper catalogs I receive in a year (I'm sure the number would be staggering) and figure out the carbon footprint that me & my little bitty old 349 S. Park self has left on the planet.

There's a whole lot of other stuff to be worked out too....we sold about $25,000 worth of loot for a mere $500 at our garage sale Saturday (and were skipping to my loo to get that) and left the rest on the front porch for the Rescue Mission to pick up tomorrow....admitedly the pile is growing as I'm continuing to pack.

I believe the first step to change is recognizing the need for it and then setting your intention to make it happen. My intention to simplify is there and the wheels are in motion to make it happen....and oh boy- I definitely recognize the need after going through this packing experience!

Feels Like Home

Our trip to Mass was immensely successful. We loved the house- it felt just like home! We spent time giving our new yard some much needed TLC and even had time to get our garden started. None of us wanted to come home. Stokes & I leave Thursday for the big move.... stay tuned for more pics & stories of the journey north!

I'm so glad that I went up there for the first time. It was sooooooooo pretty. I went to my school while I was there. It is way different than the school I go to now but it was cool. We also spent some time in New Hampshire and Vermont. I am so glad that I can go to England with my school. My school's name is the Village School. They have a garden on the playground. I have NEVER had a school with a garden and probably will NEVER again have a school with a garden.

Stokes finally figure out how to contribute to the blog

After fighting my case of computer illiteracy, I am finally able to add to the blog. When Juli-Ann first approached me with the idea of going to farm school, there were so many obstacles that would derail the plan, that it was easy to entertain the possibility. As the obstacles started to dissolve, it became apparent to me that this adventure was a definite possibility. Mudge and Molly sold, Juli-Ann got accepted to the school(first student with children accepted), she visited the kids prospective schools and loved them, etc..... Talk was now becoming action, all the stars were aligning! As any of you who are close to Juli-Ann know, her passion is contagious. As reality started to sink-in excitment became fear, but I have learned lately to recognize fear, and do what you are afraid of anyway. Juli-Ann and I want to instill in Mac and Annie that it okay to be scared about something and still pursue it. Some of the greatest accomplishments come when you learn to conquer the fear to try new things in the first place. If nothing else comes out of this experience, it is my hope that it teaches all of us to seek our dreams and TAKE action to bring them to fruition.

I am so excited about Juli-Ann and the kids adventure in Massachucetts, but I am equally excited about my adventure right here in Alabama.

Mac's scoop on the trip to Mass.

My first reaction to this idea was WHAT!!! WE'RE MOVING TO WHERE!!! So as you can see I was as suprised as you are. When I thought about it I said to myself "Hey I'll be like Marius and Christiaan Heersink except I'll be moving to Massachusetts instead of Holland. Now we have got an awsome house with a 40 acre yard to play in and for an extra bonus it has woods behind it that I can use WOOH! The bad thing is that we have to leave our friends and dad here in Dothan. Only for a year though. My dad also will be coming to visit frequently so that is good. And thats my scoop on the trip to Massachusetts.

What I think about next year.

I think it is going to be a fun adventure. I am sad that my dad is staying here and that I am going to be away from all of my friends for a year. I really like our house up there. I think it is going to be so fun. I am going to meet new friends and people. I want to see what it is like.

52 Creamery Hill Road

Luck is on our side. Our friend Bill Lamb (a current Farm School student) found this house for us to rent. It's only a mile from Maggie's farm where Mac & I will be in school and about 15 minutes from Annie's school. We must have been living right- can you imagine a more picturesque New England setting? The house sits on 40 acres which will be great fun for Mac & Annie to explore. We couldn't be more excited.

The prize does come with some questions about what we're able & willing to live without- namely: air conditioning and a dishwasher. It will be interesting to see how we manage...stay tuned. The owner is willing to let Pierre & Lulu come with us. Anyone willing to make the 2 day drive up with them?

Mac, Annie & I are headed up May 31 to stay in the house for a few nights, get our bearings in the area and decide what furniture we need to pack up & bring with us on the next trip in June. Let the adventure begin....at 52 Creamery Hill Road, North Orange, Mass.