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January 10, 2009

Happy (Simple)New Year

Yes, it was time to take down the Christmas bush - literally and figuratively...bye bye boughs.

I have most of Christmas stuff back toward storage...notice I didn't say things were actually packed up and put away. That's the beauty/downfall of having rooms you rarely use. Regardless, once I get going it shouldn't be too hard to get the stuff packed up and put back under the eaves....Really...not long at all...minutes even. Maybe.

So I've decided there is definitely an upside to this recession business. We've been discussing simplifying our lives for several months, now anyway and our lack of "need/desire" for more things. Now maybe some of this is attributable to decreased resources and contemplating retirement living but I think I can say I haven't noticed any twitching from lack of "shopping". In fact I feel quite comfortable.

I think this Christmas season had some perfect timing aspects to it as well. I'm sorry for the poor retailers BUT I think many of the people I spoke with over the season were feeling the desire to cut back and this year was the perfect time to start. Less is more people!! More thought went into fewer presents, more homemade presents...no frantic buying to make sure the piles were high! Results I saw and heard from a lot of friends were - ta da! Less stress and more fun just choosing to spend time with each other than buying something. Presence verses presents....;-D Worked for me.

I'm getting better at remembering to have my reusable bags with me - not only are they great at the grocery store BUT I've used them at the bookstore - used book store, thank you and even the library.

It's also amazing how little fuel we use in our cars these days as well. Sure We might have consolidated our driving when fuel prices were high BUT if we aren't out there consuming, then we aren't using gasoline either. We still haven't replaced all our incandescent light bulbs as yet but as they burn out we are putting in more energy efficient ones...not that I like them though. We're trying to to consume less......less is more right?

Now food...ok, we aren't really skimping too much there. We really do try to eat fresh fruits and vegetables...use up those leftovers and make simple but tasty meals. I've always been a from scratch type of person but it's good to see that at least these homemade foods are healthier as well...in spite of butter and eggs...;-D Nothing says tasty like a few sauteed scallops(or broiled fish) and a spinach, fresh sliced pear salad with maybe a few walnuts or almonds thrown on.

Geez how did I end up getting so preachy...maybe I just need to get it written down for reinforcement. 2009 - the year of simple, the year of less.

Pssst...I've also been advised of a Less is More guru by the name of Leo Babuta check him out here

Make yourselves a Happy Simple 2009!

more pppsssttt...Ok just to keep myself honest - yes, I just threw some bagel dogs into the oven for lunch...LOL>..simple! Right? But easy to eat while I read my book from the Library!

Posted by frani at January 10, 2009 12:03 PM

Comments

Hey Fran, where have you been?

I think a lot of people are taking the simplistic route even before this recession we're in.

This year my family decided not to give present to adults and when talking to friends made the same decision and it made the holidays less stressful.

So, when are you taking these flying lessons?

DA

Posted by: Dru at January 10, 2009 02:09 PM

I agree, Dru Ann...we've been doing with less for quite a while now but the Christmas season seemed to "knock it home" for me as well as a lot of other people...LOL you know me, I have to see the up side of things. Rumor has it that winter weather is good flying weather - I'd like to take my lesson sometime soon but I have to make that phone call. Maybe I had better have Nick call me...;-D

Posted by: Fran at January 10, 2009 06:13 PM

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