Technology

Isn't technology great? I spent a half hour this morning printing out postage for a journal that is being re-homed to New Zealand! I've never printed international postage online before, but now I've learned the process!

I am increasingly grateful for technology. Without it, I'd not be able to have a blog, an online business, wouldn't be able to contact old friends through facebook. I am glad that those options are available to me! And when things get a bit obnoxious because crazymakers like to involve even those they know online, there are ignore buttons, and I can always simply unplug!

Today, I'll be researching how to make my life a little easier using my online tools. I already order pizza online. I think I will look into scheduling package pickups. Too bad the computer can't cut my hair! ;-)

I will not be absorbed into an online existence, and use that rather than having any contact with people... I'm just trying to simplify my life to make more room for friends and family, and accomplishing my goals. Speaking of which, I'm jumping right back on that exercise horse today... felt like I fell off a bit there over the weekend.

Ahhhhhhh....

I will post pictures of my new home soon. I spent yesterday evening hanging art on the walls. The most astounding thing to me is now, home doesn't include anger, mind games, power plays. Home is peaceful. Home is fun. Home is somewhere that I really want to be.

I am still in the process of simplifying. We are about 75% unpacked, and if I find that we don't have a home for something, then it's going to Goodwill. I have one box so far, but there will be more. I do not want clutter in my home. I want clean, simple.

So far, the cat's behaving so she can stay :-). I have missed blogging, and missed my morning routine, but even that will become custom tailored to the new life. I may switch to blogging very late in the evening. Who knows. What I do know is that I will continue to blog. Blogging, to me, is a must.

Next week we will have our first dinner party. And we're getting our couch. Life is good, and everything falls into place. Ahhhhmazing.

Working towards Simplification

I am at the end of a very long work week. But in this economy, more than ever, I am thankful to have a job. I could complain about many aspects of it, but that would just be ingrateful. So, today, I am thankful. Thankful for every moment of my job.

I'm also thankful for the energy I have to pursue my dreams. Life is hectic, life is crazy and stressful. Yet, I am moving forward. I am glad that I have the ability to do that.

The things I'm not so thankful for? Well, they are being dealt with, and being packed up to move out of my life. I've said before that I have a move coming up in a couple months. I have been packing stuff for awhile now, but mostly I have been boxing stuff up to donate. I am working on simplifying. Simplifying my decor, my wardrobe, my collections. Simplifying my life.

Christmas seems to be an odd time to be thinking about simplifying... with all the gifts under the tree. But, I have been very specific in my requests and each thing I asked for has a specific place and purpose in my new life. I tried to be very mindful of 'necessity' when gifting to others as well. I think I will have a grand plan for it all by next Christmas.

How is your world?

The need to Simplify

This is one of the photos from my "From Days Gone By" series available on Etsy. I know it wasn't really a simpler time, with all the making food from scratch and such, but doesn't it just *seem* like a simpler time? No internet... no commuting... no rushing here and there. And no cell phones.

When I first got my blackberry, I used it constantly. Constantly checking my blog, my etsy shop, googling things, getting directions, and playing. It took about a month til I felt like a slave to it. Now, I have it on me constantly (who doesn't always have their cell phone?), but I have pulled back. I don't stay on it constantly. I check what I need to periodically (probably still too much, honestly), but am no longer looking at it every 30 seconds.

I went on a media fast years ago, and now only hear the news (and yes, always the bad news) from my husband or at work. I don't think I will ever return to watching/reading the news altogether.

I think I could survive in those olden days. I absolutely love making bread from scratch, would certainly never miss the tv, enjoy doing cross-stitch and stuff with my hands, am not afraid of hard work... yeah, I think I could do it. I may need medical treatment from blackberry withdrawals... but I could do it.

I'm feeling a need to simplify. Probably because I worked 55 hours last week. But I feel a need to slow down and re-discover. Re-discover my children, my home....

What are your needs today? I think so often we are concerned with the needs of others that we forget US... and I know for a fact that if we don't recharge, we have nothing to give others. So, I need to simplify. What do YOU need?