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42 Responses
"We Don't Need No Steenkin' Badges!"
Love the concept of My Fascist State. I do not remember Johnathan Swift from senior Lit.
Sometimes I like to take those unexpected “found” moments as opportunities to just be wherever I am.
And that’s just fine too!
First thing I do is sort through it in front of the waste bin. Saves both time and temptation because I pitch any catalogs or charity requests before I even have a chance to leaf through them!
Jen, that is totally the way to do it — the organizer give you an A+!
Just read your article and I totally agree with you, you would have made a great life coach. Too many people just accept things and feel sad or complain instead of taking control.
I totally agree.
Nice. Have you read the Simplify Your Life books by Elaine St James? She carries this over into every aspect of life. I gave the books at holiday gifts one year.
oh yeah — those are great — I read those years ago as my initial inspiration to downsize and live more simply (I wonder what she would think about taking the idea to the extreme of living in an Airstream?!) I actually have plans to write a series of simplifying books, each looking at a different issue that seems to complicate and frustrate people’s lives — I’m shopping for an agent, if anyone has any suggestions :)
The holiday season would be much less stressful if everyone dropped the traditions that weren’t meaningful and enjoyable to them. What makes it tricky is by the time we get around to making plans, it’s often too late to raise the topic with others. It’s good that you brought this up nice and early, before everyone’s plans were already underway.
Well of course! You don’t expect the poor deprived little darlings to play with that OLD Wii or Xbox do you.. ;(
If you want to have a look into today’s society just hang around the sales area of the video game dept. And listen to all the whining.
I was asking my 11 year old today what he REALLY wanted for Christmas as his “big” gift. He thought for a minute and said, “Really, there’s nothing I don’t already have. Can I take a raincheck?”
Now that is cool! Congratulations.
Amy, you have an awesome kid!
Yikes! $750 per child…I feel so cheap!!
Maryann, don’t feel cheap — feel reasonable :)
I sure don’t spend $750/kid either! That’s ridiculous!
$750, wow! I think I am going to put myself up for adoption. Anyone want an obnoxious and outspoken 39 year old child?
Got one already :)
I want to be remembered as the oldest skater chic in the world! remembered for the best air trick by a 70 year old!
I love it — sounds good to me!
I really loved your gift basket idea. One Easter my mom gave me a teenage “Easter basket”. It was a spring purse with material and pattern for a new spring outfit inside. We made the outfit together (another memory). And this was in 1977 or 78! So, baskets can work anytime.
Good info! I have been in many a meeting that were a total waste of time or had no direction.
I’ve participated in more phone conferences. Those can be a little frustrating too if you are trying to say something, but you have someone else who is “hogging” the open talk time. lol But at least you get to stay at home while you do it.
Oh… Thanks for linking this up to my Organizing Mission Monday link party!
Great post!
One of my goals this year was to make time for myself every day. I haven’t stuck with it, so thank you so much for the reminder.
Loved this post! A lot of pointers and warnings in there for me. Thank you, Ramona, sincerely.
My first visit to one of your blogs…you had me at “full-time RVing” & Erma B. Mom worshipped her, which I found too weird at the time. (<: Just beginning my journey to being a full-timer. Have much to do & more to learn. I was checking out the link to Amazon...just wondering which texts would be most beneficial? Thanks very much!
Great to meet you! I actually didn’t find any particular books on full-timing that were hugely useful to me — they were more about picking out an RV (which is maybe 100th of the process) than living the full-time life. I’ve learned most of what I know from other RVers and trial/error. If you can wait a sec, I’m writing a book called “Real-Life RVing” that I hope to have out next year — in the mean time, please read my blogs, and absolutely check out what your library has in store — but I wouldn’t suggest buying a lot of books right now (get your info for free first, is my motto!)
Ramona, I love your blog. I’m a fulltimer, too,and have been an Escapee since 1996. I used to dry camp exclusively until I had to have electric most of the time to be on oxygen. Just didn’t want to run the generator all night.
Having to haul all my water in and waste out sure did make me mindful of water use. I can run my whole household on the two large solar panels and two six-volt batteries when I have full sun all day. Got the little Honda EU2000 generator for backup.
I am having a hard time getting a handle on the clutter in my 30 ft travel trailer, but I’m trying. I used to park a long ways from “civilization” so had to keep LOTS of miscellaneous stock on hand.
I’ve learned a lot of tips and tricks for de-cluttering, but it’s hard to keep up with all my medical problems. If you are ever in the Albuquerque, NM area, let’s get together!
Jayne
This is a great concept and I didn’t realize how well I was doing with having a “green” office. I know I could do more. I try to recycle items like file folders because I hate to spend the money on something like that.
“moving on?” Yeesh …
I know, right? of course you realize it took all my willpower not to pop her ;)
It can be hard to pickup and move-on especial when the deceased fill an big part your life. I know both of my parents are deceased.
How insensitive. Hopefully she never has to be on the receiving end of what she said to you. My dad passed away when I was 18, I still have days that I miss him terribly and wonder “what if” and that’s been 22 years ago!
You’re so right Ramona and I’m definitely guilty of this – well, not so much the bitching part, more of an internal “How did I let this happen to my day…again!!”. I think I’d better come and live in your fascist state and take your class :)
All are welcome in my fascist state — and while we pull no punches, there’s lots of support for making the life you want happen! ;)
You articulate everything I believe in. I too live off the grid, and strive to use less. My husband is a clutter bug, and he is my biggest challenge. Every time I clear a flat surface he fills it up. I want to be a professional organizer, and am researching training. Your blog has motivated me to keep on. Any suggestions on where I should start. I know how to run a business, but need legal, marketing, and client handling information. Any info would be greatly appreciated.
I know what it’s like to be in your place. My mother and mother-in-law both passed away 5 years ago. We just sold MIL’s place after 3 years in a bad housing market. Next will be my mom’s place. It closes a chapter in your life. Thank you for your organizing tips; we plan to travel in a motorhome sometime next year.
It has been one year to the date that I lost 2 of my dearest, closest girlfriends(my age) unexpectedly. A week after that my dog of 15 years had to to be put down. I am still having issues over SO much loss in such a a short time span. So, I can relate to how your feeling about your Mom’s passing 2 years ago. Give yourself a hug for me!
It’s hard — but I think the more people share their loss, the easier it is on everyone — thanks for sharing!
I’ve always loved baking, but there are only so many cookies you can eat before you get tired of them. So I used to bake my little heart out and then make up goodie bags for my co-workers. I had fun, they enjoyed it, and it was a small enough gift that they didn’t feel guilty for not having something to give in return.