Simplifying Life

ceridwen

edited out - sorry

Aril

Hello virtual friends:j
Thank you so much for the wonderofitall link....I have just sat mesmerised by the beautiful photographs. I am at my happiest and calmest when either at home with family and friends or out surrounded by the beauty of nature. It has only just occurred to me watching that that the primary reason I am going to Canada for a once in a lifetime trip in May is for the chance to see and experience the incredible scenery and for the privilege of being able to see whales again. It is very important for me to give my son the same chance...at the moment bless him he's seen many beautiful scenes in this country with the incredible range we have on our small island but his only experience of elsewhere is a day trip to Boulogne. Not quite the same is it:D
For me my absolute favourite is to be in a deciduous wood or under a yew tree...that's why I love Sussex so much. A quote on this theme:
If a man walks in the wood for the love of them half of each day hs is in danger of being regarded as a loafer. But if he spends his days as a speculator, shearing off those woods and making the earth bald before her time, he is deemed to be an industrious and enterprising citizen.
Henry David Thoreau.
Congratulations Jenny on your lovely news....I wish you a bright and fabulous future together. I like this simple wisdom on marriage:
To keep the fire burning brightly, there's one easy rule:
keep the two logs together, near enough to keep each warm and far enough apart- about a finger's breadth- for breathing roo. Good fire, good marriage, same rule.
Marnie Reed Crowell.
Aril

mary43

aril - lovely posting as always and thanks for the quote:

keep the two logs together, near enough to keep each warm and far enough apart- about a finger's breadth- for breathing roo. Good fire, good marriage, same rule

I've made a note of that one and when it's ex foster girls first wedding anniversary I'll pop it in a card for her...........likewise my eldest son........they're not married but as good as. It makes such sense. Thats how OH and I have lived for the past 25 years........we all need our own personal space.

ceridwen - thanks for the links. I'll have a proper look through later.

jenny - congratulations, best wishes, virtual clinks of champagne glasses and may your future be a long and happy one.

Well, back to the 'simplifying' - doesn't seem to be happening at the moment other than sorting out the christmas and birthday hampers I've created........at least now I know who's having what and when...........lol
Every intention of doing much more then discovered the radiator in the bathroom isn't working right............its the one that should stay constant temperature all the time and now it seems to be on 'cold' where all the others are lovely and toastie. Boilers still under guarantee but knowing my luck it'll be a problem not caused by the boiler ! Ouch !!! Plumbers fees !!!
OH hasnt a clue about plumbing/electric etc. bless him............but he's gone off to the pub to meet his mates leaving me to sort it out !
I do hope its a 'something and nothing' thing............so wanting to start my 27/9 on Monday.............can see me doing it over 9 weeks instead of 9 days.............lol Oh well, better than nothing.

groatie_queen

Ralph Marston's presentations are beautiful aren't they? You can access others in addition to The Wonder of it All, via his main website

http://www.greatday.com

which also gives you a daily inspiration to keep you going.

He's someone I would love to meet.

GQ xxx

bails

Just a quickie as we're off out to enjoy the beautiful weather in the woods -

Congraulations Jennieo, that is fantastic news! I wish you both a wonderful future together x

ceridwen

Been ratcheting up the decluttering today from my usual incremental way of doing things - the two gloryholes known as the loft and understairs cupboard being sorted. Throwing things madly and putting what I keep into boxes (according to which category I have decided they are). Whew! - and my reward to myself is checking back in at intervals during breaks on MSE - and a glass or two of wine coming up with dinner.

That and making a new p.c. "folder" that I have "stored" inspirational websites in for ready access is my decluttering/getting organised for the day.

My "head" feels "lighter" already. Reminding myself that there is a theory that throwing out the old rubbish from ones life makes room for the new (and better) - well - dont know if that is the case - but its worth a try.

:whistle: to the tune of "Over my shoulder goes one care" :whistle:

mary43

Well done ceridwen - I must hang my head in shame.............still I did hoover !!!!!! And I'm now looking at the bottles of bubble bath that were once OH's red wine.............labels printed off internet and stuck on. Now all they need is some ribbon round the neck and thats four freebie birthday or christmas pressies so I do feel quite pleased with myself............oh it's five with the smaller whisky bottle ............one more bottle to go then I'm out of bubble bath ..................not that OH won't have anymore wine bottles..........lol

So, despite not getting round to de-cluttering I have done something that makes me smile inside..................:o

Quote on a picture I've got on the wall
'There are no answers in life..................only further questions'

ceridwen

quite like that quote mary43 - but then one is progressing as you ask further questions. "The unexamined life is not worth living" is one I very much like (not sure if that is the exact wording - but you get the gist).

I dont believe in living life "on autopilot" as I call it - just doing things/thinking things/etc because everyone else does (or seems to)....I do believe in working out everything/but everything for myself.

"Life is a school for learning" - not sure if that is the exact wording of that quote - but it is absolutely one of my favourite phrases I keep quoting to myself.

To me personally - that quote was written by someone who knew they had made a noticeable amount of "progress" in learning the life lessons we all get - and realised they still have a LOT to learn (well maybe I am just seeing this from my own personal perspective - as that is how I feel personally) - but its a reasonable working assumption.

mary43

We never do finish life's learning do we.............and wouldn't it all seem boring if we suddenly knew all there was to know.

Lily-Lu

Although I don't post here much, I do read this thread each time I come on, as it's a lovely thread. Thanks to all who've participated:T

Well, I've been resisting the need to de-clutter, but now know that if I want to find that mincer that I know is lurking in the under stairs cupboard, I'll need to get cracking. Chopped up some turkey earlier and went to look for it, but can't find it among the two suitcases, a pet carrier, a half roll of spiky (ouch) galvanized mesh, a sleeping bag, numerous boxes of cereal, a half bin liner full of toilet rolls, an old sewing machine, boxes of model cars, and goodness knows what else:rotfl:

So, turkey has been bagged and put in the freezer for another day.

Think I really need make a list of things that I know I should do, but have been putting off. Then I'll stick it on the kitchen cupboard (there'll be no escape from it there;) ), and tick them off as I get them done.