Simplicity, Self-Care, and Joy

  • Books, books, and fewer books!

    Books, books, and fewer books!

    We got rid of a lot of books this past week. Some books are difficult for me to get rid of because I tend to feel an attachment not only to the story but to the physical books themselves. I used to read a lot of sci-fi and fantasy, and they are often reprinted with…

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  • Why Not Use the Good Stuff?

    Why Not Use the Good Stuff?

    I have this habit of saving things for the “perfect” or best time to use them. Mostly that doesn’t serve me well, such as when the expensive, fancy ingredient goes bad because I never use it. It is like there is some part of me that thinks I have to maximize my use of things.…

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  • Big Decision

    Big Decision

    Image is of decades of my computers and data that I’ve been storing. I want to make sure that the hard drives are securely taken care of. I did a decent job of moving the data I needed forward from some of the computers, but not others. So there is this big question of what…

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  • Gary the Foster Dog

    Gary the Foster Dog

    Gary is a Dog. Bark, Gary. Bark, bark, bark. Funny Gary. See Gary and Paula. Bark, Gary, Bark! Okay, I’m done with the Dick and Jane type storybook. Please don’t go! After our dog Taylor died in February, we gave almost everything to our friend Pegg from the Bull Terrier Rescue. Crate, dog beds, treats,…

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  • One Down, Three to Go

    One Down, Three to Go

    This week, my wife sold her 1969 Vintage British Motorcycle, named Penelope. It was bittersweet for her and a little for me too. I remember watching Paula get on that motorcycle and ride it down the street, following a 1950’s theme party. I remember riding it up the steep hill to my house, holding onto…

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  • The Garage Sale That Wasn’t

    The Garage Sale That Wasn’t

    I know that many minimalists suggest not trying to make money at a garage sale – it slows down your decluttering journey.  I’m sure that’s not true for everybody – I’ve sure attended some great garage sales that I’m sure made money! Things often won’t sell for what you think they are worth. Studies have…

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  • It’s Getting Real

    It’s Getting Real

    Within the past few months, several things happened. (Okay, I started writing this in January 2021. Darn procrastination! So I’m just leaving those references.) My wife and I talked about books, the new year – 2021 for the win! my wife found a YouTube channel about a US couple that had settled in Porto, Portugal.…

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  • Small Improvements

    Small Improvements

    In my decluttering journey so far, I’ve tried to create some new habits. Making the bed. Keeping my bathroom counter clean. Concentrating on just one habit at a time before adding another has been helpful. With the pandemic and then the power outages, things have been more stressful, so some of my habits have backslid.…

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