Prince William Forest

High Meadows Trail and portion of South Valley Trail ~ 5 miles

November 10, 2012

 This weekend my parents were visiting and us, and of course, we invited them to come hiking with us! It was a beautiful day for hiking, with sunny skies, perfect temperature, and great company.  Bobby chose a hike in Prince William forest so we would have to drive far.  Unfortunately, the hike was rather longer than he realized, and we were all very tired and it was getting dark by the time we finished.  However, it was a very nice hike, much of it following a stream.  Many of the leaves had fallen, but there was still lots of color in the trees and of course, on the ground.  One section of the trail had such a thick carpet of dry leaves we could barely hear each other talking!  Mom and Dad were really good sports about doing this with us, and Dad carried Gracie for part of the hike.  Another special thing that happened on this hike was an opportunity to gain our plenary indulgence for the Holy Souls during November, by visiting a cemetery.  Along the route there was a tiny, family cemetery, with a newer stone marking the burial place of a person who used to live in this area during the 1800's.  We prayed for his soul and said prayers for the Pope, to gain our indulgences.  Definitely the most unique place
and experience for visiting a cemetery during November!  All in all, it was a fun hike for us, though a bit long for Mom and Dad, and Bobby and I may do it again.  Prince William Forest is just a great, local spot to hike and enjoy nature!

Gracie had fun with Grandpa and Nonna, and loved crawling around in the dry leaves!

Quantico Cascades Trail ~ 1.5 miles

November 12, 2012

After Mom and Dad left on Monday, Bobby and I went back to Prince William Forest for another, shorter hike, just to get out and enjoy the nice day and fresh air.  We did a short trail down to yet another creek in the park.  This trail was just the right length for our still tired legs from Saturday!  It was a great little hike and we plan to come again in the spring, when the water is hopefully flowing even more! 

Published!

 As a little break from all the hiking posts, I just wanted to share that I have had an article published in the Couple to Couple League Family Foundations magazine!  I wrote the article for their blog, but it was never published there.  However, at the beginning of the month, my Mom told me her cousin asked if I'd been published in the magazine.  I ran outside to get the mail, and sure enough, their was the magazine with my article!  I was very, very excited.  (Below is most of the article; the editor added a few paragraphs to the magazine copy.)

Woman Are Listening.  Are We Speaking the Truth?

                We’ve all heard the statistic: 98% of Catholic women use contraception.  It sounds depressing, and the thought of trying to convince that large a percentage of Catholics the truth, let alone others, seems daunting, overwhelming, even impossible.  But thanks to a new study from the Women, Faith, and Culture Project, the real opinions of Catholic women are actually a lot more encouraging.  According to Emily Stimpson at CatholicVote.org:

“What Catholic Women Think: Faith, Conscience, and Contraception” was released last week by the inestimable Mary Hasson and her co-author, Michelle Hill. In great detail, it confirms what some of us have been saying all along: Catholic women’s attitudes about contraception are much more nuanced and diverse than MSNBC would have people believe.

In a nutshell, the study found that while only 13 percent of church-going Catholic women are completely on board with the Church’s teachings on family planning, young women (ages 18-34) are far more receptive, with 27 percent in full agreement with Rome.

Moreover, when the women in question are women who go to Mass weekly and have been to confession at least once in the past year, 37 percent stand with the Church on the issue of contraception.

Which is to say that more than a third of the women sitting in the pews on most Sundays believe and live what the Church teaches.

Furthermore, the study shows that even many of the women who aren’t 100 percent in line with the Church aren’t waiting to throw rotten tomatoes at anyone who dares utter the letters “NFP.” 44 percent of all Mass-going women accept at least some of the Church’s teachings on family planning. And 53 percent of those women say they’re open to learning more about what the Church teaches. 50 percent of younger Catholic women overall said the same.

Unfortunately, not all the news from the study is quite so cheering.

The results also show that somewhere along the line, 85 percent of Mass-going Catholics have picked up the idea that they can be good Catholics without following the Church’s teachings on contraception.

The statistics revealed by this study present a picture which is both encouraging and challenging.  For Catholics who already believe and live what the Church teaches about family planning, the study shows they are not alone.  But for those same Catholics, especially ones who are serious about sharing the truth and beauty of the Church’s teachings on human sexuality with others, the study challenges  them to persevere in their efforts.  Because women (and men) are hungry for the truth, and they are open to listening those who would speak it to them with charity and clarity. 

                The task will continue to be a interesting one.  If 85% of Mass-going Catholics think they can be good Catholics whether or not they contracept, those who know the truth must not be silent.  Lack of conformity to Church teaching on sexuality constitutes a mortal sin, at least when done with full knowledge of the gravity of the act.  Therefore, with the utmost charity, faithful Catholics must share the truth about the spiritual, emotional, relational and physical harm caused by contraception.  And although we should always share the truth, regardless of success, we should be encouraged to know that Catholic women are listening.  The secular culture and media would have us believe that the discussion is over, but it’s not. 

We should also encourage our priests to speak out on this issue. 

According to the study, 72 percent of the women rely primarily on the Sunday homily for their faith formation. Which means if they’re not hearing about the Church’s teachings on love and life there, they’re not hearing about them anywhere.

And many aren’t. For more than two generations, there has been only silence from the majority of our Church’s pulpits on the issue of contraception. Too many pastors and shepherds of souls have kept mum on the question, instead leaving it to the culture to form the Catholic conscience. Or, more accurately, mal-form the Catholic conscience.

The study doesn’t give us a reason for that. Anecdotally, we can hazard a guess that a little of the reticence stems from disagreement with Church teaching; much more from the fear of alienating parishioners.

The reality, however, is that people are open to hearing the truth, even from the pulpit.  When I mentioned this study to a priest friend, he agreed, saying that when he recently preached on contraception he received only positive feedback regarding the homily.  And that was at a large parish in the D.C. suburbs.   Yes, some people may not like what they hear.  But we could learn something from the secular media.  If you say something enough times, people begin to hear and believe.  Our culture bombards people with lies and misinformation constantly.  It’s time to use the say tactic for speaking the truth.  And be encouraged: many are listening.

Our First Few Hikes or The Tale of How We Started Hiking

Dickey Ridge/ Snead Farm Loop Trail ~ 3miles

 September 22, 2012

Dickey Ridge Trail

On September 22 we attempted, and completed, our first hike with Grace.  We did a three mile loop right across from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center in Shenendoah.  It led to a beautiful view to the west of the mountains.  For this hike, we used our Baby Carrier pack.  It worked OK for me, but Grace was very squished on Bobby's back, though that didn't prevent her from falling asleep.  Carrying Grace for half the hike (I think it took us almost two hours) was a new experience, and I knew if we did it again we would need a better pack and that it would take some getting use to.  We also made a list of gear and supplies that we really needed to buy or put together before attempting another long hike.  Like a first aid kit, after I fell and scrapped up my knee.  All in all, it was a fun time, the weather was pleasant, and Gracie really seemed to enjoyed being in the outdoors.  She was very quiet, but kept looking all around at the trees.  The reason we had decided to get out and hike in the first place (we bought a year pass to Shenendoah to encourage us to come again) was because we realized Grace wasn't getting any time in nature.  When we visited my godparents in New Jersey, Cecelia took Grace on a walk around their neighborhood, which is very wooded and pretty, and also down to their local lake.  She said Grace seemed fascinated by the trees, birds, squirrels and the lake.  So we decided we needed to get outside with her much more often, and not just walking around apartment land.

Fun in the forest with Daddy on Grace's first hike!

Laurel Trail Loop ~ 1.4 miles

October 24, 2012

Evening Hike in Prince William Forest

Unfortunately, it was over a month before we ventured out into the wilderness again.  Getting out and hiking just wasn't a priority and we hadn't gotten any gear.  However, we weren't doing anything better with our free time.  Hanging out in the apartment, watching movies and playing computer games were our main forms of recreation, apart from parties or visits with family.  But in mid-October, Bobby and I had a long talk and decided we wanted our family and spousal life to change.  Bobby admitted he'd been reluctant to get out and go places for awhile, because of how unreliable our old car was.  We had been talking about buying a new car for years, but kept putting it off because of the cost of car payments and the fact that the old car was still running.  We had gotten more serious this fall and decided on a 2012 Honda Civic, but still hadn't purchased because of doubts about housing and expenses for next year.  After our conversation, we decided to go ahead and purchase the new car, and get out hiking more!  In anticipation of this we did a short, local hike on a Wednesday afternoon after work, in Prince William Forest.  We also tried out the more substantial baby pack we borrowed from some friends.  The hike was level and pleasant, and the leaves were all orange and yellow.  The back was not the best, but still better for hiking than our small, cloth baby carrier.  It was a nice, short hike, and we finished just before dark.  Two days later, we bought our lovely new car.

Sugarloaf-Keyser Run Fire Road--Hogback Mountain Lariat ~ 4.9 miles

October 27, 2012 

The next day, Saturday, we packed up our Honda Civic and headed back to the mountains, for a serious, five mile hike in Shenendoah.

 This hike took us up Hogback Mountain and little Hogback, then down into the valley.  The guide book we used recommended going down into the valley first, and then finishing with the hard accent up the mountain.  We decided to go the other way, and were very glad we did!  The beginning of the trail, part of the AT, followed Skyline Drive and was pretty high up, so the ascent of the mountain wasn't much going up the first side.  Coming down the other side was a very steep and long set of switchbacks, which we were so glad we didn't have to go up!  Going
 down was difficult enough, and Bobby was glad to have his hiking pole, especially as he was carrying Gracie.  We rested a bit at the bottom, then did the gentle ascent and descent of little Hogback.  The views from both peaks, looking west, were amazing!  After the two mountains we crossed the road and the trail took us along a fire road for about a mile.  That was wide and gently sloping, a pleasant walk.  The final segment of the hike was back up the valley, on a trail through the woods.  The ascent was gradual and not too hard, but I was carrying Grace for the final leg of  the trip and it wasn't easy!  The backpack doesn't fit me well (I'm too short) and it took a while for me to get into stride.  Also, the light was beginning to fade and the trail seemed to stretch on forever!
We finally made it back to our car with a little daylight to spare, and we were very glad to change into dry (non-sweaty) clothes and be in the warm car.  The day wasn't cold, but it was chilly, especially as the sun went down.  Overall, we enjoyed the hike and learned an important lesson: start earlier!  We began the hike at 2pm and it took us just over 3 hours to complete, which brought us to a chilly dusk at the end.  Also, daylight savings time starts soon, so we know we need to start much earlier.  We were also better prepared this time, with plenty of water and a first aid kit.

Bobby was very happy driving the new car, which is quiet and smooth and handles well, not too mention doesn't overheat when we go up mountains.  We look forward to many, many adventures with the new car, and hope to acquire a better back pack, as well as hiking boots and more poles, over  the next few months.

Annapolis Rock, MD ~ 5 miles

November 3, 2012

Cloudy skies, a brisk wind, 40 degree air that felt like 35.  Not what we expected for our latest hiking trip on Saturday.  But we did it anyway.  In the last six weeks, Bobby and I have conquered the obstacles and begun hiking regularly with Gracie.  Would it have been easier to start in the spring?  Definitely.  Do I still grumble about the discomforts and have to recover for several days?  So far, yes.  But we believe this is something good for our family and we're going to give it our best shot.

On Saturday we drove up to Maryland to a hike along the Appalachian trail, to a view at Annapolis Rock.  It was 5 miles there and back, up and back down the mountain.  When we arrived at the parking lot, I had serious doubts as to the wisdom of this hike.  It was cold, cloudy, and windy.  But we had some lunch, bundled up, and started off.  I wanted to carry Gracie first, as it is easier for me to go uphill with the carrier than downhill.  But the carrier easn't adjusted properly and was even more uncomfortable than usual.  But we got the carrier figured out and I persevered.  This would be our first "cold weather hike" and I knew if I didn't attempt the hike, if I quit after fifteen minutes, I would be afraid to try again until spring.  So I pressed on, and up.  The trail at the beginning was steep, rocky, and very difficult.  That was definitely the worst part of the trip.  After what seemed like forever, but was probably only a quarter to half a mile, the trail leveled out and for the rest of the hike was either level or went gently up or down.  I carried Grace about 2.5 miles, almost half the trip.  And I was proud of my perseverance.  After the really hard beginning, the rest of the trail was pleasant, and there was little wind among the trees.  Walking kept us warm and toasty, and the remainder of the hike was easier, and went more quickly, than either of us expected.

The summit of the hike is a short jog off the Appalachian trail, to a rocky overlook of western Maryland.  The view was terrific, but it was very windy and cold on the rock and we didn't stay long.  Bobby carried Grace back down the mountain, and covering her with a blanket seemed to keep her warmer and help her sleep better.  We completed the hike in 3 hours flat, and were glad to get back to our warm car.  However, this hike was a challenge, it was an accomplishment, and in the end it was fun.

Day 31

 What I Have

October 31, 2012

I thought it would be fitting to wrap up these 31 days of Home. On Purpose with a reminder from the boy who painted on the outside of his house.  Fair warning, it’s about to get Jesusy up in these parts and this will stop you in your cute tracks:

Remember that?  I contacted one of my favorite artists, Colette from Raw Art Letterpress (I randomly came across her on etsy, last year, bought a print for my son’s room & her Mom is Love print ended up in my office) and she created this free download of Psalm 23:1 (Good News Translation) for you in honor of Topiwo and 31 Days and your home and being purposeful.
Here’s to creating a home with purpose  {*insert mental picture of all of us clinking our coffee cups cheers style*}.

 

This 31 Days has been a real blessing to me.  I've started to think purposefully about what I want for and in my home.  What my home means to me.  It has also reminded me of all the blessings I have, and how I need to be very grateful for my family.  Although my house is currently very small, it is filled with love.  And I am having an easier time seeing God's love and goodness in the ways He is providing for us.  Most of all, I am blessed to have my beautiful daughter and fun-loving husband.  There may be, hopefully will be, many good changes in the next few months, and maybe the opportunity to expand my home.  I hope the insights I've gained and written down during this past month will be invaluable tools to aid my in making a home.  On purpose.  And I will continue following this lady's lovely blog.  And maybe go back and rewrite that terrific posts on words to use for me home.  So much learned.  So much left to do.  So much to look forward to.  Thank you, Lord, for your blessings.  Amen.

Day 29

Thoughts on Home & The Creatives Who’ve Helped Me

Posted: 29 Oct 2012 10:48 AM PDT

I hope I never stop learning and changing how I think, especially when it comes to our home.  I wanted to share with you six women–creatives, who have really helped shape how I think about home.

Tsh Oxenreider @Simple Mom and her book Organized Simplicity has challenged me to evaluate what and why I have certain items in my home.

Ann Voskamp @A Holy Experience and her book One Thousand Gifts taught me the art of thankfulness, contentment and how to learn to live slow.

Jen Hatmaker and her book 7 reminds me to consider excess, stuff and being purposeful.

Emily Freeman (my baby sister) @Chatting at the Sky and her book Grace for the Good Girl (& really just her whole life) shows us that we don’t have to pretend to be perfect.

Sandy Coughlin @The Reluctant Entertainer and her book The Reluctant Entertainer encouraged me to use our home as a place of connection, right now.

Lisa Leonard : everything about her bleeds creativity.  From her jewelry here and here, to her instagram and even what she wears.  Lisa’s life dares me to take that risk and create.

I’m giving away all of these books signed by the author.

One winner will get all of these books and the necklace along with some special little gifts from my home.  I’m looking forward to packaging it up all cute and shipping it out to the winner, usually giveaways here are hosted by a third-party so I don’t get to put my hands on the actual prize.  But this one is straight from the nest and from these inspiring women and me to you.

Is there a book or movie or anything that has helped shape your thinking about home?  I’d love to read about it in the comments!  Your comment will count as your entry, even if you don’t have an answer to the question, just leave a comment to enter to win.

I commented on this post that these 31 Days has been the first time I really thought about what a want from and for my home.  Maybe I'll take a look at some of these books in the library.  And check out these other blogs.  We MAY be moving to Front Royal in Dec/Jan after all. Whether or not I'll get to do much on my own is yet to be seen.  But I have really appreciated the reflections this month.  And maybe sometime I'll go back and rewrite that awesome post about words I want to describe my house.  The post that was lost. :( 

Day 28

via Lindsey

No Ruby Slippers Required

Posted: 28 Oct 2012 06:24 PM PDT

On our way home from the Allume Conference, I was browsing around the #allume hashtag on instagram and saw this picture from Lindsey.  With this caption:

I thought of this photo the entire way home.  I think it’s so beautiful and homey with its Angry Bird pumpkin and still-blooming-in-the-fall-hydrangea and the nandina that’s about to turn, and the light on that you can see through the storm door and the crack in the sidewalk that adds nothing but pure character.  Such a perfectly inviting picture of home.
Lindsey’s attitude reminded me to check my own thoughts as I walk back into the stacks of books and bills and mismatched socks and what?…missing 31 Day posts?!  She reminded me to choose to see the welcoming parts of my home instead of the parts that sometimes wear me out.
Home.  There really is no place like it.

Bobby has been home for two days, due to the Hurricane.  We took out the mattress to relax on, and didn't clean up at all yesterday.  But we relaxed and had fun.  Grace loves the mattress to play on.  Yes, the house was a mess this morning, but really, it didn't take that long to clean, and at least its cozy.  No place like home.

Day 27

The Myth of the Next House

If an alien came to earth and watched how we use our homes what would they discover from watching us?
Because I’m pretty sure if an alien watched House Hunters on HGTV for a few hours they would deduct that everyone on earth must entertain often, it seems it’s all people on that show can talk about.  They go on and on about how they are going to entertain in their next house and how they love having people over and this next house is gonna help them do that.
I’ve realized something about myself and maybe you do it, too.  I seem to always put the burden on my next house.  Because the current house never seems to be ready.  It never seems to be quite good enough. It doesn’t seem to have the potential that I’m sure my next house will have.
My next house….? That’s where the real living is gonna happen.

Well, if we ever move into a "next house", it will surely have more potential, since we may be able to paint and renovate.  And it should be better for entertaining, since it has to be bigger!  But what we do best as a family is almost as easily done in this little apartment as in a big, lovely new house.  And that is play, talk, eat, sleep.  There's at least some room for Gracie, a place for the computer, a small but working kitchen, a tiny but functional bedroom.  Yes, it's small, but its home for now, it kept out the wind and rain of Hurricane Sandy this week, and didn't lose power.  It's not a great house, but it's home.  And this is where real living takes place.

Day 25

It’s Not What You Think

October 25, 2012 Filed Under: 31 Days Home. On Purpose

 Mr. Yen

After five years of running Nesting Place and years before that helping friends, neighbors, family and strangers with their home, and listening to my own back talk in my head for 38 years I’m pretty sure I’ve figured out the single most thing that holds us back from creating a beautiful, meaningful home on purpose.
Nope, it’s not money.
It’s not lack of creativity.
It’s not that we don’t have the time.
It’s not that someone else is holding us back.
They all come into play.  But the one thing that is the biggest hurdle?
 
It’s fear.

We put off making decisions, hesitate to commit to a paint color, dream about trying that DIY project but worry we’d mess it all up.  We forget that the goal is not perfection when it comes to creating a home. We assume that it doesn’t feel like a risk when others chose that bold color or buy that vintage sofa and since it feels scary we stop.  Or we take it to the other extreme and put off buying that sofa that we’ve needed for three years and instead spend a small fortune at Kirlkand’s  or thrift stores buying too many tchotchkes because those are easy decisions that we can handle.
What if we looked at our home as not only a training ground for our children to learn how to be responsible adults but also as a training ground of sorts for ourselves?  What if we decided there was a safe place in this world to make mistakes, play, take a risk and be who it is we want to be?  Wouldn’t the natural place for that to start be in the comfort of home?
Because if we cannot dare to be our true selves and make mistakes in our home, how can we ever expect anyone else to let their guard down while they are there?  And isn’t that the true purpose of a home?  It’s there to serve us and others, it’s a place of connection, a place of rest.  But we don’t always take full advantage of its true purpose and instead we become a slave to our home.

If you lower your expectations and decide that perfection isn’t the goal in creating your home, you might be amazed at what you’ll let yourself try.

Lately, I've been seeing that fear does hold me back from doing things I think I should.  Like building a Melaleuca business, like exercising enough, like buying the new car, or moving.  I'm afraid of the cost, the consequences, of making the wrong choice.  Ironically, I don't think I have this problem with my home.  Usually, it's IS just money that holds me back, but I'm quite decisive about what I want to do or buy.  I wonder what I would be like if I could spend extra money on home furnishings, or even just on my clothes.  Lately, I've had so many dreams of style and "put-togetherness", for myself and my home, I just can't afford them.  And why?  Because I'm afraid of building a Melaleuca business and having extra income.  I don't know what the solution is.  In the mean time, I'm just bumbling along, doing my best with what I have.  Just trying to be grateful for my family and Faith, the best things I have.  Sometimes, it seems, the only things I really have...

Day 24

Less

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 05:26 AM PDT

I know, it’s not really all we need. At all.  But it’s a big part of what most of us could use.
Less stuff, less debt, less choices, less accessibility, less overwhelm, less automatic ‘yeses’ because we don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings or we’ve forgotten to turn our default from yes to I’ll think about it and get back to you.
What could you use less of right now?

Definitely less debt.  Less getting sick, for all of us.  Less family drama.  Less worries about the future.  Less hard decisions that need to be made regarding cars, housing, jobs, and soon, children.  Less distractions from what's really important, and more time with God and together as a family.

But ultimately, we really don't need "less", we need the most.  We need God.  Having less, even having nothing, has no merit without the most important thing: God.  Granted, she means less stuff, but we have to be careful about simplifying so much that we have nothing left, not even God and family.  I don't really like this quote because, for me, it brings to mind nothingness, instead of the fullness of life I receive from Christ.

Day 23

What’s On Your List?

Posted: 23 Oct 2012 04:49 AM PDT

Is home just another place where there are unmet expectations, lists, work and exhaustion?  What does being home purposefully really mean?
How about a little flashback 10 years?  If you love country music then you probably loved this song from 2002.  I still love it and turn it up every time it comes on the radio.  Even if it is a little cheesy, I never get tired of country cheese…

(click over to watch if you are reading via email, click here to watch on youtube)

Toby Keith: My List  

What a great song!  It makes me feel good about my habit of putting more than chores on my list, like praying and exercising.  This past weekend Bobby and I made a list of ways to work on spending more quality time together as a family.  Here's that list: Pray Liturgy of the Hours, pray a Sunday Rosary, encourage each other to work out 3-4 times a week, go hiking locally during the week and in Shenendoah a few times a month, prepare for a Christmas party, and Bobby is suppose to help me out more with chores.  

My own "list" of important things to do includes praying, exercising, spending those extra, special moments with Gracie, calling Mom, Ellen, Megan, and other friends, writing letters, going to Mass, being with Bobby, sewing and crafting, playing with the cat, writing blog posts.  These are the things that are best about being home, and far more important than the decor or chores.

Day 21

I Like to Move it

October 21, 2012 Filed Under: 31 Days Home. On Purpose

My number one favorite decorating secret?  Move stuff around.  Shop the house and try it in a different spot.  The process isn’t usually pretty, or understandable (good thing my husband didn’t walk in while I had the chair on the bed). But it can lead to a fun fresh room for zero dollars. Dresser from the guest room + mirror that was leaning against another mirror in the bathroom + chair moved to the other side = much needed change.

 Here's a decorating secret for me to file and remember.  Can't really do this right now.  But it's a good idea.

Day 20

White Space

Posted: 20 Oct 2012 05:07 AM PDT

When I was younger and I thought about my future home, I always thought about what I wanted to put IN my home.  I thought about what I didn’t have or what I wanted or  what I hoped for.  I thought about what I could create and what fun ideas I could come up with and interpret into our home.
Now that I’ve been doing this for 28 years (I’d say I started about 10 years-old with my Barbie houses, I was one of the lucky ones with the Barbie Dream House complete with the pink plastic canopy bed) I’ve learned that creating a beautiful meaningful home with stuff I love to be surrounded by isn’t just about what I put IN my home.
It’s just important to take things OUT of our homes.  What NOT to have.
Maybe more important.
Because if EVERYTHING has meaning then nothing is really meaningful.  Especially if I feel that I must keep and display it all.
If everything is beautiful and I can and must have it all, then it’s just a bunch of piled up beautiful things. And a bunch of things, beautiful or ugly, begins to look and act like a hoard.
If I’m keeping all the beauty piled up on the tables and in the corners and in the holding area, just in case, then the Stuff Manager rears her ugly, bossy head and gets mad because all she does is constantly care for these objects.
Sometimes I ask myself, what’s the least amount of stuff I can have in this space and still have it accomplish our homes purpose and goals? Having a meaningful, beautiful home is a goal of mine, so I consider that with the question, but sometimes I’m surprised at how little it takes to meet my goals and still look beautiful.

I love beautiful things, and I wish I could have a bigger house and decorate more.  Lately,especially, I've been dreaming a lot about this.  But the truth is, I like have clear surfaces and generally feel that less is more.  I just have trouble sorting through so many things I love and only using some of it.  And I think that's OK for now, with a little house.  Later, when we have more room, I want to be more conscience of how much stuff I have and display.  

Day 18

Good Stuff, Not Just Because it’s Pink

Posted: 18 Oct 2012 04:14 AM PDT

My dear friend Ellen from sweetwater has outdone herself this year and she has no idea.  Also? Her graphics are to die for.  Her series, Abide: 31 Days to Love Where You Live is slightly spellbinding and full of wise-make-you-think words.  I LOVE what she says about margin:

“Margin is not an excuse to not to be going out. Margin is what makes going out possible.”

And she talks about the truth of how we might feel about our homes: Love is Not Like

love is not like.

"This post is part of a 31 day journey. See the rest of abide: love where you live right here.

When I hear people using words that run down their houses and where they are, my heart wrenches for them to know freedom. That way of living? It’s paralyzing. It’s ok to say it’s hard. It’s ok to say it’s not where you want to be. But then? We have to choose love.

I get it. I get not liking where you are. I’ve felt that up and down and all over. But do you know what? It’s possible to love where you are but not like it. Like is a feeling. It fades. It whips with the wind. It has no roots.

Love? Love is a choice. Love remains. Love is what’s before you everyday when you wake up and when you slam that broken cabinet and when you sit down to an empty table and when you’re never caught up on the cleaning.

Jesus said that what’s inside makes it’s way out. And if you’re stuck in dislike for where you are, it’s going to color everything. All the little things that are sandpaper will start to define where you are. Instead you could choose to love where you are because you believe in a good God and you believe He moves things forward and you believe that change actually does happen, even if it happens slowly. You could endure with love. And it would be beautiful to all the people around you. And it would mean freedom.

How can you choose to love today?

We’ve gotten to the part about people. And that’s why we need to settle this choosing love thing today.

The Nester has been writing all about home on purpose this month and today she’s sharing how her family is choosing what they love right where they are. It’s kind of awesome."

To choose to love.  A beautiful, Christian sentiment, and a wonderful way to look at where we live.  To love it because those we love dwell there, and there are good memories and happy times at the place.  After all, it really doesn't matter what it looks like, what matters is the people there.  I used to take pride in my belief that I was not attached to a home building, much, but that my family was my home, and being with them, I was happy.  Now, I feel more attached to my home.  Sentimental that Mom and Dad will be selling the "old homestead" soon, and more and more complaining about where we live now.  I need to regain the sense of love for a place, and the utmost importance of who, not where.  It doesn't matter what a like, it matters what I love.  And loving is a choice.

Days 16 & 17

  Home, Purposefully

Posted: 16 Oct 2012 05:26 AM PDT

Four years ago this month I came home from my first blogging conference (the very first Blissdom with only 70 people) and asked my husband if I could temporarily stop homeschooling our boys and see if I can make this Nesting Place blog into a real business.
Of course, it’s more complicated than that.
We moved to Charlotte five years ago after losing a business.  Lost business = a bunch of debt.  And not the fun kind like vacations and clothes and furniture and bottles of wine.  Our debt wasn’t even a dumb fun mistake.  Plus, we decided the smartest thing for us was to buy back into a franchise that had been really successful for my husband in the past.  Which meant more business debt and purchasing a vehicle for the job.  We pretty much had to buy a job.
..........................As of today, we are ‘this-close’ to being debt free.  I underestimated our 2011 taxes and then we had a huge unexpected medical thing show up so that threw a wrench in our plans.  But we hope to be debt free (minus a family loan) by the end of the year.
And debt free is just that…freeing….
to be continued…tomorrow

Home, Purposefully. Part 2

.....................

And I get to keep writing here. And doing something I love, and I’ll actually have real time to spend working instead of doing everything in the cracks.  Why do I always feel like I only work in the cracks?  Oh yeah, because I do.  I do most of my work before 7am.  And then it’s cracks after that.
And the best news, our boys get to have their dad as a teacher!  They are so lucky.
I am so excited for all of us!
So, small side note but remember how I had that sofa in our foyer because we got a new sofa?  Once I knew we were pulling the boys out of school and they’d be doing more reading books at home I figured it was time to trade out the old homework table for a more cozy option. I pulled that coffee table down from the playroom so they could still have a much-needed surface for working and computing and Lego-ing and puzzle-ing.
But knowing they were gonna be home more led to a different purpose for our family room and ultimately an odd change.  We took the kitchen table out of our family room and brought in a secondary sofa.  Is there such a thing as too many sofas?   I hope not.
Anyway, we are all so excited about this new adventure and I couldn’t wait to share it with you.  Thanks for being a part of it.

I’d love to hear about any “freedom decisions” that your family has been able to make or is hoping to make once your debt is paid off.  Share in the comments?

Pay off debt has been a common refrain I've been hearing lately.  Ways and means are far more difficult!  Our freedom decision would simply be to have a home and a new car, and another baby!  Of course, we dream of adventures and many other things, but its the basics I want right now.  God, please help us!

Day 15

I Thought You Were Rich If…

Posted: 15 Oct 2012 04:51 AM PDT

After I mentioned how growing up, I thought only rich people had picnic tables, a few of you left comments with what you thought was only for the rich:

“I love that you associate picnic tables with rich people! For me, it’s honeydew melon. When I was a little girl, I even called it rich people melon.” –Christen

“…kitchen islands & wall ovens. as a child, i only saw these in movies, so i REALLY thought they were only for the rich. and a kitchen with TWO ovens–those people must be over-the-top wealthy”  –Von

“In my 14-year-old mind, a second refrigerator in the garage was “rich”. One of my aunt’s had one, and I thought it was the very height of luxury. Looking back, I”m not sure if it was the actual refrigerator or the fact that it was mostly filled with Cokes and other beverages that made it seem so luxurious! All I know is, we have one in our basement now (stuffed with Cokes, Red Bull, beer and Frappuccinos!), and it makes me feel like a Queen!” —Tammy

I absolutely LOVED these comments and thought it would be fun to read more (because I am selfish and love to be entertained–entertain me dear readers!).  I also love the sense of innocence, perspective and thankfulness that remembering what impressed us as children (and teenagers) can bring. It’s fun to look back at what we used to see as special and now might see as ordinary.  It makes me wonder how my boys will answer this question one day.
Ok what’s your answer?
When I was younger I thought you were rich if…

...you had a Cadillac convertible.  That was the height of a luxury, expensive car.  Now, I'd prefer a Solara.

...you went to hotels, timeshares, or resorts for vacation, instead of camping.  Now, I know that's still more expensive than camping, but camping has it's own charms.  However, it was a real thrill to me this summer to stay at a timeshare resort for the first time!

...you went to Disney World every year.

Conversely, I think what I thought was poor is pretty funny.  I always thought that living in an apartment was only for poor people who couldn't afford a house!  Now I know apartments can be just as expensive, and luxurious, as the nicest house!

Day 14

Picnic Tables: They’re Not Just for Rich People Anymore

Posted: 14 Oct 2012 04:39 AM PDT

You thought I was being funny when I mentioned I’d always dreamed of having a picnic table.  But it’s true. I grew up eating on picnic tables in my grandparent’s back yard and just like a having a tire swing, it’s a shining beacon of home.
But it wasn’t until I was a freshman in high school that our family got our first picnic table.  In my  fourteen-year-old head, picnic tables were for rich people.  So I figured that’s why we didn’t have one.  So yes, even in college I knew that one day, I would have a picnic table too.  I can vividly remember thinking that I might even *gasp* put my own picnic table inside one day.
Regardless if you are rich or not, every house could use an unassuming workhorse picnic table. And I’m so happy we finally got one.

Cost Breakdown:

Picnic Table Kit: $149

Umbrella : $49 (just noticed it’s on sale for $39)

Drill Bit: $10ish

Stain: $12ish

Total: $225ish

Not bad for seating for six and a versatile table that I hope will stay with our family for years–maybe I’ll even bring it inside one day…

Country Living

Is there a little something you’ve always dreamed of having in your home?  Maybe like me, it’s not anything all that expensive, but something that represents home to you.  I’m surprised at how great it felt to fulfil a childhood dream for our home, as ridiculous as it was to wait this long for a picnic table, it really helps makes our house feel like home to me.  And isn’t that what Home. On Purpose is all about?

I love my childhood home.  Now that Mom and Dad have bought a retirement home, it makes me sad to think they'll be selling the NY house in a few years.  I love the rooms, the deck, the yard.  But one thing I've carried with me from living there has been a frustration, first that I saw with my Mom, now I can see it for myself, in projects taking a very long time to get done.  My dream, which I've always thought is "only" for rich people, is to have someone else do at least some of the work on a house or garden.  I don't mind painting, or sewing curtains, or doing certain other things by myself.  But some day, I would love to have an expert install, say, a great new kitchen, or design a gorgeous porch, or landscape my yard with beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees. 

Maybe, when we have our own place, I will realize there are more things I can easily do on my own than need to be done by a professional, but that's my dream, to have projects done quickly and done well by a professional.  And as long as we can't afford that, I want to follow-through and complete projects quickly and efficiently on my own.

Day 13

Well-Planned Hoarding

Posted: 13 Oct 2012 04:44 AM PDT

I read minimalist blogs.  I have for a long time.
One of the many reasons I love writing Topiwo is because it gives me perspective.   It’s the same with reading about minimalism, it reminds me to be intentional with what I have. There’s a post by The Minimalists that I haven’t been able to get out of my head.

Organizing is Often Well-Planned Hoarding.

It reminds me of something Fly-lady says, “You can’t organize clutter.”  I know I’ve been guilty of trying to organize clutter, thinking that if I were just more organized, then it would all work out, when a big part of my issue was that I just had a bunch of junk I needed to get rid of.
What about you, has there been a time that your well-intentioned organizing has really been a ploy to avoid getting rid of things?

Good point.  I'm constantly reorganizing, but if I had less stuff, there wouldn't be as much to organize!  Still, I'm not a minimalist, and I think I'm more selective these days with what I display.  However, I do believe there is more stuff I could get rid of, if I just had the courage.  For some reason, I always feel "bad" throwing things out, because it strikes me as littering.  I just need to find better places to donate.  Also, I've found that putting things away, out of sight, teaches me to see I don't need or really want them, and that makes it easier to throw away.  I'm looking forward to moving and hope to get rid of more stuff when that process gets underway.

One last thought: I resent being told that my organization is well-planned hoarding.  Minimalists always strike me as lacking in emotion and sentiment, without any real love or attachment to things that remind them of people or places they love.  I like to think that the pictures and stuff in my home are reminders of people and places and memories I love and want to be reminded of when I look at them.  I'm not ashamed of all my stuff.