START When we sold our big house over a year ago with plans to downsize, I thought it meant getting rid of more "stuff". But after living in this 300-square-foot fifth wheel while waiting to build, I've realized there's more to simplifying than simply getting rid of things. Sometimes simplifying involves decluttering the mind. Often it involves decluttering the mind. Rethinking things. There have been times I've wanted something out of storage. Something I was willing to share with someone. Perhaps . . . as long as my "stuff" isn't extraneous, packed away, and I'm willing to use it to bless others—or it blesses my family . . . perhaps its okay to keep it. But if ... Keep Reading...
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2018: In a word . . .
January 5: How’s 2018 treating you so far? So far, so good here. We made an after-Christmas trip to Texas to see family and attend the wedding of a longtime friend’s son—and missed the snow at home in Tennessee. I know some of you are covered up in it. Welcome to Winter! As we traveled, I read a lot of blogs. Lots of 2017 recaps, New Years resolutions, and words of the year. You’ve seen those, too, huh? I’ve chosen words in years past, but I wasn’t sure I would this year . . . except one keeps coming to mind. I guess it chose me. MIDDLE Yes, I realize MIDDLE is an unusual Word of the Year. It’s not easy to explain either! But I’ll try . . You see, I’m ... Keep Reading...
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Thankful to put 2017 behind us . . .
2017 was one of THOSE years. You know . . . the kind you’re really glad to see end. The one where putting an X on the last day and turning the calendar page to a new year brings relief—and hope. Surely you’ve experienced one or two of those. When January 1, 2017 arrived, I'd just written the goodbye letter to my old house—the one we'd restored and called “home” for 11 years—and was eagerly anticipating building our Finally Farmhouse at Wild Rose Farm. We were six weeks into our Big Adventure, living on our land in a fifth wheel so we could be onsite during construction. We’d just spent Christmas back in Texas with almost the entire extended family, and I was on an emotional high. Life ... Keep Reading...
