tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post5119554662724458950..comments2024-03-29T05:19:10.632-04:00Comments on Monica Wilkinson: Choosing Simplicity: Getting RealisticMonica Wilkinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17235919587298518908noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-27506618043440096652010-01-26T21:06:11.809-05:002010-01-26T21:06:11.809-05:00I love your post Monica and your honesty. We are a...I love your post Monica and your honesty. We are all human :) I have to remind myself of that a lot. We all go through seasons of life and it's OK to change things up once in awhile. I think it's so important to sit back once in awhile and reevaluate priorities; figure out what's working and what's not. I think that I'm in need of one of those reevaluation times myself :)<br /><br />God bless you and your family :)Sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13387131499014590019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-75244360540029714432010-01-25T13:13:58.543-05:002010-01-25T13:13:58.543-05:00Hey Monica,
I found out a long time ago there are ...Hey Monica,<br />I found out a long time ago there are so many good deals out there for all the nice stuff I like to buy. No one can believe (I can't either:) the deals I get on all my make-up, clothes (for everyone), and accessories. If you shop at the right times of year, at the right places you can get new mid-level to luxury items for 50-90% off their retail price. I am especially wary since I have bought things at Target for about$15 full price and have then seen them on sale at a consignment store for $36 five years later, and the lady that was buying it thought it was a good deal!!!:0 I have bought three kids fall/winter wardrobes including coats and shoes for less than $75 o.o.p. total. Anyway I hope you don't think I'm trying to flaunt my savings or where I shop:) I just wanted to encourage you since your post was about this.<br />Kelly N.<br />P.S. I am usually always able to sell the higher end stuff I buy on ebay, sometimes for a profit, when I am tired of wearing it. That's how I save up for some more goodies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-16743466975902906062010-01-22T16:12:04.387-05:002010-01-22T16:12:04.387-05:00Hooray for you, Monica!
I wondered how long it wou...Hooray for you, Monica!<br />I wondered how long it would take you to realize that you don't have to make EVERYTHING from scratch, even though I know you really enjoy doing it. For this season of your life, I hope you can be content with doing things the quickest, easiest way. I think it will greatly reduce your stress level.<br />Hang in there, Honey. "This too shall pass" <br /><br />Love you, GrandmaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-9275049304334471182010-01-22T09:18:38.771-05:002010-01-22T09:18:38.771-05:00Dear Monica,
I "heard" some of our recen...Dear Monica,<br />I "heard" some of our recent conversations in this post and waited to comment until after I'd thought about it for awhile. You've gotten some really good comments -- yes, I've read them all! <br /><br />Caroline Ingalls was an amazing woman and has long been one of my heroines. I admire her industrious, thrifty, patient life and always wanted to be more like her. However, I have to remind myself that she lived in a very different world -- no computers/TV/telephone, rare grocery store trips, no indoor plumbing, no car. Many of the things she did were because she had no choice. I also realize that her story is told through the eyes of a daughter who clearly loved and admired her and is therefore maybe idealized. <br /><br />Back in the "old" days, sewing clothes was the thrifty option. Storebought clothes were an expensive luxury. This is different now, too. Ma Ingalls didn't really like to sew (revealed by her nearly grown daughter in one of the later books). She did it because she had to.<br /><br />Thankfully, now we have LOTS of choices (sometimes too many!) -- and the great thing is that you can choose what simplicity is for you. Not what works for me or someone else, but what works for you. <br /><br />I agree with the commenter that said you will not likely stop liking the homey things -- that's part of who you are. I also agree with the commenter who hopes you will not give up blogging! :)<br /><br />Love and prayers, MomMomnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-55880774753633504822010-01-22T07:34:32.425-05:002010-01-22T07:34:32.425-05:00Bless your heart, Monica.
Was so glad to see thos...Bless your heart, Monica.<br /><br />Was so glad to see those jammies in your post--I saw them at Kohls last weekend, and thought "Monica's girls would love those!"<br /><br />Will miss talking today. Have a good Friday!*carrie*https://www.blogger.com/profile/10545859613596796648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-75132713691032282502010-01-22T00:49:25.381-05:002010-01-22T00:49:25.381-05:00I have to admit...as I read this, I was holding my...I have to admit...as I read this, I was holding my breath the whole time. I was so afraid you were going to "choose simplicity" by choosing not to blog any more. In my mind I kept repeating, "Don't choose blogging...don't choose blogging."Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02530332005314466736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-55084159178797710332010-01-21T22:32:11.327-05:002010-01-21T22:32:11.327-05:00For me, simplifying is saying no to people. As a ...For me, simplifying is saying no to people. As a pastor's wife, there are a lot of opportunities to be busy. A good kind of busy, but yet it's a bad kind of busy if that takes away from the attention of my family for which the Lord has called me to care for. We have seven children which we home school, my mom lives with us, and my husband is busy with several part time jobs. My job and goal is to keep everyone sane and focused on the Lord. It's a hard task but when this world is gone those craft,scrapbooks, and sewing projects that I am so longing to get to don't matter at all. Ecclesiastes 3:1 "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven." I keep reminding myself of this! :)Carmen at Old House Homesteadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09283325806078453964noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-42233800533279904022010-01-21T22:28:44.424-05:002010-01-21T22:28:44.424-05:00I just recently started counted cross stitch proje...I just recently started counted cross stitch projects again only because my now 10 year old daughter has taken an interest. I believe that things you have enjoyed to do will be things you will enjoy to do again in the future. Some of the things you have enjoyed doing, you will be able to teach your children to do. Enjoy this time because it goes so quickly!kymk99https://www.blogger.com/profile/02410836054799065143noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-89690089564007075392010-01-21T20:49:53.583-05:002010-01-21T20:49:53.583-05:00It's been hard for me to let go of things I li...It's been hard for me to let go of things I like to do too : ) Thank you for sharing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-54516328610983225082010-01-21T19:20:56.704-05:002010-01-21T19:20:56.704-05:00I have to laugh about your girls not loving wearin...I have to laugh about your girls not loving wearing those precious skirts... I have a seven year old daughter that I will only dress in age-appropriate clothes. So, at Gymboree, I was purchasing multiple matching sets of each different line each season...spending a fortune, and reveling in how she looked each day...down to the matching socks and hair bows. Well, come first grade, she found her voice and started refusing to wear the "baby" outfits...hairbows and all. I am thankful, because she absolutely loves wearing dresses and skirts, but the matching everything and "cutesy-cutesy" stuff, not so much. So, I have now involved her in picking out her different outfits, which has lead to a simple, stress-free morning. We mothers of daughters need to pick our own battles... and I hate to say it, but the drama, etc, with girls only gets worse as they get older!! (at least that's what I'm finding!)MrsCoachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18235764226620788111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-59204812675535330612010-01-21T18:53:32.761-05:002010-01-21T18:53:32.761-05:00I heard Michelle Duggar say once that she got orga...I heard Michelle Duggar say once that she got organized around the time they had number 4 because she realized it was a neccessity. That freed me! We've been blessed by God with these littles - I will be organized because it is neccessary. I WILL simplify because it is neccessary. No guilt over the things I can't do and no brooding over what I don't get to do (still working on that last part!). Now I take pleasure where I can find it...making things that I can't find to buy or can't afford when I have the time, but letting go of anything that's not neccessary:)Shannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10142994274994642731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-47559866796866904222010-01-21T16:35:08.235-05:002010-01-21T16:35:08.235-05:00I haven't read through all the comments here (...I haven't read through all the comments here (choosing simplicity right now...) but wanted you to know that for Christmas this year, all my girls got really cute pjs from Walmart. And I didn't feel one ounce of guilt about it.<br /><br />I spent about the same on the pjs as I would have on fabric and it was just. so. easy. And they love them. I will make them again sometime, but when I can find a better option that doesn't require 15 hours of time...why not go that way?<br /><br />I think you are doing the best thing. And the stacks of uncut coupons I have sitting next to my desk here attest to it as well.<br /><br />I've been shopping at Aldi lately just because it's easy. :)Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08487688993874872845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-15728054766723566332010-01-21T15:11:50.653-05:002010-01-21T15:11:50.653-05:00Bless you Monica!
Loving the honesty and comrader...Bless you Monica!<br /><br />Loving the honesty and comraderie here on your post today!<br /><br />I struggle with this too- I love to create outfits, purses, do my quilting and knitting... but I grow weary from them. <br />(plus, it can cost more in the end)<br /><br />The first few years of Homeschooling also taught me to just buy Sonlight curriculum and skip the piecing together stuff. We are much happier this way! (even though it seems pricey, it's worth it's weight in gold) I've got all I need from the get go and library time is more fun not having to scrounge together books for lessons... my kids just pick books for enjoyment now...phew, what a relief.<br /><br />Keep your held held high Monica-<br />you exhibit the Proverbs 31 woman beautifully... honesty and all.rachel@thecupcakesprinklesinlifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13735742069372368431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-47742965553121595712010-01-21T14:55:00.402-05:002010-01-21T14:55:00.402-05:00Simplifying is always hard for me, because there a...Simplifying is always hard for me, because there are so many things that I'm interested in trying or doing. One thing that I read somewhere is that when you say "Yes" to one thing, you're saying "No" to something else, and vice versa-- because of limited time and resources. My husband thinks that's a silly way of putting it, but it helps me to look at it. I don't have to feel like I'm just saying "no" to one thing, but I'm making a choice as to which things are best.<br />I'm currently living where I have to make everything from scratch, and it takes twice as long to do anything as it should. I have had to let certain things that I enjoy go, just to make sure that I'm not overdoing things and ending up stressed or burnt out.<br />It helps me to have a written schedule with the things that I want to accomplish. I don't follow it exactly, but it does give me an idea of whether my goals are realistic for the amount of time that I have.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12192064538924964308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-64859990253369215162010-01-21T14:49:21.584-05:002010-01-21T14:49:21.584-05:00I think your honesty here will be well-appreciated...I think your honesty here will be well-appreciated. <br /><br />I have never been much of a crafter (as you are), but certainly got caught up (and burned out) by the whole bargain shopping craze. :) Our grocery budget is what some blogs would call ridiculous and excessive...$600 a month for six people...but we live within this budget, which works for us. Like others, I would print my coupons (w/ expensive toner) and go to the store to find most items sold out. All the stacking was also confusing, often leading me to feel like I was losing instead of winning. <br /><br />Like some others also mentioned, I think I probably need to cut way down on blog reading and allowing this to be a discouragement.<br /><br />However, Monica, let me say that your blog always makes me encouraged to pursue this high calling with my whole heart I appreciate that you honestly share your struggles along the way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-21632479486263298992010-01-21T13:37:39.797-05:002010-01-21T13:37:39.797-05:00Monica,
I think you are smart to make these de...Monica,<br /><br /> I think you are smart to make these decisions. I agree with you; I have also actively chosen to cut back on certain things. I don't go to CVS weekly, I don't cut coupons (but still try to shop smart and shop sales and Aldi when I can). I keep the house straightened as much as I can, but sometimes there is a little more dust than I'd like. I've put a "hold" on baking most of our cookies and cakes from scratch; weeknight dinners are more simple than they used to be in the past.<br /><br /> I'm also selective about activities for my 3 year old. I work outside the home 40 hours a week, so I treasure our evenings and weekends. He does not attend every birthday party that he's invited to, he's not overscheduled with activities (I'll pass on t ball for kids that age!) <br /><br /> Kudos to you; keep us posted.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-44855364850786859902010-01-21T13:26:15.003-05:002010-01-21T13:26:15.003-05:00Monica, you are such a blessing!!
I so totally agr...Monica, you are such a blessing!!<br />I so totally agree with what you shared. I struggle with doing all those things I so want to do. Like clip every coupon to get body wash for 3 cents. I just can't keep up. I have guilt when I think of the 65 patterns, no exageration, and 35 yards of fabric I have in my basement. It is just so much easier, with 4 children and a husband that travels to buy all our clothing.Which I do only buy on sale. I also started buing jarred garlic and basil and although I dream of having a mill and baking fresh homemade bread it isn't working for me right now, and that's ok! <br />I have stopped reading some much loved blogs because I feel so inadequate when I compare myself to what others do, when they have 10 children to my 4 and homeschool which I don't do. Then I realize the Lord, in His grace has me just where He wants me and one day when my littles are grown I will have time to bake bread and learn to crochet. And you too, one day, will be in a place when you will be able to enjoy all those special things you may not bbe able to work in right now.<br />I hope there aren't too many typos, I need to make lunch :) <br />God bless~Cindybeing moldedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04628585300154262134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-48328493235877212562010-01-21T13:25:45.891-05:002010-01-21T13:25:45.891-05:00Monica...I hear you loud and clear. I do. I love...Monica...I hear you loud and clear. I do. I love having cutesy clothes for Lilly, however, she doesn't really like wearing them. Bummer...<br />On the garlic front...do you have a garlic press?? I use mine all the time and love it!!<br />I have to get realistic about birthday parties, as in there is a table topper I linked to in a recent-ish post, that I am not going to make because of the time and fabric/cost involved. <br />EliseElisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00669663704444452161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-15218110853154925482010-01-21T12:49:15.692-05:002010-01-21T12:49:15.692-05:00The simpler my life is the better.The simpler my life is the better.Lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-55775425921303750842010-01-21T12:27:23.566-05:002010-01-21T12:27:23.566-05:00Very brave of you! I too LOVE doing things from sc...Very brave of you! I too LOVE doing things from scratch and particularly sewing things for my family, but its getting hard to justify anymore with the time and cost involved, I try to tell myself it makes the few things I do make from scratch that much more special for my loved ones. And as far as cooking only I know I used bought minced onion and didn't chop it myself etc, and I still give them a homemade meal, I try to get the enjoyment of creating in the little things and not make it everything, but it is hard!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10842661228903248550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-56925588810743216652010-01-21T12:00:33.951-05:002010-01-21T12:00:33.951-05:00I'm a step ahead of you...I have 5 children th...I'm a step ahead of you...I have 5 children that are ages 7-17. We homeschool too. I hope I can give you a little encouragement... For me, the time in my life when I had babies, toddlers, and small children was the most consuming time of my life. Literally, running the home and school became my full-time job simply because the kids just weren't able to do a whole lot on their own. Then, one day, you'll tell the oldest to get in the car and buckle up...and she will!!! And, you'll tell her to go take a bath...and she will!! And you'll realize that you actually have a couple minutes to yourself to browse a magazine, or have a cup of tea... And, it just gets better as they all get a little older. When my muffins were little, I would grieve as they passed from one stage to the next. I loved each stage so much I just never imagined I could love the next stage. I see now that each stage has it's own blessing...my kids are so fun to be around and I'm actually enjoying teenagers! I know how hard it is to lay down things...I would feel like all I did was sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice. It brought me to my knees so often, allowing the Lord to help me find contentment in my calling as a wife and mother. So, yes...simplify... Let some of those things go for now... It will be very sweet when you are able to return to them, and really enjoy them in a way that you can't right now.Trishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268608568908129862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-55281551330852699462010-01-21T11:54:04.354-05:002010-01-21T11:54:04.354-05:00Great post, Monica! I've had to simplify thin...Great post, Monica! I've had to simplify things in our home for several reasons which I won't expand upon here. I am a control freak and a perfectionist so giving up on some things was so hard, but, after the fact, my life has been so much easier and less stressful! I'm kicking myself for not doing it earlier!<br /><br />1. Kitchen -- I used to think that I had to prepare exceptional meals and serve them to my family in a "perfect", beautiful setting. Stressful? Yes! Did my family appreciate it? Maybe. Did they care if the meal was very simple and served from the cooking pan placed on a hotpad on the table? No! lol (I don't do this every night but some nights I just don't want to have to wash serving bowls, too!) My kids said they didn't care what they ate off of or were served from as long as there was something to eat and we were all there together. Hmmmm.<br /><br />2. Crafting. I loved the idea of crafting and scrapbooking but did I really enjoy it? Not really. I had boxes of photos piling up because I would fuss and frit for a long time over how to arrange the scrapbook pages that I wasn't getting anything done! This just stressed me out because I was behind and felt like I wasn't "keeping up" with my photos and wasn't able to "keep up" with the trends of scrapbooking. I simplified this area in my life by giving up on the creative scrapbooks and have started purchasing beautiful photo albums that have a bit of room under each photo slot for a little journaling if needed. When I get my photos printed, I take them home and slide them directly into the albums. No more pile ups and the kids LOVE looking at their photo albums! :) Items I want to save such as school papers, game rosters, and other memorabilia go into page protectors and get placed into 3 ring binders the minute I get home with them.<br /><br />3. Laundry. This area in my life drove me nuts! I work full-time (kids are in school all day) and I would get home at night and see the laundry monster lurking in the laundry room. My family would either just dump their clothes in there on the floor or they would just leave them on the floor of the bathroom/bedrooms and I'd have to spend time gathering them up. I decided to play hardball. I bought a laundry sorter and if clothes are not placed right side out in the appropriate bins (whites, towels, jeans, colors) they do NOT get washed. If son needs his soccer socks washed for tomorrow's practice and they don't make it into the bin, sorry Son. You just have to wear dirty socks or the ones with the pair with the holes. I know that sounds mean and hard core but it has really worked for my family. My time and sanity is just as important as my family's activities (maybe more important). Clothes are placed in the bins 95% of the time and I don't huff and gruff around the house looking for laundry. Each person has their own basket and color coded hangers and they put their clothes away. It took us about 3 weeks to "GET" this system but it has really, really worked for us.<br /><br />Sorry this is so long but simplifying is something I am passionate about right now! Thanks for your blog and the inspiration you give me!<br /><br />KristinaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-28289996882797525122010-01-21T11:48:23.122-05:002010-01-21T11:48:23.122-05:00It is interesting how we need to change things as ...It is interesting how we need to change things as our children get older. Things that worked so well when they are very small don't work as well when they are school age. I have always been on a pretty strict schedule here but when my daughter started doing outside activities I had to change - you could say simplify since I felt like I was fighting it if I didn't change & that's stressful. For example, we never went out in the late afternoon before- it was time to rest and fix dinner and prepare for dad to come home (that sounds kind of 50's ish but that's what I did). Now there are activities pushing right up to dinner - which has had to be simplified alot since I don't want to serve fast food or eat at 7 pm.<br /><br />I feel like I have to choose what's really important - sometimes that means giving up something I love to do- for now - to make life better for my family. I agree that I don't want to wake up one day and find that I have given up everything but I think we find new things that bring us joy as time goes on.Debrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03179975836835123468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-80623066733572083462010-01-21T10:45:16.500-05:002010-01-21T10:45:16.500-05:00Wow! This is hard to read - coming from you...surp...Wow! This is hard to read - coming from you...surprisingly. I don't mean to this come off sounding like it does... <br /><br />But, I guess even those who seemingly do so well - creatively - need to really scale it down, at times... and admiting to it and taking this action is just as inspiring.<br /><br />Blessings on your endeavors and choices that best suit you and your family. I appreciate your humility.<br /><br /><br />I think my answer to your question is this; It's my hubby who 'helps' me to keep from getting too overcommited or over-zealous. He's really good about getting the family to settle down at a decent hour (me included) which I don't always appreciate - but I know me... I would burn the midnight oil too long. I guess that is one way to stay simplified.Bevy @ Treasured Up and Ponderedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15821971923515558110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13617895.post-21032385490007650922010-01-21T10:41:45.909-05:002010-01-21T10:41:45.909-05:00I needed this post Monica. I think we Moms put al...I needed this post Monica. I think we Moms put all the pressure on ourselves to be perfect and do everything when all we're doing is making ourselves nutty. <br />Forgive yourself for not making everything from scratch. I'm sure the kids will love their new Christmas jammies no matter where they came from. They'd rather have a happy Mommy anyway.Jenny's Vegcafehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09822613057446516660noreply@blogger.com