Today there is something to be said about living in smaller homes. As prices skyrocket, these little places are easier to keep cool, warm, and furnish. We first moved into our little cottage, which was built around 1950, in 1973, after DH did his 4 year tour of duty for the US Navy. It was smaller than the apt. we had been living in while stationed in Spain for a little over 3 years.
We were told back when we first moved in by family and friends, that we ought to just tear it down and build new. We did not want to do that. We did not want to have a huge mortgage and we are so glad we did not heed their advice.
Living in a small home has challenges, but challenges are part of what keeps life interesting instead of dull. Probably the biggest challenge to all who live in a small place is storage, and over the years we've been dealing with this issue, especially as we've become pack rats to some degree.
These days we are working on getting rid of what is not necessary, usable, sentimental, or adds beauty and joy to our surroundings. We aren't getting any younger and want to pare down our belongings, giving us more space, and freedom.
Small homes are cozy, some unique, they can be fun, and easy to care for. Not many people want to live in a house that's less than 2000 sq. ft., which is what is considered a small home these days. Our cottage is around 750 sq. ft. Living this way is not for everyone. But, with the way things are these days, so uncertain, we are thankful for our little place that is paid for, is easy to keep cool/warm, it's furnished and I try to keep the clutter and dust to a minimum. (I'd rather be out in the gardens.) :-)
Every day is a new day to appreciate what we have been blessed with, regardless of the size of our homes.
May our lives be filled with thankfulness and may we see the beauty that surrounds us each day.
FlowerLady
******
How true it is that, if we are cheerful and contented,
all nature smiles,
the air seems more balmy, the sky clearer,
the earth has a brighter green,
the flowers are more fragrant,
and the sun, moon, and stars all appear more beautiful,
and seem to rejoice with us.
Orison Swett Marden
all nature smiles,
the air seems more balmy, the sky clearer,
the earth has a brighter green,
the flowers are more fragrant,
and the sun, moon, and stars all appear more beautiful,
and seem to rejoice with us.
Orison Swett Marden
6 comments:
I have always wanted a tiny home. I've been dreaming of my "someday cottage" since I was a kid. :) I'm glad you are happy in yours. Have a great day. :)
I'm not sure how many square feet we have, but our home was built in 1949, and then an upper level with a small restroom and two bedrooms was added a few years after that. There are two small bedrooms on the first floor. The living room and kitchen are small. My DH grew up here, with both parents and 4 siblings. We used to bring our two kids over for supper, and yes, it was crowded, but we made do.
Now, we have made a dining room in one of the bedrooms, and still have too much stuff in there to have his siblings and their families over. The kitchen has too much clutter to eat in. If we would ever decide to sell, I don't think many would be interested in buying it.
I need to be like you, and start getting rid of some of my collections. I have quit adding to them, at least! I am planning to do a blog entry on collections some time this winter.
Congratulations on having your home paid for! Ours will be within a year.
Val ~ Hang in there, you 'will' have your cottage one of these days, and for all you know it may be sooner than you think. All things are possible.
Sue ~ Your house sounds nice and has sentimental value that a new house wouldn't. DH's grandparents owned this house before we did, we bought it from the estate.
I'm not adding to my collections either anymore. How much of one thing does one need anyway? Besides things change in our lives, we grow up, like different things, and sometimes need to just let go of 'stuff'.
You will feel great when you have your mortgage paid off, and you don't have long to wait now.
Since the weather turned cool, we've started on the impossible task of starting to declutter and toss. I've done one room of the shed, partly. We're working in the tractor shed now, a huge building.
I suggested to DH that we take masking tape and mark off sections to just place like items together and a larger section for discards. We've let things get out of hand. I found things today that we've thought for years were gone already.
I can't decide about the collections. What shall I do with my buttons? I haven't looked at them in years.
Nell
Hi Nell ~ It sounds like you and your DH are making headway. DH and I know what you mean about it seeming like an impossible task. We just have to keep plugging away. DH has been working outside with iron and other stuff he's collected through the years. It's amazing how much can accumulate. The cooler weather does help that's for sure.
My collections are for the most part small, and I've not been adding to them for quite some time now. I don't want any more 'stuff'. Although I would have to say my largest collection is cookbooks, over 300 of them. I have gardening, craft, and other books as well, plus we have LOTS of books on all kinds of subjects.
It is hard getting rid of things, but once you start, it feels good, really good.
FlowerLady
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