Getting Along with Less

For two weeks in December, Jim and I lived in two rooms at Homewood Suites in Princeton.  We had a full-sized refrigerator and a stove which could better have been called a hot plate.  We ate with family often, at restaurants several times, and made do other times.  My greatest attempt at cooking was grilled cheese sandwiches.

We came home for two weeks over Christmas.  Our house seemed huge and almost burdensome.   Laura and Michael and family spent one night with us.  Then the house was the right size!  But otherwise we never use the living room or the dining room.  Jim has moved the computer to the family room so that is where he works, not in his basement studies.  Sadly, this is not the season for the three season room.

We used to have graduate groups from church or from Notre Dame over for meals or meetings.  We even did the church welcome lunches.  Now our entertaining usually means inviting another family or couple to go out to eat with us.

We have been in St. Pete Beach for two weeks in a two bedroom condo with a dining area, kitchen area, and two sitting rooms.  We have more room than we need.  The cupboards were bare except for salt and pepper shakers.  So the cooking we have done has been pretty creative and minimal.  Again we have gone out to eat several times and enjoyed leftovers from those meals.  Our life has been simplified and it has been fine.

Jim had done his research and writing daily using the resources he brought with him and electronic resources.  He got along without all his books--at least for the time being.

I find myself thinking about new homes for our furniture and many household goods.   I might make a list room by room.  Susan said she'd like our dining room set.  Laura will take the piano if we don't have room for it.  We have very few keepsakes from our parents and grandparents.  I hope the next generation will take them and treasure them.   I'm sure Restore or Goodwill or Salvation Army will take a truckload--or we could venture to have an estate sale.  I definitely will do another church book give-a-way.

Living more minimally for four weeks has helped me realize we can do it in the years ahead!