tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post5847972272984093400..comments2024-03-20T04:01:59.723-07:00Comments on TravelnWrite: Escape ~ A Summer’s ‘Slog’ down Memory LaneJackie and Joel Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-22752293119158816262017-09-05T18:33:34.402-07:002017-09-05T18:33:34.402-07:00Great read. I found downsizing liberating. A frien...Great read. I found downsizing liberating. A friend challenged herself to discard or give away something each day for a month. One item day 1, 2 items day2, 3 items day3 etc. She also uses the photo method for special things. Joannehttp://www.travelwithjoanne.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-55957414693569552852017-09-04T21:06:41.262-07:002017-09-04T21:06:41.262-07:00We are quickly getting to this phase in our lives....We are quickly getting to this phase in our lives. I will try hard to follow your advise and start now instead of waiting until the act is upon us! Thanks for linking in this week! #wkendtravelinspirationJimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00080753948960133053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-35791609522340182772017-09-04T06:56:59.161-07:002017-09-04T06:56:59.161-07:00Yes, we've both gone through the parent-stuff-...Yes, we've both gone through the parent-stuff-sorting and part of what was difficult to get rid of was their stuff (we are keeping a lot of it) somehow I've reasoned we can give our stuff away as I could always replace it. And an even better thought is to stay downsized and not replace anything! Thanks for your words - nice knowing others are going through similar phases.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-15390571061822249152017-09-04T06:52:56.772-07:002017-09-04T06:52:56.772-07:00Only you could appreciate how much chocolate I'...Only you could appreciate how much chocolate I've eaten this summer -- my reasoning is that I need a 'treat' after such slogging and it has worked wonders. . .especially with a glass of wine.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-45890445092959122762017-09-04T06:51:47.189-07:002017-09-04T06:51:47.189-07:00Soon, Poppy! Only two weeks to departure and so l...Soon, Poppy! Only two weeks to departure and so looking forward to being back in my garden and grove and enjoying at least an early fall!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-61808007828066682482017-09-04T06:50:39.209-07:002017-09-04T06:50:39.209-07:00You are describing my experience as well. I'v...You are describing my experience as well. I've talked of cleaning out things but until I had a real deadline (I always work best with deadlines - ha, ha) I just kept putting it off! It really has become an interesting process: first it was difficult and then it became so tedious that the more I tossed the sooner I finished and the better I felt!! Thanks for stopping by.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-79506162812056391872017-09-04T06:47:51.253-07:002017-09-04T06:47:51.253-07:00Absolutely. Spot. On. We do know we will have our ...Absolutely. Spot. On. We do know we will have our treasures to surround us and the clutter will be gone when it comes time to build a nest here again. Such a blessed position to be in when you look at those who are losing everything this summer to floods and fires beyond their control. Happy travels - hopefully our paths are going to cross in the near future somewhere on the other side of the pond.Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-72097538105220202512017-09-04T06:44:39.944-07:002017-09-04T06:44:39.944-07:00We seem to have found a good way to do that throug...We seem to have found a good way to do that through the Buy Nothing program I mentioned above. Everything I've listed has been taken by a real human who knows the story of each item and why we are giving it away. Several have written days later to tell me how much they are enjoying what they took! Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-77676752515350487112017-09-04T06:43:04.560-07:002017-09-04T06:43:04.560-07:00I am seeing the wisdom in your suggestion, Jan, do...I am seeing the wisdom in your suggestion, Jan, doing it a bit at a time isn't quite as gut-wrenching and discarding what seems to be your whole life in a matter of weeks. (But I am seeing freedom from possessions as a new lifestyle!)Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-52938599430976954432017-09-04T06:41:45.770-07:002017-09-04T06:41:45.770-07:00I Amy thanks so much for the visit. I will get ba...I Amy thanks so much for the visit. I will get back into the blogosphere with gusto once I get us packed up and settled in; miss visiting you regularly!<br />Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-26378904978759047092017-09-03T21:34:15.084-07:002017-09-03T21:34:15.084-07:00It really has been a nice way to save memories and...It really has been a nice way to save memories and I love the idea of turning them into a memory book - now wouldn't that be fun! Thanks for the suggestion!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-62192102066757900132017-09-03T21:32:50.014-07:002017-09-03T21:32:50.014-07:00We are slowing the 'packing and hauling' p...We are slowing the 'packing and hauling' pace a bit as most has been packed and hauled and today I tentatively started our 'countdown to Greece'!!:-)Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-68340767681091979512017-08-31T15:13:11.784-07:002017-08-31T15:13:11.784-07:00We're just starting a very slow process of mov...We're just starting a very slow process of moving from our 5-bedroom house filled with 18+ years of stuff belonging to us, our kids, and several foster/extra kids, down to a 75 square meters 2-bedroom house. We have two years, so we have plenty of time to think about what we want to keep and what we can get rid of. No storage space though; I don't want my kids to have to go through what my sisters and I went through when our parents died. Going through all of their accumulated stuff was really painful. They're just things, after all. They're not what's important.Rachel Hellerhttp://rachelsruminations.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-50796112453833453242017-08-30T18:47:56.566-07:002017-08-30T18:47:56.566-07:00Excellent tips for downsizing and purging. I'v...Excellent tips for downsizing and purging. I've gone tthrough it several times over the decades and it is never fun or easy, just necessary. Best wishes as you enjoy the next stage of your lives.Doreen Pendgracshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07034373301858091444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-21411284286234963732017-08-30T13:05:42.324-07:002017-08-30T13:05:42.324-07:00You've tackled a very tiresome and tedious pro...You've tackled a very tiresome and tedious project, Jackie, but have accomplished so much in the process, besides simply tossing/donating/gifting/selling/keeping. It is truly cathartic to complete such a daunting task; I know, I've 'moved house' to Crete twice, so I can relate!<br /><br />The Buy Nothing Project sounds promising; I'm sure it will succeed in its goals, and I'm glad you got a chance to help with that effort.<br /><br />Best of luck tying up loose ends, although I have a feeling you've already done that and are back in your Stone House on the Hill, enjoying the beauty and tranquility of late summer.<br /><br />Happy Thursday,<br />PoppyPoppyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08980323586402386609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-2068564146434618992017-08-29T07:44:18.707-07:002017-08-29T07:44:18.707-07:00We downsized three years ago and I can relate to w...We downsized three years ago and I can relate to what you've been going through. It seemed an unending insurmountable task at times, and sometimes slipped into a diversion down memory lane. I had tried to tackle it in bits and pieces in the two years prior, but that never really worked. It was only when we devoted a full, busy month+ to that and nothing else that we did it. I think you need to also reach a mindset point where you're ready to let go of things. It can feel quite freeing after a you get into it.Donna Jankehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16654611289969837061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-64338566526355947032017-08-29T07:08:12.021-07:002017-08-29T07:08:12.021-07:00We gave away as well, we are fortunate in that we ...We gave away as well, we are fortunate in that we have Re-store in our town which supports Habitat for Humanity. I gave away an 8-piece setting of Christmas china to the Re-store and took pleasure in knowing that someone was able to purchase it for a much reduced price and the sale supports Habitat. It's a win-win.<br /><br />The downsizing is a lot of work and while I don't love the idea that we're currently supporting a 10 x 30 storage garage (in which our car is also parked) I do like knowing that when we return to the US we have what we need to set up housekeeping again, with just the basics and the most treasured keepsakes. It's very freeing! Isn't it?Patti@oneroadatatime.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11256271018218557029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-38701309090814962372017-08-29T05:51:58.169-07:002017-08-29T05:51:58.169-07:00I can empathise with you - I've been going thr...I can empathise with you - I've been going through the process of trying to get rid of "stuff". The hardest bit is trying to find a good home for those things you don't want to throw away.Karen Warrenhttps://www.worldwidewriter.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-75273240198061989682017-08-28T20:08:57.507-07:002017-08-28T20:08:57.507-07:00It is a good idea to start now and throw some away...It is a good idea to start now and throw some away each week. It is so easy when you don't anticipate a move in the near future to just put it away in the hall cupboard, or under the stairs or in the shed... I've downsized recently - it is very emotional but I love the freedom from possessions we now have.Budget Travel Talkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06943323587509491729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-84452072114244491742017-08-28T19:47:50.314-07:002017-08-28T19:47:50.314-07:00I can definitely relate to the Monkees photos - Oh...I can definitely relate to the Monkees photos - Oh, how I loved, them, but never did get to go to a concert. Glad to hear that you're winding down the packing process. Lots of fun awaits on the other side of the ocean! The Buy Nothing Project sound interesting - thanks for the info! Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11474198992341706776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-23348866724628490662017-08-28T08:00:43.320-07:002017-08-28T08:00:43.320-07:00I love the idea of taking a photo of things that y...I love the idea of taking a photo of things that you are reluctant to throw away. Then you can put all those 'memories' in a photo book and look at them when you want to feel nostalgic.jane canapinihttp://www.grownuptravels.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-87138193576277835972017-08-28T06:17:35.098-07:002017-08-28T06:17:35.098-07:00OMG, The Monkees! Now there's a memory (along ...OMG, The Monkees! Now there's a memory (along with the Dick Clark concert) and now you have a picture of it on your computer should you ever want to relive it. The Buy Nothing Project is an awesome idea as is gifting friends with favorite things. When we went through our *everything goes* downsizing, we gave many things we treasured to friends and fam and had a great time seeing those old faves in other settings when we went on a long road trip in the US a couple of years ago. You are going to be really surprised by what you don't miss! Cheer up, sleepy sloggers - you're almost finished! (And thanks for the plug for our blog, too. 🙂) Anita @ NoParticularPlaceToGohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14704807316472380660noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-86042660187893586272017-08-28T06:16:33.549-07:002017-08-28T06:16:33.549-07:00You are among those I think of when the slogging g...You are among those I think of when the slogging gets overwhelming and I tell myself "they did it, I can too!" It has been remarkably freeing -- difficult at first to wrap my head around tossing 'treasures' but then I also was surprised when I came across many of them as they'd been tucked away so long I didn't remember having them!Jackie and Joel Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14074129927177165084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7011248318265372337.post-41461610277330032402017-08-28T00:38:19.561-07:002017-08-28T00:38:19.561-07:00What a massive project. I do not envy you the exha...What a massive project. I do not envy you the exhausting work, but I know it will feel so good when it's done. I did the same thing when I moved to Australia, and it was both emotional and freeing. :-) Rambling Tarthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06615148443032981296noreply@blogger.com