I love the colours of Autumn…
My fab four…
Xavier
Khéna and Colin
Willa being shy…
Les Iles de Sorel…
I would have had more pictures but it started raining not long after we got there and everyone wanted to head back to the car… I have to get back out there before the leaves are gone!
I love the idea of a clutter free home. A home that has things to look at, books on the shelves and even a few trinkets. A home that looks lived in but is not overly full. The balance between too much and too little and a home in which everything that surrounds you is something that is loved. My goal one day is to have that home and slowly, very slowly, I am getting there. I go through periods of time that I get rid of tons of things and have no regrets, but then there are times that I have great intentions but can’t seem to follow through…
Moving and pursuing the dream of the bus means that we have to get rid of everything that we don’t need. We do plan on keeping a few extras to either store until we have a permanent home or tow behind us if possible but our plan is to get rid of most…
But what to do with them?
I am ready to get rid of all of the baby and kids clothes that the kids have outgrown. I have no problem giving it away to friends that need it, and I do that. But the rest… well ideally it would be great if I can sell a few items. I have 3 large Rubbermaid’s full of clothing (I used to have at least 3X as much!) Some I given away, some have sold and gone, and the rest just sits there. There are no organizations around here that I would want to donate clothes to. So there they sit…
And what about books? I read in English, there is no english library, there are little english speaking people around here which means that there are no little bookshops that I can try to hand over my books to. I have a ton of books that are perfectly fine and are great books but I just don’t need or want anymore. I also have tons of magazines… like a few years worth of Mothering and the old Homeschool Horizons magazines… what to do with them?
I have way too much clothes too.. I wear the same pieces over and over but have others that I just have trouble letting go of…
I think that some of my problem has to do with “what ifs”… What if I need it? What if I miss it? What if the kids would like it later?, some has to do with a dream that I have that is not shared by others… (like toys that I wish I would have had and I love, but the kids are not into) Some has to lack of community to pass things around to., and there is small bit that has to do with a small pang of wanting to get something back for it, especially when we are trying to find sources of money to fund our dreams.
I saw some great advice a while back from a family that sold their house and most of their belongings to be on the road. She had tried selling things and handing things away but was still having trouble and holding on to too much and then finally came to the realization that it came down to her owning the stuff or the stuff owning her. Once she realized that she was able to let go without any worries. I am way closer to that point then I was a few years ago but I am not there yet…
So how do you let go?
What would you do with things that you can’t find a home for (like books or clothes)?
Where do you draw the line of what is “sentimental” and how much of that you can keep?
Just a quick post…
I made my first batch of greeting cards this evening and they turned out so well! I love the way they look when they are all put together!
I can’t wait for my first orders to see what people will choose…
My lights arrived yesterday and my website is ready to share….
Here it is!
(The above image that links to the new site is my new business card)
I am quite happy with the way that it turned out, especially that I can not only showcase and sell photos that I already have directly from the site, but I will be able to easily make password protected galleries for clients and they will be able to order pictures on their own at any time.
Yay!
I would love to have your opinion!
I love it. So why not do it?
While I was looking for ideas on ways I could make a bit of money for our dream project, I kept going back to my love of photography. So, I am going to do it. I love working with people, I love taking portraits, I think I am pretty good at it and it really makes me happy. I already have a decent camera and lenses. I ordered a set of lights and backgrounds so that I can bring a studio if needed to someones house. I would rather work with natural light and natural background but the days are getting shorter and there really isn’t much natural light to work with at times and have the option of extra lighting is something that I need if I want to do this seriously. Having the backgrounds, and especially the stand, will also make things much easier and will be much more professional. I should get them next week and play with them a bit. I think I am going to start having flashbacks back to me portrait photography days back in the day! Not only do I believe that this is going to work, but I also think that there is a certain amount of portability involved for when we will be on the move.
Also… I am going to start selling greeting cards with some of my favourite landscapes, flowers and other nature photos. I already have some blanks and now I just need to narrow down the choices of photos that I think will be best to sell locally. I am also working on a website from which I could sell directly, and be able to give the choice to customers.
So once I get this Website up and running I will start advertising and see how it goes!!
Stay tuned!!!