tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663468186545705233.post4316963336341627626..comments2023-10-17T12:09:55.180-04:00Comments on Melmoirs: Toys, and what they tellMelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01886668831972641673noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663468186545705233.post-71196453681099033902008-01-20T20:01:00.000-05:002008-01-20T20:01:00.000-05:00facie--if my posts can do that one thing (reinforc...facie--if my posts can do that one thing (reinforce you in choosing to scale back and make your life simpler), then the whole blog thing will be a worthwhile pursuit. writing it down reinforces and condones it in my own mind, too--and that's good because after a day in the world, I need to step back and think clearly. you're right, though--you can only control to some degree what your child has around him/her b/c other folks may be more insanely generous than you'd like them to be...Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01886668831972641673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663468186545705233.post-41233099176141732322008-01-20T17:19:00.000-05:002008-01-20T17:19:00.000-05:00I don't consider myself materialistic, but society...I don't consider myself materialistic, but society sometimes makes it hard not to be. Over the years friends have asked why I have worn the same winter coat for X number of years. Who cares; it keeps me warm. I find clothes that I like, and I wear them until they wear out (or I lose or gain weight); I don't care if some of my skirts have been around since the 90s. <BR/><BR/>As for toys, my kid has too much, but that is very little my doing. Bri's mother cannot seem to stop herself, trying to make up for Bri's childhood. For J's birthday, I asked her to limit it to one present. So she brought one large box, filled with about 30 items! It made me mad, and it made my family feel bad that they bought J so much less in comparison. That is crazy.<BR/><BR/>I have always admired the way you are in regards to things. I will never be as "simple" as you in that regard, but at least reading your posts reminds me of what is really important and helps to reinforce when I do shun stuff.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663468186545705233.post-26169026402520659082008-01-16T11:56:00.000-05:002008-01-16T11:56:00.000-05:00yes, if I could keep the washer, dryer, and basic ...yes, if I could keep the washer, dryer, and basic kitchen equipment, that would be good... but it seems you can't have one convenience without the 5 silly accoutrements that come about because of that convenience. and I do think that our society is a little too hung up on cleanliness. if everyone keeps consuming water the way we do now, pretty soon much of the world will be experiencing shortages... then we'll have to cut back. same with gasoline--if I didn't have it, I'd have to find ways to make do without driving. would that be bad? I'm not sure.Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01886668831972641673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663468186545705233.post-63375154111713344262008-01-16T09:39:00.000-05:002008-01-16T09:39:00.000-05:00Like probably every other little girl, I desperate...Like probably every other little girl, I desperately wanted to BE Laura Ingalls and thought I actually was in some past life. Yes, times were simpler, but way, way harder. My dad has a book called "The Good Old Days: They Were Terrible" that went into detail about how hard and dirty life was in the "olden days." I'd like to be able to pick and choose -- give me my microwave and washer & dryer, but leave the silly gadgets and toys. (I would have a hard time buying any child a Web-dependent "pet.")Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663468186545705233.post-83987900248825947132008-01-16T08:10:00.000-05:002008-01-16T08:10:00.000-05:00don't do it! 120 inches is tooooooooo big! you can...don't do it! 120 inches is tooooooooo big! you can resist! remember in that F. 451 book WHY they had the giant TV screens? so they would consider those people on the screen their "family" (this was the same book where the firemen would show up at your house to burn books!) I know you guys read a lot too so that is good. but I hope you will draw the line at giant TVs. <BR/><BR/>the book you are reading sounds very good. I know that "simple" also means hard, tons more work, hours spent on chores, etc. but then I also think that if things took longer, some would fall by the wayside and that's not so bad. we Americans are obsessed by cleanliness and owning everything and if we couldn't anymore, maybe it would be good for us. I know other countries aren't as freaky about showering and bathrooms and such as we are... <BR/><BR/>I don't know. it's hard to live in a culture and not buy into it. I believe it can be done--I think that our current involvement in our church, and literally grace and confidence that can't come from me personally, is the only way I'll succeed.Melhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01886668831972641673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7663468186545705233.post-46414916613608868472008-01-15T19:04:00.000-05:002008-01-15T19:04:00.000-05:00No, you are not alone, I feel queasy too. But I a...No, you are not alone, I feel queasy too. But I am guilty also and yes I want an 120 inch tv. I dont watch that many tv shows, but I do watch a lot of movies, and a big screen would be great. <BR/><BR/>I am reading "Mama's Bank Account", the book that the movie "I Remember Mama" is based on. I love it. Its a lot like the Little House books but set in turn of the century San Francisco with Norwegian immigrants the main characters. I love it. Why cant things be that simple? :( The time saving devices only add more chores to our lives (answering emails etc). :( <BR/><BR/>I blame the baby boomers for putting kids at the center of the world.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com