For the month of July, my family was in Atlanta. We spent the month there on the campus of Emory University. Hubby had continuing ed classes to attend. While there we had a wonderful time. Hubby went to class each day, and the kids and I did school. After he came home each afternoon, we had lunch, then family time. It was a month of a simplier time. It was great. We lived on campus in a 3 bedroom dorm. We traveled in our small toyota corolla....yes 5 people and stuff for the month. (Clown car images may come to mind) We took only the necessities.....4 changes of clothes per person, 1 skillet, 1 pot, 1 cookie sheet, 1 spatula, 1 big spoon....you get the idea. I tell you life without clutter is joyful. The biggest suitcase we took had our school books in it.....a true homeschool family. We got so many things accomplished due there we NO distractions. It made me really think, between our month there and the amish books I am reading. I NEED a simplier life!!! I cherish the time I had there with my family. I plan on cutting back stuff in my life. I took the first step when I came home.....cut back on my phone plan, sat plan, and netflix. Not only will this add time, but it is saving us $700/year. Hubby and I also put together a list of what we need clothes wise for each family member. For example so many shirts, pants, dresses (girls only lol), etc. I plan to purge down to that number immediately. Once that is done, we can bless others with our abundance. Also my life will be much better in the laundry room, and my kids will get the value out of things. Honestly, we have lots of hand me downs, sale items, or thift store finds. We never spend a lot on clothes, but since we get such great deals......we have too much. Toys are a whole other topic as well. So I am revamping our home ASAP.

Enough serious talk, now for the pics:

Campus life:

They had a great courtyard for.............soccer, aka daddy time

 Also while there we visited an awesome church. (you know it is really the first time in years that I sat with my hubby in church. Since he is a pastor, I never sit with him....I am not complaining, just it is one of those things you miss, sometimes.) Also we went to some outing that were in my last post. Also we visited the first ever Dwarf House. It is now a Dwarf house/Chickfila. It was fun, like going back in time.

Now that I am home maybe I will post more, but only if it does not mess with my simple life, lol. I plan to always have time to blog. My simple life will be far from the Amish life I read of, but I AM/WILL cut out the clutter. (clutter can be physical, mental, and spiritual)

BTW, If you seen the name Fred in the pics....you may be wondering who is Fred???? That is not one of my kids name, teehe. He is our new family mascot. We decided to have a family mascot that will travel with us whever we go......so you know Fred has to have his own blog. So you will see some of the same pics, but I would love for you to visit. His blog: www.where-is-fred.blogspot.com

This is a tradition we hope to continue for years. A memory maker, for sure!!!!!

Be blessed,

Chasity

~ Share A Season! ~

Aug. 1, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Shared by solidrock

Hi Sweet Friend! I just love this post! I too have found that to be simple and declutter is best. I will post about my week at camp soon. ( though I have no pictures as I was working...should be pics on a site somewhere soon) My week at camp was spiritual blessing and really a time for reflection. I did not watch my diet...days were long, busy and hot. I just enjoyed the great camp food. Gained 7 lbs....but I am okay with it. I know it will come off. I did learn that I still have issues with control on portions ....out of my environment...under stress. Will have to work on that!

Great photos! I did not know Chic fila served burgers! I know the orginal store is/was different. Whats a hot brown? Looks yummy!!!! My oldest son worked at the store ( #7 in the nation) for several years. Its a great place.

So glad you got a chance to experience a quiet simpler life if even for a season. Such a rest for the soul and mind. It really helps to put what is important into perspective.

Hugs and Blessings Tina

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Aug. 2, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Shared by Canadagirl

Wow, what a neat experience ! I need to be like you am SIMPLIFY my life from stuff ! I am going to be setting goals to weed out stuff from my family's life. I think the biggest thing is clothes. For me it is paper too. LOL

Hmmmm Maybe you will want to look at my side bar for the meme graphic. Iv'e got a itch to pitch meme. I am hoping to get going on that this coming week. [0= I am a piler who wants to be a filer. lttn

Blessings and ((HUGS)) my SSiC
In Him<><
-Mary

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Aug. 2, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Shared by solidrock

Hi Thanks for your sweet comments! You are such a good friend.
I think you have done fabulous with the weight loss this year. Its been work! And you have not failed. You should be proud of what has been accomplished. I know once the hernia is taken care of you will do so much better.
I let go and ate improperly during my week at camp. I was shocked that I slipped right back into old habits. So I guess this is a life long thing with keeping control.
Anyway I know you are doing the very best you can and you will reach your goals one goal at a time.

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Aug. 3, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Shared by Pamela

It sounds like you had a wonderful month! I totally understand about the simple lifestyle. We're moving into our home and as I unpack each box, I'm already taking inventory of things we can do without and plan to give many things away. I don't want things just sitting around taking up storage space. I want just what we need. I'm glad you enjoyed your time away together and hope you get settled back into your home quickly.

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Sep. 10, 2009 - Untitled Comment

Shared by IllinoisLoriH

Hi Chas,

Oh, I know what you mean about the joy of simplicity in life! In our travels, we have stayed in a number of accomodations; every time we stay in a humble, simple little place (like a 16X16 tent cottage built in a tree canopy with a propane stove and a cooler for a fridge), I find myself thinking, "I could actually live here!" Now, I know it would be tough to homeschool and blog from a tent in the trees...but it is the peace and serenity that comes from the freedom from all the STUFF that is at the heart of it. Tell you what...I'll purge along with you, my friend! We're going away this weekend for Nathan's 16th bday, and on Monday I have an Amvets truck coming for whatever I can put out on my porch. Since I haven't much time to bag it up when I get home, that'll be GOOD...no time to think, just pitch!

God Bless,
Lori (aka Plans4You)

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