Moving!!

Frugal Rock is moving... Well, moving our blog anyway. I am finally giving up blogger and heading over to wordpress. Sorry, blogger. you've served me well, but it's time to move on.

I will be consolidating my two blogs into one - you can read more about it on my "About" page over at the new blog:

thefrugalrock.wordpress.com

Thanks for following us on over!

Minimalist Baby

Our minimalist baby!

One might say that we've forced minimalism on our poor unsuspecting child. However, when I ask him if he has a problem with it, all I get in response is a giant toothless grin. I think he's okay with it!

Here are our "must have" baby items:

Crib
Changing table with one changing pad cover
Sling
Cloth Diapers
Stationary Entertainer
Car seat and base
A small bin of baby toys
A bumbo seat
Four bottles
Four baby spoons
Four burp cloths
Four bibs
One drawer of clothes
Double Stroller
Breast Pump
2 pacifiers

Hmmm, that seems like a lot now that I've typed it all out. Here is list of additional recommended items for a baby registry:

Swing
Crib bumper
High Chair
Jumparoo
Rocking Chair
4-6 changing pad covers
wipes warmer
infant bath tub
bath robe (oh come on!)
play mat
nursing pillow
bottle warmer
bottle drying rack
bottle sterilizer
dishwasher caddy
bottle brush
insulated bottle tote
disposable bibs (really?)
6-8 pacifiers
hooded bath towels
12 baby washcloths! 12!
crib bedding set
crib mobile
4-6 crib sheets
sheet savers
mattress pads
bassinet
disposable changing pads
diaper pail
diaper pail refills
traditional stroller
lightweight stroller
jogging stroller
rain cover
stroller organizer
stroller cup holder
stroller snack holder

That doesn't cover the entire list, but you get the idea. My list of items doesn't seem so long now. I can't imagine how all of that is supposed to make my life easier. I don't even think it would all fit in one room of my apartment.

We are still trying to figure out if we need/want a high chair. I've been feeding Chase in the bumbo and it seems to be working out fine. I'm hoping I can continue until he can sit in a booster seat at the table.

Things I'd like to get rid of

There are several things I'd like to get rid of around here. Some of these things are not mine. Some of these things are deemed necessary by other members in my family. Some of these things I just can't let go of. Here is my list of things that I would like to get rid of but doubt I will be able to:

1. the microwave - Oh how I hate you, microwave. You freak me out with your radiation and your ability to zap my food of most of it's nutritional value.

2. baby clothes - Will you sit in a box and never again be used? Will you be pulled out again in a year or two? Interesting questions . . .

3. excess toys - How many toys do three children really need?

4. 14 year old dark blue suit hanging in the back of my closet - Who will wear you? Who would want to wear you? You and your pleated pants should not be taking up space here.

5. the t.v. - You are ugly, I don't like you and you are bad for me. You should have gone out with the trash a long time ago. Yet here you are. Staring at me. Enticing me to turn you on and fill my head with nothingness. Shame on you, t.v.

Maybe someday I will be able to part with some or all of these things. Until then, I guess I just have to learn to live with them.

What are you working up the nerve to get rid of?

7 for 7 - Week 5 and 6

I missed my 7 for 7 post last week. We were busy with our company so I didn't get to purge or post.
I made up for it this week! I didn't even take time to count my items. I know it was well over 14.

Here are a few things from my closet (shoes, some clothes) and a few of the kids clothes that are old and worn and not worth saving. This all went in the garbage. I didn't even take the time to organize it nicely for the photo.
,

That bin on the bottom hasn't officially left the house, but it's on it's way. It is full of clothes that Charlotte has out grown. Some are being given to a friend and the rest I am posting on Craigslist.



Goodbye useless (to me!) items. I will not miss you!

Out of town guests

We can't quite call ourselves minimalists, yet. We are getting closer, but it's a hard thing to accomplish with a family of five. We have been busy this summer and have not had much time to purge. However, over the last several weeks we've had a few people come through our doors to stay for a night or a few days. We noticed a huge difference from when we've had house guests in the past. Here is a look at the way things used to be:

In preparation for our company to arrive, I'd shove things under beds and in closets like a ten year old boy cleaning his room. I spent a lot of time cleaning stuff, dusting stuff and just trying to organize our stuff to make room for more people. When our company would arrive, I'd be stressed out about all of their stuff lying around. Everyone would be tripping over everything and spending a lot of time tidying up the place in order to breathe properly.

This time around things were different. I did not have too much cleaning to do prior to our guests arriving. Everything was already in order so I did not have to shove anything anywhere. When my guests arrived, I was rested and refreshed and ready to entertain. We were able to offer up our small (but spacious!) bedroom. All of their luggage fit nicely in there, so we never had to see any of their stuff. It was awesome! I never once felt like I had to apologize because of the lack of space.

My mom (who is not online and had no idea about our journey) entered the house and said, "It looks bare in here, are you moving?" Ryan and I looked at each other and smiled. It's noticeable!

7 for 7 - week 4

Another week of clearing out the excess!

1. a pile of c.d.'s
2. breast milk storage bags - I have two boxes of these and Chase wont even take a bottle. Go figure
3. pair of Gavin's shoes - too small
4. another pair of Gavin's shoes - too small
5. Charlotte's shoes - too small
6. another pair of Charlotte's shoes - wont stay on her feet
7. a pair of my flip flops - kind of hard to give up. I've had them for at least five years if not longer, but it was time.

Our shoe bin is a little lighter and we can now find our shoes a lot faster! The best part is not waiting for out little "shoe girl" to figure out which pair she wants to wear.

Facebook Findings

It's been two weeks since I deactivated my Facebook account. Here are some things that I've learned:

1. Facebook can be a downer - so many people post complaints about this or that as their status. It's hot, I'm tired, We're bored, I'm hungry blah, blah, blah. I read that and I think, "Yeah, it IS hot" or "Eek, I'm tired too." Then I dwell on it.
Also, it gets me down as I compare myself to others. I read: "It's amazing, my six month old is potty trained!" and I think, "Gee, my two and half year old is not even showing signs of readiness." Then I spiral into feelings of guilt or inadequacies. (obviously an exaggeration on both accounts)

2. Facebook hinders my productivity - every time I felt the need to check my facebook, I decided to do something more productive. It was great. My sink is always clean, my laundry promptly folded and put away. Well, almost always.

3. Facebook hinders my relationships with friends. If I think about someone, I could just read about their lives without ever even speaking to them. Now, I actually connect with friends instead of checking their facebook to see what they are up to. Feeling connected and being connected are two VERY different things.

4. Facebook wasn't allowing me to "live in the moment". Every time my kids do something cute or funny, I'd think, "I have to post that, everyone will think it's SO funny." Now, I can just enjoy my kids b/c I think they are funny. Getting a laugh from my "friends" isn't as important as cherishing these moments in my heart. I can enjoy things for what they are, not what facebook friends will think of them.

That's just four things that I gleaned over these last two weeks. Life without Facebook has been good for me. I've enjoyed it and I think it will be a permanent change for me. I challenge you to think of something you can do to simplify and better your life!