Simpler Living

[Buck]

"For many of us, the idea of simpler living has a lot of appeal. “Stressed,” “stretched,” “time-starved” and “cluttered” describe the frantic condition of so many lives today. No doubt about it, Americans have grown weary of the work-spend-consume treadmill; and a growing number of us are recognizing that consumerism and its counterpart, materialism, are inherently unsatisfying, and are casting about for alternative value systems"

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Modern-Homesteading/2008-10-01/Live-Simply-Simple-Living.aspx

[Suzy]

I write a regular column for the Alabama Cooperative statewide newspaper called "Simply Times" and it has been amazing how many folks write, call me, and email about how they are longing to simplify their lives...

Too long too many of us have been like rats on a treadmill....life is TOO SHORT to work all our lives in jobs we don't like for things that we either don't really need or which are bad for us....

Maybe the old hippie in me is coming through but that's the way I feel!

[Suzy]

By the way, it's "Simple Times.".....I can't type and think at the same time! ;D

[theresehirko]

Each year that I'm in school, I need to buy the new drug book that comes out. (well technically I don't need to, but there are important changes such as side effects, etc that I want to know about). I usually just leave the previous year's book on whatever floor I'm working on that semester because the nurse's station can always use another drug book. I also give my paperbacks and magazines to the nurse's station or to the volunteer group at the hospital because they desperately need reading material for the patients. This has greatly decreased our clutter at home and the nurses really appreciate it.

[leera]

Are you going to pharmacy school or going to be a doctor?

Just curious,I work in a pharmacy,and the drug books get replaces at least once a year,sometimes twice if there's a lot of new stuff that comes out.

I'm working on simpifying my life,but to do that,I have to convince my DH to stop bringing "projects" home....... ::)

[theresehirko]

I'm in nursing school, working on the bachelors degree with plans to get a Doctor of Nursing Practice in acute care. The hospital is a Level 1 trauma center in the worst section of Jackson, MS. (aren't they always located in the worst part of town?) Whatever is on the 10pm news is who I usually have as a patient the next day. I really like the GSW, stabbings and MVCs because they demand that you utilize all of your skills.

[sbemt456]

Theresehirko if you like that kind of stuff may I suggest you also get your paramedic and work on an ambulance. That is where you really use all your skills and then some. Very rewarding, but physically demanding. I have a huge amount of respect for good caring nurses and after spending 14 years in EMS, have even more. But on the truck you are the persons first contact with help and you can make a big difference in their survival chances. Although I have seen EMT's and Medics neglect that duty.
Nursing, and Emergency medicine are both very rewarding. Try EMS, you might find a new calling if you like trauma.

Good luck in school.

stella

[leera]

You know,they do that to pharmacy interns too,stick them in the stores that are in the worst,most run down ghetto areas.

I think they do it to see if the person can stick it out and survive,then they move them to some place nicer.

Good luck in school,it sounds like you know what you want.

[cinok]

I'm in nursing school, working on the bachelors degree with plans to get a Doctor of Nursing Practice in acute care. *The hospital is a Level 1 trauma center in the worst section of Jackson, MS. *(aren't they always located in the worst part of town?) *Whatever is on the 10pm news is who I usually have as a patient the next day. *I really like the GSW, stabbings and MVCs because they demand that you utilize all of your skills.

You must talking about the davis guide, My wife is also an ER junkie on the same path as you except she is planning on Family Medicine. I just ask when will the madness stop.

[theresehirko]

I don't think the madness will ever stop! If I'm not studying my life away for the upcoming exams, then I'm impatiently/terrified waiting for the scores to post. My husband feels neglected as does our dog, but I only have 8 months to go! My goal is to be the nurse on the helicopter that goes out to rescue people, and I have to have a couple of years in the ER before I can do that. I absolutely feel alive when there is a crisis and I'm in my "zone", as Bob puts it. It's almost like your brain goes into an autopilot mode where you see yourself doing things without having to think about it, and I absolutely love knowing that I helped someone. Maybe I'm addicted to adrenaline?

[MelleeRN]

Adrenaline is a great thing in times of need. Having worked in EMS and in an ER, I have learned that I enjoy the ER the most. As some one said, their are benefits to being in the field as the first contact, but there are many benefits to taking over a case that comes in hot. I love the adrenaline of placing ET tubes, chest tubes, and using a OS drill. And when all is said and done I still am able to show the nursing side. The time of sitting with family and developing a trusting relationship over a few hours. There is no way to really compare the two jobs emotionally or skill set now days. Mostly it is compared via pay. Unfortunately EMS is very under paid when they do so much. As for being a flight nurse, you do need at least 3 years and a whole lot of of certs, but I will tell you this. There is nothing like flying up hot. Or the disheartening feeling of having to watch someone die who needs compressions in air as you are going down due to pressure changes.

[theresehirko]

One of the ways that we have simplified our living is with a newspaper burning bbq grill. Since it's just the two of us, we hate to fire up the gas grill for just two fillets of fish or kosher sausages. I bought Bob this little grill that holds about 4 hamburger patties at once and the fuel is newspaper. So the Sunday paper gets saved and recycled into fuel and I'm not wasting money on refilling the gas tank just for a small grill load. We grill a lot because it keeps from heating up the kitchen in the summer and with this small grill, we aren't spending any money on fuel as we are using the newspaper. We save the big grill for when family comes over.

[bassntrout]

Simple living flies in the face of the consumerism this country is built upon. Check out this article: http://divorceddadfrugaldad.com/2008/09/09/spendthrift-manor-and-frugal-homestead.aspx

[flatwater]

Simple living for me is about what stresses me out. As an EMT I also live for the rush and satisfaction of bringing a life back and when I was a correctional officer I liked the fact that on occasions I could change a life with incouragment and a little advice but then comes the time when I had to deal with the management. That was the stressful part. Now that I am retired , I call the shots when and who I work for. Thats simple living.
flatwater

[madmac]

We were talking about this just today at work. You know what's wrong with America today? Most folks don't know how to live the simple life. Most feel they need to buy everything new and work two jobs to pay for it all. While they are working to pay for the big house, new cars, flatscreen tvs and video games they find they have no time to enjoy this crap. Most have forgotten the old ways. Sitting down with the kids just playing card games, working in the garden, canning food and pretty much everything folks did when life truly was simple folks don't know how to do. It has been forgotten. We had a co worker ask how you plant a garden. 28 years old and has never seen a vegetable garden nor does he know how to start one. We have friends that worked on a ranch for years. These folks can cook up some fine food on practically nothing. No fast food for this couple. Sitting down to a dinner table with them and you wouldn't want fast food. Just simple things like sewing, or doing your own home repairs. Many young folks have never given any thought to this. Well now we are coming into hard times. Those simple skills will payoff as will the simple life many of us have turned our backs on for need of bigger is better.

[rideaway]

just watched the news and they were interviewing a lady who's power had been out for a few days. She said and I quote "I'm so bored-there is nothing to do. I don't know how they did it in the old days." What, the woman has no books in her house? LOL

[grower]

:D

[Terri]

just watched the news and they were interviewing a lady who's power had been out for a few days. *She said and I quote "I'm so bored-there is nothing to do. *I don't know how they did it in the old days." *What, the woman has no books in her house? *LOL
She probably has no supplemental light.

[Dawgus]

When we lost power this summer for 3 days, the local news interviewed people and how they "coped" with it. My favorite by far was a woman saying " I had to wash my dishes by HAND in the sink! I can't wait till the power is back so I can have my dishwasher".
I laughed for a good 10 minutes ::)

[pcrowder]

I remember when they had the big outage a couple of years ago that hit NY city/state, etc. The first concern I had was what about people trapped in elevators, subways, operating rooms, etc., with no power, and all those whiney city folks worried about when they were interviewed by the news anchors was that they couldn't go home and watch they soaps on TV and couldn't surf the web!!! Nobody seemed to be worried about all the food in their fridges was going to rot, where were they going to sleep, how would they stay warm if it got colder, etc etc etc....Yes, it seems like some people have misplaced priorities, like DISHWASHERS!!!!!!!

[gwhilikerz]

I am for the most part prepared for power outages. What i am not prepared for is my wife worrying about missing her game shows or my grandson asking if i think the power will be on in time for his Naruto cartoon. Good gosh! Don't worry about it, let's play monoploy or something.

[flatwater]

Boy I have heard that before but not with the Wife. We get up every morning ,eat breakfast and play three handed pinocle while we discuss the days events . When we get tired of pinocle we switch over to crib

[Magnificent_Madame]

just watched the news and they were interviewing a lady who's power had been out for a few days. *She said and I quote "I'm so bored-there is nothing to do. *I don't know how they did it in the old days." *What, the woman has no books in her house? *LOL

As a college student I worked for awhile as a cleaning lady. I was profoundly shocked by the number of wealthy people who didn't have a book in the house.

[jonvee]

I wish I had been interviewed after a power outage. Our last big one was after an earthquake a few years ago. Lasted little over a week in our area. We in the country were the last to get any attention by the power company.

Anyway, we just rolled the BBQ closer to the house, reved up the generator for the freezer and fridge, broke out the laterns and it was pretty much life as usual.

People I ran into in town complained how much it was costing them 'cause they had to eat out three meals a day - microwaves didn't work so they couldn't cook.

When I decided to simplify my life the first thing I did was stop answering the phone every time it rang. It's amazing how often something you're working on gets derailed because of the dang phone.

Over the years I've gotten pretty selfish with MY time. I try really hard not to get caught up in people's everyday dramas. That's not to say I wont drop and run if there is an emergency, but I really don't want to go over the continuing saga of their familiy's crap every day.


My suggestion would be to make a list of things that you think interfer with having a simple life and then work on a few at a time.

[gregabob]

Good post Jonvee-especially the part about the phone. I'll answer it when I'm good and ready-if it's important they'll leave a message.

[jonvee]

Yes - that is what answering machines and voice mail is for after all.

I had a lady call me 6 times on my cell phone and 6 times on my house line last Saturday - LOOKING FOR MY SISTER. And, with every call she got more and more upset that I wasn't picking up or calling her back.

Too bad sweetie, I was at a livestock sale, AND i'm not at your beck and call!!

Turns out she wanted sis to write a letter of recommendation for her sons college application. She was sooo frantic 'cause it was due yesterday. Your poor planning ain't my problem. Sorry to sound nasty, but good grief :-/

[Cil]

Jonvee, how the heck did that lady get your cell number? Was she allowed to have it? And if not, you gonna beat the crap outta your sister for giving it her? *;D

[jonvee]

Actually Cil I know her from 4-H and we are friends, but she got it from her hubby who brokered my re-fi years ago. So, I should beat him - right ;D

I don't give my # out and even snapped at our Admin last week for putting it on an updated staff contact list. I told my boss if ya ain't gonna pay the bill ya ain't gonna use it.

The expectation that I should be available 24/7 just because I have a cell drives me nuts >:(

[Cil]

Yes, beat the crap out of your boss for that. :P I sort of have to keep mine on 24/7. 1) It's my only phone and 2)my dad and stepdad have serious health issues. BUT I do NOT give out my number indiscrimitily [sp?].

[jonvee]

Thanks for the permission Cil. I'll make that my fun Friday activity ;D

[Cil]

Gotta end the work week on a positive note, for sure.