Yes, I lack the perfect house. My clothes are all years and years old, my furniture doesn’t match, and there’s a funny smell in one of my cupboards. But we’re all happy. Me, the kids, the dog, the cats, the fly flying around, laughing at me when I try to kill it… all of us. We have a warm place to live (now that the furnace is fixed–it was touch-and-go a few days ago), we have food in the fridge (and apparently rotting in one of the cupboards), and we have electricity with which to watch TV and connect on the internet (Hi!!).
And we have stuff to look forward to, too. Tomorrow is the Santa Claus parade here in town, and Alex is very much looking forward to participating in it, on his school’s float. But there’s a catch, of course. The float is themed on the Grinch and he’s terrified of the Grinch. We may be in the parade, or we may be running, screaming from the parade. Something for me to look forward to since it’s supposed to rain. Then there will be the joy of Christmas shopping to look forward to. For the first time in three years I’ll be doing my shopping in Canada. At home. This time last year I was on a plane to Tokyo. So hard to believe. But I have proof:
This year I just didn’t have the money. In fact, I’m probably still paying for that trip. Maybe I’ll post about it, finally, for the next ten days, which was how long I was there. Yeah. Happily, I took notes.
But now life is so much more simple. With my old clothes, my mismatched furniture and my funny smell, my dog who’s not a puppy anymore and three kids who are old enough to drive, I’ve proven that I don’t need much. Only love.
This post is part of Stream of Consciousness Saturday. Click the link to find more posts in the comments, and to join in! https://lindaghill.com/2016/11/18/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-nov-1916/
November 21, 2016 at 2:51 pm
Sounds like a great life to me!
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November 22, 2016 at 2:02 pm
It is! Thanks, Quiggles. 🙂
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November 20, 2016 at 10:51 pm
Beautiful post Linda. 🙂
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November 22, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Thank you, Debby. 🙂
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November 22, 2016 at 2:24 pm
🙂
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November 20, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Beautiful stuff, Linda 🙂
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November 22, 2016 at 2:04 pm
Thank you, Joey. 🙂
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November 20, 2016 at 1:34 pm
You probably wouldn’t be as happy if things were perfect. Right?
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November 22, 2016 at 2:05 pm
True. Perfection is highly overrated.
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November 20, 2016 at 12:48 pm
You have a lovely home and family Linda, what more do you need? This is just the best 🙂
Really an uplifting and happy post.
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November 22, 2016 at 2:05 pm
Thank you, Irene. 🙂
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November 20, 2016 at 10:55 am
Love goes a long way, and there’s enough for everyone. Enjoy the parade.
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November 22, 2016 at 2:06 pm
Thanks, Dan. He ran away screaming. 😛
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November 20, 2016 at 3:52 am
What a lovely, uplifting post. It is a very rare person that is happy with their lot in life Linda, and inspirational too!
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November 22, 2016 at 2:08 pm
Thank you, Judy. 🙂 I think acceptance has a lot to do with contentment. It certainly helps.
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November 20, 2016 at 2:46 am
Linda this is a great post and everyone has read it for what it is. You have a life you love with people you love the perfect colour matched home is nothing without love. I hope the rain holds off for the parade and that Alex enjoys his float. I remember you writing about your Japan trip is it really a year ago… Where does the time go. ! ❤
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November 22, 2016 at 2:10 pm
I know! It doesn’t feel like a year has passed.
Alex ended up running away screaming, but it was an experience… one we may not repeat. Hahaha. 🙂 😉
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November 22, 2016 at 3:06 pm
I am sorry to hear that Linda ! Next year maybe!
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November 22, 2016 at 3:17 pm
I’ll keep you updated. 🙂
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November 22, 2016 at 3:46 pm
🙂
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November 20, 2016 at 2:08 am
You have made a home 🙂 That’s what counts..
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November 22, 2016 at 2:10 pm
I think so too. 🙂
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November 20, 2016 at 12:19 am
It sounds lovely…and I love how centered you are:)
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November 22, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Ah, I’m off balance as much if not more. But I try. 🙂
Thanks, Jami. 🙂
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November 19, 2016 at 10:22 pm
When I saw that photo on my reader, I thought of your Japan trip too 🙂 and your dog (Winston, isn’t he?) has indeed grown so fast.
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November 22, 2016 at 2:15 pm
Yep, Winston got pretty big. He weighs about 50lbs now. 🙂
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November 19, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Stuff, things they don’t count for much, but warmth, sustenance, loyalty and love are all you need… And the odd funny smell to keep you on your toes. Nice read good response Happy Sunday. 😇
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November 22, 2016 at 2:17 pm
Yes, the funny smells do keep us aware of our surroundings if nothing else. 🙂 Hope you had a happy Sunday too, Ellen. 😀
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November 19, 2016 at 9:34 pm
I’ve come to the realization that happiness is being comfortable exactly where you are and with what you have right this minute. Good for you, Linda 🙂 Your life is a blessing 🙂
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November 22, 2016 at 2:17 pm
Thank you, Lori. 🙂 Yep, It’s all about living in the moment. Especially when the moment is quiet. Hehehe.
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November 22, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Welcome, Linda 🙂 Yes, quiet when you can find it.. I am sure it is fleeting for you. But I envy you and your kids 🙂
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November 19, 2016 at 9:34 pm
I love this post. Your description of your home and the comments make me wonder how many people have “mis-matched” furniture and funny smells in their homes. Most of my furniture is recycled and has character. Matched furniture is boring and strange smells are part of life. Love is what matters most.
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November 22, 2016 at 2:18 pm
It’s true. Love is really the ultimate goal. Thanks, JoAnna. 🙂
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November 19, 2016 at 9:29 pm
only love. and maybe a good bottle of wine. yeh, wine is good.
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November 19, 2016 at 10:06 pm
Oooh, wine! I have that! Good idea, Jim. 😀
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November 19, 2016 at 8:38 pm
Me to, I think you were writing about me. It’s a good life and I’m grateful everyday that we have each other and our good health – it doesn’t get much better than that.
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November 19, 2016 at 8:40 pm
Indeed. 😀 Happy to read of another contented life. 🙂
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November 19, 2016 at 8:32 pm
I know how you feel. I might be a candidate for the Better Homes and Horrors award, but why clean when there’s so much more to life, and want’s so important about matching furniture, anyway. 🙂
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November 19, 2016 at 8:36 pm
Exactly. As long as it’s comfortable and in the right place. 🙂 I really should do something about that smell though. 😛 😉
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November 19, 2016 at 8:46 pm
You’ll find it eventually. 🙂
Years ago, something smelled like it died in my car my dad an hubby had to take the back seat out to find it. We used to buy beef in bulk at a butcher shop, it seems that one of the packages fell through a crack between the trunk and the back seat.
It wasn’t the only thing they found. There was an empty tape roll with “haha find this” written on it.
That car was trouble from the day we bought it.
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November 19, 2016 at 8:48 pm
Wow. I bet you filled that crack in in a hurry.
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November 19, 2016 at 8:28 pm
All ya need is love Linda, your house sounds a little like mine, less the dog and cat…..you have a whole bunch of great memories from your trip to Japan..they will stay with you forever…
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November 19, 2016 at 8:31 pm
I’m sure they will, Michael. It’s good to be able to look back at them though. 🙂
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November 19, 2016 at 8:46 pm
Oh yes and if you like me you have a whole pile of photos as well…
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November 19, 2016 at 8:48 pm
I do! They are to follow. 🙂
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November 19, 2016 at 8:51 pm
Good I like looking back over mine too….especially street parade I saw in a little place just outside Tokyo one Sunday morning, it was just brilliant…
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November 19, 2016 at 9:05 pm
Sounds lovely. 🙂
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November 19, 2016 at 9:16 pm
One of the best things I saw there, a multi cultural street parade with as many happy people as you could imagine….brilliant…
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