Come meet Rhonda

Let me introduce you to Rhonda Jean from Down to Earth. I know Rhonda for a few years now and she is one of the nicest ladies you will ever meet. So pop over to her blog for a visit, well worth the time. Then join our forum on Living Simply



Rhonda Jean asked What is your story?
I am pretty sure just about everyone knows my story but I'm interested in yours. Why did you decide to simplify? How far are you along in your journey? How did you start and what do you do everyday that affirms for you that this is the life for you?



Daisysmum ... My Grandmother was my teacher and role model, I spent holidays with her and we gardened, baked, crafted and even dressed chooks and made beef jerky together. She taught me to make butter, dry fruit on wire racks in the sun, She lived on a sheep farm her whole life and knew it all. That stayed with me and as I got older I practised what she taught me. Always gardened and crafted, cooked from scratch mostly. When we moved to OZ and finally bought a property and now renting a small holding as well, I have got chooks and sheep. I am glad to have this time to learn more and be able to help others, find their feet.Some friends/workmates/family do think we are a little excentric, and really I am not about to change for anybody. A few are slowly coming to think our lifestyle is a good choice. I sometimes wish my DH was a little more greener, but he has come along way already. My daughter has without realising it, "cause that how thing are done" been semi green for a long time.Even if I won lotto tomorrow, I still would live the way I am today. It is a sense of achivement to be able to do something for family and yourself.



Rhonda Jean asked What is complicating your life right now?
Are you trying to live more simply but something is stopping you? Is your work taking up too much time and energy? Are you living in the wrong area? Is your family dead against living simply? Are you still caught up with spending? Whatever it is, tell us what you're struggling with and how you intend to work through



Daisysmum ... In our case it would be not having enough super to cover us for a few years, and it does not help when you down an $20 000 with this economy thing. I know we don't need as much as they say cause we not planning on being extravigant. We still need to build a small home and put up a shed ... finally found myself a builder who does not mind reusing a few bits of recycled materials. Our land needs to be paid off and we can't do that without working.But all that does not stop me from living as best I can atm, keeping the chooks and sheep, it all a learning curve. I see it as a trail period.



Rhonda Jean how do you view your house work?
I wrote about slowing down and living life to the full on my blog today. There were many great comments but Amanda's struck me as a very practical way of looking at this way of living. She wrote:"thanks for the post, it was just what i needed on my fri morning. i agree that it is the mindfulness and purpose that makes a difference. i don't like doing dishes and can easily become resentful if i feel like i'm doing it more than my partner. but this morning i just reminded myself that i'm excited about my friend coming to stay for the long weekend and i want things to be neat for her."It's amazing how just looking at something in a different way can help re-adjust how we view what is happening in our lives. Have you changed the way you look at your work since you started to simplify?



Daisysmum ... Well now this is an interesting question, I mean the housework. I am not the best housewife and never will be. I blame my mother walking with the vacuum behind everyone, not giving you a chance to finish what you doing, without her starting the cleaning process again. I said I never want to be like that!We have had a much more relaxed way of living but atm it's far to relaxed. I would rather be outside digging holes amd mowing the lawns, feeding animals. Cleaning as required and it can't wait any longer.Flat out just doing the basic with very little help from 28yr old Dear Daughter and husband does his bit by feeding the dogs at night. The real problem is lack of time, we leave at 4.30 am and only get back after 6pm then it's feeding animals and dinner, checking clothes for tomorrow and dishes, no time for other stuff.



Gillie asked I have a question I've been pondering for some time- it's kind of related to the technology question above but I was really interested in whether people think television hinders simple living? I am in my 20's and grew up watching television as part of everyday life. Me and my OH have been moving towards a simpler and more frugal life for the past two years and I've recently realised that whatever i do, i seem to have the television on, whether I'm watching it or it's just on in the background. If I'm knitting, I'm watching television, Sewing- television, craft projects. However, my OH's Auntie and Gran do not have a television in their house at all and i LOVE going over there. I love sitting round chatting with a cup of tea or knitting together. I love the atmosphere of their houses and i always say i want our flat to be more like theirs in terms of atmosphere as it's always so relaxing and peaceful

Daisysmum ... Dear husband lovesssss his TV, rugby, wrestling, cowboy movies and more sport ... drives me nuts so I just spend my time in front of the computer, feeding animals, gardening or washing dishes. He knows my dislike but keeps watching, so be it.But when we at the farm, we have dinner outside under the pergola by citronella torches, with a chandlelier of stars lighting up the sky. Then the radio get turned on to rugbyTo much TV depends if your alone or have company, then it's off otherwise it's just plain rude leaving it on.