That’s Simple | Pepper Paints

I am thinking about changing the furniture around here at chez Pepper Paints. So, if you wonder over one day and think I got rid of your favorite post, it probably just got moved to a new spot. I am fickle like that. With the change of seasons I change the furniture around in most rooms of my house. It drives my husband batty.

I had a revelation the other morning while out walking. I am NOT a simple person. And that is OK! I often ponder becoming a more simple person. I am sure it is an easier life, but it just isn’t in me.

I can usually spot a person that lives a simple life. You know those at the grocery that have a cart with only the items they will use in the next week. They don’t belong to food co-ops which buy in bulk, shop at several different grocery stores, or stock up in case of the bird flu or killer bees. They shop at the thrift store, but again buy only what they need, not every cute thing they find because it’s only a buck. There kids have a few precious toys that they actually play with, not toys in every room of the house. That’s just not me.

I love my stuff, my hand mirror collection, various rocks, shells and sea glass from all over the place. I love my marble collection, our stamps and coins. I love art supplies and other materials that most people consider junk. I see the possibilities in almost everything. I love other peoples cast offs. I rarely shop new and I love a good bargain. Flea markets and thrift stores make me coo! As does a pile on someones tree lawn.

I know those that live a more simple life, only bite off what they can chew. That concept right there would make my life more manageable. They don’t increase the size of their garden every year if they can’t tend to what they already have. They actually leave the library with only a book or two. They don’t try to jam pack every day to the fullest. They pace themselves and have a Zen way about them. And they don’t move all their furniture around every few months because they are bored. But again, that’s just not me.

Tomorrow, I will be going thrifting with some friends and I will find a few treasures that I want more than need and I will purchase them . And I will make more work for myself-more laundry, finding a place to keep these treasures. But that’s OK. Because it will make me happy. And I may just find the perfect thing to add to my kitchen I plan on rearranging on Saturday.

Shhh, don’t tell my husband.

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7 Comments so far

I so know what you mean, from the opposite end, but still the same. It’s about finding your niche and just living it. And I think this, I really do, that the key is to keep my mind on my own life, trying not to judge or compare it to another’s. God, it takes the pressure off for sure. I can be who I am.

For me, I could live like the Japanese (without the seaweed and tofu), very sparse. I’m all clean lines and angles and kid clutter drives me bat-shit. My gf was over the other day, the one you’ve met at art, flitting about with her hands offering suggestions on how I ought to decorate my kitchen, where I ought to add stuff (she is like you, organized/chaotic in that lovely quirky way, very expressive, a collector) and my head starting to spin, I was like, Omg, NO. lol

And that’s exactly why we love you (and your collections), Kristen! We’re all living vicariously through you, so you might as well be cool with yourself. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be you and that would be a colossal tragedy.

P.S. Don’t hog all the good finds for yourself today while we’re thrifting. You have enough good stuff. Just kidding.

That’s not me, either. But you can’t see my treasures for all the piles of paper laying on top of everything.

Hey, there is a dandelion group on flickr that I bet would love that photo. If you go to my blog and click on the dandelion pic from a few posts ago, it will show the groups it is shared with (I think) and then you can join that group and share your pic, too. If you want.

Talk about not simple! LOL!

Kristen, You are such a poet. I love your world, it is so comfy. The day my sister and I pulled up at your house she said “This makes me think of grandma” that is truly a compliment, our grandma was the best playmate in the whole world. I like to think I was blessed with some of her magic.

I am a lot like you but have never been able to be as comfortable with it, or it took me a lot longer to reach a level of comfort. But then I am related to people who regularly do “GOOD cleaning” to houses that start out looking like mine does CLEAN.

I know I am always talking about clearing out the stuff but as my husband said to me “You’ll just find something else” So true. My junk follows my passion and passion is something I am comfortable with. Love ya girlfriend! Love your house!

I also want to add that you have inspired me! I was stuck , my creativity had faltered. I may have even been in the BOX, GASP! I am also such an all or none thinker, I hate that but there it is. I am trying to change and try to hit a middle here and there, LOL

Anyhow, between you and some of the people’s blogs you have links to here I have been thinking of painting again but more creatively. I had an idea today for a bunch of shutters I have. Your ideas were my inspiration.

A woman after my own heart!

ALISSA—Oh thanks for the tip!

LAURA—Thank you sooo much. I love that I remind you of your Grandma! I loved my Grandmas too. That is HUGE compliment. I love you!

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