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Friday, March 9, 2012

LUCKY ME!


What helps luck is a habit of looking for opportunities,
of having a patient but restless mind, of sacrificing one's
ease or vanity, or uniting a love of detail to foresight, and
of passing through hard times bravely and cheerfully.
~Victor Cherbuliez~


Above is a picture of a cupboard that my husband made from a discarded window  that we found on the curb.  Our kitchen is small, 17 X 7 feet.  So we don't have a lot of storage.  But we needed something to fit inside the little niche that is created by the chimney  wall.  We  searched for a suitable cupboard and even toyed with having the local Amish make us one, but in the end we came home, put on our thinking caps and created this one.  And it's like it was meant to be!  Lucky me!


So often I hear people tell me that I'm lucky.  Lucky that my house is paid off.  Lucky that we were able to put our boys through college.  Lucky that we don't have any debt.  Luck had very little to do with  it.  Indeed, we had more than our fair share of misfortune.  But if there is any "luck" involved in our lives, is that we had enough foresight to learn to be thrifty at an early age, enough sense of ourselves not to be swayed by fads, enough patience not to become indebted to credit cards but to wait until we were able to afford what we needed.  


There were years that we had only one car (and a clunker at that), which  meant I walked to the grocery store with a baby in a wagon and another  in a stroller.  No wonder I was so skinny back then!  There were years when we had no discretionary income.  I learned to add interest to my small wardrobe by adding a pin, belt, or scarf.  Turning the hem up or adding a peek of lace to it.   Not eating what we were "hungry" for, but eating what we could afford from reduced for quick sale produce and meats and creative uses of leftovers.  In other words, what we lacked in funds, we made up for in creativity.  

I think that the most important muscle you can exercise in learning to become thrifty, is learning how to be creative.  Really, that old phrase "making do" means just figuring out how to do or obtain something  without spending money.  How do I make that old ratty davenport look nice?  How about making some cute pillows from the scrapbag  and adding a throw knitted from leftover yarn?   Sure is cheaper than going out and buying a new one.  Can  you combine several cans of paint to make a pleasing color for those old tired looking walls?  Maybe planting a pretty garden from plants started from seed and painting the front door a pretty color is all you need to make your "less than a dream" house become a dream house.  Which leads me to my second point .....


Be content!  So many times I hear people be apologetic for what they have or the lack of what they have.  You know those people.  You compliment them on their home and they quickly start pointing out its faults and make it clear that its just a place to hang their hat until they get their "dream" home.  But why?  It's a perfectly lovely home.  And maybe if they saw it in a different light, they might find it is all they really need and maybe even desire.   Or the woman that you compliment on their pretty dress and they say "This old thing?  I've had it for years!"  So?  It's still pretty!  It's just a matter of attitude really.  That old clunker that I mentioned earlier?  It was a wonderful car and never had any mechanical problems ever.  If the body wouldn't have rusted out, we would have been happy to drive it forever.  I'm so glad we had it when our income really couldn't take a hit from costly car repairs. I never felt ashamed that it wasn't stylish or expensive looking. As a matter of fact, when people made fun of it, I felt rather protective of it and would give it a pat and let it know I appreciated it.  I will continue to look at my life like that old clunker  and instead of saying"poor me!" , I'll say "lucky me!'.

29 comments:

  1. What a cute cabinet! Very inventive and adorable.
    Erika

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    1. Thanks Erika! It makes a dandy storage unit. I just love making things from found objects!

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  2. I must share that this is the way I used to be. Every time someone would say, what a lovely, cozy home you have Maria...I'll begin to point out what was missing and ruin the sincere compliment. But now, I don't apologize, I love my home. It is my gift from Our Lord. And like you said, luck has nothing to do with it!

    The cabinet is just lovely - enjoy it!

    Maria

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  3. Our homes certainly are a gift from our Lord, Maria! Anytime I get frustrated with the lack of storage, I stop and remember that I have a home and many people don't. How fortunate we are that He blessed us! I love everything about it. Even the little closets.

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  4. I like the look of your 'custom-made' cabinet and I like the creative idea behind it. We were raised on frugal country ways. Being self-employed has meant ups and downs of income--times when every dollar must be stretched and the times when we could relax a bit in our budget.
    Being creatively thrifty becomes almost a hobby--the pleasure of hunting for and finding something which we can repurpose, and using our skills to make something charming and unique.

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    1. It's just so much fun! Just imagine a world where you could have whatever you wanted. How would you ever choose? I think it would be a bore. Don't you?

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  5. *** It's just a matter of attitude really. ***

    Yes, yes, yes!!

    Being thankful is a daily happening. We can either wallow in 'wanting more' or be thankful for 'all' that we have.

    Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

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    1. I know that you live by that philosophy, Rainey! Between the two of us (or the four of us with the DHs), we could probably build a pretty interesting house with our salvaging skills! Have some diamond-paned windows in the garage right now, awaiting to be transformed into something interesting!

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  6. P.S. That is a lovely cabinet and even more special because your DH made it for you. I love pieces like that.

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  7. You have a wonderful attitude and wisdom, and you are absolutely correct on all points! (is it my imagination, or does that sound like something from a Chinese Fortune cookie?) Early wisdom, Jane, and because of it, you and your husband are debt free and content--that is an excellent place to be in life.

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    1. Oh Joy! You certainly live up to your name! You always give me something to smile or chuckle about. I'm so glad I found your blog!

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  8. So true. Thank you for the awesome reminder. I love that cabinet!!

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    1. Thanks Jane! Now I need some creativity to make some of those wonderful cheeses that you're teaching us how to make! You sure like to be adventurous in the kitchen!

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  9. I love that cabinet, how cool that your hubby made that from an old window! I really enjoyed this post, I am still on my journey to become more thrifty, and still need to work on not wanting to run out and pick up whatever food craving is in my mind for the week, rather than just making do with what I have, sometimes I am pretty good about it, then other times I am not. I love the idea of mixing paint to make a new color, my garage is full of different shades of paint from when we first moved in, and I need to paint one last tiny room, the color I bought is too dark, so I haven't painted it yet, I think I ought to mix it with some of my lighter shades, and see what happens, I will have to add that to my spring cleaning goals. I love your idea of being content with the home you have, I have been trying to remember that a lot more lately, instead of pining for an acre, enjoy all my fun little raised beds, and see how much more I can grow out there. Just what I needed to hear. Hope your having a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Hi April! Should just be a matter of adding some white paint to make your lighter. One time we bought what we thought was sage paint but when we got it home it looked more like lime green! So to gray down the lime we add some red paint. To gray down a paint color just add some color opposite of the color wheel. Well anyway, I kept adding more and more red and we ended up with gray! Or at least I thought it was gray. The funny thing was everyone saw it differently. Some saw green, others blue and yet others gray. A very universal color! And it went perfectly with the pale yellow draperies and the golden tones of the wood floors and furniture. A happy accident! I never would have selected gray walls but it ended up being one of my favorite rooms. Wish I still had the drapes!

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  10. I always love it when share like this Jane. The world would be a better place if people would just believe this truth. Well done...

    Blessings, Debbie

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    1. Thanks Debbie! I truly believe that if people would just be content with what they had, it would cure a lot of what ails this old world of ours.

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  11. So true Jane! I have a sweet friend who is always telling me how "lucky" I am to stay home while she eats out all the time, has cable TV (we don't), doesn't like clothes hung on a line or used, and I could go on and on. It makes me a wee bit upset with her- Seems like the harder I work the luckier I get! Angela

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  12. "The harder I work the luckier I get"! I love it Angela! Co-workers are always asking us how we managed to put our sons through college. Then they lean in like we are going to unveil some great secret. Their always disappointed when we say we just ate a lot of beans, didn't take vacations,drove old wrecks and didn't spend any money. Guess they're looking for a magic solution. Just like weight loss is just a matter of eating fewer calories and exercising more. Doesn't sound like as much fun as not eating certain foods or only eating certain foods. Sometimes things in life are just hard and take sacrifices.

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  13. Be content. One year I took contentment as my "word" for the year. My daughter and husband just returned from Africa and the pictures they took sure puts one to shame. We have so much.

    Love the cabinet -- such a perfect piece for the spot. And from a window, too! Creative way to be resourceful. I believe God is pleased when we use what we have.

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    1. Hi Pamela! I'm always reminded "but for the grace of God,there go I" whenever I see homeless people or people from third world countries on the news. I'm so very grateful to Him for choosing this nice little life for me!

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  14. Hi Jane! I really appreciated this post, it is so very true. Contentment is priceless. I have found that no matter what circumstances we are in, we all have a choice as to whether we want to view life as a tragedy or an opportunity. Part of being content is being aware of the importance of training our eyes and heart to look for the good. I have often been called a Polly Anna. Whether they mean it so or not, I like to take it as a compliment. :)

    I really enjoy it when you write about your experiences and the how you handled the challenges that came your way. You have such good, common sense ideas and tips, and it is refreshing, candid, and just what we all need to reminded of!

    I have always made it a goal to try and make my home a reflection of who I am inside. I wanted people to be able to come into my home and feel comfortable and peaceful. I enjoy beautiful things, but I want to be remembered for my hospitality not for my decorations. I was once invited to visit a woman who had a luxurious mansion. She had everything materially than anyone could hope for but all she talked about were her collections and what she wanted to buy next. And... she never even offered me a glass of water. :) In contrast I once went to the tiny apartment of a poor older woman and she lovingly wrapped a crochet shawl around my shoulders, poured me a cup of tea and put oreo cookies onto a little glass plate. In her little kitchen I felt like I was dining with a queen.

    I love your cabinet. Your husband did a great job! It is truly one of a kind and a real centerpiece for your kitchen. I hope you have a lovely evening tonight and a good week ahead! Delisa :) P.S. I love that quote: "The harder I work the luckier I get"!

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    1. Hi Delisa! Angela certainly hit upon a clever phrase didn't she? So true too! If the hospitality and contentment isn't there, a home is just an empty shell isn't it? Doesn't matter how beautiful it is. That's why I find it so fascinating to see how others live. Some of the most beautiful homes I've seen are those humble little ones that belong to kind souls.

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  15. Beautiful cabinet! I like it. Contentment is an art. You can learn it by good examples. You are my example. Thank you.

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  16. Thank Jedidja! How very kind of you to say! I must admit one reason that I'm so content is that I'm at that place in my life where my children are raised and I can see that they are doing well. Lot less stress and worry when you get to that point of life. Plus you can slow down and smell the roses!

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  17. Such wisdom and truth in your words! Your cabinet is beautiful, too :)
    -Jaime

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    1. Thank you Jaime! But you figured this out at already. I just love to read about you of the younger generation living the simple life! It give me hope for the future. My generation might have messed things up, but it looks like you young folks are trying hard to put it on the right track again!

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  18. Dear Jane,

    How clever you two are to make such a perfect cabinet! I am forever grabbing things out of the scrap wood pile in the garden, to keep the chickens out of something, or to make a temporary raised bed. Much more satisfying that buying something pre-made!

    I agree that "luck" takes a lot of planning. In face, I'm remembering a quote that says, "Luck stands for Living Under Correct Knowledge." I think that fits you to a "t"!

    Love,

    Marqueta

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    1. Marqueta, you are the sweetest soul on Earth! You will never know what your kind words mean to me.

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