Our RV Journey - Summer Trip - Day 3

It's Monday morning. I find myself content and rested after traveling and arriving at our destination. We visited with a lot of family over the weekend. Now a new week is starting and I need to get us on track a bit - starting with a food shopping trip! I'm not sure our RV fridge is big enough for a week's worth of groceries. Today will be about getting some staples and supplies for meals.

I have brought a trusted friend with me on our 3 1/2 month journey - my crockpot! I've envisioned myself making crockpot meals, spending the day out then returning home for a hot meal! I do this at home, however this is the first time I've committed to trying it in the RV. I will be searching out and trying some new crockpot recipes. If you have any, please share them!

~ Happy Camper

Our RV Journey - Summer Trip - Day 2

Life seems so much simpler in the camper! Why is that? There is less stuff and I really can't accumulate much more, unless it is to replace a current item. We have less here in the camper than we do at home, however we have almost everything we need here. What we don't have, we can go out and use (such as a washer and dryer).

There are fewer choices to be made in the camper. With this being a longer trip, we had to pack for two seasons - spring and summer. I brought more clothes than I ever have on this trip. That's it though, I have x amount of clothes and those are my only choices.

I find it quite cozy in the camper. We spend a lot of time connecting with one another. We also spend a lot of time outside, which we all enjoy.

Our RV Journey - Summer Trip - Day 1

We are campers and travelers - I guess you'd say a part time family on the road. The past few years we have stayed at a campground near our extended family and enjoyed spending time with the grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Each year over the past 3 years we have increased the length of our trip. In 2013, we stayed for a month, which was a leap of faith then for us. It was a success! The following year in 2014, we stayed for 6 weeks. Another success. This year, we are staying for 3 1/2 months  - another leap. We arrived at our destination this morning safely. We unpacked and settled in pretty quickly.

I continue to streamline our possessions at home. Prior to this trip was the longest I've had to prepare the house. I went through a lot of our belongings and purged! How does a family accumulate so much? We donated a lot, sold some and a lot of papers made it into the trash! I recycle, bless others with our gently used stuff and re-purpose as much as I can. It was a big clean out and I'll have a more simple and tidy home to return to, for that I am grateful.

I'm always looking for creative ways to maximize our space. I'm concerned I've overpacked, even though I've been mindful of this issue. My hope is to post about our journey.

~ Happy Camper

Clutter Buster Project: Getting Rid of the Bunk Bed

We took down my son's bunk bed. Clutter was multiplying on the top bunk! I felt a little sad. He loved that bunk bed. However, he had not been sleeping in it. That combined with the breeding of clutter on the top bunk, I was inspired to let it go. I found I would place some laundry up there to put away and he would throw all types of randon toys and clothes up there. I constantly had to stay on top of it. I was tired and realized we rarely use the top bunk for anyone to ever sleep in it anymore! We freecycled it yesterday. Finally I was okay with it. My son wasn't so sure.

This project was initially paint my son's room. My hubby and son went shopping for paint supplies. My son picked primary color blue for his walls. They painted. We had talked about the possibility of letting the bunk bed go. It wasn't until after I saw the room painted that we moved forward on it.

When the room was dry, we took down the bunk bed and removed everything from the room. Then we dusted and vacuumed. We brought the furniture back in and rearranged it. I love it! My son is very happy with his "new" room too. I'm not sure what our next step is with the bed. We are going to try a twin for now and see how that works. He also has the option of going to a full size bed. It feels clean, fresh and new in his room. Our next project: decorating it.

Got Kids? Get Them Involved!

Do you have children? If so, get them involved in your process of simplifying. Yesterday, I was doing the kids’ laundry. Now this just worked out for me. I do laundry on most days. Today though, I did all of the kids laundry. After each load, I gathered the kids around with me and we all folded. First they sorted the laundry into piles - socks, underwear, shorts, pants and shirts. Then we each chose a sorted pile to fold. Now, my son did the underwear and socks. Daughter did shorts and pants. I folded the shirts. =)

It worked out really well! At the time, I noted to myself to add this to my blog and definitely add this to weekly list of chores! Yay! 10 points for Mom! =)

Eating Out - Is There a Simple Way?

Eating out. We are an eating out Nation! For me this is easy on simplifying. I am a Mom with 2 small children. Eating out with the kids is not fun.
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Pros -
I have to keep the kids entertained while we are waiting for food.
Even if we go to the bathroom right before going out, each child usually still needs to make at least one trip. It's usually after my food arrives too! =)
Cons -
I don't have to cook.
I don't have to clean up.
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We do save money by not eating out as well.
What I prefer to do is order in when we want a "treat" or a night off. That works wonders for me. It usually still saves money as well. We have had one or two favorite restaurants in our area who do offer pick up. That's a real treat for us!
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Another simpler option is a buffet. There is a large variety for everyone in the family. Usually there is no wait, just go up and get your food. We have tried this option with success, however I still have the bathroom trips!
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Now if I was out on a date with my hubby, my feelings may be different. It would probably be simpler to eat out. That way I wouldn't have to cook, clean, take anyone potty or cut up anyone's food! =)