tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post6766412086115522638..comments2024-03-28T22:30:17.628+13:00Comments on How to be Chic: A simple lifeFiona Ferrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-51224918103530058932017-08-19T15:36:35.476+12:002017-08-19T15:36:35.476+12:00Your household sounds really cool, Susanne. Love ...Your household sounds really cool, Susanne. Love the Harley parts in the kitchen :)<br /><br />I have to relearn all the time what you say about deciding how you want life to be. I expect things to happen by themselves but they don't!Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-85747621519108761012017-08-19T15:09:59.670+12:002017-08-19T15:09:59.670+12:00Thanks, D, and I'm happy to share anything. I...Thanks, D, and I'm happy to share anything. I think it might require a blog post though. Stay tuned!Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-75696021602416638772017-08-19T15:01:19.962+12:002017-08-19T15:01:19.962+12:00You certainly to live a full life, Margaret, and i...You certainly to live a full life, Margaret, and it also comes across as joyful, artistic and happy.<br /><br />I agree, having 4 acres later in life might be a bit much!Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-83933645025549360072017-08-19T14:59:51.070+12:002017-08-19T14:59:51.070+12:00'time to spend as you desire is a true luxury&...'time to spend as you desire is a true luxury' - true words, Leslie :)Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-68459435857954631832017-08-19T14:59:14.058+12:002017-08-19T14:59:14.058+12:00Well done on your meditation success. You have in...Well done on your meditation success. You have inspired me to try again :)Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-30196677779518038572017-08-19T14:57:23.995+12:002017-08-19T14:57:23.995+12:00Oh my goodness, Deborah, when I make myself a rigi...Oh my goodness, Deborah, when I make myself a rigid schedule I rebel against it straight away also! What's up with that???<br /><br />Puttering/pottering = blissFiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-25994054481953658122017-08-19T14:55:46.794+12:002017-08-19T14:55:46.794+12:00I'm with you Kay, when my calender is empty it...I'm with you Kay, when my calender is empty it's such a nice feeling! It feels wide open and like I can do anything.Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-10879756592416341882017-08-19T14:52:40.095+12:002017-08-19T14:52:40.095+12:00Time certainly is a luxury, you're so right St...Time certainly is a luxury, you're so right Stephanie. It feels like THE most luxurious thing in the world to know that no matter what day it is, I get to choose what I do.<br /><br />Yay for J's new-to-him mower! Paul is tres envious :)Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-32913893508719100542017-08-19T14:50:26.326+12:002017-08-19T14:50:26.326+12:00Your life sounds quite idyllic, Anon; you and I so...Your life sounds quite idyllic, Anon; you and I sound very similar :)Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-66015083759783004542017-08-19T14:49:23.251+12:002017-08-19T14:49:23.251+12:00With needing to buy new items, Natalie, we've ...With needing to buy new items, Natalie, we've just held off as long as possible, only buying what we absolutely need at the time. It has lessened the overwhelm for me, plus it spreads out the cost. We know we'll be here for a long, long time, so there is no hurry :)Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-25191287897865482642017-08-10T14:05:56.802+12:002017-08-10T14:05:56.802+12:00Your post made me laugh, because everything you sa...Your post made me laugh, because everything you say is SO true but it's as though we all have to discover it for ourselves. I retired 3 years ago with plans galore about all the things I was going to do, and found my time just frittering away. This year, finally, I feel as though I've got control of it again. <br /><br />Mind you, I complicated things a bit. My guy & I have known each other for over 35 years but have only been together for the last 15. We've always maintained our own homes until this year when he (& his bossy cat) moved in here. In terms of the relationship it hasn't made much difference: we were always at his place or mine anyway. But there are still bumps to smooth out as we combine two households [I gave up the half of the garage I used for garden stuff to house his 5 motorcycles; he gave up fixing the darned things on the kitchen table, although I still find boxes of Harley engine parts underfoot now & again :)]. <br /><br />But we're working on that "simplicity" you mention. And finding relaxed routines that suit us both. One thing we've both come to realize is that it's not something that happens accidentally. You need to decide how you want your life to be & make real plans & then do some work to make it happen. <br /><br />Living simply & with ease, making time for friends & family & self & other, making time to care for our health & well-being (because being healthy makes everything better!), making time to read & walk & laugh & love . . . it's kind of what life's really all about, isn't it.Susannenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-47591332863813306692017-08-09T06:19:06.504+12:002017-08-09T06:19:06.504+12:00You look refreshed! I'm so glad you are enjoy...You look refreshed! I'm so glad you are enjoying your new home and surroundings, it's beyond gorgeous. <br /><br />I would love your recipe for early retirement. Since following your blog for so long, I know your frugality has an enormous effect on finances, but is their any other word of advice alongside that? Although I know it's a very personal matter so I understand if you're not interested in divulging :)<br /><br />D.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-8392086215028301832017-08-08T13:38:49.383+12:002017-08-08T13:38:49.383+12:00I meant get up when we like, no life. Silly finge...I meant get up when we like, no life. Silly fingers again!<br />Margaret P galanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190356279359463949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-21450666697298616702017-08-08T13:37:20.211+12:002017-08-08T13:37:20.211+12:00Our life hasn't really changed much and we'...Our life hasn't really changed much and we've been retired for almost 20 years (or husband has, I mean; women don't retire!) A simple life is what most of us desire, I think, but rarely can we achieve it as life encroaches. We have two sons and their wife/partner, and a grandson, and we help quite a lot with various things which are family-related, so that each day is quite full. Down-time is being able to get up when we life (to a certain extent) and if it's ten o'clock in the morning if we've had a bad night, then so be it, the time police won't be on our tail! <br />A more spacious home would be lovely - well, for a day or two. I'm happy with our home here, for two people it's ideal as we have spare rooms now our children are no longer at home (they're middle-aged chaps themselves); I think, overall, pensioners like ourselves need more and not less space, it's nice to have a choice of room to decamp to, so that we're not always under each other's feet. We don't have a huge home, just sufficient space for our needs, and in that I consider us very fortunate. Having four acres, such as you have, Fiona, would be lovely for a while, but land needs careful land-management and I've no idea what we would do with so much land, lovely when you are young, as you and your husband are, but not for us in our 70s/80s. But so glad you have moved and have, at last been able to have a more simple and therefore more enjoyable life.<br />Margaret P galanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14190356279359463949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-28989157879157872542017-08-08T11:30:17.818+12:002017-08-08T11:30:17.818+12:00Sounds to me like you have found freedom in your n...Sounds to me like you have found freedom in your new home...and time to spend as you desire is a true luxury!hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-3985880519642236722017-08-08T08:46:38.152+12:002017-08-08T08:46:38.152+12:00How lovely to have all those fresh lemons! I'v...How lovely to have all those fresh lemons! I've found that I need some sort of schedule (not too rigid that I get rebellious about it -- haha!) so that I get done what needs to get done and can have time to pursue things I love like reading and knitting and journaling and puttering. I putter a lot. One of my favorite things to do. Your new life sounds lovely, enjoy! xo DeborahDeborah Montgomeryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04366855994841922862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-60117966348870502022017-08-08T03:54:57.510+12:002017-08-08T03:54:57.510+12:00Such a calm and soothing post, Fiona; I loved the ...Such a calm and soothing post, Fiona; I loved the serenity it exuded. How I would love to have a lemon tree or two providing endless organic lemons for my countless uses! They're great as gifts too. <br /><br />Personally, feeling content at the end of the day means living in alignment with my values and goals with equal parts productivity and pleasure, i.e. living my dream life. I've devoted myself to a 10-minute meditation practice two months ago and am reaping the benefits of a heightened mindfulness to what I do or do not utter. This has most definitely increased my day-to-day tranquility as I pause more and retort less. <br /><br />I also concur with your description of space as feeling rich. A spacious home with only items that are truly useful and if possible, aesthetically pleasing, is one that I desire for my own abode. I'm happy to say that I do live in a lovely home that is mostly to that ideal! :)Natalie Tzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10329191355574098523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-48179248436633968992017-08-08T03:41:24.213+12:002017-08-08T03:41:24.213+12:00You have never looked lovelier, Fiona!
So happy...You have never looked lovelier, Fiona! <br /><br />So happy for you and your sweet hard-working husband! Everything is looking great.<br /><br />What makes me feel content? I love to putter around my house and yard. I feel good being in my house when it is quiet and clean and not cluttered. When there's not too much on my calendar I'm so excited!<br /><br />Enjoying all your new house posts. KayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-86556613655361822882017-08-08T01:49:20.991+12:002017-08-08T01:49:20.991+12:00Time is a luxury and owning your own time now is s...Time is a luxury and owning your own time now is so special. I love how you are scheduling in your own hobbies now that you can spend your time as you want. Paul will love a zero turn mower. J just got one for the camp and he absolutely loves mowing now. He bought a used one and it's great!Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09289348366926684135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-88222577247769957262017-08-08T00:13:19.319+12:002017-08-08T00:13:19.319+12:00HI Fiona: Lovely post. Like your previous life, ...HI Fiona: Lovely post. Like your previous life, my husband and I own a small business which requires 7 days a week. We do enjoy some time off, however, when we're caught up and perhaps ahead of schedule. For peace and contentment, I enjoy a clean, organized, clutter-free home, we both work to keep it that way. I have a cleaning lady come every two weeks, and that is money well spent for us. I like to spend my precious free time reading on my back deck in warm weather or in front of the fire in the winter. We enjoy cooking and watching a movie together, especially in the winter. Next on the list is what you're doing...going through old makeup and his tools to declutter. I love your new home beyond words. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-13655146553090755252017-08-07T18:09:08.773+12:002017-08-07T18:09:08.773+12:00This is such a great, timely post. The glimpse int...This is such a great, timely post. The glimpse into your new life is lovely! My husband and I are moving to a new apartment soon and I feel a little overwhelmed with all the items we need to buy. Hopefully with some careful planning I'll achieve that chic but sparse decor style that I'm equally a fan of :) <br /><br />I so know what you mean about scheduling hobbies. It seems silly but it's true that they often fall by the wayside. I have so many books I've been wanting to read, I've decided to make a top ten list and work my way through them. I've been trying to be more strict about my sleep as well so allotting an hour for winding down and reading sounds like a good solution.Natalienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-13053222790245572612017-08-07T16:55:45.630+12:002017-08-07T16:55:45.630+12:00I love the kinds of houses where you sit out front...I love the kinds of houses where you sit out front Jenifer, it looks so social.Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-48029828865127181242017-08-07T16:55:00.297+12:002017-08-07T16:55:00.297+12:00You're singing my song, Pammie :)You're singing my song, Pammie :)Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-73189322493686291332017-08-07T16:52:31.234+12:002017-08-07T16:52:31.234+12:00You must have a big lawn, Carla!You must have a big lawn, Carla!Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4130537499074859934.post-64919027386589828902017-08-07T16:29:28.871+12:002017-08-07T16:29:28.871+12:00Your friend is right, LBD, I don't know where ...Your friend is right, LBD, I don't know where the first seven months of this year has gone, and I'm sure the rest of the year will be just as fleeting. Oh well, it was a big year for sure, so no wonder!<br /><br />Like you, I feel like we are on holiday and we'll have to go back to Auckland soon. I'm so happy when I remember that we live here now :) And remember to slow down...Fiona Ferrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01493105915055099408noreply@blogger.com