Do not copy any of my artwork, poetry or photography without my permission.

Do not copy any of my artwork, poetry or photography without my permission.
....carpe diem. The Daylily. "Be like the flower, turn your face to the sun." Khalil Gibran. She gives her all for just one day then bows her head to God and fades away to nourish the next generation. God I pray I may give my all each day to honor you and bow my head at the end to nourish the next generation. Peggy Jones. NOTE............ Please folks do not copy any of my art or photos on my blog without my permission. Thank you for your good manners.

Blogs full of blessings

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Mosaic Monday and downsizing,

Well after all the hoopla last week, family and I decided we needed to downsize a few things to be able to stay in our home and HH does not want to even consider moving so we will be downsizing in other ways.

 For Mosaic Monday

I am highlighting my one plant still thriving and easy to take care of
Desert Rose.
I know you have seen it before but I am just learning now to let go of things.
I love this plant.
I take it in in the winter, care for it and then take it outside in the summer.
Just onto my deck.
It brings me much joy and I will be safe just caring for this one plant.

No more container gardens to have to take care of or worry about watering.
No climbing over steps and stones and other immovable objects to get to things.
We take care of ourselves very well just not able to do outside work like before.

The bigger photo is myself saying goodbye to our fish pond.
We have enjoyed it for 12 years.
Too much work to keep growth away from the rocks and too close to our house to get around.
Yardman will come Tuesday and take it up and fill in with dirt.

He will take every single piece of it, rock, pump, fish and plants to a new home.
I am okay with that.
Everything has it's time.

I have always used
Erick Erickson's Psychosocial stages of life to
help teach my children, then as a nurse, and myself how to manage change in your life as one grows and enters different phases of your life.
I firmly believe life runs better if experiences happen at the proper stage of maturity and readiness for such experiences, such as dating, partying, parenthood and grandparenting and then The Golden Years.

Maturity(65 to death) Ego Integrity vs. Despair Reflection on Life Older adults need to look back on life and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success at this stage leads to feelings of wisdom, while failure results in regret, bitterness, and despair.


This is the stage HH and I are in.
I have been fighting this but upon pondering and prayer find peace in this as a goal and afterall, "nurse heal yourself."


Go here for Mosaic Monday with Mary





20 comments:

Unknown said...

Awww, Peggy! Been there, done this & found relief & peace with the changes. May you, too.
Have a beautiful week ~
TTFN ~
Marydon

Unknown said...

I think I will find lots of folks who have done this and this blogging adventure will be my support and allow me a place to find support. Thanks Marydon. As you can tell on my previous posts I will not be slowing down on arts and crafts. LOL
QMM

eileeninmd said...

Lovley photos and mosaic. I have more than a few years to go to 65 and I already feel like downsizing. I am sure you will be at peace with your decision and have much to be thankful for. And it sounds like your arts and crafts will keep you busy. Take care and have a great week!

Unknown said...

I had to admit to HH that I will be more inclined to sit out in the evening once the pond is gone. I hate to admit it, but it is hard keeping the mosquito population down. Just too stubborn to give up. Thank goodness I saw the light.
QMM

Vee said...

I'm going back to read a few missed posts because I can tell that there's been a whole lot going on.

Although it is time to let the fish pond go, I know that it's not easy and so I have said a prayer for comfort. You are a wise woman and I appreciate what you've shared.

Sometimes the downsizing comes as a great blessing so let us believe that, too.

(I remember wailing through every room of my much larger home and I even opened the cellar door and sobbed goodbye to the monster furnace. Now that was going some! That move ushered in a wonderful time in my life and I have always it to be so after big changes.)

Unknown said...

Loved your reply Vee about "Jesus is older than dirt." I needed that.
QMM

Kim, USA said...

I wish many people can read your post about downsizing. What struck me is how you and your HH are open and accepting towards change most specially that it's too clear that both of you ponder and prayed for it. That's what couples should all do and you inspire me ^_^ Thanks for the post, by the way love the mosaic photo.

Mosaic Monday

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Lots of wisdom in this post! Life just seems to get harder as I get older. I just want to retire! REALLY!
I have a desert rose plant too! It's my favorite too! My rubber plant has just about burned up in this terrible heat wave! I am sorry to learn that you've had some nasty falls! Getting older with all the ailments stinks--my blood pressure is not under control. I've got to work at it better! Have a good week!

Karin said...

So thankful for the wisdom and courage the Lord has given you to deal confidently with the changes that come with these mature years! The Bible even says that these will be the years we may say that we won't like them. May you be richly blessed as you do what needed for your comfort and safety! Hugs!

Nancy said...

I hear what you say about downsizing. I have struggling with it since we moved to CT. Just want to clear out but am not finding a market for my things and really want some cash from it all. Keep crafting. Nancy

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Lovely framed mosaic!!! Love the bright color!!! Well done!!! My best ! Cathy

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

In this day and age, more people need to think about downsizing and learning to let go. I think so many more people would be happy and at peace if they could learn to do this. Best wishes to you as you continue to make changes. Blessings, Tammy

Anvilcloud said...

I call this decluttering, and I have heard that it's a stage that people eventually go through. I'm not sure that I am generally convinced, but it seems to be somewhat true in your case.

Peggy said...

So wise, Peggy, to take the steps that will keep you independent as long as possible. We've just had a discussion with my parents (older than you) about what they should be doing next, and when. They're still able to live independently, and have their house and yard at a stage of minimal upkeep - just need to keep aware of coming needs. We and they are hoping they can get another couple of years before having to make a move. They, like you, like where they are and being on their own. Love and blessings,

Snap said...

Such a wise thing to do and so hard. My hubby passed away in February and I've been going through things and getting rid of them. I'm taking it slowly. There's no hurry, but it does feel better as I watch things go. I have a god-daughter who is getting married in November and I told her "don't buy anything ... shop at Auntie's house first"!!!!!!!!!

My name is Riet said...

I have been downsizing since last year and am stillbusy with it. I love your mosaic.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What beautiful photos! And I'm hoping everything works out for the best! I know change is hard! I'm going to 'ponder' that last little chart! OH MY! ♥

Daniella said...

I remember Erikson's 8 stages of man from nursing school!!
stage 1 (i think) nature vs nurture!
And you are on the last stage? at your age? I thought you said you were 29?!?!?!
Downsizing does hurt, I've just done it, but hopefully you will find (like I did) that it really is nice.
I wish you good luck Peggy!
YOU are awesome!
xxDaniella

Unknown said...

Yes Daniella that is stage 1 and yes we are at the last stage. In 2005 when I came home from Belize I resolved to downsize material things. I did that and loved it but it seems I just took on more things. Time to back off again. Need a reminder every so often.
QMM

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post and such sound advice at any age. Acceptance can only bring peace, though we don't always see that in the beginning. All my love to you, Mina