Plain and Simple Living

I wrote and saved the following post the other day, before the "tragedy", I am sorry to report that our laptop, the one that was going to the farm with us, was fried.  It has been shipped away to see if it's under warranty, but even if it is it will be 5 to 7 weeks before we get it back.  For now I can use Danes computer or my Moms but once we get out on the farm I don't know what well do!  We simply don't have the money to get a new laptop now.  I am praying that if God wants us to continue this blog He will provide the means. 
So for the following post there was going to be LOTS of pictures, but those pics are now lost somewhere in an unacessable hard drive.  When we take more photos, I will have Ileigh add them to this post. 


Nothing about my life right now is simple, there are boxes stacked to the ceiling, yard sale piles, wet paint on the walls and the dog and all the paper work that goes with moving across the country.  Needless to say it is pure chaos!  BUT, I do desire a plain and simple life, and that is a big part of why we are moving to the farm.  What exactly is simple and plain?  I know these words will mean different things to different people, to Dane and I they mean a slower, calmer life, not one lived in the fast lane always going, taking children here and there, running, running and then running some more.  It means staying home, working at home, not zipping to the store every time you need something.  It doesn't mean less work, a simpler life often means more work.  But work with a meaning, working towards something lasting not just filling your hours with busy work. 
A plain life can mean many different things as well.  When you say "plain" most people think of the Plain People, the Amish and the Mennonites.  They are plain in every aspect of their lives, from dress, to work, to play, to school, to transportation, to communication.  After lots of studying and research on the "culture" of the Plain People I can honestly say, I understand why they do what they do, and why they interpret the scriptures the way they do, and for the most part, I totally agree. 
Are we going to become Amish? No.
But we are interested on becoming like them, living a plain and simple life. 

Let me give you some examples of how we are trying to accomplish that goal.
I will start with clothes, Ileigh and Elsah and my clothes, we wear and have worn for many years now, dresses only.  We believe women and girls should be dressed modestly at all times.  After MUCH sewing and wearing and discussing we have decided we like the cape dress the best!  So to that end we have been sewing cape dresses for Ileigh and myself.  We are trying to meet our goal of 4 everyday dresses, and 1 Sunday dress each.  Elsahs dresses are very easy to make and she has more than both of us put together!!  We buy our fabric from Gehmanns County Fabrics online, they have EXCELLENT customer service and great prices.  Esther Mae sells great poly cotton blends like Tropical Breeze and Country Rose. They never need ironing and never shrink! 
As far as "accessories", to be simple, we are going with black: shoes, stockings, coats, bonnets, shawls, etc.
Why? Because it's simple and easy!  You don't have to worry if your stockings match your dress or if your coat clashes with your bonnet etc.  Plus it allows you to concentrate on other things, not your wardrobe which, if I may, Christians should not be obsessed with any way, (sorry if I stepped on anyones toes). 
Aside from Biblical reasons for being plain, it is very practical.  As the Mother of 8 children I need things to be as simple and easy as possible.  I am also a bit on the obsessive side when it come to things matching and coordinating.  For example, if Elsah has on a green dress and I put her hair in braids, if I do not have matching green hair elastics, or not two of the same color, I can not stand it!!  I would have to take her hair down!  I know it sounds crazy but that kind of thing drives me up a wall!  So it's just easier on me to buy 200 brown elastics and always have them ready!  Simplifying my life is a priority for me. 

This post got bigger than I anticipated and I really should be painting or packing to cleaning, so I will stop for now but I can't wait to show you the boys wardrobe changes too!