It's been very interesting this process of moving here and there...seeing what really matters to a person...what can you leave behind. It's something to think about. The good thing is that both Juan Pablo and I are minimalists and don't like to have too much clutter around anyway. So when we came back from Bolivia, the suitcases were mainly filled with clothes, the laptap, toys (the kids' scooters), important documents, my jewelry, some kids' books, and scrapbooks or photo albums. I left behind most shoes (I had needed new ones anyway, and they take up way to much space) our hairdryer (could by a new one), toys (the kids always have way too many toys) photos that weren't in an album (they aren't looked at if they're not in an album...note to self, put all photos in an album...and they way a ton).
So the first things we bought when we got here were:
*TOWELS
*LAUNDRY BASKET
*HANGERS
Interestingly, we didn't have to buy the hairdryer yet, since we were staying with family and everyone has a hairdryer. Of course, I was soon buying clothes and Christmas presents for the kids, which consisted of more toys. Now we are in our own apartment, living in a brand new empty space, so what do you think are the first things you would buy?
Well, for us it was a cardtable with four folding chairs...eating picnic style gets old real fast! Isabela started complaining about her neck hurting from looking down to eat her cereal! We had dishes given to us by grandma and the apartment comes hooked with a small tv under the cabinets in the kitchen which gets 3 channels, so we didn't need a tv either. We bought more hangers, because we didn't have drawers so we had to hang more clothes. And we bought a pan to cook in, plus were given a used pot and frypan. We were also given a sofa and a vaccuum by our friends Liz and Steve.
Some other things we've bought:
*SILVERWARE
*CUTTING KNIVES
*CUTTING BOARD
*POTHOLDERS
*CAN OPENER
*FLOOR LAMP
*HAIRDRYER
Also, Isabela now has a bed frame (still needs the mattress) and Joaquin has a bed...we still need one, but are on the air mattress for now. Beds are our next focus. We are trying not to clutter up the apartment so that when we move to a house eventually, it will be easier.
Some things we need but still haven't got around to buying are:
*TRASH CANS (bathroom and kitchen)
*DRINKING GLASSES (we're using those little teacups that come in dish sets that are never used.)
*TWO MORE LAMPS (floor lamps I think because the apartments don't have overhead lighting in the bedrooms or living room.)
This is not a request for these items, just me noting what you can still live without.
The only thing that has been missed by the kids are their bikes, which I'm sure we'll replace this year. I miss my books and the photo albums I had to leave behind. Juan Pablo probably misses his family.
So what do you think is most important to you? What would you like to leave behind? What would be the first things you would buy?
3 comments:
i have always been a minimalist as i moved alot in my days with a small child. pictures are very important (and i just boxed up my pics that are not in an album, and the box weighs a ton). And i never liked bed frames or headboards, etc. just a matress on the floor works best. I still have no headboard thingy, just a wonderful matress on steel frame. I buy pieces that can be by themselves, never liked suites. And i do love lamps, i collect those. So i think you hit it right on the nail, and if JP went to mom's this weekend, i hope he picked up the box of stuff in her coat closet that is yours. Love, Aunt Maggie
happy belated birthday, susan!! my twin nephews share your birthday and i almost forgot to call them! hope you had a good one....
P.S. - i agree with maggie on the bed thing. my box spring & mattress have been sitting on the floor for nearly two years! on the other hand, my sister thinks a proper bed is a MUST. i think linens, lamps, cookware, clothes storage are all first priorities. right after INTERNET ACCESS. ;)
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