Is the Pink Chicken Dead?

RIP Pink Chicken?

Not so fast....

Just because I haven't talked about it, doesn't mean I haven't been living it.

Let's recap.

If you are a new reader, and you have no idea what I'm talking about click on 'Self Imposed Poverty' under my labels to catch up if ya'd like.

June sucker punched the Pink Chicken right in the beak.

She fell - and she couldn't get up.

It wasn't pretty for a few weeks.

So many unexpected expenses, it just seemed like my pockets had holes in them all the ding dang month.

I looked on Monster.com quite often.

I hemmed.

I hawed.

I worried.

I fussed and fretted.
"I" wanted to fix it.

I felt like a failure when July 4th came and went and I wasn't out of debt.

I comforted myself with the thought that to fail at something meant you were trying.

I still live without.

Without more than I think many people are willing to give up.

I won't pay for texting, fancy TV stations or eating out.

I've eaten out once in five months - (I mean sitting down with a waitress - I have gone through McD's for an occasional chicken salad in a pinch).
You'd be surprised what you think are necessities that aren't.

I wash my Ziplocs.
I make my laundry soap.
I hang it laundry the line to dry - winter and summer.
I've gone to the mall once in the last year.
I don't look at catalogs that come in the mail.
99% of my wardrobe is from the resale shop.

I gave Glenco the bill folder and told him I didn't want to do it anymore - to let me know when I needed to go get a job.
He hasn't mentioned it yet - seems he cottons to having me meet him at the door with a cold glass of iced tea in hand, having time to chat about his day.
Seems he cottons to a house in order, a happy wife and an endless supply of clean underwear.

My heart's desire is to cultivate a quiet life.
A life that is peaceful, rich in contentment.
A life that is worth living -
a life unencumbered by debt and living beyond my means in order to help those living below theirs.
True needs that I haven't been able to meet because I was busy meeting my wants.

It sounds easy in theory.
It's not.
This summer I've been on a journey of living without.
Living without certain foods I'd love to indulge in.
Living without material goods I'd love to indulge in.
Sometimes I'm content.
Sometimes I pout.

As I sit here and type this from my unfinished front porch, feeling leaner than I have in years, feeling more peaceful than I've ever felt I can tell you most assuredly -

Busyness is not a virtue.

Less.
Is.
More.