I think unstructured play gets easier as kids get older. However with younger kids, sometimes unstructured play ends up being me chasing them around and telling them to get off the table. Recently we've started scheduling outings more often and it seems to help reduce meltdowns and boredom.
I keep getting sucked into digital time-sucks. I am not on Facebook or Twitter but then I get sucked into playing games on my phone or Pinterest. I like to read and comment on blogs if possible, too. I check emails way too often. I can't believe now that before smartphones, I didn't log on the computer on weekends and didn't check emails!
I've embraced the FB - free life, but I'm not sure I can go blog-free or internet-free.
I was planning on reading this book and I regularly read Laura's blog. Your comment that she has ideas about "using built-in flexibility at work without necessarily asking for it" makes me want to get this sooner rather than later. I know a lot of talk about flexibility at work is limited because it targets those who are more in power at their jobs. However, for those w/o big titles, using built-in flexibility at work is one of the key ways to find extra time.
To me, minimalism and frugality are very different things. Minimalism is not focusing on de-cluttering and not accumulating STUFF. That can save you money or it can mean you bought a beautiful new iMac because you don't want to clutter your space. It can mean getting an expensive smartphone that you also use as an alarm, music player, fitness tracker, calendar etc.. I think it does "allow" you to easily justify spending on experiences as well.
I'm not knocking one or the other since we have to be frugal to support a family of 4 in a high cost of living area. I guess what I'm saying that both being minimalist and being frugal has its place in life.
Keeping my fingers crossed for you. I'm glad you're taking progesterone supplements. I've heard good things about taking them in cases similar to yours.
Family proximity is the primary reason for living where we are. But I also like SoCal culture/weather/diversity/foods so it's a good place for us right now, even if cost of living is high.
I made the long drive sacrifice for many, many years -- partially due to low rent and nice neighborhood. However, once the kids came along, we traded our idyllic suburban neighborhood to move to a denser area, near my job and my family. It isn't our ideal area but I LOVE having the shorter commute.
Free shipping gets me too. Not too long ago, I bought something on Amazonand was $5 off from free shipping. Luckily I was able to find something I actually needed to buy (gift) so I didn't order something, but I admit that it took me a while to find the right priced item!
Just wanted to throw in my support. I learned about your flame war via your mom's blog. I used to read Financial Samurai among many other pfbloggers. I stopped because many pf bloggers who focus on wealth-building tend to very un-empathetic. Here's my detailed take on why I stopped reading most finance blogs.
http://oilandgarlic.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/why-...
![[Avatar]](/images/avatar26.png){kind=avatar}
middle_class 
Creation