Carrie Talbott Carrie Talbott

Jesus Follower | Word Stringer | Avocado Eater

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  • Missionary Shenanigans,  Parenting,  Stress

    Stress: Top 5 Factors for Kids and Adults

    June 10, 2017 /

      Psychologists say the most stressful changes for children are (in no particular order) moving, divorce, losing a pet, death of a parent and death of a sibling. And for adults? According to Health Status, the top five include moving, divorce, major illness, job loss and death of a loved one. Since moving is one of the highest stressors no matter your age, we know our whole family sits on the brink of needing to breathe into paper bags while counting to nine in Danish. Not really. But maybe. Even if you’re only moving down the street, you still need to empty cupboards, pack boxes, and then unpack in a new, unfamiliar…

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    Carrie Talbott

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    10 Cool Costco Insider Secrets to Save You and Your Family Money This Week (And They Work in Baja, Too!)

    December 3, 2016

    Not Your Typical Pediatrician (Weight While You Wait)

    February 6, 2016

    Easter Fail

    March 26, 2016
  • Character,  Gossip,  Honesty,  Humility,  Pride

    Gossip: Loose Lipps Sink Ships

    May 13, 2017 /

    “Some say our national pastime is baseball. Not me. It’s gossip.” ~ Erma Bombeck When he welcomed us into his rad classroom, we eighth graders knew we finally made it to the top. To be in Mr. Lipps’ class meant we got the cool English teacher. Of all my junior high classes, this particular one simultaneously thrilled and unnerved me. The middle-aged, borderline hippie spoke with authority and sauntered between our desks with an abundance of confidence. His “Loose Lipps Sink Ships” poster spanned the width of one wall and sat higher than our heads when we stood. It struck me as deep… forward-thinking… high school-ish. And I had no idea…

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    Carrie Talbott

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    8 Things I’m Teaching My American Pre-Adults in Mexico

    November 12, 2016
  • Clutter,  Organizing,  Spring Cleaning

    I Decluttered and Broke Up With 500 Things. You Can Do It Too!

    April 29, 2017 /

    Feeling skeptical? Yep—I get it. I didn’t think I had 500 unwanted things I could find either. I wanted to move toward a minimalist lifestyle though so I knew it would be a solid challenge. An impending international move sealed the deal. Let’s be clear: my husband loves pitching clutter but has zero desire to become a minimalist or live in a tiny house, so I was on my own. Suggesting he only keep one coat, two shoes and three books would probably make him shake his head and mutter about hipster millennials and their vintage cameras. Paring down doesn’t mean you have to become an official minimalist though. Don’t think…

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    Carrie Talbott

    You May Also Like

    Spring Decluttering with an Organizing Pro: 20 Items You Can Quickly Donate or Toss This Weekend

    May 13, 2022

    Big Picture, Small Steps: Decluttering the Elephant One Pile at a Time

    March 1, 2025

    4 New Tips & Tricks I Learned from My First Out-of-State Decluttering & Organizing Job in Seattle This Week

    June 22, 2024
  • Attitude,  Humility,  Parenting,  Pride

    Dave’s Daughter, Corky’s Chica, Micah’s Mom: Finding My Identity in My 40s

    April 15, 2017 /

      He leaned sideways against our crummy lockers, tilted his head and flashed his crooked, pearly whites. “So when are you gonna sleep with me, girl?” His casual offer made me blush, but inside I hid my shock. And then a speck of pride crossed my heart. He wanted me. He wanted me? The tall black jock pursuing the tall white jock in the middle of a normal school day made for such great gossip and bragging rights. Good grief, Carrie, snap out of it. You don’t want to be wanted like that.  Well, duh. He had no idea who I truly was or where I came from. Never mind…

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    Carrie Talbott

    You May Also Like

    Lord of the Flaws

    October 6, 2018

    8 Things I’m Teaching My American Pre-Adults in Mexico

    November 12, 2016

    The Circus Next Door

    March 5, 2016
  • Gratitude,  Writing

    Not Your Grandma’s Kind of Ghost: Writing and Editing for Someone Else

    April 1, 2017 /

    We stood in the aisles of the gigantic dining room, huddled in a loose swarm, chatting and anticipating the afternoon. Ropes course? Zip lines? Creek walk? Yes. Two groups of friends from the Temecula Valley were all at Mount Hermon’s family camp together but had never met, so a common friend did the introductions. “Carrie, this is Becky… and Mike.” “Hi, nice to meet you.” “They’re the ones with triplets.” My eyebrows shot north without warning and I smiled. “Ohh… I’ve heard about you guys. Have you been here before?” “Nope,” said Becky. “First time. We actually don’t know why we’re here. God told us to come so we came.”…

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    Carrie Talbott

    You May Also Like

    Thanksgiving Hacks to Keep You Grateful. And Sane.

    November 16, 2019

    Simple Family Thanksgiving Ideas: Goodies & Gifts to Keep it Basic This Year

    November 14, 2020

    The Secret Society of Christmas Anxiety: How to Calm the Expectations

    December 4, 2017
  • Chores,  Parenting

    Because You Live Here, That’s Why: Kids and the Battle of Chores

    March 18, 2017 /

    I crafted a plan. I felt prepared. I started with the basics when he started walking and talking. My voice sounded cheery and I easily herded the little man into my camp. “Can you please put Finding Nemo back in the movie cupboard?” “Where does your stuffed orca go? No… not there, silly.” “You want to clean the kitchen with mommy? Sure!” Chore time with one toddler felt easy because he actually wanted to help. And the jobs were like him—short and sweet. Then we moved to Baja, birthed another baby and adjusted to living in the land of dust and mud. The harder chores required more direction, but my…

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    Carrie Talbott

    You May Also Like

    Stop Hulling Their Strawberries: 5 Things I Did to Not be a Helicopter Parent ~ Part 1

    January 16, 2016

    An Open Letter to My Kids – I Fired the Housekeeper

    May 28, 2016

    7 Clean Cleaning Songs + 7 Cool Cleaning Solutions

    January 23, 2018
  • Idols,  Missionary Shenanigans

    Awkward as a Fat Idol in Church

    March 4, 2017 /

      She stood behind the last row of chairs, alone, with beautiful brown eyes taking it all in. I had never seen her in there before, though I knew she was a native. Our church does not carry the best reputation for being the most friendly bunch to outsiders so I figured I should welcome her. But how? Maybe extend my hand? Show her around? Point out the restroom? Ask if she needed translation? I didn’t care that she was black; I’m not brown like the locals anyway. Maybe we could become outsiders together, bonding over ice cream. We get lots of visitors to our church and they all tend…

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    Carrie Talbott
  • Clutter,  Organizing,  Spring Cleaning

    Buying Less, Pitching More

    February 18, 2017 /

      I despise Ross. Not the dude I went to school with—the store where you can dress for less. It calls my name, flaunts its fantastic deals and beckons me to bring my mother on discount day. And then there’s Marshall’s, TJMaxx, the flea market in our town park and the sweet thrift store with the half-off day. Get behind me, Satan. They’re just so dang tempting for those of us seduced by bargains. Please don’t tell me God won’t tempt me beyond what I can bear. I know that. And he’ll also provide a way out so I can endure, right? Yeah, it’s called a car. Drive away, people. Since I…

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    Carrie Talbott

    You May Also Like

    I Decluttered and Broke Up With 500 Things. You Can Do It Too!

    April 29, 2017

    Spring Decluttering with an Organizing Pro: 20 Items You Can Quickly Donate or Toss This Weekend

    May 13, 2022

    8 Simple Things We Can All Declutter and Donate Before Spring Cleaning Our Homes This Year

    February 24, 2023
  • Attitude,  Judging,  Parenting

    Your Grass Looks Greener: Stay at Home Moms vs Working Moms

    February 4, 2017 /

      Two Moms, Two Letters, Two Countries   Dear Missionary Mom, I see you down here, with your hair pulled up and your patience falling down. Doin’ that missionary thing can drain, I know. It all looked so quaint from a distance, didn’t it? Needy people, corner sweet bread shops, hammocks in palms. Did you move for the life the promo video promised? I’m glad I’ve been your neighbor. Living in Baja has felt attractive, mostly. It’s been a place where those old roots I planted could get some fresh air and be replanted. Our kids probably won’t be graduating with yours though.     We’re all scattered around and therefore…

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    Carrie Talbott

    You May Also Like

    The Circus Next Door

    March 5, 2016

    8 Things I’m Teaching My American Pre-Adults in Mexico

    November 12, 2016

    Dealing with Disappointment: 5 Things I Learned from a Rough Family Vacation Last Week

    August 5, 2022
  • Attitude,  Faith

    Juggle or Battle? Not Comparing Pain or Circumstances

    January 21, 2017 /

      Renewed inspiration! Fresh starts! Excellent intentions! Or not. For numerous people the idea of making big changes in January usually conveys feelings of, “Why bother?” or “It didn’t work last year,” or my personal favorite, “Tomorrow. Yeah, definitely tomorrow.” When we started our student-based ministry eleven years ago I wondered if my structured life might ever return. This mainly irritated me because I’m a bit of a perfectionist by nature – organized, systematic, color-coded, logical, and… tired. Even with our students gone now I still err on the side of weary and bitter, but not purposely. Between juggling marriage, motherhood, housework, exercise, neighbors, newsletters, blog posts and a 25-page…

    Read More
    Carrie Talbott

    You May Also Like

    Dealing with Disappointment: 5 Things I Learned from a Rough Family Vacation Last Week

    August 5, 2022

    Christmas Eve Chaos: The One Where We Went to Church Dirty and Avoided Our Friends

    December 3, 2021

    Working Moms: Killin’ It or Barely Makin’ It?

    February 16, 2019
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Welcome!

You’re here! And I’m Carrie. From full-time camp kid to unconventional missionary for 12 años in a 3rd-world country, I’m now a profesh organizer and writer who loves plants and guac. Life is short, so I’m smiling while I have all my teeth, but I still have issues. Always remember… when life hands you lemons, give them back. You deserve avocados.

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