My husband and I have books in abundance. Would you like to read a biography? We’ve got everything from Walker’s William Carey: Missionary Pioneer and Statesman to Moody’s Coming of Age in Mississippi. If these don’t interest you we also have an account of Dr. Paul Farmer’s life and work by Tracy Kidder (Mountains Beyond Mountains) and a … [Read more...] about Deciding When to Get Rid of Books
Keeping the Home
Summer 2013 Menu
After 3 months on our monthly menu for spring, we’re ready for a change (you can read more on why I plan monthly menus here). Our menu only includes dinner selections because we almost always eat leftovers with a side of fruit for lunch. For breakfasts I usually make a few items on the weekends and freeze them for easy preparation on busy … [Read more...] about Summer 2013 Menu
Breaking Little Habits that Hamper Productivity
Catalyzed by my post on battling laziness, I’ve been focusing on some tasks that I’d previously avoided because I just didn’t want to work on them. Guess what? I'm making progress! I finally took care of the stacks of assorted documents that rendered my desk unusable. While focused on these tasks, I’ve realized that my productivity is … [Read more...] about Breaking Little Habits that Hamper Productivity
Frugal TIPbits: How to Use Fewer Paper Towels
I’m constantly searching for ways to save money. Given how frugally my husband and I already live, this is kind of like the proverbial trying to get blood from a turnip. Nonetheless, I’m driven to continue experimenting with new strategies because every penny counts. I think we can cut back on our paper towel use in my house. This … [Read more...] about Frugal TIPbits: How to Use Fewer Paper Towels
Brainstorming About a Home Management Notebook
It’s time for a pop quiz! If your electricity goes out, what phone number should you use to contact your electricity provider? You likely don’t have it memorized (if you do, you’ve been losing power too often!), but where in your house can you find the number? What’s for dinner tonight? The trim on the front of your house needs to be … [Read more...] about Brainstorming About a Home Management Notebook
Rampant Reusing: Toilet Paper and Paper Towel Tubes
How many toilet paper and paper towel tubes do you throw away each year? Dozens? Scores? Do these tubes have to end up in the trash or is there some way to reuse them? I’ve been looking into some options. 10 Ways to Reuse Toilet Paper and Paper Towel Tubes Add some scrapbooking paper and ribbon to make small gift boxes. Place tubes … [Read more...] about Rampant Reusing: Toilet Paper and Paper Towel Tubes
Common Housekeeping Conundrums: How Should Toilet Paper Hang?
The Common Housekeeping Conundrums series is an ongoing exploration of perplexing issues of both serious and trivial varieties that are encountered while caring for the home. The debate has raged since the advent of modern toilet paper: Should the end hang away from the wall and over the top of the roll or should the end hang next to … [Read more...] about Common Housekeeping Conundrums: How Should Toilet Paper Hang?
Housework as Exercise
I’m motivated to maintain my house and keep it clean for a number of reasons: stewardship, comfort and safety, the look and feel of clean surfaces, creating a warm environment for guests, etc. Now I can add physical fitness to the list. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, many housekeeping activities constitute … [Read more...] about Housework as Exercise
