Do the electrical cords behind your desk or entertainment center look like a bowl of spaghetti? No matter how neatly I lay the cords when I first plug them in, after a few months they become tangled. The cords on floor lamps are also a challenge. They look quite unattractive and can get out in walkways and become a stumbling … [Read more...] about Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Power Cord Management
organized living
Mustering Enthusiasm for Ordinary Tasks
Our days are comprised of ordinary tasks: cooking meals, doing laundry, washing dishes, etc. Last month my husband had several days off of work and we had a family member visit, so I had several atypical days during which I didn’t complete a lot of these ordinary tasks. Now that the excitement has died down, I’m really struggling to muster … [Read more...] about Mustering Enthusiasm for Ordinary Tasks
Christmas in July: ‘Tis the Season for Serving Others
Welcome to the second installment of Christmas in July 2013. If you missed the initial installment, which included an explanation of the purpose of Christmas in July, you can see it here. As Christmas approaches and we start contemplating Christ’s birth, our hearts often become increasingly sensitive to the needs of others. … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: ‘Tis the Season for Serving Others
Navigating the Nutrition Maze: Managing the Mayhem of Healthy Eating Recommendations
I remember when the toughest decision I faced while grocery shopping was whether to purchase a name brand product or its generic equivalent. That was before I started learning about nutrition. Now when I shop, I’m faced with an abundance of questions: Are the pesticides used on fruits and vegetables harmful to environmental and human … [Read more...] about Navigating the Nutrition Maze: Managing the Mayhem of Healthy Eating Recommendations
Christmas in July: Why Plan for Christmas Early?
Though it’s only July, I am indeed thinking about Christmas. This isn’t an attempt to contribute to “Christmas creep” (the phenomenon of retailers exploiting the commercialized status of Christmas by moving up the start of the shopping season); it’s an attempt to avoid a chaotic Christmas season so my family and I can maintain focus on the … [Read more...] about Christmas in July: Why Plan for Christmas Early?
Getting Rid of Some Books? Ways to Give Each One a New Lease on Life
After our discussion on deciding when to get rid of books, have you identified any that you are ready to remove from your collection? If you have, then you are faced with the question of what to do with them. There are a ton of options! Ways to get rid of books Give them away. Consider each book and ask yourself “Who would appreciate … [Read more...] about Getting Rid of Some Books? Ways to Give Each One a New Lease on Life
Deciding When to Get Rid of Books
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
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
