See this? This is HALF the laundry that was generated in my household in the last week since the dryer broke. The washer and dryer were on their last legs and decided to die in my absence. Right on their heels went the radiator and thermostat in our van. And the cam sensor. Whatever THAT is. My…
Back in the old days, clothing and shoes were items that people wore for a long time. In fact, if an article of clothing became torn or worn, it was repaired, or even remade to present a freshened look. If they couldn’t make the adjustments themselves, women took their family’s clothing to seamstresses and tailors…
Valentine’s Day is fast approaching. I well remember the days of cheap white envelopes, tear-apart cardstock valentines and dusty conversation hearts. Painstakingly I would copy my class list onto the envelopes, hoping I wasn’t forgetting anyone and hoping that I wouldn’t be forgotten. I think those cheap white envelopes are still in circulation, but I’ve…
Earlier in the month, I shared with you how I’m on a journey to read more real, live books in 2010. Many of you shared your reading plans for the year. I found more interesting books to add to my list. Yeah! It’s never too late to join in, so I thought I’d throw this…
Car seats cramping your style — and your car? Thinking that another baby requires you to buy a bigger vehicle? If you have multiple young children, then you know what it can be like to pack several carseats into the backseat of a car or van. We upgraded from a car to a minivan when our…
One of the beauties of the blog world is the friendships that are to be had. I’m so amazed at today’s guest post. Lynn from Lynn’s Kitchen Adventures was one of the first readers and commenters of this blog, almost two years ago. Today we have a long-distance friendship. Here Lynn shares a great tip…
In case you hadn’t heard, our dishwasher broke three weeks ago. I didn’t realize what a vital member of the household it was until it broke. I know, a dishwasher is a luxury. Our pioneer mothers lived quite productive lives without them. Our sisters in other countries regularly experience dishpan hands. I didn’t know how…
Every December 23rd without fail, my mom calls her younger brother, my Uncle Ed. She could wait until the 25th when she calls the rest of the family. But, she calls him then, too. You see, today, the 23rd, is his birthday. (Happy Birthday, Uncle Ed!) While I don’t have a sibling or child with…
My mother-in-law passed away a year ago today. Needless to say, it was a rough Christmas. And in many ways, it’s been a rough year. There are many precious memories to remember as well as many memories left unmade. The following was originally posted December 23, 2008. I offer it up as a reminder to…
Christmas time can be an exciting one for families with small children. But, it can be full of mishaps because small children are, well, small. They’re inquisitive. They want to explore their world. They want to get into stuff. And boy, is that Christmas tree an enticing thing to explore. As parents we can fight…