Life Management

This 'Life Managment' section of the site will contain articles, tips, and resources to help you pull all the pieces of life together and keep your home a haven for your family. Everything here will reflect the Everyday Education philosophy of 'making time for things that matter.' I hope these resources will help you live more simply and frugally, so that you will have more time to do the memorable things that bring joy to your home.

I've included ten sections:

• Home- I believe that home should be a warm, nurturing place, and this section will eventually offer tips on everything from frugal home building, to decorating and maintenance, to easy ways to make a home beautiful.


• Garden- I grew up in Southern California where most of life seems to be lived outdoors. I believe that a healthy life includes outside time every day, and I want to share ideas for creating an attractive and useable yard, plus links to some of my favorite gardening books and resources.


• Time- Time slips away if you don't have a plan, and before you know it, whole days can disappear! Time management can be simple and flexible, but it does need to happen. I'll share ideas for making time for things that really matter.


• Money- Raising a family is both time-and-money intensive, and for families working with a single income, life can be particularly challenging. Starting a microbusiness is certainly an option, but there are also ways to stretch a dollar. It's possible to reduce many expenses and to maximize savings with some of the tips and resources I'll share.


• Meals- Feeding teens is a notorious challenge- I'll never forget the year that all four of our boys were teens- but there are also challenges to cooking for large families, or cooking for just one or two. I'll share ideas and resources for quick, simple, low-cost meals; once-a-month cooking (OAMC); and more.


• Weight- Once you start having babies and raising a family, it can be hard to keep good eating habits. In this section I'll share how to lose weight and keep it off, while eating very well. I love good food, and I know how stay at a healthy weight, so I hope this section will be helpful and encouraging if you need these ideas.


• Clothing- It's important to me to dress nicely, while staying both modest and frugal. I'll share tips, recommendations, and resources in this section, including information on how to create a simple, classic wardrobe with just a few basic pieces, and instructions for sewing a simple skirt without a pattern.


• Travel- I love to travel. It's always interesting to see places I've read about, and to experience different weather, terrain, and culture than I'm used to. Family travel is a special joy, and I'll share a bit about our biggest family trips- the road trip around the United States, and our trip to Europe- plus packing tips and other frugal travel ideas. It's possible to travel on a budget, and it's worth it!


• Arts and Crafts- I grew up in a household where we kept our hands busy. We'd listen to the CBS Mystery Theatre each night, and embroider, crochet, or do something else creative. As I've gotten older, I've added quilting, drawing, painting, knitting, scrapbooking, calligraphy, and many other creative pursuits to my list of hobbies. If children grow up confident in their ability to master simple hobbies, it not only enriches their life, but also helps them to make their personal world more attractive and enjoyable. In addition, having productive activities to do reduces brain rot in people who watch television, and it's a delight for people who enjoy listening to audiobooks and beautiful music. It's never too late to learn something creative!


• Caregiving- If you have a disabled child, or your parents live long enough, you may end up as a caregiver. My mother (born in 1913) has lived with us since 1993, so caregiving has been a part of our family for most of the boys' lives. Although every situation is different, there are small things that can make life easier. I'll share a few things we've learned, and I'd also welcome any suggestions you'd like to share.

If you have feedback on any of the sections, or suggestions for new articles, links, or resources, please e-mail me. I always enjoy hearing your stories and tips.

Thanks for visiting!