I went to a book auction at one of the local libraries the other day and came back with a real treat. A lot of books and booklets about the Ingalls family – that’s the Laura Ingalls Wilder family, for those who didn’t spend a jillion years watching “Little House on the Prairie. Included were biographies, diary excerpts, letters, and even some books filling the gaps between and after the “Little House” books. Oh and I paid $5 for this glorious lot of books and pamphlets. This was a real find for me. My sisters and I loved the “Little House” stories and always had an interest in the Ingalls and Wilder family. Reading Grace’s diary or letters between Laura and her daughter Rose gave me a deeper... [Read more]

I spend a lot of time thinking about the best things for me and my family. I agonize over decisions and always hope I’m doing the right thing. The past few months, my husband and I have been doing a lot of house planning. He has a very good accounting job and my freelancing pay has been getting better. The problem with freelancing is that everything is so uncertain. I have to to tell you, the last thing I want to do is give up the freelancing freedom. I enjoy picking and choosing my own jobs and writing for different clients. I like taking days off whenever I want and attending school functions. The problem, is it’s so uncertain. I can’t guarantee the same income each month. We spend more time hemming and hawing over fences... [Read more]

Way back in the day before, before there were booster seats, my grandmother would give us telephone books to sit on so we could reach the table easier. Every family I knew had a telephone book on hand for just such an occasion. Now of course we have special seats for the littlest guys. As you know, I’m annoyed at having to deal with so many phone books. Yesterday I told you how to opt out of receiving telephone books. Today I’d like to offer some uses for the phone books piling up in your home. Recycle – All phone books are recyclable. In fact, many are used to make new phone books. Just pack up with your regular pick up and let the pros handle it. Use to clean windows – Use vinegar and phone book pages for a streak... [Read more]

Is there any (good) reason why I have three or four telephone books delivered to my door, or rather thrown on my front lawn, every year? There are phone books for just my township and phone books for the county. There’s a phone book just for local businesses and phone books for every business in the county. This is such a waste. Personally, I think telephone books should only be sent to those who ask. I look online for all my phone numbers anyway. I’m putting an end to it right now. Want to join me? If you want to stop receiving phone books call: ATT/ Yellow Pages: 1-800-479-2977 Verizon: 800-555-4833, press 4, then 5, then 2 DEX: 1-877-243-8339, press 2 Yellow Book: 1-800-929-3556, press 2 (Hat Tip: Triple Pundit) This... [Read more]

Right now it’s raining – not too light but not so heavy I have to close the windows. I love summer rain storms. One of my favorite sounds is that of a gentle rain hitting the leaves. It reminds me of my summers camping with my family. I didn’t really hear that sound in the city, but where I live now there are plenty of leaves. You may think I’m silly opening my windows to hear a rainstorm, but for me it’s one of those pleasures money can’t buy.   Image: AllPosters.com [Read more]