This is a common game of babies: Drop an object on the floor. Wait for adult to pick it up and give it back. Drop it again. Repeat until adult begins tearing hair, turning purple, or otherwise doing something entertaining. We didn't play that game when Nicholas was a baby. I had been noticing since … Continue reading What to do when a baby repeatedly drops something
Speedy Sushi and menu planning with a six-year-old
The obvious solution was to have Nicholas work with me on the menu plan. A side benefit is that he's more likely to eat meals he planned. I know that it usually works better to get him involved in what I want to do than to try to keep him occupied somehow so I can do it, yet sometimes assumptions like, "Children don't like to do that sort of thing," creep in and talk me out of even trying!
Things Not To Do: Credit Card Edition
There is a piece of advice missing from my article on credit card sanity. That's because, at the time I wrote it, I had never allowed myself to be talked into applying for a store's credit card at the cash register. I have now had this experience and learned why it is a Thing Not … Continue reading Things Not To Do: Credit Card Edition
Things Not To Do: Home Organizing Edition
Don't start a To Be Filed pile. I mean, you can make such a pile temporarily, when you're opening the mail and paying bills and such, and then get up and file everything in that pile as soon as you're done--that's a fine strategy. What you must avoid is making a pile of things you … Continue reading Things Not To Do: Home Organizing Edition
I’ll Keep That in Mind.
Once kids learn to talk and learn that their parents are capable of acquiring new possessions using this magical stuff called money, they generally begin clamoring to own everything they see that is even remotely appealing. Every trip to the store becomes a constant barrage of, "Mama! Can we have peaches? . . . I … Continue reading I’ll Keep That in Mind.
Distortellini
Our six-year-old son, following in the tradition of his parents, has begun to make up words by sticking together two other words. Distortellini is, of course, a filled pasta that turned out with a different shape than intended. It's the sort of item that turns up at Market Outlet.
My New Dishwasher vs. The Environment
There are many things we can do to conserve resources that take some extra work. Many of them pay off by giving us better quality "real" stuff to use, health benefits, cost savings, or surprising new versions of convenience. Then there's washing the dishes. It turns out that today's automatic dishwashers use less water and … Continue reading My New Dishwasher vs. The Environment
7 Scriptures from My Mirror
Years ago, I discovered that there's just enough space between the glass and the frame of my dresser-top mirror to hold a sheet of paper in the corner of the mirror. I've placed many things there (a few at a time) for inspiration that I see every morning and evening: the Girl Scout Law , … Continue reading 7 Scriptures from My Mirror
Great source of nutrition and food-safety information!
One of the weird things about being an Earthling these days (at least, in many regions of Earth) is that there are many, many choices of food available and many people talking about what they eat and why and how. It's very confusing! That's why I'm glad the Center for Science in the Public Interest exists.
Zippered Mesh Bags for Laundering
You can, in fact, machine-wash most "hand wash only" clothing in cold water with one of these bags to protect it from the washing machine agitator and your other garments' zippers! Being able to machine-wash nearly all of my laundry saves me a lot of time and aggravation. It also saves water because I can just toss the bag in with a regular load of laundry instead of filling my sink. Also, I've found some other uses for these nifty bags.
When Robots Comment on Your Blog
Sigh. First robots were writing news broadcasts and e-mailing them to me. Then robots started writing blogs and trackbacking to mine. Now robots are posting comments here. For example, here's one that just arrived, theoretically responding to my electric kettle article, from a robot named Woumesque: While a overwhelming seroquel 150mg to bottom of theyd … Continue reading When Robots Comment on Your Blog
My Toyota Prius works for me…but not driving works even better!
Sure, hybrid cars are advertised as saving a lot of gas, but are they really that great in real-world conditions? We've had our Prius for a little over three years, and I've raved about it before, but until now I'd never bothered to add up just how much gasoline we're using to drive how many miles in a whole year.
Mama, you happy?
My two-year-old repeatedly asked if I was happy. What did he mean, really, and how should I respond?
Becca is featured on Maths Insider!
Last year, I posted a comment on Maths Insider, a site about strategies for teaching mathematics to children. My comment has now been republished in a collection of 7 Savvy Ideas from Maths Insider Readers. There are lots of other helpful ideas there--check it out! Later, I wrote more about the strategies explained in my … Continue reading Becca is featured on Maths Insider!
7 Favorite Songs of 2010
I must be getting old. None of the songs I liked best and played most in 2010 were new songs released in 2010! Some of them are decades old. But they're all really good songs, and none of them ever was a big popular hit, so you might have missed them. For the thrifty music … Continue reading 7 Favorite Songs of 2010
I miss my Macintosh!
I have a really nice computer at home, but I almost never use it! I need to work computer time into my busy schedule, I need to feel physically ready for it, and I need my kid out of the way while I do it!
Grocery Spending for a Family of 3 in 2010
Our average spending per month was $320.90. Yet these official figures from the United States Department of Agriculture indicate that, in 2008, a five-year-old child and two parents in their thirties could expect to spend $422.10 per month if they're "thrifty". Our pantry is close to full most of the time, we all eat hearty snacks as well as meals, we make lots of food to share with friends as well as donating to the food pantry, and we're generally very happy with our diet and don't feel we're scrimping. How do we do it on so low a budget?
When life gives you wet socks, make a matching game!
But then Daniel passed me a large paper bag full of yard-sale stuff, and as I took hold of the top edge, the bottom fell out, dumping twenty-seven pairs of wet, dirty, smelly socks onto our kitchen floor. Well, there were enough of them (plus a few other damp garments we found) to make a full washing-machine load. Hot cycle. Oxi-Clean. It was when I was hanging the now clean and fresh-smelling socks on the drying rack that I had a brilliant idea.
Things Not To Do: Dessert Edition, Volume II
from storyteller Fran Stallings (Becca's mom), a story horrifyingly similar to the tale of the Fruity Whip While our kitchen is being renovated, we've set up camp in the main bathroom, which we have equipped with electric skillet, small microwave, and toaster oven. Electric kettle and toaster are on the dinette table, which is camping … Continue reading Things Not To Do: Dessert Edition, Volume II
How to Make Christmas Morning Last Longer
My family has a tradition for opening our Christmas gifts that makes the fun last longer, reduces chaos, increases our appreciation of each gift, helps us remember to thank gift-givers who are present, improves our ability to make an accurate list of who got what from whom (as a reference for thanking givers who aren't present), calms down that "Gimme gimme! What's next?" feeling, and helps us share each other's joy. It works wonders, and it's really simple!
The Earthling's Handbook 