Simple Home – Page 13

How to Wash a Pillow the Simple Way

I recently read an article in All You Magazine (prime bathroom literature, my friends) which claimed that after two years, 1/10 of the weight of your pillow is made up of dust mites and their waste…as in itty bitty little dust mite poo.

That’s kinda gross.

I have had the same pillow for, hmmm, let’s round down to 10 years, so if every two years 1/10 of the weight is replaced by mites and mite-poo, and I’ve had mine for 10 years, that 10 divided by 2 times 1/10 equals…ewwww…50%.

Even with my faulty math, that almost makes me want to buy a new pillow.

But I love my buggy, pooey pillow.

Lucky for me, the article was kind enough to explain how to wash a pillow, a bit of information I am kind enough to pass on to you, in case you, too, love your buggy, pooey pillow.

How to Wash a Pillow

Check the washing instructions. Most pillows are machine-washable. (If mine says it is not machine washable, I wash it in the machine anyway. Yes, even feather pillows…but you most certainly did not hear that from me. The only exception in my home is very old pillows that will not survive the process, or those, like my son’s with more holes than casing due to a few too many pillow fights.)
Wash two normal-sized pillows or one jumbo pillow at a time to keep your machine balanced. You don’t want it doing a fox-trot across the floor.
Set your machine to the longest, hottest cycle.
Use liquid detergent, since, supposedly, powder detergent leaves a residue. I can’t imagine why someone who’s been sleeping on a pound of dust mite poo would care too much about a little detergent residue, but, I guess dust mite poo is “all-natural,” so, there ya go.
Run the pillows through the rinse cycle twice.
Toss the pillows in the dryer with a couple tennis balls or dryer balls to fluff them up and speed up the drying process.
Dry your pillows completely at medium-high or high heat until dry. It may take several cycles. Check the pillows between each cycle, and consider letting your dryer rest for half an hour between cycles so it doesn’t burn out. Yup, it happens. Boo.
Be sure the pillows are completely dry by squeezing them with your hands to feel for moisture. Optionally, squeeze them with a paper towel. If any moisture shows up, pop those babies back in the dryer. It is not unusual for the drying process to take 3-4 hours.
Use an allergen pillow case from here on out to prevent a reinfestation of mites and their poo.

I think I said the word “poo” far too much in this post.

Check out the comment section for some helpful questions and answers.

Do you have any tips for how to wash a pillow?

Also, I am happy to tackle any other obscure homemaking tasks you’d like demystified. I warn you, I don’t “homemake” by the rules, but I’m happy to answer questions…the simple way.

Simple Tools for a Simple Home – The Garlic Press

My husband gave me this website as a Christmas gift nearly two and a half years ago. He has been nagging encouraging me ever since to share with all of you the simple tools I use to help me efficiently manage my homeschooled family of nine and run my simple home, in particular my simple kitchen.

It took an invitation from Erin of The Humbled Homemaker to get me started on my husband’s two-year-old request. (Sorry, Babe.) With Erin’s little kick in the pants and an eye-roll from my hubby (I didn’t see it, but I totally felt it), I’m finally following his advice. Each month I will introduce you to one of the tools I use to keep it simple, improve efficiency, keep the family fed primarily from scratch (no boxes in The Simple Kitchen), and still preserve the almost non-existent counter space we have in our dinky cozy travel trailer.

Are these tools necessities? Well, essentially all I need in life is food, water, and my Savior (although you would probably all prefer I keep a layer or two of clothing between the skin God gave me and the outside world), so no. But these are tools I rely on heavily to get the job done right. They made the cut during The Great Purge when we packed up our house for good and took the Christian music mission on the road full time. (But that’s a story for another blog.)

At The Humbled Homemaker I introduce you to one of those quasi-essential tools, my beloved garlic press.

My garlic press has made cameo appearances here at The Simple Homemaker, such as in my amazing (but humble) garlic butter recipe and my homemade Italian salad dressing recipe. I use it for eggs, soups, crockpot dishes, wet rubs…you name it! When I’m lazy I press instead of slice garlic for recipes like chicken adobo. We buy masses of fresh garlic and use it in as many dishes as possible during cold and flu season, ‘cuz who wants a trailer full of pukers with no access to a washing machine. Not me, I tell ya! Not me. Shudder.

Learn all about my garlic press and read questions from real readers (and real answers from real me) to decide whether or not a real garlic press would benefit the real you. It’s all part of The Humbled Homemaker’s terrific weekly series featuring an array of guest writers chatting up their favorite kitchen tools.

Don’t miss an episode! Sign up for The Humbled Homemaker’s email updates for her weekly tool of the trade, and sign up for my updates to learn which lucky tools travel the country with us. Then take a nap, cuz that’s typing your name and email address, like, twice. Whew!

Find out if you would benefit from a garlic press. Click here. Come on, everybody’s doing it.

40 Things I’ve Learned About Simplifying

Today is my 40th birthday. I know, I know, I’m supposed to lie about my age, but I don’t, and here’s why:

I don’t look bad for 40, but I look terrible for 23, so…why go there?
Nobody can call me a liar liar pants on fire.
Every day is a gift from God. Why would I pretend He’s doted on me any less than He has. That’s not very grateful.
The number 40 makes me sound wise enough to pull off a post like this one.

In honor of my 40th birthday, and particularly because of number 4 above, I’m sharing 40 things I’ve learned about simplifying. On your mark…get set…read!

1 – Humans can complicate anything, including simplifying.

2 – Simplifying is first and foremost a mindset.

3 – To do anything in life, especially something difficult, mere mortals need motivation. Find it. Mine is my family, peace, and joy.

4 – Less is more, true, but less is also less. If stuff acts as a security blanket, there are deep-seated emotions that need to be addressed before that stuff can be taken away. Nobody can throw out someone else’s stuff…although you’re welcome to get rid of mine!

5 – I love being able to reach into a drawer or cupboard to get something and know exactly where it’s going to be. I especially love not having to move anything else to get it. That’s motivation to not bring anything new into the house…or travel trailer, in our case.

6 – Empty cabinet space is my friend. You are my friend, too…but you may not put your stuff in my empty cabinet space.

7 – Stuff means clutter, and clutter means work, and work means time that could have been spent with loved ones or on something worthwhile that matters a whole lot more than dusting and organizing and cleaning and putting away stuff. (This is from my 12-year-old philosopher.)

8 – A child is happy playing with rocks and sticks. Why mess with that?

9 – A person can only wear one pair of pants and two shoes at a time without looking like a clown. Throw in a few extra so you’re not doing laundry every day and voila! Enough!

10 – Obligatory gift-giving has gotten out of hand. As my 12-year-old philosopher says, “If I can’t eat it, use it, or read it, I don’t want it.”

11 – I used to think that good stewardship meant keeping my things for a rainy day. Meanwhile, my rainy day stash was ruined by age and mini-disasters (otherwise known as mice) in storage. Now I define good stewardship as passing things on to others who can use them now, because maybe today is their rainy day. Part two of that is trusting that my need will be met on that eventual rainy day.

12 – An empty schedule is a thing of beauty.

13 – If an empty schedule scares someone, that someone needs to learn to enjoy being alone, being still, and being with family at home getting to know each other better as people, rather than mostly knowing each other as tasks on a calendar.

14 – The best times I have had with my family and with visitors is sitting at home with no activities, no television, no schedule, just talking and laughing…and eating.

15 – The best aspect of homeschooling is the simplicity–no buses, no bells, no parent-teacher conferences, no carpool, no pressure.

16 – We have had full schedules and empty schedules. When asked their preference, my children unanimously voted on empty schedules. I wonder if parents fill up the calendar for themselves, for the kids, or for society. We keep ours empty for simplicity, peace, and together time.

17 – I gave up keeping up with the Joneses when I realized that the Joneses weren’t heading where I want to be.

18 – I gave up keeping up with the Smiths when I realized that the Smiths had no idea what they were doing, and were only imitating the Joneses.

19 – I gave up keeping up with my own expectations when I realized, humbly, that my expectations were unattainable, unless I was willing to sacrifice joy, peace, and home on the altar of perfection. Unrealistic expectations complicate life.

20 – I gave up trying to meet other people’s expectations about two weeks after my first child was born (and again about every two weeks thereafter), because I realized that their expectations did not fit in with my family. Trying to please everyone complicates life.

21 – The word “need” is often confused with “want,” “might need,” and “am experiencing a momentary and illogical whim.” Ignore it.

22 – Money should be kept on a tight leash, giving being the exception…unless you are giving to a child (full-grown or otherwise) to fulfill a “need.”

23 – Getting rid of processed foods may initially seem like complicating life, but in the end it is simple, affordable, and healthy.

24 – Few things are as therapeutic as a walk outside with the man you love.

25 – Simplifying makes time for the important things, like a game of chess with my boy or calling Mom and Grandma.

26 – Screens are time-suckers. Turn. Them. Off.

27 – Use the word “no” often with others so you can use the word “yes” often with your family.

28 – Never volunteer without sleeping on it for a week, and discussing it with your husband and kids.

29 – Don’t let other people undermine the peace in your home.

30 – Homeschoolers need to set visitors’ hours, because some people think homeschooling means they can bring their kids over at any time to play with your kids.

31 – Answering machines and voice mail are excellent tools. Use them.

32 – It’s okay to wipe the slate clean and start over.

33 – Sometimes we need to go into crisis mode, and that’s okay. Handling the basics during that time (food, safety, and snuggling) is enough.

34 – The words “I can’t” are often synonymous with “I don’t want to.”

35 – Everybody has a different definition of simplifying. To me, simplifying is reducing clutter, stress, outrageous schedules, and anything else that robs me and my family of our joy.

36 – People should always be prioritized above ideals, possessions, pets, and pretty much anything else under heaven.

37 – Use your time, energy, and calendar space on that which is most important to you first, such as the children and dessert. Don’t save the best for last, because all-too-often there’s no room left.

38 – Never start one activity until the previous activity is finished, even if that means you’re eating bananas and popcorn for lunch.

39 – Simplicity (and the joy and peace that go with it) cannot be obtained over night. The little victories and improvements along the way are almost as good as chocolate…almost.

40 – Simplifying is hard work, but it’s worth it.

There you have it, friends. Forty years of wisdom condensed onto one page. It’s almost frightening how puny 40 years of wisdom looks.

Ah well, my daughter is making her amazing variation of these chocolate goodies for me right now, and I’m certainly wise enough to not be late for that party! I’m outta here!

Please share your simplifying wisdom in the comments below.

For a little glimpse into our family life on the road, check out A Day in the Life of the Travel Bags.

Unfolding Your Wings

There’s an email in my inbox with the subject line “Unfolding Your Wings.” It’s been sitting in there quite some time, unread.

I don’t want to read it. You see, sometimes I go through a tiny little phase where I don’t want anyone telling me to unfold my wings. That sounds like stepping outside of my comfort zone, which experience tells me is … uncomfortable. I want to stay here in my cozy kitchen in my cozy house in my cozy mountain valley. I even want to stay in my cozy pajamas! Sometimes I don’t want to unfold my wings and fly.

Because what if I crash.

I know a lot about crashing…but only because, despite my sniveling whiny attitude right now, I know a lot about unfolding my wings.

My family did a little wing unfolding last year.

We closed down our business of 13 years and packed seven homeschooled kids, a 125-pound dog, and two guitars into a 220 square-foot travel trailer and set out on the road for a trial year of running my husband’s traveling Christian music mission full-time. I guess we unfolded our wings.

Three of us wrote novels last year. I’ve been scratching at that itch for years, and I finally did it. That required a little wing stretching.

We weaned my Crohn’s daughter down to a low dose of her medication, and continued exploring and implementing dietary healing. Flap flap.

We transformed a new, colicky baby with food sensitivities into a healthy, happy, active delight through Mama’s food elimination, extended nursing, and lots of prayer. Lift off!

Now we face a new challenge. We are packing up our house for good and heading back out on the road, this time without a nest to fly back to. We leave on Saturday.

What if it doesn’t work? What if we can’t make it? What if my daughters relapse? What if we can’t manage to thrive in all our quirky uniqueness (let’s just call it charm) without a place to call home? What if…?

Because you know what? Sometimes, no matter how hard people try, no matter how hard we try, we crash.

And crashing hurts.

A lot.

But I don’t think crashing hurts as much as never trying.

This, this right here is the sole single thing that differentiates people who will fly (and yes, probably eventually crash) from the people who will stay in their cozy PJs in their cozy kitchens staring at an email they’re afraid to open.

My family, my husband and I, my children–we keep trying.

We get back up. We beat back the feeling of not wanting to ever venture again from our comfort zones. We close our ears to the critics who label us failures, tell us to get “real jobs,” or, strangely enough, call us quitters. And then we begin once again to unfold our wings.

What are you looking at in the months ahead?

Are you facing a home full of clutter or disorganization? Are you torn in too many directions? Are you overwhelmed by the apparently astronomical leaps it will require to improve your family’s health? Has your life become so complicated that uncomplicating it is too complicated? Are you struggling in the throes of young motherhood with no tangible help or encouragement?

I’m going to be here gently nudging you outside of your comfort zone in the coming months. I’m going to be saying some things about your stuff and your commitments and your schedules that maybe you don’t want to hear…okay, that you totally don’t want to hear. I’m going to be that email that you don’t open, because you know that, even though it might take you to a better place, a less complicated place, a joyful place, it might require a little discomfort, a little unfolding of the wings, to get there.

You will crash and it will hurt and people who love you will say hurtful things because of it and you might even cry in public or get mad at me, and that’s fine, but then you have to pick the gravel out of your teeth, shake off the critics, push aside the self-doubt, and break through the walls of your comfort zone (or fear chamber) and unfold your wings all over again.

Whatever it is…whatever is holding you back and pushing you down…wherever you want to be a month from now, a year from now, a lifetime from now, I have one thing to say.

Unfold your wings and just keep trying.

That’s what I’m doing. Flap. Flap. Flap.

What Can I Do Today to Begin Simplifying?

You’ve made the decision to simplify your life. You understand what simplifying is and that it involves some hard choices. And now you’re eager to jump in with both feet and purge the house, wipe out the schedule, and move to a deserted island in the Pacific.

Slow down. Take a deep breath. Simplifying is a process, yes, but it is also a lifestyle and a mentality. You can’t do it and be done. “I simplified. There. Now life is simple.”

But you can jump right in.

What can I do today to begin simplifying?

Look around you with open eyes and make a life assessment. Ask yourself these big questions:

Big Question #1: What are my priorities, the biggest gifts in my life that I want to enjoy?

Big Question #2: What is preventing me from enjoying those gifts to the fullest?

Big Question #3: What do my actions say my priorities are? In other words, does how I choose to spend my limited time reveal that I more highly value the trappings of life (girls day out, a spotless home, scrapbooking, Facebook, television, healthy eating, fashion, shopping, career, blog, the gym) or the gifts of life (husband, children, relationships, faith)?

Ideally, your answers to number three and one should be the same…but they’re not, are they? In that case, take a strong look at number two to see why numbers one and three are not the same. This isn’t technically math, but there are enough numbers in there to be a little scary, so let’s summarize it like this:

From this day forward, begin conscientiously behaving according to your priorities. Make every action and decision show what you value most.

Here are three blatantly obvious examples:

Blatantly obvious example number one:

You enjoy your quiet morning time. You read the Bible, pray, sip coffee, and hit Pinterest. You’re filling your parenting board with inspirational and encouraging posts about positive parenting when your three-year-old shows up in the midst of your quiet too-early-to-wear-the-mommy-hat time. You have two choices.

Choice #1: Grow irritated (even if you think it’s only internally) that your “me” time has been interrupted, because “I need that time to just be me, to focus on me, to collect myself for the day before I spill myself out for everyone else–is that too much to ask?”

Choice #2: Welcome that little sleepy blessing into your quiet time, your arms, your lap, and most especially your heart, just as you would want to be welcomed. Maybe that means the end of Pinterest, or maybe you’ll be clicking through to every twirly skirt pin or Lego pin. And yes, that important alone time that does help revitalize a mama is at an end.

Blatantly obvious example number two:

You have a hungry two-year-old, a whiny, over-tired kindergartener, and a nine-year-old crying over homework. Your husband is late coming home from work, even though he promised he’d take care of the kids so you and Fill-in-the-Blank could go see a movie. Your husband finally shows up from a hard day at work, and he has a headache. He forgot to stop at the store for baked chicken like you asked, because his meeting ran late and he isn’t feeling well. You have two choices.

Choice #1: Say, “It’s about time!” and head out the door, thanking your lucky stars it’s not you dealing with that mess tonight.

Choice #2: Call Fill-in-the-Blank (whose parents should have thought of a better name, and who shouldn’t have married Mr. Blank) and tell her that you have to put family first. Maybe some other time.

Blatantly obvious example number three:

You’re saling with your gal-pal–not the boat kind of sailing, but the garage sale, clearance rack, consignment store kind of saling. You see the absolute cutest dress for your daughter and it’s only $5, regularly $45. Wow, and those Gap jeans for your son! Two bucks? Seriously? Oh, saddle shoes are coming back. Only $10–score! By the time it’s all said and done you’ve got a cart full of $600 worth of clothes for $125. The budget only allocates $50 for clothes, and you really only went out for the necessities. You have two choices.

Choice #1: Buy it all. Charge it while you’re at it. These are awesome deals and some sweet name brands. You can’t pass this stuff up, Girl!

Choice #2: Respect the budget and the desire to not have over-stuffed closets, and put it all back except the two things you actually need…which are probably the jeans for your son, because jeans on boys last about as long as ice on a hot tin roof.

This may seem like a ridiculous exercise, but you are making these decisions every day of your life. On paper, the answers are obvious. (Uh, it’s 2 every time. Just pretend you knew that.) In real life, we make the wrong choice far too often.

We select the season premier of Once Upon a Time over a teen who obviously needs to talk. We interrupt our loved ones to check a text or take a phone call. We choose friend time or screen time over quiet time with our children and spouse.

We opt for possessions over peace–a peaceful, uncluttered home, a peaceful budget, peaceful family time not spent managing clutter.

We choose hobbies, passions, and pastimes over people. We select umpteen gazillion activities for the kids over relaxed (and very valuable) home time with the kids.

The first step in simplifying is to realize that every decision you make affects the direction your life heads and who gets left behind. Whether that direction is simplifying, or whether it’s continuing down the complicated path you apparently now trod (or you wouldn’t have read this far) is up to you.

Begin today to make deliberate decisions that emphasize your priorities, letting the non-essentials fade into the background. It’s not easy. In fact, it’s downright hard. Do it anyway.

It’s worth it.

Talk to me! Are you committed to simplifying your life and putting your priorities back where they belong?

Reminder: If you are interested in The 2013 Confident Mom Planner and Supplement to help simplify the daily process of managing your home, the discount code SIMPHOME will give you $2 off the combo through Friday, 1/18. You will still have to declutter, prioritize, and make deliberate decisions, but this can help manage the daily duties of a household. I like it…a lot…a lotta lot. Read my review here, or head straight to The Confident Mom here.

The Real Truth About Simplifying Your Life

Raise your hand if life has become too complicated. Is your hand up?

Why is life too complicated?

Why is the calendar jammed full of activities? Why are closets bursting and cabinets overflowing? Why is there no time to consistently put healthy meals on the table? Why do we have to schedule time to see our own children and husband?

We tend to blame our personalities: “I’m just not naturally organized.”

Or we play the grown up everybody-is-doing-it card: “The kids have to be well-rounded to fit in.”

Some of us are even resigned fatalists: “That’s just the way life is. You’ve gotta grin and bear it.”

Is that how you want to live? Grinning and bearing it until…until what? The kids are grown and gone and you can’t redeem that lost time? You’re too exhausted and stressed to even remember how to enjoy life? You’re six feet under?

“Of course not! I don’t want to live that way, but…I’m just not naturally organized.” Insert the I’ve-heard-it-all-before excuse of your choice.

It’s confession time.

People assume that, because I homeschool, manage a family of nine, cook from scratch, travel the country with my family, and run The Simple Homemaker, I am born-organized. You’d better sit down.

The only aspect of my being born-organized that’s true is that I was born. Not only am I not born-organized, but it took me nearly 30 years to learn to consistently make my bed. My ridiculously messy bedroom from childhood and early adulthood has become a family joke. It takes me longer than the average person to develop a good habit, and if I push too fast (which is probably half the speed most of you can handle), I crash and burn.

There’s more. I can’t manage the physical “stuff” that seeps into our home. Not only does clutter mentally oppress me and physically suck the breathable space out of a room, but it plays evil games with my hoarder tendencies. I’m naturally bad with a budget, bad with a schedule, bad with follow-through, and bad with self-discipline. Finally, the most humbling to admit is that I have unrealistic expectations regarding my own abilities–I can’t manage all (or even half) of what I think I can manage.

“Then why on earth are we listening to you?”

Because being undisciplined, disorganized, and unstructured is precisely why I had to simplify to survive…and, yes, thrive. And if I can do it…indeed, if I can, so can you, no matter who you are!

What do I mean when I talk about simplifying here at The Simple Homemaker?

Simplifying is getting rid of the excesses in your schedule, your home, and your life so that you can effectively manage what matters most to you and your family. I call it clearing your queue.

Don’t be disheartened if what you can manage seems small. Manage that smallness to the best of your ability, and all those in your small circle will thrive.

It is not a matter of emulating the likes of Martha Stewart, your mother-in-law, or even The Simple Homemaker–heavens, please don’t try to emulate me! It’s a matter of scaling down to what works in your family. Don’t try to be what you’re not, because your family will be missing out on the unique gifts that only you can offer.

The first step to embracing a simple life is acknowledging your personal need for simplicity, and committing to the process–no excuses. Simplifying, ironically, may be one of the hardest tasks you’ve ever undertaken. It’s painful…uncomfortable at best, but in the end, you will never ever ever (repeat incessantly) want to go back.

Ever.

Do you want to commit to simplifying? Decide today to turn your life in a simpler direction.

Next week, we’ll discuss your first action step to develop a simplifying mindset.

What areas in your life have become too complicated?

Helpful Resources:

While there is no perfect organizational tool, and no tool will negate your need to simplify, here are two great options to keep you on task as you manage your home. I own both of these so that I could properly review them and recommend them.

Get Organized Wizard is offering their popular Organize-In-5 Diary for $4.95, a whoppin’ 83% discount. It includes a 5-minute organizational mission for each day of the year to help you declutter, organixe, and simplify. I own this, and it’s never too late to jump in. (Limited-time offer.)

Confident Mom’s 2013 Household Planner breaks the entire year down into daily and weekly home management tasks to do or delegate. Each week is on its own page, so you can print it out and check items off as you go. It can be purchased with or without daily Bible readings. The supplement adds even more helpful material. Only $9 for the planner, or $12 for the planner plus supplement (regularly $14) using code SIMPHOME. Well worth it in my opinion. Jump in where you are!

Your Votes Are In – Top 12 Posts of 2012

Welcome to The Simple Homemaker’s new and improved 2013 blog? What’s different? Instead of a little “2” at the end of the date, there’s a little “3.” I know, I know. It’s a lot to take in all at once, but you’ll get used to it. Give it time.

It’s going to be a great year here. We have already begun implementing big plans for The Simple Homemaker in 2013, including a free ebook for all you email subscribers. If you’re not a subscriber, jump on board to get the heads up when that’s available.

We’ve also got some great nuts and bolts posts lined up to focus more directly on simplifying your life, decluttering your home, streamlining your schedule, and otherwise making homemaking, parenting, holidays, and living a little less complicated. Less complication means more joy…and more time to make cookies. I’ll even give you a few cookie recipes as the icing on the cake.

Meanwhile, enjoy a trip down memory lane with these golden oldies. Some are my most-read posts. Others are those which, based on personal emails and comments, touched readers the most. And there’s one that made the cut just because it’s got a great picture of my handsome hubby. Hey, a girl can love her man out loud!