Sustainability

 Ways to make my home more sustainable? That’s a tough challenge.

We bought a mill house that is now over 100 years old. We’ve lived in it for more than 43 years now. It is in the 1000–1100 square foot range.

Over the years, we’ve added or done the following things.

• We installed multiple roofs, with the last one being metal.
• We installed a heat pump with a thermostat and backup gas heat.
• We installed double pane windows.
• Added a water filter to the cold water kitchen faucet.
• Added insulation.
• We are converting to led lighting.
• We added railing to the front steps.
• We maintain upkeep on the front porch.
• We added floor coverings and moisture barriers.
• We converted the bathroom to one that is more ADA.
• We installed a back deck, cover, wheelchair ramp.

I hear the question—what does the above have to do with sustainability.

• We maintain and improve our current home with the expressed desire to live in it until we pass.
• We are in an established town with sewer, water, gas, and electricity.
• We have converted to more energy-efficient systems over the years.

The contents of the house, what about them?

• Only replace items when they are nonfunctional or no longer fit our lifestyle.
• Repurpose items whenever possible.
• We repair items as necessary, doing the work ourselves when we are qualified.
• If we replace a functioning item, we gift it to someone with a need.

What about growing our food? Shouldn’t we be doing that?

• Growing food source animals are prohibited.
• A garden? I suppose we could do that; we tried it a few times without much success, but we could do something like a raised or victory garden. The lot is small.
• We don’t water the grass.

Recycling?

Of course, we do. Our town picks up every other week and has a garbage pickup too!. Electronics, etc., are taken to a specific site a county over.

Little things

• Energy-efficient large appliances
• Cloth hand towels
• Two sets of bed linens
• Use washable kitchen items instead of disposable ones
• Clothing and linens are washing machine washable
• Air drying clothing and dishes as much as possible
• Cooking meals that can do double duty

We could do more things; however, if we don’t have the skills or the physical ability to do them, can we?

Isn’t it better to hire someone with the necessary skill sets to do tasks than waste time and resources attempting functions for which we are ill-suited?

That’s it off the top of my head. Yes, I know there are countless articles about specific sustainable products—research before you buy. Buy quality and long-lasting things. Avoid fads.

And a final word, build memories with family/friends. Memories are the things you cherish or cringe from as your life’s clock ticks.

Window Coverings

 Drapes, curtains, blinds—which should I use?

Blinds are great; they let in the most light unless the drapes or curtains are sheer. You can direct the direction the light shines into the home. Vacuum them frequently. Please do not use them in a high humidity area as any dust will stick to them. I have blinds in four rooms of my home. The ones in the bathroom are hard to keep clean. I’m ready to replace them with curtains that I can frequently wash.

Metal blinds seem to draw less dust than plastic ones. I have those in my dining room and den and love the minimum intrusion into the space. We added opaque window film to these northern windows.

I have single-pleated blinds in the living room with opaque film only on the bottom half of the windows for privacy. One window is on the south side, and one is on the east.

The bedroom has the most window treatments—window film, double pleated cloth blinds, black-out shades, and drapes. Both of us have been day sleepers, and this northeastern bedroom was our best bet to achieve a dark room. I vacuum but have to wash the drapes occasionally.

Drapes consist of more elegant materials than curtains. You must read cleaning labels and follow the directions.

Curtains are the most practical window coverings. They are from lighter-weight washable materials. Curtains provide privacy—easily cleaned when they become dirty.

So, which do you choose? It is up to you. You may be limited in your choices if you rent or live in an HOA. Owning your home gives you infinitely more options.

Less is more? Really!

 While I would agree that “less is more” may apply to many things, I can give a few instances of when that is not true.

If you don’t have enough salt (I also like to add pepper) in milk gravy, the gravy is not fit to eat.

While some prefer a minimalist kitchen, methods of refrigeration, cooking food, and cleaning dishes are more healthful than the lack of either of these three things.

Some cultures sit on the floor and lay on mats to rest or sleep. While most will agree that this is minimalist, those with mobility difficulties will agree that chairs and a bed with a frame are more desirable.

I can get by with three sets of clothing—one to wash, one I’m wearing, and one as a spare. Some only have the apparel they are wearing--this may or may not include shoes. Personally, that is too minimalist for me.

Cultural differences may be the defining factor of what is considered minimalist. Therefore, each reader will have a different perception of possessions and living conditions to make their lifestyle acceptable.

Material needs and necessities are more easily addressed than interpersonal relationships. Low expectations of reciprocal love in a relationship diminish one’s self-worth. In all probability, such a person has low self-esteem and has prior poor interactions with relationships that should have uplifted them. That “give a dog a bad name” thing and what usually follows.

One [you, me, we] must learn to love ourselves the way our creator intended. He created us as individuals, worthy of love and respect. Our physical appearances have nothing to do with what we are due as human beings with souls.

We each have unique attributes and talents to use (or abandon) for good during this lifespan. We must strive and work to achieve that which we desire. We are beings capable of taking care of ourselves, not pets to be indulged by those who own us.

It is up to us not to settle for the “less is more” mindset that would have us believe we are not worthy of deep, abiding love in our relationships. When each person in a relationship gives their all to make the relationship succeed, the result is glorious.

How do I decorate a room with a lot of stuff? [Quora question.]

 You don’t say what kind of stuff or the room in which the stuff is located. You also do not state if this is a rental property or one you own.

Gather or group items—toys, jewelry, CDs, DVDs, books, trophies, specific collectibles, etc.

Remove things that do not belong in the room to the locations where they belong.

Determine which items must stay.

Display no more than 3 or five like items at a time. A bookcase makes a beautiful display medium. Organize books by topic or genre. Box the excess items in pretty standardized uniform containers.

Do not get additional things to place in the room—stuff.

Reduce items before buying storage items.

Buy furniture that can also store things. An entertainment center, a bookcase, a display case can all help you put your best foot forward. Underbed storage can hide multiple boxed items. The high and low spaces in a closet can do the same thing.

• An old armoire or buffet sideboard can store things. 
• A free-standing screen can keep multiple things out of sight. 
• Small items can be stored in a chest of drawers. 
• A trunk can double as a table and storage place. 
• Old luggage can be filled with things and stacked.
• A side table with a floor-length tablecloth can hide many things.
• Boxes with a door-core or plywood top can become a table that hides much. 

Can you give us more information on the types of things you consider stuff and in which room the items are located?

Give the room unity, a serene, calm look with possible pops of color.

Floor to ceiling curtains on windows and storage areas can give a cohesive look when they match or complement each other.

Kitchen organization and why we do it

 Kitchen organization and why we do it

Commercial kitchens organize according to their menu bias and for maximum safety and profitability. Different specialty or regional kitchens have different needs. Think about it—pizza places, burger outlets, Asian foods, steak houses, breakfast restaurants, country cooking, fish camps, hotdog stands, etc.

Home kitchens are best when organized into stations, as in, putting like with like together. Every cook has a personal preference for the placement of things in the kitchen. Home cooks will often utilize different tools and foods for various purposes. A pantry is excellent; if you don’t have one, use cabinets as the cook’s preferred.

Layout

• The triangle composed of a stove, sink, and refrigerator
• Prep areas
• Dishes near the sinks and dishwashers when possible
• Drawers for specific purposes (knives, prep tools, dining utensils, serving utensils)
• Kitchen cleaning supplies near the sink
• Trash can
• Compost container
• Recycle bin

Prepping

• Prepping supplies together (cutting boards, measuring cups, bowls)
• Baking pans together
• Pots and skillets in separate areas

Setting the table

• Serving dishes in one place together
• Cups and glasses near the dishwasher
• Saucers, dessert, and dinner plates together
• Cereal, salad, and soup bowl in a specific area

About the food

• Spices together
• Foods together by type (canned fruits or vegetables, sauces, condiments/dried/staples) or menu compatibility (baking supplies/pasta ingredients/soup basics)
• Baking supplies together
• Beverage supplies together

Hallmarks of a good party

 A good party rises or falls on the people participating in the celebration.

The decor can be bare walls, and it doesn’t matter.

The food can be “meh,” and it doesn’t matter.

Plan the party with a “potluck” theme, and everyone will have at least one dish that they like to eat. Make it a “bring your beverage,” and the party-goers have a beverage they want.

Plan an outdoor venue, and everyone can bring their seats.

The host will need to provide bare minimums such as

• tables for the food presentation
• tablecloths
• beverage containers
• dinnerware and utensils
• napkins or paper towels
• ice and something to keep it from melting
• a groomed yard or awning at which to gather
• a time frame for the party
• coordinating the food
• host supplying the main dish for the party—unless it’s a barbeque and a bring/cook your own steak/chicken event (host should still have some burgers and hotdogs available)

I’ve hosted cookouts (burgers and hotdogs), sandwich parties, banana-split parties, dessert (covered dish) parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, Christmas Parties, Rock Soup parties, Hobo Parties, Finger Foods parties.

I keep certain foods in my pantry to host meals if family or friends drop in for a get-together.

The people, laughs, catching up on our lives, and their events are vital. Not the food, not the decor.

Drop on by. I can make a cobbler. Fix some salmon patties and veggies or some rice and chicken. You have a choice of coffee, hot chocolate, lemonade, tea, or water to drink.

The important thing is we’ll get to visit. I miss seeing you in my life.

Got a spare room?

 Unfortunately, that extra room in the home commonly referred to as a storage room becomes a catch-all instead of a real destination.

Depending on your needs, the room’s size, and the room’s location, use it for one of the following purposes and furnish it accordingly. You can even combine uses in a room and zone different areas. Use convertible furniture and built-ins to accommodate multiple goals.

• A guest room for overnight guests
• A home office
• A children’s play or study room
• A craft room
• An overflow dining room for large family or friend gatherings
• A den
• A library
• An entertainment or games room
• A walk-in closet—properly outfitted for hanging and storing clothing
• A pantry
• A mudroom
• A hobby room
• A display room for a collection

The dining room adjacent to the kitchen is set up to host larger dinner parties as it was intended instead of being our computer/office area.

Our second bedroom (once our daughter’s bedroom, once a guest room, and a catch-all room) is now our library, craft, computer, home office, and bird room. There are multiple zones and the areas are organized. This room has been converted from a catch-all room into the room we now use the most.

Our dining room is dedicated to eating and is much easier to maintain.

I have a living and television room greatly suited for company visits.

When we can start having guests again that dining room will also be used as a card and board game room. However, the games are stored in the adjacent room and are easily available.

On the plus side, our bird is much more social. We are sharing his room instead of being in an adjacent one.

Your needs and a room’s usage may change over the years. Go with the flow. Your home should suit your needs now, not the mythical someday! Turn that storage room into something that works for you now. Don’t be afraid to zone it and create dedicated multiple zones.

DIY or hire a decorator?

 I prefer decorating my home to hiring an interior decorator.

Most people know what they prefer in their home. There are multiple free tools the consumer can use to decorate their homes.

Take a piece of fabric you’d like to feature in a room to your local home improvement store. There are numerous paint combinations and cards to pick complementary or contrasting paints to highlight the material.

Take a friend with you—one with a good color sense.

Create a board with pictures of items or a look that you’d love to achieve.

Then shop retail stores online, at flea markets, thrift shops, or yard sales.

High light that heirloom piece of furniture, the painting on a wall, portraits, a decorative piece.

Your style may change over the years. Doing the changes yourself can help you stretch those decorating dollars. 

Empty Nesting?

 I’ve been downsizing things. Here’s what experience has taught us.

• Don’t store items in the attic, basement, or crawl space. Storage should be in environmentally controlled areas.
• Don’t rent storage space unless it is temporary.
• Plan where items you keep will be “homed.”
• Let go of things that no longer fit your lifestyle.
• Digitize photos and craft items and let go of the tangible things.
• Keep digital memories—not stuff.
• Dispute over an auction/sale item—have it appraised, and the “buyer” pays the estate.
• Give the kids, friends, and relatives things that no longer “fit” your style. Let them enjoy things now—you gain free space.
• Collections—reduce them to the “special” pieces. No, everything is not exceptional.
• Here is a fire analogy when downsizing. What five things in a room/area/collection would you want to save if the house catches on fire? Anything else is fair game for going out the door.
• Get rid of trip hazards.
• Make your home crutch, cane, walker, and wheelchair safe—this involves increasing available free floor space.
• Make preplanned home improvements while you are physically fit and able to do them. Paying for labor is expensive.
• Grandmother had furniture up on legs and shelving not too high for a reason. Physical limitations can make reaching or climbing difficult. Squatting down near the floor and getting back up can be difficult also.
• Are you planning electrical work? Add GFIs, extra outlets near the kitchen counters, bathrooms, computer areas (each room), and the entertainment center. Do not forget to add a few outdoor outlets as outdoor electrical tools are becoming more popular.
• Install grab-rails on both sides of steps and stairs.
• I can go on and on; however, I’ll stop here.

Why Clean?

 Practical reasons to clean regularly? Why clean?

The following things find spaces to grow in your home.

• Mold
• Dust
• Dirt
• Mildew

You will get occupants that don’t pay rent.

• Insects
• Rodents

You need to “catch a good cold”—pray that your guests have a cold too.

• Smells and odors develop over time
• Rotten garbage and food scraps stink
• Dirty bed linen stinks
• Wet towels sour and stink
• Sweaty clothing stinks
• Bathroom gunk, mold, and mildew stink

Why make cleaning harder?

• Freshly dirted dishes are easier to clean than those left to sit and dry with the food left on them.
• Sweat and body oils can become embedded and impossible to remove from clothing and bedding.
• Food left in containers can become a science experiment—throw the whole container into the trash.
• Maintaining clean will make preparing for a party a breeze

Cleanliness in the kitchen can contribute to good health

• Food poisoning results from unsafe food and food cleanliness practices

People do judge you by the state of your home—and in this digital age, they tell others.

• You won’t feel ashamed if someone drops into your home unexpectedly

And finally, an unexpected health emergency, accident, or family happening can make it impossible for you to clean as you usually would.

Good news, I hope.

Just a quick note to let everyone know that I've sent the beta version of "Creating Your Forever Home" to an editor. 

I know, I've shared the file with all who want it, but hey, I want it to be good.

Writing this blog has kept me plugging on and I hope all who have checked it out came away with at least something that helps in their daily lives.

More later, even if it is Off-topic.

Cleaning up before the cleaner comes?

 I try to keep my house tidy. Please note that cleaners should have a clause in their contract stating that they are not responsible for breakage—your valuable curio things, etc. Most do not move to clean behind stacks of boxes. Some will not clean or dust collectibles. They will work around the mess.

I keep my home “picked up” because I like it that way.

But, if you need help in keeping the home clean, doing the simple things like putting dirty clothes where they belong, dishes in the dishwasher and cabinets, putting up clean clothes, and making the bed. It gives a neat appearance without the house being cleaned.

When you are paying a cleaner, doesn’t it make sense to do the easy things for yourself and let them do the things you cannot or don’t want to do? They budget a certain amount of time to work in your house. If they spend their time picking up after you (i.e., I’m picturing a slob here in my head), how much of the nick picking actual cleaning do they have time to do? You know, under the bed, behind the furniture, in the corners, large surfaces, etcetera!

Discuss what you want the cleaner to clean in the house, office, or building. Some specialize in certain things.

For instance, you might want the carpet cleaner to come after a spring cleaning so that everything is dusted and tidied.

Window washing is usually specialized, too, especially outside the house.

There are cleaners for renovation projects and those that clean after a tenant leaves.

Clean is

• dirty clothing/linen/towels in hampers
• clean clothing in drawers/baskets/closets
• shoes in shoe racks
• fully dusted and polished furniture
• all those curios in the open or behind glass dusted or cleaned
• the floors swept/vacuumed/mopped—under, around, and behind the furniture [including the beds]
• the insides of the windows sparkling and the sills and area above the drapes vacuumed
• vacuum drape and blinds too
• side tables cleared, cleaned/polished
• kitchen table and counters cleared
• dishes in dishwasher or drainer or put away
• surface cleaning of all appliances, including both large and small
• behind the fridge and washer dryer vacuumed
• range hood cleaned-filter too
• cabinet doors, surrounding wood, handles cleaned
• backsplashes cleaned
• counters cleaned
• ceiling corners vacuumed
• fans vacuumed or cleaned
• light fixtures dusted if needed
• sinks cleaned-kitchen and bathroom
• fixtures cleaned
• trash cans emptied, washed, lined
• baseboards cleaned
• tubs and showers cleaned
• commodes cleaned
• all nooks and crannies cleaned
• inside of washer and dryer cleaned
• inside of dishwasher clean
• doorknobs cleaned
• the inside of the fridge and its shelves cleaned and expired food trashed—no science experiments here

Leaving this post with a side note: Date leftover foods when you put them into the fridge with the pull date. Anything not dated gets tossed.

Have a calendar on the fridge door. Dates on a dish don’t matter if the contents are moldy or stink or the container is not sealed. Things will get tossed—including the gross container.

Off topic: How often do married or committed couples fight or argue with each other?

 How often do married or committed couples fight or argue with each other?

We fight or argue as often as we want!

Now, I am going to assume the couples are "in like" as well as "in love," and there are no control or abuse issues or illegal drugs involved.

As a relationship between two people develops over time, the frequency and nature of arguments will change.

Money, the budget, lack of help in helping around the house, the cooking and cleaning up afterward, going out to venues, clothing, vehicles, and etcetera are all fair game in an argument.

The arguments change to things about the children or the partner's time spent at work or home. One partner does not feel appreciation from the other partner and feels hurt. You argue about family dynamics with the in-laws, or grown children not moving out or doing chores. You discuss having the children move back in and their bringing more people with them and how it will affect your budget.

Once again, we have a change in arguments; an in-law loses a partner or needs someone's help to stay at home or even help when they have to stay in managed care. Or a partner loses a job, and the other party does not think the unemployed partner is seeking work.

Things and arguments change once again. One of the partners has a health issue requiring surgery or develops an ongoing health issue, which will be an issue for the rest of that party's life. Work, insurance, bills, lack of assistance in daily matters come into play.

The longer a relationship lasts, if a couple truly grows into a mature relationship of love, the fewer things about which there will be arguments. A couple learns things, and circumstances change. Many times there is nothing either party can do to improve the outcomes of those circumstances.

The important thing is this; you love your partner. You cannot imagine being without this most crucial person in your life. Or, if you can imagine, it scares you to death.

So you let the little things you used to argue about go by the wayside. You are thankful for another day to hold, to kiss, to love, to appreciate your life's partner.

You support one another and pull together as a couple. Your strengths support the other party's weakness and vise versa. You become frail and less able to do the things that you once were able to do easily.

However, you thank God for every day that He blesses you with your life's partner's presence. The inevitable will happen; one of you will be going home.

Always hug your loved one, and kiss and make up after an argument. Never leave each other or go to sleep without saying, "I love you."

My husband and I will be married 51 years this coming June. We have large extended families and have seen first hand the ups and downs in marriages. We have had trials and tribulations within our marriage. Our faith and our love (and like) for one another keep our marriage strong.

Note: I wrote this a year ago and edited it to reflect our upcoming wedding anniversary of 51 years in 2021.  The statements today are as relevant as they were over a year ago. 

File Cabinets? Why do I recommend them?

 Offices need file cabinets to keep up with their client information, contracts, overhead, maintenance, and government mandates.

Everyone should have a small filing cabinet or a plastic box, or a “go file” in their home.

Reasons? My reasons?

• I reconcile the bills at least once a month in my checking account.
• I can pull the last bill’s statement to compare to the current account statement for accuracy.
• I’m not drowning under a “mudslide” of paperwork to find a due bill.
• When I file taxes, I know the necessary paperwork location.
• My “Go file” is where my husband and daughter can find it in case of my incapacity or death—I handle the paperwork!

The filing system can be as simple or elaborate as necessary for you to maintain.

I maintained an office file for my employer for over 23 years. The secret: each vendor, or utility, or entity had a file—filed alphabetically.

• File the last bill statement to the front of the file. If you are searching for a bill, it is easy to locate them in reverse order.
• Use a sizeable incoming file folder for incoming mail and sort out junk mail as it comes into the home or office—no need to file junk.
• Handle urgent mail immediately.
• File paid bills immediately.
• Record drafted payments in the correct payment bank or account and file.

I keep a shredder, and a recycle can close to my filing cabinet.

• Maintain as you go when handling paperwork.
• Unsubscribe from unnecessary publications and vendors.

That’s pretty much it, from a quick “off the cuff” response.

Today, I just don't feel like it!

 

When you let your house get cluttered and messy, what are some ways to get started to get everything back in order?

 

Some days I do not feel like cleaning or tidying up. However, here are a few things that make me think that my house is cleaner.

Speed cleaning? Clean in a circle-top to bottom and left to right.

·         Make the bed

·         Close the curtains over the closet doors and windows

·         Remove all dishes in the living room

·         Place all trash in trash cans in each room

·         Hang on towel rack or place into the hamper all used bathroom towels

·         Place dirty clothing in clothes hamper

·         Put clean clothing in the proper destination

·         Sweep floors, vacuum rugs

·         Wash all dirty dishes or place them into the dishwasher

·         Wipe the kitchen counter, stove, and sink clean

·         Keep Kitchen Clean

 

If I have done most of the above things, I will not beat myself up on what still needs doing.

Extra steps for keeping the kitchen clean

·         Clean as you go when prepping or cooking

·         Wash, rinse, and dry cooking pots, pans, serving dishes

·         Never put a knife in a sink and leave it in the sink

·         Always have your hand on the knife handle, rinse, dry, and put up safely

·         Use gloves

·         Use hot water, soap, bleach, or food-safe sanitizer

·         Wipe up spills as soon as they occur

·         Organize cabinets and pantry; everything has a designated storage space

·         Clean countertop appliances immediately after use

·         Keep counters as uncluttered as possible

·         Wash service dishes and utensils, rinse, dry, and put away

·         When handwashing dinnerware, wash, rinse, dry in the order listed; then store.

      Glasses

      Cups

      Plates

    Utensils

·         Clean Table/counter

·         Clean Chairs/bench

·         Set up a schedule for regular cleaning tasks

   

1. Stove hood
2. Backsplash
3. Windows
4. Stovetop
5. Oven
6. Microwave
7. Cabinet and drawers outside surfaces
8. Inside cabinets & drawers
9. Refrigerator
10. Inside shelves/drawers, out of date food
11. Outside surfaces
12. Floors
13. Under/behind large appliances---stove, dishwasher, refrigerator
14. Use spray cleaning bottles as necessary
15. Use cotton dishcloths
16. Clean wash/dry cloths after use
17. Clean potholders as necessary