Whether we live in a house or an apartment, it has become normal not to know the people living around us, which is a shame. Good neighbors don’t just happen, but the results are well worth the effort. Be Friendly Without being a stalker, make an effort to meet your neighbors. Walking your dog is…
The 1 Question to Ask Yourself for a Smoother Day
Somedays, life seems to go smoothly– I can sit and sip my coffee in silence, the kids wake up in pleasant moods, my laundry gets completed, I’m able to write an entire blog post during naptime, and no one complains about what’s for dinner. Life is good. But in reality, those days are few and…
The Decluttering Challenge: 100 Items in 100 Minutes
To us, obtaining a clutter-free home and owning a smaller number of items is not the goal, but a means to an end. We desire to own less so that we have more time and space to pursue what matters most to us. Decluttering and reducing are two of the best ways we know to…
Resurface a Patio With Pavers
If you have an old concrete patio, you can resurface it with pavers and transform the surface. You may get away with covering it up with an outdoor rug, but for a more permanent solution consider pavers designed with a thinner profile and light enough to go over the existing surface while being permeable for…
What You Learn Nosing Around an Old House
Days ago, I was in the basement of an old house with my son. We were looking at the boiler, the structure and the foundation walls. He’s about to become a first-time property owner. For the past four years he’s been renting a loft apartment, saving so he can make a sizable down payment. I’ve…
‘Do I Like It?’ The Simplest Technique to Make Any Shopping Decision Easy
For many people, shopping is a pleasurable distraction from daily tribulations. The phrase “retail therapy” exists for a reason. Some folks forget all their woes as they search the clothes racks for that perfect blouse or pair of slacks or swipe through page after page on their phones or computer. I, on the other hand,…
A Non-Expert’s Guide to Keeping Houseplants Alive
Big, leafy indoor plants have been all the rage and one of the most popular fads for the past few years. They’re obviously not a new thing, but it seems that every new home turns to these green beauties to decorate and fill each nook and cranny of space. But for me, indoor plants have…
How to Grow Spring Flowers in Containers
No sight is more welcome after a long winter than the first blooms of crocus, tulips, daffodils, Muscari, hyacinths, and other spring-flowering bulbs. Gardeners and non-gardeners alike can enjoy the view up close by layering these bulbs with container gardening methods. It’s perfect for those with mobility problems or limited space in urban areas. Bulbs for spring flowers…
Plan and Install Gutters Properly
Dear James: Whenever we have anything more than a moderate rain, the gutters overflow. When we build our new house, what design aspects should we consider in order to avoid this problem? — Gary L. Dear Gary: It is important to plan properly initially because gutter problems can take a while to show up. Several…
The 10 Dirtiest Places in Your House
Most of us would probably point to a bathroom or frequently used outside entrance if asked to name the dirtiest area of the house—but dirt lurks in some unexpected places. Here’s what to tackle during your next cleaning session. 1. Faucets If you’ve never removed the filter on the end of your faucet, you will…
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