I've always been in love with the power of technology.  From the moment I touched the keyboard of the Apple IIe in elementary school to today, I love finding new ways to do more with computers. One of my most favorite ways to save time and money is with Evernote.  Evernote is a FREE app that you can use on your desktop computer or your mobile device.  It allows you to keep your notes, files and images in one place.  You can jot down notes, take a photo of something you like and add audio to … [Read more...]

Sometimes, when I am feeling not so content with my surroundings, I find that simple little projects or tweaks to make my environment more functional keeps me happy and less likely to spend on high end changes.   Take the kitchen.  We replaced our flooring last year and redid the ceiling (thanks to a water leak).  Ever notice how one change leads to more?  Yeah, so now we are planning to replace our island and eventually get new countertops and a backsplash.  At least for me, once I identify … [Read more...]

With three boys, over the years the Legos really start to add up.  We had all sorts of sets which had been reduced to just pieces in bins here and there.  I tried to sort them over the years - windows and doors in one, blocks by like size.  Nothing really seemed to work in a way that all the kids could play with them and find what they wanted.  And the instructions were just all over the place.  I felt like we really were not utilizing this great, imaginative and abundant toy in our … [Read more...]

I recall a woman remembering that her mom referred to her family vacation as a 'trip,' pointing out that organizing and planning a trip with kids did not qualify as a 'vacation.'  That notion makes me smile every time I plan our family vacation. Traveling with your family can be a lot of work, but you can also take steps to minimize the stress by organizing well.  In March we drove from Minnesota to Florida with four kids.  Some things went well.  Some could have gone better.  Here are my … [Read more...]

It seems like my husband is always cleaning out the garage. Move stuff here, move stuff there, move stuff back again. Some of it is due to the fact that is where stuff tends to end up. The kids get it out or take it outside and it never makes it back in again. Or that is where we store off season items and we are in the in-between of spring and summer or fall and winter, etc. It does not help that dirt and leaves and other stuff are constantly being tracked in or blowing in when the door is … [Read more...]