Saturday, January 2, 2010

Tool Storage - Where to Store Tools When You Have No Space


This is my living room wall. It has pictures hanging on the left, a pretty scarf hanging on the right next to an old wrench on pegboard. On the bottom are storage solutions that will be discussed in future posts. Today's focus is on our tools:


When the scarf is moved, you see our tools. We have them lined up with the sharpest tools toward the top, going down to the less sharp tools toward the bottom. The bottom is blocked off from the kids, but we still didn't want the screwdrivers within their reach.

We also have an electric saw on the wall in our bedroom. It has a special hook and we couldn't hide it neatly behind the cloth.

Our tools are pretty basic at this point, with an electric drill and electric saw. Everything else is a hand tool, including a wrench set, screwdrivers and a hand saw. The plastic bait container in the middle is a catch-all for various pieces of hardware.

We had a toolbox, but we found this is a way to make our tools more easily accessible. This way we don't have to pull out half of our stuff to get to what we are looking for. I don't mind the look of pegboard on our living room wall, but if I did, I could paint it any color, or even turn it into a fun mural.

66 comments:

Lucy said...

Ahhhh! What a revelation! I know right where to put the pegboard for this in my house. New project time!

Anonymous said...

I'm guessing none of your kids is a climber or troublemaker at the moment. Should you happen to have a 'spirited' child at some point, you are going to be in a heap of trouble with those.

Potentially very dangerous. And I know, I know, you claim you can watch them all the time, but guess what? As the parent of a spirited child, they will cause more trouble than you can imagine in about 5 seconds flat. And once you have three mobile kids to deal with? And potentially more? You won't be able to watch all of them all the time.

SheilaPCT said...

Can you tell me how you attatch a peg board to the wall? And how do the tools actually attatch to it? Thanks!

Clisby said...

This reminds me of Julia Child's kitchen pegboard, except that all her tools were kitchenware.

Emily said...

S, there are special screws that leave a space between the pegboard and the wall. Then, I bought a pack of pegboard hooks that attach all sorts of stuff to pegboard. I bought a special hook for the screwdrivers up top. I have a second pegboard by my desk (which will be another post) so I bought a big pack of hooks. I got it all at Lowes (from mystery shops).

Anonymous said...

Anonymous, the nice thing about pegboards is, they can be moved. She could turn it horizontally and put it above head level, change it to hold things that aren't dangerous once her children become climbers (if they do), or move it completely to a different area. I know many people love pegboards for this very reason.

Melissa said...

To Anon: How do you know Emily doesn't intend to move things around if and when one of the kids decides to climb or get into things?

For example: My 1 year old never showed an interest in climbing the stairs until recently. We just now put up the baby gates due to her attempting to climb. I am sure Emily would remove the tools if they become a hazard. Some people "babyproof" as needed. Meaning they do it when it becomes an issue - like myself!

Anonymous said...

Melissa, amen! I remember the days of younger children and no real childproofing. Now we have those baby locks on cabinets, breakable things pretty much packed away, and a baby gate we use to close off the kitchen when needed. I keep the picture of one day having no locks, gates donated, and pretty things on shelves. Until then, we live in a Ft. Knox-like home. =)

Kat said...

Emily,
I thought this might be of interest to you (homeschooling, AND saving money :) ):
http://www.hsislegal.com

Carrie said...

Are those drawings of the boys? Where did you get them done? I love them!

Anonymous said...

As an empty nester I can tell you that Erma Bombeck's writings on the subject are very true. The cleanliness, the order, the silence. When a friend visited with her pre-schoolers I left the tiny handprints on the sliders for days. To have one day back when mine was little. The saying is that mothering of young children is a time of long days but short years. Very true. Enjoy the noise and the chaos. The silence as they all wave good-bye is deafening.
Emily I am sort of grateful that you leave the troll posts. It is a reminder to me that along with my job & volunteer work I should be doing more. Our nation is filled with bored and lonely people who seek out ALL avenues on the web-message boards, blogs, sites for everything from disease support to dog breeding--to post nasty comments. They do it because they are hurting inside, or to have a laugh at someone else's expense (and, in the second case, there is often another board where trolls run to congratulate one another on their bon mots. Adults behaving this way. Is anything sadder than to have that much anger AND time on your hands?)
I imagine most of the women are mommies, are encouraging their kids to be kind and not hurt others' feelings. Perhaps they champion diversity, telling their kids that other people have feelongs too and not to make fun of anyone different. Then they log onto a site,behave like kids whom no one loves, and then congratulate themselves.
Imagine if women suported one anothers' choices.Or if generations still taught their kids that if they can't sway something nice not to say anything at all.
Between forty & fifty thousand children will die today--worldwide--from hunger & disease. Thousands will die of abuse, be sold into sexual slavery, sent into the war torn streets of their homeland looking for safety. But in the US, hundreds and hundreds of probably overweight, unhappy folks who look down on others as a sport really don't care. Someone hurt them once and being anonymous allows them to get even.
People who love themselves--were TAUGHT to love themselves--do not troll message boards. I'll bet they are in your prayers too.

Anonymous said...

oops--typos! They'll be gunning for me too!

Emily said...

Carrie, they are not my boys. They are Bessie Pease Gutmann prints. My Grammy found them in her cousin's closet, but I love them, too.

Anon, I couldn't agree more, with everything you said. Thanks for the reminder on "long days but short years."

Kat said...

Oops! I meant to post the homeschooling link (above) in your homeschooling post...where it would have been a tad more appropriate. Sorry about that.

AT said...

If you teach the children the purpose and importance of the tools, and instruct them in their proper use, (as I am sure you will) they'll be less likely to view them as something forbidden and tempting. Little ones love to help with repairs which will take you thrice as long at first but will teach them so much in exchange.

I have no worries about your children at all. I do not care one whit if they are unable to spell perfectly when they leave the nest. I believe they will carry so much more of actual importance with them and I know they will never grow into being the kind of people who intentionally inflict pain on another human being by leaving nasty comments under the guise of being helpful.

Anonymous said...

My 4 year old LOVES tools, and loves to help Daddy with tools. He has his own toy tools and pretends to work like Daddy, using his drill when Daddy uses the real one, etc. He knows that he is not to touch real tools without adult supervision, and in our house there is a phrase, "that's a tool, not a toy" for things that are not to be played with. So far, he's respected that, even though he's a climber and does like to get into stuff! Kitchen tools fall equally into the "tool not toy" header, and are used only with me around.

Long days and short years is so right! It feels like we're moving in fast forward and when baby girl snuggles and little guy comes up to me just to say "I love you" I want to hit pause.


thesavedquarter.wordpress.com

frugalredneck said...

Great idea on the peg board, Im thinking of different ways I could use that, We have a larger house so the back of the laundry room is where we put our tools, But Im thinking somewhere in the kitchen to get my cooking tools off the counters. Note to self....Don't post pictures of my house on my blog(hahahaha) lordy the trolls would go nuts..I don't baby proof until needed, Like Gates up at stairs cause the baby is a climber. I'm looking around now and I think maybe my house might be a house of horrors lol. I have these "spirited ones" two 5 year old twins with severe adhd, The word is called no, I don't beat them either, Sometimes I have to say no a thousand times. No kid ( atleast not one of the six of mine) every listened to me about hot until they touched the candle, drank my coffee, or ate the food before blowing on it, They all lived so far. We had one instance of stitches, One of the 5 year old twins, But I could not bolt my diningroom table to the ceiling and he was messing around and fell off. He is like Mr. table rules now. As far as the tools go, My 5 year olds love tools like nothing else, and watching handy manny does not help lol. We did buy them toy tools, they knew they were not real tools and showed little interest. So for their birthdays this year, We bought them $4 tool boxes, $2 rubber mallets to be used like a hammer, a box of large nails, duck tape, masking tape, and cut up some small boards for them to hammer and nail. They loved these, just like daddy's. Now they are not free to play with these, They come out when one of us are free to watch them 100%, and they build and build, No blood yet. Michelle frugalredneck.blogspot.com

Erin T. said...

Oh duh! I meant to ask what is your scarf hanging from? I can't tell. I'm always looking for creative ideas.

Emily said...

Erin, I used a staple-gun to staple it to the top of the molding. The scarf is an opaque and mesh black pattern that you can't really see in the picture, but the pattern hides the staples. By having it come off the molding, it is a few inches away from the wall so you can't see bumps where the tools are.

Amber said...

Interesting idea for vertical storage. I wouldn't personally use it for tools, but it's still an interesting concept :) I'm looking for organization tips and I think I might be able to use something like that in my craft area.

Anonymous said...

Emily....after reading Dan's blog I've come to the conclusion that he should be the submissive husband instead of the other way around. Your being so co-pendent is not helping him. Encourage him to do his own typing, spelling, and thinking. Is this an accredited college he attends? What degree will he have upon completing all requirements and graduating? Can he just open up his own church and hope for followers or will he be affliated with a long standing congregation/religion? I'm confused. You appear to be a wise woman, perhaps a bit idealistic but hopefully with maturness and old age you will see the light. Dan appears to be a good, decent man, but being preacher, heading a church might be a bit of a overwhelmning task for him. IF he can't artiulate his toughts on paper without your help perhaps a management career at Walmart would be a better challenge for him everyone involved. Part of being a great leader is the ability to get the knowledge out -- to the pubic via the written word, public speaking. Do you honestly believe Dan has those very basic skill sets? I'm thinking he's lucky he has such a smart and supportive wife -- don'throw him to the dogs because you don't want to hurt his feelings....tell him the truth and let him figure things out himself. Insist him doing the work himself. I wish you the best, I honestly do.

Michele from Washington said...

Emily, you rock... you are so well organized and not afraid to tackle something new. Your children are very blessed to have you for a Mom. From what I've seen in pictures your home has a "lived in" comfortable feel which is very important. I look forward to reading your blog everyday.Your a woman of amazing talents. Your doing a great job.... BTW your kids are all adorable

Anonymous said...

The landlord allowed you to staple gun fabric to his or her molding and attach pegboards designed for garages to the walls?

Cate said...

I hate the way a lot of my stuff is just stacked up and hard to get to. I wish I could put up a pegboard in one of my closets but my landlord won't allow that kind of hole in the wall.

Anonymous said...

Usually you can do what you want in a dwelling so long as you put it back the way it was when you end the lease. This includes hanging pictures, pegboards, painting,and the like.
I like the pegboard idea, and may put one in my laundry room this weekend! Thanks for the idea.

Emily said...

Anon, on my husband, my husband can clearly articulate his thoughts. Talk to him, listen to him, read his words and you would know that. Read his blog. Those are his thoughts. If there is confusion as to what dication is, it is exactly what the Apostle Paul did, and it didn't effect the quality of his ministry. Dan reads his handwritten essays to me as I type. I don't see that as debilitating to his ministry.

http://rantofdan.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

We have the same Bessie Pease Gutman print of the sleeping baby (the one on the bottom in your photo). It hung in my mom's nursery when she was little, then in mine, and now it is in my daughter's room.

Also, I went to your husband's blog and liked his post about potential Republican presidential candidates. The grammar and spelling didn't bother me. He's obviously well-informed about politics.

Anonymous said...

Emily, you know that they way his blog is now is not how it always was. You went through and rewrote all his old entries for him. It was totally unreadable before and even the thoughts were clearly disorganized.

At least be honest about what you did. There is no way you would have linked to it before.

www.sybermoms.com

Emily said...

Yes, I type up his essays. I did not write them or rewrite ANY. He wrote; I typed. It's that simple.

I didn't link to him before because he writes about controversial topics and is pretty honest about both our political and religious beliefs. It has nothing to do with this blog, but since there is so much interest, I linked to it.

Penniless Parenting said...

Hi!
I have a blog that might give you some ideas, Emily!
I'm another mom in a very similar boat to you- 2 kids, early twenties, and make about 1000 dollars a month for our family of four.
I hope you and all your readers might find my blog useful!
www.PennilessParenting.com

Cynthia said...

Good grief! Can one person commenting on this blog say that their home looks/is EXACTLY the same as it did a year or two years ago? Have you not moved a thing? Used a thing? Removed or improved a thing?

When the kids get older, I'm sure Emily will move/remove/improve or update their environment to accommodate the needs they have if something isn't working for them. Sheesh! Some commenters write as if they live in a museum and they've never changed or moved in their lives. Lighten up people! There are plans made, but they are open to re-evaluation and change, just as they are for any of us. It's not like none of us has ever discovered we had a bad idea the hard way, or stumbled over a great idea by absolute accident.

Anonymous said...

Emily has said previously that her precarious stacks of containers aren't a hazard, so no, I don't trust her to move things when they become a danger - she's got stuff in her apartment that's ALREADY a danger, and she just claims she can watch the kids all the time.

I hope she smartens up about this before there's a tragedy.

Although since I suspect she beats those children to make them obey, maybe it won't be a problem.

Anonymous said...

How do you know these containers are a hazard? Have you seen the containers, where they are exactly in the apartment, and how her kids behave on a daily basis? If not, how can you even suggest these kids are in danger? Come on people, you are all grasping at straws to not like her and make her feel like an idiot.

And, let's be honest, in a tiny place you do what you have to do. What is she supposed to do with her belongings if they don't have room for them? Toss them out? I think you guys ought to lighten up and realize that until you become perfect, you don't have a lot of stones to throw.

sonny said...

Large storage bins placed on top of one another is a danger. Regardless if you watch your kids like a hawk, things happen. My kids have had accidents right in front of me and I was unable to reach them, just a finger to short. I can not imagine what would happen if one of those towers of containers landed on a little body.
Emily, you are not fooling anyone by editing Dans blogs. He is an ignorant fool and you are the bigger fool by trying to cover for him. I know your into the whole submissive" thing, but listen to my words, you are not doing anyone any favors. I can not imagine " God" would want you to blindly follow a fool thru life. You are setting you and your children up for a lifetime of poverty, poor health and unhappiness. Soon enough those kids will be old enough to start making their own decisions and living in a cramped, dirty crappy little space is not what they will want to do.

Penniless Parenting said...

Sonny, all very well and good. You say Emily is a fool and that she is dooming her kids to a live of poverty, poor health, and unhappiness. Now what exactly do you suggest she does to "better her situation" in your opinion?
Divorce Dan?
If your big issue with her is that you think they don't bring in enough income for the kids, do you really think divorcing dan will fix anything?
These kids will just grow up with no father in the house, something that can contribute greatly to unhappiness...
Divorced moms with kids arent such a precious commodity these days, so if she'd divorce him, she'd be a single mom... Who'd have to work many hours and probably wouldnt make such a high salary, and with that money, she'd need to support 3 kids, pay for childcare, and spend more money on everything because she wouldnt have the time to use most of her money saving techniques...
You can have your opinion on whether she should be having more children in her current financial situation (but she does not need to listen to you; i understand her reasons for not using birth control as I don't either, even under similar life circumstances) but all this bashing Dan? What are you trying to tell her? If your suggesting that she leave Dan, it'll only be counterproductive; she'll be unhappier, the kids'll be unhappier, and they'll have even less money.
What is your point in bashing dan? Just to make people feel bad?
-Penniless Parenting
www.PennilessParenting.com

Penniless Parenting said...

Remember, readers, that bad writing does not a fool equate.
There are many different types of giftedness- oratory smarts, writing smarts, math smarts, street smarts, etc...
Even if one is not a good writer does not mean that they even are remotely stupid.
My husband, for example, is extremely bright and with a high IQ. But his math abilities are really lacking since he's been convinced since he was young that he was unable to do math, and that's a self fulfilling prophecy.
Don't judge dan's intelligence until you meet him and speak to him, and even then, you have no place to be judging.
www.PennilessParenting.com

Alex said...

I don't think anyone wants Emily to divorce Dan, but she can't keep doing his work for him, either. Most preachers I know do a lot of writing. At my church, for example, the minister writes an outline for the sermon and another for Bible class. He also writes a column for the church bulletin each week. Will Emily be doing all of this?

Also, if Emily is writing or heavily editing Dan's papers for college, he should be expelled for academic dishonesty. Don't his professors see the difference in his in-class writings and his typed work?

Anonymous said...

Alex, New England Bible College is a joke. I really doubt they do much in their classes. Religious figures who realize the need for academics and broad, encompassing knowledge go through the state or private university system, before getting ordained by their religion or attending a seminary.

Every pastor I've known worth his salt had a degree in religion/theology/christian studies/language/etc and went through the ordination process. New England Bible College is unaccredited and basically a scam.

Anonymous said...

Good Grief People!!!

Every time this poor girl post something all the villagers come out with their pitch forks and torches ready to tar and feather this poor young wife and mother.

Whether you agree with her ideas, lifestyle, parenting or not, doesn't give you right to be so mean and hateful toward her. Some of you folks are bordering on the line of verbal abuse here. Instead of showing love and concern,you are showing hatefulness and meanness.

People who are truly concern and care are more loving and helpful, not filled with hateful comments and not ignorant assumptions.

My mama always said you get more bees with honey then with vinegar. If you don't agree with her lifestyle choice don't came by this blog. If you have a real concern or question then ask questions in a non-condescending manner and make some friendly suggestions.

I mean I wouldn't take hateful advice from some condescending commenter who only goal is to rip into my family and chew them and me up and spit me out.

I mean seriously where in the heck did you all learn your social skills from...the back alley of some bar?

And Emily...stop defending yourself. You don't have to give an answer to people who have no other goal or purpose then to rip you to shreds. Always stick to the subject you are sharing and talking about.

Erin T. said...

Aghhhh! Emily, the trolls are giving me a headache! Does anyone REALLY not know that if you've hung something on the wall of a rental you can use a smidge of spackle and a drop of touch-up paint and it was NEVER there??? And that includes molding! Does anyone REALLY think that the 'tower' of tubs is precariously standing alone in the middle of the living room? Do you think PERHAPS she engages her little ones in an activity before she hops in the shower? Or, quite likely, Dan takes over while she showers. Come on people!!! Disagreeing in a grown-up manner is one thing, accusing Emily of BEATING her precious little sons is quite another. This is crazy. WHY do you think Emily and Dan want a large family if they don't love their babies? Really, think about it.

Anonymous said...

When people are happy in life, and that life doesn't have expensive cars, big homes, and kids under the care of nannies or day cares, the claws come out. How dare a woman that's living at poverty level have joy in her heart. How DARE she? She should be miserable, wallow in self-pity, and hate her life. That's very important. Doesn't she know that she should nag her husband, be ugly to him, ridicule him, and be disgusted at the sight of him until he makes her a wealthier woman? Goodness, don't any of you know that? Defending a woman who is happy and not in a huge home with lots of money. What is wrong with you all?

(yes, said in jest, in case those who don't get sarcasm need to ask)

Emily said...

Alex, when my husband preaches, I don't type up his outline. I don't touch it. He doesn't hand out copies to the congregation. If he did, he would dictate it to me and I would type it. Again I think that people need to get a dictionary to look up the word "dictation." I am not writing his papers, I am typing them. His teachers know that I do that. One asked, noticing a discrepancy between his private emails and his papers.

Anon, on defending myself, with most comments, I say: I don't answer to you! because I don't owe any explanation to any commenters. These people know husband bashing gets under my skin. I love my husband and I think he is a brilliant man. Any one who doesn't see that is being willfully ignorant. But because I love him, it is hard for me to see him attacked without defending him.

ArdenLynn said...

I have pegboard in my kitchen, right by my sink. I keep measuring spoons, measuring cups, veggie peeler and things I use every day.
As my dh was hanging it for me, he commented that there was no way a man could not love a woman who wanted pegboard in her kitchen. It made me laugh but I was thinking more Julia Child than Jeff Foxworthy.

Anonymous said...

It is just a shame that people are so self righteous.
Emily I love your blog. You have given me tons of ideas :)

Anonymous said...

To Anonymous who is talking about people being mean and hateful:

Emily puts herself out there by writing this blog. By allowing comments, she opens herself up to WHATEVER people care to say. That is the hazard of blogging and posting personal info in a public space. Comes with the territory. People are entitled to have and express their opinions. Does that mean that it's pleasant, moral, Christlike? Absolutely not. But it is what it is. Can she stop it? Sure, she can disable comments. Then people will go and talk about it elsewhere, on other forums. She could also make her blog private and approve the readers. But she doesn't do any of these things, so she is putting her home life out in the open for scrutiny. End of story.

Jessica

Emily said...

Jessica, that is true, I am putting myself out there to be judged, but so are mean commenters. I have allowed free speech on this blog. People can criticize me, but they should not expect that no one will criticize them for it

Anonymous said...

I can't argue with that!

Jessica

sonny said...

Penniless and Emily.
What I am suggesting is, she starts to find a way to bring in some income. Perhaps a part time job in the evening.Or a job at a childcare center where she can bring her own kids. Or for her husband to man up and get a decent job or a second job. I am stating she needs to clean the crap up in her apartment, get rid of the stacks of crap, apply for food stamps and wic and get some birth control.
If she wants to stay married to a fool, then so be it, but do not make her kids suffer for her stupid mistakes.

mrs. c said...

i think pegboards are a lovely idea!

Penniless Parenting said...

Man up and get a better job? Not everyone is able to just "man up and get a better job"...

Anonymous said...

OK, where are the pictures on this blog of her horrible apartment that shows the nastiness you are all describing? I haven't seen them. I guess I am missing this pigsty you have all seen. Can someone point me to them? If not, quit making up things in your mind.

As for second jobs, how should a man do that with 3 children, a full-time job, and college courses to handle (with the work that goes along with that outside the classroom)? And how does a woman get a job when her husband has a full-time job, college courses, and homework to do with three children to care for, meals to prepare, and their education to manage?

I know, I know, dump the education off on the government. But many people see that as not an option for many children. And, why do you care if she lives like this? You aren't paying for her children. She is feeding them, loving them, teaching them, raising them, all the while loving her husband very much, living as Biblically sound as she can, walking with God, and putting up with total strangers accusing her of horrible things they know nothing about. I can't believe you are telling her to stop being responsible for her children and having the government support them. The goal of government help is to NOT be on government help (at least it's supposed to be). They are already there. Give her kudos for that, even if you hate that she's poor.

Anonymous said...

Our Family Is His, I think part of the reason people are suggesting a second job or a different job is because, if I've read right, he works part time.

Emily said...

Anon, you did not read that right. He works 32 hours, which is full time. Then you add classes, he has plenty on his plate without another job. And I don't know if you've noticed, but the job market isn't too hot right now. We're thankful for all that we get.

sonny said...

You are correct when you state the job market is not "all that hot right now." That is exactly why Dan needs to start beating the pavement now. He is attending a JOKE of a "college". The effort he is making will not end with a career. From the looks of his blog the man can not write a complete thought. He lacks basic education. Attending a non accredited college will not move his family forward.
If Dan were a man he would and COULD man up and get another job.

Emily could find a part time job if she wanted. What does she really have on her plate? Cooking out of a crock pot and using a plunger to 'wash' clothes? Perhaps with a bit more income they could turn on the oven and use a laundry mat like the rest of the US. Please do not tell me how the rest of the world lives. Because honestly it has not a damn thing to do with how you Emily have forced your children to live in filthy conditions.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of Tools your husband is a Tool how can he say that US Air Flight 1549 is a stupid story?
http://rantofdan.blogspot.com/2010/01/stupid-stories-of-2009.html

Anonymous said...

32 hours is full time? I never knew that...when I had a 36 hour per week job, it was considered part time because it was less than 40. Silly me, how could I have made that mistake? So sorry.

sonny said...

Because he only works part time BY CHOICE, your family is well below the income to qualify for food stamps and WIC. Because of some silly false pride ( isnt pride a sin?) your so called leader of a husband wont 'allow' you to apply.
So your children are forced to eat crappy food and live in filthy conditions.
Soap nuts do not get anything clean. Using a plunger in a plastic container does not get diapers and clothes clean. Washing all the clothes together does not get them clean and they end up looking awful.
Emily, for goodness sakes, grow up.
Start taking care of your kids.

Christena said...

is dan incapable of learning to type for himself? If a lot of his job is going to revolve around him writing things down, wouldn't it benefit everyone if he new how to type? If nothing else it would save you time that you would otherwise be spending with your children.

Anonymous said...

While I think it's sweet that you type your husband's school essays for him I agree with the above poster. Basic writing, typing and proofreading are skills that he should make an attempt to master for himself if he wants to pursue any career besides the one he has now. You're helping him in the short term but doing him no favours in the long run. I think it's a bit dishonest for him to pass off your writing as his own: even if the thoughts are his he is presenting himself as someone with writing skills that clearly he doesn't actually have.

Anonymous said...

It is incredibly dishonest, above anon! If he was at a real college, he'd be kicked out for plagiarism, or at the VERY least, in an intensive program for Learning Disabilities where he'd be working towards writing his own papers, if they did diagnose him with an LD. But since he's at an unaccredited college that produces absolutely worthless degrees, he can get away with it. I mean, honestly, very few colleges would let him in, let alone let him into the general student population, with his writing abilities.

It really is a shame.

Anonymous said...

I'll bet the critical posters wouldn't dare post a word if their avatar were a photo of themselves, full length. Sounds like fat and angy women.

Cate said...

Are you fat and angry, too, then, poster above me? I notice you're lacking a photo of yourself. And I prefer to think of myself as average and irritable. :)

Anonymous said...

WOW! Sonny where does your anger come from? I don't know anything about the "college" Dan attends but I do know that Dan would not be accepted at any university without being able to write a simple paragraph explaining his thoughts in a logic, concise manner. I read his blog. What he lacks is critical thinking skills and the ability to get this ideas/thoughts across via the written word. It is definitely not college level writing, more like high school. What concerns me is not that Emily and Dan chose to hang their tools on a pegboard in their living room, or the fact that Emily choses to cook her food in a crock pot rather than a conventional oven. Her washing her clothes by hand isn't even a real concern other than the fact that the time she spends doing that chore, (and what a chore it has to be), is time she could be spending doing fun things with her children. Kids can't be kept in the house doing chores all day long no matter how fun Emily makes them seem; they need fresh air, a time and place to be able to run and jump and work off some of that three year old energy. Emily seems to be a decent Mother, a caring person. What I don't agree with is the submissive wife crap. Why should Emily or anybody have to "defer" to another human being based on the fact that he has a penis? Both Dan and Emily are religious people. Why can't the marriage just be an equal partnership? The fact that Dan denied Emily the simple pleasure of a Christmas tree based on some hair brain notion that he came up with (good luck trying to spread the gospel on that idiotic idea)makes me wonder where he draws the line on so many things. To me, that is bothersome/troublesome. IT makes me sad that the girl children in their household will be taught to be submissive if for no other reason than the fact that they were born girls/women. Women have worked for years for equality and then some religious zealots come along and set things back 100 years. Submissive behavior under the guise of religion -- what a crock. Two adults in a HEALTHY relationship are equal partners. It shouldn't be any other way.

As for the Emily's cooking? Other than the time she spends in the kitchen around a crock pot I think she is making wise choices for her children. Unconventional maybe, but wise nontheless. More kids could do without white sugar, processed foods. Still, as much fun as Emily THINKS she making for her children helping with chores, I hope she remembers that those are HER choices she has made to cut expenses, and that children don't/won't always enjoy being tied down with household responsibilites no matter how much fun YOU think you make for them. Don't misunderstand me, I do think children can be and should be helpful and have some household chore to make them feel a part of their family unit but what you have taken on, besides parenting, is an incredible amount of work. Sometimes saving a penny isn't as important as your time, or your childrens childhood.

You're young, you're idealistic and that is OK. I was young and idealistic once too, long time ago. :-) We get through life making some good choices and some bad choices; hopefully we learn from all of our choices. As Maya Angelo says: "We do better, when we know better".

I do enjoy your blog, Emily. I hope that eventually it will add a generous second income to your family. At the very least I hope that it generates enough income for you to purchase a second hand wash machine and dryer. As much as I know how you must love washing dirty diapers daily, just think of the extra time a washer and dryer would bring into your daily routine. Like it or not, time is money, Emily. Money well spent is not waste. Waste is time spent washing dirty diapers by hand every single day.

Good luck!!

Sheryl said...

This is to all you US citizens out there complaining about the way Emily is living her life. NEWS FLASH - She lives in America a land where people are allowed to live a basic live style if they choose. Not all people choose to take the easy way out, and get on Welfare and let the tax payers provide fancy cars, the newest toys, and high fashion clothes. They choose to take responsibility for their families and teach them that there is more to life than expensive things and that the best things in life don’t come from the dollar. PS this if for Sonny: I make over $5000.00 a month and I still wash my clothes all together, Levis with whites, ect, they look just fine. I refuse to pay for new clothes, when I can buy quality used clothes at thrift store, I clip coupons, and cook 90% of our meals from scratch, hang my clothes out/in to dry. I live on a farm where I have tools/guns/equipment all within a child’s reach, am I a bad mother, or am I ok, because I make more money. If you don't like her blog or life style then don't read it.

Tree Huggin Momma said...

we have tried many a tool box and I just never can find something when I want it. When I saw Julie and Julia I decided I wanted peg boards in the kitchen and discussed it with DH and that is what we are doing this summer, putting pegboards in the kitchen, I think I will add to the pegboards in the basement and make use of the space (and then get rid of the tool boxes).
Kudos for your for actually watching your children and not letting the television be a babysitter. I for one, never baby proofed, this meant we could go anywhere and I didn't have to worry because my kids learned what they could and could not touch. It was a bit more work when they were little, but it was worth it when my peers would chase their kids around other peoples houses not getting a moment to visit, while I enjoyed coffee and my kids played safely.
Just found your blog and if I can figure out how to add it to my blog list I am.

DawnM said...

I washed my clothes and my daughter's dirty diapers by hand for several months when my daughter was little - out of necessity. It was a choice between food and the laundromat. I was working full time AND had time with my child. Some of the naysayers here would not survive a day if the electricity went off... I was happy when I had a washing machine again, but it's not a necessity.
My grandmother (and my husband's grandmother) rinsed out dirty diapers in a wash tub and then poured the water down the outhouse (no rubber gloves in those days), and then washed them on a washboard and boiled them. They both had time to raise multiple, well-adjusted children.
In India, where my daughter studied for a while, she did "bucket wash" (wash you clothes outside in a bucket and then hang them to dry). There are at least several billion people in the world who do this every day. Rich, spoiled people tend to be rather myopic.

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