Real Simple Follow Up

I got the 3rd issue after writing the last post.

And yes, as Thorny pointed out in the comments, the magazine does have some sections that may lead to a more simple life. One issue listed the essential utensils any kitchen needs. I can do some culling there. With each move, I've been culling items - some we received as wedding gifts and have never used. Since 2002. That's enough denial. How many serving platters does one need, anyway?

In each issue there is a list of 10 bargain finds under $50. I'd be more happy if it was under $25...but that's quibbling. I admire many of these items but have yet to be so overcome that I need to buy it for myself.

There is also the section Thorny mentioned - other uses for common items. Sometimes there is a gem there. But mostly I'm left trying to imagine the person who writes these - and the relationship they have with their maid(s). Take the current issue, for example. What to do with marbles. One suggestion was very practical - put marbles in the bottom of that spray bottle to raise the level of the fluid when it doesn't reach the bottom of the sprayer. If I had any marbles around the house, I would follow that suggestion. I'll have to find find a substitute. Golf balls a-plenty we've got; marbles, not so much.

But then they lost me at the next suggestion. Put marbles in your soap dish to avoid the soap getting mushy and the soapdish getting dirty. I love using handmade soap. My favorite soap is from Shepherd's Choice, the Cinnamon with Lanolin soap. It's a big rectangle bar that lasts forever. (Hey, Real Simple - here are 11 finds under $10!)

Now, the process we follow in the Haus is to make sure the mushy side of the soap is placed facing up after using it so that it dries. And the soap dish is the easiest thing in the house to clean. The one in the bathroom gets cleaned each time the bathroom does. The one in the kitchen gets cleaned whenever I notice the dirty soapdish while doing dishes. Swish, swish, it's clean. Why would I want to have to clean soap globs off the marbles, too? To me, this is just adding extra work.

Extra work? Who's got time for extra work, for pete's sake? I've got knitting to do!