M E R I D I A N M A G A Z I N E
Answers to Homemaking Questions
By Daryl Hoole
Dear Meridian Readers,
Women throughout the ages have found it rewarding to be in touch with other good women who stand for similar values and principles. They have gathered at the well, chatted around a quilting frame, or visited over the back fence as they have exchanged ideas and information. Gleaning ideas and information electronically via the Internet is a modern version of this type of sharing. And as such, Meridian Magazine provides a wonderful means of communication for LDS women (and men!). Who knows the potential for good such sharing can bring about in their lives and those of their family members.
In addition to my monthly column on home management and family living, I'm very pleased to respond to an invitation from Meridian editors to submit a second column each month. This one will be a Question and Answer format. In this way you can learn what others are asking. It can be comforting to know you're not the only one who struggles with problems or wonders about an issue. And if there's something on your mind, here's your opportunity to submit your own questions by emailing me at ask@theartofhomemaking.com . To introduce this series, I'm addressing two questions, one on the lighter side and the other of a very serious nature.
First question: how do I pronounce my name, Daryl Hoole?
Good question, since there are a couple of ways to say it. Here's an easy way to remember how my first name is pronounced: Daryl rhymes with Laurel. I love the sound of my name, yet when people say Daryl with the traditional pronunciation which rhymes with “barrel,” I have ended up with a barrel full of problems. Explaining that I am a girl, not a guy, has been an on-going process.
My father was a military officer, and we as his family followed him from city to city during my growing up years. As a result, I had attended eighteen different schools before graduating from high school. You can imagine how many times I had to explain my name and how many times I found myself on the roll for boys' gym. In short, I have been drafted, given double looks, and doubted. Recently as I endorsed a check at the bank, the teller questioned, “Why did you sign your husband's name?” The latest incident was an invitation to join the Sons of the Utah Pioneers. My mother has justified naming me Daryl by insisting that the related confusion has given me character.
If this is what it takes to gain character, I must be doing well because, to make matters worse, my maiden name is Van Dam. Most people are just plain afraid to pronounce it.
And now my married name is Hoole, which rhymes with cool, but the pronunciation is not obvious, and we've had many humorous misunderstandings. When one of our daughters was born on April Fools' Day, some friends suggested it would be clever to name her April Hoole. We didn't — she's Elaine. There have to be better ways to build character!
Question Two: I'm one who needs lots of H.E.L.P.! I've read books and listened to lectures about home management and really appreciate all I've learned, but I'm still at ground zero. Where do I start? What should I do first?
Answer: I can relate fully to your question. A number of years ago when personal computers became popular, those who instinctively knew how to make them work were more than willing to instruct those of us who were somewhat technologically impaired in their use. The qualified ones were quick to point out the remarkable capacity of computers and to cite the numerous ways in which they could make life better. We learners were duly impressed as we were taught the various functions. There was just one problem: Where do I start? How do I turn the thing on?
May I suggest a two-step program that might give you some clues for getting started in organizing your home and making it work best for you and your family. But before doing that, you may want to give yourself a quick boost by doing two simple chores. Sweep the porch or entryway and wash the window over the kitchen sink. If there isn't one, shine the sink. With the lift the completion of these two small tasks could provide, you'll hopefully be energized enough to proceed as follows:
First, attack the clutter. To overcome the seeming endlessness and even hopelessness of de-junking an area, it can be helpful to place a time or number limit on your efforts. For instance — each time you work allow yourself forty-five minutes (or some such block of time) to "hit it hard" and make a real difference in one area of your home. Or challenge yourself by putting twenty-five items (or whatever number appeals to you) in sorting piles (throw away, put away, or give away) and then going to work. This approach, repeated every day, can work wonders in months, even weeks. (For further information, read my column "Order: A Heaven-made Law".)
Summed up, do some quick, simple tasks that bring about immediate results; start a long-range program for clearing your house of any clutter, and finally, get a good daily system going and stick to it. You'll be amazed by what a great start this will be. Good luck!
Note: In addition to my monthly column on home management and family living, I'm very pleased to respond to an invitation from Meridian editors to submit a second column each month. This one is in a "Question and Answer" format. Please submit your questions to me, Daryl, at ask@theartofhomemaking.com It isn't feasible for Meridian to handle all the questions that are being sent to me, so I'm addressing others on my personal website, www.theartofhomemaking.com
I encourage you to read my regular column about home management and family living the second Monday of each month. The February 12th topic will be "One Woman's Story of Depression — How She Managed Her Home During Her Illness."
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