LilyKay's Profile

Display Name: LilyKay
Member Since: 6/8/10

Latest Comments...

I agree whole-heartedly with the don't do everything together. Once you have someone else around, you lose the motivation to get out more and seek the company of other people (at least I do, when I'm alone, I'm way more out there).

Have an honest (I'd say almost business-like) discussion of your expectations when it comes to who does what (shopping, cleaning, ...). Major fights spur from different expectations (because let's face it each was raised in a different household with different rules) and different thresholds (you will not believe how long I had to wait before my man decided the place is dirty enough to clean).

After 8 years together and a 2 year old, we finally have it down how to keep the place running in decent condition. I just wish we negotiated it like a business deal before we moved in together and drove each other crazy with our habits.

All of the above said, I LOVE living with my partner. You really become a family then.


Advice & Tips For Moving and Moving in Together? Good Questions
2/13/13 12:59 PM

I let my 2-year-old help me empty the dishwasher (I cannot believe that she did not break one dish yet!), set up the table, sweep floors, wipe up spills, throw stuff into the trash and one of her favorites: clean the dryer lint :)

Whenever she wants to do something, I find a way to let her and it is already paying off. But the best thing is when says "I did it" with a big proud smile.

One thing we both enjoyed the other week is baking a banana cake. I let her peel and cut the bananas with a butter knife. She was over-joyed when the cake was done and insisted that she distributes the plates <3


Putting Aside Perfection: Letting Your Younger Kids Help
2/11/13 2:46 PM

Wow, honestly, one/two presents from us and one present from her Grandparents. I think that is plenty! I never had more than one present at a time when I was a kid (and my parents were relatively well to do) but when I did it was such a big deal to me. I'm planning to bring up my daughter also like that.

Something we're also doing is prepare a gift box for children who are not as lucky as her. She's too young to understand at two but hopefully through the years this will teach her that she has a lot of privileges that should not be taken for granted.


Do Our Children Expect Too Much
for Christmas? the frugal girl
11/5/12 2:17 PM

Honestly, I would do as little as possible until you have lived in the place for at least a couple of months. There is something about using it every single day that will give you ideas instead of trying to figure it out before hand. You'll get a much better feeling for how the light works the room, how the flow is in the house, which areas are going to get a lot of heavy use, and most importantly which areas will be in your face when you walk into the room.


Ways To Revamp Kitchen with Full Reno Coming in Two Years? Good Questions
7/16/12 9:29 AM

I've been living in Germany for 9 years now, and I've been all over Europe. I've never seem Salad served after the meal.. always before or with.
I've heard before about this being a European "thing" but so far never experienced it.


Cultural Differences: Salad Before or After Dinner?
6/22/12 8:03 AM

This looks great and it's an awesome idea for kids! I have a similar project going on our balcony but my (not-yet) 2 year old will not wait for anything. She ate all the tiny wild strawberries before they had a chance to ripen. Some peas managed to grow fully but most were eaten teeny tiny. One berry bush was completely eaten in two afternoons :)


The Toddler Garden, Updated!My Great Outdoors
6/19/12 9:43 AM

That's a good tip. Still I rarely measure anything and don't even own a measuring cup. I eye-ball everything and so far no disasters...


An Old-Timey Measuring Tip for Cooks: The Water Displacement Method
5/4/12 4:12 PM

@Sussu, I hold the toothbrushes in a glass, of which I have another identical one. Every few days, I put the dirty one in the dishwasher and use the clean one. Stays clean and require very little effort.


20 Tips & Solutions To Keeping A Cleaner Bathroom
5/10/11 4:24 AM

I watched one episode and it was horrible. I can't stand clutter and go into throwing-away frenzies every few months.

I was at my MIL's for the weekend. Was in the mood for something sweet. So I open a cupboard and see a box of chocolates (of course crammed on top of many things). I eat one piece and it tastes weird. It expired in 2007 (o_O) I'm really starting to think her clutter problem is a real "hoarding" problem. I've already put the brakes on her buying but-it-was-a-great-deal for us but now we're at the point where if she finds out I'm throwing something away, she tells me that she'll keep it for me in her basement in case I need it :(


Hoarding: Buried Alive | Apartment Therapy New York
6/8/10 11:08 AM