May 10th, 2026

A Place for Everything: Preserving Your Sanity with a Personal Plan

“If a home doesn’t make sense, nothing does.”

Henrietta Ripperger (Magazine & Book Writer; 1940)

“We long to make sense of the work we do in our home. To master the sacred art and craft of doing it and create a microcosm of serenity, security, and sanity for ourselves and those we love.”

“Getting our houses in order and endowing our children with a respect for, and appreciation of, order is one of the most precious gifts we can give them and ourselves.”

“…one thing is clear: sanity is preserved with planning. Always remember that “plan” comes before “work” in the dictionary and with good reason. But before planning, you’re going to have to think your way through housework, just as you’d approach an overwhelming project at work.”

Tenants to live by…”1. If you take it out, put it back. 2. If you open it, close it. 3. If you throw it down, pick it up. 4. If you take it off, hang it up.”

“Homecaring for me means no clutter. Items have a home in my home and they need proper placement. Dust is more of a seasonal thing for me where I periodically dust and clean glassware. My home doesn’t have to be magazine picture ready, but the common areas need to be tidy so everyone can enjoy and use them without wading through clutter. This a a minimum is my livability quotient.”

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–Ban Breathnach, Sarah. “Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy”. Grand Central Publishing. (1976). Kindle Page 153 to 155 of 501.

I challenge each of you on this blog series to post comments so we all can grow together.