As we mentioned yesterday, it’s Blogiversary Week, baby (still can’t believe that we have been at this for half a decade). So we had some fun recording an average day in the life from both of our perspectives, so you can see what each of us – and even Clara and Burger – may be doing at any given time. Woop, here it is:
6:00 am – 7:30 am
JOHN: The whole house is sleeping, so I duck out for a 5-mile run down by the river. I’m home by 7:30 and no one even knows I’m gone.
7:30 am – 8:00 am
SHERRY: I wake up around 7:45 and the house is too quiet so I know Clara is still sleeping but John’s not next to me so he probably went for a run. Burger stays in bed, but I drag my butt up and walk straight to the office and sit down in front of the computer where I see John sitting at his desk squeezing in a few minutes of work between his shower and Clara waking up.
SHERRY: I check blog comments and answer a few questions and then glance at my planner which always looks like this. I know it’s crazy, but it makes sense to me (I use it to write notes about post ideas, appointments/calls we have, book promo stuff that we have to do, deadlines for articles, etc). I check what’s going on for the day and notice that I owe a little blurb to a magazine by 2pm today (wish I could tell you which one!) for an article they’re writing, so I just dive in and get it done so I don’t forget or feel rushed later.
8:00 am – 9:00 am
JOHN: I hear Clara starting to stir, so I go say good morning, change her diaper, and sit her down for some breakfast. While she’s chowing down on some yogurt, I try to get organized for the day – which includes writing out a few things I have to do and grabbing the coupons that Sherry has cut out for a trip to the grocery store later.
SHERRY: I continue answering comments and Facebook questions and then play with Clara for a little bit (since once the post goes up around 10am I usually don’t get to spend much time with her for a while). She’s great at playing independently, but we like to connect with her a few times a day and really get in there and interact. Besides, I might like her play kitchen even more than she does…
SHERRY: Once I get Clara dressed for the day, John and I hop back on our computers while Clara plays on her own – taunting Burger with her snack.
9:00 am – 10:00 am
JOHN: I make some scrambled eggs for me and Sherry to wolf down before having to get Clara off to today’s activity: music class. It’s just one day a week for thirty minutes at a local church (the program is called Musikgarten), but she loves it.
SHERRY: I proof-read the post that’s going to go up at ten. Proofing usually involves previewing what we wrote to make sure photos are centered and reading it through at least two times (sometimes three times if it’s a detailed tutorial- just to make sure things make sense and are in order and I haven’t written “I love panting” instead of “I love painting”). I also add links to things that I reference. We still average about two typos a post so I can’t imagine how bad it would be if I didn’t read things through beforehand.
JOHN: Clara and I give mommy a kiss (Burger’s too hard to catch) and we hurry off in the car for music class.
SHERRY: Sadly I have to miss Clara’s music class since it runs from 10:00 to 10:30 (which is right when the post goes up and I usually have 100+ comments that I have to approve/respond to). I used to get to go when her class was later in the day, but after it got moved up I tried going to a 10am class and just letting comments build up and answering them after class but it was too crazy (lots of the same question and confusion over something that could have easily been explained if I had been “on”) so it just works better for one of us to work and for one of us to go to class with Clara – at least for now. Here’s hoping her next semester will be a later class again, so we can both sneak out to spend that hour a week singing songs with her and dancing in a circle (I promise it’s just as awkward and hilarious as it sounds).
10:00am – 11:00 am
SHERRY: I get the morning post up and squat comments for the next hour while John and Clara music class it up. I can’t wait for them to come home so I can hear what I missed from Clara, like “the little boy was dancing so nice – I think it was wonderful.” One of her favorite things to gaze at while she’s at the church for her music class is a little diorama of Noah’s Ark. She’s in love with it. So there’s always some time accounted to staring at that before and after class. Meanwhile, over two hundred comments roll in over the course of the hour, so I’m at home furiously trying to keep up with them and answer every last question that comes in.
11:00 am- 12:00 am
JOHN: Since we’re already out and about, Clara and I head out to the grocery store to reload on some essentials.
SHERRY: I take a break from comments and glance at my email but it’s crazy so I just skim the page and delete the junk mail so the number in my inbox goes down a smidge. Because seeing 84 new emails at 11am when there were none the night before can make your head spin. A lot of it is sponsor & giveaway stuff along with book stuff (tour scheduling, press blurbs or fact checking things they need, etc). Mixed in there are sweet reader letters that we love. I save those and read them out loud to John a few evenings a week so we can permasmile at my laptop together.
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
JOHN: I get home with Clara and spend some time unloading groceries while Clara runs off to play with her trains. Then Sherry and I chat a little about a new project we want to tackle next week and start planning what we’ll need to do first, what we might need to pick up at the store, etc. I also send out a few sponsor emails and coordinate next week’s giveaway along with making sure I have the right image for the one that will go up this week.
SHERRY – After John and I chat about that new project together for a while, I answer more blog comments, get through a few emails, and I’m just about to begin writing a post for the next day when Clara comes in and asks for lunch. She had been playing at her desk with her crayons and messing around with her dollhouse, but it’s officially lunch time, so momma needs to get on that.
SHERRY: We all take a break and meet at the dining table for some grub. We usually just eat some soup, homemade deli sandwiches, or hummus and flatbread but John actually picked up sushi for us while he was at the grocery store, so we chow down on that while Clara has some tomatoes, grapes, hummus, and crackers (and takes a nibble of california roll).
1:00 – 2:00 pm
JOHN: Lunch is done, so it’s back to the computer to finish up my emails. Meanwhile Clara’s running in and out of the room playing with some books and small plastic animals. Occasionally she calls us for some help, but most of the time she’s psyched to do her own thing. Speaking of doing their own thing, I let Burger out to do some early afternoon acorn hunting. He takes his job very seriously.
SHERRY: I proof-read as much of the afternoon post as I can (it usually goes up between 2 and 2:30) and then I finish up by adding some links, catching some more typos, fixing a few unclear parts, and it’s finally ready for me to publish it right before two o clock rolls around. Then since I have five minutes left in the hour I squeeze in some train-board time with Clara, and Burger ambles over to see what’s going on.
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
SHERRY: Two o’ clock means it’s time for Clara’s nap (she just takes one a day, usually from around 2-4) so I change her diaper and tuck her in. Our routine is super fast (sound machine on, curtains closed, lights off, kiss, door closed) and then it’s back to answering comment questions for the rest of the hour.
JOHN: We’re sharing a video in a few days (our annual Q&A one), so since we already recorded the footage yesterday, I get to work on editing the video. I have to find music, edit the clips down since a bunch of them are super long, and just generally clean it up and add transitions and type so it all makes sense. It usually takes me about three hours each year since it’s our longest video and it has tons of questions and answers (and I’m married to a talker!), so by the end of the hour, I’ve made a small dent in the assignment.
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
JOHN: I’m itching to keep plugging away on the video since I’m in the zone and Clara’s sleeping, but we have a book call at three to talk about the still-not-finalized tour schedule (we’ll share all the dates with you guys as soon as they’re pinned down!), hammer out what we’ll be speaking about at each location, and do some other book-launch planning stuff. It’s funny how we thought that once we sent in the manuscript it would be nice and quiet, but planning all of those events, scheduling things, and doing little press interviews just picked up where writing and shooting left off. It’s exciting though, so we’re not complaining. At this point the book is like our third kid (behind Clara and Burger of course).
SHERRY: Our call lasts the whole hour but we’ve hammered out a lot of stuff so it feels good. I hop back on comments with big plans to write a post as soon as I’m done with a few quick comment answers.
4:00 – 5:00 pm
JOHN: I get back into video editing and then take about 15 minutes at the end of the hour to edit and size photos for a post that we’ve already written for tomorrow afternoon (the thing about sharing 8 posts in a 5 day period is that we’re always working on finishing some that are already written, writing new ones, and answering questions for the ones that are already up). Thank goodness Sherry is a list-maker or we’d never stay organized.
SHERRY: Before starting that post that I planned to write, I click back over to my email and see a few urgent things I have to respond to for our publisher and our accountant (he’s running some numbers for our next quarterly tax payment, so he has a few quick questions). I finally get to start that post, but about ten minutes into it Clara wakes up, so I go get her and hang out in her room for a little while with her at her request. I’ll admit that for some of the time I’m anxious to finish that post hanging over my head, but it’s nice to just chill with Clara in her room for a little while (John and I attached to our laptops all night long, so little slivers of time away from it during the day keep us sane).
5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
SHERRY: I’m back in the office trying to write a little more of that post while Clara plays with a box of spare ribbon on the floor behind me (she has loved doing that since before she even turned one – it’s pretty cute).
JOHN: About half-way through the hour, the ribbon-playing has lost its magic and the bean is restless and ready to get out of the house, but I have one last phone call to take care of. We’re coordinating a really complicated giveaway so it takes a little bit of planning with that vendor. Stay tuned for it in a couple of weeks!
JOHN: My call takes around twenty minutes and then we’re ready to pile into the car. We’re off to Home Depot (one of Clara’s favorite places, believe it or not – she even recognizes the logo and squeals “Yay! Home Depot!” when she hears a commercial for it on the radio). We need to grab some materials for a little bathroom project that we’re planning, so after I make a sketch of what we need and Sherry and I tape things off to be sure we like where it’s headed, we all pile into the car (Burger included).
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
SHERRY: At Home Depot we pick up what we need while Burger and Clara get their kicks in the car-shaped cart.
SHERRY: Then since we’re out we decide to stop to grab dinner at Chipotle, which is at a walking mall near our house. That way after we eat we can all walk around for a while and soak up the fresh air and the nice fall evening. We usually eat out sparingly (and try to choose places like Chipotle or Jason’s Deli so the food is nice and fresh) and otherwise we’ll eat at home, where the average meal can be anything from spaghetti or perogies to veggie chilli, bean burritos, rotisserie chicken, or veggie burgers.
JOHN: Walking around this particular mall after getting to eat there is especially nice because Clara loves it and it’s even dog friendly (so Burger’s allowed into the stores with us too).
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
JOHN: We’re back at home and have unloaded our Home Depot materials from the car, so this is sort of family hour in our house before Clara goes off to bed at eight. We do our best to log some good reading-time with her and also end up scribbling with crayons, and talking about our day.
SHERRY: Burger is usually full of energy around this time of the day, so he’s bounding around the sofa and Clara’s laughing and chasing after him. But 8 o’ clock is here before we know it and it’s time to put that baby to bed. After brushing her teeth and slipping her into some pjs, we just do the same nap routine for nighttime (sound machine on, curtains closed, lights off, kiss, door closed) and she’s snuggled up under the quilt I made her and pretty close to drifting off by the time I shut the door.
8:00 pm – 10:00 pm
JOHN: Once Clara’s in bed, we usually get most of our work done. Tonight it’s more video editing for me along with some other post writing and picture sizing.
SHERRY: I’m finishing up some other posts, trying to get a head start by proof-reading the post for the morning, answering some emails, and looking at a bunch of Reader Redesign submissions (all of which get me so inspired that I want to hop off the sofa and paint/upholster/rearrange something, haha).
10:00 pm – 12:00 pm
JOHN: It’s pretty normal for us to have both of our laptops fired up until around midnight, but we try to get cozy and sit on Karl with the TV on in the background so it feels more casual. Some nights we do major DIY stuff together between 8-12 (like building/painting/demo/etc) instead of sofa-computer stuff since during the day it’s hard to get anything other than very small projects done with the bulk of our comments rolling in and a toddler running around, but not tonight.
SHERRY: We sit in front of the TV (The Voice is on, and then it’s Parks & Rec time) and I finally finish the post that I’ve been writing on and off all day. It’s normal for a post to take us around 2-3 hours total (usually not all at once) since we have to edit/size/upload photos along with writing things up (that doesn’t include the time it takes to buy materials and do the project). Unless it’s fast like a giveaway – those only take around 30 minutes to write, but probably take an hour or two to coordinate via email beforehand. Around midnight we finally decide it’s time to put the laptops away and get ready for bed. We’re zonked.
12:30
SHERRY: Burger, John, and I climb into bed and we lay there recapping some of the highlights & challenges of the day and then do a quick run-through of any important tasks that we have to knock out tomorrow (gotta finish building/painting something, write two posts, proof two posts, and hop on two more calls). Before we know it, we’re out cold, with Burger and Bearger beside us. Zzzzzz.
Psst- You can check out how things have changed over the years by peeping this rundown from last year, this one from the year before, and this one from the year before that.
Update – Some of the most frequent requests that we get are for info about professionally blogging (how we made our site, how we grew our following, how we make money, etc) so we shared all of the details about how we started a blog, grew our traffic, and turned it into a full time job.
Tasha says
Do you guys feel goofy posing for those photos (the ones of the two of you)? And is Clara pressing the remote in that photo of you three at the round table?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes!!
xo,
s
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
I just love when you do these posts….it gives people an idea of how much REALLY goes into writing a blog post and keeping everything maintained.
I also had no idea that you all did “comment patrol” which is awesome. I have always loved how you respond to so many of your comments, a lot of blogs just let people rattle. You all make it so personal. I think that is my favorite thing about YHL…you actually care :)
AND I looove the picture where Clara is on a book or something looking out the window behind you. Precious!
Laura says
Wow, what a busy day! Have you guys ever considered hiring an assistant to help handle administrative stuff? Maybe it’s not your style, but it sounds like if you take on any more you might be able to use an extra set of hands!
YoungHouseLove says
We have thought about it but so many things need us to do it (we wouldn’t want someone else answering comments, writing posts, doing interviews, etc) and I guess since we’re happy little DIYers we don’t mind doing it ourselves :)
xo,
s
Mandy says
I almost hate to make a comment because now I understand how much time goes into approving them! But I really have to say, you guys are nuts! I had no idea just how much work goes into your blog and I commend you both for it! I love reading your posts, so keep up the excellent work, but if you drop down to 1 post every other day, I would understand why. Keep the love coming!
fabiana says
Wow…could have never guessed you guys spend this much time on your blog! Your schedule kind of makes me want to erase my crazy idea to start a blog! Well, congrats because all the hard work is paying off. And by the way, i am OBSESSED with your office wall stencil project…i will soon copy that project because it’s AMAZING! Thanks for all the hard work you put into this!
xoxo
Krystle Clark says
Holy Smokes Ya’ll are some Busy Folks!!
Miranda says
Wow! I feel exhausted just reading about y’alls day. HAHA! Have you guys ever thought about hiring an editor or assistant? (You guys write and they proofread/arrange/answer emails?)
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve definitely thought about it, but so many things that we do are things we believe that we need to do personally (we don’t want someone else writing posts, answering comments, answering emails, etc) – I guess we’re just old school and we like to write those things ourselves. We’re such shameless DIYers we like to do even that stuff ourselves. Haha!
xo
s
Liz says
Is it wrong that when I read John takes a run down by the river I immediately thought of Chris Farley’s motivational speech warning David Spade and Christina Applegate not to end up “living in a van down by the river?”
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahha!
xo
s
Alexis says
I love the green and blue blanket you use on your couch! Great colors and also looks so soft. Where did you find it?
YoungHouseLove says
That was a gift from a friend, but the tag says “in2Green” on it. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Heather says
What a great post. I love the picture of you and John chilling on the sofa- it looks like a really nice way to get some work done and have some together time too. I can’t help thinking how much easier life is going to be when a certain little somebody is bundled off to kindergarten…. :)
Lydia says
You guys really earn your weekends and vacations! Your schedule is full. Please don’t burn out!
Preetz says
The best part of reading these kind of posts from across the pond is knowing where you eat, where you hang out, how the house looks au naturelle, clara’s sartorial choices and burger’s big brown doe eyes! :)
Jessica says
So we could all save you a lot of time by just not commenting! ;)
Shelley @ Green Eggs and Hamlet says
This is one of my favorite posts that you guys do all year long. Don’t get me wrong, of course I LOVE the DIY and inspiration stuff (thank you for that, by the way!), but there’s something so neat about you guys letting us into your world for a day to see what it’s like. You guys have such an awesome little family foursome and it’s fun to see how it all works. Selfishly, I must ask, would you consider doing a day in the life post a few times a year?
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, that could be fun! I’m open to it for sure. We’ll have to see if things change a bit during the tour or something and then we might want to document that!
xo
s
Caitlin says
Holy buckets. What a busy life!! It makes me appreciate this blog even more– one of my favorite things about it is how predictable the posting is (not in terms of content! but just that you guys are so consistent about posting)… when other blogs might post at any time of day, or skip days, I always know there will be a YHL post to entertain/amuse/inspire me. And you two make magic. So, thanks. :)
Brandi Gautreaux says
Y’all have unbelievable dedication. I love my job, but I also love to leave my job behind. Seems like y’all never get a break. Y’all definitely deserve more blog free vacations.
Vanessa says
This is a lovely refreshing post considering most of my days since last week has been spent taping and painting and going back and forth to the store for some paint supplies. :)
how2home says
I love this kind of post! It’s interesting to see what other people do through out the day! I think its so wonderful that you get to do your work at home and spend a lot of time with Clara!
Wrenaria says
Does John sleep in on weekends? I don’t know how he manages on that little amount of sleep every day. I’d probably be dead within a week. ;)
Fun post, by the way. Always enjoy reading how people live their lives behind the scenes.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, he sleeps in about two days a week (usually Sunday and Wednesday). That man is crazy. Haha.
xo
s
Chelsea @ Riding Escalators says
So fun to get to see a “Day in the Life Of” post! Sounds pretty crazy – but in a completely fun way! The hubs and I also like to wind down with Parks and Rec too! SO excited for the season premier on Thursday! :)
Robin says
In the pic of Clara and John eating, they have the same expression! Noticed it after the question about the stroller. :)
Beth M. says
Congratulations on 5 years! You guys are really fun to keep up with… I love checking in every day to see what’s new. I’m sure working from home is challenging. You all do a great job and I’m so happy for your successes!
Keep up the hard work!
Beth
Michelle @ AM Dolce Vita says
This is such a sweet post and I’ve already enjoyed reading what’s going on in the YHL world. You guys are living a dream yet still so disciplined. What’s with getting up at 6am? :) I’ve pre-ordered the book and can’t wait to actually have it. Keep up the good work!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, I know right? John’s crazy! But he swears those mornings runs clear his head and keep him sane.
xo
s
gina says
How often do you waste time? I go online to pays bills and I am on Pinterest STILL an hour later. Either of you ever catch the other goofing off and just not into one of your super busy days?
YoungHouseLove says
I think we waste time on the weekends or at night sometimes. That’s when I’ll check out Pinterest or my google reader and John will dive into Facebook, never to be seen again. Haha!
xo
s
Anna says
You guys are such an inspiration! It’s important to do what you love, and sometimes it will transform into a career. Very cool. You’ve inspired me to explore my Home/DIY side a bit too. I’ve been reading for a while now, and I learn new things all the time… your penny tile kitchen even inspired me to do a penny tile coffee and end table! Yay blogiversary!
Lauren says
I have a serious question for you. Why is Ron Swanson never nominated for an Emmy?
So sad…
YoungHouseLove says
Hahahaha, so true.
xo
s
Jessica says
Love this post – thank you for letting us all share a glimpse into your day in the life. I think you do more work in 1 day then I do in 1 week sometimes. Question for you – does Clara ever want to “help” when you are on your laptops? We work from home a lot at night and our 2-year-old always wants to be typing away right along with us.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, she even sent my BFF a text the other day! I didn’t even know she had my phone and then I heard a text come in from my BFF that said “hi Clara!” – I scrolled up and she had sent a bunch of jibberish in a text to her. It was hilarious!
xo
s
Claudia Artiga says
I spend hours and hours reading your blog, I love everything about it. I wish that some day I can do my own DIY projects and have a beautiful house and family like yours. Happy Blogiversary!…Hugs from El Salvador :D
YoungHouseLove says
Aw thanks Claudia! Hugs back atcha from Richmond!
xo
s
Amy says
so do your weekends look like this too? would love to see a bit more of a “relaxing” day for you guys too!! I’m assuming weekends are spent working on projects so that you have material to write about the coming week!! Love your blogiversary weeks-they’re so interesting to read!
YoungHouseLove says
On weekends we try to have more relaxing/family time (sometimes we have parties with relatives to go to, and other fun stuff that help us unwind) and then other times we do projects on the weekend since the blog is quieter and we love to seize the day! It really depends ;)
xo
s
Michelle says
I just love your blog SO much. I totally get the warm fuzzies reading posts like this. It’s so great to see such a tight knit family.
I have to echo everyone else, you work WAY more hours than most would think! I definitely respect you guys and how much work you’ve put into your blog! I also love that you connect with your readers in the comment section. You’re one of the only big blogs I’ve seen that does that, and I think it makes all the difference. :)
Michelle says
P.S. Ron Swanson all the way! That episode was so great!! I love you guys even more now.
Kylie M says
Not sure if this has been asked and answered, but how do you get Clara to sleep like that?! My 3 year old make us rock him endlessly. I would love to just tuck him and an go!!
YoungHouseLove says
We’re not sure if it’s nature or nurture. All the Petersik kids (John has three sisters) who have kids do the same routine, which was once their routine (very simple, in and out), so John suggested we try “the Petersik method” and it worked! I mean in the beginning when Clara was tiny she definitely had to be soothed to sleep a lot more, but around 4 months in we started putting her in her crib when she was super drowsy but not asleep and that method, along with the short and simple routine seemed to work, so we’re still at it! Haha.
xo
s
elite matchmaking says
Do you guys have the cutest life or what?! I think so.
louise says
Lordy!I fell pretty lazy after reading that! I sit in an office all day (on my bum) then get home, sit on said bum once more and read your blog lol! Im in awe of you both – i’ve heard people say how they love to sit at home all day ‘doing a blog or something’ well imight just send them the link to this post, that would be a rude awakening ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, yes, I’d definitely say that’s a big misconception! My theory is that usually if you have enough people reading your blog for it to be your full time job, you’re most likely doing the work of at least four people (for example, many big companies who have the same traffic on their site/blog usually have a team of people working on it). But for two DIYers like us who work from home, it’s a lot more grass roots than that. Haha. John and I are the IT department, the writers, the editors, the photographers, the project coordinators, the designers, the childcare… we try to do it all! Haha :)
xo
s
louise says
excuse the typo’s in that – some of m buttons on the keyboard don’t work as they should ha!
thanks for replying Sherry, it’s nice to know when people leave a comment that you two are actually seeing them :) I mean, you answered mine within minutes and i’m across the pond in the UK lol – can’t beat that for customer services x
YoungHouseLove says
Aw, you’re so sweet Louise! We’re so grateful to you guys for reading our blog :)
xo
s
Cara says
Wow! Who knew so much goes into a blog like this. I’m exhausted just reading about it.
I think it’s awesome that you get to be home with Clara and each other throughout the day and I’m AMAZED at how well she plays on her own. As she gets older, just curious if you have plans for a preschool type thing for her just to get a little variety of activity in and interact more with others.
Also – PLEASE tell us that you take a break from all of this on the weekends and just relax and chill out!
Thanks for all you do and share… there’s a reason you are the favorite blog of SO many!
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, she’s actually already in preschool two mornings a week. It’s just three hours, so after we drop her off we blink our eyes and we’re back at school picking her up, but she loves it so much! On weekends we definitely try to relax more and stay balanced. It’s a struggle sometimes since we both get the urge to do projects since the blog is quieter on weekends and we love to strike while the iron is hot, but some weekends we make ourselves completely relax and we’ll plan an outing or a gathering with the family or our friends, which is so much fun.
xo
s
Karla@{TheClassyWoman} says
Congrats on 5 years! Because I’m a blogger too, I understand what looks like a quick posts can often take 2-3 hours with pics, etc. I think it’s great that you shared all of these details. My hubby and I work from home also but we don’t work on the same projects. Because we are both writers and have many things in common, we spend a lot of time talking about ideas and great new tools and websites.
You guys get way more done than I do in a day and you have a toddler. This was actually inspiration for me too because I’ve been meaning to change up my schedule a bit for a while because I know I’m not maximizing my time in every area. Also, I had to laugh because while we love the pricier restaurants for B-day and Anniversary splurges, our go-to is Chipotle & Jason’s deli also-inexpensive and healthy! :)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, so funny! They’re both so good, sometimes we have a long day and we just say “ok, it’s time for Jason’s” – haha!
xo
s
Sherry from BC says
What a schedule you have. You are so disciplined and it shows in the great blog you produce every day. I could never be self employed like the two of you. I admire your commitment and work ethic. That is why your site gets so much attention and so many hits. Keep up the good work.
Kara says
That was really neat to read! T
Though it boggled my mind a bit to think of you guys planning for a blog post about posting and taking pictures of what you do throughout the day…and then writing up what you did yesterday like it’s “today”. And then also geting all the tenses and references to future or past posts correct. Whew!
Kate says
This was fun to read! It’s so cool that Clara gets so much time with you guys – especially daddy! That’s going to be special to her forever(btw – I have fond memories of Saturday morning trips to the hardware store with Dad). The pics of Burger on the couch are so cute!
katie says
You guys rock!! Sherry, do you ever exercise? Impressed with john’s daily runs.
YoungHouseLove says
I try to get out and go on walks/push the stroller around the neighborhood and sometimes will do yoga at home or some strength training like 50 pushups (back in the day I could do 100, but on a long day I can only eke out around 30). I’m not really a gym person and I have an ankle injury that keeps me from running anymore, but chasing Clara around tends to get me panting sometimes anyway. Hahah.
xo
s
Rachel Schultz says
Is it ever tempting to stay in your pajamas all day?
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes! But that’ll inexplicably be the day the neighbor comes over and rings the bell or the UPS guy peers at me through the window and I get beet red. Haha! So I have a real-clothes-by-10am rule that I do my best to stick to. Haha.
xo
s
Heidi says
You guys are awesome and very dedicated to your craft. :) sounds like most days are pretty swamped. it makes me wonder, at what point will you be busy and lucrative enough with the blog to hire out “employees” – or even just an assistant/intern?
YoungHouseLove says
We’ve thought about an intern or assistant but we’re not sure what we’d want them to do. We certainly don’t want anyone else to write posts or answer comments or write our emails for us, so nearly everything we do for this job seems like something we should do ourselves, ya know? Maybe we’re just such crazy DIYers we like to do everything ourselves, even the administrative stuff. Haha.
xo
s
Sammy says
I love these posts!! It’s so interesting seeing all the things you guys get up to!! And John, 6am??!!! I got up this morning at 6.45 to give the pup a 25min before class and by 2pm I was falling asleep!! Don’t know how you do it!! haha
xx
Carla says
Some months back you wrote a series of posts on the business of blogging, which I loved. I can’t recall if you covered taxes. My husband and I are getting ready to launch some small online businesses and would welcome learning about how you manage your taxes. Examples: How do you keep track of your receipts? What are you allowed to expense? Can you expense part of your monthly mortgage payment? What lessons have you learned about running your home-based business and taxes? I’d be so grateful if you were to post something like this someday. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
We have a great accountant who taught us all that, so I’d suggest hiring something well recommended and sticking to his recs to the letter! We file quarterly taxes, so he works for us regularly to get those together, and while it’s not cheap we think it’s one of those very necessary business expenses to keep us sure that we’re doing everything the right way! As for what we can expense, just business expenses like printer ink, our camera, our computers, etc. We cannot expense a penny that we spend on our house or our projects since they’re for our primary residence (our house is our house, not a business location – which is very important because if you try to write things off that you do to your house, you’ll owe the government a ton of money if you sell your house since it’ll be zoned as a business and not a primary residence). As for quarterly taxes, it’s never fun taking 1/3 of the money you make out of the bank and sending it off to the government (we totally miss the days when it was taken out before we ever saw it) but it’s all part of being your own business! Budgeting and not spending more than you can is definitely key so you’re not broke at tax time :)
Oh and there’s more on this subject here for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/2010/09/blogiversary-iii-behind-the-yhl-scenes/
xo
s
Vanessa says
Congratulations on 5 years! You guys are so hard working, down to earth, and awesome people! I also love how Burger gets to go to Home Depot and the mall! I wish we had pet-friendly stores here! Can’t wait til your book comes out. Hopefully you will stop by the NYC/Long Island area. :-)
Jen@The Decor Scene says
WOW your schedule really is crazy. Long hours. I’m tired just reading your day. I wouldn’t be able to function with that amount of sleep and have all of that work to do the next day. You guys are awesome!!! Love your blog! :)
Cassie says
Do you guys eat any read meat? I noticed that you said that you eat veggie burgers and veggie chilli, but rotisserie chicken.
I’m so jealous that Clara plays independently. We moved from a 1 story apartment to a townhouse, so our 3 year old hates being upstairs playing in her room by herself anymore, and we also have a 1 year old who is pretty clingy! We’re looking to buy a house in the spring and we’re either going to have to make sure we have a room downstairs for a playroom or get a 1 story house :(
Have you guys done a post about house buying? All the nitty-gritty details? I’ve been through part of it but I’m curious about how you guys went about it.
YoungHouseLove says
Maybe we eat red meat once a week or less? We definitely do the veggie thing most of the time with some chicken/fish and only a little red meat when we’re craving a burger or something. Haha. Although I do get the barbacoa at Chipotle in my salad. So good!
xo
s
Amanda says
Love getting inspired by your blog! Just curious, do you and John ever get any time just the two of you, like a date night, where you’re out of the house without Clara?
YoungHouseLove says
About once every few months we end up asking Grammy to babysit and we try to go out to dinner, see a movie, or go to some fun thing like a comedy show. I wish we could do it once a month (that’s always the intention) but we blink our eyes and it has been eight weeks! Haha.
xo
s
Kari says
You two are so awesome! From running to great diets, to how you raise your babies. Fur babies are babies too lol. Then on top of all that the mass amount of effort it must take to keep up with the business of blogging and books and projects. I know you guys aren’t perfect but that’s what’s more inspiring. If you two were perfect, we’d all give up. The fact that you’re human and creating a great life for you and your family inspires readers, or at least this reader, to do the same :) Love you guys! Congrats on 5 years!
Mekenzie @ Interiors by Kenz says
I don’t know how you guys do it! You are amazing bloggers, parents, and people.
Donna Hoover says
I had no idea that we (the readers) take up so much of your time. Maybe thats why you have been so successful? And also so much fun to read:)