Archive for January, 2008

26
Jan
08

*blush*

My children love…Deal Or No Deal.

I am a little humored. I am a little embarrassed.

I don’t know when or how they started liking it. We only watch it when we happen to find it on TV. A couple days ago, however, I overheard them say “deal!” to their occupational therapist. They laughed…hard…and then proceeded to ask me if the boys watch the show.

I’m not complaining. It has been an excellent tool in teaching them math! Especially Sammy. He’ll say “I want five-teen” and I say “No, that fifteen.” LOL.

Maybe I could use a 3 and 4 year old’s love of the show to get me on there to win the big million?! What do you think?

24
Jan
08

Excellent Household Tips!

A sealed envelope – Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.

Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords
. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won’t refreeze.    

To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax  will  fall out.

Crayon marks on walls? A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort.

Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops?  Rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

Whenever you purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves.  After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, this will be much more economical.  Now a box of S.O.S pads last indefinitely!  In fact, the scissors get ’sharpened” this way!

Blood stains on clothes?  Not to worry!  Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! 

Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don’t wash windows on a sunny day.  They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light  is turned on.

Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.

Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least  3 hours prior to burning.

To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!

To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.

Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces and there won’t be any stains.

Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn’s natural sweetness

Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half, and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

Ants, ants, ants everywhere …They are said to never cross a chalk line. So, get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer……..

Clean a toilet.  Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush.
The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous China

Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry  for two minutes.

Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour  (or longer, if necessary).

Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain  followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.

(Makes you wonder about ingesting Alka Seltzer, doesn’t it?)

24
Jan
08

The Best in Modest Apparel

Great sales going on at my two favorite online sites:

Shade Clothing

DownEast Basics

Be sure to check out Shade’s baby tee. I have like 5 and love them. A tip: order a size larger than you would normally wear at Shade in anything made with 100% cotton. Order as you normally would if it’s a cotton or poly blend.

Check out DownEast’s jewelry- so cute! I would also kill for their Harmony dress!

Happy shopping! Especially you, Kacie. I know how much you love to shop!

23
Jan
08

Just my luck!

It’s cold here. I’m mean…cold.

I ordered a good coat the other day (for the first time in a long time) and the sizing chart told me what it believed would be the best size for me. I took their advice reluctantly and received the coat today. And so it goes…the sleeves are way too long (and I am tall) and I could almost wrap it around me twice.

I really needed the coat, but instead of getting to nuzzle up in it today, I slapped on the return label and shall wait on its return. Only problem? Now it says the size I originally wanted is unavailable. Great. I guess I’ll be on the phone with customer service this afternoon.

19
Jan
08

Fruit Roll Ups

I bought the boys some fruit roll ups for the first time in their entire lives a couple days ago. They have really enjoyed them and you know what? So have I! I forgot how much I loved fruit roll ups. I really would like a food dehydrator so I could make my own and they wouldn’t have all those preservatives, but for the time being I am loving fruit roll ups!!!

17
Jan
08

Who knows the trick?

What is the best way to successfully move into a house? I cannot seem to ever get to the boxes because of cleaning. Every day by the time I feed the husband, the kids, and the dog, get them all dressed (minus the dog), get dressed myself, brush my hasn’t-been-washed-in-4-days hair, take out the trash, unload the dishwasher, find an activity for the boys, pick up scattered toys, put in a load of laundry, get the boys a snack, I’m too tired to unpack boxes!!!

What do you suggest? Should I let some of the cleaning go and go on a mass box emptying party? In my house, I can’t let the dishes and the laundry go, but maybe if I let some other things slide, they would certainly still be there when I got the boxes unpacked.

Someone help me! I’m swimming in a sea of boxes.

P.S. The computer is the kitchen is probably quite the distraction as well=)

17
Jan
08

Stainless Steel

I always wanted stainless steel appliances. Now that I have them- I am rethinking them. They show everything!!! I am cleaning them like 3 times a day.

Seriously though- I love them. I just don’t know how compatible they are with tiny little curious fingers.

17
Jan
08

The perfect will of God

As believers, we are called- no, commanded- to seek God’s will for our lives. For some perhaps this comes easy. As for myself, you may as well call me Jacob because I often find myself wrestling with God. I like my way. My will. Of course I pray for God’s will to be done in my life, but I often have a difficult time putting it into practice. I am impatient. I dislike waiting. I think my way is best. But deep inside I know it’s not.

God has shown me time and time again that His way is best. His timing is the best timing. My recent wrestling match with God has been such a struggle that I pray on a daily basis “Lord, please work in spite of me.” I fear that God is going to give me my timing and my way and allow me to deal with the consequences of my sin. God forbid.

I would really covet your prayers during this time in my life as I am questioning God’s timing and really hurting inside. This area of my life has always been a struggle as it is something I am so passionate about. Thanks in advance.

17
Jan
08

Plumbing Update

There’s nothing as attractive as a man on crutches who successfully resolves our plumbing woes. I’m so proud of him!

15
Jan
08

Pray for my husband

as he attempts to step in as our plumber today…on crutches.

God be with him.