Keeping a clean house is literally a full time job, hence why services exist to clean our homes. Cleaning is a dirty job. Yes, such an oxymoron. All the elbow grease and oomph you put into keeping a clean home. From the laundry to the dishes, vacuuming to the dusting, scrubbing and mopping. I do my best in our house to keep each room clean as we go about each day, while this is idealistic with three kids, we give it the old college try. As I mentioned in my DIY Softscrub and Ajax post, my kitchen is the most beloved room in my house. Nirvana, a sense of zen and peace wash over me while in my kitchen, so I go to great lengths to keep it clean. Bathrooms, however, are at the top of my least favorite room in the house, yet the second most important to keep clean. So I needed a DIY all purpose cleaner and spray that could cut through grease and shit…pardon the pun. Continue reading “52 Weeks to Toxin Free DIY All Purpose Cleaner & Spray”
Loving versus Liking Your Kids
Conversations with my various friends have been taking place recently regarding kids, their kids, my kids, etc. The consensus was that they either did not like their children at all or they did not like them when they became teenagers. Wondering a bit at what happens when kids become teens that they suddenly are so disliked by their parents, other than the raging hormonal confliction and new found understanding of the world. I also wondered a bit why some parents did not like their children at all, no matter what age. How can you not like your kids? Loving your kids versus liking your kids are truly different aspects, yet I see them as much the same. Continue reading “Loving versus Liking Your Kids”
Living in a Mad World
Hollowing lyrics play through my ears, a familiar song.
“Their tears are filling up their glasses, No expression, no expression. Hide my head I wanna drown my sorrow; No tomorrow, no tomorrow.”
Listening to these words I am reminded of the craziness of our today, even the smallest craziness of today, parent teacher conferences. Still the melody plays through my mind as I rush through the pouring rain to arrive on time to my meetings at the school. I try to put myself together with my disheveled appearance of being a bit soggy and somber still humming the music in my head. The teacher greets me ever so sweetly and energetically, discussing how hurdles and challenges were overcome for my tenderhearted young man, his genius progress. She goes on to tell me how he has an old soul, so sweet, caring, feeling every experience in life, he is full of emotion. Carrying on she tells me “We need more people like “G” in this world, we are living in a mad world.” The song stops playing in my head. Continue reading “Living in a Mad World”
National Shortbread Day Walkers Shortbread
Today, for instance, January 6th is National Shortbread Day, celebrate today with Walkers Shortbread. The holidays may be over but we still celebrate the little nuance holidays. While I had no idea today was National Shortbread day until I visited the Walkers Shortbread site, I could not help but share this adequately timed holiday to the receipt of my package of Walkers Shortbread cookies. Stories that a magical castle the bakers at Walkers created in honor of the show Outlander on Starz had graced my email as well, so this is how I stumbled upon this wonderful little nuance holiday. If you are a fan of Outlander (and shortbread) like myself you know how cool this castle was to build. Outlander returns to Starz this Sunday January 10th with new episodes. Continue reading “National Shortbread Day Walkers Shortbread”
52 Weeks to Toxin Free DIY Softscrub or Ajax
My kitchen is the most coveted room in the house next to my bedroom. Cleaning with a toxin free cleaner was challenging, so I wanted to share my DIY Softscrub AJjax type cleaner recipe. Have you ever watched chefs and the staff clean a five star restaurant? Yes that is what happens in my kitchen; every surface is scrubbed down, every corner covered by scrubbing and cleaning and the use of hot water and a proper disinfecting cleanser. Literally you could eat off the counters and floors since I am so meticulous about crumbs, dirt, and grime in my kitchen. However I struggled with the use of commercial and toxic cleansers like bleach, softscrub, 409, you name it I used these products in my kitchen and even my bathrooms. The fumes soon became overwhelming after introducing essential oils into my home. So I thought about how my grandmothers would clean their kitchen, their homes. As part of our 52 weeks to toxin free, here is week one and how I began researching a DIY Softscrub or Ajax type of cleanser that was heavy duty but without the toxicity. Continue reading “52 Weeks to Toxin Free DIY Softscrub or Ajax”
52 Weeks to Toxin Free Home
Last year I made the decision to radically transform how my family maintains their wellness. Seven years ago we transformed the way we eat by eliminating toxic, processed food. Yet we did not eliminate all the toxins in our home, we still had cleaners, fabric softener, wax melts, and cosmetics to name a few. All of these compound on themselves with processed, unclean food, which can lead to illness and the off chance of cancer. In an effort to continue to ward off and thwart any illness attack, I was very eager to truly own my health (and that of my family) to the fullest. While I dove in with my essential oils, absorbing as much information as I could and bringing in the oils that would support my family’s wellness, I still felt like I could be doing more to have a toxin free home. Continue reading “52 Weeks to Toxin Free Home”
Santa Club
A conversation the other night at dinner originated from speculation of what Santa would bring children, coupled with the science of his worldwide delivery of presents. As each of my three went about debating their theoretical hypotheses for gift giving and explaining what could be compared to quantum physics to be in two places at once for driving his sleigh, they each shared if they still believed. Evolving the conversation into belief in the jolly old fellow, I was surprised at who maintained faith. What was more entertaining was The Chad’s reaction to my inquiry. Later I pressed The Chad stating that eventually we should “have the talk,” his response was more of what I could expect from Tyler Durden in Fight club. We don’t talk about Santa…what the hell is this Santa Club? We don’t talk about Santa? Why not? Continue reading “Santa Club”
Cheeseball Recipe
Holidays and entertaining are always a stressful time. Keeping visitors and guests at bay for the chef, or cook, of the house is the goal until the meal is ready to be served. Feeding them plenty of hors d’oeuvres and snacks helps divert traffic from your kitchen and allows for wonderful entertaining and mingling. One of my cheesiest and favorite snack items for Thanksgiving and Christmas is a proper cheeseball. Continue reading “Cheeseball Recipe”
Public Enemy
Growing up my home was highly dysfunctional. As a child I thought my upbringing was rather normal, all things considered, but that was not the case. Divorce was unheard of and I was in the midst of the unspeakable with my parents. I struggled as a child, never voicing of the troubles my parents were going through. Never speaking of the troubles I went through as a child, everything was a secret, my closest friends, my mother, no one knew what I was going through, my struggles. Continue reading “Public Enemy”
Gold Toe Socks in your Stockings
Hosted by Networking Perks
Co-Hosted By
Networking Witches
The Five Fish
MumbleBeeInc Deals and Steals
A little Bit of Everything
Canada US Win and Save
The Mommies Reviews
Momma of 4 Cutiez
Chances are you grew up with the name Gold Toe as a household name in your family. They produce a huge variety of quality socks. This year they’ve added holiday inspired socks to their line up. These are even great for everyday wear. They are soft and comfortable and fit as expected. Continue reading “Gold Toe Socks in your Stockings”