It’s a DIY Day!!!

Hey Loves!

So, I’m not sure if it is nesting, me being a little crunchy or a combo of both but I’ve been researching and making, and researching and making!

The first thing I tried my hand at was diaper rash cream that was cloth diaper safe. Wait-let me back up- there are a lot of ingredients out there that are in baby products that I wouldn’t put on my skin, let alone my baby’s. There are products out there that more natural and safe but they can cost a pretty penny. So, I make what I can.

Back to the diaper rash cream. I liked this recipe because the ingredients could also be used to simply moisturize skin as well. I followed this tutorial to a T- except I didn’t have a double boiler I just melted it on low heat. I think this is why it took longer to set in the glass jar. I used lemongrass essential oil instead of lavender.

Since we are cloth diapering, I found this web page and got the skinny on some easy cloth wipes and wipe solution I can use so I tried my hands at those too.

While I was at it, I made some shower gel for me using this recipe. The soap was a little harder than I thought the break down and I probably could’ve had the water a little warmer to help with that. After the temps dropped, the soap hardened in the bottle making it pretty unusable. Maybe it will work in the summer?

Lastly, I made some toy and surface cleaner for ‘safe’ cleaning of my little guys items. In a spray bottle, I filled 1/3 of the bottle with vinegar and the rest with warm water. I added a few drops of Tee Tree Oil. So far, so good!

I have a little beeswax left so I think some tinted lip balm is next on my radar.

Note: I got the essential oils and beeswax from a local health food store. All the other ingredients I already had. I purchased the flannel for the cloth wipes from a fabric store for $1.59-1.74/yard.

Super-Mom to the Rescue

Hey Loves!

So, it dawned on me the other day that I literally have four jobs…four.

Yes, two require my presence once a week and one is from home. The last, which is actually my first, takes the most time, causes the most headache, pays the least and, ironically, gives the greatest reward. You guessed it. That last one would be my home (such a short word for everything that goes into it).

So, household exec+ 3 other jobs+ leadership positions in two organizations+membership in 2 (other) organizations+church (don’t pay attention to the order these items are listed in)+ doctor’s appointments and physical therapy…yea, you’re probably tired just reading it and this is my life… Every. Single. Day.

How I’m gonna throw loving parent in that list in a few months is literally beyond me. Yes, I know the logical thing to do is cut-back and step away from things but so many other wives and moms do so much more with so much less. They just wake up, adorn their capes and take-on the world. They. Are. Super. Their powers vary and most of them have more than one super power.

Well, I’m super too. So super that I know when to ask for help. And by ask, I may mean sulkily confront my husband about not being able to do it all by myself and needing help while washing and possibly throwing dishes. The details aren’t important, right?

The point is all these super-wives and moms have super-strength…asking for help. It’s not easy. Sometimes it’s even demeaning but, like everything else, it needs to be done and we need to do it.

Until next time…keep using that super strength.

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Spring Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Hey Loves!

Spring has Sprung (and the weather is finally cooperating)! With this season comes road trips, laying out and outdoor parties. It is also bring spring cleaning. Me, being the very odd Mrs. I am simply looooooove this time of year, especially this spring cleaning. Why, you ask? Because (if you can’t already tell) organization and cleanliness literally soothe my soul. I know quite a few of you were over spring cleaning the second read it, but here are some tips and tricks to get you through it!

  1. Get organized: I used this list to guide me and the Mr. through the cleaning. A checklist allows you to tackle one item at a time instead of being so overwhelmed. It also allows you to have a point of reference for where you stopped.
  2. Divide the responsibilities: Get your Mr. or the kiddos involved. You can make it fun by listening music while diving to conquer. If you are sexy and single have a cleaning party. Serve dinner, wine and give favors for your gals pals this will help you out. Also (and this is very important) divide the responsibilities according to skill. My Mr. is not the best scrubber but he is tall (reaching the high spots) great with the vacuum and duster. This is not the time to see how well your husband or child can clean the windows when they have never seen Windex.
  3. Use the right tools: Do your research. Me and the Mr. found that dryer sheets work miracles on base boards. Not only are they easier to clean using dryer sheets, the static in the sheet repels dust! (can we say two-for-one-score!) Dry erasers work really well on door stains and to remove hard water stains on shower doors. Olive oil, lemon juice and baking soda work miracles on a glass top stove. The right tools help you maximize your cleaning time and energy.
  4. Make a schedule: Separate the task so they are achievable by each party. Your life can’t stop because spring cleaning has come but you can work the cleaning in around your life.
  5. Celebrate: When you are done have some cookies, cake, ice cream- whatever is clever. You did it! (and it really wasn’t that bad!)

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