Proverbs 31 - A Wife of Noble Character

........Oh, to be this strong, this wise, this fair....that's what this blog is about after all...... Learning to live well and love well and to do all things for His glory...


GOT SOMETHING TO SAY?

Friday, February 20, 2009

The Replacement

Welcome Skittles 2.0.....

I am a lifelong cat lover, but I don't really even like this cat. Not that it matters, of course, as long as Sophie likes her & she likes Sophie. But I don't. I REALLY don't like this stupid cat.

Pray for me because this kitten appears to be super healthy so I anticipate she'll live until Sophie is in college.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Explaining death to kids

So we've had this kitten, Skittles, for 8 whole days now...well, not whole days because I just came from the vet where we had to have her put to sleep...arrrrgh...

How do you explain sick, runt kitty = dead Valentine's day gift to your four year old? It's gonna be a loooonnnngg day. Sigh.

Cheap Alli @ Rite Aid

Alli is on sale at Rite Aid this week for $44.99. Use the $5/20 Rite Aid coupon (left column coupon bar on this page) plus the $10 coupon HERE from Alli to get your 30 day supply for only $29.99!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Coupons

There is a great $5/$20 coupon at Rite Aid. Click the coupon bar on the left side of this page and print it today - these won't last I'm sure!

Sickness in the house

I've got sickness here again, only this time it's the cat. Yep. My we've-only-had-her-6-days kitten has the grossest upper respiratory infection ever. She's sneezing and wheezing and she STINKS (literally). Yuck. Yesterday, I spent the afternoon at the emergency vet's office (to the tune of $150) rather than watching the Daytona 500 (not that I'm bitter LOL).

She seems a bit better today, but far from 100%, or even 75%. I'm hopeful she will rebound tomorrow.

Menu Planning Monday


I love when it's "Birthday Week" because I hardly have to cook at all :)

Monday - Hot Dogs with my parents
Tuesday - Pizza at church
Wednesday - Pasta, salad, broccoli, garlic bread
Thursday - Breakfast for dinner
Friday - OUT with the hubby
Saturday - Ravioli, salad, bread
Sunday - Lunch a la MIL

Pretty easy week, eh?

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Spring Cleaning 101

Let me preface this entry by saying that everybody (hopefully) cleans at least on occasion and probably does a very good job of it. However, I think my being OCD clean and uber-organized gives me the leg up to tell you just how to do it. Plus, this fulfills my super bossy nature without alienating my husband or daughter. I, of course, use the products I am fond of; you can certainly use what you like.


THE BATHROOM EDITION

First, remove any shower curtains, window treatments, bath mats, and towels. Wash whatever is washable. If an item is not washable (curtains oftentimes), run them through "fluff"(cool air) cycle on dryer to remove lint and dust.

Using a Swiffer duster (or similar wand), dust the light fixtures including bulb(s). Dust all corners for cobwebs.

Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down each drain (including tub and/or shower). Add 1/2 cup white vinegar. Wait at least 5 minutes then rinse with hot water. This will clean the yucky buildup in your drains.

Meanwhile, bring in your vacuum. Using the brush attachment, vacuum the exhaust fan and all cabinetry including baseboards. Use the vacuum to clean any window blinds or shutters.

Empty trashcan and fill with 1 gallon of hot water. Add 1/2 cup Murphy's Oil Soap. Using a terry rag, wipe down all cabinets and baseboards. Dump water, then use the rag to clean trashcan. Air dry upside down while you continue to clean.

Add 1 cup Orange Pine Sol to 1 gallon hot water in bucket. Using a new terry rag, clean shower, tub, and sinks. If heavily soiled, you may need to use a stiff brush. An old toothbrush works great in corners and tight spots. Rinse with hot water. Pour contents of bucket into toilet.

Use toilet brush to clean commode. Wipe down all surfaces of toilet.

Use Windex to clean mirrors, windows, and shower door. Remove all items from counter, and clean surface with Windex. Clean faucets and dry with paper towel.

Sweep and Swiffer floor. Mop with solution of 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon hot water.

When floor is dry, rehang curtains (iron if needed). Replace linens.

Smile because you've worked so hard and accomplished so much! (Can I just add here that I actually did this today in both of our potties, and it is a LOT more work than it looks like onscreen!?)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

To keep it clean:

  • Whenever you change a lightbulb, remove fixture and wash before replacing.
  • Banish bar soaps! Bar soaps are made with glycerin (wax) which leaves the soap scum residue which is so hard to remove. Soft Soap is dirt cheap at CVS every month so buy some.
  • Use a daily shower spray. I like Arm & Hammer best. It's pretty green as cleaners go and has a nice scent.
  • Pick up a squegee at the dollar store and hang it in your shower. It's ideal for keeping shower doors free from water spots, and since it's a TOOL, men dig it.

Friday, February 13, 2009

10 things that aren't worth the money

In these tight economic times, I'd like to offer my top 10 things you shouldn't bother buying:


1. Degree Antiperspirant - I got one free with CVS ECBs, and started using it last week. Two days later, I have no SKIN under my arms. Don't buy this one, and don't take it even if it's FREE!


2. Burt's Bees Very Volumizing Shampoo - This shampoo dries out my hair like super cheap shampoo except that it comes with a fat price tag. I need 1/2 cup of conditioner just to pull a comb through my hair.


3. Sam's/WalMart brand salsa - One word: EWWWWW.


4. Aldi's brand pizza crust - The texture was stale; the taste was foul. We threw it in the trash and ordered in from Paisano's.


5. Method organic daily shower cleaner - Maybe it does work (I can't tell), but the smell is horrific.


6. Sam's/WalMart brand alfredo sauce - Tastes like water/flour paste, not alfredo-y at all.


7. Charter "bundle" for telephone, internet, and cable services - Our alarm went off at least once/month while we had the bundle. In addition, I went through 3 (!!) telephone modems in one year. I went back to Bell in August, and my telephone has worked every day since. AND my alarm hasn't gone off once!


8. Viva paper towels - The texture of these towels is just weird. They are very soft, almost like a super-thick baby wipe. The thickness is adequate for spills, but they are quite lint-y so you wouldn't want to use them for cleaning.

9. Crest Pro-Health toothpaste in cinnamon - Imagine an atomic fireball candy without sugar. Two uses caused major irritation on my gums, and the roof of my mouth peeled!

10. Wish Bone Lite Ranch dressing - Yuck. I HATE the funky "lite" aftertaste. Their regular Ranch is just fine though.


Valentine's Day Dance

I am so excited to be going to a Valentine's Dance tonight! I don't think I've been to a Valentine's Dance since High School, IF then. You are all welcome to join us. Click here for information.

Happy [Early] Valentine's Day


We are now cat-owners (again). My cat, Jabba, died in November 2007 after sharing over 13 years with me. My husband had long ago declared that we were on the "Cat Non-Replacement Program" due in no small part to his raging cat allergies. However, Jabs has been dead over a year and he sneezes no less than he did when she wallowed all over every thing we owned....soooo....we are cat owners (again).

Officially, "Skittles" is Sophia's Valentine's present from me & John. Truthfully, the cat is a sweet gift to me & Sophie from my very dear, very accomodating, very lots-of-nice-things husband!

Monday, February 2, 2009

Menu Planning Monday


Well, last night I almost killed my family with the most decadent dinner and dessert ever: Chicken Pasta Alfredo with salad and garlic bread and S'more cookies for dessert. The cookies were so rich I could barely eat one! I got the recipe from Parenting magazine (thanks Jan & Sarah for the gift subscription!) and will post it later.

This week, I intend for us to eat meals from what I have on hand in the pantry and freezer. The only things I'll need from the grocery are milk, yogurt, and fresh fruit. Cheap week!

Monday: Corned beef hash with potatoes and onions, Eggs, Fruit salad
Tuesday: Turkey noodle casserole with peas and carrots, Salad, Bread
Wednesday: Broiled sole, Baked potato, Green beans, bread
Thursday: French toast, Sausage links, Fruit salad
Friday: Free For All - leftovers, sandwiches...you fix it, you can eat it :)
Saturday: Ravioli, Green beans, Garlic Bread
Sunday: Shrimp scampi, Pasta, Broccoli, Bread

I think that will nearly wipe out my freezer!