Go Green with Cleaning
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I guess I have always been a “green gal.” I believe in preserving the environment — I take a bag along on walks to pick up trash along the way, I recycle, I reuse… Recently, I have been experimenting with making my own cleaning products. I found a book (yes, at the library in the “NEW” section) that had recipes in it for different cleaning solutions.
I tried the diaper laundry formula and the tub and tile mixture, and both worked just great. I can’t wait to try others. I was lucky enough to find all the ingredients at our local Hy-Vee grocery store (the book indicates you can find these at health food stores or online if your local grocery store does not have a health food section).
I will continue to use these formulas and try others. I hope to fit this into a Brownie Try-It badge, too! I guess I’ll have to buy this book; it’s a keeper.
Get Unstuck!
Filed Under Vitality (food, healthy, activity, sports...) | Leave a Comment
The Hourglass Solution is about getting out of your stuck state and learning that you do have the power to make choices. One of those choices is attitude. As I am “stuck” in an extreme version of the “Sandwich Generation,” I am finding it difficult to care for two small children and an aging mother. By changing the “stuck” state of choosing to care for all instead of seeing it as an obligation — it really makes life more enjoyable!
The book also talks about realizing that you may be on autopilot, and that you need not be. The choice is yours, dare to take a chance to change your life for the better.
Yes, another library summer read!
Summer Reading — Lifelong Learning
Filed Under Arts and Crafts, Parenting and Family Life, Simple Living, Vitality (food, healthy, activity, sports...) | Leave a Comment
How do I use a library?
Well, I first locate the children’s section followed by the “NEW” non-fiction books. Hopefully, they are in a close proximity of each other so that I can keep an eye on my children and browse the new books at the same time.
Although this is my method whenever I go to any library; this summer, I came to the realization that I am really a lifelong learner. I pick books on topics I am familiar with — but want to know the latest tidbits about. I also pick books that just sound interesting to expand my horizons.
These are my first two selections of the summer:
In her book, The Creative Family, Amanda Soule takes us back to basics with our children as “less is more.” Her many ideas spark even more for her readers. Some of my favorites include: having kids transfer a favorite drawing to fabric to embroider, the idea wire, using good art supplies for family drawing time, stenciling a T-shirt. I have tried some of her ideas, and many more are on my list to pull out on a rainy day.
My second selection, Staging Your Comeback, was a bit more of an educational stretch for me. I consider myself rather casual in the beauty area — don’t wear much makeup, simple clothes. In this book, though, Christopher Hopkins tagged me as a “Classic,” and taught me a few tricks that I have already incorporated. The big point here is you can be comfortable without looking “dumpy,” and that it doesn’t take a whole lot of time or money to do so.
I recommend both for a great summer read!