Posted in Uplifting

Birthdays

Today such a large number of our society seem to frown on celebrating their own birthday.

Why is it that its the thing we can’t talk or be honest about. Just the thought of their birthday coming can brings a whirlwind of anxiety, yet we love to celebrate and give huge party’s for others.

Perhaps it is the knowledge that we are not going to live forever, that one day we will breath our last breath. Death for some can be to much to handle and a birthday to them is a reminder of that day is coming.

Life is short, we all have heard this and say it but do we truly get it. I’m thinking a lot of us do not or maybe we get to bussy. I say live this life well and see that each passing birthday is not to be mourned over because of the loss of youth but to embrace the wisdom that age gives. Our body’s aches and pains reminds us that each moment and movement is a blessing not a curse.

Today I am thinking of birthdays because the most wonderful woman was born….my mom. She has shown me how to age gracefully. I feel so blessed to call her my mom and friend.

 

 

 

 

 

Posted in Green Cleaning Tips

Mattress Spray

I was making my bed, I thought since I use this mattress spray daily maybe I should bring back this post and share this great tip that you might not have seen.

I sleep with my little fur baby and because of this my bed can get a little dirty no matter how hard I try to keep her clean, it happens. So every day when I make my bed I take a few extra minutes to spray my sheets with this great spray then  with a dry cloth a quick dusting to spots I see with her fur. The spray dries within minutes then I just make the bed as usual.

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The best part is I get to sleep in a fresh, clean, wonderfully smelling bed every night plus it keeps the spiders at bay.

Nothing can put fear in me and leave me with a sleepless night like the thought of sleeping on a dirty bed with dust mites/ spiders.

Here is a spray you can make up and spray on your mattress or use directly on your sheets.

3 Drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil

3 Drops of Lemon Essential Oil

3 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

3 Drops of Melaleuca Essential Oil

3 Drops of Peppermint Essential Oil

1/2 Bottle of Witch Hazel

1/2 Cup Water

2 oz glass spray bottle

Mix above ingredients, put in a spray bottle. Spray as much as you would like and enjoy the lovely aroma!

Posted in Green Cleaning Tips

Natural Bleach

I enjoy the cleaning power of bleach but since my children were small I began my quest for clean but without harsh chemicals.

In this search I have found a lot of some old and new recipes that do the trick.

This one is natural bleach with lemon essential oils.

20 Drops of lemon essential oils ( I use Young Living oils)

1 Cup  Peroxide

1 Cup Water

Mix together, you may put in a spray bottle to use on any surface that you would normally use bleach on.

 

Posted in Green Cleaning Tips

Toilet Bombs

I find these little gems wonderful to clean the toilet with and without the harsh of chemicals.

Here is a general recipe.

 

1/2 Cup baking soda

1/2 Cup citric acid

1/2 Cup corn starch

25 drops of essential oils

Mix all ingredients together, if not moist enough spray a little water on the mixture.

Spray molds with water pour mixture into molds and let stand for over night. After they are set up put in freezer bags.

 

Posted in Uplifting

Organize

Today I wrap up my word/phrase a day for 30 days of gratitude with what talent or skill I have that I am grateful for.

I am grateful for being organized. I tend to make arrangements and plan activities well,to coordinate any kind of activity is not only a pleasure but something I do well. This has helped me at work and other parts of my life but the most was at home.

From when I first became a stay at home mom this skill came in handy. It kept our house moving along like a “well oiled machine” I was able to keep things caught up allowing me time to play with my kids. Our house was the house to be at so to speak. My children’s friends or neighbor kids were always around making a busy great life but not confusing or crazy from all the kids or activities.

 I was able to work part time and go back to school. I couldn’t have done it and still keep all my hair if I wasn’t organized.

 

Posted in Uplifting

Kandy

Today’s phrase is what family friend I am grateful for.

The one that comes to mind is my best friend’s mom from childhood, Kandy.

Kandy was a mother of eight and also my mom’s friend. She always had a smile on her face with a kindness about her that could put anyone at ease.

I always felt at home at their house. So when I was able to spend the night I was on top of the word. Not only could I hang out with my best friend but that time with her was even sweeter because of her mom that even with so many children under one roof she still took the time to make sure not only was I comfortable but having fun.

I think back to that time in my youth and of Kandy and feel so grateful that I was blessed to have not only my best friend and the times we shared but when I was not at home I still had a safe and fun place to be.

Posted in Uplifting

Oatmeal

Sunday’s phrase for  gratitude was..What small thing happened today that I am grateful for.

I am grateful for my oatmeal, yes oatmeal! I do enjoy oatmeal and on most mornings even at a restaurant I have been known to order oatmeal but Sunday as I sat at my table looking down at my bowl I smiled because not only was it tasty but it was the right temperature and texture with just the perfect amount of soy milk.

I know it seems like no big deal to  most but I had in front of me the perfect bowl of oatmeal and I didn’t have to get up and do anything. No one wanted a thing from me. The whole time it I was savoring my oatmeal I was alone it was quiet and I had the most perfect bowl of oatmeal, what a great way to start a Sunday.

 

Posted in Uplifting

Faucet

Today’s phrase is what small thing I use daily am I grateful for.

I pick faucet, they come in all shapes, colors and types depending on what room or design. I take theses wonderful inventions for granted. I walk over turning on the faucet with out a second thought.

The valve shutting water on or off dates back to the Egyptians and Romans. Over years they slowly evolved, one person we can thank for one of our modern style is  Al Moen, in 1937 after working hard and needing to clean up turned on the old fashion two handle faucet and got sprayed with a bursts of hot water, not enjoying that and being an inventor the rest is history.

I am so grateful!! For starters I  don’t need to go get water. I don’t have to pump to get it. All I do is lift ot turn a faucet on and water comes out.

 

Posted in Uplifting

What Form Of Expression

Today’s word is a phrase, what form of expression am I grateful for.

Such endless possibilities of expression but today I am grateful for a creative and enjoyable form through cooking.

I had the blessing to grow up learning how to cook from my mom who not only knew how to cook well but knew how to teach a very energetic girl. Because of that from a early age I learned how to express my self through cooking. My sweetest memories are cooking with my mom. Then as a mom myself having the music of little ones to serenaded me as I cooked and to teach them how. My kids would always say that the secret ingredient in my cooking is love.

I know the pleasure of being in the kitchen creating. All else doesn’t matter, time almost stops and stands still for me then when all is done the meal will be eaten,enjoyed and savored.

I am not one who likes to eat fast or on the run but to sit enjoying food that I cooked with my loved ones. This is my form expression that i am so grateful for today.

 

Posted in Uplifting

What Moment

Yes I am caught up on blogging!

Today’s what moment this week I am grateful for has to be having both grandsons on my lap.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of spending the whole day with my daughter and her two boys at the lake. All day in the sun with our toes in the sand splashing in the cool water. Eating our sandwiches with the extra bonus of sand, playing until all of us were so tired that the little ones got a bit whiny but didn’t want to admit packing up was needed. This was so wonderful.

We get home eat my grandsons had a bath then as they are all ready for bed walked up to me as I sat reading, my oldest grandson who’s four looked at my lap and said “grandma you have two legs one for me and one for Bubba”.

As they  crawled up and sat I could help but feel my heart swell as I swallowed the lump in my throat. For just about five or so minutes we just sat still. I closed my eyes breathing in the sweet smell of little ones fresh out of the bath. Remembering the day we had was so fun but the quietness just holding them and being in  moment, I am so grateful for.