Mayday! Mayday! or What to Do When You Find a Red Crayon in Your Dryer

This morning was going so well. Everyone had a good, healthy breakfast. The girls were all busy doing their school work. The bathrooms had been deep cleaned, floors vacuumed and mopped. The third load of laundry had just finished and had piled it all on the couch to fold.

That's when I noticed it....RED wax on EVERYTHING!!!

My husband's favorite new shirt and his favorite pair of jeans were included in this pile and I was about to panic. Immediately, I perused Google and found a post that looked promising. I was skeptical because, I mean, red crayon?? That's a nightmare. But I had no choice but to try it.

I followed Diary of a Doctor's Wife's suggestion and couldn't believe the outcome! Here's what you do:

Turn your washer to the hot water setting. (I even added boiling water as the link suggests to make sure it's hot enough.)
Add, your detergent. Mine is Purex at the moment.
Then, add 1/2 cup white vinegar and 4-5 tsp of dish soap. I used Dawn original.

Put the stained clothes in and let them soak for 15-20 minutes.

Then, run through the normal wash cycle.

Once the wash cycle was done, I rushed to the machine to see if it worked. And MUCH to my surprise, it was AWESOME! It came out of EVERYTHING leaving only two light spots on my husband's favorite light plaid shirt and my daughters light gray pants.

I decided, per the comments on the original post, to run those two items through again using the same method as before. And would you believe it ALL came out!!!!

Now, when my husband gets home, he'll have no idea what even happened. He doesn't read the blog. (Imagine that!!) That'll teach him not to read my blog from now on! ;)

I just had to share this with you because it is bound to happen to some of y'all. All I know is those pesky little restaurant crayons will never sneak their way into my kids' pockets again. They were the culprit.

Happy Laundering!

The Best Window Cleaning Tricks Around {or so they say!}

I love a good cleaning tip. As I sit here typing this, the sun is streaming through my window showing off big filmy streaks where I'd last cleaned them. From up close it isn't visible, but from where I sit it's ugly. Time to clean some windows so those vibrant Fall colors can be seen in all their glory. Dirty windows are probably my biggest pet peeve. I clean once a week at my church where there are tons of windows that inevitably get fingerprints - LOTS of them. The only problem is that even way up high where no one can reach without a 10-20 foot ladder, there is a dusty film. I have found some great ways to clean your windows without streaks.

1. For crystal clear glass, use coffee filters to wipe down the windows instead of a paper towel or clean rags. {Source}
2. Go here to find a natural recipe for No Streak Windows!
3. And this list has several homemade glass cleaners on it that look easy and effective.

And THIS is the BEST Outdoor Window Cleaning Trick EVER. I've been looking for this forever. Windex once had a great outdoor window cleaning system that came with a long-handled wand. The disposable pads went on the wand with the cleaner on them. You just had to spray the windows with the water hose, then, scrub with the wand and rinse the windows off again. The windows would be sparkly clean. Then, I think they discontinued them because I've never been able to find them again. And then I found this recipe from Raining Hot Coupons and I'm so excited! Visit her to see her other window cleaning tips, as well!

How To Easily Clean Your Windows
Ingredients:
8 Cups Warm Water 1 Tablespoon Liquid Jet Dry 2-3 Tablespoons Laundry Detergent or Dish Soap
Instructions:
Mix all ingredients until well combined. Next rinse windows with hose or spray bottle to get off any dirt or dust. Brush solution onto the windows and doors making sure to cover all areas. Windows will now air dry, streak and dirt free. No need to dry off or wipe. You should be left with sparkling results!

Do you have window cleaning tips that you swear by? Do you make your own cleaners? Or do you buy a product that you can't live without?

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the whole series at the tab above {Home Economics}.

Thank you for coming over to visit today! I hope you'll come back soon.

How to Clean the Top of Your Cabinets Once & Never Do it Again

Do you ever wonder how the tops of your cabinets get so dusty AND greasy? It's a part of my kitchen that often gets neglected and very rarely cleaned. I just don't make it a habit to climb up on the countertop and peek over the cabinets. I don't store things there because of this greasy problem, but just because I neglect it doesn't mean it isn't there. I was talking with my mom on the phone as she was cleaning the tops of her cabinets and she told me my grandmother gave her a brilliant idea for keeping the tops clean. I couldn't believe how simple it was or why I didn't think of it on my own, but here ya go...
First, you must climb up there and take a peek. If you haven't done this in awhile, prepare yourself. It's going to be a shock. Here's what I found.

It looks like just a thick layer of dust, at first. But when you start to wipe it off, you'll see just how deep it is and you'll find a nice, disgusting layer of grease underneath. It will not wipe off with a paper towel. Nope. Here's how I cleaned mine off.

Fill a bowl or your sink with hot water and add a couple tablespoons of Dawn dish detergent. I figured it cuts the grease right off those dirty dishes, it can surely get the grease off the tops of my cabinets. And it did.

You've heard of the phrase 'Fight fire with fire?' The only way you can fight grease is with a little elbow grease. It does take a little extra umph to get it off, but I found that if you soak your dishcloth in the soapy water and squeeze it out, but not all the way out, it'll come off pretty easily.

Then, take a napkin or paper towel to wipe up the big chunks of greasy dust that form from all the wiping.

Once you've done that, wipe again with the soapy water just to be sure all of the residue is gone. Let it dry or wipe it dry. Then, you're ready for the next step.

Get your old newspaper or some wax paper or foil, etc. and cut it or fold it to the size you need and lay it up there on top of the cabinet. It will collect all that greasy junk now and leave your cabinet top nice and clean. Next time, just throw away the paper and put up some new. It's as good as new!

Have you ever used this method? Apparently, it's an old trick. Why am I just now finding out about it? I'm definitely using it from now on!

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the whole series at the tab above {Home Economics}.

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The Well Managed Home: Time Management

Home management involves a lot of things, not the least of which is time management. Now that my precious kids are all in school, I find that my need for organization and time management is at an all-time high. It's true that I do have more free time in the sense that I don't have anyone at home demanding my attention from 8am to 3pm. However, I have a lot of things on my to-do list that still will not get done if I'm not organized about it. Time is so very easily wasted. {And we can't always blame it on the kids.} I am learning that having a list to follow everyday of the things I need to accomplish is the best way for me to get it all done. I love checking things off of a list. There's a big sense of accomplishment from that. The older I get the more I need a list to follow because I cannot do it all from memory.
Do this little exercise in time management to see if you are using your valuable time wisely.

• Journal your day starting from when you wake up until you go to bed.
• Write down what you did that day in 15 minute increments. You may want to stop every hour for a second to write it down otherwise you may forget. We do SO MUCH everyday!
• At the end of the day, look over it and analyze how your time was spent.
• Did you find you had several sections of time that were not productive? I know that I do have some that I could be using to do those small things on my list. I'll give you some ideas below.
• Do you have too much on your to do list? It's possible you need to rethink your list and determine what things you need to remove or move to another day/time.

Now, if you have slots of time that are not productive, here are some things you can do in small amounts of time:

• Clean out a drawer.
• Fold a basket of clothes.
• Distribute clothes to a room.
• Wash windows in one room.
• Dust one room.
• Vacuum one room.
• Sweep the porch.
• Clean a half bath.
• Refill paper products - toilet paper, napkins, paper towels.
• Clean mirrors.
• Hang up clothes.
• Write a thank you note.
• Send a card or email or text to someone you need to connect with.
• Write a grocery list
• Pick up everything in one room that doesn't belong and put it away.
• Throw in a load of laundry.
• Switch clothes to dryer.
• Wipe down counters
• Wipe down kitchen sink.
• Clean out refrigerator.
• Empty dishwasher
• Load dishwasher
• ETC.

During this time, you can also make a phone call to return a call, make an appt., pay a bill, etc.

The goal is to multitask when you can and use every slot of time in the best possible way. Schedule some down time if you need it, by all means, but make sure you're not just wasting time when there are a million things to be done.

If there are things on your list that never get done, ask yourself:

• Is this item absolutely necessary?
• Does it benefit my family or cause me to neglect my family?
• Is doing this item causing frustration in me or in my family members? {Maybe from lack of planning, feeling rushed, doing too much...}

Sometimes we place unneeded stress on ourselves by taking on too many committments. I mean, school is demanding, family obligations can be demanding, ministry can be very demanding, sports, etc. We don't have to do it all or be involved in everything that is available to us. In fact, it's impossible to do it all and maintain a balanced family life. Sometimes, we just have to say no. Sometimes, we can say 'later' and even fewer times we can readily commit where the whole family benefits and doesn't suffer. You just have to take these things one at a time as they come because some seasons of life are busier than others and one month we may feel like taking on the world, but the next month be completely maxed out. Balance is the key. Life is a balancing act.

• Determine your priorities ahead of time. {Family, Church, Work, School, etc.}
• What are you willing to sacrifice and not sacrifice from time to time?
• What kind of demands fall into each of those categories?

Plan ahead and when opportunities/demands present themselves, you will already have a plan in place to determine whether or not you should commit.

How do you manage your time? Do you use a daily to-do list? Do you plan each item for a specific time? Or does it work for you to just fly by the seat of your pants? I'd love to hear your tips!

Here are some great day planners you can get for a good deal!
Plan Ahead Mom's 18 Months Planner, July 2013 - December 2014, Assorted Designs, Design May Vary, 1 Planner (85097)

Personal Organizer Notepad Jotter Planner w File Divider Cell Phone Pocket and Calculator

Plan Ahead Medium Home/Office 18 Months Planner, July 2013 - December 2014, Assorted Colors, Color May Vary, 1 Planner (85095)

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the full list at the tab above {Home Economics}.

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How to Sew Without a Pattern

Have you ever wanted to sew something specific but couldn't find a pattern for it? Or you went to look at clothing patterns in the store and all you could find were patterns for clothes with big sailor collars from the early 90s or giant, flowing coulottes or jumpers?  I don't know about you, but those don't really flatter my body type or my style. It can be discouraging and just make you vow never to sew again if that's all the fashion world has to offer those of us that like to sew for ourselves.

BUT, I'm here to tell you there are other options! Hallelujah! We don't have to get stuck in the last decade of fashion mistakes afterall! I'm going to show you ways to sew without buying a traditional pattern. We all like options, right?

When I realized for myself that I could actually sew without a pattern, my love for sewing went crazy! It became a passion. It was also a challenge that I really enjoyed. I'm not suggesting that it will always be successful or easy, but it's a lot more fun to sew things you will actually wear and use. My sewing machine sat in a dark closet for years until I realized this. Now, it's a permanent fixture in my craft room. (And I took the plunge and got a serger, as well.)

First, think about the items of clothing you have that fit you well and you love. I'm kind of on the taller side and it's difficult to find skirts that hit me at the right spot and look flattering on me, so I went to my closet and found my favorite skirt.
Look over your item and investigate how it was sewn together. Are there straight lines? Gathers? Ruffles? Elastic waist? Zipper closure? Now, if it's something that falls into those categories or categories you are comfortable sewing, why not try to make your own pattern from that item of clothing? Or if you're like me, just lay that item flat on top of the fabric you want to use and start cutting!

Check out this tutorial for a basic ladies' skirt that I made - and you can make one, too, with your own favorite skirt as your guide!

Another way to learn to sew something you'd like to make is to hit up Pinterest. There are thousands of tutorials on sewing so many different things on there. It would be hard not to find what you're looking for. If you look and there's not one, let me know! I might try to do one for you on this blog.
Just follow these directions: Go to Pinterest.com. Enter in the search bar at the top left, "elastic waist skirt" or whatever you want to make. It will pull up hundreds of pins. Look through them and see which one you'd like to make. Then, follow the directions.

If you're making a home item such as pillows or whatever, you can do a search or you can measure the item of yours you want to replicate. {I keep a notebook with all of my notes for measuring and fabric needed, etc.} Write down all the specifics that you need to know and go for it! You'll be surprised at what you can make without an official pattern. If there are basic sewing techniques you need to freshen up on, check out my {Sewing Basics} page above. I'm constantly adding more.

Sometimes, you can print patterns for free off the internet for things you'd like to sew. I've done this before and it actually works really well. I've done this on baby items and small things. It's really a great way to get patterns. Google "free sewing patterns" and you'll be surprised what you can find. Even Simplicity, a name we all trust, {who sells tons of patterns in stores} offers free ones online that you can print from your computer.

Don't be afraid to try to make your own pattern, though. Start with something simple like a throw pillow {or try one of my methods here} and then take the next step to something a little more challenging. You'll be sewing up a storm in no time!

What have you tried to sew lately? Did you use a pattern or just wing it? Have you ever made your own pattern?

This is part of my 31 Days of Home Economics series. You can find the whole series by clicking on the tab above labeled {Home Economics}.

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Thrifty Finds + a Couple Tips for Thrifting

I love going to my local thrift stores! We have several around here that price their stuff fairly cheap. I don't find something everytime I go but sometimes you just have to walk out empty handed. These are a couple of my tips for thrifting...

 

1) Go in with a plan or a list. (Or at least an idea of the type of things you are looking for.)

If you go in just to look around you're likely going to come out with stuff you don't really need or have any idea what to do with it. Don't get me wrong, I love to go and 'just look', but more often than not, I'll end up buying stuff I don't have a place for.

2) Just because it's cheap doesn't mean you should buy it. There are a LOT of great deals out there especially at yard sales, but seriously, remember that this treasure you're looking at is someone else's junk. Some of my friends yard sale and find great things to resell on ebay and they make money doing that. If you're going to do that, make sure you have a plan and a place for it all so that you don't become a hoarder. Get it, list it and get rid of it. Using the ebay app for iPhone is great here. You can look up whatever item you're hoping to sell (before you buy it) and find out what it's going for on ebay. This will give you a great idea of whether it's worth it to buy it or not.

3) It's okay to walk away. When you're at yard sales, it's sometimes awkward to walk away empty handed. Get over it. (I still feel awkward.) Just because the person is standing there staring at you browsing at their junk doesn't mean you have to buy it. I'm not a yard sale pro by any means, but I hope to do more of it this year. My friends are great yard salers!

 

These are a few of my recent finds by thrifting!

What rules to do you go by for thrifting? Are you an impromptu buyer?

Happy Yard Saleing this weekend!
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