SPRING AND CLEANING A CAN OPENER AND A MICROWAVE

Spring has sprung, and the yard work has begun (weather ;) or not we’re ready for it…

I mentioned before that I need a plan, as it is a struggle keeping up with work and home let alone yard…

Well…It is almost formulated; I have a couple of things left to figure out…

So far…

Hubby spent a couple of days, or a good portion of them anyway, within the past week...



Power raking, aerating, and fertilizing…



The day before that, he put 128 gallons of beetle-killer mixture out for the Chinese Elm tree…Those beetles get us every year!

Now that we have gotten a day or two of rain, we're off to a good start!



Cleaning a can opener…

For years, I told my kids to wipe off the can opener and toaster every time they did the dishes…When there are splatters that are dried on, you can’t just easily wipe them off…But, if it’s done each time it’s used and evening after the dishes are washed, you won't have any problems…

I don’t know WHY that is such a hard task for kids to do, but it still doesn’t get done…That was the way Mom had us do it, and it seems that we got it done (after we were told a time or two ;)…

At any rate, the time had come…I could stand it no more!

I like to make work easy whenever I can, and I also like to go natural if possible…

One product that fits the bill…And one which my husband and son hate…(but it doesn’t matter, as they aren’t the ones cleaning ;)…

Is vinegar…



Vinegar has 1001 uses…You can drink it (and I do)...



Use it topically on your skin...And a host of other things…

Also, a very important quality is that it is nontoxic to the lungs and skin…

So, the other day, as I was cleaning the kitchen, I sprayed the can opener (ours is mounted underneath the cupboards) with a vinegar/water solution and let it soak……Every so often, I would come back, scrub it with a soft netted sponge and then spray again…



I did this about three different times…The cutting apparatus detaches, and I put it in soapy water to soak until the dishes were washed…And, voila, a clean can opener!

Excuse the blurry picture...I'm still trying to figure this camera out...It looks focused on the screen, and then I find out later that it is blurry...



I believe this vinegar solution that I used was 3 parts vinegar to 1 part water...I put it in an old spray bottle and labeled the back with a permanent marker...



Just remember to shake it each time before you spritz…

When using it to clean my glass and windows, I don’t spray quite as much as I would with Windex…It doesn’t have a drying agent, so less is actually better.



Cleaning a microwave…

I’m sure that this is no trade secret; yet, it IS a very easy way to clean a microwave…And, ease and cleanliness are what it's all about!

I fill a coffee cup with water and microwave for five minutes…Do NOT use a new cup, as the hot water can explode out after the cup is removed…



Our microwave is old, so yours may not take as long…In fact, my husband had gotten it as a Christmas present the year before we met...

He received it in 1980, so this Christmas, it will be 30 years old…Wow, I thought that planned obsolescence came about earlier than that, but apparently they still made some things to last at that time.

My kids were always on me to get a new one…One that cooked faster (and probably one that looked better)…”Why throw out an appliance that still works and spend money needlessly on something that will be dead in five years or less”, I would reply…Besides...It doesn't look bad just out of style, and I don't care about that...

Back to the cleaning…While I go about my other chores, I let the water heat and then wipe out the steamy microwave…Sometimes, I go a second round for just a few minutes being sure not to boil all of the water out… Ours has a glass insert, which I take out and scrub with soapy water…

This system really does work quite well!

Well...Those are my tips for the day…

Have a Wonderful Wednesday!

SMALL VICTORIES (PART TWO), CLOTHES PINS, AND AN EASTER STORY

It seems like the longer we put things off, the more daunting they seem…

I had made such a big deal of the insurance paper work that I put it off for…well, a very long time. Once I finally did it yesterday, I chastised myself, as it was really quite simple. My husband, on the other hand, is ultra efficient. I am STILL learning from him…It’s just too bad that it’s taking so long!

One thing that I absolutely love about this new Organizational Goal that I have is that it makes life so much simpler! For instance, tonight, DD and I hosted a Lia Sophia jewelry party. Generally, whenever I have something at my house, I dread the getting-ready part. You know…the cleaning and setting up, etc.





Well, since I have been following my program, my living room was already clean, my bathroom was already clean, and all I had to do was to set up some extra chairs, which Hubby had gotten down from the attic for me. It really was a snap!

My cute niece, Ryanne, showing the jewelry...





My beautiful mother (left) and mother-in-law (right)...



Nieces Ryanne and Shannda...



Lovely niece Kylie...



So…Hard work really does pay off, and small victories really turn into large accomplishments! I still struggle with keeping up, but I am getting better and better, and by the end of the year (or sooner), I will be quite efficient.



As I love to hang out my laundry, I have wanted a clothes line for a long time…

And…Since I haven’t had one in years, my clothes pin supply was gone…

I decided to make due for now with a cable we had originally strung for the dog…It can’t hold much, but a little is better than nothing…

So, without pins, I tucked the ends of the two sheets under the blanket on either side…We had such strong winds that day that by the evening when I went out to get the laundry, I was down to ONE sheet and the blanket…

The other sheet has never been found! :/

Needless to say, among today’s purchases was a package of clothes pins… ;)





I had the little people over the other day and wanted to combine some fun with the real reason for Easter…

I had some little eggs, which when opened, contained a little chick…



When put in water over a couple of days...



They will grow…



While they were playing with the chicks, I read them this book…

Let’s Celebrate Jesus on Easter…



It is sad to me that Easter is just one more commercialized holiday where baskets, candy, and now even gifts are bought…

We do the baskets and the egg hunt, but I really like to teach the little people the real reason for Easter…

After the story, we went down and watched He is Risen…

This was put out by Living Scriptures…They have a wonderful way of telling the scriptures that keep the children's attention...When my children were young, I collected all of these animated videos...







Little people are so very very special that we HAVE to teach them and we need to love them…

May we all realize the blessings of Easter this weekend...

STARTING...CONTINUING...AGAIN

STARTING OVER…AGAIN

It is at this point where it would be quite easy to give up…I have slowly, over the past two or three weeks, waned in my goals to where, this past week, I don’t know that I accomplished any!

It is said that you are not a failure until you give up…

Well…In the past I may have given up…But not now!



I heard the world’s/America’s (?) oldest man say something yesterday that was great…

Said he…”Work until you can’t work any more…Then work some more”. Isn’t that great?! He retired at 99…He is now 112, and you would NEVER know it.

So…Today is Monday, a new day…Here are my set GOALS for the year and how I did…



BE MORE ORGANIZED…

I am finishing up the washing as we speak…Monday’s task…And I tidied up the living room…Nighttime duty.

I made some short-term goals for this week, and I finished half of two of them already…That was rather exciting once I crossed them off my list and had that realization.

SHORT-TERM GOALS

YARD—Clean up
Half done (Well, maybe 1/3)

PAPER WORK
Half done

LETTER TO PHYSICIANS
Not yet completed

CONTINUE TO IMPROVE MY HEALTH WITH...BODILY
NOURISHMENT…



Today, aside from the pops (my nemesis) and licorice, this is what I ate…

Cream of Wheat
Tricuits
Large banana
Nuts
Whole wheat toast-Two slices with organic butter
One-half of chili-Frito burrito (Taco John’s left-over)

CONTINUE TO IMPROVE MY HEALTH WITH EXERCISE…

I took a half-hour walk with the dog



QUIT WHINING AND JUST DO!

I did pretty well here…When I wanted to quit early at a project, I kept going and didn’t complain once!...(Out loud at least)

BACKING OFF MY GOALS…TEMPORARILY

I have found from past experience, that if the goals I set seem too high and I experience more over-all failure than success, backing them off a bit really helps.

So…for now…Rather than expecting 100% success seven days of the week, I expect 100% success three days of the week.

Now…This does not mean that I won’t continue to try all seven days.



RECAP…

DAILY GOALS:

Work
Tidy bedroom each morning
Cleaning challenge each evening
Dinner
Blog time
Something I like

I may not get in a blog every day, and I many not get in a for-me activity every day. Having those as goals, however, helps me to keep more on focus.

I find that if I do my chores, it is with a much cleaner conscience that I can reward myself with something I like to do like decorating, sewing, etc.

UPDATES…



This little baby...DD #2...Turned 24 this past week…Wow…



We’ve already passed that milestone with DD #1, but it seems odd each time a child turns a year older…One thinks…”Well, how did that happen?!”

DS passed another belt last week! He has advanced extremely quickly and has skipped several belts…



Attending He attends martial arts four times a week really helps in the advancement.

A few months ago, he jumped a belt, and then just a few weeks back, he got a stripe on his brown belt…

Now, he is a Brown/Black…The step just below Black. He has some requirements to fulfill, one of which is teaching. There are other criteria as well. Leaving for college in just a few weeks will be the challenge. He will be tracking his hours and hopes to test for his Black belt when he comes back in August.

HAPPY TUESDAY ALL…AND HERE’S TO YOUR DREAMS!

14-GRAIN CEREAL AND MISCELLANEOUS

It seems that when one does very well in a desired area, she fails in another…sigh. I don’t know if this is by design so that we should never be perfect, perhaps…? (I really do not think this to be the case).

Contrarily speaking, when I am excelling in one area, it is like inertia…The success keeps happening…So, I am perplexed a bit.

I did not get my exercise in today, and the budget is in a very sore state…

But…

I nourished my body QUITE well for the day. This morning started out with my yummy 14-grain cereal. Oh, it is so delightful. The recipe was given to me by an old gentleman years ago. He in turn had received it from a man whose wife had been blessed with some extra healthy years while in cancer remission.

My current blend is probably more like 10-grain, I suppose, as I cannot seem to track down a few of the grains.

I thought it quite funny to see this recipe box for sale online listed as a “Vintage Recipe Tin”. Ha! It is the very one I use and have used since I received it as a wedding gift. And I KNOW I’m not THAT old as to be vintage. I suppose that it’s all subjective. ;)



BREAKFAST

14-GRAIN CEREAL FORMULA

One pound each of the following grains and seeds:

Barley
Rye
Sunflower seed
Alfalfa seed
Sesame seed
Lentils
Mung beans
Millet
Buckwheat
Flax seed
Brown rice
Oats
Wheat

Almonds—Eight raw per serving

Mix all together and divide into 12 one-pound packages. Store in a cool place or freeze. Wheat should be 12% protein or better.

ALTERATION NOTES: I have changed my preparation methods a bit from his.

I mix the grains in smaller amounts than the one-pound quantities. It really doesn’t matter just as long as you have all of the grains in equal quantities.

Also, his recipe calls for leaving the wheat separate and adding ¼ cup of it to 1 heaping tablespoon of the multigrain mixture. I would rather have just as much of the other grains, so I add everything together. I cook up about ½ cup at a time. You can prepare more if you are feeding more than just yourself.

The recipe calls for grinding the grains in a blender. I prefer mine whole.

Soak grains in pure water over night. (I don’t currently have a water filter so use tap water). The whole point behind the recipe is maximum nutrition and purity.

Drain off water, rinse, and put into pan along with your almonds. Use a heavy stainless steel, cast iron, or glass pan. Do NOT use aluminum. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil then turn to medium low and simmer covered until crunchy tender. It is healthier to keep your grains as intact as possible.

Serve with cream and brown sugar. Oh, it is so delightful.



OPTIONS

Fruit such as peaches or berries may be added or any dried fruits as well.

You may use raw honey instead of the brown sugar.

I really haven’t eaten this regularly in a very long time but will be definitely adding it to my diet now.

On a side note, I visited the naturopath last week for my first visit. She recommended that I eat more fiber and whole grains and handed me a recipe. It is almost identical to my 14-grain with the exception of adding lecithin granules and raisins and containing less than half the grains. It suggests to add fresh fruit and live culture yogurt to the cereal.

LUNCH

For lunch, I met Dad at a local healthfood store/café. Oh, I had the most delightful Gardener. It is a vegetarian sandwich with humus as the spread. The humus tasted as though it had turmeric or some such similar spice added. Cucumber slices, carrot shavings, sprouts, and other goodies were loaded onto sprouted wheat bread. To die for! It was served with citrus slaw, and I ordered a cup of their nummy clam chowder as well.



DINNER

This morning before work, I put to cook some boneless skinless chicken breasts and potatoes in the crock pot. With a little salt, pepper, and chicken bouillon, it was made for quite a tasty and juicy dinner dish. I LOVE a crockpot. It is so nice to walk into your home in the evening with the aroma of dinner greeting you at the door!



Though chicken is a lean meat served this way, I do always worry about the preservatives, growth hormones, and antibiotics that I am ingesting. I KNOW that these things cause tumors and other bodily dis-ease.

For dessert, I had granola cereal and milk. I have quite a sweet tooth, and this satisfied the craving. I did also have a large muffin late evening.

Morning chores, which at this time are miniscule...

DAILY

Morning

Carry soiled clothing to the hamper. Hang up other clothing. Put away any personal possessions out of place in the bedroom.

Make bed.

Were finally accomplished! The tidying of the bedroom before work is second nature to most, I am sure. This night owl, however, is doing good if she can get herself out of bed and out the door in the mornings!

It felt so very good to walk into a beautifully tidied and clean bedroom this evening (for some reason, my schedule got mixed up, and I cleaned it last night rather than its scheduled night).



Tonight’s chores are post poned. DD and family came for a visit, and by the time all was said and done, I didn’t summon up the energy to clean. While this is o.k. once in a while, I do not want to do it on an on-going basis, as this will just lead me straight back to procrastination and disorganization.

It was so wonderful to see my grandbabies. Oh, it just does my heart so good!

Tomorrow (Saturday) is up in the air. I have much work to do for work and then my house work, of course, etc. I also see that the snow has begun to melt enough that doggie’s doo-doos are showing up. I may be going out of town for a few hours with DD, grandbabies, and Mom to see Gramma. But, DS also has a marshal art’s tournament tomorrow. It is a rather small one so not extremely important that I be there. Nonetheless, I would probably like to be. So, we’ll see. It seems crazy to only have a day to fit everything into, for Sunday is the Sabbath, and then Monday is work again. Such is life.

Have a happy Saturday whatever YOU choose to do!

Kitchen Cleaning and SNOW!

Yesterday morning didn’t see my chores done…Those mornings are just the tough ones for me…



Last night, however, saw much production. I got my kitchen cleaning done plus the china hutch cleaned out, china packed and put away up in the attic, and new décor put up. That felt really good, and walking into a clean kitchen today was wonderful.

FRIDAY

Early Morning... (Nothing listed so available spot if needed)

Noon

Walk 30 minutes

Evening

Weekly cleaning of the kitchen:



Open windows top and bottom for free circulation of air, or open kitchen ventilator.

Rinse and stack dishes, pots and pans.

Check and reorganize foods; put away.



Collect all refuse and put in garbage can.

Wipe off top of refrigerator and all work surfaces in need of cleaning.



Brush crumbs from crumb tray of toaster. Clean outside with soap and water.

Wash dishes. Dry and put away, if not room to rinse with hot water and leave to dry.



Wipe off surface of range. Clean spilled food from drip pan or oven.

Dry damp work surfaces.



Dust radiator or register.

Take out garbage; put clean lining in garbage can.



Sweep floor. Gather up dust in pan.

Clean sink. Rinse dishcloth or mop; hang outdoors if possible.

Collect soiled towels; wash. Hang fresh towels.



My two week’s short-term goals were wiped away…certainly not to finished this week! We got so much snow that I couldn’t find the dog messes if I wanted to…



And...Because it snowed...Vacuuming and washing it is out…No, we do not have a usable garage.

I guess there is another form of clean…



Someone thought it would be funny to TOALLY bury my car in snow…The only thing visible is the side mirror on the passenger side...

And they made sure that it was packed down but good!



Have a blessed Sunday!