Archive for the ‘Home & Garden’ Category
Thursday, July 1st, 2010 |
Summer is in full swing and while I have been enjoying myself on the weekends, I have also been putting off very important things and avoiding important people. I am trying to wrap my head around things still and putting together our new “norm,” but cannot seem to stay on track. So many distractions have come my way, but tomorrow is a new day and I will once again try to tackle my slacker ways and come out victorious. Or at least, that is the plan. First and most importantly is studying for a test tomorrow evening, then comes the whole catching up on assignments for my online class. Those are the two most important things at the current moment. I will worry about the less important things on Saturday afternoon while I watch the newest member of the family– my three month old nephew Bryce! Together, Bryce and I will tackle my enormous to do list, do a little bit of shopping and order new swimming pool supplies. Unfortunately for Bryce, I will also smother him with kisses and cuddles. It will be my first time watching him and goodness gracious y’all, I’m excited. I miss babies!
Posted in Cleaning, Family & Friends | 2 Comments »
Thursday, June 17th, 2010 |
Three years ago, the deck outside the back of my house was finished and stained. To look at it now though, you would never know, as nearly all of the stain has chipped off. It looks rough and is in need of a major face lift. Hence, the title of this post. Well, our deck is getting a face lift. Along with all of the furniture. Our wooden furniture needs repainted and the metal furniture just needs new outdoor chair cushions. Had I been smart, I would have taken before/after photographs. Nothing beats the back yard in the summer at this house.. the yard is always well kept and the flowers look amazing. Will be sure to upload some pictures.
Posted in Home & Garden | No Comments »
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 |
I was recently given a twenty-four hour challenge from Cascade and given the opportunity to try the new Cascade Complete. I have always had a dishwasher in my home and have always used Cascade liquid gel in my dishwasher. Before loading the dishwasher, I was always having to pre-wash everything. Not only does that take time away from what I was doing, but I was racking up the water bill by having to do things this way. To tell y’all I was excited about trying a product that did not require pre-washing and had a rinse aid action would be one heck of an understatement. I was through the roof and totally ecstatic– I may have even shared some of the Cascade Complete All-in-1 ActionPacs with a good friend of mine shortly after my first go!
Our challenge was to use the casserole dish sent to us via Cascade and back Blueberry Cobbler, except we are not big fans of baked blueberries in our household. Therefore, I made something I knew I always had problems with– stuffed shells. Not only did we get baked on mess from this dinner, but we could always guarantee we would have sauce stains. We would then have to allow the dirty dish to sit empty for twenty-four hours and place it inside the dishwasher. Seriously y’all– we have always had problems with red sauces staining our dishes, therefore, we have a dish we dedicated solely to baking saucy dishes. I was having panic attacks about this beautiful, new casserole dish looking like a disaster after it came out from the dishwasher. So you can imagine my surprise when I opened the dishwasher to find that Cascade Complete actually worked! I did not have baked on mess, nor sauce stains all over my white casserole dish. Dishes are not my favorite thing and getting dirty dishes after their first run? Not my idea of a good time. Cascade Complete, thank you for making this mama’s life a little more stress free.. I will be a lifelong customer.
This product reviews was based on using complimentary Cascade product provided by P&G. Bloggers also received a Walmart gift card to share with their readers. P&G does not represent or warrant the accuracy of any statements or product claims made here, nor does it endorse any opinions expressed within this website.
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Posted in Cleaning, Recipe | 6 Comments »
Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 |
For the past two months, I have been steadily been making honey do lists for my friend Doug. Doug and Tiffany live in the perfect older home for renovations. They have the most amazing skeleton laid out before them that holds a great deal of potential. Our first order of business was painting their kitchen (which needs finished), then building a coat closet off the front porch and this weekend we will be working on dry walling the inside of the front porch and removing an odd sized window.
Who knows what we will work on next, but we should probably start using project management software to help us keep track of projects. Some of the major projects like new kitchen cabinets, newer carpeting, etc will have to wait, but for now, we can continue beautifying rooms one by one. Helping them on their house totally makes me miss owning my own home.
Posted in Remodeling & Repairs | No Comments »
Tuesday, April 27th, 2010 |
Monday began crunch time for me in terms of cleaning house. Three weeks ago, a few of my friends and myself sat down and decided together that this would be our yard sale week. Every bedroom, with the exception of mine, has been sorted through and put into piles like those on Clean Sweep- things to keep, throw away and yard sale. As a family, we have way too much stuff. Jeff and I are simple people, who love organization and despise clutter. So many areas of our current home are far too “cluttered” in our eyes, but we hoping to change that all very soon. Room by room, I will be eliminating things we no longer want/need and re-organizing the rooms. I should take before/after photographs, but honestly, I just never remember to do that.
Aside from having a yard sale this week, I am also buckling down for final exams. Is it really time for this semester to be coming to an end? Time has flown so quickly that I cannot even wrap my head around it. Last week, I registered Ethan for classes during the mornings (possibly afternoons too) and found myself sulking in the car afterward for nearly twenty minutes. Did my baby really just grow up that quickly? We go Thursday for his physical for school and have yet to schedule a dental exam (must do that soon). He is beyond excited about going to school and cannot wait to learn more about anything and everything. We shall see how he feels after a few weeks into it.. although, I am quite certain he’s still going to be in awe.
Posted in Cleaning, Organization | 3 Comments »
Friday, April 2nd, 2010 |
Have you ever just felt out of place in your own home? I have had an urge lately to move. Not far from where I am living, but something different. I have had my eyes set on a house for a while now, but am playing the waiting game and biding my time. It is a definite fixer-upper, but despite the ugliness, I can see the beauty it holds. When my grandparents come home for the summer, I will have my grandfather come with me to see the house to see whether it is a good investment and make my decision from there.
Is it pathetic that I already have the rooms planned out in my mind? I know nothing about this house other than it is brick, has a gorgeous front door and needs a lot of improvements. Yet, I can tell you what kind of indoor and outdoor décor I plan on using. I have the flower beds mapped out in my mind, the color I would love to paint the front door and what I want to do with the front walk. Is it insane to want something so badly that I have it completely figured out already and do not even own the home? Someone please tell me I am not completely losing my mind.
Posted in Home & Garden, Remodeling & Repairs | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 |
Two weeks ago, I took the pledge to switch my cleaning products, laundry products and personal hygiene products in an effort to become a more eco-friendly home. I joined Melaleuca! My products only came in the mail yesterday, but already I am addicted. I ran my first load of laundry, dishes and removed nail polish from my carpeting. I have never been so completely impressed by a product at first use. And no, this is not a paid advertisement– I was not asked to write about their company. I was just that impressed. I am even considering selling Melaleuca.
Due to the nature of Jeff’s job and how oily his skin gets, I made the decision to put their acne face wash on next months order, along with a few other products. As we use some of their products, I will be sure to keep y’all posted.
Posted in Cleaning, Eco Living | No Comments »
