Thursday, May 29, 2008

Green cleaning


I've been thinking a lot lately about saving money and being healthier by cleaning the "green" way. And not by buying "seventh generation" or cleaning products from Trader Joe's, but the natural green way. You know, white vinegar and water, baking soda, lemon juice, all that stuff. But I have NO idea how to do it, or how to make it! Does anyone have any recipes for natural cleaning formulas that actually work? I know vinegar and water for glass surfaces (what ratio?), but I also need something that's great for kitchen counters, and bathrooms. Any helpful hints?


I do have to admit though...it's going to be really tough to give up my clorox cleanup. I use that stuff on EVERYTHING (here's to hoping my unborn child doesn't have some strange head tumor thanks to my use of it...). And another thing: I probably won't give up my verymostfavoriteever cleaning product: Bar Keepers Friend. OH MY GOSH THIS STUFF IS AMAZING! It's like a miracle powder. I have an old ceramic or porcelain or whatever-it's-called kitchen sink, and the marks pans make on there drive me crazy, and are impossible--or exhausting at the very least--to get out. With Bar Keeper's Friend, (and I am not exaggerating here) I pour a little powder on the wet sink, and LIGHTLY, no pressure at all, rub it out with a rag, and the marks are gone! It even got rust out from around my drain! The other thing it's great at getting out is the soap scum around my bathtub. I HATE soap scum, and it is like a MAJOR workout to get it out, and I usually give up half way around the tub. This stuff takes out at least 50% of the effort for me. And the best part? It's 2.99 at Bed Bath and Beyond. However, I am guessing that it is not exactly the greenest of cleaning products. It probably causes cancer, holes in the ozone, or creates a carbon footprint the size of Alaska. But I don't know, and honestly, I don't really care. I will happily live in ignorance...unless, you know, I grow a third hand or something....

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

To the Wayside (by the way, where is the "wayside?")

Two years ago this coming August, I became a homeowner, quit working and became a mother... all literally within 10 days of eachother. So basically, I can sum up the last two years of my life with two words: BROKE and BUSY. I was thinking about this today while I was showering my daily 2.5 minute shower (I've got to shower QUICK~while Cole's sleeping I've got to do everything he doesn't let me do while he's awake...which is pretty much everything, as he is the most high maintenance child in the world. ANYWAY.). I was thinking about all the things that have changed in my life due to those two words, and figured what a great list for my blog. Here it is:

Things that have changed due to lack of time:
1)Blogging!

2)Shaving my legs (hey, my hair is blonde, so you can't tell)

3)Blowdrying my hair

4)Wearing makeup absolutely every time I leave the house

5)Watching a movie during the daytime

6)Putting Jeff's clean laundry away (he gets a big stack...why bother, he just makes a mess of his drawers anyway!)
7)Going to the movies



Things that have changed due to lack of money:

1)Eating out

2)Using expensive shampoo and conditioner (although I have to admit, with our tax return I bought two giant bottles of Redken All Soft--my FAVORITE!)

3)New Juicy Suits

4)Buying new MAC eyeshadows and lip glosses every few weeks

5)Shopping at Nordstrom (H&M and Forever 21 here I come!)

6)Using expensive facewash (But I've discovered Neutragena...LOVE IT!)

7)Getting my hair done every 3 months

8)Getting my hair cut AT ALL (I honestly haven't even had a TRIM in 1 year)

9)My gym membership


10)A new pool vacuum to help suck out the algae...




Don't worry, I'm not breeding West Nile Virus...I just have to get our pump fixed...you know, only $1800 later...

Things that have survived my lack of time and money:


1)My flip flop obsession


Every one of these shoes has been purchased within the last 9 months


2)Expensive jeans (I just don't get more than 1 pair a season now)

3)Perfectly folded towels

4)The "good" cable with DVR (Hey, not watching commercials saves time!)






Now, finally, I will end with a 30-weeks-along pregnancy pic: