So here are the recipes and supplies that I use for housekeeping. It's handy, cheap and easy to make up. I've taken these instructions from the Care2 healthy and green living website. If you want more information on stain removers, air freshners, etc., please take a moment and visit their website-lots of really great info and tips. And..sorry if this sounds a bit to much like a "green" commercial :)Here it is:
SUPPLIES
Baking soda
Washing soda
White distilled vinegar
A good liquid soap or detergent
Tea tree oil
6 clean spray bottles
2 glass jars
Read more about these 5 basic cleaning ingredients, and a vinegar update.
CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER
Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn’t leave grit.
Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.
WINDOW CLEANER
1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle
Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.
OVEN CLEANER
1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent
Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn’t work for you it is probably because you didn’t use enough baking soda and/or water.
ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water
Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.
FURNITURE POLISH
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.
VINEGAR DEODORIZER
Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don’t even rinse but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.
MOLD KILLERS
Tea Tree Treasure
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I’ve used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.
2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water
Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.
Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Non-toxic homemade Cleaning recipes...
Posted by Julie at 1:12 PM 1 comments
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Busy in the hood...
Neighborhood, that is. I can't believe how busy it's been at Our House lately! I mean, I thought when Eric's cousin left that things would really slow down but they haven't! I have to say that it's all because of our neighborhood. Ever since the neighbor girls have been babysitting Reilly (super cute girls ages 12 and 14), they stop by at least once a day to play with Reilly or visit with me. I've gotten to know their mom, Mary, pretty well and sometimes find myself at their house visiting as well.
Rueben and Gloria are across the street with the daughter, Kathy (who is an adult daughter with Down's Syndrome) and we visit and check on eachother often. Reuben was actually the "welcome wagon" when I came to the neighborhood.
Recently, I've started walking with Millie (who lives two houses down and lost her husband to cancer last November) and Gail who lives at the end of the street next to Mary. Most of the time, the babysitters come over in the evening to let me know the "gang" is leaving for the evening walk and always ask me to bring Reilly in the stroller-which I'm happy to do because Reilly really loves her walks..and I mean LURVS her walks :)
Between work, Reilly, neighborhood visits and evening walks...things have really kept moving around here! Not to mention I've lost another 5 pounds walking 2-4 miles in the evenings!
Memorial Weekend we got invited to a bbq at the Mary's and just this afternoon Millie brought by her special eggplant parmesan (yum!) and stuffed peppers for me to try. I'm..uh...starting to get spoiled with all this food and babysitters that live across the street!
Anyways, I just had to say...I'm really getting to like our little street and how connected it feels. I think I'm going to have to make a "do not disturb" sign for the front door though. Just in case I need to "take 5."
Posted by Julie at 8:18 PM 2 comments
Green Cleaning...
I have to say I love it! In case I haven't mentioned it, I chucked all the home cleaning products I had been using (what was left of it)and went green cleaning a few months ago. A few spray bottles and some basic ingredients (baking soda, washing soda, liquid detergent, olive oil, vinegar and lemon juice)and I was off and running. I pulled out the cleaning bin yesterday and rolled up my sleeves to do some housekeeping and discovered that I had run out of my multi purpose cleaner. It was soooo awesome to skip the trip to store and just whip up a new batch. Also, I found a great homemade furniture polish just using olive oil and lemon juice! Worked like a charm. Not only do I not have to throw away plastic bottles, paper towels, polish wipes and harmful chemicals-but it's safe to have around Reilly and way cheaper too! Yeah for green cleaning!
Posted by Julie at 7:59 PM 1 comments
Dog and other monologues...
So Reilly's vocab continues to grow. Much to my delight, she pointed to Shadow (one of the castle hounds) and said, "Do-G....ru(ff)..ru(ff)." Yeah! It's delightful to see her list of words growing and I can't believe how many she has added this week. So far we have "baby," "mama," "dada," "mo(re)," "hiiiii," "bu-bu," (bye-bye) "na-na," (no)and I've also heard her say the names of the two little girls who babysit and are here to play with her almost everyday (they live across the street) as well as the "p" sound for "up." Her list of signs are growing too! She can sign for milk, all done, more and book. We're working on Cheerios and cheese right now. Now if I can just get her walking...!
Posted by Julie at 7:50 PM 1 comments
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
...and MORE Reilly Channel (yippee!)
here's the same gig for the one year photos. She was just barely standing and holding onto things when these photos were taken. Hard to believe that only weeks later, she's taking steps on her own. Look out world!
Posted by Julie at 11:34 AM 2 comments
The Reilly Channel...
...at least that's what it seems like with all of Pookie's pics floating around on this blog. My only excuse is...well...I don't have one. I think she's the most adorable girl ever and I can't help it. I am shameless. Hee. Anyways...here are her two month pictures, finally. I bought the disk when I purchased her one year photos and thought I would share them. I've numbered each picture, in case any of you would like them, and you can send me an email just telling me which ones you want and I'll send them off. I can't believe how little she was!
Enjoy:
Posted by Julie at 10:56 AM 1 comments
Thursday, May 22, 2008
First Pigtails!
I finally got pigtails on our little Pook. She was very pleased with herself and found them facinating. It took all of three hours before she finally got her chubby hand up there and pulled them out! I have to share:
Posted by Julie at 7:06 PM 1 comments
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Tagged...
Answer 3 things to each section :)
20 years ago I...
1) was 17 and getting ready for my senior year
2) working at Pizza hut as a cook with my sister's best friend (lots of fun)
3) had my first unrequieted crush *sigh*
10 years ago I...
1) was a divorced single mom making the best of it
2) working as a dental assistant and moonlighting at a second job
3) learning what it meant to stand up for what you believe in
5 years ago I..
1) Moved back to Arizona from Oklahoma
2) Met my husband to be (although I didn't know it at the time)
3) Was enjoying getting to know my neices and nephews and staying with Bonna while job hunting.
3 years ago I..
1) was planning a wedding
2) living with my youngest brother Jared (a great experience!)
3) getting ready to move back to Tucson from Mesa
1 year ago I...
1) Just given birth to Reilly and was in the throws of new motherhood...after 15 years :)
2) Supporting my husband in his endeavors with a new business
3) Dealing with tendenitis in both wrists and my right hip out.
So far this year I have...
1) Gone back to work part time
2) Marveled at the fact that I have a son who went to his first prom and a daughter who is learning to take her first steps
3) and I have ALSO read the Twilight Series more times than is necessary!(the previews for the movie were amazing-saw them at Prince Caspian on Saturday)
Yesterday I...
1) Nursed my husband who was sick with the 24 hour flu
2) did a million loads of laundry
3) Saw Prince Caspian at the theatre on a date with my husband! (I had to come back and edit this because I didn't actually see Prince Caspian...I saw the movie, Prince Caspian. LOL)
Today I....
1) believe in the power of kindness and have a stronger testimony of it.
2) made an amazing meatloaf
3) am glad that Reilly is her usually happy little face again after recovering from the side effects of her MMR shot.
Tomorrow I will...
1) Take Reilly to the park
2) Curl my babysitters hair as a "practice" before her promotion to H.S. this Wednesday.
3) Various and sundry errands :)
In the next year I may...
1) Finish Nik's scrapbook
2) Teach Reilly how to walk
3) Come to grips that my 20 year H.S. reunion will be rolling around!
Thanks for the tag Jess and Cory! I feel so loved :)
Posted by Julie at 10:48 PM 1 comments
Busy Times
What can I say about the long silence except that the end of April and all of May are just very busy times at the Robbins nest (thanks Jason for the great idea!) I've been working more, had wonderful visits from out-of-town family, both Nik and Reilly have turned a year older, Eric has become a regular road warrior for work and we've had more than a few dinner parties for friends and friends of friends. Great fun and lots of fabulous memories.
Especially notable was Reilly's first weekend with Grandma and Grampa Bradshaw. I dropped her off Friday night and Eric and I both picked her up on Sunday afternoon, Mother's Day. It was great to have the weekend to have one-on-one time with Eric and it was also cute to see him calling the grandparents to check up on how Reilly was doing! Of course, she was showered with love and goodness and great fun getting kisses and hugs from Gramma and Grampa. I have to take a minute and just share how well prepared Mom is. I was super impressed! Reilly's visit was sort of a last minute decision and so I hadn't come prepared with Reilly's usual assortment of "mommy worry" gear. I call it that because I'm sure, had I more time to prepare, I would have thrown in everything but the kitchen sink..."just in case." Needless to say, Mom had everything she needed on hand...bottle, diapers, formula, portable crib and even splurged on a Sunday dress to take Riles to church. I have the best mother ever and Reilly has a wonderful Gramma. Thanks again Moma and Dad..for everything that weekend.
Now I just need to plan the trip to New York that's coming up in about three weeks. Holy Cow! Three weeks? I gotta get going!
Posted by Julie at 10:35 PM 1 comments
Monday, April 28, 2008
Our Little Girl is turning 1!
I cannot believe our little girl is turning one! The year has gone so fast, in spite of my efforts to slow it down and keep my baby girl small. She will have none of it, however, and insists upon growing and learning new things everyday. Here is a flash back over the last year. These are the thoughts that will be playing in my head throughout the day as I remember the first day her little light illuminated our lives with joy. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET PEA!
Posted by Julie at 10:27 PM 2 comments
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Justa Swingin'
Reilly's first time swinging! We had gone to visit Jason and Jess at the California Bradshaw Resort (hee) and Jess and I took the kids to the park. It was lovely...smelled green...lots of grass! Anyways, I put Reilly in the swing and she loved it! So did I...everytime I feel a little blue, I pop in this video and I'm laughing in seconds. She is just my ray of sunshine..or as Granny Bets says.."little happy face!" I love it!
Posted by Julie at 12:12 AM 2 comments
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I get to be a starfish !!
So tonight is Eric's first overnight trip for work. He's in Chicago where the home office for ASF is and getting to rub shoulders with his fellow ASF-ers. He had a good flight (for those of you that know he hates to fly *blink* *blink* and that's ALL of you now) and is settling into his pick of two queen size beds at a Hampton Inn. I miss him already and nothing will be the same until he comes home on Thursday, however, before you go feeling all sorry for me-there is one thing that make his trips tolerable. Barely. :)
I get to be a starfish. You know what I mean...it's the end of the day and the house is to quiet, nothing seems as interesting when he's not around, I wonder what intruder is lurking in the alley (thank goodness for our two ferocious guard dogs) and stay up to late, dreading going to bed alone....until I realize that the aforementioned bed is ALL MINE! That's right ladies and gentlemen...tonight I climb in--scoot to the middle and stretch out arms and legs like a starfish. I get to feel my joints pop in that really good way and my muscles groan and relax as I sink into the soft bed. My eyelids droop instantaneously and I smile at the sweet dreams winging their way towards me. The funny thing is...in the morning, I'll wake up on my side of the bed-just like I always do. And the magical power of starfishing wears off after the first night. After that...it's just me alone...adrift...in an endless sea of covers, waiting for my ship to come in...or home.
Posted by Julie at 10:28 PM 1 comments
Monday, April 21, 2008
Adult proofing
Now that Reilly is galloping around on all fours, we've taken to childproofing the house. This is a much more monumental task than I remember it being with Nik. Everytime I think I'm done, Reilly shows me something that I've missed. I really can't complain-mostly I'm thankful that we've managed the transition without any major boo-boos. There is one thing I have to say, though. I HATE those child safety door latches. You know the ones...you have to screw them in. One side attaches to inside the cubboard-on the roof- and the other attaches to the swing open/pull open door. The object is to prevent the door/drawer from opening unless you push down the latch first. Seems like a good idea. But it's not. I have exactly four doors that this works on. That's right...I spent two days with the electic drill, in various acrobatic positions, trying to install said locks. Reilly thought it was great fun to climb on momma, pull my hair, jump on my stomach and try to take my tools away-while I was in the various acrobatic positions. I would finally get the latch positioned;scew hole started;holding scew in place with one hand while operating the electric drill with the other and just as soon as I would start the drill (cordless-thank goodness) Reilly would perform one her hijinks. I would get up, set her a ways away from me, give her a toy and go back to getting into position. Lather, rinse, repeat. On Friday last, it ended up with me laughing hysterically while Reilly was happy to join in. The end result? After I installed the latches-I discovered they didn't work. Why?...you ask? Because the furniture/cabinets have a decorative edging that doesn't leave enough space for my finger to unlatch the lock. That's right..they are adult proof. Go figure.
Posted by Julie at 9:54 AM 2 comments
Labels: child proof, drawers, latch, lock
Wendy's Birthday Party!
Saturday night, the family got together to celebrate Wendy's 30th Birthday! We all congragated at Macayos Restaurant (in Casa Grande) to share great food, fun and watch Wendy make a wish and blow out the candle (with a little help from Abbey). When I asked Wendy if she was sad to see her 20's go, she told me that she is so happy with where her life is right now and very excited for the future. I, for one, think she should be incredibly proud of all that she's accomplished and besides-she still looks 21 so who cares what the actual numbers are! Happy Birthday Wendy! Here are a few photos of the happy event:
Posted by Julie at 9:28 AM 2 comments