SPRING CLEANING~STEP 1 GETTING READY

READY TO CLEAN: CLEANING YOUR CLEANING SUPPLIES:

When I said spring cleaning, did you think you'd be cleaning and organizing your cleaning supplies? Well this makes the most sense because you're going to need these things in order to clean and organize the rest of your soon to be humble home.

Things to do before each session is to grab a box, I get mine free from this link> The United States Postal Service Free Shipping Supplies you can throw all items in one box that you don't want or need, and sort later, or get a garbage bag for throw away, box for donate, box for yard sale(yes another GREAT step in this spring cleaning), and box for storage.

First step is making sure you have what you need. You can buy or make your own cleaning supplies. I'll eventually~shortly~be giving you access to making your own cleaning supplies to save money.

****ITS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REMEMBER YOU ARE CLEANING AND ORGANIZING. FEEL FREE TO DONATE, GET RID OF, THROW AWAY THINGS YOU HAVE NOT USED IN MONTHS. DO NOT FEEL GUILTY BUT FEEL EMPOWERED. YOU WILL LOVE IT WHEN WE ARE THRU ALL THE STEPS.*****

First, you should get out all cleaning supplies and put them into one pile, place, bucket, whatever. What do you NOT use, and why? Example: I do NOT use my store bought stainless steel cleaner because I have my own remedy. So I place that in the get rid of pile. I do NOT use "Goo be Gone" often because it's not something made to clean everyday items. I do use it when I need Goo to be Gone and nothing else works. So, keep.  Do this until you have gone thru all your cleaning supplies old and new. Don't keep something because you forgot you had it. There is a reason you forgot about it. Donating cleaning supplies to your local animal, homeless, or women's shelter is a great way to get rid of things without wasting them. Here is a list of MUST HAVES for Spring Cleaning.

You need very few store bought or homemade cleaners. You need:

• All purpose Cleaner
• Cleaner with bleach/disinfectant
• Sanitizer for air/surface like OUST, or LYSOL DISINFECTANT SPRAY
• Window Cleaner
• Stain Remover for Carpet/Furniture 
• Fabreeze or room deodorizer

You'd be surprised at how much stuff you can clean with things you find in your cupboard in the kitchen. These are the household staples that you should have on hand that clean almost ANYTHING and almost EVERYTHING:

• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol
• White Paste Toothpaste
• Salt
• lemon, or lemon juice. Always good to have a lemon on hand

You need these extra supplies that you can get cheap on Amazon, Walmart, or anywhere you shop. I have placed some ads for products I order and use, so look to the right, click on picture of the supply you need and buy, or grab at the store:

• Broom and Dust pan
• Mop
• Caddy to keep the next items in. Caddys can make cleaning so easy since you put what you need and onward to chore after chore, as well as provide a place for you to keep supplies). On the side of this blog is a link to the caddy that I bought and have had for 3 years now. It's blue and carries all I need to do a simple chore. I load it up pending which chore I have to do.
• Cleaning rags (you can buy your own, or use old clothes/towels)
• Napkins (You can be budget friendly and get the store brand, or for heavy cleaning, you can get the nice blue cloth like ones that are great for cleaning, either is fine)
• Small 13 gallon garbage bags, for quick room, cupboard, dresser, craft-room, toy room, anything you clean out.
• Spray bottles for homemade cleaners if you'll be going that route.
• Old newspaper for cleaning glass(optional)
• Scrub brush
• Colored Sponges-I color code, example: green=kitchen, blue=bathroom, yellow=toilets, pink=bedrooms, etc. Or you can use permanent marker and mark them. I use the pretty ones that I have listed next to the posts, looks like an amazon advertisement. ~I also use, promote, and swear by the Mr.Clean Magic eraser sponges. Name brand or store brand I live by them.
• Reusable or Throw away gloves. I have two pair of reusable gloves and I just disinfect them often.

This is a quick list of what you need to start your cleaning. I will be listing the homemade cleaning supplies in the next day or four. Don't forget to try the ones I use because if I advertise it I swear by it. This list should get you ready for what you'll need to do. Organizing your cleaning supplies is the first step to cleaning.

Check it out, and let me know what you like to have in your caddy, on hand for cleaning, and your amazing ideas for cleaning supplies made at home. 

Happy Organizing

Xoxo,

Megs

P.S.

with young kids try to either keep things locked up or refrain from using under the sink as your cleaning supply spot. Don't forget to put them up and teach your kids they are poison.

STRESS RELIEF: EVERYONE NEEDS it sometime

         This is a very helpful relaxation video I used today. Everyone needs some relaxation once in a while, and there are many for free on You Tube. Lately I have been doing these relaxation techniques and I notice how much calmer I feel. Let's face it, life is stressful. Though I LOVE my kids, they can do things that I allow my self to get stressed over. I have an anxiety issue that I've had since I've been a child so therefore, I had to find HEALTHY ways to cope with it. Sure my prescription of "nerve pills" is helpful, but is it really? It helps for the time being but when it wares off my stress and anxieties are still there. So, I turned to this recently. Because clearing my mind, letting go of stress, and allowing myself to calm down really puts a reality on stillness that is so needed in life. So, try this out if you never have. Try this out if you never  feel quiet, take ten fifteen minutes for yourself. Especially being a parent it's important because we need to learn to quiet our minds or calm down at the drop of a dime. Give it a go, and if it works let me know. If you don't have 18 minutes and 36 seconds for this one like I said, there are shorter ones out there. that last as little as 5 minutes. If it comes down to do this or flip out....take the time. Not into meditation, what are some other useful techniques you use for stress? Ive done guided immagry, running, exercise, and just flat out took a nap. What do you do?
xoxo

Megs

TIME TO START CHRISTMAS SHOPPING PART 2 KIDS

Okay so, I have done a part one on Christmas Shopping. I so far have a gift for 18/22 people on my list COMPLETED for Christmas and that is something to be proud about having accomplished this by last week which was. But my Kids, they are more extreme to shop for, especially our own. I have come across some websites that are new to me that I have started using that I'm about to share, I have some ideas for low cost, home made, handmade, personalized, and low cost gifts for just kids. So here are some very helpful tips I was taught, picked up or learned throughout the years.

Okay. FIRST THINGS FIRST: KIDS

ONLINE SHOPPING FOR CHILDREN



• As you know I was a skeptic turned huge fan of Amazon. The economy today doesn't leave much room for spending $5, $2, $6, $9, or even $0.75 extra on a gift if Amazon is able to search the SAME gifts from DIFFERENT stores at different prices, saving a few bucks here and there. EVERY PENNY COUNTS DURING THE HOLIDAYS TO AVOID DEPRESSION, AND AVOIDING DEPRESSION GIVES ONE THE REASON TO ENJOY THE SEASON: FAMILY, FRIENDS, LOVE, AND THE BIRTH OF JESUS. No need to say what we've all said ONCE at least, "I can't wait until Christmas is over!" Avoid it using every resource available. Click on the right side of the blog here to check out SAVINGS and GIFT ideas that are brought to your door. If you are one of those people who doesn't put credit cards online, that's fine, you'd still save money buying a prepaid credit card which doesn't require any personal information and can be purchased at your bank, grocery store, or drug store. (ALSO MAKE GREAT GIFTS). OR to avoid the WHOLE credit card or checking acct issue, then buy an AMAZON GIFT CARD, sold at the same stores, and pay with it. You can then chose to have it gift wrapped and sent to the person, or sent to your home. Christmas of 2011 I did ALL shopping on AMAZON. DIDNT ever leave the house.
• Next, I found a website GREAT for gifts of every holiday and reward in a magazine: Women's Day. ~This one can be used for your own kid/grandkid/etc. or a child you know little about. It's a Web Site you can get to by clicking this link named: The Toy Insider Guide: For the hottest toys of the season . It just lists toys well known, and little known of that are great for all kids.
• Remember all those GREAT toys from your childhood, or looking for either a specific or special toy for a child? Try this Web Site: The Land of Nod . I enjoy this site because the gifts are unique and if you sign up for their email, then you get coupon codes as well as special offers.  And as I will FOREVER and ALWAYS mention that making your own gifts is the best, and shows time and love as well as saves money, the Land of Nod also has a blog with some interesting things they call, "Tips, quips and tricks." on their blog that gave me some ideas for some DIY gifts. It's at this site: HONEST TO NOD.

 

SPECIAL HANDMADE GIFTS FOR CHILDREN

• I find a home made gift one that means more as children grow. It's also especially special if you can get one or more siblings in the mix of making a Do It Your Self gift, because they will STRESS how special it is.  Last year I did some sewing for my children. I went and picked out two fabrics per child, some stuffing and made a pillow per child. NOT JUST ANY PILLOW. I made fleece on one side, regular cloth on the other, and put a patch of the regular cotton cloth on the fleece side, making a nice pocket for them to place books, Diaries, E readers, ETC. So you have a pillow with fabric that matches their personality, and EVERYONE loves doing things they shouldn't once in a while, right? So in that pocket I also gave them a SHARPIE PERMANANT MARKER. This was because the pocket was intended for books~regular, chapter, or E books. And when they were done reading this stuff, they could write the name of book, and date. Like a book journal on a pillow. My youngest daughter still loves hers.
• 

  Have you heard of "Quiet Books?" They are books which are made of felt and are real unique, not just another reading book, but a book with activities to keep the kids quiet, entertained, and imaginative. I'm going to share two from one of my best loved ideas I found from a blog named: SUNSHINE, LOLLIPOPS AND RAINBOWS.  A HUGE plus, not only do kids like them, they are easy to make, and last a life time, BUT this blog SHARES the templates/patterns you need to make them. For free. That's right, free templates to a one of a kind kids book. (If you make one, as I'm going to, make it your own, add your own few touches and share it with the bloggers. FIRST QUIET BOOK: Kids of all ages like MR. POTATOE HEAD. I would make one for all my children ranging from ages 2-10 and when you see it, and see how easy it is, you'll fall in love as I did. If you're not an expert sewer, so what, neither am I, and you don't have to sew you COULD use fabric glue, right??? :) Here is my most favorite, click the link it will take you to the blog that has the templates; Mr.Potatoe Head Quiet Book and I'm sure your little one, tween, teen, or even older children like me at 29 will love getting this. The next one I'm sharing is getting made for my 2 year old son. He I obsessed and LOVES cars. It's great for the car in my opinion, Junior can sit in his car seat with his quiet book, being quiet, driving. Being a back seat driver while daddy drives up front. To get to this blog's pattern for the car and roads quiet book: Car page Quiet Book . These are just TWO of my favorite quiet books, and there are many more. Just be sure to check out the whole Blog: THE WHOLE BLOG~ "SUNSHINE, RAINBOWS,AND LOLLIPOPS" they are quite creative.
• 

  Ok not a fan of sewing, not a fan of felt books, or looking for something else to do? Then here is an idea that I recently made my kids for their walls. I received two metal trays from a yard sale for a total of $0.15 each. I then made my 6 year old PINK Chalkboard paint, and my 2 year had his chalkboard paint done in blue. So, step 1 find old metal trays (I used decorative trays, but you could use old metal trays from TV dinner stands, old metal serving trays, I'll show an example picture, as long as it's metal it'll work). We made these as a craft/home made gift for my son's 2nd birthday this past October 4th, and of course the sibling helping needed her own, so she got it. Any way we took acrylic paint, mixed it with unsanded grout until it was the consistency of thick pancake batter, painted over the beautifully decorated trays, let it dry and hung them on the wall. They now had a magnet tray AND a chalk board to hang on their wall in one.
• My all time FAVORITE BLOG is called A Beautiful Mess, just like ME! So, these are two sisters that do crafts, home décor, photography, fashion, beauty, and recipes ALL year long. They also taught me to make my chalk board paint I made for the last project I listed ^above^ , however I believe it's important for kids to have a creative journal at all ages. That is a great way to let them outlet their feelings, thoughts, fears, happiness, and be okay with it. Now this blog has a TON of DIY ideas, but my favorite journal for kids is made little, but special. I put stickers and used different sorts of craft and cardstock papers for my daughter's. But check this easy to pack in your purse, your son's back pack, a diaper bag, your daughter's purse, etc., It's called a Mini Magazine Notebook. Click on the link to check it out. (this would make a good gift for an adult who doesn't remember well or who's always taking notes too) The DIY Mini Magazine Journal. For more gifts like more types of journals and scrapbooks, as well as  textile printing, phone cases, sewing for beginners, DIY decorating for your kid's room/toy room/and the rest, and most importantly at the bottom of this next link the DO IT YOURSELF KIDDO, with a bunch of ideas for kiddies. Here's the link to their DIY crafts: DIY Crafts~Choose a gift for ANYONE in the family, there is EVERYTHING! And if you want to see what's newest, and start at the main page of the blog, get to know about Elsie and Emma and how they are so creative, then you can chose your categories for a gift by going to: A Beautiful Mess Blog, Everything creative
• FINALLY FOR NOW: Who has better, and more perfect ideas than Martha Stewart? Well in my opinion it's the Beautiful mess blog, BUT I stopped by and checked out some of Martha's things. I think that you could make a gift for a kid of ANY age with her help. There are gifts in a jar, gifts kids can make, gifts for book lovers, bath and spa gifts, stocking stuffers, pet gifts and even MORE! So, here is the link to get Christmas Crafting: Home Made Christmas Gifts, How to with Martha Stewart . There will be something FOR everyone to be able to make and something FOR everyone to LOVE.

Well I KNOW this has been a long list, a lot of information, and a LOAD of links to check out, but I'm confident you'll get your "shopping" done early and find the right gift for everyone you look for just by looking at these links. REMEMBER: last minute shopping=stress and regret and dread. So Stress, Regret, and Dread=RESENTMENT. AND Resentment of having to shop for the Holidays=not enjoying the reason for the season: Celebrating the Birth of Jesus, and sharing with family. Not just toys to kids gifts to others BUT love, togetherness, and happiness.

Look out for my FINAL and Part 3 of Christmas shopping for ADULTS.

xoxo happy shopping and crafting~

Megs

10 Tips for Praying as a Couple, Christian Engagement, Newlywed Couples

10 Tips for Praying as a Couple, Christian Engagement, Newlywed Couples

I FOUND THIS SITE TODAY. IT HAS EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO HEAR, AND I GOT SOME ADVICE ON MAKING A STRONGER MARRIAGE. I WILL SAY CHRIS AND I DO PRAY TOGETHER. THE FAMILY THAT PRAYS TOGETHER STAYS TOGETHER. IT IS COMFORTING KNOWING THAT I HAVE A HUSBAND THAT IS WILLING TO PRAY FOR ME INSTEAD OF POINT A FINGER AT ME. ITS COMFORTING WHEN WE TAKE TURNS PRAYING TOGETHER AND WE TAKE THE WORDS OUT OF EACH OTHERS MOUTH OR WE ARE ABLE TO SEE HOW EACH OTHER ARE GROWING IN CHRIST. p.s. this pic is not of Chris and I. It's from the website.

My hero: Abe Lincoln, Leader, Hero, and Manic Depressive

I finally got THREE things I wanted. 1.) a night AND day alone with the Hubby Chris.~A.K.A. babysitters for the kids...OVERNIGHT and at the same time  2.) To lay back alone and watch a movie with Chris RELAXED without having to Pause it, stop it, or forget it due to interruptions that come with having a beautiful family and much 'needy' children. AND 3.) I got to do numbers one and two while completing number three. Watching the new release movie "Lincoln." 
I have always thought of Abe Lincoln of a GREAT role model, wonderful man, honest and caring Christian and great political leader. As a child in school, I would do reports on Abe when I was given the chance to pick a topic. Of course, in Elementary School, I was limited on my choice of books to gain information from. However, every report was different, each revealing more and I remember doing six reports all together-so with my memory there may have been more.
I always thought that Abe was awesome because he was able to stand up to so much controversy, and overcome the conflicts, hurdles and bumps in the road when it came to his idea of the ever famous, and then seemingly ludicrously impossible idea of signing the 13th Amendment.  Today, after watching the movie "Lincoln", I realized that even as a child I thought that to be a couragous task, but I didn't fully grasp all the negative feedback, put downs, all the trouble, the fighting for what he believed in, and even the lack of support from family, and even his best friend, Joshua Speed.
So, the movie focused on Abe's Presidency, what he did as a leader to unite the country, and what he did FOR THE PEOPLE. I must admit that I thought the movie would be good, but just a documentary and have little comical moments. However, anyone who knows about President Lincoln knows that he was known for telling stories and jokes, which sometimes caused him to gain some criticism throughout the term. As I was watching the movie tonight, I had wondered, WHY didn't I know he was this funny? Really? I always quote him. I always find awesome quotes about life, love, people and Christianity that are wise and so intelligent. I can't help but notice how his mind and my mind work alike. I figured it out. He and I suffer from the same ailment. 
Manic Depression. Also sometimes referred to as Bipolar disorder. I notice when growing up, I was under a load of stress. I always used comedy as a way to channel my energy when I was depressed and had to appear somewhere like work, school, and being a parent. Why? Because it got my mind off of  being depressed. I thought if I could focus on something else then I'd feel better and nobody would know what was wrong with me....because there was a time I didn't know nor did I want someone to tell me. But after watching the movie and with my ever wondering mind, I did do some research and found that there are many documented incidents of Abraham Lincoln's depression, as well as a book called "Abraham Lincoln's Melancholy" by Joshua Wolf Shenk. In a couple reports I read on this book I found that it focused on how Abe used his "comedy" to focus on what he needed to get done. He stated that telling his stories and jokes are what kept him going sometimes. It's as if being Manic and Bipolar at the same time, it's a feeling that is not fun when someone is forced to go from the "manic and exciting" end of the pole down to the "sad and depressed" end which happens unexpectedly and uncontrollably. This is why President Lincoln told stories and jokes when there was stress in the room, when times were hard. Just as a kid, I used my humor to get sent to the principal's office  or to miss too much work while isolating. We both used humor, he just had a better way with it that was more positive. He used his humor, and his ailment to help found our country again.
So, tell me. Why is Bipolar and Manic Depression now a means for someone to get put on disability? We now have medication to help, as well as doctors, counselors, psychiatrist, psychologists. Why now do we need to also become "disabled"? I see commercials with the "disability lawyers" who claim to get you disability...the money you 'deserve'...if you suffer from any of the following: Bipolar, anxiety, Manic Depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, ADD, ADHD, and the list goes on. In times of Mr. Lincoln these medicines, knowledge, and help from professionals were not available. Why do we NEED to get disability and stay in bed, stay at home wasting our God given talents?  Lincoln who faced going thru the Great Depression, the Civil War, not to mention he lost his only brother at a very young age, his mom, aunt, and uncle died due to disease. A few years later his sister died after giving birth while delivering a still born baby. He also lost his job, had his business collapse and was in debt for 17 years, he failed to be nominated for congress, senate and the vice presidency too! He also had the failure of rejected by two women. But, he didn't quit. He fought, became President of the then "ununited" States during the Civil War and had to unite millions of Americans while dealing with his own issues, taking care of a family, and running a country.I'm sure after all of these events he wasn't just depressed, rather would have had some Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as well.
So, instead of using his Manic Depression, and catastrophic events in life as an excuse to run, hide, give up, and lay around and wile in the mire, he stood tall, and used his Bipolar (which can cause creativity as the brain races during mania), to pull a country together and become one of the best loved, most heroic, brave, and UN disabled humans and Presidents of the United States of America.
I no longer feel I need to hide my Bipolar. No longer do I feel it's an ailment, rather something to make me stronger. I believe that in times of trial, confusion or hard times, if we dig deep enough for information, we can find someone, somewhere in history or present, that has our same issues. Seeing someone else completely overcome such set backs with such success is inspiring enough that I don't feel anything could hold me back from success. Who am I to complain? I have been able to be a successful parent, student, wife, daughter, and part time work at home mom. Now though, when I'm feeling melancholy, I know who to think of and that will help me make it through whatever I need to. Because the present is important. Hiding from my condition will not help me continue to raise a happy and successful family. Hiding and isolation are ways to miss memories. Never miss a minute because each minute lost is a memory not made. A wise Abe Lincoln once said, "See what is before you in the here and now, that's the only thing that counts."

RAINY DAY PROJECTS SCRAPBOOKING!!!!!/PHOTO BOOKS DIY

Scrapbooking Techniques - How to Make a Scrapbook - Scrapbooks Etc.

Just a little help, also info on embellishments (which i LOVE). Here is another link that is good if you're a new "scrapper:

New scrap booker info: Family & Friend scrap booking CLICK HERE

JOURNALING TO BE BETTER PARENT; HELP STATES LESSEN MURDER RATE

I recently started a journal. It has been so helpful. Not just in keeping my feelings in check but in proving my boyfriend wrong...I can say "No I swear, its in my journal..." Also my explosive anger episodes....not so much outbursts any more just scribbles. Which, keeps me out of trouble and me owing the kids money for saying bad words "a dime a word." So, feeling like you're going to pop some one's head, feeling like moving out on a LONG time relationship? Gonna flip out on your child for doing "that same thing  I said not to ten times in a row?" Run to the bathroom, bedroom...alone and journal. Trust me...hell it may make the murder rate go down.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH THOSE WHO MATTER

Ever sitting on the front porch and thinking of an old friend?? It happens for a reason....DROP THEM a NOTE. YOU may be the person they need to hear from...that one person who keeps them together.