Help.......I Need A New Routine And Organization!!! Found The Solution :)

So, I'm now down to minus 1 week until the first day of school! I must admit that over the summer, I've allowed myself to become completely unorganized and without a routine. I'm so glad that it's back to school time just so that I can get my family back into a regular routine.

As I was thinking about the whole "back to a routine" concept, I couldn't help but ask myself if there is a better way than what we have been used to during past school years. The answer was.........well, I didn't have an answer. So, I started doing some research online and found a couple of website that really peaked my interest.

The first thing I found was this wonderful blog, The Organised Housewife. You can sign up for her monthly helpful newsletters with all kinds of new ideas. I'm really looking forward to this every month. This site also has printable charts for planning meals. So helpful. I really need this more than you know!

The second is actually a new iPhone app and website, Home Routines. If you have an iPhone, you've got to check this out. It really is the coolest app that I've come across in a long time. The app is a paid app. I believe that it costs $2.99, but well worth the price. The website has a link so that you can download it. I can't wait to set mine up and start using it. It will help you to get your day organized and help with your daily cleaning schedules.

Ok, off to finish up some laundry and other things before the rest of my day gets away from me. Let me know what you think about the websites and the app. :)

Until next time...........

Shiny Tinsel.....AKA.....Your Stainless Steel Sink!

Okie dokie my fellow bloggers!  I'm going to now tell you one of my BIGGEST pet peeves in life......Water Spots on my stainless steel sink.  They drive me crazy!!!!!!  My second pet peeve is a dull yucky looking sink.  Lets face it, those of us that have stainless steel sinks fight both problems on a daily basis.  I struggled for years trying to figure out just how to get my sink looking nice and keeping it that way.  Well, I've found the solution and now I'm gonna pass it along to you.

First, I've got to say this......I drive my husband nuts with my obsessive battle with the inevitable water spotted sink.  When I'm done using the sink, I must admit that I take a clean kitchen towel and dry my sink out.  I know, I know.....it's a sink!  Like I told ya, the spots drive me crazy.  I need help!!!  LOL

Ok, so this is how to get your sink looking it's shiny best and how to keep it that way.

First, you must fill the sink up to the rim with very hot water.  I've even boiled water and added it to the already hot water in the sink.  Just for good measure ;)

Next you will need to add 1 cup of bleach to the water.  Be very careful!  You don't want to get the bleach on your clothes.  I don't think that I could help you with that little mishap :(   Let the bleach water sit in your sink for 1 hour.  After 1 hour, drain the water and rinse out your sink well with running water.

Next you'll want to use a little cleanser.  I use baking soda, but you can use Comet, Ajax or Soft Scrub.  Whatever you have on hand.  Don't forget to clean off your faucet as well!

The last step is to spray a little glass cleaner on your sink.  Wipe it out!  Your sink should shine like silver tinsel :)

Now, I maintain my shine at least twice a week.  After doing the dishes I will scrub the sink out with a little regular dish soap and rinse it well.  Then I will sprinkle about 1/2 a tbsp. of baking soda in the sink and scrub.  Rinse well and dry the sink out with a clean, dry kitchen towel.  Your sink will SHINE SHINE SHINE!!!!! 

I hope that is helpful all of you out there that obsess over your kitchen sinks as much as I do :)

Happy Scrubbing!

P.S.  See, I told ya that bought some of that good smelling Williams Sonoma cleaning products!!!  You can see them in the picture above.  My most favorite product so far is the countertop spray.  I LOVE IT!!!!  Smells sooooooooo good!  You gotta get ya some :)

New Holiday Favorite!!!

Over the Thanksgiving holiday I did some shopping!  SURPRISE....I know :)  While in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, I got to visit the Williams Sonoma store.  This is one of my favorite stores to shop for all things kitchen.  While browsing around I came across these cleaning products.  Oh My Goodness!!!!  They smell soooooo good :)  And the good thing about them is that they are made with all natural products.  I actually bought the Winter Forest set whice includes Hand Soap, Hand Lotion, Dish Soap and a Countertop Spray.  Every thing smells like a Christmas Tree.  I actually love to fill the sink with water and the dish soap just so the my kitchen will smell like a big ol' wonderful fresh cut Christmas tree!

They also sell a set that smells like Peppermint (loved it too....almost bought both!) and another set smells like Chestnuts.  You'll have to check out their website  http://www.williams-sonoma.com/ 

I hope that ya'll had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends that we haven't seen in a very long time.  It was good to get back to Oklahoma......but my allergies were saying ,"Girl, you better get home quick before we kick your butt"!  I forgot how much "junk" is in the air in Oklahoma :(

Well, I'm working on getting the house in order for Christmas.  As soon as the tree is up and all the decorations are in place, I'll take pictures!

Laundry Detergent -#2

Hello!  I hope that this blog finds everyone happy and well on this Thursday afternoon.  It has been really cold and wet here for the past few days.  I'm so ready for some sunshine :) 

Well, I've had several people email me about the kind of container that I use for my laundry detergent.  I figured I would take a picture of it since it's hard sometimes to describe what it looks like.  I bought this glass container at one of the superstores here near my home.  I really liked the idea of a glass container so that I could see when I was getting low and needed a refill. 

I keep my container on top of my washer and I have it sitting on a pretty little doily.  It makes me feel Martha Stewart-esque! LOL  I'm so far from being anything like her.......which sometimes is a "Good Thing"!  I'm so on a roll today :)  Ha Ha!

I've also recieved a few emails asking me if I've ever had bad smells from front loader washer.  I guess I'm a lucky one because I haven't.  However, I'm religiously making sure that my machine is clean because I've heard that front loaders can create smells.  So, I'm going to share with you my little secret to keeping the "Bad" smells away.  I'm sure that those of you who have top loaders can follow this as well.

 On the 1st of every month, I clean my machine using the "Tub Clean" cycle.  I add bleach to the fill line on the bleach resevoir.   Then on the 15th of every month I do the same thing except this time I use distilled white vinegar.  I use vinegar as my fabric softener also, so I know that as I'm washing/rinsing my clothes, my machines is staying clean.  Now, for those of you with top loading machines, you can do the same thing except you don't have the "Tub Clean" cycle.  So you will want to add 1 cup of bleach or Vinegar (depending if it's the 1st or 15th) to a regular wash cycle using the hotest water that you can.  This should keep your machines nice a clean as well.

I've also had a few people asking me if I know how to get dishwasher sparkle.  As a matter of fact, I do!  :)

Once a week I add 1/4 cup of baking soda to the bottom of my dishwasher (I usually do this on Monday) and run a regular cycle without dishes.  Once a month (usually around the 1st) I will add 1 cup of distilled white vinegar to the bottom of the dishwasher and run a regular cycle without dishes.  This will keep the inside of your machine super clean and the drains odor free.

Ok, I had better get!  I've got to go start supper for my "Starving" family.  Y'all have a wonderful evening.

Happy Cleaning Y'all!

Clean, Clean, Clean!

Ok, so I promised you that I would share with you some homemade cleaning products.  I just recently started making my own cleaning products for several reasons.  The products that I would buy at the store always seemed to make me sick.  I would clean the house and then within a few hours I would begin to have really bad sinus problems.  I was getting really concerned about why I was so sick all the time.  Then I began to see a pattern of when I was getting sick. It was always right after I would deep clean my house.

The second reason is really simple.  They are more inexpensive than the brands that you buy at the store.  I'm always amazed at how much cleaning supplies cost and for such a small amount.

Lastly, homemade cleaning products are just better for my family all around.  I know what I am using and can actually pronounce the ingredients that are in them.  Yep, it makes me feel smarter and I need all the help I can get!

So here is a list of a few homemade cleaning products that are so simple and easy to make.  HAPPY CLEANING!!!!

ALL PURPOSE CLEANER-
Try water, or a solution of 2 tablespoons mild dishwashing liquid and 2 cups water. Sanitize countertops with white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide; spray the surface with one, then the other, and wipe (keep them in separate, well-marked bottles and do not dilute). For a gentle scrub to use on countertops, sinks, and faucets, make a paste with warm water and baking soda; or boost cleaning power by using dishwashing liquid instead of the water.

FLOOR CLEANER-
Use a damp -- not saturated -- sponge mop to wash with warm water. If your wood floor is really dirty, try a solution of 1/8 cup plant-based liquid soap and 1/8 cup distilled white vinegar to 1 gallon water (some people like to add 10 drops essential oil for fragrance). For ceramic and stone floors, eliminate soap, which leaves a film, and use 1/4 cup vinegar with 1 gallon water.

TOILET BOWL CLEANER-
Add 1/2 cup vinegar to the toilet bowl, let stand a few minutes, brush, and flush. If you have hard water, let the vinegar sit for an hour, and you may have to do some light scrubbing. To remove stains, add 1/2 cup borax to the water, swish it around, and let it soak overnight.

FURNITURE POLISH-
Clean with a barely damp soft rag; polish with olive, almond, or walnut oil. Or experiment with olive oil and white vinegar (or lemon juice) combinations -- more vinegar or lemon juice for cleaning and more oil for polishing.

FABRIC SOFTENER-
Add 1/4 cup to 1 cup white vinegar to the final rinse cycle (never mix vinegar and chlorine bleach). Try 1/4 cup baking soda in the wash cycle to reduce static cling. Removing clothes from the dryer while still slightly damp or line-drying clothes will also reduce static cling.

HOW TO REMOVE SOAP BUILD-UP/SMELLS IN DISHWASHER-
Pour a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly.

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR MICROWAVE-
Mix 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

I hope some of these idea will help you in your cleaning endeavors.  Please, if you have any questions don't hesitate to leave a comment!!!

~For those of you who are WBGL listeners.....Welcome!  I'm sure some of you are interested in my homemade laundry detergent recipe.  You can get to my laundry detergent post by going to the right hand column and looking under Labels.  Look for the "Cleaning" label and that will take you to that post.  Hope you enjoy it!  Again, if you have any questions.....feel free to leave me a comment and I'll get back to ya.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

If you're like me, you're always trying to do what's best for your family. Sometimes it can be a struggle when you're on a tight budget. Recently I was at our local "Superstore" to buy laundry detergent. As I stopped to pick up a bottle of my favorite detergent I noticed that the price had gone up AGAIN! But, I had to have it so I just shook my head and put the bottle in the cart and then made my way down the aisle to where the fabric softner was located. Again, I picked up a bottle of my favorite fabric softner and the price had gone up on it as well.

Now, two years ago Ryan and I decided that we wanted to save a little money on our water and electric bill so we bought a high efficiency (HE) washer and dryer. Best move that we made. I LOVE my machines and we have really noticed a difference in our water and electric bills. Ok, with that said, I've been paying out the wazzou for laundry detergent because my machines only use HE or low sudsing detergent. Do you know how expensive these detergents are? We go through alot of laundry around here, so I was running to the store almost every week and a half to buy detergent and fabric softner at close to $10 -$15 for detergent and $5 -$7 for softner. Thats ALOT of money when you're on a budget!!!!!

So, about a month ago I was watching one of my favorite TV shows on TLC about a family that has 18 kids. Yeah, you know the one :) Anyway, I decided to check out their website. While I was looking at their site I noticed that they make their own laundry deterget! And they use HE machines!!!!! I was like, WHAT? BACK THAT TRUCK UP!!!! So then I decided to do a little research on my own about making your own laundry detergent. Now, Ryan at this point is shaking his head and was most likely thinking "Whatever".

I found out that it really is so simple to make your own detergent and it's very inexpensive. WAY CHEAPER!!!!!

So to make a long story short.....I made my first batch and I was pretty surprised to find that not only did it clean better than the high dollar brands but it also softened our clothes (I no longer use fabric softener) and made everything even smell fresher than the brand I had been using.

It has been requested by all members of my household that I only use this detergent from now on. We’ve been using it for about a month now and I’m totally won over. Of course, they love it for the smell and feel of our clothes, I love it for how great it works and the fact that it only costs me about eight cents per load of laundry now!

This is only my second batch that I’ve made up. It seemed to last forever so this last time I actually measured out how many loads were in each batch so I could give you an accurate figure. No wonder it lasted forever, I had made enough for 160 loads!

Before I forget, when I do feel the need to use fabric softner I've started using (are you ready for this?) plain ol' white vinegar. Yep! Not only does it soften my clothes (and no, you can't smell the vinegar in the clothes) but it keeps my machines smelling good and keeps the hoses clean and fresh!

Today I’m bringing you the recipe I use. This one is the hands down winner at my house!


You’ll need:

■Laundry Soap (Fels Naptha or Zote are the ones I have used. You can also use: Sunlight Bar Soap, Kirk’s Hardwater Castile, or even Ivory)
■Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT baking soda)
■Borax

Note: You’re not likely to find all of these things in one store. I usually have to make trips to at least two different stores to get them. One store will have the Borax but put it beside a huge box of Baking Soda instead of washing soda and then another will have the soap. Just have fun shopping around for what you like but be sure you remember where you got everything! I am going to show you a recipe for detergent to make about eighty loads worth but I recommend you get four bars of soap and go ahead and make 160 loads worth because there is enough Borax and Washing Soda in one box to do that much. This will give you the absolute best savings!

The only real work involved is grating your soap. I use a cheese grater for this. I really want to use my food processor but I’m worried about hard soap damaging or dulling my blades so cheese grater it is! I get about three cups of soap shavings from each bar. Measurements will vary according to the size of your bar soap and how finely it is ground. We’re grating this kind of fine so it melts easier in the water. If you like, you can run the shavings through the food processor when you are done to make it finer but this works just fine for me.

Measure out your soap grounds in a large mixing bowl. This is where the recipe gets easy. However many cups of soap shavings you have, half that to know the number of cups of Washing Soda and Borax to put in. So for six cups of soap shavings, use three cups of borax and three cups of washing soda! Measure out the washing soda and borax then stir all of that up! You’ll have to stir a bit each time you scoop some out to get a good ratio of soap shavings to powder but that’s no big deal.


I store mine in a glass container with a lid and leave a 1/8th of a cup measuring cup in there to measure it out. Can you believe this only takes two tablespoons per load? Seriously! I put this to the test, too. I’ve figure out that two tablespoons is pretty close to 1/8th of a cup so that is the measurement I use now.

The main difference you will notice between this and store bought detergents is that this detergent doesn’t suds up as commercial ones do. Don’t let that deter you! Once you pull out your first load of clean, fresh smelling, naturally soft and fluffy laundry, that only cost YOU eight cents to clean, you’ll be hooked.

If you decide to try making your own detergent let me know how it works for ya. I know that you'll love it and love the savings! Happy washing :)

Homemade Laundry Detergent

■4 Bars Laundry Soap (to yield 12 cups of soap shavings)
■6 Cups Borax (this is roughly one box)

■6 Cups Washing powders (this is roughly one box)
Grate soap using cheese grater. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir well. Place in sealed container and measure out two tablespoons for each load.