tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66083124739783692512024-03-12T16:24:05.327-07:00Queen of TidySarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-50705072572727191752014-06-06T09:48:00.003-07:002014-06-06T09:48:42.894-07:00New Blog:Sarah Luvs It<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've got a new blog where I will be focusing my attention. It's new and improved! Please check it out and become a follower if you like what you see! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnsZw8YOzzpl5I_4vYyOyUvrzm9YXVBmy6prYpdnAdrI1gMiuilFp3xr6wK21LMy2Mn6Xb-DYoHX0iN7jdSZQNzW6RYi-RIyu3hdkaaYlk3L9OwBJZBQ9haLW8stq4pOYcj97TAONpNw/s1600/Sarah+Luvs+It+Header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnsZw8YOzzpl5I_4vYyOyUvrzm9YXVBmy6prYpdnAdrI1gMiuilFp3xr6wK21LMy2Mn6Xb-DYoHX0iN7jdSZQNzW6RYi-RIyu3hdkaaYlk3L9OwBJZBQ9haLW8stq4pOYcj97TAONpNw/s1600/Sarah+Luvs+It+Header.jpg" height="86" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://sarahluvsit.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://sarahluvsit.blogspot.com/</span></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have a great weekend!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R8TVASpiseL5zt3iPQ91_Ipm2H8QvKHabUiq12bQHySf3npgAvAfa6i4qEtjqTFz9BVtYIuqFxeigjm2ye3TlZnX-iPSwSM_cjdYvWH0Mi1fnIW7xVaLjfk8t77n1O4Zf4_OkSevfRg/s1600/blog+buttom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R8TVASpiseL5zt3iPQ91_Ipm2H8QvKHabUiq12bQHySf3npgAvAfa6i4qEtjqTFz9BVtYIuqFxeigjm2ye3TlZnX-iPSwSM_cjdYvWH0Mi1fnIW7xVaLjfk8t77n1O4Zf4_OkSevfRg/s1600/blog+buttom.jpg" height="198" width="200" /></a></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-46718671633951948012013-11-24T18:27:00.000-08:002013-11-24T18:27:03.465-08:00Clean Printable<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here's a free printable! Enjoy! Size can be printed as an 8 x 10 photo.</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>The Queen</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZPb83qHLlQhGaCbkDYeB5kGcXxdNBeNZUv-7Ptw2WoPfSB59GEFuxpYmm8qHWunVTzh8dHJi9NX4kD4_EZCex2OyFT9EkOuUZSejgQn29mIcUWxK0Jc9Ef-xjtyq9wTFJVWn69SSgHA/s1600/Clean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ZPb83qHLlQhGaCbkDYeB5kGcXxdNBeNZUv-7Ptw2WoPfSB59GEFuxpYmm8qHWunVTzh8dHJi9NX4kD4_EZCex2OyFT9EkOuUZSejgQn29mIcUWxK0Jc9Ef-xjtyq9wTFJVWn69SSgHA/s320/Clean.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-66354743311513123852013-11-24T16:12:00.001-08:002013-11-24T16:12:45.384-08:00Clean Your Stainless Steel Like a Pro<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I realize that I've been gone for a while, but we won't go into all that. The important thing is...I'm back!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Stainless steel...I believe the steel part. Stainless? Give me a break. Those of you that have had stainless steel know what I'm talking about. It looks beautiful until you walk by at an angle where the sunshine enhances all it's flaws...fingerprints, smudges, this morning's yogurt that you had for breakfast. You get the picture. A pain to keep clean. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I, myself, am the <strike>proud</strike> owner of stainless steel appliances. After my first set, I vowed never again. But, alas, I purchased another set of stainless steel appliances because it's what everyone buys nowadays. SO, it was time to get smart on cleaning them because you know how I am. I like it clean, cheap, and natural. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Are you ready? This will change the way you feel about your stainless steel...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cooking spray. That's right. Cooking spray. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAKzfzhDSkXcANMiAwHnOL0C-RpCDZv5Y42rx5E4SebZiKbXf6BVwqWxsN8EEUMO5G6Oul8ERelApubvJriHJetc4D82B2Q7a6vspE_aly56Ox79_D1JDsfz8rpu4rWl-J06qgdYPtSk/s1600/Stainless+Steel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAKzfzhDSkXcANMiAwHnOL0C-RpCDZv5Y42rx5E4SebZiKbXf6BVwqWxsN8EEUMO5G6Oul8ERelApubvJriHJetc4D82B2Q7a6vspE_aly56Ox79_D1JDsfz8rpu4rWl-J06qgdYPtSk/s200/Stainless+Steel.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Just grab a microfiber towel (to cut down on dust and streaking) and a can of cooking spray. Any kind you want. I use the canola oil spray. But you can use olive or vegetable oil if you prefer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">To begin, wipe down your appliance with some water just to clean all the smudges and any residue that might be on the surface. It'll have tons of streak marks at this point. But don't fret. It's about to get a whole lot better. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now spray the surface of your appliance lightly with your cooking spray and take the microfiber towel and carefully wipe the surface of the appliance, starting from top to bottom. Follow the grain of the stainless steel. Make sure there is no excess oil or dripping. That's why I suggest starting very lightly and adding more if needed. Just continue until your appliance surface is to your liking. This usually takes me all of three minutes and does a better job than any cleaner on the market. You can also pull out a bottle of any of these oils and dab it on a towel and then wipe it on the appliance. It's your preference. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope you enjoy this tip and happy cleaning!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>The Queen</em></span><br />
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-6118528352746839802013-06-24T21:53:00.001-07:002013-06-24T21:53:49.392-07:00Getting Your Home Ready to Sell<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">First of all, I'm sure that you all noticed I've been MIA for a while. The end of the school year plus ballet and baseball nearly did me in and the blog had to take a back seat to my life for a while. Now we're just down to baseball and life finally feels manageable again! Kudos to all you guardians who live in the car for the sake of allowing your kids to be well-rounded! And kudos to all you guardians who say no to extra activities...I live in a world where I desperately want to do both! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So, today I was enjoying some free time with an old friend from out of town. We came around to the subject of selling houses. The Hubby and I have sold one house and it's an experience that I don't wish to repeat any time soon. For a neat-freak like me, it nearly pushed me to the edge of certifiably insane. However, it provided me with some wonderful training in getting a house ready for the market. So I'd like to share a few helpful tips today for keeping your house in tip-top shape for others to look at! </span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11 TIPS FOR SELLING YOUR HOME</span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. Relax - I wish I would have told myself this more and then I wish I would have listened. My house was in perfect condition every time it was shown and it still took 14 months to sell because it sold when it was supposed to. In hindsight, I should have eased up a bit and let fate take it's course. Sometimes we put too much emotional investment into believing that if we clean it more, it'll sell faster. And then we take personal blame for the fact that things aren't moving quickly. Do what you can and then wait patiently.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Get rid of the clutter - Less clutter makes a space feel bigger. Who doesn't want more space? Buyers love to walk into a place that feels airy, spacious, and open. Put away things like treadmills, exercise bikes, oversized furniture, knick-knacks on shelves, etc. Get rid of as much as you can without the space feeling cold and empty. Don't neglect de-cluttering places like closets too. Buyers love closet space and it's up to you to show them how much they'll have. Get rid of clothes you don't wear, take down pictures that make a wall feel too busy, remove a rug that distracts from the massive floor space, and please, please, please, remove that old fake tree in your living room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. Get rid of personal objects - By this I mean that you should take down things that define the space as yours. Replace family pictures with something universal. Clear the fridge of colored pictures from the kids and invitations from your neighbor's BBQ. Buyers want to picture the space as theirs, not yours. Keep in mind that you won't have to go without your things forever...just a while.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. Neutralize your colors - Paint over that red wall and tone down your furnishings. Use accent colors to your advantage. Use soothing colors like green as accent pillows or blankets. Avoid using colors like bright yellow that have been proven to irritate people and make them want to leave an area quickly. Buyers are turned off when they know they have to immediately invest time and money into getting rid of overwhelming paint colors. Beiges and grays provide neutral backgrounds, plus add warmth without making the room feel smaller. Keep your ceilings white to make the rooms feel larger. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5. Never air your dirty laundry - Keep things like laundry and dirty dishes under control. NEVER have baskets of dirty clothes laying around or dirty dishes in the sink. Also, never leave the house to be seen with the dishwasher, washer, or dryer running. The noise can distract from what you really want them to focus on...your great house! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6. Make the beds - Enough said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7. Show clean floors - Vacuum and mop if necessary.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8. Wipe down the bathrooms - There's nothing worse than walking into a bathroom that makes you cringe. A dirty bathroom could make or break you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9. Dust and clean mirrors - Fingerprints, dust smears, and toothpaste splatters can distract from a beautiful room. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10. Open the blinds and turn on EVERY LIGHT in the house - This includes lamps that you have too. Light makes a space feel bigger and cleaner. Turn on EVERY. SINGLE. ONE. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11. Bake some bread - I know that sometimes all you have is a ten-minute notice and this can't always be done. But seriously, who doesn't love the smell of bread?! It has a way of making people feel comfortable and at home. The reason I don't suggest lighting a candle is because you'd be surprised at how a scent that you love can be completely repulsive to another person. If you must use something other than baking bread, stick to a simple spray that dissipates quickly. From my personal experience and opinion, I suggest a light citrus smell, like tangerine or lemon. These are rarely offensive. Spray at least 15 minutes before a buyer comes so that the scent has time to become subtle, not overpowering. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">So there you have it. I could easily go on and on but these simple steps will certainly put you on the path to selling your home! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What are some of your favorite tips for staging a home to sell?</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Queen</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></em>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-14454446396500297122013-05-10T10:46:00.001-07:002013-05-10T10:46:07.370-07:00Teacher Appreciation: Creative and Affordable<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The blog is slowly evolving into telling you about all sorts of projects that I enjoy, aside from cleaning. The great part about being clean and organized is that it allows me time to do things that I love!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Teacher appreciation week is this week and what better way to show your appreciation than by putting together this fun little gift basket!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VJr1sGkV-9XpUHs9339UCfYXdqazbVXsqKCltKt8gCEIaDXJ8ASMUD0yH2Snv4J44kKj7Evbxk62TZoFwWMAX-lOrzelH5FkvV-c9h_KD658t_1D-6XbIM-IJw6LdMcA2qcmz3G1-Vw/s1600/teacher+appreciation3+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VJr1sGkV-9XpUHs9339UCfYXdqazbVXsqKCltKt8gCEIaDXJ8ASMUD0yH2Snv4J44kKj7Evbxk62TZoFwWMAX-lOrzelH5FkvV-c9h_KD658t_1D-6XbIM-IJw6LdMcA2qcmz3G1-Vw/s1600/teacher+appreciation3+.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I went to the store just to walk down the aisles for some inspiration. If you know me, you know that I have to come up with something that qualifies as functional and cute...but mostly cute! After spying some adorable ticket stubs and a huge popcorn tub, I knew there was some major potential. Here's what I came up with. I've included a free printable for you to use for the tags. You can simply write in your child's name on the line. Just click on the photo and print on an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of cardstock.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The best part about this project: each basket only cost about $7.00 to make! And they're HUGE!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Supplies:</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 popcorn tub</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 box popcorn</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 bag Red Vines</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 can Lemon Twist soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 box Junior Mints</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ticket Stubs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 cellophane basket bag</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Tissue Paper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Ribbon of choice </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Cardstock (White and one other color)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><u>Instructions:</u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. Wipe out the inside of the popcorn tub just to remove any dust that may be inside.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPi-8N-cgbXO3do7DJ2-A-xOdDjQEXAU-6x5j9Bn7fcVgMt5gOx4C5_aekRBeCcjrhqMrMSFr8H7iw8LcHdx7KmTLe5BK1C1SAfpkKHexvazrmbBjCiDyWXJTw4WHNhlhj5PwVUhZxsA/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPi-8N-cgbXO3do7DJ2-A-xOdDjQEXAU-6x5j9Bn7fcVgMt5gOx4C5_aekRBeCcjrhqMrMSFr8H7iw8LcHdx7KmTLe5BK1C1SAfpkKHexvazrmbBjCiDyWXJTw4WHNhlhj5PwVUhZxsA/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Put about three sheets of crumpled tissue paper down in the tub so that all the items will be raised up a bit.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. Put the Red Vines in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuCFX3Auj1Ck0z4hyphenhyphenUSYNeg_bYXjvHedcKW0MWXQstaIHIGHuqloue6mckiqur-Po0Sz3ZJHkoJnjjZAN1arXx8LhTDBRoJevsjfLCaCrMTHmbuEYFWnD0oCiYCWPR7LW67Lfa1BF9Lo/s1600/IMG_2070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuCFX3Auj1Ck0z4hyphenhyphenUSYNeg_bYXjvHedcKW0MWXQstaIHIGHuqloue6mckiqur-Po0Sz3ZJHkoJnjjZAN1arXx8LhTDBRoJevsjfLCaCrMTHmbuEYFWnD0oCiYCWPR7LW67Lfa1BF9Lo/s1600/IMG_2070.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. Put the tickets in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28HFcuoHN2LI0f-WYfJvkUxib612utVq44dFeFi0tD1JuOFojs2DkcuFoYwmrmIVQwnXFFLV07rU7EqKqnpbYFr7p5_rQMLTLm-I5zte1Qime0YcmJ59ZiC18Cr1TanEXRfHvl3KxGNk/s1600/IMG_2068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28HFcuoHN2LI0f-WYfJvkUxib612utVq44dFeFi0tD1JuOFojs2DkcuFoYwmrmIVQwnXFFLV07rU7EqKqnpbYFr7p5_rQMLTLm-I5zte1Qime0YcmJ59ZiC18Cr1TanEXRfHvl3KxGNk/s1600/IMG_2068.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5. Put the popcorn in.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqlJH0CIieICWwL7D4AF4mt5gQ2Id4_SXLXgXUd7k0pFyMci2_tQXExfD576zhSC-lxwGjd2q8yTr2RcWMcpfKMMlPRGgakAIj_e5yK5pmdGur8W-q_x1cXuFYmXI8A1BOd8xNM4Yg5U/s1600/IMG_2065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTqlJH0CIieICWwL7D4AF4mt5gQ2Id4_SXLXgXUd7k0pFyMci2_tQXExfD576zhSC-lxwGjd2q8yTr2RcWMcpfKMMlPRGgakAIj_e5yK5pmdGur8W-q_x1cXuFYmXI8A1BOd8xNM4Yg5U/s1600/IMG_2065.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6. Put in the Junior Mints. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-bbr4SELfy6raoVN4DP34Wym6ofIG49Lk2_xAOpooStrJCcvr81EDFcdf2oVcNxKBXzgaJNCQt5OuvqkI6gmDnPEMVi31aZB6kLFCJdaelsUZW6cdv4IZXRhfSbeXazQUSSs8gLnL6g/s1600/IMG_2067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-bbr4SELfy6raoVN4DP34Wym6ofIG49Lk2_xAOpooStrJCcvr81EDFcdf2oVcNxKBXzgaJNCQt5OuvqkI6gmDnPEMVi31aZB6kLFCJdaelsUZW6cdv4IZXRhfSbeXazQUSSs8gLnL6g/s1600/IMG_2067.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7. Put in the soda can. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdCZFgvlVJA6KiWY3FhOc4Uzo8efCBMWovLScOubcQstxHkrk83GdrzkIGBkz2fr6Z5AHZRG1NzCMZ1BvVefoKXQV5gocyAqNpsNuYj4J8tmokX0XxaiClnm_GjoAzuCzyVc8och5AKE/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBdCZFgvlVJA6KiWY3FhOc4Uzo8efCBMWovLScOubcQstxHkrk83GdrzkIGBkz2fr6Z5AHZRG1NzCMZ1BvVefoKXQV5gocyAqNpsNuYj4J8tmokX0XxaiClnm_GjoAzuCzyVc8och5AKE/s1600/IMG_2066.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8. Add a little more crumpled tissue paper around the base of everything to stabilize it. You don't want all of it to roll around when you're carrying it later. You could also use paper basket filler or Easter grass if you have some. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9. Place the entire basket in a basket gift bag. Tie with a ribbon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10. Tape the following sign on the outside right under the ribbon.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ClF8hQXxsXJcLsnay6OefsMrBUGN9JYfk2Uw3MJFgIqAIBXVLecY37v1F9kSR-1KR-amgmS-gcdjFO1vxj46uyhlOpGWiRJ4qIRXY5D-bE7CD0v0EOJwPIUe0llT-REsiYhLn9wNOE4/s1600/teacher+appreciation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ClF8hQXxsXJcLsnay6OefsMrBUGN9JYfk2Uw3MJFgIqAIBXVLecY37v1F9kSR-1KR-amgmS-gcdjFO1vxj46uyhlOpGWiRJ4qIRXY5D-bE7CD0v0EOJwPIUe0llT-REsiYhLn9wNOE4/s1600/teacher+appreciation.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<span id="goog_1272772026"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1272772027"></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTW3Hve69TyOA42cuFduNwmxS3W06E526DaA_5AvZEO4C5HCtcgrwmvuVAN38yHehRBn2EsMqX9__HeHjlEjGLXCIId3y-qc9jLd_xJqlHmw2hF8iFm4nTMU5OZAPYRYlU-PY4xhoNAeM/s1600/Teacher+Appreciation-p001.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4E7BKMx3s5QNGdrQUl5LXRGazg/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Click here for template</span></a><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Click on the link above to print on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of cardstock. Makes 2.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Voila! A fun basket for a wonderful teacher!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltCEFwNAAS6omASiZiinpSraL-vHbl3Isl1liVuQ16vTzVH83VEFB9oHxlKh9i4j-KLjxmT4GKw9iTWpIg1hmFAFZ4zWwXouMX8HmReZfQL6arJSAzVMUcyAo780UOnBi-lh44bgu8gM/s1600/teacher+appreciation2+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgltCEFwNAAS6omASiZiinpSraL-vHbl3Isl1liVuQ16vTzVH83VEFB9oHxlKh9i4j-KLjxmT4GKw9iTWpIg1hmFAFZ4zWwXouMX8HmReZfQL6arJSAzVMUcyAo780UOnBi-lh44bgu8gM/s1600/teacher+appreciation2+.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VJr1sGkV-9XpUHs9339UCfYXdqazbVXsqKCltKt8gCEIaDXJ8ASMUD0yH2Snv4J44kKj7Evbxk62TZoFwWMAX-lOrzelH5FkvV-c9h_KD658t_1D-6XbIM-IJw6LdMcA2qcmz3G1-Vw/s1600/teacher+appreciation3+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3VJr1sGkV-9XpUHs9339UCfYXdqazbVXsqKCltKt8gCEIaDXJ8ASMUD0yH2Snv4J44kKj7Evbxk62TZoFwWMAX-lOrzelH5FkvV-c9h_KD658t_1D-6XbIM-IJw6LdMcA2qcmz3G1-Vw/s1600/teacher+appreciation3+.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What's some of your favorite teacher appreciation ideas?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Friday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>The Queen</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkW95nK78kRnyv7mb08AswqrHYQfKd5C6bpN-YtiLuJJzynoM-WufNT5O12uzq1xHiyr7BZ-9rMoVolLq6zQHcD9wMGG-00moeNeBwwm_0HoW-ReVgA2uMBLgC8WQ6P0uEq6Uu69SFBc/s1600/blog+buttom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkW95nK78kRnyv7mb08AswqrHYQfKd5C6bpN-YtiLuJJzynoM-WufNT5O12uzq1xHiyr7BZ-9rMoVolLq6zQHcD9wMGG-00moeNeBwwm_0HoW-ReVgA2uMBLgC8WQ6P0uEq6Uu69SFBc/s1600/blog+buttom.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-42349298132563701242013-05-02T17:14:00.001-07:002013-05-02T17:15:11.911-07:00The Best Double Chocolate Chip Cookies EVER<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Today I'm posting a recipe because, let's face it....after cleaning house all day, sometimes you just want to congratulate yourself with something sweet. And this is about as sweet as it gets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">This is hands down the best double chocolate chip cookie EVER. I found it on the back of a Betty Crocker cake mix ten years ago and my life has never been the same. This recipe never turns out wrong and never falls short of a marriage proposal. It's that good. The great thing about this recipe is that the possibilities for variations are endless. So get creative! </span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Double Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 box Betty Crocker Devil's Food Cake Mix (must be Betty Crocker)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1 tsp. vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2 eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1/2 cup shortening (I like Butter Flavor Crisco cubes)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Chocolate chips</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwJ-e2ht1uwkOEoZKJV4pEU2FMoQ7n7QfkDG-Jy6p2gYQOgkCCrAAyYjMAOv4DBH1H1qh28qBmZOD8CxwY48AkPzY7GqVMKX6gsaBujwiNmcUdda5jPKPcd7Iyw2MlH7xdvj-Bd-4hfs/s1600/Cookie+Ingredients.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEwJ-e2ht1uwkOEoZKJV4pEU2FMoQ7n7QfkDG-Jy6p2gYQOgkCCrAAyYjMAOv4DBH1H1qh28qBmZOD8CxwY48AkPzY7GqVMKX6gsaBujwiNmcUdda5jPKPcd7Iyw2MlH7xdvj-Bd-4hfs/s1600/Cookie+Ingredients.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a bowl. This will have the consistency of a soft dough. Form small cookie balls. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place the cookie balls on the sheet and bake for 9 1/2 minutes, no longer! One they are finished, let them sit on the hot cookie sheet for an additional 5 minutes. Then remove and enjoy! These cookies will remain soft for days if stored in an airtight container. But don't wait days to try one...eat one warm with some milk and treat yourself after a hard day of cleaning house! Makes about 24 cookies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You can try several variations on this cookie. Instead of chocolate chips, try peanut butter chips or white chocolate! Or if you're like me, you can't resist chocolate and mint! Here's the ones I made about an hour ago with mint chips! Yummy!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w0Ce6vyCkM-FF_Jm8tbh8YHmMEd3kDAcokQC0g1nD5-1p-qN0xUYDYFQ3rwXo1MR3MUqZhH8GzPd8C64ZXyaHNSIZJntaP8zgwRKIpdePEq2wuzUS-tlBVFWU4I5lX54QylpKx4zQyA/s1600/cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3w0Ce6vyCkM-FF_Jm8tbh8YHmMEd3kDAcokQC0g1nD5-1p-qN0xUYDYFQ3rwXo1MR3MUqZhH8GzPd8C64ZXyaHNSIZJntaP8zgwRKIpdePEq2wuzUS-tlBVFWU4I5lX54QylpKx4zQyA/s1600/cookies.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">You could also leave out the chocolate chips altogether and make ice cream sandwiches with these! Make sure the ice cream sits out for just a few minutes so that it's easy to put between the cookies. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">The dough freezes beautifully also. Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Make cookie balls and lay them on the sheet. Place cookie sheet in freezer for a couple hours while dough freezes. Then transfer the dough to a freezer Ziploc bag. Pull out as many or as little as you'd like to make and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 1/2 minutes, since they're frozen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I hope you like this little treat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy Cooking!</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The Queen</span></em><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R8TVASpiseL5zt3iPQ91_Ipm2H8QvKHabUiq12bQHySf3npgAvAfa6i4qEtjqTFz9BVtYIuqFxeigjm2ye3TlZnX-iPSwSM_cjdYvWH0Mi1fnIW7xVaLjfk8t77n1O4Zf4_OkSevfRg/s1600/blog+buttom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7R8TVASpiseL5zt3iPQ91_Ipm2H8QvKHabUiq12bQHySf3npgAvAfa6i4qEtjqTFz9BVtYIuqFxeigjm2ye3TlZnX-iPSwSM_cjdYvWH0Mi1fnIW7xVaLjfk8t77n1O4Zf4_OkSevfRg/s1600/blog+buttom.jpg" height="198" width="200" /></a></div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-62483569343954045052013-04-21T20:15:00.001-07:002013-04-21T20:15:56.935-07:00Easy Meal Planning<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"What's for dinner?" Oh, the dreaded question!!!! The topic that frequently sends us into a panicked frenzy! But it doesn't have to be frustrating....part of staying organized is planning ahead and when it comes to meals, you can't afford to skip the planning! In our fast-paced world of "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants" moments and over-scheduling, mealtime often takes the brunt of our busy days. We stop for a meal at the closest fast-food place and our health and wallets suffer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Many people don't meal plan because they think it's too time consuming and hard. But it doesn't have to be! Find what works for you and stick to your plan. I promise with some practice and self-discipline, you'll find that a little planning goes a long way! You'd be shocked at how many people walk into a grocery store each week without any plan whatsoever. The just grab a cart and go, buying things that look good, only to get home and have no idea how to use it all together that week. So things go to waste and we often default to eating out. I don't know about you, but for my family of 5, we could easily spend $30-$50 each time we eat out. And that's for only one meal! Do you know how many groceries that could buy?! A ton!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMv9Y9PKyAf-aX78dYdROJX6-O2KPjjsC2p-a0MbSwwLFe7ZMa0sMH5KX5isT2xmV_sbhd-P8bblGhHA4kmKtmalC0yieEdTvK5WpHoPiK3AZFKja-LKyHTzPa07u83uCDSLsSU4HZq0/s1600/meals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoMv9Y9PKyAf-aX78dYdROJX6-O2KPjjsC2p-a0MbSwwLFe7ZMa0sMH5KX5isT2xmV_sbhd-P8bblGhHA4kmKtmalC0yieEdTvK5WpHoPiK3AZFKja-LKyHTzPa07u83uCDSLsSU4HZq0/s1600/meals.jpg" height="182" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">There's all sorts of ways to plan meals from weekly, monthly, and beyond. You can plan by themes or food types, plan meals for certain days of the month, and so on. Whatever you prefer is fine. But here's how I do it and hopefully I can provide some helpful ideas to keep your life running a little smoother. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I plan meals weekly. I sit down each Sunday night and plan meals for the next 7 days. I plan right down to the sides that will be served with each meal. Many people only plan dinners. But I plan all three meals for each day. I have found that this ensures that I don't have to keep running to the grocery store for odds and ends that I forgot and it also keep me from buying things that I already have. I go grocery shopping on Monday mornings. I like shopping on Mondays because everyone has been home all weekend and I usually need to replenish what everyone has eaten! Sunday night is the perfect time to take stock for Monday's shopping trip. As I plan, I keep all the recipes I'm going to use nearby. I have a running grocery list next to me and make sure that I write down every ingredient that I need. I also make sure that I plan what kind of snacks my kids will be eating and what they will need for their school lunches. With careful planning I won't need to go back to the grocery store until the next Monday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Here is the link to the chart that I use. I designed this after figuring out how I liked to plan. I print a new one out each Sunday and keep it in the kitchen. Feel free to print it out and use it! I keep each sheet in my cookbook after I use it so that eventually I have weeks and weeks of meal planning built up and can just pull one or two out and whip out a week in no time. I put an X through the meals that didn't go so well so that I don't waste my time with it. I also make sure as I plan that I put the title and page number of the recipe I'm going to use so that it's easy to find. </span><br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B4E7BKMx3s5QQ1NZNEJ6OHc2bmM/edit" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Sarah's Weekly Meal Planner</span></a><br />
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<u><strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A few helpful tips:</span></strong></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">- Plan easier meals for busier days.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">- Use the crockpot! They're great for busy days, sick days, or hot summer days! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">- Use the produce that spoils fastest earlier in the week. Save heartier produce for later in the week. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">- Prep meals in the morning before the day runs away from you. If you can cut produce or put a casserole together to put in the fridge, do it. Then all you have to do is throw it in the oven!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">- Post the meal list where your family can see. I rarely get complaints about what we're having for dinner because it's been up all week for everyone to see and they've had all week to accept what we're having. If you find that your kids don't care for things that you're having, let help you plan and cook! Studies show kids are much more likely to eat a meal they helped with, often trying things that they may not have otherwise agreed to taste. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Now, please don't go away with the idea that I'm some kind of meal planning superhero. We still have our crazy days where things don't go as planned. But for the most part, I try to stick to the plan. You will find that you're healthier because you know what's in your food and that you'll save tons of money! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">What are your favorite meal planning strategies? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Happy meal planning!</span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>The Queen</em></span><br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-2624712955379129162013-04-03T09:23:00.000-07:002013-04-03T09:23:25.936-07:00Stop Toying AroundI'm sure that many of you, like myself, realize that each holiday seems to come with some kind of "toy expectation" from your children. My children aren't greedy or ungrateful, but culture has put toys at the forefront of holidays in their minds. Toys are fine, but as Easter came and went this past weekend, I once again watched my children each open one new toy from their baskets and thought, "Ugh...just one more to add to the pile that I'm constantly picking up". <br />
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But I knew Easter was coming and wanted to get a jump on the toys before we started adding more. Keeping a hold on the toy situation in your house can dramatically cut down on the clutter and free up tons of needed space! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCn-OgvA0pDT1bV6k2i_RJXCM2SO65jxMRbsFKkOV2f7DAlU-EkO393BVQY7xAhIBGIrMQ-B7a8cx3coDFCvlT5Orio68F8vFGSrEd9EXk2b9vAXOOUEoVnVj4rI7ZzBfPbk1F_yRD_0M/s1600/toying+around.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCn-OgvA0pDT1bV6k2i_RJXCM2SO65jxMRbsFKkOV2f7DAlU-EkO393BVQY7xAhIBGIrMQ-B7a8cx3coDFCvlT5Orio68F8vFGSrEd9EXk2b9vAXOOUEoVnVj4rI7ZzBfPbk1F_yRD_0M/s1600/toying+around.jpg" height="166" width="400" /></a></div>
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Here's some helpful tips for clearing out toys and for keeping a proper perspective on their place in your house!<br />
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<strong>1. Involve your kids in the process of clearing out their toys</strong>. Pick a day and tell your kids about two or three days before you clear out so that it gives your kids time to think about what they'd like to clear out. You would be shocked at how helpful the kids can be in clearing out their own things. They got rid of things that I never would have thought they didn't want. What a treat! <br />
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<strong>2. Be sensitive</strong>. Children can't see as objectively as we can yet. A few more months of holding onto that "one bear" may be worth sparing their feelings. But help your children see that things don't make us happy. Consider scanning a copy of an important paper or picture, framing a small corner of an old blanket, or encouraging them to consider others with less that may enjoy their toys also. Children are unfailingly kind and sympathetic and are often very willing to let a toy go when they know it will make another child happy.<br />
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<strong>3. Be choosy.</strong> Need I really say this? If it's broken, it goes. You'd be appalled at how many broken toys are hanging around. So let go of all the emotional ideas that Toy Story planted in your head about the lone, headless Barbie and throw her out. And let the guilt go with some frozen yogurt. <br />
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<strong>4. Keep your word and put those toys to good use.</strong> Pick a donation spot and take your children with you to drop things off. This allows them the experience of sharing with others and feeling good about it. Pick a local charity, church nursery, neighbor with children the same age, school classroom, etc. The list is endless!<br />
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<strong>5. Pick a single, designated spot in the home for toys.</strong> Trust me on this one. Many parents pick several spots in the house for toys...like a basket in the family room, a bin in the bedroom, a spot in the office, etc. This just allows toys to be all over the house! If you have a toy room, put ALL the toys in the toy room. If kids play in their bedrooms, put all the toys in the bedroom. They may want to play in another area of the home every once in a while, but they'll be more selective in what they pull out because they have to carry it to another spot. And then they know it goes right back to where the toys belong. It's so much easier to find what they're looking for when they know that all the toys are in one spot - not five. In my opinion, if you can keep toys out of the bedrooms, do it. It's total chaos for us trying to keep clothes and bedding and toys all separate. My children are allowed drawers in their room where they can keep important personal belongings, but if it's a toy that they don't mind sharing or have personal attachment to, it goes in the toy room. Make sense? <br />
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<strong>6. Use smart storage.</strong> I used to put their toys in deep, gray Tupperware bins. But because they were so deep and couldn't be seen through, they dumped everything out to find what they wanted from the bottom and then walked away once they found it, leaving everything else on the floor. Why do kids feel the need to dump everything out?! So I finally invested in some new Tupperware that was clear, wide and flat. It still fit all their toys but allowed everything to lay out flat so that they could see it all. Now all I have to do is put the lid back on instead of putting all the toys back. And I can stack them lower to the ground which makes them entirely accessible for the kids to reach and put away. <br />
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<strong>7. Buy your children experiences.</strong> We've learned that toys quickly lose their appeal, but memories last forever! Instead of spending $15 on a toy, spend $15 on a ticket to a museum they've wanted to visit. Toys have their place and offer immediate fun, but over time can become broken, lose their excitement, and take up valuable space. The old adage is true when it comes to toys: LESS IS MORE. My kids are way more excited when I tell them I'm spending three dollars to get them into a local pool for the afternoon than when I give them a three dollar toy. TIME IS WORTH MORE! If toys are the answer for a particular occasion, think outside the box. We LOVE games. They don't break, they offer hours of fun, they involve everyone, and they require some brain power! Art sets, Lego sets, books, etc. also require brain power and creativity. You get the idea!<br />
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<strong>8. Reevaluate every six months, especially before birthdays and holidays</strong>. This is a no-brainer. Every year before birthdays and Christmas, we do a major clean-out. It saves time and money when you go to buy gifts. You know what you already have and you know what you will and will not use. <br />
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There you have it! My tips for keeping toys at bay!<br />
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What are some of your favorite tips for storing toys and keeping them organized? <br />
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Happy Cleaning!<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The Queen</span></em><br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-29050227427588980882013-03-26T10:43:00.000-07:002013-03-26T10:43:27.895-07:00Pinteresting Solutions: Reviving your favorite shirtI can't wait to tell you about today's Pinteresting Solution! This must be a week for laundry related posts because it's all I seem to be able to focus on right now...probably because that's all I've been doing for the last week. Vacation and laundry don't mix. There's loads of it to catch up on...no pun intended. <br />
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I read about this solution months ago and have wanted to try it ever since. But I've been a little nervous because it required taking a razor to one of my favorite shirts. But I'll tell you what...am I ever glad I mustered the courage! This one is a keeper! Here it goes:<br />
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<strong><u>PINTERESTING SOLUTION: USING A RAZOR TO REMOVE BALLS FROM A SHIRT</u></strong><br />
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You know how some shirts tend to accumulate those tiny little lint balls all over? I have a yellow shirt that I LOVE. But it's one of those shirts that accumulates those tiny balls and it makes the shirt look run down and old. <br />
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So this tip suggested taking a razor and running it over the shirt. The shirt remains in tact while the razor pulls the small balls off. It leaves your shirt looking new again. So after mulling it over I finally decided to take the plunge.<br />
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And guess what?! PERFECTION! It did a wonderful job! But here's some tips that I suggest:<br />
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Here's my shirt before the experiment:<br />
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(Look at all that balled up lint. Sad!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG10GSJ_UKJV8DGRLYEG1c4icTgyw7WJqqVEHw2UcYqfUotkMPM9O9DCAy2tBUbyO8lxV4kzySZJOjqmQr0Q0vjquTQyHXCuEK9MrgR2urwlNjnDafAfbDtULTRvb7WXiRtOE3rxYLFo/s1600/balled+shirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG10GSJ_UKJV8DGRLYEG1c4icTgyw7WJqqVEHw2UcYqfUotkMPM9O9DCAy2tBUbyO8lxV4kzySZJOjqmQr0Q0vjquTQyHXCuEK9MrgR2urwlNjnDafAfbDtULTRvb7WXiRtOE3rxYLFo/s1600/balled+shirt.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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Now go find your husband's favorite razor (sorry, Honey! I guess you're never meant to have a sharp razor!). I suggest as new a blade as you can get and one that's preferably a four-blade razor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjVpz_ujbgVPpliWWuwBURBFHKZms-UaV0zma3SfU8rT1Z_uIw3gE0lNPJgc3ClGcirKstDqnTpXkAnK7GYL7ZQd2SbjIgfyK2mE-Z0wVpKrRyR2uikc1OyKvnxc4t1f4m-gE0A0fQkU/s1600/razor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpjVpz_ujbgVPpliWWuwBURBFHKZms-UaV0zma3SfU8rT1Z_uIw3gE0lNPJgc3ClGcirKstDqnTpXkAnK7GYL7ZQd2SbjIgfyK2mE-Z0wVpKrRyR2uikc1OyKvnxc4t1f4m-gE0A0fQkU/s1600/razor.jpg" /></a></div>
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Now determine the direction of the shirt's grain - which way are the threads running? This is the way that you're going to pull the razor. Don't go against the grain to reduce risk of holes or snagging. You can see in the picture below that the grain in my shirt is running the width of the shirt. I have the razor placed the way I'm going to pull it. You'll also notice to the right how the lint is starting to accumulate in the lower corner. Make sure to pull it off every so often and just tap off the razor over the trash can or sink. Don't get the razor wet...all that lint will become a wet sticky mess on the razor.</div>
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Pull the lint that's starting to build off as the razor pulls it to the side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXC6_fFgTO8WvKgWGz7GBbpUaPwrighzD9KGmXk4JOskxXRKYwp0OE6H2ICL9xSr0BFNXCsg6Mg5F6JDWOxLhFCTMIQgOiR5LxKQeIwwQPzc_z_XB2bS1diWjWQRjxsmCqLlNkf4G8fo/s1600/lint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivXC6_fFgTO8WvKgWGz7GBbpUaPwrighzD9KGmXk4JOskxXRKYwp0OE6H2ICL9xSr0BFNXCsg6Mg5F6JDWOxLhFCTMIQgOiR5LxKQeIwwQPzc_z_XB2bS1diWjWQRjxsmCqLlNkf4G8fo/s1600/lint.jpg" height="290" width="400" /></a></div>
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I found that I did this worked best on a flat surface, being very careful to not let the fabric fold or bunch. Go slowly. You can also do this while wearing it. Just be careful. </div>
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As you can see above - HUGE DIFFERENCE! I'M IN LOVE WITH THIS!</div>
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Try it at your own discretion and tell me what you think!</div>
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What's your favorite way to revive your favorite piece of clothing?</div>
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Happy Cleaning!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em><strong>The Queen</strong></em></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkW95nK78kRnyv7mb08AswqrHYQfKd5C6bpN-YtiLuJJzynoM-WufNT5O12uzq1xHiyr7BZ-9rMoVolLq6zQHcD9wMGG-00moeNeBwwm_0HoW-ReVgA2uMBLgC8WQ6P0uEq6Uu69SFBc/s1600/blog+buttom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjkW95nK78kRnyv7mb08AswqrHYQfKd5C6bpN-YtiLuJJzynoM-WufNT5O12uzq1xHiyr7BZ-9rMoVolLq6zQHcD9wMGG-00moeNeBwwm_0HoW-ReVgA2uMBLgC8WQ6P0uEq6Uu69SFBc/s1600/blog+buttom.jpg" height="200" width="198" /></a></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-37346175795697941272013-03-20T11:58:00.000-07:002013-03-20T12:01:03.645-07:00CleanCooking: Laundry SoapI woke up this morning and looked at the piles of laundry that needed done. I went to start a load and oh, no!!!! Out of laundry soap! But lucky for me, there was no need to run to the store and I'm going to teach you how to make your own laundry soap today!<br />
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What I find amazing about the following ingredients that we're going to use is that they're all-natural detergent boosters! Wonderful! What I find interesting about store-bought detergents is this: if they're so great for cleaning your clothes, then why do they need detergent boosters?! It doesn't make sense! So why not go straight to the booster source that's all-natural, cheaper, and does a better job?!<br />
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I had everything I needed to make this laundry soap lying around the house...honest! Most of these things can serve as multi-purpose cleaning agents and they're great things to pick up when you're at the store next time. An added bonus: this will make a HUGE batch of soap for a fraction of the cost. <br />
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Here's what you need (this card can be saved and printed off. It's a 4 x 6):<br />
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Gather all the items together.<br />
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Empty all the contents of the Borax, Washing Soda, and Baking Soda in a large container.<br />
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Mix it all up with a spoon of your choice. I prefer a potato masher!<br />
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Now add about 20 drops of essential oil if you'd like. I prefer lavender oil when it comes to laundry detergent. It's a very pleasant, soothing scent. Continue to stir so that all the detergent is coated in the essential oil and you don't have small pockets of oil. At this point your detergent should smell amazing!<br />
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Now start a load of laundry. Here's my favorite laundry combination for getting a load really clean and fresh!<br />
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Depending on load size add 1/8 to 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide in place of bleach.<br />
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Add 1/8 to 1/4 cup white vinegar in place of fabric softener.<br />
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Add 1/8 to 1/4 cup of the laundry detergent that you just made.<br />
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There you have it! Start your load and it comes out beautifully! No more need to waste your money on laundry detergents that are pricey and ineffective!<br />
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I promise that even your largest load setting will get clean with 1/4 cup of this detergent! It lasts a long time which I love and there are several other uses for the detergent if you're short on the following:<br />
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- Sink or shower scrub<br />
- Toilet scrub (you can use Eucalyptus oil instead of lavender for added antibacterial properties!)<br />
- Fixture Cleaners<br />
- Dish Detergent (Use 2 TBSP in detergent compartment. I would eliminate essential oil for washing dishes.)<br />
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<strong>Also keep in mind that this works in HE washers.</strong> You don't need all that "fancy-schmancy" HE detergent! Just use this! This detergent also keeps your washing machine in better shape...no chemical build-up or detergent residue. It's a win-win! Another positive is that this tends to be gentler on sensitive skin. We are no stranger to eczema and allergies in this house and things like this detergent help keep things at bay. Detergent is on some of the most intimate parts of our lives: underclothing, clothes, bedding, blankets, towels, etc. So why not be as nice to your skin as you can?!<br />
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I hope you enjoy this recipe! <br />
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What's your favorite detergent or laundry tips?<br />
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Happy Laundering!<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Queen</strong></span></em><br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-52455467292518368832013-03-18T14:52:00.000-07:002013-03-18T14:58:04.880-07:00Ask Sarah: Getting Urine and Stains Out of Carpet First, I'd like to apologize for the absence of a post since last week! The Hubby and I celebrated ten years of marriage this past weekend and went on a romantic weekend vacation! We spent a lot of time on the central California coast and it was wonderful! So blogging took a vacation also. But I'm back! A little peek at this past weekend:<br />
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<span id="goog_1209093187"></span><span id="goog_1209093188"></span><br />
I was talking to my sister-in-law last night and she was telling me about Cutie A (my little niece) who fell asleep on their new carpet. Being recently potty trained, her little bladder couldn't keep things in and a little while later she had left a wet spot on brand new carpet. Oh, the frustration!!! I was silently rejoicing in the fact that I was past that point in my children's lives and that I no longer had to worry about pee stains on the carpet. <br />
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Well, as Karma would have it (and she always gets her way), my son wet his pants all over my car today. I wanted to go back to the beaches of California for a moment and forget that there was pee all over my clean, almost-brand-new car. <br />
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So I knew a post about urine removal was fate. I know....not very glamorous. But for those of you with pets and little kids (sometimes the similarities are uncanny) you share in the same occasional frustrations. <br />
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First things first: synthetic carpet cleaners aren't a good idea. Here's why: most are made with chemicals that initially clean the stain. But they also leave behind a film that over time has a tendency to attract more dirt. These cleaners also have powerful whitening agents in them that can, on occasion, lighten that spot of carpet. And now you have a mismatched mess! I've seen it firsthand. I still have a spot of carpet that feels stiff and looks a bit lighter than the rest. But it also seems to be a spot that attracts more dirt than most! It drives me nuts!<br />
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NEVER, EVER USE DISH SOAP. Or any soap. I know it's tempting...but don't give in. <br />
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If you absolutely have to use something store-bought, then buy ALL-NATURAL. But with a few simple ingredients from the kitchen cupboard, you shouldn't need to buy anything and your carpet will never be in danger of ruin.<br />
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<strong><u>All-Natural Carpet Cleaner</u></strong><br />
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Four ingredients:<br />
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1. Baking Soda<br />
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2. White Vinegar<br />
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3. Hot water<br />
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4. Essential Oil of choice (optional, but great for needing a fresh smell)<br />
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First soak up the stain with a towel. Next, mix 2 cups of hot water to about 1 Tablespoon of white vinegar. Use a towel to dab the area with this mixture and clean up any additional urine. The hot water and vinegar should do a perfectly good job of getting the stain out. Next, dry the area as best you can with another towel. <br />
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Now go into the kitchen and break open a box of baking soda. Put it in a bowl. Drop about 4-5 drops of essential oil (I like Eucalyptus) into the baking soda. Mix the baking soda with the oil until it's all coated. Now go sprinkle it over the damp spot. The baking soda will begin to soak up the additional moisture and smell. Walk away for a couple hours and let it dry. You can just use baking soda if you'd prefer...it will still work. Be prepared for a slight sizzle...the baking soda and vinegar react but this reaction is not harmful to your carpet.<br />
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Now come back with your vacuum cleaner and vacuum up the dried baking soda! VOILA! Stain and smell gone! <br />
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I love this method of cleaning the carpet. It's not harmful to your carpet at all and works wonderfully! This will also work with dirt stains and vomit. Also take note that this can be used in the car, house, rugs, etc. Anything!<br />
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What's your favorite way to clean carpet stains?<br />
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Happy Cleaning!<br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Queen</span></em><br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-71206196896440849722013-03-11T16:37:00.001-07:002013-03-11T16:39:39.857-07:00Ask Sarah: Organiziaton Basics and Lean CleaningToday I'm going to go over the basics of organization with a little thing we're going to call LEAN CLEANING. <br />
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The hubby works in an industry that has explored something called LEAN MANUFACTURING. Most often you'll hear it referred to as just "LEAN". He suggested to me one day that it would be perfect for the organization and cleaning of a house and I thought it was a brilliant idea!<br />
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Now, bear with me while I do some explaining. I promise you'll like this. "Lean" principles were derived from the Japanese manufacturing industry and made popular by Ford and Toyota (yes, the car companies). In short, it's the process of continually eliminating waste, improving efficiency, and reducing costs. Wikipedia puts it perfectly: "Lean implementation is therefore focused on getting the right things to the right place at the right time in the right quantity to achieve perfect work flow, while minimizing waste and being flexible and able to change." <br />
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So what does this have to do with keeping your house organized? EVERYTHING! This system is a perfect way to put your house in order and I'm going to teach you how. Here we go.<br />
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To begin with, there are three steps we have to take before we start the whole LEAN CLEANING process. <br />
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<ol>
<li>Design a simple manufacturing system: WE'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO ORGANIZE THE HOUSE.</li>
<li>Recognize that there is always room for improvement: THROUGH TRIAL AND ERROR WE'RE GOING TO REFINE OUR PLAN.</li>
<li>Continuously improve the lean manufacturing system design: WE'RE GOING TO CONSTANTLY ADD IMPROVEMENTS TO KEEP THE PLAN WORKING AT OPTIMUM PERFORMANCE.</li>
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Too hard? I think not! And now to introduce the amazing LEAN CLEANING system!<br />
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Here are the basic steps to LEAN. This applies to anything that you use LEAN for. LEAN can be used for all sorts of things!<br />
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We use a 5-step process and they're simple! We'll refer to it as 5S. The system begins at the top and work in a continual cycle. Our handy "Queen of Tidy" shows us below how to be LEAN AND CLEAN!<br />
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Step 1: Sort</div>
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Step 2: Set in order</div>
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Step 3: Shine</div>
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Step 4: Standardize</div>
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Step 5: Sustain</div>
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<strong><u>Step 1: Sort, Step 2: Set in Order and Step 3: Shine</u></strong></div>
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The reason we put steps 1 -3 together is because really they happen almost simultaneously. You'll see what I mean. Pick the area that you're going to organize or clean. And begin the sorting process. Let's use a kitchen drawer for example. The best way to do any sorting (and the way "lean" suggests) is to take everything out and only put back what we need and use. EMPTY IT OUT! Now, you're going to choose a way to set them in order that makes things simple to find and put back each time! It's also supposed to be set in order in a way that would make it easy for even a perfect stranger to know where things went. Every item has a place and only that item goes in that place. And you would recognize when that item was missing. A silverware tray is a good example. <br />
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Now, of course, you would want to clean the drawer, and the tray, and the silverware if needed while putting it back. That's why these steps all happen at about the same time.</div>
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<strong><u>Step 4: Standardize and Step 5: Sustain</u></strong></div>
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Standardizing means that we set an expectation for how it always should be, with room for change or improvement. And sustaining means that we work to keep the system running. Then we begin again with the cycle!</div>
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So, there it is in a nutshell. I could go into a lot of detail but wouldn't want to bore you! </div>
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This system applies to anything that you want to put in order, not just a kitchen drawer. </div>
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A quick word on organization...I love, love, love large Tupperware bins. So when you begin I always have three bins: one labeled KEEP, one labeled STORAGE, and one labeled DONATE. This keeps everything in order. And the STORAGE bin needs to be carefully checked and then reevaluated every so often. Sometimes storage is just an easy way of keeping things we don't need but are emotionally attached to. Take time to dig deep and explore why you're keeping it and figure out if you could be happy without it. You'd be surprised at what you can let go of. And you'd also be surprised at how "stuff" inhibits our ability to live life to its fullest. MATERIAL THINGS DON'T MAKE US HAPPY. Just a helpful hint!</div>
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Also, labeling is awesome! I've never purchased a labeler for fear that I'd have labels on things like the "light switch". I'm joking...sort of. But I do love adhesive, printable labels and use them for labeling. It helps me find things quickly. </div>
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What are your best organization tips and tricks? Lots more to come on organization in the months to come! This is just a good place to start! </div>
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Happy Organizing!</div>
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The Queen</span></em></div>
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-33604421807105035642013-03-08T07:44:00.000-08:002013-03-08T07:44:32.668-08:00Pinteresting Solutions: Cleaning a Ceiling Fan with a PillowcaseToday we're going to explore this "Pinteresting Solution" that I've wanted to try for a while. The original post can be found <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/clean-a-ceiling-fan-with-a-pil-153278" target="_blank">here. </a> It suggests cleaning a fan blade with a pillowcase. You simply place the pillowcase over the fan blade and pull all the dust into the pillowcase as you pull it off. She supplied this fun visual aid below. Eek! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeuzu2cvPEKdrlCbdUjvevHgHdR9hkXrrYyJ-WuGY6a2KwS9ItRR5V4MifaS5Rb9XBzNXxIPBEegnbMEW3KEWHBVAbOZRMV6_uRXGoGQ9bkKhJKId57mYjOaGarYCRMo5Brm7Rn6Lbl0/s1600/ceilingfan080811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzeuzu2cvPEKdrlCbdUjvevHgHdR9hkXrrYyJ-WuGY6a2KwS9ItRR5V4MifaS5Rb9XBzNXxIPBEegnbMEW3KEWHBVAbOZRMV6_uRXGoGQ9bkKhJKId57mYjOaGarYCRMo5Brm7Rn6Lbl0/s1600/ceilingfan080811.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've found myself looking at my fan so many times and thinking, "Look away and you won't notice!" But after a while I turn the fan on and small bits of dust start to fly all over. Then I can't ignore the madness anymore and have to get up on a ladder and clean them. This happened the other day and I knew I had to try this suggestion.<br />
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I got out an old pillowcase. Here's what happened:<br />
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1. You have to be completely careful about getting the pillowcase over the blade without pushing all the dust off the other way. I cinched it all up like you would your favorite pair of pantyhose (I know...you're thinking, "is she serious?!" Oxymoron of the century) and slid it all over the fan blade in one motion.<br />
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2. Then I kind of sat there because you're supposed to pull it all back into the case. But fan blades are wide and long and getting both sides and all the edges in one swoop is tricky! I ended up gripping it kind of like I would a Subway sandwich and pulled it all backwards. <br />
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3. The blade looked pretty good. But once wouldn't be sufficient, in my opinion. It suggested to continue on to the next blade until you were done with the whole fan. But the pillowcase was all dirty inside and now you can't really cinch it up like you did the first time. I felt like I needed a separate pillowcase for every blade! And who has five old pillowcases just laying around?! Not me!<br />
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4. Obviously at this point you would need to shake the pillowcase outside and then take it through the washer.<br />
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All in all, I didn't care for this method of cleaning a fan. I usually get out my vacuum and set it on something high (like a chair) so it can reach the fan. Then I vacuum all around the edges with the hose and get any other loose dust. Then I take a warm washrag and wipe them down, rinsing the rag after each blade. This gives me a chance to wipe down all the other areas of the fan that get dusty too. Then I turn it on and let it dry for a while. While it's drying, I use the vacuum to go over the floor below that probably has a decent amount of dust on it now. If you're feeling ambitious, you can mop the floor too and you'll be LOVING your clean ceiling and floor!<br />
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HELPFUL TIP: For small fans that sit on tabletops or stand on floors, you can take them outside and spray them off with the hose...really. Let them sit all night in a dry, warm place (the garage would be fine) and they should be completely dry by the next day. Turn the fan over a couple times just to make sure all the areas of the fan are dry and it's ready to use. Trust me...this works!<br />
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What's your favorite way to clean a fan? Also, don't forget to submit your favorite spring cleaning tips and cleaning questions to me <a href="mailto:thequeenoftidy@gmail.com" target="_blank">here.</a> <br />
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Happy Cleaning and have a great weekend!<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Queen</strong></span></em><br />
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<strong><em><span style="font-size: large;"></span></em></strong><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-5283983896360680932013-03-04T11:09:00.002-08:002013-03-04T11:09:50.174-08:00Ask Sarah: Washing Sheets and Buying PillowsToday on "Ask Sarah", we're going to be discussing bedding and pillows. The question I received over the weekend was, <br />
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<strong><u><span style="color: red;">"How often should I wash bedding and how often should I purchase new pillows?"</span></u></strong><br />
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Great question. And one that is often overlooked. Yuck! Bedding gets far dirtier than we may realize and if not washed frequently can cause a host of problems from acne to allergies to spreading the flu. But no fear! Frequent washing can keep all those things at bay.<br />
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<strong><u>In my opinion, sheets should be washed weekly.</u></strong> Pick a day of the week that you have time set aside for washing sheets and strip the bed down to nothing. If you have several beds then you can do sheets all day or just do one bed per day. Whatever works for you. Now on to washing. Never throw all of it in one load. You want room in the washer for those sheets to be rolled around with ease. The dirt and oils will be released much easier if you break up the load into at least two loads, possibly three depending on how much you have. I usually put the fitted sheet and flat sheet in together. I don't ever wash pillowcases or small items with the fitted sheet...they somehow seem to end up inside the fitted sheet and don't get washed or dried very well. Then I wash the pillowcases and my small throw blanket or some towels together. My bed spread is a thin, quilted, cotton so it fits nicely inside my washer. But if you have a large bedspread, don't attempt this. Take it to a Laundromat with a high capacity washer that will allow it to move in all that soap and water. There's nothing worse than pulling something out of your washer that was too big and now you have a huge soapy, wrinkled mess. Obviously sheets should be washed immediately if someone was sick or if there was a spill of some sort. Common sense goes a long way.<br />
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<strong><u>Bedspreads should be washed quarterly, more if you use it as a primary blanket at night.</u></strong> <br />
Many people fold back their bedspreads at night and don't use them to keep warm. So obviously this would not require frequent washing. It does collect dust each day, though, and I would shake it out <strong>monthly</strong> or vacuum it off. I would wash your bedspread<strong> quarterly</strong> if you don't use it to keep warm at night. <br />
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I do use my bedspread every night to keep warm, so this requires more washing - <strong>every 1-2 months</strong>. I have a thin, quilted, cotton bedspread so it fits nicely inside my washer. ALWAYS wash your bedspread alone. If you have a large bedspread, don't attempt washing it at home. Take it to a Laundromat with a high-capacity washer that will allow it to move around in all that soap and water. There's nothing worse than pulling something out of your washer that was too big and now you have a huge soapy, wrinkled mess. <br />
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<strong><u>Wash sheets and pillowcases in Hot/Cold and Bedspreads in Warm/Cold</u></strong><br />
Washing sheets and pillowcases in hot/cold ensures that you've released all the oils and dirt. The only reason I wouldn't wash bedspreads in hot is because even just a little shrinking could mean that it doesn't fit your bed anymore. And this is so frustrating if it barely fit in the first place. Bedspreads are much more expensive to replace than sheets. <br />
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<strong><u>Buy new pillows every 1-2 years. </u></strong><br />
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The link I suggest below over at <a href="http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-pillows/">http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-pillows/</a> suggests folding your pillows in half. If it bounces back, your pillow if fine. If it stays folded, you need a new one. I think this is a great idea. <br />
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<a href="http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-pillows/">http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-pillows/</a></div>
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Pillows are tricky business. They're so awkward to wash and never seem to be the same afterwards. I recently found a tutorial <a href="http://cleanmyspace.com/clean-your-pillows/" target="_blank">here</a> on how to wash pillows. She suggests washing <strong>three times a year</strong>. I would suggest extreme detail when it comes to drying your pillows. You would never want mold or mildew to grow inside because they were not adequately dried. Be thorough! She has a YouTube tutorial also.<br />
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<strong><u>Other tips and tricks for cleaning the bed</u></strong><br />
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1. Sprinkle baking soda over your mattress while your sheets wash. Let it sit for a while to soak up any unseen oils or odors. Get out your vacuum and suck up all the baking soda. Now your mattress is fresher and so is your vacuum. <br />
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2. Spray a homemade fabric freshener on your mattress and bedding. I like eucalyptus oil. Simply fill a spray bottle with water and add about 23-30 drops of any essential oil of your choice. Shake up the bottle and spray away. It leaves a nice scent without any harsh chemicals. Eucalyptus clears the sinuses which is why this scent it so beneficial on sheets...who doesn't' want to breathe easy while they sleep? It's also naturally antibacterial which is great for a place where allergens, mold, and dead skin cells lurk. You could also add some lavender oil which is calming to aid in sleeping. If you like Febreeze, this can also be sprayed on the mattress. Whatever you want!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjtznwT1pj4IRfeeQHJSCckZ8YR2Di6cxFKrcYc6GGH0sDpiiCHJTIZ1rC2V9AycwMvaM__X34SNH5epevfchkuTGV9_ez1zuwifcxzrlAheLbqBw5du81TQVMLrGpDw4jKIpizF7zjQ/s1600/eucalyptus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGjtznwT1pj4IRfeeQHJSCckZ8YR2Di6cxFKrcYc6GGH0sDpiiCHJTIZ1rC2V9AycwMvaM__X34SNH5epevfchkuTGV9_ez1zuwifcxzrlAheLbqBw5du81TQVMLrGpDw4jKIpizF7zjQ/s1600/eucalyptus.jpg" /></a></div>
3. White sheets are my favorite. They go with anything and can be bleached. Just personal preference, but take it from someone who has had everything from red to purple to blue sheets...white is AWESOME.<br />
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So, those are some of my favorite tips on cleaning the bed! Please feel free to <a href="mailto:thequeenoftidy@gmail.com" target="_blank">contact me</a> with any additional questions. Every Monday is "Ask Sarah" and you can submit your questions under the given email. <br />
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<strong><u>Coming Soon: Spring Cleaning Fan Favorites and LEAN CLEANING (You're gonna love this. Kudos to the Hubby in advance for the fantastic idea!)</u></strong><br />
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Please submit your favorite spring cleaning tips and tricks! And become a follower! Please spread the word to your friends and family if you like what you're seeing!<br />
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Happy Cleaning!<br />
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<em><span style="font-size: large;">The Queen</span></em><br />
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Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-5868434101221016822013-03-01T23:32:00.002-08:002013-03-02T17:19:57.701-08:00A New Blog Header and Pinteresting Solutions<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Friday, y'all! First of all, I'd like to proudly introduce my brand new blog header! Thanks to a very talented friend of mine, Spring, over at </span><a href="http://springtimetreats.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Spring Time Treats</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, I'm the proud owner of this adorable piece of art that now represents this blog! Please take a moment to go visit her website that's full of adorable stick figures, free pintables, fun games, and craft ideas. You can also visit her </span><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SpringTimeTreats?ref=ss_profile" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Etsy Shop</span></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> for custom order family portraits and greeting cards. Thanks, Spring, for making clean look cute!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now onto today's segment where I take a cleaning tip I found on Pinterest and put it to the test!</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><u>Pinteresting Solution: CLEANING A WINDOW WITH A DRYER SHEET</u></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I had to give this one a try because I can't stand a dirty window for too long. In my house I have a set of double doors that lead out to the backyard and it's a fingerprint magnet. And when the sun shines on it just right, I often find myself trying to find a window in all the fingerprint (if you know what I mean). So today I decided to pull out a dryer sheet to see if any magic would happen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While it did a good job of removing the prints, it also left behind a slight film and some small fibers. Dryer sheets right out of the box are polyester sheets often soaked in a softening agent. You can feel the "tackiness" on your fingers. So I ended up having to clean the window again anyway, I have not however tried a used dryer sheet, which was also suggested. I'll have to try that one later. While the softening agent will have been released from the sheet because of the heat of the dryer, small fibers will still remain and I don't think it gets the window as clean as it could be.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's some of my favorite products for cleaning a window:</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. White vinegar: You'd be shocked! And the smell doesn't last long.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Rubbing Alcohol: They make this in a Wintergreen Fresh scent so that it's more pleasant to smell.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Green Works Window Cleaner by Clorox: 95% naturally derived and smells great!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Newspaper: Leaves no streaks and can be thrown in the recycle bin afterwards!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Coffee Filters: Same as newspaper, only comes with the convenience of being bought in a nice, small package</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Microfiber towels: Picks up dirt in amazing ways and can be washed again and again</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But let's not throw the dryer sheet out onto the streets. Here are some of my favorite uses for the dryer sheet:</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Sock/underwaer drawer refresher: Just put one of those babies in the bottom of your drawer and your socks will be doing a happy dance from smelling so fresh all the time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Car freshener: Put one under the driver and passenger seat in a small open Ziploc bag. Your car will smell wonderful. The reason for the Ziploc bag is to protect the carpet of your car on hot days. The heat will release the softening agents with the possibility of leaving a film on that single spot of your carpet. And although you may never see it, you might care someday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Trash freshner: Next time you change the garbage, throw a dryer sheet in the bottom of the can before puting the bag back in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Smelly Shoe Freshener: Take those bad boys off and throw a dryer sheet in each shoe. Let them sit overnight is a warm place and "Voila!". Much better!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Closet: Put one in your closet to keep clothes from smelling musty.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are some of your favorite uses for a dryer sheet? How do you like to clean a window? Let me know!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So try one of these ideas this weekend and don't forget to post questions for Monday's post, "Ask Sarah". </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Cleaning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-53428835363874757132013-02-25T23:30:00.001-08:002013-03-02T09:21:23.505-08:00Ask Sarah: Food Storage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you all had a nice weekend! Mine was full of busy, busy, busy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is my first Monday here on the blog and although I technically didn't really give anyone a chance to read this post today, it's better late than never. Life finally wound down for the day and I had a moment to sit and write. Ahhh....nothing better than climbing into bed. My feet are profusely thanking me for sitting down. The hubby and I just recently decided to paint the entire house this last weekend and it's definitely required a lot of standing. But things are coming along nicely and I hope that we're done in a couple weeks. Pictures to follow and a post on why I think painting every so often helps keep a house clean! But on to more important things...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each Monday I'm going to do a segment called, "Ask Sarah" where I answer questions that were submitted over the weekend. We got a couple real great questions over the weekend and I've selected food storage for today. I must preface this Monday segment by stating that I am NOT an expert...just an enthusiast! So do whatever works for you! But here's what works for me.</span></div>
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Question from Gina: HOW DO I ROTATE MY FOOD STORAGE?</span></u></strong></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellent question, Gina! I think this is an obstacle for many people, including me! I have tried several things and after trial and error here's what works for me and what I eventually hope to achieve. Much of this is still "in progress". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>1. Buy what you eat and get rid of what you don't.</strong> I just recently went through our food storage and got rid of so many things that we would never eat. Why in the world did I buy it then?! Because it was in sale...and that, in and of itself, my friends, can be a major trap! There's no way you're going to effectively rotate things that you're not interested in eating. You have to clear out what you're not going to use before you can organize it to rotate. That said, when there's a good deal on food you'll eat, don't pass it up! (I was able to take what I wasn't using to a local homeless shelter. If the food is still good, look for things like this to still utilize perfectly good food.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>2. Make a menu.</strong> When you make your weekly / monthly menu, ALWAYS go to your food storage and look for ways to incorporate what you can. Start with those things that are expiring the soonest. Plan at least one meal a week around your food storage. Be creative! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>3. Keep an inventory and store like items with like items.</strong> And I'm not talking about a yearly inventory. This one needs to be constantly in motion. When you take a can of green beans off the shelf, add a can or two of green beans to your shopping list. This has worked very well for me. I'm constantly replenishing what I use. Also, don't just throw everything on the shelf in a random order. You need to be able to SEE what you have. Store like items with like items so that they're easy to find: cake mixes all together, beans all together, corn all together, etc. You get the picture!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>4. Find an effective storage method that allows oldest to be eaten first, and newest to be stored in the back</strong>. This can be hard depending on your available space and resources. I currently use some cabinets in my laundry room. But I always make sure that I scoot everything forward when I bring home something new. There are some amazing rotation systems out there, but they can be pricey. But brilliant people are out there right now coming up with ideas like the one below that I found on Pinterest. This was just recently added to the Hubby's Honey-Do List. He said, "No Problem". What a guy. And what a space saver! So organized! I love this! So be creative with your rotation system, but be persistent. There's nothing worse than throwing a ton out because you didn't rotate!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6a5MsCDVHeo1eYQ2NuhF0KpW-DI6jh7Qc11bKBd_nflq2dIxjXSDTtbrokoGlcLw3qP-9k4LIP6fFJSGAz8coyYqx5lTxnEY3fJ31uLDVu-c9oPU4UP4V2Y0fEmlRV00BQpE_8v9gJE/s1600/food+storage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6a5MsCDVHeo1eYQ2NuhF0KpW-DI6jh7Qc11bKBd_nflq2dIxjXSDTtbrokoGlcLw3qP-9k4LIP6fFJSGAz8coyYqx5lTxnEY3fJ31uLDVu-c9oPU4UP4V2Y0fEmlRV00BQpE_8v9gJE/s1600/food+storage.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>5. About every 6 months, reevaluate and purge if needed.</strong> I know how hard it is to throw out food that you bought, but sometimes you need to go through and make sure that there isn't a hazard like food poisoning waiting to happen. I remember opening a jar of spoiled mayonnaise and it was a good thing that it smelled awful or I never would have known! It would have been a horrible weekend if we had eaten it! So it's good to check in every so often and make sure that you're on the right track.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong>6. Don't forget long-term storage items</strong>. By this I mean that every so often, open a can of wheat (or whatever you want) and find ways to use it. Although these things will keep for 30+ years if stored properly, they're of no use to you if you haven't learned how to use them. Get creative!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There you have it! This is my preferred way of rotating my storage but do what works for you! What are some of your ideas for food storage rotation? I'd love to hear!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pick one thing here to try this week, even if it's just organizing the pantry! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy rotating!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sarah</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-60156421285946541132013-02-22T16:24:00.000-08:002013-02-22T23:24:44.218-08:00Pintersting Solutions and the Daily Routine<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I'm a self proclaimed Pinterest addict. I heard someone a while ago refer to it as "digital hoarding". I'd say that's pretty much true...and I don't care. Pinterest is such a wealth of knowledge and fun ideas! And when it comes to cleaning and organization, Pinterest is literally PLASTERED with an idea or solution for everything. </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>As you Pinterest fans know, some things work and some things don't. Plain and simple. So every Friday here on "Queen of Tidy", I will pick a cleaning or organization tip that I saw and put it to the test. Then comes the review. Feel free to leave your own experiences in the comment section and let us know how your "<span style="color: red;">Pinteresting Solutions</span>" are coming! </em></span><br />
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<strong><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>TODAY'S TEST: CLEANING A TOILET WITH VINEGAR AND BAKING SODA</em></span></u></strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>The post suggests using 2 cups of vinegar poured into the bowl of the toilet, followed by sprinkling 2 TBSP of baking soda on top. Then let it sit and watch your stains disappear. </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>We'll see...</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Here's my toilet before:</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6oSAbKVjFpIIsgvavaNQAB5Fa_3tV1CGoNL87ktS5fH3ye5gBjMaU8mLjiyhTomnOPRIMw7BxPslFK33fbHrtk3_SrACtIplWf3DfYbUWLF7kGNRZU4_BfDf5acV78JVK-t3RfzvdOI/s1600/toilet1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6oSAbKVjFpIIsgvavaNQAB5Fa_3tV1CGoNL87ktS5fH3ye5gBjMaU8mLjiyhTomnOPRIMw7BxPslFK33fbHrtk3_SrACtIplWf3DfYbUWLF7kGNRZU4_BfDf5acV78JVK-t3RfzvdOI/s1600/toilet1.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></em></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Here's the volcanic science project in progress:</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7k8cW_emcHChXJ1QYyRZLN4j6i5SpgK-RCJ4zeEnpffGpZVRX-yI6WTCwdD5oX9SAcyF35vnMnY_gNys1zTWfrUNfNO3MqYbpvWI4I6Cf0ynhPCnbF6k1aplYhYkgsqpT9tFx7MdXp8/s1600/toilet2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7k8cW_emcHChXJ1QYyRZLN4j6i5SpgK-RCJ4zeEnpffGpZVRX-yI6WTCwdD5oX9SAcyF35vnMnY_gNys1zTWfrUNfNO3MqYbpvWI4I6Cf0ynhPCnbF6k1aplYhYkgsqpT9tFx7MdXp8/s1600/toilet2.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></em></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Here's 15 minutes later:</em></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjY6dbtoCv_16sj0z4qaBqVnmKheHQiO0QL7pV_4Jm0xbxOPxfR8XsRlJu95C8XS7ZwaLeCTDrByG2o4AMQMAMEUYf3-uzaTVRblzTrMl6g5Jt4LoDPec41CeLGkLy-iHnCg4KDQ_dSM/s1600/toilet3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjY6dbtoCv_16sj0z4qaBqVnmKheHQiO0QL7pV_4Jm0xbxOPxfR8XsRlJu95C8XS7ZwaLeCTDrByG2o4AMQMAMEUYf3-uzaTVRblzTrMl6g5Jt4LoDPec41CeLGkLy-iHnCg4KDQ_dSM/s1600/toilet3.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></em></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Well, I didn't see my stains magically disappear. That said, I don't consider this experiment a failure. I'm a huge fan of vinegar and baking soda. They're both powerful cleaning products that are natural and safe for the environment and my little ones. I pulled out the toilet brush and cleaned as normal. I'll tell you what, though...the stains and germs didn't even put up a fight! The vinegar and baking soda did a great job of loosening things up and my porcelain throne looks amazing. So go ahead and pull out the toilet brush and just swish all that natural magic around! Your toilet is as good as new and you already had what you needed hanging around in the kitchen. Your pocket book will thank you (vinegar and baking soda = dirt cheap) and Mother Nature will thank you too!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>The second part to this post will get you familiar with how I work each day to keep this circus in motion. </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>I thrive on routine. It keeps me sane. And everyday I have a small list of things that I do to keep the house in semi-order. I promise if you pick just a couple to start implementing, that things will seem a little more orderly. This is done once in the morning and once at night. My mom always said: WAKE YOUR HOUSE UP EVERY MORNING and PUT IT TO BED EVERY NIGHT. I've found this to be true. Start and end the day with order. So here it goes:</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>1. Make the beds (This obviously doesn't need to be done at night)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>2. Open all the blinds (Close them up at night)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>3. Empty and load the dishwasher (No dishes in the sink..EVER. Clean up after each meal. Start it before bed so that you wake up to clean dishes)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>4. Sweep the floor and quick vacuum if needed (I do this after each meal.)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>5. Start and fold a load of laundry (This includes putting them away!)</em></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>6. Quick walk through of all rooms (Just tidy up a bit...fold that blanket, throw away that Kleenex, put away that toy, hang up that shirt, etc. Nothing huge, just a quick walk through.)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>This is what most of the rooms in my house look like after this simple routine. No dishes, no clothes, beds made, and I love to look around and say, "AHHHH". I try to have this routine done by about 9:30 each morning or the day just runs away from me. This seriously takes me maybe 45 minutes...not much at all. So give even just one of these things a try and let me know how it goes!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>What's your daily routine? Share below!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Also, look forward to Monday's post for our "<span style="color: red;">Ask Sarah</span>" section. I'll take a couple questions that you posted over the weekend and answer them! This next Monday will include some organization tips! See you Monday! </em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Happy Weekend!</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>Sarah</em></span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6608312473978369251.post-50542667260461810072013-02-21T16:01:00.002-08:002013-02-21T19:34:47.954-08:00Coming Clean<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I LOVE a clean and organized house. And I mean LOVE. I think I like it better than chocolate. I know, this is serious...or delusional. My love for clean even extends beyond my house. It spills over into my garage (although it would suggest otherwise right now), my car, my purse, my yard...you get the idea. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As I sit here and write this, my kids are watching an episode of Full House and I can't help but gawk over Danny Tanner. I told my hubby that I think he'd be my TV husband if I got to pick. His character, as long-time fans know, is a clean freak. And although the family in one episode refers to him as a "physco with a dust mop", I lovingly refer to him as "MY HERO". </span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Everyone is good at something. And it seems these days that when you're good at something, you blog about it and hope that someone else wants to know about it. </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For years, a common line I hear from friends and random strangers alike is, "Your house is always so clean". So I guess I'm good at keeping things clean...a regular "Danny Tanner", if you will. It's not a very glamorous talent, by any means. A little sad even, depending on who you ask. But it keeps me happy. They also always assume that I must do nothing with my time but clean. I assure you this is not true. I have several other hobbies and loves. A clean house is just a lifestyle for me; something I've always done. And if you keep up with something, it never takes much work. I feel like my life is calm when things are clean and organized. I feel like I have more time for the important things. Of course I know it can't be that way all the time. We've had our fair share of absolute chaos and play days where I encourage the mess. There has to be a balance, right? Who wants to be a "physco with a dust mop"?!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So here's to the start of something new, in hopes that my tips and tricks will inspire someone else. Feel free to ask questions and please leave your comments! I love feedback! I'll make a point to talk about lots of different things from daily routines, organization of all kinds, laundry, cooking, natural solutions to everyday cleaning, and so on. The list of possibilities is endless! Please feel free to give any suggestions for posts that you'd like to see!</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Stop by anytime. I promise to try and be exciting and interesting! But please excuse me for now...I have to go fold some laundry before starting dinner!</span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Happy Cleaning </span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></em><br />
<em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sarah</span></em><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07414272019582762937noreply@blogger.com1