Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Green Cleaning







Since I have been taking these ethics and philosophy courses in Science and environment, I have learned lots of new things that I don't like.
One of them, is the chemicals that we have in all of our household cleaners.
All of them are asthma irritants or may trigger asthma.
they also irritate the skin, eyes and nose.... and much more.

So what should we do?

Basic Household cleaners:

Vinegar - for general cleaning- mix equal parts of water and vinegar
For Toilet bowels, add equal parts vinegar and baking soda to the bowl water. Let stand and scrub.

For fabric softening-add 1/2 cup white vinegar to the final rinse

For window cleaning-1/4 cup vinegar and 2 cups water.

Hydrogen peroxide removes stains and is a safe alternative.
Can be used "straight" on white fabrics, or mixed with equal parts water for a laundary bleach alternative.

Lemons/lemon juice- bleaching and disinfecting for bathroom or kitchen surfaces

Olive oil-alone or with lemon juice for polishing furniture or cleaning stainless steel

Potatoes-raw, halved to remove rust from bakeware

Sunlight- natural disinfectant

Vinegar- removes grease, stains, soap scum. Mix with water for carpet stain and odor removal. Use straight or diluted.

Baking soda- for general cleaning combine equal parts of water and baking soda. To make a paste for stain removal, add double the amount of baking soda.

For drain cleaning-pour 1 cup baking soda in drain, let stand for 5 minutes and flush with hot water.

Lemon juice/lemons- use "straight" on cutting boards to disinfect.

For fruit and vegetable wash to remove waxes and chemicals, dilute juice with equal parts water, soak food, wash and rinse well.

Can be mixed with baking soda or vinegar recipes for extra cleaning and deodorizing.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Weekend with Grandma Darr

This past weekend, the kids went to stay with my mom. The kids got to go fishing out at my grandparents farm. Petey was the winner with catching 7 fish. Ollie caught 4 and Tatum caught 2. (Van didn't want to fish) Petey would set his free himself, Ollie did it once and didn't want to touch them anymore. 
Then on Sunday, the kids went out to my cousin Pam's house and went horseback ridding. Well, Tatum and Ollie rode the horse. Pam taught me how to ride too, when I was little. In the picture above is my mom and Ollie on Pumpkin. Ollie and Tatum fed the horse apples too.
Pam also had baby kittens that the kids got to hold and play with.
The kids really enjoyed the weekend.

Tatum's Birthday party

well, I know it's three weeks later now, but here are some pictures from Tatum's birthday party

yep, my little girl turned four!

she had a Barbie themed party

this was at her Nanny's house

the "boys" table

the  "girls" table

Tatum eating a big piece of corn on the cob.

Tatum's "cupcake" cake in the shape of a four, with princess barbie on top!

blowing her candles out

mermaid ponies!



Tatum had a great party and had a fun time ! :)

Friday, August 27, 2010

do you live in Salt Lake City?


 http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_RSy5enBBseY/THSBnBIDa4I/AAAAAAAAD8w/IxWZ_ZH_1Jo/s400/garden+party+flier.jpg



Shabby Apple is hosting a Garden Party Dress Sale, where I guess some dresses are as low as $ 5 dollars!

I really wish I lived closer!!!!

The important details....

What: Shabby Apple Garden Party dress sale
When: THIS SATURDAY, August 28th, from 8a.m. to 12 noon. (The early bird gets the worm and all of that)
Where: 2485 Haven Lane, Salt Lake City, UT
Why: Are you even asking me that question?

trip to Hobby Lobby

Yesterday Tatum and I went to Hobby Lobby, I had a bag that my mom gave me that I wanted to but letters for.


here is the bag before.....

and after



Tatum also found something she wanted to make......


before...

and after

she has if full and is carrying it around already!

isn't hobby lobby fun????

Thursday, August 26, 2010

new scents

I love the scents at Bath and Body works!
{ no lie, I have been using them for 15 years!}


I have been using this scent for ten years, no lie!
I LOVE it!


I have been using this scent for five years!
{ yep, I tend to find things I like and stick with them}

Today, Tatum and I went into the store ( I needed some new stuff) and I found this scent!
I LOVE it!
{ I don't know if it is a spoof on twilight or not}

but I had to purchase some




I saw some great Fall and  cute Halloween stuff too!
{ didn't get any of that yet}



which scent do you use?

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Ollie's first day

well, Ollie is now a kindergartner.
he handled this morning a lot better then mommy did....can't wait to pick him up to see how well the first day went.

Monday, August 23, 2010

school is here!


 
 Van and Petey had open house last Tuesday.


Van in his new classroom and his new desk!

It was a good night.

Petey in his new classroom.

Then, Thursday Van and Petey started school.
Van's in third grade and Petey second.

first day of school...

with Josh before school

mommy dropping them off at school...

Ollie had is open house on Thursday,

Ollie in his new classroom

Their theme was circus, so everyone got a balloon when we left.



Ollie started kindergarten tomorrow!


**Tatum's birthday party pictures to come**

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

It's that time of year again........

FOOTBALL

Here in the buckeye state we root for........


The buckeyes....of course!

Vineyard Vines has these great totes....


so cute :)

we also root for...

the Cincinnati  Bengals


and the ....


Cleveland Browns



so cute, I want them all :)

Josh's scrimmage

Last Thursday was Josh's first scrimmage ( he is coaching freshman at Tipp City this year). 
I got to go.
Here are a couple of pictures I took.



Josh is wearing the bucket hat.






Our trip to the Wilds...

Two weeks ago, we went to the Wilds, and here are our pictures.

Van and Petey waiting on the bench for the shuttle bus. ( I really don't know what Petey is doing!)

all four waiting for the shuttle


Josh on the open air bus waiting to go.

Picture Van took, still waiting to go.

kids on the bus.


camel

another camel

some kind of donkey




Finally, what Ollie was waiting for........the Giraffes!
His Favorite.


lots of pictures of the giraffes.......and Ollie took them


eating

wild horse

Josh and Ollie looking at the fish.

 Josh and Van looking at the fish.

Tatum and Ollie feeding the fish.


Tatum and Petey feeding the fish.


swan

swan and hungry fish

Tatum and Van taking a break....it was hot!

Ollie taking a break.

Petey relaxing.

My mom and I took the kids to the Wilds last year, here are those pictures.