I am a natural pessimist. It's something that I have tried so hard in the past few months to change. I want to be someone who looks on the bright side and doesn't always see the bad in everything. For some reason, I was born with this attitude.
In school I would always think I made a horrible grade on tests or work so if I did it wasn't just a shock. If I made a good grade I would be happy. As a mother I tend to see the horror in all things. If my husband is late, I worry. Is that from God? Or Satan?
So, I would say that my new year's resolution would be to be more encouraging to myself and to others. As a pastor's wife (I think it is my duty as a Christian mostly), I should be able to encourage those in our flock, those around us in church.
How will I do that? Study my Bible. Prayer. And practice, practice, practice. It is my humble opinion that what is in our hearts is how we will behave. If we can change those habits then we can put those into practice in real life.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
"I Wanna Clean The Poop NOW!"
Have you now or ever had a child who begged, commanded, or just plain liked doing chores? At what point does it become a "chore" and is no longer fun? I cannot remember the age at which that began in my own children. The title of this post came out of the mouth of Skye, the 2-year-old we babysit. She is too cute for her own good. She keeps us in stitches and makes us laugh so much- even when she's supposed to be in trouble I have to hide my laughter because she cracks me up! One day, she was in time-out for some reason, and she was crying. Through her big fat tears, she begs, "It's my fault. I sowwy, Aunt 'Chele!" It took all I had to continue with the punishment (of 2 minutes on the time out chair). I sat down and explained to her that I was dissappointed in her behavior and that I still loved her but she did not need to do it again. With her big blue eyes and the sweetest voice, she said, "Yes, ma'am." I picked her up, gave her a hug and sent her on her way! What am I going to do when I have grandchildren? My oh my!!??
Monday, January 17, 2011
And This Is The Church
As of this month, January, our church began meeting in a REAL church building. It is not ours but it is still nice. It is a Seventh-Day Adventist church building and they have been gracious about the meeting arrangements. It is a lot larger than any building that we would ever want or need but what does that matter now?
Since we have moved, we have had some visitors but not as many as I thought we would have. It's strange how many inquiries we have into our church and those who never actually set foot to visit. I wonder why sometimes. Why ask about us and tell us you'd like to visit but not show up? Only God knows why. We will continue to be faithful and obedient as God would have us and allow Him to grow us as He sees fit.
Christ Covenant Church meets every Sunday for Equipping Hour at 10 a.m. and for worship at 11 a.m. If you are ever in the Olive Branch, MS area, please feel free to contact us for more information.
Since we have moved, we have had some visitors but not as many as I thought we would have. It's strange how many inquiries we have into our church and those who never actually set foot to visit. I wonder why sometimes. Why ask about us and tell us you'd like to visit but not show up? Only God knows why. We will continue to be faithful and obedient as God would have us and allow Him to grow us as He sees fit.
Christ Covenant Church meets every Sunday for Equipping Hour at 10 a.m. and for worship at 11 a.m. If you are ever in the Olive Branch, MS area, please feel free to contact us for more information.
Frugal Ways to Save: Household Cleaning Products
There are many ways that you can save if you "make your own." I have made my own laundry soap before- the powdered kind, not the liquid. I haven't been brave enough to make the liquid kind yet, but it's on my list of "to do's."
I plan to research many ways to "make my own" for many things. We have already molded our own soaps and will do it again. I will also post ways to use household products for cleaning- like vinegar to clean glass. You might already know how to use some and if you know of some that I do not post, feel free to share. I will post them at a later date.
Before I go, I will leave you with this:
Homemade Foam Soap
Buy a bottle of any foam soap, like Dial
Use all of it, until it's empty.
Buy whatever kind of soap you wish to use in your foam soap dispenser. I do not think moisturizing soaps or soaps with beads will work.
When empty pour 3 tbsp liquid soap + 2/3 cup water into bottle. Use as you did before.
I plan to research many ways to "make my own" for many things. We have already molded our own soaps and will do it again. I will also post ways to use household products for cleaning- like vinegar to clean glass. You might already know how to use some and if you know of some that I do not post, feel free to share. I will post them at a later date.
Before I go, I will leave you with this:
Homemade Foam Soap
Buy a bottle of any foam soap, like Dial
Use all of it, until it's empty.
Buy whatever kind of soap you wish to use in your foam soap dispenser. I do not think moisturizing soaps or soaps with beads will work.
When empty pour 3 tbsp liquid soap + 2/3 cup water into bottle. Use as you did before.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Recipes for Household Cleaning Products
So, in the process of being frugal I would also like to try to NOT use chemicals. I started once but then my mother moved in and that idea went out the window. She must have thought I'd lost my mind because I was making my own laundry soap! Oh well! I am going to try again, once I can purchase the ingredients.
I am going to post some recipes for several products, not just laundry detergent. Before I go on, I am going to let you know that one book that I recently borrowed from the library is Green Clean by Linda Mason Hunter & Mikki Halpin. There is a section that has these recipes that I found and thought I would share a few.
Castile Cleaner
1 tsp washing soda
2 tsp borax
1/2 tsp castile soap
2 cups hot water
10 drops essential oil of your choice
16 oz spray bottle
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. (Add more washing soda to help whiten any stains.) Spray as needed and wipe clean with a natural sponge or cotton cloth.
Borax Cleaner
1/2 cup borax
1 gallon hot water
pail or bucket
Mix all ingredients in the pail until borax is thoroughly dissolved. Use in areas that need general cleaning and wipe clean with a sponge or cloth. You can also reduce the recipe to fit in a spray bottle for everyday use.
Easy Deodorizer
Baking soda
Broom
Vacuum cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda over the carpet and leave overnight. Sweep off as much as possible and vacuum the rest. Remember: Always spot-test on a hidden area before using any product on carpet.
Dishwashing
1 part borax
1 part washing soda
Container (size of your choice)
Mix in the container and use in place of commercial detergent. If you live in a hard-water area, you may have to adjust the proportions to avoid formation of soap film on the dishes- try adding a bit more soda if there is a film residue.
Liquid Dishwashing Soap
Castile soap
Distilled white vinegar
Grate soap and add to dishwater. Add vinegar to the rinsewater to give glasses extra shine.
Toilet Disinfectant
2 cups distilled white vinegar
a few drops essential oil of your choice
16 oz spray bottle
Mix ingredients together and spritz the toilet bowl as needed. Use a toilet brush to swish mixture around the sides of the bowl.
General Antiseptic Spray
Liquid castile soap
10 - 20 drops lavendar or tea tree essential oil
Funnel
16 oz spray bottle
Mix together in a spray bottle and spritz as needed.
Essential Oil Air Freshener
1 cup water
5 drops essential oil of your choice
Small spray bottle
Funnel
Mix the essential oil and water together in the spray bottle and spritz in the bathroom or kitchen, or in any room, to freshen. Essential oils shouldn't leave any stains or residue if mixed in proper proportions.
Baking Soda Deodorizing Spray
2 tbsp baking soda
2 cups hot water
16 oz spray bottle
Funnel
This formula neutralizes odors, rather than adding scents to the room. Mix baking soda and hot water together in a spray bottle until all baking soda is dissolved. Spritz as needed. There should be no residue left if the baking soda is well dissolved. If any residue occurs, simply wipe away with a clean cotton cloth.
Lemon Furniture Polish
2 cups olive, vegetable, or mineral oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Mix oil with lemon juice. Apply with a soft cloth and buff until you can see your reflection.
Basic Laundry Detergent
1 part borax
1 part washing soda
Container of your choice
Mix in a container and use in place of commercial detergent. If you live in a hard-water area, you may have to add a bit more soda.
All-Purpose Stain Remover
1/4 cup borax
2 cups cold water
Soaking pail
Mix the borax and cold water together and soak stained clothing. Wash as usual.
There are LOTS of other recipes, but I am out of time. I will have to get off this computer. I will post more later. Let me know if you try any of these recipes!
I am going to post some recipes for several products, not just laundry detergent. Before I go on, I am going to let you know that one book that I recently borrowed from the library is Green Clean by Linda Mason Hunter & Mikki Halpin. There is a section that has these recipes that I found and thought I would share a few.
Castile Cleaner
1 tsp washing soda
2 tsp borax
1/2 tsp castile soap
2 cups hot water
10 drops essential oil of your choice
16 oz spray bottle
Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle. (Add more washing soda to help whiten any stains.) Spray as needed and wipe clean with a natural sponge or cotton cloth.
Borax Cleaner
1/2 cup borax
1 gallon hot water
pail or bucket
Mix all ingredients in the pail until borax is thoroughly dissolved. Use in areas that need general cleaning and wipe clean with a sponge or cloth. You can also reduce the recipe to fit in a spray bottle for everyday use.
Easy Deodorizer
Baking soda
Broom
Vacuum cleaner
Sprinkle baking soda over the carpet and leave overnight. Sweep off as much as possible and vacuum the rest. Remember: Always spot-test on a hidden area before using any product on carpet.
Dishwashing
1 part borax
1 part washing soda
Container (size of your choice)
Mix in the container and use in place of commercial detergent. If you live in a hard-water area, you may have to adjust the proportions to avoid formation of soap film on the dishes- try adding a bit more soda if there is a film residue.
Liquid Dishwashing Soap
Castile soap
Distilled white vinegar
Grate soap and add to dishwater. Add vinegar to the rinsewater to give glasses extra shine.
Toilet Disinfectant
2 cups distilled white vinegar
a few drops essential oil of your choice
16 oz spray bottle
Mix ingredients together and spritz the toilet bowl as needed. Use a toilet brush to swish mixture around the sides of the bowl.
General Antiseptic Spray
Liquid castile soap
10 - 20 drops lavendar or tea tree essential oil
Funnel
16 oz spray bottle
Mix together in a spray bottle and spritz as needed.
Essential Oil Air Freshener
1 cup water
5 drops essential oil of your choice
Small spray bottle
Funnel
Mix the essential oil and water together in the spray bottle and spritz in the bathroom or kitchen, or in any room, to freshen. Essential oils shouldn't leave any stains or residue if mixed in proper proportions.
Baking Soda Deodorizing Spray
2 tbsp baking soda
2 cups hot water
16 oz spray bottle
Funnel
This formula neutralizes odors, rather than adding scents to the room. Mix baking soda and hot water together in a spray bottle until all baking soda is dissolved. Spritz as needed. There should be no residue left if the baking soda is well dissolved. If any residue occurs, simply wipe away with a clean cotton cloth.
Lemon Furniture Polish
2 cups olive, vegetable, or mineral oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Mix oil with lemon juice. Apply with a soft cloth and buff until you can see your reflection.
Basic Laundry Detergent
1 part borax
1 part washing soda
Container of your choice
Mix in a container and use in place of commercial detergent. If you live in a hard-water area, you may have to add a bit more soda.
All-Purpose Stain Remover
1/4 cup borax
2 cups cold water
Soaking pail
Mix the borax and cold water together and soak stained clothing. Wash as usual.
There are LOTS of other recipes, but I am out of time. I will have to get off this computer. I will post more later. Let me know if you try any of these recipes!
Learning to Cut the Budget
Couponing. Using a clothesline. NOT using the air conditioner yet. Cutting the grocery budget. These are just a few ways that we have decided to cut our bills. Hopefully they will help cut in ways that are helpful. Money that is not spent on those items, we can put toward the payment of Erin's braces and the vehicle.
One way to cut the grocery budget is to not buy meat. It's not that we are vegetarians, it's just that we don't wish to purchase grocery store meat anymore. We probably will buy some every once in a while but it won't happen that often. We would prefer to eventually find local beef or meat. We grow chickens but we are not ready to "eat" them yet. I want our rooster and our hens are still producing eggs so I do not wish to kill any of them yet.
Another way we are cutting our budget is by growing our own food in our small garden. We have tomatoes, sugar snap peas, green onions, potatoes, radishes, and some other stuff. The sugar snap peas are already beginning to produce fruit. I ate one today...shhhhh...don't tell anyone! It was delicious! Can't wait until more are ready and bigger!
How do you find ways to cut your budget? Do you use a clothesline? Do you grow your own food in a garden? I would love to know. Leave me a comment.
One way to cut the grocery budget is to not buy meat. It's not that we are vegetarians, it's just that we don't wish to purchase grocery store meat anymore. We probably will buy some every once in a while but it won't happen that often. We would prefer to eventually find local beef or meat. We grow chickens but we are not ready to "eat" them yet. I want our rooster and our hens are still producing eggs so I do not wish to kill any of them yet.
Another way we are cutting our budget is by growing our own food in our small garden. We have tomatoes, sugar snap peas, green onions, potatoes, radishes, and some other stuff. The sugar snap peas are already beginning to produce fruit. I ate one today...shhhhh...don't tell anyone! It was delicious! Can't wait until more are ready and bigger!
How do you find ways to cut your budget? Do you use a clothesline? Do you grow your own food in a garden? I would love to know. Leave me a comment.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)