random things

I always enjoy reading these lists when other people write them...here's mine

10 Random Things About Me (in random order):

1.  I am not afraid of heights.  I attribute this mostly to riding the chair lifts up the mountain while skiing as a child.  However, I am pretty darn claustrophobic.  I attribute this to being trapped head down in sleeping bags by my older cousins.

2.  I wear this perfume. 

3.  I hate it when anyone touches my bellybutton.  Hate it!

4.  If money were no object, I think I would drive this car.

5.  I am not really an animal lover.  I don't hate them...but my life seems fairly complete without a pet (this cannot be said of my daughter Emma, who every day asks for a dog or cat- we are still in talks)

6.  I cry at every birth I attend.  I keep waiting for this to stop...I just can't seem to help myself.

7.  I am a bit of a hypochondriac.  Getting older doesn't help, neither does webmd.

8.  I always wanted to go to a college where I could join the woman's crew team.

9.  I am a pretty terrible swimmer- I sink.  Maybe there is a reason that #8 never worked out for me.

10. Please don't talk to me when you are brushing your teeth and all that foamy white toothpaste is running down your chin.  My college roommate/cousin used to do this to me all the time- just to see me gag.

gifts

Everyone knows how much I love the whole process of growing a baby, giving birth to it, and caring for it.  So, imagine my excitement when I learned that my cousin was having twins!!  This weekend we are traveling to her baby shower, and I wanted to make her something extra special. Practical but fun.  If I were to name my number one "can't live without" baby gear item, it would be a baby carrier.  Its a wonderful thing to be able to snuggle your baby up and at the same time have your hands free.  This is especially important when you are a mama to more than one! So, I asked Jessica, "would you wear a sling?"  She said she would.  Then the question arose, "would your husband wear one?"  Because you can't fit two babies in one sling...and you can't wear two slings at once!  Thankfully, he was totally excited and said he would too.

I finished one sling, and the other is awaiting rings (which were not included in my order, grrrrrr.)

I wanted them to coordinate but not be identical. They have the same middle and different borders.

I also made her some bibs and two outfits for next summer. (I know she will get a bazillion 0-3 months clothes)

I had plans to do so much more...but time didn't allow.  There are so many cute baby patterns out there right now.  The babies won't come until November/December- so I do still have time. 

Anyways, we are off for a little weekend getaway- terrible timing with the start of school being just a week and a half ago.  It may be a bit crazy come the beginning of next week.  "Ten random things about me" will automatically post tomorrow.  Have a great weekend!

Green Clean

My house is a mess.  I take that back.  My house is dirty.  I am pretty good and picking up and making it appear clean.  When it comes to deep down clean...not so good.  I think that maybe it is a time issue.  I remember the days when I could clean my whole house in one day.  From top to bottom everything would be done.  Then, I could sit back and enjoy the sparklyness (I have 3 girls I am allowed to invent words like that).  Nowadays, I have to clean in bits and pieces.  If the girls are soaking in the tub...I wipe down the sink, mirror and toilet etc. But I usually don't have huge blocks of time to really cover the whole house.  Knowing that I won't get very far prevents me from getting anywhere at all. Lame, I know.

Sometimes the only thing that will inspire me to "deep clean" is making my own cleaner.  "Making" inspires me.  (I love the post that Amanda wrote about her daughter's one word sentence.)  Even my husband remarked that he liked my cleaner better than one of the bottles he bought at the store.  This is saying a lot because my huband is the king of using massively toxic bleach laden "be- sure-and- have adequate- ventilation" cleaners.

I have tried lots of recipes for homemade cleaner.  Here is the one that I like the best for all-purpose cleaning (from sew green)

1tsp baking soda

2 tsp borax (in the laundry soap isle of the grocery store)

1 tsp liquid soap-  I use this (weird writing on the bottle, great soap)

2 cups hot water

10 or so drops of favorite essential oil- I like grapefruit or tea tree oil

Mix together, pour into spray bottle, shake before each use.

I actually double or triple this recipe and fill a spray bottle for the kitchen, and all 3 bathrooms.

For scouring or scrubbing I love using baking soda and lemon juice.  Just sprinkle the baking soda in the tub or sink or whatever.   Then, pour a bit of lemon juice in too.  Your kids will love how it "fizzes".  That is the great thing about using homemade cleaners- they are safe for kids! Great, because I can fill a spray bottle with their name on it!!!!   Happy scrubbing.