If anyone out there is even remotely like me, then laundry is one of the worst chores invented. It's amazing how much laundry multiplies when you're doing it for more than 1 person (I give all mothers a lot of credit because of this - and many other reasons). Mr. H claims that he used to only do one load per week; I did two every month or so. How we end up with about 4 loads of dirty clothes per week is beyond me.
Anyways, Mr. H and I have a deal that I do the laundry and he folds it. It works great, but he is in need of a serious break (he's been working 60+ hours/week lately). So, I decided to fold the laundry until his work schedule calms down a bit. It was 5 loads worth (and that doesn't include towels and sheets) - I wasn't exaggerating before. The time is longer since our dryer does not dry in 1 cycle (crazy, right?), so it's been some late nights here combined with early mornings. Fun times. At least I can cross something off of my 85 in 850!
Showing posts with label 85 in 850. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 85 in 850. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
85 in 850 Update
I've completed a few items from my 85 in 850 list.
#4: Keep Track of my Phone for 1 week
My family and friends will tell you that I am notorious for not keeping up with my cell phone. They typically call Mr. Happily-ever-after if they need to talk to me (he's the one that is glued to his phone). Since this is often my only line of communication (we don't have a land line), I thought it was a good goal to set. I have successfully kept track of my phone for 10 days now....I didn't lose it once!
#9: Begin a couple's devotion with Mr. Happily-ever-after
Going to church has always been part of my life (Mr. H. grew up much the same). During our marriage counseling it was recommended that we do a couple's devotion because it helps to form a strong marital foundation based on faith. We use Devotions for Couples by David & Teresa Ferguson. It is a one-year book and goes by date. We started on June 1 (the date we started), not at the beginning of the book. Admittedly, we have missed a few days and just picked up with the current date instead of back tracking. This book is a great way to end our day with reading on faith and reminding ourselves of the little things that make a good marriage into a great one.
#21&40: Fold all laundry for 1 week
Oops, I made the same goal for 2 numbers! Anyways, folding laundry is the bane of my existence (as is most cleaning). Mr. H. and I usually have laundry folding parties to split up the work, and make it seem like it might be fun. Part of the dread is the shear volume of laundry we have...we usually have at least 4 loads/week. I have been washing and folding all laundry for about a month now (since graduation), just haven't documented it.
#4: Keep Track of my Phone for 1 week
My family and friends will tell you that I am notorious for not keeping up with my cell phone. They typically call Mr. Happily-ever-after if they need to talk to me (he's the one that is glued to his phone). Since this is often my only line of communication (we don't have a land line), I thought it was a good goal to set. I have successfully kept track of my phone for 10 days now....I didn't lose it once!
#9: Begin a couple's devotion with Mr. Happily-ever-after
Going to church has always been part of my life (Mr. H. grew up much the same). During our marriage counseling it was recommended that we do a couple's devotion because it helps to form a strong marital foundation based on faith. We use Devotions for Couples by David & Teresa Ferguson. It is a one-year book and goes by date. We started on June 1 (the date we started), not at the beginning of the book. Admittedly, we have missed a few days and just picked up with the current date instead of back tracking. This book is a great way to end our day with reading on faith and reminding ourselves of the little things that make a good marriage into a great one.
#21&40: Fold all laundry for 1 week
Oops, I made the same goal for 2 numbers! Anyways, folding laundry is the bane of my existence (as is most cleaning). Mr. H. and I usually have laundry folding parties to split up the work, and make it seem like it might be fun. Part of the dread is the shear volume of laundry we have...we usually have at least 4 loads/week. I have been washing and folding all laundry for about a month now (since graduation), just haven't documented it.
Friday, June 5, 2009
#56: Try 3 new, green cleaning methods
I've been working on my 85 in 850, but this is the first I've posted about completing something from that list. One of my personal goals is to become more 'green.' Not only will I be helping the planet, I will also be helping my bank account. You see, I've researched ways to use ordinary household items to clean. I won't have to waste, I mean spend money on the over priced products at the store.
One thing that can be found in (almost) any house is baking soda. It not only deodorizes the refrigerator, it can be used with some water to clean the oven, and in my case the kitchen counter. You see, we still live in an apartment that has laminate counter tops. It is always getting stains, always. This picture doesn't do the situation justice. You can barely see the spot here. Believe me, it is obvious in person.
I sprinkled a little baking soda on the spot and used a wet dishcloth to clean. Viola! No more stain. (Sorry I didn't post an after picture, but it would have just been white)
I've also found the power of vinegar. I know, I know, the smell isn't the most pleasant, but it isn't too bad. You can add essential oils to help with the smell (recommended especially if you're cleaning before company comes over). I use a mixture of 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water in a spray bottle. It's a great surface cleaner for hard surfaces (mostly the counter top). My dad said that it should kill germs, too, because the vinegar is acidic (I'll do more research on this). It also worked to clean the hard water spots on a shower curtain in our guest bathroom.
I also use white vinegar to clean our towels. That musty smell that you never can seem to get rid of vanishes when vinegar is used. I use a cup of vinegar (sometimes 1.5 cups) and hot water. That's it. It doesn't work if you use detergent, etc. It's better for the environment, and colored towels than bleach. The combo of hot water and the acidity of the vinegar is sufficient enough to fully clean, and oust the smell. The best part is, the rinse cycle rids the towels of the vinegar smell. No additional washing necessary. I use fabric sheets when drying, but that's it. One of our friends does this and doesn't use the fabric sheet in the dryer and her towels do not smell.
I was told that this washing only needs to be done once a month or so (whenever you think your towels are starting to smell), the rest of washes can be done normally. We've gotten into the habit of using hot water and vinegar every time.
The best part of these methods is that they don't take extra effort/time. I love being able to help the environment and save money (which is always a plus in this economy). Just because I've checked this off of my list does not mean that I'm finished being 'green.' I plan on continuing to find better, more efficient ways to clean the house.
One thing that can be found in (almost) any house is baking soda. It not only deodorizes the refrigerator, it can be used with some water to clean the oven, and in my case the kitchen counter. You see, we still live in an apartment that has laminate counter tops. It is always getting stains, always. This picture doesn't do the situation justice. You can barely see the spot here. Believe me, it is obvious in person.
I sprinkled a little baking soda on the spot and used a wet dishcloth to clean. Viola! No more stain. (Sorry I didn't post an after picture, but it would have just been white)
I've also found the power of vinegar. I know, I know, the smell isn't the most pleasant, but it isn't too bad. You can add essential oils to help with the smell (recommended especially if you're cleaning before company comes over). I use a mixture of 1/2 vinegar 1/2 water in a spray bottle. It's a great surface cleaner for hard surfaces (mostly the counter top). My dad said that it should kill germs, too, because the vinegar is acidic (I'll do more research on this). It also worked to clean the hard water spots on a shower curtain in our guest bathroom.
I also use white vinegar to clean our towels. That musty smell that you never can seem to get rid of vanishes when vinegar is used. I use a cup of vinegar (sometimes 1.5 cups) and hot water. That's it. It doesn't work if you use detergent, etc. It's better for the environment, and colored towels than bleach. The combo of hot water and the acidity of the vinegar is sufficient enough to fully clean, and oust the smell. The best part is, the rinse cycle rids the towels of the vinegar smell. No additional washing necessary. I use fabric sheets when drying, but that's it. One of our friends does this and doesn't use the fabric sheet in the dryer and her towels do not smell.
I was told that this washing only needs to be done once a month or so (whenever you think your towels are starting to smell), the rest of washes can be done normally. We've gotten into the habit of using hot water and vinegar every time.
The best part of these methods is that they don't take extra effort/time. I love being able to help the environment and save money (which is always a plus in this economy). Just because I've checked this off of my list does not mean that I'm finished being 'green.' I plan on continuing to find better, more efficient ways to clean the house.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
85 things in 850 days
I've seen this done...and decided to make my own "to do" list. Yes, it is a bit random, but so is my life. I use this site to calculate 850 days from today -- September 16, 2011. Here's my list:
1. Move out of our current town
2. Find a job that I love
3. Bake a pie from scratch
4. Keep track of my phone for 1 week
5. Get involved at church
6. Visit 3 new cities
7. Carve down a mountain
8. Hike 2 new trails
9. Begin a couples devotion with Mr. Happily-ever-after
10. Decorate for more than one holiday/year
11. Complete a Couch 2 5k program
12. Run in a 5k
13. Buy a new kitchen table
14. Send one card per month for 6 months
15. Start a Roth IRA
16. Begin recycling
17. Sew 2 quilts
18. Finish our cruise scrapbook
19. Go camping
20. Buy a house
21. Fold all laundry for 1 week
22. Decorate our bedroom
23. Learn 4 new recipes
24. Make ice cream
25. Eat a picnic at the park with Mr. Happily-ever-after
26. Attend church every Sunday for one month
27. Go to the beach
28. Read a book for leisure
29. Host a cookout
30. Pick a pumpkin
31. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day for 1 week
32. Organize our 2nd bedroom
33. Decorate a cake
34. Keep the house clean for 2 weeks
35. Take the dog to the park 1x/week for 1 month
36. Go fishing
37. Host a bbq
38. Buy a new bed
39. Cook 5 new, healthy recipes
40. Fold all laundry for 1 week
41. Send Christmas cards
42. Write a letter to my grandma
43. Go sledding
44. Recycle old phone books
45. Make tapas
46. Visit my sister (at her house)
47. Go to Disney World
48. Do yoga 1x/week for 4 weeks
49. Begin a swimming workout
50. Do not eat sweets for 7 days straight
51. Organize an office space
52. Volunteer in the community
53. Cook a turkey dinner
54. Start a holiday tradition with the Mr
55. See a ballet
56. Try 3 new, green cleaning methods -(6/5/09)
57. Donate $200 to charity
58. Organize an event
59. Plant flowers
60. Grow a garden (vegetables)
61. Send a care package to my younger sister
62. Complete the 30 day Shred
63. Go to my favorite restaurant and try something new
64. Buy new clothes
65. Get involved at church
66. Only use coupons/best deals to food shop for 1 month
67. Save over $5,000 in one year
68. Go on a fabulous vacation
69. Sew an article of clothing
70. Donate old clothing to charity
71. Pay off my credit card
72. Dust the house 1x/week for 4 weeks
73. Clean my oven
74. Write Mr. Happily-ever-after a love letter
75. Read a classic book
76. See a play
77. Give Mr. Happily-ever-after a back rub
78. Make fondue
79. Host a game night
80. Learn to can food
81. Start a compost
82. Get a pedicure
83. Drink only water and milk everyday for 1 week
84. Start a personal Bible Study
85. Do 15 regular push-ups in a row
Now that it is posted, I better get started. Some of these may need to be modified depending on how our lives work out, but tentatively I think I can accomplish all of it.
What would you put on your list?
1. Move out of our current town
2. Find a job that I love
3. Bake a pie from scratch
4. Keep track of my phone for 1 week
5. Get involved at church
6. Visit 3 new cities
7. Carve down a mountain
8. Hike 2 new trails
9. Begin a couples devotion with Mr. Happily-ever-after
10. Decorate for more than one holiday/year
11. Complete a Couch 2 5k program
12. Run in a 5k
13. Buy a new kitchen table
14. Send one card per month for 6 months
15. Start a Roth IRA
16. Begin recycling
17. Sew 2 quilts
18. Finish our cruise scrapbook
19. Go camping
20. Buy a house
21. Fold all laundry for 1 week
22. Decorate our bedroom
23. Learn 4 new recipes
24. Make ice cream
25. Eat a picnic at the park with Mr. Happily-ever-after
26. Attend church every Sunday for one month
27. Go to the beach
28. Read a book for leisure
29. Host a cookout
30. Pick a pumpkin
31. Eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day for 1 week
32. Organize our 2nd bedroom
33. Decorate a cake
34. Keep the house clean for 2 weeks
35. Take the dog to the park 1x/week for 1 month
36. Go fishing
37. Host a bbq
38. Buy a new bed
39. Cook 5 new, healthy recipes
40. Fold all laundry for 1 week
41. Send Christmas cards
42. Write a letter to my grandma
43. Go sledding
44. Recycle old phone books
45. Make tapas
46. Visit my sister (at her house)
47. Go to Disney World
48. Do yoga 1x/week for 4 weeks
49. Begin a swimming workout
50. Do not eat sweets for 7 days straight
51. Organize an office space
52. Volunteer in the community
53. Cook a turkey dinner
54. Start a holiday tradition with the Mr
55. See a ballet
56. Try 3 new, green cleaning methods -(6/5/09)
57. Donate $200 to charity
58. Organize an event
59. Plant flowers
60. Grow a garden (vegetables)
61. Send a care package to my younger sister
62. Complete the 30 day Shred
63. Go to my favorite restaurant and try something new
64. Buy new clothes
65. Get involved at church
66. Only use coupons/best deals to food shop for 1 month
67. Save over $5,000 in one year
68. Go on a fabulous vacation
69. Sew an article of clothing
70. Donate old clothing to charity
71. Pay off my credit card
72. Dust the house 1x/week for 4 weeks
73. Clean my oven
74. Write Mr. Happily-ever-after a love letter
75. Read a classic book
76. See a play
77. Give Mr. Happily-ever-after a back rub
78. Make fondue
79. Host a game night
80. Learn to can food
81. Start a compost
82. Get a pedicure
83. Drink only water and milk everyday for 1 week
84. Start a personal Bible Study
85. Do 15 regular push-ups in a row
Now that it is posted, I better get started. Some of these may need to be modified depending on how our lives work out, but tentatively I think I can accomplish all of it.
What would you put on your list?
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