Thursday, August 11, 2011

Few of my Favorite Things...

I love products!  Cleaning products, health and beauty...all of it.  When I find a good product, it takes a lot to persuade me that there is something better.  Like Cascade, for instance.  There have been times that I have tried something cheaper, only to be very disappointed.  I also hate spending money on something that disappoints me.  That is why I thought that Id share some of my favorite products from time to time, so...I might be able to save someone some money.  And...was hoping that you would share also.

I'm going to start with the non gender stuff, so I don't bore my male readers to death.  When I get to the girly stuff, they can leave the page, or at least say they did. ;)

Cleaning Products:

I clean houses for my job, so...I've tried a lot of cleaning products.  Here's my take on them.

Yes, you can clean most anything with water, vinegar and baking soda.  But...It takes more time and more elbow grease.  So, if your time is worth more than your money, here's the stuff you'll enjoy.

    Kitchens: If you have a white sink, nothing works better than Commit cleanser to get the scratches out, de-grease and disinfect.  You can use anything on your stainless, but I like to finish with a swipe of

Weiman Stainless Steel Wipes It makes the sink shine and look brand new.  You can also use the spray and paper towel, but don't buy a cheaper brand!  I also use this on stainless steel appliances and buff with an old diaper or T-shirt.

If your stove is really dirty, spray with Windex and let it sit for a while.  The ammonia will loosen the yuck.  I also use Windex on windows and mirrors, of course. I've heard that you can make your own Windex, but...if the ratios are not just right...it will streak and frustrate you to death!  There are some cheaper brands that work also, but a lot that don't.

Counter tops.  Basically you want to clean and disinfect.  So, really depends on the type of counter that you have.  Best to use what the manufacturer recommends. Here are some things I like:  Granite, I clean with water and then spray with Windex to make it shine.  After a few cleanings, I will use furniture polish.  The polish doesn't stay on very long with all the use in the kitchen, but...it's pretty.  Laminate, I would use something like 409, Mr. Clean (diluted) or Clorox Clean up (for stains).  There is also a fabulous counter top cleaner from Mrs. Meyers.  I love the Basil scent.  It makes the whole kitchen smell wonderful and looks good on granite or any solid surface.  Just a little luxury item to brighten your day. :)

Bathrooms:
I use Mr. Clean at home because it's a good all around cleaning.  Cuts through soap scum and doesn't cost too much. On the other hand, you have to dilute it and put it in a spray bottle and is a little more work.  There are plenty good bathroom cleaners, but...look for the ones that cut soap scum and DON'T include bleach!  Don't get me wrong, bleach has its purpose.  It just doesn't need to be sprayed all over the bathroom while you're breathing in all the air in a small little space. I keep Clorox Clean up on hand for that occasional mildew issue.  I don't mind that bleach in toilet bowl cleaners, but toilet bowel cleaners are pretty much
uni-taskers and I prefer using multi-taskers.  Mr. Clean or any other cleaner does a fine job on your toilets.  If you want a product that smells awesome, try this one.

product image

Dusting:  I use an ostrich feather duster on nick knacks, pictures, furniture and objects.  You can find a great one at Target.  They have natural oils in them and they get into nooks and crannies.  I will then use furniture polish on wood furniture, but...only when it looks dry.

OK...if I missed something, just ask.  Now on to health and Beauty.  Don't leave yet Dad...I got some foot stuff for you!

1. HeeltasticHeeltastic Foot Cream
I have very dry skin and this stuff is fantastic!  Makes my feet feel like a baby's bottom.  It doesn't have the greatest smell, but I suppose that is so men will use it too. It runs around $10 and well worth the price.

2. I get corns occasionally from wearing shoes that rub my pinky toe into the toe next to it, that has no name. Very sad for him.  If he were a finger, he would be a "ring" finger!  But, no...he's a toe, without a name, unless you want to say the toe that had no roast beef.  I'm getting sidetracked.  Back to the subject.  This product is awesome for any hurting toes. They make these in several different brands and prices.  This price is not bad since you can cut the tubes and make several.  Also, you can wear them several times, depending on how stinky your feet get.  So...they are much more economical than buying those stick on pads. I would not suggest wearing them with open toed shoes, tough.  Kind of tacky.

3. For those times you want powder, but don't want to smell like a baby...
Gold Bond Ultimate Comfort Body Powder, charmomile - 10 ozThis stuff does the job and doesn't smell too strong.  I think Walmart also has a generic that compares to this and is just as great.

4. Lotions. I usually switch around a bunch, but...the name brand ones also work so much better.  Usually I find plenty on the clearance isles at Target or CVS.  I scoop them all up, so..I always have plenty.

5. A while back my hair started falling out and I started using Pantene's Beautiful Lengths.  I noticed less hair falling out, after just two weeks.

I also started taking GNC's

GNC Women's Hair, Skin, & Nails Program - GNC - GNCLove this stuff also!  I noticed a big difference in my skin also.  I've heard it helps acne, but...don't know about that.  I just notice that my hair, skin and nails look healthier.

OK...attention span is spent. Got to let this end.  I'm sure I will think of more things in the future.  Let me know your favorite products.  I would love to try them!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Yesterday/Today/Tomorrow

 




Yesterday, I took my daughter, to Kindergarten.  I took my video camera to of course record this special moment and hopefully never forget.  My eyes swelled up with tears, because my baby was growing up.

Today...she moved out.  And I was right, my baby grew up overnight!  My eyes swell up all over again.  How can time go so fast?  Where does it go?

Of course it wasn't actually yesterday, but years.  But, that doesn't make it feel any longer.  What is 20 years, compared to eternity? Is there ever enough time?

Do I make time count?  What is my life worth?

I wonder if my Mom asked these questions...or her Mom.

Was it just yesterday that I went to went to Kindergarten?

Time is such an enigma.  Our days sometimes seem like eternity, but our years fly by.

The little things of life seem to rob of us the important things.

When tomorrow comes, will I be content with my life?  Will I have used my time wisely?

Am I happy today, about yesterday?

Are you?


Monday, August 1, 2011

A visit from Grandma

The following is an reenactment of what goes through Avery's head, the day that Grandma comes to visit.

Ah, morning

Hungry

Don't change me!

Eat

That's funny!

Eat more

That's funny!

Mommy's funny!

Don't clean me!

Play

Play

That's funny!

That's really funny!

Play

laugh, laugh, laugh

Don't make me nap!

Second morning

Grandma!

Don't change me!

She's funny

Hug, hug, hug

Food!

She's funny

Bananas!

She's really funny!

She loves me!

More food, please

Let me down!

No, don't clean me!

Grandma

Dancing

Cruising

Don't get me!

Get me!

That's funny

She's funny

Grandma loves me!

I love her!

Bye Bye

Thursday, July 21, 2011

My Hands

My hands show my age.


My hands show all the dishes that I've washed, all the bathrooms I've cleaned. 


My hands have planted flowers and dug vegetable gardens.


My hands have built bedrooms and bathrooms. Dry walled and tiled, plumbing and electrical.


My hand held my Mom's hand, while sitting in church.


Holding my Dad's while praying.


My hands held the hand of my miscarried baby and the hand of my grandma who was soon to die.


They've sewn wedding dresses and baby clothes.


My hands have held the hands of my newborn babies.


Wiped their noses, faces, chins and butts; all the while trying to hold on to them, forever.


My hands have played the piano and turned the pages for my kids.


My hands have held little hands as we crossed a street together.



My hands have wiped away tears and soothed a child who was hurt or ill.

They have comforted a husband who was under stress.


My hands have touched the face of my first Grandson.


And the face of my husband who is now a Grandpa. 


My hands show all these and many more. 


Age, time, work, love and joy.  


All in my life, all on my hands.








Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Scars

Pain that doesn't dictate your participation, but summons you.

You decide whether to feel the pain or abstain.

A story you tell, another person's life...if you want it to be.

We are not captive to our emotional scars.  In contrast, they are captive to us.

We use them to learn, teach and remind ourselves.

They are one of many experiences in life that make us the person we are.

We either use them for good, or let them destroy us.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

How to leave a comment

Several of my readers have mentioned that they are having trouble leaving a comment on my blog.  Part of the problem might be because they do not have a Google account like I do.  I'm such a big fan of Google, that I never thought about someone not having an account. Ha!  So, I changed my settings to include anonymous accounts. Which means that you can click on that, if you want anonymity or just don't want to go through another account.  I also am including a little YouTube video that goes through the steps of leaving a comment on Blogger.  Hope this helps!  Enjoy!

Tell me how to do it!!!

PS: you must click on the green "tell me how to do it", to go to the video.

Also:  You don't have to go to the blog that they mention in the beginning, you can try it out on this blog. :)

Friday, July 15, 2011

Much Afraid

Ugh...It's been so long since I wrote anything.  My daughter Ashley, told me that she was disappointed in me. Ha!  I think she thought it would motivate me to get back in the saddle and write something.  I guess she was right cuz, here I am. :)

I have so many thoughts but I either analyze them to death or I get intimidated by their intimacy.  It's very difficult for me, a private person to share publicly.  What am I afraid of: Criticism, boring people, influencing others wrongly, losing respect etc.  The negative thoughts that haunt a perfectionist and cripple me from doing or saying many things in my life.  I'm not necessarily the "throw caution to the wind" kind of person.  Caution is my middle name!

That being said, this blog is an experiment in stretching.  Forcing me to come out of my comfort zone.  And sometimes, I avoid my blog because I am too comfortable keeping all my thoughts to myself.  My own little world, a safe place.  Is this a bad thing?  I don't know, but as long as there are people who want to read my blog, I will keep trying.

I am 50 years old and yet, I'm still not who I want to be.  There are lyrics to a song from Sister Hazel that says "The paint on me is beginning to dry and It's not who I wanted to be".  Years go by and some old bad habits remain, some new good habits remain un-rooted.  Why is it so hard to change?  Why do I care?

Sometimes I look at other people and they seem to be at peace with giving up.  They no longer try to improve themselves.  And sometimes, I envy them, but, I can't.  I cannot stop trying, working, challenging myself.

So, how do you find peace, striving to be better, but accepting yourself as you are?

For me?  I stopped trying to be other people.  To have all the energy as my Mom, be as skinny as a teenager, or be as spiritual as someone else.  I just stopped!  I am Sheryl.  This is who God created and loves.  My obligation is only to be the best Sheryl, that I can me.  I will never be my mom, or be that skinny, but am I being my best?

Yes, I have my awful days and I'm the very worst Sheryl possible.  And then...there are the goods days.  Thankful for those days!

So, in the future, I will strive to blog more, share more and let you into my head.  The good, the bad and the ugly.  (ouch...this is scaring me to death)  Maybe not all the ugly.  ;)

What are you afraid, what scares you?  Please share, so I don't feel alone.