Lent

Tomorrow Wednesday, March 9, begins the season of Lent.  40 days and 40 nights leading up to the Easter celebration.  Many Christians use this as a time to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ- the way he suffered, died, was buried and then (praise God) resurrected!

Many people use Lent as a time of fasting from something particular in order to focus on prayer and repentance. 

For several years now, we (our family) haven't really focused on Lent.  Sadly, the church we attend doesn't celebrate the Lent season.  Nothing against Baptist, but its one of the things that just drives me crazy.  I love talking about Lent with my kids and using it as a teaching tool.  I just think that our church is missing out on a great way to reach and teach our children!

While we do teach our kids about Lent, we do not require them to give up anything.  That is between them and God.

What about you?  Do you celebrate Lent?  What, if anything, have you decided to fast from?

Laundry Detergent

*Edited to show the end result!!*

• Yes, this is my second post in one day.  I think I just may need a nap when I am finished! 

Back in October I started making our laundry detergent.  I have had several friends ask how I do it, so I decided to make a post about it!   Be advised- this is a little longer than normal- bleeding eyes may occur.  Consider yourself warned.

There are different ways to make this, but here are the ingredients I use:

1 bar of Fels-Naptha   ($1.29 per bar at Kroger)
1 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda    ($2.79 for 55oz. at Kroger)
1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax    ($3.99 for 76oz at Kroger)
Five Gallon bucket
Lots of water!

First, use a cheese grater to grate the entire bar of Fels-Naptha.  Yes, it will look just like shredded cheese!

Next, heat 6 cups of water on the stove, but not to the boiling point.  Add the grated cheese soap and dissolve.

When the soap has dissolved, then mix in your Washing Soda and Borax.  (or get your kids to do it so you can take pictures)

While these soaps are dissolving, add 8 cups of hot water to the 5 gallon bucket.  When the soaps are done, pour them into the bucket and stir.

Fill the bucket up the rest of the way with luke warm water and stir gently and well.  If there is a foam at the top, I ususally take it off (doesn't really matter- I am just OCD about silly stuff).

Finally, put the top on tight and let set 24 hours!!

At the end of the 24 hours the entire bucket of soap will be gel.  I (or one of the kids) will use a whisk or our hands to mix up the soap until it is the consistency of egg drop soup.  Since mine is not yet ready to open, I don't have a picture of that.  I will try to remember to do that tomorrow.   I use 1/2 cup per load.


Points I want you to be aware of:

• This only takes about 20 minutes to make (maybe less without kids).
• I don't use an he washer, but have been told that it works just fine.  Just be aware that you will want to make sure you mix your gel extra good to get most if not all of the clumps out.
• There are many ways to mix the soaps.  The above is my typical batch.  However, during football and baseball season (like now) I will use 1-1/2 cups each of Borax and Washing Soda.  I know some people that use 2 cups of each and 2 bars of soap to 5 gallons.  I find that what I use works, so I have never increased the amounts.  It could depend on your water too (hard or soft).
• I still use my stain remover (Shout, Oxy-Clean, whatever) when needed.  Which is alot with my kids and sports, wagon jumping, or whatever.
• If you want to add fragrance you can use a few drop of essential oils.  I have never done this, as I still use my favorite Downy.

How did I figure how much it costs?
Washing Soda at $2.79 for 55oz comes to 0.051 per oz x 8oz= $.41

Borax at $3.99 for 76oz comes to 0.0525 per oz x 8oz= $.42

Fels-Naptha is $1.29

So for a 5 gallon batch:   $.41 + $.42 + $1.29= $2.12

A 5 gallon batch yeilds approximately 160 loads. 
$2.12 / 160= $0.01325  per load!!!!

Now, if you compare the cost of my 5 gallons to 5 gallons of Tide or any of the other brands out there you can certainly understand why it just makes my day!  I average anywhere from 15-21 loads per week and have found that we use between 2.5 to 3 gallons of detergent per month.  Can you say SAVINGS????  Does this make me any happier to actually do my laundry?  That would definitely be a NO.

Now, as for tips on bleeding retinas from long posts?  I have none. 

**Here are the pictures of the final product!!**

As you can see, the gell is semi-solid

using your hands not only is the easiest way to break up the gel, it also gives you very soft hands!!

Boredom breeds...........

There are many different sayings about boredom:

"Boredom breeds mischief"

"Boredom breeds destruction"

"Boredom breeds stupidity"

"Boredom breeds trouble"

While many of these are completely true, especially with children, I happen to think there is more to the story.  See, I think with the mischief, destruction, and sometimes trouble comes creativity and innovation.  I don't often put the "stupidity" label on the things my kids come up with since they often don't know any better.  Now adults?  That is another story.

I have decided to start (as often as possible) a "Boredom breeds..........."  topic here on my blog.  I am going to film or video this Spring and Summer all the things that my kids come up with in light of their boredom.  You all may be the cool parents that allow their kids to watch TV or play video games all day, but my kids got a dud for a mother.  She limits their time on electronics and makes them use the brains God gave them to entertain themselves, each other, our family, and now my (few) readers!!

Here, for your enjoyment,  is the first installment.  This clip is brought to you by Tman and his friend. As you can see in the backround, we even have neighbors walking by that stop and watch.  Or take notes for DSS.  Enjoy!

78 and sunny

*Let's try this again.  The entire post didn't show up last time!!*

Today was my kind of day.  Although the temps were a little higher than optimal, the cool breeze more than balanced it out.  If it weren't for all the sinus pressure and coughing, I probably would have painted a couple of rooms and cleaned out closets.  I did, however, get the downstairs sparkling.  I even pulled out furniture and swept places that I haven't seen since moving in!

  Floors were mopped

Kitchen made spotless (for a couple of minutes anyway)

and windows were opened.

Then we headed out for

lots of this!!

Lunch served on the deck

followed by a wagon ride

and made up games.

Life is good.

From "outie" to "innie"

I just love this boy.  Even all hopped up on good drugs.

My T man had umbilical hernia repair surgery this morning.  He made it look like a cake walk.  He was a little anxious about it, but once the Versed kicked in, he was Mr. Loopy and happy about everything!

I expected him to come home and (like his father after anesthesia) sleep the day away, but no such luck.  He has been bouncing off the walls- both figuratively and literally (he is still loopy).

He was able to bring home lots of goodies from the hospital, and as you can see, is putting them to use!!

He is holding the gas mask they used to put him under, but also brought home the blood pressure cuff and O2 Sat lead that was on his finger! 

I will just put in a plug that the Children's Hospital at Medical College of Georgia rocks!!!  All of the staff is wonderful!  Everything is centered around the child and what works for them and their family.  BIG shout out to MCG!!

I am fully aware that I have neglected to post the last month- we have been a little busy.  Getting back into the school routine, basketball started,  gymnastics is in full competetion mode, and we had a birthday in there as well!  I hope to finish the birthday pictures and post soon.  I should have posted on the actual birthday, but alas- life happens. 

Also a big shout out and thank you to my blog and IRL (in real life) friend Joy, for Facebooking(?) me to let me know that she was missing my blog posts!  It was a blessing that someone noticed!!  hee hee

Talking Smack

This morning in one of the devotions I read, the key verse was as follows:

"The king of Israel answered, 'Tell him: "One who puts on his armor should not boast like the one who takes it off.'"      1 Kings 20:11

These words were spoken by Ahab to Beh-Hadad's messenger.  I have to tell you, I have read this passage many times before and have never really stopped to think about what Ahab was actially saying.  (I really love that the Bible is like that.  You can read it 1000 times, but always learn something new.)  What Ahab is implying here is that sometimes we need to keep our mouths shut until we have reached the accomplishment.

Here, the devotion author was referring to New Year's resolutions.  Some people really need to keep their resolution to themselves and let their actions speak louder than their words.  So often when people make the resolutions, they end up failing.  In my opinion, that is what is expected in today's society concerning resolutions.  They don't seem to really mean an entire year- just the effort.  Sad.

Even more sad?   My first thought when I read the verse was talking smack.  Yep, I love football season (or sports in general), but I hate the rival smack talk.  I even avoid Facebook when there are certain teams playing.  Around here there is a HUGE rivalry between South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers.  I loath this game every year.  I have seen so many relationships torn apart because of the nasty words spoken all because of a passion over a football team.  In all honesty, there are only a few people that can ever get away with smack talk.  It's the ones that are just not THAT into whether their team wins or loses.  The ones that are truly ok with whatever outcome.

Just what if- those people that are so passionate about their sports team were equally as passionate about their faith?  Because, not only have I seen relationships hurt because of smack talk, I have also seen many so called Christians that all but ruined their witness for Christ due to their words and actions.

Just what if we all (quietly) made the resolution to deepen our walk and faith in Christ,  but was only accountable to the Lord?  Each day, leaning on Him to tell us what we need to do and if what we have done needs a little work to make it right?  Let's face it- we can't put on the mask of "I have it all together" for him.  

I just wonder what kind of impact it would have on our relationships, families, or communities. 

"ART CLASS"

  How do you keep bored, busy hands busy?

Tell them that daddy is coming home

and use the energy

to have an impromtu

homeschool style, give-mommy-a-break-already

ART CLASS!!

That's just the way I roll....