Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Clever Container!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Alaska! Sorry--a little late
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| A view of the Pacific Ocean from my balcony room. |
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| Very early one morning I awoke to the pilot boat speeding up to the ship. By the time I found my camera and took a picture the excitement was almost over. |
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| The pilot boat leaving. |
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| In Ketchikan we spent several hours onboard the Aleutian Ballad for the Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's tour! Wonderful experience! |
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| Holding a crab! |
Thursday, September 16, 2010
12 New things-September and Alaska!
September is coming to a close and I need to update on the 12 New Things challenge. My goal for this month was to use natural, chemical free cleaning products made from such things as vinegar, baking soda, etc. I feel I mainly succeeded on this one. A few example of my new cleaning routines are swishing the toilet with baking soda (works like a charm), this morning I scrubbed the showed with baking soda and vinegar paste, I have started using vinegar in the wash instead of fabric softener, instead of a bleach based cleaner I am using a vinegar water spray that I mixed. Also, when I do use a fabric softener sheet, I use it to dust after it has been through the dryer. Dryer sheets really do work, and I have cut down on Swiffer usage and dust just a little bit at a time. Overall, the house is much cleaner!
On another note, Mom, Dad, and I leave for an Alaska cruise Saturday morning and will be gone for a week! This week, besides working, we have been busy getting everything in order and ready.
On another note, Mom, Dad, and I leave for an Alaska cruise Saturday morning and will be gone for a week! This week, besides working, we have been busy getting everything in order and ready.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
FLYLady Housekeeping Program
I read about a fun housekeeping system on another blog. FLYlady is an online housekeeping program and system that is completely free, but yet still thorough (or at least from what I can tell right now). I just started today with by bitty steps--clean the sink and make it shine. This meant getting out the toothbrush and scrubbing ever nook and cranny--I am ever amazed at the difference. Now, after every use I am to wipe down the sink so that it will never lose it's shine.
Everyday, a list or schedule of cleaning activities is sent out the night before. For example, this week's area is number 4-the bedroom. Tomorrow I am to clean the doorknobs and light switch until the glimmer. Everyday, you are to spend 15 minutes exercising and 15 minutes decluttering an area.
We'll see how it goes!
Everyday, a list or schedule of cleaning activities is sent out the night before. For example, this week's area is number 4-the bedroom. Tomorrow I am to clean the doorknobs and light switch until the glimmer. Everyday, you are to spend 15 minutes exercising and 15 minutes decluttering an area.
We'll see how it goes!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
12 New Things in 12 Months--Month 1
I saw this challenge on another blog and decided to try it, even though it has absolutely nothing to do with my original direction for this blog.http://www.likeawarmcupofcoffee.com/home/2010/08/12-new-things/
My List of New Things
September-learn to make homemade cleaning supplies instead of store bought chemicals. I am putting this on my list because not only do I want to rid my house of harsh and toxic chemicals--but also to save money when I have a house to run of my own.
October-Sell my dollhouse I made this summer for a profit--never done this before, but if it works out I may do more in the future.
November-Learn to make a pie from scratch--crust and all. I do a lot of baking of cookies and cakes but have never made a pie of any kind.
December-Stay within my Christmas Budget--every month I have $20 taken out of my checking account and put into a different account just for Christmas shopping. My budget will be about $265--not a lot but I also don't have a big long list of people to buy for this year.
January-Travel--alone or otherwise--outside of the U.S.
February-learn to sew--mainly for mending this month
March-Learn to quilt
April-learn to tie a bowline and other knots and also start a small vegetable garden
May-make a favorite recipe book and learn new recipes
I haven't yet thought of something for June, July and August, but I am sure I will.
Today I started learning about homemade cleaning products and other tips.
Drain Cleaner-I read that you need equal parts baking soda and vinegar for a drain cleaner. First you pour the baking soda down the drain, and then the vinegar. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before running hot water. This did work somewhat on my bathroom drain, but it wasn't a miracle worker. Would use again in the future. While I was waiting I used to paste that the baking soda and vinegar made to clean to faucet, another score here--the faucet is shining and I got quite a bit of ick buildup off.
Fabric Softener-add 1 cup vinegar to the fabric softener cup in the clothes washer to soften clothes as well as get rid of the chemical build up. I tried it on a load of towels and underwear today. I haven't gotten them out of the drier yet, but I was impressed by how soft they were when taken out of the washer.
For Dad's Work clothes and other smelly clothes, I will be trying the 1/4 cup baking soda trick which is supposed to help stop them from smelling quite so bad.
My List of New Things
September-learn to make homemade cleaning supplies instead of store bought chemicals. I am putting this on my list because not only do I want to rid my house of harsh and toxic chemicals--but also to save money when I have a house to run of my own.
October-Sell my dollhouse I made this summer for a profit--never done this before, but if it works out I may do more in the future.
November-Learn to make a pie from scratch--crust and all. I do a lot of baking of cookies and cakes but have never made a pie of any kind.
December-Stay within my Christmas Budget--every month I have $20 taken out of my checking account and put into a different account just for Christmas shopping. My budget will be about $265--not a lot but I also don't have a big long list of people to buy for this year.
January-Travel--alone or otherwise--outside of the U.S.
February-learn to sew--mainly for mending this month
March-Learn to quilt
April-learn to tie a bowline and other knots and also start a small vegetable garden
May-make a favorite recipe book and learn new recipes
I haven't yet thought of something for June, July and August, but I am sure I will.
Today I started learning about homemade cleaning products and other tips.
Drain Cleaner-I read that you need equal parts baking soda and vinegar for a drain cleaner. First you pour the baking soda down the drain, and then the vinegar. Let sit for 10-15 minutes before running hot water. This did work somewhat on my bathroom drain, but it wasn't a miracle worker. Would use again in the future. While I was waiting I used to paste that the baking soda and vinegar made to clean to faucet, another score here--the faucet is shining and I got quite a bit of ick buildup off.
Fabric Softener-add 1 cup vinegar to the fabric softener cup in the clothes washer to soften clothes as well as get rid of the chemical build up. I tried it on a load of towels and underwear today. I haven't gotten them out of the drier yet, but I was impressed by how soft they were when taken out of the washer.
For Dad's Work clothes and other smelly clothes, I will be trying the 1/4 cup baking soda trick which is supposed to help stop them from smelling quite so bad.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Burning Bright
After finishing Triangle, I immediately started Burning Bright by Tracy Chevalier, who is also the author of Girl With a Pearl Earring. I have read Chevalier's writing before and enjoyed the story. Burning Bright is set in Georgian England and is about a family just moving to London from tiny town England. Something tells me that the plot is going to be predictable--hardships for the family, trouble finding work and paying the bills, horrible things happen. Again, this book laid on the discount section at Barnes and Noble--$5.98.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Itinerary Draft
In between working long 10 hour days I have started to put together a sample travel schedule which includes prices for hotels, flights, and train connection. I won't post the whole 5 page detail because everybody would be more bored than children this summer.
Fly to Dublin-most likely by AerLingus
Dublin
Fly to Amsterdam by AerLingus
Amsterdam--Amsterdam won because Venice usually floods during the time I would be there
City Night Line Train to Munich
Munich
Most likely fly Munich-Naples and then take the train to Sorrento.
Sorrento/Pompei
Rome
Egypt--including a 3-4 night cruise on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan
From this point, I still have some decision making. From Cairo, I have a choice between flying to Lisbon, Portugal or Barcelona, Spain. Nice is also on my list, but no direct flight seems to exist between Cairo and Nice. After visiting either Lisbon or Barcelona, I will fly directly to Nice (or travel by train). From Nice, only one direct flight back to the states is listed.
As for the budget, so far it depends on the calculations of economy/first class, hotel room prices, etc. I have my lowest end through Egypt at $11,000, the highest calculation with all first class accommodations and tickets over $18,000. The middle is probably the route to take.
Fly to Dublin-most likely by AerLingus
Dublin
Fly to Amsterdam by AerLingus
Amsterdam--Amsterdam won because Venice usually floods during the time I would be there
City Night Line Train to Munich
Munich
Most likely fly Munich-Naples and then take the train to Sorrento.
Sorrento/Pompei
Rome
Egypt--including a 3-4 night cruise on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan
From this point, I still have some decision making. From Cairo, I have a choice between flying to Lisbon, Portugal or Barcelona, Spain. Nice is also on my list, but no direct flight seems to exist between Cairo and Nice. After visiting either Lisbon or Barcelona, I will fly directly to Nice (or travel by train). From Nice, only one direct flight back to the states is listed.
As for the budget, so far it depends on the calculations of economy/first class, hotel room prices, etc. I have my lowest end through Egypt at $11,000, the highest calculation with all first class accommodations and tickets over $18,000. The middle is probably the route to take.
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