Aloha!

We have been back from our trip to Hawaii about a week now and I think my internal time clock is just about reset to its usual screwy schedule. We had a wonderful time there. It was more like the Hawaii we've been told about and dreamed of -- sunny skies, rolling waves, moderate temps, swaying palms, gorgeous sunsets and magical nights.

Now I'm trying to clean up the "paperwork tornado" that I left behind here at home. The good news is that I did get all the papers into the accountant to completely get caught up on taxes, both personal and my business. I have good motivation today to get lots done because it's Bob's birthday and I want the house to be looking nice (or at least better) when he comes home today.

I'm making a lobster tail and shrimp dinner with lemon butter, twice baked potatoes and my "famous" green salad. Since corn on the cob is still being harvested locally and has been so-o-o-o good, I may add that, too. Then for dessert, carrot cake from Cracker Barrel. We won't need to eat the rest of the week!

Bethany, thanks for the cleaning products tip. I have a question, though -- what is washing soda? Is the same as baking soda? Also, about your mildew problem: 1. Since mildew is actually a live, growing organism, it takes something to actually kill it, not just clean it off. Usually it will need to be a bleach (chlorine) product. I'll look for something "homemade" that you might can use. 2. If you have a small fan (if the bathroom doesn't have an exhaust fan), if you will run it for 30 minutes after each shower or bath, that will help control it a lot, too

Kevin, Sarah and Caleb will be here in a couple of weeks for a visit and to attend some of the Red Wings Hockey training camp in Traverse City. That will be fun and we're looking forward to our "conversations" with Caleb. He's really talking very well.

If I can figure out how to add a couple of pictures to this post of our vacation, I will. If not, bye for now everybody. Love to all.

Momma K
++

All-Purpose Household Cleaners

Hello!

It's been a while since I posted, but I just had to share these penny-pinching cleanser recipes I was given in Moms'N'Tots. I've been using the spray cleaner and window/mirror wash solution for a few weeks now and love them. I think that the spray cleaner, especially saves a lot of money. Anyhow, here are the recipes:

Spray Cleaner
1 tsp. borax, 1/2 tsp. washing soda, 2 T. vinegar or lemon juice, 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. liquid dishwashing soap, 2 c. very hot tap water, 2 T. ammonia (if desired), spray bottle.

Combine borax, washing soda, and vinegar in a spray bottle. Add very hot tap water, leaving room for the liquid soap. Shake bottle gently until the mineral have dissolved. Spray onto the area to be cleaned and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

Soft Scrubber
1/4 c. baking soda, enough liquid dishwashing soap to make a paste.

Place the baking soda in a bowl and stir in soap unitl it becomes a rich, creamy texture. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, wash surface, and rinse thoroughly.

Window Wash
1/2 tsp. liquid diwhwashing soap, 3 T. vinegar, 2 c. water, spray bottle

Place all ingredients in a spray bottle, shake, and use as you would any commercial window washing brand.

Floor Cleaner
1/8 c. liquid dishwashing soap, 1/2 c. vinegar, 2 gallons warm water

Put soap and vinegar in the bottom of a bucket. Fill the bucket with warm water, swishing the ingredients around to activate the soap. Wash the floor as you normally would.


Now... if anybody has a great home cleaner that gets rid of mildew, I'd love to have the recipe. We have a HORRIBLE bathroom here with poorly set tile everywhere and it is just always damp and gross in there and has gotten mildew-y in spots. I probably just need more "elbow-grease", but if there is another solution that's easier on my back, I'd LOVE to hear it!

The Old Oak Tree

The Old Oak Tree

Just thought I'd take a minute to let everyone know what's going on at the Nelson's in Michigan . . .

First of all, it's HOT!!! We actually hit over 100 yesterday, 103! Thank goodness our house has air conditioning, but many homes here do not, and people are really suffering. Of course, our hot weather will go away in a few days and we don't have it this hot but once or twice a year, unlike Californians and Texas and Oklahoma and some of the other places that have had weeks and weeks of this. The beaches are full up until late in the evening, with lots of people just standing around in the water to cool off. Well, enough about that!

It's been a busy time for us. Bob's made a couple of trips to Oklahoma & Texas in the past 2-3 weeks. (Thank you Kevin, and Southwest Airlines!). My sister Pam and her daughter Kimberly and Kimberly's 2 little boys, Jack (age 4) and Johnny (14 months) came in last night (July 31).

Pam is the main speaker at our Northwomen retreat which goes from tonight, Tuesday through Thursday. The devil did everything possible to keep her from coming, but she's here and I just know Northwomen this year is going to be full of special blessings. Please put Pam on your prayer list as well as our Northwomen retreat. Also, the heat is supposed to continue through Wednesday at least, and our air conditioning doesn't work very well at church.

Our Hawaii trip draws closer and we're all getting very excited. Mom has not been feeling well at all, but at this point says she's going, too! I don't think any of us will go if she can't, but for now at least, other than the hard trip to get there, she can sit around and not feel good in Hawaii as well as she can sit around and not feel good in Michigan. Sure hope that doesn't sound callous, but she's the one who said it.

Kimberly's little boys are just adorable. Jack is so bright and funny. Johnny is a sweetheart. He and Ruby are just a couple of weeks apart in age. If you've ever seen Jack, you've seen Johnny. They look so much alike!

Well, I'm still working on paperwork from closing my business and today is my deadline to get it to the accountant, so I better close.

God loves you and so do I!

K