Saving Money While Eating Steak

Once a Month Shopping
I started this a few months ago and although it sounds crazy, it is really paying off. If you are like me, you are probably wondering 'What about fresh fruits and vegetables?' Don't worry, I'll get to that. I promise I eat healthy, no hot dogs and mac and cheese for us.
I take a weekend and make my way to a few different stores. I buy a lot of our snacks from Target, like our trail mix and archer brand chips. We buy enough to last us the entire month.
At Wal-mart we buy 10lb bags of quarter chicken for $6. I cut the chicken myself into thighs and legs and we get 5 meals out of each bag. So I buy a few bags depending on how much chicken I want to eat.
We make our way to the health food store to get our wild rice and raw honey before we go to Daytona where we stock up on off brand juice and a few different canned vegetables at Aldi's. Finally we go to Sam's wholesale club. We buy all of our meats, fish, eggs, milk, and cheese for the month. I get home and divide it all up freezing what we don't need for the week. We also buy all of our flour, crackers, dried fruits, cereal, oatmeal etc. 
 It really pays off for us because I cook from scratch a lot and the foods we eat rarely have coupons. Buying them in bulk makes them so much cheaper. I have saved so much money just shopping once a month because I'm not buying things I don't need. I'm really really bad at Target, whoever does their end caps is making them a lot of money! I can't leave that store without spending under $100, I just don't have the will power. When I go there on my once a month trip I'm in a hurry to get to so many stores I'm in and out!

Okay, now for the fruits and vegetables. I stock up when I'm at Sam's and freeze what I don't use fresh. In the winter I do have to pick up a few things at the farmer's market fruit wise but we eat canned veggies, frozen veggies, and lettuce we grow. In the summer we grow everything. We have blueberries, blackberries, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, loquats, grapes, and much much more.
We've only been doing this a few months but I've developed a well stocked freezer and pantry. I find I'm buying less each time I go too.

How To Clean Tile Grout

I love our tile floors, they are great for people with allergies - Like us. I use the dust mop then vacuum the dust bunnies in the corners and we’re done! However having kids and tile floors don’t really mix if you have light colored tile or grout. (Hey we tiled before the kids - I just didn’t know!)
My dining room and kitchen are the worst! So many spills and stains. I’ve tried just about everything to clean the grout. I got a high dollar cleaner you spitz on from the tile store. That was awful took for-ever and was expensive! The detergent in it just drew the dirt to it more quickly too. Bleach really does work great but it gives me a headache and the floor was so slippery afterward.

Believe it or not I like to use Scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaner. It’s easy to spray on there and works great.I let it sit for a minute then scrub with a tooth brush and wipe it away with a towel. I make sure I use it before I mop in case it leaves any extra residue. Another tip is I I always use vinegar and water to mop.

If you don’t want to use harsh chemicals you can use baking soda or borax. Dampened it with a little water. I still scrub it with a toothbrush. It works really good but the scrubbing bubbles is faster for me. Yes, you can call me impatient.

I do this every Spring and Fall, or as needed. Wish me luck. I have 2 rooms finished and have 3 more to go....

Please share what you use on your tile floors!

Keeping Children's Toys Under Control

by Alyssa Davis
One In, One Out
Some families have a rule that any time a new toy is brought into the house, an old one must be donated to charity. This idea does a few things. First, it controls the actual number of toys in the house and keeps it at a consistent number. Secondly, it teaches children to evaluate which items no longer serve their needs. And third, it encourages children to think of others besides themselves.

With a constant number of toys in the house, it is easier to make sure that the toy clutter does not get out of control. Older toys that are no longer played with can be given new homes and not take up valuable space in the playroom. Although some children may be initially resistant to the idea of giving up a toy to get a new one, they will eventually see the logic and personal satisfaction of helping others.

Everything In Its Place
Organization is the most essential part of keeping children's toys under control. Although buying a huge bin and throwing everything in it may sound appealing on days when Army men and plastic dolls threaten to overtake the family room, it is not a good way to organize children's toys. Consider, instead, bins or baskets that can be covered and placed on shelves.

By having a separate buckets for cars and blocks, children will be able to easily access their toys without dragging everything out. Clearly label each bin with what is inside, so that children can quickly find what they are looking for. If buying new bins is not in the budget, ask family and friends for shoe boxes. Cover the boxes in contact paper or wrapping paper, label them and a new storage container will be ready to be filled with toys. Any container that is chosen should be lightweight enough for children to carry, easy for them to open, and even easier for them to put away.

Daily Clean Up
Five minutes at the end of the day can do wonders for keeping children's toys under control. Give each child a color coded basket or bucket, set the timer for five minutes and have them search the room for their toys. Anything that is theirs goes in their bucket and gets put away in the designated spot. By staying on top of picking up, it is easy to maintain a house that looks presentable even for a family with small children.

By being diligent about the number of toys in the house, parents can keep children's toys under control. Involve the children in the clean up and organization process, so that they may feel invested in keeping their things neat and tidy. Although a task that requires constant attention, keeping children's toys organized is well worth the effort.

 Learn more about decorating with large wall sculptures and black coffee wall art from our exclusive designer and staff writer, Alyssa Davis, of Metal-Wall-Art.com.
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Tips for Cleaning your Dishwasher

How often do you clean your dishwasher? I mean really clean it? I'm sure you don't think much about it since you are putting all of those detergents in there, you probably assume it's going to be clean right?  Once we take our dishwasher completely apart and deep clean everything. I've found everything from tiny little fish bones to goo in the pipe - ewww.I don't suggest this unless you really know what you're doing (like my husband- certainly not me) becauseit will void your warranty but here are some other tips for cleaning it.

It really is very important to rinse of all of the dishes before you put them in there. Even the dishwashers that are powerful - like mine. I've pulled the tubes out, I've seen how gunked up it can get, even with the super washers.

Every few days I take an old toothbrush and scrub around the edges of the dishwasher, the grim and scum from the detergents can build up and effect the seal.

Pull out the bottom rack of the dishwasher and give it a good wipe down. That's where I also found some of the fish bones.

By placing a dishwasher-safe cup filled with plain white vinegar on the top rack of the dishwasher and using the hottest water available, run the dishwasher through a cycle - except for the cup of vinegar, the dishwasher needs to be empty.
The vinegar will help to wash away the loose, greasy grime, sanitizes, and helps remove the stinky odors.

You can also use baking soda to make it fresh and bright.Just sprinkle a cupful around the bottom of the tub and run it through a short but complete cycle using the hottest water. Baking soda is also helpful in removing stains.



Mandie Stevens is owner of Taking Time for Mommy & Mommy Reads too Much. She's a homeschooling mom of 2 girls and believes every mom should take a little time for herself.

The Demise of the Dinner Party?

I have been accused more than once of being a regressive throwback. (In fact, I’m thinking that would be a great title for a new book: “Confessions of a Regressive Throwback”. Hmmmm. . .) This is mostly because I’ve been a stay at home wife and mom my entire married life, and I have a pretty old-fashioned point of view about home and family. But recently I became aware of another way in which I’m apparently outdated.

I like dinner parties. I love to throw them, and I enjoy attending them, too. But it seems that I’m in the minority. During a discussion with girlfriends a few weeks ago, I found that they all had a terror of this kind of entertaining. And when I stopped to think about it, I realized that for years, I have been almost the only person in my circle to host dinner.

My mom used to throw wonderful dinner parties. She was a great cook, and she loved to entertain. I fondly remember her preparations, making the house spotless and bringing out her best dishes, working so that each and every other guest would feel welcome and comfortable.

I love that part of the process, too. Planning the menu, setting the table, cooking the food. . it’s all so much fun.

And of course the actual dinner is always enjoyable, too. The conversation allows everyone to get better acquainted. I always learn something new and come away with an increased respect for my guests.

Following my mother’s example, it was only natural that I wanted to host my own parties after I was married. I remember making a big spaghetti dinner for my college friends who were still living in dorms as well as for my husband’s fellow Army officers at officers’ basic training. I barely knew how to cook, and we had the tiniest of kitchens, with only two burners and an oven whose pilot light went out every time I closed the door too hard. But that didn’t matter—it was the company and the effort!

After we moved to Hawaii and were settled in the Army, I loved to entertain our friends, most of whom were young unmarried officers, homesick and tired of eating fast food or sandwiches. We couldn’t afford anything fancy, but we served dinner with love and friendship, and that’s what made it memorable.

Sharing a meal with friends old or new is a wonderful way to get to know them better or to deepen an existing relationship. The dinner table is the perfect place to share intellectual conversation or even old family stories.

So are you intrigued? Ready to try it out? May I share a few tips that I picked up over the years from my mother’s and my own experiences?

First: Plan. As my friends Lee and Amy say, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Choose a menu with dishes that are simple and familiar to you. This is not the time to try an elaborate new recipe! Anything that you can make ahead of time is a great option. Think about serving a simple appetizer for when your guests arrive. This can be as easy as fresh marinated mozzarella cheese and tomatoes or even crackers and sliced cheese. Also, plan a dessert of some sort, even if it’s just fruit or even if you must buy it at the bakery. Ending the meal right after the entrée can feel awkward. And even if all your guests don’t drink coffee, it’s a nice gesture to have some available for those who do.

Second: Make your guest list with care. Try to invite a mix of people, both those who are more outgoing and talkative as well as those who are a little quieter. You don’t have to invite too many people; more intimate parties are sometimes much nicer. Invite your guests with care and with little fanfare: simply ask them if they’d like to join your family for dinner on the chosen night. Give them the time and be sure to ask if there are any food allergies or specific preferences. Also be clear about whether or not children are included in your invitation. Kids can certainly make a dinner party fun, but if you choose to make this an adult-only affair, give parents plenty of time to find a sitter.

Third: Don’t stress over your house. Certainly you should try to make sure everything is as clean as possible; dusting and vacuuming seems like a minimum of effort to me. I like to clear all the clutter of life out of the way before my guests arrive, and I also try to light mildly scented candles. Don’t forget the restroom; make sure it’s clean and that you have a pretty hand towel near your sink.

Fourth: Pace yourself. Plan plenty of time for all your cooking. Try to set the table ahead of time if you can. Lay out serving dishes and utensils. This will all work together so that when your guests arrive, you’ll be cool and relaxed, not hot and frazzled.

Remember that the most important element of any successful social gathering is the comfort level of the host and hostess. If you are obviously comfortable and relaxed, your company will feel at home. They may not remember your fabulous frittata or your succulent squash, but they will recall a good time with friends. And that’s whole point after all.



Tawdra Kandle is stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of four children who range in age from 9 years to 21 years. She and her husband of over 22 years live in central Florida, where he is in seminary. Tawdra spends most of her precious free time writing and reading, and she loves to travel. She is also a resident writer for Taking Time for Mommy. View more of her Articles HERE. You can also follow Tawdra on twitter and her blog, Publishing Quest

Take Control of your Clutter Review & Ebook Giveaway!

If you could ask a professional organizer one question about a organization challenge that you have at home, or a personal time management issue, what would it be?
I myself am a recovering messy. I'm not nearly as chaotic and messy as it's in my nature to be but it's a constant challenge to be organized. Did I mention I'm married to a clean freak? That is a match made in, well you can imagine. I've come a LONG way but I am always looking for ways to be more organized.

Jacquie, who is a reader of Taking Time for Mommy, approached me about a giveaway for her ebook, I begged her for one to review! I knew this would be something I needed and something that you all would love.
Castaway the Clutter - Take Control of your Clutter before it Takes Control of You - 101 steps to success is just what I needed to motivate me. It was packed full of EASY tips to help me get more organized. The suggestions to control the clutter in my home office have helped a lot. I was like 'duh, what didn't I think of that' These are tips anyone can implement. The cost is very nice too! 
You can download an ebook version for only $7.95 or buy a spiral bound version for $9.95 + $3.00 S&H
Jacquie is giving away an ebook copy of Take Control of Your Clutter Before it Takes Control of You! 101 Tips to Success to one lucky Taking Time for Mommy Reader
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Disclosure - Disclaimer - I received this book for my honest opinion, no other compensation was received.

Remove Pesticides from Fruits and Vegetables

To remove pesticides, bacteria, and dirt form the surface of smooth skinned vegetables and fruits, mix one part lemon juice or white or distilled vinegar to three parts tap water. Apply with a spray bottle and let sit for one minute. Rinse with cool water and dry completely before storing.
Learn more tips like this from 101 Things I learned in Culinary School
3 Book Giveaway on Mommy Reads too Much.

Is There Housework After a New Baby?

Congratulations on your new little bundle! This is a precious and wonderful season in your life. But if you find yourself knee deep in laundry and scared to walk around the house without your shoes on, read on for some tips on keeping up with the housework with a new baby.

First things first

You must take good care of yourself so you can care for your baby. Experts say it takes an entire year for your body to return to normal after having a baby. Even though you've recuperated from childbirth, you're probably not getting as much sleep as you did before and you're working new sets of muscles as you lift and carry baby around.

Housework is simply is not urgent in the grand scheme of things. Many midwives have the following advice for new Moms: spend the first few days in bed even if you feel great. If you feel good enough to putz around a little after the first week, go ahead and try some light housework, but don’t do anything strenuous or anything that involves a lot of twisting or that might injure your back. Remember that your muscles are still stretched out (especially your tummy muscles) and your joints loose, and your hormones are still making you a little accident prone, just as when you were pregnant. You don’t need to risk hurting your back so forget cleaning the shower or mopping floors for several more weeks.

Practical tips

If you didn't do so before, do a thorough de-cluttering now. Enlist the help of your husband or a friend. It's more fun and your friend will help you let go of your attachment to things. Cleaning experts say that around 50% of the total time spent in housework involves dealing with too much stuff: moving it around, picking it up off the floor, rearranging it, dusting it. You simply can't organize clutter!

You may find that a baby sling or other baby carrier is absolutely essential if you want to get things done around the house. Using a baby sling means that your hands can be free to take care of tasks but baby is safe and happy next to his favorite person in the world. Vacuuming is especially easy while wearing a baby. If the dishes pile up at least you can have really clean floors.

Some Moms even learn the knack of breastfeeding hands free in the sling. Talk about multitasking!

While your baby is a very young she will be sleeping a lot, so take advantage of this to finish a quick chore or two. Just don’t use all of baby’s sleep time to get work done. It’s very important for you to nap with baby if you can manage it. At the very least, spend some time resting on the couch with a refreshing drink and maybe a book. Or call a friend and have an adult conversation. You need to recharge your batteries as much as you need a clean home… maybe more.

This too shall pass…

Remember these oft repeated words because you’ll need to say them a lot during your mothering years! The newborn period is so precious. And to be perfectly honest, when it comes to housework, you ain’t seen nothing yet. A new baby may generate a lot of laundry, but she is hardly responsible for dirtying up the house. Wait until she’s toddling around with peanut butter-y hands. The housework can take a backseat while you ooh and aah over your baby’s tiny toes and fingers. Enjoy your babymoon!

Carrie Lauth is the host of www.NaturalMomsTalkRadio.com/blog, a free Internet talk radio show and podcast for families doing things the natural way.

Cutting Down on Germs in the Kitchen

The kitchen can be a breeding ground for germs. There are several culprits in the kitchen that are known to spread germs. The following tips will help you cut down on germs:
Wipe down surface with a disinfectant: Every surface in your kitchen is used for something. A counter for preparing foods, a stove top for cooking them, the cabinets for storing things, the table for eating, etc. These surfaces are used frequently, and thus should be sanitized regularly in order to cut down on germs. For the surfaces like the counters, you will want to wipe them down and disinfect with a mild soap after each use, especially if used to prepare poultry, meat, or fish of any kind.

Clean your microwave and stove regularly. These are areas used to cook food, and are often warm, and even moist at times. So, they may lead to germs growing and spreading. Anytime an item spills, leaks, splatters, or boils over be sure to wipe it up as soon as it happens, and then use a sanitizer as often as you can. Once a week would be sufficient.

Clean out fridge monthly: Often leftovers, old bottles of food, drips, leaks, and spills happen in the fridge. Foods get shoved to the back and ignored, and they rot and go bad. Bottle drip, seals leak, etc. Meat juices can be left on a shelf, or salad oils dripped. Take the time once a month to remove everything from your fridge, throwing out anything you see that is expired, or leftover and in your fridge too long. Then, wash down all the refrigerator's inside surfaces, and the outer handle with a disinfectant so as not to cross contaminate anything.

Clean your kitchen daily. Germs grow in dark, moist, places, and the kitchen is full of such places, so make sure you take the time to do a general cleanup of the kitchen. Make a rule to not go to bed without first loading and running your dishwasher and wiping down your countertops.

Clean your sinks weekly. Your sink is going to be used to clean dishes, hands, and even food, so making sure that you have a sanitary, germ free sink is critical to cutting down on germs in the kitchen. Using a cleaner that disinfects while it cleans will help cut down on germs.

In addition, make sure that as you cut down on the germs in your kitchen, that you focus on the areas you spend time. For example, if you have a bar, and barstools, you may want to take the time to wash them down daily so that they do not become a place to spread germs. Your kitchen should be a great place to spend time, and not a place where you should have to worry about spreading germs and making people sick.

Beverly Frank is mom to two young kids and a writer. Visit http://www.surfnetparents.com for more parenting advice and ideas.
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Top 10 List for Hiring a Babysitter & Giveaway!

Hiring a babysitter can be a confusing task. There are so many things to consider as you face the task of selecting someone to care for your children in your absence, and you want to find the perfect fit between the babysitter and your family. Here are some of the most important things for you to consider when selecting a new babysitter for your children.

1. The babysitter should be able to relate easily and bond well with your children while maintaining a clear distinction from them. Babysitters must be able to play with and enjoy your children (which can often be construed by the child as peer-level interaction) while also maintaining discipline. It is easy for a babysitter (and a parent) to feel more comfortable in one role or the other: to be most comfortable being friends with the children, or to be most comfortable supervising the children and redirecting their errant behaviors.

2. The babysitter must be able to relate with your family and administer discipline to your children in a manner that is appropriate and consistent with your family’s boundaries. If you have a prospective babysitter that uses social isolation (sending a child to his/her room, for example) as a method of behavior modification, and you are not comfortable with that method of behavior modification, then the prospective babysitter may not be a good fit for your family.

3. The babysitter should ideally have years of experience, solid references from prior employer-families, a clean background (pursuant to background checks), and completed training on babysitter basics (CPR, first aid, the Heimlich maneuver, basic nutrition and food preparation, and general personal and home hygiene). You can obtain background checks through Care4hire.com. The babysitter should not represent a risk to your children in any way; thus, in addition to the foregoing, the babysitter should be current on his/her vaccinations.

4. If you need your babysitter to drive, then your babysitter should have a valid driver’s license, a clean (or as close to clean as possible) driving record and a reliable car.

5. The babysitter should be able to develop and carry out fun, creative, and educational experiences for your child.

6. The babysitter should be willing and able to comply with your rules about what constitutes appropriate television viewing, when s/he may use his/her cellular telephone while babysitting, when s/he may use your telephone for his/her own purposes while babysitting, when s/he may have friends over while babysitting, etc.

7. The babysitter should be capable of handling small “crises” on his/her own. You and your babysitter should come to an agreement about what issues may warrant a call to you and what issues the babysitter is authorized to handle on his/her own. Your babysitter should be able to act comfortably within the boundaries you have provided.

8. The babysitter’s expectations regarding terms and conditions of employment should be close to the terms and conditions of employment that you are offering. If you wish to hire a babysitter in a smoking home, a non-smoking prospective babysitter may not be a good fit for your family. Pay rates for babysitters should be discussed up front to ensure that the prospective babysitters are willing to work for the income you offer.

9. The babysitter should not have fears or concerns about the non-negotiable aspects of the job with your family. If you have a cat, and your prospective babysitter is severely allergic to cats, the prospective babysitter may not be a good fit for your family. (Side note: some allergic reactions can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications or other accommodations that may be used by the allergic babysitter.) If the prospective babysitter is unable to work specific hours or days and you need your babysitter to attend to your children on those days or in those hours, then the prospective babysitter may not be a good fit for your family.

10. The babysitter should be a positive, loving influence in your household.

Care4Hire is offering 1 lucky Taking Time for Mommy Reader a Gift Certificate for a free membership ($34.99 retail value) to Care4hire.com; gives you 1 month to login and contact caregivers.

Care4hire.com is an online database for families and caregivers to search babysitters, housekeepers, tutors, elder/companion care, pet sitters and other miscellaneous service. A free preview of available caregivers is available to families. Whether you need a caregiver for a few hours to a few days, you will find it at Care4hire.com. Once you are a registered member, you will be given immediate access to caregiver through email and phone.

Giveaway will end on April 25th at 11:59pm. The winners will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to U.S. residents 18+ only.

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Priorities, Priorities!

True story time: last week, I was sitting at the kitchen table working with my son on his math lesson. One of my daughters called urgently; she was in the powder room, and someone had not replaced the last roll of tissue! I hurried off toward my own bathroom where we store the extras. On my way there, I passed through my bedroom, saw my computer sitting on my desk and was reminded of an email that I needed to send. And just like that, I very nearly veered off to do that, momentarily forgetting both my current mission and my son’s math lesson!

I know I’m not alone. Other women have shared with me their stories. I know I’m not the only one who begins one task and is distracted by another, and then another. . .who among us has not left one room with an arm full of items to return to their rightful places and then finds something else that needs doing in the destination room?

It’s all a mater of priorities, isn’t it? This has been on my mind a great deal lately. Like most women, I juggle many roles in life. I’m a wife and a mommy. I handle our household finances. I do the grocery shopping and the meal planning. I’m in charge of homeschooling, planning and implementing lessons. I handle some of the housework, although I’m blessed to have children who give more than their fair share in that category. I’m also a writer, and the need to get words onto paper can sometimes be overwhelming—not even mentioning my writing commitments. In some seasons of life, I am involved in ministry, although right now is not one of those seasons. Do you also wear so many hats that you sometimes forget which one is on your head at any given time?

How do we choose what is best? That’s a hard question because the answer can shift from moment to moment. On Monday mornings, for example, my top priority usually needs to be school lessons, since that is our most intense day. It’s hard to walk past baskets of clothes that have to be folded and carpets that should be vacuumed on the way to the schoolroom, but I know it must be done. Those things are still important, but they don’t have top billing on Mondays.

I’m working right now on remembering that sometimes play takes priority. Not when all the work is done; if I waited for that, I’d never do it. No, sometimes the most important thing in the world is playing cards with my son, or swimming with the girls, or just hanging out watching a movie with the whole family.

I once had a small calendar that asked a question next to each to-do item: “Is this moving me closer to my goals?” There are plenty of people who would look at some of my choices and shake their collective heads. Homeschooling my kids doesn’t get me farther ahead on the career track. Playing doesn’t make my house sparkle. Writing columns doesn’t (always) pay the bills. But the truth is that each of these things are important—and yes, they are moving me close to my goal of raising happy, healthy, well-adjusted children and getting through it with my sanity intact.

So yes, prioritize your life—make sure you get the important stuff done. Just don’t forget to ask yourself what that important stuff really is.



Tawdra Kandle is stay-at-home, homeschooling mom of four children who range in age from 9 years to almost 21 years. She and her husband of over 22 years live in central Florida, where he is in seminary. Tawdra spends most of her precious free time writing and reading, and she loves to travel. She is also a staff writer here at Taking Time for Mommy

Six Secrets of Organized Moms

A mom often wears many hats, taxi driver, cook, housekeeper, bread-winner, shoulder to cry on, and more. So, how does mom juggle it all? The following are six secrets of organized moms to help make things easier:

1. Routines. Organized moms serve dinner at the same time each night, have strict bed times, have after school routines with homework and socializing. If you want to be an organized mom, you have to have a routine you stick to. This might mean that you get your child up at the same time each day, and expect them to get dressed and make their bed before they come in to breakfast. You may have a few different routines, such as your morning routine, your after school and evening routine, and your weekend routine. A routine helps you, the mom, keep things on track, and helps your children to know what to expect, and what is expected of them.

2. Meal plans. Organized moms do not spend extra time in the grocery store, or standing in front of the refrigerator trying to determine what to prepare that night. Organized moms take a few minutes once a week to create a meal plan for the week. Monday: Soup, Tuesday: Chicken, Wednesday: Pizza, Thursday: Hamburgers, and the list goes on. The idea is that if you know what you are going to make you can be prepared throughout the day. For example, if you are going to roast a chicken for dinner, you will need to get it out of the freezer in the morning in order for it to be defrosted by dinner time.

3. Rules. Organized moms have rules or guidelines for their families. They may be simple like dinner is at 5:30. Or they may be more complex like, no friends, television, or snacking until your homework is completed. A mom can't keep the whole family organized without some participation, so rules, and guidelines are helpful. Make them clear, and enforce them.

4. Time off. An organized mom does not let herself get overly stressed, or overwhelmed because she knows when to say no, when to de-stress, and when to take a break. She knows that when she is starting to lose her cool, that letting dad take the kids to McDonald's rather than fixing a nice meal, is sometimes better, even if it is not the healthiest option. The organized mom knows when she needs a break, and figures out how to take one.

5. Organized home. The organized mom has an organized home. She creates a place for everything so that school mornings are not spent hastily trying to find shoes, backpacks, pens that work, etc. Instead, everything has a place, and the kids know where things go, and contribute by being sure to put their backpack on the hook, in the cubby, or whatever the case may be, the night before.

6. Back-up plans. Organized moms always plan ahead, and prepare for the worst. They carry a spare outfit, some cash, and phone numbers of friends and family, just in case. They take things in stride. So, for example, if your tire goes flat while driving, and it is your day to do carpool, the organized mom has the numbers of the other carpool moms on hand, and knows which ones can typically swap days. So, have a back up plan.

Beverly Frank is a stay-at-home mom and writer. For more parenting tips, visit http://www.surfnetparents.com.


Source

Sixty Uses for Salt

Although you may not realize it, simple table salt has a great
number of uses other than simply seasoning your food. The
following list will give you sixty uses of salt, many of which
you probably didn't realize:


1. Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.

2. Sprinkle salt on your shelves to keep ants away.

3. Soak fish in salt water before descaling; the scales will
come off easier.

4. Put a few grains of rice in your salt shaker for easier
pouring.

5. Add salt to green salads to prevent wilting.

6. Test the freshness of eggs in a cup of salt water; fresh
eggs sink; bad ones float.

7. Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs;
a cracked egg will stay in its shell this way.

8. A tiny pinch of salt with egg whites makes them beat up
fluffier.

9. Soak wrinkled apples in a mildly salted water solution to
perk them up.

10. Rub salt on your pancake griddle and your flapjacks won't
stick.

11. Soak toothbrushes in salt water before you first use them;
they will last longer.

12. Use salt to clean your discolored coffee pot.

13. Mix salt with turpentine to whiten you bathtub and toilet
bowl.

14. Soak your nuts in salt brine overnight and they will crack
out of their shells whole. Just tap the end of the shell with a
hammer to break it open easily.

15. Boil clothespins in salt water before using them and they
will last longer.

16. Clean brass, copper and pewter with paste made of salt and
vinegar, thickened with flour

17. Add a little salt to the water your cut flowers will stand
in for a longer life.

18. Pour a mound of salt on an ink spot on your carpet; let
the salt soak up the stain.

19. Clean you iron by rubbing some salt on the damp cloth on
the ironing surface.

20. Adding a little salt to the water when cooking foods in a
double boiler will make the food cook faster.

21. Use a mixture of salt and lemon juice to clean piano keys.

22. To fill plaster holes in your walls, use equal parts of
salt and starch, with just enough water to make a stiff putty.

23. Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.

24. Mildly salted water makes an effective mouthwash. Use it
hot for a sore throat gargle.

25. Dry salt sprinkled on your toothbrush makes a good tooth
polisher.

26. Use salt for killing weeds in your lawn.

27. Eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.

28. A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing beverage.

29. Before using new glasses, soak them in warm salty water for
awhile.

30. A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea.

31. Salt improves the taste of cooking apples.

32. Soak your clothes line in salt water to prevent your
clothes from freezing to the line; likewise, use salt in your
final rinse to prevent the clothes from freezing.

33. Rub any wicker furniture you may have with salt water to
prevent yellowing.

34. Freshen sponges by soaking them in salt water.

35. Add raw potatoes to stews and soups that are too salty.

36. Soak enamel pans in salt water overnight and boil salt
water in them next day to remove burned-on stains.

37. Clean your greens in salt water for easier removal of dirt.

38. Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.

39. Fruits put in mildly salted water after peeling will not
discolor.

40. Fabric colors hold fast in salty water wash.

41. Milk stays fresh longer when a little salt is added.

42. Use equal parts of salt and soda for brushing your teeth.

43. Sprinkle salt in your oven before scrubbing clean.

44. Soaked discolored glass in a salt and vinegar solution to
remove stains.

45. Clean greasy pans with a paper towel and salt.

46. Salty water boils faster when cooking eggs.

47. Add a pinch of salt to whipping cream to make it whip more
quickly.

48. Sprinkle salt in milk-scorched pans to remove odour.

49. A dash of salt improves the taste of coffee.

50. Boil mismatched hose in salty water and they will come out
matched.

51. Salt and soda will sweeten the odor of your refrigerator.

52. Cover wine-stained fabric with salt; rinse in cool water
later.

53. Remove offensive odors from stove with salt and cinnamon.

54. A pinch of salt improves the flavor of cocoa.

55. To remove grease stains in clothing, mix one part salt to
four parts alcohol.

56. Salt and lemon juice removes mildew.

57. Sprinkle salt between sidewalk bricks where you don't want
grass growing.

58. Polish your old kerosene lamp with salt for a brighter look.

59. Remove odors from sink drainpipes with a strong, hot
solution of salt water.

60. If a pie bubbles over in your oven, put a handful of salt
on top of the spilled juice. The mess won't smell and will bake
into a dry, light crust which will wipe off easily when the oven
has cooled.Author - Unknown

Fall Clutter Control in your Closet

Fall Clutter Control in Your Closet
By: Marilyn Bohn

An aunt visited us a few years ago just after we had our living room carpet replaced with blue carpeting. As we visited she said she didn’t like the color blue. I was amazed that anyone could not like the color blue. After all the sky is blue and the ocean is blue.

Now I have no room to talk as I don’t’ like the color brown—in textiles anyway. I like beautiful wood. I think I have finally figured out why I don’t like this color.

When I was a little girl all the girls (including me) wore ugly brown (I think they were actually dark tan) long socks to school. We didn’t wear pants to school then and my legs would get cold where the socks ended and flesh was exposed.

I would grumble and complain that I had to wear them when it got cold. The only time I was happy to have them is on Christmas Eve because we would put out a sock for Santa to fill and then I would search for the longest sock to be filled.

I always hoped when they were packed away for summer they wouldn’t come back.

This is the time of year when winter socks, clothes, scarf’s, gloves, mittens and coats need to be rotated into the closet. Clutter control begins with taking out the clothes that are worn in the summer and replacing them with winter clothes. As a professional organizer I recommend doing this an orderly fashion.

Step 1: Take out all of the clothes in your closet that you wear only in the spring and summer. Look at each one of these items and evaluate them before packing them away. Ask yourself these questions:
·Do you still like them?
·Do they need mending?
·Do they fit?
·Are they stylish or do they need to be remolded or donated?

This is the first step in clutter control. Now neatly fold them and place them in containers that have lids. Move these to another closet if you have room or place on a shelf in your bedroom. To make more space clothes can be rolled instead of folded.

Step 2: Take out all of your winter clothes from the bins and closets where you hung them. Next shake out the wrinkles and iron if you must. These clothes go back in your drawers or hung up in the closet.

Also hang up the fall and winter coats. Take your light jackets and put in another closet until warm weather returns. If you kept clothes you no longer like or are sure you won’t wear again now is the time to get rid of them. Donate to a charity so others can enjoy your generosity. That is what I wished would have happened to those ugly brown socks I had to wear.

It isn’t your grandmother’s (or great grandmothers) closet any more. There is a lot more to clutter control than she was thinking about in her day. We have more clothes and accessories than she ever had. To make room in our closets for our clothes we need to rotate them in and out as the seasons change.

It would be nice if the weather was either hot or cold but it doesn’t happen that way. There are warm days that require cooler clothes and then the next day it is cold. This is typical fall weather so as you pack away your cool weather clothes keep out one to two shirts and short pants that you can wear while the weather is making up its mind what it is going to do. You can always remove them from your main closet and drawers when the weather settles and pack them away with the rest of your clothes.

Now is a good time to sort through your jewelry and see if you want to keep it all or update your wardrobe with new pieces.

Rotating clothes for the seasons makes more room in your closet, keeps you on top of clutter control and reminds you what clothes you do have to wear.

Article Source: http://www.wahm-articles.com

Marilyn is a professional organizer who works with women and seniors in clearing clutter and providing organizing tips. Visit her website www.marilynbohn.com for free organizing tips on her blogs, articles and videos.