More "green" cleanin'

I took a little trip to Target today and had a chance to browse around which isn't something I get to do very often.  I stumbled upon two really great tunics for myself and a wonderful cleaning product.  Many of you may already know about this line, but it is new to me.  If you don't know about it, you need to get in your car and go to Target as soon as you finish reading this!
The cleaning product is made by The Caldrea Company.  (My mother loves their kitchen soap and you can usually find them in boutiques and gift shops.)  The name is Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day was made specially for Target.  In their line, they offer laundry detergent, dish soap, shower cleaner, countertop spray, and an all-purpose cleaner.  There were three different scents to choose from:  basil, lemon verbena, and lavender.  I couldn't decide between basil and lemon verbena so I purchased both!  The cleaners are made  with naturally occurring ingredients and are biodegradable and the smell is absolutely amazing!  The countertop spray did the job and my whole house smelled so nice and fresh.  Even my dear husband asked what smelled so good when he walked in the door.

There has not been alot going on this week.  My sweet T had an overnight camp out with his class.  They are leaning about Westward Expansion and the pioneers.  They had to dress like the pioneers and spent the night in a covered wagon.  He had a wonderful time and was exhausted when he returned. 

School is winding down and we are busy with end of the year activities.  Our school fundraiser is tomorrow night and it should be lots of fun.  I am proud to say that my two items I donated to the school raised $135 for the cause.  One lucky person will have Christmas gifts wrapped by yours truly.  The other lucky winner will have a "paint your own canvas" party with me as the instructor.

Check back later for more.  I am busy with projects around the nest and promise to get more pictures up.  If you like what you are seeing or if you have any helpful advise, please feel free to leave a comment or become a follower!

Viruses, Projects and Emergency Rooms...Just a typical day at our nest

Ok, first let me say this week put me to the test as a mother and made me realize that I married a saint.  God knew what he was doing when He put us together.  This is how the week began...

 

• Monday, nothing unusual.  Go to school...come home...J had to fly to Missouri.
• Tuesday morning, 3:00 a.m.- O is violently vomiting and I am trying not to wake the baby.
• Tuesday, later that morning- I stay home with O and notice my chest and face are very flushed.
• Wednesday morning- J back home...O still sick...the rest of us go to school. (Now my ears are swollen and  itchy!)
• Wednesday at noon- I am very flushed and itchy so I go see the doctor who tells me it is just a virus.
• Wednesday afternoon- J has to go to a business dinner but gets a babysitter for me so I can rest.  By now   my head is splitting, and I am itchy and swollen and just miserable.
• Wednesday night-  I think this might just be the end.  I think I need to go to the doctor again because I don't think I have a virus.  I call J to come home and take me to the ER.  He comes home and we are off to the ER.  The ER doctor says, "yes, you are having some kind of allergic reaction.  We will start an IV and get you some medications to make you feel better.

 

In walks Mr. Happy Nurse who is here to help out my assigned nurse because she is busy.  I think fine, just make my head stop hurting.  He says, "Oh, where are we going to put the IV in?"  I then tell him where others have put the needle in the past.  However, my veins were not wanting to cooperate or I was just that swollen. 

 

After three failed attempts of trying to start the IV, he decides he will just let the other nurse do it.  At least now my head is not hurting because my hands and arms are throbbing.  Mrs. Happy Nurse enters the room to start the IV.  I beg for just a shot and she replies, "Oh, I would hate for all these meds to go to waste.  I just got through mixing the IV bag for you.  Just let me try to start the IV this time."  I think sure! God forbid the medicine goes to waste!  It is not like I wouldn't have to pay for it anyway.  Let's just make me cry somemore.  Thankfully, she was able to start the IV this time and I got my much needed medicine.

 

The rest of my week is spent taking care of O, trying to help my class get ready for their big play on Friday, and get the two older boys ready for their play on Friday too.  Oh yes, I am also trying not to scratch myself to death too. 

 

I want to give a BIG thank you to J!  I would not have survived this week without you.  You are my hero and I love you!!!

 

Sorry for the long saga above!  Just a typical week at my house!  Here are some pictures of things happening outside our nest.

 

Embracing your inner domestic goddess

I have been experimenting with natural cleaners for the house lately. OK Mom, you can stop laughing now. I don't know what will tickle her more, the fact that I am cleaning or that I excited about trying different cleaners. But seriously, since baby M has a skin sensitivity to soap, it has made me think about other cleaning agents I use around the house. Could these also be contributing to his skin problem?

As of right now, I am cleaning the floors with a vinegar and water solution, and I added some essential oils to hide the vinegar smell. However, the vinegar acts as a wonderful odor neutralizer and usually goes away after a couple of hours. I have been amazed at how well the vinegar cleans my floors! The regular mop and pine smelling solution never cleaned the floors like this!

I found the article below from Real Simple and I think I will try some of them. I will let you know how this works out. BTW, making your own cleaning products is also great for you pocketbook! My husband will be so proud. :)

All-Natural Cleaning Solutions Real Simple

Baptisms, Pollen, and Soap

one more added to the flock

This was a very busy and special weekend for us.  Our little M was baptised on Sunday, and our good friends, K and R and their children, were there to help us celebrate.  K and R graciously agreed to be little M's Godparents, and after the service we enjoyed a great afternoon outside eating and watching the children play.

Before the service began, a man from the church asked if M would cry during the service.  My reply was "most definatly". (M is very attached to his momma and doesn't like to go to anyone until he has spent a few hours with them.)  The man said, "Oh, he will be fine!  We haven't had a baby cry in years!"  So of course you know what happened!  I had to hold the baby while Father Matt poured the water over his head.  Little M screamed when he annointed him with oil.  Finally, at the end of the service, he was sucking his paci so hard that I thought he might swallow it.  So much for the church record!

In other news....

This weekend we also took a trip to a town not too far away to buy goat milk soap.  The lady who makes the soap is so nice and she said we could come pet the baby goats when we come back.  I am a true believer in goat milk "magic".  It has worked wonders for baby M's skin and mine.  I will post more about the wonderful soap and share pictures with you too.

Finally...

Pollen, pollen everywhere!  We are hurting here at our nest!  It is beautiful outside, however, our allergies have kicked in.  I took a couple of picture of the culprits who have been the cause of our headaches lately.

The Little Azaleas That Could

We planted these azalea bushes in the courtyard last spring.  I was afraid that they would not make it through the winter and at one point they looked terrible.  But I will have to say they are looking better!  They are still small but give us a couple of years.  The azaleas are about to pop so I will post more pictures later.

This is one of my favorite plants for spring.  It is called bocopa and it will trail down the container.  It think it is just the sweetest little flower.  It would make a great addition to your containers, but be sure to water it every day.

A Girl Can Dream Can't She

I can smell the ocean air and hear the waves from here!  Even thought this house is not on the beach, I love absolutey everthing about it...the colors, the landscaping, the architecture.  Here are just a few pictures to get you in the mood for summer! Click here if you would like to read the article from Southern Living.

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn , Article: Robert Martin

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn , Article: Robert Martin

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn , Article: Robert Martin

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn , Article: Robert Martin

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn , Article: Robert Martin

40-Love

You walk out the front door and you hear a buzz, buzzzzzz! You walk out the back door and you hear a buzz, buzzzzz! I am afraid The Grumpy Gardener will be showing my house next year on his blog! 

It is that time of year again and the carpenter bees are enjoying the warm sunshine and fresh pollen. I found The Grumpy' Gardener's blog last night and I thought his plan off attack would be better than my husband swinging my tennis racket at the bees. However, at this point I am willing to find the other racket and join him no matter how silly we may look!

We will be making a trip to Home Depot very soon to look for Bayer Advanced Carpenter Ant and Termite Killer. Wish us luck!  40-Love...the bees are winning.  Please click on The Grumpy Gardener's article below to see what he suggests to do if you should find some buzy bees outside your front door.

Killer Bees Destroy House - The Grumpy Gardener - SouthernLiving.com