Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Yesterday was a killer clean up day.
I received a DVD/CD/VHS(Yes I typed VHS), cabinet and the thing is huge. It's made real well and it's beautiful and holds tons of DVDs and video games.
Normally it takes me a good 2 hours max. to build a large piece of furniture. Apparently this was the exception, thanks to me misplacing my screwdriver and having to clean up the tool room to look for it, it took me 6 hours to build. I think the fact that I was so tired also had something to do with it.
Today, I will place all my DVDs, CDs, and video games in this thing, thus bringing me one step closer to finishing my organization process. It's funny how unorganized I am with what room I start in. I'm trying to focus on the kitchen, but I'm doing both the kitchen and living room because of the furniture I get in.
The plus to this is that misplacing my screwdriver forced me to clean up my tool room and organize it. The negative is that I found the screwdriver near my washing machine.
Normally it takes me a good 2 hours max. to build a large piece of furniture. Apparently this was the exception, thanks to me misplacing my screwdriver and having to clean up the tool room to look for it, it took me 6 hours to build. I think the fact that I was so tired also had something to do with it.
Today, I will place all my DVDs, CDs, and video games in this thing, thus bringing me one step closer to finishing my organization process. It's funny how unorganized I am with what room I start in. I'm trying to focus on the kitchen, but I'm doing both the kitchen and living room because of the furniture I get in.
The plus to this is that misplacing my screwdriver forced me to clean up my tool room and organize it. The negative is that I found the screwdriver near my washing machine.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Might take months.
As I cleaned the hell hole I know as a kitchen, I realized this might take me months. Not the whole process altogether, although I'm sure it will, but the kitchen itself. There is so much to get rid of and so much to donate. I don't know if it will all get done before my mom visits and loads her trash off over here.
Of course upon cleaning I find all these aerosol cans full of poison and cleaning stuff that has been there since before I moved in. I have no use for these products and now have to wait to hear back from environmental services so I can get this handled.
Argh.
Of course upon cleaning I find all these aerosol cans full of poison and cleaning stuff that has been there since before I moved in. I have no use for these products and now have to wait to hear back from environmental services so I can get this handled.
Argh.
A
New Kitchen Stuff!
So I just got in some things I ordered from Bed Bath and Beyond and decided I was going to organize the under counter cabinet so I could fit things in and throw out old pans and such. I wanted to do this quick because I promised to make my daughter ice cream. Well this quick 5 minute process, turned into an hour and I'm organizing a whole bunch of things in the kitchen.
I had to make space in one cabinet for the holiday plates and platters that I never use; and for other rarely used items. Then I had to make space in our tool closet for the things I pulled out of the cabinet. I'm cleaning the tool closet a day at a time because there is a lot to do in there.
So...off to finish the clean up and onto making some ice cream. At the rate I'm going it will take a few more days to really get the kitchen the way I want it; especially considering garbage days.
I had to make space in one cabinet for the holiday plates and platters that I never use; and for other rarely used items. Then I had to make space in our tool closet for the things I pulled out of the cabinet. I'm cleaning the tool closet a day at a time because there is a lot to do in there.
So...off to finish the clean up and onto making some ice cream. At the rate I'm going it will take a few more days to really get the kitchen the way I want it; especially considering garbage days.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Tip of the Day!
If you have a rat problem(I don't know if this works on mice, but there is a chance it does), plant catnip.
Rats, logically hate catnip. I don't know if it's because they know it brings cats or if it's because of the smell of the catnip.
Research done on big cats and catnip shows that there is a chemical in catnip that produces a similar smell to cat urine. Researchers don't know for sure if that's what is making the majority of cats crazy.
If it is the smell, it does explain it. Animals use scent to communicate and they are able to tell who lives where and owns what just by scent. If you just have cats in your home, that is usually enough to keep rodents at bay. So, if you can't keep cats for allergy reasons or because your landlord doesn't allow you to, try planting some catnip and tearing a couple of leaves to release the odor. Plus, catnip has other uses as well. Catnip makes a good calming tea with the right mixture. I will post the measurements later.
I have a feeling that soon this blog will just consist of random tips and trivia that have nothing to do with the main purpose of the blog. Oh, well.
Rats, logically hate catnip. I don't know if it's because they know it brings cats or if it's because of the smell of the catnip.
Research done on big cats and catnip shows that there is a chemical in catnip that produces a similar smell to cat urine. Researchers don't know for sure if that's what is making the majority of cats crazy.
If it is the smell, it does explain it. Animals use scent to communicate and they are able to tell who lives where and owns what just by scent. If you just have cats in your home, that is usually enough to keep rodents at bay. So, if you can't keep cats for allergy reasons or because your landlord doesn't allow you to, try planting some catnip and tearing a couple of leaves to release the odor. Plus, catnip has other uses as well. Catnip makes a good calming tea with the right mixture. I will post the measurements later.
I have a feeling that soon this blog will just consist of random tips and trivia that have nothing to do with the main purpose of the blog. Oh, well.
Why haven't we done this yet?
I just learned from my co-workers that India and Guyana no longer use plastic shopping bags. Customers have to bring in their own cloth bags for groceries. Amazing how America boasts about its greatness and we are still using plastic and paper bags. Yes, many more people are using cloth or nylon bags, but the country isn't mandating it.
Biodegradable and Compostable garbage bags!
Check out WWW.Nat-ur.com for biodegradable and compostable garbage bags, cup lids, straws, plates, bowls and more.
Amazon carries Nat-ur products!
I posted a site above that is called Nat-ur.com and I realized that you can't buy anything from their site. Thank god Amazon has their stuff. On top of this I found another company that does the same thing: natur-tec. You can order from their online catalog. Yipee!
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."
"Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." A quote to live by. When it comes to the things we use everyday, we have to make sure everything gets used to its fullest potential. Turn damaged pants into shorts or skirts. Shirts with damaged sleeves into vests and old socks into rags. Utilize every inch of paper.
The quote as well as the tips here and most of them in this blog are from Organic Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck
The quote as well as the tips here and most of them in this blog are from Organic Housekeeping by Ellen Sandbeck
Friday, May 21, 2010
Project Organization is on it's way.
I just started reading this awesome book called: Organic Housekeeping
by Ellen Sandbeck and I have been inspired!
Normally, I love to organize around the house, but with 2 kids it's pretty hard. To add to this, I tend to get lazy or overwhelmed and stop part way through. This is mostly with laundry. I will wash, dry and fold it, but I can't seem to get to the putting it away part.
In this book there are many tips on living an organic lifestyle that will work with your budget(which works for me).
Throughout many years I've collected tips on how to live greener. The problem: I haven't really enforced it. Since I was in grade school I've been environmentally conscious and recycled. I tried to produce the least amount of waste and reused as much as possible, but I didn't have the resources I do today. Of course, now I have lack of motivation or, for the most part, money.
So far I used gDiapers, but my Mother in Law says we live in America and shouldn't be reusing diapers so she keeps buying pampers for me against my wishes. So I used gDiapers for a couple of months and they did work wonderfully, except I pretty much wasn't "allowed" to buy them anymore. Since my living situation is, I live with my mother in law, she buys the diapers and I can't return them. At one point she was throwing away the gDiapers because she wasn't aware that she just had to throw away the insert. Plus, she never knew how to put them on right.
My next "green" thing was mostly for the health benefit of my son, I'm breastfeeding. I use only 2 bottles. This is because when I work I have to leave a supply at home. I have silicone breast pads instead of the disposable ones(they work better than the disposable), and I buy lots of organic or toys made from recycled products. I'm also making my own baby food.
Still, I want to do more, or in this case, less. I'm really on a budget so I can't afford the best stuff out there. I also live in an apartment so a composter(sp?) is out of the question. In this case I looked up a cheap way to compost food scraps. EARTHWORMS! I found a way to make cheap worm bins. Earthworm bins
Unfortunately, I ordered my bins online and they are on back-order. :( Once I start I will let everyone know how it's turning out.
Now, thanks to this book, I will be learning to make my own cleaning products. I'm saving all my old spray bottles and plan on reusing them.
So, to sum all this up: I'm starting an organization project. Each day, starting tomorrow because it's 11:30pm here, I will organize a room or closet at a time. I might even do it 3 times a week to coincide with garbage day. I will post before and after pictures to show my progress.
by Ellen Sandbeck and I have been inspired!
Normally, I love to organize around the house, but with 2 kids it's pretty hard. To add to this, I tend to get lazy or overwhelmed and stop part way through. This is mostly with laundry. I will wash, dry and fold it, but I can't seem to get to the putting it away part.
In this book there are many tips on living an organic lifestyle that will work with your budget(which works for me).
Throughout many years I've collected tips on how to live greener. The problem: I haven't really enforced it. Since I was in grade school I've been environmentally conscious and recycled. I tried to produce the least amount of waste and reused as much as possible, but I didn't have the resources I do today. Of course, now I have lack of motivation or, for the most part, money.
So far I used gDiapers, but my Mother in Law says we live in America and shouldn't be reusing diapers so she keeps buying pampers for me against my wishes. So I used gDiapers for a couple of months and they did work wonderfully, except I pretty much wasn't "allowed" to buy them anymore. Since my living situation is, I live with my mother in law, she buys the diapers and I can't return them. At one point she was throwing away the gDiapers because she wasn't aware that she just had to throw away the insert. Plus, she never knew how to put them on right.
My next "green" thing was mostly for the health benefit of my son, I'm breastfeeding. I use only 2 bottles. This is because when I work I have to leave a supply at home. I have silicone breast pads instead of the disposable ones(they work better than the disposable), and I buy lots of organic or toys made from recycled products. I'm also making my own baby food.
Still, I want to do more, or in this case, less. I'm really on a budget so I can't afford the best stuff out there. I also live in an apartment so a composter(sp?) is out of the question. In this case I looked up a cheap way to compost food scraps. EARTHWORMS! I found a way to make cheap worm bins. Earthworm bins
Unfortunately, I ordered my bins online and they are on back-order. :( Once I start I will let everyone know how it's turning out.
Now, thanks to this book, I will be learning to make my own cleaning products. I'm saving all my old spray bottles and plan on reusing them.
So, to sum all this up: I'm starting an organization project. Each day, starting tomorrow because it's 11:30pm here, I will organize a room or closet at a time. I might even do it 3 times a week to coincide with garbage day. I will post before and after pictures to show my progress.
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