Everyone learned so much just by watching the lesson DVD and each additional time they watched, they were able to learn even more. The DVD has truly taught Winston so much about this game that he so truly loves to play. He’s even competition for me now! It’s wonderful.
Archives for October 2013
YWAM Publishing – George Washington: True Patriot and Unit Study {Crew Review}
Saving Money at Home {Thoughts From Me}
Let’s face it, times are tight. There isn’t a lot of money to be spent for anyone. Most families are having to cut corners just to make ends me and ours is one of them.
A few years back, I began to make our own laundry detergent. I found a recipe online and gave it a shot. I figured what did I have to lose? Guess what! It works great and I am still using that same detergent recipe. I prefer liquid to dry.
After the detergent, I began using sponges in watered down fabric softener in the dryer instead of dryer sheets. I get microfiber sponges and these have held up well for over a year now. I squeeze out the dryer liquid or leave a little more if it’s something like towels I’m drying, toss it into the washer and let it do it’s job. It works great!
I use vinegar and baking soda in my sink drains to keep them clean and fresh. This also helps dislodge any clogs that may be building. The smell goes away quickly, leaving a smooth flowing sink in the process.
I also use vinegar and baking soda with lots of water in my carpet cleaner. The two help to clean and condition my carpet, taking out the pet urine scent along with it. Nothing else has worked as well to kill that doggie pee odor as this combination has.
I use vinegar to kill weeds outside of our house. This keeps us from having to use the heavy duty chemicals and keeps the weeds from taking over. It’s a safe alternative for our pets and kids.
Vinegar also goes into my washer to soften clothing and towels. It helps to get the musty scent out of damp materials. It makes a great additive to the wash.
What are some things you do around the home to save money? Share your ideas in the comments below.
Zondervan: Homeschool Mom’s Bible {Crew Review}
Fundanoodle {Crew Review}
Settling In {Thoughts From Me}
It has truly been a long year for us. I can hardly believe October is already here. It just seems like the entire year has flown by.
Next month is the last month of reviews for the TOS Crew year. It’s passed by so quickly but the break will be nice. I plan to work on my blog, create some posting ideas and prep for next years work as I hopefully will be returning to the Crew in January (we will see!).
This week, I have had no scheduled reviews for the Crew, so it’s allowed me a nice little break to get some much needed mind-clearage and also to focus on my house. The house and the mind are in dire need of an overhaul. It’s a slow process but the house is becoming more organized every day. After four years of living here, I have to admit that it’s about time!
I looked at Winston just yesterday and we discussed that we’ve never stayed in one place so long. When we lived with his father, we constantly moved. There was no security and no reason to unpack because we knew before long we would be moving again. I can’t blame his Dad, as that’s how he was raised but I wasn’t. My parents lived in the same home for 26 years of my life. Moving was not something I knew how to do. Neither was organizing, even though we’d lived in the same home so long.
Organizing has been something that I’ve recently been learning. Sure my Mom’s house was neat and kept clean but it was all done by her. I never learned those important skills that I needed to because, well, I knew Mom would do it for me! And she has, even in my own home, she’s always come in and put things where she felt they belonged, which really didn’t work for me!
So now, here I am at age 34, learning to organize and clean my way. Since I have never been good at this, my kids are also learning along with me and they are greatly enjoying the process of having a home that’s organized. They are also enjoying having a home that is permanent, that we don’t have to keep packed up and that we can enjoy our life and our time in.
My son tells me he’s never seen our home so organized and that it makes him happy. That makes me happy. These kids are my world! I could never imagine my life without them in it and my heart is full having them journeying through it all along with me. I could not be more thankful.
This has been a hard year but it’s coming to an end joyfully, full of life and love and living. I would not have that any other way.