Confessions of an Imperfect Homemaker

Listen, I love Pinterest and beautifully, artfully displayed things as much as the next person.  However, I live in the real world and I don't think the average mom can live up to the standards set forth by pin boards, or the blog articles the picture links lead us to.

Healthy Mind, Body and Soul Journey AKA What the Fudgecake Happened to my Living Room

If you have been reading my blog for the past five weeks, then you know I am having a little rough patch.  Rough patch?  I'd call it more of a  large parcel of land.  Yesterday, being a particularly emotionally draining day for me I went to bed at 6:30.  Yes, 6:30 and yes that's PM (don't judge).

New Year New Look

I figured since I gave my blog a new look for the new year, I might need to do something about my house as well. It has been sorely neglected lately. With four kids, three dogs and two parents in a roughly 2200 square foot house, we can't afford to get to far behind in junk tossing, or else we risk drowning in our own filth. So, yesterday as the Christmas decorations were finally put away for another year, I started thinking maybe it was time to start doing some much needed cleaning.

My children are certainly old enough, at (almost) 14, 12, 11 & 9 to pick up after themselves; they do have chores. I am just not a very good example for them. I will readily admit that I would rather do anything besides clean the house. I have lots of hobbies and sweeping ain't one of 'em. It has to be done, though, so I grudgingly do it. I have long since given up New Year's resolutions and any hope that I will ever enjoy cleaning my house; I know I will abandon my resolve for more interesting pursuits. I do like the way it looks when it is neat and tidy, however. That is kind of the reason for this post. I am showing you (and myself) my progress, so that when I look at the beauty of my clean house, it will keep me motivated to get off my lazy butt and go chuck a few things and tidy up. That way, I can move on to the things I really enjoy.

So far only the dining room, living room and kitchen have been tackled. Those are the pictures I have added. Pay no attention to the little kid under the Sponge Bob blanket, he isn't supposed to be here today. He was 'sick' this morning, so I let him stay home. He's feeling better right now, so he is cleaning the bathroom.

Hey, maybe if I keep one child per day home from school this week, I can have the whole thing spotless by Friday?

Better Than Goo Gone®

As you approach the new year, you are undoubtedly looking for ways to simplify your life. I have a fantastic, yet simple trick for removing those stubborn price tags and stickers from your Christmas presents this year. This works better than any commercial cleaner that I have ever tried. It also has the added benefit of being non-toxic and environmentally friendly. I know that is something I am always looking for in my life.

This revolutionary product is as straightforward as this - a drop or two of sweet orange essential oil.

Here's what you do: Take a clean dry cloth and add one or two drops of the essential oil. Take your cloth and rub it on any nonporous surface that you want to clean; presto all the stickiness is gone. Not only does this trick work on the tenacious remnants of stickers, it also works on permanent marker "accidents". Be sure you test out your surface first, though, you don't want your oil to take the paint off of a wall.

I love this solution, you no doubt will too. Next thing you know, you are going to be leaving the markers out on purpose, just so you can see the marks magically disappear in a cloud of orange vapor.