How to Save Clothes from Grease Stains

How to Save Clothes from Grease Stains

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The Concert of a Lifetime

On June 20, my sister and I took our girls to the Jonas Brothers concert at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. I honestly have to say that it was the BEST concert I have been to. The girls had the time of their lives. Ivy and Makena were so star struck they were crying.

The night before the concert we allowed them to make posters, and that was a lot of fun. Ivy put a lot of thought and detail into hers. They all turned out so cute, and they were sure proud of them. The trip to Dallas was somewhat stressful on my end, but we made it there fine. We arrived about 5:00 and they girls were allowed to sign their tour bus. That was really neat. The people in the bus could see us, but we couldn't see them. A man from the Jonas Brother's entourage came out and wanted to take of picture of the girls and their posters. He asked and we said yes and thought nothing of it until during the concert. As it turned out Nick Jonas was having different people from his crew take pictures of various fan with his cell phone. So the girls feel extremely special that Nick has a picture of them.










The opening act was Honor Society, and they were pretty good. Next came Jordin Sparks, and she was amazing. I have been a fan of hers from day one on American Idol. The closer it came time for the Jonas Brothers to come out, the more the seat began to fill up. There were over 50,000 fans there....it was completely sold out. They sang all of Ivy's favorite songs and then some. I have never seen her so happy. She kept hugging me and thanked me a million times. The biggest surprise of all was when Miley Cyrus came out and sang a duet with Nick. Ivy and Makena were in Heaven....Maddi was bored nearly the entire time poor thing. This whole experience for the girls was worth every dime, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!!

College Bound

It's official, I'm going back to school. I love my current job, but I have realized it is not what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have decided to go into nursing instead. To be honest, I'm scared. I have been out of school for 10 years.....10 years! I can't believe it. My first year should be more challenging than my second since I will be working full-time as well as carrying a full college load. Hopefully I will survive. Wish me luck!!!!!!!!

Field Trip

Today we took our Life Skills class on our end-of-year field trip. We went bowling and had a blast. We then went to Cheddar's and left stuffed. Our last stop of the day was Bahama Bucks where we left refreshed. I love these trips. The smiles on their faces make the headache all worth while. The smallest things make their day. If it weren't for us, most of these kids wouldn't get to do these things, and that's why I LOVE my job. I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with these precious gifts from GOD!! When I'm down and think I have it rough, I look at these children and see that there is always someone else who has it worse. Then I soon realize I don't have it that bad after all.

Family Chore Time

Having a clean house is a never-ending battle. It seems all I do when I come home from work is clean, clean, clean.....and for what? 20 minutes later it looks the way it did before. So, I have devised a plan to alleviate my problem. My solution is FAMILY CHORE TIME. Every night, or every other night...I can't decide, for 15 minutes everyone in the house will pick up to help me clean up. After all, I'm not the only one who lives in our house, why should I be the only one who cleans it, right?? I haven't ran this by the family yet, but I'm sure no one will have a problem with it if I threaten to go on strike!!! Just kidding, that would do ME more harm than good. I have no doubt that Anthony and Ivy will do their share, they just need a little encouragement!

M&M's anyone??

I received the cutest "pick-me-up" from the student council in my box today. This is how it read:

Survival for the End of the Year:

Eat the GREEN one to calm your frustrations.
When the school posts the duties to complete before leaving, eat the RED one to reduce stress.
Eat the ORANGE one to reduce depression when you find out you're #1 on the list.
If you feel a headache coming on, eat the BLUE one and pretend it is Prozac.
If you have a sudden craving for chocolate, eat the BROWN one.
If you have a memory lapse, eat the YELLOW one and "Don't Worry, Be Happy"!
If symptoms occur at the same time, eat the WHOLE bag!

Have a refreshing and relaxing summer!
Student Council

Jon & Kate Plus.....A Mistress???

Those of you who are in the gossip loop, supposedly Jon Gosselin, father of eight who stars in Jon & Kate Plus 8 on TLC, is cheating on his wife, Kate. I know this is none of my business, but I'm sounding off anyway. I'm not meaning to sound insincere, but I'm going to be brutally honest!

First of all, when you sign yourself up for a reality t.v. series, cameras are watching your EVERY move....not to mention the stalkarazzi will be taking photos of you at any given time. Mind you these people make their living at your expense. Therefore, you need to be mindful of your actions. They may seem innocent in your mind, put these people have a way of distorting the truth every chance they get!!!

Secondly, so what if he cheated on her. I'm not condoning his behavior in any way, if that is what he did, but that is between him, Kate, and Deanna, the supposed home wrecker. Sadly infidelity happens everyday to many many couples. If this in fact happened, they need their private time to heal all of the hurt.

Thirdly, the last thing they need is for this scandal to be on t.v. and in magazines. Their children are in school, and we all know how mean children can be. I truly feel for the kids, because it is bad enough that they are having their lives taped, but now this!

Lastly, who knows this could all be a publicity stunt for Kate's new book, Gosselin 10. It sure is funny how "scandalous" stories hit the airwaves around the time books, t.v. series, or movies are about to be released. I'm telling you people, money is the root of all evil!!!

I'm not meaning to sound like I'm hating on Jon and Kate, because I'm not. I truly enjoy watching their show, and I commend them for how they are raising their children. I know I couldn't do it and still be sane. They are good people and should be left alone when the cameras are not around. They need their privacy just like the rest of us!!

A Glimpse Into The B.A.C.

For those of you who are not familiar with B.A.C., it stands for Behavior Adjustment Class. We are down to the last 4 weeks of school, and we have our first student of the year. I was dreading today all weekend long, but when I met this young man, my heart ached for him. He is not a bad kid.....he is simply a product of his environment. In his case, his past has come back to haunt him, and that is sad because he is only in the 7th grade.

The B.A.C. is not used to discipline a child, it is to steer them in the right direction. I hate seeing children this young with so many problems. They are lacking good judgement for several reasons. Many come from bad homes or from parents who just don't care. They act out to get attention whether it be good or bad. I just want to wrap my arms around them and take them under my wing. All of these children have been through far more than I have, and I am at least twice their age. How sad is that?? Just a thought, whenever you think you have it bad, there is always someone who has it worse!!

Swine Flu

As if we weren't stressed out enough on the last day of TAKS testing, we were informed that there is a high possibility of a case of swine flu here in Stanton. The possible infected person is a baby, but his older brother in is school and has been asked not to attend until the test results have come back. It is scary because two years ago Ivy was the first reported flu case in 2007 for Martin county, and before the year was over she had caught it twice. Dr. Teveni said that was the first time he had seen that, so needless to say I am worried. When the results come back, I'll write back with an update.

Happy Birthday To Me

I celebrated my 29th birthday this past Saturday, and it doesn't seem remotely possible. I remember turning 10, 16, 18, 21, and 25 as if they were yesterday. Each one of those were small milestones in their own right. Next year will be yet another milestone. I'll be 30!! WTF!!!! Time flies that's for sure.

My mother will forever be 32 in my mind. I know that sounds crazy, but for reasons unknown to me, she will never age past 1990. We didn't have a huge birthday party for her or anything, but it remains etched in my mind forever....and to think I'm only 3 years away from that!! I know, go ahead and say it, I'm an oddball. Seriously, it won't hurt my feelings a bit!!

For the past two years, Stanton ISD has allocated their snow days around my birthday. I know I have been their favorite employee since November 2007, so what better way for them to show me than with a long weekend,right??? I'm kidding people. I'm the least arrogant person you will ever meet. God blessed my with a sense of humor, not good looks.....and oddly enough I'm ok with that. After all, my inner beauty makes up for my outer beauty.

Anyway, lets get back to my long weekend. Sorry, I'm easily distracted if you haven't caught on yet! Ivy, Ozzie,and I got up early Friday morning to pamper ourselves. We took Ozzie to the groomers to get a bath, while Ivy and I got manicures and pedicures. Ivy thoroughly enjoyed herself. My favorite part was when the lady was scrubbing her feet and her sweet giggle resonated through the air. It was contagious. The ladies there fell in love with her. Later on that day, I heard a knock at the door, and it was the local flower shop owner delivering me a beautiful bouquet arrangement from my sweet, sweet man. They smelled just as great as they looked. The celebration continued through Saturday. They took me to my favorite restaurant in Midland, The Outback, where I enjoyed my favorite dish, the Alice Springs chicken, yum!! Then, they surprised me again with an ipod in my favorite color, purple. It also came with a neat gadget to plug into my car lighter that allows me to listen to my music through my car speakers since my CD player has been replaced twice and still doesn't work! Also, not to forget, Ivy picked out the most perfect card for me all by herself. It was the sweetest card from the sweetest girl. I must say, this was one of the best birthdays I have had. It wasn't just the gifts, it was the fact that Anthony and Ivy made me feel so special. I love those two sooo much!!

School Spirit

Stanton I.S.D. held their high school cheerleader tryouts this morning. One would think they would see: cheers, dances, the mascot, supportive parents, supportive student body, teachers and other faculty. Well guess which one we DIDN'T see??? The mascot! Can you believe this year's cheerleader sponsor has decided not have a mascot this year? Her reason was because she has had nothing but trouble from the past mascots. My opinion on that is she chose the cheerleader sponsor position and all the other responsibilities that go with it! I didn't think one would have such a choice. Maybe I'm being cynical, but doesn't the school mascot represent school spirit?? I have never heard of such a thing, and to be quite honest, I'm a little sad!

It's THAT time of year again!

Well, TAKS time is upon us again!!! I find this time of the school year extremely nerve-racking, and I'm not even the one taking the darn thing. I don't remember being this nervous or stressed out when I took it back in the day. There are SOOOOO many rules and regulations, and one minuscule wrong-doing can turn into a mountain of problems. I mean to tell you, the state of Texas does not jack around when it comes to all of the rules and regulations. When you sign that oath, you are signing your teaching certificate away if you don't do EVERYTHING by the book. It is so scary that an accidental screw up has such major consequences! So all you teachers out there, GOOD LUCK and happy testing!!

Is There An Easter Bunny??

Praise the LORD for half days and long weekends!! Stanton ISD will be released from school at 12:30 today and will not resume until Monday morning in observance of Easter. I am never "Ivy free", so last night I took full advantage of it and went shopping for "Easter bunny" stuff. I bought her the Taylor Swift CD she has been wanting along with egg-shaped sidewalk chalk, edible jewelry, a cute little light-up pen and other cute things like that. In a rush, I put the receipt in my purse and not in my wallet. BIG mistake!! Ivy went snooping through my purse, a habit that she has just started. I was busy cooking supper and getting some things done around the house so I was unaware. Anthony realised what she was doing, and quickly ripped the receipt out of her hands. Sadly it was not before she read the contents. She screamed out "Yes, Mommy finally bought me the Taylor Swift CD"! Needless to say, I was not a happy camper. I was already in a horrible mood, and that just sent me over the edge. I have told her time and time again to stay out of my purse. She has no business getting into my purse, no matter how innocent it was or not. I sent her to her room so I could cool off. She knew she was in big trouble, so she wrote me a cute, sweet note. It read a little something like this:

Dear Mommy,
I am so sorry for snooping through your purse after you told me not
to. I know I have been really loud, bad and abnoxcous(her spelling of
course) and for that I'm sorry. Please forgive me. Check yes or no
if you are still mad at me.
I love you,
Ivy

P.S. I'm sooooooo sorry. xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

How could I still be upset after reading that? I almost cried. I gave her a big hug and kissed her on her head. She looked up and simply asked "Is there an Easter bunny"? Of course I said yes. I don't want to take all of the fun away, at least for a few more years. Now, I don't know what to do! The Easter bunny can't give her the CD because she knows I bought it. Oh, what to do, what to do??

Dreams REALLY do come true....

...or at least that would be the responses you would get from Ivy, Makena,and Maddi. Ivy is such an amazing little girl and even more of an amazing daughter. She is an AWESOME kid, she's in the top of her class, and for the most part gives Anthony and I no problems to speak of.

Out of the blue, she told me the other day that she wanted to marry Nick Jonas, and the wheels in my mind starting turning. Her 8th birthday is right around the corner,and I wanted to do something really special for her. I looked on the Jonas Brother's website, and I was going to sign her up to their fan club so maybe she could get some cool stuff and maybe an autographed picture, SOMETHING at least. Well, as I ventured further onto their website, I decided to take a gander at the World Tour schedule. As luck and the GRACE OF GOD would have it.....DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!! They will be in Dallas (at the brand new Dallas Cowboy's Stadium) 4 days after her birthday, one day after Maddi's birthday and, 72 days before Makena's birthday, so naturally I'm thinking BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENTS EVER!!!!! I included Makena and Maddi because I wouldn't let Ivy experience this alone, and besides, what kind of an aunt would I be not to have included them??

However, there was one slight problem.... convincing Anthony to take all of us girls to see them was not going to be an easy task. That scenario posed several problems: 1) Anthony doesn't do well with large crowds ( he is SUPER shy), 2) thousands of screaming girls are not his cup of tea, and 3) he is NOT a Jonas Brother's fan. Well you should have known that I was NOT going to let that put a damper on my parade, so I have decided to turn this into a girls trip and take my sister along. After all, why should I be so selfish not to let her see the smiles on her girls' faces when their DREAMS COME TRUE?!?! This should be quite an experience to say the least! I will be totally out of my comfort zone, but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith to put smiles on 3 little girls' faces. This will be my first major road trip without Anthony, but surely I will do fine.


I may not be a Jonas Brother's fan myself, but I will do anything for Ivy, and I COULD NOT NOR WOULD NOT, pass up an opportunity like this one. And besides, it won't be all that bad because Jordin Sparks will open up for them, and I supported her from day one on American Idol.

As June 20 approaches, their excitement will immensely intensify as will my nerves I'm sure, but what a great memory this will be! I will keep you updated and post pictures, so stay tuned!!

Innuendos

Do you ever remember a time when you saw commercials that were good ole clean humor WITHOUT sexual innuendos? I must say it has been years. Two come to my mind right away: 1)Joe's Crab Shack's new one advertising their lobster bucket when the man tells the gal "Take your top off, take your top off", then of course he takes the top off of her lobster bucket. My daughter is 7 and caught on to that one!! 2) Quiznos advertising their new toasted sandwich, when the oven is speaking to the cook saying "put it in me, as well as the "size" of the sandwich later on in the commercial. COME ON, did they really have to go there??

Also, how about the new children's animated movies that are coming out? Don't get me wrong, most of them are really good, but you can definitely hear the adult humor they are trying to portray. Again, you have to wake up pretty early in the morning to pull a fast one on my daughter. I always tell myself she is too smart for her own good!

Maybe at times I am being "prude", but when I was younger movies and commercials were just as funny without having to take it to that level. Maybe I'm longing for a more simpler time, but I fear more things will be allowed in the years to come, which means it can only get worse. I just hope we can clean up our act for our innocent children....they shouldn't be subjected to this at such a young age, and for that reason, Ivy is limited to how much t.v. she can watch and what she can watch. I even went as far as taking her t.v. out of her bedroom so that I could better control what she lays her pretty little eyes on! That may be a little harsh, but I don't care. It's not like I took her t.v. privileges away completely!

Mia's Prayer

Dear Lord,
I pray for the WISDOM to understand my man,
LOVE to forgive him;
and PATIENCE for his moods.
Because Lord, if I pray for STRENGTH,
I may beat him to death.
AMEN

Addiction

The dictionary definition of addiction is the compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal ; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful.

My definition of addiction is FOOLISHNESS! Yes my stubbornness maybe taking over at this point, but come on!! I believe people become addicted, for lack of a better word, because they were weak enough to give in to a dumb temptation. I'm not being a hypocrite at all. Yes when I was younger,along with two of my family members, I took part in stealing cigarettes from my father on a regular basis. I wasn't the one who stole them, but because I knew that they were, I was a willing participant. Yes, today I am ashamed of such behavior, but I have totally redeemed myself. I used that experience as a learning lesson. I never learned how to inhale, thank the LORD, and I hated to nasty taste in my mouth, so I chose not to do it anymore. Unfortunately, the two family members I chose to behave badly with, are still smokers today. I, proudly, am not!

Perhaps I should have "manned" up and told my parents about our shameful behavior, but I didn't. I not only blame my sister and cousin for being tempted to steal and smoke, but I also blame my stepfather for allowing them access to such a harmful product. This was a man who had 4 or 5 cartons of KOOL menthol cigarettes in his pickup at any given time. Also, mind you, EVERY carton was opened. There would have been no way for him to know if any were missing. That is why it was so easy to take a few here and there. I would say this went on for 3 or 4 years, and my parents NEVER knew. After all, why not keep this behavior up when no one is on to you, right?

I guess this comes at the heals of my sister's husband going to jail for the next several months for numerous DWIs. I'm sure this was brought on by a similar scenario as above. Why can't people who are addicted to certain substances take control of their life and deal with it in a responsible manner? I understand if you get busted for one DWI, though it is not okay, it can be forgiven if you learn from your mistake, right? I will admit when I was 19 and obviously underage, I was given a DUI, and you had better believe I learned from my mistake!! I paid my dues and terribly regret my unfortunate decision that not only put my life in danger, but someone else's as well. Why did the light come on in my head and not his? Is it because I have better self-respect or self-control? Who knows!?!?

What is rock-bottom? For me, it was telling my mother that I was being charged with a DUI. I could see the disappointment in my mother's eyes,as well as all over her face. I don't know what rock-bottom is for him though. This man has had chance after chance to make better choices and yet NEVER did. Even after knowing all of the consequences he would be facing if he got another one, HE GOT ANOTHER ONE. So, not only is he paying the consequences for his actions, so is my mother and sister. They have to raise HIS kids while is he is off serving his time THAT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. Do I feel sorry for him because he has to eat crappy food and sleep on an uncomfortable bed? The answer to that is HELL NO!!! After all, they offer AA meeting to people like him, and he took those for granted. He knew better! He could have been ANYTHING he wanted to be and he chose to be an alcoholic. The reason I say chose is because he always CHOSE to drink knowing he had a problem with when to stop. He CHOSE to put himself first instead of my sister and their children. He CHOSE to drink and drive, and he CHOSE to disobey the law time and time again.

Alcoholism runs in my family. In my opinion, it took the life of my paternal grandfather and my biological father. I'm not cold-hearted to the point that I don't want better outcomes for alcoholics or other addicts, but you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink it. They have to be willing to accept our help inorder to help themselves,and sadly they choose not to listen to the people that have their best interest at heart. That, to me, is what frusterates me the most. I know they offer alanon meeting for family members. I suppose that helps those who participate, but why should I have to take a class to understand addiction?? I don't get it. I believe addiction is a CHOICE. Addicts choose to indulge in their demons, and if they are not strong enough to seek the LORD, they have to deal with it, right? WRONG. We have to deal with it also because it affects ALL parties involved. It is a sad state of affairs people, but that is our reality.

My intentions were not to put anyone down or judge anyone, I just CHOOSE to ignore those demons whose sole purpose is to bring me down. I'm proud to say that I am stronger than that.

Spring Is In The Air!!

As of 7:44 this morning Spring is finally here. It happens to be my FAVORITE season. It's not too hot and not too cold. My bushes, trees, and flowers are starting to bloom, and not to forget those pesky wild onions that WON'T go away!! Anyhoo, I'm already loving today.

It's hard to believe it is just now spring, considering Stanton had their Spring Break LAST week, when no one else was........which, by the way, put a big damper on my parade. Well, maybe not so much. The only thing I had planned was major dental work.........yuck. To be honest it was WORSE than child birth with NO epidural!! You may think I'm exaggerating just a little, but I ASSURE you with my hand on a stack of BIBLES, it is the GOD'S honest truth. All of the research I did leading up to this life changing decision DID NOT prepare me emotionally, physically, or psychologically for what I was going to endure. I know it was the best choice for me, but I was in for a rude awakening to say the least. Maybe within the next few weeks I will feel the way I used to!

My very best friend Chelsie took me to have the procedure done, and I very much enjoyed our time together. Since I have moved so far away, I treasure every moment I get to spend with her. She is such an AMAZING friend and I COULD NOT imagine my life without her. She has seen me through my weakest and strongest moments and loves me anyway, and for that, I am FOREVER grateful.

Friendship

A friend is like a flower,

a rose to be exact,

Or maybe like a brand new gate

that never comes unlatched.

A friend is like an owl,

both beautiful and wise.

Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost,

whose spirit never dies.

A friend is like a heart that goes

strong until the end.

Where would we be in this world

if we didn't have a friend?

by Emma Guest

UGH...Bullies!!!!!

Ivy is usually really good about going to school in a good mood. Not this morning! She threw the biggest fit not wanting to go to school. That is so not like her. I knew something had to have happened. As it turns out, she is being bullied by a brat in her class. She has been calling her names, making her cry, and being abusive towards her. She came home with bruises on her knees after being thrown to the ground everyday this week. No wonder she had a hole in her brand new pants! This girl told Ivy that if she says anything to get her in trouble she will push her down or hurt her two more times extra. I instantly wanted to get ahold of that child myself, but instead I made an appointment to speak with her teacher tomorrow. She is only in the 2nd grade. This should NOT be happening . My heart just breaks for her. She is the sweetest, most kind-hearted child I know. I couldn't imagine why this is happening to her! Hopefully this gets resolved quickly before I have to open a can of whoop ass!!

A Daughter's Gift

When I imagine

the life you will live,

I think of the pleasure

your presence will give.

I see the joy your smile will light

and the wonders you'll weave

when your dreams take flight.

I feel the hope

that will grow with your grace

and the difference you'll make

to each heart you embrace.

I imagine your life

as I know it will be;

for, my daughter, you've given

all this to me.

By Robert Sexton

Manic Monday

I had a very productive weekend! Needless to say, I was paying for it this morning. Not only did I cook my family an elaborate breakfast, iron clothes, fix my daughter's hair, get Anthony's stuff together, make myself presentable, and to top it off, have a low tire that needed air, I still mangaged to get to work on time even after all that madness. As I'm choosing to look at the brighter side of things, two come to mind:

1) I don't live in the Northeast, thank God!
2) Tonight is BUNCO night with the girls......praise the Lord!

Ozzie Oz Man

It is hard to believe that it is going on 4 months that we welcomed Ozzie into our home. He has changed so much that, to me, he doesn't even look like the same dog. Even though it was our intention for him to be Ivy's dog, we soon realized that he had other plans. Having him is like having another baby. He cries for me at night and follows me from room to room. He sticks to me worse than static electricity, but I wouldn't have it any other way!

Life Made Easy

COFFEE FILTERS
Paper coffee filters work just as hard away from the pot. Their strong fibers keep them from crinkling or dissolving in water

1. Keep fine china flawless. Rest a coffee filter between each dish before storing. The filters acts as a cushion to prevent chips and cracks.

2. Put an end to microwave splatters. Placed upside down over a dish, the filter will protect against a mess without touching the food.

3. Outsmart pesky glass streaks. Spray the surface with a cleaning solution and wipe with an unused filter-it won't flake, tear or leave lint behind.



SALT
Besides being essential to our health, salt is a popular all-around-the-house helper. Acting as a mild abrasive and humectant are just a few of salt's tricks.

1. Make candles drip-proof. Combine 1/2 Tbs. of salt and 2 cups of water, then soak candles for 2 hours. Remove and let dry. A thin invisible crust will form on the surface that will keep away melted wax encased.

2. Help vibrant fabrics retain their color. As the washer is filling, pour 1 cup of salt in with your laundry. It will set the pigment during the wash cycle, guaranteeing colors won't bleed.

3. Frost-proof your windshield. Just a spritz a salt-water solution on the window before you go to bed. The coating lowers the freezing point of water, which prevents snow and condensation from sticking to the glass.





DRYER SHEETS
Laundry sheets emit positively charged ions, which attract negatively charged particles. The result: The sheets reduce static and easily pick up dirt and dust.

1. Whisk away specks on specs. Wipe lenses clean with a used dryer sheet. The magnetic charge lifts dust and grease without scratching the delicate surface.

2. Keep TV screens clear longer. Wipe an LCD screen with a used dryer sheet. The sheet's electrons remove dirt and cancel out dust-attracting static, so future grime is less likely to stick.

3. Treat tootsies to a refreshing dip. Place 2 dryer sheets in a bowl of warm water and soak your feet for 10 minutes. Then use them to buff away rough, scaly patches on your feet.The softeners in the laundry staple work to moisturize weary skin.


LEMONS

Their high citric acid concentration makes lemons ideal for nontoxic cleaning, deodorizing and exfoliating.

1. Brighten discolored whites. Pour 1 cup of lemon juice into the washer after adding the detergent. The citric acid will gently bleach the fabric.

2. Guarantee a long-lasting manicure. Soak fingertips in a mixture of 1/4 cup of lemon juice and 2 cups of warm water for 4 minutes. Rough cuticles will be softened my the juice's alpha hydroxy acid without being robbed of moisture. Plus, the citric acid gently strips away nail's surface oils so polish adheres better.

3. Keep fruit from turning brown. Sprinkle lemon juice over fruit after slicing and let the ascorbic acid work its magic. It will slow down the oxidation that occurs when fruit's pigments are exposed to air.


PETROLEUM JELLY
This petroleum by-product is an odorless, semisolid mixture of hydrocarbons. Why do we love it? It lubricates, repels moisture, breaks down oil-based pigments, heals chapped lips and more.

1. Double the staying power of perfume. Prior to spritzing on fragrance, apply a dab of petroleum jelly to your wrists. The odorless oils in the jelly give scent molecules something to bond to, so the perfume lingers longer.

2. Silence a squeaky shower curtain. Swiping a thin coat of petroleum jelly over the pole will give the metal a slick finish, so the curtain will slide open and shut quietly.

3. Make bath time tear-free. Coating your tot's eyebrows with petroleum jelly provides a water-resistant barrier that prevents shampoo bubbles from stinging his eyes.



You can find these and more in First Healthy Living Made Easy

About this ray of sunshine :)

I was welcomed into this world, along with my twin sister Meagan, on April 25, 1980, into the comforting, loving arms of my mother and the cold, steel-like hands of my dead beat father. I owe who I am today to my dear Mother, Cindy, known by the grandkids as Cincy.

I had a wonderful upbringing thanks to my unselfish Mother and my stepdad Richard. My childhood was anything but boring growing up with my, fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants, sister. Growing up as a twin was, at times, hard on me. I struggled for years to find my own identity. I was always known as MeaganMia, that way they always got it right.

I was fortunate to grow up in the small Texas panhandle community of Spearman, Texas, home of the LYNX. Spearman was a place where everyone knew everyone, everyone knew EVERYTHING about everyone, and where you knew your child was safe. It is the kind of atmosphere where I want to raise my daughter.

On June 16, 2001, Anthony and I were blessed with the best gift of all, our daughter, Ivy Kincaid. She is a spitting image of her father and one who is wise beyond her years. She never ceases to amaze me. These last seven years have flown by far too quickly!

I try to be positively optimistic as I tend to look at the glass as half full instead of half empty. Life is far too short to dwell on miniscule things that you cannot control nor change. As we all know, life is never perfect and I intend to live my life as a good person should. I feel you should be ONE in a million, not one OF a million.

I decided to start this blog so I could release some of the thoughts that occupy my scrambled mind. Who knows, this could turn out to be free therapy for me! Feel free to stop by often!!