Cleaning Loves

Oh my, a whole post about cleaning!  Love it! Living in an almost 100 year old house has humbled me.  These days, I just don't feel like I can get anything clean.  The dust in this house multiplies by the minute.  As my mom says, it's always easier to clean a new or newer house.  And she's definitely right.  And it certainly doesn't help that we have 2 kids and a cat that contribute to the mess!  Here are some things that I use to keep my sanity.  No, I have not been compensated in any way by these companies. 

This really does get the cat hair off the furniture.  Even if KP doesn't choose to sit on a particular piece of furniture, she is very hairy and the breeze will carry her hair on to almost every surface. This is a lifesaver.

I live and die by this stuff! If we are out (which is not often since I stock up when it is on sale), I start twitching. I use it to clean just about anything around our house. And it works on every surface.  

Remember the dust I mentioned? These dusters really do help and leave less behind. I sound like a commerical, right?

We got one of these when we put in our new hardwood floors last year.  So easy and it really does clean!

And this is a new one for the laundry cleaning side of things.  I received a full size sample of this in the mail earlier in the summer.  Well I never used it. I finally decided to use it a few weeks ago when I had some towels that smelled bad. It's these crystals that you put in your washer with the laundry and they smell really good.  And make your clothes, towels, etc...smell really good. And since it's new, I've found great coupons lately!

That's all! What are your favorite cleaning products?? 

Excited

A little bit excited...

A little more excited...

 Primo excitement! 

A Cardinals Song

Deep Thoughts By Abatha Boyle

Do y'all remember that skit on Saturday Night Live, "Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy?" Well I do. That's what came to mind today as I prepared to share a few random thoughts I have floating around in my head.  Sometimes you just have to share. 

•  I feel a huge sense of accomplishment when I manage to dress both of my kids in temperature appropriate clothing on a given day.  Especially this time of year when it's 49 in the morning and 85 by 5 PM.  It's a skill.
• I care about the Cardinals alot more when the Braves are involved. Or when they make the playoffs. Which had a very direct correlation this year.
• My 5, almost 6-year old is finally realizing that all kids aren't the same. I'm proud of his kind, considerate nature and heartbroken all at the same time.
• I'm dreading winter. 
• My baby, not so much of a baby anymore, is erratic on her wake up time. Sometimes it's really early, sometimes it's not.  I don't know whether I like this better than knowing exactly what time she is going to wake up everyday.  
• What was I (or we) thinking to have a November birthday, Thanksgiving, December birthday, and Christmas all in the span of 5 weeks. 
• My kids definitely have the "if you pretend you can't hear me, I'll just talk louder" mentality. 
• I think my next house is going to have to have a little more carpet. 
• We have a really hard time spreading the weekly homework packet over 4 nights like we are supposed to - Nate is a homework machine. For now.
• My love for smocked clothes is unhealthy.

Do you have any deep thoughts? Share!

Botanical Gardens

Last weekend, we went to the Botanical Gardens on Saturday morning.  Sadly, sometimes our Saturdays just get away from us and by the time we decide to head out, it's somebody's nap time, or somebody has to eat, or somebody just doesn't feel like leaving the house (not naming any names). So in the middle of last week, I told Scott that I wanted to go to the Botanical Gardens on Saturday morning, so write it down.  We made it there, albeit a little bit after I wanted to get there. 

Lila had a little rest in her stroller, and woke up just in time to get put on this sheep.  She did not particularly like being on there with Nate, much to his dismay. 

 But enjoyed being on there by herself.  She was so proud!

 Nate had a great time of course, climbing and swinging and sliding.

 We found this chair last time we were there and it is a perfect King's chair!

Since Scott was manning the camera, I managed to get individual pictures taken with both of my kids. Red letter day!

Lila Reading

Recipe Monday

I gotta tell ya...this last week felt like 3 weeks in 1. We all survived, but I can tell you we were tired last night!  Lots of fun activities, visitors, and stories to tell - plus several stressful moments about life and futures in general. I'll get caught up one of these days. 

I did want to share a site that was passed on to me in honor of Recipe Monday.  There are several great recipes on here - Chicken Parmesan and the Broccoli Noodle Casserole in particular.  Check it out!

Skinny Taste - Click HERE.

Have a fabulous Monday!