Tricks and Tips!

It is MONDAY!! That meansis here!

Did you know sweet Kasey just hosted a great giveaway from Heidi's Friday Freebie...and guess what...I WON!!! If you want to check out the fun pampering stuff I won or join FMM go here.

Today's task is to share as few or as many everyday, little tips that you use to make your lives easier. You know- all those special tricks you might have to cook, clean, raise kids, work in the yard, and on and on!

My Tips:

* Blogging: Anyone find yourself spending too much time being in blogland? Anyone addicted to blogging? I was at first. I was spending way too much time on the computer. Not enough time and attention to being in the Word, my family, and my home.

I tried a timer...I just restarted it...So, I began to pray about it. This is what I came up with. I do not get on the computer until my morning routine is completed. That is it. I have a list I do every morning. I cannot get on until that is completed. I then try to limit my time to no more than 1 hour per day.

*Making my bed: I do it as soon as I get up. I have not always done this...let me tell you it makes a huge difference on how your room looks and feels. If you don't do this...start tomorrow. It only takes minutes...for a huge payoff.

*Grease stains: Do you ever take a shirt out of the dryer to find a grease spot on it. (Not car mechanic type grease...food grease spots.) Don't throw it out...Dawn takes the grease away...yes even in clothes! I could not do without my Shout and Dawn. I try to catch all stains before going into the wash. Just squirt a small amount of Dawn on the grease stain and rub. Throw it in the wash...it works every time!

*Gift closet: I have a closet in my office that is a gift center. It holds, bows, ribbon, wrapping paper, bags, and gifts! I buy sale items throughout the year of things I know I can use as gifts. It has really helped me when things are tight, and we have to birthday parties to go to. Or last minute gifts... I just shop from my closet! I will be adding some organizing feature to the inside of the door soon and baskets.














*Yard sale items: I keep a big bin in the bottom of the linen closet. Anytime I come across clothes/shoes that don't fit, or a toy the boys are ready to let go...I stick into the bin. When the bin gets full I transfer it to the shed where I put it into a big barrel. When the barrel gets full...I'm ready for a yard sale! It's full!

*Water: I'm so excited! I will be sharing how I can drink 1/2 my body weight in water every day. (Post coming soon)

*Laundry Soap: Make your own...saves tons! (Post coming soon)

*Ivory soap: If you have a garden and don't want animals eating everything in it... shred some soap and sprinkle it around your garden. Or you can drill a hole in the soap and hang in a fence on all sides.

*Green Smoothies: Trying to get my family to eat more greens. My DH and I drink the smoothies. However, the boys love my green smoothie popsicles. No you cannot taste the spinach!

*Kids over scheduled: Michael and I realized soon after we had kids that running around everywhere all the time was not what the Lord wanted for us. We allow our boys 1 activity at a time. For instance Cameron had to make a choice of either soccer, gymnastics, or baseball...since they run at the same time. Cameron decided for now to play baseball...spring/summer and basketball...fall. He also takes swimming lessons, but only after baseball season is over. We go enough with baseball as it is. I can't imagine being in baseball and soccer like some people we know. Quality family time at home is a priority! (We have to keep this in check as some times are more hectic.)

*Dinner: We choose to eat dinner as a family at the table. So many families do not do this simple, but important thing for their family. Make time to have a least one meal, if not two with the whole family! Your family will grow closer for it!

*Clothes Organizer: I have a clothes organizer in Cameron's closet. We pick out the clothes for the week on weekends, and stick them in. Then we are not looking for a pair of socks at the last minute on a school day. He gets up and gets dressed on his own.

At the beginning of school I had clothespins on every day for activities. You can see one is left. Tuesday...P.E. that way I would remember to put tennis shoes instead of sandals that day!

*Laundry- In an attempt to cut down on the amount of laundry I do...I pondered why am I washing the boys pj's all the time. I sat them down and explained to them one pair for all week. (Actually I have to give my sister credit here) They have hooks in their closets to hang them up each morning. It's not like they get dirty while they are sleeping. However, I was washing ~ 10 pair or more a week...CRAZY!

*Cherry/grape tomatoes: As seen on Rachel Ray...don't want your little one to choke on the tomatoes. How long does it take to cut up 15 cherry tomatoes? Take two round plastic lids. Place the tomatoes on top of one lid. Then, take the other lid and put it on top of the tomatoes. Hold the top lid with one hand a slice your way through a bunch of tomatoes in seconds. Works like a charm! Thanks Rachel!



The boys each have there own laundary bin. That way they can be responsible for putting up their own clothes. I still do it with them because I like neat drawers.


I have a picture of the boys playing in the dryer when they were younger. I plan on putting those pics on their baskets too. (hmmm...maybe 5 years of 'planning on it' has been long enough!!)







I hope you were able to find at least one tip you liked and can use! Have a terrific week!