Homemade Oxy Clean

Here is a "recipe" that I use to clean my whites. I try not to use bleach and have found that this makes my clothes cleaner and soft as well.

For a small to medium sized load use:

1/2 cup Washing Soda (not baking soda)
1/2 cup Hydrogen Peroxide


For a large load or a very soiled load use:

1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Hydrogen Peroxide


I use hot water and put in my regular detergent. Add my clothes, then add the washing soda. Once the washer starts to agitate, I add the hydrogen peroxide and let it agitate a moment more. Then I turn The washer off and let it sit for a few hours. I tend to do my whites at night and let it soak over night then finish it up first thing in the morning.

This works great at getting the dirt and gunk that seems to cling to my son and hubby's socks. I also add my cleaning rags and my homemade cloth pads and this solution gets both very clean.

One word of advice though, Do not mix the washing soda and peroxide up together ahead of time. The peroxide looses its potency and changes over time. it is why it is stored in a light proof bottle.

Monthly Plans for May

Lilly of the Valley

Food 

• Rhubarb
• Spinach
• Baby Lettuce
• Peas
• Edible Flowers
• Asparagus

Garden

• Plant cold weather veggies
• Mow lawn for the first time
• Clean & fill bird feeders
• Hang humming bird feeder

Nature

• Lilacs blooming
• Tulips & daffodils flowering
• Violets & pansies planted in the garden
• Spring Peepers chirping nightly
• Birds singing for their mates
• The orchard is blooming
• Full Flower Moon

Fun Holidays

• Arthritis Awareness Month
• National Salsa Month
• National Strawberry Month
• National Wildflower Week (5-11)
• National Nurses Week (6-12)
• National Police Week (11-17)
• World Asthma Day (7)
• Fibromyalgia Awareness Day (12)
• Beltane (1)
• The Kentucky Derby (11)
• Cinco de Mayo (5)
• Letter Carrier Food Drive (11)
• Mother's Day (12)
• Chocolate Chip Day (15)
• Hug Your Cat Day (15)
• Memorial Day (27)

Family Fun

• Start planting veggie garden
• Clean and organize deck
• Clean grill; fill propane
• Have first barbecue of the season
• Eat at Las Olas for Cinco de Mayo
• Make windchimes
• Go on a mushroom walk in the damp weather
• Make catnip toys for the cat
• Fill a bag of food for the letter carrier
• Collect & press wildflowers
• Watch the birds that have returned

Dinner Plans 5/12 - 5/18

Sunday ~ Chinese


Monday ~ Left over Chinese


Tuesday ~ Cheese burgers, hot dogs, baked beans, potato salad, green salad


Wednesday ~ Baked Mac & Cheese, salad


Thursday ~ Roast Chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, salad


Friday ~ Chicken noodle soup


Saturday ~ Chicken salad sandwiches, salad

Max Photo Montage

 Just a bunch of pictures of my brother in laws cat, Max, who we are taking care of. He is a source of entertainment for sure. Crazy things he does and gets into.

My Yard Sale Scores

Once the warm weather hits, we hit the yard sales every weekend. This past Saturday was no exception.

We found this one subdivision or large (very friggin large) neighborhood wide yard sale. There were like 20-30 houses that we part of the sale. I swear just about every family had babies or toddlers, so I went looking for some things for my new nephew.

I got this little Step 2 slide. It was suppose to have a bat to go with the ball, a basketball net and a basketball, but that's ok. Less things to get hit with. LOL. It was in very good condition and I only paid $2.00 for it.

I also got him a couple of jackets for the fall, a couple of nightgown sleeper things for the summer and a cute onesie. The sleepers were never worn (they had that new crunchy feel) and the other things are in excellent condition. I paid $5.00 for these.

Then for myself, I scored season 1,2,4,5,6 of CSI on dvd. They are still sealed in plastic (I opened up a few  to check them out). I paid $15.00 for all those. I was totally psyched about this.

Matt also got a few things too. A brand new steering wheel and peddles for the Xbox 360 for $19.00. It normally goes for $150.00. He also got a couple of Nerf Super Soaker guns (as if he needs more Nerf guns) for a couple of bucks each. A set of board games that has like 6 or so different games in it like, chess, checkers, mancala, etc. That was $1.00. The last thing he got was a mountain bike for $5.00. It needs the brakes lubed up and the tires inflated, which Matt did when we got home. I do need to take the decals off the bike because it says Coors Light and The Silver Bullet. Not a good idea for a twelve year olds bike.

We were out for three hours, my Fibro decided to flare and then my RA decided to kick in. Hanging out in bed with pain meds and the remote was how I spent the rest of the day.

Dinner Plans for 5/5 - 5/11

Sunday ~ Kielbasa, potato salad, green leaf salad


Monday ~ Corn Chowder


Tuesday ~ Cheeseburgers, potato salad, green leaf salad


Wednesday ~ Pasta & sauce, salad, garlic bread


Thursday ~ Hot dogs, baked beans, fries, salad


Friday ~ Baked mac & cheese


Saturday ~ Roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans

Gift from my dad

I was finishing up my walk with a girlfriend today, when I noticed a box by my door. I couldn't figure out why it was there. I didn't order anything, so I was kinda confused.

I noticed that there was an agricultural sticker on the front of the box and when I looked at the return address, I saw that it was from a lily place. I love lily's. They are my all time favorite flower. I remember during the summer my dad had me go through a catalog of lily's and pick out my favorite three plants. Well, those lily's have arrived.

Three different plants and at least 3 of each. They are bulbs, so I will get to see their beauty next spring. Inside the box, there was also two notes, both hand written.

So nice of them to do this. Made me smile for sure. Going to keep these notes in my garden journal.

Of course they sent me a couple of their catalogs and a pamphlet on how to care for my lily's. Here is the link for Oakes Daylillies in case you ever want to order from them.