How To Get Rid Of The Ring Around The Toilet

I’m gettin’ down & dirty today. Cleaning toilets.  Doesn’t get much dirtier than that!  So, how do you get rid of that yucky brown ring around the toilet bowl?  You’ve cleaned the toilet but it still looks stained and unclean.  Well, the ring is not actually a stain but mineral deposits from hard water.  So, instead of trying to wipe it clean, it needs to be scraped off.  There are two things I know from experience that can remove it.  One is a pumice stone.  The other method is using sandpaper.  Yes, sandpaper! 

 I get a pack of assorted grit sandpaper from the dollar store and it works great. I love that it is disposable.  I just toss the paper in the trash when I am done!

Make sure you are wearing gloves because you’ve got to get your hand inside the toilet bowl.  Flush the toilet and while the water level is down, gently rub it on the ring and watch it disappear.  Flush again and the ring is gone!  Toss the sandpaper and you are done!  Amazing, right?  This method doesn’t scratch the toilet, it simply removes the buildup without any harsh chemicals. 

 Now, you can move on to bigger and better things than scrubbing the toilet….like laundry! :)

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Five Ways To NOT Get Stressed Out (Gimme Five For Friday)

I spent all day sick in the bed yesterday.  Did I have the flu or a virus?  No.  I was suffering from something that affect us all from time to time:  stress.

I suppose it’s not hard for a mom of five kids who works outside the home, is responsible for all of the housekeeping, shopping, errands, appointments and extra activities, and run a blog and online shop to get stressed out from time to time.  Sometimes I just start to feel like I can’t get it all done.  I get that “overwhelmed” feeling. 
 Eventually, if I keep having that feeling, it leads to anxiety or worse, a splitting headache, nausea, and weakness. I just had to rest and try to let my brain “reset”.  It’s hard to believe something like a little stress can leave you in pain and unable to function.  Luckily, I have a loving partner who was able to handle everything for me that night (from dinner to helping with homework) and since I work with him during the day, give me the day off.
So, how could I have avoided this happening?  If I would have remembered to do these five simple things, I would have been able to relieve some of the stress I was feeling.
 
 
1.  Don’t Bite Off More Than You Can Chew.
This is so much easier said than done.  Don’t overschedule yourself.  Allow plenty of time to get to appointments and to arrive at your destination.  I get so stressed rushing to get kids to one place on time and leaving in time to pick up other kids.  Don’t agree to participate in every event or volunteer for things you know you really don’t have time for.  Delegate tasks to other members of the family.  Even small children can help (and are usually the most willing). Time is more valuable than money.  Spend it wisely.
 

 
2.  Prepare Ahead Of Time
This is one of the easiest things that you can do to allow yourself a little breathing room.  Plan ahead,  gather everything you will need for a task the day before.  For example, if you are going grocery shopping on Thursday, plan to spend some time on Wednesday preparing your meals, list, and coupons.  If you have kids that need you to pick out their clothing (or at least approve their outfits), don’t wait until in the morning to find that skirt you had in mind has a stain in it or there is a hole in your son’s jeans or your daughter’s socks don’t match.  If you are really organized, do laundry on the weekend and plan the week’s wardrobe on Sunday.  If that is too large of a goal, have outfits (including shoes and accessories) ready to go the night before.
 

 
3.  Exercise
This is the best thing to do to relieve stress.  Taking a daily walk or doing yoga regularly can help your body and mind to unwind.  Reducing your everyday stress levels increases your ability to stay calm under pressure.  I have been neglecting this one big time.  I used to walk in the mornings and it was the perfect way to start the day.  I would clear my thoughts and enjoy nature. I also exercised for thirty minutes or more at least three times a week.  It gave me plenty of energy to get through my day.   It helped me rest better at night too.
 

 
4.  Take A Time Out
If you feel that you are about to explode, just step back from the situation.  I used to go lock myself in the bathroom for a few minutes.  I did this to keep from beating my kids senseless or screaming my lungs out.  If you are a mom, you know what I mean.  If you are not able (if you have really small children) to step away, take a deep breath and try to say the alphabet backwards in your head.  Visualize the most relaxing beach or comfy cabin you can and go there in your mind, just for a moment.  Not doing this can often result in saying or doing things you regret.  As parents we need to set an example of controlling our emotions for our children not of blowing up.  Also, make sure to have some time for yourself everyday.  Make it a priority, just as a meal would be. 
 

 
5.  Get Enough Sleep
Nearly a third of Americans are sleep deprived.  This affects our health, well-being, performance, mood, everything!  Don't stay up half the night working on that blog post. (Guilty!) You will be so much better in every way if you just get enough rest.  Your mind and body need it. You are not a machine.  If you do not sleep, you will eventually crash.  Not to mention how cranky you will be.  Did you know that lack of sleep increases the risk for a variety of illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.  So, put all those tasks aside.  Turn the TV, phone, and computer off and catch some ZZZs. 

 
Whether you’re a full-time working mom or a stay-at-home mom, there’s a good chance you are stressed out.  In fact, around 90% of all moms are.  If you are a single mom, you certainly are.  But, even those of us who are married still have most of the responsibilities for our household.  It can be depressing, feeling like so much of the burden is on your shoulders.  But there is nothing more rewarding than being a mom.  Our families and children are a blessing and a gift from God.  I believe God put women in this role simply because we are so strong.  We sometimes forget about that. This is what we were made to do. Remember those beautiful little faces looking up at you.  They are the real reason we do all that we do.  Our children are precious and they don’t stay little long.  Try to treasure these times, even if they are hard, even if they are so frustrating, because you will look back and miss it.  You will wish you could get it back.  These stressful times will be your “good old days”. 
 

 
After I slept for nearly 18 hours (yes, seriously), I felt so refreshed and I felt so much love for my kids.  I felt a peace I hadn’t felt in a while, just because I haven’t let myself.  I was so busy taking care of everything else, I was neglecting myself.  I promised myself then to make sure I did the things I needed to do for me to avoid feeling like that again.  If you find yourself struggling with the same challenges, I urge you to do the same.  Stress can accelerate the aging process, increase the likelihood that you’ll have depression, anxiety, headaches, obesity, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and gastrointestinal problems.  No one wants that.  You can’t always change the things in your life that cause you stress.  But you can change the way you deal with it. 





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Planting Marigolds For Fall Beauty

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Scotts Miracle-Gro for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
As summer is fading away and fall is moving in, how does your garden look?  Fall is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful times of the year and there is no reason your flower beds or containers shouldn’t reflect that.  There are many gorgeous flowering plants that flourish during the fall but today, I’m going to focus on the marigold.  Planting marigolds can help you Find beauty in the Fall
. 

Marigolds aren’t just for summer.  Some people even call them mari-mums.  I went to www.fallplantandfeed.com to find out about fall planting projects in my region, the southeast.  I would like to add fall color to my landscape.  Marigolds are wonderful for planting during the late summer/early fall.  They come in lovely shades of yellow, orange, and reddish-orange which are ideal for autumn displays. 

{I found this lovely marigold chain wrapped around a basket on Pinterest and would like to make it from the marigolds I plant.}

Marigolds have a daisy-like or double, carnation like flower head and are produced singly or in clusters.  African marigolds are the taller, larger, cut-flower type varieties and usually come in orange, gold, and yellow.  French marigolds are the shorter, smaller flower types and they offer more color variation.  Then there are hybrid varieties such as the Zenith, which thrive in the hot, humid South. 



Whichever you choose, you really can’t go wrong.  Many nurseries will have these flowers marked down since it is the end of the summer but they will continue to grow and bloom until frost.  They need lots of sunshine but are easy to care for.  Prepare the bed by amending the soil.  Adding Miracle Grow Garden Soil for  Flowers & Vegetables will help them to thrive.  It is specially formulated for annuals, perennials, and vegetables and improves existing soil to help build strong roots.  It will also feed for up to 3 months with Miracle Grow Continuous Release Plant Food.  Space tall marigolds 2-3 feet apart and shorter ones about a foot apart.  After planting, make sure to water regularly and as the blooms fade, deadhead (pull off the dead flowerheads) to make the plants continue to bloom profusely.  Another great idea for planting marigolds is to plant them alongside your vegetables.  The scent helps to repel animals and insects and they also help repel nematodes and other pests.  You can also plant them in containers.  Just be sure to use Miracle Grow Potting Mix. It has rich organic materials which help improve drainage and flow and will feed plants for up to 6 months.
I have been inspired to plant the marigolds by our front walk after seeing how well they have done in front of our shop:

BEFORE

 

AFTER

We planted them at the beginning of summer and they have been getting lots of sun and heat (here in Georgia).  I have fed them with Miracle Grow All Purpose Plant Food only a couple of times but it has sure made them grow! I am so glad that I willl be able to enjoy them for several more months! 

I can’t wait to get started on my flower bed at home.  I know it is going to look great! I am not a great gardener but I enjoy beautiful plants and I know Miracle Grow will help make it easier to grow healthy, vibrant plants with lots of blooms! 

 
Visit and "Like" Miracle-Gro Facebook page

and share your own story or talk to other gardeners!  You can learn lots of great tips from people who know their stuff! 

Don’t give up on your garden when the weather gets a little cooler.  Lots of people prefer Fall gardeningbecause they don’t have to suffer through exhausting heat.  You can still enjoy lots of outdoor  fun like planting trees and shrubs, planting bulbs to bloom in spring, grow fall edibles, or add some fall color with flowers!]




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Five Beauty Products In Your Kitchen (Five For Friday)

I’ve got a post for all you hot mamas out there to keep you looking gorgeous using just what’s in your kitchen cupboard! 

 Let’s face it, beauty products are expensive.  Most of what we’re paying for is that pretty package or the fancy name brand.  The actual stuff it’s made of can sometimes be scary. Not to mention the fact they just don’t deliver on all the promises.  Every time this happens, we go out and buy something else to replace the last thing that didn’t work until we have a whole cabinet full of overpriced, chemical-laden crap that we don’t even use. 

Now, I’m going to give you a list of 5 of the best ordinary ingredients that can do extraordinary things for your appearance:

1. Crisco

Yes, I said Crisco.  Many people think that shortening=lard (animal fat). Actually, the main ingredients in Crisco are soybean and palm oils.  Both of these ingredients are well-known as being great for the skin.  Doctors at Duke University Hospital refer to it as “Cream C”.  Plastic surgeons often recommend crisco because it speeds healing.  Gynecologists have even recommended it for vaginal dryness. (I don’t know if I would go that far!)  It gets rave reviews on Makeup Alley.  many actually refer to it as their “Holy Grail” of skin care and claim that it moisturizes as well as Creme de la Mar (one of the most expensive creams on the market).  Women use it as a cold cream and a makeup remover, as well as an overnight cream.  It can also be used along with your usual moisturizer to help lock in the moisture. It relieves dry, itchy skin and helps with eczema.  It also make a great heat protectant for flat ironing hair.  It is unscented and you can whip it to give it a lighter feel and even add essential oils for fragrance.

2.  Baking Soda

I’m sure you’re probably aware of the whitening benefits of brushing your teeth with baking soda.  But did you know that it works great to deep clean pores and treat acne?  It is also makes a wonderful face and body scrub.  It leaves skin super soft.  Some people like to add it to shampoo once a week to cut down on product buildup and some use it regularly to control dandruff.  I have even heard of it used as a deodorant.  Baking soda has antibacterial properties so it’s perfect for cleaning skin, teeth, and hair.

3.  Coffee

You already love your coffee but now, you’re going to love it so much more when you can use it to reduce cellulite!  Use the grounds alone or make a paste with yogurt that you apply to thighs and wrap with Saran Wrap.  You can also use the grounds (best to use while still warm) as a facial mask to tighten, brighten, and refresh tired, dull skin.  Brew up some dark roast and use as a hair rinse after conditioning to add richness to brunette, auburn, or dark blonde hair. 

4.  Sugar

To get the softest skin ever, use regular granulated sugar.  Sugar produces glycolic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid, which is a well known ingredient in many skin care products.  You can make a homemade sugar scrub by combining 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (or other oil such as almond oil, coconut oil, or even baby oil)  and a few drops of your favorite scented essential oil.  The sugar rinses away clean with no stickiness.  All that will remain is baby soft skin.

5.  Extra Virgin Olive Oil

It's not just for cooking a healthy meal.  Some of the best hair care products I have ever used contained olive oil.  The same with skin care.  Why not just go straight to the source and save some serious money?  Make sure you get cold pressed extra virgin olive oil.  By not using heat, all of the nutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins are conserved.  It only takes is a few drops to tame frizzy hair and leave it shiny and soft.  Massage EVOO into your cuticles to help moisturize, repair, and protect.  You can use EVOO while shaving for silky smooth skin.  You can wash your face with olive oil because oil dissolves oil.  The oil will carry away unwanted dirt, oil, and other impurities and leave you with clear, dewy looking skin.  It actually helps clear up acne!  Use it as a makeup remover and it will condition your eyelashes too.  It is another one of those things that many women just swear by for moisturizing their skin and hair.    

Have you ever tried any of these natural beauty products?  Do you have one that is your "Holy Grail"?  

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Gimme Five For Friday (Household Cleaning Tips)

Is it the weekend yet?  I need a Saturday!  How about you?  I wish I was going on a romantic picnic with my honey but, in all honesty, will probably be spending my weekend cleaning.  So, I’m ready to learn some new tricks when it comes to cleaning.  Here are five cleaning tips that I’ve tried and tested and would recommend. 

1.  How to clean your glass cooktop.  Found this idea on Pinterest and had to hunt down the original blog that it came from: Behind The Studio.   I tried her method and amazingly, it worked and eliminated all that scraping and scrubbing I had been doing. 



2.  Homemade granite cleaner.  I don’t have real granite but this mixture from 320 Sycamore works just as well on my faux granite laminate countertops.



3.  Fake Febreeze.  So simple and smells so good.  Here is the recipe from Fake-It Frugal.


4.  Polish and shine with baby oil and an old sock.  It really speeds things along so you can get done with cleaning and get on with other things.  It works great for tabletops, baseboards, counters, ceiling fan blades, etc.  Here are some more handy uses for baby oil.

5.  Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide.  It is great for removing stains but also anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-mold and mildew.  The Yummy Life goes into more detail of all the ways you can use hydrogen peroxide to clean your bathroom and kitchen. 

So, there are five ideas to get you going.  How do you keep clean?  Are you a neat freak or a relaxed homekeeper?  With five kids and working all day,  I am more relaxed than neat freak.  When I was staying home all day, though, I was more of a cleaning machine.  I love organization and hate clutter but lately I find I just don’t have enough hours in the day to get it all done. 

I can’t wait to see your cleaning tips and ideas!  I need all the help and inspiration I can get!! 

<a href="http://kraftykat76.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Gimme Five For Friday" src="http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb370/kroady76/GimmeFive.jpg"></a>

Next Week’s Theme:  Fall Wreaths

Frigidaire’s Adventures In Clean (Laundry Tips)

In the upcoming Disney film, The Odd Life of Timothy Green, Jennifer Garner plays a mother who embarks on the ultimate adventure in clean when a son magically springs to life in her garden. At this moment, her character understands what every mother knows: life is full of messy adventures.


To celebrate magical moments like this, Frigidaire, makers of the Frigidaire Affinity® front load washing machine that delivers a better clean, has set out to help get families out of the laundry room quickly and on to the things they love to do. Laundry expert Tara Aronson shares solutions for the 5 most common summertime stains and 10 tips for getting clothes cleaner.

How To Make Your House Smell Amazing

One of the first things people notice coming into your home is the way it smells. When you walk into my house, I want it to seem welcoming. I don’t want you to turn and run in the opposite direction! We are so easily influenced by our sense of smell. It doesn’t matter how clean your home may appear, if it smells bad, people are going to think it’s dirty.

My Coupon Box & Coupon Organizing Tips

I love to have to coupon.  I simply cannot afford grocery shopping without it.  I usually save about 30% on my groceries from matching sales to coupons.  I have been doing this for several years now and I’ve finally figured out what works best for me.
When I first started couponing, I used a little coupon organizer that looks like a wallet.  It worked well until my coupon stash outgrew it.  I started seeing these coupon binders on the internet and that seemed like the way to go.  So, I got a big three ring binder and some plastic page protectors and organized them all into it.  I used this method for a few years but it seemed like so much work to keep up with.  Filling all the little slots and then going through and removing the ones that had expired.  I was spending way too much time putting coupons in and taking coupons out. Now, if this method works for you, I am more than happy for you.  It just didn’t work for me.  I kept doing it for so long because I felt like it was supposed to be the “best” way. After all, everyone else was doing it.  I thought I outgrew that back in my school days but maybe not!

Speed Dusting & Polishing With A Sock

Today, I want to share with you how I can keep my home dust free and spend the least amount of time possible doing it.  I speed dust.  What is speed dusting, you ask? 

Goo Be Gone Substitute

Have you ever done something and instantly realized you made a BIG mistake?  That’s what happened to me when I carelessly sprayed adhesive on an object while holding it in midair over my kitchen sink.  My pretty white sink was covered with icky, sticky residue.  I was panicking.  I rent my home and was expecting my landlord to drop by.  What would he say when he saw what I had done to the sink?  How could I be so stupid?   I started trying to clean it with anything I could think of- Windex, Kaboom, fingernail polish remover, Comet.  Nothing in my household cleaning arsenal was working.  I tried scraping but was getting nowhere fast. 








  
I thought of the product Goo Be Gone but realized I didn’t have any.  I was going to have to put on a bra and shoes (GASP) and go out and buy some.  Then, I glanced over at my bottle of baby oil and thought, hmmm, that might work.  What would it hurt?  So, I squirted a little on a paper towel and the angels came down from heaven and sang “HALLELUJAH”!  The sticky adhesive mess just wiped away.  I didn’t even have to scrub.  I was amazed.  I was saved.  This little clear bottle rescued me from my foolishness. 



If you see any marks in this sink, they are scratches but I’m going to do what Jillee of One Good Thing suggests and use some Barkeeper’s Friend on it to remove the scratches.



I decided to test it on a label that was stuck to a glass jar.  It worked!  It took just a tiny bit of scrubbing,/rubbing and the label was off.  I have heard of people using lighter fluid, gasoline, soaking in hot, soapy water, using blow dryers, and the safe and simple solution was sitting in their bathroom all along. 

That little clear bottle is quite a miracle worker.  Here are 20 other great uses for baby oil:

1. Furniture Polish- Some people like to add lemon juice but I just use the lavender scented baby oil to make my wood furniture shine.
2. Eye Makeup Remover- Why buy that expensive eye makeup remover when baby oil works great and moisturizes your delicate eye area at the same time.
3. Make Homemade Baby Wipes- Combine 1/4 cup of baby lotion, baby wash, and baby oil with 1 1/2 cups hot water and pour over a stack of paper towels cut in half inside a plastic container. 
4. Chrome Polish- Polish chrome hubcaps, faucets, golf clubs, you name it.
5. Ear Wax Remover- Just apply a few drops.
6. Latex Paint Remover- Pour a generous amount on a cotton ball and scrub onto skin.
7. Shoe Polish- Shines your shoes and helps keep them waterproof.  Just buff on.
8. Bath Oil- Just add a couple of drops and relax in the tub while softening your skin.
9. Treat Cradle Cap- I used this on my babies to remove the dry, scaly skin that would build up on their scalps.
10. Massage Oil- Helps to relax those tired muscles and reduce the friction against your skin.
11. Remove Gum from Hair- If your kids ever get chewing gum stuck in their hair, a little baby oil will help loosen it.
12. Aftershave Moisturizer- Keep your legs super smooth after shaving with baby oil
13. In Shower Moisturizer- Add 1/2 cup to your shower gel.  Apply with a sponge to lock in moisture while showering.
14. Eliminate Head Lice- The oil will suffocate the bugs and the nits will slide off the hair shaft.  Cover the child’s hair with baby oil and use a lice comb.  Comb and remove any nits and bugs regularly.  Wash the oil from the hair with dawn dishwashing liquid.  Repeat until there are no more bugs or nits.
15. Untangle Necklaces- Add a drop or two of baby oil and use a straight pin to remove the knot.
16. Remove Rings- If your fingers have swollen and you can’t get your rings off, a little baby oil will help them slide right off.
17. Unstick Zippers- Wipe along the edge of the teeth then pull the zipper up and down and the zipper should glide smoothly.
18. Soap Scum Remover- Wipe down showers and tubs with baby oil to protect it from the buildup of soap scum.  Already have soap scum?  Rub it away with baby oil.
19. Prevent Stretch Marks- Pregnant women can prevent stretch marks by rubbing baby oil into damp skin once or twice daily after bathing.
20. Bandage Removal- Keep those bandages from pulling and hurting when it’s time to take them off by rubbing baby oil over them first.

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