Cleaning the washing machine.
Boy what a task it was!
But so worth it.
We got our washer and dryer from a foreclosed house 2 and a half years ago, which had been sitting in Adam's parents' garage since then until we moved into our house recently. The washer was a little yucky and smelled weird. So after finding these pins and websites I set out to clean it:
Somewhat Simple - How to Clean Your Washing Machine
One Good Thing by Jillee - How to Clean Your (Top Loader) Washing Machine
I did kind of a mix between these two references. I did 2 cups of each vinegar and bleach (separately!!) instead of 2 quarts or whatever crazy amount the other suggests, and did vinegar first and then bleach. I used lots of q-tips for the nooks and crannies like one of them suggests but had to use some toothpicks as well (it was that bad). I also did what one says about taking off the liquid bleach dispenser and also the "filter" or fabric softener thing on the top of the agitator and soaked them in half water, half vinegar. It got them nice and clean! I could only clean half of the top of the tub because there is a loose spring at the bottom of the washer we need to fix (next on the list) so the tub isn't centered but I did what I could and it is sooooooooooooo much better! It doesn't stink a whole lot (there's probably more cleaning that needs to be done in other areas I can't get to yet... eek) and I just feel a lot better about washing my clothes in it now that I know it's clean. Sorry, no pictures. I wanted to spare you the nastiness. And I was a little embarrassed. Although it wasn't my mess. Suffice it to say that it looks clean now and I am happy about it. :)
A perspective on life through the eyes of a Latter-day Saint Christian.
Monday, October 29, 2012
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Welcome to the 3rd Trimester!
What?!
That's right. 29 weeks. Almost a whole 7 months. 3rd trimester.
Pregnancy goes by so fast. I expected it to, but at the same time 9 months sounds like a really long time!
I've hit the milestone point of now having doctor appointments every 2 weeks instead of 4... That makes it seem even more crazy and real!
At our appointment last week we had another ultrasound because the doctor didn't get good enough pictures of everything she needed to see last time. We invited our immediate family to come to this one. Both of our parents and Adam's brother came. It was really cool that they got to be there for that. At one point during the ultrasound our baby kicked and not only did I feel it but we saw his leg extend and contract on the big screen! It was so awesome! That was my favorite part by far. :)
He was more wiggly this ultrasound so the footage didn't turn out as good as last time. Plus the doctor said there is more fluid now which makes it harder to take 3D pictures. But I included a couple still for your viewing pleasure. :)
My belly continues to bounce around. It's so weird but really cool to see it moving "on its own." There is a little living thing inside of me! So crazy. So awesome. The miracle of life is sooooo witnessing of the existence of God, it's not even funny. We as humans can't create ANYTHING that was never there before (we can manipulate, but not create), except a new person. Creation is a divine gift, one that only God could have given us. And it is one that should be taken very seriously. There is way too much carelessness in the world... I could go on about that, but I won't right now.
The nursery looks like... Well I don't know what it looks like, but it doesn't look like a nursery! A storage room I guess, but full of empty boxes. And we realize that I could be having a baby in 2 months... TWO MONTHS... So we really need to get cracking on getting things ready. !
Our little munchkin at 28 weeks:
That's right. 29 weeks. Almost a whole 7 months. 3rd trimester.
 |
| bump at 28 weeks |
Pregnancy goes by so fast. I expected it to, but at the same time 9 months sounds like a really long time!
I've hit the milestone point of now having doctor appointments every 2 weeks instead of 4... That makes it seem even more crazy and real!
At our appointment last week we had another ultrasound because the doctor didn't get good enough pictures of everything she needed to see last time. We invited our immediate family to come to this one. Both of our parents and Adam's brother came. It was really cool that they got to be there for that. At one point during the ultrasound our baby kicked and not only did I feel it but we saw his leg extend and contract on the big screen! It was so awesome! That was my favorite part by far. :)
He was more wiggly this ultrasound so the footage didn't turn out as good as last time. Plus the doctor said there is more fluid now which makes it harder to take 3D pictures. But I included a couple still for your viewing pleasure. :)
My belly continues to bounce around. It's so weird but really cool to see it moving "on its own." There is a little living thing inside of me! So crazy. So awesome. The miracle of life is sooooo witnessing of the existence of God, it's not even funny. We as humans can't create ANYTHING that was never there before (we can manipulate, but not create), except a new person. Creation is a divine gift, one that only God could have given us. And it is one that should be taken very seriously. There is way too much carelessness in the world... I could go on about that, but I won't right now.
The nursery looks like... Well I don't know what it looks like, but it doesn't look like a nursery! A storage room I guess, but full of empty boxes. And we realize that I could be having a baby in 2 months... TWO MONTHS... So we really need to get cracking on getting things ready. !
Our little munchkin at 28 weeks:
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Emergency Preparedness - Step One
We hear a lot about how we need to be prepared for emergencies. And needing to be prepared is even becoming a reality for some people with various natural disasters happening around the world seemingly more and more. Needing to be prepared for an emergency can happen to any of us, at any time. And yet there are many, many of us who are still not prepared at all.
Some emergencies just aren't likely in certain areas. It is highly unlikely we will experience a hurricane in southern Arizona.
However, there are still emergencies that can happen very quickly and unexpectedly, even in southern AZ. For example: wildfire, power outage, flooding (seems unlikely, but it can happen here!), nuclear leak (chemical emergency), drought, heat wave, terrorist attack (may sound silly, but could happen)... I'm sure there are others, but this is just some examples.
I know it feels overwhelming. But it must be important since we keep talking and hearing about it! When you think it won't happen to you is when you may find yourself surprised, and you don't want that. At least I don't!
I feel like I've had an excuse, not a very good one though, since living in a temporary place, namely an apartment. But we have finally moved into our new house and are living in a permanent place. Now my (bad) excuse is out the window. Time to start!
Thinking about getting to having a year supply is SUPER overwhelming. But I heard some good advice this week -- Start small! Start with your 72-hour emergency kit, then work your way up from there. (Or you can start with a car emergency kit.)
Car Emergency Kit
72-Hour Emergency Kit
2-Week Home Emergency Supply
3-Month Supply
Year Supply
I've got my car emergency stuff in my car already. But actually I need to get another one together for my husband's car.
My advice to start is: MAKE A LIST
Unless you want to purchase a ready-made 72-hour kit, start compiling your own personal list of items for your family's kits. This is what I have accomplished today. I don't necessarily know how everything will fit, or maybe I'll take some things out that don't necessarily need to be in there. But I have my list, and that's a really good starting point. I would suggest looking at lists of items that other people have put in their kits as a reference to building your own. Some of my references were:
Self-Reliant Sisters
Food Storage Made Easy
How Does She?
Red Cross
The Moes Family in Texas
Sportsman's News
My PRELIMINARY 72-Hour Emergency Kit List and Notes:
Change out perishables every 6 months - at Conference time - April and October
Gallon jugs of water - one per person stored in garage or closets
Jugs of gasoline in garage/trunk of car
Teach children Morse Code (at least S-O-S)
INDIVIDUAL PACKS
Storage - backpacks - rolling (Not duffle bags)
Food & Water
- 4 (24 oz) sport cap water bottles OR 7 (.5 L) water bottles
- 3 boxes or small bottles of juice or sports drink
- 3 flavor packets (for water)
- 3 granola bars
- 3 snack packs of trail mix
- 3 packages sandwich crackers
- 3 snack packs of dried/dehydrated fruit
- 3 snack packs of jerky
- 3 small cans of beefaroni (pop-tops covered with duct tape)
- 3 small cans of tuna (pop-tops covered with duct tape)
- 1 snack pack hard candy jolly ranchers
- 3 snack applesauces
- 1 package of gum
(depending on where you live you may need to be conscious of things melting, like I do)
Supplies
- 2 plastic forks
- 2 plastic knifes
- 2 plastic spoons
- (camping utensils?)
- pocket knife
- (multi-purpose tool?)
- small manual can opener
- 2 gallon ziplock bags for trash
- hand crank OR shake flashlight
- hand crank OR battery operated radio (weather radio)
- extra batteries
- candles (that won’t melt?)
- lighter
- waterproof matches
- 4 hand warmer packs
- rope
- duct tape
- small shovel (gardening)
- whistle (with neck cord)
- compass (combined with whistle?)
- cash: quarters and dollar bills (how much?) - in a snack bag
- two-way radio (walkie-talkie?)
- filtration water bottle
- camp towel
- work gloves
Personal Care
- hand wipes (18?)
- hand sanitizer
- lotion
- mini shampoo
- mini bar soap?
- 3 days worth of prescription medication
- roll of toilet paper (center tube removed)
- feminine hygene
- sunscreen
- bug repellant
- chapstick/carmex tub
- kleenex
- small deodorant
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- nail clippers
- compact mirror
First Aid
- medication: ibuprofen/tylenol
- band-aids (how many, what kind - variety?, extra large) (in snack bag)
- 2 x 2 gauze pads
- 4 x 4 gauze pads
- tweezers
- 1 roll sport tape
- 1 pair scissors
- 1 elastic bandage wrap
- 2 pair latex gloves
- light stick?
Clothing & Bedding
- Sneakers (tied to the outside)
- 3 pairs undergarments
- 1 pair sweat pants (a little big) (Winter clothes can be cut off to be made into summer clothes, so double clothing is not needed)
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- 2 pairs long socks
- zip up hoodie jacket
- warm gloves
- warm beanie hat
- sports cap
- small pillow in roll (tied to the outside)
- small mummy sleeping bag (tied to the outside)
- blanket
- plastic sheet (plastic table cloth?)
- rain poncho
Important Documents (laminated on ring?)
- Scriptures (Blue Book of Mormon)
- Patriarchal Blessing (glued inside BoM?)
- Genealogy Records (inserted inside BoM?)
- copy of birth certificate
- family and emergency contact information
- personal identification: with pictures and important dates and places
- allergies notes (to medication and food)
- extra set of house and car keys
Other
- small notebook
- pen and pencil
- deck of cards
- glasses
- “waiting” game ideas written on a piece of paper
- extra cell phone charger
- glasses
PARENT PACK
- Extra 9mm handgun
- Extra magazine of 9mm bullets
- water purification tablets
FAMILY PACK (combined with parent pack?)
- Legal Docs: Birth Certs, Marriage Cert, Passports, Wills, Vaccination Papers, Immunization Records, Insurance Policies
- flares
- blanket
- water (how much?)
- water purification tablets
Winter clothes can be cut off to be made into summer clothes, so double clothing is not needed.
This list is still in the works and in its beginning stage. I just wrote it out tonight! My plan is to begin executing this list by buying one or a couple things each week. Maybe starting with the storage items -- the things to store everything in. Now wish me luck, and go start your own 72-Hour Emergency Kit list! I believe in you!
Some emergencies just aren't likely in certain areas. It is highly unlikely we will experience a hurricane in southern Arizona.
However, there are still emergencies that can happen very quickly and unexpectedly, even in southern AZ. For example: wildfire, power outage, flooding (seems unlikely, but it can happen here!), nuclear leak (chemical emergency), drought, heat wave, terrorist attack (may sound silly, but could happen)... I'm sure there are others, but this is just some examples.
I know it feels overwhelming. But it must be important since we keep talking and hearing about it! When you think it won't happen to you is when you may find yourself surprised, and you don't want that. At least I don't!
I feel like I've had an excuse, not a very good one though, since living in a temporary place, namely an apartment. But we have finally moved into our new house and are living in a permanent place. Now my (bad) excuse is out the window. Time to start!
Thinking about getting to having a year supply is SUPER overwhelming. But I heard some good advice this week -- Start small! Start with your 72-hour emergency kit, then work your way up from there. (Or you can start with a car emergency kit.)
Car Emergency Kit
72-Hour Emergency Kit
2-Week Home Emergency Supply
3-Month Supply
Year Supply
I've got my car emergency stuff in my car already. But actually I need to get another one together for my husband's car.
My advice to start is: MAKE A LIST
Unless you want to purchase a ready-made 72-hour kit, start compiling your own personal list of items for your family's kits. This is what I have accomplished today. I don't necessarily know how everything will fit, or maybe I'll take some things out that don't necessarily need to be in there. But I have my list, and that's a really good starting point. I would suggest looking at lists of items that other people have put in their kits as a reference to building your own. Some of my references were:
Self-Reliant Sisters
Food Storage Made Easy
How Does She?
Red Cross
The Moes Family in Texas
Sportsman's News
My PRELIMINARY 72-Hour Emergency Kit List and Notes:
Change out perishables every 6 months - at Conference time - April and October
Gallon jugs of water - one per person stored in garage or closets
Jugs of gasoline in garage/trunk of car
Teach children Morse Code (at least S-O-S)
INDIVIDUAL PACKS
Storage - backpacks - rolling (Not duffle bags)
Food & Water
- 4 (24 oz) sport cap water bottles OR 7 (.5 L) water bottles
- 3 boxes or small bottles of juice or sports drink
- 3 flavor packets (for water)
- 3 granola bars
- 3 snack packs of trail mix
- 3 packages sandwich crackers
- 3 snack packs of dried/dehydrated fruit
- 3 snack packs of jerky
- 3 small cans of beefaroni (pop-tops covered with duct tape)
- 3 small cans of tuna (pop-tops covered with duct tape)
- 1 snack pack hard candy jolly ranchers
- 3 snack applesauces
- 1 package of gum
(depending on where you live you may need to be conscious of things melting, like I do)
Supplies
- 2 plastic forks
- 2 plastic knifes
- 2 plastic spoons
- (camping utensils?)
- pocket knife
- (multi-purpose tool?)
- small manual can opener
- 2 gallon ziplock bags for trash
- hand crank OR shake flashlight
- hand crank OR battery operated radio (weather radio)
- extra batteries
- candles (that won’t melt?)
- lighter
- waterproof matches
- 4 hand warmer packs
- rope
- duct tape
- small shovel (gardening)
- whistle (with neck cord)
- compass (combined with whistle?)
- cash: quarters and dollar bills (how much?) - in a snack bag
- two-way radio (walkie-talkie?)
- filtration water bottle
- camp towel
- work gloves
Personal Care
- hand wipes (18?)
- hand sanitizer
- lotion
- mini shampoo
- mini bar soap?
- 3 days worth of prescription medication
- roll of toilet paper (center tube removed)
- feminine hygene
- sunscreen
- bug repellant
- chapstick/carmex tub
- kleenex
- small deodorant
- toothbrush
- toothpaste
- nail clippers
- compact mirror
First Aid
- medication: ibuprofen/tylenol
- band-aids (how many, what kind - variety?, extra large) (in snack bag)
- 2 x 2 gauze pads
- 4 x 4 gauze pads
- tweezers
- 1 roll sport tape
- 1 pair scissors
- 1 elastic bandage wrap
- 2 pair latex gloves
- light stick?
Clothing & Bedding
- Sneakers (tied to the outside)
- 3 pairs undergarments
- 1 pair sweat pants (a little big) (Winter clothes can be cut off to be made into summer clothes, so double clothing is not needed)
- 1 long sleeve shirt
- 2 pairs long socks
- zip up hoodie jacket
- warm gloves
- warm beanie hat
- sports cap
- small pillow in roll (tied to the outside)
- small mummy sleeping bag (tied to the outside)
- blanket
- plastic sheet (plastic table cloth?)
- rain poncho
Important Documents (laminated on ring?)
- Scriptures (Blue Book of Mormon)
- Patriarchal Blessing (glued inside BoM?)
- Genealogy Records (inserted inside BoM?)
- copy of birth certificate
- family and emergency contact information
- personal identification: with pictures and important dates and places
- allergies notes (to medication and food)
- extra set of house and car keys
Other
- small notebook
- pen and pencil
- deck of cards
- glasses
- “waiting” game ideas written on a piece of paper
- extra cell phone charger
- glasses
PARENT PACK
- Extra 9mm handgun
- Extra magazine of 9mm bullets
- water purification tablets
FAMILY PACK (combined with parent pack?)
- Legal Docs: Birth Certs, Marriage Cert, Passports, Wills, Vaccination Papers, Immunization Records, Insurance Policies
- flares
- blanket
- water (how much?)
- water purification tablets
Winter clothes can be cut off to be made into summer clothes, so double clothing is not needed.
This list is still in the works and in its beginning stage. I just wrote it out tonight! My plan is to begin executing this list by buying one or a couple things each week. Maybe starting with the storage items -- the things to store everything in. Now wish me luck, and go start your own 72-Hour Emergency Kit list! I believe in you!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Jesus Speaks Today -- Through His Authorized Servants
What an incredible morning so far. Messages have been shared from some of the Lord's appointed and authorized servants, the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a wonderful opportunity.
Some announcements were made this morning, one of which was that a Temple will be built in Tucson, Arizona! I have been wishing for some time to be able to just live in the same city as a temple. I can't wait for it's construction and to be able to attend the temple and feel of the amazing Spirit there much more often.
So far from the messages shared this morning I am feeling a renewed dedication to Jesus Christ and to more fully living His Gospel. What a wonderful feeling.
Christ's Gospel brings me the most real happiness and peace in my life I have ever felt, no matter the circumstances and situations that surround me. Nothing compares to the happiness and peace Christ offers if we receive it.
All are invited to come and feel of it's goodness.
You can watch General Conference live or afterward online:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference
Some of the topics talked about in this morning's session:
Watch and learn -- Your life will be blessed -- You will feel uplifted --
Christ speaks today, through His authorized servants. This is who they are:
Jesus leads us through His Prophet
Some announcements were made this morning, one of which was that a Temple will be built in Tucson, Arizona! I have been wishing for some time to be able to just live in the same city as a temple. I can't wait for it's construction and to be able to attend the temple and feel of the amazing Spirit there much more often.
So far from the messages shared this morning I am feeling a renewed dedication to Jesus Christ and to more fully living His Gospel. What a wonderful feeling.
Christ's Gospel brings me the most real happiness and peace in my life I have ever felt, no matter the circumstances and situations that surround me. Nothing compares to the happiness and peace Christ offers if we receive it.
All are invited to come and feel of it's goodness.
You can watch General Conference live or afterward online:
http://www.lds.org/general-conference
Some of the topics talked about in this morning's session:
- "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?" -- Book of Mormon, Alma 5:26
- How to feel the Spirit, or Holy Ghost, more fully
- Being an example of Christ by the way we live
- Gain more knowledge -- of secular and spiritual things
- Obedience and submission to God
- The Temple should be the focal point in our lives
- Holy Ghost and acting on his promptings
- Little children do not need baptism
- Life after death
- Missionary service and efforts
- Christ's original organization of His church, the Great Apostasy, and the Restoration of Christ's original church
- Purpose of life
- "You have seen our missionaries, you may have ignored them, you should listen to them, they will help you"
- Spend time doing what matters most -- spending time with those we love, dedicating ourselves to God and His Gospel
- Find joy in the journey
- "Good intentions are not enough, we must do"
- Be more happy now -- We determine our happiness
- "Look less with your eyes and more with your heart"
- "I pray we will not wait until we are ready to die before we truly learn to live."
Watch and learn -- Your life will be blessed -- You will feel uplifted --
Christ speaks today, through His authorized servants. This is who they are:
Jesus leads us through His Prophet
Friday, October 5, 2012
Pinterest Project #2 - Dinner
For dinner tonight I maaaaaaddeee this:
(She calls it Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta, but that's a mouth-full and I like the way "Chicken Bacon Ranch" rolls off the tongue better... Plus it's easier to say.)
(And please don't judge me for my hard-water stained pan... I'll fix that eventually...)
It looks like a lot of noodles but the ratio was actually perfect. And I did half a pound instead of 1 lb like her recipe calls for. It's all about equalizing the proportions of the food for each bite!
And next time, I'll cook the pasta while the chicken is cooking instead of doing it first like she says in the recipe. That was silly and it made the cooking take longer.
The final result -- It was really good!!! Hubs approves also -- very much! :)
He's also still eating those brownies! (We have a whole pan left... Should probably give some away.) Oh, and by the way, I had a piece tonight and it was super delicious! Milk was necessary to wash it down. So good.
Happy pinning!
(She calls it Cheddar Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta, but that's a mouth-full and I like the way "Chicken Bacon Ranch" rolls off the tongue better... Plus it's easier to say.)
(And please don't judge me for my hard-water stained pan... I'll fix that eventually...)
It looks like a lot of noodles but the ratio was actually perfect. And I did half a pound instead of 1 lb like her recipe calls for. It's all about equalizing the proportions of the food for each bite!
And next time, I'll cook the pasta while the chicken is cooking instead of doing it first like she says in the recipe. That was silly and it made the cooking take longer.
The final result -- It was really good!!! Hubs approves also -- very much! :)
He's also still eating those brownies! (We have a whole pan left... Should probably give some away.) Oh, and by the way, I had a piece tonight and it was super delicious! Milk was necessary to wash it down. So good.
Happy pinning!
Pinterest Project #1 - Dessert
First off, let me say that I LOVE having so much room in my new kitchen! I am really going to enjoy cooking and baking in this new house a lot more than in our tiny previous apartments.
Well, tonight I WAS going to go to a little Pinterest girl party thing tonight, but other things happened and I didn't go. But this is what I made for it:
This was the first time I've made brownies from scratch. The recipe was pretty easy. The hardest and most annoying part was smashing the Oreo cookies. I won't be doing any of that for a while. Maybe eventually I'll invest in a food processor.
I was really excited about this dessert. The picture on the author's blog looked REALLY yummy! After making it though, I just wasn't in the mood to eat it. It probably also had something to do with my bad eating habits today -- Too much junk and not enough real food. I did taste it though, and it turned out pretty good! The hubby really liked it -- It passed his test! Maybe I'll have some tomorrow.
Happy Pinning!
Well, tonight I WAS going to go to a little Pinterest girl party thing tonight, but other things happened and I didn't go. But this is what I made for it:
This was the first time I've made brownies from scratch. The recipe was pretty easy. The hardest and most annoying part was smashing the Oreo cookies. I won't be doing any of that for a while. Maybe eventually I'll invest in a food processor.
I was really excited about this dessert. The picture on the author's blog looked REALLY yummy! After making it though, I just wasn't in the mood to eat it. It probably also had something to do with my bad eating habits today -- Too much junk and not enough real food. I did taste it though, and it turned out pretty good! The hubby really liked it -- It passed his test! Maybe I'll have some tomorrow.
Happy Pinning!
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