Super Bowl Time

Are you ready for some football? It’s almost Super Bowl time and for most of us that means company and lots of food. It’s also another excuse to clean your house, although not quite as thoroughly as for the holidays, after all, there will be a mess when everyone goes home. I usually just focus on the rooms everyone will be in, the family room, the kitchen and the bathroom. Make sure there are plenty of coasters, napkins and toilet paper. Since there will be lots of food in the family room make sure that you are ready for the … Continue reading

10 Tips for a Green Thanksgiving

Halloween’s over, Thanksgiving is upon us, and Christmas is just a step away! It is busy time for everyone, but you can still stay green. Here are a few tips to green up your Thanksgiving: 10. Stay Home Yes, I know the holidays are usually about travel to be with family, but consider staying home. You can help reduce emissions and stress by not taking a trip this year. 9. Travel Smart Okay, I realize many will ignore #10, so if you do have to travel, travel smart. Make sure the car is working properly before leaving, check your tire … Continue reading

Home Blog Month in Review: October

As I sit here looking out my window at the backyard, the birds are hovering in the pine tree against a strong wind and steady rain. The temperature is chilly today, and the calendar reminds me that we have left October behind. October 1st Buy a Home for $1.75 It seems that the housing crisis has made some interesting news lately. Home Month in Review: September 2008 Has the weather turned cooler now that September has passed? Pretty soon, it will be time to get that heat turned back on! Meanwhile, check out all of the articles that were posted … Continue reading

Baby Blog Month in Review: September 2008

Here are all of the Baby Blog articles that were posted last month. September 1st Baby Blog Month in Review: August 2008 Isn’t it crazy the way babies grow so quickly? It seems that you just get used to one stage and boom they are already into another. Tonight, were busy getting the household all set for my eldest child’s first day of second grade. My two younger ones are excited and want to start school, too. It will be a busy month. September 2nd Babies Are Built to Say “Mama” and “Dada” First! Do you remember your baby’s first … Continue reading

After Party Clean Up Tips

Outdoor parties such as Fourth of July celebrations tend to offer fairly easy clean up options. Put the food away, toss all the disposable items in the trash, bag up the trash, and put away extra seating. If you use a disposable tablecloth, you can simply remove the items that need to be kept, and then just roll it up, plates, napkins, and all, and deposit it in the trashcan. This step is certainly easy but there is a little more effort involved in other areas. It is a good idea to clean things up as you go to avoid … Continue reading

Supplement Your Home-Based Income by “Swapping Up”

At the beginning of the new year the pastor at my church gave a sermon on simplicity. “Do you really need fifteen pairs of shoes?” He asked the congregation. While I’ve never been much of a shoe collector, I do like to horde craft notions and books. I had a room full of glues, paints, brushes, scissors and other odds and ends I never used. My husband and I decided to start our own “de-cluttering campaign” to kick off the new year. We tackled my craft room, his extensive coat collection and both of our closets that were overflowing with … Continue reading

Entertaining: Party Tips

One of the best pieces of advice for throwing a great party is to make sure you’re organized. Sure, that can cover a lot of territory, but it’s really all just basic stuff. Try these tips: Check the Weather and Be Ready for it If it’s wet or muddy outside, you’ll need to be prepared to store shoes and boots when people take them off as they enter. Shallow boxes or bins beside the door will help keep footwear organized, off your carpets, and out of the walkway. You may need something larger than you’re your typical welcome mat too. … Continue reading

“The Super Bowl Shuffle”

Dig out your spandex—the “Super Bowl Shuffle” is back! I may be dating myself, but the truth must be told: when I was in high school my friends and I did busta move to the 80s hit. Members of the Chicago Bears football team recorded the song in 1985. It sold more than 500,000 singles and reached No. 41 on the music charts. Now, the cheeky little ditty has fans shuffling again as this year’s team prepares for tomorrow’s Super Bowl. According to Chicago radio stations, the “Shuffle” is the most requested tune on the air. It can also be … Continue reading

Are You Hosting A Super Bowl Party?

I was standing in the express lane at Wal-Mart this afternoon hoping to pay for my laundry detergent and package of paper towels quickly. I figured I had a good chance since the guy in front of me only had one item in his cart. Man, was I wrong, wrong, wrong. His one item happened to be a 32-inch flat screen TV and before he had time to reach for his wallet, five (and I do mean five) Wal-Mart employees swarmed him like ants on jelly. I still don’t know what all the fuss was about (it’s not like he … Continue reading

What To Do When Your Sink Clogs During Your Holiday Party—Part 2

In my previous blog I provided tips on how to deal with the unthinkable: a backed-up sink in the midst of a holiday dinner party—UGH! We discussed panicking and its futility; we also covered the fine art of plunging and tricks on how to make this exercise as effective as possible. Yes, plunging is a great place to start, but should it not help alleviate the problem know that there are other ways to attack a clog. For example, if you think the clog is in your disposal (you can check to see if this is the case by listening … Continue reading