Simple Inspirations

My new favorite song…..

I am not above saying that we moved into an ancient house, well not ancient but old.  It was over 40 years old already and it was maltreated before we got here.  The house was a disaster..most things were fixed by a coat of paint or a gallon (or 5) of bleach.  Most things.  There are some things that are HARD to get rid of and to be honest are just disgusting to have to live with. 

Enter my archnemesis MOLD/MILDEW.  We got the house clean except for that deep seated mold and mildew.  I always notice that although I got what I could at the top layer there were some spots which were just persistent and obviously deep seated.  Now, although I am a clean freak my schooling, my kids, my husband, my volunteering, the kids appointments and the everyday things which pop up and poke you in the rear take so much time that a lot of the little things get left untouched, especially if they prove lengthy to rid myself of.  I usually strategically place some furniture or a curtain over said problem area.  I mean if I can’t see it its not really there (now if I could apply this concept to chocolate..).

Through Mom Central I got to try out this great product that actually WORKED, as opposed to promsing great result and disappointing me like my children cleaning the basement. X-14 Mold and Mildew Stain Remover worked on the vinyl flooring, the tiles and the disgusting grout around the tub.  It’s no scrub formula is right up my preoccupied alley, and it says that it will keep the stains away for two weeks.  Now its only been a few days since I used the glorious spray bottle but it seems to hold up so far. Two tips..ventilate and don’t let it sit on your porcelain tub or sink too long. Also make sure you take a peak at the rest of the products (the daily shower cleaner looks great).

I got hit by it.  Second time in two weeks.  Yuck.  So not fair!

Whine over.

I am not onle of those lucky Mom’s who could pump bags of milk and store them..to make feeding easier or more convenient for others.  I tried everything…hand pumping, automatic and manual pumps every name brand and style known to man across my five kids.  Never did I find one that I could say…try this it works!  But then through Mom Central I saw something that caught me eye..The Evenflo Comfort Select Performance Breast Pump. Its dual cycling to make it quicker, easier and more efficient to get those bottles full.  Its comfortable, storable, and easy to take with you. Not to mention:

• NEW! All components, including milk storage bottles are without BPA and contain less than 0.01% phthalates. Bottles can be purchased separately.
• NEW! Improved cycle time for more effective milk expression.
• NEW! Improved vacuum performance at all settings between min and max
• NEW! Regulated power adapter ensures consistency in performance.
• NEW! Dual motors for better production allowing individual settings
• NEW! Includes 2 additional overflow valves for additional convenience! Valve color has changed to lavender.
• NEW! More stable bottle stands to prevent possible spillage.
• 4pk sample of breast pads with redeemable coupon.

Seriously, they are styling pumps and I am so happy that I got my hands on one.  I just wish I could have found somthing like this with the other children.  But, better late than never.  The great news is that I also have one of these puppies to give away to a lucky reader (along with some super comfy breast pads)…so like usual send me an email at cheyzoefreedom@yahoo.ca (my comments don’t always work so this is the only way to make sure you get your name in the drawing).  All you have to include in your name, mailing address and why you need this pump..for yourself, for your sister, daughter, co worker, neightbour  etc.  Simple hey. I will post the winner Sunday sometime so be on the lookout! If you want to triple your chances check out Mom Central and Life as Lou.

If you should be a Canadian like me, they sell these pumps at Babies R Us..so if you can’t wait and want one now, just pop by they always seem to have them in stock.

Here is something simple, easy and yummy to make.

• 10 button mushrooms in chunky slices
• 1 medium onion, cut into rings
• 2 stalks of celery in chunky pieces
• 1 box of Chicken stock
• 1 to 2 cups of water
• 1/2 package of onion soup mix
• 4 cups of rigatoni pasta
• 4 tsp basil
• 4 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper

Quicky fry the mushrooms, onions and celery with salt and pepper until brown.  Add stock, soup mix, water and spices. Boil for 5 minutes and add pasta.  Simmer until liquid is gone and noodles are firm but not soggy.   EAT!!!!   NOW!!!

I am alive and well, we are all alive and well (even the horse dog, birds and goldfish).

It is exam week, three exams this week to be exact.  So I study.  and then study.  and When I sleep I dream I am studying. 

Like the little train that could (although somewhere near the crest of the hill I am sure he wished he couldn’t) off to study I go.

And in this corner weighing in at 465 pounds..CHAINLINK "the chainsaw" FENCE

And in this corner weighing in at 90 pounds….CHEYENNE "The Shiner"  HILDEBRAND

The Fight is ON, first Cheyenne gets him in a choke hold, OH WAIT!!  Chainsaw is making a comeback he’s got her in an arm bar….but wait she has gotten her self free and she is ground and pounding Chainsaw against the cage.  She is pretty strong for someone so little (and not at all scary).  I think she’s got him, AWWWW  CHAINSAW IS MESSED UP MAN!!  MESSED UP. Cheyenne is a much more rounded fighter, but Fence has been around a long time.  I think he has met his match ladies and gentlemen.  I looks like he’s out.

WOW  did you see you see that coming, I DID NOT see that coming, the Chainsaw got out of her guard and is trying for a komora,,and he is locking in it!!!  CHAINLINK "the chainsaw" FENCE has WON!!!!   It looks as if he has fractured her wrist!!!  This is one for the books…one for the books.

Electrolux and Kelly Ripa (she is hilarious…nutty and clean - gotta love that) have teamed up to introduce an eco-friendly front-load washer and dryer in a truly vibrant shade – “Kelly Green.”   
 
She says “I love green … the color green and the act of living green,” said Ripa.  “What better place to make a simple, every day difference than in the laundry room?  Kelly Green is a gorgeous shade, and just by using the new Electrolux high-efficiency washer and dryer you can save energy and use less water.  How green is that?&rdquo  
 
It doesn’t stop there…..just in time for Earth day, Electrolux kicks off its virtual flower garden campaign to drive awareness and raise funds for Global Green USA.  Starting today, when you go to http://www.electroluxappliances.com/    and plant a virtual flower for a friend (ahem, that means me), Electrolux will donate $1 to Global Green USA to support their healthy green schools initiatives across America (okay so we are canadian, a greener world happens globally).  Everyone who logs on to the site and plants a virtual flower will be automatically entered for a chance to win a new eco-friendly Kelly Green front-load washer and dryer!
 
In addition, Mom Central will be giving away one eco-friendly “Kelly Green” washer and dryer set to a member of our community! Tell us which flower you planted on the Electrolux site and be a sweety and share your own “laundry tips” for saving time and energy.  Mom Central will pick one lucky winner in a random drawing from all entries received!  Now that is a PRIZE AND A HALF.  Especially if you, like me, are getting tired of hearing the old dryer whine like sissy every time you turn it on.  (although it does drown out Hannah Montana so ita not ALL bad).  So lets do the check list….plant a flower, enter the contest, visit Mom Central to enter again, then buy a pretty green machine.  Easy Peasy.

The Household Guide to Dying is a book coming out by Debra Adelaide (I heard about it through mothertalk.com).  I have to admit, I am only 3/4 of the way through the book…exams, assignments, kids..pretty time consuming so I have been reading when most mothers can..in the tub, in the bathroom, in the car. 

Its the story of a household advice columnist Delia who when faced with a terminal illness does what any other write would do..she pens the Household Guide to Dying along with lists (I can relate to this act..listamaking) for her husband and her daughters..wedding lists, recipes..I loved the part of the story where she teached them to make the perfect cup of tea. Throw that simple domestic task in with coffin shopping and autospy watching and you have the complexity that the charming Delia serves up.  

The story of her death unfolds around the story of her life. They two are interwoven brilliantly, and compliment eachother as you go along, and the wit of the column pieces thrown in the mix doesn’t hurt either.  It is more than a story of a dying woman, she is a women who needs to search out the goodness of her life, its worth.  Dotted with joy, victory, as well as tragedy and regrets, like a normal life is, she seeks out someone important to her in a final attempt to embrace the life that was hers.  I would share more but watching the story unfold is half the charm of the book and although I cheated and read the last chapter I’m not telling you how it ends either (but it will melt your heart)!

The story warrents a good cup of coffee, a backyard swing and your undivided attention on a warm spring evening.  Make sure you check it out…buy it here

Catching up I mean..only for cheaters like who want to blog but have no time to do that so they make up cheesy slang words to make the blogpost smaller HA!  I got the system beat.
Did I mention I am suffering from a severe case of sleep deprivation and food that is real food shortage???  It is Canadian spring break.  Yup.  Dad and his kids have been BUSY.  Friday we went over to a friends hose for pizza and adult conversation (talking about the kids instead of talking to them HA)Then Monday activities started - they all went out for supper and bowling (except Abby and Asher) with Grandma H, Chey and Dad went mini golfing and played pool and had supper (he picked her up at the door with a rose), Freedom and Abby and Daddy and Grandma H went for lunch, went to build a bear and went out for supper (Zoe and Chey were at friends that day so it worked out well), then me Grandma H and the girls went to the movies while Daddy, Uncle Brandon and Asher went to the playland at the mall and to some car stores (Daddy also fielded his doctors appointment while I studied), then me and Daddy went to the movies to see Knowing (creepy but good), and today him and Zoe are off to see Underwater Adventure at Imax (he brought me and Zoe roses today..).  Tomorrow Cassidy is spending the day with us (Chey’s friend) and we are going to have a snow ball fight (they don’t know yet so insert evil giggle here) and Sunday we greet at Church and maybe we can watch a movie with the kids and go for walk or something (probably or something). He is a super Dad and a great husband.  I wonder all the time what I did to get so lucky???  He even does laundry - although he does leave his socks on the floor and the toilet seat up..but really its just to let me know he lives here too.

It also happens to be that time of year known as EXAMS where I study all day and night and accomplish great educational feats which include memorizing 450 pages of high literature (blah blah blah I am so smart I need to use the word ubiquitous instead of often present and refer to things as pernicious instead of evil or late Wisconsinan-early Holocene instead of saying recent) perfectly and answering a slew of essay questions with perfect clarity in preparation.  Reality - study intermittently throughout the day and night when me and Asher bond, memorize some and pray for the rest, and look over 100 essay question realizing that I don’t have a hope in hell and do my best and believe God for the rest and pull of A’s and a few B’s on a strength that is not mine because I have fallen asleep at the table while studying  and am a terrible emotion mess and educational basket case and my socks don’t even match when I get to the University to write my exams. (although I have to admit my house stays pretty damn clean..I even cleaned the toilet for the third time this week today and my kids are all fed pretty well when they eat at home even if its not very often). 

Just one more little note..Asher slept with me last night.  In my bed.  Without crawling around, slapping me, calling my nani and chewing my toe.  We were both so beat I just crawled into bed and we cuddled and slept.  For like 2 hours.  But it was a GREAT 2 hours.

I also have to say Happy Birthday to my mother in law ..who turns 45 yesterday (wink wink)  your secret is safe with me.

I also realize longwinded rambling posts are not any good without pictures.  BUT my camera batteries died..so suck it up princess.  I have to study now.