We have a walker!

It's official!  Penny started walking last night!  She's been taking a step or two here and there for a few weeks now but last night she took about 5-6 steps and Daniel was home to watch it!  Today she's taken several more steps and she's liking it!

I need to blog more!

Penny has started standing all on her own, without any help.  She's taking one or two steps here and there.  She'll be walking soon! 

First day of PRESCHOOL!!!!

Lucy's first day of preschool has come and gone.  After all our counting down, it's passed!  She said she had a lot of fun and enjoyed playing.

We go there early, as did many other families.  Here are a couple of us goofing off while waiting.

 

Waiting....

After class with her craft.  She was so excited!!!

Those darn phosphate-free detergents really irk me!

I'm in the process of trying to find a good recipe for dishwasher soap because I am so tired of spending lots of money of crappy pre-made stuff.  About 4 years ago I noticed that my dishes began to develop this white film that would NOT come off.  First I thought it was the "new" Cascade soap I was using that was "environmentally safe".  I wrote to them and they said it wasn't their problem and gave me coupons for several of their products.  I tried other detergents but by that time most of my dishes were ruined.  Years later and I find out thru an article a friend posted on Facebook that it all had to do with phosphates being taken out of commercial detergents.  After some further research I found that most people are not having a problem with this ingredient being left out but several are... those with hard water it seems.

I love this picture I found, the caption says "Have fun cleaning dishes like it is 1900 again!"


Thus began my journey into homemade cleaners (well, it started with dishwasher soap but has gone further into all natural and homemade cleaners in my house).  Well, the point of this little post is just this one KEY ingredient:

LEMI SHINE!

This is the description from Amazon "Lemi Shine is a natural detergent additive that removes hard water stains and buildup, iron stains, and hard water haze often seen on glassware. When added to your normal detergent, Lemi Shine will make your glassware and silverware look like new again. Now that phosphates are being phased out of dishwasher detergent, many people are noticing this hard water haze staining their glassware. Lemi Shine can take care of this issue without harming the environment. It also works well when diluted in a spray bottle for removing hard water stains from countertops, shower doors, shower heads, and faucets. It also does a great job at removing iron stains from toilets, washing machines, and any other affected areas. Try Lemi Shine today! (also try Lemi Shine machine clean, and Lemi Shine Rinse agent!)."  So before you get all upset like me  just get yourself some of this and all will be well again :-)

HMB Section 3: Contacts

This will be a fairly simple section.  Here is a list to start you off, add to is as needed.  For each person I have 
all info needed (phone- cell, work, home; address- work, home; etc...).

Immediate and Extended Family

Friends

Neighbors

Babysitters

Doctors

Dentist

Vet

Insurance

Schools

Take-out

Work

Businesses you frequent

Coaches

Kids "friends" Parents

Gas, Electric, Water, Cable, Cell, Mortgage #'s

If you use an online tool such as Google or Yahoo you can export your contacts to an Excel document.  Word is also a great place to type these up.  Here are some FREE printables that you can fill in.  Important contacts, Address List, Restaurants, Emergency Info, another Emergency Info.  Those are some that can give you ideas on what you want to put in and how you want to do it.