My Garbage Can Cover. Love it

Pinterest is DANGEROUS! Does anyone else agree? I can be JUST FINE with the way my house looks and then BAM I see something on pinterest and I am like "Honey...I think we NEEEEEEEED this."  Then I can't get it out of my head. I obsess over it...dream about it and drive my husband crazy over it until I drag him to Lowes and we make it happen. Does this sound familiar??? This happens all the time.

One night trying to put Caden to sleep I saw this:

Ladies and Gentleman my fingers stopped scrolling and my brain was like "Did you just see that? WE NEED THAT". So there you have it. Another Pelley Project (ooo I just came up with that...I kind of like that.) was in motion. My poor husband never even knew what hit him. I screen shotted that bad boy and off to his phone it went. "Hey babe. We need this. Can we make a trip to Lowe's tomorrow?" (did you like how I asked him? Although he already knew the answer was yes) He was in bed in the other room at the time. I knew the moment he opened that text from me and saw this picture he knew his entire Saturday was shot. (and it pretty much was but he loves me)

I drew a picture of how I wanted ours to look. Our spot where our garbage can sits is a little different. Although this wasn't exactly MY idea I needed it to be MY design. Good thing my husband can use power tools. Off to Lowes we went.

We bought:

Spruce Traditional Wood Lattice (1) $13.97- $13.97

 Kiln-Dried Whitewood Stud (4) $2.11-$8.44

Severe Weather Max 5/4 x 6 x 8 Standard Ecolife Treated Decking (3) $3.98-$12.51

LATH 10PC. 6'HANDY PAK TREATED (1) $8.57

Grand Total: $43.49

***Stain Not included!!

**If you don't have a MyLowesCard....Get one! Its not a credit card. It just keeps track of your purchases! Love it.

All those years of him buying tools I NEVER complained, not one single time. Want to know why? Do you see that man cutting wood on a project I wanted...that is why. I am sure he regrets it now. Seeing him bent over like that I know its time to buy a few more pieces that will make his life a little easier. That is soon I am sure.

He is so patient with me. I really mean that. I am pretty sure any other man out there would tell me I have lost my mind and tell me to delete pinterest. Not this one. He is a keeper.

Just like that, the floor and the frame was built. He is an architect I tell ya! I think it probably took him two hours to draw up the measurements and then zip zip there it was.

Next thing I knew we were cutting lattice. (For the VERY first time ever in our married life. It's  pretty tricky.) That is the way it stayed in my garage for over a month. What I HAD to have done that Saturday, sat in the garage! Have I mentioned my husband is a SAINT?

This weekend I finally had a little extra mullah to stain it. I had plenty of time to think about a color. I wanted it as dark as I could possibly get it. I went to Lowes by myself to pick up a few things we needed and looked at outside stain and there she was. Its tintable! Yes you read that right AND its a LATEX BASED STAIN! Is your brain on overload...Mine was! Not sure I have ever seen a stain like that before.

 It is a little on the expensive side; HOWEVER, if I have learned anything in my 8 years of being a home owner its 1. Turn the water off when changing a faucet. (oh my goodness I HAVE to post about that) 2. Cheaper is not always better!

I went with it.

I don't want this post to turn into an advertisement for this stain, but let me just say I just went back and bought another gallon to stain my porch. Its THAT good. I love the color and I love the way it goes on. Its absolutely beautiful. (Don't be alarmed if you get the dark color and it goes on purple it doesn't dry that color...thank goodness!

I still need to spruce around the garage up, but I love the way it looks! Its like a little closet for my garbage can! Now We need to add the trim and she will be all finished.

This is what she looks like from the top of our drive way from the road! I have to say It looks pretty good! Thank you pinterest for the best outside project YET!

Next on the list:

Paint the back deck and this....

Oh YEAH! I am pumped! I have already got permission. He got this text last night and I gave him two choices. I am such a good wife.

Later Taters!

Living with essential oils.

Its Wednesday. I am actually writing this on Tuesday! SAY WHAT! I know. I am on a roll today.

I have lovingly name them "The Ladies"

I was first introduced to essential oils at a Party through DoTerra. The lady that did the class was talking about what all these oils did, but I really didn't GRASP the concept of them. I heard what she was saying...I just wasn't really LISTENING. Does that make sense? It wasn't until I met my "Crunchie" friend that it really SANK in. Sometimes you need to be exposed to something a few times before you accept it.

In my Journey of learning about food I really watch what kinds of things I bring into my home. I know it sounds crazy. I know how it sounds. TRUST ME...I know. My mother chuckles a little bit.

I started with the Honest Company. Although I liked their stuff....I hated spending the money on something I could make myself. If I am going to have things that are "Chemical" free...CLEARLY I can make it in my home...right?

I am a DIYer...I can't help it.

Then I watched Food INC.

Then I started looking at food labels.

Which the obvious next step is to look at my cleaning chemical labels...YIKES. Close that cabinet will ya.

Then something else occurred to me. What are these chemicals doing to my body? OR to my baby?! I have cancers that run in my family...I know...you are rolling your eyes. I can feel them rolling. Everything has chemicals! BABY LOTION has chemicals. Will the madness ever end??

There is the background...Here is the good stuff.

I bought a few basic oils. I loved them. I seriously use them for everything.

Caden has a runny nose?

Bath, Epsom Salt, Eucalyptus oil

Bug Bites?

Lavender

Daddy's Back hurts?

Cinnamon

Sink needs a little disinfecting?

Peppermint or tea tree or lemon, or grapefruit...The possibilities are ENDLESS.

The list goes on and guess what? Oils are relatively safer than chemicals. True story. I say "Safer" because Eucalyptus CANT be ingested.

I bought a store brand from Amazon called "Aura Cacia" the organic ones. I researched for hours....and hours...and hours about which ones to buy. I don't jump into things any more, to many terrible-BAD-decisions in the past. (Timeshare being a HUGE part of that) I read countless articles. Read research papers. When I tell you I was obsessed with making sure I got the right ones...I WAS. --Thank you babe for putting up with me.--

I decided I was going to start small. I didn't want to invest in anything OUTRAGIOUS if I hated them...right?

I haven't "Decided" on a brand I will stick with. I am usually a dedicated brand kind of person. Please don't give me the speech about Young Living or DoTerra. Trust me...I will give you about a 1,000 reasons why I don't use either one of them. Not because they aren't good...just personal choice.

Going with a name that works "The Ladies 2"

 I found a blog that I am totally head over heels in LOVE with. I am serious. Head over right now and check her out! ---Well wait until your done reading.  She is simple. Breaks it down. Gives a girl a little confidence you know what I am sayin? I am new at this.

I read one of her posts about blending oils. It made it simple.

I think I love reading her stuff because she doesn't promote any specific BRAND of essential oils. LOVED that about her. (Nothing worse that reading about something and they are CRAMING a brand of oil down your throat. You just lost me) She used the Eden Garden brand for a few things around the house so I ordered a few.

I was a little nervous at first, but I am really surprised my first three blends turned out so well. I may change the laundry scent a little bit (Not a huge fan of that) but it will do for now. If you never try it...You will NEVER KNOW!

This is the Laundry Mix. (obviously) I made labels so I would know in the future if I liked them I could REmake them. That lie we always tell ourselves "Oh I will just remember" HA! I went ahead and made sure I wouldn't forget.

Fantastic Cleaner. Mix with vinegar

This is AMAZING. I am Positive its worth its weight in GOLD. Around here in this part of the world where all creepy things bite, and ALL bug sprays do NOT work. Sometimes you just want to go outside and don't want to wait two hours for your Chlorophyll to work. We tried it yesterday to go play in the pool...and you know what. NOT ONE BITE. Gotta love all things natural. Let me know if you have any questions. I may not know, but I can find out.

Hope you enjoyed it.  



A better me.

I consider myself to be a "modern mom". There are a few modern things I can't live without.

1. Mr. Pibb

(I've tried. Its just not worth killing someone over)

2. Mary Kay

3. My iPhone

4. Running HOT water

The other stuff in there I could possibly learn to live without. (obviously I NEED my family--not to be confused with good friends, they aren't family. Friends are necessary for a complete life yes, but they aren't family. )

Here recently we have been making a shift to a friendlier healthier way of cleaning our home, eating and feeding our bodies. Its been a challenge and the more I learn the more eager I am to fix and change our way of living.

I think the first thing I wanted to "try" was making my own cleaner. How hard is THAT? Since citrus is an AWESOME germ fighter I started with some fresh grapefruit and put it in vinegar and let it sit for a week. (a little longer because I wanted to use the cleaner I had)

So today I put it into a spray bottle and let me tell you what I am BLOWN AWAY by how yummy it smells and how fantastic it cleans.

This picture was taken after I cleaned it with nothing but the citrus cleaner! I am always having to sparkle it, but it looks pretty good without it.

My next "to try" I wanted was a toothpaste. I have always struggled with yellow teeth. So I found on pinterest where I can whiten my teeth with lemon juice and baking soda. I have been doing this about 2x a week for about a month. I have extremely sensitive teeth since I have had braces twice. I am sure you can do it more often, but not me.  

So for the first time last week someone made a comment on how white my teeth looked. I am still gleaming. Is it yummy? Nope! Not gunna lie. Its pretty nasty, but my teeth feel great and my gums feel very clean after words. I keep this in an air tight container and I clean it often. I am still trying to find a "natural" toothpaste. -stay tuned for that

The other one I have made and really like is my homemade dishwashing detergent.

I have been using cascade for as long as I can remember. I would deviate and go to the cheaper brand but always would hate myself for it later. After using this I am positive I wont be going back. I did try it without borax (since it is technically a chemical) but I was less than pleased with the outcome. I do not rinse my dishes...I am lazy. I do not have a problem with dishes coming out of the dishwasher dirty. I have an entry level dishwasher...its all about the soap. It is cheaper and takes seconds to make when I run out. I don't have time for hassling a bunch of crazy instructions.

1Cup Borax

1Cup Washing Soda

1/4 Cup Epsom Salt

1/2 Cup Sea Salt

1 1/2 Cup Lemi-shine

*Use vinegar instead of jet dry

**combine this in an AIR TIGHT container**

Use approx. 2 tsp per load.

I hope you enjoy the suggestions.

xoxo







Taking care of colds and flu's quickly and naturally! I promise.

Maybe some of you know that Caden was sick a few weeks ago and I cured him naturally without taking him to the dr. I am still pretty proud of myself. I ordered some herbs with a friend and decided I would make my own elderberry syrup. Its cheaper and I can add what I want to it. Thought I would share the recipe and the ins and outs of it all. xoxo enjoy!

Lets start with

"What is an Elderberry?"

Great question!

Elderberries contain organic pigments, tannin, amino acids, carotenoids, flavonoids, sugar, rutin, viburnic acid, vitaman A and B and a large amount of vitamin C. They are also mildly laxative, a diuretic, and diaphoretic. Flavonoids, including quercetin, are believed to account for the therapeutic actions of the elderberry flowers and berries. According to test Elderberry's are powerful antioxidants and protect cells against damage. Elderberries were listed in the CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs as early as 1985, and are listed in the 2000 Mosby's Nursing Drug reference for colds, flu, yeast infections, nasal and chest congestion, and hay fever. In Israel, Hasassah's Oncology Lab has determined that elderberry stimulates the body's immune system and they are treating cancer and AIDS patients with it. The wide range of medical benefits (from flu and colds to debilitating asthma, diabetes, and weight loss) is probably due to the enhancement of each individual's immune system.

I know right! Who knew?

This stuff is powerful and it doesn't have the nasty reactions as most drugs. I also am in favor of anything that is God given.

So here we go.

Here are the herbs. They are from Bulk Herb Store and they have had pretty much anything I have looked up. If not, they have an option where you can sign up to be notified when they are back in stock. LOVE that option.

This is the mixture. The colors are so beautiful.

Brought to a boil and then simmered uncovered for 20-30 minutes.

 After its done cooking you strain the mixture through cheese cloth. SQUEEZE that juice out!

Add some raw honey...and there you go! Its the best flu syrup you can get! promise!

Here is the recipe:

1/4 cup dried Elderberries

2 Tablespoons dried Rose Hips

2 Tablespoons dried Echinacea

3/4 Teaspoon dried ginger root

1 cinnamon stick

1 Cup filtered water

1/2 cup local raw honey.

Bring first six ingredients to a boil, then let herbs simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes. The water will reduce by half. Pour mixture through a mesh strainer or cheese cloth. Press the mixture to squeeze juice out. Discard the herbs. Let syrup cool until you can touch it. Then add honey.

Note: for children younger than 1 year, honey isn't recommended. You can substitute maple syrup or agave nectar.

Dosage: Children take 1-2 tsp a day. Adults take 1-4 tsp a day.

Enjoy!

xoxo

Because I haven't heard Herbs have a recall....EVER!

This post isn't about demonizing Dr's or Nurses who spend long hours being away from their families taking care of sick people. This isn't about that. This is about people taking CHARGE of their health. Hang on to your panties, its about to get serious up in here.

I have been reading articles from Dr's who have moved from using traditional medicines to exclusively using herbs. They are getting better results and longer lasting results with LESS side effects than pharmaceutical drugs. True. Why is this not being discussed in our Dr visits?? Dr's make money when you come back. (Personal opinion, sorry its true.)

Are there things that need a SPECIALIST. Yes. Cancer probably is one of those things.

Adam had a back surgery 7 years ago that still bothers him to this day. Shots are an every other year Dr appointment. Just to tolerate pain. These medicines don't HEAL anything they just numb the pain.

 Pain is your bodies way of telling you something is wrong. Ignoring pain is bad.

Covering pain up. Is worse.

Doing research on herbs that will help Adam with his pain and this is what I have found.

There are three types of pain:

1. Nerve pain

2. Muscle pain

3. Inflammation

Congratulations. You are now a educated.

All three are serious and should be HEALED not covered up. Otherwise you will just continue to reinjure yourself.

So I found these bad boys. There are several ways you can do you herbs.

In a tea. In a tincture. As a glycerin. As an infused oil. or As a capsule.

There is a time to use all of those methods. For Adam this is what I am doing.

Did you know that St Johns Wort actually HEALS nerve damage? It also restores damaged cells. It is also an anti-inflammatory. (amazing herb)

Prickly Ash helps with the shooting and searing pain. They have had cases where the nerve pain wasn't helped AT ALL with pharmaceutical drugs and Prickly Ash took the pain away altogether.

Kava Kava is a very effective remedy for relaxing tension, and it works both on the mind and the muscles. (retail is extremely tense)

Jamaican Dogwood is a very effective and unique remedy for pain.  It has an action on both muscular and nerve pain.

Most of these are in a tincture. Mostly because I don't have time to make a glycerin right now. (Don't worry its coming) I got this so we can test it out for ourselves before I do our own formula. Just like pharmaceutical drugs a "one size fits all" doesn't fit all.

A trip to the Chiropractor is Monday. If your spine is out of whack aint nothing right.

Vitamins are important too. Check and check.

The thing you must understand herbs WONT do the job for your body. They HELP it. Our bodies have become so reliant on pharmaceutical drugs our bodies have forgotten how to fight off everything.

Think of it as welfare if  you must. The less you do for yourself. The more you depend on something or someone else to do it for you. 

AND

Lets me honest. When was the last time you turned on the radio and heard...."Do you know a loved one that has taken St. Johns Wort and died of lung cancer? Call Michael Johnson to see if you qualify for the class action lawsuit." Nope. Not gonna happen.

xoxo