Children Deserve Better

In the last few days I've heard too many people talk about their children as though they just aren't the precious gifts that they REALLY ARE.  It irritates me.


As a mom who saw my first two children struggle to breathe...struggle to LIVE...when I witness a parent not appreciating their child, it just hurts my heart.


As you may or may not know, we bought a house.  We're going to be moving out of this rental in March some time, so the landlord has been showing our house.  It's not bad...it's a pain in the butt, but not a huge inconvenience.  I understand that he has to do it.  What I can NOT understand is the things some people say.

See, yesterday my husband was working overtime, so the kids, my BIL, and myself, were all home during the three showings the landlord had.


It went better than expected, really, considering the kids wanted to be part of all of it.  (Of course they would...these are new people in their house!)  The first couple saw that we have twins and told me that I must be an amazing mom to not only have twins, but to have gone on to have another.  I just laughed and told them we were very blessed.  (All of my children were very much planned and wanted, so I don't think I'm an amazing mom...I think I'm JUST a mom.)

That first couple had an 8 month old baby at home, they told me; their first.  So to them, this probably seems chaotic.  (To me, it's normal.)

The second family that went through were nice...at first.  It was a woman, her 2 1/2 year old daughter, and her mother.  I should mention that the older woman (the grandmother) was fabulous.  My issue was with the mother of that little girl.
As soon as she found out that we had twins (the landlord was telling them...not me), she commented on how much work they must be.  I said that I had them first, so to me, two at once was normal...and that they aren't much work at all.  (If they were, would I have had a third?!)
Her daughter immediately saw the toys and wanted to play, and I told her that if she wanted to leave the little one in the livingroom with us while she looked at the house, that would be fine.  I told her that one more would be no trouble at all, and I didn't mind.  She drug her screaming child through the house anyway.  Finally Grandma had enough of it, and brought her down.  She sat on the couch while the little girl played with the kids.  She was super cute, and THRILLED that she was finally getting to play with that mountain of toys she'd seen.  I talked to Grandma, who informed me that she'd been a nanny for years for a "Festival family" (which means a family that works at, or are in plays at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival), but the boys are in school and no longer need a nanny.  She seemed super nice, but I'm a little...Mother Bear...to leave my kids with someone just because they say they've been a nanny.  Hell, I could say I spent three years working on the MOON...it doesn't mean I did.  Right?!


Anyway I'm getting off topic.  When Mom came back downstairs to gather up Grandma and Daughter, she decided to say "I don't know how you did it with twins...I only have one, and she's too much for me sometimes."


*Blank stare*  (Me.)


I didn't even know what to say.  The fact that her daughter was standing right next to her when she said that just took me aback.  I honestly had one of those "did I just hear that?" moments.


I know that Mom probably didn't mean to come across as some kind of bitch...and I'm sure she didn't mean to say, infront of her daughter, that sometimes she's "too much".  But she did.  And she did.

It was one of those things in life that show just how easy it is to say things in front of our children that will define them...change them...make them into who they're going to be as adults.  I hope that Mom made a slip of the tongue there, and that it's not a regular occurrence.

The day before these people came through I was talking with a woman who was our neighbor once upon a time...when her three children were small.  (They're 9, 11, and 13 years old now!)
The reason she called was because I had agreed to care for her 9 year old son.  Let's call him Billy.
Billy has "special needs".  He has some anger issues, and apparently also has some extreme anxiety.  I can only assume that when he feels that need to flee and someone stops him, that's probably when the anger comes out.  Fight or flight...right?  Sounds likely to me.  (I don't know...I'm guessing.)
Anyway, Billy's mom brought him over about two days before her and I spoke on the phone.  We wanted him to get a chance to RE-meet me (since he was only about two when I last took care of him), so he would be comfortable being here for 8 or 9 hours a day, three times a week.
When they came to the door, everything was fine.  The Boy was sleeping on the couch, and the baby was in the living room (baby gates), so only myself and Ooey answered the door.  I figured that if only her and I went to the door to greet them, it wouldn't overwhelm him...which when all three of my kids are around, tend to happen to the best of people!
The mom walked in, said hello, and took her shoes off.  In that amount of time, her son (who had come in directly behind her), decided it was too much and ran out the door and locked himself in their car.
She looked at me and said "he bolted".  She came in to have a look at the house, leaving him to sit in the car.  Within about two minutes, he was knocking on the door, yelling for her to "hurry up and let's leave NOW!"
At this point my 3 year old daughter was in tears.  She wanted Billy to come in so she could see him because she "loves him", and she said "he's my best friend!"
So the mom tried to get him into the house.  She tried using guilt..."Look Billy, she's crying!  She just wants to meet you, come in!"
I told her not to...that my daughter has the right to be upset, but so does Billy.  I said that trying to force him into the house wasn't going to help anything.  I told her that I would talk to Ooie when they'd left and explain to her what was going on.
The mom put on her shoes, and left.

Okay, it could have went better, but it could have gone worse.  When she called me to talk about our arrangement, the behavior of that little boy suddenly made total sense.

She explained to me that her and her husband had separated 2 years ago, after several years of being unhappy and non-stop fighting.  She told me of the incident that ended it all for them...which took place in front of Billy.  (I'm not going to get into it, but it involved domestic violence and police removing her husband.)
She told me about how her husband has been playing mind games with the children, which they are too young to identify or understand.  And apparently, the night before Billy and his mom came over here to meet all of us, he'd been with his dad.

Dad is a real piece of work.  He told Billy that he was going to "hate it" over here...and that he'd be "surrounded by babies".  He told Billy that he was "going to have a panic attack and freak out", and that he "wouldn't be able to handle it" here.
Nice.  Thanks Steve.  You dick.  *Yep, calling that asshole an asshole.  No fake name there!*


Anyway, he wrote his son's destiny for him.  He set his son up for failure, and managed to make a little boy have a panic attack just by telling him he'd have one.  Great parenting.

My two cents on that:

CHILDREN ARE CHILDREN.  DO NOT USE THEM AS A PAWN IN YOUR MIND GAMES.  THEY DESERVE TO BE TAUGHT THAT THE WORLD IS A SAFE PLACE, AND THAT YOU'LL BE THERE TO SUPPORT THEM IF THEY STUMBLE.  YOU DON'T STAND THERE AND TELL THEM THEY'LL FALL, AND THEN SHOVE THEM.

Holy crap I'm pissed off at that guy.  Who does that?!  And this has nothing to do with being upset about not getting to take care of that boy.  Honestly, he may not have been happy here.  Our kids are years younger than him.  We don't even have things here he'd want to play with.  (And I'm kind of anti-video games.)  But the fact is that after the first day, after getting a chance to talk to him, I could have gotten him things he enjoyed.  And he could have, for the first time, been like a big brother.
But no.  Instead he's going to be watched by his dad during the times I was supposed to have him.  Lovely.  Because a man like that deserves more time with his kids...
Oh...wait...

Anyway, I was going to finish this post with just those two stories.  But I have one more.  And honestly, I don't care if this "costs" me any followers.  I'm at the end of my freakin rope here...

 


IF YOUR YOUNG (2 year old) SON PEES ON YOUR COUCH, AND YOU WATCH YOUR HUSBAND RUB HIS FACE IN IT AND DO NOTHING, YOU ARE A PISS POOR PARENT.  Anyone with two brain cells to rub together would have CALLED CHILDREN'S AID and had that parent removed from the home.  It's your JOB AS A MOTHER to protect your child, even if you're protecting them from your husband.  YOU chose that person as your "partner".  Your children didn't CHOOSE them at all!!!  They got stuck with him...stuck with your choice.  Great.  Lovely.  PROTECT THEM!!!

I'm telling you...if I ever saw ANYONE rub a child's face in their own urine...
It would not go well.  It would not go well at all.

Also, one more thing Super Mom...
When you see your husband slap your child in the face for biting his brother and you do nothing, you are allowing it.  You are saying it's okay.

GREAT PARENTING.

You don't get to hit children and say "keep your hands to yourself".  You have to teach by example.  You have to know that having those children is NOT YOUR RIGHT.  It's a privilege.  You can lose custody of them in a heartbeat.  They'll be gone, and even if you're not the one physically putting your hands on them, you are also not protecting them.  Failure to protect is AS BAD as being the one who does the hurting.  

"You hit me for hitting people to teach me that hitting people is wrong."  Confusing to adults.  Confusing to children!!!

If you need some help figuring out how to raise your children with respect, you can talk to your family Dr.  You can call CPS/CAS and talk to them.  You can sign up for courses, you can get some kind of funding to pay for some child care, so you can have a break from them if you need it.

You NEVER need to hurt your children.  You NEVER need to allow someone else to.  And there is no excuse for making children feel like less than the amazing gifts they are.

Maybe I Care Too Much About This...But I'm Calling BULLSHIT. Again.

Power Bullshit.

There's a young girl on a local selling site selling these..."Power Balance" bracelets...for $15 each, claiming that they were given to her free for a promotional thing...she says she's sponsored by Power Balance in tennis.

Well, I have been waiting for her "new, free" bracelets to arrive (she said she gets them as a promotion) so I could get some more pictures of them from her.  Shocker of the day...LOL...they aren't genuine "Power Balance" bracelets.

I knew as soon as I saw them that they were fake.

Note the color of the bracelets and lettering.

Fake.  It even looks cheap!

So, because I'm a skeptic, I already found out that "Power Balance" is being sued over their bracelets.  They're a scam.  People want their money back.  They hold no more power than a rubber band.  Shocking.  LOL  Sorry, but from the second I saw them I had to take a minute and look into what it was that they said was giving these rubber bracelets their "power".  Well, it turns out it's the hologram.  Seriously.  LOL  Oh that's some good stuff there!  XD

Anyway, the girl selling THESE bracelets has lied from the start.  Again.  Shocking.  LOL

The bracelets she's selling are NOT from "Power Balance"...they're from eBay.  And they're not genuine.

Fake.  Buy 10 for $20 on eBay.  

See?!  See the bracelet colours?  See the lettering?!  Same thing.  Exactly the same thing.  It took me all of three minutes to seach eBay for "Power Balance Bracelet Lot", and found this at the top.

From the website.

I'm no detective, though I play one in real life.  I know a scam when I see one, and I knew this was one the second I read about how the hologram (a sticker) improves strength and balance.  Seriously...does someone need to say that out loud to hear how insane it sounds?!

I put a picture from the "genuine" Power Balance bracelet buying page...and as you can see, they look completely different.  See the plastic cover on the hologram?  It's missing from the ones she's selling.

The hologram looks nothing like the "real" bracelets...and for shits and giggles, I punched in different colours offered by Power Balance, and saw that the black bracelets offer three choices for lettering...black, white, and yellow.  Not red.  Not green.

Another dead giveaway was the clear bracelets.  The website offers two colours for lettering.  Pink, and white.  Not purple.  Not blue.

And hey, I know I probably DO give WAY too much of a shit about this...but I HATE seeing people being ripped off.  If someone is buying something believing it's a genuine product, they should be GETTING a genuine product.  I hate scammers.  I hate seeing people scurrying to buy these bracelets for $15 each when they could get ten of these for $20 on eBay if they love them so much.  And really, if it's the BRACELET they love, that's fine.  Whatever.  But no one is going to pay $15 for a "Power Balance" bracelet for fun.  It just irritates me.  Badly.

So again, don't buy ANYTHING until you've researched it.  Know wtf it is that you're paying for.  Don't be scammed.  And please, for the love of all that is good and holy, HAVE MORE SENSE THAN DOLLARS.

That is all.

Homeschooling Sadness

That's all I want!!!

I'm sad.  Very sad.  And I am NOT going to get over it.  I want to homeschool my kids.  I want them at home.  I want them here, with me, safe.  I want them to have one teacher for the three of them, not one teacher for 25 students.  I want them to stay nieve.  I want them to see the world the way I've taught them about it.  I want them to never have to tell another child that they aren't allowed to play "shooting games".  I don't want them to have to be put in a position of either playing along, or being alone.  I don't want them hearing about things like parents being mean, or about sex.  Seriously.  It bothers me to no end to think that my kids are going to be put in a position where they're going to have to act like they're adults (when they aren't!) and say no to a situation that may come up.  I have to depend on them behaving like they're much older than they are...and I don't live in a world of make-believe...I know that children are going to act like children.

Maybe that's not why other people homeschool.  I don't know.  Maybe people homeschool because they don't vaccinate and their kids can't go unless they are up to date on vaccinations.  Here, in Canada, it's illegal to deny a child an education based on vaccination status.  They have the right to an education.  No matter what.  I'm not worried about my un-vaxxed kids being at school...they will remain that way.

I know some people homeschool because they want their child taught according to their religious beliefs.  They want their child brought up learning their views, without outside influence.  And that's just so great for them.  But I'm also not worried about that.  I'm United, and it's pretty lenient on...well, pretty much everything.  I was raised United, and was openly allowed to question what I was told, and to look at other religions to see what I thought.  After many years of not going to church, I've taken my own children to a United church in our city a few times.  I'm not worried that they will grow up not understanding our religious beliefs.

I'm sure that some people also homeschool because they have special-needs children and refuse to drug them.  And I understand that completely.  I have never had my children tested for having Sensory Processing Disorder, but have taken a few online tests, and the twins both have areas that they hit every single one of the items on the list.  I know they have it.  And truthfully, if either of my children ever have an issue in school that results in a teacher (or the school board) recommend I drug them in ANY way, I'd pull my kids from school in a heartbeat.  They can kiss my ass.  No way.  If I can manage to peacefully parent three children, two of whom have SPD and KNOW they don't need to be drugged, there's no person on this planet that would convince me of that.
Still, that's not the reason I want them here.

I'm sure that being in a mainstream school will be good for them socially...meaning I know they'll get time to play with other children.  I don't have any disillusionment when it comes to knowing the difference between "playing with other children", and "social skills".  I know they get "social skills" every single day, from interacting with the people around them...with me, with my husband, with each other...

I'm sure they'll get to have a lot of fun doing things like painting, or going on school trips.  But they paint here. At home.  And we take trips to places all the time.  We have the most fun with them when we take them out.  And the idea of them going on a trip without me...UGH!  I'm terrified.

I don't know if every parent goes through this before their kids start school.  I'm sure not everyone does.  I know that there are more than a few parents that look forward to their children being out of the house so they can have "me time".

I don't even WANT "me time".  I don't only not WANT it...I HATE IT.

I know I sounded like a child there...but I don't really care.  I hate the idea of them not being here.  I hate the idea of them being away from me from 9am until 3pm every-other day.  I hate it.  And that's the nicest way I can even come up with to say how I feel.  My heart hurts just thinking about it.

Maybe I'm being crazy.  I don't know.

What I do know...
I know that I had those twins after carrying them for 30 weeks.
I know that I had to watch them fight to live.
I know that I had to visit them every day for 8 1/2 weeks in the NICU, and every second of it was worse than any nightmare I've ever had.
I know that there isn't a soul on this earth that I love more than my children.
I know that I'm afraid of what will happen when I'm not there to keep them safe.
I know that my son is a daredevil...that he needs a constant eye on him to keep him from getting hurt...and that more than once I've saved him from getting killed.
I know that my daughter is sensitive...that things upset her because she is such a kind soul.  And I won't be there to comfort her when she cries.
I know that even the bus ride to school is going to be something I worry about...what if...
I know that if anything ever happened to one of my children at school, or because of going to school, I would never again be the same person I am now.  I would be broken.

Maybe these are the words of a "new mom"...even though they are 3 1/2, I have very little experience.  I'm going on what I know, what I've learned, and instinct.  And I know my instinct says to keep them at home.

And I don't want to throw my husband under the bus here...but...it really is him that is making all of this happen.  It's him who wants them in school.  It's him who has INSISTED that they go.  And it's very clear that the only way that they're staying home is if I was to divorce my husband.  He is that serious.  He is not going to give in.  And it kills me to give in on this.  But I have to think that my children having both of their parents under one roof is more important than my COMPLETE AND OVERWHELMING TERROR of them going to school.  I have to put their needs before my own...even when it makes my heart hurt.  Because my husband is ultimately a good man.  He just thinks about things differently than I do...and he HAS given in on a lot of things that he really felt strongly about because I was willing to divorce HIM to protect my children;
He wanted them vaccinated and I said no.  I told him that if I had to, I'd leave and take the kids to keep them safe.  I had to protect them...no matter what.
He wanted my son circumcised, and I said no.  I told him that I'd either A) kill him, or B) divorce him, if he had our boy circumcised against my wishes.
He wanted me to use the hormone cream on Baby Girl's labial adhesion because "the Dr. wouldn't give it to her if she didn't need it", and I refused...and it fixed itself!
He wanted Ooie's ears pierced.  I said no way.  She has no piercings.
He wanted the baby in a crib.  I said no.  She's 14 months...sleeping in our bed.  Shes never slept in a crib.
He told me to wean our son at a year old.  At 22 months I weaned him because of a high-risk pregnancy.

He's a fantastic PERSON and always means well, but he has never done a single second of research.  For that reason I feel like I should get to make the major decisions...I'm the one with the facts, right?!  If he did some research and found something different than I did, I'd have to consider his opinion on these things valid.  But he hasn't.

He doesn't get it.  He thinks I'm being crazy.  He thinks my research has made me nuts.  And maybe it has.  Maybe I know too much.  Maybe I'm to the point that learning has made my life something I take too seriously.  But how can I get past the fact that I feel like I'm giving in on a major thing...something that could ultimately change them forever?!  I want them to stay the children I've raised them to be.  I don't think that's too much to ask for!!!

I need to go and eat some chocolate.  I only have seven months left with my children staying home everyday.  The idea of that is just too much for me right now.  : (

This looks like TORTURE to me!

Sewing Cotton Pants

She says they're "super comfy".

Yeah, I'm a sewer.  LOL  The kind with the sewing machine, not the kind used to transport bodily waste.  LOL How unfortunate that they're spelled the same...

Anyways.  I sew.  I just sew all sorts of crap now.  It started with diapers.  Those are my favorite things to make because they're always so freakin' cute when they're done.  But I've also made "Mommy Diapers" (re-usable pads), and today I made some cute pajama pants for the daughter that has managed to lose more pairs of them than any other human being to date.  (I swear it!)

I'm also going to start making the girls some dresses with the huge amount of material I've managed to accumulate over the last few weeks (TONS of it), and make my son some shorts to match.  I can't see the shorts being all that different than the pajama pants, and now that I have the basic idea, I know I can manage to make a pattern for a simple dress.  I also thought about making some of those reusable grocery bags, and saving myself $1-$4 a piece for them at the grocery store.  Those would be super easy.

I know that some of you like sewing, so I thought I'd post the link to where I found out how to make the pants.  I found it a while ago on a blog called "My Cotton Creations".

You can find the instructions to make the pajama pants HERE.
You can find other tutorials HERE.  There's an awesome owl toy I am going to have to make.

The tutorial on the pajama pants is for "Christmas pants", but as you see from the photo I took, I used some spotted fabric I had here.  (My daughter says it's a cow print, my son says it's a dalmatian print, so in the interest of no fighting, I'm saying it's "spots".)

This video shows how to make an easy pillowcase dress.

And while I'm being all crafty, I figured I'd look up how to make a tutu.  Well...that's easy enough!  Thank you YouTube for teaching me how to do EVERYTHING.  LOL  This is a video showing you how to make one without needing to be able to sew at all.  (Though I highly suggest sewing the elastic...hot glue isn't going to cut it!)

Well, I have to go and make supper, but wanted to show off my latest sewing project.  And yes...they are about two inches too short, but she doesn't care.  I'll make her some new ones when she's sleeping tonight and sneak the other ones into the tote of clothes that the baby is yet to grow into.  I'm going to be making The Boy a pair of them after supper anyway...they want to match.  ; )

Family Friendly Household Cleaners

The first thing I'm going to say is that vinegar does not disinfect surfaces.  I'm sure at some point in your life you were told it did.  But I know for a fact it doesn't.

Years ago I had to sit through a 6-hour "Food Safety Handling" class when I worked in a restaurant.  The man teaching the class was a food inspector, and because I had just seen him less than a week prior, (while he was inspecting the restaurant I was working in), he remembered me and made a special point of looking at me when he said "For those that think that vinegar will disinfect your counter tops or cutting boards, I assure you, it won't."  He went on to explain how to mix bleach with water to make the right concentration to use it for disinfecting surfaces.

I hate bleach.  I hate it because I always get a spot of it on my clothes...EVERY TIME.  I hate it because it makes my nose hurt.  And I hate it because after I handle it, it takes DAYS for me not to taste it when I eat, or smell it on my hands.  I also hate knowing that there is a nasty film on anything that it has touched...and that the film comes off on little hands...who often end up in little mouths.  I don't want my kids getting that in their mouths.  So we don't use it for cleaning, and almost never (about once every 3 months or so) use it to get the brightness back into whatever white laundry we have here.


Because I hate bleach, I wash a lot of things with soap and water.  I kind of believe in doing things the way that makes the most sense.  (We only need to wash our own hands with soap and water, right?!)  There are those times though, that I need something stronger...something that will disinfect.  So I use lemons.  I had to look up a link that would show it works, because I know if I don't, someone is going to think I'm nuts.  So HERE is a link to that info.  And that link ended up being pretty cool, so I am going to share more of what's on there.

1. Homemade Substitutions

There are many inexpensive, easy-to-use natural alternatives which can safely be used in place of commercial household products. Here is a list of common, environmentally safe products which can be used alone or in combination for a wealth of household applications.

Baking Soda - cleans, deodorizes, softens water, scours.
Soap - unscented soap in liquid form, flakes, powders or bars is biodegradable and will clean just about anything. Avoid using soaps which contain petroleum distillates.
Lemon - one of the strongest food-acids, effective against most household bacteria.

Borax - (sodium borate) cleans, deodorizes, disinfects, softens water, cleans wallpaper, painted walls and floors.
White Vinegar - cuts grease, removes mildew, odors, some stains and wax build-up.
Washing Soda - or SAL Soda is sodium carbonate decahydrate, a mineral. Washing soda cuts grease, removes stains, softens water, cleans wall, tiles, sinks and tubs. Use care, as washing soda can irritate mucous membranes. Do not use on aluminum.
Isopropyl Alcohol - is an excellent disinfectant. (It has been suggested to replace this with ethanol or 100 proof alcohol in solution with water. There is some indication that isopropyl alcohol buildup contributes to illness in the body. See http://drclark.ch/g)
Cornstarch - can be used to clean windows, polish furniture, shampoo carpets and rugs.
Citrus Solvent - cleans paint brushes, oil and grease, some stains. (Citrus solvent may cause skin, lung or eye irritations for people with multiple chemical sensitivities.)

2. Formulas

Combinations of the above basic products can provide less harmful substitutions for many commercial home products. In most cases, they're also less expensive. Here are some formulas for safe, alternative home care products:

  Note: These formulas and substitutions are offered to help minimize the use of toxic substances in your home, and reduce the environmental harm caused by the manufacture, use and disposal of toxics. Results may vary and cannot be guaranteed to be 100% safe and effective. Before applying any cleaning formulations, test in small hidden areas if possible. Always use caution with any new product in your home.

Make sure to keep all home-made formulas well-labeled, and out of the reach of children.

All-Purpose Cleaner: Mix 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/4 cup baking soda (or 2 teaspoons borax) into 1/2 gallon (2 liters) water. Store and keep. Use for removal of water deposit stains on shower stall panels, bathroom chrome fixtures, windows, bathroom mirrors, etc.

Another alternative are microfiber cloths which lift off dirt, grease and dust without the need for cleaning chemicals, because they are formulated to penetrate and trap dirt. There are a number of different brands. A good quality cloth can last for several years.

Air Freshener: Commercial air fresheners mask smells and coat nasal passages to diminish the sense of smell.
• Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors around the house.
• Having houseplants helps reduce odors in the home.
• Prevent cooking odors by simmering vinegar (1 tbsp in 1 cup water) on the stove while cooking. To get such smells as fish and onion off utensils and cutting boards, wipe them with vinegar and wash in soapy water.
• Keep fresh coffee grounds on the counter.
• Grind up a slice of lemon in the garbage disposal.
• Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.
• Place bowls of fragrant dried herbs and flowers in room.

Bathroom mold: Mold in bathroom tile grout is a common problem and can be a health concern. Mix one part hydrogen peroxide (3%) with two parts water in a spray bottle and spray on areas with mold. Wait at least one hour before rinsing or using shower.

Carpet stains: Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray directly on stain, let sit for several minutes, and clean with a brush or sponge using warm soapy water.
For fresh grease spots, sprinkle corn starch onto spot and wait 15 - 30 minutes before vacuuming.
For a heavy duty carpet cleaner, mix 1/4 cup each of salt, borax and vinegar. Rub paste into carpet and leave for a few hours. Vacuum.

Chopping block cleaner: Rub a slice of lemon across a chopping block to disinfect the surface. For tougher stains, squeeze some of the lemon juice onto the spot and let sit for 10 minutes, then wipe.

Coffee and tea stains: Stains in cups can be removed by applying vinegar to a sponge and wiping. To clean a teakettle or coffee maker, add 2 cups water and 1/4 cup vinegar; bring to a boil. Let cool, wipe with a clean cloth and rinse thoroughly with water.

Deodorize:
• Plastic food storage containers - soak overnight in warm water and baking soda
• In-sink garbage disposal units - grind up lemon or orange peel in the unit
• Carpets - sprinkle baking soda several hours before vacuuming
• Garage, basements - set a sliced onion on a plate in center of room for 12 - 24 hours

Dishwasher Soap: Mix equal parts of borax and washing soda, but increase the washing soda if your water is hard.
If you want to use a commercial dishwashing soap, try Nellie's All-Natural diswasher powder, which contains no bleach or phosphates.

Dishwashing Soap: Commercial low-phosphate detergents are not themselves harmful, but phosphates nourish algae which use up oxygen in waterways. A detergent substitution is to use liquid soap. Add 2 or 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the warm, soapy water for tough jobs.

Disinfectant: Mix 2 teaspoons borax, 4 tablespoons vinegar and 3 cups hot water. For stronger cleaning power add 1/4 teaspoon liquid castile soap. Wipe on with dampened cloth or use non-aerosol spray bottle. (This is not an antibacterial formula. The average kitchen or bathroom does not require antibacterial cleaners.)
To disinfect kitchen sponges, put them in the dishwasher when running a load.

Drain Cleaner: For light drain cleaning, mix 1/2 cup salt in 4 liters water, heat (but not to a boil) and pour down the drain. For stronger cleaning, pour about 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, then 1/2 cup vinegar. The resulting chemical reaction can break fatty acids down into soap and glycerine, allowing the clog to wash down the drain. After 15 minutes, pour in boiling water to clear residue. Caution: only use this method with metal plumbing. Plastic pipes can melt if excess boiling water is used. Also, do not use this method after trying a commercial drain opener--the vinegar can react with the drain opener to create dangerous fumes.

Fabric softener: To reduce static cling, dampen your hands, then shake out your clothes as you remove them from the drier. Line-drying clothing is another alternative.

Floor Cleaner and Polish:
vinyl and linoleum: mix 1 cup vinegar and a few drops of baby oil in 1 gallon warm water. For tough jobs, add 1/4 cup borox. Use sparingly on lineoleum.
wood: apply a thin coat of 1:1 vegetable oil and vinegar and rub in well.
painted wood: mix 1 teaspoon washing soda into 1 gallon (4L) hot water.
brick and stone tiles: mix 1 cup white vinegar in 1 gallon (4L) water; rinse with clear water.
Most floor surfaces can be easily cleaned using a solution of vinegar and water. For damp-mopping wood floors: mix equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and water. Add 15 drops of pure peppermint oil; shake to mix.

Furniture Polish: For varnished wood, add a few drops of lemon oil into a 1/2 cup warm water. Mix well and spray onto a soft cotton cloth. Cloth should only be slightly damp. Wipe furniture with the cloth, and finish by wiping once more using a dry soft cotton cloth.

For unvarnished wood, mix two tsps each of olive oil and lemon juice and apply a small amount to a soft cotton cloth. Wring the cloth to spread the mixture further into the material and apply to the furniture using wide strokes. This helps distribute the oil evenly.

Laundry Detergent: Mix 1 cup Ivory soap (or Fels Naptha soap), 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax. Use 1 tbsp for light loads; 2 tbsp for heavy loads. Commercial natural, biodegradable laundry detergents are also now available online and in select stores.

Lime Deposits: You can reduce lime deposits in your teakettle by putting in 1/2 cup (125ml) white vinegar and 2 cups water, and gently boiling for a few minutes. Rinse well with fresh water while kettle is still warm.
To remove lime scale on bathroom fixtures, squeeze lemon juice onto affected areas and let sit for several minutes before wiping clean with a wet cloth.

Marks on walls and painted surfaces: Many ink spots, pencil, crayon or marker spots can be cleaned from painted surfaces using baking soda applied to a damp sponge. Rub gently, then wipe and rinse.


Metal Cleaners and Polishes:
aluminum: using a soft cloth, clean with a solution of cream of tartar and water.
brass or bronze: polish with a soft cloth dipped in lemon and baking-soda solution, or vinegar and salt solution. Another method is to apply a dab of ketchup on a soft cloth and rub over tarnished spots.
chrome: polish with baby oil, vinegar, or aluminum foil shiny side out.
copper: soak a cotton rag in a pot of boiling water with 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup white vinegar. Apply to copper while hot; let cool, then wipe clean. For tougher jobs, sprinkle baking soda or lemon juice on a soft cloth, then wipe. For copper cookware, sprinkle a lemon wedge with salt, then scrub., A simpler method is to apply a dab of ketchup on a soft cloth and rub over tarnished spots.
gold: clean with toothpaste, or a paste of salt, vinegar, and flour.
silver: line a pan with aluminum foil and fill with water; add a teaspoon each of baking soda and salt. Bring to a boil and immerse silver. Polish with soft cloth.
stainless steel: clean with a cloth dampened with undiluted white vinegar, or olive oil. For stainless cookware, mix 4 tbs baking soda in 1 qt water, and apply using a soft cloth. Wipe dry using a clean cloth. For stainless steel sinks, pour some club soda on an absorbent cloth to clean, then wipe dry using a clean cloth.


Mold and Mildew: Use white vinegar or lemon juice full strength. Apply with a sponge or scrubby.

Mothballs: The common mothball is made of paradichlorobenzene, which is harmful to liver and kidneys. Cedar chips in a cheesecloth square, or cedar oil in an absorbent cloth will repel moths. The cedar should be 'aromatic cedar', also referred to as juniper in some areas. Cedar chips are available at many craft supply stores, or make your own using a plane and a block of cedar from the lumberyard.
Homemade moth-repelling sachets can also be made with lavender, rosemary, vetiver and rose petals.
Dried lemon peels are also a natural moth deterrent - simply toss into clothes chest, or tie in cheesecloth and hang in the closet.

Oil and Grease Spots: For small spills on the garage floor, add baking soda and scrub with wet brush.

Oven Cleaner: Moisten oven surfaces with sponge and water. Use 3/4cup baking soda, 1/4cup salt and 1/4cup water to make a thick paste, and spread throughout oven interior. (avoid bare metal and any openings) Let sit overnight. Remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with fine steel wool for tough spots. Or use Arm & Hammer Oven Cleaner, declared nontoxic by Consumers Union.

Paint Brush Cleaner: Non-toxic, citrus oil based solvents are now available commercially under several brand names. Citra-Solve is one brand. This works well for cleaning brushes of oil-based paints. Paint brushes and rollers used for an on-going project can be saved overnight, or even up to a week, without cleaning at all. Simply wrap the brush or roller snugly in a plastic bag, such as a used bread or produce bag. Squeeze out air pockets and store away from light. The paint won't dry because air can't get to it. Simply unwrap the brush or roller the next day and continue with the job.
Fresh paint odors can be reduced by placing a small dish of white vinegar in the room.

Rust Remover: Sprinkle a little salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until it is well soaked. Leave the mixture on for 2 - 3 hours. Use leftover rind to scrub residue.

Scouring Powder: For top of stove, refrigerator and other such surfaces that should not be scratched, use baking soda. Apply baking soda directly with a damp sponge.

Shoe Polish: Olive oil with a few drops of lemon juice can be applied to shoes with a thick cotton or terry rag. Leave for a few minutes; wipe and buff with a clean, dry rag.

Stickers on walls: Our children covered the inside of their room doors with stickers. Now they are grown, but the stickers remained. To remove, sponge vinegar over them several times, and wait 15 minutes, then rub off the stickers. This also works for price tags (stickers) on tools, etc.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour into basin and let it set for a few minutes. Scrub with brush and rinse. A mixture of borax (2 parts) and lemon juice (one part) will also work.

Tub and Tile Cleaner: For simple cleaning, rub in baking soda with a damp sponge and rinse with fresh water. For tougher jobs, wipe surfaces with vinegar first and follow with baking soda as a scouring powder. (Vinegar can break down tile grout, so use sparingly.)

Wallpaper Remover: Mix equal parts of white vinegar and hot water, apply with sponge over the old wallpaper to soften the adhesive. Open room windows or use a fan to dissipate the pungent vinegar smell.

Water Rings on Wood: Water rings on a wooden table or counter are the result of moisture that is trapped under the topcoat, but not the finish. Try applying toothpaste or mayonnaise to a damp cloth and rub into the ring. Once the ring is removed, buff the entire wood surface.

Window Cleaner: Mix 2 teaspoons of white vinegar with 1 liter (qt) warm water. Use crumpled newspaper or cotton cloth to clean. Don't clean windows if the sun is on them, or if they are warm, or streaks will show on drying. The All-Purpose Cleaner (above) also works well on windows. Be sure to follow the recipe, because using too strong a solution of vinegar will etch the glass and eventually cloud it.

 3. Healthy Home Cleaning Habits

Exchange Indoor Air
Many modern homes are so tight there's little new air coming in. Open the windows from time to time or run any installed exhaust fans. In cold weather, the most efficient way to exchange room air is to open the room wide - windows and doors, and let fresh air in quickly for about 5 minutes. The furnishings in the room, and the walls, act as 'heat sinks', and by exchanging air quickly, this heat is retained.
Minimize Dust
Remove clutter which collects dust, such as old newspapers and magazines. Try to initiate a 'no-shoes-indoors' policy. If you're building or remodelling a home, consider a central vacuum system; this eliminates the fine dust which portable vacuum cleaners recirculate.
Use Cellulose Sponges
Most household sponges are made of polyester or plastic which are slow to break down in landfills, and many are treated with triclosan, a chemical that can produce chloroform (a suspected carcinogen) when it interacts with the chlorine found in tap water. Instead try cellulose sponges, available at natural foods stores, which are biodegradable and will soak up spills faster since they're naturally more absorbent. For general household cleaning, try Skoy Eco-Cleaning Cloths. These cleaning cloths are non-toxic, extremely absorbent (15x paper towels), reusable, and biodegradable.
Keep Bedrooms Clean
Most time at home is spent in the bedrooms. Keep pets out of these rooms, especially if they spend time outdoors.
Use Gentle Cleaning Products
Of the various commercial home cleaning products, drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners and oven cleaners are the most toxic. Use the formulas described above or purchase 'green' commercial alternatives. Avoid products containing ammonia or chlorine, or petroleum-based chemicals; these contribute to respiratory irritation, headaches and other complaints.
Clean from the Top Down:
When house cleaning, save the floor or carpet for last. Allow time for the dust to settle before vacuuming.


Okay, well I tried using a Magic Eraser for the dried paint splattered on my dining room wall from last week's art projects with the kids, and it didn't even touch it.  I tried using some Baking Powder, and it is atleast starting to come off.  But not great.  I'm going to keep trying things and will post what I used if I find a magic solution.  I will NOT give in and use bleach.  I'll find something safe and not stinky!  ; )

Worms and Children

Oh how I wish this was a post about earth worms.  I wish this was about my son bringing a pocket of those suckers into the house, and my finding them in the tub, or the fridge...or whatever.

But it's not.

It's about those nasty effing things that animals (like a cat) get in one of several ways...and can spread to children. 

Now, I don't hate animals.  I have a couple of cats and a dog, myself.  And for the time being my BIL is staying with us...and with him he brought his large dog and a cat.  Fine.  It's all good...BUT...


It's his cat that has worms...and so will be referred to from  here on in as Worm Cat.

**I mentioned that I don't hate animals because I'm angry, and will very likely say something that's not politically correct about him (the cat)...and so I don't want you thinking I'm one of those mean people that hate animals.  I don't.  But when this kind of shit happens, I sure like them a whole lot less.  (See?  That last comment is what I'm talking about...it's very not typically me...but you'll see why I'm mad.)**

I shouldn't have ever had to Google "How do I find out if my kids have worms?", and "Can my cat give my children worms?"
Our own cats are healthy.  Well taken care of.  Indoor cats...fixed...and we spent the money when we brought them inside, to make sure we never had to worry about this.  A LOT of money.


And then Worm Cat came to live with us.


Before I go too far, I want to explain a few things so you can understand.  First, Worm Cat belonged to my MIL.  Bless her soul, she had a HUGE heart.  She was known for taking in strays...animal and human.  She was one of the biggest animal lovers I've ever known.  Even when she passed away, we had the donations set up to go straight to the O.S.P.C.A.  She would have wanted it that way.  She never met a cat or dog she didn't love...and want to keep.


It used to be different.  She used to be fine when she had K.C. (my husband's cat), and her cat Izzy.  I had my own cat, Jesse, there too.

It was fine for her to have her two, and she never ever even spoke about getting another cat.  My husband and I got a dog a year and a half into being together, and he lived with us too.  It was just the three cats and our dog.  It was NORMAL.  It was about three years in, that my BIL moved back into the house with us.  Fine.  Normal.  (Mostly.)


Then we moved and took our dog, and Jesse.  My husband's cat had cancer and had to be put down right before we moved into our first place.  She still had her Izzy, and they got a puppy, Leo.  Fine.  Normal.


It was all fine until about 3 years ago.  She had a young girl living with her, and that girl got a cat.  She didn't take care of it, and would kick it, so my MIL took it away from her.  When that girl left, the cat stayed.

Then she got a male kitten from her sister.  The female she had was about a year old at that time, and the male was almost a year.  Long story short, two kittens came from a poorly planned out decision.

From the start she talked about wanting to keep the kittens.  I would try to be the voice of reason...she couldn't even afford to take the two she had to the vet...more females in a house with an un-fixed male would be more kittens.  So, instead of getting rid of those kittens to one of the MANY people who offered to take them, she got the male fixed and kept the kittens.  She was up to four cats.

Then her boyfriend found a box with a kitten in it on a walk.  He took her over to my MIL's house, and she kept her.  Five cats.  Only the male had ever been to the vet.  And the cats all started getting fleas.

Again, long story short, they all got worms.  (Which I've read are caused by infected fleas...probably caught from the dog who is walked in the bush near her house.)

When she passed away suddenly in November, we were all stuck dealing with these animals.  My BIL and his dog moved in right away, and after a week of daily visits to the house to feed and water the cats, the decision was made to take four of them (the females) to the O.S.P.C.A.  They would have a chance for a better life there...they'd get the medical care they all needed so badly.  And Worm Cat came here.

He's had worms since time began, I think.  As far as I know, it's just always been that way.  And now he's nasty.  He has either small worms, or worm segments coming out of his butt, sticking to his fur...  It's so effing gross that I kind of hate him now.


The first thing I said was that he would infect my kids.  And THAT is where my concern lies...with my HUMAN children.  He lays on the furniture.  He lays on their BEDS.  He is super-affectionate, so he WANTS to be touched all the time, and I have to put him out of the room all the time, because the kids want to touch him too!


Anyways, tomorrow he's going to the vet to FINALLY be dealt with.  He's going to get the medication I've been freaking out about him needing since November.  And if all goes well, he'll finally be healthy and live a long life.  (Hopefully not at our house...hopefully when my BIL leaves he'll take his cat...but I don't know.)

And now that Worm Cat has lived here so long, chances are that ALL of the animals are going to need to be treated for worms as well...just to be safe.  That is also something that is pissing me off, because we're going to have to pay for our cats to go to the vet when it wasn't OUR fault that they were exposed to worms in the first place.  Well...not MY fault, anyway.
(A grown man crying about a cat was too much for my husband to handle, and he said that the cat could come here...expecting that he'd have been taken to the vet LONG ago...)

Once they've all been treated, I am going to have to take the children to my Dr.  (He's an ass.)  I'm going to have to get him to test the feces of all of the children, and if any of them have worms...oh, I'll be SO MAD...all of them are going to have to be treated...and myself, my husband, and my BIL are going to have to be treated...it's THAT easy to spread it.

I've tried SO HARD to make sure my kids get only GOOD things in their bodies...we've avoided antibiotics, we stopped vaccinating them YEARS ago...and if they caught what the cat has, they're going to have to take something to kill these worms!!  GRRRR!!!!!!

So I'm irritated.  Highly irritated.  And it makes me hate the cat...and the situation...and my BIL for not listening to me when I TOLD him that the cat could infect MY CHILDREN months ago, and he did nothing.

I do my very best everyday not to be a bitch.  Some days it takes more work than others...and today is one of those days that it's not easy.  But I think I have the right to be mad.  I think I have the right to WANT to scream "You dumbass!  I TOLD YOU MONTHS AGO TO TAKE HIM IN!!!!!"

I won't scream that.  But that doesn't mean I haven't thought it about a hundred times today.

So I'll update the blog post once I know for sure what's going on.  But for now...for now I'm angry, and hate the cat.

UPDATE:  Feb. 11, 2012

So Worm Cat went to the vet yesterday.  Thankfully what he has are indeed tapeworms.  (Still effing gross...but could be worse.)  He got a dose of meds between his shoulder blades, and is being quarantined for 24 hours in my BIL's room...if the other cats lick the medication, they can get sick...it's not meant to be taken orally.  So whatever.  Cat is on the road to recovery.

So, before I go, here's what I learned.

The way that the cat got the tapeworms was from an infected flea, and he ingested it while grooming.


The white nasty things coming out of his butt are worm segments.  Yum.  (GAG!)

If humans get it, it's a single oral dose of meds to kill the worm(s).  It may need to be repeated one more time after any eggs that remain are hatched, because the eggs cannot be killed by the medication...only the worms themselves die from it.


It's UNCOMMON for humans to get tapeworms, and I've read time and time again "I haven't seen it in 20 years of practicing medicine", and "there have been no cases of tapeworms in this country for many years."
Lets hope my kids don't change the record books...


It is much more likely that if a child gets worms, the worms they get are called Pinworms...or "threadworms".


"Threadworms are the common worms that we encounter in everyday practice. They cause no symptoms apart from an itchy bottom that can disrupt sleep at night. The threadworms can exit through the anus and irritate the skin. Sometimes they can be seen just like small threads around the anal region. So the parent who questions if a disturbed night’s sleep could be due to worms might well be right."  Found HERE.


"Pinworm infections (also known as "seatworm infection," "threadworm infection," "enterobiasis," or "oxyuriasis") are contagious.
People become infected by unknowingly ingesting microscopic pinworm eggs that can be found on contaminated hands and surfaces, such as:

• bed linens
• towels
• clothing (especially underwear and pajamas)
• toilets
• bathroom fixtures
• food
• drinking glasses
• eating utensils
• toys
• kitchen counters
• desks or lunch tables at school
• sandboxes

The eggs pass into the digestive system and hatch in the small intestine. From the small intestine, pinworm larvae continue their journey to the large intestine, where they live as parasites — their heads attached to the inside wall of the bowel.
About 1 to 2 months after a person acquires the pinworm eggs, adult female pinworms begin migrating from the large intestine to the area around the rectum. There, they will lay new pinworm eggs, which trigger itching around the rectum.
When someone scratches the itchy area, microscopic pinworm eggs are transferred to their fingers. Contaminated fingers can then carry pinworm eggs to the mouth, where they are reingested, or to various surfaces, where they can live for 2 to 3 weeks.

If you're wondering if your family pet could give your child a pinworm infection, it can't. Pinworms don't come from animals."

The above information was found HERE.

What Are the Most Common Types of Worms in Cats? 

• Roundworms are the most common internal parasites in cats. Resembling spaghetti, adult worms are three to four inches long. There are several ways cats can become infected. Nursing kittens can get roundworms from an infected mother’s milk, while adult cats can acquire them by ingesting an infected rodent or the feces of an infected cat.
• Hookworms are much smaller than roundworms—less than an inch long—and reside primarily in the small intestine. Because they feed on an animal’s blood, hookworms can cause life-threatening anemia, especially in kittens. Hookworm eggs are passed in the stool and hatch into larvae, and a cat can become infected either through ingestion or skin contact. Please note, hookworms are more common in dogs than in cats.
• Long and flat, tapeworms are segmented parasites and range from 4 to 28 inches in length. An infestation can cause vomiting or weight loss. Cats acquire tapeworms by ingesting an intermediate host, like an infected flea or rodent. When cats are infected, tapeworm segments—actual pieces of the worm that resemble grains of rice—can often be seen on the fur around a cat’s hind end.
• Unlike intestinal parasites, lungworms reside in the lungs of a cat. Most cats will not show any signs of having lungworms, but some can develop a cough. Snails and slugs are popular intermediate hosts of this type of parasite, but cats are usually infected after eating a bird or rodent who has ingested an intermediate host.

Can I Catch Worms from My Cat? 
Yes! A large number of roundworm eggs can accumulate where cats defecate. People, especially children, who ingest such eggs can develop serious health problems, such as blindness. In fact, roughly 10,000 children are infected with roundworms each year. 

That information was taken from the ASPCA website.

**************************

So what shouldn't even need to be said, but obviously needs to be, is if your pet has worms, take them to the vet for treatment ASAP.  Homeopathic remedies are best left to other problems.  This is one time your cat needs medicine from the actual vet.  Each kind of worm requires specialized treatments, specific to that type.  Treating a cat for roundworm when they have tapeworms is just going to cost you money, and do nothing for the cat.  And every day your pet has worms, is a day you are exposing children to the risk of getting them.

For the record, I don't hate Worm Cat.  But I'll sure like him a lot better when he isn't putting my kids at risk.

Fabric Addiction?

So here it is.  I may or may not have some kind of addiction to fabric.  DON'T JUDGE ME!  ; )

The whole problem, you see (if you can call it a problem) is that I've had orders for diapers.  I have a woman who lives locally who is buying 5 newborn diapers from me.  Her daughter isn't even pregnant yet, so it's not a HUGE rush, but I'm still rushing.  LOL  I'm excited for her!  I think she sounds like an amazing momma, and the fact that she's already pumped about a baby that is yet to be conceived makes her wonderful in my eyes.  I love when I hear of parents that are that supportive.  I know that Momma-To-Be is going to have some great support from her awesome mom.  It's good for my heart to see that kind of love.  (This momma also bought her daughter a teething necklace from me as a gift for this baby...LOL.)  So sweet!

I also have a friend in the UK who wants one of the Hello Kitty print diapers in a size 5, and a friend who wants a different one in a size 4.

I'm excited!  I posted on my wall a status about "does this make me a dork?"  (The excitement.)  A friend posted "I get gramma, not dork though..."  LMAO!  Well, if loving fabric makes me a "gramma", I can live with that.

Assorted material.  Some flannel, some not.

These are my favorite!

Flannel

The plaids and top pink are flannel, the rest are for outer material.

I've found that buying material from local selling sites is a great way to get cheap material...from the comfort of my own dining room!  It's kind of bad though...it's too easy to buy a ton...which I have done.  LOL  And I also signed up for the members card at Fabric Land so I could take advantage of their 40% off sale in two weeks.  (OoOoh, I'm excited!  I'll be going in for more plain flannel.)

Anyways, I guess it could be worse, right?  Now all I need is somewhere to put all of this.  Maybe a couple new totes.  Or a new house...with a sewing room...Oh my goodness that would ROCK!