Category: MISC

UNCLOGGING DRAINS

Here is a recipe for a safe and inexpensive way to keep your drains clear and or unclog them as necessary. I have used it for years and it WORKS!!

1 cup baking soda
1 cup white vinegar

Pour the baking soda in the drain followed by the vinegar. Allow it to fizz for 20 minutes or so and then rinse with hot water.

I also do this to the shower heads when they start to clog.

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The Revival of Common Courtesy ~ Public and Professional Manners

Lucy over at LULU’S PETALS recently posted about her day trying to run errands and running into rude people and situations.

This was my comment to her: “I used to be just like you – I swear you described my day to a tee! Now I’m somewhere between you and Larry. I always try to remember what my dad taught me when I was little, If you have something negative to say, always start with a positive so you have their attention. I recently had a similar situation at a Walmart return desk. The ENTIRE transaction took place without the clerk uttering a SINGLE word to me. But she did speak to EVERYONE around her and taking time from what she was doing for me to help the other cashiers who were helping people from the line behind me. I was going to say something to her, but it was like a challenge to see if she was ever going to acknowledge me. All the while I’m staring at her name tag that says “Courtesy Associate” on it – you have to be kidding me? Anyway, I did stop and speak with the store manager saying something like, “I knew you’d like to know that while my return transaction was handled properly, it was not handled courteously” and then explained what transpired to him. You know what he did – he actually pulled her off and spoke with her! I was so surprised. I said something to him to make me feel better and my seething go away never truly expecting anything to come of it. I guess dad would be proud I tried his positive spin thing and it worked. LOL Then there was the time the cashier gave me a lecture on buying products from another specific country… so to answer your question I NOW speak up, but do it as nicely as possible trying to give the benefit of the doubt.”

I decided this would be a good food for thought to open up the theme of Public & Professional Manners which I am postponing until next week so I can celebrate my birthday with my family tonight. Thank you for understanding and I’ll see you all back here next week.

Future themes are:
September 23rd ~ Professional & Public Manners
September 30th ~ Travel & Tipping
September 7th ~ Interrelationships Manners
October 14th ~ Babies & Showers
October 21st ~ Engagements & Weddings
October 28th ~ Deaths & Funerals

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September Homemaking Shape-Up & Thank you

Barbara over at Candy Hearts and Paper Flowers has been hosting the Homemaking September Shape-Up. She had asked me to do some guest posts as well as other bloggers. I got this great package this morning, ON my birthday – she couldn’t have timed it better. It has a birthday card, a thank you card for a package I sent her and 1/2 of a Hallmark ornament set so we both have a 1/2, a CD of the songs to clean by and this great antique guide to entertaining (we may have to revisit some of the earlier posts on The Revival of Common Courtesy if I find some really good stuff). I can’ t wait to explore the great book.


Thanks again Barbara! I love it and it meant so much to me that you remembered.

Thank you everyone who stopped by
and wished me Happy Birthday.
It really means a lot to me.

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Honey Banana Whole Wheat Bread


Honey Banana Whole Wheat Bread
1 1/2 pound loaf

1/2 cup 1% milk, room temperature
1 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
3 tablespoons honey
1 egg, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cup bread flour
1 medium banana sliced
1 1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast

The beauty of bread machines is that they always want the same layering.
Liquids
Butter chunks, vanilla, egg & honey
Flour & Sugar
Yeast
The key to any good bread is using quality fresh ingredients.
Just remember, garbage in is garbage out.
Let your bread maker do the rest!

Don’t forget to come back and join us for the Bread Round-Up on October 15th.

Menu Plan Monday

9/15 MONDAY ~ Out for my birthday dinner
9/16 TUESDAY ~ Mexican Baja Casserole
9/17 WEDNESDAY ~ Spaghetti Bolegnese & Salad
9/18 THURSDAY ~ Sauteed Garlic Shrimp & Salad
9/19 FRIDAY ~ Meatloaf Muffins & Garlic Smashers
9/20 SATURDAY ~ Chicken and Onions in White Cream Sauce
9/21 SUNDAY ~ Beef Stew & Cheddar rolls

I do the memes: Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I’m an Organizing Junkie, Favorite Ingredient Friday hosted by Kathryn at Overwhelmed with Joy, Freezer Food Friday hosted by MJ at mjpuzzlemom, Scrumptious Sunday hosted by Meredith at Mercedes Rocks, Tasty Thursday hosted by Pumpkin Patch, Watchin’ What We Eat hosted by Lorie at Honey I Shrank Myself and Slow Cooking Thursday hosted by Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Doing them all make great additions to help keeping me on track and finding so new recipes!

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The Simple Woman's Daybook


HOSTED BY PEGGY
Outside My Window… a fog is hovering over the yard. It’s supposed to be cool and nice here today, but I can’t see it yet.
I am thinking… how fortunate I am to be celebrating another birthday in relatively good health.
From the learning room… like Sandra I will use this are for myself since I don’t home school. I am trying to learn additional patience to use with the increasingly patience trying people I am encountering of late.
I am thankful for… hubby healing well and all my family in Houston being safe.
From the kitchen… not much is going on this week out of the ordinary and we’re eating out for my birthday today so I don’t even have anything planned until tomorrow.
I am wearing… faded blue jeans and polo shirt, my normal Monday bowling team attire.
I am creating…a mess in the family room sorting out a few boxes that have been still packed since we moved in here. They never got unpacked because of the mold problem.
I am going… bowling, errands and then my favorite Thai restaurant with hubby.
I am reading… multiple cook books this week.
I am hoping… to clear a few problems from my desk this week.
I am hearing… nothing – what a glorious sound first thing in the morning.
Around the house… EVERYONE is asleep but me hence why it’s so quiet!! I love this time to myself.
One of my favorite things… the cool crisp air of fall, my favorite season. Pulling out the slippers instead of the thongs, exchanging shorts for sweats and wrapping in a blanket to get cozy. I even dressed my Meez in fall colors and she lit the fireplace for that at home cozy feeling.
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week: Finish sorting these boxes and get boxes and bags to local charity and getting this mop on my head cut into a decent haircut.
Here is picture thought I am sharing… I had just gotten this load out of the dryer and set it in the chair while I transferred the wet clothes to the dryer and started the next load. When I went back to take it upstairs to fold this is what I found… Even Sady is trying to snuggle in for fall.

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