Google Reader: Info You Should Know!

I am writing a special Saturday post because I've recently

stumbled upon some information that will really help my fellow bloggers.

We are all so sad to see Google Reader go and have been

diligently working on guiding our followers to Bloglovin' or 

some other type of reader service.

Here's the deal...

Google Reader and Google Friend Connect are NOT the same!

You will continue to have your list of followers and your reading

list on your Blogger dashboard.

To see what is leaving us, go to reader.google.com

Chances are you've never even used it. Mine wasn't even set up.

Google Reader is an RSS feed reader similar to Bloglovin' where

you can add all blogs you follow and read them in one place.

When you follow a blog via GFC, that blog is placed in Google Reader

AND your Blogger Reading List. Your Blogger Reading List will still be

there after July 1st, as well as the GFC widget on your blog.

Now, don't be surprised if Google gets rid of GFC next. They are really

trying to get everyone to switch over to Google+ for everything.

But for now, it stays.

I hope this clears up some confusion for you all.

I know I was relieved to learn this!

Be sure to share this information with your bloggy friends!

uSwim

I have to share this pretty cool site I found.

When my husband deployed in the summer of 2011,

I had a bright idea to teach my kids how to swim.

That's when I found this site.

 

Note: As I'm writing this, the site is not working. But try again later, trust me, its worth it! 

Or add them on facebook! https://www.facebook.com/uSwimLessons

I was pregnant with our 3rd child in 2011,

I don't know what I was thinking.

Teach my kids how to swim...

ain't nobody got time for that!

Anyway!

Two years later, I am actually going to teach them how to swim.

Every summer I plan on putting them in swim lessons

but for one reason or another it just doesn't work out.

Now that I actually have my husband home and

I'm not pregnant, I feel like we can do this thang!

It is a completely free instructional website out of Australia.

Their lessons are very easy to follow. They have videos

for every step of the way. There are printable lesson plans

available to take with you to the pool. And when your child

completes a level, they get a certificate!

My 6 year old should know how to swim by now.

My 3 year old is fearless and loves the water.

I think by following uSwim's guidelines, we will have

some official swimmers on our hands really soon!

We took the kids to the pool yesterday and started

teaching them how to hold their breath under water.

By the time we left, my timid 6 year old was able to go

completely under the water for a few seconds on her own.

My 3 year old was also holding his breath for a few seconds

but had a hard time staying under water without laughing!

We plan on being in the pool A LOT to get them

comfortable with being in the water.

 

You never know when they will need to use this valuable skill.

I hope you find uSwim as useful as I did!

Ps. No one paid me to tell you this lol

The Dirty

A few weeks ago I asked you to participate

in a survey about germs. I was very curious what people

knew about germs and how they handled them in their own lives.

I've been reading up, and although I feel like I knew most

of this stuff, a few facts really took me by surprise.

How often do you replace your toothbrush?

 Once a month: 6.67%

Every few months: 66.67%

Once a year: 0%

Whenever I feel like it needs to be replaced: 26.67%

I hardly ever remember: 0%

The American Dental Association recommends replacing your

toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. I'm pretty good about following

this guideline, although I usually have to replace my toothbrush for

other reasons, like my baby put it in the toilet.

How you store your toothbrush is also very important in the

amount of germs it contains. If you keep your toothbrush uncovered

near your toilet, particles from the toilet end up on your toothbrush every

time you flush. If you keep a cap on your toothbrush, the moist environment

harbors bacteria. The ideal way to store your toothbrush is upright in a cabinet,

or away from the toilet, where it can dry completely between brushings.

 How often do you wash/replace the bed sheets?

Once a week: 13.33%

Every other week: 40%

Once a month: 20%

When they're dirty: 13.33%

I hardly ever remember: 13.33%

More than once a week: 0%

To be completely honest, I am a once-a-monther. I know its not as much

as it should be, yet this seems to be manageable for me at the moment.

I am responsible for 4 beds in this house. I have it mentally noted that the 1st of

the month means clean bed sheets for all. However, I always wash sheets after

someone has been sick. And I always use the sanitize setting on my washer.

 Once a week is ideal for bed sheet washing. Your sheets quickly build up

with dust mites, body oils, sweat, saliva, and dead skin cells (your body sheds

about a million a day and dust mites feed off of them!) Keeping all of this in check

with a weekly hot wash can reduce sickness and allergies. It is also recommended

to wash your pillows at least twice a year since it is perfect breeding grounds for bacteria.

Hmm maybe I can boost this up to twice a month.

What do you think carries the most bacteria in a hotel room?

Shower floor: 6.67%

Remote control: 80%

Bed sheets: 13.33%

Bathroom sink: 0%

Well you guys got this one right. The remote control, as well as the light switches,

door handles and telephone are the germiest places. Almost everything in a hotel

room is disgusting in one way or another, but the room cleaners pay particular attention

to disinfecting the bathrooms and beds. Wiping down door handles and remote controls

are low on the priority list.

To protect yourself in a hotel room, bring sanitizing wipes and wipe down everything

when you arrive. If the bed has a bedspread, remove it, these are not routinely washed.

You can request an extra blanket if you are cold. Inspect the mattress for bed bugs before

you sleep in it. Wear socks or slippers at all times. And one last thing, don't ever use 

the whirlpool tub! "In one study, 100 percent of water samples taken from whirlpool tubs 

 tested positive for agents that can cause rashes, urinary-tract infections, or pneumonia. 

The pipes of the whirlpool, rather than the tub itself, are where the germs hide." (cbsnews.com)

True or False: The spice rack is actually one of the most

germ-free places in your kitchen because of the sanitizing

properties of many spices.

True: 33.33%

False: 66.67%

This one is false. Not really in need of an explanation, just curious to see what you thought.

Just don't forget to wipe down those jars every now and then since you sometimes

use spices while handling uncooked foods. 

 Out of 60 outdoor playgrounds swab tested, how many do

you think came back positive for fecal matter?

25 percent: 0%

50 percent: 0%

75 percent: 40%

100 percent: 60%

I guessed 75% on this one. The answer is 100%!!! This one took me by surprise.

I know germs are prevalent wherever kids are involved, but since the question

was about an outdoor playground, I was thrown off. Although sun-lit play structures

typically have fewer germs than shady ones, dirty kids are everywhere. Keep your

babies safe by washing hands or sanitizing immediately after play, especially before 

they eat anything. 

 Help your kids stay healthy and prevent the spread of germs by...

1) Establishing healthy handwashing habits. Wash at appropriate times and

wash correctly. Teach them to sing the ABCs the whole way through.

 2) Making sure they cover when they cough or sneeze. Even better, teach 

them to use their arm. Sneezing or coughing into your hands and then 

touching things doesn't make much sense. It is now recommended to use 

the crook of your arm to keep the spread of germs in check.

 

Wordless Wednesday

Live Your Dash

Last week we attended my husband's cousin's high school graduation.

It was a nice ceremony. She had like 1,000 kids in her class.

I don't think that number is accurate but it felt like it.

There were numerous speakers and speeches from faculty and students,

but one speech really caught my attention. One of the teachers recited

a poem that had great meaning to him. It's a poem called "The Dash".

You might have heard of it.

I hadn't until this moment.

But wow. It struck me.

What amazing words to live by. This poem speaks to everyone, no matter

who you are. It makes you think about your life and what you are doing with it.

It makes you think of people who have passed away and how they spent their time here on earth.

It made me think of my sweet Sam Bam who I am still grieving over.

I wish I had known about this poem when she passed away,

I would have read it at her services.

I feel empowered to share this, hoping it reaches you the way it reached me.

The Dash

By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth

And now only those who love her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

The cars…the house…the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

And more often wear a smile…

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

- See more at: http://www.helpothers.org/story.php?sid=12176#sthash.IeSPrhtz.dpuf

The Dash
By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
And spoke of the following date with tears,
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who love her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
The cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect
And more often wear a smile…
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is read
With your life’s actions to rehash
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

The Dash

By Linda Ellis

I read of a man who stood to speak

At the funeral of a friend.

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

From the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

And spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all

Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

That she spent alive on earth

And now only those who love her

Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,

The cars…the house…the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard;

Are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough

To consider what’s true and real

And always try to understand

The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger

And show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

Like we never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect

And more often wear a smile…

Remembering that this special dash

Might only last a little while.

So when your eulogy is read

With your life’s actions to rehash

Would you be proud of the things they say

About how you spent your dash?

- See more at: http://www.helpothers.org/story.php?sid=12176#sthash.IeSPrhtz.dpuf

Chicken Fried Rice {Recipe}

So I whipped up this little gem of a dish a few

weeks ago and I was very pleased with the ease

and tastiness it possessed, so I felt I had to share it.

Fried rice.

I've never tried making it on my own, this was the first time.

I found a couple different recipes online and mashed them together.

Obviously this isn't a very labor intensive recipe, which is

a big reason why I love it. I love it cheap and easy.

Oh and you've probably guessed, this isn't my picture.

Chicken Fried Rice

2 tbs sesame seed oil

4 servings of cooked brown rice

2 cups cooked chicken, cubed

(marinated for 30 min in equal parts honey & soy sauce, 1 clove of chopped garlic)

2 green onion, chopped

1 clove of garlic, chopped

1 1/2 cup frozen peas & carrots

3 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup butter

1/2 cup soy sauce

1) Heat oil in pan on medium high. Cook chicken and remove from pan for later.

2) Saute garlic and green onion for one minute. Add peas and carrots and butter

and heat until veggies thaw, stirring continuously.

3) Push veggies to the side of the pan and cook the eggs. When eggs are done,

add the chicken and mix it all together.

4) Add the soy sauce. Then add rice, by the spoonfuls, and fry until all ingredients

are well blended. 

Add this to your quick and easy weekday meal list!

Wordless Wednesday

Smart Snacking

I saw this on Pinterest and knew I had to copy it...

My kids are snackers.
I try to make good decisions when shopping for their snacks.
The cheapest and most convenient snacks are typically the unhealthy ones too
so I've really had to pay attention. 

I've always kept a bowl with a mixture of easy grab foods for them.
It usually contains individually packed crackers, cookies, boxes of raisins,
fruit leather, and granola bars. I try to stay away from gummies and crap snacks.

This fridge idea opened up a whole new realm of possibilities for my little ones snacking needs.
I don't know why I didn't think of this before!

I splurged a little on the packets of apples and guacamole but I figured they were worth it. 

Although the bowl of mixed goodies stays on top of the fridge and they only get
access to it once or twice a day, this one is a little more accessible so I added baggies of
prewashed fruits and veggies so I don't feel bad about how much they decide to eat. 

If you have any ideas of convenient healthy food I can keep on hand
in our snack bowl or in our fridge box let me know!

Survey :)

I'd like to collect some responses for a future post.

Please answer the questions honestly and without cheating!

All answers are anonymous :)

Thanks!

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey , the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Home Management Printables

I have decided to make my home management printables

FREE for everyone.

I will be working on more pages for our HMBs so keep an eye out for those.

Enjoy!

(Click the link below the picture to see the doc)

HMB Title Pages 

Daily Schedule

Bill Schedule

Expense Tracker

Menu Planner

Shopping List

 Debt Snowball Worksheet

Let Them Be Little

A few days ago, I shared this picture on my personal Facebook page...

It gave me a little bit of a reality check and since then I have been

seeing my children in a different light.

It also reminded me of a song I heard during a MOPS meeting back when

we lived in Oceanside. Our guest speaker sang "Let Them Be Little" which

was another eye-opening moment for me as a new parent.

If you haven't heard it, here's Lonestar's version...

     I'm writing this post because I want all of us parents  to remember that these babies will not be babies for long. I feel like we all need that reminder from time to time.   Don't get so caught up in raising them that you take all the fun out of being a kid!  

When my kids look back on their childhood some day, I want them to

remember the day mom let them throw Styrofoam peanuts all over the house
and then we "fed" them to Mr. Vacuum. Or the time we had ice cream sundaes for dinner because it was too hot to cook. (Hasn't happened yet, but now I think it might!)   Before we know it our kids will have to face the serious parts of life, why not let them enjoy this time while they have it? I'm really guilty of letting the tired-me get the best of me.

I get impatient, I get annoyed, they ask me to read a story or play

a game and I reply with "Not right now, Mommys tired".

 One thing my kids LOVE to do that really annoys me is they pretend the

vacuum is a monster. They stand in front of it and run away screaming when

it gets close to their feet. They do it every single time I vacuum and it makes

doing the chore that much more difficult for me. I usually shoo them away 

or tell them to go find something else to play with but this week I realized, why not?
Why not pretend the vacuum is a monster?

They will only be kids once, and who are they hurting?

I'm knocking their fun and imagination because it inconveniences me.

That's what it comes down to.

So I encourage all you parents to loosen up a little.

Ask yourselves "Why not?" a little more often...

and let them be little :)

Wordless Wednesday

Cowboy Country Calico Baked Beans {recipe}

I'm not really sure what to call this recipe.

Its adapted from a few different recipes in my Fix-It and Forget-It cookbook.

My mom would make these beans often when I was growing up.

I remember them almost always being served with a ham at Christmas time.
It was always one of my favorite dishes and I just recently started making it
for my own family. It's great for BBQs and potlucks!

Oh, and this isn't my picture. Its a picture I googled. But it is a picture of
beans, and it looks almost exactly like these CCCBBs. That's my new acronym too.
I don't think it works.

Cowboy Country Calico Baked Beans

1lb bacon, cooked and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
2lb can pork and beans
16oz can Great Northern beans
16oz can butter beans
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 tsp salt
2tbs apple cider vinegar
1tbs prepared mustard

Combine all in a slow cooker and cook on low 5-6 hours.
That's it!

And just FYI, for those of you who don't know (like me) butter beans
might be found near canned vegetables, not with the beans.

Finding Normal Pt 2

Lets try this again.

Apparently I wasn't ready for "normal" the last time I posted.

I'm hoping for a better, more successful month this time.

I wasn't a complete fail during May though.

I was also preparing for my husband coming home from deployment!
For some reason, that takes a lot of time and energy.

Mostly cleaning.

But yes, my husband is back! After 6 long months, we are a family again.

I did get to complete some of things I listed last time, 

so lets get caught up...

1) Place a Scentsy order before I get kicked out.

2) Drink more water since I've been living off of energy drinks.

3) Start making my smoothies again since I've been eating like crap.

4) Replant some of my plants in my garden since I've been neglecting them.

5) Reseed my front yard so it has a chance to grow before hubby gets home.

6) Finish up my laundry room makeover that I've been majorly slacking on. (almost done!)

7) Plan out the rest of Kayden's school work for this year and purchase next year's curriculum.

 8) Wash and FOLD every single piece of laundry in this house.

9) Get back on my cleaning schedule since it's been screwed up entirely these past few weeks.

10) Start over with TurboFire.

I also plan on getting back to daily posts. I love being part of the
blogging community and I missed it!

I hope I still have some readers! lol