WFMW: Chit-Chat While You Work!

It's the Works-For-Me Wednesday Best Cleaning Tip Edition!

I have to say that I learned one tip from a friend that changed my cleaning life incredibly. (Thanks, Casi!) We would talk on the phone for hours at a time. I would sit down to do my talking. But not her, she'd name off all the things she got done while we talked! It was amazing!

I dove into it and purchased a cordless phone that has a jack for a headset and a headset to go along with it. I wear an apron with a pocket to hold the phone and my hands are totally free to clean, clean, clean while I pass the time chatting with friends and family.

Not only do I get a lot more done, the chores aren't so tedious and mundane. If you do the rote chores (the ones you can do without thinking---um . . . that would be most of them) like making beds, loading dishwasher, cleaning the bathroom, etc., you can get everything done while talking and you can't even remember doing them! It's totally awesome!

Another added bonus with the headset is that you totally lose that ache in your neck from trying to hold the phone on your shoulder. That was a huge blessing for me personally.

Check out other cleaning tips at We Are That Family!

Happy Cleaning!
Mama Said

Works For Me Wednesday: Cut Down on Stair Climbing!

I get so sick of running up and down the stairs! You'd think I would be skinny-minny as much as I run up and down and up and down! I've always said I wish, I wish with all my might that I could just keep BFG's clothes downstairs esp. since she won't go upstairs by herself. Aaaaagh!

Another frustrating point in my life is when Rhett is "helping" me by giving BFG her bath, but always comes to me and asks, "Where's her pajamas?" which translates into me having to stop what I am doing and run up the stairs and get her stuff together to give him to have him help me. Can you see why I'm sick of this? It doesn't even make sense!

So, when we redid our bathroom and I was wondering what oh what to put in the vanity drawers, the Lord blessed me with a great idea! I decided to put BFG's pajamas, socks, and undies in one of the bathroom vanity drawers.

It works out perfect! Rhett has everything he needs for bath time. If undies need to be changed during the day, there they are--right downstairs where we need them! And there is no "whoops, I forgot your socks" and running upstairs when trying to leave when we are already running late! Or if socks get wet in the creek--Voila! All solved!

Works for me,

Mama Said

Works For Me Wednesday: Deodorant for $6.00/Year

Are you sweaty? Do you notice a little odor no matter what deodorant you use? Do you have to switch brands frequently just to keep the smell down? Do the thoughts of using aluminum products scare you about breast cancer, but the thoughts of going deodorant & antiperspirant-free scare you even more? Do you get in-grown hairs in your pits? Are you a cheap-o like me and hate shelling out the cash for brand-name deodorants?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, what works for me is the solution for you! One of my friends turned me onto this: Walgreens sells one of those crystal rock deodorant sticks for just $5.99! (Well, their website says $6.49, but it was cheaper at my home store.) I had been looking at one with an online company that costs $16.00 + shipping! Rhett gets eczema real bad under his arms and we think we've linked it to his deodorant.

But I ended up getting this for me after my friend's comments. No, she didn't say I smelled or anything. She just had rave reviews of this product. And I have to agree, it works great! And I answer yes to all the above questions! This product has solved all of those problems! Plus, it says one crystal deodorant stick can last up to a year! Some of the reviewers say it lasts 3 to 5 years!

Do I still sweat? Yeah, but not like before and it's different somehow. Like cleaner, fresher and not as much. Like maybe before my body was having a chemical reaction to all the chemicals and crap in regular deodorant. I know that sounds weird. I thought so when my friend talked about it, but try it and you'll see.

Now, I will say if I'm out moving boxes in 85 degree weather or something . . . yeah, I'm gonna get a little stinky. Um . . . but that's not any different from when I used regular deodorant. In fact, I could guarantee on any given summer day even if I stayed inside that I would stink. With the stone, all I have to do is wet it and reapply and I'm fresh again!

Or at least I hope so! Wouldn't that be terrible if I really was smelly but I had just gotten used to the smell and didn't know it? LOL! Oh, well! So far, I haven't had any complaints!

Mama Said

Works For Me Wednesday: Frugal Antacid

I tried something new the other day and it worked! So, I thought I'd share with ya'll . . .

We all know baking soda has so many uses that it is just insane! But I never knew it could be used as an antacid!!! I'll spare you the story of my stinky shoes and how the baking soda box ended up sitting by my bath tub and I just happened to read it because I was trying to linger in my bath rather than face the reality of my messy home and sick family. Horrible, I know; but it did come in handy later.




Anyway, a few nights later, I was experiencing some nausea like I do frequently (due to my endometriosis I think) and decided to bust out the baking soda treatment! It worked! I felt better within 5 or 10 minutes! No kidding! Click on the pic above which will link you to Arm & Hammer's FAQ and you can find the details on how to use it for heartburn, acid indigestion, sour stomach, and upset stomach. They say to dissolve 1/2 tsp. into 4 oz. of water. I just used 1/4 tsp into 2 oz of water and it still worked for me! BTW, they make a big point of warning the consumer to be sure the baking soda is dissolved before drinking. I don't know if your belly explodes if you don't or what, but thought I'd mention it just in case you don't click over there and see the warning for yourself. But, everyone should read the "drug facts" because using this way is using it as a medicine.

No more being up late at night kicking myself for forgetting to buy the Tums!

Hope this helps someone,
Mama Said