Note to Monkeytot
Posted By Christina M on November 4, 2008
While I appreciate your generosity with the baby, I wish you would stop feeding him. Snickers bars and horseradish stroganoff are really not ideal baby foods.
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I am hot...
it just comes in flashes.
Whiteboard Idea
Posted By Christina M on October 31, 2008
I get these bees in my bonnet. When we’re lucky, they’re inexpensive or they pass. Today, it’s a moneysaving idea, and I’m looking forward to implementing it as soon as I get a chance to get out of the house. It’s a personal whiteboard for each kid old enough to read.
If you homeschool, you probably do whiteboards, too. Or if you have a big family, with kids who keep different schedules. Or if you’re looking for the perfect housekeeping “method” or chore chart. Today’s idea is simple. I go to Dollar Tree and buy some inexpensive frames that are hangable. If they don’t have hangable ones, I’ll buy a picture hanging kit there, too. We’re looking at maybe three bucks. I slip a thick piece of white paper or card stock into each one, and I hang them. Instapresto, white boards. They won’t stain like the ever popular tileboard (the stuff they make shower walls from) or those shiny cardboard signs. They can be washed, and it won’t ruin them. And they already come with a frame and ready to hang. One for each person, so I can write down chores when I think of them, or take phone notes, or whatever is needed. And they’ll be a whole lot more attractive than most commercial whiteboards that cost more. Dollar Tree usually has whiteboard markers, too.
Feel free to copy the idea or pass it on.
Everydae is Sundae
Posted By Christina M on October 31, 2008
Or it will be, soon. My apologies to the two or three readers who have glanced at both blogs, but I’m about to begin the process of shutting down Carmel Everydae and moving its contents gradually over here. The reason? I didn’t have the energy to keep up two blogs and actually try to get readers. And if nobody is reading, it would be easier to use a diary. I never really did anything to announce the other blog, so few people wandered over there. So if you are one of the few who was curious enough to see what I was posting over there (mostly money savers, helpful hints, and other Heloisey type things, I apologize for reposting here what you’ve read there. But the plus side is that it will increase the frequency of posting here.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled laundry.
Define "Slow Learner."
Posted By Christina M on October 27, 2008
Is it a person who has multiple children?
Only if the children were a mistake. Ergo, no.
Maybe the slow learner is the one who has a blessing… or is fortunate enough to have multiple blessings and still thinks only a slow learner would want to be so blessed.
Oooh, people who assume that children are a mistake really steam my Irish potatoes.
Note to Monkeytot
Posted By Christina M on October 23, 2008
I don’t think you’ll have much success slicing the cheddar cheese with a plastic wrench. Sorry. And no, you may not grab a sharp knife to do it with instead. And NO, the hunk is not for biting directly into.
Knife Holder
Posted By Christina M on October 18, 2008
I really like the idea behind this Schaschlik knife holder.
I’d never seen it before tonight, but as soon as I saw it, I could immediately see the usefulness, as well as the beauty. I do not, however, have any desire whatsoever to pay $125 for a knife block, no matter how much I like it.
Over at ReadyMade, they offer an alternative. It is homemade, and really very easy. But to be honest, I don’t care for the look of it. I know a 2-liter bottle when I see one, and I also know that they have three knobs on the bottom that make them less than stable for a long-term item.
I’ve been thinking about how I can reproduce the item for free or very cheap. (Let’s face it, the drawer my knives are currently in will be reachable by Curtain Climber very soon after he learns how to walk.) My thought is that it must be a wooden container, because I want it to be stable and less breakable than plastic. I also think wood is much more attractive, as evidenced by the two pictures above. My next thought is that this is really cheap to make, even with a wooden container. I happen to have a bread box that I think will work very well; but if I didn’t, a trip to Goodwill could easily provide me with some surprise container that would make my knife holder a unique piece.
I’m hoping to get around to making this; I’ll ask my daughter to take a picture I can share. If anyone reading this happens to like the idea and make one, please share a picture of your final piece. I just love the idea that by using a “vintage” container, each piece will come out different. I would love to post multiple pictures.
Catechism Highlights
Posted By Christina M on October 9, 2008
Some teaching worth reflecting upon as those of us in the United States prepare to vote:
Offshore Oil
Posted By Christina M on September 19, 2008
A word of explanation about my view. Yes, I want to see the development of alternative energy sources. I dearly want to see solar, electric, hybrid, and other sources explored. But those take time; and Nancy Pelosi has stated that she intends to keep prices of oil high deliberately in order to force the development of other energy sources. These measures cannot work to make any real difference, though, because they only harm the poor. The wealthy can afford gas. The middle and low income cannot, and it is they whose house payments depend on being able to afford the tank of gas to drive to work. These punitive methods espoused by Pelosi and her supporters only harm the poor, who are having the hardest time already in this difficult economy. It is rarely the poor who make policy, however. Pelosi herself can undoubtedly afford an alternative energy car. But can those who sell her groceries?
The Democratic party used to stand for compassion. I don’t think it does anymore.
Update on Oldest Daughter
Posted By Christina M on September 18, 2008
I’m sorry I didn’t update sooner, but I figured those who really wanted to know either had already been informed (family) or had read the news on the blog of my Charming and Patient Husband. But for anyone who may have been missed by these two methods, I wanted to let you know that Firstborn Grandchild was born mid-afternoon and in good health, by emergency c-section. We haven’t been able to see them yet, but they are in our prayers and hearts, and we can’t wait to meet him.
Thank you to all who prayed or sent good wishes, and may God bless Mommy, Daddy, and Baby abundantly with joy, good fortune, and the meeting of every need.
Prayers and news
Posted By Christina M on September 11, 2008
Just a quick prayer request for Oldest Daughter. Tomorrow she’s having labor induced. Please pray that everything goes well, and that it’s not too difficult. They’re also moving household, so please pray that the baby’s dad is able to be there when she gives birth.