Trash Can -- Tuesday Tip

This is such a great idea and one you would never know about if you, like me, are allergic to cats.

Have you ever walked into your house and the first thing you smell is the kitchen trash can? Well, I have the best cure for you.

Put a little cat litter in the bottom of the trash can and a little in the bottom of the trash bag. Do this with any trash can that can get an odor--read bathroom.

You will find a new freshness at little cost. It's not Potpourri, so you will have to do something else to add a fun scent to your home, but this will sure get rid of that yucky one.

Mom will be there--Monday Memories

I wrote this in 1996.

It's funny how you think they will always be there. The first time I realized that feeling was when my Granner died and I walked in her kitchen and expected her to come bounding out of her bedroom singing a song, but she didn't and I had to inhale and smile and make the homemade chocolate chip cookies to put in the red pottery cookie jar for Digger. Digger was next and I realized he wouldn't answer anymore at 373-1688. Then Bert and there would be no more cowboy stories and there was no one to be with Mom. And Uncle Howard who wasn't even sick, he isn't there anymore to fix things when they break and squeeze Aunt Pat.

Then Jason and there would be no one to cause trouble at the family get-togethers. But now my Mom, she's not going anywhere. My Mom will always be here. I know, I don't worry, because she can kick the hell out of the world wearing high-heeled combat boots.

But I saw her through anxious eyes when she almost died and now I fear. I think I'll call her tonight and say, "Hi, Mom, when are you coming to visit? I miss you."

Get Closer to Your Kids--Thursday Thought

I found this in Woman's Day this month and thought it was worth repeating.

"In her new book, Real Solutions for Busy Moms, Kathy Ireland reveals how she does it:

Getting our three kids ready and off to school in the morning can be hectic. On those days, everyone feels a bit crabby and frazzled (including me). I have a rule for the car: Video games and cell phones, including mine, get turned off. Our drive to school takes about 12 minutes, and for that short period, I talk with the kids about what's going on in their lives. Sometimes we'll play word games too. By the time we arrive at school, frowns have turned into smiles, worries have faded away, and the kids are ready to tackle a new day. When we're in that bubble, we're insulated from the world's pressures. It our time to focus on each other."

I tried to find a link to it on the net, but no such luck so this credit is in lieu of a link.

Kindness Returned--What I Saw Wednesday

Sister Bailey is in the hospital. She has two adult young women living with her. When I went to the hospital to visit her, one of the girls was sleeping at the hospital to watch over her while the other girl held down a job and the house. Not knowing the family very well, I asked how they were all related. I was told they are not related, but that when these girls were very young Sister Bailey took them in at time when their parents were not parenting them and has cared for them all their lives.

Now, when Sister Bailey is alone, scared and sick, they are caring for her as she has cared for them.

Kindness is always returned.

Water Hose-Tuesday Tip

Here is a tip I read in Woman's Day...

You know how your graden hose will get a little pinhole in it and squirt water everywhere? To fix it, put a toothpick in the hole, break it off even with the rubber and wrap it with duct tape.

Sounds like it would work, doesn't it?

Mom-Monday Memory

I thought I would do a memory of Mom every Monday for the month of May...

My Mom is way kewl. She is 86 and still wearing high heels after 2 hip replacements. Her entire life is filled with exciting and fun experiences along with heartache and pain. Yesterday, her younger brother, Uncle Lynn died. I wish I could get her to blog, she could keep you in wrapped attention as you read about her fun-filled life.

Today's memory--

My mother was consistent in her discipline.

When I was 5 years old, we lived in Tucson. The family was planning a trip to Dairy Queen. On one particular occasion (though I'm sure not the only one), I had behaved so badly that my Mom told me if I didn't shape up, I would not get to go to Dairy Queen with the family and they would leave me home alone.

I was deathly afraid of being left alone.

As you guessed, I didn't shape up and the whole family got in the car and drove off. I can still see the scene. I sat on the counter in the kitchen where I could see out the window in the kitchen door. I just knew I was never going to see any of them again. I cried uncontrollably.

To me it was an eternity, I didn't know they only drove around the block. Mom tells me that the neighbor boy heard me crying and came over and stood by the kitchen door consoling me, which still makes her mad when she tells the story. I don't remember him being there.

I don't recall if I got ice cream or not, but I never forgot that when Mom said a punishment was coming, it came.

By the time I was 15, you would think I would have learned this lesson. Not so.

I wanted to sing in the choir. Mom warned me to behave when I was sitting in the choir seats. One particular Sunday, I was chatting with my friends during Sacrament Meeting and my Mom, who was sitting on the back row of the church, stood up in the middle of the meeting and said in a loud voice, "Sandra Conant, be quiet."

I melted down to the floor in embarrassment, but I can tell you this for sure, I never talk to my friends during a church meeting EVER AGAIN.

Craft it Forward

Remember this. There were only 2 takers. She responded and I made her this...

one more to go...