Easy Way to Clean Silver Jewelry
January 26, 2012 by Stephanie · 3 Comments
I’m not that much of a girly girl, but am realizing that I can get away with wearing the same plain shirt and jeans quite often if I switch up my jewelry. Recently, my friend Jennifer’s (yes, I realize ALL my friends are named Jennifer..) mom started selling jewelry, which means I’ve started to buy more pieces.
I love my new jewelry, but find that real silver tarnishes much too quick for my liking, and I stop wearing it completely after a few months. After a bit of googling, I discovered the quickest and easiest way to wash it all at once to remove the tarnish: a salt water bath with aluminum foil. The hot water and salt loosens the dirt and grime, while the aluminum foil attracts the tarnish (for the super-geeky, this is an ion exchange), and it then wipes away from the jewelry (or silver pieces) easily with a soft towel.
This wiki post intrigued me, but it was the testimonials from this message board that won me over.
I would not use this method to clean jewelry with precious stones. All the stones I dropped in the solution were made from glass.
The Ingredients.
tarnished silver jewelry, silver pieces (flatware, etc) (I also threw in a hammered copper pendant, which cleaned beautifully)
aluminum foil
1 tablespoon table salt
hot water
glass container or jar
The Directions.
Fill a glass jar or container with hot water, and stir in a tablespoon of table salt. Make sure the salt has dissolved completely, and throw in a few (I did three) 1-inch aluminum foil strips. Add jewelry. Let soak for a few hours, stirring every so often to remove dirt (the water will get brownish in color).
Dry jewelry completely with a soft towel and store in a silver cloth or tarnish-free tissue paper to keep this from happening over and over and over and over and over again. Sigh.
The Verdict.
This worked much better than I expected it to– the dirt and tarnish just wiped away with the towel. I found some of my really badly tarnished chains needed to soak longer, but they still were ready to go in a few hours. I only wish I was gutsy enough to tie the crockpot in with this one…
Write On / Wipe Off Chore Charts
January 8, 2012 by Stephanie · 5 Comments
It’s 2012. I’ve spent the last four years of my life on the internet, and I love how I continue to learn new things. I developed a slight addiction to Pinterest over the holiday break (what? it was only supposed to last a week and I stretched it into a month? shhh. don’t tell anyone.) and learned that you can make ANYTHING into a white board with a cheap dollar store picture frame and a dry erase marker.
I think I’m in love.
The above frames were made in about 37 minutes. It took me a while to figure out the actual dimensions of the frame– 8 x 10 means that if you’re using a power point presentation you should size your project for 6.6 x 9.
You’re Welcome!
Another Thing to Note: the glass at the dollar store breaks really, really easily. I broke the glass on each of these frames, and ended up going out into the shed to find old pictures to steal the glass (one might of been from Adam and his college friends. oops.). I’d maybe find cheapish frames at Kohl’s or Target that match instead.
My kids don’t seem to care that I’ve written a housekeeping journal/planner, or have developed a clever acronym for decluttering. They also don’t care that I get thank you notes every day in my email box which continues to perplex my #butIhelpotherpeoplewhydoesntmyownfamilylisten crazy brain.
it’s okay. I’ve come to terms with it.
Anyhow, I wrapped these chore charts up and handed them to my 7 and 10-year-old daughters (their names are on the charts, but I’ve covered them with tape because I’ve promised Adam I won’t exploit the kids on the internet) as New Year’s presents.
My 10 year old rolled her eyes, but my 7-year-old was uber excited and got to work checking things off her list immediately. If you’re looking for a guideline for age-appropriate chores, this list is a good one. Our picture frame chore charts have now been in action for exactly one week, and so far so good.
How was your New Year’s? Any big ideas for 2012? Did you make a vision board?
it’ll be a good year. I promise.
Back to School, back to work
August 26, 2011 by Stephanie · 9 Comments
Photo inventory:
1 basket of clean laundry, unfolded and dumped on the living room floor
1 basket of clean laundry, folded and left on couch
2 “used” baby socks
2 brand-new shoes still bungee corded together
1 too-expensive rolling backpack
45 whole crayons; 3 broken
1 broken blue bead necklace (hanging from the couch cushion)
3 empty Target bags
and when I swivel away from the living space to look at the table:
Photo Inventory:
1 new lunchbox that is supposed to be used FOR SCHOOL ONLY
2 new BPA-free water bottles
1 water bottle ‘cozy’ that came with the lunchbox (completely unnecessary)
random leftover lunch stuff: sliced turkey meat, cut up apples, tortilla chips & hummus
1 abandoned laptop and 3 notebooks
1 very cheeky 19-month-old baby (helping herself to hummus)
106 new gray hairs
I mistakenly thought I could get some work done while the children played peacefully inside or frolicked in delight outside (isn’t that what children are supposed to do? Frolick?) . Yeah. I know.
delusional.
But you know what? This is real life. Not a glossy magazine. Stuff happens. Mistakes happen.
Life happens.
and it’s okay.
Give yourself a hug—- you’re doing a fantastic job. Already.
School begins for us on September 6th. I loved having everybody home with me for the summer, but I’m done. How are things going with you?
Time Management for Moms
June 29, 2011 by Stephanie · 14 Comments
I’m kind of fascinated by time management. I’ve lost count of the number of books I’ve read or listened to on tape/cd about this subject— probably well over a hundred. Whenever I have a moment or two in the library and I’m not stuck in the toddler corral, I wander into the business books and gather anything from the 658 or 332 shelves that I haven’t already read.
Most business books focus around time management and productivity. Productivity=money in business.
If you take a random poll while walking the streets, I’d venture to bet that most people wish they had more of 2 things: time and money.
I can’t really help with the money, but I can help free up some more time in your day.
Change Your Mindset.
This is probably the biggest obstacle to overcome–myself, included. If you have already decided that you don’t have enough time in the day to get it all done, you’ve defeated yourself before you’ve even begun. Don’t set yourself up for failure.
Remember when we talked about changing your vocabulary? This is the same thing. Decide that each day is a blank slate and schedule out what you want to accomplish.
Learn How to Say No.
Don’t agree to anything that doesn’t directly benefit your family. I know. It sounds callous, but if you don’t want to go to the class bowling party, don’t. RSVP no. Don’t lie– just say it’s not going to work out for you and leave it at that. If you don’t want to help organize the Church rummage sale, or arrive early to set up the chairs for the PTA meeting, don’t do it. It’s not healthy to say yes then run yourself ragged living up to a commitment you didn’t want to make in the first place.
Take back your time. Once you feel as if you’re in control of your time instead of outside influences being in charge, you can begin volunteering again.
Get Up Early.
When I suggest getting up early people sometimes freak out. In all the case studies I’ve read of successful people or people who “make it happen” they each have the same characteristic: they get up early. Usually at 5.
I know. I’m sorry.
I’ve done all the acronyms: SAH, WOH, WFH (stay at home, work out of the home, work from home) and I can absolutely-without-a-doubt credit getting up early as the key to a successful day. When I’m up in a quiet house, I feel peaceful. I love watching the sun rise while I sip my coffee, doing yoga without an audience, or going for an early morning walk or run. When I’m on a deadline, I use that hour or two to work.
In 2008 when I did the crockpot year, I got up at 4am most days. I was working from home doing 2 part time jobs, doing the crockpot stuff, and writing the first manuscript for the Totally Together Book. It was nuts, but I knew I needed to keep going. Once or twice a week I also did what I call the “split shift”: I went to bed at 8pm, then got up from midnight to 4am to work. I then slept till 7am when the kids woke me up.
The first week is the hardest, but it gets easier. I’d highly recommend putting the alarm clock on the other side of the room so you need to get all the way out of bed to turn it off. Once you’re out of bed it’s harder to climb back in (which every single day you’ll want to).
You Don’t Work 9 to 5, You Work 5 to 9
When my oldest was about 6 months, I listened to a time management book on tape which is what gave me the idea to make a day planner for moms. I emailed the Franklin Covey company and we corresponded a few times before they blew me off (they did send a 15% off coupon, though!) and I decided to create my own.
One of the lightbulb-moments I had while I was playing around with the project was the realization that I was trying to cram everything I needed/thought I needed to do between the hours of 9am to 5pm. I wanted EVERYTHING done for the day before dinner. I was under the misguided impression that the laundry, etc. should be completely finished before I watched TV or relaxed a bit. Once I started folding laundry during my tv goof-off hour (or whatever) I felt better; more whole.
This doesn’t mean that YOU, personally, need to do everything around the house—I’m a big fan of delegation and whole-heartedly believe that all of the chores should be divvied out among the children and the sexes.
Cut Yourself Some (lots of) Slack.
There are times in your life that will always be crazier than others. When you’re pregnant, nursing, not sleeping, sick, the kids are sick, on a huge work deadline stuff just isn’t going to run as smoothly as it does when everyone is on their A-Game. Know this and accept it. Life is not a contest, nor is it a picture-perfect spread in a design magazine.
You’re doing an awesome job. You really are.
The Daily 7 for a Highly Successful Household
PROM (purge, remove, organize, maintain)
How to Company Clean in 30 Minutes or Less
Time Management and Social Media: an oxymorom?
Wednesday, vacuum. dust. mop.
356
It’s another Wednesday. Chances are, you’re feeling run down and worn out. I’m sorry. Me too. Do a quick speed dust, vacuum, and mop today. Don’t obsess, just get it done—super quick. Delegate to the kids if they’re home. A lot of dust can be erradicated with a carton of baby wipes!
Today:
listen to fun music and sing really loud and off-key. just for fun.
three hundred and thirty
330
Hello! How was Thanksgiving? How do you feel? Are you tired and sluggish? Worn out and exhausted? or Excited and Exhillerated?
Are you black friday shopping?
I only did the black friday thing once. My friend picked me up at 4:30 and we went to Walmart. I didn’t buy anything but a 1.5 quart crockpot (and this was in 2005, way before I went crockpot-crazy) for $5. Score!
Today:
Holiday recovery. Drink some strong coffee, turn on upbeat music and get it done. Unload the dishwasher and load it right back up again.
clorox wipe or lysol the doorknobs, phones, remotes, and light switches.
Tuesday, November 23
November 23, 2010 by Stephanie · 2 Comments
327
Hello! Good morning! How are you today?
I’m helping the first grade make Stone Soup today, and I’m going to take the baby.
WHO IS WALKING.
at ten and a half months.
My hope is that she’ll just stay in the books/blocks area and I can still help the bigger kids with the cutting boards and knives. If not, I’m going to strap her in the stroller and continuously feed her pirate’s booty.
BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT GOOD MOMS DO!
bwhahahahaha!!
Today:
do the stuff you have to do
print out copies of Albuquerque the Turkey to sing at the table
find a few moments to yourself to chill
day 321 Wednesday
November 17, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
321
It’s the middle of the week—time to dust, vacuum, and mop. Do a bit better than normal this week, because next week you’re going to feel a bit frazzled. Take the cushions off the couch, and suck up the crumbs, and use the hose attachment under the furniture. Look up. Are there cobwebs anywhere?
Today:
A deadline is negative inspiration. Still, it’s better than no inspiration at all. ~Rita Mae Brown
Wednesday, clobber the clutter and cobwebs
314
Good morning! I’ve got stuff to read over on the crockpot site if you haven’t already seen it, and a giveaway at Totally Together Reviews.
just in case you think I’m slacking off over here…
HA!
Today:
remember on Ally McBeal she always had a theme song for the day running through her head? Pick out a good, upbeat song with a positive message to keep in your head today. I seem to go back and forth between We Are the Champions and the Chumbawamba song that goes “I get knocked down, but I get up again…”
Tuesday, run errands and all that other stuff you should do
November 9, 2010 by Stephanie · Leave a Comment
313
Good morning!
How did you do yesterday with the weekend recovery and PROMing the china/linen cabinet? Did you uncover any great treasure?
Today:
PROM the tupperware area and spice cabinet. Get rid of any spices that you don’t remember buying, or which have lost smell. If you can’t smell it, you won’t taste it! 
