Gross Things-Volume 1

For those of you who think I might keep a perfect house-it is now time for me to inform you that you are sadly mistaken. Over the next few days, I am going to get really real about what goes on in the Potholes and Pantyhose homestead.
Today, I am about to show you something that is rather embarrassing.

We have two very wonderful, but very furry kitties. I love the fur on their bodies. I don’t love it all over everything in my house. It’s gross.
But since they do super cute things like this, they are easily forgiven and doted over.

 

Change the scene to my sleeping habits. In typical girl fashion, I sleep under two extra blankets to Bicep’s one. Today was the day to wash aforementioned blankets.
I pulled what you see pictured here from my lint trap after blanket number one went through the dryer.

 

This is from one blanket. This is not built up over time. I clean out the lint trap with each load-I am totally anal about this.

 

This is disgusting. This is what I’ve been sleeping under.

 

This is pure fur.
The cats have managed to make a blanket for themselves out of their own fur.
It’s almost beautifully poetic, except that it is completely gross.

I almost didn’t show you this, for fear of judgement. But, it’s just too amazing though to keep to myself. I hope you enjoyed today’s “Gross Things-Volume 1”.

Don’t worry-there will be more Gross Things very soon.

Living Room & Dining Room Redo?

Last week, I guest posted a portion of this idea over at The Waffler–which is dedicated to helping people make decisions on anything they are ‘waffling’ about. I received some input on a few things I was ‘waffling’ about concerning my living and dining room.

But, here is the full and expanded version of just what is going on in my  silly little brain concerning remodeling our living and dining room. And, I need your help (in more ways than one….)

Here are my inspirations for my living room in a nutshell. But, I married a non-typical man that actually cares how his home is decorated. He has given me the green light to redecorate the joined living and dining room spaces.

This is the dining room at present. When we first moved into this house, we went very basic with the color choice in both of the rooms.

Here in the living room at present. I’m read for something a bit more bold, full of style and warmth.

Here are some more of my inspirations. And since the pictures deserve a bit more justice, I will now expand and explain.

(Courtesy Home and Decor)
This was the beginning of my inspiration-turquoise painted walls with orange accents. This was also the turning point for Biceps to be ok with adding a little bit of color to our home.

(Courtesy Cococozy)
I love these colors together and think I can pull it off in both rooms. The dining room chairs are presently a deeper orange than the above ‘cozy’, but you get the idea.

(Courtesy My Champagne Taste)
I loved the color of this room with the silver, black and fuchsia accents. My accents will be a bit more orange.

(Courtesy the Decorologist)
I am ready to dive in and paint the walls something similar to this color.

(Courtesy Brocade Home)
…throw up silver framed mirrors…

(Courtesy IPS Albania)
…and add a chandelier made from my backyard twigs and a brass light fixture spray painted white.

Here is where I need your help:
Do I keep the black couch in the living room (will it match the blue walls?) and the rugs that are currently in both of the rooms?

I think the orange chairs I already have will go with the turquoise walls-do you?

I would like to add window coverings-probably a soft ivory with a geometric border. What do you think?

Let me know what you think. I need you!
I don’t want to let Biceps down-he’s depending on me to make some good decisions. Once I see that turquoise on the wall, I may just loose it…..

Thanks -I can’t wait to hear what you have to say.

Organic Dishwasher Detergent

I am on a month long challenge to slowly rid our house of anything with nasty chemicals and large price tags. Just recently, I shared my Recipe for Facial Moisturizer.

I am concocting my own household replacements with little more than what I have on hand or what I can find at the organic market.

But the replacements must meet or exceed three important expectations for this frugal gal:
1. It must be easy to replace-no beakers or science lab experiments. Thank you.
2. It must be just as good or better than the current product I’m using and,
3. It must cost the same or less than the current product I’m using.

photo source unknown

If the product I create passes the final test-me using it for over two plus week to make sure it doesn’t stink-then I’ll be sharing it with you. I will break down the cost for you, provide you the recipe and give you my honest opinion of the final product.

Without further ado: here is Phase 2 of ridding my house of chemicals-Organic Dishwasher Detergent.

Although this Organic Dish Detergent isn’t as cheap as the current “Best Choice” Dish detergent I’ve been using, I can rest easy knowing I’m not putting chemicals down my drain-and it cleans my dishes better.

The “Best Choice” ends up being about $.15 per load, whereas this recipe will cost about $.25 per load. I’ll show a detailed breakdown at the end of this post.

Here’s what you’ll need to make your very own Organic Dishwasher Detergent:

4 C Liquid Castille Soap (I found mine at Whole Foods for the same price you can buy it online)
1 C White Vinegar
1 C Water
1 TBS Lemon Juice
1 tsp Tea tree oil

1 Recycled Squirt Top Bottle (I used a 55 oz Ketchup Bottle)

Start by pouring the 4 Cups of Castille, 1 Cup Water and 1 Cup Vinegar into the squirt bottle.

I recommend using a funnel.

Next, add the 1 TBS Lemon Juice.

Lastly, add 1 tsp (about 7 drops) of Tea Tree Oil.

Screw the cap onto the bottle and shake thoroughly.

Make a cute label for your detergent and store in the refrigerator. Use about 2 TBS per load.

That’s it. Pretty dang simple.

Here’s the financial breakdown:

$10 for 32 oz of Castille Soap
$2 for 32 oz of Lemon Juice
$13 for 2 oz of Tea Tree Oil
$2.40 for 1 Gallon of White Vinegar

Needed per 6 Cups/50 ounces:

4 Cups of Castille Soap= $10
1 Cup of Water= free
1 TBS Lemon Juice= $.03
1 tsp Tea Tree Oil= $2.16
1 Cup White Vinegar=$.15

TOTAL = $12.34 or $.25 load

My Detergent=$7 for 75 oz (need 3 TBS per load/49 loads)=$.15 per load

Linking up to this party, amongst others:

Eleven Questions and a Throwback to Highschool Times

One of my favorite blogs to read is The Bold Abode, written by a weirdo lady named Gwen. She is so weird, she even likes me. Or at least she puts up with me. At any rate, she invited me to do this throwback “answer-these-questions-and-pass-it-on-to-others” thingie.

I mean, who doesn’t like to talk about themselves? I think that’s the reason blogs exist, aren’t they?

Mine exists because I had to expel some creative energy when I finished a project. Oh, and also because the world needs to know about my weirdo cats and my awesome husband, Biceps. But, I’m the exception to every rule, right?

Here are the strict rules that Gwen, “The Gestapo” demanded of me and others involved in this thingie.

RULES
**You must post the rules
**Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you & then create 11 questions to ask the people you’ve tagged
**Tag 11 people and link them in your post
**Let them know you have tagged them

So, here are the questions from Gwen and my answers:

1. What’s on your iPod/Mp3 player right now?
This man is always playing some little ditty at my house. I cannot live without Antonio Carlos Jobim. (Photo Source)

2. What do you do when you get stressed?
Say I’m building a shed and it’s 114 degrees out and I’ve hit my hand once again with a drill/hammer/piece of wood. And, I’m hungry and have to pee. Say that’s all happening and it might be a little stressful. That’s when I do this and goof off.

3. E-reader or good, ole, printed book?
Please, sister. Printed book, fo sho.
Especially if it’s written in ancient German. I like the challenge. (Photo Source)

4. If you could cure ONE disease, what would it be?
Cancer.

5. What is your earliest memory?
The orange carpeting in our third story apartment in Germany. It looked something like this (thanks Plaid Stallions) and my parents looked something like this back then. Life was pretty much awesome.

6. Has a movie made you want to get up and walk out of the theatre?
Oh yes-and I did. The movie “Jade”, which I knew nothing about. My date chose the movie and I wanted to look cool. But, I almost threw up in the opening scene and walked out. I had to wait in the lobby until the movie was over and he then drove me home. I was never asked out by that butt munch again-and I say, good riddance.

7. If you could have a private conversation with Madonna, what would you tell her?
I would ask her if she knew that Jesus loves her, forgives her (just like he did for me), has died for her and rose again and-that he wants her back. (Photo Source).

8. If you could have a do-over on your wedding, what would you change?
Alive Butterflies instead of dead ones being released. That would be nice…(Photo Source)

9. What would you do if Publisher’s Clearing House showed up on your front step with that super-huge check?
Pay off Sallie Mae (Photo Source) ,

pay off our rent houses and our home mortgages,

and then buy this.

10. What is your biggest flop to date?
I can’t honestly think of one. I usually cover up my flops so no one knows what a screw up I am and re-invent them into something pretty, pretending that was my intention all along. (Photo Source)

and last, but not least…

11. What’s the BOLDEST thing you’ve ever done?
I live in boldness. Just ask Biceps.

Thanks so much Gwen, for including me in this insanity. Now, here are my questions:
1. If you had to choose one over the other for the rest of your life, House Shoes or High Heels?
2. What was the worst meal you cooked and who had to eat it?
3. What was the best meal that you cooked and who got to eat it?
4. It’s a perfect 65 degrees outside, with a blue sky, the kids are at Grandma’s and you have nothing on your calendar. What do you do?
5. When was the last time you updated your bio picture?
6. What is the first concert/live show you ever attended, how old were you and who were you with?
7. What is the most embarrassing piece of clothing that you still own and wear?
8. If someone looked through your purse, what would they find?
9. When was the last time that you cursed and what was the reason?
10. What’s your greatest accomplishment in life, sans kids?
11. What famous person do you feel a kinship to-past or present?

Here are the peeps that I’m tagging:

Allison at The House of Hepworths
Molly at The Waffler
Tara at The Trendy Treehouse
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors
Leigh at Tales from Bloggeritaville
Jamie at C.R.A.F.T.
Kristen at Ladybug Blessings
Mindi at Bacon Time
Maggie at Passionately Artistic
Amy at One Artsy Mama
Julie at Just Wingin’ It

That’s it!