Dusting
Try dusting cloth lampshades, walls, collectibles, window shades, or even ceiling fans with a swiffer duster. It works quickly and effectively without the hassle of a vacuum. The swiffer is also a great alternative to using dusting polishes on wood surfaces and enviromentally friendly.
Windows and Mirrors
Use old newspapers to clean mirrors and windows. You'll have a great disposable cleaning rag and be recycling at the same time. Vinegar is an inexpensive easy cleaner that can be used on windows and mirrors. To prevent streaking and extra rubbing, wait for an overcast day to clean your mirrors and windows.
Cleaning Out the Microwave
Bring a cup of water to boil in the microwave, the steam will help loosen dried on particles making them easily wiped away.
Scrubbing the Toilet
Put toilet cleaner in the toilet to soak while you wipe down the outside. Inside dirt and stains will be loosened and more easily cleaned. Buy a drop-in toilet cleaner dispenser, to increase the time between needed cleanings.
Cleaning Out the Refrigerator.
Briefly clean out trash and bad food each trash day morning. It only takes a few minutes to dump the stuff, and will clear out space to make cleaning easier. Use baking soda to wipe down the inside of the refrigerator. It scrubs and eliminates odors without damaging surfaces.
Cleaning Out the Oven.
On nights when you get take out, take a few moments and spray the inside of the oven with oven cleaner. Then after dinner, or the next morning if your stains are tough, you’ll be able to wipe away the dirt and grime easily, without missing the use of your oven.
Filing Paperwork
Make filing time coincide with a favorite show that you feel guilty for taking time to watch. Most filing can be done with little thinking, and you’ll get to watch your favorite show in the process. Sort the papers into categories based on your file names. Don’t forget to include trash. You’ll be surprised how much of the pile you won’t need to keep.
Laundry
Make each person responsible for washing, drying, and putting away their own clothing. Write and post some basic instructions in the laundry room. Have a trial period where your trainees assist you with their clothing.
Washing Dishes
Let the person who is in charge of washing the dishes, get to pick out dessert. When you begin cooking, run a sink of hot soapy water, and wash as you go. Food on dishes won’t have a chance to harden, and you’ll be that much ahead when the meal is done. Keep a supply of disposable plates, flatware, and cups. On nights when you’re overwhelmed by double-header Little League games on the same night as PTA, you won’t have to worry about dishes. Washing dishes can be a great time to have a parent interview with a child you need to reconnect with. The job may not go more quickly, but you'll be accomplishing a lot more than clean dishes.
Clearing Clutter
Find a local charity to donate items to prior to a clutter clearing session. Some charities may even be able to pick up your donations at a prearranged time, saving you a trip. Label various storage containers before you begin to sort your clutter. A label makes placing items in the right category a much easier task. Go through and grab obvious trash as the first step. Once the trash is gone, it makes it easier to see what you want to keep, and just how much stuff you’ll need to get rid of.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
To Dye or Not to...
What is eyelash dye?
Eyelash dying products use the same kind of dyes as permanent hair colors. These chemicals are referred to as “oxidative dyes” because they must be mixed with an oxidizing agent (usually hydrogen peroxide) before they will work. The oxidizing agent causes the dye molecules to polymerize, or link together, to create intense shades.
Why is dying lashes dangerous?
Oxidative dyes are very reactive chemicals and can induce an allergic reaction in some people that causes painful rash or even blistering. That’s why permanent hair colors instruct you to test the product on a small spot of your skin before applying it to your scalp. (Not many people do it, but read the label on your Clairol or L’Oreal dye and you’ll see it.) Since your eyes are even more sensitive than your scalp, an allergic reaction there is much more dangerous. There have been a few cases, dating back to the 1930s, of women being blinded (and even killed!) from allergic reactions to these kinds of dyes.
That’s why the U.S. FDA says these dyes represent “an acute, severe hazard to health with the possibility of permanent injury; i.e.,impaired sight, including blindness.”
“Permanent eyelash and eyebrow tints and dyes have been known to cause serious eye injuries, including blindness. There are no color additives approved by FDA for permanent dyeing or tinting of eyelashes and eyebrows.”
There are salons in the US that still offer this service but they’re just that are just ignoring the law (and the danger!) They use the argument that “I’ve been dying eyelashes for years and never had a problem.” But the reality is, every credible source on this topic says that the risk is not worth the reward. So stick with a good mascara and leave the hair dyes off your lashes...
excerpt from the beautybrains.com
Eyelash dying products use the same kind of dyes as permanent hair colors. These chemicals are referred to as “oxidative dyes” because they must be mixed with an oxidizing agent (usually hydrogen peroxide) before they will work. The oxidizing agent causes the dye molecules to polymerize, or link together, to create intense shades.
Why is dying lashes dangerous?
Oxidative dyes are very reactive chemicals and can induce an allergic reaction in some people that causes painful rash or even blistering. That’s why permanent hair colors instruct you to test the product on a small spot of your skin before applying it to your scalp. (Not many people do it, but read the label on your Clairol or L’Oreal dye and you’ll see it.) Since your eyes are even more sensitive than your scalp, an allergic reaction there is much more dangerous. There have been a few cases, dating back to the 1930s, of women being blinded (and even killed!) from allergic reactions to these kinds of dyes.
That’s why the U.S. FDA says these dyes represent “an acute, severe hazard to health with the possibility of permanent injury; i.e.,impaired sight, including blindness.”
“Permanent eyelash and eyebrow tints and dyes have been known to cause serious eye injuries, including blindness. There are no color additives approved by FDA for permanent dyeing or tinting of eyelashes and eyebrows.”
There are salons in the US that still offer this service but they’re just that are just ignoring the law (and the danger!) They use the argument that “I’ve been dying eyelashes for years and never had a problem.” But the reality is, every credible source on this topic says that the risk is not worth the reward. So stick with a good mascara and leave the hair dyes off your lashes...
excerpt from the beautybrains.com
Thursday, November 8, 2007
More Cool Quotes
There are three things to leave behind: your photographs, your library, and your personal journals. These things are certainly going to be more valuable to future generations than your furniture!
~Jim Rohn
~Jim Rohn
Monday, November 5, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Northern November Gardening Tips
from : Nancy Rose and Bob Mugaas
Harvest late carrots before the ground freezes.
Rake excess leaves and mow the lawn one last time if needed.
If you haven't made a final lawn fertilizer application get it done in early November. Be sure to sweep up any fertilizer spilled in streets, sidewalks, or driveways, and thoroughly water in fertilizer if rain doesn't do the job.
Dig remaining root crops like parsnips, fall radishes, and carrots before the ground freezes. Cold-tolerant crops like Brusells sprouts, Chinese cabbage, spinach, and some other greens will tolerate temperatures in the mid to upper 20s, but harvest them when colder temperatures threaten.
Empty and store clay pots - they can break outdoors when freeze/thaw cycles occur. Scour the yard for stray garden tools. Clean and store tools and other garden ware.
Add a winter mulch of straw, hay, or leaves to bulb and perennial beds after the ground starts to freeze. Winter mulch helps moderate soil temperatures and prevent heaving from spring freeze/thaw cycles.
Taken from:
www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygline-news.html.
Harvest late carrots before the ground freezes.
Rake excess leaves and mow the lawn one last time if needed.
If you haven't made a final lawn fertilizer application get it done in early November. Be sure to sweep up any fertilizer spilled in streets, sidewalks, or driveways, and thoroughly water in fertilizer if rain doesn't do the job.
Dig remaining root crops like parsnips, fall radishes, and carrots before the ground freezes. Cold-tolerant crops like Brusells sprouts, Chinese cabbage, spinach, and some other greens will tolerate temperatures in the mid to upper 20s, but harvest them when colder temperatures threaten.
Empty and store clay pots - they can break outdoors when freeze/thaw cycles occur. Scour the yard for stray garden tools. Clean and store tools and other garden ware.
Add a winter mulch of straw, hay, or leaves to bulb and perennial beds after the ground starts to freeze. Winter mulch helps moderate soil temperatures and prevent heaving from spring freeze/thaw cycles.
Taken from:
www.extension.umn.edu/projects/yardandgarden/ygline-news.html.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Welcome to My Girlfriends Notebook
Welcome to My Girlfriends Notebook. My hope for this site is to have fun, educate and share. Did I say have fun?? If you want to submit and blog please feel free to sign up and join in the fray....is there some saying about "the more the merrier"? This is a work in progress, so let's get started! If you have anything to share, please do!~Love ya! Monica
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