Songs from the 90's

Just a few "oldies but goodies" songs by one of favorite singers/muscians.....hope you enjoy them.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2me-_QTUyzI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkbdQEcKggg&feature=related
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMzQ1sl7ZaI&feature=related

Can you guess who? I tried to find some of Gingin, but the only one I found I couldn't copy for some reason. I think because they were not youtube videos.

We Did It - We are Getting Rid of the Chemicals!

We did it! We are getting rid of the chemicals. Well not completely, but as much as possible, and I can't bring myself to throw away the chemicals that I already have so I'll probably use those up first.

After searching the Internet, and arming myself with a list of healthier supplies, we headed to Walmart and Wholefoods.

Here was the things I wanted:

Baking Soda (I already had on hand)
White Vinegar (I already had on hand)
Borax (Found at Walmart)
Washing Soda (Found at Walmart)
Fels Naphtha Soap (Found at Walmart)
Essential Oils (I ended up getting peppermint, lavender, and tea tree oil for now)
Coconut Oil (This is good for all sorts of stuff)
Arrow Root Powder (sort of like cornstarch in the baking section)
Vegetable Glycerin (I ended up not using this-it was sort of a waste-I'm gonna try to see what I can do with it)
A Few Empty Spray Bottles (Found at Walmart)
A 5 Gal Bucket with a Lid (Found at Walmart)
Lemons (From my mom's lemon tree-I planted one in the spring, but it's still trying to get established)

I also bought a few extra things not for cleaning. My big sister introduced me to pure Elderberry Syrup for colds. It really does help! It's all natural and contains no alcohol (which is a must for Kass)

So here is a photo of my purchases:

Next, we went home and got busy. It was too easy! Everyone wanted to help including my husband who critiqued the whole process, told me if he thought I was adding too much soap or some other ingredient. It was a family event.

We made soap, deodorant, and toothpaste (although I'm not giving up my fluoride toothpaste-I don't quite feel comfortable with that).

Here is a link for the deodorant recipe we made http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ar0BF6hMuGE. It really works! We love this particular recipe.

You can find the recipe for the laundry detergent at http://plainoldkristi.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-make-homemade-laundry-soap-step.html. I made mine a little bit different, but it made a little more detergent. I used 1 cup of washing soda, 1/2 cup of borax, 1 bar of grated Fels Naphtha, and essential oils, and 3 gallons of water. Besides that it is pretty much the same. I've even read some recipes that added OxiClean. Anyway experiment and have fun. It really is fun.

So now for some pictures.....

The grated Fels Naphtha Soap. Ave had fun doing this.
He also wanted to be the one to add the hot water in the detergent bucket.
After trying on the deodorant-he did a smell test.
We stored the deodorant in these little plastic cups. We made some for all of us except for Gene. He thinks we are crazy. I wished I would have had some little bitty canning jars or some other pretty small glass container to store it in. Some people even refill their old deodorant containers with it.

I think this was the toothpaste we were making. It consisted of 3 tbsp of coconut oil, 3 tbsp of baking soda, peppermint oil, and one packet of stevia. The recipe also called for an optional bit of vegetable glycerin. I opted out because I read that it puts a coat on your teeth. I'm not a pro, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to leave it out to be safe.

Kass melted the soap for the laundry detergent (of course it must be melted in boiling water).

We have also been using the products to clean our house--particularly vinegar. Believe it or not, the vinegar smells grows on you.

Anyway, we had fun. It was easy, and we're feeling a little bit better about our household environment.

I'm Cheating....I'm Linking to Nekee's Blog for my Post Today

Today, I read Nekee's post about dad, and viewed the oh so cute video's attached, and just had to share a link to her blog just in case you don't have the link. Here it is.../http://theraymarkablelibbys.blogspot.com/2011/11/happy-birthday-daddypawpaw.html. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I'm so proud of these little boogers!

In Addition I'd like to say:

Dear Daddy,

Milton O. Martin, Jr - Daddy you are truly the best daddy ever!!!! Happy 69th Birthday to the greatest man alive!!!!!! You mean the world to us!!!!! You've made a difference in so many lives. You have never been afraid to take a stand for what is right, and taught us to do the same. You are a wonderful example for us to follow. You never waiver. You are committed through the thick and thin. You are amazing! You are true! You are a rock for our family! Thanks for being that wonderful example. Your shoes are big to fill-but I want to do my best to be just like you!

I Love You,
Your Second Bestest (My Big Sister is the First Bestest, but I was born second so I'm his second bestest and that's okay with me)

Aunt Sharon-Need I Say More?

Just mention the name "Aunt Sharon" around here and even Snoopy gets excited! Aunt Sharon, the super aunt, who's favorite thing in life to do (besides spoil her very spoilt pets and our very spoilt pets) is to spoil her nieces and nephews--at least that's what they think! Trust me after Ave spends one week with Aunt Sharon, it takes me two weeks to bring him back into reality.


She is always there to offer advice, she's the best wedding reception planner ever, she's dependable, she's fun (lots of fun!), she's very smart, and she is always there when any of her family members need her in good times and bad. She is truly one-of-a-kind GREAT!



Another really marvelous thing about Aunt Sharon is that she really knows how to throw a fun party. Every year she throws a 4th of July party, a Harvest party, and a Christmas party for the family. We always have a wonderful time. She even lets the kids bring a friend to the harvest party. Well, this year, I thought that I would share some of the pictures from her Harvest party. The pictures are not in the best order, but....oh well...maybe I will organize them and re post them in order later....

This little fellow was one of Ave's guest-he's playing a carnival game. Aunt Sharon sets up carnival games for all the nieces and nephews and their guests to play--tickets and prizes included (the best prizes that I have ever saw at a carnival). Every one wins!!!!!!!

The cotton candy maker whirls and the kids get their fill of sugary stuff! Well even the adults do, too.

The space walk Putt Putt Golf Anyone?

How about a train ride?

Badminton?

Pin the tail on Hanna? Hanna is one of Aunt Sharon's dogs. This game was made in her honor.

Even the older nieces and nephews are allowed (required) to play.....believe it or not, I think they have just as much fun as the younger ones.

Just a little bit of her party decor...
A pinata. This one game creates lots of elbowing, fusses, and scrambling for candy, but of course it's all in fun. The big kids think that they didn't act like this when they were little. How quickly we forget. Ha!

Yummy Cupcakes...made by Aunt Debbie

Caramel apples...made by Aunt Tammie

Popcorn balls...made by Aunt Toni

and loads of this yummy stuff.

If the activity just gets to be too much, take a stroll to the pond and relax in the swing.

Snoopy just loves going to Aunt Sharon's. He starts whimpering and trying to get out of the car as soon as we get to her gate. It's so funny!

A close up of the top of the carousel. It lights up at night and lovely carousel music plays. The little ones love this.

Another picture of the carousel.

Ave peering out the mouth of the clown the bean bags are tossed in.

A view of Aunt Sharon's driveway.

These little boogers get so jealous when they see Snoopy running around. Unfortunately, they have to go into their play yard when company comes over.

Some of Aunt Sharon's pets.

Bebee-they can't wait to get the left over apples from the apple game.

Yes, Aunt Sharon even has rabbits.
As soon as the sun goes down, the bonfire is started, and it's time for hot dog roasting, marshmallow toasting, smores, hot tamale pie, and all that good stuff. When it is finally time to go home, everyone reluctantly piles into their cars with their loot, and usually there is a few tears from the younger ones, and lots of grumbling from the older ones. No one wants the fun to end. Thanks to Aunt Sharon for the time and care that she takes to make these wonderful memories for our children. We really appreciate

Ave's New Bowler Hat

Ave's has been wanting a bowler hat. Thanks to Bro. Doug, he now has one. Ave in his new favorite Sunday hat.

CHURCH HARVEST PARTY

Although I will be the first to admit that this is not my favorite party of the year, the kids all love it, and as always it was a success. Here are a few pictures from the church harvest party.

Western was the theme, and Bro. Doug dressed the part.

We had hot dogs, homemade chili, nachos, tons of candy for the kids, and desserts. This dessert was made by one of our famous church chefs, Bro. Jean. I couldn't eat it. I was too grossed out. It was suppose to look like kitty litter. I was told that it was delicious, but just the thought made me feel yuck.

The bonfire was huge. A permit was obtained to build it, and the fire department even hung out for the night to make sure that it didn't get out of control.

The bishop (my dad) and his lovely wife (my mom) enjoyed the harvest party as well!

We had cowgirls and cowboys....I love the shadows of Jean and Lisa in the background of this picture.

Kass and Victoria
The hayride was the highlight of the night. Through the woods - you never really knew what might pop out at you in the woods.

Yep - we did have at least one geek show up for the harvest party.

....a paper doll....

...two wild cowboys...

...and at least one Indian princess...