Ever feel like you need a parenting do-over? I talk about what you can do to step forward into being the kind of parent you can be proud of over at Burlington Vermont Moms Blog today.
Nasty Rusted Bathtub Before & After
When we first toured this house my biggest concern were the bathtubs. They were in such horrid shape! I wasn’t sure if they could be saved and I knew there was no money in our budget to replace them. New bathtubs are expensive, you guys! I had to decide if I was going to be ok with stained bathtubs for years to come. I decided the rest of the house was worth it. I would scrub until my hands fell off if I had to!
The upstairs bathroom was by far the worse. (Click here to see the downstairs bathroom!) The rust stains were so bad! It had sat like this for years so I really expected it to still be very stained when I was done. Here is what it looked like before:
The first thing I tried was CLR. I figured a rust remover would get off just about as much as was possible. Here is what it looked like after just using CLR:
I figured this was as good as it was going to get. I may have cried. But then my step-sister mentioned that she saw on Pinterest that using vinegar and Dawn dish soap worked on rust stains. So I gave it a try! That combination really did the trick. However, there was still a layer of rust that I just couldn’t get off. No matter how I tried! So I gave it one last go with a magic eraser. That was it! The magic rust busting potion! Check out what it looks like now!
Amazing, right?! I am so pleased that our bathtubs turned out so sparkling clean! So here is my advice for getting rust stains out of nasty bathtubs…
Skip the chemicals. I used almost an entire bottle of CLR. Not worth it! I should have just started with the natural stuff to begin with. Honestly, I thought it would only come out with the chemicals! I was dead wrong!
Wear gloves! Spray, scrub, soak, scrub. Repeat. I squirted the Dawn dish soap all over the tub. From what I’ve heard it HAS to be Dawn. I heard the generic brand didn’t work as well. Just straight from the bottle. Squirt! I then let it sit for a few hours. I came back and doused the tub with vinegar and scrubbed with a sponge. I then sprayed it again with vinegar and let that soak. Lastly, I scrubbed with the magic eraser. Depending on how bad your rust spots are, you may have to repeat a few times! I don’t think the order you do this in matters. Once I used all three items together, the rust just came right off. And this was 4 or 5 year old rust, people!
I’ve also used this beautiful combination to clean the stainless sink in the kitchen which was also terribly rusted. Worked like a charm! We had planned on replacing the sink, but didn’t have to after all! Who knew a $5 combination would save us thousands of dollars?!
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Last week’s letter home from my second grader’s teacher mentioned that they were learning about respect. I asked Charlie about it. He said they watched a video on you tube. I like to keep a connection between what’s happening at school with our lives at home, so we looked it up and watched it together as a family. I was pleasantly surprised! The video is so adorable and the words are a perfect way to talk to kids about what respect means!
As the days went on and the boys started arguing and fighting, I started singing the song out loud. Just randomly.
Charlie replies, “I regret telling you about that song.”
I thought I’d share it with you so you can watch it with your kids and make them regret it too! You’re welcome, kids!
Oh, and I apologize, the chorus is going to be stuck in your head for the rest of the week.
Quick and Easy Fall Centerpiece
Burlington Vermont Moms Blog!
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I have happily accepted an offer to be a part of the new site, Burlington Vermont Moms Blog! I will be a contributing writer, offering up a post here and there. I am super excited to be a part of something like this! I look forward to getting to know more local moms and becoming more involved with what’s happening in our beautiful state!
Today, I posted an introduction of myself. Check out my post, Living My Dream, to learn a little more about me and while you’re over there, enter a contest or two! So many great ones going on!
Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake
Chocolate cake frosted with peanut butter frosting and homemade peanut clusters.
I KNOW!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake with Homemade Peanut Clusters
Ingredients:
1 package chocolate cake mix
1 cup cold milk
1 package chocolate instant pudding mix (4 serving size)
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup peanuts
2 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate
1 container whipped topping
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare and bake cake according to package. Use two 9 inch round cake pans. Cool a few minutes and then remove from pans. Let cool completely.
Mix together milk and pudding mix. Beat until well blended. Add peanut butter and mix well.
Trim cake tops if needed to make them flat. Place one of the cake layers on a serving platter. Spread one cup of the peanut butter mixture over the top. Place second cake layer on top. Stir whipped topping into remaining peanut butter mixture. Spread over top and sides of cake.
Melt the chocolate squares. Mix with peanuts. Drop by spoonfuls onto a waxed paper covered tray. Refrigerate until firm. Place on top of cake before serving.
This cake is so delicious you won’t believe your mouth!
Enjoy!
A Picture Day Miracle
Charlie put on jeans and a button up shirt for picture day on his own. Like, he decided to wear it.
Yes, this is a monumental moment. Since this day years ago, what Charlie wears has always been one of those parenting struggles I avoid at all cost.
He came down the stairs and I was shocked. You know how you don’t want to startle a squirrel? So you just stand there and pretend you don’t see it while looking out of the corner of your eye? Don’t move, don’t say anything, don’t frighten him away lest he scurry back upstairs and change into sweat pants and a mismatched t-shirt.
I just stood there. “Good morning.” Not too cheery, not to mundane. Just right. You see, if he thinks I’m too cheery, he will know that I noticed his attire. If I say it too mundane, he will think I didn’t notice at all.
Walk on egg shells, much?
“Is this ok for picture day?!” he asked proudly. This was my invitation to encourage him on his good choice. The wind was blowing in just the right direction. “I think that’s an excellent choice! I love it!” I reply with a smile.
“I thought you would.” he says, rather smugly, but with a smirk.
WAIT. He thought of me? He thought about what I might want him to wear on picture day? What is this thing? What is happening?
My well-dressed-child-without-a fight dreams are coming true. But I won’t hold my breath. Next weekend we have a family wedding to attend. And God only knows which direction the wind will be blowing on that day.
For now, I’ll give my adorably dressed squirrel a hug before he scurries away. Or bites me.
And no, I do not have a picture. Are you kidding me? Rule number one around skiddish squirrels on picture day, no flash photography. Does that sentence even make sense? Of course not. Parenting rarely does.
Recipes: Egg Muffins & Breakfast Sandwiches
In an effort to stay off the cereal bandwagon I have attempted a few new breakfast ideas. With school mornings being hectic, there is little to no time to make a full breakfast. Here are the ways I’ve been able to take breakfast back!
Breakfast Sandwiches:
This isn’t a recipe as much as it is an idea. It’s pretty simple, don’t be too impressed. I use bagels or English muffins (depending on what was on sale at the store last week!) or I make homemade biscuits. I then scramble a whole lotta eggs. I sometimes use sausage patties. I always use cheese. Always. I then layer the goodies all together and stick in the freezer.
I am on the hunt for reusable containers that are just the right size so I don’t have to use baggies.
In the morning, just stick the sandwich in the microwave! We usually split them in half and nuke for a couple of minutes. I think a toaster oven would give the best results, but we don’t have one. So. Microwave.
It’s a great quick breakfast option and way cheaper and healthier than the fast food or store bought versions! Give it a try and let me know if you find any better ways of making them!
I found this idea on Pinterest, of course! The recipe is from Kalyn’s Kitchen. It’s basically any fillings you want covered in eggs and baked. I did a southwestern version with green chiles, cheese, and salsa. I also did a standard sausage and cheese version. The boys pop these in the microwave and have with a slice of whole wheat toast. Love this option! Eggs in the morning without cooking them in the morning!
It’s All Relative
When I wrote a post about my husband’s upcoming deployment I had quite a few responses. The ones that stood out to me the most were the ones from fellow moms who spoke out of guilt. It sounded something like this:
“I complain about my husband being gone one night or one weekend. I can’t imagine what six months would look like,” said with an apologetic tone.
So it got me thinking about this subject of guilt and judgement. I’ve talked about this before and obviously it’s something I am supposed to be learning right now. So since you are reading my blog, you are forced to as well. You’re welcome!
Here’s the thing I am learning, our struggles are all relative to where we are at in our lives.
Whether it’s about your weight, parenting, your marriage…whatever…it’s all relative.
I am battling with what I will do when my husband is gone for six months. But that does not in any way make your battle with your husband being gone a weekend any smaller. It’s all relative to our situation.
This is my journey. These are my stories. You have different ones. And that’s ok.
It’s ok that I am a size 8 and struggling with my weight and you are a size 12 and struggling with yours. Because it’s all relative to where we are at in our lives. I wrote “Stop Telling Me I’m Not Fat” out of this same mind set. I almost didn’t because, what if people with really bad weight problems get their feelings hurt?! (And they did, sorry!) But I let that go. Just because we vary in sizes doesn’t mean that one struggle is worse than the other. A struggle is a struggle. Right? (Serious health issues, aside, obviously! I’m talking about “I don’t like my butt” weight issues, here.)
It’s ok that I am parenting the way I do and you are parenting the way you do. We are not the same people. My struggles and yours in our parenting are all relative to the kinds of kids we have and our family dynamics. I am not right. You are not wrong.
We react based out of that fear.
“Oh, she deals with her husband deploying for months at a time, I better not complain about my husband working late.”
“Oh well she has 30 pounds to lose and I only have 10 so I better not mention my weight issues.”
“Oh she has perfect angel children, if I tell her the truth about my wild maniacs she will think I am a terrible parent.” (This is usually what I am thinking.)
Stop that! If it’s hard on you, then that’s ok! Talk about it! Don’t hold it in in fear of judgement from someone going through something harder or different. We all go through different things at different times. Why do we allow ourselves to feel badly for where we are at in our lives?
Sure, some people have it worse off than us. And it is good to stop and be grateful. I am not suggesting that we be rude and say, “Oh yeah, look at what I am going through!” I am simply suggesting that when someone presents their struggle to you, you respond with the understanding that they are in a different place than you. They live a different life. Don’t compare them to yourself. Don’t compare yourself to them. We all handle things differently.
Let’s work on this, ok? Let’s support each other with what we are struggling with without harsh judgement. Let’s agree to disagree on various subjects and realize that we are all in this together. Let’s support one another and realize that it’s all relative. I’m not right. You are not wrong. And vice-versa. I am struggling with something that seems so, so big to me…and so are you!
I hope my rambled thoughts make sense to you.
The bottom line, I don’t want anyone to feel like their problems and feelings are insignificant.
No matter how big or how small. It counts. It matters. Give yourself a break. Because I sure am!
Thirty Five
A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I was born.
I started out as this adorable little creature…
But quickly grew into this…
And now, here I am, at 35 years old.
Excuse the bad photos, I snapped them straight out of scrapbooks with my phone. Lazy. Shut up it’s my birthday.