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Simple Ideas

Simple Mother’s Day Project: Cup of Love

Image 12When my kids were babies, I knew that I would regret not having something that had their hand and footprints. Somehow, in my baby hormone-induced mind, I managed to come up with a cute idea that I still treasure today. A “Cup Of Love” was created in a pottery painting studio.  I chose the cup I wanted, chose my colors, then brought my babies in (my 21 month old and 1 month old at the time).  I took my oldest’s hands, painted them, and had her hold the cup on either side.

I painted a heart in the bottom of the cup and wrote on the outside of the cup, then I painted my baby’s foot, pressed it on the bottom of the mug and put the date. I came back to put the glaze on it, then the pottery studio took it from there!

I did the same project for grandparents, but wrote a “Cup of Love For Nana”, “Cup of Love For Papa”, etc. Cute little gifts that people will save forever.  I drink from this mug once a year – on Mother’s Day!

Note: In my warped sense of humor, it could be funny to do this again with my TEENAGERS’ hands and feet!  Of course, I would have to wrestle them down to do it!

Cup of Love

Simple Tips To Help Kids Cope With Traumatic Stress

We are all greatly affected by events in our world that, too often, hit close to home.  Our children are so rarely prepared to deal with this kind of stress (actually, who really is?).  The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has tips for how to help children cope with how they feel during times of crisis.  To see these tips, click on their logo below:

 

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My own, personal favorite tip comes from Mr. Rogers:

When I was a boy, and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will Always find people who are helping.’ — Fred Rogers

Spring Fever: Perk Up Your Spring Cleaning Routine!

Click Here to find three DIY household cleaners that will save you money!
Check out the links below to find out more about the products mentioned in this episode of SimpleSolutionsDiva.com:

Young Living's Thieves CleanerYoung Living’s Thieves Household Cleaner – This aromatic cleaner is made of essential oils from Cinnamon, Cloves, Lemon, and Oregano – a combination sure to lift your spirits as you tackle tough cleaning jobs around the house. Click Here to see more information on the story behind the product.

Boston Warehouse

Boston Warehouse – This is the site if you are looking for unique, fun products for the home. From adorable ceramics and entertainment serving pieces to cleaning tools with a bit of whimsy, this is the site to explore! Click Here to see what they have to offer.

Spring Fever = Spring Cleaning!

Consumer Reports ShopSmartMag.orgGetting ready to tackle the big spring cleaning jobs around your house, but don’t want to spend a fortune on commercial cleaners that may, or may not, work?  Consumer Reports ShopSmartMag.org (April 2013) recommends three, tried and true, homemade recipes for cleaners that are inexpensive and easy to make!

 

 All-Purpose Vinegar Cleaner: Good For Counters

  • 1 cup white vinegar
  • 1 cup water

1.  Combine the vinegar and water in a spray bottle.

2.  Shake well to blend

All-Purpose Soapy Ammonia: Use on Walls and Floors

  • 1/2 cup household ammonia
  • 1 teaspoon mild liquid dishwashing detergent (without bleach)

1.  Combine the ammonia and liquid dishwashing detergent in a bottle.

2.  Shake well to blend.

3.  Dilute in 1 gallon of water for use on walls and floors.

Glass-And-Window Cleaner

  • 7 pints cold water
  • 1/2 cup soapy ammonia
  • 1 pint rubbing alcohol

1.  Fill a 1- or 2-gallon bucket with the water. Carefully add the ammonia and rubbing alcohol (See Safety Tips below).

2.  Mix well and pour into spray bottles. The mixture should clean glass well and leave few or no streaks.

 

5 SAFETY MUSTS!!

  • Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other acids. Those combos can produce deadly gases.
  • Always wear gloves to protect skin.
  • Store safely. Keep all cleaners, including homemade ones, well labeled. Store them away from kids and pets.
  • When working with chemical cleaners, check warning labels, open windows and doors, and keep kids and pets far away from where you’re cleaning.
  • Try a cleaner in a hidden spot before using it on a surface for the first time.

 

 

 

 

Spring Fever: Drug-Free Allergy Relief

To learn more about HayMax or how to order, Click Here!

Simple Allergy Tips From HayMax: These are just a few ideas on how to reduce pollen exposure in the home.

  • Stay indoors on dry, windy days.
  • Exercise outdoors after a rain shower – helps clear the air!
  • Though the weather may be beautiful, keep your windows and doors closed during peak pollen season.  Pollen can settle into your carpet, drapes, furniture, and bedding.
  • Remove your shoes at the door when you come in from outside. You want to keep from dragging pollen through the house.
  • Filters!! Consider HEPA filters for your home and your vacuum. The High-Efficiency Particulate Air  (HEPA) filters can greatly reduce pollen in the air.  Change them regularly.
  • Hire a teenager, or someone, to mow your lawn during the peak pollen season.
  • Keep your pet off the bed during peak pollen season. And be sure to wash Fido weekly to remove pollen that gets trapped in fur!

Here’s to a less sneezy, itchy, drippy Spring!

 

 

 

Simple Savings: Coupon Insert Schedule Makes Couponing Easier

The Super-Couponing Queen! www.JillCataldo.com The Super-Couponing Queen! http://www.JillCataldo.com[/caption%5D

Love saving money on groceries, but having a hard time keeping up with when your newspaper will have your favorite coupon inserts?  Jill Cataldo, queen of Super-Couponing Tips, notes that at the beginning of every year, the top insert providers list their schedule for the whole year!  Browsing the schedules will let you know when to expect coupons (some weeks there are no coupon inserts at all!).

Jill has posted the 2013 Coupon Schedule for the top three Coupon Insert Providers — SmartSource, RedPlum, and P&G’s Brandcaster.  Click Here to see the schedules.

http://www.JillCataldo.com is a great source for all things couponing – including links to help you learn to use coupons to your advantage.  From Couponing Ethincs, to where to find coupons, to links to great deals, her website is a couponer’s dream!

Spring Fever Hits Simple Solutions Diva In April!

Who likes to do laundry?!
Spring Fever Cleaning?! Who likes to do laundry?!

It is Spring Time, and Simple Solutions Diva has “Spring Fever” for the month of April!  On Simple Solutions Saturdays in April, she will feature a great product or idea that is perfect for Spring!  Plus, The Diva will try her hand at a few product giveaways! So check in to the website each Saturday, through April, to see how Simple Solutions Diva tries to cure her “Spring Fever”!

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