Edit: I’ve had this diffuser for well over a year now, tried other diffusers, and this one is STILL my most very favorite. Even though it is not as visually appealing as some of the other diffusers on the market, this one has worked the best for me. Worth every penny!
Dyson DC28 Hose Replacement
For over a year now {maybe two, I have lost track} I have been duct taping, and re-duct taping the hose on my Dyson dc28.
Dyson’s are great vacuums, the problem was I tried to stretch the hose
all the way down the basement stairs while someone stood at the top
holding in the vacuum in place for me. It tore a little and a little tape
fixed it fine… but I kept doing it.
Dyson’s are great vacuums, the problem was I tried to stretch the hose
all the way down the basement stairs while someone stood at the top
holding in the vacuum in place for me. It tore a little and a little tape
fixed it fine… but I kept doing it.
Yeah… I know..
After several layers of tape, and feeling frustrated every time I used
it I decided it was time for a new hose.
After several layers of tape, and feeling frustrated every time I used
it I decided it was time for a new hose.
I picked this new one up on Amazon for about $20. It’s a generic but works perfect! Installing it was a breeze! Just disconnect the original hose the way you would put another attachment on. Then at the base of the hose is a little tab you pull out and force the hose up & off.
Reverse that to add the new hose.
Voila!
What repairs have you been putting off? More importantly, what are you going to do about it?
Reverse that to add the new hose.
Voila!
What repairs have you been putting off? More importantly, what are you going to do about it?
Design on the Cheap: Framed Baseball Poster
I ordered a Minnesota Twins, Target Field Poster off of Amazon for less than $10. I’m pretty sure this frame came from the second hand store for about a dollar.
This is for the boy’s room. It fit in nicely with his baseball theme.
What I Heard Wednesday: 8-21-13
So I’m telling the boy as we’re creating a mini book that he needs to cut very carefully on the lines. His response to me in his laid back, ‘I’m so cool’ voice: “Yeah, so I can sell this thing to uncle Jeremy”.
Yes son, those were my thoughts exactly! Uncle Jeremy would love to have a mini book all about Jack, who has a pack on his back that says QUACK!
The highlight of my day was when my oldest daughter came running up the stairs first thing in the morning and asked if she could start her math! Isn’t that just music to a momma’s ears? Lovely! She is such a great independent worker and I really appreciate her having a genuine love of learning. She is such a joy to be around and just radiates kindness wherever she goes. Love that girl!
School took a little longer today as we added in a few more subjects than we did yesterday. Truth be told, I didn’t want to start school until after Labor day. But, I have eager learners, and there’s no way I’m telling them to hold off on that sort of excitement.
I have been working on laundry all day. Literally, the whole day. I even decided to be an overachiever and change the sheets on our beds. The baby just had her sheets changed so I did everyone else’s while she was napping.
Long story short, I went in to get her from her nap and her sheet was soaked.. and there sat her dry diaper that I got out, but forgot to put on her! Hey look on the bright side though, now EVERYONE’S sheets have been washed on the same day.
DIY: Diaper Sprayer Shield How-To
This post contains affiliate links. You can visit my disclosure tab to learn more.
We are a cloth diapering family. I catch a lot of crap for that. Get it? Crap. Yep… Momma’s got jokes for dayyyys!
There is a product on the market similar to this and it is only about $20. However, I wasn’t able to find one to purchase as they are all out of stock everywhere I looked. Besides, I’m a DIY kind of gal anyway.
I made a quick run to the dollar store and picked up:
- 1 Plastic Clipboard
- 1 Plastic Folder.
- We already had Duct Tape on hand. I mean, what sensible person wouldn’t, right? kidding, kidding!
I attached the folder inside out so when I sprayed the water the.. um… ‘junk’ would not get stuck inside the pocket of the folder.
After I made this I anxiously waited for the baby to give me a poopy diaper to work with. {Insert your own corny “you know you’re a mom when” joke.}
The verdict:
It works, and works well! It’s not pretty, but it works amazing, and for under 4 dollars, it was definitely worth it. You could color coordinate this, cut off the pockets (or use another form of plastic), and make it pretty. I just didn’t and I’m okay with that.
Quick Update {July 2016}: This held up for over 3 years and is being tucked away for ‘someday’ when we hopefully have another little peanut to put adorable fluffy cloth diapers on.
If you’re not a DIY’er, or simply don’t have the time or ambition to make your own, check out the Spray Pal – Cloth Diaper Sprayer Splatter Shield
on Amazon. The reviews look excellent, and it’d be to your door in about 2 days with Amazon Prime.
on Amazon. The reviews look excellent, and it’d be to your door in about 2 days with Amazon Prime.Dear Momma,
In case no one has told you today, you are doing a GOOD JOB! Do not let this world make you feel guilty or ashamed for any part of the way you mother. Love and protect your babies the best you can. On the hard days I want you to breathe deep, snuggle your babies close, and don’t give up. You are amazing.
Love,
Quincey B.
Product Review: Medela Pump In Style
When you’re a mom you get to try out all sorts of gadgets and products. When you’re a nursing mom you get to try out even more!
I really love trying new products, who doesn’t love new things, right?
I had this idea that I was going to nurse my baby and we wouldn’t need a pump, bottles, formula, etc.
However, between my PCOS possibly causing low milk supply, my daughter being tongue tied & having a heart condition that physically made breast feeding difficult for her, we’ve been forced to rely on the pump.
At the suggestion of the Therapy Shoppe employee, I purchased the Medela Pump In Style, back pack version.
The Pros:
- The back pack is awfully handy, especially when we’re traveling somewhere and my hands are already full of baby gear.
- The bag is black, so no one knows I’m lugging around a breast pump.
- The pump isn’t terribly loud (see below). But my mom can tell when I’m pumping while we’re talking on the phone.
- The suction has been great so far.
- The pump is built for daily use. I was using it up to 10 times a day for about 2 months straight. More recently I’ve used it 2-3 times a day. There has been no change in the quality of the pump over 4 months time.
- Easy to clean.
- Comes with 4 bottles, ice pack, & cooler.
- Amazon sells a car adapter so you can pump in your vehicle if necessary. I bought one, but haven’t used it yet. It’s winter here in Iowa, folks. I’ll gladly awkwardly pump in other peoples homes than sit out in the cold van. haha.
The Cons:
- The pump isn’t silent. Since I mostly pump at home, this isn’t a problem for me.
- It only comes with medium flanges. You can’t specifically swap out for another size without purchasing a pair separately. For most people, this may not be a problem. But for me it was, and having the wrong size flanges caused for less milk to be pumped, and the whole process to be less comfortable. Again, you can get those on Amazon too.
I’ve used it for about 4 months and I can honestly say, YES, I would recommend this product to a friend!
Product review: Graco Nasal Clear Nasal Aspirator.
If there is one product that I’d recommend to new parents above all the others, it’d be the Graco Nasal Clear Nasal Aspirator.
I can’t remember where I first saw it, maybe the big box store.
The Pros:
*Quickly and effectively gets the snot out
*No holding the baby down fighting with the bulb syringe.
*No bulb to wash out and hope you got it all the water out so you’re not flushing mold into your babies nose the next time you use it.
*It comes with a handy bag to keep all the parts in (there are two different tips).
*It easily fits in the diaper bag and can go anywhere you go.
The Cons:
Maybe the cost, I mean $20, for another baby item. Trust me though, this one is worth it!
You really should clean it after each use, which takes a little time, but much less than the bulb syringe… I leave it at the changing station and clean it after each day we use it. To clean it I just turn on the water and press the button to get a tiny bit of water in it, then I take it apart and wash it. Less than 2 minutes. Easy peasy!
Our son had a milk allergy that caused a constant runny nose (yuck!). This thing was a life saver!
$5 Amazon Gift Card Winner
Hello Fans, Friends, and Family!
I really quickly wanted to announce the winner of the $5 Amazon Gift Card GIVEAWAY!
The winner is my friend Autumn! Yay! Congratulations Autumn! I’ll be sending the e-card your way shortly!
There were *SO* many great responses. I’ve been away all day and am really longing some family time before the kids go to bed, so I’ll real quickly sum up the tips I received:
*Try not to run the air as much as possible
*Don’t use lights unless it’s dark outside! And then we usually only use enough to see.
*When we are putting things away after meals, we try to gather all refrigerator items, so we only have to open the fridge once.
*Clean your air conditioner yearly and change the filter monthly.
*Use quilted window curtains.
*Turn the Heat down in winter.
*Set air hotter in summer and use your fan on slow or medium.
*Keep curtains on sun side of house closed.
*If the humidity isn’t too high, once the temp drops in the evening, turn off the air and use fan on low.
Here was my favorite tip of all:
Invite my daughter over; then she unplugs everything.
HAHAHA! I wonder who wrote that one… hmm 😉 I love my mom!
Thank you to all who entered! I look forward to hosting another giveaway in the future.
Have a Happy Fathers Day weekend!
Don’t forget to take time to thank your Heavenly Father for all you have, and wish Him a Happy Fathers day as well.
Inspiration
Have I ever told you what inspired me to start being better? It was a book I bought on a whim for a buck at Dollar Tree in the Mall of America. Yes, I went all the way to the MOA and still shopped at Dollar Tree… What can I say, I LOVE that place.
So, this book is titled: 1,000 Ways to Be a Slightly Better Woman. It’s full of lists. My organized personality can sure appreciate a good list!
I seriously could not put it down once I started reading it. If it weren’t for the toddler in the house, I would’ve read right through it in one sitting.
From this book (and some other influences) I started serving my family healthier food, spending less money on materialistic things, organizing my closet, and just trying to be a better ME.
It’s not that the book was SO incredible, or some sort of best seller, but it just movitated me. I like being motivated right where I am, and this book was great at that.
What motivates YOU to be better?
Ps- I can feel our gracious God healing my physical body, and I feel SO honored. I am honored that He chose ME to live this life, to raise these kids, and to be a wife to this husband.
Thank you God!
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Kitchen Uprgade: Plastic Storage Containers.
My husband mentioned that the toy isles of Wal-Mart smell when you get close. That darn plastic smell. Have you noticed this?
I haven’t, just because I avoid those isles. I’m always shopping with children, and rather than saying “no” all the time, we just skip it all together.
Well it got me thinking about this drawer in our kitchen that was full of plastic Ziploc storage containers. I never noticed it until this morning, but when I open that drawer.. it STUNK, like plastic.
Plastic smells so nasty.
I started taking out any plastic containers that were “pitted”. I ended up with just TWO that were decent. I ended up putting all of them in the recycling bucket and nicely lining the drawer with my new adorable jelly jars (They were on clearance at Wal-Mart).
They look so much neater than the plastic. We use these to store food in the fridge, cupboards, snacks in the car, wherever! we also use the larger jars as our “bottled water”.
In the fridge I date the tops with a dry erase marker, so we know when the food was made. Oh & these awesome, adorable little jars are MADE IN THE USA. How cool is that? Oh, it’s pretty cool!
This was a very refreshing change, one I’m happy I made! Are you making any, or have you made any changes that you’re happy about?
As a mom, God is trusting me with my familiyand it’s my honor to look after their health and nutrition.
Psalm 20:4 (Amplified Bible)
4May He grant you according to your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.
Disclaimer- I did keep a few square plastic containers my husband takes his sandwiches to work in. I want to replace these with stainless steel containers, but haven’t found them reasonably priced yet.
UPDATE- He’s now using stainless steel containers!