from Cat Whiskers to Clean Windows:

My Blog's Purpose

I've titled my blog:

from Cat Whiskers to Clean Windows:
Simple Solutions & Noteworthy Scribbles

Over time, I've learned.  I've also spent hours searching the internet and years of listening to the advice of others.  And, I have a passion for helping people.  I thought I'd combine all of that into one great blog -- come visit my blog and find solutions to many of the everyday challenges I've solved.  Sure, they may not be the answers to the next scientific challenges; but hopefully over time, you'll find something that'll help you out too.  Oh yeah, and I just might include what I consider to be my own noteworthy scribbles.  :-)

~ Julie ~

P.S. I have organized my content...so if you only want to read posts from a specific category, simply click on the category name on the left-hand side of the screen.  You will then only see posts that pertain to that topic.  Please feel free to comment (click on the word "comment" under the post).

Spring Green Cleaning

{simple solution from a guest blogger!}

Environmentally Friendly Cleaning

Guest Blog Post by Sam Marquit

When it's spring, I often notice the cobwebs creeping into the corners of my house. That's when I start itching to clean everything. When I sold my last house, my Long Island Real Estate agent actually gave me a few tips about how to keep the place spotless while still protecting my children and pets. It's spring 'green' cleaning, and it's not too hard to do. It's even cheaper than buying chemical sprays. 

Before I kick into frenzied cleaning mode, I stock my pantry with a few basics. Here’s a list that my Long Island agent once gave me: vinegar, baking soda, cream of tartar, essential oils, vegetable oil-based liquid soaps, spray bottles, cotton rags, and natural scrubbers. Sometimes I also use salt and rubbing alcohol, as you'll see in a few "recipes." 

With these simple ingredients I can clean and beautify just about anything. I usually have two spray bottles. One is straight vinegar. The other is half vinegar, half water. I use straight vinegar first on many surfaces including the inside of my oven door. I spray down something that is dirty and wipe clean with a wet cloth. If it is very dirty, like the oven door, I soak it and let it sit while I’m cleaning something else. For surfaces that aren’t too dirty, I just use the half vinegar spray. I may add some lemon juice to the mix.

For my microwave, I boil a glass-measuring cup with 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup vinegar. After it boils a minute, I open the door, remove the mixture and wipe the walls clean. I then use the hot mixture to wipe up spills in my refrigerator. The hot liquid makes it easy to dislodge even the stickiest messes. With stovetops, this can be somewhat harder, but it’s nothing that a brillo pad can’t fix. They aren’t environmentally friendly per say, but they are highly sustainable as one will last forever. 

These recipes involve distilled vinegar and are easy to make. For scouring, mix 1/4 cup baking soda and one tablespoon of liquid detergent. Stir in vinegar until it reaches a thick, creamy consistency. For lime buildup or other stains, make a paste out of a teaspoon of vinegar and two tablespoons of salt. This should get rid of stains, and it will shine your chrome fixtures. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. 

To clean metal, make a paste out of white distilled vinegar and 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar. Apply it to metal and let it dry. Wipe clean with a damp cloth, and pat dry if still wet.  

For floors, mop with one cup vinegar for every gallon of warm water. Another option is to mix together a spray with three drops of dishwashing soap and 1/3 each of vinegar, rubbing alcohol and water. Spray sparingly and mop up.  

For a safe air freshener, mix one cup of hot water with a tablespoon of baking soda, a teaspoon of lemon juice and two drops of your favorite essential oil. Shake well, making sure the soda dissolves. Now you're ready to spray away odors without worrying about your children and pets.  

Sam is an entrepreneur, home improvement specialist, and part time blogger. Feel free to visit Sam's blog and connect with him on Twitter: @fmarquitv.

Show Your Thanks...

{noteworthy scribbles}  and  {simple solution}

Yesterday was Thanksgiving 2011.  On this day, most of us took time to realize how fortunate we are and how lucky we are to have the special people we do in our lives. 

Think of who you really appreciate and love, think about who worked extremely hard to make Thanksgiving 'perfect' for the family...  Have that person in mind?  Next question...would a special flower delivery really make that person's day? 

Consider sending a boquet to that special person!  Little surprises like this are sure to go a long way and will certainly show your gratitude.  Click on the little teddy bear holding flowers to go to my favorite online site for ordering.  (I've used them numerous times and highly recommend FlowersFast.com.  If you order by using the links in my blog--you help my son and me out as we are credited for the referral...thank you!)

Don't Forget the Pets!

{noteworthy scribbles}  and  {simple solution}

In follow-up to my post below about gathering sale information for you... I have found a GREAT sale on Pet Supplies, Medication, and Treats from! 

Whether you love DOGS, CATS, HORSES, BIRDS, RABBITS, BIRDS, or REPTILES, you'll find something!

Here's a quick run-down of a variety of items on sale:

• Dog Calming Bones (3 Pack) - for ONE PENNY
• Squeaking Hedgehog Toy - for only $2
• Urinase Enzymatic Odor & Spot Eliminator (32 oz) - for only $5
• Ora-Fresh Dental Care Spray - for only $4.68
• Tetra Repto-Filter Cartridges (3 pack) - for only $3.44
• Lixit Small Animal Treat Jar (16 oz) - for only $1.56
• Joint Max TS EQ Granules for Horses - for only $50.39 (regularly $129.00)

You get the idea--great deals AND there are many more items on sale.  I'd highly recommend that you ORDER NOW if you are interested as they have "Door Buster Deals" that are only good through TODAY, Friday, November 25th at 1 p.m. PST / 2 p.m. MST / 3 p.m. CST / 4 p.m. EST. 

Here's how you take advantage of low prices on items for your favorite furry friend:

1. Click on the small square image below
2. On the homepage of the site, click on the Black Friday image (slide) that comes up and you'll go straight to the Black Friday Sales page
3. Your discounts are applied in the checkout cart (I tested it to make sure the offers were working right...and they are...I did indeed get Dog Calming Bones for only $0.01)
4. If you spend $25 or more, you also get FREE SHIPPING -- to redeem that offer, use the code: BLACKFRIDAY11 -- the Free Shipping offer is valid through 11/27/11

Black Friday & Cyber Monday SALES

{noteworthy scribbles}  and  {simple solution}

It's been a while since I've updated my blog.  I'm hoping to carve out more time for updates now! 

I'm gathering Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales info for you...ONLY from places which I support and believe in. 

Here's the first one--starting tomorrow--you will save EVEN MORE at BetterWorldBooks.com! BetterWorldBooks.com always offers FREE U.S. SHIPPING and low prices.  On top of the everyday offer of FREE U.S. SHIPPING and lower prices: from Tuesday, November 22nd through Wednesday, November 30th, you save an ADDITIONAL 15% when buying 3 or more books. 

(Not only will you find whatever books you are searching for, you'll also be helping support literacy efforts worldwide with your purchase--just one of the many reasons why I love this company so much!)

Need book suggestions?  Please feel free to post a comment/question and I'll promptly answer!  I can provide suggestions for just about any genre out there (especially children's books--babies to early middle school ages).

So how do you take advantage of this sale?  Simple...click on the text links above OR the image below and begin shopping!  :-)

Keep checking this post.  I'll be adding more Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sales details and links soon!  HAPPY THANKSGIVING--I am thankful for so many things; including every single person that has taken the time to read this note.  :-)

Baby Bunny

{scribbles}

Last weekend as I was mowing and doing the outside maintenance--we had a fun little experience.  As I was working on the flowers in front of the house...something furry moved.  I'll admit, I jumped a little as I had no idea what it was and did not expect to see something moving!  Well, it was a baby bunny!  Poor thing was scared and it quickly hopped away.  Problem was, it hopped into our garage!  It took a while, but finally I was able to get a hold of the bunny to bring it back out of the garage.  My son LOVES bunnies, so he was in heaven holding the bunny.  It was also the excitement of the neighborhood kids as they all had to come look at it and hold it.  After my son played with the bunny for about 2 solid hours, he set the bunny free.  This little bunny was absolutely adorable!

Baby Bunny in our Garage (this picture is a little fuzzy):

 

The Bunny in my Son's Hands (you can see how small the bunny truly was!):

Meet Katydid!

{scribbles}

MEET KATYDID!! 

Here she is:

 

Moonshine (our cat) and Katydid...I thought this was cute...looks like they are kissing!

Katydid's Eggs:

Katydid's "Habitat"

Long story short...I found Katydid while at work, during a meeting.  I went out and got her, kept her with me all day, then brought her home.  My son and I had been looking for a "bug" pet and she was perfect!  She's probably the friendliest bug we'd ever kept...she'd crawl up our arms, sit in our hands, and so on. 

Katydid lived with us from September until November of last year (2009).  We were very sad when we found her not alive anymore, and even gave her a proper burial.  At first I felt really bad since she died with us, but they realized that we had prolonged her life for an entire month!  We froze in early October here in Colorado and Katydid's will die when the frost hits.  Since she was inside, she actually lived longer.

How we knew she was a "she" -- well, she laid eggs.  Unfortunately, none have hatched...though we really hoped they would! 

Katydid made an appearance in my son's 2nd grade class last year and I taught a lesson (I can teach a lesson about almost anything!) -- the kids learned and labeled all of the body parts, we talked about how they hear, what they eat, who their predators are, etc.  Katydid was played with by us, brought fresh leaves, and had her habitat cleaned every day!  As I mentioned before, she was our pet (and our pets are members our of family and are treated well!).

So...this summer...I cannot wait to find another Katydid (or two!).  It's one of my summer "wishes" -- to find another Katydid.

Colorado Affiliate Marketing & HB 10-1193

{noteworthy scribbles}

Goodness...it's been a long time since I've had time to even take a peek at my blog.  I'm also learning that House Bill 10-1193 has really not done good for Colorado affiliates.  In a nut shell, this law states that an affiliate marketer making more than $10,000 for a retailer is declared a 'legal agent, and a state presence, of that company.'  That means that the company someone is promoting will now have to pay Colorado state taxes.  Well, many companies are now banning Colorado affiliates due to this...Amazon in particular was a big one.  I'd be really happy if I was making $10,000 off my blog!!!  Not even close to the case...but it does mean that I just lost the ability to make any money from FlowerDelivery.com.  They have decided to not allow to have any Colorado affiliates.  I'm currently looking for a new flower company to promote and am really excited about one I found.  I'll be updating all of my flower links as soon as I am approved by a new flower company!  For Colorado, they were just trying to make more tax money--but the negative outcome of companies now not allowing affiliates from Colorado might have had more of a ripple effect than they though?  I know too little about this to really make an educated guess.

UPDATE...I found a new flower company and they have approved me to be an affiliate for them!  All links on my blog have been changed to reflect the new company as of today, July 10, 2010.  :-)

Smoothie - "The BEST One"

{simple solution}

Smoothies are delicious!  And, if made right, they are good for you too.  I've been experimenting with my blender and have come up with my favorite (so far anyhow!).  My son loves it too and he decided that it should be named "The BEST One."  

*  *  *  *  *

The BEST One Smoothie:

*1 1/2 cups of strawberries (frozen or fresh)

*1 cup of orange juice (we prefer the Simply Orange--Country Stand--with Calcium added)

*3 oz. of fat free strawberry yogurt (1/2 of a standard 6 oz. cup)

*8 oz. of peach chunks (right now we cannot find fresh peaches in the store, so we are using the peach chunks--found in the refrigerated section of the fruit/veggie area)

*1 1/4 cup of ice (or 8 large ice cubes)

*Honey--add as much or as little as you like!

Put all ingredients in the blender and blend until smoothie texture!  Enjoy!  Note that you'll want to adjust the amount of O.J. up or down--depending on the thickness you prefer.

Makes 3 - 8 oz. servings

*  *  *  *  *

Here's another tidbit I learned about saving the smoothie for later...I take 8 oz. and put in a glass.  Then I put the glass into the freezer, let freeze.  (About 1-2 hours.)  Then I take it out and put it in the refrigerator over night.  By morning, it's the perfect consistency and I enjoy taking it to work and having it as my breakfast!

Now, since I like these A LOT, I wondered what the nutritional analysis was.  It's good for you and NOT calorie filled!!!  Here's the nutritional breakdown for my recipe listed above.  (Note that when I can use fresh peaches, the calories, sugar, and carbs will go down even more!  Though I'll have to add just a little bit more O.J. when using fresh peaches.)

*  *  *  *  *

The BEST One Smoothie NUTRITION FACTS:

Serving Size = 1 cup (8 oz.).
My recipe makes about 3 servings total (24 oz.)

Per Serving Analysis       % of Daily Value

Calories = 125/serving
Fat Calories = 0

Total Fat = 0........................0%
  Saturated Fat = 0.................0%
  Trans Fat = 0

Cholesterol = less than 1 mg......1.5%

Sodium = 14 mg....................less than 1%

Potassium = 192 mg...............5.5%

Carbohydrates = 23 g..............8%
  Fiber = 2 g.........................6.5%
  Sugars = 17.5 g

Protein = 1.5 g.....................3%

Vitamin A...........................5%

Vitamin C...........................117%

Calcium.............................16%

Iron..................................4%

Thiamin.............................3%

Vitamin D............................3%

Vitamin B6...........................1%

Magnesium..........................2%

Niacin................................0.75%

Folate................................5%

Phosphorus..........................2.5%

Mother's Day is almost here!

{simple solution}

Wow...time just flies!  Mother's Day is only a couple of days away--it's on Sunday, May 9, 2010.  As you grow older, you realize how amazing Mothers truly are.  I'd say that 99% of them function similarly--everyone else, especially their children, comes FIRST.  It's very rare that a Mother puts herself first.  When you think of the sacrifices Mothers make, it's astonishing. 

I don't think that any of us Mothers expect anything for Mother's Day and other special days--but we truly appreciate a hug and just being with those we love.  However, I think it's important to do something to display appreciation.  Anything will do!  I always aim to do and get something special for my Mom; and, at the very least--I send a card or e-mail to all of my Grandmas, my Aunts, and many of my close friends and cousins.  Each one of them is very deserving!

If you are pinched for time or stuck and not sure what to do--may I offer some recommendations: Send Roses, Lillies, Sunflowers, a Plant, or a Gourmet Gift!

Simply click the link above or click on the cute teddy bear image below and you'll be taken straight to the site in which you can order something special.  Every time I've used this site--they've done a flawless job!  But the sooner the better as Mother's Day is almost here!

Bike Ride - with a mission...

{scribbles}

When we got home from work and school a few weeks back, we decided that a bike ride sounded fun.  We got our helmets, bikes, jackets, and set out on our adventure.  You see, I then found out that my son was on a mission... 

The mission: to throw a rock in the lake. 

Kids are wonderful and their reality is so calming.  We rode to a lake about 2 miles away, stopped to look at some sculptures on the way, and then completed the mission...my son threw rocks in the lake.  Needless to say, we had a great time!

A picture one of the sculptures we looked at. 
(My son loves bunnies, so we loved finding this one!)

 

Want to surprise your little one?  Here are a couple of ideas (and great places to shop)...and what I love is that these are all constructive--play with a positive purpose!  (Hey, I could market that phrase!)

Awesome LEGO Toys!

Our Child Development Experts Have Selected Wonderful Learning Toys & Games That Help Babies & Children Develop New Skills as They Play! -- and now through May 31st...if you use the code FLAT5MAY, you'll receive $5 ground shipping on all orders!