A new magic wand (sorta)

Every domestic engineer finds herself wondering if those new cleaning products are worth the money. For myself I have found white vinegar, and baking soda to do most of the work in my house. Occasionally I get out the Clorox bleach for strong disinfection. So I am always weary of any new products.
Recently though I have found myself rather embarrassed with the state of my carpets. My living room is home to wall to wall light pink low pile carpet. As I call it the stain magnifier. Now I rent so please don't think that my design tastes are horrible, it came this way. I am a fan of the neutral colors. I told my partner I needed to try and get up the stains on the carpet. I have used foaming carpet cleaners before and they work for some stains. I went to the store and what should I see on sale this week, Wool lite Carpet Stick. Now I realize this is nothing more than a brush with a handle but I will say I am impressed.
I am normally one to avoid new gadgets. I try to keep cleaning simple so its not over welming. So purchasing this gadget with its chemical cleaner was far outside of the norm for me. I had two rather larger and noticeable stains on the carpet in the living room. One was from chocolate milk the other was a "mystery" stain. You know the stain no one knows how it got there or what is was. So I went for it. I put the stick together and followed the directions. The first thing a user does is put the can upside down in the base of the stick and "unlock" the stick. Then turn the stick with the brush side up and pull it backwards across the carpet. Now I don't know about everyone else but in the past using a canned carpet cleaner getting even application was difficult. With the design of the stick it applies and even amount of cleaner over the stain.
The next step is "locking" the stick and turning it over with the brush down. Now is time for elbow grease to go to work. Scrubbing the carpet was always one aspect of spray cleaners I hated. It would get on my hands and in my face. I have also used a sponge mop of carpet cleaners. Not this time, the stick has a stiff bristled brush on back. The handle is strong enough to really get to scrubbing. While I was scrubbing I could tell that the cleaner was working. These stains have been there for months. At one point I had a rug over them. I scrubbed each stain of about 5 minutes.
The final step is to allow the cleaner to dry. I let it dry over night and vacuumed the area the next morning. While the stains weren't gone completely I could tell a significant difference in the color of the stains.
I then went into my bed room where the carpet is WHITE!!! I went to work on some chocolate milk stains. Here I was impressed as well. My partner could see the difference. I was pleased with the results the combo of the stick and the cleaner together.
I will say the Wool lite carpet stick isn't a steam cleaner. Its not a Rug doctor in anyway. I actually love the rug doctors because they do in fact work so well but renting professional equipment isn't practical for every day applications. I have also wanted a carpet cleaner for my home but the sheer size and mess of those are intimidating. Again something I wouldn't mind having for a few times a year but not something I would want to use for a minor spill or the area in front of the door.
It would seem the Wool lite carpet stick is filling a niche between an bi annual steam clean and inexpensive canned carpet cleaners. Not a bad place to be for those us who don't like scrubbing carpets on our hands and knees or want to get out a 30lb carpet cleaner. I would say give it a try it would be well worth it.

Behind every Great Man is a Great Woman.

I realize this statement comes from an era when women were supposed to be happy to stay at home and do mundane tasks. Our representation in public was through our men. No longer do women have to do this and its a most wonderful thing we have this option. Yet staying at home and running the house we have an obligation to help our men be great. After all they are a reflection of us and we a reflection of them.
This morning wasn't a normal morning in my home. My partner got up this morning to go to a job interview. If I am going to advance financially its imperative that he do well in the working world. It is in my best interest that he look and act his very best. If his clothes are wrinkled, is stressed out, or worse just plain distracted by what happens at home there's not much of a chance he'll succeed in landing that coveted job.
While he's highly qualified for the job position he wanted, he couldn't have walked out that door without my encouragement. While he was getting ready I was trying to iron his favorite "interview" pants. As a side note there really needs to be an easier way to iron kakhi. Yet it was stressful, he was rushing around gathering documents searching for info ect. He was concerned that this job wasn't going to happen. I remained calm. I couldn't possibly cause problems for him as he had enough to think about.
So when he returned he told he drove 80mph and got to his interview 3 minutes before he was supposed to be there. He went into his interview room and gave the interview of a life time. He said it was a whirl wind because when he got back the family was going camping. He said he did alright.
I am pretty convinced that he wouldn't have tried as hard for this particular job if the he was a single male without childern and a woman. we shall see if my efforts to get him out on this interview payed off. I have been down the interview road before with him and nothing came of it.

Failing your child with the reward of success

At one point or another all parents will find themselves in a situation that doesn't ignite pride but instead ignites a need to defend your child's need to know they failed. It may be that one day your child comes home from school with an A on paper they you can clearly see isn't A work. It might be that your child was supposed to earn enough stickers to go to a class party and didn't but went anyway. Too often childern are rewarded when they haven't preformed to a certain level. These times are when parents truly need to step up and ask why?
I found myself in this strange situation a few weeks ago. My three year old son had been attending AWANAS at a local church. AWANA's uses bible verse memorization and group activities to engage childern in the life of Christ. Children who memorize bible verse units are rewarded with patches to put on a vest. Since August my son and I had been working on a near weekly basis doing bible study and memorization. I was amazed that he could spit out two or three verses a week, he was just barely three when we started. After 10 months of working he had completed all of the bible verses for his age group and thus completed his first work book. The reward was a small bear to attach to his vest. He had even finished early and was very excited about getting his first book award. I was excited to because for the first time in his life he had done a group activity and in the process accomplished the monumental task of memorizing nearly 100 bible versus.
It was an evening earl this June when we showed up to the award ceremony. He was excited he was finally going to receive his award. We arrived just in time for it to start. His age group was going to go second after the 2 year olds. Finally, the big moment had arrived. He was up on stage. Things kicked off with a song and then one by one each child was called to recieve their award. They first when through all of the First year awards and my son's name wasn't called. I had assumed since we were a bit late that things were out of order. Then they called the second year awards. Then finally the announcer said "And this years participation award goes to Nathan J. For participating in Cubbies". I was very confused at this point. My son didn't just participate in cubbies. He and I had put forth a lot of effort to earn his patches. He had all of his patches so why then didn't he get his first year award.
Nathan asked where his bear was and I told him we'd have to go talk to someone. I didn't really know what was happening. My first thought was because my family didn't attend this church on a weekly basis that we weren't allowed to get the Full award. Then I realized that wasn't the right way to think about things the first church we attended for AWANA's had a lot of participants who didn't attend on a weekly basis. I left the auditorium and started gathering my questions. I found one of his class room teachers and asked why he didn't get his first year award and she said he didn't know the versus. He wasn't their enough. My heart boiled with furry. Not because my son hadn't accomplished this task but because no one told me he wasn't preforming in class. In fact they were rather insistent that I bring his book so he could get his patches. I was upset that everyone acted as though things were fine my son was being rewarded for half way doing things. That wasn't okay with me. Either my child makes an "A" or he doesn't. I couldn't believe that was happening even at church.
I actually had to leave and sit in the car I was so upset. My son and I had nearly 3 full weeks to review and work on any versus he didn't know and none of his teachers told me. Like I said he was already given his patches. For three weeks i was under the impression that things were fine. After the ceremony was over I found the coordinators for his age group and tried as hard as possible to remain calm. I asked her why my son had his patches for the versus he'd learned if hadn't actually done them class. Why was under the impression for nearly a month that my child had done the work needed to earn those patches. Honestly at this point I didn't want my son to even have a vest full of patches he didn't earn. The coordinator didn't really know what I was talking about. She was actually impressed that my son had gotten things done. She said there had been a mix up and some of the kids didn't get the right awards. Additionally there was confusion over who had actually finished their books. That explanation was fine with me. It didn't change the fact my son was recognized in front of every as only as a participant but I can let that go.
I had found myself having to take up for my son's possible failure. It was a strange place to be to say the least. I can only imagine what it will be like later on if he goes to school. I expect those who are in charge of son and his education be it religious or academic tell me when he isn't doing superior work. I wouldn't dare be hurt by it in the least. In fact I would be very appreciative. I would be empowered to help my child succeed at a later time.

Save Money: Find a Fruit Tree

A week or so ago I noticed that my neighbor had a rather loaded cherry tree. The fruit wasn't ripe just yet but I have kept my eye on it since then. This morning while I was running I noticed the fruit was wonderfully ripe. I made it a personal mission to ask my neighbor if I might have a few pounds of cherries for my family. I was even willing to pay a small price ( a $1/pound).
On the way to story time who should I see out side but my neighbor. He was outside picking cherries so I had to stop and ask him if I could have some. His deal, take as many as you want. As soon as I returned from story time my son and I headed down to the neighbors house and we picked half a basket of wonderful and delicious cherries...FOR FREE.
In this economy a Domestic Engineer needs to save as much money as possible. Now we can cut cost on toilet paper and cutting back on the junk food. However , it comes to the over all nutritional needs of our families we shouldn't skimp. We should seek out those long forgotten fruit trees hanging out in the neighbors yard. It may be the fruit tree you want is on a vacant property in that case its best to find out who the owner is and ask them if you can pick. Don't go about picking fruit that doesn't belong to you though. After you have established that you can pick fruit from someone else's tree find out what the limits are. Some people probably wouldn't mind if you are return several times, some might only allow you to pick a few basket worth. The main thing here is to have some class and grace about yourself and go by the limits.
Ask what the boundaries are. Some of these trees are old and probably haven't been pruned in years. It would be best to avoid climbing the trees for your own safety. If you have a step stool or ladder that might be best. Make sure though before using a ladder that its o'kay with the tree owner.
Finally once picking is underway be careful not to cause damage to the tree you are packing from. I was picking cherries this morning and over bent a tree limb. I plan on telling my neighbor what happened. I doubt the damage is permanent though. I do know that next time I will avoid pulling branches down for so long.
I have saved about $14 by asking my neighbor to pick from his trees. I have also found two apple trees in a ladies yard. I plan on asking her if I can pick a few apples from her trees as well. I plan on seeking out other neglected fruit trees and grape vines for the remainder of the summer.

Beating it on a Rock

This morning I was in my laundry room and it got me thinking, how easy laundry is to do. I have a laundry room equipped with an automatic washer and dryer. There's but a few modern American homes that lack such equipment. I also have an ironing board with my iron ready to go.
There was a time not so far in the distant past when Laundry was a chore. Our earliest ancestors merely beat their clothes out on a rock. Then came along soaps and the wash board. From what I understand the Wash board was a modern marvel of its time. Imagine you could take your laundry somewhere else other than the local river. Many women were out in the back yard a few times a week hunched over a wash tub and a good wash board. There she washed her families laundry.
Now at some point some one came up with the idea of the ringer to removed the water from clothes. This must have been a marvelous invention as well. I mean could you imagine hand ringing heavy cotton linen. Its not like the family was wearing T-shirts and polyester pants.
With the common use of electricity came the electric ringer washer. These early models were no more than an electric agitator, the laundry still had to be manually put into the ringer. I can assure this was no easy task. Just as an example have you ever tried to smash a large ball of play dough through one of those dough machines. Imagine doing that with your favorite dress or your husbands dungarees.
But alas a wonderful man came along and solved the problems of the ringer, he made it electric. For some reason I think this idea seemed better than it was. Two rolling barrels there to put your clothes through and possibly your fingers. Nice try but I like my pointer finger.
So then came along the SPIN cycle. Oh! what a wonderful day that was in the homes of Domestic Engineers everywhere? For once you could put on a load of laundry and come back to it when it was done. No longer did we have to stand by the washer waiting for the water to drain and then squeezing the water from our laundry.
As you have noticed I made no mention of the electric clothes dryer. That's because that was another task women were destine to do on laundry day. The clothes be it 2000 BC or 1920 had to be hung up to dry. I am sure when the marvels of Natural gas were making its way into Victorian age homes there must have been a gas clothes dryer. However, I doubt they were no more than luxury at that point. As you can imagine Rain, Sleet, and Snow were a damper on laundry day. I know this for myself as I have lived without a dryer before. I have had tons of laundry drying all around my home because it was raining or worse, they would get frozen. The electric clothes dryer became popular and with good reason. No longer did you have to wait the entire day for laundry to dry. There weren't as many wrinkles so ironing could be skipped and the weather wasn't going to stop a domestic engineer from doing more housework.
I mentioned Ironing before. We live in a remarkable time in the history of laundry. In less than 2 hours it can be folded and put away without blinking and eye. There was a time when Ironing HAD to be done. Nearly everything was made from 100% cotton. In this day and age I run from cotton linen like the plague. It wrinkles if its breath on the wrong way. Yet the domestic Engineers of our past had no choice. They had to iron to everything, table cloth, the shirts, the jackets, the petticoats. And ironing wasn't as easy as heating up the Black and Decker iron you got for your wedding present either. First the iron was made of solid cast iron and had to be heated by a fire. The ironess had to wear a mitten over her hand so she wouldn't get burned. There was no spray corn starch in those days, so you guessed it, the laundry had to be soaked in the starch before ironing. Another step in the laundry process long forgotten. With her heavy iron the domestic engineer set out to press every stitch of the clothing in the home.
Now some remarkable things happened in the 20th century that has saved the Domestic Engineer from ironing every stitch of the clothing. Those things are the electric clothes dryer and polyester. Polyester freed women in that it doesn't wrinkle. I have heard whispers from Domestic Engineers of this era that looked at polyester clothing for her family as a way to get out of ones duties. I look at as something I don't have to iron. Ironing also became easier with the advent of the electric iron and spray starch. I love spray starch for making collars look nice, but I could never imagine having to soak the collar in the just the right amount of starch to keep it from getting too shiny or so hard it could stand up and walk by itself. Starching clothes in of its self must have been a true art form. In this day and age an ironed shirt is a luxury. A true luxury if one is able to starch it to perfection.
Though women no longer find themselves beating clothes on a rock, or ironing their clothes with 20lbs cast iron clothing iron we still cannot seem to do the laundry and we most certainly don't enjoy it. Well that's some of us, knowing our history and how far we have come with doing laundry I can happily say I LOVE laundry. I wash clothes several times a week and its as easy as taking the clothes basket to the laundry room, turning on the washer and adding detergent. I then move the laundry from the washer to the dryer. As soon as the dry is finished or after I fluffed it for the 10th time I will fold the clothes. I use the top of my dry er to fold clothes. I have found putting my freshly dried clothes in a laundry basket only lets them pile up in unfolded masses..usually destine to be rewashed again. IF a shirt needs to be ironed I plug in my iron and give the shirt a quick pressing. With all of my convinces I still have a load of towels that have been in dryer for nearly two days and a set of bath mats in the washers that's been finished since 10AM this morning. :)