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Natural Carpet Deodorizer….Thanks for the article Tracy!
There are many carpet deodorizers on the market today which contain toxic chemicals that may actually be harmful to pets and small children. An alternative to these commercial carpet deodorizers would be a “green” alternative deodorizer that you make yourself, using baking soda, an odor neutralizer to remove the odor from your carpet, not cover it up.

Recipe
• 25 drops Lavender
• 15 drops Tea Tree
• 10 drops Lemon
• 1 16 ounce box of baking soda
Add the baking soda to a large glass or ceramic bowl, anything but plastic and then add the essential oils. Be sure to completely mix the essential oils into the baking soda especially the lemon because of its yellow color it could stain your carpet if not mixed completely.

You may change the blend if you prefer different oils, but these particular essential oils in this recipe provide antibacterial and disinfectant properties and are especially helpful in high traffic areas or if you have pets or children. After blending the essential oils into the baking soda, the deodorizer can be stored in a glass jar or airtight container.

Instructions for Use: Sprinkle the deodorizer onto your carpet. You may use any type of clean container with holes to dispense the deodorizer onto your carpet. Allow the deodorizer to sit on your carpet for at least 30 minutes or more and then vacuum normally. You can also apply the deodorizer at night before you retire for bed and then vacuum in the morning. If you have dark carpets I would not leave on overnight.

Green Tip: The deodorizer will penetrate deeper into the fibers if you vacuum the carpets before applying the deodorizer.

Enjoy!!
By Tracy Neely

Found this article in Parents Magazine: April 2008….and I thought I would pass along the info for you to do with your children

1. Celebrate a new holiday. Announce that it’s Polka-Dot Day or Purple Day.
2. Throw a doll’s birthday party. Wrap up a few “gifts”, decorate with balloons and streamers, and enjoy a mock - or real- cake.
3. Dress for the weather. Lay out items for different weather condititions, describe a certain day, and ask your child to pick an outfit for it.
4. Open a petting zoo. Place stuffed animals around the room, pet each one, and talk about what they like to eat.
5. Camp out in your living room. Climb into a tent and sleeping bags, Turn on a flashlight, and pretend to eat s’mores.
6. Form a family band. Have everyone grab an instrument and jam to a cd.
7. Imitate animals. Practive hopping like a frog, squirming like a worm, wadding like a duck, and stretching like a cat.
8. Play restaurant. In the real kitchen or a pretend one, alternate between being the customer and the server or chef.
9. Offer horsy rides. Let her bounce on your back while you “neigh” and chew hay.
10. Ride the laundy-bin “school bus”. She’s the passenger, and you’re the driver. Make stops to pick up other kids, and wave bye-bye to the mommies at each stop.

OMG….The butler bag…you must have heard of it…it has been featured on Oprah, Pregnancy Magazine, US weekly….the bag of all bags…trust me.

I have one - and I love it!

READ ALL ABOUT IT HERE…NEW COLORS INTRODUCED TOO!

I am always looking for a good book to inspire me to be a better mom and wife….a client sent me this list so I thought I would pass it along to ya’all…happy reading!

A Mother’s Heart by Jean Fleming
Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
Being a Great Mom Raising Great Kids by Sharon Jaynes
Love Notes in Lunchboxes by Linda J. Gilden
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey
The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
Delight in your Child’s Design by Laurie Winslow Sargent
Baby Wise by Ezzo and Ezzo
The Mommy Book by Karen Hull
Say Goodbye to Whining, Complaining and Bad Attitudes by Scott Turansky and Joanne Miller
One Home at a Time by Dennis Rainey
Raising Boys by Dr. Dobson
The Strong Willed Child by Dr. Dobson
Professionalizing Motherhood by Jill Savage
Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel
Family Devotions by Josh McDowell
Breathe by Kent
A Mom After God’s Own heart by Elizabeth George
Love Languages by Chapman

How to preserve your personal space….

Excerpt from “Milk It” How to get the most of the next 9 months…

“Beign pregnant measns sharing your body with someone else. But voluntarily accommodating a baby is one thinkg; being subject to the hands-on approach of everyone you meet is quite another. For as soon as you are visibly with child, you will be touched, your belly rubbed, and your figure stared up and down. Previously pregnant women will check out your ankles (to see how swollen they are) and your bump (to see whether your’e carrying high or low). The never-been-pregnant crowd will star at your belly (because it’s just so big and round) and your boobs (likewise). Maybe people think that because you were unihibited enough to get pregnant in the first place you must have no concept of personal space. Or maybe people are just freaks.
Ofcourse, it all depends on who’s doing the touching. Close friends, your sister, even the father of your child may all be well within rights to get intimate with your person. Thses are the poeple who hug and kiss you to say hello.
The trick, then, is to create an impenetrable exlusion zone around your entire body…
* develop an unapproachable demeanor.
* wear a large handbag diagonally across your body.
* Retch slightly, as if you might be about to throw up.
* spell it out with graphic tees….”hands off”

Alot of my friends raved about a moses basket for new baby because you can take it with you to grandma, friends or even around your own home….baby can sleep and be mobile!

Stunning Clairbella moses basket includes bumper, mattress, sheet and blanket in coordinating print.

Custom to order…allow three weeks from date of order to your doorstep.

GO SHOPPING…VIEW ALL PRINTS HERE…