Getting back to the basics

            I think being on my own has been the best experience I ever threw myself into. I love my family, but I was always constantly trying to please them. I never had a chance to introduce myself to me. Now I can, and I found out I’m a little more interesting than I previously thought. I found out that I rather like being poor because it forces me to stretch my imagination and get really, really creative with EVERYTHING. I really love not having the car during the day because it forces me outside, and I really love the freedom of taking care of my own things. More than anything, I enjoy the simple life. I’m not a minimalist, but I am a simplifier. I prefer to eat organic and local, I consider all life sacred, and I love taking care of the environment and the people in it. I don’t like recreational shopping, and you’ll often hear me talk about alternative lifestyles in the face of consumerism. Honestly, that’s the focus of this little Internet shelf.

            I don’t know about you, but cleaning products really scare the crap out of me. I’m not kidding. I will go weeks without cleaning the bathroom just to avoid scrubbing bubbles. This only compounds the problem, as you can imagine. By week three, I wonder if the outside isn’t more hiney friendly. By the time the toilet starts moaning, I drag myself into the bathroom with elbow length gloves, my old chemistry goggles, and full body clothing just to avoid skin contact. My husband finds this hilarious. Moving on. Today, as I was about to clean the floor I noticed I was out of floor cleaner (darn) and in an attempt to be more eco friendly (and let’s face it, cost effective, I’m broke!) I decided to clean floors the old fashioned way.

            With a brush and rag! To be honest, hand washing the floors was incredibly gratifying. All of those little dirt clogs that mocked my swiffer and smiled innocently back at me were pulverized. I’ve never seen my floor so clean. I only recommend this solution on linoleum too, but it works great! 

That rag (like Patrick Starr's underwear) was white when I bought it. My brush is marinating in floor soup.

            1 gallon of warm water

            ¼ cup of vinegar                       

            ¼ cup of baking soda                       

            a nice squirt of organic dish soap

Marvel at the cleanliness. Nicole, you'd be so proud.

 The best part is the vinegar-baking soda explosion. Just mix it in the bucket.

After that cleaning adventure, the sun miraculously appeared. Since my husband was playing a really terrifying game anyway, I went out for a long jaunt. To my great pleasure, I found a beach, with a boatload of shells. Everywhere. I was the happiest girl ever. You see, shells were the only reason I loved visiting the coast, and now I can have them whenever I want. It's like the golden ticket to the chocolate factory.

I live in such a beautiful area. I've been so blessed.