Wednesday, April 30, 2008

 

WFMW: Bathrooms

If you have at least one boy, then bathroom cleaning can be, um, challenging. I cannot stand dirty bathrooms, but I especially dislike dirty, smelly ones. And the once-a-week cleaning routine just doesn't cut it at the Suburban household, because I have (count 'em) three boys- and one girl- who share a bathroom.

Enter Lysol cleaning wipes. If you follow this advice, I promise you that it will revolutionize your bathroom cleaning habits forever. Really. Every evening, after the baths, teethbrushing, etc., I pull two wipes from the container under the sink. One wipe is for the countertop and sink bowl. I generally rinse it out once and swipe again. The other wipe is for the toilet seat, under the seat, and behind the seat. *If you have girls only, this piece of advice is utterly meaningless* On Saturday, all I have to do is spritz and wipe the mirror, swish out the toilet bowl, and quick mop the floor. But that's another tip altogether! Sound simple? It really works for me.

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Wednesday, April 23, 2008

 

WFMW: Online Banking



I'm going to take a poll, and I want to see a show of cyber-hands. How many times have you slipped your shoes on to take paid bills to the mailbox? Just as you grab those envelopes, you realize you did put the cute little personalized address labels in the left-hand corner, but you didn't put stamps on them yet. While you begin searching for the sheet of stamps (because you swear they were right here), your sweet chubby-cheeked toddler proudly shows you his latest masterpiece: "A fwag paper, Mommy!" You frantically think, "Oh my goodness! Did he just say 'flag'?" And, sure enough, there are the remainder of your 13 stamps, plastered to black construction paper, and crumpled beyond all recognition.

"Maybe I can gently peel them off," you think to yourself. "Or, if I use the tip of a steak knife, I could slide it under and...." Oh, for the love of Pete, STOP!!!!! Just stop, okay? Step away from the steak knife, give your toddler a big smooch and "thank you", and log in to your bank's website.

Online banking is sooooo easy. I set up our online account myself. And, if you know me, you know that's saying a lot! Online billpay is practically a cinch. Really. It works for me, and it will work for you too.

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Monday, April 21, 2008

 

Guess what we're doing...


This week at school, we are in the throes of standardized testing. My feelings about them are a bit ambivalent, even for an educator! Nevertheless, it is a task we must accomplish, and to the glory of God we shall endeavor.

As a teacher, it is frustrating to walk that tightrope of shedding a bit more light on the question at hand and not "giving away" too much information. I am administering the test to 22 sixth graders; I'll let you draw your own conclusions on that!

This week's testing takes away three whole academic instruction days. Yay! for the kids, but Boo! for the teachers. It seems that everything competes for attention in these last nine weeks. I'm as eager as the next guy/gal for school to be over, but there are things that must be covered!! If I am a bit scarce the next few weeks (as if I'm not scarce enough already), it's not that I don't love you all (five people, including my parents and sister). Just know I'm trying to model what I am pushing for my own children and students- perseverance. Perseverance and faith.

*Contrary to what the comic indicates, I am not a public school educator; but it is funny still!

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Thursday, April 17, 2008

 

So pitiful...


Long streak of un-injured limbs parenting: BROKEN. (Pun intended)

*Note: This is not actually his arm or his cast. He will be "casted" tomorrow morning.

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

 

WFMW: Sleep!


I guess the title says it all, right? The Suburban household is in a Spring Break slump- that's the place where you wish it were still Spring Break and it's not. The end of the school year is in sight; just ask the students! Twenty-eight days and counting. But we have much to do in those 28 days in order to finish well. This is where sleep comes in.

Personally, I'm tempted to scrimp on sleep near the end of a task, especially now that we are moving away and all that entails. But this is not working for me; just ask my husband! So my advice to all of you, and myself, is make time for adequate sleep!


Here are more great tips.

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Thursday, April 10, 2008

 

Free Stuff...


Have you heard of this product? I haven't actually tried it, but I know some (pretty picky) people who have!! Those friends have raved about it. My problem with usual lemonade is that I can't actually taste much lemon. It's generally just sweet yellowish water. Gross.

But this, I hear, is great. So why not try it out for free? Follow this link and give your name and address. Also, if you are a blogger and would like 15 free samples, just jot a post with the link and e-mail them at customercare AT truelemon DOT com to let them know.

Enjoy!

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Wednesday, April 09, 2008

 

WFMW: Progressive Packing...


The Suburban household will be moving in a little over 2 months to another suburban location. The task of packing up an entire house can seem daunting, at best. Here is the best advice I can give on the task, as we have had a little experience in this area!

Designate a room for each upcoming weekend. Take two hours (sometimes it will be less) and a large garbage sack and begin to go through that particular room. Trash is trash, people. Get rid of it!! If the room happens to be a bedroom, go ahead and sort through the clothing for a giveaway pile. Since we are in the spring season here, now would be a great time for me to pack up the winter clothes.

This "progressive packing" will make your actual packing time much easier, and it really works for me. Trust me! There is nothing worse than having to sort and pack at the same time.

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Friday, April 04, 2008

 

Spring Break...

Aaaah! Hear that? Of course you don't, but I'll tell you. It's the sound of my washer and dryer running at 9:54 in the morning. What's this? The Suburban Housewife is online at 9:54 in the morning. Her children are in sweats and blankets, listening to a Junie B. Jones CD and playing with Legos and Polly Pockets.

It is Spring Break, my friends, and I don't even care that it's 55 degrees and misting on this first day of our mini-vacation from school. After school yesterday, we stopped by the library to load up on books for our upcoming week. Yay!! My children are at the age now where they disperse to their own favorite parts of the library and come find and consult with me when they are ready to checkout. And, BONUS, they've learned that the librarians actually GET PAID to answer their questions and help them locate items! Shhhhhh! Don't let that one get out!

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Wednesday, April 02, 2008

 

Works for Me Rerun Edition...

Do you- and by "you" I mean "your children"- misplace library books? Do you ever get that Overdue Notice in your e-mail inbox? Do you have to play "last minute mad-scramble" before heading to the library? Let me be the first to say that all of the above have happened to me. Sometimes I want to avoid the library altogether, but that's not a smart move. So what's my solution? The Library Laundry Basket! It's easy: just designate a small to medium-sized (remember, you have to carry it full of books) laundry basket for library use. Take it into the library with you and tell your children to choose their 5 (or however many books they check out on a weekly basis) books, movies, books on tape, etc. and put them in the basket. I promise you that you will become a favorite with the nearly-retired librarians! After checking out, remind your children that all library items must stay in the basket unless being used. This way, the library things don't get absorbed into your children's things. Imagine: your local library will be FREE again without the hassle of overdue fines from lost books!!

Shannon has some more great reruns over at her place!

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