20 minutes to a Clean Front Cubbies

1) I spent most of the time sorting the massive clot in Cubby 1, using the recycling bucket (bottom right), and the Blue File Box

2) I put all the food into a bag and hung it on the door to remember to go donate it.

3) I rearranged all the shoe cubbies, brushed the beach sand out, and put the gloves (from the floor) into the correct person's cubby

1... 2... 3... to a neat Front Cubby!

And when the timer sounded, I went for lunch {literally} :D

Womb Trouble: The Back Story

The Back Story
About half way through my pregnancy we found out that little Tx was going to be a complicated birth...
After getting some fluid draws to run tests, Doc put me on bedrest.

At first I thought it was great, I get to take 3 weeks off... no chores, no slavin... just chill as much as possible.
I HATE chores! A couple of weeks wont make my house fall apart, and hubby can endure a bit of a mess for a few weeks.

So I went back to the office, and I ask "So am I clear for my next 5k?"
Lady looked at me like I had just said that Tree Trunks are Pink... Doc goes on to tell me that I'm on bedrest for the REST OF MY PREGNANCY and 6 weeks after. At this point I have no more questions, and leave the office in shock.

I tell my husband, and the week passes. At next weeks apointment we have plenty of questions:
What do you mean by Bedrest for the next few MONTHS? - - - Bed or Couch, Rest up, it will help the placenta do it's job
{Now it's my turn to give her the crazy lady look}
Ummm, I'm the military homemaker: cook, clean, etc, that's ALL me! - - - Ok ok, but no more than 20 minutes at a time every couple hours
20 Minutes? If I dont make meals, this family will not eat! - - - ok, you can extend to no more than 30 minutes FOR COOKING ONLY! And do a lot of simple meals: mac 'n cheese, cereal, etc
{Now I'm really lookin at her like she's nuts} But my wonderful husband tells me to shut up and do it {I still get mad about it from time to time, and so does hubby, but he just uses his charm against me til I'm smiling and sitting back down}

And then, FINALLY, a month later there was improvement... not enough to make the doc happy... but a tiny bit of improvement is better than none.
Well Junk... now that means I actually have to follow through with this Bedrest Junk...

MY BODY starts falling apart! Aches, pains, and weight gain... Hubby being a champ, tries his hardest to make me feel good. My only upside is that my health is deteriorating for the sake of my baby... so my health will have to be put on hold!

And worse, this house is falling apart, and hubby hates comming home to a mess after a 14-16 hour military day. He tries to hide it for my sake, but I can tell! I'm his wife, I know when his smile is fake!

But I cant get this house clean by sitting on my butt all day with an occational 20 minutes to spare!
... or can I? :D

Maybe I can clean in under 20 Minutes at a time...
All things are possible...

Homemade Hair Care

I know you've heard a million and one homemade hair care things. I've tried and liked quite a few myself.

This morning I found some recipies with the same basic ingredients but interesting combinations, and more detailed for picking out the correct recipe for YOUR hair.

As a test I will be trying each of these for the next few months... please be patient, I want my hair to dry out in between tests so you can see the REAL results! If you have one that you want me to make priority for my next test, just say so!

Veronica Howard Posted:

Veronica's facebook

OK LADIES, LISTEN UP.
Look to your kitchen for the BEST conditioners to moisturize and revitalize your hair!
Four different masks for each type of hair that you can easily make in minutes using all-natural ingredients you probably have sitting in your refrigerator or cupboard right now!

DRY hair –Olive Oil and Egg
In need of some major TLC?? Combine three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil with two eggs and apply the mixture to your hair and let the mixture sit for 20 minutes before rinsing in the shower.
The olive oil will help hydrate brittle locks, while the protein in the eggs will promote healthy hair growth.

ALL HAIR TYPES — Avocado and Honey
Mask a ripened avocado and mix in a tablespoon of organic honey and allow it to sit for 20 minutes before rinsing it off in the shower.
Avocados are rich in a variety of vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin E and protein, both of which your hair needs to remain soft and healthy. Meanwhile, honey is a natural antibacterial agent.

OILY hair — Apple Cider Vinegar and Lemon
Combine 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar with the grated peel of an entire lemon and allow it to set for 15 minutes to absorb the excess oil from your scalp, and then rinse in the shower.
Apple cider vinegar will remove build up from styling products and conditioners and strengthen the hair shaft, leaving you with soft, shiny strands. It will also balance hair’s pH level, kill bacteria, and is a cure for dandruff.

DRY, flaky scalp hair — Banana, Honey and Almond
Mash together 1/2 a ripe banana and add two tablespoons of honey and a few drops of almond oil and allow it to set with a shower cap on for 20 minutes before rinsing.
Bananas can increase the moisture of your hair, smooth frizz and soothe your itchy scalp.

Choose the one that fits you better and bring your hair back to life!! There is no need to buy the priciest conditioners on the market to moisturize and revitalize your hair.

For more healthy tips please visit www.facebook.com/groups/loosingtogether

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Why God?

Not everything goes well in life, and sometime you & I find ourselves asking God "Why?"

here's something I read on Facebook to help out next time we feel that way...

From Positive Living on Facebook
Direct Pin


Me: God, can I ask You a question?
God: Sure
Me: Promise You won't get mad
God: I promise
Me: Why did You let so much stuff happen to me today?
God: What do u mean?
Me: Well, I woke up late
God: Yes
Me: My car took forever to start
God: Okay
Me: at lunch they made my sandwich wrong & I had to wait
God: Huummm
Me: On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call
God: All right
Me: And on top of it all off, when I got home ~I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn't work!!! Nothing went right today! Why did You do that?

God: Let me see, the death angel was at your bed this morning & I had to send one
of My Angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that
Me (humbled): OH

GOD: I didn't let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.
Me: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick & I didn't want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn't afford to miss work.
Me (embarrassed):Okay

God: Your phone went dead bcuz the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call, I didn't even let you talk to them so you would be covered.
Me (softly): I see God

God: Oh and that foot massager, it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn't think you wanted to be in the dark.
Me: I'm Sorry God

God: Don't be sorry, just learn to Trust Me.... in All things , the Good & the bad.
Me: I will trust You.
God: And don't doubt that My plan for your day is Always Better than your plan.
Me: I won't God. And let me just tell you God, Thank You for Everything today.

God: You're welcome child. It was just another day being your God and I Love looking after My Children...

SHARE on Facebook, or   if you Believe in God ♥

The MAN Muffin

I'm sure you've heard of the Muffin Man.... but let me introduce you to the MAN MUFFIN!



Problem 1: My husband is 6'3" and easily fits 3 muffins in his monstrous hand.
Problem 2: I love spoiling him, so sending a bunch of 'regular' size muffins... just isn't epic enough!
Problem 3: Occasionally some of the young NIEVE single guys at Hubby's work have commented that "having a wife must be a drag"...

So... Here's my Remedy for all 3 problems:


Basically the trick is to cook a 1/2c of mix in a GLASS Measure cup for 1.5x the regular time!

Let it cool completely and it fits perfectly in a 1cup Ziploc! ... Ready to make single guys at work want a wife!

To Get all Detailed:
1) Make any muffin mix you like
2) Put 1/2 cup of mix into a 2 cup GLASS Measure cup (Plastic will melt, common sense.)
3) Put the rest of your mix into your regular muffin pans
4) Cook both the pan & the Cup (not touching) at regular temp & regular time
5) Take the Pan out when the timer dings, but leave the cup in for another 1/2 the regular time
6) Put the Glass cup on a cloth to cool (to prevent weak glass cups from cracking)

Every Married Woman's Mission is that
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good!

Some other things I do to make Hubby feel extra special is:
~ First off I get up 2 hours early to pack his work-lunch EVERY Day! And it's my Mission to make every lunch EPIC!
      - Make Sandwiches that are 3 layers of his favorite veggies, 4 layers of
      MEAT, and of course cheese & condiments (I have to use a deep square
      tupperware because his sandwiches don't fit in Sandwich bags/boxes)
      - Cook an AWESOME (cheap) extra dinner tonight, to pack for tomorrow
~ Leave Girly-Usshy-Gushy Love notes on post-it notes hidden in his lunch box (or care-pack when he's deployed)
~ DEMAND that he have a fun night Without me & kids atleast once a month (which by HIS choice usually does involve me anyway)
~ Put "Jeff's money" in EVERY months budget (even though it's usually only $20-$50/mo, it's money he can use for stupid stuff)
~ Scratch/Rub his back at bedtime until either my shoulder is falling off, or he falls asleep (which ever comes first)
~ Do his dishes... yeah, that one sucks for me, but it makes him happy :p
~ Enforce that any child from my womb "had better respect My Husband at all times" (he was my Hub, BEFORE he became their dad!)
~ Raise SweetP & TBone to be well behaved, well loved, and well loving kids, to make him proud to be THEIR dad.
~ ASK him what makes him happy, and mental-note whatever I did every time he get's the "love this woman" face (sometimes I even make a post-it note in my "locker" (desk cabnet) so I dont forget)

~ Above all else, just do my best in everything I do, and keep my mouth shut about Harmless grievances
(oh you bet your bottom I speak up if he's about to do something consequential! but I refrain from nagging or whining as much as possible)
I'm not A perfect woman, but I'm HIS perfect woman! <3 ... goal accomplished!