Chad, Jessica, Jet and Aijiahlyn

Friday, February 27, 2009

Tips and Tricks

First off, I want to thank everyone for their comments from my last blog...I'm so excited to have a boy now....for realzies! In fact, you guys were all so helpful, that I'm glad we're having a boy first! Thank you so much!

So, I'm sure you all have discovered some tricks that you keep the house in order. Well, I thought I'd share mine. I hope that they may be useful to someone. : )

Opening jars: This trick works 100% of the time. So....the stupid lid on your jar won't open....get out some heavy duty hitting object...I like my meat tenderizer...and give the edge of the lid a THWACK!!! This will break the seal, and make it easy to open....you may need to hit it 2-4 times, depending on how big of a "pain-in-the-tush" the lid wants to be. You will never have to ask hubby to open a jar again.....now he can help with more important things....like cleaning!

It's quite energizing!




Clogged drains: I have long hair, and it's staying that way. This leads to clogged shower drains....well, NO MORE. If you have a problem, use Hair-away....it actually dissolves the hair, instead of just pushing it out the drain. To PREVENT the problem, I have invented an amazing contraption....well, I invented it in my head, and then the idea was STOLEN, and I saw it on the store shelf. It lays on top of your drain, like a top hat. It catches all the hair, and let's the water go through. Before my shower, I lay it down, after the shower, empty it and that's it. It's better to prevent than treat. I found mine at Albertson's for $2.00
Rubber bands: This is 10 times better than a rubberband ball. Use a rock climbing hook....I got mine free from the national guard. Keeps all the rubberbands in one place, and it's the easiest access ever!


Tired of credit card offers? Save the fake card they give you, and use them for scrapers. I use these to scrape dried crud off counters, dishes, cabinets....anything. Save your nails! Save time!
You can buy scrapers too, but these are free. I had a pic, it disappeared.

Drink more water. I am always forgetting to drink water, and I know I need to, so this helps Chad and me. If we buy a bottle, I keep it and reuse it for water, and keep it in the fridge. It makes me 10 times more likely to drink water, cuz it's easy, and water that's been chilled in the fridge tastes the best. If I know I'm going to be sitting somewhere for more than 10 minutes....like when I read blogs....I'll take a water bottle with me, and I ALWAYS finish it....not cuz I'm trying to....but it's there, so I keep drinking....it's kinda subconcious.

Stretch your juice. Many people aren't a fan of plain water, but juice is spendy and has high calories...and crystal light is gross to us...so we will fill a water bottle 1/5 juice, 4/5 water. It's a lot like those "Twist" drinks. We like it. Plus, I love those big juice bottles, cuz when they're empty, I'll sanitize them, fill them with water, and put them in the garage for water storage. The plastic is nice and thick.

Keeping herbs fresh: I used to think the best way to keep herbs (like cilantro) fresh, was put the stems in a glass of water, like it's a bouquet of flowers, and pop them in the fridge. That works pretty well, but the best way is to wrap them in paper towel, and put them in a plastic bag. They're keep A LOT longer. This cilantro is 2 weeks old, and looks like I just got it.

So, those are a few things from me.


So, I have been showered with gifts lately, I just had to share....because the stuff is SOOO cute. Chad completely surprised me with yummy goodies from bath and body works...and a bag of Sweet Factory candy....peach penguins, swedish fish....YUM!
My friend Amy and her mom surprised me with this fabulous mug that says sereni-tea, the absence of stress while drinking tea. It's the nicest mug I have, it's thick, has rounded edges, and it stinkin' cute! They also got me the BEST TEA ever! Blackberry and elderflower....they serve it at Ruthie Bee's. $9 a box! They knew I'd never get it for myself, so they got it for me....it smells like flowers and tastes like berries, and has all these subtle flavors at once....this is the only tea Chad likes. And some lavendar soap!


These are some of the clothes Chad's mom got us for the new little tike. I LOVE THE PUMA onesie! And, we got matching socks! Everything is so soft and adorable!



This is the orchid from my mumsie. Orchids make me happy....very happy.....like mangoes. Now my dining room is cheerier than ever!

I've been spoiled....MAJOR! Isn't all so cute? Sorry the pics are weird, I had to use the camera on the laptop...I did my best.

9 comments:

Jenn said...

Jess - those pictures were great! I felt like I was right there with you as you're writing the blog :) You're hair's so long now! Thanks for the tip...I'm going to have to get that stuff! I love onesies, they're the bestest!!! Those little socks are so precious! That was sweet of Mom Starkey to bring you an orchid, what a lovely way to brighten a day :) Love you! Enjoy your tea, it sounds berry delicious!

Sisters: Chunky to Skinny said...

Very cute pics. How about one of your belly?

Danielle said...

Wow! Great tips! You are awesome- I don't have any good tips. Just...uh...try not to let the dishes go TOO long because then it takes longer to clean them. Go figure?

I love the cute clothes and LOVE the flower. So pretty and...shall I say it? Hip. Yes, I think they flower is in style. hah. Love ya!

Karen K. said...

Great tips. I remember when I first saw one of those "hair hat" things. It was at my mother-in-law's and it had left-over hair in it. Ewwww. It did work though!

Also I was so excited when I came home from the grocery store yesterday. I took my cilantro out and started to put it in the fridge in its little plastic bag and then I thought: "No! You mustn't do that--Jessica said to wrap it in paper towel!" So off I went, downstairs, in search of paper towel because the roll upstairs was empty. There was NO PAPER TOWEL ANYWHERE! WHAT was I to DO with my cilantro? After a great deal of agonizing ;) I went back upstairs and found a cotton dish towel in which I wrapped my cilantro. It is now very happy. We'll see how long it lasts.

And finally, I really like the rubber band holder idea. I have so many rubber bands at work that I don't know what to do with. Great idea!

Thank you for the tips. :)

AMY AND MIKEY said...

I love the hair idea- and I've never heard of Hair be gone. your gifts are cute- I'm glad you're happy about having a boy- thanks for your comment on school- love you

Christine said...

Cute pictures! I am so excited for you! Boys are fun! (I love being an aunt to one!) :)
Anyway- to answer your question you left on my blog...yes- I can be harmful, well more like decreasing what you have done. (If that makes sense) I would try 3-5 days of moderate to intense exercise (Cardio) about 45-60 min. and on the off days, weight-lift (LIGHT lifting for you darling! No heavy lifting with the baby! I like just using your own body weight) yoga, Pilates, Yogilaties (my new love) If you have a membership to a gym- see what classes they offer. I love cycling and body sculpt! BUT remember, if your body is telling you NO- then LISTEN to your body. You don't want to be pushing to your max right now.
As for Chad, I would say that getting at least 60 minutes of moderate to intense exercise 5-6 days a week is good. But weight-lifting every other day, or do lower body one day and upper body the next, the muscles need time to repair and rebuild. Let me know if there is anything else I can help out with! And if there is a weekend we can get together and workout! :)

Christine said...

I forgot to give you the exercise levels while pregnant...you don't want to go to intense and out of breath...cause you out of breath means the baby is out of breath. Make sure to check your heart rate during exercise. Go low-moderate of your heart rate...I can help ya out to figure out your percentages and stuff..email me at ctoftdahl@gmail.com

Lanette said...

Awesome tips! I love the jar opening one especially. And I'm positive Shaun will too. Sometimes I postpone making dinner until he's home because I can't open a jar. And congrats on your boy! (belated) :) You'll be such a great mom. Also, thanks for commenting on my blog. There's something about comments...it makes my day. :)

Hailey & Jared said...

I love the hairband idea, I must say ingenius! I also LOVE the all the Puma outfits(we did good)! Dogs today = yes DEFINATLY! I feel like the worst mommy EVER! Poor Jack and Saki, Timmy is way better at this whole thing than I am! Maybe one day I will learn and be a superstar at it! haha We are allowed to dream right?! Love you Jessie J0y