Any Soldier

http://www.anysoldier.com/index.cfm

Just wanted to share this AMAZING site with you today.  It connects deployed service members with  everyday citizens wanting to help our soldiers.  It is completely searchable by item to be sent, service branch, location of deployment, state unit is deployed from and more. You can read posts from service members to get an idea of what life is like when deployed and the type of donations that are really needed.  You can also make monetary donations or purchase gear online to be sent to your adopted soldier.

The process is pretty straight forward:

(1)  Look at the "Where to Send" section to get some ideas about what service members are in need of most.  Make sure you get things that will ship well.  These boxes get pretty beat up.
(2)  Make purchases.
(3)  Get at least two flat rate boxes (Tell them you are sending to service members. They have special boxes.) Also, go ahead and get your customs forms to fill out.
(4)  Pack one box with necessary items such as soap, shampoo, deodorant, etc.  Pack the other box full of food and snacks.  Apparently, after two weeks in a box and 100 degree temps, crackers will start absorbing the scent of deodorant.  Who knew?!  I like to put things that may leak in ziploc bags for extra protection.  Really cram as much as you can in each box to get the best shipping for your money.
(5) Use packing tape to tape up the boxes.  Go over each fold at least twice and if the box is especially heavy, go ahead and tape up the corners too.
(6)  Go back to www.anysoldier.com and request the address of the soldier you have chosen.  It will be sent to you via email in a matter of minutes.
(7)  Fll out the customs forms according to the directions and tape to the packages.
(8)  Now just mail it off!

I've included a few of the things that most of the service members request and some things I have found they seem to enjoy:

bar soap                                                              beach balls
body wash                                                          water balloons
razors                                                                  shaving cream or soap
feminine products                                               baby wipes
toothbrushes                                                       Q-tips
toothpaste                                                           individual drink mix packets
deodorant                                                            sunscreen
Axe body spray                                                  gum
AA and AAA batteries                                      lotion
any type of candy                                              shampoo
foot powder                                                       writing materials 
body powder                                                      calling cards
books and magazines                                         A & D Ointment
DVDs and video games                                    baby powder
glow sticks                                                        individually packaged snacks
flashlights                                                         silly string
any type of nuts or seeds                                  playing cards and poker chips
sunflower seeds                                                floss and floss picks
any type of nuts                                                microwaveable meals and snacks
mouthwash                                                       letters and cards of encouragement
toys like whoopie cushions                              birthday party supplies
holiday decorations                                          theme party supplies 
twin size sheets                                                towels and blankets
magic kits                                                         remote controlled toys

This makes a great project for classrooms, school and civic groups, church groups, etc.  Most service members will email you after it is received if you will include your contact information.

Bounce Sheet Alternative

Bounce Sheet Alternative

I absolutely abhor static cling.  I mean, REALLY hate it!  Of course, I also hate the filmy build-up that dryer sheets leave behind on my lint screen too.  Last year, after our dryer sensor went out, I learned that dryer sheets could be to blame.  Good time for someone to tell me!  I went looking for a cheap and easy alternative.  I had heard that Bounce bars were wonderful, but I was not at all pleased with the price.  I found a few other suggestions about liquid softener and sponges, but that sounded really messy, so when I came upon this idea, I knew I had to try it.  Here's what I do:

Take several thick wash cloths.  New wash cloths seem to work best.  Those that have been washed several times don't seem to work as well.  To make this even easier, I would suggest buying a few new wash cloths in some really bright and easily recognized colors.  Just make sure they don't match some you already have because you will not want them to get mixed up with the ones you throw in your washer.

Then, take a large bowl and pour in your favorite liquid fabric softener.  One by one, submerge each wash cloth until they are all thoroughly coated and under the fabric softener.  I leave mine in there for a couple of hours.  The idea is to really saturate the cloth with the fabric softener.

Next, gently squeeze out the excess fabric softener from each wash cloth.  Leave as much as you can in each cloth because this will determine how many times you can use each cloth without having to re-saturate it.  Use clothes pins or clip hangers to hang the wash cloths to dry.  It will take at least 1-2 days for them to completely dry and when they do, they will be as stiff as boards.  Just make sure you really like the scent of the fabric softener you use, because your whole house will smell like it while the wash cloths dry!

When your cloths are dry, all you have to do is throw one in your dryer with your wet clothes.  Make sure you pick out you dryer cloth when you put up your clean laundry (this is why wild colored cloths are a good idea) and try to remember not to wash your specified cloths.

I've been doing this for about six months with no problems.  Even in the worst winter months, I had no static cling. The more you re-saturate your cloths, the longer they seem to hold the fabric softener.  I can use one cloth for about 15-20 loads of laundry now, so I only have to re-saturate every couple of months.  One large bottle of liquid fabric softener lasts for about 6 months!

Kitchen Sink Scrub

I have the absolute worst kitchen sink in the whole wide world.  When time came to buy it while building our house, money was tight and I never really thought there would be that big of a difference in kitchen sink qualities.  Boy, was I wrong!  Our sink is not nearly slanted enough and seems to catch and hold little pieces of everything it comes into contact with.  It's completely drives me crazy, so I was constantly cleaning and scrubbing it.  Luckily, I read that baking soda is safe for stainless steel, so now this is what I use:

Kitchen Sink Scrub

1 Cup Baking Soda

10-20 Drops Scented Oil

Mix well. Put into Parmesan cheese shaker.  Allow to sit 24 hours before use.  Shake all over sink. Allow to sit if desired. Turn on hot water and scrub.

I have read some blogs stating only to use essential oils, but I use the cheap scented oils from places like Wal-Mart and Dollar Tree and have well pleased. I let the mixture sit in my sink for about 30 minutes, just to get a nice smell and it really does work at removing hardened food residue.

Oreo Balls

Oreo Balls

This is perhaps my favorite treat.  I make this for holidays, parties, treats for my classroom, whatever.    They are always a big hit and I hardly ever bring any home.  The great thing about this recipe is, you can double or even triple the recipe, and they turn out just as great.  I have used white chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate for the outside coating. You could use any type of coating really, as long as it will harden up.  I really want to try all of the different baking chips that are available. Butterscotch and Oreos sound delish! You can also crush candy or peppermint pieces or roll them in sprinkles.  The possibilities are endless!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

This may very well be Hubby's favorite cookie and I think I have finally gotten it down to a science.  Hubby always wipes these out, as do most relatives, friends, church families and co-workers, so if you are looking to take these somewhere and come home with a few leftovers, might ought to just go ahead and make a second batch.

A few notes about making these cookies:
1.  If the cookies look dull when you start to drop them, you have left them in the boil for too long.    They will be probably be dry and crumbly.  These cookies should have a shiny quality to them.
2.  Do NOT double this recipe.  It hardly ever works out well.  Cook each batch separately.  If you want to use the same pan, allow to completely cool and wash all ingredients out before starting a new batch.  Any leftover ingredients in your pan will be overcooked and if the pan is already hot, it will not cook the proper amount of time.
3.  Allow to cool on wax paper COMPLETELY before you move them.  The cookies will be really soft for a while after you drop them. If you move them before they are ready, they will break apart and stick together if you stack them.  They need time to become cold and allow the chocolate to harden.  I usually allow several hours for this, so if I need them for an event, I cook them the day before.
4.  In a sealed container, these cookies will stay moist for over a week, but trust me, they will never make it that long.

Carpet Powder Recipe

Carpet Powder Recipe

Borax is supposed to kill bugs (especially helpful if your dogs get fleas) and baking soda neutralizes odors, so this is a great combo.  I will never buy commercial carpet powder again.

1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Baking Soda
10-20 Drops Essential Oil

Mix together well. Put into Parmesan cheese shaker.  Allow to sit 24 hours before use (so the oil can really soak in.)
Shake on carpet and allow to sit at least 1 hour if possible, then vacuum.  On a side note, I really like using eucalyptus essential oil.  It has some antibacterial qualities and helps me breathe a bit easier.  Heaven knows if you have allergies in the South, that is always a plus!

Semi-Homemade Laundry Detergent

Semi-Homemade Laundry Detergent

While I in no shape, form or fashion consider myself an all-organic type of girl, I have started making my own semi-homemade laundry detergent and I absolutely love it! It does have some chemicals in it, which are easily removed if you so wish.  This produces very low suds so it's great for high efficiency washers.  This particular recipe also leaves our laundry smelling fresh until we get ready to wear it.  Hubby is so intent upon using it, he actually made the last batch!

Semi-Homemade Laundry Detergent
(Makes Approximately 2 Gallons)

2 Bars Fels-Naptha Soap (dice then chop in food processor)
1 Bar Ivory Soap (dice then chop in food processor)
1 Large Box Baking Soda
1 Box Borax
1 Box Washing Soda
1 Large Bottle Purex Crystals
2 Containers Generic OxyClean

Put a large garbage bag in bottom of 5-gallon bucket. Pour in all ingredients. Twist bag well, lift and shake to mix ingredients. Put into container (I use a 2-gallon glass jar with lid from Wal-Mart) and you are ready to use.  I use about 2 coffee scoops per load.

Becoming Chicken Owners

Becoming Chicken Owners

So yesterday, Hubby and I became chicken owners.  Call it our first step into insanity.

We picked up four beautiful Rhode Island Red hens and one Golden Wyandotte rooster, all of whom are seven weeks old.  We also grabbed a gorgeous Cinnamon Queen hen who is only two weeks old, so she may end up living in a dog crate in the house for a few weeks.  Call that our second step into insanity.

I've already named our new baby Cleopatra, so it is really going to hurt if she gows up mean and we have to fry her. As for the others, I can't tell the hens apart, so no sense in naming them yet and the roo is begging for a great name, but no inspiration has hit yet.

Since Cleopatra stayed in the house last night, I have learned that, much like her namesake, she is a demanding little diva.  She chirped and squawked all morning until I let her out of the dog carrier.  She just walked around, tagging along after Remi (our Shih Tzu) and pecking at Tank (our Shih Tzu/Poodle mix.)  She finally got so mad when I put her back up she started flapping her wings and trying to get out of the cage.  Out onto the front porch she went and the rest of the day has been blissfully quiet.  This only tells me that while we might enjoy our own eggs once they start coming in, I am not going to be raising chicks.  Hubby can handle that one all on his own!

Here Goes

Here Goes

Why I am actually doing this, I have no idea.....so here goes.

I am a 30-something Special Education teacher living in Tennessee with my awesome husband and two dogs. We live on a lake.  We hunt. We fish.  We eat meat and Oreos. We are members of the church of Christ. We are conservative.  We own guns and really enjoy shooting them.  My favorite color just might be camo.  We watch NASCAR, Swamp People and Duck Dynasty. I admire all those who run marathons, grow everything yourselves and eat only organic and healthy foods, but we are not those people.  If you have not been offended yet and wish to continue reading, then WELCOME!