(I finally decided to join all the fun!)
1. I ordered our school materials the day after I asked you about this. What I chose was a combination of MODG, for schedule, and Mater Amabilis for nature study, history and the general CM approach. I'm really excited about the upcoming year and so is Gianna. We went out on a girls date together and I found myself, again, struck by what a fine young lady she is becoming. We talked all things school and when the subject came to extra-curricular activities she informed me she'd only like to take ballet, art class, piano and horseback-riding. Okay then.
2. I spent hours trying to bring my dingy towels back to a bright, clean white again. I tried a little bleach and sunshine. Still grey. I tried the highly recommended Cascade overnight soak. It turned my towels blue. Then I tried hydrogen peroxide. Then vinegar. Baking soda. Shampoo. All recommended online. My towels are still dingy....but now they're dingy and blue. My last resort will be Borax and/or Biz, and if those don't work I'll try the dry cleaners. After that I'll either take joy in my happy linen closet or I'll buy new towels.
3. The girls and I have been doing puzzles all week. I think we're addicted. We need more puzzles, but all the ones I like are online. So we'll have to wait to start a new one.
4. My prayer life has focused almost entirely on my husband recently. He's been working extra-hard on difficult, emotionally draining cases. He needs the extra grace.
5. I've been sewing up some clothes for the girls using only what I have in my "stash" (in quotes because most creative people wouldn't give my measly collection that title). I probably do need to go to the fabric store, but it's hard for me to have much more than what I'm actually using at a given time.
6. Madeleine has finally mastered the "L" sound. We've been working at it for a couple weeks now and I'm so proud of her.
7. We're getting ready for a family vacation coming up. I'm so excited because my husband is doing all the planning, and he's booked some really fun adventures for us. He's taking great care to make memories for the girls, and I see how special he wants this trip to be for our family. He's praying a novena for pleasant and memorable days together. I love this guy. So much.
Be sure to visit Jen for more Quick Takes.
14 comments:
For the towels - have you tried an overnight OxiClean soak? And then Tide free in the wash, and then sunshine. That almost always works for me.
I was going to suggest the same as Emily, an overnight Oxiclean soak. That always works wonders for me.
Emily and Melanie,
Really? I don't get it - Oxiclean has never worked on my towels (and I've soaked overnight). Hmmm...perhaps the towels are just done. I wonder. Can I ask you ladies - is your towel greying due to natural body oil and/or lotion build up? And the Oxiclean still gets it out?
And can I send you my towels? :)
Well, I'll confess that I've never used Oxiclean on towels. My towels are blue and green and don't really show dirt. But it's done wonders on all sorts of other things. Like baby poop stained jammies. So it's my go-to magic potion for laundry. The only thing it hasn't worked on was some rust stains.
Kristen, its a combination of that and build-up from the water/detergent combination. . To whiten cottons fill a large pot with water, and drop in several slices of lemon. Bring to a boil, then turn off the heat. Add the linens, and let them soak for about an hour. Then launder as usual.
I hope this works for you.
Try going to a Mexican store and buying the bar soap called Zote. You sud up the towels, and with the suds still on, line dry them in the sun. After they are dry (they should be very stiff) you pop them in your machine, and wash as usual. It waorks for me.
Ballet, art class, piano and horseback riding sounds like the makings of an accomplished young lady (ala Pride and Prejudice). :-)
No clue on brightening the towels --I would have quit after the first few things and lived with dingy but that's me. I have less energy for such things in a houseful of boys who would dirty them up again in no time.
Oh and we all call it stash. I have even heard professionals call it that. And we want to see pictures of those clothes. Don't you know its cyber/sewing rude to mention such things without providing pictures! ;-)
Ha! Okay Michele, I'll post pictures. :) I know it's called a "stash" - I just meant I don't have enough fabric to be worthy of the title. Too funny-I'll edit that.
Kristen,
I love that you put all of that love time and energy into your towel dilemna. I know that comparison thinking "steals your joy" but I am starting to feel like a slacker over here. I wash 3-4 batches a day and they never smell yummy or feel soft. I have a severe allergy kiddo so it is all fragrance free det and no fabric softener over here. BORING!! oh well. Happy Sunday, Kelly
Oh I get it! Duh! Sorry --tired after a busy weekend. :-)
Kristen,
I'm always a little behind, but here's a potential solution for your towels:
White Brite
We live on a farm, have well water and suffer the effects of heavy rust concentration (not to mention the fun of the great outdoors!) My whites looked abysmal. White Brite works beautifully...the kids socks look great, white tshirts are amazingly bright...not sure what it'll do for white towels...I've never been brave enough to purchase them!
Brown.
My towels are brown. And they always look clean!
As for OxiClean...nice as a booster, but I've never found it effective for my whites.
Hope this is helpful...
Kimberly, White Brite sounds like just the product I'm looking for. I'll pick up a bottle this morning, and let everyone know how it goes!
Your QT's were so sweet! I can never get my own to be quick and to the point...fabulous job there. I really enjoyed reading this little glimpse into your life :)
Found you through Jennifer's blog. So glad I stopped by; you have a beautiful spot here!
Have a great time on your family vacation!
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