31 {More} Days of Pinterest: Day 3 Explosive Showerhead Cleaner

I know that cleaning with vinegar and baking soda will always entertain me so long as the bubbling is going on, but I wondered if the combination could really beat the crud on the showerhead.

So I decided to give it a whirl and see what happened.

Here's the original pin from my Pinterest board, "Clean All the Things":

( Originally from Frugally Sustainable)

Here's the before:

ICK.

I assembled the ingredients needed:

I used 1/3 cup of baking soda, 1 cup of vinegar, a ziplock plastic bag, and I grabbed a longer twist-tie that one of our cats play with (she wasn't happy, but I gave it back later that day, so she's fine now).

A few things that are handy to know BEFORE you're trying to get this all together:

1. When you're combining the baking soda and vinegar, do it over a sink.
2. When you're combining the baking soda and vinegar over said sink, do it slooooowwwwwly. SLOWER.
3. When you're combining the baking soda and vinegar over said sink, slowly, try not to get the resulting mixture into any open cuts on your hands, because you will have to fight the urge to swear like a sailor.

Learn from my mistakes, people. I'm just here providing the bad example for you all to learn from.

Once you get everything all put together, put it over the showerhead and crank down the twist tie so it stays put, with the showerhead fully submerged.

Now leave it there for at least 2-3 hours, maybe longer if you forget it's on there (like me). After you take off the baggie, wipe off the showerhead and marvel at the fact it actually worked.

I have to say, I'm impressed. Except for the part where I added the vinegar too fast and the part where I got the mixture into that open cut I didn't even know that I had. Those weren't my favorite parts.

To see my other 31 {More}Days of Pinterest projects, click on the image below, and it will take you to my original post.

31 {More} Days of Pinterest: Day 2 Hot Ham & Cheese

It's no secret that I'm not much of a cook. When the rest of my family is gone, I'm happy eating Cheerios for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

My husband, however, does not share the same love of cereal as an all-purpose meal. Luckily for him, he actually likes to cook. When it's my turn to make dinner, though, I opt for something fairly quick and easy, like these hot ham and cheese hot-pockety kind of things.

Here's the picture from my Pinterest board, "Yum":

(Originally from: Cooking4Carnivores )

I can assure you mine are not that pretty, nor do they have as much filling stuff in them. They taste good, though.

Here's what you need:

Yep. Three things. Like I said, I go for easy. You can add lots more to it all, but these three ingredients will do the trick.

First take out the Crescent Rolls and divide them up so that they're in squares, not triangles.

Then layer on your ham and cheese. We got shredded cheese this time, but we've successfully used sliced cheddar as well.

Then you can roll them up like in the original picture, or you can pinch the edges together, kind of like a calzone. Steve doesn't care if things are falling out of his, but I like mine to be all enclosed. It also helps in the identifying of whose is whose, especially since he does like to add additional fillings to his.

We just bake it on whatever the temperature and times are on the Crescent Roll package--I think around 10 minutes work best, but definitely check on them and flip them as needed.

Then it's dinner time! If I've had to work late, paper plates it is. You can eat these with your hands, but I tend to end up burning my fingers, so I just use a fork.

Like I said-quick and easy. The best kind of dinner, especially after a long day at work, or when you need to make something fast for on the go.

To see my other 31 {More}Days of Pinterest projects, click on the image below, and it will take you to my original post.

31 {More} Days of Pinterest: Day 1 Aluminum Foil as Dryer Sheet

Am I ready to get this 31 Day party started? You bet I am!
Are you ready too?

Sometimes my life and Pinterest intersect in serendipitous ways. Like when I completely forget to write something on the shopping list and realize at 1 a.m. that I don't have whatever it was, but that I kind of need it...right now.

In this case, I was finishing up the last load of laundry of the day, and realized that I was out of fabric softener sheets. I vaguely remembered that I'd pinned something in my "Clean ALL the Things!" board (bonus points if you know what that references...) that was a non-fabric softener thing that went into the dryer.

This is what it was:

Aluminum Foil as Dryer Sheet from Apartment Therapy.

Well, now. It's worth a shot, right? Worst case I'd have to live with static cling and shocking myself on various household objects. Best case I'd be OK until I was able to go to the store.

So, I went to the kitchen and got the aluminum foil.

Then I read some of the comments on the original article on how to actually make the thing. I figured 3 about equal sheets should do the trick.

I rolled one into a ball, then put it on the next sheet, rolled both of them together, then added the third.

Then I squished them all together to make a ball shape.

I tossed it in on top of the laundry, closed the door, set the timer, and hoped for the best.

And it worked! I know, I'm always a little surprised at how such an easy thing can work so well.

I've been using that original foil ball for about a week now, and it's gotten smaller as it's gotten more compacted. One thing I have noticed is that as the week has gone on, it's effectiveness has waned a bit, but maybe that's just because the size has gotten smaller. I did another one tonight and tossed it in the dryer along with the original one, so maybe that will help. Other than that, though, I'm happy with the results. And, best of all, the aluminum foil can be recycled when I'm done with it.


To see my other 31 {More}Days of Pinterest projects, click on the image below, and it will take you to my original post.

101 in 1001 September Roundup

This month was slow and steady, I think. More slow than steady, but there it is.
I (finally) got to donate my hair to Locks of Love. The lady who cut my hair was able to get 4 HUGE ponytails out of it all (all at 11" in length), which is almost enough to make 1 wig. I'm still getting used to shorter hair--especially in the mornings when I'm not at my most alert and use too much shampoo in the shower.

Otherwise, I'm going to keep on keeping on. There's still a few months left before my 1001 days is officially up. I may not finish the entire list, but I'm going to keep making a sizable dent in it.


Finished: 48
In Process: 7
Percent finished: 47.52%
Left to go: 52.48%


Finances/Giving (7/12) [in Process: 0]
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000 [Done 15 March 2011]
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket [Done 5 November 2011]
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket [Done 14 April 2012]
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (10/10) [Done 28 October 2011]
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (5/5) [Done 15 October 2011]
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents [Done 29 November 2011]
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010]

House Inside (7/12) [In Process: 2]
13. Hang up 5 pictures (5/5) [Done 17 November 2010]
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet [Done 13 October 2010]
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room [Done 18 October 2010]
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room [Done 19 October 2011]
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet [Done 5 October 2010]

House Outside (3/12) [In Process: 2]
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (5/5) [Done 4 August 2012]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag) [Done 3 July 2011]

To Do/Watch/Read (6/12) [In Process: 4]
37. Watch 101 movies (61/101)
September 2012
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

38. Read 101 books (219/101) [ The 101 was done 2 May 2011]
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (1/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (3/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (10/10) [Done 16 April 2012]
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (5/5) [done 10 February 2011]
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (5/5) [Done 3 November 2011]
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (100,000/100,000) [Done 31 May 2012]
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (5/5) [Done 17 December 2011]

Health (2/12) [In Process: 0]
49. Walk to work 30 times (30/30) [Done 14 March 2011]
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.

Grown-up/Family stuff (3/12) [In Process: 1]
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party [Done 18 December 2010]
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (2/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants) [Done 23 July 2011]
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car [Done 28 December 2010]

Spiritual/Church (5/12) [In Process: 2]
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar [Done 1 October 2010]
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year [Done 7 January 2011]
80. Do the Lenten readings one year [Done 9 April 2012]
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year [Done 17 April 2011]
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (10/10) [Done 25 August 2012]
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners

Food (10/11) [In Process: 0]
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (3/3) [Done 17 June 2011]
87. Do one week of meal planning [Done 31 December 2010]
88. Do one month of meal planning [Done 3 July 2011]
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe [Done 1 October 2010]
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month [Done 9 April 2011]
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]

Just Because (4/6) [In Process: 0]
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time [Done 3 September 2012]
97. Take part in a pub quiz [Done 16 January 2011]
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge [Done 31 December 2011]

31 {More} Days of Pinterest

To go see the how-to's (or how-not-to's in some cases), please click on the links above the pictures

Day 1: Aluminum Foil as Dryer Sheets

Day 2: Hot Ham and Cheese

Day 3: Explosive Showerhead Cleaner

Day 4: Elegant Monogram

Day 5: Cleaning a Microwave the Easy Way

Day 6: Using Borax to Clean Carpets

Day 7: Beadboard American Flag

Day 8: Wrangling User Manuals

Day 9: Shower Cleaning Done Easy

Day 10: Easy Tub Cleaner

Day 11: Rocking the Side of the House

Day 12: University of Minnesota Pride

Last year I participated in the "31 Days" series over at The Nesting Place blog. I did a "31 Days of Pinterest" series, which was great because it actually motivated me to DO some of my (at that time) 947 pins.

I have since added to my Pin count, and am now at 1,485...and rising. I think I might have a Pinterest pinning problem. (You can see my boards here.)

So, I'm gonna do it again. Yep. 31 MORE Days of Pinterest projects, starting on Monday, October 1st. There'll be a mix of DIY projects, Art for around the house, Organizing things, Cleaning stuff, and Cooking things that look good. I'll share the good, the bad, and the inbetween, just like I did last year.

It's not too late to join the fun. Just come up with something that you love to do, talk about, or want to share with others, then hop on over to The Nesting Place and sign up. Easy peasy.

101 in 1001 The August Holy Moly Did Summer Fly By Roundup

Finished: 47
In Process: 6
Percent finished: 46.53%
Left to go: 53.47%


Finances/Giving (7/12) [in Process: 0]
1. Get Emergency Fund up to $1000 [Done 15 March 2011]
2. Pay off and close Chase Visa
3. Pay off and close Target Visa
4. Get Emergency Fund up to 3 months (~12,000)
5. Get a used truck
6. Put a $50 bill in the second collection basket [Done 5 November 2011]
7. Put a $100 bill in the second collection basket [Done 14 April 2012]
8. Donate to the Food Shelf 10 times ($25 or equivalent) (10/10) [Done 28 October 2011]
9. Leave a 100% tip 5 times (5/5) [Done 15 October 2011]
10. Choose 2 kids from the Jesse Tree during Christmas & get them presents [Done 29 November 2011]
11. Give to a family in need during the holidays
12. Buy a scratch-off lottery ticket & donate 25% of the winnings to charity [Done 18 September 2010]

House Inside (7/12) [In Process: 2]
13. Hang up 5 pictures (5/5) [Done 17 November 2010]
14. Frame Tree picture [Done 9 September 2010]
15. Paint back room and closet [Done 13 October 2010]
16. Paint hall storage closet & set up shelves [Done 17 August 2010]
17. Spruce up front door area (outside: welcome mat, flower pots/ inside: bench, mirror, lamp)
18. Finish basement
19. Back door/entryway re-do
20. Repaint & redo my office
21. Hang curtains or blinds in master bedroom & the Kid’s room [Done 18 October 2010]
22. Get dining room chairs
23. Repaint Laundry Room [Done 19 October 2011]
24. Repaint/redo master bathroom/closet [Done 5 October 2010]

House Outside (3/12) [In Process: 0]
25. Plant 5 trees in yard (5/5) [Done 4 August 2012]
26. Put in back flower bed
27. Paint Storage Shed same color as house
28. Back entryway outside re-do (transition between steps and red rock)
29. Build garage
30. Put in front flower bed
31. Put in front tower flower bed
32. Put in side flower bed
33. Level out north side of house & put down the decorative rock
34. Get covers for grill & fireplace
35. Get rid of stumps in back yard [Done 28 August 2010]
36. Get a flag for front porch (and install said flag) [Done 3 July 2011]

To Do/Watch/Read (6/12) [In Process: 4]
37. Watch 101 movies (60/101)
August 2012

38. Read 101 books (219/101) [ The 101 was done 2 May 2011]
39. Go to a Cowboys-Vikings game
40. See 5 Minnesota Tourist Attractions (0/5)
41. Visit 5 art galleries in Minnesota (1/5)
42. Watch all seasons of “24” (3/8)
43. Watch all seasons of “MI-5” (10/10) [Done 16 April 2012]
44. Complete a crossword puzzle book
45. Watch 5 documentaries (5/5) [done 10 February 2011]
46. Read 5 Non-fiction books (5/5) [Done 3 November 2011]
47. Donate 100, 000 grains of rice on FreeRice.com (100,000/100,000) [Done 31 May 2012]
48. Do 5 things from the “365 Things to do in the Twin Cities” (5/5) [Done 17 December 2011]

Health (2/12) [In Process: 0]
49. Walk to work 30 times (30/30) [Done 14 March 2011]
50. Bike around the lake
51. 175
52. 165
53. 155
54. 145
55. 135
56. Get eyes checked
57. Get new glasses or contacts
58. Get annual physical [Done 16 September 2010]
59. Do the 200 sit-ups challenge
60. Track my progress with Wii Fit for 28 consecutive days.

Grown-up/Family stuff (3/12) [In Process: 1]
61. Change life insurance beneficiaries
62. Write wills
63. Write living wills
64. Get family picture taken
65. Send out Christmas cards with aforementioned family picture on it
66. Host Brother/Sister Christmas party [Done 18 December 2010]
67. Have a family board/card game night 5 times (2/5)
68. Buy a new “grown-up” outfit (shirt/pants) [Done 23 July 2011]
69. Take a family vacation
70. Make a picture family tree
71. Get first aid certified
72. Get the Kid a car safety kit for her car [Done 28 December 2010]

Spiritual/Church (5/12) [In Process: 2]
73. Learn the Rosary Prayers
74. Go to a Latin Mass
75. Go to daily Mass for a week
76. Donate time, talent, or treasure for the CCW Bazaar [Done 1 October 2010]
77. Read the Tao te Ching [Done 18 September 2010]
78. Get a new St Christopher Medal
79. Do the Advent readings and wreath one year [Done 7 January 2011]
80. Do the Lenten readings one year [Done 9 April 2012]
81. Do the Rice Bowl project one year [Done 17 April 2011]
82. Light an intention candle 10 times (10/10) [Done 25 August 2012]
83. Attend Mass in the Basilica
84. Attend 2 Lenten dinners

Food (10/11) [In Process: 0]
85. Make a cake & icing (or cupcakes) from scratch [Done 24 July 2010]
86. Try 3 new restaurants (3/3) [Done 17 June 2011]
87. Do one week of meal planning [Done 31 December 2010]
88. Do one month of meal planning [Done 3 July 2011]
89. Eat 1 serving of fruit a day for a week (7/7) [Done 12 July 2010]
90. Try a new recipe [Done 1 October 2010]
91. Make cookies from scratch [Done 23 September 2010]
92. Try a different flavor ice cream (no vanilla/chocolate) [Done 12 August 2010]
93. Limit Diet Coke to 2 servings per day for 1 consecutive week (0/7 days)
94. No fast food for a month [Done 9 April 2011]
95. Try 5 different kinds of apples (5/5) [Done July 2010]

Just Because (3/6) [In Process: 1]
96. Donate hair to Locks of Love one more time (Almost done growing it out)
97. Take part in a pub quiz [Done 16 January 2011]
98. Complete a 500+ piece puzzle
99. Fly first class
100. Start a Tumblr [Done 8 July 2010]: http://daughteroftime.tumblr.com
101. Do a 365 day photo challenge [Done 31 December 2011]