Laundry Soap Recipe

I got this recipe from my cousin who has been making her own laundry soap for a while now. I added a few things to it, and it works as well as any other that I have ever used.

Laundry Soap

Ingredients
1 bar of Zote soap (buy at Big Lots)
1 cup of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (buy at Kroger)
1 cup of 20 Mule Team Borax (Wal Mart or Kroger)
1 box of Baking Soda
Water
5 gallon bucket

Directions
1. Grate the Zote soap into a large pot. Add 6 cups of water.
2. Heat until the soap is dissolved. Don't boil.
3. Add the Washing Soda and Borax. Stir until dissolved.
4. Pour the whole box of baking soda into the 5 gallon bucket.
5. Carefully pour the soap, washing soda, and borax mixture into the bucket.
6. Fill the bucket with water, stirring the mixture as you fill.
7. Put the lid on the bucket and let it set over night.

When you open the bucket the next day, the soap will be like a gel. You need to mix it with the water in the bucket. It will have the consistency of egg drop soup. Sounds nasty, I know!

I put my soap into large Purex bottles that I had left over from a long time ago. The white plastic pour spout pops out and you can fill it easily after that. It's easier than keeping a 5 gallon bucket beside my washer all of the time. When I'm out of soap, I refill them from the bucket that I store in the closet.

If you want a lovely scent for your soap, you can add 10-20 drops of whichever essential oil that you prefer.

I use Suavitel fabric softener with mine, and it makes clothes smell great!

This soap also works great as carpet and upholstery cleaner, as well as a stain pre-treat. If I have a really bad stain or need a little extra cleaning power, I use a scoop of OxyClean with the wash.

This soap lasts FOREVER, and it is extremely economical. I think it costs less than a cent a load. Depending on how much I wash, it lasts me around 3-4 months.

Enjoy!!

Sweet Undies Part Deux

Sweet Undies Part Deux
Ok, I'm a fan of Wal-Mart. I go there at least once a week. I do agree that there are some interesting characters who frequent the joint (especially at the Pharmacy). However, I can't say that I've seen anything that gives me the desire to toss my cookies like this particular image. Warning: If you just ate, you might want to look on an empty stomach!

Easily Entertained

Ok, so it has been many moons since I've posted anything. I know that you are waiting for updates on my potty training experience. Well, it didn't happen. I won't even get into the details because I'll get frustrated and then I'll have to go and take a Valium. I've promised myself no Valium until November. :)

So, what have you been doing in the meantime, you ask? Well, school started and it's back to the grind. We have so many kids with so many special needs that it's hard to accommodate everyone. I do have some funny stuff from the first few weeks of school, though. We have a whole bunch of new students who are refugees from Somalia. They are all having their first experience in school, so, some of it is a little traumatic. After the first week, one of my team members, Miss Apolline, was teaching some of the Somali kids, and I came into the room for some reason. Later, Miss Apolline told me that after I left, the kids kept saying "Miss Murphy... Raaarrr...Somalia." After some investigation, and lots of gestures and picture cards, I found out that they were saying that they think I'm like the tigers in Somalia! Not sure if that's a compliment... in fact, I'm pretty sure that it isn't! The other day as I was in my version of what hell is going to be like (i.e. my afternoon daycare bus duty), one of the boys told me "Miss Murphy, you pretty cool for a white lady!" How does one respond in a politically correct way to that?? So, I just said, "Well, thanks!"
So, that's the sum total of my life! It's not very interesting, and I'm certainly never going to set the world on fire, but it keeps me busy and provides endless hours of entertainment!

I also got a dog. His name is LeStat. We think he's a pit bull, but who knows? He is the love of my life!! He's so funny and entertaining. When I come home, he can hardly contain himself... it's so nice to come home to that! He's very smart... which is a step up for me in the dog department. My last dog didn't have 3 brain cells. I've trained him to ring a bell on the back door when he wants to go outside. He knows 'sit' and 'stay'. Now, whether he actually obeys the commands when I want him to is an entirely different story, but he DOES know them! We go to the dog park everyday, and I have to say that he's getting me in shape! 18 lbs. lost and counting!! I sure do love that little bugger!!!

Til next time!!! :)

My Shameless Plug for Early Literacy

As you all know, I'm an elementary school teacher. Not only do I love to teach my students to read, from time to time, I try to impart my wisdom *insert eye roll here* with others who are teaching their kids early literacy skills. One of my favorite children's authors is Lois Ehlert. Her books are wonderful for little ones because they are so colorful, and the story lines are short and concise (a plus for little ones with short attention spans!). I love her book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. There is a really catchy song that goes with it, and as I was getting my lesson plans ready for the first week of school, I found it on YouTube. I hope that you and your little ones will enjoy learning the alphabet in a new and fun way with the song! If you've already read the book and know the song, go and check out some of Lois Ehlert's other books. Growing Vegetable Soup is another one that I love. We read that every year and actually make vegetable soup in the classroom (in a crock pot), and we plant a vegetable of their choice. These are easy things that you can do at home with your little ones, if you have time!! I hope you enjoy!

Potty Training 101

OK, so I've agreed to potty train Ariana. I think that I may live to regret this. As you know, I don't have any children, and there is a reason for that.
I've been doing much research, and I've decided that the best way is to ply her with juice and water. Then we spend the whole day on and off of the potty. We'll see what happens! I may have to change my battle plan. The whole purpose of doing this is because I want her to go to Preschool, but they won't accept her because she isn't potty trained. So, therefore, it falls to 'Guaya' (pronounced why-yu(Ariana's name for me because she can't say "Tia")) to do it!
This, of course, is after I undo all of the trauma that she's already experienced because she's getting yelled at all the time for not doing it right. Sheesh!!
Anyway, there will updates to record my efforts for posterity, (and if I ever have a kid, I need to remember what worked.)
If there are any of you readers who have pointers, tips, or what NOT to do's, please share!! I'm desperate!!

Organizing My VERY Disorganized Life

Well, I have lived in this house for almost 5 years now, and I'm no closer to the home of my dreams than I was the day that I moved in. I blame in on a divorce, on and off again boyfriend, new job, and stuff like that. Of course, it couldn't be that I'm a professional procrasitnator...
So, that being said, I have decided to turn my house into the home of my dreams... on a budget. I'm starting with the kitchen and the laundry 'closet'. The best idea I've gotten for my kitchen is a "cooking caddy". I can put all of my oils, salt, pepper, garlic salt, etc. in it, and when I go to cook, all I have to take out is the caddy! I know... sounds like common sense, but for me it was an epiphany!
Anyway, I'm on my way to decorating and organization... keep ya posted!

First time Blogger

Well, I've decided to join the blogging craze. Not that there are THAT many people who are interested in my life... I just thought that for those are, you need a place to see what my life is REALLY like. I can assure you, it is chock full of entertainment, because it seems like I'm a magnet for the weird and downright ridiculous. So, without further ado, I will present.... MURF'S MEANDERING MIND!!