Category: Household hints
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The Hokey Pokey wash…
Have you ever wondered where the Hokey Pokey song originated from? It seems to go back to the early 1800’s and has many different names and meanings based on the lyrics below. If you are up for a bit of history, the Hokey Cokey (as it was named in the UK) can be read about…
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Dirty School Lunch boxes
Either at the end of the term or final school year the children’s lunch boxes can become very dirty and worn. Those that wont last another use get tossed into the garbage; however the ones that can go another round, can easily be given a good clean and sterilise. All that is needed: sink nappy soaker…
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Nagging really does pay off over time….
There is a moment during parenting when the words of a child can melt ones heart. These two very simple words are “please” and “thank you”. When they come from the mouth of a 4 year old (without asking them to say it), they are priceless, heart warming and a pure delight. These two simple…
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Time out! How often do mothers get to do this?
Parents (and in particular) mothers need some time out once in a while. I am not talking about hiding in the bedroom or bathroom (although the bathroom hiding never works does it…..they still find you in there “mum…………….mum…………mum”, we can’t even……*$%*@ in peace can we). Nor do I mean a day of shopping (not the…
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Thinking of bumping off your spouse?
What is the most common phrase that gets thrown at parents of large families…no it is not “don’t you have a television“(that’s the second one). It is “wow you must have your hands full“; those of you with a large family are probably nodding their heads. If I recorded the number of times this has been said to…
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Driving accessories and that unorganised mess
Keeping the car clean and tidy on the inside is a constant battle (especially with lots of kids and a huge space to clean – see our Toyota Hi Ace). Here you will see the view from the drivers seat. Our model of Hi Ace did not come with a middle console or storage compartment.…
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Just hanging around….
Here is a handy hint! What to do with those micro-fibre mop heads,/pads cleaning cloths, mitts or gloves. Perhaps you haven’t heard, but I am a big fan of the Sabco brand and love my mop. I have two because one was not living up to its part of the bargain (you can read about Mr Sabco Mop here). …
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No more milk?
Here is an idea I came up with while starring at my messy white board area (due to the school holidays). Just use a sharp knife ~ no need for neatness either!
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My Sewing / Art Room
Having a special room to sew is a real treat and since doing our house renovations about 4 years ago, I was fortunate enough to request a sewing room all to myself. Sewing is something I really enjoy ~ that is using a sewing machine and over-locker (not the knitting, crocheting or cross-stitching kind; although I will do…
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Why were they not born with a user manual?
Toilet training would have to be the worst possible task when bringing up children (especially boys). There is no right or wrong way about going about it as each child is different, individual and has their own way of achieving this goal. Whether it be with ease or utter chaos, the potty training saga can…
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Kids and technology
If by chance you enjoyed reading my last two posts on our driving holiday with the kids, you may have realised (or perhaps not) that I did not mention any electronic ‘entertainment’ within both those posts. The children did not have any iPods, MP3 players, Nitendo DS; DVD players (though a DVD player or two…
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“How many more hours to go dad”?
“On the road again, I just can’t wait to get on the road again”….Willie Nelson obviously never travelled with children when he wrote this song…. If you haven’t had a chance to read the previous post ~ Part 1 ~ “Are we there yet”, please do so before you continue below.
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“Are we there yet”?
Travelling long distances with kids has its moments of enjoyment, but for the most part it can be classed as pure exhaustion, frustration and total agony. Over the week and a half (2012 Easter holidays), my family took an epic never ending journey drive across two Australian states. Part 1 of our journey started out from the SE Gippsland region of Victoria…
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Where are my keys?
Losing your keys would have to be one of the most annoying things to happen, especially when you need to be out the door in a flash or trying to get back inside in a hurry. Throwing them inside your handbag is often a nightmare waiting to happen. For one thing they are never…
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Too many face washers?
I came up with another idea today for The Kids Bathroom; if you have a look a the link and go down the page you will see that I tried storing the face washers in the cabinet drawers. I got the idea from The Organised Housewife. While it worked for a little while, I also found that…
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One of the best inventions in the kitchen (apart from Coffee Machines) 😛
Who remembers making popcorn as a child (I know that was a long time ago for me). Mum would pour a great deal of oil in the base of a saucepan, pre heat it, then pour in the popcorn kernels. On went the lid and we would stand around patiently waiting for the popping sound.
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Cleaning the Play Room….after the kids have trashed it.
Recently I wrote a post for Mouths of Mums called Storage solutions for toys; it’s time to put the toys away! You can get the general idea by reading at the link above. It will give you an idea of what toy storage systems I have used over the last 14 years. Like most parents, I have had…
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Tiredness, stress and “I just can’t be bothered”
Recently, I received an email from one of my readers with a rather interesting question. The question is quite a good one (as we all have these days) and I am more than happy to share it with you all and perhaps give her (and any of you with the same thoughts) a personal answer. “Hi, I found your…
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I cried a tear, you wiped it dry….
This evening, my 7 year old boy brought a small tear to my eye. Only yesterday, hubby left for his second stint in Mexico; this time he is gone for another 3 weeks. During the time he was home over Christmas and new years (from 22nd Dec 2011 till 11th Jan 2012) every moment was…
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Setting the table for a large family
One can image that dinner time in a large family would be the busiest time of the day. Setting the table is a big task and sometimes difficult. Little ones love to help, but dishes can be heavy, glasses can be dropped and tablecloths dragged along the ground. Recently a friend of mine put me onto an…
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A Mothers Prayer
A Mothers Prayer Now I lay me down to sleep,I pray my sanity to keep.For if some peace I do not find,I’m pretty sure I’ll lose my mind.I pray I find a little quietFar away from my family’s riot.May I lie back and not have to thinkabout what they’re stuffing down the sink.Or who they’re…
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Family Sacrifices Part 2
I got some disappointing news today; news that will effect the whole family. My hubby may have to delay his flight home. He is meant to be here with us on 22nd Dec. It is no one’s fault and part of the industry he works in.
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Getting Organised for the School Year
Some of you are probably thinking; WHAT THE or school isn’t even over for this year yet. (Don’t worry, I have the same thoughts). However, the school uniform shop closed yesterday for the year and it won’t be open till Feb 2012, and there is no way I am lining up for odds and ends…
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Large Family Calendar
Planning your time, appointments and meals can be organised easier if you have a large calendar. This one is the size of two A3 pages (the top and bottom sections are both A3 sized). The BLUE = appointments. RED = MENU. Any other notes in another colour. Notices, cards, or forms are attached via the clips. The…
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Family Sacrifices
Some of you may have read my recent Facebook post regarding my hubby going away soon. In fact he leaves us on the 3rd December (for Mexico) and returns (on paper that is) 22nd December. Yes; you read it correctly….right before Christmas. I am not sure how long he will be home for; but…
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Handy Hint – Lining a Spring Form Tin
Here is a simple way to to line a spring-form cake tin without having to drawer around the circle shape with a pencil or pen. All you will need is: Grease proof paper,scissors and canola / non-stick cooking spray. Remove the base of the tin and place it underneath the crease proof paper. Then place…
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Easy Indoor Party Games
When outside games get cancelled due to wet weather, here are two quick alternatives!
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Handy Hints – Preserving
I was looking for an Anzac Biscuit recipe after being inspired by Lorri’s Life Anzac Biscuits she made the other day. I also didn’t have my computer on when I went to make them; so this recipe ~found only yesterday, was in a old town 1990 recipe book put together by some local wives and mothers…… hope you…
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Stain remover…which is the best?
When one has a lot of children (regardless of them being boys or girls) doing the laundry/washing can be confronting. One can even become angry and frustrated because a child has spilt some thing on a good shirt, dress or trousers. Anything from grass stains, mud, dirt, blood, oil, tomato sauce, orange juice etc, all…
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Bosistos Eucalyptus Spray
This is a must in every home. I have always used it to kill germs, get rid of bathroom odours,great for colds and flu. I spray the kids pillows prior to them going to bed and even the room too. Also spray the bed linen and mattresses to kill germs etc.