How to Save a Picture Book

So, your child's water bottle leaked all over his library book... again? If you're like me, you'd do anything to save the book to avoid having to admit that your family is rather organizationally challenged.  There MAY be a way to save the book, if:

• The book is paperback OR the hard cover wasn't completely waterlogged,
• The papers have water damage, but are not mangled or matted, AND
• You have gotten to it before the water started to dry and the pages got stuck together. 

Here's what you'll need:

1. Wax paper
2. Scissors or paper cutter
3. Something heavy to place on top of the book

To begin, take a long piece of wax paper off the roll, or 5 or so sheets of smaller deli style wax paper sheets.  Cut into 1 to 2 inch strips.  Then, gently place the strips between the pages wherever you see water.  Some pages may need up to 3 or so pieces to ensure there is an adequate barrier between the adjacent pages.  After you have separated all of the pages with water damage, simply place on a smooth flat surface, and put something heavy on top to keep the pages from curling.  After a few days, the pages should be dry enough to remove the heavy object and wax paper.  Leaf through the pages a couple of times a day after just to make sure they don't stick together.

There you go! The book is saved and can be enjoyed by many more kids to come!  Checkout the pictures below!

WAX PAPER AND STRIPS INSIDE BOOK:

THIS WORKS BEST FOR THOSE SLIGHTLY SHINY COLOR PAGES, THAT STICK TOGETHER SO EASILY.

ABOUT ONE TO TWO INCHES IS BEST FOR THE WAX PAPER STRIPS.

C.H.I.P. off the ol' block

So, my 7 year old and I are embarking on a new journey, thanks to C.H.I.P. from Next Thing Co.  Back in May 2015, I backed their Kickstarter and selected the most bare-bones "$9 computer" C.H.I.P. they offered.  You read that right - $9!!!!! (in reality, after shipping, it cost me $14)

I mean, I'm a complete tech noob - well, really, not even experienced enough to call myself a "noob." Let's just say I put the "NO" in technophile. But, having started out my tech journey by typing code on a nifty Commodore 64, I KNOW the value of an itty bitty portable device that can function like a full blown PC and fits in the palm of my hand.

So, I paid my moolah, and in January a little package arrived with my C.H.I.P. inside.  After a few minutes of staring at it and pondering what the heck I was going to use it for, I put it in my junk drawer in the kitchen, hoping to at least keep it out of the kids' hands until I could decide how best to use it.  Worst case scenario, I could just run it as is and my little one would have a DIY version of the Kano, which we bought for my 9 year old for his birthday and has basically sat unused after the first week he had it.

But, then my iMac desktop decided to do what, in my limited experience, iMac desktops generally do - crap out on me.  Alas, what is a mommy addicted to Agar.io to do?  Despite the fact that it can be played on an iPad or smartphone, I really craved a big screen so I didn't get blindsided by those giant blobs in the top 5.

So, gradually, that little C.H.I.P. started to look a little more interesting.  In the past week, I pulled out the tiny little baggie numerous times, and pondered whether I could even begin to understand how to set this thing up.  Finally, two days ago in between two playdates at my house, I talked myself into purchasing the wireless keyboard to use with it and plugged it into an old TV.  Then, absolutely nothing happened. I checked all the wires to ensure they were all connected correctly.

Eventually, it dawned on me: it needed power.  Duh!  C.H.I.P. apparently uses a microUSB power connection, so after fishing out that old Samsung Note II power cord, I was in business.  I powered it up. Again, absolutely nothing happened.

So, again, I consulted the Next Thing Co website, and discovered there was some issue with the units that were sold via Kickstarter.  They had to be "flashed" to fix a software issue, with a jumper wire improvised from a paperclip.  After trying in vain on the old iMac, I snuck a few minutes on my husband's Microsoft Surface and got the job done.  This time, it worked!  Now, I totally feel like MacGyver. (Google it, you young'uns!)

Alas, after connecting it to the WIFI, it appears the pre-installed browser, IceWeasel, doesn't run flash.  AARRRRRGGGGGGHHHHH!!!!  So, after consulting the handy-dandy user forums on the Next Thing Co. website, it appears someone else has tackled this issue and given instructions to install Chromium with Flash! (Shout out to barawn and CharonPDX!) Yay!!! 

Once I finally figured out which app to type the code into (I wasn't kidding about being a complete noob!), I actually typed in the code and made a program appear like magic. The best part is, my 7 year old sat there the whole time and watched me do it. After years of code.org and Khan Academy (which are great at teaching the concept of coding), he got to see REAL CODE in action. Like the kind that I grew up typing! 

And, after finalizing the install, I was able to log in to Agar.io and play to my heart out. The best part was that the game didn't freeze nearly as often as it had on Chrome on the iMac desktop.  So I got eaten by the big mean blobs much less often than I did on the iMac and stayed in the top 10 way longer. This will definitely keep this mommy very happy! 

All in all, C.H.I.P. is a phenomenal product, at a phenomenal price, with a phenomenal user base that really does share info and offer help in a way that's is accessible even to complete neophytes like me! 

FYI, in case you're wondering: I paid the full Kickstarter offer price for my C.H.I.P., and haven't received any discounts or promotional incentive for writing this review. I just thought I'd share what I eventually decided to do with my C.H.I.P.

No Drama. No, REALLY - NO DRAMA.

I was bullied in Middle School.  Who wasn't?  I went from being an outsider, to trying my hardest to infiltrate the "in crowd," to rejecting the whole exercise and choosing to have only a few true friends.  It was a very difficult time, and it left me with a profound distaste for drama.

Several years later, I tried out Christianity.  This time, I almost instantly became friends with the "in crowd." I grew in my faith. Then, I saw my friends make fun of the younger girls who were awkwardly trying to navigate those first few years of womanhood. I was so disappointed.  It all seemed like such a charade.  I saw their parents doing the same things on Sunday.  The politics and the one-upmanship.  I really didn't have much faith to begin with, so I was done. Adios. Sayonara.

In the place of religion, I eventually developed a "do good, be good" mentality.  It gave me direction. It gave me purpose.  It helped to fill the emptiness I felt inside when I asked myself "why are we here?" And, it felt free from all the hypocrisy and baggage that came with organized religion.

So here I am.  I try my best to do good and be good every day.  Despite limited resources, and hectic schedules, and so many demands on my time and energy.  As a mom, as a wife, as a member of my community.  Trying so hard to do right.

And I see other moms around me doing the same.  Other moms I respect and care about.  Good people.  All of us working so hard for home, family, school.  And I know people are fallible. We have bad days.  We have to make hard choices. And sometimes, we simply make a mistake.

I've always felt that these other moms were like my "safe place." People amongst whom you didn't have to pretend to have it all together.  People that knew you and your struggle.  People that could see you mess up and still respect and care about you.

But recently, in some quarters, I see that old nemesis - hypocrisy.  It tiptoes around a group of moms and peeks out with a snarky comment here, a juicy bit of gossip there.  Sometimes, it doesn't even try to conceal itself.  I know I've been guilty of courting this enemy from time to time - made comments hoping to ingratiate myself to a group of moms I'd really like to be closer friends with.  But every time, I've ended up regretting it, and wishing I could take those hurtful words back.

I really wish that all these good people - really tremendous, with hearts of gold, who would do anything to help out - would just cut the crap already.  Choose kindness.  Choose to give people the benefit of the doubt.  Choose not to gossip and talk about others.  Do you really know me well enough to judge me? I doubt it.  We're all just doing the best we can here.

So, I'm back at that old familiar place: Audios.  Goodbye.  Peace out. I'm a no drama mama.  I hope you all will choose to be a no drama mama, too.

Return to Domestic Bliss

I've gone back and forth on whether I should keep this blog.  I've deleted it, only to recover it shortly later, and then promptly resume ignoring it.  I guess I just didn't feel like I had a voice, a reason, anything important to say.  It seemed so pointless... until now.  Now, I feel the need to do more than simply exist.  I feel like I need to document - for myself - that I am indeed here and have a purpose... perpetually pursuing domestic bliss (and often failing).  I think the problem before was that I was writing for everyone else - those elusive potential readers that I hoped one day would show up and comment and commiserate with me.  Now, I realize, maybe I just need to write for myself? Maybe instead of posting lengthy things others might enjoy, it's okay to just journal my thoughts and what I've been up to, at least for now.

So, here goes...

Today, I'm listening to Act of God, by Jill Climent.  So far, it is ok.  A few lulz moments, but I'm only on Chapter 7, so...

Yesterday, I finished The Drowning Season by Alice Hoffman.   It was interesting, but not quite as detailed and intense as a more recent book by Alice Hoffman, The Dovekeepers.  That book was amazing.  Couldn't put it down.  Loved the plot twists and the intermeshing of the various characters' lives.

In an effort to justify the purchase of this Party People tray by Vacu Vin, I made blueberry agar fruit snacks for the kiddos, following this recipe.  I used agar powder and mixed everything together in the blender and then boiled it.  It seems like it's going to set up okay, though, so no harm done.  I really hope the kiddos like them. We have to send nut free, non-liquid, mess-free, crumb free snacks for the kiddos every day, and I am so tired of running to the store for the pre-packaged variety.  

It's time to go get the kiddos!  I have to say, it's been a pretty fun day!

DIY Glitter Playdough Party Favors

So... it's that time of year again... you know... birthday party planning time (a.k.a. the two week period in which my "dominant" personality is kidnapped and replaced by my Martha Stewart wannabe alter ego personality, haha).  This year, my inner Martha decided to up the ante.  So, instead of *ONLY* sending invites, planning the menu and decorations, keeping track of RSVPs, and putting party favors together, Inner-Martha decided that I should also drive myself looney hand making all of the kid-swag we'll be sending our guests home with.  Yay!!  Without further ado, here is the recipe for DIY item #1, glitter play dough in coordinating colors:

GLITTER PLAY DOUGH
Prep time: 30 minutes
Makes 30 units
Make up to 1 week prior to party

Materials:
Dry Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups salt
5 tsp cream of tartar
2 packages of the same flavor kool aid (choose a flavor that is colored the same color you would like the play dough to be)
Silver glitter

Wet Ingredients:
2 1/2 tbsp oil
2 1/2 cups water
Food coloring in the same color as the play dough

Containers:
30 small plastic containers with lids (I used containers I found at the dollar store, 10 pcs per bag)
Star ice cube tray (optional)

Single-Color Dough Instructions:
Combine dry ingredients in a large, deep pan or mixing bowl, and stir with a fork until ingredients are evenly distributed (leave out kool aid if you want to add a star accent in another color in the finished container).  In a large glass measuring cup, measure water and microwave on high for 7 minutes.  Add oil and food coloring to the water, stir, and pour evenly over the dry ingredients (leave out food coloring if you want to add a star accent in another color in the finished container).  Stir with a fork until fully blended, then knead on cutting board until soft and uniform in texture.  If the mixture is sticky, add flour in small amounts until play dough no longer sticks to fingers or cutting board surface.  Divide the dough, press into the individual containers, and cover with lids.  Store in two gallon-sized zipper bags, in the fridge.

Layered Dough with Star Accent Instructions:
To make layered dough with star accents, separate the mixture into 2 even balls.  Make a dent in one ball, add the main food color (around 25 drops) and kool aid package, and knead to distribute the coloring.  Repeat with the second ball, in the second color.  Fill the individual containers 1/2 full with the main colored dough, and cover with lids.  Add a layer of the second colored dough on top of the primary color in the containers, until almost full.  Finally, press the remaining dough in the main color into the star ice cube tray openings, and carefully push on the back side to remove.  Carefully press the stars on top of the dough in the containers, and replace lids.  Store in two gallon-sized zipper bags, in the fridge.

Bamboo Aloe Mint Exfoliating Body Wash

Did I mention how frugal I am yet?  No?  Well, if there is one word that describes me, it would probably be frugal - though perhaps in a "penny wise, pound foolish" kind of way (more to come on that topic, when I finally finish my coasters project... any day now).

My frugality sometimes results in odd impulses and principles.  Case in point: I hate throwing away any part of my bamboo stalks after I trim them back for the summer.  We have large clumps of bamboo scattered around our house, and every summer we have to rescue doors, windows, and balconies from the onslaught of foliage that has accumulated over the last twelve months.  This year, I decided to do something with every piece of the scrap bamboo.

For the tops of the pruned shoots, which has the youngest and softest leaves and stems, I came up with this recipe.  The bamboo provides anti-aging benefits, fights free radicals from the environment, and provides long-lasting moisture.  The bamboo fibers and sea salt exfoliate dead skin cells, and the mint, apple cider vinegar, and lemon juice cleanse the skin of dirt and dead skin cells. Finally, the aloe, olive oil, and baking soda soothe and moisturize the skin, and the coconut oil leaves behind a long-lasting fresh scent.

This scrub/wash leaves my skin feeling soft and smooth, but not oily.  You may notice a slightly slick feeling immediately after you bathe, which goes away within 10-20 minutes.  If the feeling lingers any longer, reduce the amount of olive oil used to 1/4 of a cup and adjust water as necessary to achieve the right consistency.

Enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup young bamboo shoots
1 cup mint leaves
1 large aloe leaf
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp baking soda
1 tbsp corn starch
18 drops coconut essential oil

Directions:

(Note: the picture shows a food processor, but I recommend a mixer so that you don't end up with uncut pieces of bamboo stem)

Wash bamboo, aloe, and mint leaves.  Combine all ingredients in a blender, starting with dry ingredients.  Mix ingredients together on lowest setting, then blend on highest setting until the mix has a puree consistency (like plain yogurt) and no large pieces of bamboo, aloe, or mint can be seen.  Add water in small amounts if needed.  Divide mixture amongst two clean airtight containers.  Will keep for 1 week at room temperature, or up to 1 month in the fridge.

When bathing, pour a generous amount into your hand and rub all over your body, taking care to scrub areas where dead skin cells tend to accumulate (e.g., elbows, knees, legs, arms).  Rinse and you're done!

Freebie - Kid/Tween Birthday Card Text

New Freebie: Kid/Tween Birthday Card Text, designed to be used on 4"x6" cards.  Enjoy!