Separate Email Accounts Can Help With the Online "Clutter"

I learned several years ago to have different email accounts for different purposes. I have three email accounts right now, and although that may sound like a lot, it has really helped me declutter and keep my life organized. Maybe you can try this, too, if you haven't already!



1. Work Email Account
I check this account multiple times a day and receive a couple of hundred emails a week through this account. Not all of the emails apply directly to me, but many of them do. Thankfully, this email account has tools that allow me to save the emails into different categories, and it is setup by the school system where I am employed, so it is free. If your employer does not provide an email account for you, there are many free ones out there for you to choose from. Just do some exploring and find what best meets your needs!


2. Personal Email
A few years ago, I learned how important it is to separate personal emails from work emails. It was just too much to process having everything come through one account, especially when so many emails already come through my work email account. Also, my work emails are monitored, and there are some pieces of information that I don't care to share with my employers.


3. Temporary Email (Specific for a Cause/Group)
I am on the steering team for the local Evening MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, and it is my job to update the blog and Facebook page for this group. I had to have an email account in order to do this, and I wanted to create an account that is only related to this topic so that the information doesn't get lost in the shuffle of my "regular" personal email. Also, whenever my time with MOPS is complete, I can delete the email account and not have to worry about it. If you are ever a team leader for a fundraiser or event, this is a great way to go, too.

                  If you have found this post helpful, please share it with others. Thanks so much!

Homemade "Febreze"

A few weeks ago I shared an easy and frugal way to clean a shower using products most of us already have around the house. If you haven't tried it yet, I really encourage you to do it. I promise it works like a charm if you follow the directions!
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Today, I would like to share another awesome and frugal cleaning tip with you. I have been a huge fan of Febreze for years. I love how it helps freshen up furniture, carpets, rugs, bedding, and curtains, as well as almost anything that has been in storage for a while. In a busy house, it's really a necessity. However, I have never liked the price of it. That stuff is stinkin' expensive!

So, you know me; I went to my friend {Pinterest} for some ideas, and ladies and gentlemen, she did not let me down! There were several pins/blogs about how to make your own "Febreze", so I read about three of them and compared them. All of them were pretty similar, so, I set out to get what I needed and tried it out. I was not disappointed, and I don't think you will be either. Just make sure you follow all the directions, and you'll be set. You'll also love the extra bucks in your wallet!

Here's what you need: 

* 1/8 cup liquid fabric softener  (I got mine at Dollar Tree.)
* 2 Tablespoons baking soda (I already had this!)
* A funnel
* Hot tap water 

NOTE: I used my existing 27 ounce Febreze container. If your spray bottle is a different size, you may need to adjust the amounts of fabric softener and baking soda. 


What you do: 
1. Pour the fabric softener into the spray bottle.
2. Add the baking soda.
3. Fill the rest of the spray bottle with hot tap water.
4. Shake well and don't forget to shake the bottle before each use. This step is very important!




Try it out and let me know what you think!

Why I Didn't Clean My House Over the Weekend

I've made several posts lately about how I keep my house clean. Please don't misunderstand me- my house is definitely not spotless! There are days (and sometimes several days in a row) when I don't do much cleaning at all around my house. This past weekend is the perfect example. Let me tell you why.

Last Wednesday was Chandler's 4th birthday. His Thomas the Train party was Friday night. I went straight from work to Ingles, to the church to decorate. I wanted to make it magical for my special little guy. We weren't home until after 9:30 p.m., but we had a blast!  I opted for bed rather than cleaning.

Saturday morning, the three of us got up and headed for the circus. We made a day of it by having lunch at Red Lobster, buying Chandler's soccer gear, heading to the Verizon store, and stopping by Race Trac for some yummy yogurt before heading home. It's the first time in a while I've spent the entire day out with my two favorite guys! I didn't do any cleaning that day, either, although I did do a couple of loads of laundry out of necessity.

Just know that it's okay NOT to clean your house every day. It may mean that you have to do a little extra next time, but that's okay. Life happens. Memories are made. Smiles come in abundance.

I have learned that little ones don't stay little long, and it's definitely more important to spend time with the ones I love than to have a magnificently clean house. 

The Last Time

This morning was the last time a three-year-old boy climbed sleepily out of bed at my house.
This morning was the last time I carried that same three-year-old boy across the hall to the bathroom.
This morning was the last time I helped that three-year-old boy put on his socks and shoes. 
This morning was the last time a three-year-old boy rode in the car to Grandmama's house.

This afternoon was the last time I brought that three-year-old boy home.
This evening was the last time that three-year-old feet ran across my kitchen floor before dinner.
Tonight was the last night I got to read and cuddle with my favorite three-year-old boy.
Tonight was the last time I tucked that three-year-old boy in as we said goodnight prayers together.

Right now is the last time I will cry over that three-year-old boy, for tomorrow he will be four.

Doors

I have always heard that God opens and closes doors in our lives. Now, at almost 33 years old, I have personally experienced the opening and closing of doors several times in my life. Sometimes, those doors open and close unexpectedly. Actually, that is almost always the case. Sometimes it comes along with grief, pain, and sadness. However, each and every time, He has brought me through.

I will think I know exactly what is going on and exactly what I should do. I'll have a "perfect plan". The funny thing is, God has always had the perfect plan for me. He just has to wait on me sometimes to realize it. I'm a little stubborn like that. I am so thankful, though, that He hasn't given up on me yet. I know He will lead me in the direction I need to go if I just take his hand and follow Him.