Life's Essentials

Laundry detergent

2011-03-01T18:01:00.002-05:00

Hi Friends!

How many of you did your laundry today?
It would be interesting to take a poll and see what kind of Laundry detergent you use. Do you go for the Liquid Detergents or the powder? What is it about your detergent that you like?

How well it works?

The price?

What is else IS there? Those two reasons pretty much sum up why we buy the things we buy, doesn't it?

Here is my "poll " answer.

I use Legacy of Clean - SA8+Bioquest.
It is a powder. I like it because it does not have fillers it it.
It is "GREEN", (I like green) It has biodegradable cleaning ingredients and natural water softeners.
It has enzymes in it that help keep my drains and my septic systems clean.
It WORKS great! (That's a biggy.) And at my wholesale price, it costs me $ .23 a load.

If it wouldn't be that I only do Laundry for two people I would buy the 50 lb. box; which would save me $80.
That is only $ .13 a load! It's ridiculous NOT to do it! But the thing is this...It has enough soap for 800 loads...that would last me 2 1/2 years! But if someone has a family, or a business where they do a lot of laundry... Wow, that would be the way to go!

I'd like to hear from you. What kind of detergent do you like?

Blessings---

At Home | Amway : Air Supply

2011-01-16T13:51:00.002-05:00

Here is a link to a blog that I just discovered. It has a lot of great information. Here is a great Air purifying system for people that are troubled with allergies; or perhaps you have a child who suffers with allergies. That can be miserable and finding relief is such a blessing! If you are looking for something, I hope this can help you!

God bless!
Vera

Check it out.

At Home | Amway : Air Supply

Happy New Year!!!

2011-01-01T07:36:00.001-05:00

May God bless each of you abundantly, my friend's, in 2011!!!
Our Family is coming to our house today for our Christmas gathering. We have family staying here from SC, and I already hear someone stirring around.

I just wanted to share a link real quick. I have been listening to this Lifestyle Design Blueprint series and it has some great information! (About goal setting and becoming more successful.) He is having a contest, so if you love contests, this is a great opportunity to change your life and have fun with the contest.
Here is the link

Have a great day everyone!!

My monthly blog

2010-12-05T21:20:00.001-05:00

My, my. I finally checked in on my blog again! I noticed it has turned into a monthly blog. Now THAT is not really how I want it to be. But I'm afraid it just may have to limp along like this until the end of the school year.
This will be my last year of teaching school. I am increasingly looking forward to the end of the school year. AND THIS IS ONLY THE SECOND QUARTER!!!

It's not that this is a bad year, it's just knowing that this is my last year and my mind has trouble staying focused on school. I am ready to move on to other things. I want to devote more time to our business.
Our business team is increasing and it is exciting to be part of group that is making a difference in other peoples lives.

On to other things---------
Our school is in practicing for our annual Christmas program. The stage has been set up in the gym, so this week we get to practice on the stage! That is always fun!

I hope all of you have a Blessed Christmas! Let's remember that the reason for Christmas is Jesus!! He was willing to come to earth for me and for you! So that we might have eternal life!! My small mind can hardly grasp the awesome meaning of that fact!! I take it for granted WAY TO MUCH! Because I have known it for most of my life, I'm afraid I am not thankful enough. Does anyone else ever feel like that?

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Warm fuzzy covers. Sitting by the fireside. Chocolate. Coffee and a good book or movie. That's what I'm looking forward to on Christmas vacation. Well....at least I hope I can do it for one day! Please???? Just for ONE DAY???

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!!!

Broken bones, family and parties

2010-11-13T08:25:00.000-05:00

Had a little drama at school on Monday. One of my students tripped and fell while running around the school house.The first thing I heard was a high-pitch cry. She was lying on the ground and her arm was bent in a grotesque way. Poor thing!! Both bones between the elbow and the wrist were broken.
It was the first time we've had something like this happen at school since I've been teaching. Since she was my student, I was responsible take care of it. But the other teachers all helped...by calling the parents, getting ice, and helping me get into the van. Her father met me on the way to the hospital, then he took her on in. -- She was a little freaked out. She asked me if her arm will stay like that? I assured her that the doctors will straighten it out and put a cast on. Then it will be fine. I was a little freaked out myself -- just having to deal with it!!

I'm having family for the weekend. Two of our son's and their families are here from SC. Everyone will be at our house for Sunday lunch. I was babysitting two of the grandchildren yesterday. That is always a treat! It gives me a chance to bond with them. I don't get that chance very often with those that are out of state.

Now I'm off to help my daughter-in-law . We are having what we call a Beauty Break. A number of ladies get together at someone's house. Then we have a little party and give them a facials, using the Artisty Skin Care products. That is a big hit! We always have a lot of fun!

Have a great week

Vera

Back Pain Issues

2010-10-02T09:29:00.000-04:00

It's been a while! Truth is I've had writers block. I was not in the mood to write.
I had a bout of back pain again. I needed to get a substitute teacher for 3 days! You would think after 4 years of teaching, I would learn the pulling the school desks around to vacumn my room is not friendly to my back. It happens every year, about this time.

Years ago when I first started with this back pain, they told me I have a bulged disc. I am fine as long as I don't lift heavy things or pull heavy things around. However my impatience often is my undoing. When I want to do something I don't like to wait till I have help. I want to do it NOW!

I read something the other day that was a good "slap on my hand". The quote went like this, " Was Your Present Season Scheduled... By Your Faith Or By...Your Impatience.

Hmmm.....Good question....My "season" of back pain was scheduled by my impatience. I never thought of it that I need to exersise my faith more in this area. Faith to depend on God to supply my need for help, AND have the humility to ask for help.

You see.....that's another problem.....this humility thing. I don't think I'm proud.....not really....but years ago, when I was still younger and was lifting all the heavy things I needed to lift, I used to get a little irritated at ladies that had such "delicate" backs. I secretly thought they were sissies.

Well, well....look who is a sissy now! ME! That is hard to except! So that is why I say that I need humility to ask for help.

The best thing for me to do to get relief from this pain is get a massage. She works on my Psoas muscle. That is always tight. After she gets through I can stand up straight again. She, of course, massages my back too, but last year we discovered that the Psoas muscle work was what really gave me relief.

I love my Saturdays! I am off to enjoy!!
Hope you all have a great weekend!

Vera

walking log

2010-09-20T17:41:00.004-04:00

I walked 10 min. this morning and 15 min. this evening.

Total 25 minutes!!

Anyone care to join and report??

Reporting on Skin care experiment:
I used the Luxury Creme for six weeks just on one side of my face. Actually, just on one cheek.

Results..........The wrinkles are not as deep as the other side!!!!

It REALLY DOES WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

However, sometimes I think my mothers solution may not be all bad either........Just wash your wrinkles.
Good Day to all....I'm babysitting 2 of the grandchildren tonight, so I must run and prepare supper before they arrive.

Who wants to walk with me??

2010-09-19T18:06:00.002-04:00

Hi everyone!

My poor blog must be feeling very neglected! With school in full swing it has been slid to the back burner.

As for me............I have been teaching school. First grade. I have 5 students. That's a nice class. Not too many that you can't give each one the attention and help they need. But still keeps me busy.

I really want to get started on a walking program.   Oh dear....I always have such good intentions,.....but I REALLY must keep at it!!!

I DID start though!!.....today I walked.......prob. about 1/2 mile. mmmmm...That is pathetic, I know. But, hey!!   It's a start!!!

What I really need is someone out there to be an accountabilaty pardner.

Or ...does anyone want to walk with me??? We can post our progress??
How about it???   Let me know!

Last weekend was a fun weekend for me. My husband entered the Nut Roll Bike Ride, in Albany GA. He rode the 106 mile ride. I decided if he will be down there all day I may as well volunteer to work at one of the rest stops.
That was a new experience for me. It was the first time we've done something like that. Over 200 registered riders and 70- some riders entered for the 106 mile. It turned out to be a very warm day. I was impressed with the dedication and determination of those riders. only about 6 of those rideres didn't finish the whole 106 miles.

It wasn't young people riding either!! There were mostly middle-age and older folks.

My dedicated husband was among them!!! I am so proud of him!!! Yesterday he hit his 4,000 mile mark for this year. Yes....that's right!! He has ridden 4000 miles this year.

In the month of Aug. he set a goal of riding 1000 in one month. That was VERY steep!! But he made it!! However, he said he almost killed himself to do it. LOL!

Have a great week, everyone.

Changes to my blog site.

2010-09-03T21:57:00.000-04:00

Those of you that have seen my blog before will notice that I removed my product pages. You will still be able to order all of those great products, but because of Direct Selling guidelines I will not be posting the products as I had been doing. My web page address will be in my profile.

Hope all of you have a great Labor Day weekend.

Wrinkles on my face

2010-09-03T21:49:00.001-04:00

Hi everyone,

Do any of you have wrinkles on your face? I do! It used to not bother me so much but lately it is freakin me out a little. You see I just turned 55. Just THAT....turning 55.....kind of freaked me out. All the other milestone years, like 30, 40 and 50 didn't really bother me. But when I hit 55...........That did it! I feel officially.....lets just say .....upper middle aged.

Back to my wrinkles. Actually I'll start with my mother. My mother is 92 years old. Bless her dear heart! Her skin is .....well...truth is...it's wrinkled. Someone once asked her, "What do you do with your wrinkles?"
She, in her quick-witted way, said, "I wash them". LOL
And I have inherited her skin type.

One problem is, I didn't use any type of skin care till about one year ago. If I would have used age defying skin care for the last 20 years, I doubt I would have this issue. Be that as it may.....I am now working on my wrinkles.

I recieve a free travel sice of a new luxury skin creme with my last order of my regulars system. I have been using it only on the left side of my face. I want to test it...... to see if it is as good as advertised.

I will let you know of the results later.

Connecting the dots

2010-08-27T20:07:00.003-04:00

I've been reading Dr. Miriam Kinia 's blog. I have enjoyed it immensely and have been blessed. Jump over and check out her blog. About managing stress with the Word of God.

I had a relaxing day at home. I'm taking advantage of it because Monday we start school. I've been at school almost every day this week preparing my room and etc.

Here is a post that I posted over a year ago on another blog. I read it again and decided to share it here. It is good to remind myself of the lesson I have learn in life.

Connecting the dots of Gods lessons --

In today’s Sunday School lesson I learned something that meant something personal to me. I hope I can explain it in a way that it makes sense.

Memory selection was Numbers 20:12

12. And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them. (…This is the instance where Moses hit the rock instead of speaking to it.)

The phrase “to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel”. Was explained in the commentary in a way that finally made sense to me.
Here is what the commentary said.
Verse 12 makes it clear that the Lord needed to judge Moses because of unbelief. And that he did not proclaim God’s holy name (sanctify me) in the eyes if the people. This demonstrates that God holds all believers accountable for his own actions regardless of how godly they have been .Moses blamed the people, but he was accountable for his own actions. He needed to do and say what God ask of him instead of what he felt like doing .God’s name was proclaimed or hallowed among the people through the correction he brought to Moses. God will be hallowed or sanctified whether it is through our obedience to Him, or our correction by Him. (end of quote)

God would not be a just God if He would not correct us. His name will be proclaimed one way or another. It is just in our best interest to proclaim it through obedience, instead of have it be proclaimed by His correction of our disobedience. That is always painful to us. It is the chastisement of the Lord. And we should take it with a humble heart instead of blaming others for our mistakes and pitying ourselves because of our circumstances that have been brought on by our disobedience to His word to us.

Here is what it really meant to me. (I have to explain something else first so you can understand where I'm coming from. Bear with me while I explain this)…. It is as though, in a sense, our husbands are “God’s word” to us. Now, don’t get me wrong….I do not think our husbands are God. But they ARE in authority over us and we are to be in subjection to them. So therefore if we go against what our husband wants or asks, we are disobeying not only our husbands but also God.

You see over the years God has had to teach me many lessons. And these lessons I will call “dots”. One of the dots that are in my lesson book is that…(”When my husband wants me to do something, then that is what God is asking me to do, or NOT to do, (whatever the case may be). If I don't do it, God must correct me.')

With those thoughts in mind, let me give you a very real life explanation of my own experience that brings out what I am talking about.
Earlier in our marriage I had this habit of getting upset with my husband over little insignificant things. For instance, He would say something and really, was only teasing. It would hit me wrong and I would really get ticked off, huff up and blow off about it. Or it could be any number of things that can come up in marriages. Bottom line, I got mad over little things.

My husband doesn’t get angry easily, but that is one thing that really ticks him off. When I get mad at him for some little thing that is not at all necessary to get mad about. So when I got mad at him like that, he got ticked at ME. Now when he is ticked, he doesn’t say much. His actions are quite cool toward me for several days.

Okay…now that hurts! But I did this over and over with always the same results. It was a vicious cycle. After a while I wised up. I was trying to figure out “what in the world is the problem here!!” It finally occurred to me that this cycle is started by ME! If I would not get mad in the first place, all the rest of this stuff wouldn’t happen.

Now let’s get back to our S.S. lesson. --- First of all it brings out that Moses and Aaron were men of God but this story brings out their weaknesses. We also may be Godly people, but just as they also were human we are too. However, God needed to judge their disobedience. So He would be sanctified. (God will be hallowed or sanctified whether it is through our obedience to Him, or our correction by Him)

When I became angry, Norman’s actions to me was actually a correction by God. (”When my husband wants me to do something, then that is what God is asking me to do, Or NOT to do.If I don't do it, God must correct me) God finally got it through to me. If I don’t want to get hurt over and over then I need to quit doing the thing that causes this hurt.
The concept that I finally got today is that God MUST correct us so that His name is glorified, hallowed, or sanctified!

What do we do with God’s correction? Do we take it humbly, and ask God to show us a better way? Do we blame others? Do we pity ourselves and say think that “WE DO NOT DESERVE THIS!!”

Hebrew 12:6-9 says Whom the Lord loveth, He chasteneth……… Therefore it is only God’s love to us to help us to learn a better way. To teach us God’s way. Let’s be teachable!!

Party Food Recipes

2010-08-12T12:21:00.002-04:00

Double Delight Coffee Cake

2 cups flour
2 small pkg. instant vanilla pudding
2 tsp. baking powder
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 cup water
1 tsp.vanilla
3/4 cup oil
4 eggs

Topping:
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup brown sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together all batter ingredient well. In a separate bowl, mix topping ingredients. Pour 1/2 of batter into a 9X13 inch pan. Sprinkle 1/2 of topping on batter; pour in remaining batter. Top with remaining topping mixture and bake for 40 min. at 350. Mix 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 Tbls. milk together, drizzle over cooled cake.

Ahh!! I just discovered I forgot the glaze!! .........Oh well.......it was good this way too.

"Sausage Thingys"
This is almost like the Little Smokies that we make but I used sausage links and Crescent rolls instead of biscuits.

I started out with these sausage links.

I put them in a Pyrex baking pan and baked them at 350 for 20 min. I did this the evening before the party.

The next morning I took crescent rolls.....

....put them on a sheet of wax paper, sprayed with Pam. I cut them in 1/2 like this, then flattened them out.

....into rectangled pieces.....

Next I put the baked sausage link onto the flattened roll and rolled it up and pinched the dough together.

Baked them at 375 for 12 - 14 minutes

I made a dipping sauce with.....

ketchup, mustard, a little mayonnaise, and BBQ sauce.

I also had a fruit tray with dip.

I love this dip recipe. I didn't use quite as much cool whip as the recipe asks for.

I only made a 1/2 recipe. ....As my husband would say....I just threw it together.

1 small box vanilla pudding

1 cup strawberry yogurt

8 oz. cool whip

1 1/2 cup milk

Mix milk and pudding. add other ingredients. Serve with fruit.

Finish it off with coffee and juice.

I want to put a little plug in for our Church's two cookbooks. As a fund raiser we have collected our church families favorite recipes and printed two different cookbooks.

You can read about and purchase them from my "cookbook page".

The recipe for the Coffee Cake and the Fruit dip can also be found in our cookbook.

Today Matters

2010-08-05T14:33:00.002-04:00

I'm reading the book, Today Matters, by John C. Maxwell. I highly recommend it!! Here is something that stood out to me.
....a quote by Dick Biggs..."The greatest gap in life is the one between knowing and doing."
(Excerpts from the book) .Deep down, we all know that if we want to change and grow, we need to get started. Yet sometimes we hesitate. That is why Maureen Falcone says, "Most people fail in the starting."

A few other great thoughts from the book. The first ingredient for success..... making good decision.....has little value if we don't practice good disciplines. Let's face it: everybody wants to be thin, but nobody wants to diet. Everyone wants to live long but not many want to exercise. Everyone wants money, yet few want to work hard.
Wow!! How true that is!!! Here is something to remember---
Decisions help us start. Discipline helps us finish.

On the side bar is the book I'm talking about. It is worth every penny.

Today is a fun day............ babysitty for two of my grandchildren. I like to take advantage of these opportunities before school starts. After school begins I don't get these chances very often. That is one of the biggest drawbacks for me in teaching school. I feel like am missing out on the granchildren's lives. But I am looking to be through teaching soon.

Oh...I almost forgot........ That recipe I tried yesterday....It WAS as good as it looks!!! Give it a try.

God's blessing to each one today!!

Recipe

2010-08-04T15:41:00.004-04:00

Hello everyone!
I want to share a great looking Enchilada Casserole recipe with you! I got the link to it from another blog I am following...... The Craft Barn The recipe comes from Shamrock and Shenanigans. Check it out! I am having fun checking out some great blogs and finding recipes.

Does anyone have some good favorite "quick" recipes to share? I try to get some menu together so once school starts I will be more organized and have an idea what I will be making for supper when I get home each evening. Cooking is not my favorite thing to do but if I at least know what I am going to make...it helps a lot!! My husband is very easy to cook for and is nice about going out to eat when I get home and don't feel like cooking. THAT is a blessing!!

I gota run-- I'm going to try out this new recipe. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Ya'll have a blessed day!
Vera

Approved unto God & Gifts

2010-07-26T13:33:00.017-04:00

This verse meant something different to me yesterday. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 You see, it seems all my life I've either been on a diet, getting ready to start a diet or knowing that I SHOULD be watching what I eat. Now....you wonder what dieting has to do with this verse? Well, the truth is, I have ask God to help me many times, and He DOES help me everytime. When I listen to His voice and obey it, I can lose weight. He will quietly remind me when I'm fixin' to put something in my mouth that is not a good choice. "Don't eat that". But too many times I find an excuse and then go ahead and eat it. .....Here is the thing....If I would stand before God I would have to be ashamed because I did not obey His voice. That verse spoke to my heart. I want to STUDY or "give diligence" to obey so that God will approve of my life and I won't need to be ashamed. I know this can be applied in many areas of our life.
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Reflective thoughts

2010-07-22T19:49:00.007-04:00

The other day I went to a funeral of a friend of mine. She had battled with cancer for three years. The minister said something that I have often heard before, but I'm not sure that I agree with it. This is what he said. "The only thing we can take to heaven with us is our children." I understand what they are trying to say. We can not take our earthly possessions with us. So we should invest quality time to influence our children to glorify God. That is the chief purpose of our life. But, I don't think we can take our children. We can only go there on our own, by God's grace and strength, of course. By the choices we make and the life we live. Our children must make their own decisions to live for God. Think about this..........As we near the end of our life, our family can be by our side every minute and be supportive to the very end. But when we come to the door of eternity..... it is as though God swings the door open and we must pass through alone. We can take nothing with us. It will be ME, by myself, and God. Is my life free from sin or do I have anything in my life that would cause me to be afraid to pass through that door?

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51: 10
*******************************************************************************************************

This is a collection of environmentally sensitive cleaning products.
The multi-purpose cleaner is what I use to mop my floors. But when I have something tough to clean... the All Purpose Cleaner is the one ! THAT is some good cleaner!
And the Towelettes....I wouldn't be without them! I carry them in my purse. If you are at a restaurant and spill something on your clothes....NO PROBLEM. wash it out with an LOC towelette. You are good to go!

Tho't for the day: Before you can be great, you've got to be good. Before you can be good, you've got to be bad. But before you can even be bad, you've got to try.

Welcome To My Blog

2010-07-22T08:27:00.002-04:00

Hi!

Welcome to my blog! I hope you will enjoy it! I want it to be inspirational as well as informative.
I chose Life's Essentials for my title because the things I plan to talk about and promote are things that we use in our homes every day. Also, essential things that are important to me as a Christian, for daily living.

#1 Oh give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Ps. 136:1

That is one of the most important things for me to remember. Always thank God for ALL things. Being grateful opens our hearts and makes us even more aware of the blessings God gives us. Ungratefulness closes our minds to the blessings and make fertile ground for worry, fear and bitterness.
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What are some other essentials I am talking about?

Think about it....what does every household use? LAUNDRY DETERGENT.

There are more things, of course, that I will discuss later, but today I want to tell you about SA8 + Bioquest powder Laundry Detergent.

Removes grease and oily soils as well as tough stains like blood, grass, chocolate and eggs.

Super concentrated

Work great in hard water.

No phosphates, chlorine, or other chemicals. Planet -positive. Made with biodegradable ingredients.

AN INTERESTING FACT!!...... SA8+ Bioquest, and Try-Zyme., which is a detergent booster, is the detergent the Atlanta Braves use to wash their uniforms. WOW!!! That tells the story!!!

You can order them both here.

Thanks for joining me and look for new fun things to be added to my blog.

Tho't for the day: It is not what you are that holds you back. It is what you think you are not.