Mom Needs A Break! Tips, Ideas, Help….For Those Hard Working Moms!

Whether you are in the midst of spring cleaning, or about to start, cleaning the ceramic tile in your bathroom has been tops on your list of things to do, right?  Here are some tips for cleaning ceramic tile. 

One of the areas on ceramic tile that is really tough to clean is the grout. It’s a really yucky area that attracts the most horrible dirt and grime in your bathroom, right? Okay then, put on a pair of rubber gloves and let’s get to it! 

If you have a small bathroom, you may want to turn on the overhead fan; keep the doors open and wear a mask if you have to. It tends to get quite hot in there when cleaning.Use a cleaning solution and hot water, start cleaning the grout. This will require some kneeling and scrubbing, so ensure you place a pillow or soft cushion to kneel on.  

Stop and take a look.  Does the grout look clean? If not, you may have to resort to more desperate measures. Do not use chlorine bleach!  It is not safe and if you are allergic, it can cause breathing problems, and the fumes can be hazardous to your pets as well. 

However, take heart! After scouring the web for the best product, there is one that is non-toxic, and is perfect for grout cleaning, it’s called oxygen bleach.  It comes in powder form and when mixed with water it removes all of the stains to produce a clean and undamaged group. Moreover, there are no fumes or toxins to contend with. Simply apply the bleach and let it sit for thirty to sixty minutes. Then scrub the grout lightly and Voila! Behold the miracle! 

If you have ceramic tile in your kitchen or counter top, you can use the oxygen bleach there as well. Users have raved about this product, so make it easy; chemical free; and pain free during spring cleaning and utilize these tips for cleaning ceramic tile. 

Getting ready for summer means you have to clean out your closets. Don’t fret! The best part about cleaning out your closets is that you get to buy new clothes!  In addition, you can donate your old clothes to the Salvation Army, thrift store or a church. Now you’re inspired! 

Here are some tips to help you get started: 

Take everything out of your closets; the heavy wool coats; parkas; suits and pants outfits; then separate what you want to keep and put the rest in a bag for pick-up by the local church or take it to the Salvation Army.  You’ll feel wonderful when you look at your half empty closet.  This means you can go to your favourite department store and shop till you drop – well, almost.  You can also take out your summer clothes and separate them as well.  More items to add to the shopping list!   

Write down what you need to add to your summer wardrobe; including shoes, accessories, swimsuits, and all the necessary items to enjoy at the beach or on vacation.  Finally store away your winter clothes; bidding them farewell until the fall. 

If there is lack of space, you can take all your winter clothes to the cleaners. There, they will dry clean and wash all of the items, and store them away for a considerable price. But, hey, if you don’t have the space, you have to find alternatives. 

Once you are finished shopping, bring home your new summer wardrobe (complete with new hangars, of course) and fill the closet.  Now you’re all set for any summer occasion that may pop up.  And don’t forget the shoes, sneakers are good for summer and of course sandals are a must.   

Clean out your closets and go shopping!  Isn’t summer just the best time of year? 

Most travel agents will advice you to start planning your summer vacation six months in advance.  That may seem like a long time ahead for many, but it’s the best way to make sure you book an affordable family vacation that’s just right for you.  

Are you getting ready for summer?  Plan your vacation now by following these important tips. 

As you know, booking your reservations early can afford you the opportunity to save, save, save!  Whether you are booking flight reservations; hotel accommodations, packages, or a combination of all three – decide early where you’d like to go and don’t procrastinate. When travel agents were all the rage, all you had to do was call or stop by and the agent would take care of everything.  Today, with online reservations; making your own travel plans has become more popular.  Although there are still travel agents available, it seems planning your trip from the comfort of your own home has become the norm, rather than the exception. 

The first thing you need to do is to check the airlines. You can either call or you can go online and either use the many new travel sites now available or go straight to the preferred airlines’ website. To save some time, stop by a travel agent’s office and pick out some brochures that interest you! You will have to research complete packages, however, to determine which company offers the best rate. In addition, if you are traveling outside the country, you will need to have your passports and proof of identification. Also keep in mind, if you are traveling to areas which require vaccinations, make sure you check with your doctor ahead of time. 

Travel agents can also be a great source of information for a specific area or traveling advice.  Remember, it doesn’t cost anything to use the services of a travel agent; they obtain their commissions from the airline and hotels. 

In the event you are planning a summer vacation, and you are making all of the arrangements yourself, check the terms and conditions of the online consolidators and hotels, to ensure there are no hidden fees. When making air reservations, check different days of the week, as midweek travel is often cheaper. Also, when you are booking your airline reservations, find out what the penalties are for cancellations.  This holds true for the hotels or packages as well. Read all of the airport rules and regulations, and arrive at least three hours before flight time. Also, think about trip insurance; just in case. 

Wherever you decide to go; Disney World; Paris; London;

In a few months, Father’s Day will be here. Your kids are probably trying to come up with unique ideas this year. To help them, here are some Father’s Day ideas for younger kids. 

* Make a Father’s Day card using construction paper, crayons and draw dad on the front with the words “I Love You Dad!” Mom can also download the many coloring templates kids can use to glue on to construction boards to make larger 8-1/2×11 cards. 

* Kids can take their teddy bears and dress them up with a hat, tie, and glasses….and place a Happy Father’s Day sign for the bear to hold. 

* Kids can help you make a Father’s Day breakfast for dad and present it to him either in bed or at the kitchen table.  

* Kids can help mom make gingerbread cookies and using piping to outline the facial features. It can then be glued to a piece of cardboard and the kids can decorate the cardboard with dad’s favourite things! 

* The kids can present dad with a card containing a list of chores they will do for dad for a week. 

* They can also make a story book using construction paper, to tell about their dad and why he is so special! 

* Mom can bake dad’s favourite cake and the kids can decorate it with dad’s favourite sports games, such as baseballs, footballs, soccer, or basketball. 

Kids love to draw, paint and mold. Using some clay, they can make dad a handprint and sign their names on the palms. He would certainly love that! In fact, kids also love to build things, so why not build day a special kite (with the help of mom, of course), then the entire family can enjoy this wonderful present. 

Father’s Day ideas for younger kids can be achieved by asking them what they would like to make for dad; or perhaps buy for day. One thing though, he may not want any more ties! Make a Happy Father’s Day Sign using construction paper, and hang it in the kitchen or living room area. Dad will be so happy to see how much effort his children have put into making his day a special one!

Older kids have much more experience in coming up with Father’s day ideas. Well, just in case you need a few more, here are some Father’s Day ideas for older kids. 

When it comes to Father’s Day, my dad is difficult to buy gifts for. So I look around to see what he is reading, or what movies he is watching or what music he is listening to. Then I go to my best online friend, amazon.com, and pick out books, music and movies he would most enjoy.  Sometimes I am lucky and choose the perfect gift.  Sometimes, especially if the gift is clothing; I wind up returning it.  So now I buy gifts that I know he will definitely like. For example: 

* DVDs of his favourite TV shows or movies* Subscription to his favourite magazine* Gift Certificate to Blockbusters so he can choose the movie * Gift Certificate to a major department store where he can shop for any clothing he likes* Since he loves Beagles, I had an artisan draw a picture of a beagle on a piece of freshly cut wood.* One year, I saw a wonderful painting of a man and his beagle, walking in the woods.  (Both of these are still hanging in his bedroom to this day)!* Another year, I purchased tickets to a baseball game for him.* Since he also collects coins, I purchase newly minted coins from Franklin Mint. 

Now your dad may enjoy different things. What matters, and what is most appreciated, is spending the time to find the perfect gift. So here is a great project for you: study your dad’s reading, music, and movie habits and you can either take him to see a movie with lunch afterward; take him to a baseball game; buy his favourite TV shows now on DVD;get him a box of golf balls or new golf mitts; or spend the day on a putting green. Maybe your dad collects baseball cards.  If so, you can go on eBay and buy a few boxes of the latest hobby baseball boxes available. If you have saved enough or wish to pull money together with your siblings, you may prefer to purchase an autographed card of his favourite player! 

There are so many things, other than a tie, that you can buy or plan for and with your dad.Look upon this as a