I’ve been making and using my own laundry soap for about 3 months now- and I have to say that I love it! It is a much cheaper alternative to buying it from the store. I think I save about $20 dollars a month this way!

After some trial and error- I found a recipe that works for me. Here it is:


2 bars of Ivory soap


1 cup of Borax


1 cup of Washing Soda


Grate the Ivory (preferably with the finest grater you have or use a food processor) and mix with the Borax and Washing Soda. Funnel into a cute little container (I used a canning jar) and find a 2 tablespoon scooper (a coffee can or lemonade mix might have just the thing)! Use 1/2 a scoop for light loads and a full scoop for heavy ones. I also like to add vinegar to the rinse cycle as a fabric softener (don’t worry-the scent rinses right out).

I originally used a recipe that called for “Fels-Naptha” but found that it was difficult to locate and for me the scent was far to strong! The package advises not to have prolonged contact with skin so I wasn’t really comfortable grating it, and every time I opened my jar to get a scoop I held my breath to keep from inhaling the overwhelming scent! My clothes never smelled strongly though, so if you want to try it it won’t be overpowering in the end. I just like how easy Ivory is to find and how pleasantly mild it is when I open my jar of laundry soap.
Simple Woman's Daybook, musings... on July-13-2010

~*~*~*~*~For Today*~*~*~*~


Outside my window… it is sunshiny bright… and a tad to hot for my taste. But, for July in a southern California desert- it has been pretty cool! I suppose that means that warm weather will last until at least October.


I am thinking…about becoming a better blogger! I love reading (lurking- hehe) blogs, and I would love to have a fabulously interesting one myself- or at least have a place to journal, but whenever I go to write a post I’m at a loss for what to write about! I’m reading more and more, hoping that gives me inspiration and the gumption to just. do. it!


I am thankful for…oh so very much! On the forefront of my mind is the fact that my little girly (due in less than 3 weeks now!) is doing very well despite the fact that one of her kidneys is riddled with cysts and has gone ka-put on her. Praise God that He gave us two kidneys - yet only a need for one!!


From the kitchen… nothing yet… But I have visions of a rice and chicken bake that Hubby is going to flip over! Lucky me, he is pretty easy to please. Give him some type of meat, a starch (preferably rice), a green veggie and he’s a happy man.


I am wearing… stretchy jersey brown goucho/capris and a comfy royal purple striped jersey tee. At this stage of pregnancy, comfort is the name of the game!


I am creating… headbands for my girly, hair flowers for me, and “Big Brother” t-shirts for my boys.


I am going… to head to the studio/sewing room as soon I post this blog to get some crafting done while the boys are down for their afternoon naps. hmm… maybe I should take a little nap too?


I am reading… my Bible, various devotionals (usually “Streams in the Desert” and “My Utmost for His Highest”), a few magazines (an issue of Country Living and a few Family Circle’s), and various blogs whenever I get the chance. I have not had the chance to devote myself to a full book in awhile. Between being pregnant and keeping up after a 2.5year old and a 1.5year old, by bed time all I want to do (or can do!) is sleep! Hopefully after I get into the swing of things when little lady is born, I’ll be able to finish “Mission of Motherhood”.


I am hoping… to go into labor soon. For the first time- I am actually “ready” (emotionally at least) before my due date! With my previous births- I didn’t want to go into labor a minute before my time. But now? I’m ready to see my baby girl and bring her home already! I wonder if it means that she actually will be born soon… hmm?


I am hearing… the lovely hum of the AC. It makes me happy for so many reasons! 1) I do not tolerate hot sweaty weather very well. 2) I love white noise! Its so hard for me to sleep or concentrate when there is utter silence in the air. I’d rather have a good fan, a dishwasher, the AC, ocean, or foresty sounds instead.


Around the house… sigh. It is cluttered. I should be straightening it up, but I really don’t want to. I wish the cleaning fairies would just stop by instead, so I can blog and craft and nap. hehe


One of my favorite things… baby girl clothes! Such sweetness… ruffles and roses, and pleats oh my! Don’t get me wrong. I’ve enjoyed my boys clothes, with their cute plaids and manly prints and styles. But the variety and ease that girls clothes presents is a wonderful change! With my boys, things like t-shirts were tough to sew, but girls? All I have to do is add a ruffle, or a flower to cover up any ah-hem, sewing mishap.


A few plans for the rest of the week… A NST (non-stress test) and regular ob appointment tomorrow. Bless my dear Mom Gill’s heart! She is going to watch the boys while I am at my appointments. I could take the boys, but oh-wonderful-peace and quiet she has watched them any time my Guy has to work and it is such a relief! Thursday and Friday I will just continue will our little routine, busy days at home, waiting for our sweet Naomi Rose to arrive.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing…(add your picture here)

If you would like to join me in writing your own “Simple Woman’s Daybook” journal entry, please click the link HERE.

See? The bag says so.

We spent the day doing whatever he wanted to do. Lucky us! After cards and gifts… there was lots of picniking, bbqing, lounging at Lake Cuyamaca, and bike riding through the historic town of Julian!

special fellowship and dinner at Olive Garden

~ taken a couple weeks ago ~

these beauties from Modern Baby Trends

I need (need? yes, I think I do) this one for my girly’s room:

and this one for my boys’ room:

Thank you for your prayers! Praise God- she is going to be just fine! The appointments went well, and though one kidney does have cysts and is completely non-functioning, the other one has taken over and is working beautifully! As long as there is no infection or inflammation in the “bad” kidney (in which case it would probably need to be removed) nothing special ever needs to be done! I will need a repeat ultrasound in a few weeks to check on her wee little kidneys, and she will need to have one at six weeks old, but other than that- pregnancy, labor, delivery and her life should be wonderfully uneventful. Hearing the Doctor say those words was water to my soul. Also, everyone we talked to that day was so kind and caring… I’ve had other appointments where the technician was cold or perhaps had been doing their job wayyyy too long, and when you’re an emotional Mama that can be rough. Thank you Lord for sweet and gentle medical professionals!


Oh and the technician flipped the switch from 2D to 3D and sent us home with a picture… happiness!