Picture of Karis from the weekend showing off her new trick of being able to pull herself up!
We had a rather full weekend at our home, so I will be delaying my post on the 4th chapter of the True Woman for tomorrow, Tuesday. It seems that the discussion is just getting started on chapter 3 anyway.
It was such a lovely weekend here in Vancouver, WA! Couldn’t help but get out there and enjoy the weather…although I had a fierce attack of allergies! Ahh! That lovely watery, itchy eyes, runny nose attack!
So I got some of that spring cleaning motivation this past weekend. The one area of my house that I felt was really calling my name was our garage. It is a small one car garage, but it is still amazing how disorganized it can get. Well, my husband and I set our minds to it on Saturday, purchased an extra storage rack (love those sturdy metal ones from Costco!), and set to work.
An hour later, old tires were recycled (better to recycle that add to the trash), miscellaneous items that had been sitting for the past year or so were taken to goodwill (trying our best not to trash something that may be useful for someone else), and all of our shelving was organized. It is amazing how much you can get done when you set your mind to it! Garage was swept clean, and organized. Horray! I have a couple shelves now just for my bulk food purchases, that were formally miscellaneously strewn around the whole garage. It feels so good to get organized, doesn’t it?
Sunday was filled with a mission focus at our church. As Aaron & I lead the mission team/coordinators at our church we were busy. It is such a joy and honor to serve in mobilizing others to the Great Commission wherever you are at. The festivities included a guest presentation by David Witt with Voice of the Martyrs, prayer time, a cultural shared meal, and an international game from India.
So overall, today is more of my day of rest!
Any spring cleaning going on around your home?
Here is a wonderful Spring Clean Stratagy Guide from Wise Woman Builds Her House that I found helpful. I am going to try to get some more cleaning done today:
Spring Cleaning Strategy
1. Count how many rooms you have in your home. This will be how many days you will devote to spring cleaning. You do one room a day.
2. Go room to room with a list and write down what needs to get done. (Example: wash curtains, touch up paint, organization, deep clean closet) This is your master list, you don’t really need it if you can remember it all but I like to see everything on paper.
3. Follow your list. Whatever doesn’t get done plan for later—-at least you’ve got alot done in your spring cleaning week, more than what you would have without a plan. Knowing I only have one day to work on something makes me work quicker and more efficiently especially since I am planning off the list. Pat yourself on the back, kick up your feet and enjoy the contentment that comes from beautifying your home.
Here is a final quote she shares:
“Preparing our homes and beautifying it is important work and a timeless art. It requires alot of loving sacrifice and work but so satisfying when the entire family can enjoy the fruit of it all.”
Indeed true!
Any one have any natural remedies for hay fever, spring allergies? I would love to hear them!
P.S. You will notice that we rearranged our site just slightly this weekend too. We posted the article links that used to be on the side to the top navigation (about, contact, etc)! Hope this simplifies things a little.
I don’t have allergies, but my husband does. The best thing that we ever did for his allergies was to get rid of all of the carpet in our home. Obviously, that is expensive (and I don’t even know if you have carpet!) but, when the carpet reaches the end of its life and needs to be replaced anyways, it might be something to think about. We got a closeout deal on a discontinued color of laminate, and it ended up not costing anymore than medium quality carpet would have. And it was really easy to put in!
We also do the local honey thing. I don’t know if it works or not, but we both love honey and would eat it even if it didn’t!
Thanks for the spring-cleaning suggestions. I need to do some fall-cleaning around here:-)
When we bought our home, we replaced all the carpet w/wood flooring. My cousin, hubby and I put it all in. My cousin owns a rental place that rent out equipment, so we were blessed to have knowledgeable people to install it, and free equipment rental!
I’ll never have carpet again! I don’t like it, and you have to replace that after so many years. And I don’t think carpet is all the safe either. Tons of chemicals in it.
Several people already mentioned the use of local honey… but another suggestion I was given is to wash your hands and wipe your face off thoroughly with water when you come in from being outside for an extended period of time. This removes surface allergens from your skin (especially around the eyes, nose and mouth) where they are most likely to enter your system and cause problems. I did this last year and it really helped reduce the severity of my symptoms. It did not eliminate my allergies, but they were less overwhelming. I’m adding the local honey tip to my routine this year as well. I hope this helps.
Blessings,
Mrs. H
Allergies: I don’t suffer but I too know people who eat local honey. You are then ingesting small amounts of the dreaded pollen and your body deals with it better. Personally I think any excuse to eat honey is good!
I have just a spring clean and feel great for it. It is great to know that all those nooks and cranys are lovely and sparkling.
The big Karis smile is just precious!
This past fall I came across an article about using raw, local honey to treat pollen allergies and mentioned this remedy to Sean who has terrible spring allergies. He has been taking a tablespoon of raw honey everyday since, either in a smoothie, herbal tea, or on it’s own, and his allergies are much less severe this spring despite the fact that the pollen counts are significantly higher than in years past. He hasn’t had to take any OTC or even homeopathic remedy yet this year, and that is a great improvement. Usually the Claritin would be out daily by now ;o)
Thanks everyone for the feedback! I do like the honey idea…since I love honey!
I have tried incorporating bee pollen powder into my diet in the past, but without success. I will try it.
Is is called a Neti pot? Never used one personally but have a friend who does and loves it.
What Tia is referring to is using a system like Sinucleanse. It uses a neti pot which looks like a genie’s lamp and pours through one sinus and down the other side’s nostril. I’ve been using it for a month now, and it seems to be working. It comes with saline packets to dissolve in water prior to washing. Try it, you might benefit!
That’s it! I couldn’t think of the word, but I knew if someone knew what I was talking about, and mentioned the name I’d know it!
Yes, truthfully! I’m glad you have a chiro in the family! Nice to have, I’m sure. I’m a firm believer if you have a healthy spine (which is the nerve center of the body) you’re body will line up and in turn become healthy.
We also don’t eat/drink a lot of dairy products.
Look up Agrisept.
I get an email from a health dr every week. (dr Bob) He discusses healthy alternatives to diseases. If you are interested I can fwd an email onto you. I THINK I still have one on allergies.
Honestly, I had horrible allergies. they were relieved by going to a chiropractor. I’ve been off allergy AND asthma meds for 2 yrs now, and they were HORRIBLE. Matter of fact it will be a ONE full year since I had a cold this week. I would get sinus infections the whole year. Nothing more natural than that!
I have seen this thing (don’t remember what it’s called) it’s used to flush the sinus cavities out, thru your nose. Some sort of weird looking contraption. Looks like a tea kettle lol. but the spout is smaller.
Oh, and if you decide on a chiro, some medical ins plans cover some visits. Do NOT et sucked into going THREE days a week for months on end. A good chiro will see you maybe 2 times a month. Unless you are having some issues. We go to ours once every 2 months
Wow, Tia, does that chiropractor really solve all these problems (as I know you have attributed your good health to him as well)?
Actually, my BIL is a chiropractor, which is a huge blessing, so we do get regular treatments from him for free (family privileges 
, but it hasn’t solved this issue…but it has helped in other areas.