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WFMW: Bed Sheet Storage

I now have 3 kids that are in twin beds. That is a lot of sheets. So here is what we do to free up the linen closet for the many towels that we also need;). It isn't rocket science and I am not saying I invented it(I have been accused of such before;). First, I fold all the sheets, put them into the pillow case, and fold the case over to make a nice square bundle. That means everything is neatly contained. Then we have the under bed bins and we place all that kid's sheets in it (except Nerdling's because he has a race car bed). You also can put a mattress cover in the bin. The other benefit is if you have to change the sheets in the middle of the night, they are right there.

That is my tip for the week! Go see some more at WFMW!

More Biden

Warning: Uses the S word.


Need I say more?

We think this is a good idea? Really?

I have found the way we know that the stimulus package isn't going to do anything, they are having Joe Biden overseeing it. He couldn't even properly give out the web address (www.recovery.org). Hit & Run compares it to trusting Uncle Billy with the bank's money in It's a Wonderful Life.

Jackman's Oscar Musical

I am not a big Oscar watcher. I figure that I will see a list of the winners on the internet and watch a tv show to see the prettiest (and ugliest) dresses of the night. My only regret for not watching this year was Hugh Jackman. I mean, what kind of girlie-girl nerd would I be if I didn't adore a man who can be both Curly and Wolverine? (No, I haven't seen The Boy From Oz) So I was delighted to find this great clip of Jackman's musical opening number from the Oscars. It even has a little help from Anne Hathaway!

Meal Plan Monday

This week is going to be crazy but I have some great produce from the farmer's market.

Monday: Tuna Helper for the kids, NerdDad and I will both be out!
Tuesday: Fake Zuppa Toscana, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Wednesday: Roast and Potatoes, Broccoli/Cauliflower
Thursday: Fish (Cod, I think), Broccoli, Rice
Friday: Country Ribs, Crusty Bread, Broccoli

Tackle It Tuesday: Mega Bloks and Little People

We have lots of kids which means we have even more toys. The big cross age toys we have are Fisher Price Little People and Mega Bloksbecause all my kids love to play with them. When we lived in our old house they resided in under the bed bins and they stayed in those bins when we moved to the new house and the toys got placed in the play room. We also have severely outgrown the bins so we couldn't put the lids on them if we wanted to. But I knew these bins weren't the best choice but I didn't want to do boxes with lids because the baby couldn't get into them. So I was toodling around JoAnns and I saw these large bins on sale for 40% off (about $15). We were able to add a little vertical height and use the bins as shelves for all the larger pieces. Doesn't it look pretty now? We may end up getting more of these or even the ones half the size. You can stack them straight up or intermix them!

Meal Plan Monday

Here is the plan for this week!

Monday: Beef Stew with Dumplings
Tuesday: Cube Steak, Beer Bread, Broccoli
Wednesday: Cheeseburger Pie, Broccoli
Thursday: Marinated Pork Loin, Broccoli, Roasted Potatoes
Friday: Tuna Steaks, Rice, Broccoli, Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Just a Little Fun!

Meal Plan Monday

Monday: Cube Steak, French Bread, Broccoli
Tuesday: Roast with Potatoes, Green Beans
Wednesday: Chicken, Asparagus in Pasta with a Garlic Butter Sauce
Thursday: Pasta Carbonara Florentine
Friday: Chicken Kiev, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli

Some Coughing Solutions

We have all found ourselves in the coughing season for our kids and man are they coughing. I have bronchial asthma (those people who cough themselves sick) and nothing ever really helped me. My kids have asthma as does my little brother. So through the years I have picked up a few tricks.

Normally I am a pro-drug person (Delsm, cough syrup, etc) but now the doctors aren't. Frankly even Delsm didn't always work (though I still highly recommend it). But what do we do now for our little hackers? Vaporizers don't seem to work for my kids because it is such a big room and takes so much to make a change, but a small room with lots of steam and eucalyptus seems to help. I keep good aromatherapy shower gel on hand for such a time.

If it is day time, give them a little hot tea with caffeine, it can be green or white for less kick. There is something in it that helps open up bronchials. If caffeine is an issue, give them a little hot (or as warm as they can stand) herbal tea. I notice that the warmth helps relax my tense throat which actually helps slow my coughing. Even just hot water does wonders for me. If they won't drink it, drop a candy cane in it and when the water turns a light pink take it out. The peppermint will help settle their stomachs (from swallowing mucus) and it will lightly sweeten the water so they like it.

Our doctor recommended a tablespoon or 2 of straight honey for kids over 1 year old. I did it with my 18 month old and it actually helped some! The other thing that seems to help with coughing spells is to tell them to think about it. Yes, that is it. I tell them to think about it and breath real slow. It seems to stop it immediately for a few minutes at least;). Then there is also the copious amount of fluid. It thins out the mucus and makes it easier to breathe.

So you have any tips? Please let me know because we are all coughers and it drives me nuts!

Video Fun

NerdDad found this at Neatorama and I just thought it was great! It answers the question of what do the kids do all that time they are playing.

A Little TV News

So first the good news. TNT's new show Leverage has been renewed for another season! This is one of the best new shows I have seen in a long time. Now I must admit that there has always been something charming about Timothy Hutton but that isn't the reason we watch it. The show really is good. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out this week!

The bad/so-so news. ABC Family's Middleman isn't on this year's schedule but last season will be coming out on DVD. It was a pretty funny sci-fi show. It is disappointing that it wasn't picked up.

Meal Plan Monday

I have found that I am loosing a bit of my passion for cooking so that means it is time to play! So I will try out a few recipes and then let you know if they are any good.

Monday: Pork with Creamy Barley and Peas, Salad
Tuesday: Tuna Steaks, Toasted Pecan Wild Rice, Broccoli
Wednesday: Cheeseburger Pie, Broccoli
Thursday: Crockpot Roasted Chicken, Cheddar Bay Biscuits, Broccoli
Friday: Steak, Chili Beans, Broccoli