Cutest Nintendo DS Cases!

Hey there!  This is just a little blurb about a fantastic little find I discovered over the weekend.  My kiddos each have a Nintendo DS.  I was planning on making them some sort of cute little case to put them in but it's really LOW on the priority list.  As I was walking through Hobby Lobby I found, on clearance of course, the most adorable fabric cases.  I was looking at what were labeled "sunglasses holder" and thought they would work perfectly for their DS's instead.  Although, they really would be cute for sunglasses too!  If you have a similar need and a Hobby Lobby nearby go check it out because they're a perfect fit!

Dishwasher Grime

So I know I am not alone in the annoyance I am having with my dishwasher detergent because of the new laws pertaining to the amount of phosphates used in them.  I have seen stories on the news, read many news articles and even seen posts on other blogs about what they have tried get their dishes nice and sparkly again.  The general consensus seems to be that vinegar will do the trick but I've tried everything I have seen suggested and was still having major problems with my dishes looking horrible.  I  suddenly realized I needed to play around with different settings on my machine (brilliant idea right!  I just don't know how I come up with these things ;-) and I seem to have found something that works.  Instead of washing my dishes on a normal setting I switched it to the pots and pans setting and use a little less detergent.  This may not work for everyone but I thought I'd at least post what I found is now working for me in case someone else is in the same situation and wants to give it a try.

All my dishes were looking like the glass on the left.  It's not the greatest picture (I seem to say that a lot, I think I need a new camera) but the one on the right really is very sparkly with no residue at all!  Thank goodness because I thought I was going to have to switch to all paper and plastic products because I was so tired of having to rewash all of my dishes.

I am in LOVE!

Did that title grab your attention?  Don't worry, I haven't lost my senses and decided to start dating.  However I do need to talk about my new mop. Yes, I said mop!  I DETEST mopping.  I think there is absolutely no point in using a mop which even though it starts out dry, still has all the dirt and grime from the last time it was used with some residual chemicals.  Then, you simply add some water and more chemicals and smear the dirt around your floors.  I like the idea of Swiffer type mops but I don't like the residue it leaves and it is rather expensive.  So, normally, I spot clean my floors and rarely mop the entire thing.  One of my best friends was telling me about a steam mop she borrowed from her sister-in-law and I had to have it.  It is only $33.00 at Home Depot versus around $100.00 for other known national brands.  It uses distilled water and because it's steam it disinfects and CLEANS wonderfully within minutes.  Not only that, but they dry quickly and I can walk around without socks on and I can feel the clean on my feet.  It comes with 2 micro-fiber pads that can be washed in the washing machine.  It's a perfect solution to my hatred of mopping!