Pinterest Idea Results- #1 Cleaning the Washing Machine

It's almost 2014 and I've decided to actually try some of the Pinterest ideas that I've collected over this last year.  Why bother pinning if I'm never going to use them right?

Idea #1 Cleaning the Washing Machine

I hate to admit, but cleaning the washing machine was never really on my list of things to do.  I mean, it's always getting washed right? Unfortunately, no, it really isn't.  I should have taken a before picture, but I was trying to get it started and amazingly enough, taking a picture slipped my mind.

For this project you need to be home for at least 4 hours, 1 pint of bleach, and 1 pint of vinegar, a sponge, towel and old toothbrush too.

Step 1: fill the washer with hot water and 1 pint ( 4 cups- I looked it up) of bleach.  Let it agitate for 1 minute then sit in the washer for 1 hour. 

Step 2: Run the largest load setting all the way through without detergent.

Step 3: Fill the washer with hot water and 1 pint of white vinegar. Let it agitate for 1 minute and then sit for 1 hour.

Step 4: While it is sitting, dip a sponge or old toothbrush into the water and scrub the lid, rim, and any other surface you can reach.  I actually pulled the agitator all the way out and scrubbed in down too.  I highly suggest waiting until the whole process is done to do that as I had trouble getting back in. Oops! Wipe dry the surface when done.

Step 5: Run the largest load setting all the way through without detergent.

Step 6: Repeat this process at least twice a year!  I already put it on my calendar to do again this summer.

It really was a simple project, and the washer looks so much better.  I haven't done any more laundry today, so I'll have to see if the clothes seem cleaner too when I do the next load.  I had everything already in the house, supply wise, so it made it easy to do on a day when I was planning on being home.

Great tip! Clean washer! Double bonus!!!

Book Review: Book 85

Book 85: Radical by David Platt

We are watered down, as Christians throughout the world. We aren't really living the Gospel message to those we come in contact with for multiple reasons. One of the ones that grabbed  me the most as I read this book, is we don't really follow the scriptures.  We think we do, we like the nice ones, the easy to follow ones, but the hard ones we ignore. What will it really take to live a life worthy of Christ?  What would it take to live a life that shows God's love to the world. It would truly be hard.  We are so comfortable here in the US especially.  Comfortable in our churches, ok with watered down truth. What if we were Radical and preached what God was really showing through his son?  Are we willing to find out.
I can't really sum up this book, but I can say it's gotten be thinking.  I'm thankful that I have read through the Bible, but am I living it out truly in all I do.  I know I have some growing to do, and I'm excited to start this next year off with that in mind. Taken back my life from the world and offering it truly to God.  I won't be perfect, but I am going to strive to be true.

Read the Bible if nothing else this next year.  When you've given time to God, then consider other books like Radical, to make you focus on what He truly wants for your life.

Book Reviews: Book 82, 83 and 84

The end of the year is quickly approaching.  I'm guessing with it, the end of my book challenge.  I have the book Radical almost finished, just a chapter away from the end, but I'm not sure I'll be able to add that one to my list.  I'll have to see how it goes.  I have finished the following books though.

Book 82: Treading Water by Marie Force

This book is about a man named Jack Harrington, who everyone thinks has it all together.  The problem is he is beginning to wonder if he does, when the unthinkable happens.  His wife is involved in an accident and he must determine what step to take next.  He struggles to be the husband he needs to be for her, while trying to become the Dad that he hasn't been for the past several years.  In the process he also realizes how very lonely he has become.

Andi Walsh is just trying to get by in her career and make a living for her and her son.  She has vowed off of marriage and relationships in general after her son's father leaves her when he realizes their son is deaf.  Now she just wants to succeed at being a mother, and an interior designer.  Then the unthinkable happens. She falls in love with her client.  From the beginning Jack is upfront with her about his life situation, but through the encouragement of family and friends they determine they should make a go of this new relationship.

Will it succeed, or will unsettled issues arise and get in their way.  I'd tell you more, but it really would ruin the story.

I'd give this book 4 stars. It was good, but I was happy that it was free, and I'm not sure I will read the sequels unless they too become free at some point.

Book 83: The Billionaires Con by Mackenzie Crowne

Meggy is on the verge of the success she has been dreaming of for sometime. She is opening her own restaurant with friends in her small town just outside of Boston.  She's also just recently discovered that her birth mother was the daughter of one of New England's most powerful families.  While she struggles with what to do with this information there is one thing she is sure of. She wants to succeed on her own, and while she is interested in finding out more about her family heritage, she doesn't want their money or their help.
Trevor is the determined that no one will harm his Grandmother, and will do whatever it takes to see that doesn't happen. He moves into  Meggy's carriage house hoping to prove that she is looking for wealth from his family as a con artist. What he doesn't anticipate is falling in love with her in the process.
Will the lies and deception ruin the chance they have at happiness? Again, without reading it, you won't be able to tell.

This was a fun book to read, filled with many twists and turns.  I'd give it 4 stars.

Book 84:One Night with a Rock Star by Chana Keefer

Esther has loved Sky for as long as she can remember.  When her friend Marti comes up with a plan to meet him at his concert in town Esther is torn.  Should she go, despite the fact that she'll have to lie to get in? Ultimately she does decide to go, despite her belief that lying to get in is wrong. What she doesn't plan on is actually meeting Sky and spending time with him.  While her night with a rock star could have been what people would imagine it would have been it was not. She held to her morals, and in the process discovered that Sky, beneath it all really isn't as confident in who he is as she thought he would be.  She also finds herself falling even harder for him.
Life isn't easy though and despite the connection they appeared to have made, he disappears into his world and she has to go back to her own reality.  A reality that is filled with challenges, relationships and learning. She is trying to determine where she should end up in life and as finds herself on her final leg of discovering what to do in Scotland.  This post graduation gift is offering her a chance to determine what and who is best in her life.  Will that one night with a rock star end up being the deciding factor?
Get reading if you wan to find out.
I'd give this book 4.5 stars although finding out the next book isn't due out until 2015 was disappointing, especially after reading the sneak peek into what is coming next. I'm guessing by 2015 I'll forget about it, but right now, I'm not to happy with where the characters are headed!

I set out to read more books than last year which had a total of 55.  That seemed overwhelming at the time, and yet this year I've read 84, almost 85!  I guess what I'm finding out is reading is far more enjoyable than television and that sneaking in moments here and there to read, allows my mind to continue to grow.  Not sure if I'll top 84 again next year or not. Although, it's always worth a try!

Happy Reading and Happy New Year!