WFMW — Unusual Cleaners

Ok, so every now and then we run low on our traditional cleaning agents.  We’ve learned some, um, ODD alternatives for normal cleaners.  Here’s a partial list:

1.  Shampoo — works GREAT to clean and freshen toilets!  Albeit, if you use too much, everyone will wonder about your Magically Endless Bubbles (she says with authority).  And lest you worry, the scent of the shampoo isn’t recognizable when coming from the bowl; your guests will just notice how fresh it smells.

2.  Salt — pour a HEAP of salt on any spill (especially colored liquids or pet stains) and let it s-i-t (for at least 30 mins).  The salt will naturally absorb the liquid, thus preventing stains.  Learned this several summers ago when we had a box of RED popsicles was left in the bottom of a bag on the floor — for 4 hours.  Eeeewwww…. I poured an entire container of salt on the stain and left it overnight (because I was SCARED).  The next morning, I vacuumed up the now-red dust and there was NO STAIN.  I’ve used this with pet stains as well and found that since the carpet doesn’t absorb the mess, it doesn’t absorb the smell either.

3.  Wet Wipes — the alcohol in these gems cleans glass, mirrors, tile, faucets quickly.  While I realize that most people keep a steady stash of Clorox wipes, I don’t, but I DO keep a  happy purseful of Wet Wipes.

4.  Huggies Wipes — we don’t have a baby in the house again (yet!) but I’ve been known to keep Huggies wipes during the summer because they work at least as well — and sometimes better — than Shout Wipes.  And they’re MUCH cheaper!  When my bro and sis-in-law got married, the photographer wanted outdoor shots; normally an appreciated and innovative idea, we were seriously concerned because this was FLORIDA in the SUMMER immediately following the AFTERNOON RAIN.  The train of her beautiful gown was evenly smudged in Grinch-grass-green, but 3 bridesmaids and 15 shout wipes had the entire hem beautifully restored.

Do I sound like a commercial?  Good.  I was going for that.

5.  Baking Soda, Salt, & Vinegar — if you’ve known me for any length of time, you know my SERIOUS obsession with these items.  I am VERY sure that this triumvirate can clean anything.  Salt is a natural scrub (just ask Bath & Body Works) and baking soda + vinegar will cut through grease and scariness with lightning speed.  Thus, the combo is ideal for bathtubs and showers.  Vinegar is an amazing laundry booster and thing-shiner (mirror thing, glass thing, etc).  In a pinch, I’ve even used a mild baking soda-vinegar-water solution in my steam vac with GREAT results.

6.  Clean t-shirts — no time to grab your cleaning supplies?  grab a clean t-shirt and some water (or my personal favorite, a vinegar-water solution) and spray whatever needs shining up.  If you’re not using a harsh chemical cleaner, then you can launder the shirt normally and no one will be the wiser that you’ve used it to clean a sink or shower.  Because t-shirts don’t leave streaks, they’re obviously ideal for mirror or glass surfaces as well.  And, if your house is anything like mine, we have t-shirts in scads and readily available when someone says they’re stopping by in 10 minutes.

7.  Fast food napkins — do you get that Happy Fuzz on your dash?  I have NO CLUE where it comes from.  I drive for DAYS with a normal, leather-esque dash, only to be MORTIFIED one afternoon when my eyes are accosted by a fine film of fuzz.  Sooo… make that drive through work for you.  One fast food napkin plus condensation from the side of your favorite drink equals fuzz free dash, clean radio dials, and un-sticky-ed cup holders.

These are some of the unusual things that Work for Me.  Head over to Shannon’s for more GREAT ideas!

A new view of Romans 7

*** This has been sitting in my drafts since mid December, and it was just too real and too close to home today not to finish it out and stick it up. 3/26/09

We have a friend who wrote this song about forgiveness.  It’s beyond amazing.  And in light of my walk as of late, it’s taken on entirely new meaning.

Romans 7:15-25 is Paul’s very human, very relate-able discussion about sin — all the junk I NEVER want to do again, I’m doing.  Oh, and the great stuff I want to ALWAYS be doing? Yeah, I can’t seem to do it.  It’s like sin is always with me when I’m trying.  And that’s just inconvenient and annoying.

In the past couple of weeks, I have been coasting in the realm of mediocrity.  Part of it has been for very good, survival-type reasons (Hey, I make humans, what’s your superpower?), but to be honest, part of it has been peevish laziness; I don’t feel good, I’m alone, I’m having to *ask for* and *accept* help, and frankly I’m angry about it.  So, I don’t wanna do ANYTHING, thank-you-very-much.

Stupid, huh?

Yeah, I know.

Last night, I literally snuck out to see the concert without my kiddos.   God willing, we’re all going to see it this weekend, so D and I decided I would come by myself last night.

And it was good.  Really good.  I truly worshiped in a way I hadn’t for a couple of weeks, I’m ashamed to admit.

“…I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been come rising up in me again…”

Thanks to the development of our Newest Addition, I’ve had a LOT of  rising up the past couple of weeks. And it’s humbling.  THAT’s what it’s like to see the “old” me emerging — the same shudder as I try to hold back the disgusting swell and fight the seemingly involuntary gags.

Sin makes me nauseous.  It may be good for a season, but it makes me sick in the end.

So I feel so much like Paul — I *can’t* do what I truly want to do and I *persist* in doing what I long to avoid.  To the point that I begin to question whether I really WANT to do the right thing and avoid the WRONG thing at all, or if it’s just some fleeting noble thought that makes me feel a little better some days.

But God is faithful.  It’s not my imagination that I want to do better, it’s that there is a New Life in my spirit making war and cleaning house on the old life. And that New Life, because it didn’t come from me and I can do nothing to add to it, gives me hope.  Surely it IS a mystery; surely I am not absolved of any and all effort or cooperation; but surely, I am loved with an everlasting love and the One who began this good work will be faithful to complete it, whether I “feel” like it will ever happen or not.

I walked out of the concert refreshed.  Not inspired refreshed, mind you.  There were no cheerleaders or warm fuzzies.  Just, relieved.  He’s here.  Things here feel very hard right now, and I’m more a 2-year-old than triumphant, but He’s here.  And He’s enough.

“Jesus, You know just how far the east is from the west,

I don’t have to see the man I’ve been

come rising up in me again

In the arms of Your mercy I find rest

You know just how far the east is from the west,

from one scarred hand to the other.”

Sweet Jesus…

Oh my Lord, You already know how far… You already lived it, felt it.  PLEASE forgive me for the way I fail You!  For the way I fail myself, my family, those around me.  For the attitude of self-justification in the failing.  God, there is NO rest for me, save You.  Whence cometh my help?  My help cometh from the LORD.  THANK YOU for Your forgiveness!  Thank You for seeing so far past the “me, me, me’s” that You can hold my chin up and ask, “Do you not perceive it?”

Father, I *don’t* want to see that part of me come up anymore!  Frankly, I’m more than ready for the physical nausea to be forever gone as well; but in the mean time, thank You for the visual, visceral lesson it is right now.  Please don’t leave me.  I *know* You won’t, but my heart cries out anyway.  Thank You for Your provision, and the privilege of calling You by Abba.

I love You, Jesus.

Amen.