Stinky Clothes No More

In the past, I have been one to let clothes sit in the washing machine a little too long. Then of course the clothes would come out smelling a little mildewy and I'd have to wash them again which of course didn't always help. I came across an article somewhere that gave me a simple "laundry recipe" for getting the smell out. You put in 1/2 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of vinegar into the wash and add your regular detergent and your clothes. I tried it and it worked like a charm! However, much to my chagrin, I think the smell was pemanently embedded in the washing machine itself since the laundry seemed to come out of there stinking even after taking it out immediately to put it in the dryer even after applying this "recipe" and running the machine with bleach water several times.
Then a couple of years ago, we got a new washing machine from Mercedes (she had barely ever used it and it was sitting in storage for quite some time). After this, I vowed to do my best to not let clothes sit in the washing machine anymore. On a rare occasion, it happens, and I just use the baking soda and vinegar. Voila! Fresh again!
Then this weekend, Ty took Aidan and Brogan on an overnight hunting trip to Lahontan, where they built a campfire. They came home reeking of campfire smoke. As I was about to wash these stinking clothes, I thought I should maybe add something else to them to help rid of the smell. Maybe a Tbsp. of bleach? Just enough to get rid of the smell but not ruin the clothes. No. Didn't want to take a chance. So I reached for the Borax and poured some in hoping it would work. Well it didn't. As I was tossing the clothes into the dryer, the smoke smell was still overpowering. So back in the washing machine they go. Trying to think of what I could do, I remembered the "laundry recipe". Not having enough baking soda, I decided to just try the vinegar. It worked! Hurray!
So if you ever have problematic stinky clothes, just remember the "laundry recipe".

Brogan Says the Pledge of Allegiance

Since Brogan was a student of the month for December, he got to say the Pledge of Allegiance over the intercom at school yesterday morning. He was so excited to do it and he did a great job! Unfortunately the video wouldn't start until half way through the Pledge. He also got to say the School Pledge. However, I think he thought he was done because he backed away and Mrs. Diesner, the principal, had to finish it. She is a great principal! She loves the kids and was really excited to have Brogan say the Pledge.

The Snowblower

Early in January, we got some decent snow storms and some much needed snow. Over the couple of days from the storm, we probably had about a foot of snow at our house. The first day it snowed, Ty got our neighbor's snowblower (her husband died in 2005 and Ty takes care of her sprinkler system, mows, snow removal, etc.). Let me just tell you that he started at about 5:30 and didn't come in until 9:30! Once when he had come in to change into dry clothes, I asked him if he was done, because I knew it was just going to keep snowing and he said, "No, I'm having fun." He did everyone's driveway on our little court of 8 houses (except the nasty people next door!) and then he did the street except in the middle where he was blowing the snow. He went around and around and around and around!!! That weekend after he had to do it again the neighbor told him to keep the snowblower since we've done so much for her and help her out whenever she needs it. Ty said, "OK!" Thanks Joan!