I'm glad I wasn't a pilgrim

Those pilgrims were tough people. They made a horrendous ocean crossing, then built their homes, suffered horrible new diseases, and finally survived a grueling winter. Their numbers dwindled, but many survived. And here we are!

But those early settlers were also inventors - we are always searching for a way to make life easier and solve life's problems! Check out these gadgets I saw at a museum this summer, from games and entertainment to clothes washing and cooking... each new generation wants to do it better!

 

I can't remember what some of this stuff was, but it was so cool to see it all. I can just hear the grandma of these inventing pioneers, "In my day, we washed our clothes on rocks at the stream."

I doubt I would've been tough enough to survive. I can't imagine living without electricity or plumbing. Heck, I can't imagine living without a dishwasher. I despise cooking and cleaning as it is - I'd never be able to kill a chicken, pluck the feathers, and butcher it for dinner! Ack!

But then again, I probably would've been fine not knowing what I was missing. Just like I don't know what I'm missing in the future - What will they think of next??

What could you "not live without?"
Happy Monday!

I Can't Live Without White Vinegar

The emergency supply cabinet for Really Real Housewives must include white distilled vinegar. I always have at least a gallon on hand. Why? Because it’s inexpensive, non-toxic, and can be used for lots of household chores. It also substitutes for things that I’m out of and am too lazy to go into town for. 

Got Gum in your carpet or on your upholstery? If you have kids, you just might. Put white vinegar on a sponge or on a cloth and apply it to that sticky mess. Let it soak a few minutes, the when it’s loosened, wipe it off. 

How about unwanted decals and bumper stickers? 

Got those, too? Spray them with full-strength white distilled vinegar and let it stay on for about an hour. You might have to repeat a couple of times, but while you’re waiting, read your romance novel or write it. 

Any haze on the inside of your windows? Here’s a number for a great window-washer . . .just kidding. While you’re waiting for those decals to shrivel, use some of that vinegar spray on those windows and they’ll sparkle.

How about too many cukes in next summer's garden? White vinegar to the rescue. Here's a quick recipe for white vinegar brine: 

• 1 cup White Vinegar 
• ½ cup water 
• 1 tablespoon sugar 
• ½ tablespoon salt

I’d much rather grab my handy container of vinegar, than troll the cleaning supply aisle with a shopping cart. Just call me Lazy! But better yet call me Real.

C. Lee McKenzie

In Lee's writing, she takes on modern issues that today's teens face in their daily lives. Her first young adult novel, Sliding on the Edge, which dealt with cutting and suicide was published in 2009. Her second, titled The Princess of Las Pulgas, dealing with a family who loses everything and must rebuild their lives came out in 2010. Double Negative (2014) was her third young adult novel. Researching it turned her into a literacy advocate. Her fourth YA, Sudden Secrets came out in December 2014.

When she really wants to have fun, she writes middle grade books. Alligators Overhead was her first published book for readers age 8-12, and the sequel, The Great Time Lock Disaster, is now out.

Lee's website

Great big cookie thanks to Lee for helping add flavor and offer solutions for us housewives!

What Not to Do for Your Health

Yikes! Who Knew? When I was thinking about what to post on Wellness Wednesday I did a little research. I thought I'd find a healthy exercise routine to share. Instead, I found some things Not To Do if you're concerned with your health, and who isn't? So I'm sharing two things I learned from my little excursion into the Internet world of health. We're into the winter months and most of us have closed our windows and turned on the heat. If you're like me, you miss that fresh air of summer. Do you reach for the aerosol? Light one of those delicious smelling sandalwood candles or find the incense?   Don't.  John Naish of the British Daily Mail has written that some of these products are making us sick. He even says that incense, such as agarwood and sandalwood, are more toxic than tobacco smoke.   But wait! There's more. In a recent study, 79 percent of mascara tubes were plagued with staph bacteria and 86 percent of women in the study admitted to using mascara past its prime. One very helpful hint I gleaned from the article is this: set up a calendar alert for dumping your mascara 3 months from purchase even if it's still moist.  Now here's something healthy to DO.  I tested it and it's actually pretty good.  I'm not glowing yet, but I'll let you know if that happens. Glowing Skin Smoothie

It's packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that infuse new life into your skin. (I can use some new life infused into my skin.)

Here's how to make it...

Ingredients (for 2 servings)

• 2/3 c. of almond milk
• 1 cup of Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup of your favorite berries (blueberries are best!)
• 1/2 of an avocado
• Handful of spinach or kale
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

Generous drizzle of organic honey

1 small banana

A few ice cubes (more for a frostier smoothie, fewer for a creamier one)

Put all of the ingredients into a blender and pulse until no lumps are visible. Serve immediately. Drink as often as you like... of course, every day is best!

If you're not a berry-lover, pineapple is a GREAT choice to get an extra dose of collagen-boosting Vitamin C... and it tastes like a tropical vacation in a glass!

C. Lee McKenzie

In Lee's writing, she takes on modern issues that today's teens face in their daily lives. Her first young adult novel, Sliding on the Edge, which dealt with cutting and suicide was published in 2009. Her second, titled The Princess of Las Pulgas, dealing with a family who loses everything and must rebuild their lives came out in 2010. Double Negative (2014) was her third young adult novel. Researching it turned her into a literacy advocate. Her fourth YA, Sudden Secrets came out in December 2014.

When she really wants to have fun, she writes middle grade books. Alligators Overhead was her first published book for readers age 8-12, and the sequel, The Great Time Lock Disaster, is now out.

Lee's website

5 Little Tricks to Meet Monday

and Survive. . .Smile, Even.

Please welcome C. Lee McKenzie - guest posting all this week! She's got a clever cure for Making the Most of Mondays!

You've had a wonderful weekend. You were with friends or family and relaxing, maybe planning the holiday get-togethers. Then whammo! It's Monday. Just the thought of dragging your bones from the bed and off to work is making you think about spending money on Lottery Tickets! With millions you could retire! But the fact is your chances of winning those millions before the alarm stops ringing are nil. 

Up you go, but for help with that transition from a horizontal to a vertical Monday, read on. 

1. Have something fun planned with your family or friends for Wednesday. 

2. Write something sweet to yourself Sunday night and put it where you'll find it first thing Monday morning. "Dear Me. You are amazing.  Today's going to be the best day for you."

3. Save a huge treat for yourself to have later that day. Plan to buy a new something or other. Schedule a Monday massage in the late afternoon. Save the last chapter of that thriller for Monday at lunch. Choose a quick dinner--leftovers, take-out, or better yet, out-out. Let the restaurant do the dishes on Monday night. You can look forward to that from the minute you wake up.

4. Do a quick routine that refreshes you once you're out of bed: a stretch routine, meditation, warm bath or shower, freshly brewed tea or coffee or freshly squeezed juice or smoothie. 

5. Have something you love the taste of set aside just for Monday morning--that chocolate donut that's not good for you, but you can enjoy once in a while or the spinach omelet with your favorite cheese. Don't cut back on Monday mornings. 

C. Lee McKenzie

In Lee's writing, she takes on modern issues that today's teens face in their daily lives. Her first young adult novel, Sliding on the Edge, which dealt with cutting and suicide was published in 2009. Her second, titled The Princess of Las Pulgas, dealing with a family who loses everything and must rebuild their lives came out in 2010. Double Negative (2014) was her third young adult novel. Researching it turned her into a literacy advocate. Her fourth YA, Sudden Secrets came out in December 2014.

When she really wants to have fun, she writes middle grade books. Alligators Overhead was her first published book for readers age 8-12, and the sequel, The Great Time Lock Disaster, is now out.

Lee's website

It's Football Time

As a mom of four boys, I do a lot of football watching. From August to January, football is what's happening in the Seckman house.

Whether it's live football at the stadium, fantasy football online, or games on TV and the subsequent moderator chit chat of what they just watched...football is a 24/7 sort of habit.

I wasn't always a fan of football, but I decided I wasn't ever going to beat them, so I may as well join them. So after years of the football life, I have a few survival tips.

*Sleeping bags for cold winter nights in the stadium. Yup, just your standard sleeping bag. It's so much better than a blanket. You can stand up, cheer, sit down...all within the confines of your toasty warm cocoon.

*Cheap/clear rain ponchos from the discount stores deflect rain and still allow you to show off your team pride.

*Cheap and easy noise maker? Drop pennies in a milk jug and use it as a shaker. Be sure to duct tape the lid on. I once blew my cap in my excitement...pennies everywhere.

*When it's cold, rainy, or snowy- forget fashion. Go hoods up, hats on and add as many layers as you need. One of the great things about football season is that men are too distracted by the action on the field to care about anything else.

*Invest in a water proof bag. My football purse is water resistant and big enough to hold the camera.

*Water proof shoes. No matter how dry your body is, if the tootsies get cold, you're cold.

*Warm boots. When the season goes from rainy to snowy, it's time to switch footwear.

*Learn the game. Here's a football for Dummies website. It's a complicated game. Knowing the rules makes it more fun.

But if you can't, or don't want to learn it...there's other interesting ways to enjoy football. You don't have to know anything about the game to participate. There is more than one way to pick a winning team!

Next thing you know, it will be Superbowl Season...and we'll have the snacks and commercials to look forward to.