All Natural Carpet Powder

I have a dog and kids and my carpets can get a little funky sometimes.

You know what I'm talking about, right?

If you are thinking: 

No Amy, my carpet is steam cleaned every other day and there is no funk anywhere in my house. You are disgusting and I will never read your blog again!!  

Then I apologize, and politely ask you to kick rocks. ;)

If you are human and need a natural way to freshen your carpets, read on!

I used to use those commercial carpet powders that you sprinkle on the carpet and then vacuum. I loved how they freshened the carpet, but I didn't like the chemicals.

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, so I decided to make my own carpet powder.

What you need:

1. Baking soda

2. Essential Oil of your choice

3. Cheese Shaker

4. Jar with a lid for mixing

Place Baking soda in the lidded jar, add several drops of essential oil(I like mine kinda strong), put the lid on and shake it up. Then scoop it into the cheese shaker and sprinkle on your carpets. I let it sit overnight and then vacuum.

The baking soda absorbs odor and the essential oil leaves a nice scent on the carpet.  

This is my cheese shaker. I got it at the Dollar Tree.

See those holes? They make sprinkling the powder over the carpet so so so easy!

No lumps, just nicely distributed powder. 

I chose to use Lavender because I LOVE it, but you can use whatever you like.

Here is my mixing jar; It used to hold bath salts.

I made this for my carpets, but really I use it anywhere I use baking soda.

Today I used it to scrub the kitchen sink and it smelled wonderful as I scrubbed

Linking up with these parties.

Lent

I have never observed the Season of Lent before, mostly because I didn't understand it. I thought it was a Catholic thing and I am not Catholic, so I should not be a part of it. I did some research(and by that I mean I googled it, ha!) and discovered what it's all about.

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. All churches that have a continuous history extending before AD 1500 observe Lent. The ancient church that wrote, collected, canonized, and propagated the New Testament also observed Lent, believing it to be a commandment from the apostles.

Taken from KenCollins.com

The forty days of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (that's today) and goes for 40 days,

excluding Sundays, which are a celebration of the resurrection.

Christians are asked to "fast" something; to give it up for the season of Lent.

The purpose of this is to deprive yourself of something that you eat/do daily so that when you think about eating/doing that thing you will be reminded and will pray instead.

It is a season of Spiritual growth.

I am observing Lent by giving up: Coffee(I know, I'm crazy right?) and soda.

I make coffee twice a day and am drinking it all day, so this is going to be tough for me.

The soda won't be as hard, but I thought I should throw that in too.

I am also going through Rick Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life.

It's a 40 day spiritual journey to finding God's purpose for your life.

It just seemed fitting to me;)

Each day there is a Point to Ponder, Verse to Remember and a Question to Consider.

I will write it on the white board each morning so that I will see it

as I go through the day to help it all sink in. 

Here's my book and three different versions of the Bible.

I like to read in multiple versions because sometimes things get lost in translation.

I am so excited to start this season and to see what God has in store for me.

Are you observing Lent?

If so, what are you giving up?

Thank you friends!

I was overwhelmed by all the e-mails and the comments about my crazy non-pregnancy. I wanted to let you all know that I am back to normal (Whatever that is, ha ha ha) and am doing great. Thank you for your stories and your suggestions. I love the blog community. I love that whatever I am going through, someone out there has gone through it and will gladly share their story with me.

I am so blessed! Thanks again ladies;)

I think I'm going crazy...help ladies!

Okay Ladies, help me out here.

For the past several weeks I have been exhausted, nauseous, my eyesight has gotten bad and my clothes don't fit(no weight gain).

I feel like I am pregnant. The tests all say no.
I have not missed any periods.

I took a test last night and was absolutely certain that it would be positive and it was not. I think I am going crazy. Anyone else have this happen?

In my Library Bag...

I have lived here for five years and finally got myself a Library card!

Why did it take me so long?

I have an aversion to touching books that have potentially been touched by gross people.

A long time ago I was reading a book from the library and turned the page to find a HUGE booger which was smeared into the margins of the book. 

**gag**

I am gagging just remembering it!

I seriously want to put on gloves to read used/library books now.

So if you ever see someone reading a book while wearing latex gloves

don't worry, it's just me! Perfectly normal, right? 

Anyway, my lack of unlimited book funds have forced me to reconsider my freakness,

 and now I am the proud owner of a library card.

Until I make myself a fancy "Just for the Library" bag, this is what I am using.

It is from my Gymnastics coaching days. Ah , memories!

Here are the books potentially covered with nastiness that I checked out:

Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross

This book has been added to my Book Wish List.

So many amazing patterns!

Um, yes please! This will one day be a part of my craft book collection.

This woman knows her stuff!

Yep, coaching soccer.

I never played so I am trying to learn everything that I can.

Hence the three books on the subject.

I also got two books for the kids and one novel for fun.

I grabbed a basket and put all my disgusting library books in it.

I named the basket "Quarantine".

When it comes time to return them I know where they are!

Am I the only one who freaks out over used books?