Pin me down: Increased Pinterest productivity

When I see pins, I wonder how just many of those turn into projects. My Pinterest productivity has gone up in the last week. For me, this happens a few times a year when I'm feeling ABLE, ambitious and a little more put together. Or, you know, if I decide I need some projects to feel whole again. This particular spike could be attributed to increases in my heart rate thanks to the new FitBit.

The Overview

• One project for the girls, 
• One cleaning project,
• One completed meal and
• Bonus!

EXHIBIT 1: DIY A-Frame Tent

We never use our flat sheets, so I have a surplus of twin sheets hanging around waiting for creative reuse! When I saw this pin, I loved it. DADable earned himself a new 3/4" drill piece and helped make the holes. While the girls (and the dog!) love this new tent, it's wobbles more than I expected. KISSable hasn't figured out how to finesse her way in and continues to bonk her head upon entry.

I don't have a sewing machine right now, so I've not been able to sew the elastic onto the corners. Tucking it in at the bottom has worked okay, as long as I can convince the girls not to touch it.

Easy to assemble and easier to store than the store bought tents. Requires carpet to stay put. Feels very soothing, even when mom climbs in.

EXHIBIT 2: Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
 

I used breasts instead of thighs. I started on HIGH for 1.5 hours and then turned to LOW for 3 hours and shredded the chicken when it was done. I debated whether I would have time to do any Indian sides all of the other projects for the day and opted just for white rice and some garlic naan from the grocery store.

I did a poor job training my kids to like Indian food. I won't give up, but my point is -- we tend to save it for date nights, of which have been few and far in between. I am not here to say this is an authentic match for your favorite version of the dish, but I am here to tell you that if you want your house yummed up by the tasty tasty spices and simmering tomatoes, then this is a winner.


EXHIBIT 3: Tub Cleaner -- Dawn & White Vinegar

The hardest part of this project was finding the industrial spray bottle. When I think spray bottle, I head for the beauty section in Target. Those water bottles didn't hold up for my olive oil/water spritzer project (in an effort to eliminate the expensive aeresol can cooking sprays). But the last remaining smart brain cell rose her hand and suggested I look with the cleaning supplies in Target because, you know, this project is to make a CLEANER!

Well, let me tell you: I found my bottle! And this works so.much.better than swirling Dawn around the tub in big circles and then trying to spread it out with a brush.

I poured the vinegar into a Pyrex measuring cup to microwave it. Then I spilled some of the hot liquid onto my hands and the counter. So, be careful. Getting the Dawn into the bottle was also a challenge after I measured it out. Next time, I'll wing the measurements. But then.... give it a little swirl and start spraying until you empty the contents of your bottle!

The beautiful blue spray misted smartly onto the walls, into the crevices and all I had to do was pull the lever. I left it for a few hours. When I returned, I filled the water bottle with warm water, sprayed the water and wiped with a sponge. No scrubbing required! Beautiful. So much better than those Magic Erasers.

BONUS: The Popcorn Trick

1 brown paper bag
1/4 C of popcorn
1/8 tsp olive oil
salt to taste

Fold over bag twice. Hit the popcorn button on your microwave and POW: tasty popcorn!

Shutdown: In Service To Others

Day 2: Shutdown

Today was supposed to be the first full day that DADable was home due to furlough. Last night we made a plan to take the girls a nearby air and space museum not impacted by the shutdown, but a phone call this morning changed our plans. 

"We could really use your help."

Instead of a museum today and apple picking and Monticello later this week, I hugged DADable tight, cried too much, and told him to help his father take care of his momma, who is now nine days post-op with a new shoulder. 

Before he left, he sat me down trying to weigh the hardship of a mom taking care of two toddlers to the mom unable to move much less take care of herself or her husband. Except that the two options obviously don't compare. MOMable will finish a bottle of wine, eat chocolate and order for delivery to cope if she needs "help" over the next few days. 

The child is returning home to help his momma like she has done countless times for him. This is how my dedicated, hard-working, loving civil servant spends his furlough: in service to others.