The service of shaia{R}

Service Book of Days - Sunday 21, 2010

2010-03-21T10:34:00.002-04:00

Outside my window... It is kind of cloudy today, i believe it might rain. It isn't too cold which is nice, i can't wait to see if the day warms up so i can take DA outside to play before church this evening!

my thoughts... Beginning to pack for the trip to Wisconsin to see my family for the next few days! Also need to finish picking up the house so it is ready for Oour departure as well.

Today's Quote... "To love is to admire with the heart." ~ Theophile Gantier

i am thankful for... The ability to have a loving caring man in my life and the ability to go see family for holidays, this is the first time in years i have seen most of my family!!

From my service training... This week i am focusing on making sure Reaper and DA are ready for the trip we will go on this week.

From the kitchen... Tonight: I think Wwe will have chicken with veggies. A1 Burgers for Monday night, Steak for dinner Tuesday, Fish for dinner Wednesday, Wwe leave for the trip on Thursday.

i am wearing... PJ Shorts and a t-shirt, and slippers, comfy for packing and cleaning on a lazy Sunday.

i am creating... Blogging for this and another Blog i have decided on starting that is strictly Nilla, for friends and family members.

my adventures this week... To the Doctor on Wednesday and to Parents on Thursday for a week.

Becoming well read... The Bible, other blogs, mommy sites, and the news. Need to find a book!

i manifest and co-create... my hopes and dreams for this week are that DA is good for the trip, and that things go well while at my family's house.

Today's Melody... Not currently listening to music, however, DA is gabbering, and tv is on TLC for background noise.

One of my favorite things...Cherry Cordial Ice Cream bars! Yummm!

Further plans for this week...Other than traveling? None.

Still....life... it shows the blossoming of spring, or at least how i see spring starting in my mind. How beautiful! i need to remember to stop and take time to enjoy the newness of everything in spring, and help DA learn to enjoy it.

Tuesday - Cooking/Baking

2010-03-19T15:45:00.002-04:00

Steak Strips Diane

Tender sirloin steak strips are browned in butter then combined with mushrooms and an easy wine sauce from the drippings. Serve with hot cooked rice.

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 pounds sirloin steak, cut into 1/4-inch wide strips
salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
4 tablespoons butter, divided
4 ounces sliced mushrooms
3 tablespoons white wine
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Preparation:

Sprinkle steak strips with a little salt, the dry mustard, and lemon pepper. In a skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of butter. Brown steak strips in 2 batches. Remove to a warm platter and keep warm. Brown mushrooms and remove to the platter. To the drippings, add remaining 1 tablespoon butter, the wine, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, stirring, until hot. Pour sauce over the steak strips. Serve with hot cooked rice.

Monday - Cleaning

2010-03-19T15:32:00.003-04:00

Spring Cleaning Grand Plan

Front Porch

The front porch is an important asset to your home. First impressions are important. If the entrance to your home is a mess, then it doesn't matter how organized the inside is, you're still perceived as "messy". Assemble your supplies, broom, window cleaner, screwdrivers, paper for lists, trash can.

Start at the front door. Is there a dead rug for wiping feet? Is it savable? Toss it into the driveway for hosing down, into the trash, or into the laundry basket.

Remove everything from the porch that you can. Trash bags, recyclables, kids' toys, those boxes that go to Goodwill. Set things in the grass if you have to but get them off the porch.

Is there a swing? Look at it closely. Are the hinges catching on clothes? Is it a disaster waiting to collapse? A quick turn of the screwdriver can fix that. How about the cushions? If cleanable, put them with the rug for hosing down. If trash, then trash them. Write down "get new cushions" on your list.

Take the screens off the windows. Put them with the rug & cushions for hosing. Using the broom, sweep every windowsill & door frame. Sweep down the outside walls. Look up high-are there cobwebs in the corners? Sweep 'em down!

After doing the walls & frames, then you can sweep off the porch itself. Don't forget the steps. Open the front door and sweep off the sill too. Do you need to change the light bulb? Put new bug lights on your list.

Wash the outside of the windows. While they're drying, get out the hose & spray off the rug, screens & swing cushions. Put the screens back on the windows.

Now step back and admire what you've done so far. Look at the mess in the yard that came off the porch. Does any of it belong back on there? Do you have to keep the weekly trash there or can you hide it somewhere else? Toys in the back yard? Perhaps a big bucket for front yard toys? Only you know what can stay there.

Do the hedges in front of the porch need trimming? Either put that on your list for the next nice Saturday or get out your clippers & trim them up now.

Does the front door need painting? How about its screen? New hardware can make a big difference. What about the mailbox? Does the doorbell work?

Write down any fixes and set a specific time to do them. And then do them when the time comes! As long as you've done this much, go ahead and look at the sidewalks & driveway. Too much junk? Remove it to the backyard. Sometimes it's easier to hose down the driveway than to sweep it.

Now go out to the street and really look at what you've accomplished. Aren't you proud to live there now? You should be! Head inside for a well deserved rest. Don't forget to take that list you made & transfer it to either SHE cards or your planner!

Living Room

Begin by washing the outside of the windows in this room. You will appreciate being able to see outside when you sit down at the end of the week in your beautiful, clean, and organized living room!

Take everything off walls, dust it, and set it aside. Dust or wash the wall, vacuum or dry-clean draperies and blinds. Get your favorite cobweb killer and sweep down ceilings, corners and tops of doorways.

Take cushions off furniture. Vacuum thoroughly, replace cushions, spot treat any stains and shampoo if necessary.

Wooden furniture (and anything with drawers/shelves): Empty, sort and throw away what you really don't need. Put the rest where it belongs. Dust/polish the piece you've finished with and repeat with other pieces. Don't forget the maintenance on piano.

Baseboards: depending on condition they're in, dust or wash them.

Coat closet: empty, sort clothes (by family member, season). Remove any "off-season" items and decide whether to trash, donate, or store elsewhere. Replace only those items which should be in your coat closet.

Clean the TV screen (if you have a set in this room). Don't neglect the stereo items either. Re-organize tapes/records/videos as per your needs.

Clean/change the silk flower arrangements as per seasonal needs. Wash/trim any live plants in this room.

Other items needing attention if your room has them:

Fireplace/mantel/chimney/glass doors
Lamps (does the shade need dusting or replacing?)
Electrical cords (check for frayed wires)
Mirrors (items framed w/glass) get out the Windex
Doorknobs/drawer-handles (are they clean?)

Now is a good time to measure furniture pieces and windows, to enter in your planner or Household Notebook and keep on hand for shopping for necessary items.

Stacks (of anything!): Take time now to use the sorting method of trash/donate/store elsewhere. Now put these new piles where they belong.

Vacuum the carpet and clean if necessary.

Hang the items back on walls, if you haven't already and take a good look around. It should look pretty good by now. Take out camera and take pictures for inventory.

Entry/Foyer

Use the basic remove/clean/replace policy for those items which are wall-hung.

Consider how the area looks when a visitor enters your home. Again if it doesn't belong there, remove it! If you have a chair or rack that welcomes clutter, consider moving it until everyone breaks the habit of just dropping everything off in the foyer.

The next time you enter the front door after being away a few hours, look around and sniff around just like you were in a strange house. Our homes can develop "houseatosis". There are a great many air freshener products and potpourri assortments on the market today, use one if you need it!!

Don't forget to clean out the umbrella stand, if you have one. If you don't, do you need one?

Do you have a rug or maybe carpeting in this area? Do a thorough job of vacuuming it. you'll be pleased.

Do you have a window in your front door, or "side lights" which could use bit of glass cleaner? Don't forget to thoroughly dust/wash front door itself, and also the baseboards in the area.

Plan a place for everything which needs to be kept near the front door and keep it there! Everything else goes!

Now, do you need to go back and spend time on last week's project? If not, could you choose another declutter project that would enhance the beauty of your home? Choose something close to the entry or living room to help give that feeling of flow between organized rooms. like smiles and yawns, organization is contagious!

Master Bedroom and Master Bedroom Closets

First. let's do what we did in the living room. All draperies or curtains taken down and washed or dry cleaned (or at least vacuumed). Do the same with your bedspread. While windows are bare, clean blinds and glass.

Clear off those stacks and piles on and around your dresser/chest of drawers. Now, dump each drawer, one at a time, or all at the same time into a central location. Vacuum the drawers if necessary.

Go through and sort items. Decide what you want to have in the dresser drawers and put only those items back. use the 4 box method to sort the remaining items. If you haven't worn an item in a year, ask yourself if you will wear it within the next year. if no then get rid of it! (Garage sale, donate to the needy or someone you know will wear it, or THROW IT OUT!)

Do similar with items other than clothing that you find along the way. How about those worn undergarments?? Get rid of them and treat yourself to new! You may want to invest in, or make dividers for some of these types of articles.

How about the jewelry box? Time to go through & inventory. Might want to give some that you don't wear to your kids to play, and leave room for your better items.

Have you checked under the bed yet? Better do so! There could be shoes, books, and other items that have long since been forgotten. You might want to consider getting storage containers for use under there for your off-season clothing.

Now you're ready for the closet! Use the same technique as for drawers: take everything out of the closet and pile in a central location. Decide what you what to store where in the closet! Then use the 4 box method as you consider each thing you removed from the closet before you put items into the closet!

For shoes, try on all pairs if you can't wear them now, chances are you never will. Get rid of them! And if you never really felt comfortable in a certain pair, find a friend who would. Come on now, do you really need to keep the old maternity clothes?? Would anyone else want them? If so, give them away, if not throw them away! Okay now, get ready to fill the closet with things you need and love.

Have you changed the linens on the bed? Turn the mattress first, so you won't "wear" a valley in it! Throw the pillows into the dryer to fluff, and pull out all the dust they collect also.

Time to dust and clean off all the furniture with your favorite product. Don't forget the TV screen & any mirrors you may have. Everyone has different things in their bedrooms which are individual to your household. Take a good look around and see if there is anything we left out.

Vacuum the floor of the room and the closet!

List time: do you need new hangers? Have you replaced winter clothes for summer clothes? Have you found that necklace that fell behind the dresser last year? Did you check the ceiling fan, light fixtures & air vents? Do you need a new mattress pad? or mattress cover?

We should be finished! What an adventure!

Master Bathroom

Go through the medicine chest. Do you really store medicine in here? It is not a good idea to store your medications here as the steam and heat of the showers can affect them. Consider finding a new place. While you rearrange them, throw away the horrible tasting stuff that you do not use and the expired items. Check your first aid supplies. Do you have enough Peroxide, band-aids, gauze pads, antibacterial ointment? Find a printable first-aid checklist here.

Just look at those towels! Are they torn? In need of replacement? You needed some new rags anyway! Put it on your list to replace. Reorganize the ones you have.

Clean off handles, knobs, light switches. Does anything need replacing?

How about the bathroom mat or carpet? Does it need some spot remover while you go on? Does it need to be replaced?

Clean from high to low. Take down the curtains or blinds and clean them. Vacuum the screens in the windows. Clean the windowsill and wash any knickknacks.

Clean the entire bowl. Spray with a good disinfectant. How is your bowl brush? Does it need replacing? A sponge brush works better than a bristle brush here.

Polish all the metal fixtures make them gleam. Get around the bowl and clean spots you have not seen in a while! Open the window while you spray a good mold remover if you need to. Scour sinks and bathtubs, and showers.

Do you need a new soap dish? A decorative hand soap dispenser?

Get under the sink. Look at those three bottles of hair spray. Do you need and use all that stuff under there? Consider purchasing some under the cabinet organizers to give you more storage space and allow you to get things easier. Wipe out the bottom of the cabinet.

Don't stop there. Time to get the drawers now too. Throw away what you have not used.

Does the shower curtain need replacing? Is it really moldy?

Wash out the wastebasket and let it sanitize.

The bathroom scale hasn't been scrubbed in a while. Do it now! Get the baseboards and wipe them down, spray the tile with a good tile cleaner while you are doing the baseboard then wipe the tile down after it had a chance to sit.

Take note and replace, repair all items that need attention.

Kids' Rooms/Play Areas

Kids' Rooms:. Let's get shelves done first (if appropriate). Use same method: examine, toss/save/donate, replace onto shelves. This is a good time to get rid of games with lots of missing pieces, or save for while you're in the playroom in case the pieces are hidden there.

Desk drawers: go through (or have your children if they're older) and sort out what papers need to be saved and what can be tossed. Get rid of old magazines, old McDonald toys, toys in pieces, broken crayons, non-functional pens. make room for the stuff on top of the desk!

Clothing Drawers and Closets: Again, check for current sizing. Too small? Donate to a friend's kids, Goodwill, or homeless shelter. Torn? Can it be used for rags? Box up anything to be saved for a sibling. Label and the box and put it away now. Throw out anything not able to be repaired! Have your child try on questionable items.

Before we go further. have you thought about taking curtains down, and washing? Better start now! Throw the bedspread & blanket in the wash too!

Time to check under the bed for the nasties down there. This might be a good place for under-bed storage containers. Once everything is picked up off the floor, don't forget the ceiling fans, and wash your ceiling fixtures. Now's a good time for windows & blinds too! Don't forget to dust, & polish any wooden furniture.

If you have boxes stored in bedroom or closets make sure you have a good marker with you to mark the outside of boxes with contents. (You can do this but I find that giving the box a code number, letter or name and not marking the contents directly on the box but instead on an index card placed in your SHE box, you can at anytime change the contents of the box without writing and rewriting on the box what is inside.

You can use the same methods for playrooms or play areas. Perhaps if you have a hobby room and no children, you can use this for your sewing or craft room. If you have none of the above, then take a relaxing bath. Then go over any areas that still need "doing".

Guest Room

Guest bedrooms and other bathrooms. Use the same procedures for master bathroom and bedroom. Take note of your area and surrounding . Make lists of those items you need to replace.

Donate or toss what needs to be. Be ruthless this time.

Kitchen and Pantry

Kitchen Closets: Empty them! Pull everything out. Use trash bags, boxes, etc to sort and redistribute your items. Remember-places would love donations of kitchen items. If you have not used something in a few months, chances are you just will not use it so donate it. Kill the clutter!

Kitchen Cabinets: Tackle one by one if the job seems overwhelming. Start above counters, on one side of the room and work in one direction & when done, tackle cabinets below the counter. Save the under-sink area for last, for me it was the hardest.

Get Rid Of:

Old, currently unused cleaners
Cans & Bottles of food over 6 months old unless there is a later expiration date.
Old cracker/cookie boxes probably stale
Pans & pots that you don't use, have duplicates of, are in horrible shape, etc.
Extra serving dishes (store them elsewhere unless you have lots of room) until needed. Donate if you have not used them in the past six months.

Check any open boxes for bugs.

Don't forget to wipe down empty shelves, re-line (if necessary).

If you store medicines in the cabinets, check expiration dates. Verify prescription items with your pharmacist. Throw out medicines that "didn't work", expired or tasted so horrible you won't use them, etc.

Don't forget to empty drawers, clean inside, then replace items. Get rid of duplicate items (utensils) if you can.

Clean all appliances inside and out (refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker--use vinegar once through, followed by several rounds of water-- stove vent, etc.)

Sink: Use a toothbrush to get rid of gritty dirt at faucet. Clean drains, disposal, etc Use favorite cleaner to make "shine".

Pantry: Use same method as for the cabinets. don't forget to wipe down while empty. Try to combine duplicate boxes of things to throw out that which you haven't and probably won't use.

When this is done, you will probably want to dust any appropriate items, vacuum from ceiling to floor, including vents/ a/c ducts, clean any windows, and sweep & wash the kitchen floor (I always do that last!) As far as I'm concerned this is probably one of the hardest rooms in the house. If you have tile on your counters or table, this is a good time to spray them down and clean and reseal the grout.

Be ruthless! Go through every drawer, cabinet, counter. Did you take time to do all that work and sell yourself short? Did your Mama tell you a job worth doing is worth doing well??? Well go ahead an "git": make that kitchen shine. Go through the spices and the cookbooks again. I know there are things you still really need to do.

Family Room, Den or Rec Room

Since the Family Room is much like the Living Room, consult the notes from that week as well, to be sure we haven't missed anything! Here goes!

Start by washing the outside of your windows.

Take everything down off the walls, take down curtains etc. Wash, vacuum or dry clean as needed.

Sweep ceiling corners and other nooks in the room - tops of doorways, windows, arches, bookcases, etc.

Wash inside of windows and sills. Polish and touch-up stain on wood.

Re-hang window coverings.

Take cushions off furniture, vacuum thoroughly. Vacuum cushions, checking for wear and turning as needed. Spot treat any stains or shampoo furniture as needed.

Wooden furniture and anything with drawers: Empty, sort, and throw away what you don't really need. Put the rest where it really belongs. Dust/Polish the piece you're finished with, repeat as necessary. Do shelves the same way.

Baseboards - dust or wash as needed touch up scuffs on wood or touch up paint on painted surfaces.

Clean the TV screen. Dig out and sort all the accumulated electronic equipment--games, tapes, camera parts, wires, connectors, etc. Put everything where it belongs and get rid of the rest. (I stash things for a few months in the attic and if they don't miss it then I can dispose of it as I please!) If something doesn't work, take action--if it is worth getting fixed then decide when it can be done. Otherwise just liquidate it now.

Vacuum the entire room. Use a whisk broom to get into those hard to reach areas and around the baseboards if your vacuum doesn't clean close enough. Yes, get help and move the furniture. There may be a wealth of lost treasures hiding under the sofa right now!

Clean/change silk flower arrangements for the season. It is also a good time to clean, trim, and/or repot live plants. They can't absorb CO2 and light through a layer of dust!

Other items needing attention if you have them are: Fireplace/mantel/chimney/glass doors Lamps - cleaning and/or replacing shade/bulb/wiring Light switches (clean)

Mirrors and anything framed under glass clean it.

Door handles--and the area around them-- if you have little sticky fingers be sure to get the area below them clean too with an appropriate cleaner. Polish the wooden doors and retouch scuffs.

Clean shake/wash/vacuum/take to professional-- any area rugs.

Now is a good time to reorganize the video tapes and CDs ,Cassettes etc. If you have not viewed or listened to them in a while, donate or take to a consignment shop or a second hand music store and swap

Garage / Storage

This a designated area used for storing "needed" items until it is time to use them. It is not "someplace else" for procrastinators. It can be the attic, basement, section of garage, closet, shed or even a rental unit.

An efficient storage area is the backbone to your home. Overload it & the whole house suffers. There are basically two types of items that should be stored: seasonal-occasional (Christmas, camping, Baby stuff only if anticipated need (g), suitcases, etc.) & home management (backup supplies used in managing a home), (extra paper goods, soaps, kitchen supplies, light bulbs).

Remove everything from storage area.

Sort everything into related piles, boxes, or bags.

Streamline these piles until only keepers are left. (Other items go to the place they belong, i.e. trash, Goodwill, garage sale)

Designate centers in your storage area according to available space and keeper categories. Your categories of keeper piles automatically determine your centers.

Maximize your space & increase your storing efficiency by using the following techniques:

Hang as much as possible in drawstring bags.
Consolidate by placing related items inside each other (bag of baby bedding inside bassinet, suitcases inside each other, etc.).
Use shelving around area & make aisles like they do in warehouses. You can use metal shelves or boards on blocks, buckets, pipe, etc.
Always consider how any given item is used, where it is used, & how often it's used-- then put things where they belong.
Keep things that are used together stored together. It's simple but it works!
If no room for it, you don't need it!!

Group and store like things together, just as the grocery store does, don't scatter. Consolidate as much as possible.

Hang as much as you can.

Use grocery store arrangement by lining the perimeter of your area with shelving, then run stacks of shelves both parallel and perpendicular to this.

Assign a space for empties. No more setting empty jars, buckets, drawstring bags in front of full containers.

For home management & backup storage, you will want to keep a record of items being stored (3-ring binder or computer).

Only store supplies that your family uses & likes. Wasted storage space is too expensive to pay for unwanted items.

Don't be tempted to just shove things into the storage area until you can find another place for them. Keep the "backbone" of your household skeleton lightly and efficiently loaded, and you'll experience greater efficiency and control throughout the rest of your home.

Attic / Storage

The attic works the same every other room does, except it's probably got mostly stored boxed and old clothes. Remember what our motto has been? If you haven't worn it in the last year, and you can't figure when you'll wear it in the next year, get rid of it! (Donate it somewhere, or throw it out if it's not in good shape.) This can really make a big dent in the storage facilities.

And don't get caught with "well, Johnny can wear this when he's 14." Let's be honest, how many kids really want to wear hand-me-downs that are way out of style? We must swallow our pride (if my daughter doesn't want to wear my wedding gown when she's old enough, I guess I won't get upset!) and get rid of what truly we won't use, and will have no value later on (but not that wedding gown! I can't part with that!). Everyone will have treasures that you can't part with, and that is fine, but set a limit.

As for those boxes, bring a few downstairs and work on them in front of the TV, or at the bottom of the stairs. The old "can't go to bed cause I can't get past these boxes yet" works nicely here. Or do it while the kids are at school if you are able. Once again. ask yourself if you will really use the item again. If no, and it has no sentimental value worth passing to the next generation (and collecting dust!) then donate it to somewhere that might really appreciate it.

Dining Room

Using the basic plan, take everything off the windows and clean them.

Take everything off the walls and clean items and wall.

Empty all drawers, shelves, ledges, etc. Clean items, but don't replace-- YET.

Using the philosophy from the "It's Here Somewhere" decide what you want to use this area for. eating, entertaining, playing games, alternative office space, etc.; then place only those items related to those uses back into drawers, shelves, whatever. De-clutter! Use the 4 box method, place everything that isn't usable in this room into the appropriate box. trash, Goodwill, someplace else or storage.

Streamline down to what you will actually use in this room.

Remove all furniture, and clean the floors and baseboards.

As furniture is replaced, clean each piece with appropriate cleaner/wax. Check chair/table legs to see if they need new protective caps.

Re hang pictures. on the wall -- only try using only half of them. Then add more only if you can't stand the empty look. According to the "Law of Household Reduction", when you decrease the number of things, you expand your space visually as well as physically.

Add a new arrangement or fresh flowers and plan to invite company for dinner!

Holiday Decorations / Storage

As I recall, we had only to find and sort those holiday decorations. This covered ALL holidays. and all things pertinent to those holidays,too. (like the red/white/blue centerpiece for the 4th, the Thanksgiving candles and wreaths, and centerpieces, etc.) I believe the idea was to group these all together in ONE box if possible to be added to the storage area (WHO HAS THE ROOM?). This is to free up space in the house and kitchen cabinets by removing these non-essential but occasionally needed holiday items. The "storage" reminder at the end of this week's title was to give some people more time on that very difficult area in our homes. After the previous weeks of the grand-plan. the storage areas are FULL of stuff that must NOW BE FACED !!! Are we going to hang onto our "junk" or clear the clutter??? Only you know yourself. so what'll it be??

You might as well check on all the other decorations while you are in the process or storing the Christmas decorations. Mark those boxes well and make a list of what you want to replace. You might still be able to find those after Christmas bargains for those types of things.

Last Week!

Take this week to budget for the things you noted you needed to have done: new wallpaper, carpet re-stretching.

What about the outside?? It is a good time to really clean well the patio furniture and to sweep off the patio and trim the plants. Any weeding needing to be done? Section off the outside yard just as you would do the inside of the house and get to it. You can enjoy your home inside and out! )

Learn to delegate! Talk with your family and tell them how hard you have worked. (So what if they really do not understand.) Tell them how you need to have their help. Be specific! Delegate specific chores and write them down on cards . No Nintendo, TV, or playing with friends till that is done. No Ifs ands or buts about it!

It takes 21 days to make something a habit-- for you and everyone else in the family--so stick to it! Keep on them. Work on relationships now. You have been so busy in the house! Plan a lunch alone with your son. Take your daughter alone to a movie! Buy a new sexy piece of lingerie and treat you and Hubby! Have fun now that you have your home all organized and clean!

Sunday - Love

2010-03-19T15:18:00.001-04:00

Self-Love

Learning to love yourself isn't easy -- especially if you're a survivor of childhood abuse or neglect. But there are things you can do to boost your self-love.

Ask for a list of things people like about you.

Sometimes it can be hard to find things we like or love about ourselves. So -- ask other people to tell you all the things they like about you. Ask a friend, a lover, a therapist. This isn't a replacement for your own love; it's a first step in learning to love yourself. You may need to hear the things other people like about you before you can value them in youself.

If hearing what people like about you is hard, ask your friends to write it down for you, or leave it on your voice mail, so you can read/listen to it over and over. Go back to it as many times as you can. Even if you don't believe that someone can like a particular thing about you, or you don't believe it exists, trust that your friend does see it and value it.

When you start to hear critical voices inside your head, go back to those things your friend said/wrote about you, and remember that you are loved.

Make a list of the things you like about yourself.

Make a list of all the things you like about yourself. Be as honest as you can. Modesty doesn't help you here; neither do old critical messages. If you're having trouble finding things you value about yourself, think about the things you value and love in your friends, then see if those things exist inside you, too. Most often, they do.

Fill a special notebook with your list, or create a set of cards. Make the notebook as beautiful as you can -- make it something that makes you feel good when you look at it. Then open it up and look at it any time you're feeling down or critical about yourself, or any time anyone says anything that triggers your criticalness of yourself.

Look at this good-things-about-yourself book as frequently as you can. It may seem silly, but repetition really does make a difference. (Just think of the impact one critical phrase said by a parent over and over to a child can have. It really does have an effect! Now try to give that child inside you at least one truly loving phrase about yourself that s/he can hold on to.)

Make it part of your daily routine to praise something in yourself or think about something you like about yourself.

In this society, we're taught that praising ourselves is selfish and wrong. But praising ourselves for things that are good about ourselves only helps us. It is a healing thing to do, something that nourishes our self-worth. When we love ourselves, we're happier and more true to our own selves...and that happiness and ability to be free spreads to others.

So...try to think of something that you like about yourself, or something that you did today that made you or someone else feel good -- no matter how small it may seem. Give yourself the kind of warm praise that you would a friend.

Love yourself like a friend

Close your eyes and think of a person you deeply love and trust, and who you know loves you-- a friend, a lover. Think about all the things you love and appreciate about them. Notice how that love feels inside you, how it makes you feel good.

Now turn it around the other way -- be your friend, feeling that same deep love for you. Trust in their love for you, and just feel it. Let yourself see your self through gentle eyes, with compassion and love the way your friend does, even if you can only do it for a moment. Now let yourself receive that love, the love you have as a friend to yourself. Feel the warmth move through you. Remember how it feels, and come back to that love another time.

Make a note every time someone says something nice about you.

Every time someone tells you something about yourself that makes you feel good, write it down or make a mental note and jot it down later. When you get home, put that note in a container of "good things about me." Decorate the container however you like. Keep on adding notes, and read them over every time you need a little boost -- and even when you don't feel like you do.

Have compassion for yourself.

If you're feeling really judgemental about something you've done or said, try to understand where the judgement is coming from. Not the immediate, surface answer, but an answer deep down inside you. Are you afraid of something, or are you feeling insecure? Do you think you did something "wrong," or are you hearing the judgement of a voice from your past? Try to connect to that little kid inside of you who's feeling that way, and really listen to how s/he's feeling. Hug and reassure that kid, and let her/him know that s/he didn't do anything wrong, and that you love her/him.

You can also think of a friend having acted as you did. Imagine how you'd feel towards them -- how you'd still love them and readily forgive them if there was anything to forgive. You probably wouldn't even find it bothersome! Try to feel that same love and compassion for yourself.

Recognize that the love has to come from you.

If you're a survivor of child abuse or come from a dysfunctional family, you may still be waiting for a parent to give you the love and acceptance you never got as a child. But the kind of love you need (or needed as a child) probably isn't going to come from a parent who abused you or who looked the other way while you were being abused. But it can come from yourself.

It can be hard to give it to yourself at first -- after all, if you didn't receive love as a child, or if some of that love was torn away from you by violence, self-hate may have built up inside you. But you have the courage and strength to love yourself, if you've survived this long. And you do deserve it!

So try to connect to that little child inside, that child who deserves all of your love and acceptance.

Use Affirmations

I know, I know, this sounds corny. But if you hear good things about yourself over and over, you can't help but have some of it sink in.

Write out strong, loving things to say to yourself, even if you don't fully believe them. Some examples are:

"I utterly and completely deserve love and kindness,"
"I am a very loveable person,"
"I am kind, compassionate, intelligent, and wise." (or subsitute the words for loving words that you feel best suit you.

Now put up those affirmations in places you'll see them every day -- on the fridge, on the bathroom mirror, on your bedside table, next to your favourite chair, on the kitchen wall next to where you cook your food or eat a meal. Don't forget to read them.

If you're not comfortable having them up in such public places, then write out a bunch of them (or copies of a few) and put them in places you'll find them -- in your jacket or jeans pocket, in a book you're reading or a favourite book, in your desk drawer, in with your clothes. They're little love notes to yourself. In fact, you may want to do both things -- have them up and also hidden in places where you'll find them.

When you read an affirmation, read it slowly, and really let yourself feel it. Don't just say it by rote. Try to let yourself be there as fully as you can.

Recognize Self-Critical Messages -- and Talk to Them

It's easy to let old, critical voices and messages that we heard as a child play over and over in our minds, without stopping them. Often we may barely recognize that they are there, or we don't really listen to them, we've heard them so often -- but they continue to impact how we feel and think about ourselves.

Try noticing next time you hear a small (or very loud) voice inside your head criticize you. Be aware of what it is saying to you, and try to talk to it. Ask it why it feels it needs to say those things. Is that part of you trying to protect you, in some child-like logic? Or perhaps that part of you felt it had to take on the messages you heard as a kid. Remind that part of you that you no longer need to do that to survive. You are free to make up your own mind about yourself.

Counteract Negative or Critical Thoughts About Yourself

Write down all the negative or critical thoughts and messages you hear inside your head. See if you can figure out who first said them to you (or said something of that nature). Then write out a response that counteracts each of those messages, one by one. Make the counter messages as strong and loving as you can.

If you're having trouble writing out counter messages, see if you can connect to a deep, wise part inside of you. Or write out what you would say to a friend if a friend said those things about her/himself.

Do Comforting and Nurturing Things For Yourself

Allow yourself to do comforting and nurturing things for yourself. Let yourself feel how good you feel when you do those things -- and tell yourself that you deserve to feel that way, to feel good. Gradually you'll find that the more nurturing and comforting times you have, the more you'll seek them out -- and they will help build a good feeling inside you.

Ask Yourself What You Need to Do

Some of these things will work really well for you, while others may not quite fit you. So try taking a moment to get quiet, and ask yourself, "What can I do to help myself feel more compassion and love toward myself?" Don't force an answer -- just let the answer bubble up from inside you. If you find it hard to hear the answer that way, try writing out your question, and then your answer. See what you come up with. You know best what works for you -- and you have great wisdom inside you.

Above all -- have compassion for yourself and for where you're at. Remember that you are a truly loveable person -- and that you deserve only kind treatment, especially from yourself. :)

SubWise #8: Serving in Public

2010-03-19T13:03:00.002-04:00

Serving in Public: Whether it’s at work or a sit down restaurant, how do you disguise or enhance your service so that it flies under the radar of the everyday folks we interact with?

Reaper and i don't really "disguise" anything in Oour relationship. Wwe are who we are. That said... as His slave, i maintain a respectful tone, do not question Him in public, i also act respectfully to Eeveryone. i do not call Him Sir or Master, even at home normally its just His name or Babe or some term of endearment. It works for Uus, the only time i refer to Him as "Master" is when i know i need to or if i've behaved out of line. When in public, i get His drinks if i can, and also order for Him. Oour relationship doesn't really need to fly "under" radar, because to Uus how Wwe act with eachother is normal, and we don't really worry about other peoples opinions.

2010-03-17T12:37:00.003-04:00

UPDATED LAYOUT!!!

After recieving a few suggestions and even a few complaints, the layout and schematic of the blog has been changed. Hope this works better for EVERYONE even though personal design, preference, orders, and planning on Reaper and shaia's part has gone to the wayside. Enjoy!

Saturday – Submission/slavery

2010-03-17T12:19:00.001-04:00

What Do We Really Want, Need?
"Nobody wants me. Everybody wants you. I need a miracle."

What do we really want, need? That's been going through my mind a lot lately.

Maslow comes to mind, with his hierarchy of needs - air first,
then good (whoops, typo - meant to type food),
and a long way up, self-actualization.

I'm tempted to go off on a tangent, about our need for good -
which I do think is a basic need - the need to do good.
But first, I will mull around with - what do we need, on some deep level?

I'm at an airport - but I could as well be at a mall or a grocery story or
on a busy street or in a parking lot cram packed full of cars that have unloaded people to do some busy thing.

Not much satisfaction on most of the faces around me.

Almost everyone looks like some big thing is missing.
They look like house plants that haven't been given enough light or water -
or that are drowning in too much water, roots rotting.

There are billions of us, teeming all over the place -
only a few with satisfaction on our faces.

Satisfaction is most common - in my mental image, anyway -
on the faces of people from low-tech high-religion cultures.
I think of my grandmother, alone for forty-odd years,
living in poverty most of her life, yet with a kind of quiet satisfaction to her, a lot of the time anyway. (At least that's how she exists in my mental image of her.)

Her kind of satisfaction is alien to me.
wants versus needs

****

Dissatisfaction isn't alien to me.

What I feel most, though, is longing - a hunger, a longing for more.

And often, I feel restless, edgy, close to anger.
I see that kind of close-to-snapping look on a lot of the faces around me.

Even more often (on the negative side) I see resignation, hopelessness, flatness.
Something is missing.
wants versus needs

****

What to we need, want, desire, long for?
When do we feel satisfaction, happiness?

First, wants versus needs - how do we tell them apart?
And then, does getting them met lead to satisfaction?

Needs - those are urgent things. Air. Water. Pretty soon, food. For many people, the need they feel most is for money, a loan, a job. (In other words, they have air and water, but urgently feel another lack.)

When the need is extremely urgent and we don't know how we could possibly get it met, then we say, I need a miracle.

Wants - those things, on some level, are optional. If we're desperate, we say I need money fast. We're not desperate when we say, I want a job. (We may even desperately need a job, but not want a job.)

Needs - having them met brings relief. We're underwater. We surface, gulp in air. Relief. We're lost in a blizzard. We spot a house in the distance. We knock on the door. It opens. Relief.

Then in the warmth of the house, warming up with a mug of something steaming, fingers thawing, we may feel much more than relief. Satisfaction.

But if there is nothing beyond the relief of need, the satisfaction isn't likely to last. We get bored, fed up. Two hours after finding safety from the blizzard, we may be restless, irritable, irritated. We want to move, to get out of that little house, back to wherever we were heading when we got lost.

Wants - those come from a place other than need. We want an answer to a question going through our head. We want something that holds our interest. We want more friends, more money, a holiday, something to wear for a party, more time to ourselves, more peace and quiet. We want to learn something, don't want to have to do something.

Want - it comes from wanting.

Then there is desire - that is an urgent want, often not something socially sanctioned, often to do with love and lust. Dangerous desires. Endless desire. Burning desire. Dark secret desires. Fueled by desire. Shameless desire. Haunting desires. Unconscious desires. Forbidden desires. Beyond desire.

We don't just want what we desire. We're caught in the drip of something more powerful.

Then there is longing, yearning aching. Memories of past love, of hoped-for pleasures.
Often there's a bit of resignation to longing. We often long for ... things beyond reach. needs vs. wants

****

And with that, I come back to what I started with. The many dragging sagging flat faces around me when I'm at a mall, parking lot, airport.

How does one get to satisfaction?

In the West, there's more material comfort than in just about every low-tech society that exists or ever has existed, except a few where the weather is idyllic. We have more things, more comfort, more access to more. Not more satisfaction.

You could say - we should not want so many things.

I say: much of what we want doesn't give satisfaction. Another to-shirt. Another big Mac.
Another cell phone, iPod, laptop. Another trip to the mall, the airport. Another trip.
A bigger home. New kitchen cabinets.

The want ("I want this or that") is satisfied. Often we're not.

That's the rub.

The question: what satisfies?

I'm not, by the way, against the things. I have lots of things. They satisfy the want for those things - a home in the country, a car to go city to country, high-speed internet, and so on.

But I know that, in the long run, kitchen cabinets, high-speed, and so on don't satisfy deeply. wants vs. needs

****

What satisfies deeply?

I am going to come back to my typo - we need good (food too, but also good).
It's doing good to build and reach and connect.
It is good to be able to help more than we ever could.

In my case, my greatest doing good has to do - according to the voice inside me - with sharing my gifts (my good) - and one way of doing this is by building one small part of the burgeoning web-based community - in my case a creativity and idea community.

What satisfies deeply?

I'll leave you to your own answer.

Here is mine for self satisfaction, life satisfaction.
I'd say that a huge motivation in my life is satisfaction motivation.

Friday - Peace

2010-03-17T11:57:00.002-04:00

The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. - Albert Einstein

Keeping Peace is a hard thing to come by these days. Sometimes it seems as if everything in life is conspiring against our having peace. The dog is barking, the trouble with work/career, you're stuck in traffic and you just had an argument with a dear friend. In the midst of all of this unrest, we wonder how peace is possible. The answer to this question depends in part on how you define peace.

One way to define peace is simply the absence of conflict. If you can resolve whatever conflict you are facing, then you can have peace. But when conflict rears its head, peace runs out the door, and it won't return until the conflict is settled. This notion of peace is a good start, but it is also fragile, because it is totally dependent on your circumstances.
A stronger definition of peace is one that allows you to rise above your circumstances and remain calm despite the storm raging around you. It is a sense of assurance that no matter what happens, things will eventually get better, and that somewhere, someone trustworthy is in control. This sort of peace is not dependent on circumstances. Rather, it allows you to see beyond your surroundings and fix your eyes on a point in the distance that allows you to hold steady on your course and ride out the storm. How can you find this sort of peace?

By putting your trust in the one person who transcends all of our trials and struggles: God. God is the only one who can truly offer us this gift. If we put our trust in Him, He will give us the strength and the endurance we need to weather any situation. God doesn't promise that life will be easy. In fact, if we truly follow Him, He says we will experience trials of many kinds.

But rather than let these problems lead us to despair, we can be assured that we are not alone, and that we are not struggling in vain. As the writer of the book of James in the Bible says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance" (James 1:2-3). You can place your trust in God by asking Him ( and your guides and Angels) to help you deal with these circumstances.

Take a moment and tell God about it. Tell Him you trust in His ability to help you deal with the situation, and ask Him for the strength and wisdom you need to get through it - as well as for her. Then wait expectantly to see what God will do. Your circumstances may not change immediately, but your level of peace and contentment will.
I suppose we all have our ways, our methods, of keeping strangely sane in a world that seems to be changing with every minute. It's hard to keep your spirits up, and it seems so surreal sometimes, to think that we have to work hard at staying positive.
The key to staying positive is to rely on what's inside instead. But keeping positive inside for many can mean facing their past, and what is embedded in them. Most of which includes negativity. I think positivity for many does mean what is inside, and realizing that inspiration and good moods are much more than partaking in the aspects of life that make us happy.

Expect temporary setbacks and failures on the road to accomplishment. By doing this, you won't crash and burn mentally or emotionally at the first sign of a real challenge. Because life is not fair, and is far from perfect. We have to coast along, we have no option there. But we can choose how we feel, and somewhat train ourselves to be positive amidst the most grim situations and circumstances.
By expecting that setbacks will occur, that bad things will happen, we can lose our mindset that life is supposed to be perfect, fair, good, and just. Life is all of those, but unfortunately it's up to us to find those aspects that make life so sweet. That is not what everyone wants to hear, I think, but it's the truth.
The easiest way through life is to "follow your guidance." When you feel the action in right, follow it. If you don’t feel comfortable about it, don’t. This may sound simple, but most people don’t follow their guides’ direction. They exercise "free will," which is our God-given gift, but with the exercise of free will comes a whole new set of challenges they might not otherwise have had to experience. This is not a bad thing; just think of it as an assignment for "extra credit."
Life is a process of change to progress and to regress. We need to fully acknowledge and realize that. Otherwise, we won’t feel fit anywhere we go and in anything we do. Biologically speaking, mature adults experience regression, while at the same time progressing career wise and psychologically.

We have been experiencing changes all our lives, thus one tiny step shouldn’t be magnified in a manner that hurts our potential to self-empowerment. Being able to acknowledge this and be willing to appreciate the change as a process of growing up and getting empowered would be the best attitude to help ease the pain of any kind of transition. Life is an odd thing. Being alive is not.

2010-03-16T12:24:00.003-04:00

HAPPY EASTER!!!

To announce it ahead of time-- Master, Daddy's Angel, and shaia will be on vacation for 11 days starting next week. shaia doesn't know if this will affect her blog yet or not, but in the interest of her readers, consider this as the reminder that for about 11 days, her blog may or may not be posted. Reaper, DA and shaia wish you Aall a wonderful Easter time.

Thursday - Health

2010-03-14T10:52:00.001-04:00

Rejuvenate Your Habits

Love yourself enough to say no to others’ demands on your time and energy. Step back & reassess the situation.

shaia is encouraging you (and herself) to put yourself first for one whole month. It’s not about ignoring your family members or friends or becoming totally self absorbed. It’s simply about making sure you are rejuvenating yourself sufficiently on a physical, emotional and spiritual level and not giving out more energy than you receive.

This is an opportunity to:

* eat and drank well - you’d be nourished and hydrated
* be conscious of your breathing - oxygenating your body
* give yourself quality rest - getting a balance between busy and calm, yin and yang
* say no more often without feeling guilty - strong personal boundaries
* releas stress and worry often with regular rejuvenation tips
* soften your thinking
* add more simple simple pleasures
* spend time alone
* spent more time outside to revive your spirit and soul - get grounded

Get Your Groove Back:

It’s all about energy in and and energy out:

This month I encourage you to observe just how much time you spend on giving energy out compared to receiving energy in. The ultimate goal of course is to add more and more moments of receiving energy in; so you feel full, whole and complete rather than half empty, drained and depleted.

A more balanced and equal exchange of energy in and out is what we are all aiming for to rejuvenate ourselves naturally.

Here’s a couple of ideas to get you started: start a walking meditation or treat yourself to a chocolate facial

Start by focusing on your breath:

When your breathing is shallow and fast your thinking is hurried and fast. You talk fast, eat fast, drink fast, become anxious and work fast. It’s a classic symptom of stress.

By observing your breathe and becoming conscious of slower, deeper breathes you are sending quality, life giving oxygen into your body and brain. You greatly calm your mind and actions along with releasing stress and tension with each long slow exhale. All this and much more happens when you simply choose to put yourself first and focus on your breath.

Wednesday - Beauty

2010-03-14T10:47:00.004-04:00

Have a great St. Patrick's Day! Be safe, and have tons of fun!

Nail Care

Your nails maybe small but they are an important part of your body. Imagine yourself with no nails, how will that look like? Despite the importance of the nail though, it always amazes me how many people (especially guys) who don't give a rat's ass about it, while some thinks it's really complicated and they can't afford a pedicure or a manicure. The truth is, maintaining healthy nails is easy. They are naturally healthy without much care... relatively. Spend just 20 minutes a week on your nails and you'll see a significant difference. What does a beautiful set of nails mean to you? Your nail indicates your general health. If you nails cracks easily and dull, you are guaranteed to be unhealthy. A set of healthy nails to me, is just as important as a soft shiny hair and even smooth supple skin. Important Nails DOs and DONT's 1. When your nail gets too long, never clip them short, instead use an emery board and file them. Always file them in one direction, instead of back and forth 2. If you ever apply nail polish, use them only occasionally. Although there are no health effects, frequent users can experience their nails turning slightly yellowish. If your nails are already yellowish, you can dip your nail into lemon juice for a few minutes to lessen the stain. 3. After washing your hand with soap, use a moisturizer and cream on your fingers because soap tends to contain drying agents. This also applies after a bath. 4. Apply garlic for 10mins once a week to kill germs on your nails. 5. You can rub lavender oil on your cuticles to maintain your nail's health and give it an awesome fragrance. 6. If your long nail chips, file them. Waiting for it to heal or covering it with bandage will only make things worse. If You Have Weak And Brittle Nails Weak nails need extra care. Do not use nail polish remover more than twice a month and you do use them, avoid those that contain acetone. Instead of removing your nail polish, you can touch up. If you want to apply enamel, paint a layer of ridge-filling base coat before applying color polish. Always keep your nails dry and do not let it stay in water for too long. The Most Important Thing To Do As I have said, your nails reflect the overall health of your body. To have a beautiful set of nails, the best way is to improve your health. You can start drinking hair and nail supplement. The usual increase intake of vegetables and fruits while decrease intake of meat still hold true. It is always better to go organic if you can afford them. Organics have up to 5 time more nutrients and vitamin in them. To really boost your health, you can eat whole food supplement like Goji berries, Spirulina, Chorella and many others. Yes, protein can make your nail stronger if that's what it is lacking, but a lack of protein intake is rare is the America. Increasing its intake often does help.
click the link to watch a great video on nail care!!
Home Spa Manicures and Pedicures

Tuesday - Cooking/Baking

2010-03-14T10:29:00.002-04:00

Slow Cooker Thai Chicken

Peanut butter, tomato and chilies spark up this Thai combo.

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 9 hours 15 min
Makes: 4 servings

8 chicken thighs, skin removed (2 pounds)
3/4 cup Old El Paso® salsa (any variety)
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon grated ginger root
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

1. Place chicken in 3 1/2- to 6-quart slow cooker. Mix remaining ingredients except peanuts and cilantro; pour over chicken.

2. Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 9 hours or until juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut. Remove chicken from cooker, using slotted spoon; place on serving platter.

3. Remove sauce from slow cooker; skim fat from sauce. Pour sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with peanuts and cilantro.

Note: This recipe was tested in slow cookers with heating elements in the side and bottom of the cooker, not in cookers that stand only on a heated base. For slow cookers with just a heated base, follow the manufacturer’s directions for layering ingredients and choosing a temperature.
(Total time will vary with appliance and setting.)

Serve With

Complement this dish by serving it with rice that has been cooked in canned coconut milk instead of water. The coconut rice is especially good when you use the hot salsa in the chicken. Add a side of cucumber vinaigrette, and you'll have a wonderful blend of flavors and textures.

Success

The flavors of peanut butter, tomato and hot chilies are a popular Thai combination. We took a shortcut and used a purchased hot salsa for the tomatoes and chilies. If you prefer a dish with a little less kick, use a milder salsa. You'll still have a tasty dish.

Substitution

Have that bottle of fish sauce on your shelf since the last time you cooked Thai? You can replace the soy sauce in this recipe with fish sauce for a more authentic Thai flavor. If you would like to try fish sauce for the first time, look for it at an Asian-foods market or a large supermarket. It is made from salted fermented fish, is salty like soy sauce and has a pungent, strong fish flavor.

Monday - Cleaning

2010-03-14T10:15:00.003-04:00

Cleaning the Kitchen

shaia has realized that recently a day could be utilized to clean the kitchen after meals, which takes away much time from both Daddy's angel and Reaper. Which shaia hates! Lately she has found a fast 15 minute way to breeze through the kitchen in no time, and have plenty of time for spending it with Daddy's angel and Reaper.

Here's How:

1. Grab all of your needed supplies together (listed below.)

Don't underestimate the value of this step. Trying to find cleansers, dishcloths, sponges, etc. not only eats up time, but increases the risks of distractions that let you forget what you were working on in the first place. Gather all supplies together before you begin.

2. Run a sink of hot, soapy water.

If you have a double sink with a garbage disposal on one side, make sure to use the disposal-free side. Keeping the disposal side free will allow you to scrape leftovers down the drain quickly while you work.

3. Scrape off all the dishes into the trash or garbage disposal.

If step 2 has blocked your disposal, scrape the dishes off onto a dirty plate.

4. Place dishes that need to soak into the water.

Try to choose the dishes that are going to give you or your dishwasher the most trouble to get clean. Put the heavily soiled dishes on the bottom. Large dishes like pans and bowls can be filled with hot soapy water and set on the counter to soak.

5. While the dishes are soaking, go through the kitchen clearing out trash from your floor, counter-tops, cupboards, etc.

Don't worry about things that are out of place, or don't belong in the kitchen. Worry only about trash.

6. Move on to gathering all the items that do not belong in the kitchen. Put all these items into a basket (see supplies).

If you have a helper (willing or unwilling) send them off to put away these items. Do not stop working on the kitchen to take these misplaced items to their homes.

7. Put away all of the items that belong in the kitchen but are not in their proper places.

Don't allow yourself to get distracted by rearranging cabinets, drawers, etc. Simply place the items that are out back where they belong.

8. Load the dishwasher or wash by hand.

If you do not have a dishwasher or don't like to use one, this process of cleaning the dishes may take more time. If possible grab a couple of other people and form a wash, rinse, dry and put away assembly line. This is a great way to catch up with family members. Empty the dirty water and scrape the plate of food off into the disposal if it was previously blocked. Add the plate to the dishwasher.

9. Wash down your counter-tops, appliances, and sink.

Rinse out sponges and rags. If needed put them in the dirty clothes. We're not heavy duty cleaning here. I literally mean wash down the visible surfaces. Don't open the microwave and scrub it out. We're not cleaning the crumbs out of the toaster. Quickly wipe it down.

10. Sweep and mop, or vacuum.

11. Take out the trash

If the trash is full, or tomorrow is trash day, take the trash outside and reline the trash container so that it is ready for tomorrow's trash.

Tips:

1. The more people you have who live and eat in your home, the more time this process is going to take. But, you have an advantage, more people to make messes means more people to clean them up. Make cleaning up the kitchen after dinner a family affair. Divide the steps between your family members, and you really can have the kitchen done in a short time.

2. Train your family members to clear and rinse their own plates after each meal. This simple act takes little time for each person, but saves so much time for the dish person later.

3. Run a sink of hot soapy water before food preparation begins. As mixing bowls, cutting boards, knives, etc, become dirty, quickly wash them out to prevent food from drying and sticking.

4. Create some "Family Clean up CD" and let each person contribute a favorite song. Kid's will be a lot more likely to help out if they feel they have some input into the job. Letting them choose the music can go a long way.

5. This quick cleanup is designed for daily maintenance. It can also be used for a fast fix when unexpected company is on the way. Doing this routine will not substitute for the inevitable need to clean more deeply on a regular basis.

What You Need:

* Trash container.
* Basket for stuff that doesn’t belong in the kitchen.
* Dish soap.
* Other cleaners you normally use.
* Dishrag or sponge.
* Scrubber for stuck on food.
* Broom, mop, or vacuum.

Sunday - Love

2010-03-11T06:06:00.001-05:00

Types of Love

In general society, there are 6 types of love. shaia will discuss these types but first perhaps we should look at the definition of love.

Main Entry: love

(1): strong affection for another arising out of kinship or personal ties (2) : attraction based on sexual desire : affection and tenderness felt by lovers (3) : affection based on admiration, benevolence, or common interests 2 : warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion 3 a : the object of attachment, devotion, or admiration b (1) : a beloved person : darling —often used as a term of endearment (2) British —used as an informal term of address
4 a : unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1) : the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2) : brotherly concern for others b : a person's adoration of God
5 : a god or personification of love
6 : an amorous episode : love affair
7 : the sexual embrace : copulation
8 : a score of zero (as in tennis)
9 capitalized Christian Science : God

— at love : holding one's opponent scoreless in tennis

— in love : inspired by affection

Now that we have the definition, lets look at the types of love that exist.

Eros – romantic, passionate, love. In this type of relationship, love is life’s most important thing.

Ludus – is a game-playing or uncommitted love. Lying is a part of the game. A person who pursues ludic love may have many conquests but remains uncommitted.

Pragma – is a pragmatic, practical, mutually beneficial relationship. It may be somewhat unromantic. A person who leans towards this type of relationship may look for a partner at work or where the person is spending time. Sex is likely to be seen as a technical matter needed for producing children, if they desire.

Mania – is an obsessive or possessive love, jealous and extreme. A person in love this way is likely to do something crazy or silly, such as stalking. The movie Fatal Attraction was about this type.

Agape – is a gentle, caring, giving type of love, brotherly love, not concerned with the self. It is relatively rare. Mother Theresa showed this kind of love for impoverished people.

During a study in 1985, men were found to show the ludic type of love, while women were more likely to be storgic or pragmatic. Studies of couples happily married over 30 years showed that couples who rated their marriages as highly satisfactory described their relationship in terms which resembled erotic love more than the other five types. This might be surprising; because it also found that limerence type relationships tend to flare out quickly among college students. However, it might be the case that long-term relationships that contain both friendship and a passionate spark are more likely to endure and provide satisfaction to both parties than relationships that are low-key and pragmatic.

Thursday - Health

2010-03-11T05:11:00.001-05:00

The Perfect 20-Minute Workout Plan

During the workout make sure you drink plenty of water.

The Workout

0:00-2:00 March in place.

2:00-4:00 Squat: Hold a dumbbell in each hand, arms by sides, and squat. Do 20 reps. Rest for 30 seconds.

4:00-6:00 Full or modified push-up: Do 25 reps.

6:00-8:00 Alternating lunge: Hold dumbbells by sides, and lunge, alternating legs each time.

8:00-9:00 Jog in place.

9:oo-10:00 Dead-lift: Hold dumbbells with palms facing thighs, knees slightly bent and back straight. Bend forward from hips. Stand up, pushing through hips. Do 20 reps.

10:00-11:00 Dumbbell Press: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, back straight, dumbbells at shoulders, palms forward. Push arms over head; lower. Do 15 reps.

11:00-13:00 Jumping Jacks.

13:00-14:00 Bent-over row: Hold dumbbells, palms facing in. Bend knees slightly and hinge forward from hips, back straight. Pull elbows up to ribs, keeping arms close to sides; lower. Do 20 reps.

14:00-15:00 Basic Crunch: Do 25 reps.

15:00-17:00 Biceps Curl: Rest for 30 seconds, then do 20 curls.

17:00-19:00 One-arm triceps extension: Extend right arm above head, holding dumbbell. Slowly lower weight behind head, supporting right elbow with left hand. Do 25 reps on each side.

19:00-20:00 Full or modified push-up: Do 15 reps.

Friday - Peace

2010-03-10T06:56:00.002-05:00

Finding Inner Peace

First Wwe need a definition of Inner Peace--

Inner peace (or peace of mind) refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep oneself strong in the face of discord or stress.

Now that Wwe have the definition perhaps Wwe need to know WHY inner peace is needed in life.

Here are 20 Reasons Why you Need Inner Peace

1. It improves your ability to concentrate.
2. It improves your ability to handle efficiently the daily affairs of life.
3. It increases your inner strength and power.
4. Its possession eliminates impatience, anger, nervousness and restlessness.
5. It helps manifesting patience, tolerance and tact.
6. It makes you feel centered, grounded and stable.
7. Being mentally and emotionally calm contributes to enjoying better sleep.
8. You gain the ability to be emotionally and mentally unaffected by what people think or say about you.
9. You gain the ability to eliminate stress, anxieties and worries.
10. You enjoy happiness and bliss.
11. You gain self mastery and self discipline.
12. It helps you relax your body and nerves.
13. The healing energies of the body work unhindered.
14. Being peaceful enables you not to be swayed by events, hardships and difficulties, and to maintain inner poise, clear judgment and common sense in such situations.
15. Inner peace eliminates negative, futile and restless thinking.
16. It improves your relationships with other people.
17. It makes life look brighter.
18. It increases creativity.
19. A peaceful mind improves the ability to meditate.
20. Possessing this ability opens the gateway to enlightenment and spiritual awakening.

Ok, so now that we have that covered, we need to start getting down and dirty and involved in obtaining Inner Peace. While shaia realizes that there are many ways to go about this and that maybe her readers have inner peace, it might be good to take a refresher course just in time for spring!

Inner peace is the most valuable thing that we can cultivate. Nobody can give us inner peace; at the same time it is only our own thoughts that can rob us of our inner peace. To experience inner peace we don't have to retreat to Himalayan cave; we can experience inner peace right now, exactly where we are. The most important criteria are to value the importance of inner peace. If we really value inner peace, we will work hard to make it a reality.

Finding Inner Peace in 10 Ways

Accept what is
There is only so much we can affect. What we cannot change, what we cannot influence no matter what, should not be a concern to us. This is what shaia notices with so many people, in that we focus and linger on things which we have no control over. Why worry about something that all the worrying in the world will not change? Why care about what other people think of us when we're not even sure what it is they are actually thinking? Once you open the blinds to this fact, and start accepting what is that you cannot change, you automatically relieve yourself of a mountain of stress and anxiety. It's like a huge weight has been lifted from your shoulders. Taking this path is following a road towards peace.

Meditate
If you do not meditate yet, you are missing out on a very important activity that can change your life. Meditating for 20 minutes daily can have an enormous impact in all areas of your life. Take a look at this page shaia wrote 100 Benefits of Meditation. If that doesn't convince you to start meditating, shaia doesn't know what will! If you have a lot on your mind and you feel like your thoughts are driving you crazy, meditation can help you find peace. Simply close everything, sit back, close your eyes, and clear your mind of every single thought. Focus on the emptiness. You will be surprised what a mere 20 minutes of meditation can do to turn things around for you. If you have trouble meditating, shaia would suggest getting a professional guided meditation CD, which will help you get used to this level of peacefulness.

Spend time in nature
We spend so much time confined in buildings of steel and concrete and bricks that we quickly forget where we come from. It is natural for us to be in nature, and this is why it feels so good and it is so peaceful when you take a walk in a park or bike on a trail in the forest. As she is typing this blog, she is looking out the window to this gigantic tree in back of the apartment. Watching its stillness, with the wind blowing through its branches calmly, it is a sight that not only inspires me, but that she finds peace within it. shaia hasn't blogged before about how she enjoys hiking and one of the reasons is that it brings me closer to nature. It is something you just can't experience in a car. If you feel overwhelmed, take a stroll outside where there are tons of trees and far from the city. Be there and just enjoy the sights, the sounds, and the peace.

Learn the power of a smile
Whenever you are laughing or smiling, something interesting happens. Not only does something happen on a chemical level to make you feel better, but it also stops all stress and negativity from entering your psyche. A simple smile can make such a difference. For example, the other day shaia mishandled a dish and it fell on the floor, breaking into pieces, creating a big mess. Now, shaia could have been angry with herself for being clumsy and thinking "here's another reason shaia's life sucks!" But she did the opposite. shaia began to smile and kind of make fun of herself for not being able to hold on to that plate properly. As she cleaned up the mess, there was no bitterness or anger. As a matter of fact, she did it with a smile on her face…she does it with peace. So whenever you find yourself in a similar predicament, just think of the silver lining, and don't be shy to poke fun at yourself. You will quickly realize that peace finds its way much more easily to you when you smile.

Think outwardly
What shaia means by this is that most of the time, we are so consumed within our own problems that we can no longer see the forest from the trees. Therefore, it helps to remind ourselves how big the world is. Take a moment and read up about some other countries, cultures, and the likes. Be aware that the world does not revolve around your problems. shaia finds that when she hears about a tsunami or an earthquake killing hundreds of thousands of people on the other side of the world, her problems aren't really "problems". Looking beyond ourselves is very important in finding peace and it leads shaia to her next point.

Care about others
You will never find peace by being self-consumed and only worrying about your own needs and wants. When you begin to genuinely care about other people, so much goodness comes right out. This only helps into solidifying your inner peace. It can be people close to you or pure strangers, but any act of kindness and goodwill eases your way towards peace. When shaia helps other people, she stops focusing on her so-called problems and realize that her life isn't so bad after all. This rids my entire being of all the stress and feelings of overwhelm. There is great peace and wisdom in thinking and caring about other people, which we are blind to when we are too deep within our own selfish ways.

Never lose hope
Hope is something you can never afford to lose. With hope you always have a path towards peace. Whenever we get too stressed out and overwhelmed within our own life, we forget that hope. We forget that the sun always shines after a rainy day, and that this is merely a bump in the road. shaia finds immense peace in just knowing, deep within her heart, that everything will be ok. With hope, shaia knows that whatever is seemingly terrible is only temporary and that soon enough, things will be just fine. This lifts off all of that negativity from her entire being, and she feels better pretty much instantly.

Embrace your beliefs
shaia is not one to pick or favor one belief system over another, so whatever it is that you believe in, embrace it with your entire being. Be within your faith 100% and peace will find its way into your heart. Now, we may all disagree on each other's beliefs but one thing we must all agree on is that having a solid, healthy faith is crucial in founding a proper conscience that helps into guiding us towards peace and wisdom. There is a reason why research has shown that people that are deeply devoted to their faith have a higher life expectancy and are less likely to have diseases such as cancer. This is because they experience more inner peace, which is important if you want to increase the quality of your life.

Keep learning
One thing that provides us with much stress in life is the fact that we always worry about not having all the answers. Just accepting that you do not know everything and that you are open to always keep learning is a tremendous step to take towards achieving inner peace. shaia finds great joy in learning all kinds of different things, and just being aware that shaia is growing as a person each and every day provides me with great feelings of peace. Accept that life is one big journey of never-ending learning and you will find yourself closer to experiencing true peace within yourself.

Live in the present moment
Most of the time, what we worry about is relating to something either in the past, or something that hasn't happened. Living in the present moment erases all such thoughts. Why worry about something in the past that we cannot ever change? (see point #1, accept what is). Why worry about something that we are not even sure will happen or not? This is why in the present moment, you find true inner peace. In the present moment, there are no problems and no concerns. There is only stillness, and it is within that stillness that you can uncover peace. shaia used to be such a person that worried all the time, to the point where she had trouble sleeping. Once shaia learned to live in the present moment, she stopped thinking about the past and any potential future, and just worried about being ever-present in each and every moment. shaia's life is definitely more peaceful since then!

Saturday – Submission/Slavery

2010-03-09T11:07:00.006-05:00

Being a slave and a mommy

"You must submit to supreme suffering in order to discover the completion of joy" ~John Calvin

"Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs…since the payment is pure love." ~Mildred B. Vermont

Some of Yyou may wonder how mixing M/s with motherhood works for any couple in the lifestyle. shaia's answer is this, If as a Ccouple you become pregnant remember that the relationship you have with Eeachother is NOT over. In many ways, it is just beginning. Think of it this way, caring for the child is another way to submit to your Master. What shaia means is this, it is your Masters child you are caring for, and in this you are saying, what You and i, have created is something very special and a gift we have given Eeachother. In this it is my job to ensure that Your child is well cared for and loved as the childs mother and as Your slave.

Many may now be asking, how do Yyou create a balance, what does the child see, what do Yyou tell them? Well, Master and shaia have not been through much of this yet. However, Master and shaia agree that while they will not see sexual acts, the children will know and learn about Oour take on the lifestyle, meaning, they will see that shaia is submissive, that Master runs the household, in this they will learn to appreciate several different choices of adult romantic relationships, be it vanilla or lifestyle or any other that exist.

As far as what Daddy's Angel sees as of right now, she does see shaia before and after showering naked, because sometimes she needs to be consoled or have a diaper changed. Other than that, she sees both of dressed. She sees how her Daddy and mommy interact, and that there is much love between the two of Uus and with Uus for her. As time goes on, shaia is sure she may naturally emulate one of Uus, and that is just fine. Whatever course she chooses is fine with both of Uus.

As far as rules, there is a lot of leniency with things like chores, because sometimes Daddy's angel needs something or decides she wants mommy or Daddy. This too is also fine. Part of the design of motherhood and slavery is for the slave to bend where needed when it is needed of her. As long as the chores get done each day, there is no conflict between Master and shaia. However if it Daddy's angel's day was rough due to shots, teething, or being sick, the chores are to be done as soon as possible even if that is the next day.

Now that shaia is pregnant again, some things take longer, Master understands this as things are capable of tiring shaia out much faster these days, especially since Daddy's Angel is becoming more active every day.

Hope Yyou enjoyed a peek into what shaia's life is like currently, and perhaps understand that while pleasing Master is a priority, caring for a child is also a priority but within the M/s realm, many see caring for the child as another way to show service and submission to their respective Master.

Wednesday – Beauty Day

2010-03-07T12:35:00.004-05:00

Internal Beauty- Essence of The Soul

"Beauties in vain their pretty eyes may roll, Charm strikes the sight but- merit wins the soul."

Gold is a precious metal that glitters beautifully. But all that glitters is not gold. Thus, outwardly a man may look innocent but he may be cruel at heart. Face is no more the index of the mind. Appearances are generally deceptive. Beauty is the essence of life but inner beauty is the essence of the soul. Who knows that a person with a beautiful face may have an ugly heart? Sometimes it so happens that a gentle hearted person appears to be rogue but in fact he is not. The face does not speak often anything about the mind.

The person who is beautiful from within is blessed with an aura and fullness that external beautification will never find. Your thoughts, your values make up your inner beauty as if they are pure they give life a better meaning. External beauty fades with time, but internal beauty is with you forever. Real beauty is not the physical beauty all the time. It lies in human character and human heart. Handsome is he who handsome does. Beauty is short lived. It fades away too soon. But the beauty of the heart is eternal joy giving and ever growing gentility of heart and nobility of character are the hallmarks of one's personality.

Mahatma Gandhi was thin, lean and not very a very handsome person. But he showed to the whole world that his noble deeds were things of beauty. Lal Bahadur Shastri was a short stature man but he proved to be a strong man and could give a tough resistance to a formidable enemy.

The real test of man lies in his deeds and not his words, in his character and not in his appearance. Now all the expressions like dress, gait may be considered deceptive. We should be guided by the factual things and not by the outward looks.

"Inner beauty gives you a richness which outer beauty alone can't accomplish."

Tuesday – Cooking/Baking Day!

2010-03-07T11:39:00.008-05:00

Being the first Tuesday that shaia has actually put much work into this entry, shaia wanted to let followers know that if there is ever a recipe you would like to see or need please let shaia know and shaia will do her very best to make sure it is included in this section of entries. When shaia was growing up, her mother made sure that every week there was some sort of baked treat being made by her and shaia. When shaia brought Daddy's Angel home from the hospital, shaia realized it was a special moment for her and her mom, so shaia decided 2 weeks later that she would have this very same memory instilled in Daddy's Angel's childhood. This week seeing as a special holiday is coming up, shaia included an impressive recipe that reminds shaia of orange cream ice cream pops. shaia hopes that it is in the blog early enough that readers have the chance to bake it a few times before Easter, and that people are able to test and add ingredients to their own tastes. This weeks' cookie is Orange Cream. Hopefully, everyone will enjoy it as much as Oour household does.

Orange Cream Cookies

Prep Time: 40 min
Total Time: 1 hour 0 min
Makes: 3 dozen cookies

1	pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) Betty Crocker® sugar cookie mix
3	tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
1	teaspoon orange extract
1	teaspoon vanilla
1	egg
5	drops yellow food color
2	drops red food color
1 1/2	cups white vanilla baking chips
1.	Heat oven to 350°F. In large bowl, stir all ingredients except baking chips until soft dough forms. Stir in baking chips.
2.	On ungreased cookie sheets, drop dough with 1 1/2 tablespoon-size cookie scoop or by rounded tablespoonfuls about 2 inches apart.
3.	Bake 9 to 10 minutes or just until dough is set (do not overbake). Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling racks. Cool completely.

Non-Toxic Homemade Household Cleaners

2010-03-07T06:49:00.003-05:00

Most modern synthetic cleaning products are based on age-old formulas using natural ingredients that were passed down through the generations because the chemistry was right. Going back to the original naturally derived ingredients is a way to make cleaning products that work, don't pollute and save you money. Most are found in your kitchen cupboards. Mix and match with well-chosen and environmentally friendly green cleaning products found in health food stores, and you can easily and simply transform your home into a non-toxic and healthy haven.

Non-toxic cleaning can give you a deep feeling of gratification in knowing that your family's health is protected, and that your home is a place for your bodies to rest and recuperate rather than promote harm.

Making your own nontoxic cleaning kit will take you no time at all with these simple, straightforward directions, and with this kit you will be supplied with enough cleaning product for months of cleaning.

As an added bonus, ounce for ounce homemade cleaning formulas cost about one-tenth the price of their commercial counterpart—and that includes costly, but worthwhile essential oils, and concentrated, all-purpose detergents for homemade recipes.

SUPPLIES
Baking soda
Washing soda
White distilled vinegar
A good liquid soap or detergent
Tea tree oil
6 clean spray bottles
2 glass jars

Next, How to make CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER

CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER
Simply pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn't leave grit.

Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as you need at a time.

Next, How to make WINDOW CLEANER

WINDOW CLEANER
1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent
3 tablespoons vinegar
2 cups water
Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

Next, How to make OVEN CLEANER

OVEN CLEANER
1 cup or more baking soda
Water
A squirt or two of liquid detergent

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven. If this recipe doesn't work for you it is probably because you didn't use enough baking soda and/or water.

Next, How to make ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER

ALL-PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER
1/2 teaspoon washing soda
A dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

Next, How to make FURNITURE POLISH

FURNITURE POLISH
1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)
1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

Next, How to make VINEGAR DEODORIZER

VINEGAR DEODORIZER
Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5 percent vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for cleaning. I often spray the vinegar on our cutting board before going to bed at night, and don't even rinse but let it set overnight. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and wipe off.

Next, How to make MOLD KILLERS

Tea Tree Treasure
Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. I've used it successfully on a moldy ceiling from a leaking roof, on a musty bureau, a musty rug, and a moldy shower curtain. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil
2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.

Vinegar Spray
Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82 percent of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.

To recap and so that Yyou have a list and such—

How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit

Shopping List:

 Baking soda

 Washing soda

 White distilled vinegar

 Natural liquid soap or detergent

Non‐Toxic Formulas:

CREAMY SOFT SCRUBBER

Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid detergent to make a texture‐like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a

sponge, and wash the surface. This is the perfect recipe for cleaning the bathtub because it rinses easily and doesn't leave grit. Note: Add

1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar, to keep the product moist. Otherwise just make as much as

you need at a time.

WINDOW CLEANER

1/4‐1/2 teaspoon liquid detergent

3 tablespoons vinegar

2 cups water

Spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is

important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

OVEN CLEANER

1 cup or more baking soda

Water

A squirt or two of liquid detergent

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white.

Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the

grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash

the remaining residue from the oven.

ALL‐PURPOSE SPRAY CLEANER

1/2 teaspoon washing soda

A dab of liquid soap

2 cups hot tap water

Combine the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

FURNITURE POLISH

1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax)

1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

VINEGAR DEODORIZER

Keep a clean spray bottle filled with straight 5% vinegar in your kitchen near your cutting board and in your bathroom and use them for

cleaning. The smell of vinegar dissipates within a few hours. Straight vinegar is also great for cleaning the toilet rim. Just spray it on and

wipe off.

MOLD KILLERS

Tea Tree Treasure

Nothing natural works for mold and mildew as well as this spray. Tea tree oil is expensive, but a little goes a very long way. Note that the

smell of tea tree oil is very strong, but it will dissipate in a few days.

2 teaspoons tea tree oil

2 cups water

Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and spray on problem areas. Do not rinse. Makes two cups.

Vinegar Spray

few hours.Straight vinegar reportedly kills 82% of mold. Pour some white distilled vinegar straight into a spray bottle, spray on the moldy area, and let set without rinsing if you can put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.

101 Romantic Things to do With Your Loved One

2010-03-07T06:05:00.002-05:00

1. Watch the sunset together.
2. Take showers together.
3. Back rubs/massages.
4. Listen to classical music and cuddle in the dark or with blacklight.
5. French Kiss.
6. Hold your wife with hands inside the back of her shirt.
7. Whisper to each other.
8. Cook for each other.
9. Skinny dip (discreetly).
10. Make out in the rain.
11. Dress each other.
12. Undress each other.
13. Kiss every part of your wife's body.
14. Hold hands.
15. Sleep together. (Actually sleep with each other...not sex.)
16. One word...Foreplay.
17. Sit and talk.
18. Buy gifts for each other.
19. Roses.
20. Wear your lifemate's favorite cologne/perfume every time you're together.
21. Wear your husband's clothes.
22. Find a nice secluded place to lie and watch the stars.
23. Incense/candles/oils/blacklights and music make for great cuddling/sex.
24. Kiss at every chance you get.
25. Don't wear underwear and let them find out.
26. Kinky is bad...Blindfolds are good.
27. Lightly kiss their collarbone and their jawbone just below the ear, and then whisper "I love you".
28. Bubble baths.
29. Go for a long walk down the beach at midnight.
30. Make love.
31. Write poetry for each other.
32. Kiss and smell your wife's hair.
33. Hugs are the universal medicine.
34. Say "I love you", only when you mean it and make sure they know you mean it.
35. Give random gifts of flowers/candy/poetry, etc.
36. Tell your wife that she's the only girl you ever want. Don't lie.
37. Spend every second possible together.
38. Tell your wife that she doesn't have to do anything she doesn't want to. And mean it.
39. Look into each other's eyes.
40. Very lightly push up your wife's chin, look into her eyes, tell her you love her, and kiss her lightly.
41. Talk to each other using only body language and your eyes.
42. When in public, flirt with each other.
43. Walk behind your wife and put your hands in her front pockets.
44. Put love notes in your lifemate's pockets when they aren't looking.
45. Clothes are no fun.
46. Buy your wife a ring.
47. Keep something special of your wife's/your husband's somewhere where you see it everyday.
48. Sing to each other.
49. Read to each other.
50. PDA = Public Displays of Affection.
51. Take advantage of any time alone together.
52. Tell your wife about how you answered every question in math with her name. (Assuming you're continuing your education).
53. Draw. (If you can.)
54. Let your wife sit on your lap.
55. Go hiking and camp out together in the woods or on a mountain.
56. Lips were made for kissing. So were eyes, and fingers, and cheeks, and collarbones, and hands, and ears.
57. Kiss your wife's stomach.
58. Always hold your wife around her hips/sides.
59. Husbands like half-shirts.
60. Take your wife to dinner and do the dinner for two deal.
61. Spaghetti...(Ever see Lady and the Tramp?)
62. Hold your wife's hand, stare into her eyes, kiss her hand and then put it over your heart.
63. Unless you can feel their heart beating, you aren't close enough.
64. Dance together.
65. Sit in front of a roaring fire and make out/make love.
66. Tell your lifemate you love the way they look right after they've fallen asleep, with their head in your lap.
67. Carry your wife to bed.
68. Waterbeds are fun.
69. You figure it out.
70. Do cute things like write "I love you" in a note so that they have to look in the mirror to read it.
71. Break every one of your 'safe' relationship rules for your lifemate.
72. Make excuses to call your lifemate repeatedly in one day.
73. Even if you are really busy doing something, go out of your way to call and say "I love you".
74. Call from your business trip to tell your lifemate you were thing about them.
75. Remember your dreams and tell your lifemate about them.
76. Drive home from work just to see your lifemate, before turning around and going back to a business meeting in the evening.
77. Sit in your car in the driveway, honk, then blow your lifemate a kiss as you leave for work.
78. Tell each other your most sacred secrets/fears.
79. Share your deepest convictions.
80. Be Prince/Princess Charming to your lifemate's parents.
81. Act out mutual fantasies together. (Not necessarily sexual)
82. Brush your wife's hair out of her face for her.
83. Stay up all night to think of 101 ways to be sweet to your lifemate.
84. Hang out with your lifemate's friends, too.
85. Learn to listen.
86. Take your wife to see a romantic movie and remember the parts she liked.
87. Cuddle together under a full moon on a clear night.
88. Learn from each other and don't make the same mistakes twice.
89. Everyone deserves a second chance.
90. Describe the joy you feel just to be with your lifemate.
91. Make sacrifices for each other.
92. Really love each other.
93. Write a fictional story about how you met/fell in love, etc. and give it to your lifemate.
94. Let there never be a second during any given day that you aren't thinking about them, and make sure they know it.
95. Hot tubs are great.
96. Learn to say sweet things in foreign languages, including sign language.
97. Dedicate songs to them on the radio.
98. Fall asleep on the phone with each other.
99. Sleep naked together.
100. Stand up for your lifemate when someone says unkind things about them.
101. Never forget the kiss goodnight. And always remember to say, "Sweet dreams."
102. Groom your spouse. Ask to brush your wife's hair when she gets out of the shower. Shave your husband's face.
103. A Short Story - You know the guys that go around in restaurants and bars with the basket of roses selling them? My husband sought him out one evening before coming home from work, bought the entire basket of roses, and left them on my doorstep, then called me and told me to go to the front door! That was so romantic!
104. Be waiting at your mates car when they get off work, out of the beauty salon, get done grocery shopping...be creative!
105. Buy 11 real roses and one fake one…leave a note that says I'll love you until the last rose dies… -Mark Ansley
106. Kiss your mate on their forehead.
107. While your lifemate is out. Put a bag of Hershey hugs on the door knob. Put rose peddles mixed with Hershey kisses on the floor leading to the bathroom with lights off. Candles for your light lined up all the way to the bathroom also. Two dozen roses lined all over the bathtub. With a card in plain view. And on the card write " Now that I have hugged u before u walked in the door, kissed the ground that you walk on, and showered you with roses. Will you be mine 4-ever." - Joseph Wade Stepp
108. We know people in the military so for anyone that has a long distant relationship with their spouse. They can create a jewelry box, you can buy all you need at an inexpensive gift shop store, and decorate it with the things she likes to send you in her letter or emails, for example hearts and stars and stick them all over the box. Then inside the box you can write a thought for every day of what you remember as your great memories with her in your relationship, or things you like about her, reasons why you fell in love with her or even things you want to plan with her for the future. Then tell her when she receives this magic box that when ever she feels lonely like me when I am not with her or thinks of what I am thinking about throughout the day, she can open the box and be reminded that she is all I am thinking about.
109. Take a latex balloon (not inflated) and fill it with some confetti, a love note to your lifemate and a photo of yourself. Take the balloon to a balloon shop and have them fill it with helium while the items are still in the balloon. Attach a pin and a note that says; "Please pop" to the balloon string. Leave the balloon by your lifemate's bedside before he/she wakes up in the morning. My husband really enjoyed this romantic action.
110. Post a Lovenote to her, even if she is with you, using her office/house address or care off her friend's postal address.
111. Softly and lightly blow on the back of your spouse's neck.
112. You always get red roses from the one you love but take it a step further forget the roses and pick a different flower that reminds you of her. write on a card or tell her in person why they remind you of her e.g. I bought these Lilies because they are the most elegant flower and you are the most elegant woman I know. etc and make sure its a really big bunch not just 1 like you do with a rose.
113. Love her or his parents. - Aish
114. Paint your wife's toenails. - Saunja
115. Wake your wife up with a gentle kiss on the lips- Mpumi Mhlontlo
116. Nothing is more precious than a Kiss on the forehead - Matshediso wa ga Pogisho
117. Take her out to the playground on the swings and swing together as if you were both in your teen years still. - Chris Voronin
118. When your wife has a particularly long day on her feet, get home before her and prepare a nice bath. While she soaks in the warmth of the water, sit on the edge of the tub and wash and massage her feet. - Josh Tabor
119. Watch the movie "Shakespeare in Love" together! (No babies, cell phones allowed) *or a different Romantic Movie of your choosing*
120. Play basketball with your husband.
121. Set up a tea party for "married couples only".
122. Make a bag lunch for your wife to take to work with her, include an apple with a love note :)
123. Buy your wife a lipstick color that you like.
124. Work out together-tell each other you want them around for a life time!
125. Pray together.
126. Tell your spouse what life would be like without him.
127. Call your spouse at work and tell them to leave work-you can't tell them what's wrong until you see them. Have a secret hotel suite reserved with candles, chocolates, etc...and let them know you couldn't focus at work because he/she was on your mind:)
128. Invite your husband's friends over and throw a big cookout for him/his friends -serve them all night.
129. Play playstation or xbox with your husband all night for a change!
130. Tell your wife you appreciate her having your children.
131. Buy an invitation for your spouse and decide when, where, time that you want to have an enchanting evening.
132. Travel together at the last minute-leave everything and everyone behind.
133. If your spouse is in the "dog house"-create "mock money"(dollar bills or coupons) for them to buy theirself out of the "dog house".
134. Wash the dishes for your wife.
135. Go shopping with your wife.
136. Try on new clothes that your husband wants to see you in -in the fitting rooms at the store,or mall!
137. Spend time with your husband in the garage-working on his next big project :)
138. Tell a stranger how long you have been married.
139. Call your married friends over once a month and watch each other's wedding videos, or vacation trips together!
140. Play Nintendo Wii together.
141. Plan a surprise trip for just the two of you maybe invite another couple. ie..concerts, games, plays, attractions. - KG
142. Go in the spa, listen to country music and talk together! (No fighting)

Serving a Disabled Master

2010-03-06T03:24:00.002-05:00

What it is like serving a disabled Master

Written by shaia{R}

After having been serving Reaper for these 5 years, not much is left to the imagination about how bad He can and might get in the next few years. shaia has gone to all of the doctor appointments, surgical consultations, Workers Compensation trials, and chiropractic visits. See, 7 years ago before Reaper and shaia met, Reaper worked for a pallet shop for His uncle and cousin. One day while working, He was walking from one of the buildings; He opened the door, and stepped onto the stairs, as He did the stairs fell out from under Him and the heavy industrial fire door closed fast onto the top of His head. As a result, He went to the hospital and found out He has spinal stenosis, spinal migranes, herniated discs and a few other conditions. His spine in the last 2 years has narrowed to 4cm. They are now telling Him that surgery is NOT an option, and that He will end up in a wheelchair in the next few years. In addition, Reaper is not able to lift anything more than a gallon of milk, for those of you who do not know how much that is, it is 4 ½ lbs. Not much. So, He is unable to lift Oour child, even from birth. Also, He cannot bend over. With this condition, He is determined unable to work. However, Wwe are fighting both workers compensation for pay or a settlement, and Wwe are also fighting Social Security for Him to be approved for a paycheck. As a result, Wwe get state assistance for medical, food stamps, cash, and wic. (Please do not judge us because Wwe have to use all avenues and resources.)

Everyday is a struggle. shaia understands that there are those out there that are more disabled than Master is, and she is not discrediting any of you. Nor, is she saying that she doesn't feel that His condition is the worse there is. shaia knows it is not. However, for Oour family it is still disheartening, and a major concern. Reaper cannot stand for long, lay down for long, or sit for a long time. His legs go numb, and several times He has muscle spasms that cause Him to be unable to move for a long time. shaia makes sure He takes His medicine, helps Him get dressed, wash Him, puts on His shoes and ties them, does all household chores, and on top of caring for a disabled person, the house, and herself, also has to care for an infant on her own.

Most days, shaia feels like a single parent due to these facts. Some days, good days, the days that are a gift, Reaper does the best He can and plays with her regardless of how much pain He feels. Now that she is standing and working on walking, He is able to do a lot more. Those days, are precious. Daddy's angel knows exactly who her father is, and loves Him dearly, her face lights up when she hears him walk into the room, or when He rubs her head as she stands up in her playpen. When asked who and where daddy is, she looks directly at him and squeals in joy. By no means should anyone think that by being disabled it has hurt or put a strain on their relationship. It has not. There are just differences in what He can do in comparison to what other dads are able to do with their child.

Reaper appreciates all that shaia does, and recognizes her strength as a slave, caregiver, housekeeper and a mother. Oour relationship has its ups and downs. Wwe argue like normal couples, He forgives shaia for these moments because He understands that it is extremely stressful for them Bboth. Sexually, there is little that goes on. His back is unable to take the movement and stress it puts on Him for long no matter what position we are in. He also has a loss in sex drive as years go on. As much as this annoys Uus Bboth, Wwe have come to accept it for what it is. shaia used to be a very sexual creature, however, Reaper does a lot of play with shaia and she loves it and cherishes it. shaia enjoys lots of sensual spanking, cutting, hair pulling, flogging, and slapping. For shaia, this is better than any sex since for her, the mental aspect is more important than the sexual experience.

shaia loves her life serving a disabled Master, and has grown as a woman, a caregiver, and a mother. shaia feels that after caring for sick parents as a child and teenager, serving Reaper was the most natural progression for her, physically, emotionally, and mentally. Nothing is more rewarding then the good days where Reaper grits through the pain for both Daddy's angel and shaia, and does everything He can with and for them that He is able. Some days that means He is capable of a lot, and other days, He is capable of just listening to shaia talk, as He rubs her head as it lays in His lap, and holds Daddy's angel until shaia has to take back over because the pain gets to be too much.

shaia is not looking for a pity party, nor for some to understand. Just as shaia CHOSE to be a slave, she also has chosen to serve Reaper. she does not regret that decision at all. So, sure, support and understanding would be nice, as would people to talk to about anything just so she can get things off her chest. Sometimes the male factor just does not understand some things. *smiles*

shaia's heart goes out to all those who are disabled, to those that care for them, and for their families. shaia may not understand or know your individual situation, however she understands your daily stress and worries. shaia prays that all of Uus can stick together and become a support system for those in the lifestyle.

Making up after an arguement

2010-03-04T07:26:00.006-05:00

In the process of planning and writing this entry several thoughts and ideas went through shaia's head. Part of the reason that this entry was written is because about a month ago, Master and shaia had a HUGE disagreement and finally shaia has accepted that sometimes she needs to just learn to let the issue go and move on. This is how she goes about defusing the argument and making up after it. shaia hopes that many of you find this entry helpful, shaia and Master have found it has made a huge improvement to Oour relationship. Master is also not of the belief that He is ALWAYS right, but shaia admits that really, He does seem to be right most of the time, even if she doesn't want to admit it.

-What to do during and after an argument -

Written by: shaia{R}

Relationships are important in order for strong mental health. There have even been studies that show the positive health impacts regarding having a good relationship with others, not matter what the relationship may be. One of the strongest types of relationships is boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife, and lovers. In these types of relationships, the other person matters greatly to you.

In any relationship, there are bound to be arguments and disagreements. There have been arguments and disagreements among people dating back decades into history. Back then there was not as much to argue about as there is today, but there still happened to be couples that would break up, just not as often. They would kiss and make up more times than not. However, in present day people seem to get divorced without even trying to reconcile their differences.

There are things you can remember when you have an argument and you want to make up:

1. Time out – Take a time out from the argument for 30 minutes and go off into your own corners and cool down. Everyone knows that emotions are extremely high in an argument. Just remember, when a child is highly emotional the best thing is to put them somewhere to cool off, well the same thing goes for partners. So when emotions are high, one of the two needs to call this time out to keep things from getting out of control.

2. Do you laugh about the small things? – An example is when your wife throws something out of the refrigerator that you planned on eating, you need to ask yourself if wish to keep neutral ground and not cause an argument. You need to be sure you stop and think about what you are going to say before getting upset. This will allow you and your partner a chance to have a happy and drama free home.

3. When is it right to kiss and make up? – This is something that has been discussed for years. There are some who believe that couples must make up before going to bed. There are others who would rather sleep on it before continuing. Both arguments are reasonable. Those who believe the first thought are people who want to wake up fresh and start over again. They will talk as long as it takes to get things straightened out and then fall asleep together.

The other couples that wish to sleep on the feelings over night are of the belief that sitting and talking all hours of the night will not accomplish anything. They know their head will be clearer in the morning. In all actuality, the argument may actually be diminished.

Whichever side you are on really depends on who you are and your personality. You may end up in a relationship where you feel one way and your partner feels another. If this occurs, you will need to work out a compromise.

Journal Prompt - is shaia micromanaged?

2010-03-04T03:39:00.003-05:00

Are you micromanaged? Do you find you flourish best in a micromanaged environment? Why or why not? - courtesy of http://www.submissiveguide.com/journalprompts.

shaia is micromanaged in a certain kind of way. Being both a slave and a mommy, Master has made exceptions to time expectations, seeing as a baby's schedule doesn't always stay the same. But shaia is most definitely micromanaged outside of those constraints. Seeing as shaia has add, being micromanaged has really helped shaia function and set goals for herself and the family. Before, Master had tried not micromanaging everything, but He found that it was easier for Uus and Oour household for shaia to be micromanaged. It makes everything run much smoother.

shaia's daily routine

MORNING ROUTINE - 6:00 a.m.

1. GET UP & MAKE THE BED

2. GET DRESSED

3. BRUSH TEETH

4. CLEAN SINK

5. BRUSH COMODE

6. PUT ON MAKE UP

7. FIX HAIR

8. EMPTY DISHWASHER

9. BLOG

10. EAT BREAKFAST/VITAMINS

AFTERNOON ROUTINE - 12:00 p.m.

1. DAILY FOCUS

2. WORK, CALLS, E-MAIL & MAIL

3. LUNCH/AFTERNOON GIFT

EVENING ROUTINE - 5:00 p.m.

1. MAKE DINNER

2. CLEAN UP KITCHEN

3. TAKE A WALK WITH FAMILY

4. EVENING STUDY OR MEETING

5. SHOWER

BEFORE BED ROUTINE - 10:00 P.M.

1. START BLOG FOR TOMORROW

2. CHECK CALENDAR

3. PUT GLASSES IN DISHWASHER/ START DISHWASHER

4. LAY OUT CLEAN DISH CLOTHS

5. PUT THINGS IN THEIR PLACE

6. PUT SHOES IN THE CLOSET

7. PUT CLOTHES AWAY/LAY OUT CLOTHES

8. WIPE OFF DAILY SHEETS

9. BRUSH TEETH

10. CLEAN FACE

11. READ FOR A WHILE

12. SNUGGLE WITH MASTER

Staying Healthy While Pregnant

2010-03-04T03:29:00.005-05:00

While many women have been pregnant over the centuries, shaia just wants to make sure readers know proper ways to maintain both their own health and the health of the developing baby growing inside of them. They need to obtain prenatal care, have healthy nutrition, avoid certain foods and behaviors, and most of all keep active unless prescribed not to by the doctor. (shaia in no means claims to be an expert on this subject nor a health professional before following anything in this blog talk to your doctor to find out what is best for you and your baby.) shaia hopes that reading this may help you in your 40 week long journey, as it has helped hers, and is going to help her current journey of pregnancy with Oour next child.

Prenatal care is the first step to a healthy pregnancy. As soon as you find out you are pregnant, seek prenatal care. There are many kinds of prenatal care. Obstetricians/gynecologists (OB/GYN) – are doctors who specialize in pregnancy and delivery, as well as woman issues. Certified Midwives – are advanced practice nurses specializing in women's health care needs, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, and postpartum care for uncomplicated pregnancies; there are also other kinds of midwives, but you should look for one with formal training who's been certified in the field. And there are also Family Practitioners - doctors who provide a range of services for patients of all ages — in some cases, this includes obstetrical care.

Any of these kinds of caregivers are a wonderful choice; however, you might want to look into all of them to see which would work best for you. During your care for your pregnancy many things happen. At your first appointment, they will verify pregnancy, determine how far along in the pregnancy, and due date. After that appointment your health care provider will check your weight and blood pressure while also checking the growth and development of your baby (by doing things like feeling your abdomen, listening for the fetal heartbeat starting during the second trimester, and measuring your belly). During the span of your pregnancy, you'll also have prenatal tests, including blood, urine, and cervical tests, and probably at least one ultrasound.

Your doctor may discuss with you the need and importance of healthy nutrition. However, make sure you are eating healthy, meaning: a well-balanced diet that incorporates the dietary guidelines, make sure you are also getting calcium during your pregnancy. Your diet also should be including:

lean meats
fruits
vegetables
whole-grain breads
low-fat dairy product

Take your prenatal vitamins daily; and that they have calcium, iron, and folic acid. They are crucia to both you and your baby's health and development. They also help prepare your body for giving birth. Be sure to take your prenatal vitamins as directed, not just by your physician, but by the instructions on the bottle. Iron, for example, is best absorbed when taken between meals, and its absorption is hindered by caffeine so avoid taking within one hour of drinking tea or coffee. The directions on the bottle will give suggestions about the best time of day to take them.

You should drink at least six to eight 8-ounce glasses per day (48 to 64 fluid ounces) plus one 8-ounce cup for each hour of light activity. Juices can contribute to your fluid intake, but keep in mind that they can also provide a lot of extra calories. A woman's blood volume increases dramatically during pregnancy, and drinking enough water each day can help prevent common problems such as dehydration and constipation. Water is an important part of pregnancy. The fluid acts as the body's transportation system, and carries nutrients through the blood to the baby. Also, flushing out the system and diluting urine with water prevents urinary tract infections, which are common in pregnancy.

During your pregnancy you should also remain active; If you are very active or did intense aerobic activities before becoming pregnant, you may be able to keep up your workouts, as long as your doctor says it's safe. Before beginning — or continuing — any exercise regimens talk to your doctor first.

Exercising during pregnancy has been shown to be extremely beneficial. Regular exercise can help:

prevent excess weight gain
reduce pregnancy related problems, like back pain, swelling, and constipation
improve sleep
increase energy
improve outlook
prepare for labor
lessen recovery time

Low-impact, moderate-intensity exercise activities (such as walking and swimming) are great choices. You can also opt for yoga or Pilates classes, DVDs, or videos that are tailored for pregnancy. These are both low-impact and work on strength, flexibility, and relaxation. Whatever type of exercise you choose, make sure to take frequent breaks and remember to drink plenty of fluids. And use common sense — slow down or stop if you get short of breath or feel uncomfortable. If you have any questions about doing a certain sport or activity during your pregnancy, talk to your health care provider for specific guidelines.

During your pregnancy it is important to get plenty of sleep. Your body is working to develop and accommodate a new life, so you will most likely feel more tired than usual. As your baby gets bigger it may also be difficult to find a comfortable sleeping position. Laying on your side with your knees bent is likely to be the most comfortable position as your pregnancy progresses. It also makes your heart's job easier because it keeps the baby's weight from applying pressure to the large blood vessels that carry blood to and from your heart and your feet and legs. Lying on your side can also help prevent or reduce varicose veins, hemorrhoids, and swelling in your legs.

Some doctors specifically recommend that pregnant women sleep on the left side. Because one of those big blood vessels is on the right side of your abdomen, lying on your left side helps keep the uterus off of it. Lying on your left side optimizes blood flow to the placenta and, therefore, your baby.

Ask what your health care provider recommends. In most cases, lying on either side should do the trick and help take some pressure off your back. To create a more comfortable resting position either way, prop pillows between your legs, behind your back, and underneath your belly.

During pregnancy for your health and the health of your pregnancy there are a few things you should avoid.

Although it may seem harmless to have a glass of wine at dinner or a mug of beer out with friends, no one has determined what a "safe amount" of alcohol to consume during pregnancy is. One of the most common known causes of mental and physical birth defects, alcohol can cause severe abnormalities in a developing fetus.

Pregnant women who use drugs may be placing their unborn babies at risk for premature birth, poor growth, birth defects, and behavior and learning problems. And their babies could also be born addicted to those drugs themselves. If you're pregnant and using drugs, a health clinic such as Planned Parenthood can recommend health care providers, at little or no cost, who can help you quit your habit and have a healthier pregnancy. If you've used any drugs at any time during your pregnancy, it's important to inform your health care provider. Even if you've quit, your unborn child could still be at risk for health problems.

You wouldn't light a cigarette, put it in your baby's mouth, and encourage your little one to puff away. As ridiculous as this scenario seems, pregnant women who continue to smoke are allowing their fetus to smoke, too. The smoking mother passes nicotine and carbon monoxide to her growing baby. The risks of smoking to the fetus include:

stillbirth
prematurity
low birth weight
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
asthma and other respiratory problems

If you smoke, having a baby may be the motivation you need to quit. Talk to your health care provider about options for stopping your smoking habit.

High caffeine consumption has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage, so it's probably wise to limit or even avoid caffeine altogether if you can. If you're having a hard time cutting out coffee cold turkey, here's how you can start:

Cut your consumption down to one or two cups a day.
Gradually reduce the amount by combining decaffeinated coffee with regular coffee.
Eventually try to cut out the regular coffee altogether.

Remember that caffeine is not limited to coffee. Many teas, colas, and other soft drinks contain caffeine. Try switching to decaffeinated products (which may still have some caffeine, but in much smaller amounts) or caffeine-free alternatives. If you're wondering whether chocolate, which also contains caffeine, is a concern, the good news is that you can have it in moderation. Whereas the average chocolate bar has anywhere from 5 to 30 milligrams of caffeine, there's 95 to 135 milligrams in a cup of brewed coffee. So, small amounts of chocolate are fine.

Although you need to eat plenty of healthy foods during pregnancy, you also need to avoid food-borne illnesses, such as listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, which can be life-threatening to an unborn baby and may cause birth defects or miscarriage. Foods you'll want to steer clear of include:

soft, unpasteurized cheeses (often advertised as "fresh") such as feta, goat, Brie, Camembert, and blue cheese
unpasteurized milk, juices, and apple cider
raw eggs or foods containing raw eggs, including mousse, tiramisu, raw cookie dough, homemade ice cream, and Caesar dressing (although some store-bought brands of the dressing may not contain raw eggs)
raw or undercooked meats, fish (sushi), or shellfish
processed meats such as hot dogs and deli meats (unless they are reheated until steaming)

Also, although fish and shellfish can be an extremely healthy part of your pregnancy diet (they contain beneficial omega-3 fatty acids and are high in protein and low in saturated fat), you should avoid eating:

shark
swordfish
king mackerel
tilefish
tuna steak

These types of fish may contain high levels of mercury, which can cause damage to the developing brain of a fetus. When you choose seafood, limit the total amount to about 12 ounces per week — that's about two meals. Also, if you eat canned tuna, limit consumption to no more than 6 ounces per week. Also, check any local advisories before consuming recreationally caught fish.

Pregnancy is the prime time to get out of cleaning kitty's litter box. Why? Because toxoplasmosis can be spread through soiled cat litter boxes and can cause serious problems, including prematurity, poor growth, and severe eye and brain damage. A pregnant woman who becomes infected often has no symptoms but can still pass the infection on to her developing baby.

Even common over-the-counter medications that are generally safe may be considered off-limits during pregnancy because of their potential effects on the baby. And certain prescription medications may also cause harm to the developing fetus.

To make sure you don't take anything that could be harmful to your baby:

Ask your health care provider which medicines — both over-the-counter and prescription — are safe to take during pregnancy.
Talk to your health care provider about any prescription drugs you're taking.
Let all of your health care providers know that you're pregnant so that they'll keep that in mind when recommending or prescribing any medications.
Also remember to discuss natural remedies, supplements, and vitamins.

If you were prescribed a medication before you became pregnant for an illness, disease, or condition you still have, consult with your health care provider, who can help you weigh potential benefits and risks of continuing your prescription. If you become sick (e.g., with a cold) or have symptoms that are causing you discomfort or pain (like a headache or backache), talk to your health care provider about medications you can take and alternative ways to help you feel better without medication.

During pregnancy, from the first week to the fortieth, it's important to take care of yourself in order to take care of your baby. Even though you have to take some precautions and be ever-aware of how what you what you do — and don't do — may affect your baby, many women say they've never felt healthier than when they carried their children. Hopefully, what shaia has written can be information you or someone you know who is pregnant finds helpful. Again, shaia wants to stress that in no way should this be considered medical advice for you and your baby. Seek a medical practitioner before following any of these things. Shaia does not claim to be neither a health care professional nor someone who claims to know anything about medical or nutritional health while pregnant. What shaia does know is only what doctors have told her, what she has experienced, and learned during her own pregnancies. shaia wishes you and your baby health, happiness, and joy for the future.

shaia{R}

What is Beauty?

2010-03-03T05:25:00.002-05:00

Beauty is defined as the quality or aggregate of qualities in a person or thing that gives pleasure to the senses or pleasurably exalts the mind or spirit.

Everyone perceives beauty as something different. Some may find objects such as roses and dewdrops on spider webs as beautiful, others see who a person is by their actions as beautiful, and still others yet define beauty by the outer looks of a person as beauty.

None of these people are individually wrong about what beauty is. However, how YOU see beauty may affect several things in your daily life. Do you concern yourself with your body image? Do you think your perception of your looks is accurate? Or do you choose to find beauty in the things in your daily life?

Personally, shaia has issues with her self-image; however, watching her daughter grow into a little baby with a personality has shown her that there is more to life and to beauty then looks.

Over the course of this journey, shaia will outline and discuss several types of beauty. Some may be physical, some may be inside you, and some may be one of many things people find beauty in.

While our opinions may not meet eye to eye, be assured that you may see life differently after awhile and you may even finding yourself stopping to smell the roses! Please feel free to leave any and all comments on this or any other blog. shaia will be sure to read every comment. Also if you have any ideas or something you would like to read about in one of the blogs feel free to share!

Homemaking Journal

2010-03-03T05:05:00.007-05:00

During the last 5 years serving Master, shaia has learned a lot about the running of a household. While running the household there has been implementation of several items that have been of great help. All of these items have been placed into a Homemaking Journal. It has created a lot of order in a world where there could potentially be a lot of chaos. shaia has taken great care in creating this manual, below is a layout of what is included. If you look in my pages you can find free printables and checklists to help you with this process.

Suggested Contents of Homemaking Journal

Schedules and Routines

Daily schedules, for both adults and children
Checklists for various tasks, such as mourning and bedtime routines for children
Weekly Schedules
To do list

Cleaning and chores

Cleaning checklists
Daily house cleaning schedule
Weekly cleaning schedule
Weekly checklist for house cleaning
Chore Chart
Kitchen cleaning checklist
Bathroom cleaning checklist
Spring cleaning checklist
Weekly laundry schedule
Stain removal guide

Car and Home Maintenance
Car maintenance schedule
Vehicle inspection checklist
Vehicle maintenance log
Home maintenance checklist
Home storage inventory
Household inventory

Food, Drink and Other Errands
Grocery list
Grocery price list
Coupon organizer
Meal planning
Recipe organizer
List of recipes to try
Pantry inventory
Freezer inventory
Shopping list for non-food items
Errands

Friends and Family
Contract information and addressbook
Personal information page for each family member
Clothing sizes for each family member
List of books to read, DVDs to watch

School and Extracurricular Activities
Children's school papers
School schedules and calendars
Lunch Menus
Carpool Schedules
School information page
School reading lists
Summer programs information
Sports schedules
Scouting and PTA

Health and Safety
Emergency contact information
Medical information for family members
Emergency preparedness checklist
Home safety checklist
Fire safety checklist
First aid checklist
Prescription drug records
Health insurance information
Pet health records
Home security checklist

Finances
Household budget
Bills to pay
Checkbook register
Passwords to online accounts
Lists of credit cards, banks and accounts

Legal Information and Documents
Insurance information
Tax paperwork
Contents of safety deposit box
Warranty information
Vehicle records
Family records, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, wills, ect.
Property ownership documents, such as deeds, leases, stock certificates, bonds, mortgages, ect.
Contracts

Holiday and Other Celebration Planning
Christmas gifts, budget, meals, and traditions
Thanksgiving meals and traditions
Planning for other parties and celebrations
Holiday gift list
Seasonal greeting card list
List of birthdays and anniversaries
Gift suggestion list

Introduction to shaia{R}

2010-03-02T06:32:00.002-05:00

shaia thought as a simple introduction both to herself and this blog, that she would answer a few basic questions that would give people a simple look into who she is as an owned slave.

1. Your role? shaia is an owned slave.

2. Current relationship? Owned slave to R34p3r, also His fiancé, and mother to His children.

3. Your favourite type of play? Mind and Domestic Service to shaia is the best kind of play there is.

4. Your most hated type of play? Now since having the baby, it is pain play, pain tolerance levels changed?!

5. The most annoying habit of your owner/slave/whatever you call your SO? Playing His video games.

6. Your deepest fear? shaia's deepest fear is that she will somehow not maintain the ability to be pleasing to Master.

7. Your most memorable public experience (or what you would like to do in public)? Going to the store to get the engagement ring that says "slave" on it is the most memorable public experience shaia has had.

8. What gets you in the mood? Everything, shaia has found that she is constantly "in the mood."

9. Favourite method of masturbation? Being told to masturbate for Master's Pleasure.

10. Scariest thing you've seen or heard of in BDSM land? Back in 2000 when shaia first entered the lifestyle as a slave, there was a man who was finding female slaves and He killed them. That is the scariest thing, mostly because a true Master/slave relationship involves so much trust. shaia still watches rooms for "trolls" and behavior that could be detrimental to new slaves and subs in the lifestyle.

11. Number of hours you spend on Fetlife when you should be doing other things? shaia will most definitely be getting in trouble for this answer, but she spends about 3 hours on that site when she should be cleaning or spending time reflecting or journaling, however, there are ways to qualify being on there as research. *smiles huge*

12.Thing that was hotter in fantasy than it was in reality? The moment when shaia was collared by Master, those books often lead to misconceptions. *sighs*

13. Most longed-for experience? To have even one experience like in the books, that slaves experience *giggles* they are soo very hot.

14. Ouchiest toy? sjambok

15. Book or movie that every newbie has to read/see? Ok, movie: The Secretary or The Pet. Book: "Screw the Roses, Send me the thorns"

16. Thing you'd like to change about yourself? girl's organizational skills and to not be a procrastinator.

17.Thing you're most proud of? Being a mother!!!

18.Funniest dom name you've ever heard? LordSirMasterFakeDom

19. Do your family and friends know? No, shaia would love the ability to tell family and friends.

20. Is twenty questions too many? Not at all, infact, probably too few!

~~ shaia {R} ~~