Driving in the Rain, I’m Just Driving in the Rain

We have been getting quite a bit of rain the last few days, with more one the way. I always remember I need to get new windshield wipers or I need to clean my windshield when the rain arrives.

In light of the rain that’s been drenching Abilene here are a few ways to keep your vehicle rain ready:

Check your wiper blades regularly. Heat and sun, something we get lots of in Texas in the summers, can cause them at age faster. Look for cracking, stiff or brittle rubber, and lack of flexibility. Change the blades if you notice these signs of age and wear. The NHTB suggest you change your wiper blades every year.

Consider using Rain-X or a similar product to help improve visibility in the rain. It’s particularly useful during heavy downpours!

Keep the interior windshield clean to reduce fogging when it rains. There are actually anti-fog products which work pretty well.

I personally am a big fan of rain-x. My dad always use to apply it to my windshield for me when I was younger and I use it about twice a year these days. Do you have any tips for keeping you and your car ready for the rain?

Stay dry Curry Junction!

3 Ways to Reclaim Space

Do you have clothes piling up on your bedroom floor? DVD’s stacked in your living room? Spices taking over the cabinets in your kitchen? Piles may work for a while, but getting organized will work wonders when it comes to making the most of the space in your apartment.

1. A hamper helps get your dirty clothes organized and off the floor. Not only can the help you separate your clothes in advance, but they keep all your dirty clothes together. Laundry day is simpler if your clothes are pre-sorted. Plus, your bedroom and bathroom will look much cleaner and bigger if there aren’t dirty clothes strune about.
2. Organize your dvds (or cds) with a media tower. They have a small footprint, take up little space, and are much more effective then stacking.  Put one on either side of your tv for a balanced look. A book case is also a great way to organize dvds and will give you space to display trinkets and pictures.
3. Small bins are a great way to collect and store smaller items like spices. Use little bins to get the clutter in your cabinets contained. They’re also great for corralling pastas, small baking accessories and other kitchen knick-knacks.

Organization is one of the best ways to reclaim the space in your apartment. Do any Curry Junction residents have an apartment organization secret or tip?

Green Summer Fun for the Family

Summer is equally too short and too long. When you’re on vacation and enjoying yourself it just fly’s by. However, when the kids are whiney and board it seems to crawl. Having a few activities planned can really help prevent any boredom. If you can fold some green activities into your kids schedule, even better!

Here are a few great and green things you can do with your kids this summer:

• Visit a local farmers market with your kids. Not only will this allow you to get some wonderful seasonal produce, but it will help your children better understand where their food comes from. 
• Get outside and take a walk or go for a swim in the Curry Junction pool!
• Declutter the kids rooms. Go through old toys and clothes with your kids and donate the ones they’ve outgrown. Not only will this help you get your home more organized, but it will help teach your kids the value of giving to individuals less fortunate then them.
• Clean up that patio and use it for evening meals or family nights. This will reduce your energy consumption and get the family together.
• As the first day of school gets closer gather all the school supplies from last year so you can see what needs to be replaced, replenished and what can be re-used.

Woman’s Day has a great article with more eco friendly summer activities. How many activities do you usually plan for your kids in the summer?

All American 4th of July

The holiday weekend is upon us and I don’t know about you, but I am seriously looking forward to celebrating! The Fourth of July is one of my very favorite holidays. Probably in part because I really love to eat, and cook outs are an integral part of this holiday. Plus, it is a holiday which tends to involve time with friend and family, which is also fun.

Here are a few things you need to have a truly “All American” Fourth of July party:

• Corn on the cob – I would suggest grilled corn as it is my personal favorite. It just gives a little something special.
• Barbecued Ribs may be the quintessential summer meat. They are messy, take forever to cook, but are entirely worth it!
• Make your own watermelon pops for cooling off with! A great way to enjoy watermelon!
• The stars and stripes need to be somewhere; I’m a big fan of a table runner to incorporate them!
• Deck out your door so everyone can find your apartment easily!
• Grab some red and white flowers at the grocery store and dress them up by arranging them in a festive blue vase!

Will you be hosting an Independence Day bash this summer?

Wordless Wednesday: Out on the Open Road

Child-Friendly Saving Strategies

As important as it is for us to get (and keep) our financial portfolios in check, it is equally if not more important to make sure our children learn the value of the dollar – saving it, spending it, and investing it.

There are a few things that we should keep in mind when teaching our children about money.  Number one: We have to be good role models.  In this situation, monkey see, monkey do definitely applies.  Secondly, teach your child about saving money by opening a savings account for them and helping them to manage it.  Review statements and help them see interest building up.

Parents, what other things have you done to encourage your children to have healthy financial habits?

5 Ways to Clean Naturally

I hate to clean, but love having a clean home; I’m just a contradiction like that. This cleaning is a constant struggle for me. However, one of the things I really dislike about cleaning is the smell of the products. So finding natural alternatives with which to clean makes it a less arduous task! Here are a few great natural cleaning tricks you can try at home:

1. Use ketchup and a cloth to clean tarnish copper and brass cookware. Put a little ketchup on the cloth and rub until they return to the proper color.  Rinse with warm water and dry.
2. Remove grime from a stainless steel sink by buffing with a club soda dampened cloth.  Dry with a clean cloth afterwards.
3. Dip a Q-tip in a little hydrogen peroxide then wipe in all the nooks and crannies of a keyboard to disinfect.
4. When you get a grease spill on the carpet pour on some cornstarch.  Let sit for 15 to 30 minutes before vacuuming.
5. Use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to rub out permanent marker stains on wood floors or solid-surface counters.

Do You Drive-thru?

We all know the temptations of fast food, particularly when we are busy out running errands and hungry. Unfortunately, we also know exactly how bad for us those french fries really are. Most of the fast food packs a high fat, high cholesterol, high sodium punch. For those of us looking to get healthier this is one food selection that has been crossed off the list.

Have you given up fast food? Go vote in our blog poll and let us know your fast food habits or tell us why you have or have not given up fast food in the comments.

Reflections for Memorial Day

While enjoying your long weekend and the lovely weather we are expecting, please take a moment to remember the military men and women. It is their great sacrifice and dedication that this holiday is really about. So thank you! To those that are gone, you will never be forgotten.

We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them.

~Francis A. Walker

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day weekend!

Autotuned Animals

If you have yet to enjoy the joy of autotune and animals then it is time for you to enjoy a clip! This is a pretty unique clip done with wolves. Now the kitties might be cuter… but this one’s pretty cool!

Residents of Curry Junction, what’s your favorite YouTube video?

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