Best Advice Ever? Day 3.

3.  Love generously.

Easy enough? Hardly… but do it anyway.

Until we meet again,

**myrainbowcounts@gmail.com**

Best Advice Ever? Day 2.

2. Slow down.

Today only moves as fast as you do, slow down.

Until we meet again,

**myrainbowcounts@gmail.com**

Best advice ever?

Someone asked me this not long ago and I found myself completely stumped.  Best advice ever? The best set of advice anyone ever given me? Jeez… I couldn’t even begin. So I decided that the next TEN Tipful Tuesdays would be the top ten pieces of advice I’ve ever received, at least to this point in my life.  I don’t plan to elaborate on them too much, so bear with me as I leave you with short pieces of advice to ponder upon – because I think it only means most when you make it your own.

1. Don’t Worry. Period.

Because worrying does not get you there any quicker.  That’s not just my experience — it’s yours too.

 

Until we meet again,

 

**myrainbowcounts@gmail.com**

It always seems so simple…

Today’s Tipful Tuesday is brought to you from a frustrated place in my heart.  It always seems so simple doesn’t it? To tell someone how to do things, offer your quick advice, and in a quite demanding way think you’re right… because after all that’s how it worked for you.  Today’s tip is just that simple also, only offer your advice where your advice is warranted.  Being a new mom, a first time mom, and a tired mom, it seems that everyone has reasons why I shouldn’t do this or shouldn’t do that.  If you would listen to me a little closer, you would understand why some of the decisions are made the way I make them.  It just so happens that I also have done my research and I decide to do certain things because I think it is good and beneficial to my child.  Nothing that I do is without reason.  That said, I ask a lot questions and I yearn for advice and the “how tos,” but sometimes when I tell you I do things “this way” it’s not because I want your approval or disapproval, it’s because I’m including you in on something I’m excited about doing for my sweet girl.    So for all you folks shaking your head at us moms, be careful not to do too much of that in front of us.  We’re trying really hard to be the “perfect mom,” when you shoot down things we’re sure of or worked hard for it hurts our feelings.  We’re tired and exhausted and slightly stressed all the time, while we love encouragement and tips and the occasional “maybe you shouldn’t do it that way, but try this,” what we really need is to hear that what were doing make sense. That we’re doing a good job.  That even if fifteen years ago they didn’t do XYandZ , that it’s ok that we do it now.  Sometimes we hear so much “You should do this” that it makes us feel like we are terrible parents.  We rise up like proud lions when we figure things out on our own… when you refuse to agree or continue to force why your way is better it only makes our hearts more frustrated.  So please, by all means tell us when we ask, offer advice even when we don’t – just don’t indulge in it.  Don’t shoot down every little thing… by all means if it’s going to hurt my child hit me a top my head and push me out of the way.  But overall – do equally build us up through encouragement also.

Any other momma’s out there struggle with this?

**myrainbowcounts@gmail.com**

Baby Oil

I have baby oil.  Tons of it actually. And it never gets used!  After having my sweet girl here for 8 months, I’m still not exactly sure what purpose baby oil would serve for her, except make her extra slippery and super shiny. 🙂  So Since I have bookoos of baby oil sitting around, I’ve decided to try to find a use for it (because trying to figure out if they came from Walmart or Target or CVS or Food Lion is nearly impossible!).  Welcome to today’s tipful Tuesday — a bunch of uses for baby oil that doesn’t include lathering up your baby and watching them slip and slide right out of your arms.

1. Substitute for Goo Gone.  I know your as shocked as I am, right?  Please say yes, I’m so sad that it’s taken me this long to realize that this slippery shiny oil makes things, well, UNsticky! Not too long ago I made the mistake of spraying an adhesive substance over my counter.  (don’t judge – I thought I grabbed the lysol!)  After trying everything I could think of – Windex  finger nail polish remover, comet, lysol- that I intended to grab the first time, and even straight rubbing alcohol, all I was left with was icky little rolls of stickyness and a very sticky counter.  I was outraged annoyed at the idea of having to actually put a bra on get dressed and go get goo gone from the store.  I had company coming over soon and did not need a sticky counter.  As I was changing E before heading out, there it was just hanging out on the changing table, in all it’s glory.

I’m not sure what made me want to lather baby oil on my counters or why I thought it would work, but I did. And it worked!!  Best Goo Gone substitute ever.  After all the scrubbing and picking I’d been doing that didn’t take it off – the baby oil removed the adhesive stickiness and I didn’t even have to scrub!  Best discovery ever. 🙂  Try THIS!  I purposely want to make things sticky so I can unsticky them with baby oil.  I’m overly excited about this stuff working!

2. It also works great as Eye make-up remover!  Baby oil comes in all scents and they also make a hypoallergenic one, which is ideal to use as an eye make up remover.  Save money and ditch that crazy expensive eye makeup remover you’ve been buying!  This works great for it!

3. Furniture polish. I’ve never tried it but in my research quick google search for uses for baby oil I read quite a few times that it was a great use for furniture.  Some people would add lemon scent to make it have a more “clean” smell and others preferred just getting the lavender baby oil and sticking with that scent.  I definitely could see how this works! It will certainly shine it up. 🙂

4. Chrome Polish – Whenever we wash cars around here, we always use baby oil for the rims on the tires (even the tires get a nice baby butt shine!).  It’s a great way to spruce up chrome.  You can also do this on golf clubs (try not to get it on the grip – we don’t need a flying club!) and faucets.  I feel like if it can shine, baby oil will do the trick.

5. Here’s a bit of an icky one – but with just a few drops in the ear it’s a good way to remove ear wax.  I was actually told this once upon a time by a sweet elderly friend. “Just drop a few drops of baby oil into those little ears (referring to E) and you won’t need to use any q-tips that can’t get to all the tricky places” (I said that in my most grannyfied voice… now go back and re-read doing the same). If you try this at home I’m neither responsible or accountable for anything that may could go wrong.  Despite being told to do that – I never have tried. 🙂

6. It’s a great paint remover.  FROM THE SKIN.  I had a sudden fear that some of yous would run to the store and by a gallon of baby oil to lather on the paint job your significant other surprised you with this week. 🙂  But if you decide to repaint and need to get the ickiness off your hands – turn to baby oil and cotton balls.

7. Massage oils.  No explanation needed. 🙂  Oh – but be sure to get scent you like or you will regret.  Some people don’t want to smell like a fresh baby butt all day.

8. Prevent/Treat Cradle Cap.  E never had Cradle Cap, but I kept regular baby lotion on her head all the time.  I’m positive I would have used baby oil to help treat Cradle Cap had she gotten it.

That’s my list!  I know there are thousands of things you can do with this awesome smelling, slippery, cheap, baby oil. Have you guys tried anything that surprised you that the baby oil worked on??

Until we meet again,

myrainbowcounts@gmail.com

See ya Pam!

I hate spraying Pam, you know, the cooking spray pam.  I always feel like it gets EVERYWHERE.  After doing a bit of research, I found a great way to make my own cookng spray and thought I’d make it into my tipful tuesday today. I love the idea of being able to create a cooking spray without having all those additives.  And no, I’m not overly cautious about additives – I eat them in everything else.  But I figure if it’s one less thing I’m having all the additives in then that’s pretty awesome. 🙂  Making cooking spray or what I now call STAM (STeph’s pAM) is super easy.  For my STAM I used one part olive oil to five parts water.  Just remember to shake well before each use. I do keep mine in the fridge as to not harvest any bacteria being this does not have any additive or preservatives in it, so I would suggest that you all do the same if you try this.  Don’t make a huge batch for the same reson!  I think I will probably change this out once a month or so just to insure germ and bacteria free STAM.  This is green, a bit healthier, and money cautious too.  A great tip for tuesday!  Go us for being a little cautious today. 🙂

Have any of you guys created you’re own cooking spray?  How’d you like it??  Did you use a different concoction?

Until we meet again,

 

 

**myrainbowcounts@gmail.com**

Seafood anyone?

Sorry this is delayed!! This is last weeks tipful Tuesday! 🙂

I LOVE seafood.  I love shrimp, I love flounder, I love crabs, I love it all!  I’m also very picky about where I suggest people to try.  As a local “Virginia beachian” and someone who grew up on the island Hatteras, NC during the summers I consider myself pretty knowledgable on my beach critters and what they should taste like.  Hm, at least around here.  My first seafood critique of a restaurant is if they have Old Bay Seasoning.  If they do not, then they automatically are crossed off my list of favorites… even if they’re food is outstanding.  No seafood restaurant should exist without Old Bay.  (If you are reading from out of town/grew up out of town and care to dispute this fact – you don’t count.  I’m well aware that outside of the south east that most folks do not know what Old Bay is.  This is why I have since learned I should travel with it. haha). Red Lobster does not have Old Bay.  RED LOBSTER off the list.  My next critique is whether or not it’s a chain.  If it’s a chain restaurant it also gets scratched off my list of favorites. RED LOBSTER, CAPTAIN GEORGES, CAPTAIN Ds, etx, (ok -so there’s a small exception here – in North Carolina a restaurant called “The Mayflower” BUT I can dispute this all day as it is a very small chain and only exists in the small confinements of North Carolina…  It’s deliciously yummy AND they have Old Bay.) My third critique is if they have fried flounder.  No, I don’t always order fried flounder, in fact, most of the time I don’t — but it’s a menu must have.  If they don’t have fried flounder – Scratch.  Finally, she crab soup.  Every good seafood restaurant should have she crab soup made from real crab meat (not authentic and not just claw meat).  I’m ok with it being only a soup of the day and only having it available sometimes… but it must be a menu option at some point. And obviously the restaurant must be clean, yummy, and have great service! 😉  So, without further adieu my favorite seafood restaurants in no particular order that I think you’re CRAZY if you don’t try.  All restaurants are located in hampton roads or within decent date night driving distances. 🙂

1. Surf Rider – if you like fried flounder or crab cakes this is the place to go.  Best crab cake I’ve ever had!  Hardly any filler or breading… just a yummy pile of crab.  The flounder hangs off the plate and is absolutely delicious.  They’re are about 5 Surfriders in the hampton roads area now – Our favorites are the one in Hampton and the one off Shore Drive.  While one has been recently opened in greenbrier, it tends to not hold up to the other Surf Rider restaurants. 🙂 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-Rider-Restaurant-Group/157292807636962

2. Waterman’s Surfside Grille – Waterman’s is located at the ocean front with waterfront dining.  It’s outstandingly delicous whether you’re looking for fried flounder, jumbo shrimp, or yellowfin tuna. My only suggestion if you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere is to try to catch watermans in the early evening.  As the night grows later, this restaurant tends to turn into a DJ, drinks, and fun kind of zone. 🙂http://www.watermans.com/

3. Margie and Ray’s Crabhouse – This place has everything from steamed crabs to fried oysters.  We’ve only been a couple times but it was a great experience each time.  This is a small family owned t-shirt and flip flop type restaraunt.  We chowed downed and wiped our hands off on paper towels.  LOVED the atmosphere here.  This place get super crowed so the earlier the better for here. http://www.margieandrays.com/

4. Lobscouser – This is a great family owned restaurant located in dowtown portsmouth.  Their shrimp is to die for and their lunch prices are unbeatable.  In particualr, I LOVE their salad dressings and if I took a stab at it, I would say they made the dressings themselves.  The staff is AMAZING and the food is always great.  The crabcakes here are not my favorite but I’ve heard many say they love them.  I tend to stick with shrimp and flounder and genuinely love them.  http://www.lobscouser.com/

5. Jones – If you like popcorn shrimp this is the place to go.  While they are known for their bbq this restaurant has quite the tasty fish and shrimp.  It is located in the churchland area of portsmouth and we have been going for YEARS.  Absolutely fantastic. http://jonesbarbecue.com/

So there you have my top five picks.  We also love the Coinjock Marina, The Mayflower Seafood Restaurant, and The Lynnhaven Fishhouse – so try those also!!

What are some of your favorite seafood restaurants???

🙂
Until we meet again,

 

 

**myrainbowcounts@gmail.com**

4th of July Wreath!

This week I was really excited about 4th of July coming up.  Thus, I wanted to find a “Pinterest Repeat” that would feed my need for the festive decorations. 🙂  I came across this awesome door wreath…

Beautiful right?!  I love it too.  But I can’t sew a lick and it looks so hard.  I decided to use it merely as inspiration and instead go with something I can actuallly work with, duct tape.  The unfortionate part is that it was extremely heavy but it still turned out pretty fancy. 🙂

First here’s how it turned out 🙂 –

First wrap your wreath with red duct tape.  Once your wreath has been wrath make alternating ruffles with red and white duct tape to give the the wreath the textured look.  For the blue I made duct tape flowers and the then little silver bows.  This was a super fun and super easy project that I’m sort of proud to put on my door!  Have fun with this!!

Until we meet again,

 

 

**myrainbowcounts@gmail.com**

Happyness.

Find one thing that you like about yourself every morning…. if that’s too hard start with once a weeek.

Today I liked the way I had a fingernail that actually grew long enough that I could see it over my finger… yes. It made me happy even such a small task.

Until we meet again,

 

 

**myrainbowcounts@gmail.com**

Lucky day!

It’s your lucky day! Because on this Tuesday you get TWO tips from me. 🙂  I was browsing on facebook tonight and found this awesome tip and LOVED it.  So all you people on earth – take note and have a happy day (yes, that was cheesy – shoot me.) Seriously though, these few things WILL make a difference in your life.

Whatcha think?  I’ve actually given this one serious thought and began putting my own list of “to-dos” before logging on – stay tuned!

 

Until we meet again,

**myrainbowcounts@gmail.com**