Basics

Labor Day Weekend?
What exactly does it mean?
For some, it brings about the last little bit of summer fun, maybe a little bit of cleaning out and getting settled before winter rolls in or just a day off from work!
I am sure many, MANY years ago, folks celebrated hard work and the things they had built. In today's world where so many machines do a lot of THAT work for us, we just celebrate a day or two to savor that teeny bit of summer that's left before school, work and other projects call us all too loudly!
This year, we actually stayed home and sorted through all that our hard work (and mindless shopping) has brought us. I found yet again, that my family accumulates clothes enough for another family to live with us and toys enough to supply a whole school...of 8 year old boys.
So, yes, this does mean that another garage sale is in the works.
Now whilst I was cleaning, sorting and becoming rather annoyed at myself for spending so much money on unnecessary items, I got to thinking about how all year I have wanted to stop this nonsense. This crazy cycle of wanting things just because they are pretty, someone else has one and it's so cute on them, so forth and so on...well, I decided that I should look back at my New Year's resolutions...uh, well, I haven't really kept my side of the bargain there. Hmm, is it okay to say 9 months later to start them over?
Well, sure, it's all up to me anyhow.
I also found that I can be rather resourceful in a pinch. We went grocery shopping today but I bought no cleaning supplies. None! You know I seriously love those Clorox wipes. But alas, I bought none. I decided to clean the kitchen and the kids' bath and when I looked under my sink for supplies I found it resembled that of my own mother's cabinet when I was young. The basics: Bleach, Windex, Bar Keeper's Friend and Palmolive dish soap. Uh, no Clorox wipes! What's a girl to do?
I remembered reading somewhere (online, of course) that you could clean your tub, etc with Palmolive.  And that's what I did. I wish I had taken before and after shots because it worked! A little elbow grease, a microfiber cloth and Palmolive and that tub is sparkling! Ha! I guess I may find that I can save a few bucks on those cleaning supplies and maybe cut back on sending so many chemicals down the drain.
Simply, I realized that cleaning like everything else has been overrated. I don't need the newest products, those wipes and such to clean my house. I can use the basics just like my Momma did. The basics. What a concept! We all just need the basics!