Search results for

flea

7 Tips To Keep Your Home Cleaner With Dogs

This post is sponsored by The Libman Company but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

 

pets

As many of you know, we have a large adoptive pet family. Including three amazing dogs, including our twelve-year-old Westie, Roxie, our seventeen-year-old Chihuahua Harley, and my pride and joy, my nine-year-old Shih-Tzu Sassy.

So it’s not a big surprise that when it comes to keeping my home clean at home with pets, it can sometimes be a constant uphill battle. Considering that I already have two other human beings in my home with a penchant for all things messy.

Luckily over the years, I’ve learned a thing or two about keeping all the pet messes in my home at bay and today I’m sharing my top 7 tips for keeping your home clean and tidy with dogs.

1. Quickly clean up accidents.

Pets are often very scent driven. When it comes to effectively cleaning up pet accidents its best to air on the side of attending to stains sooner than later. My go-to? Enzyme cleaners.

While many prefer baking soda and vinegar bombs, they are often effective only at removing surface stains, whereas enzyme cleaners naturally dissolve the bacteria and pet-induced pheromones completely. Allowing you to quickly address accidents which will help you in the long run.

Because even if you can’t smell the residual bacteria and pheromones left behind by pet accidents, your pets certainly can. And this lingering smell can include repeat performances which over time can damage carpeting and untreated hardwood flooring

pet feeding station

2. Create a pet feeding station.

Keeping your dog bowl and water bowl on a clean, wipeable surface will allow you to quickly clean up food messes as well as to allow for a more hygienic means to feed and nourish your fuzzy friends each day.

At home, I like to use feeding stations consisting of easy-to-clean food dishes, a water fountain, and treat bowls places on top of clean contact paper. This allows me to keep their feeding area clean and tidy throughout the day.

3. Bathe your dogs bi-weekly.

Bathing your dogs bi-weekly will help keep your home cleaner and help keep your allergies at bay by keeping pet dander, shedding, and the proverbial ode de dog scent we all know and love.

This is also a great way in warmer months to keep your pets healthier as bi-weekly bathing will help you to kill any residual fleas that can come into your home via evening walks as well as give you the opportunity to get hands-on with your pets and check them over for ticks. Especially important from May-November each year.

4. Brush your pets often.

If you have a dog that sheds, is a long-haired variety (as two of my fuzzy friends are), or are prone to skin allergies, regular brushing will not only keep your home much cleaner but will also help to prevent painfully, difficult mats from forming. What’s even better? Many dogs enjoy a great brushing. So consider adding it to your pets existing care and comfort routines at home!

libman tornado mop

5. Stock my home with the right cleaning supplies.

When it comes to cleaning up after my pets at home, my go-to is always my Libman Tornado® Spray Mop. It’s my favorite because it features zero-waste cotton strings, which after you’re done the cleaning, can be thrown in the washing machine and line dried for quick and easy pet mess cleanups.

But what’s even better? After many seasons of cleanings mopings at home, the mop can be composted at home. Making it not only very effective at cleaning pet messes at home but eco-friendly too!

6. Set regular bathroom break trips.

One of the most effective ways I have found at home to limit pet messes is to regularly set household times for letting my dogs outside each day.

I designate times throughout the day where my dogs are allowed outdoors to our fenced in backyard where they can relieve themselves, play, and enjoy their time outdoors. This helps to not only eliminate pet messes indoors but like with children, helps out dogs release some of their pent-up energy too!

7. Clean your dog’s paws when they come inside.

Is there anything worse than being in the middle of mopping your home only to find redeposited paw prints everywhere? To remedy this, I make a point of wiping down and around my dog’s paws each time they come into our home. Especially on rainy days at home.

libman tornado mop

What to do to keep your home cleaner with pets this season?

The next time in-store at your favorite big box store, make sure you’re stocked up on pet cleaning supplies for your home. Especially the Libman Freedom® Spray Mop.

Not to mention, I really love the ability I have to throw the mop head straight into the washing machine after a messy day and right outside to line dry and sun bleach at home. It can hold up to at least 100 washes. Perfect for all your cleaning at home this season! My favorite part? This mop is easy to use, it’s not heavy in hand, and is always fresh, clean, and ready to use at home!

It also works great on my homes various flooring including century-old hardwood floors, ceramic tile, and concrete flooring too! Head on over to their site and find the closest retailer to you!

Now, friends, I want to ask, what are your go-to tips for keeping your home clean with pets at home? Share your tips below!

pets

Spring Cleaning Must-Dos That Will Save You Money

It’s okay to admit it, we all love spring cleaning! Normally, deep cleaning the house is a drudgerous chore but when the seasons turn and the sun decides to put his hat on, this once menial task takes on a new sense of purpose and significance.

The good old fashioned spring clean is actually a time-honored tradition going back centuries, echoed across a range of cultural and religious traditions. In Jewish customs, for example, the Passover represents a particularly special time for the Jewish community as it marked the end of their bondage in Egypt.

In various Christian traditions, including Catholics, who clean their parish churches altar the day before Good Friday. While those in the Greek Orthodoxy clean the house vigorously for the week before Lent.

Likewise, the Persian New Year celebration of Nowruz coincides with the first day of spring and traditionally involves a process of “shaking the house”, spring cleaning and spending more time with family and friends.

(Image Source)

It’s quite telling that the spring cleaning instinct transcends barriers of culture, tradition, and geography.

Of course, it’s also human nature that the longer days, and the warmer and more hospitable weather would fill us with a renewed sense of hope and optimism. It speaks to something primal in our psychology, telling us that it’s okay to come out of our caves and start foraging for food now that the crops have begun growing on the trees for us to harvest and enjoy.

It’s a time when we cast aside the old and all the psychological and emotional trappings that come with it. We rid ourselves of clutter and the psychological barriers that it places upon us and invite in the new with a sense of newfound optimistic cheer.

But while the act of spring cleaning can be psychologically liberating, it also presents us with an opportunity to carry out some much-needed maintenance which will save us a lot of money throughout the coming year.

Thrifty households will find all sorts of ways to save money this season, and by incorporating some of the following activities into your spring cleaning regimen, you can ensure a year of prosperity without any unpleasant home maintenance surprises lurking around the corner:

Clean the pool

If you’re lucky enough to own your own pool, this is usually a symbol of wealth, prosperity and success… But this doesn’t mean that you’re above saving good money on pool care if you can.

Good maintenance is essential to maintaining a healthy and beautiful pool. But in the colder months when it sees little or no action it’s not surprising that many owners let their pools go to seed. Nonetheless, before you start using the pool again, get a professional like ABC Home and Commercial Pool Services to give it the once-over.

A pro will be able to clean and maintain your pool in a way that ensures you won’t have an expensive repair in the summer months.

This could mean something as simple as skimming out debris and ensuring that the water is pure and clear. It could also mean testing the pool’s pH, chlorine levels, alkalinity, calcium hardness and cyanuric acid to ensure that the composition of the water in your area doesn’t damage the intricate workings of your pump.

If necessary they can even drain the pool and wash it in acid to ensure a flawlessly clean look. Sure, this may require an upfront cost (unless you’re prepared to put the time and effort into doing it yourself), but it will give you a perfectly healthy and crystal clear pool that’s just perfect for the spring.

Clean out your AC

You’ll likely become a lot more reliant on your AC as the summer months approach. But if you don’t put the effort into ensuring that your AC is clean and well maintained now, it’s likely that it could cost you a great deal later in both repair costs and in unwanted medical bills.

Spring is a perfect time to carry out a deep clean and service of your AC unit to make sure that it’s functioning optimally and doing its job in filtering out pollutants and allergens. Replace the filters to ensure that harmful dust, pollen, and animal dander aren’t getting into the air in your home and interfering with your health.

Cleaning your AC unit will also help to rid the internal workings of harmful bacteria like the Legionella Pneumophila which results in Legionnaires disease. These nasty bacteria can enter your body through moisture particles in the air from an unclean AC unit.

While you can clean out your own AC unit; a pro will be able to tell you what you can do to make it as energy efficient as possible and make savings all year round.

While you’re at it, take some time to give your ductwork a thorough inspection as this too could end up costing you a small fortune in wasted energy (and even risk damaging your unit itself).

(Image Source)

Turn the clutter into cash

Removing clutter is an essential and psychologically important aspect of spring cleaning.

Clutter is a surprisingly oppressive presence in the house and it can not only make concentrating difficult, it can aid depression and anxiety. But as tempting as it may be to throw it all straight into the trash, could at least some of it be turned into cash?

Clean and lightly worn clothes are pretty much always of value to someone on eBay as are your books, DVDs, and CDs. If you’re prepared to inventory them, post them online then keep them somewhere out of sight and out of mind until they’re all sold you can kill two birds with one stone.

Keep an eye out for unwelcome guests

It’s unlikely that you’ll be getting as comprehensive a look at your house as this in a few months, so while you’re cleaning and scrubbing every room of the house, keep an eye out for signs of unwelcome guests who could prove troublesome in later months.

Knowing how to spot signs of flea larvae, bed bugs or the early signs of termite infestation could save you a small fortune in professional exterminators’ costs later on down the line, while also giving you the peace of mind of knowing that only your family and guests will be enjoying the ambience of your home this season.

Where to Donate

 

Clothing

Dress for Success
What they do: Provide interview suits, confidence boosts, and career development to low-income women in over 75 cities worldwide
What they need: Women’s business suits and other professional apparel, footwear, and accessories

Career Gear
What they do: Provide underserved job-seeking men with training, career counseling, interviews, and professional clothing
What they need: Men’s suits, dress shirts, ties, shoes, briefcases, and other interview-appropriate clothing

The Women’s Alliance
What they do: Provide professional attire and career skills training to low-income women and their families seeking self-sufficiency
What they need: Women’s business clothing and professional accessories

Sew Much Comfort
What they do: Provide adaptive clothing to wounded service men and women in military hospitals (specially designed to look like normal attire while accommodating their injuries)
What they need: Basketball shorts, boxers, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and PJ bottoms; also twill, flannel, and woven shirting fabric

Clothes4Souls
What they do: Provide clothes to people around the world who are in desperate need
What they need: New or gently-worn clean clothing

Planet Aid
What they do: Provide clothing to people in developing nations, and fund community, health, agricultural, and vocational programs
What they need: Gently-used, unsoiled, functional clothing and shoes

Soles4Souls
What they do: Distribute shoes to people in need in over 125 countries
What they need: All types of new or gently-worn shoes: athletic, running, dress, sandals, pumps, heels, work boots, cleats, dance, and flip flops

Diamonds for Dreams
What they do: Grant wishes for terminal breast cancer patients
What they need: Diamonds, estate jewelry, and other specialty jewelry items

Indigo Rescue
What they do: Assist county animal shelters, and rehabilitate pets and place them in adoptive homes
What they need: Jewelry (for fundraising events)

Animal Guardian Network
What they do: Rescue and place homeless pets with loving families, and assist low-income seniors and financially disadvantaged individuals with their pet care
What they need: Gently-used designer handbags to sell in their ReBag Boutique

Brides Against Breast Cancer
What they do: Advance the awareness of breast cancer, and operate a wish-granting service enabling patients to make special memories with their loved ones
What they need: New and used wedding gowns from 2005 to present

Brides Across America
What they do: Provide wedding gowns to military brides in need
What they need: New or gently-used bridal gowns, not more than three years old

DonateMyDress.org
What they do: Provide special occasion dresses to girls who cannot afford them for prom, sweet 16, quinceañera or formal events
What they need: Prom and special occasion dresses for young women

The Glass Slipper Project
What they do: Collect formal dresses and accessories and provide them, free of charge, to Chicago-area students who are unable to purchase their own prom attire
What they need: New and almost-new prom dresses and accessories

Third Love
What they do: Provide jobs for human trafficking survivors
What they need: Used bras, undergarments, and foundation pieces

 

Household Items

Goodwill 
What they do: Help people with barriers to employment learn the skills to find competitive employment
What they need: Clothing, electronics, appliances, furniture, and more

Salvation Army
What they do: Provide community programs, homeless services, rehabilitation, disaster relief, and other assistance to those in need
What they need: Clothing, furniture, household goods, sporting equipment, books, electronics, and more

Vietnam Veterans of America
What they do: Help Vietnam-era veterans and their families
What they need: Clothing, baby items, housewares, electronics, small appliances, tools, and just about anything else

Volunteers of America
What they do: Support at-risk youth, the frail elderly, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, people with disabilities, and those recovering from addictions
What they need: Clothing, furniture, toys, and household goods for their thrift stores

Friends of Pine Ridge Reservation
What they do: Provide needed items to the poverty-stricken Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota
What they need: From school, sewing, crafts, sporting, baby, and office supplies, to toiletries, clothing, Christmas gifts, holiday items, bed, bath and kitchen linens, cold weather gear, crayons and more (see website for specific needs)

Operation Give
What they do: Bring hope and solutions to the deprived and disconnected people of the world, in many cases where the US military operates.
What they need: Toys, school supplies, art supplies, sports equipment, and more (Fedex provides FREE shipping from anywhere in the US to their warehouse)

The Help Kenya Project
What they do: Provide Kenya’s students with science and computer skills to break the cycle of poverty
What they need: Used computers, books, clothing, sports equipment, and other supplies

Cause USA
What they do: Send gift packs to wounded military personnel and their families
What they need: Playing cards, handheld electronic games, current magazines, batteries, travel-size toiletries, and more

Forgotten Soldiers Outreach
What they do: Send care packages to deployed soldiers
What they need: Travel-size toiletries, packaged food, flea collars, batteries, tube socks, envelopes, trash bags, and more

 

Children and Expecting Mothers

Project Night Night
What they do: Reduce the trauma of homeless children with Night Night Packages of childhood comforts
What they need: Stuffed animals, blankets, and children’s books

SAFE (Stuffed Animals for Emergencies)
What they do: Collect items to give to children in emotional, traumatic, or stressful situations (like fires, illness, abuse, homelessness, and natural disasters)
What they need: New or gently-used stuffed animals

Hope Village For Children
What they do: Provide a home to children in need
What they need: Any household items or clothing that can be sold; this organization runs a charity thrift shop in Meridian, MS

Loving Hugs
What they do: Send stuffed animals to children living in war zones, refugee camps, orphanages, hospitals, and natural disaster areas
What they need: New or very gently-used stuffed animals

Project Smile
What they do: Provide emergency responders with children’s comfort items, to help ease their pain and fear
What they need: New or gently-used stuffed animals, children’s books, unused coloring books, new crayons

Newborns in Need
What they do: Provide care necessities to local agencies and hospitals serving premature, ill, or impoverished newborns
What they need: Baby clothing, toys, and other items; also fabric, yarn, thread, and other supplies

Touching Little Lives
What they do: Provide necessity items to needy infants in Ohio
What they need: Baby clothing, booties, toys, blankets and other items; also flannel, thread, batting, and yarn

Ronald McDonald House
What they do: Provide a “home-away-from-home” for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost
What they need: New toys, food, and household products; see website for details

 

Electronics

World Computer Exchange
What they do: Provide used computers and technology to schools, libraries, community centers & universities in developing countries
What they need: Computers, laptops, printers, hard drives, peripherals, software, and more

National Cristina Foundation
What they do: Provide computer technology to people with disabilities or economic disadvantages, to enable them to lead more independent and productive lives
What they need: Desktops, notebooks, printers, peripherals, software, and more

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
What they do: Work to eliminate domestic violence, and empower battered women and children
What they need: Used cell phones

Games for Heroes
What they do: Provide emotional support to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
What they need: Handheld video game devices like Gameboys, PSPs, and Nintendo DSs

Get-Well Gamers Foundation
What they do: Bring video game systems to children’s hospitals, for entertainment and pain management
What they need: Video games, systems, controllers, and other accessories

Computer Recycling Center
What they do: Place computers in public charity and community programs through Computers & Education™, and recycle unusable items to keep them out of landfills
What they need: Computers, laptops, home electronics

HopeLine from Verizon
What they do: Provide refurbished phones to local domestic violence organizations
What they need: No-longer-used wireless phones, batteries, and accessories in any condition from any wireless service provider

Cell Phones for Soldiers
What they do: Use the money from recycling cell phones to purchase calling cards for troops in need
What they need: Used cell phones

iOS Device Recycling Program
What they do: Bring high technology mobile devices (installed with educational apps) into classrooms
What they need: iPads, iPhones, iPod Touches

Fireside International
What they do: Use mobile devices to advance education in Haiti
What they need: iPods, iPads, iPhones

 

Office and School Supplies

iLoveSchools
What they do: Match America’s school teachers with donations of classroom resources
What they need: A variety of school supplies, materials, and equipment

Swap4Schools
What they do: Match donors’ “haves” with schools’ “wants”
What they need: Books, movies, and other items specifically requested by educators

The GrayMatters Foundation
What they do: Support and empower people impacted by brain tumors through outreach, awareness, and assistance programs
What they need: Stickers, postage stamps, blank or encouragement cards and envelopes

Muscular Dystrophy Association
What they do: Fund worldwide research efforts and nationwide programs to aid those with neuromuscular diseases and their families
What they need: Computers, software, office equipment, furniture, and supplies for use in local offices

Develop Africa
What they do: Provide books, school and teaching supplies, scholarships, and job-related training in Africa
What they need: A wide variety of school and office supplies; see website for details

Pens for Kids
What they do: Send pens to kids in Africa to assist them with getting an education
What they need: New and used pens of every type, color, size, shape, and quantity

 

Books

International Book Project
What they do: Promote education and literacy by sending quality used books overseas
What they need: Textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, vocational books, children’s books, and more

Global Literacy Project
What they do: Foster community-based literacy initiatives throughout the world
What they need: “We are currently most in need of Pre-K to 12th-grade reading books as well as Math and science textbooks.”

Darien Book Aid
What they do: Send books in response to specific requests from Peace Corps volunteers, libraries and schools all over the world
What they need: A variety of new and gently-used books. Please call before shipping, to make sure your donations fit their needs

Books for Africa
What they do: Help create a culture of literacy by shipping books to libraries and classrooms in Africa
What they need: A wide variety of new and gently-used books, generally 15 years old or newer; details on the website

The Bridge of Books Foundation
What they do: Provide books to children in low-income families, particularly through foster family agencies, homeless shelters, underfunded schools, and neighborhood centers
What they need: New and used children’s books, from preschool through high school

Books Through Bars
What they do: Send quality reading and educational material to prisoners, thereby promoting successful community re-integration
What they need: A variety of new and gently-used books; details on the website. Please email prior to shipping.

Little Free Library
What they do: Allow community members to build or donate books to small free public libraries
What they need: A variety of gently-used books; details on the website. 

Books for Soldiers
What they do: Facilitate the direct donation of books to soldiers serving overseas
What they need: Books and magazines (as well as CDs, DVDs, and video games) requested by soldiers

BookEnds.org
What they do: Place books in inner-city schools, youth centers, homeless shelters, family literacy centers, after-school enrichment programs, children’s group homes, and juvenile detention facilities
What they need: Quality, gently-used children’s books appropriate for infants to 18 years of age

Better World Books
What they do: Sell books to help fund literacy programs worldwide
What they need: A wide variety of books; see website for details

 

DVD’s, Language Media, and CDs

Kidflicks.org
What they do: Create movie libraries for children’s hospitals and pediatric wards across the US
What they need: DVDs

DVDs4Vets
What they do: Provide DVDs to VA facilities for veterans in rehabilitation
What they need: DVDs and portable DVD players

DiscsForDogs.org
What they do: Sell used DVDs and CDs, and donate the proceeds to the SPCA
What they need: DVDs and CDs

Musicians On Call
What they do: Provide hospitals with complete CD libraries and players for patient use
What they need: New or gently-used CDs and new, unused personal CD players

 

Arts and Crafts

The CUREchief Foundation
What they do: Bring hope to cancer patients, and people with other conditions that cause hair loss
What they need: Cotton, flannel, or polar fleece fabric

Care Wear
What they do: Provide handmade baby items to premature infants in neonatal intensive care units
What they need: Yarn, flannel, broadcloth, and other fabrics suitable for children’s toys, apparel, and blankets/quilts

A Little Something
What they do: Help refugee women in Denver, CO become self-sufficient through crafting
What they need: Leftover or unwanted beads or jewelry-making supplies, weaving fiber, knitting needles, and natural fiber yarn

Beads of Courage
What they do: Provide arts-in-medicine for children with serious illnesses
What they need: All types of beads, of any color and shape

The Mending Hearts Project
What they do: Assist low-income families, teen and single mothers, and mothers with premature infants in neonatal intensive care units
What they need: “Donations of all handcrafted items, yarn, and sewing supplies are graciously accepted.”

Afghans Etc for Charity
What they do: Brighten the lives of children with cancer and other medical issues
What they need: Crochet and knitting supplies, and handcrafted items

Binky Patrol
What they do: Distribute homemade blankets (sewn, knitted, crocheted, or quilted) to children in need
What they need: Fabric, yarn, batting, and finished blankets

The Knitting Connection
What they do: Distribute supplies to volunteers to make hats, mittens, scarves, sweaters, afghans, baby booties, layette sets, and Christmas stockings for needy children
What they need: Yarn, knitting needles, knitting books, and finished knitted/crocheted items

Many Arms Reach You
What they do: Collect and donate knitted, quilted, or crocheted blankets to disadvantaged mothers and their children
What they need: Yarn

The Mother Bear Project
What they do: Provide hand-knit and crocheted bears to children with HIV/AIDS in emerging nations
What they need: Yarn, knitting needles, PolyFil, postage stamps, packing tape

Knots of Love
What they do: Provide crocheted and knitted caps for chemo patients and others facing life-threatening illnesses and injuries
What they need: Yarn

Made 4 Aid
What they do: Sell handmade items on Etsy to raise funds for Doctors Without Borders
What they need: A variety of handmade items, as well as arts and crafts materials

Inklude Studio
What they do: Provide a creative environment for adult artists with autism and other developmental challenges
What they need: A variety of fabric, art supplies, photography and computer equipment

ArtBridge Houston
What they do: Provide an arts program for children in homeless shelters
What they need: Art supplies including paper, colored pencils, watercolor paints, paintbrushes, stencils, markers, etc.

Children’s Healing Art Project
What they do: Create art classes for children in Portland’s children’s hospitals
What they need: A variety of art supplies; see website for the current wishlist needs

 

Sports

Sports Gift
What they do: Provide sports programs and equipment to impoverished and disadvantaged children throughout the world
What they need: A wide variety of sports equipment; see website for details

One World Running
What they do: Provide running shoes to those in need in the US and throughout the world
What they need: New and near-new running shoes

Bikes for the World
What they do: Donate bicycles to developing countries, so that individuals can get to work or school, or provide health and education services to low-income rural people
What they need: Any serviceable adult or children’s bicycles, as well as bike parts, tools, and accessories

Bicycles for Humanity
What they do: Send bicycles to developing countries, to empower disadvantaged people through improved access to food and water, employment, healthcare, education and social opportunities
What they need: Bicycles, as well as bike parts, tools, clothing, helmets, tires, and tubes

Opportunity Through Baseball
What they do: Provide baseball equipment to impoverished children in the Dominican Republic and around the world
What they need: Baseballs, gloves, mitts, bats, helmets, and more

PeacePassers
What they do: Distribute soccer supplies to communities in need, to empower youth and maximize hope
What they need: Soccer gear like balls, shoes, jerseys, shorts, and socks

 

Musical Instruments

Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation
What they do: Keep the music alive in our schools and communities by donating musical instruments to under-funded music programs
What they need: Gently-used band and orchestral instruments

Marching Mountains
What they do: Supply public school band programs in distressed counties in Appalachia with donated new and used musical instruments
What they need: Musical instruments in good working condition (mainly for marching and concert bands)

Operation Happy Note
What they do: Send musical instruments to deployed service men and women throughout the world
What they need: New or gently-used guitars, violins, mandolins, banjos, keyboards, horns of any kind, harmonicas, and even bagpipes

Education Through Music
What they do: Promote the integration of music into the curricula of disadvantaged schools in order to enhance students’ academic performance and general development
What they need: A variety of musical instruments; see website for details

 

Eyewear

Unite for Sight
What they do: Support eye care for patients living in extreme poverty in developing countries
What they need: New reading glasses, distance glasses, and sunglasses

One Sight
What they do: Provide free vision care and eyewear to people in need around the world (in some countries, a pair of eyewear costs more than a month’s salary)
What they need: 2 million pairs of gently-used eyewear

New Eyes for the Needy
What they do: Send eyeglasses to medical missions and international charitable organizations for distribution to the poor in developing nations
What they need: Eyeglasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, hearing aids

 

Vehicles

Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Cars for Kids’ Sake
What they do: Provide children facing adversity with strong and enduring, professionally supported one-to-one relationships that change their lives for the better
What they need: All types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorhomes, boats, airplanes, farm equipment, and construction equipment

Habitat for Humanity Cars for Homes
What they do: Build and rehabilitate houses for families in need
What they need: Cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles, and construction equipment

American Diabetes Association
What they do: Strive to prevent and cure diabetes, and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes
What they need: Cars, trucks, trailers, boats, and RVs

National Kidney Foundation Kidney Cars
What they do: Fund public health and professional education, vital patient and community services, organ donation programs and medical research to prevent kidney disease
What they need: Cars, vans, trucks, and boats

National Foundation for Cancer Research
What they do: Support cancer research and public education relating to prevention, earlier diagnosis, better treatments and ultimately, a cure for cancer.
What they need: Cars, trucks, boats, and SUVs

Purple Heart
What they do: Provide a variety of programs for wounded and disabled veterans and their families
What they need: Cars, trucks, RVs, and boats

 

Miscellaneous

National Furniture Bank
What they do: Provide beds, tables, chairs, and other crucial home furnishings to over 100,000 people in need each year
What they need: Beds, dressers, nightstands, tables, chairs, sofas, lamps, and more

Project C.U.R.E.
What they do: Donate medical supplies and equipment to hospitals and clinics around the world
What they need: New and used medical equipment and supplies, including crutches, wheelchairs, and beds

UNICEF
What they do: Provide humanitarian relief to children around the globe
What they need: Foreign coins and notes

Chemo Angels
What they do: Brighten the lives of those undergoing IV chemo treatment
What they need: Retailer gift cards, valid or expired (can still be used in CA)

TESSA
What they do: Provide safety and counseling to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in El Paso and Teller counties
What they need: Grocery and retailer gift cards and used cell phones

Make-A-Wish Foundation
What they do: Grant wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions
What they need: Retailer gift cards and gift certificates

St. Jude’s Ranch
What they do: Serve all abused, abandoned, and neglected children and families in a safe, homelike environment
What they need: Used greeting cards

Overseas Coupon Program
What they do: Facilitate the sending of coupons to overseas military personnel and their families
What they need: Manufacturer’s coupons, valid and expired (up to 2 months)

 

General Recycling and Downcycling

Teracycle
What they do: Facilitate the sending of hard to recycle goods to companies and foundations needing your recyclable items
What they need: Various recycled goods; see website for more details; free program

Freecycle
What they do: Facilitate local posting of free goods and bartering opportunities
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Buy Nothing Project
What they do: Facilitate local posting of free goods and bartering opportunities
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Pots & Pans Outlet
What they do: Information provided on recycling metal pots and pans; treated and non-treated products
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Recycle Bank
What they do: Search engine and database for all North American recycling programs & point earning online games for kids
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Earth 911
What they do: Search engine and database for all North American recycling programs
What they need: See site for more details; free program

Recycle Now
What they do: Database for all North American hard-to-recycle item programs
What they need: See site for more details; free program

September 2017 Favorites

It’s hard to believe fall is officially here! Despite the temperatures here in Dixie still being in the upper 80’s, I’m ready to go all in for the new season ahead! Despite the change in season, this month has been a particularly productive month for me. Lots of posts written. Lots of loose ends tied up. Lots of connections made. Needless to say, I’ve been making moves. 

Despite all that’s gone on it wouldn’t be a proper end of the month without sharing what I’ve been loving around my home this September! So, here are the 5 things I have been loving this September:

My new slow cooker: I have always loved my slow cookers. Let’s be honest, what would fall and winter be without the down-home comfort food that only a slow cooker can provide? Whether it’s chili, soup, or stew there are so many great recipes made from real ingredients. You may also not be surprised that despite being a minimalist I actually own three slow cookers. I use them all the times. Especially to create make-ahead freezer meals and DIY yogurt.

This past week one of my old school crock-pot brand cookers bid our home farewell. While at my local Walmart I stumbled upon the new line of Pioneer Woman slow cookers from Hamilton Beach.

Folks, this slow cooker has worked really well for me. This unit heats quickly, cooks meals evenly, and the Country Garden pattern is too cute! My favorite feature? The lid clips. No more accidental sloshing sauce all over your car when you’re carting something to a potluck, chili cook-off, or friend’s house! If you’re in the market, this one is awesome.

Gilmore girls: It’s very important to me that if you haven’t seen this series, you make time to. I always make an annual pilgrimage through Stars Hollow each fall. It’s one of the most beautiful, charming, funny shows of ever. Plus, there’s, like, coffee consumed in the show. And cute dresses. And an amazing cast. Are you watching it yet? Start! 

iPeak Sunrise Alarm Clock: I have a lot of trouble sleeping at night. Especially during the dark fall and winter mornings leave me without my natural early jolt of a light to start my new day! The iPeak sunrise alarm clock has a feature that mimics the suns natural sunrise each morning.

Within an hour of your desired time to get up each day, the clock will start to gently emanate light. It’s helped me to wake up each day without feeling groggy from oversleeping! There’s also a nightly function that will remind you it’s time to start winding down for bed with its sunset setting. I love this clock and cannot recommend it enough! 

Kiva.org: As I long mentioned here on the blog, one of my favorite ways to spend my discretionary funds each month is my reinvesting in the lives of women around the world. Kiva.org, a non-profit charity grants women, and men, in developing nations start-up grants to bring themselves and their communities out of abstract poverty by becoming motivated business owners in their own right.

Each year to commemorate the date my Uncle Danny passed away in what was the largest LGBT hate crime in US history (until the Pulse Massacre of 2016), I give to Kiva.org. I believe it helps bring the gift of life, and love, to those who most in need the world over.

While dreams are universal, opportunities for social and wealth-building are often not. Especially for persons of color, indigenous populations, and for women and mothers the world over. Sometimes we all need a hand-up in life. Kiva.org is a way people can get that help. I encourage you to check them out today! 

Keith Mansfield Radio: Lately I’ve really been loving the jazzy pop tunes of Keith Mansfield. A particular favorite? His 1968 hit, Funky Fanfare. His music is the perfect soundtrack to cleaning the house, working on fall DIY’s, or enjoying a fun date-night-in at home! Check him out on Pandora Radio today! 

So, friends, those are the 5 things I have been loving this September. Now, I have to ask, what have you been loving in your own lives at home? I’d love to hear about it below!

Welcome to this week’s Happiness is Homemade Linky Party

Welcome back to another great week at Happiness is Homemade Link Party!!! A new month is upon us – can you believe it’s March already?! Let’s see what you link up this week! Will it be Spring cleaning tips? St. Patrick’s Day recipes, Easter treats? Home Decor? Easy dinner recipes? Whatever you decide, give us your best!

 

hishlogo

 

Continue Reading

Welcome to this week’s Is Homemade Link Party!

 

Welcome to Happiness Is Homemade Link Party!
 
We’re so glad you are with us this week. Can you all believe we are less than two weeks out from the official start of Autumn? I for one am super excited for all things pumpkin pie spice flavored and earth toned!
 
In the meanwhile, be sure to look around, check out your hosts on social media and then link up your best recipes, tutorials, tips, and posts from this past week. And as always, thank you for stopping by and helping to grow this amazing linky party! Thank you all! 

 

Continue Reading