How to clean your oven grates

Don't you hate scrubbing the grates of your oven?  It never fails you have a self clean oven and you take the grates out to clean and it doesn't work.  So I took to the web to try and find an easy way to clean them.  I saw one that was simply putting putting dryer sheets in a bath tube and letting them soak overnight.  Then simply wiping them down.  Seemed easy enough for me; so I thought I would give it a go.

So here is what I did.

Place towels down in the tub.  This isn't a necessity, but I didn't want to accidentally scratch the tub.

Place a layer of dryer sheets over the towels.  I used 13.
 No special reason why.
I had a bunch from a couponing expedition a while back, so I went crazy;
plus I have a double oven so I had 6 grates to let soak.

Add the grates on top of the dryer sheets. 

Add water.  Make sure to put enough to completely cover the grates.

Let soak for 18-20 hours.

Try not to let your children see that you are using their tube.  My daughter freaked out a little when she saw her tub.  I promised to clean the tub when I was done (and take her for ice cream...that seemed to work better).

The next morning I simply wiped them down with the dryer sheets.  I spent maybe a minute on each of the grates.  It worked well.  I have no after photos, because as soon as they were clean; my husband had a pizza in the oven.  Well, they were clean for a couple of moments.  Back to reality.  Next time, I will only do a few at a time.  I think that will work better, but overall I am happy with the results.  Give it a try and let me know how it goes.

My Review of Lillian's

The postcard I got in my school mailbox!
I wanted it in mint, but got it in pink.

This past Saturday I finally went shopping at Lillians of Milton.  This little boutique has been in Milton for awhile now, but I never made it inside to take a look.  I got a postcard in my mailbox at school with a picture of a fabulous dress on it.  So I made the decision to go inside and check it out and try on the dress.  I am now in love with this shop.  They had so much cute merchandise in the store.  I was able to get a dress (the dress I went in for) and a scarf for Declan's baptism, a top for the summer, another scarf (yes I have a scarf fetish), and a pair of sunglasses!  Sorry, I didn't take any photos.  I am still new to this whole blogging/selfie taking.  But I just wanted to let everyone out there aware of this store.  If you have one near you, go visit.  You will not be disappointed.  Next time I will try and remember to take photos!

Celebrate

On Tuesdays and Saturdays I lead meetings for Weight Watchers. Today in the meeting we are celebrating the activity victories that we have had this month.  Both my meetings are working towards walking our way to Florida.  Every 15 minutes that they are active this month counts towards 1 mile towards Florida.  Both meetings have done great and should arrive in Florida this week or next week.  I wonder where they will pick to go next?


As for me personally, I will be celebrating being more active.  This is the first month since Declan has been born (one year ago) that I will achieve my activity goal.  I have an ActiveLink that Weight Watchers has provided me.  It challenges me to increase my activity goal and work towards becoming more active.  I know some of it just is because we have had nicer weather and I am out playing with the kids more, but this has been a struggle for me and I am slowly getting it back.  I also made it back to my goal weight (well, within the 2 pounds that they allow you).

My goal for this month is to track my food.  I usually do the Simply Filling technique, but this month I am going to switch to Tracking to get my mind back in the right place.  I am sure that I have been slacking lately.  I also want to start the couch to 5K program again.  I was the healthiest when I had completed this and was routinely running (very slowly).

Spring?!?

Macy Swinging

Could spring finally be getting here?  We have now played outside for the past three days.  This makes it really nice come bedtime.  The kids have had fresh air and have burned more energy!   Some photos of today's trip outside are here.  Declan has already figured how to climb up the slide.

We also got an e-mail from Macy's soccer coach today.  Practice is scheduled to start on Wednesday.  Hopefully we will have it.  It might rain; so I'm not holding my breath.  Macy can be very shy at first and I'm not expecting great things the first few practices.  She gets so nervous and anxious that she just ends up in tears.  The doctor says she will grow out of it.  David and I hope so.  Hopefully exposing her to more situations over this summer will help.  We are just so nervous because she starts 4K in the fall, and we don't want her to melt down there.  Anyone been through this?  Have any advice for us?  This is our first time at the rodeo.

Declan Climbing up the Slide

How did I get here?

That's exactly what I am thinking right now.  I have tried this blogging thing before and failed miserably.  I am not a writer; I am a science teacher.  But I need to have a way to record my life.  The things I like, the things that I try.  I feel like someone out there wants to hear about all that I have to offer.  I don't really know who though.

What is this blog going to be about?  Well just about anything and everything.  I am a mom of two, teacher, wife, weight watchers leader, and a female.  So that gives me so many options of things to talk about.  So join me on this crazy roller coaster called life.

Macy and I

Let me start by introducing you to the characters in this play.  My name is Meridith-33 (for a little bit longer!)

Macy is 4 years old and as spunky as can be.  She is getting ready to start playing soccer and baseball this spring.  She can have some shyness, so hopefully this won't scar her for life.  This is a picture of here a couple of years ago at a Fourth of July festival in our town.  She is my mini-me in many ways.  She loves to be active and would play all day and night if she could get away with it.  She is also a great big sister to her little brother.

David and Declan
(and a bit of Macy)

Speaking of her brother, his name is Declan.  He just turned one yesterday. It is amazing how quickly time flies when you are chasing a baby around the house.  He is much calmer than his big sister.  He loves to be on the move and chasing her around, but he also loves to be cuddled.  He is his father in every way (except for the blonde hair, blue eyes, and dimples).  He would eat sweets at every meal.  I can't wait to see what life has in store for him.

Which brings me to David, my husband of almost 6 years.  He is also a teacher.  If fact, he teaches in the room next to mine, which can be interesting at times.

So there you have the main cast.  I am sure I will talk about other people at times, but that is a good introduction (in my opinion).