My Printables for 2012

Ian and I had a date to the library tonight, and I finished up printing out all of my printables for 2012.

I thought I'd share what I'm using in order for me to run this home as smoothly as possible - and even with all of this in place, the whole darn place just blows up at times!  Why is that?!  ;)

I'm such a paper pencil kind of girl, so here you go!

My printables for 2012:

New Year Reflection for the kids!
This is so cool - I think Josh and I will do it too!

Our Family Calendar
This is our family calendar (outside of my planner) and posted in the kitchen.

Meal Planning
This is posted on the fridge, and I save them in my Home Management notebook for continual reference.   I meal plan 1-2 weeks at a time.

Our Homeschool Planner
This is completed every Sunday, and I save these for my record keeping.

Our Chore Chart
See here for details on this.

2012 Declutter and Organize Calendar
This is posted on the side of our fridge, and the girls are helping with this.  The girls are interested in helping with more unique chores - other than their chore chart - so this is perfect.

Budget Form
We revisit our budget at the start of the year and make any necessary changes.

Weekly Checklist - Household Chores
Everyone pitches in throughout the week to get most of this done.  I like having this list so others can pitch in and help.  I slide it in a plastic sleeve and check off each task with a dry erase marker.  That way, I don't have to keep reprinting the list.

Once a Month Cleaning Checklist
I deep clean once a month.  :)  Yes, that's all I have time for.  I do not have any outside help with cleaning.  I clean the 3 bathrooms once a week, vacuum the main floor a few times a week, sweep other floors daily, clean and disinfect the kitchen and table daily, dishes daily, laundry daily, straighten/de-clutter daily.  Dusting, glass, and all other extensive cleaning tasks get done monthly or when I notice and it's driving me nuts.  I just can't get to everything on my own, and that's ok!  I like having this list so others can pitch in and help.  I slide it in a plastic sleeve and check off each task with a dry erase marker.  That way, I don't have to keep reprinting the list.

I think this covers it.  If I think of anything else, I'll be sure to add it!

Our 10 Minute Clean Ups

I said I would share my little secret on how I get the kids to help clean up - without me begging, yelling and screaming to motivate them - so here you go...

Let's pretend they're in the basement and they are all finished up playing.  Before they run off and mess up another room, I call all the little children back to the toys that were left out.

I say (with pure cheer!)  :),
"Ok, let's clean up!  I will help you. (I have no problem helping, guiding and teaching!)  Whatever is left out of it's home at the end of 10 minutes is being bagged up and donated to other children who can take care of their toys."

I set the timer.  We all quickly clean up as a team.  I'm not begging and whining and fuming because they're slow pokes, and it works beautifully!  If they whine, I ignore.  If they aren't each being productive, I will stop helping.

I don't set them up to fail.  When I set the timer for 10 minutes, I know it's possible to clean up the area in 10 minutes.  If there are a few areas, I will give them 10 minutes per area.  They've never had anything donated.

If they choose not to help, it's simple - go to your room, and I'm happy to do it.  But... they know what the result of that would be (I would start bagging it up at that point), so it's never happened.

Here's my conviction, "If you can't take care of your stuff, you need to give it to someone who can."

Simplicity Parenting - Toys

I shared with you earlier this Summer that I was reading Simplicity Parenting and how I would share some Simplicity Parenting ramblings.

So, here's your first one.

TOYS.

Oh, toys.  Toys have always been the death of my mood.  Simply put - most children have TOO MANY TOYS.  Period.  And, as we all know - too many toys = lots of messes, a stressed out Momma and overstimulated, distracted children.  And then there's a fight to clean up all of them!  This is how we avoid the fight.

So, this Summer I've been on a mission to make most of them disappear.  We have a "Garage Sale" closet.  Most battery operated silly kind of toys, plastic, duplicate, doesn't have a theme type of toy goes in there.  Or, if I'm picking up and everything is driving me crazy - it goes in there!  :)  It's a glorious feeling.  If they don't ask about it for a few months, it's out of the house.  The big, nice stuff, we'll sell.  They rest of it will go to Goodwill.

The author of Simplicity Parenting suggested gathering ALL of the toys in the entire house and piling them all into 1 big pile in the center of a room.  Can you imagine?!  Start by taking out the broken stuff and trash it.  Then allow each child to pull out a few favorite items.  Then when they're not looking, bag up the rest of it.  Hang onto it for a bit.  If no one asks for it...  :)  Can you imagine how peaceful your home would feel!?

So, we've been doing that throughout the Summer - 1 room at a time - but not 1 big mountain.  I don't think my personality could take that!  :)

What do I keep?  A variety of items that encourage thinking and creativity.

• dress up items
• books 
• electronics - laptop, Leapster, Tag reader
• building items - blocks, legos
• a variety of art items - crafting, coloring, drawing, painting, play doh
• hands on - stringing beads, sewing (I just got a sewing machine!), lacing cards
• games - board games, cards, puzzles
• dolls
• dollhouse
• play kitchen
• a barn and animals
• easy bake oven
• stuffed animals
• barbies
• trucks, cars
• balls
• tools
• bikes, scooters, 4wheeler
• outdoor play - chalk, bubbles, jump ropes, playset, trampoline
• and more...

Seriously!  Do they look deprived?  :)  But, the key for us is to keep each theme separated into tubs (no more than the tub!) and on our shelves in the basement - and do a toy rotation.

It feels good.  The kids have not asked for 1 single thing in that closet and the house still has too many toys.

But, like I always say, "This life is a journey.  One baby step at a time."

What are some of your toy tips?!

Dirty Dozen & Clean Fifteen

Have you ever heard of this list?

I don't know about you, but I don't buy everything organic - I don't think it's necessary, nor do I allow for that in our grocery budget.  But, I certainly prioritize according to this list.

Below, you will find the latest 2011 most up to date lists that I've found.

If you are going to buy organic, naturally grown fruits and veggies (or grow your own), focus on the Dirty Dozen.  These fruits and veggies have the highest level of chemicals that will affect your body.

Dirty Dozen:

1. Apples
2. Celery
3. Strawberries
4. Peaches
5. Spinach
6. Nectarines (imported)
7. Grapes (imported)
8. Sweet Bell Peppers
9. Potatoes
10. Blueberries (domestic)
11. Lettuce
12. Kale/Collard Greens 

The Clean Fifteen have the lowest levels of chemicals that will affect your body.  So, if you can't or won't buy all organic, naturally grown fruits and veggies - buy non organic from the Clean Fifteen list.

Clean Fifteen:

1. Onions
2. Sweet Corn
3. Pineapples
4. Avocado
5. Asparagus
6. Sweet Peas
7. Mangoes
8. Eggplant
9. Cantaloupe – domestic
10. Kiwi
11. Cabbage
12. Watermelon
13. Sweet Potatoes
14. Grapefruit
15. Mushrooms 

I keep a copy of this in my planner - that I take to the store with me - just in case I need to reference it while I'm shopping.

We believe that locally, naturally grown is the best choice for our family.  We really try to stock up from our garden and Farmer's Markets during our harvest season!  Our goal is to preserve enough to last us through the winter.  But... this life is a journey and we learn more each year.  We're getting better and better.  Baby steps.

Hope this helps!  :)

Continually Refined

I've written a lot about how Mothering has transformed me.  It has stretched me to some pretty challenging - yet joyous - places that I am forever grateful for.  I bumped into this during some reading time today.  

"When you are "in the fire," it is sometimes hard to recognize the value of what you are learning.  But the day-by-day refining process, the problem solving, crisis resolution, mental stretching, mess clean-ups, sleep deprivation, and loving more than you ever thought possible truly makes you into a smart, aware, beautifully refined individual.  The great secret is appreciating the person you are becoming through your trials."  Linda Eyre

I look forward to tomorrow and the next day and the next.  I look forward to pressing on in my profession - Mothering - and growing more and more each day.

I absolutely love being a Mother, and I am grateful for the growth I've experienced (and will continue to experience) on my Mothering journey.

My Job Security

I read this today at Simple Mom, and it was music to my ears. 


"Without our children, we’d be out of jobs – and heart. Though the laundry piles up, though the dog barks, and the homework mysteriously loses itself, let’s remember the things that matter: the hug, the kiss, the cuddle, the story read at bedtime, the favorite meal prepared, the listening ear.  The bonus you receive from that account will beat all others.

Enjoy your job security.

You are irreplaceable. No one can replace you as the mother of your children. Others can fold the laundry or clean the tub, but only you can be, well, you. Remember that you are handpicked by God to mother your children."

I love my job and don't want to lose it.  I am a professional Mother!  I am irreplaceable.  I was handpicked to Mother these 3 children.

I'm absolutely certain it's the greatest, most challenging, most important job out there.

Today - in this moment - I am celebrating my job security!


I hope this encourages you as well!  :)

7 is a great age!

A friend said to me, "I thought two was supposed to be a challenging age, but seven sounds rough."

Two is challenging, right!?  I think every age presents it's challenges, for sure!  But... with your first born, you're experiencing everything for the first time - every age for the first time!

I'm navigating through all the new waters with Sophie, my love.  By the time Halle and Ian start doing what Sophie tries to pull, we've got our tools in place and we're ready to go!  :)

I think 7 is an incredible age!  Sophie is an extraordinary woman - incredibly strong, smart and beautiful.  She has taught me so much and has (really!) made me a wiser woman and Mother.

Sophie, you rock!  I love you to the moon and back.

A 5 hour time out

peace - it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work.  it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.  (unknown)

My ultimate goal is peace - earthly and heavenly - but that doesn't mean our lives are always absent of trouble and hard work.  My main Mothering goal is to remain consistently calm in my heart in the midst of trouble and hard work.

So, here's a story for you.

Sophie's been a little sassy the past few weeks (or years!), and here's my story.  I will NOT have a sassy, disrespectful 7 year old.  I keep envisioning a 13 year old daughter.  What is my end goal?  That will not happen on accident.  I don't want to wish for a re-do.  I'm going to fight NOW.

So, as "simple" as I can keep it - she's out - zero tolerance.  If she comes down the stairs in the morning and is sassy from the get go, she's gone.  Good-bye - back to your room.  And so on - throughout the day.  You may not tarnish our day.

It's that simple.

So, at swim school this morning, she lit up in the locker room - totally sassy and disrespectful to me (I was soooo proud of myself and the calmness I displayed) as we were heading out.  I calmly said, "When we get home you will go straight to your room.  I will bring you lunch.  You will stay for 2 hours (that's equivalent to a rest time).  If you ask to come out, time will be added.  If you yell and stomp on your way, time will be added.  Am I clear?"  But then, Daddy came home for lunch, had a meeting with us and added to the time... hence, 5 hours - 11:30-4:30 (of course, she came out a few times to use the restroom and ask some questions, but she could not join our "party" until 4:30)  The longevity of the consequence - and the fact that she was missing out on playtime with our house guests and even a trip to the zoo - was huge.

So, here's the success.

She served her consequence with grace and peace.  She had a beautiful afternoon and evening.  I remained calm.  Josh and I had a beautiful conversation this afternoon on parenting and our goals and intentions.  I'm empowered.  Simple Parenting.  Say less.  Calm is Power.  Don't let these battles get us worked up.  It's simple.  Really!?  Fight NOW.  What is your end goal?  It won't happen on accident.  It's simple.  Really?!  If you take out the emotion, it is.  But... that is my biggest challenge - and that is why I'm thankful for my husband.  He makes it so simple, and he clarifies things for me.

I'm writing this to empower you and my children (if they ever read this in the future).  Say less.  Don't engage in the emotion and manipulation.  Calm is power.  Consistently calm.  State the consequence and follow through.  We will begin to see results - some day - and I'm confident it will be beautiful.

I'm hopeful and inspired!

I'm grateful for my blogland community and the encouragement I receive from each of you!

Please take a moment to say hello!  :)

I'm reading this right now...

and goodness, it's already grabbing me.

I'll keep you posted, but I have a feeling that I'll be on a roll.  I had a feeling that I already agreed with the philosophy before I picked up the book, but I couldn't resist.  It came highly recommended by a Mother I respect, so I purchased it.  I'm already totally into it.

Really, friends, it just makes sense.  Our children are so overwhelmed with over scheduling, so much stuff, clutter and chaos.

We have house guests now (a mother, a 4 year old and a 2 year old) - for a total of 11 days in our home.  It really has been beautiful.

She said to me, "I've been so peaceful here.  With 5 children, who would have thought?!"

One thing that keeps coming up is how - "I avoid chaos at all costs."  My ultimate goal is peace.

Clutter and chaos = lack of peace.

I love this book.  Simplicity = Peace.

Less stuff = less chaos = more peace.

Stay tuned for my ramblings on Simplicity Parenting...  :)

I don't want to wish for a "re-do"

I've got something on my heart - a little whisper I keep hearing in my mind.

So, here it goes.

When my kids are grown and moving on to college - or when I'm a grandmother and looking back on my Mothering - I don't want to wish for a "re-do".

I'm serious about this Mothering thing.  I'm not striving to be perfect - the idea of perfection makes my chest hurt.  I was not created to be perfect, and I'm not expected to be perfect.  But, by golly - I want to be intentional.  I believe it's my responsibility to be intentional with my children.

I will teach them, guide them, love them, enjoy them - and give it my all.

I want to look back and - with confidence - say, "I read. I asked questions. I continued learning. I humbled myself. I was mentored. I loved. I taught. I enjoyed. I mentored them."

I know I'm going to screw up at times.  I'm ready for that.  But, the end result we desire will not happen on accident.

I don't want to wish for a "re-do".

I am a Mother on a Mission - hear me roar!  ;)

Decluttering 100 items and then some more...

I participated in a "Decluttering 100 items in April" challenge at Live Renewed.

I really enjoy reading the Live Renewed blog - "inspiration for living frugally green".

So, April is over!  Now is the time that I have submit my picture of the 100 items that came out of my house.  I'm happy to report that 100s of items came out!

On April 28 and 29, I had a Yard Sale and lots of items sold - and we made some pretty good money!  The kids had great attitudes as they saw their stuff flying off the shelves and money was added to their savings jars.  Sophie is getting close to buying her plane ticket to FL to visit her cousin!

The picture above is the pile of items left over that Salvation Army came to pick up.  Way over 100 items came out of our home.  It feels good and I'm excited to keep plugging away on our journey - focusing on our mission to "live simply".

I keep telling myself - and I'll tell you too:  It's a journey.  It's a journey.  One day at a time.

No more brown apples...

 Sophie loves taking apples slices to school for a snack or in her lunch (because she can't eat a whole apple), but she gets frustrated because they are brown by the times she gets to them.  So, the other day we did a little experiment and discovered a little trick to keep her apples from turning brown.  Maybe you already know this, but I can never keep a good tip to myself - so here you go!

How to keep your apple slices from turning brown:

Slice your apple.

Soak them in orange juice for a few minutes.

They don't turn brown - and taste really yummy!

Don't forget to drink the orange juice when you are done.  No wasting!  ;)

I sliced a bunch ahead of time, soaked them, and put them in the fridge (in a baggy) overnight.  They didn't turn brown!  I've also left them soaking in OJ for a while in the fridge (in a bowl).  Either way, you can't mess this up.  The fun thing about the OJ is the flavor it adds to the apples.  Yummy!

Project Simplify...

Will you join me and other Simple Mom readers?

I don't know about you, but I can feel Spring coming - and I'm so excited!

I'm also feeling the need to Spring Clean, purge and organize.  Our neighborhood Garage Sale is scheduled for the end of April, and this project is very timely for me and alligns with our mission to "live simply".
 

Will you join me?  Let me know!

It will be fun to do this together!

Here are Simple Mom's Instructions:

So, to sum up - Simple Mom writes:

1. On Monday, I’ll announce that week’s “hot spot” project.

2. You’ll have the week to declutter, clean, and organize that area — don’t forget to take “before” and “after” photos (no straightening up ahead of time, either!).

3. On Friday, I’ll reveal my own “before” and “after” photos.

4a. You’ll also post your photos and write about your experience on your own blog, then link to it on Simple Mom.

4b. If you don’t have a blog, you can share your “before” and “after” photos in the Simple Living Flickr pool, describing your experience in the photos’ description. (You can also do this even if you have a blog.)

5. Rest from the week’s hard work by browsing everyone else’s photos (and find inspiration for the next project!).

6. Cross your fingers in hopes that you’ve won that week’s giveaway.

"But I do have control over the tone and feel of our home. I get to use these walls and that door as barrier and create a sanctuary for us from the world."

taken from here.

Thinking about Christmas...

I don't know about you... but I am REALLY starting to think about Christmas.  I am thinking about WHAT we should purchase.  WHY we should purchase it.  HOW MUCH we should budget.  And on and on...

I want to be INTENTIONAL with our gift giving.  I would like to give the give of TIME and RELATIONSHIP more than stuff...

I would like to SPEND LESS on the rich so we can GIVE MORE to the needy.

What is the BALANCE?  I am not sure, but I will do my best to find what works for our family -

1 year at a time.

I got a post from Simple Mom the other day on Stocking Stuffer ideas that I thought was fun. 

Thought I'd share! 

What are some of your gift ideas for stockings, your children and even your spouse or parents?! 

What are some ideas you have that go beyond STUFF and get to the HEART?

Share!  I LOVE IDEAS!

~~~~~~~~~~

Simple Stocking Stuffers

• Magnifying glass
• Marbles
• Deck of Cards
• Flashlight
• Measuring Tape
• Book light
• Gem stones and polished rocks
• Field guide
• Sunglasses
• Origami paper
• Crayons
  
• Colored pencils
• Small blank books
• Toothbrush (my kids think spin brushes are pretty cool)
• Pony O’s
• Hair Barrettes
• Socks in fun patterns
• Legwarmers
• Mad Libs
• Stickers

Meal Plan Monday!

Yeah, Here I am!  It's 9:20 on Monday night, and I'm finally posting my Menu for the week - maybe because I just figured it out.  I will not have recipes now (I need to type the rest), maybe by tomorrow!  I still need to iron Josh's shirts for the week...  I'm a little behind - and it's only Monday.  :)  oh no.

If you've been hanging out with me for a while, you know I LOVE routines.  Well, I am now working on Mondays for my Dad, and it's been so hard figuring out when I will shop for my weekly menu.  I try to stay focused on Sundays, but after church - I just want to lay around!  It's Sabbath, right?  Going to the store is NOT resting, I do know that!  But, I know I will settle into a routine soon and get this all figured out.

Anyway, I was able to plan a menu today, but I still need to hit the store.

If you haven't noticed, our family is MOSTLY vegetarian.  We will eat meat occasionally - and we prefer to eat meat only from a local/grassfed farm in our community.

BUT, IF YOU INVITE US OVER FOR DINNER WE WILL EAT WHATEVER YOU SERVE US AND WE WILL WILL SAY THAAAAAANK YOOOOOOU! AND WILL BE SOOOO GRATEFUL!

Our philosophy is 75% of the time we eat... our way.
The other 25% of the time we... go with the flow.

This week our family is eating:

Sunday:  Enchilada Soup
We went to Josh's sister's home on Sunday for a Fall Family Party.  I made an amazing Enchilada Soup!

Monday:  Pizza Roll - I made up this one.  I've been craving a pizza roll and kind of combined a few recipes I have seen.  I got a pillsbury refrigerated pizza dough, spread it out into a square, poured 1/2 a jar of pizza sauce on the center of the dough, put mushrooms down, olives down, because these were the veggies I had and covered it with cheese.  I did a few shakes or oregano, a few shakes of garlic salt, rolled it up (like a tortilla - seam on bottom), brushed olive oil on top and shook some parm. cheese on top.  I baked it for 15ish minutes at 375.  Josh LOVED it and so did the kids.

Tuesday:  Taco Bake and left over Enchilada Soup - recipes to come!

Wednesday:  Potato Soup - a new recipe I will try.

Thursday:  BBQ Pork Sandwiches and Red Potatoes
For the BBQ Pork, I buy canned pork at Seven Sons, put it on the stove and mix a jar or BBQ sauce with it and warm it up!  SOOOOOO easy and Josh loves it.  I'm always happy when Josh is happy.  I'll get some good buns and serve up a sandwich.  It's also good with some lettuce on the sandwich.

Friday:  Beef Stroganoff - recipe to come.

Saturday:  hmmm...  a treat!  Maybe Chinese carry out?!

Meal Plan Monday!

Well, here it is...  my very first Menu Plan Monday post!  I'm not promising this will be posted first thing on Monday, but you'll get it eventually! 

I am committing myself  to this for a few reasons:

1.  I want some accountability.
2.  I want to share recipes.
3.  I want some new recipes!

So, why don't you join me?  I'm pretty sure there's a way to link up to a blog post.  I'm trying to figure it out - and can't. Come on super smart friends, do you know?  Please help me!  This will be fun!  Please join me and share some of your recipes.

This is our menu for the week:

Monday:  Avocado Reubens*, salt and vinegar chips and pickles.
*Rye bread, smashed up avocado, swiss cheese, warm saurkraut, thousand island dressing.
Grill it all up in a buttery skillet.  mmmmm  I can clarify if you don't understand.

Tuesday:  Usborne Book Show - I'm not preparing a meal!  Just snacks for my friends.

Wednesday:  Lasagna, fried green tomatoes (trying to use up our final harvest!) and garlic bread

Thursday:  Worship Band Fall Party!  I'm taking a side dish...  don't know that yet.  Any ideas for a fun Fall side dish?

Friday:  Butternut Squash Bisque, and grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches
This soup is AMAZING!  Halle was begging for more after we ran out.

Saturday:  I'm going out with a friend for lunch - and we're going over to friend's house for supper!  What a great day of celebrating friends and NO cooking.

Sunday:  Over to Josh's sister's house for a Fall Party.  I will take another side dish.

So, there you have it!  What's on your menu for the week?  Just post it in my comment section!

Meal Planning

Do you Meal Plan?

Sometimes I'm so good at this and sometimes I'm not - but I can tell you this...

When I actually do Meal Plan - I love it!

If you know me well - or have been reading my blog for some time - you know I thrive with structure and systems.  This is a system that brings me great peace, and I want to get better at it.

Meal Planning helps me avoid the 4 o'clock stare into the pantry and fridge - the "What's for dinner?" panic stare.  Do you know that one?

It also cuts down on extra spending due to last minute eating out and gas money because of extra trips to the store.

I usually do it (when I do it) on Sundays - after looking at the ads - I plan my meals based on what's on sale.

I also look through the pantry and fridge and see what we have on hand and what I need to use up.

Then I create my shopping list, write the meals on my schedule for the week, post it on the fridge and I feel like a new woman!  Today, I am recommitting myself to this.

So, I'm asking you.  If you do this, what resources, strategies, websites do you use?

I know there are some meal planning websites, but I've never investigated them.

Do you find yourself making the same things each week - or always trying new stuff?

I know some who plan a whole month at a time and others who just do a week at a time.

What has worked for your family?

Let's share some ideas!

Another Natural "All Purpose Cleaner"

I just found this recipe on another blog.  I think I may give it a try since I have all of the ingredients on hand.  Well, I have regular baking soda rather than washing soda.  Will that make a difference?  I don't even know the difference.  I'll let you know how I like it.  Vinegar is a natural disinfectant, if you didn't know that.  I like to know that because I'm always thinking - How will this "disinfect"?

Fresh Smelling Multipurpose Cleaner

3 1/2 cups hot water
1/2 cup white or apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon Borax
1 teaspoon washing soda
1 teaspoon liquid castile soap
1 32 oz. spray bottle

Natural Homemade Cleaners

 

I've touched on this before, but I recently came across some recipes I printed in the past from Simple Organic and they inspired me to share again - and inspired me to keep it up!

Basically, you can clean 95% of your home with VINEGAR, WATER and BAKING SODA.

While I am far from perfect and cannot say I clean "naturally" 100% of the time, I am passionate about this topic and have Natural Cleaning - free of toxins - on my Top 10 list of priorities as Home Manager.  Plus, my kids can help me!

Earlier in my journey - So often, the girls would ask to help me with cleaning, and I'd say, "No.  I don't want you to get chemicals on you."  Well, if I don't want chemicals on my kids, then why am I putting them on me?  And why am I putting them in the air of our home that we all breath?

Now, I've put them to work!  We play "Cinderella".

Today, I mopped our floors and while I was mopping, I thought - "How awesome that I'm putting dish soap, vinegar and water on me right now.  No worries."

Also, with little ones all over the floors, eating food off the floors (yes, there's often food on the floors at our house), bathing is tubs, dropping their toothbrushes in the sinks and then putting them back in their mouths - free of chemicals - brings peace to my mind.

Those ideas are why I have identified Natural Cleaning a priority in our home.

This is what I've been doing and it's so easy - and cheap!

1.  All Purpose Cleaner
For countertops, sinks, toilets, and for spot cleaning floors
Mix 1 part white vinegar and 1 part water in a spray bottle.  Spray and scrub.

2.  Bathtub/Sink Scrub
In a bowl, make a paste with baking soda, a squirt of your dish soap*, and a squeeze of lemon, to the consistency of frosting.  Dip cloth or sponge into paste and scrub.

3.  Mirror and Glass Cleaner
2 tsp vinegar
1 quart water
Mix in a spray bottle.  Spray on mirror or glass, and wipe clean with old newspaper.  Leaves no lint!

4.  Floor Cleaner
1/4 cup dish soap*
1/2 cup white vinegar or lemon juice
2 gallons warm water
Combine in sink or large bucket and use with mop or cloth.  A while back, I started mopping the old fashioned way - on my hands and knees with a microfiber cloth.  That way, I can get my base boards and cupboard doors while I'm at it.  I don't think I'll ever go back - to a mop that is.

I have a spray bottle of the "All Purpose Cleaner" sitting out most of the time.  That's pretty much my "go to" for all my cleaning.  I also have a few microfiber cloths that I use everywhere for everything.  I can wash and reuse them.  Again, cheap and easy.  You've heard me say before - I'm all about simple.  If it's too complicated - I'm done.

*Simple Organic suggests when you purchase dish soap at the store, look for words like biodegradable, septic-safe and non-toxic.  Avoid soap that contains "petroleum distillates or phosphates".  Some good brands to check out would be Seventh Generation and Earth Friendly Products.

Is this a passion/interest of yours?  
What other recipes and/or methods have worked for your family?