FAST FORWARD TO SUNDAY. Learning new things all the time. I will pitch the COMET and AJAX powder cleansers I have and switch full time to using BON AMI. I never gave it much thought that we can inhale carcinogens as we clean with powdered COMET and AJAX, but we can. BON AMI is a non-toxic household cleaner. Better for your beautiful lungs.
Since 1886, Bon Ami has remained committed to its non-toxic formula by not using bleach, fragrance, or dyes.
Comet and Ajax both contain the abrasive quartz, which is an inhalation carcinogen. Bon Ami uses feldspar instead of quartz which has the added benefit of not scratching while cleaning.
Bon Ami contains 5 simple ingredients and no fragrance, bleach, dyes or other toxic ingredients (found in Comet and Ajax).
The Environmental Working Group “EWG” air pollution tests found that Comet emitted 146 different chemicals, many of which are not included on the label. Some of the most toxic detected were formaldehyde, benzene, and chloroform which are associated with cancer or reproductive effects.
Research has linked cleaning agents (particularly bleach and disinfectants) to negative respiratory effects. Bleach (sodium hypochlorite) is not only irritating to the eyes and skin upon touch, but also irritates the respiratory system when inhaled.
Fragrance added to cleaning products is actually a mix of fragrance and chemicals associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress and potential effects on the reproductive system. Companies are not required to disclose the ingredients in fragrance, and research has found them to contain unnamed toxic ingredients like phthalates. Phthalates are associated with developmental and reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruption, and cancer.
https://www.switchnatural.com/home/non-toxic-household-cleaner-bon-ami
Original formula from 1886 uses only two ingredients to naturally clean life’s everyday messes: soap and feldspar. Together, these natural ingredients gently and effectively clean and polish hard surfaces, including glass*. NASA even used our 1886 formula to clean the windows on Skylab! Relive the heritage of America’s Original Natural Home Cleaner™ in an easy-to-shake powder form.
https://www.bonami.com/product/bon-ami-1886-formula-cleaning-powder/
A plus for cleaning glass top stoves. Which I will be using full time in the Cottage verses a gas range here in the big house.
Believing that simplifying cleaning products is the way to go, I have decided to switch to BON AMI instead of using Comet and Ajax. Another change for an old dog like me learning new tricks. Throw the dog a bone and be blessed.
PRAISE THE LORD, it's Sunday. Like so many other mornings, I opened the French Doors to let fresh air inside. Outdoor sounds drift inside as well. This morning I heard the local Church bells ringing to announce to surrounding households that a Church gathering is about to take place. Embracing musical tones puts a smile on my face.
The early morning sounds got my attention. Relaxing my tired body this morning. I will have a day of rest. No traveling nor will I be over at the COTTAGE switching out draperies and window panels. I need and will stay HOME today to rest.
The past two weeks have been on. the. go. busy. I know that my energy level has been good and I accomplished much. Today, I will write out supply lists and make plans for weekly activities. Write out a grocery list of foods to purchase to make ready for nutritional meals. Paperwork as I sit.
THINKING ABOUT LAST WEEK. Granddaughter visited. Went for long drives, shopped til I dropped and ate some meals at restaurants. Fried Chicken at the Lake, Mexican food at the newest local restaurant, Red Robin salad, Sugar Creek for Rachel Salads, Thursday night homemade Big Nose Kate's Nachos and Friday night Homemade Pizza. I bagged loose pieces of jewelry along with watching movies and visiting with my Granddaughter. Cleaned on the COTTAGE. Laundry and dishes.
Got my walking in for exercise. Places we visited were numerous...if I can remember as it becomes a blur.
SHOPPED TIL I DROPPED: Topeka Furniture Malls of Kansas, Topeka's West Ridge Mall where so many of the stores had closed due to the COVID crunch, Maurices, American Eagle, Plato's Closet (thrift) on Monday. St. Mary's on Tuesday for Florence Adams, Sugar Creek for lunch, 37 Pine for cleaning products. Manhattan Running Company where I purchased new sandals and stopped at Marshalls. Hobby Lobby on Wednesday. Thursday Goodwill (thrift) where I bought a navy blue Vera Bradley handbag and hubby some t-shirts. Went to Aggieville for Cold Stone Creamery for the best Banana Ice Cream with walnuts, and Acme. Friday to Manhattan Town Center where we got dollar massages in a chair, Dillards to look at Kitchen gadgets, Claire's, and ULTA BEAUTY. My feet started hurting. Stretched throughout the week, we were gone, gone, gone during the day and HOME in the evening for movies and popcorn.
HAD TIME FOR OLD JEWELRY: Determined to get jewelry pieces bagged up. It took quite a few hours bagging beads, pearls, rhinestones, earrings, etc. that were in several cardboard boxes that my Mom had given me years ago. The small pearls and beads will be reused in new creations. Making new necklaces will be a new adventure for lil 'ole me. This will be done on cold winter nights when I need to stay inside where it's warm. At any rate, the old jewelry pieces are ready to go when the time is right.
Mismatched round items, and tangled earrings were in the bottom of the cardboard boxes rolling around making a mess to count. So many, I cannot say. I bagged everything in tiny plastic bags that have zip lock tops from Hobby Lobby.
Slowly the pearls came together meeting their families and beads the same. Mismatched earrings joined their mates. Some order came to the chaos.
When I laid the little bags all out on the sofa, it didn't look like so much jewelry, but I assure you that when picking up one item at a time like a pearl, a rhinestone or beads, it was time consuming. Matching up earrings felt kind of like piecing together a very large puzzle. A mystery unfolding before my eyes.
Is LIFE like that at times? Yes, I believe it is.
Taking deep breaths,
d
