Cleaning Votives/Candle Tarts

I love candles, but when the votive candles are spent, how do you get them out of the glass holders? The scented candle tarts are no better. They are permanently melted into their holders.

On a recent visit to Yankee Candle's flagship store in Williamsburg, VA, I learned the secret of cleaning these out--it's the freezer. One of the sales associates told me that if you put the spent tarts in the freezer they would fall right out of the holder. Sure enough, after just about 5 minutes in the freezer, they popped right out.

I tried the same with a spent votive, and had similar results. I compared the time it took me using hot water and the freezer method, and the freezer was much faster.

Once the glass votives are empty, I pop them in the dishwasher to get the last residue off and to shine them up.

Now you can enjoy the candles and have a hassle free way to clean them up.

Let your light shine!

Gift Bag Tissue Recycling

I've always recycled my gift bags. I have some that have outlived the presents that were placed in them. You can always tie on a new tag and it's good as new. But the tissue paper is another thing--that always gets trashed... that is until now.

I saw a tip (sorry can't remember the publication) that advised using your paper shredder to shred the used tissue into shredded paper for your next gift bag. I tried it and it is great.

There are a few tips you need to know to do this:

1. Clean out your shredder before doing tissue paper. Otherwise you'll have office paper in your tissue. This includes the bin and blades.

2. Fold the tissue paper in eighths or sixteenths so that it is thick enough for your shredder to operate. My couldn't sense the tissue unless I had it folded.

3. Store shredded paper in a Ziploc until needed. Combine colors for a festive look.

Happy Shredding!

Reblogging - Lessons since last time

It's been 5 long months since I've last blogged. But the past 5 months have taught me one thing.

Get regular mammograms

OK, so I put it off for a few years. Being in my mid-40's is a little late to start, but I'm glad I finally made time for the test. I had a very scary month, but after 5 additional diagnostic tests, I came back with a clean bill of health.

But the truth is, had I had regular screenings, I might not have needed all the procedures I endured. I didn't have a baseline for the doctors to compare my current scan to.

Granted, they did find a lump that needed investigation. Had it not been benign, I would have been in some trouble as it wasn't a tiny lump.

After the two needle biopsies (the needles keep getting bigger by the way with each test), a compression mammogram (which makes the regular one look like a massage) and ultrasound (the only way to test), the annual mammogram now seems like no big deal.

Sure a mammogram isn't the most comfortable few minutes you'll spend each year, but it isn't that bad when you compare it to the alternative. Personally, I like being healthy and cancer-free.

New Year, New Resolutions

Like most of you, I start the year out with a New Year's resolution to lose weight. Technically I was a little successful ending the year 10 pounds lighter than I had started.

How do you keep your resolutions alive? I believe the key is realistic goal setting.

In our hurry up, microwave society we assume that all goals should be accomplished in a year or less. But realistically, do you have to lose all the weight this year? What would happen if you finished this year 10 pounds lighter and next year 10 pounds lighter, and so on. Wouldn't you achieve your goal?

I think long-term goals are the first step. Take some time to think about where you want to be in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years. I have a laminated business card that I carry with me which contains my personal mission statement and long-term goals. These are things that I really want to do, not some passing fancy. I categorize one goal in the following areas: mind (educational), body (fitness), career, and soul (spiritual). I keep the card until all goals are achieved. I am only on my second card, but already I have a couple of my goals checked off, but realize it may take another 3 or 4 years to realize all of them. The key is to be working on them as I go. Eventually, because I am committed to these goals, they will all be completed.

You can set short-term goals based on the long-term ones--just make them realistic. We often give up because we either set goals we really don't want to achieve or set too short a time frame for completion.

Take a moment and think about your purpose in life and where you want to be. Ask God for spiritual guidance. Discuss your goals and purpose with others to get insights from those who know you best.

While plans can change, if you have an overarching goal and directive, you are much more likely to arrive at your destination. And remember, if you don't have a road map, you'll probably get lost along the way.