Classes and certifications

 When your mechanic has to travel for work to take classes to become certified with everything new coming out and then keep his certifications up to date and between his regular hours at the shop and then his traveling  for these classes it feels like I never seen him anymore. So what do i do to pass the time but yet keep the spice alive and let him know hes still loved and missed? 

well I try to find out what city hes going to be in especially if hes going to another state, look up everything fun he could do and experience, find out what amenities hes going to have if hes being put in a hotel room then plan his meals accordingly, also I tape a sticky note with microwave heating instructions to the lid of the Tupperware because we all know our men will slap it in the microwave and then forget about it so I also send the food in containers i don't care if i ever see again, lol. 

now remember those spicy photos we all take when we first start dating a fella for a few months well do exactly that and if your ever worried about the photo being leaked watermark the photo with your mechanics name and if he asks why the watermark just say because the photo is for you only but if you do the water mark kinda small and place it in the corner of the photo he wont even notice the watermark. 

to occupy my time while hes away plan a girls night, watch your favorite shows or movies, treat yourself to a spa day you could always treat it like a mini vacation and or go with and enjoy the hotel too but before you do make sure the company isn't planning on booking a few guys per room.   

Ideas for the Never Ending Merch Supply from our mechanics

 I've been debating about making this post for a few days now but just Last week I was asked how I manage the never ending clothes that Nick gets when he bought something from snap on or the parts store so I thought this post would be a perfect way to answer this question. 

Well when we first got together I just threw them in a tote or in a spare duffle bag and tossed them in the back of the closet, and when he wore them until they got holes I would rotate them and throw the old ones away. But now I turn the old ones into rags. The decent but older ones I turn into pillows for the couch. We use them for propping injured limbs up or for guests that spend the night. 

The ones Nick no longer wears but are in perfect shape I turn them into smaller shirts for Dominick so he has matching shirts with Nick. They think it's cute when they match and the compliments I get or where I find a particular shirt, or I turn them into beach bags/ grocery bags.

 And of course we have the ones in the closet that Nick wears. I also try to leave a few out that are in good shape for when we go on vacation he has something cooler but nothing work related. If you don't know how to sew that is perfectly fine. There are plenty of non sewing videos on youtube that just use knots but when done are really cute. 

I hope this helps answer the questions and give you ideas on the never ending merch our mechanics get.

Eco Friendly Drain Cleaner

 Have you ever came home from running errands and your mechanic has parts in every sink, bathtub or shower and now you have to spend hours cleaning and unclogging drains, well guess what you are not alone, Nick has done that to me back in 2014-2015 him and his buddies decided to take clean the engine on their project truck while I was away for the day and when I saw the Mess I grabbed a beer told nick he would have to help clean it up, thankfully he helped and unfortunately  a few days after cleaning up the grease and piecing together the engine and other parts our bathroom sink got clogged and having nieces,nephews & animals in and out of our house I wanted something not harmful for them but something that would get the job done. So off to google I went and found an eco friendly way to clean and unclog our drains. You might have heard of it before I didn't so i was surprised i found something and even more surprised it worked.

            ~ Eco Friendly Drain Cleaner ~

1. Try to get everything out of the drain as best as you can.

2. get something to plug the drain this will help keep the ingredients from coming back up into the sink or whatever you are cleaning. 

            3. Run Hot Water for a few minutes this allows you to warm up the pipes and will help unclog and clean them.

4. Pour ½ cup of Baking Soda down the drain 

5. Pour 1 cup of white Vinegar down the drain and plug the drain wait for 10 minutes 

( Yes you will fizzing and yes it is normal ) 

6th. Remove Plug and Rinse with Hot water. 

This even works if you have long hair like I do and shed like crazy!

Moving With Your Mechanic Tips & Tricks

 I’m sorry I haven't posted for a few weeks. I have been extremely busy. Last week my son was sick and up all hours of the night, and I was exhausted. Then Nick had to replace our headlight assemblies and then our car started leaking antifreeze all over the place. Then he informed me his toolbox is full and had to get 2 tool carts just to find out our tools have maxed them out as well, now the Holidays are upon us. Now off to the real post. 

 Recently Nick and I have been discussing relocating our family to his hometown in Maryland so that thought prompted me to write this post about moving with your mechanic. We don't know how soon we will be moving but now is the time I start making my lists and making a budget. And start saving money to move. 

Now we all know moving can be hectic and takes lots of planning and preparation.With that said I highly Recommend making an inventory of every tool your mechanic has. Just in case you lose a tool when you move you know which one it was. Now what I like to do when we move Is every tool we need to take something apart. I put that tool in my 1st night in the new home box so it's easier to find and get to and I don't have to wait till we unload the toolbox to get to the tool.

Since being with Nick for going on 10 years now most of the time we moved I have been the one to pack our stuff in boxes and load it up on the truck except for the big and heavy items, and I have been the one to unload an unpack at the new house.because he's had to work. What routine and rhythm works for me and my family may not work for you and yours, So try to find a routine or rhythm that works for you and your family.

I make an inventory list of everything we own and the room location that the item goes into and I keep that binder or notebook close by it comes in handy for the boxes named miscellaneous and I write the room name on a piece of printer paper and label the doors at the old place and when we move I put the same pieces of paper on the doors at the new place It helps us out and it also helps our friends & family when and if they are able to come and help unload the u haul and other vehicles.  And to wrap the cords on our lamps and appliances I zip ties or jumbo rubber bands to prevent someone from tripping over the cord or the cord from getting damaged. 

Now let's talk about that 1st night box.I got the idea from Pinterest about 9 years ago and since giving it a try it has been my go to every time we move. And had made my mornings so much easier at the new houses.  I put our coffee pot, coffee, toilet paper, a few towels and cleaning supplies. I also put our shower essentials and some clothes into our duffle bags to have for the first few nights until I get our closet unpacked and clothes  put away. I also put our phone chargers and tablets and chargers in the duffle bag so we have something to watch until we unpack our tv and entertainment stands. Now this move will be the first one we make since Dominick was born so I will charge and pack his tablet and comfort toys in his book bag for the road trip, and they will come in handy and keep him entertained while I unpack the items that are too dangerous for him to help with.

I also try to plan quick and easy meals for the three of us for the first couple of weeks or  until we are fully unpacked and everything gets transferred over to the new house. If Nick gets relocated to another shop I also try to wait a month before I go and introduce myself to his co-workers. That way it gives them time to get to know Nick and it gives Nick time to get to know his co-workers. I also try to take some sort of dessert with me when I go to meet them as a nice treat for them and I end up finding out who is allergic to what and what everyone likes which makes baking for the holidays or just because it's extremely helpful and no one feels left out or forgotten.

Cleaning Hacks

                                                                Household Cleaning 

I don't know about you but I try to find easier ways to clean with my constant busy schedule that seems to never end. and my mechanic getting grease everywhere and it's never ending even tho he washes his hands on a constant. So late at night when everyone else is asleep and I finally the few minutes to myself without hearing " Hey hon have you seen or Hey mommy I need". I find myself scrolling through Pinterest.

 Just last month I stumbled across someone cleaning their house with scrub brushes that have a handle. Honestly It's been a game changer. I used to use the sponges you would get for doing dishes. with the little kids around I'm not able to carry around my cleaning bin the fear of them grabbing some chemical and getting hurt while i'm busy is real.so I try to avoid carrying a whole lot when I clean. 

 I just grab my spray bottle with Fabuloso, or whatever cleaner I need at the time, a rag that my husband forgot was in his pocket from work, ( they are fantastic cleaning rags) and the scrub brush. spray the fabuloso on the wall scrub the wall and whip it off with the rag. Honestly it keeps the kids from trying to play with my cleaning supply bin, and I don't think i'm going through my dish sponges as quick.

and if the brushes get all disgusting and or broke I just get a new one from Dollar General or where ever. 

                                                                Laundry Stain Remover

Does your mechanic ever where their good clothes out and about on his day off and still ends up underneath a vehicle at some point throughout the day, I know mine does and it makes me so made because how does he forget he has good clothes on and then I have to spend the extra time that I really didn't have just to attempt to get the stain out and it's an automatic response as soon as you seem them under a vehicle in there good clothes " yep those are ruined" crosses your mind. 

well it did for me until I got pregnant with our 1st child and my 90 yr old Great Grandmother ( yes you read that right, 90 Years Old, Yes she is still alive Thankfully) Anyways She used this Stain remover when was younger and my Great Grandfather was still Alive and he was also a mechanic ( the love for the mechanic life must be in my blood, Lol) she said it worked like a charm, so I tried it on my little ones clothes and my mechanics work clothes and omg they looked almost new. I love this stuff because it works & it's baby and Kid safe!

what you need: Hydrogen Peroxide,Baking Soda, Dawn Dish Soap. 

1 Tablespoon - Baking Soda

1 Tablespoon - Dawn Dish Soap

2 Tablespoons - Hydrogen Peroxide

* Store in a dark container & away from windows because household lights and sunlight can break down the hydrogen peroxide ( which is why Hydrogen Peroxide is in a brown bottle ) 

I found it best to get the clothing item completely wet and scrub the stain remover solution with a soft bristle toothbrush, rinse and the check the stain out before putting it in the washer, also check the stain again before putting the clothing item in the dryer ( it's easier to work the stain out before you put it in the dryer) I Hope this Helps.

                                                                Mechanics Pockets

I swear these mechanics have a bet going on to see who can fit the most stuff in their pockets before the end of the day. Because every time I go to wash his work clothes  the pockets are so full I have to pull the trash can over and get the designated "Mechanic Mystery Bin" which is an old formula container ( the bigger size) just to have somewhere to sort through the trash and put the tools,pens,sharpies, oil change stickers, lighters, oh and one time he had a computer mouse (you know the ones with usb cord with the little ball inside that comes out when you undo the bottom plastic piece) yep just stuck in his pocket. ( why, the world may never know)  and the mystery bin comes in handy when my mechanic asks if i saw something he needs for work I just hand him the bin and let him go through it. 

But What do I do when it's full? well glad you ask, I wait until the kids go to bed and I sit and go through it, I'll explain my system:

tools, Pens & notebooks - Lunch box

cash - a zipper part of the lunch box or it goes into our vacation box 

loose change - Vacation box 

I hope this helps anyone out there.