For those who don't know, the Duggars are very modest. Meaning that girls only wear skirts, long ones, and modest shirts. Men wear long shorts and pants and such. Never shirtless. Its very interesting how they can do everything in such a long skirt.
So I've decided to spend a year of my life dressed like a Duggar. It'll make things a little harder, especially at first. Running and biking will present a challenge, as will swimming. The Duggars wear special bathing suits called Wholesome Wear, however they are quite expensive. So for now I will make an exemption for swimming. It shouldn't be hard in the winter anyway, and maybe by summer I can purchase one. But even when I am swimming, I'll wear a one piece and shorts. This started on October 8th, so there are 364 days left!
So as I said above one of the things I love about the Duggars is how efficient they are. They have such a large family so they have to work on a smaller budget. One of the things they do to save money is make their own laundry soap. I tried making it at home, and I absolutely loved it. In fact, as we speak there is a load of laundry running using that laundry soap. So anyway here is the recipe.
4 Cups - hot tap water
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
1 Fels-Naptha soap bar
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)
Oh and did I mention its HE? All home made laundry soaps are low bubbles.
And I used Lavender and Peppermint essential oils in it. The smell doesn't really stay in the clothing but it does make the soap a wonder to use.
When my husband was deployed, I always found a TV show I'd watch religiously. His first deployment it was a shameful addiction to "Real Housewives of Atlanta" (eww), and during his last deployment, it was the "18 (19, 20, 21-)kids and counting" show.
ReplyDeleteI was raised much like the Duggars, only more strict parents, and 10 less siblings :) I personally do not agree with older siblings "parenting" younger siblings. There is a season for birth control, and one of those fine reasons is so that you're not asking you 12-year-old daughter to live her entire childhood taking care of one of your children. That was not a thought I had when I was watching the shows, but a thought I have had since.... I know it's rude and judgmental. It's good to have responsible kinds, but making them take care of an entire human being other than themselves is kind of not ok.
I DO, however, really like their modesty. I said I was raised that way and I was... in the winter, we wore sweatpants under our long skirts, but always wore skirts, year-round. We wore one-piece swimming suits with skirts on them, and even as I grew older, it blew my mind the stares I would get for wearing a one-piece.
I hope you enjoy dressing like a Duggar :) It's still possible to do all the things you want to do while wearing a skirt. Have you explored your personal feelings and the values behind dressing in such a way? ...Have you yet had to explain this choice to anyone?