5 Amazing And Kinda Messy Things To Do In (Almost) Any Hometown

Spring is here and with it, for many, comes the sun and many lazy days off for Spring Break.

Whether you get a Spring Break vacation, or not, the many sunny days ahead leading up to and through Summer mean plenty of afternoons and weekends open for exploring. While I wish it was possible to plan a getaway and travel every weekend and break, it's just not practical for the modern 'doer,' so people such as you and I have to find creative ways to get out and have fun. Some of my absolute favorite ways are not only budget friendly, but satisfyingly messy. From down right muddy and color-coated dirty, to more mundane dairy drips and dusty trinkets, I've compiled some of my top 5 Amazing (and kinda mess) Things To Do In (almost) Any Hometown.

Read on to explore with me!

Whether you're simply out and about going on with your daily life, or tackling one of my 5 mini adventures life's bound to be a little messy.

As someone who is a bit, well, anal, about keeping things tidy and clean having things unkempt much farther than the incident that caused them gives me anxiety. Don't get me wrong, I love a good mess- stains, scuffs, and dirt are just a few of the badges any proper doer should wear proudly- but there's also a time to clean them up. Thankfully I don't have to wait until I get home, or a proper washroom to tidy up myself and the scene around me.

Made for Doers NEW Kleenex Wet Wipes come in convenient to take on the go 20 count packages of gentle yet strong wet wipes. With 3 uniquely strong varieties such as Gentle Clean, Sensitive, and Germ Removal you'll always have the clean you need to get clean and back to Doing. All 3 varieties are thick and soft for tough cleaning jobs, free of harsh chemicals, and perfect for hands and faces. You'll find them at Target for just $1.49 a package right next to all of your other favorite Kleenex products- be sure to stock up on some Kleenex Go-Packs too, Kleenex Wipes work great when paired with your favorite Kleenex tissue products!

Now that you're properly ready to tackle nay adventure that life throws at you, let's take a look at my first hometown messy adventure:

#1. Flea Market/Garage Sale/Thrift Store Hunting

So the idea of treasure hunting someone else's long forgotten goods isn't exactly ground-breaking to you, but when was the last time you actually got out there and experienced the thrill of the hunt? I know, personally, every weekend I drive past yard sales in a rush from here to there, getting things 'done' and always think, 'I should stop.' Naturally, I never schedule time to actually stop- but when I DO make time to go out and explore thrift shops, flea markets, and more it truly is an adventure worth having.

Scouting your hometown for local treasures can be as simple as visiting the local second hand or antique store, planning a Saturday yard sale route, or visiting the weekly Flea Market. The latter of which is naturally the most messy- you truly never know what you'll find sprawled along the concrete at a local fairgrounds or parking lot event.

In most cases you'll have to pick up potential treasures to really inspect them for their hidden value, or even re-purpose potential, and the dirt and gunk builds up fast! Halfway through the afternoon when the smell of roasted nuts and fresh fruit cups from the food trucks hit your nose you look like you've been diving in an attic all day. No fear- Kleenex Wet Wipes Germ Removal are the perfect solution for tough and soft cleanliness in a few good swipes.

2. Location Based Treasure Hunting (Geocaching)

This one I'm fairly confident ANYONE can do in their hometown. Even if there aren't many geocaches in existence near you it's fun to spend an afternoon creating, hiding, and registering a cache of your own.

What is geocaching? Well it's a real life treasure hunt which relies on geographical coordinates and written clues to locate small treasures known as caches. You can geocache as casual or intense as you choose- simply printing out a few points of interest before you leave the house, or using a full blown companion application with real time community updates.

There are several guidelines as to what can be a cache and where people can hide them, so you don't have to worry about getting into anything illegal (like trespassing or vandalism). While geocaching is often considered a hobby it's something anybody can do with no prior experience and minimal to no preparation. So, while you might not pick it up as an interest it's definitely something worth exploring for an afternoon.

You are bound to get dirty hunting for those tiny little treasures- things can be stuck magnetically, taped, tied, or even lightly buried. The only real rule in geocaching, when hiding, these little treasure capsules is not to damage ore deface property that does not belong to you. You'll definitely want to bring along some Kleenex Wet Wipes Germ Removal Wipes to keep your hands clean in between peeks and poking around. While you're at it, why not give the capsules you do find a quick little wipe down to freshen them up from weather and wear?

3. It's not your ordinary 5k, kay?

A few years back 'themed' 5k events first began hitting the scene exclusively in large towns across the country. What started as a fad has grown into a global phenomenon- you'll find everything from night time glow runs to muddy tough runs, and (my favorite) color coated jog/walk/skip/dance runs. If you've never looked into attending one of these 'fun run' events you might be surprised just how many take place near you monthly.

There are so many individual events and 'races' being conceived and started every day that even small community events are being organized nationally. And, if the thought of 'running' is why you've never really taken the time to inspect this idea more let me be the first to tell you there's no competition in these fun events. Generally everyone gets a participation metal, no awards or times are handed out- and you can quite literally stroll, cartwheel, or casually walk from the starting line to finish.

Even better exercise is exercise and the very fact that you're choosing to get out in the fresh air and sunshine and hauling yourself across 5k (which really isn't that much) of terrain, while being social, is an accomplishment worth celebrating.

While every one of these 'fun runs' have their own theme, my favorite are the ones involving glitter, mud, or color. Jay and I will typically put a little time in planning face-paint, outfits, and more to really have FUN with the day. The messes, however, are intense- this definitely tops my list as the messiest local activity. You'll want to pack a Kleenex Wet Wipes Gentle Clean for your face, hands, and more, and leave another package in the car to wipe down any stray color or glitter that inevitably will 'puff' out of your very clothing and pores on the way home.

4. Let it go to the dogs (and cats)

This 4th kinda messy adventure for any hometown is definitely my favorite and absolutely free- no money involved, outside of gas to travel if you only have a county specific location to visit.

That's right, the local animal shelter, OR animal rescue non profit organization.

These facilities are always looking for people to come by and spend time with the animals waiting for their new furrever homes. No commitment needed. In fact many county sized shelters even have designated co-habiting rooms for several animals to live and interact in outside of traditional kennels or cages.

Our Camarillo Animal Shelter has a lovely cat room for senior (over 7 years) kitties that anyone in the public can walk into during business hours and play with and pet the wonderful kitties. Come for 5 minutes, or stay for an hour- leave with a completely refreshing attitude on life. These animals spend the majority of their days waiting for new homes alone with minimal human interaction. Volunteers do their best but most facilities are over-crowded and one-on-one time just isn't there.

Fancy canines instead?

Most organizations are happy to let you take a dog out to a designated play space and run around with a pup no commitment required. Just explain that you're not currently looking to adopt but would like to help make a dog's day better, and they'll completely understand.

Of course, I can't say that doing this free activity won't result in you bringing a new family member home- it can be quite addictive!

Be sure to bring your Kleenex Wet Wipes along to tidy those hands in between animals (you don't want to contaminate animals kept in seclusion or kennels) and also for your own cleanliness when moving about the shelter or facility.

Speaking of pets- every day is an adventure in your hometown when you have a dog (or many in our case.)

Much like human children they seem to be mess magnets- I'm not sure how something attached to my arm with a lead ends up wandering into so may mud puddles and dirt clumps, but our 2lb terrier yorkie mix, Gidget is the queen of it! Just look at how muddy her little paws got on a recent walk at the harbor this past weekend!

If you have dogs, especially dogs that go EVERYWHERE with you then you know the need for a gentle, dye/alcohol/paraben free, solution to the many messes those paws and snouts seem to find their way into.

We love Kleenex Wet Wipes Sensetive for our tiny paws and whiskered faces. Whether it's cleaning up that leftover whipped cream from the Starbuck's Puppachino or wiping down muddy paws after a wayward adventure, the easy to pack and effectively strong Kleenex Wet Wipes are a must for any dog parent!

Inevitably, while we are out on all of these local messy adventures we always wind up stopping into our local Target for odds and ends. Either Kay forgot to pack sunscreen or we simply need more snacks to stash in the cooler for the evening's events. In either case, we love that we can grab a few more Kleenex Wet Wipes packs for just $1.49 before heading back out on the day's exploration and fun.

5. Eat the town.

This may seem self explanatory but your local flavor has an abundance to offer from fine dining to taco carts on the site of the road to that new Vegan bistro that just opened up downtown. You have to eat 3 times a day every day anyway so why not decide to go out and explore some new eateries and have a mini gastronomic adventure?

Whether it's a commitment to finally get that 5 scoop ice cream from the parlor down at the harbor, or to try that fresh catch of the day seafood place, there's plenty to explore outside your usual stomping grounds. Sure, it could be hit or miss on what you find, but playing food critic is never dull and always worth it in stories, experience, and more.

When we head out to eat the town we have a general rule of thumb, er sticky fingers- the messier it is, the tastier it probably is! Kleenex Wet Wipes Sensitive are perfect for cleaning faces and hands in between bites!

So there you have it, my top 5 Messy Adventures For (almost any) Hometown- which adventure will you set off on this weekend? Have you done any of these before in your town, and if so, what is your favorite? No matter where your feet, or stomach, takes you be sure to stop by your local Target first to stock up on a variety of Kleenex Wet Wipes for just $1.49 a package!

5 Ways To Care For Yourself + Others In 60 Seconds Or Less

With the new year came a slew of phone calls, last minute jobs, event invitations, and post-holiday checklists.

I've been sitting here regretting not going 'black' on social media for the weekend leading up to New Year's Day, as it seems my social channels, and the pings, are entirely lit up. How is a woman to get anything done with all the well wishing, memes, and long lost friends getting in touch?!

With all this scrambling and socializing I'm finding myself in need of a clone- or at least some time saving hacks. I'll admit, I tend to cut corners on my own needs and care before I cut into others', when it gets hectic like this; so having a plan is necessary.

My first angle of attack is to shop Walmart-

Saving money and having many types of products and services at a one-stop-shop setting is a no brainer. I know, I didn't exactly leak the secret of the century.

But, did you know that you can now enjoy 2 amazing time saving FREE services when you shop through Walmart online?

Online Walmart customers can now enjoy FREE 2-day shipping on select items, or save even more time (and money, thanks to a special bonus) when they choose "in-store pickup" for their online order. If you've been to your Walmart recently and seen a swanky bright orange service center near the front of the store then your store offers FREE in-store pickup. An amazing service that also saves you money with special in-store pickup prices on thousands of everyday items.

I haven't had time to head INTO my local Walmart lately, but I knew our house needed to stock up on some of those 'year-round' kinda essentials. I also knew that Truffles, our cat, would appreciate a few good sized boxes to lounge in following the post-holiday stress.

I've got to say, the only thing more convenient than shopping my local Walmart is shopping it from my couch, in my jammies, and having my products show up on my doorstep 2-days later!

Speaking of pets, and kids, and all the things we love in our lives that bring a few extra unexpected surprises- Kleenex is a year-round staple that helps care for myself and my family simply by being present in our home. There are many varieties of super soft Kleenex tissues from nourishing Kleenex Lotion to super plush Ultra, and this season's must, Anti-Viral.

Kleenex Anti-Viral has moisture activated blue dot layer with special anti viral formula to kill cold and flu viruses, and kills 99.9% of cold and flu viruses in the tissue. That means I'm prepared for whatever cold and flu season brings my way as well as those concessional pet dander sniffles and pollen a-choos. It just so happens you can also achieve this 60 second care tip (stocking Kleenex at home) with tip #1- shopping online at Walmart.com. Don't you just love when things line up like that?

My next best tip to care for yourself and loved ones revolves around hydration.

So often when we get busy we forget proper nutrition, hydration being one of them. Choosing smart liquids, at regular intervals, throughout the day is crucial to keeping our bodies in top shape so we can tackle everything without breaking down. While water is the best option for daily hydration consider stocking some alternate healthy beverage options to encourage your family to drink more fluids, through flavor.

We love a fresh cup of tea in our home, but warmer weather sometimes calls for a low-sugar fruit juice. In the end, it only takes a few moments to stop and take a sip!

Lastly, prepare small spaces outside your home for busy rush times-

Consider your office, car, or other spaces where you may spend long periods of time. Stock them with plenty of snacks, water, hand santizer, mini lotions and of course a few Kleenex travel packs. We always have Kleenex on hand in our car for everything from allergy sniffles to sticky hands and ice cream coated faces. With their strong softness, they're essential to have on-the- go, as well as in the home!

So there you have it, 5 simple 60-second-or-less tricks to help care for yourself and others throughout the year!

Shop online at Walmart for FREE 2-day shipping or save with in-store-pickup on select items, and you can tackle several of these tips at once, win/win. Now, tell me, what are some of your quick tips to help care for yourself and others in the new year?

#SpreadKleenexCare And Holiday Cheer With The Elfing Tradition- FREE Printable

Momma Told Me: Give without reason.


My favorite thing about the holidays, by far, is the excuse to spread a little goodwill and cheer. Growing up, Momma's mother, my grandmother, was notorious for opening her home to anyone in need. She would also, quite literally give you the watch/necklace/sweater off her back if you so much as complimented them. As she explained to me, many times before her passing, she was an especially blessed lady, with an exceptionally full and fortunate life, and the only thing she then desired was to spread the fortune with others. She volunteered with and fed the local nuns, kept the doors of her personal home open to any wayward employees on holidays (so that no one she knew would ever have to be alone,) and gave without hesitation when asked. She was a pretty freaking awesome lady, if I do say so.

As an adult, I've constantly drawn upon her memory as my own inspiration to give to those in need, and generally give without reason. Helping someone unexpectedly and without question can often be just as valuable as helping those with outstretched hands. That is to say, we should all actively practice 'Paying it forward' outside of the coffee window drive-thru. Even more importantly, for parents, there are always small pairs of eyes watching us, and it's great to share the joy of giving when we can. Traditions such as 'Booing' and 'Elfing' have come around out from such a purpose.

What on Earth is Elfing?

Elfing is the act of playing seasonal 'Dong, Dong, Ditch,' with a positive outcome. Essentially an individual or family would put together a small gift basket to leave on a neighbor's door, anonymously. The 'Elf' (in this case you or your family,) would place a note with the basket of goodies explaining what has happened and asking the recipient to 'pass it on' by spreading more good cheer and acting as an elf themselves. This time of year I've seen 'Elves' deliver everything from a frozen turkey to a 'get better kit' for the seasonal woes. There are no rights or wrongs, really- the only goal is to have fun, and spread smiles.

For our 'Elfing' kit we decided to pick up a small pre-lit coffee table tree, some holiday hand soap, a delicious smelling candle, a pop up tape dispenser (for seasonal wrapping,) some light up 'snowballs,' a few of our favorite K-Cups, homemade cookies, and several packages of Anti-Viral Kleenex. Every home needs extra Kleenex on hand this time of the year, and we always have plenty to share thanks to the convenience of club pickup orders and bulk sizing at Sam's Clubhttps://ooh.li/8083a94. I thought the new Anti-Viral Kleenex were especially thoughtful and important since they will undoubtedly soothe AND protect my recipients throughout the season.

After you've assembled your 'Elfing' gift go ahead and print our FREE printable 'You've Been Elfed' starter kit twice. You'll want one copy to include with your surprises, and another to give your recipient for them to elf with! Or, you can write this post link on the back and send theme here to grab their own printables! I used a hole punch to run some festive ribbon through the door hanger and Elfing announcement as a little extra touch. Make sure that your recipient knows to hang the 'Wev'e Been Elfed' sign on the door so the next Elf knows not to stop there!

The neighbor we chose to elf happens to be friends with us on Facebook, so it was especially rewarding to see their enthusiasm online! Not only were they completely surprised by the gesture but the follow up responses to her post were quite excited and interested in the 'Elfing' process. I, personally, participate in a lot of 'swaps' this time of year because I like to shop for strangers and receive surprises. 'Elfing' is very similar, except you know someone else will receive the kind gesture in return. And that's precisely the good cheer the holidays are made of!

Start your own 'Elfing' tradition in your neighborhood today and pick up all of your seasonal necessities, such as Kleenex at Sam's Club. You'll find great varieties of quality, soft, Kleenex, such as Anti-Viral, Ultra Soft, and seasonal prints/packaging in bulk sizes sure to get you and your family through the holiday season. Now, tell me, how do you give back during the holiday season? Does your family participate in a tradition similar to Elfing?

What Daughter Says:  The holidays are a great reason to give, but life should be lived in the spirit of giving, no matter the season.