Frugality

A few nights ago in my very own kitchen, we made laundry soap. Last week my husband looked at me and said, " Can't we cut corners somewhere?" So, that made me think.

Two days ago we ran out of Bounce dryer sheets. Instead of running and buying them at the store (the store being 10 miles away), like I usually do, I looked to see how to make them. At over $3 a gallon, I decided it would be a better option to put on my lab coat and get to work.

I did some searching. There were a lot of answers out there. One lady suggested, 1/2 cup of white vinegar per load with essential oil dropped into it. Another suggested buying softner in the bottle and diluting it. She then stuck the diluted mixture in a baby wipe box with cotton scraps. Those scraps lasted up to five loads. Wash and repeat.

But, neither solved my problem. So, I looked for a recipe. I lost the website I got this off of, but it works and works well. The plus, you have all of this in your house!

2 cups of water
1/2 cup of white vinegar
1/2 cup of hair conditioner

Wisk all together. I put mine in 2-1 quart Mason jars. She said to stick scraps of t-shirt material for your sheets. I had some pants my daughter could no longer wear and cut them into strips the size of a dryer sheet. They are red and easy to find!! Plus, they last more than one load!

Long story short, a little ingenuity goes a long way:)

Diet

So, according to Chelsea Handler, if you talk about a diet, you won't stay on it. I completely disagree. Talking about it and the frustrations it brings, helps relieve the pressure.

I did program with points a few years ago. It worked but was too constrictive. So, I decided this time around to use their point system to come up with a reasonable calorie goal. Using the same principals of high fiber, low fat, and keeping a journal of my food and activity.

The first two weeks of this endeavor, I will not weigh myself. My goal is to stay under my calorie restriction and write every single item down that goes into my pie hole. That alone will be a feat.

Wish me luck on my first day. I will give a progress report tomorrow. And my goal here is to be honest.

Plans...

Ok, I had a realization this morning. There are planners, and then there are the people who live with planners. Myself, I am a planner. The thing is, I never realized this about myself.

In a little over a month, I will be 32.
I have always been a big dreamer. But, now, I have begun to want to make my dreams a reality.  How cliched, right? Right about now I would be rolling my eyes if I were reading this.

So, the store is up and running. But, I want more. I have a plan, let's see how this goes.

A Time For Cliches.....

A new year is upon us, everyone is busy making resolutions. I, myself, am not a big resolution maker. I have learned a few things over this past year though. So, my goal is to clean out my life.

First and foremost, never to drink Sangria again. In 2011, Sangria was not my friend. The latest occurrence being weird frog in my underpants dream on New Year's Eve. Wake up in the new year screaming and kicking, it's just not cool.

Second, I will not post anything personal on facebook. A girlfriend of mine made me her direct target on facebook after a private discussion we had. Please refrain from virtual fighting, have balls and have it out directly with the person.

Facebook is just another tool for braggers. Everyone looks happy in their photos, looks can be deceiving. And another realm for gutless people to fight. So, I have also decided to ignore facebook as much as possible and focus on reality.

As in tradition, we are going to diet. Unlike tradition, it has nothing to do with New Year's, just tired of being fat.

And, last, but not least, my official clean out starts today. I am starting with my garage. I am not just cleaning out my clutter this year. I am getting rid of all things I don't need: junk, extra clothes, junk food, my fast food habit, extra craft supplies, and toxic friendships.

Wishing everyone a wonderful start to the new year......

Two days later....

Happy New Year's Eve! Yesterday, I began cleaning my house for our family party. First on my list was the bathroom. I thought I would get the laundry pile washed and then begin cleaning. There was one problem, the laundry pile in our bathroom alone was big enough for the mob to hide a dead body in. I promise you, seriously, the police would never find it.

So, I spent yesterday focused just on that pile. As you can see from my picture, a huge chunk of it is still lurking there. It grew a little overnight. I am beginning to think it might be alive.

As the new year approaches, I begin cleaning things out. What will you be doing? Before 2012, I hope I can tame this monster.

Small Town Christmas

Ok, so I have been terribly cranky this year. But, there is nothing I love more than Christmas in our small town. For a little over a month everyone unites in one cause. To be sure everyone has a wonderful Christmas. The churches work together. Lights are strung. Every store front has a Christmas tree. People supply food for the food bank. Angels are put on trees so people can buy Christmas for those less fortunate. (All the angels were taken care of this year.) This year there is even a community dinner.

I forget sometimes that life is good here. How cynical  people can be elsewhere. This is the place were neighbors still bring gifts for Christmas. And when I am at our store, the last thing they say to me before leaving our door, "Have a Merry Christmas! "

Only cranky people apply...

Do to my lack of holiday cheer, I am no longer checking facebook. I have no desire to sing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer." Nor will I be frosting a million tiny sugars cookies in Christmas shapes. My tree is decorated half way and it will stay that way.

I figured out something this year, if I don't perform my Martha Stewart-like duties, life goes on. So, I will bake what is necessary, wrap the bare minimum, and let the house look like a tornado hit it. If nobody else cares, why should I?

This might be my permanent approach. Have a wonderful Christmas with your family.