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......