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July 30, 2007
To keep or not to keep....
Well, first off, I was going to post about dumster diving / curb shopping. But that hasn't happened yet. Do you participate in htis activity? Does it make you feel odd? Maybe it is because I'm no longer in college (ok, I wasn't really ever in college) but it was "more acceptable" back then when all my friends were doing it. Now my husband has a good job, we own a house, we have a kid and I'm still trying to find deals on the curb. No kidding. My sister Elizabeth scored us a couch and end table for our basement. Not bad finds either.
Then tonight we were driving along and I thought I saw another couch buried under a lot of junk. We went around the block and saw it again only to realize that it was pretty nasty. However, there was this big blue rubbermade tub with handles that looked pretty good for storage. I had Jason get out and get it... (I don't think he wanted to... it was a busy street! :) But my gracious hubby did get out and get the tub all the while making faces while bringing it to the car because it was so dirty. I watched him empty the contents of this tub on the grass and quickly realized that there were several bottles of laundry detergent on the front lawn of this house. Now, before you get too grossed out- it really looked like someone got evicted or didn't get out in time and the entire contents of their home were on in their front yard. That makes me feel better. Like it wasn't poisoned or something and someone is playing a mean trick. But rather they didn't get out and the landlord didn't want to put up with anything and dumped it all on the curb. Needless to say, I walked away with 2 bottles of Downy Detergent (about 1/4th of the way full), 1 bottle of All Deterent (half way full), 1 very large bottle of Gain Detergent (about 1/4th of the way full) and DRUM ROLL PLEASE..... 1 HUGE (I'm talking 300 oz) of TIDE DETERGENT! And that one is barely used!!! For those of you who don't know... my wish for when I'm rich someday... (I know that will probably never happen since I know the Lord!) but my wish is that I could have TIDE laundry detergent all the time. I actually got it for Christmas one year and it was my favorite gift! I don't know what it is about that kind, but I love it! I love the smell and everything about it.
Anyway, I'm still trying to figure out if I should use it. The germ freak in me (and my leary husband) say to throw it out. But the bargain shopper and love of this detergent are screaming that I need to keep it and use it and love every minute of the laundry that I'm going to do over the next few months.
So... do I keep the stuff or throw it out?
Ps. It smells normal.... :)
Pss. Since starting this blog, I have no idea what correct punctuation is anymore and I'm terribly sorry for all the run on sentences... but I really like using these periods...... :) oh yeah.... and the dashes-----
Ok- I'm really leaving now.
Posted by Leah at 08:50 PM | Comments (8)
July 27, 2007
If ever you needed a hair dryer...
the day after you get a new hair cut is the day! My sister Elizabeth is at school at "The Solon Professional Acedemy" and she needed a model for her hair cutting skills. I volunteered. It was a three hour hair cut, but it did turn out pretty cute (at least when she styled it... I haven't gotten to yet) and I was excited to try my hand this morning at doing my own hair. I plugged in my hair dryer and I heard it barely start and then sizzle and die. DARN! I was already late running out the door and this happens. With my old hair cut I knew what to do on days when I didn't have time to dry my hair. Pull back in a messy pony tail and wrap a ribbon in my hair. But not so much now. She litterally took out half of my hair with the thinning shears (which was a wonderful thing!) but now my little pony tail is short and stubby and all sorts of layers are falling out all over the place. Oh well, I did the best I could with the 2 minutes I had and left he house. I caught myself in the mirrior a few minutes ago and realized that I deserately need a flat iron. But now that it has had time to air dry... we should be in the clear. Anybody know of a good brand of hair dryers? I only had mine a year....
Posted by Leah at 12:35 PM | Comments (8)
July 25, 2007
I'm easily distracted...
however, I like to call it multitasking! I heard on the radio a little while back that people who multitask actually don't get more done than people who don't. It is because they get distracted and don't finish what they start. I can see their point. However, if I'm headed up stairs to change Belle's diaper and there are things on the steps that belong upstairs, I believe it is in my best interest to pick them up since I'm already going to make a trip. If I had to come down again just to bring up the shoes...that would be a waste of time. On the other hand, I think they are talking about my day on Monday. Mondays are my days to clean, do laundry, organize, ect. I usually don't leave the house the entire day. I had it all worked out when I was prego how I would get everything done in a few hours. Then I had a baby and it turned into a few more hours, but I usually got all the laundry and cleaning done in one morning or afternoon. Now I have a very active child who will come to me at any moment and say, "Mommy, Tum! (Come!)" and want my attention. Therefore, cleaning and laundry take all day long, into the evening and then on Tuesdays as well! I was frustrated at first, but now I am enjoying the days with Belle and not stressing about getting everything done by 5:15 when Jason gets home. Ok, well, back to my store. I was doing laundry and I had washed the sheets. Sun dried sheets are one of my favorite things in life so I decided to let them dry outside. I headed out there with Belle and as I was hanging them up, I looked down and realized the garden needed to be weeded. So I took Belle down to the garden and picked weeds. As I was finishing that job I realized we had several knee high weeds growning around our back deck and the side of our house. I spent a good 15 minutes getting everything pulled and found myself in the front of the house where Belle's pool is located. She was dressed, but I decided to let her swim in her diaper cause it was getting hot. I pulled out my bible and had a glass of iced coffee (thanks Dana!) and let her swim for a good half an hour. I was pondering a Word from the Lord when I looked into the front lawn and realized in our yard there were several weeds growing several inches above the grass. I decided to tackle them. And then I looked around and realized there were weeds growing in the cracks of the cement.... I have no idea why this bothers me... but it does. I cleared all of those out and the ones in the driveway of our rental side. I glanced up and over to my left to see knee high weeds all along the south side of the duplex. Arg. So here I go again picking weeds all along the side of the house and into the backyard with my 1.5 year old following me in her very soggy diaper and trying to get me to hold her pool toys. Whew. I finally cut myself off when I reached the back window. But I could have kept going. I hosed off my hands and feet and cleaned up Belle and headed inside. I walked to the kitchen to realize the only reason I had headed outside 1.5 hours ago was to hang the laundry outside!
Wow.
Posted by Leah at 03:49 PM | Comments (7)
July 18, 2007
$3.59 for a gallon of milk!
And that was the generic version. I think it hit me yesterdayy... I'm old. I remember when gas was $.79 per gallon in high school. I remember since I have been married that I could buy whole milk (which is more expensive than skim) for under $3.00. That wasn't that long ago folks... about 2.5 years. AHHH! I know that gas prices have went up, but I think the rest of the world just snuck up on me a few pennies at a time and then WAAAMMOOO! It hits me in the middle of Walmart that "stuff" is expensive! Sometimes I wonder when I look at our budget how my parents managed to raise 5 kids on the money my dad made. Then I realize how much the cost of living has changed in the last 20 years and then it makes a little more sense. (Not that they didn't have to sacrifice or that it wasn't hard, but tthings have changed since then.....that's all I'm saying...really.... ;)
Anyway, I'm looking at this gallon of milk differently this morning at breakfast. Like, do I really need that much milk? Am I going to drink it all? I'm guessing this was all brought on by the fact that I'm learning how to coupon and shop for deals. It is a lot of fun and I"m enjoying very much. However, this week I scored toothpaste for $.50 per box and then I realize just how expensive toothpaste is. Probably $2-$3 per box....wow. How much am I overpaying for the rest of life.... makes you wonder....
Posted by Leah at 07:42 AM | Comments (9)
July 11, 2007
I think I remember Bart requesting more tips... here you go!
Reheating Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a non-stick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works..
Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing until thoroughly mixed. Cut the corner tip of the baggy and squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when
done--easy clean up.
Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat fewer sugar/calories per serving.
Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
Newspaper weeds away
When putting in your plants, work the nutrients into the soil. Then put layers of wet newspapers around the plants, overlapping as you go. Cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic
they will not get through wet newspapers.
Broken Glass
Use a dry cotton ball to pick up little broken glass pieces of glass- the fibers catch ones you can't see!
No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
Squirrel Away
To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.
Flexible vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge, add an empty paper towel roll or gift wrap roll to your vacuum hose. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.
Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and - voila - static is gone.
Measuring Sticky Ingredients
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill it with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry the cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
Foggy Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!
Reopening Envelopes
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Voila! It unseals easily.
Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.
Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass fill it 1/2" with apple cider vinegar and 2 drops of dishwashing liquid, mix well.. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!
Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home" but can't digest it, so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed.
Take baby powder to the beach
Keep a small bottle of baby powder in your beach bag. When you're ready to leave the beach, sprinkle yourself and kids with the powder and the sand will slide right off your skin.
Posted by Leah at 01:14 PM | Comments (5)
July 10, 2007
used car salesmen.......yeah.....
Jason and I are trading babysitting with the Meyers and it was our turn to take a date tonight. We didn't really have any plans and since it was maybe supposed to rain, we were not sure what we were going to do. We dropped off our child for 2 hours and proceeded to head to a used car lot where we had received a mailer that we had won a prize. (More than just $$ off of a new used car). Anyway, we were childless and feeling footloose and fancy free and decided to give it whirl. Mostly to see what prize we had won. :) I know, many of you reading are thinking that was a dumb decision... but ya know.
We pull up and I get butterflies in my stomach. We get out of the car and this old man wearing cowboy boots (that click when he walks) greets us and escorts us inside. Right away I know we are in for an "interesting" experience. We sit down at a table that is old wood that has splinters and large grooves in it. He says he has to get some information from us. We go through a few questions (as I am glancing up at the ceiling with tiles missing and swatting at all the flies near my head) and he says "And lastly I need your ss#'s and dates of birth." This man had some nerve! I got a little firey at that moment and informed the man that we were not giving out that information. Because we were not applying for a loan and he didn't have us sign anything saying that they were going to keep that information confidential. And then I started thinking about the 15 people around me with other salesmen that were probably handing out that info. I was miffed at this point. He asked us what we would be looking for in a new car and Jason told him a "good deal". At this point he led us out to the minivan section and showed us the few that would work for us. However, he couldn't tell us how much any of the DUST COVERED vans cost. That was a different department inside. We left at that point and he just said , "goodbye". I think he was glad to get rid of us. We were not the typical couple going in to make an emotional decision and put everything that we wanted into a loan. Anyway, we might have ruined his sales night, but man I am still a little charged thinking about it! How many people are walking in there with no thought to their privacy, their identity and how much they can or can't afford. I heard Dave Ramsey in my brain screaming "RUN!!!!" And that is what we did.
Guess what our prize was? A $5 Walmart gift card.... woo hoo!
Posted by Leah at 09:15 PM | Comments (4)
Sometimes generic brands just don't cut it.
I love to to find good deals! And with that, comes a lot of generic brands at our house. Many things that I don't mind using at all. However, every once and a while a good deal comes along on something that is name brand and I buy it. It is a catch 22. I didn't have to spend the extra money on a name brand item, however, now I get addicted to the "nice" stuff. Bummer.
However, last night was different... For those of you who read this blog on a regular basis, you will remember earlier in the year I posted about flossing more often. And while I probably don't floss more than once a week, I have been trying to be faithful with flossing more than just when I go to the dentist. We had this huge thing of floss that I have been using. I have no idea how long we have had it and I am pretty sure I didn't buy it. It just showed up and I have been using it. It is a generic brand. It was frustrating because it seemed to get frayed after just a few teeth. It would get stuck and litttle fibers would be in my mouth. I didn't think much of it. And then Jason went to the dentist yesterday. They gave him a little box of REACH floss. *Insert heavenly music here!* I used it last night and it was absolutely divine! No fraying and it flossed my teeth like a cadilac! I am hooked. Literally. I don't think I can go back to the other stuff. Luckly I go to the dentist next month, so hopefully between the two of us going to the dentist every 6 months we can get enough floss to last us until the next dentist visits! :)
I know I have a few "others" that I just don't like to buy the generic brand. One being peanut butter. Thanks Amanda. I used to buy the off brands of peanut butter, because they are all peanut butter. But then one day I was at Amanda's house and she was telling us that she was a "Jiff" snob. So I tried it... intending to state my opinion that peanut butter is peanut butter. Well, gues what kids. I have two very large jars of JIFF peanut butter in my cabinet!
Posted by Leah at 03:55 PM | Comments (5)
July 02, 2007
I can't believe it worked!
My brother and I planted a garden this year. Since his fiance Jade is living with us for the summer- he told me he would be around alll the time to help. *Ahem* And since I haven't seen hide nor hair of him for several weeks, I have taken over! (However, he did a lot of work to dig up the grass and get the soil ready to plant.... I will give him that!) It seems like it has taken forever, but we just got our first harvest from our lil' garden! About 20 green beans and 2 HUGE squash! I went out a few days before and there wasn't much to look at. Then three days later... there were two that were huge!! I have never seen them this big in the store! Anyway, we took a picture of smallest one next to my arm just to prove how big they were. It is very exciting to see the hard work pay off! Thanks for the inspiration to start a garden Dana!
Posted by Leah at 01:44 PM | Comments (4)