Phone Bill and Fun!

Another trip to the Verizon store! These new phones are driving me crazy! Got it all straightened out now, I think!

Girls from our Sunday school class got together last night for food and fun. We had some great pots of chili and soup and some wonderful desserts. After filling up on food, we went to the movies. What fun and it wasn’t even an animated film. “Love Happens” is the one I went to see with six other ladies. Can’t believe I was crying watching a man shop at a Home Depot. Just loved Jennifer Aniston, she’s so cute.

Now, another rainy day! My second workout this week under my new resolve to get in better shape. How can I be turning 43 tomorrow? Happy Birthday to me! HA!

NEW PHONES and TEXTING!

So, the FedEx guy delivered our new phones yesterday. After 6 phone calls to Verizon to get it all straightened out, we are all up and running. So, my 12 year old gets a text this morning from a friend. It’s 7:15 and he asks “What cha doin?” I’m not sure if I’m ready for this. What do you think he’s doing on a school day at 7:15 in the morning. Well, today, he was trying to set up his voice mail! HA! Life and times of a pre-teen.

I can’t believe that in less than 45 days, I’ll have a teen in the house! Wow, time sure does fly. HA!

And just in case you think all is well at my house right now. Here’s what my counter looks like right now!

Not me Monday!

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

My first “Not Me Monday” post.  I cringe to type it.  I most certainly did not let me 6 year old’s toenails get so long that he looked like a wolverine.  He’s been showering by himself so I haven’t looked at his toes in awhile.  I did not run out of everything edible in the fridge.  Nope, not me.  Next week will be better, I hope!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

After looking at many, many recipes for homemade laundry detergent, I’ve settled on this one.

• 1 bar  Fels Naptha
• 1 cup Borax
• 1 cup Arm and Hammer Washing Soda

 

The recipe can be doubled, tripled or whatever you can store.  I made a double batch last night.  The bar of Fels Naptha and the Washing Soda were found at Kroger on the detergent aisle.  The Borax is usually found at Wal-Mart on the detergent aisle also.  I used my cheese grater to grate the bar of soap and I store it in an empty oats container.  I keep a 1/4 cup scoop in there to measure for each load.  That amount seems to work the best with my front loading machine on a regular sized load.  I use less or more depending on the size of the load.  Just mix by rotating the container.  VERY EASY!

This is not a “sudsy” detergent.  It really cleans but without a lot of suds.  It smells great, too.  I think my cost for each load is about 13 cents!

I’m trying the soap on some grass stains today and will see how that works compared to my Shout stick.

For my automatic dishwasher, I’ve been using just plain Borax to clean the dishes.  I put a tablespoon or so into the dispenser.  Mix a little bit of water into it and then start as usual.  The only drawback is that I wait until the rinse cycle and pour some vinegar into the bottom of the washer.  If I don’t do that, I end up with a white, cloudy residue on the glasses.  I’ll try putting the vinegar into the rinse aid dispenser soon and that should work better.  My dishes are really a lot cleaner.  And it ’s cheaper.

One shadow box done!

I’m so proud of Matt and his diligence in staying with this project until it was done.  We went to Wal-Mart and bought the paint and clay.  It only took him a couple of hours to get it done and it looks great.

Matthew's 7th grade Social Studies Project

Dress like a cow day!

Hunter and I had fun dressing like cows on Friday. I’ll do almost anything for anything free! HA!

FREE FOOD!

One day at at time

Be sure and check out this blog to make you more thankful for the blessings God gives us each and every day.

Printer Giveaway

Be sure and go over to this website and register for a great giveaway!

http://simplemom.net/

The Epson printer looks just like what I need because my printer decided to quit!  Oh, well.

My Appetites and Distractions

During my quiet time this morning, God showed me that He can help me control my appetities and distractions.  When I complete my quiet time with diligence, the rest of my day flows better with a better focus on the important things.  I read this verse this morning from Isaiah 55:2.  “Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?  Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance.”

Wow, that’s some powerful words.  Especially since I’ve been struggling with controlling my spending this last month.  Who knew that one family could spend so much money just on groceries?  I’m really cutting back on my Wal-Mart trips this month.  But, we leave to go to the lake this weekend so there will go some more $$$ to WM to satisfy our boat munchies!  HA!

First Week of School

Hunter’s First Day of Kindergarten

Wore out!

First day of Sixth Grade

Well, we survived our first week of kindergarten and the sixth grade!  I just can’t believe how fast time flies.  It seems like yesterday that I was taking my 11 year old to his first day of kindergarten.  He had his first “dance” for Cotillion last night.  It was a Luau!  Too fun!

My 5 year old knew that Friday was the last day for the week.  “And I start the first grade Monday, right?”  I had to explain to him that he had a few more days of kindergarten before first grade came!  FUN!  They are supposed to wear the color that they are studying each day.  He’s already informed me that he’s not going to wear purple!  HA!

Thanks for stopping by my blog!  Let me know what you think!