Life as a brownie mom

Well, I spent an hour in 20 degree weather with winds making it feel like 6 degrees and blowing snow. Why? Our brownie troop decided to put together a donation drive for the Olathe Animal Control. So, we were going to stand outside Wal-Mart for 2 hours collecting donations. Of course, the weather just had to turn on us. It was 70 degrees two days ago. Today, there was 3-4 inches of snow on the ground! But, being the dedicated leader that I am, I went anyway. Emily was less than thrilled, but when her BFF arrived she perked up a little. Of the 8 girls in my troop 3 showed up. I had one home because she had surgery last Saturday. One was home because her mom injured her foot and didn't want to go out in the weather. Another was at home because her mom had to work. The other 2 . . . .well I have no idea. I was really disappointed! Do we reschedule? This is supposed to be a community service project that all the girls participate in, and now I don't know what to do. And what to do when my daughter seems to be losing interest? I am the leader, but is she doesn't want to continue, then why would I? Sigh. Ok, so this is not a tragedy and the world will continue to turn. I just wonder why I am trying so hard to make things work when no one else seems to care. This is why I quit boy scouts. It was no longer any fun and seemed like a chore. I commend all those women who are lifetime Girl Scouts. I'm just not sure I am one of them.

Garofolo thinks I am crazy--oh no

Well, I used to admire many actors and actresses for the talent they have. After the election many of them no longer seemed that impressive to me. The things many of them spouted off were so ridiculous it made me wonder if any of them had half a brain. Well, Janeane Garofolo has shown how loony they can be. While speaking with Keith Olberman she likened Rush Limbaugh to Hitler and any woman who likes him to Eva Braun, Hitler's girlfriend. She also said that a woman who likes Rush is like the women who fall in love with prisoners.

The reason she was on the show Countdown was to talk about a recent poll that shows Rush is less popular with women than men. I'm not really sure why this was an important topic of discussion or what expertise she has to offer on the subject. After mentioning that Daryn Kagen (a former CNN anchor) used to date Rush, Garofolo said, "She dated him, so either she suffers from Stockholm Syndrome – a lot like Michael Steele, who’s the black guy in the Republican party who suffers from Stockholm Syndrome, which means you try and curry favor with the oppressor." She goes on to say any woman or person of color in the Republican party is also suffering from Stockholm Syndrome.

Gosh, I am so distressed. Not only do I love prisoners, but I am also suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Whatever shall I do? :) Honestly, it is famous people like this that spout off this nonsense that makes me wonder what is happening to America. It is a bit scary to see how crazy some liberals have become. I continue to pray that America as a whole will wake up and see things as they really are.

Oh, and to clear something up--I have never once loved a prisoner. I've never even loved someone who spent even an hour in jail. And, I like Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly.

Emily's afghan

A few years ago I decided that I wanted to learn how to crochet. I had tried knitting and was completely unable to do it. Crocheting came easily to me, and I began making afghans for the family. Emily's was my second afghan and a challenging one. I love the colors, though, and hope to make a similar one someday but with softer yard. I used Red Heart yarn which is very strong and warm, but not too soft.

President compared to Washington????

Ok, so I will admit here and now that I am not a huge fan of Obama. I support him as the President, but I do not think he is qualified to be President. Getting that out of the way, I have to comment on something I read today. According to ABC's Terry Moran, "Barack Obama is the first President since George Washington to be taking a step down into the Oval Office. I mean, from visionary leader of a giant movement, now he's got an executive position that he has to perform in, in a way." Excuse me, but I have to disagree with this 100%. I am curious as to what giant movement Obama was a visionary leader of. I heard him being touted as this great leader during the election, but he never really led anything. His time in Chicago didn't accomplish anything of merit and it certainly does not qualify him to be called a visionary leader. And, as Scott Whitlock of Media Research Center so aptly stated, "For those who have forgotten, George Washington defeated the strongest military power in the world. Barack Obama was a community organizer." So, how can you possibly compare the two in any way? How can anyone say this is a step down for Obama? I am daily amazed at how blinded some people are by Obama's charisma. I pray that soon, America will open it's eyes and see Obama for who he really is. I pray that we will continue to support him as President, but stop supporting his ridiculous policies.

Easy, Cheap Dinner

Some of you may already know this, but this was a new experience for me. I bought two whole chickens last week. They were on sale for under $2.00 each and were both about 6.5 pounds. We have a roasting oven, but you can roast them in the oven as well. It took about 1.5 hours to cook them and they were so yummy! And we had lots left over. I made another meal the next night with some of it and froze the rest. I have enough for at least one more meal, maybe two!! That's 3 or 4 dinners for under $4.00!!! So, I plan on looking for whole chickens everytime I shop and buying them on sale. They will freeze well and are a wonderful, cheap meal.

New Year Resolution

I don't usually make New Year Resolutions, but this year I am making one. I am resolving to get our finances in even better shape then they are now and to continue to find new ways to save money. We have gotten rid of a lot of our debt, but I hope to find ways to get rid of the car payments faster. One way to do this is to pay off a debt, say a credit card. Then, take the money you were paying to that card and put it toward the next debt. Now you are paying double towards a debt and it will go away faster. Every time a debt is paid off, take the money you were putting toward that debt and add it to the payoff on another debt. The only debt I want to have eventually is our house payment. It's a long road, but I know we can do it. Who wants to join me in this resolution? If you have any questions on how to pay off those debts, feel free to ask. I'm no expert, but I have a great book I can refer to for help.

May God bless you and your loved ones in 2007!

Spa in a Jar

I wanted to share a jar recipe I recently made. I got this from Mary Hunt in her Cheapskate Monthly newsletter. This was shared as an alternative to Origins Salt Scrub. I've never used that, but I love this Spa in a Jar.

Mix about 1 cup Epsom Salt (or Dead Sea Salt), 1/2 cup baby oil (or sweet almond oil). The mixture should be the consistency of slushy snow. If it seems to dry add more oil, too wet add more salt. Pour into a jar. Use a small amount after washing your body. Rub in a circular motion and then rinse with water.

Ok, some specifics. When buying a jar consider a few things. If you are using a scoop to get the salt mixture out the jar mouth can be smaller, but otherwise you want a wider mouth jar. Apothecary jars are great, but not always easy to find. I used "Emma Jars" that I found at Wal-Mart. They have a lid that fits in the top of the jar snuggly. Where will your jar be in your shower? If it will be on a small shelf you might want to consider a plastic jar. This can make the shower floor slippery, so you might spray a little cleaner on the shower floor after getting out. Then no one will slip getting in after you. Want a little fragrance? You can add essential oil, or do as I did. I bought lavender baby oil. It was the same price as the regular baby oil. I also saw lavender Epsom salt.

Cost? Well, the plain Epsom salt was about $2.12 at Wal-Mart and the lavender baby oil was about $2.50. The jar was also about $2.50. The bottle of baby oil will make about 3-4 jars, depending on the size of the jar and how much oil you use. The Epsom salt will make many many jars. These make wonderful gifts for friends and family, and a nice gift for yourself too. :) Enjoy!

Viruses, Bacteria, and Germs . . . OH MY!!

This post is a bit different, but I thought it would be a good idea to talk a bit about germs. It is the time of year a lot of us get sick. It might be the flu, a stomach virus, or a cold, but they are all a bummer. I want to share a few ideas on how to get rid of germs and stop the illnesses from spreading.

Toothbrushes carry lots of germs. You brushed your teeth before bedtime and then in the middle of the night you start vomiting. Well, you probably already had those germs in your mouth when you brushed. Now they're on your toothbrush. Yuck! Yes, you can throw your toothbrush away and get a new one. But it is much easier to put it in the dishwasher or soak it in a cup of peroxide. It is a good idea to do this a few times while battling a cold.

Where do lots of germs hang out? Door handles, faucets, toilet flusher, and toys. It is so easy to take a can of Lysol and spray these areas periodically while an illness is in the house. When my kids are sick, I spray the faucets and toilets a couple times a day. I also spray the stair railings. Another place to spray is the pillows and sheets. As you all probably know, when you are sick you don't want to have to wash the sheets everyday. Obviously you will want to wash them once you are feeling better, but spraying a bit of Lysol will do a lot in between washings. You'll want to clean the bathroom once you're feeling better, but Lysol kills the germs as well as most cleaners, so always keep some handy.

Make sure you encourage hand washing, even if it is just plain soap and water. Carry a small bottle of antibacterial gel in your purse and/or car. Got little ones? Carry wipes in the car. They're great for everyone, but much easier to use then trying to wash baby's hands.

No, we probably won't escape some illness or another, but we can try to fight them. These few things can really make a difference. When my son got the stomach virus, no one else got sick. I sprayed things and kept him cleaned up. Yes, I tried to keep the other kids away from him, but that's easier said then done.

Have a wonderful winter and stay healthy!

Hillbilly Golf

In the evening on Labor Day my husband and I took a walk around the neighborhood. Another couple was outside in their yard playing an interesting game. We stopped and asked them about it. It is called Hillbilly Golf or Ladder Golf or a number of other names. It looked like a lot of fun and really easy to make. I found a website that explains how to make the game and play it. Here is the link http://www.missouriscenicrivers.com/Laddergolfplans.html. I'm hoping some of you will find this helpful. The couple said it is a really fun game and they take it lots of places with them since it is easy to set-up and play. Enjoy!

Uses for Peroxide

I got an email a couple weeks ago saying that Peroxide is safer than bleach and offering lots of uses for it. Well, some of the uses in the email are true, but not all of them. I thought I would post some uses here based on the research I did.

I found that hydrogen peroxide is seen as an environmentally benign alternative to chlorine-based bleaches. I'm not sure if it was really used during WWI, but it was first isolated in 1818 by Jacques Thenard. Remember to always keep peroxide in dark bottles and in dark places. The light causes the peroxide to "break down" and not work as well. It has something to do with its chemical makeup. Here are the uses:

1. Take one capful and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. This is known to help whiten your teeth and keep canker sores away.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a fresh cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs. This can be done weekly, but definitely would be a good idea after any illnesses.

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.

4. After rinsing off your wooded cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system.

6. If you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. This will give natural highlights that lighten gradually, so it's not a drastic change.

7. You can add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. It there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

8. If you have blood or other stains on your carpet, put a few tablespoons on to the stain. The excess liquid can be bloated after a few minutes. Always test in a small area first as this can sometimes bleach the carpet.

9. Some gardeners use it to enhance root development and treat root rot. Add 1 tablespoon to every quart of water.

I hope you find some of these useful. Always make sure you look into the claims you find in emails. You never know what kind of false information is floating around!

Homemade Glass Cleaner

Homemade Glass Cleaner

Mix in a sprayer bottle:

1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol
1 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 tablespoon ammonia

According to my friend, this worked better than Windex. She uses Bounty paper towels to clean her mirrors and glass and says this cleaner didn't leave a film to collect more dirt.

I cleaned mirrors today with the Windex I still have, and it left streaks as always. I'm dumping it today and making my cleaner!

Natural Fabric Softener

Before I post, I have to thank my friend Rebecca for telling me about many of these homemade products posted on my blog. The following is a recipe for homemade fabric softener.

Natural Fabric Softener

2 cups white vinegar
2 cups baking soda
4 cups water

Carefully combine all ingredients (the baking soda and vinegar will fizz). Pour into a plastic bottle, cover, and shake. Use 1/4 cup in your laundry's final rinse, or use a Downey ball.

The alternative to this that works just as well is plain white vinegar. Put it in the Downey ball, or use 1/4 cup in the final rinse, and your clothes are super soft. If you like fragrance, you can add a drop or two of essential oil to your laundry water.

Some more Money Saving Ideas

I don't know about you, but every day I pack a lunch for my daughter and think about how much snacks cost. I do my best to compare prices when I shop, but I still cringe sometimes. Well, one thing I have discovered is that buying the prepackaged little bags is expensive. Yes, it's nice to reach into the cabinet and pull out a bag that has the perfect amount of teddy grahams for lunch. Well, today I bought a box of teddy grahams for $2.18 at Wal-Mart. You can probably get them cheaper on sale or with coupons, but this is probably a good average price. I put about 1/2 cup of the bears into a ziploc bag. This works out to 9 little bags with the same amount of grahams as the prepackaged things. So, these little snack bags cost me $0.24 each! Not bad! I compared this to the prepackaged bags at our local grocery store. There you get 12 little bags for $4.49 which works out to $0.37 each.

Ok, I also wanted another healthy snack. Ritz has those baked chips now that are yummy and healthier than regular chips. They were $2.50 at Wal-Mart. I know that many stores carry a generic that are just as good, so shop around! Anyway, the bag says about 13 crackers equals 1 serving. Again, this bag made 9 servings which equals $0.27 per bag.

I buy my ziploc bags at Sams Club and they cost about $0.01 each, so you can add that to the total cost of each bag of snacks. It only took a few minutes when I got home to bag all these things and put them in the pantry. Tomorrow when my son makes his lunch and I make my daughter's lunch, they will have ready to go snacks that didn't cost much! If you have done this with other snacks, please share about how much it cost. Happy saving!

I wanted to post a really yummy, and inexpensive, dessert recipe. This is great for potlucks, parties, family get-togethers or just whatever. Enjoy!

Crock Pot Triple Chocolate Mess

1 package chocolate cake mix
1 pint sour cream
1 small package instant chocolate pudding
1 small bag chocolate chips
3/4 cup oil
4 eggs
1 cup water

Spray crockpot with non-stick spray. Mix all ingredients. Pour into crockpot.
Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
Serve in a bowl with ice cream.

Cost for homemade detergent

Ok, here is a breakdown of costs for the homemade detergent.

55 oz box of Washing Soda, average cost of $2.07
76 oz box of Borax, average cost of $2.89
1 bar of Fels Naptha, average cost of $1.14
The liquid recipe is about 64 loads and the powder detergent is about 24 loads.

Liquid RecipeAverage	Cost
1/3 bar Fels Naptha	$0.38
1/2 cup borax	$0.18
1/2 cup washing soda	$0.21
TOTAL COST PER RECIPE	$0.77
Cost Per Load	$0.01

Powder Recipe	Average Cost
1 bar Fels Naptha	$1.14
3/4 cup borax	$0.26
3/4 cup washing soda	$0.29
TOTAL COST PER RECIPE	$1.69
Cost Per Load	$0.07

I then compared this to Tide. Here is what I found:

At Sams club you can get a 300 oz jug of Original Tide
Liquid (about 75 loads) for $16.42 = $0.22/load

At Sams club you can get a 300 oz jug of HE Tide Liquid
(about 78 loads) for $15.70 = $0.21/load

On Amazon you can get a 211 oz box of Original Tide
Powder (about 120 loads) for $24.35 = $0.20/load

On Amazon you can get an 81 oz box of HE Tide Powder
(about 31 loads) for $8.04 = $0.26/load

I hope this helps!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

One day I got an email from a friend what mentioned some homemade cleaning products. Now, I like my house and clothes clean, and I also like to save money. The recipes seemed easy enough so I decided to switch over to homemade cleaning products as my current ones ran out. The first thing I ran out of was laundry detergent. Here are two recipes that I have used. Both work great, are easy to make, and save LOTS of money! I'll post a run-down of costs so you can see how much you can save. These detergents do not make suds and are fine for the newer machines. You can also add a little essential oil to the liquid detergent if you would like some fragance.

Homemade Laundry Detergent (liquid)
6 cups water
1/3 bar of Fels Naptha soap, grated
1/2 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda (not baking soda)
1/2 cup 20 Mule Borax
1 1/2 gallons water, plus 1 pint hot water (26 cups)

In a large pot (an old canner works well) put 6 cups of water and the grated Fels Naptha. Heat over medium heat until the Fels Naptha is melted. Shut off the heat and add washing soda and borax. Add the 1 1/2 gallons plus 1 pint of hot water and stir. Remove from the stove, cover and let set for 24 hours. Mixture will thicken and gel as it cools. After 24 hours stir and bottle. ( I used old milk bottles, but you can use old detergent bottles as well). Gently shake before each use. Use 1/2 cup of mixture per load. If clothes are heavily soiled, use 1 cup of mixture per load.

Homemade Laundry Detergent (powder)

1 bar grated Fels Naptha soap
3/4 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda
3/4 cup 20 Mule Borax

Mix all ingredients together and store in a container. (I used a tupperware container that had a lid). Use 2 Tbsp for light/regular loads, and 3Tbsp for heavily soiled loads. For the newer energy efficient machines, use 1 Tbsp for light/regular loads and 2 Tbsp for heavily soiled loads.

Welcome to my blog!

Well, this is my first post and I just want to welcome you to my blog. I have a lot I want to post, and i would love to read your comments. I will be blogging on topics related to being "penny-wise" and also making certain homemade household items. If ever there is a topic you would like to know more about that I haven't covered, post a comment. I will do my best to address that issue. Hope you enjoy my blog, come back, and tell your friends! God Bless!