So, we, meaning my hubby, turned on the A/C today! Now, for most, that is a simple switch to ON, but not so much for us. It's not terrible difficult, but with having a wood stove, we (hubby) have to change out the ....oh whatever, I have no idea what he has to do, but I do know you can't just turn it ON! Either way, its cool in the house. SOOOOOOOOOO much better than the muggy heat coming in through the windows mixed with all the fans going. NOW, I know I said save on the energy, but at 90 degrees, you have to draw the line. AND even with the A/C on, we don't turn it down low...usually set around 72 or so.
So, this is a huge deal for us because towards the end of last summer, we had some issues with the A/C unit freezing up (inside). The coils were cleaned, freon added, and some very expensive part replaced, but they couldn't really figure out what was going on - it only took them 3 trips to figure that out! They told us we needed a new unit, of course. We have never called them back! We are going to get a second opinion. The guy totally contradicted himself when he was here one time and said that we needed a new unit, but then later said he really didn't know, and probably would be ok!?!?!?! What? We just figured they were trying to hose us for a new unit....news flash! I don't do hosed! So, we (hubby) turned it on and we'll just see what happens.
I even cooked dinner and got to the grocery store tonight! See what a difference a little A/C can make!
4.27.2009
Miss Piggy
I can deal with spinach, tomatoes, hot peppers, even some peanuts, but not with my pig! I love pork - all kinds, so they better be right when they say you can't get this swine flu virus from ingesting pork products!
And the fact that I have 15 pounds of boston butt sitting in my freezer to cook up for this weekend's birthday bbq for the hubby!
And the fact that I have 15 pounds of boston butt sitting in my freezer to cook up for this weekend's birthday bbq for the hubby!
4.26.2009
Heat slump
I started this post...wrote quite a lot and then just erased it all because it was boring! I didn't even like writing it.
It's the heat. I'm spent.
I didn't even cook dinner - I made a tomato sandwich and let Little Hauss eat cold pizza (for the 2nd time today - dont' judge).
I've neglected laundry.
I didn't go to the grocery store.
I didn't wash the car.
I ate ice cream.
Maybe I'm not ready for summer. I can't even seem to function in this heat!
It's the heat. I'm spent.
I didn't even cook dinner - I made a tomato sandwich and let Little Hauss eat cold pizza (for the 2nd time today - dont' judge).
I've neglected laundry.
I didn't go to the grocery store.
I didn't wash the car.
I ate ice cream.
Maybe I'm not ready for summer. I can't even seem to function in this heat!
4.22.2009
Freebies
So, I feel like I've turned into this crazed woman hunting down deals, coupons, and freebies, but I assure you, I haven't! I'm just on a roll and wanted to pass along a few more things!
First of all, in honor of Earth Day, Reynolds Wrap is now making foil completely of recycled aluminum! They are giving away a FREE roll TODAY ONLY!!! It's actually a rebate! But still, it ends up being FREE after you mail it in. Check it out at www.reynolds100.com and enter your info to print off the rebate form. Only one per household!
Another freebie is the reusable shopping bag from Kroger. You need to go to www.kroger.com and enter to win teh $1000 in free groceries!!! Who couldn't use that? So, in order to enter, you need to "design" a shopping bag for the contest. It doesn't take too much time and it's very simple. Once you enter that, you get a free bag!
Ok, this last one is interesting and I warn you that I've not tried it and my source was an E-mail forward, so I can't say if it is true! If it works as good as it says it will, it will be my new best friend for the next few months!
Use Listerine for bug spray? I know it sounds completely wacko, but at about $2 a bottle, it might be worth a try instead of those pricy yucky smelling bug sprays! So, the idea is to pour into a sprayer/sray bottle and douse the deck, furniture, door frames, swing sets, standing water, you name it! It did say to not spray directly on wood, like a door, but the frame instead! I'm anxious to see if it really does a good job! I'll let you know!
First of all, in honor of Earth Day, Reynolds Wrap is now making foil completely of recycled aluminum! They are giving away a FREE roll TODAY ONLY!!! It's actually a rebate! But still, it ends up being FREE after you mail it in. Check it out at www.reynolds100.com and enter your info to print off the rebate form. Only one per household!
Another freebie is the reusable shopping bag from Kroger. You need to go to www.kroger.com and enter to win teh $1000 in free groceries!!! Who couldn't use that? So, in order to enter, you need to "design" a shopping bag for the contest. It doesn't take too much time and it's very simple. Once you enter that, you get a free bag!
Ok, this last one is interesting and I warn you that I've not tried it and my source was an E-mail forward, so I can't say if it is true! If it works as good as it says it will, it will be my new best friend for the next few months!
Use Listerine for bug spray? I know it sounds completely wacko, but at about $2 a bottle, it might be worth a try instead of those pricy yucky smelling bug sprays! So, the idea is to pour into a sprayer/sray bottle and douse the deck, furniture, door frames, swing sets, standing water, you name it! It did say to not spray directly on wood, like a door, but the frame instead! I'm anxious to see if it really does a good job! I'll let you know!
Pretty in Pink
I'm going to be a aunt in September! September 7th no less - Little Hauss' birthday - more on that later. And I'll have a NIECE! My brother and his girlfriend just found out yesterday that they are having a little girl! I'm so excited. They are very excited too! My parents are thrilled because now they will have one of each to spoil. My mom is on her way up here today so I'm sure they will have a boat load of new girly things by the time she goes home on Sunday!
So, dad came in yesterday for work and took us all out to dinner to celebrate the good news. Little Hauss was full of himself as usual. He loves Sherry (my brother's girlfriend) and was attached to her hip the whole time. They gave us little ultrasound pictures and even gave one to Little Hauss! They told him the baby was a little girl and that they would be cousins and that she could possibly have the same birthday! He was ok with the girl part, but cousins is kind of tricky for him right now and he was less than thrilled about the sharing a birthday!
He's having a hard time figuring out how boys and girls can be cousins. He has told me that "they can't be cousins because he's a boy and she's a girl" when we were talking about some friends of ours. He only knows his cousin, who is a boy just like him. I think that'll be easier to deal with once she's here - but this birthday sharing business is gonna be crazy!
In my family, we share lots of birthdays - I share my birthday with my cousin's daughter, but thre are so many more! So, it is very possible that this little girl will in fact share her birthday with Little Hauss! I guess we'll just have to wait and see and deal with it when it comes!
Speaking of birthdays, this year will be his first "real big boy" birthday party. I want to invite friends of his from school and church, but don't really know if I can have all those people at the house. I also don't want to spend tons of money at a place to have it....so any suggestions? He's going to be 4, and there will be about 10-12 kids invited plus parents? I obviously want something that will be fun and not too crazy for me to deal with - like Chuck - E - Cheeze. I know it seems early, but like I said, I'm a planner!
So, dad came in yesterday for work and took us all out to dinner to celebrate the good news. Little Hauss was full of himself as usual. He loves Sherry (my brother's girlfriend) and was attached to her hip the whole time. They gave us little ultrasound pictures and even gave one to Little Hauss! They told him the baby was a little girl and that they would be cousins and that she could possibly have the same birthday! He was ok with the girl part, but cousins is kind of tricky for him right now and he was less than thrilled about the sharing a birthday!
He's having a hard time figuring out how boys and girls can be cousins. He has told me that "they can't be cousins because he's a boy and she's a girl" when we were talking about some friends of ours. He only knows his cousin, who is a boy just like him. I think that'll be easier to deal with once she's here - but this birthday sharing business is gonna be crazy!
In my family, we share lots of birthdays - I share my birthday with my cousin's daughter, but thre are so many more! So, it is very possible that this little girl will in fact share her birthday with Little Hauss! I guess we'll just have to wait and see and deal with it when it comes!
Speaking of birthdays, this year will be his first "real big boy" birthday party. I want to invite friends of his from school and church, but don't really know if I can have all those people at the house. I also don't want to spend tons of money at a place to have it....so any suggestions? He's going to be 4, and there will be about 10-12 kids invited plus parents? I obviously want something that will be fun and not too crazy for me to deal with - like Chuck - E - Cheeze. I know it seems early, but like I said, I'm a planner!
4.21.2009
Answers
To clarify on the new cleaning products, I haven't tried these solutions yet. I am using up all the other cleaners I have now before I start making these because I don't want to waste anything.
I have used baking soda and vinegar for other things before and have seen positive results. I am not a big fan of "anti" bacterial soaps and all that! I feel that a little bit of bacteria is useful and without it, there can actually be more sickeness and issues. I think that a little dirt never hurt anyone - in fact, its almost necessary to have a little so the body can learn to fight off the germs.
Also, I've got a few more things to add to my saving money list:
Foam soap - Little Hauss does so much better with the foam than the regular pump soap - and its a lot less messy. I just got the suds pump from Pampered Chef and it is amazing. I only use a fraction of liquid soap and then fill the rest with water - presto, foam soap. You can also try this with old bottles of the foam soap from places like Bath and Body Works or even just the drug store foam soap bottles (if they will open). Put about 1 inch or so of liquid soap (the PC suds pump gives you a fill line) and then fill with water - leaving about 1/2 inch at the top. Put lid on and gently shake/rock back and forth to mix. This little trick is cheap!!! I think I can buy a large refill soap container for about $5 and it'll last forever! So much better than spending at least $1 or more on each soap dispenser!
Teeth Whitening - Instead of spending tons of money on those kits and high priced procedures, try mixing baking soda and water to form a "paste" and brush with that. A dentist told me this once. A DENTIST TOLD ME THIS!!!! Now, it might not be as dramatic as the others, but it should definitely be noticable. Do this in addition to regular brushing!
Reuse Plastic Bags and Foil - I'm starting to sound way cheap I admit, but I can't stand throwing away ziplock bags and barely used foil! IF the bag contained something dry like cereal or snack crackers, then I have been known to wash it out and reuse it. Same with foil. IF it was used to just "cover" a dish in the oven or tent it to keep it warm, it can be rinsed and reused! I really prefer to use plastic containers for packing snacks and lunches. I try not to use bags if at all possible.
Ok. That's all I have. I think I've exhausted all my cheap tricks for now!
I'll keep you posted on whether or not these cleaning products really handle the job.
I have used baking soda and vinegar for other things before and have seen positive results. I am not a big fan of "anti" bacterial soaps and all that! I feel that a little bit of bacteria is useful and without it, there can actually be more sickeness and issues. I think that a little dirt never hurt anyone - in fact, its almost necessary to have a little so the body can learn to fight off the germs.
Also, I've got a few more things to add to my saving money list:
Foam soap - Little Hauss does so much better with the foam than the regular pump soap - and its a lot less messy. I just got the suds pump from Pampered Chef and it is amazing. I only use a fraction of liquid soap and then fill the rest with water - presto, foam soap. You can also try this with old bottles of the foam soap from places like Bath and Body Works or even just the drug store foam soap bottles (if they will open). Put about 1 inch or so of liquid soap (the PC suds pump gives you a fill line) and then fill with water - leaving about 1/2 inch at the top. Put lid on and gently shake/rock back and forth to mix. This little trick is cheap!!! I think I can buy a large refill soap container for about $5 and it'll last forever! So much better than spending at least $1 or more on each soap dispenser!
Teeth Whitening - Instead of spending tons of money on those kits and high priced procedures, try mixing baking soda and water to form a "paste" and brush with that. A dentist told me this once. A DENTIST TOLD ME THIS!!!! Now, it might not be as dramatic as the others, but it should definitely be noticable. Do this in addition to regular brushing!
Reuse Plastic Bags and Foil - I'm starting to sound way cheap I admit, but I can't stand throwing away ziplock bags and barely used foil! IF the bag contained something dry like cereal or snack crackers, then I have been known to wash it out and reuse it. Same with foil. IF it was used to just "cover" a dish in the oven or tent it to keep it warm, it can be rinsed and reused! I really prefer to use plastic containers for packing snacks and lunches. I try not to use bags if at all possible.
Ok. That's all I have. I think I've exhausted all my cheap tricks for now!
I'll keep you posted on whether or not these cleaning products really handle the job.
Clean Machine
Ok...here are the "recipes" I promised for the green - cleaning products:
You will need these basic ingredients for most household cleaning:
Baking Soda
White Distilled Vinegar
Liguid Detergent (soap)
Washing Soda - the one I've found is Arm & Hamer and this should not be confused with powdered detergent!
Bathroom Scrubber (bathtubs, etc)
1/2 c. baking soda
add liguid detergent to make a texture similar to frosting
use with sponge to clean
to store: add 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin and store in glass jar
Window Cleaner:
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. liquid detergent
3 tbsp. vinegar (white distilled)
2 cups water
Spray bottle
Shake until well mixed.
All Purpose:
1/2 tsp washing soda
dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot water
Spray bottle
Shake until well mixed.
Oven Cleaner:
1 cup or more baking soda
water
1 squirt or 2 of liquid detergent
Sprinkle water over bottom of oven. Cover with baking soda so surface is totally white. Sprinkle more water and let sit overnight. Wipe up mixture. Dab a bit of liquid detergent on sponge and wash remaining residue.
Furniture Polish:
1/2 tsp oil (olive)
1/4 c vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix in glass jar. Dab soft rag into solution and wipe on wood.
Good luck!
I will also post the bread recipe after I attempt it this weekend!!! I want to make sure its worth it first!
You will need these basic ingredients for most household cleaning:
Baking Soda
White Distilled Vinegar
Liguid Detergent (soap)
Washing Soda - the one I've found is Arm & Hamer and this should not be confused with powdered detergent!
Bathroom Scrubber (bathtubs, etc)
1/2 c. baking soda
add liguid detergent to make a texture similar to frosting
use with sponge to clean
to store: add 1 tsp. vegetable glycerin and store in glass jar
Window Cleaner:
1/4 - 1/2 tsp. liquid detergent
3 tbsp. vinegar (white distilled)
2 cups water
Spray bottle
Shake until well mixed.
All Purpose:
1/2 tsp washing soda
dab of liquid soap
2 cups hot water
Spray bottle
Shake until well mixed.
Oven Cleaner:
1 cup or more baking soda
water
1 squirt or 2 of liquid detergent
Sprinkle water over bottom of oven. Cover with baking soda so surface is totally white. Sprinkle more water and let sit overnight. Wipe up mixture. Dab a bit of liquid detergent on sponge and wash remaining residue.
Furniture Polish:
1/2 tsp oil (olive)
1/4 c vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Mix in glass jar. Dab soft rag into solution and wipe on wood.
Good luck!
I will also post the bread recipe after I attempt it this weekend!!! I want to make sure its worth it first!
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