I know, I know!

I've been a horrible blogger this past week...sorry! Lots going on and just exhausted. My allergies, which just appeared about a year ago (thanks for that!) are wearing me out and I've been in bed by 10 every night!



Not very good excuses,I know....the best excuse I have is that I've actually had tons of work to do! I have barely been able to change my status on FB, let alone post something on here! I mean really, they expect me to WORK at work? Ridiculous I know!



So, I found the last ingredient for my detergent, but you guessed it, haven't had time to make it yet!!! Promise, next week! A friend did make it though and even fabric softener! I'll post the recipes to both on here soon!



The other day, I asked Little Hauss how school was going and he said "I made a jewelry box and necklace for you, but shhhhhhh, it's a secret!" I had to control my stints of laughter but it was the cutest thing ever!



We are heading to Richmond tomorrow for a reception of Hubby's college buddies. The wedding was in TX about a month or so ago and now they are having a party for all the East coast people that couldn't attend! We are riding with another family and they have a little girl about Little Hauss's age, so I'm thankful for that! The ride alone could either be bliss or crazy as all get out if those two aren't happy! But, don't feel sorry for us, we're used to it. Feel sorry for the other college buddy who's riding with us all!!!! So with all that has been going on, I haven't done anything for the trip....I know it's only a night, but I'm usally packed and ready to go by now! Hell, I almost forgot about the dogs! Really, I'm losing it!



I ran around all day and feel like I've accomplised absolutely nothing. I didn't have a list! That was the first mistake....I was too tired to write one last night. So, I ran back and forth all over town running errands that could have been easily reduced to a measely hour or so if I had just given a little thought into where I was going. I had to come back to the house twice for things I forgot!

Off the deep end.....

Ok, I know you think I'm a nut, and I'm ok with that, because I just figured out a way to save bunches on my car insuarnce....not, but that was starting to sound like a Geiko commercial in my head! So, I did find a way to save some money - lots of money actually! On laundry detergent - by making my own!!!!!

I'm on mission to find one ingredient then it's all about some homemade "tide". It is a liquid detergent, which I prefer and is made from Borax, Washing soda and something called fels naptha soap, which is turning into a pain to find locally. They do sell it at Ace Hardware stores, but in cases of 24!!! I only need about 1/3 of the bar per batch of detergent! I have found some online retailers for cheap, but not sure its worth the shipping. I am going to see if any of my thrifty friends want to split a case, because it ends up being about $0.77/bar, AND they will ship the order to your local store for FREE!

I've heard the detergent works great and can be used in hot and cold cycles, but probably need to pre treat stains just like you normally would. The friend that turned me onto this said her friend has spent about $14 in TWO years by making her own detergent! That's less than ONE big container of the brands you buy in the store!

I'll post the recipe later....for now, I need to retrieve my child and whip up something for dinner before I head out with some friends for the evening!

And, I'll just say what you all are thinking - I've turned into one of "those" people....ya know, the tree hugger hippy types - but I'm totally ok with it!

Pressure Washing

We are having a cookout today (which may turn into a cook"in" depending on the weather) to celebrate Hubby's birthday (next week), so we've been cleaning the outdoor furniture, decks, and patio. Little Hauss wanted to help daddy pressure wash, but I guess he didn't want to get all of his clothes wet!

Might be a future career? Pressure washing in skivies? Might make a lot of money!

Blessed

I feel so blessed - I am blessed and I recognize that not everyone is!

I have recently joined a small fellowship group (bible study) through my church and I love it. It is exactly what I have been looking for! It is an all women's group and a mixture of ages, but such a wonderful bunch!

I am on a journey right now to learn more and gain a closer relationship with God and this group is working its magic. We are reading "The Shack" right now and have a lesson/discussion along with it. We know it's fiction and aren't necessarily taking the words to heart, but we are reflecting on it with trials and relationships in everyday life mixed with our faith and love for God. It is a thought provoking book and just an interesting read.

Last night some topics were discussed along the lines of poverty and discrimination and the like, and we reflected on our personal feelings and prejudices that the world has. Some of the stories that were told were heart wrenching and really give you a sense of appreciation for what we DO have. In addition to tangible things that most of us take for granted, like homes, clothes, food, and jobs, we also have our faith. I can't begin to understand feeling no connection to God - How lost a person is without that.

I help around the church, give to Goodwill and other organizations, try to volunteer for things and just do my part, but there is so much we can do and should do. After hearing some of these stories and testimonies of others, it makes me want to do more and I realized that even doing what I already do, it's so small in the scheme of things.

Are you doing your part?

All I Wanna Do -oo- oo- oo -oo

Is go see Sugarland in concert!!! And that's what we are gonna do on June 26! Hubby and I got tickets last week! I'm so excited! We love them and Little Hauss even sings along too - um, but he'll be staying with Mauggie that night. Not quite ready for a concert and not worth the money to deal with that!

Not frozen yet!

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!

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!