How come

How come when you get a simple to assemble toy organizer the instructions are in picture form only? How come they give you extra pieces that leaves you worried till you look at the pictures again? How come the phone rings off the hook while you are trying to accomplish this because your husband is out of town? How come your 2 year old and 4 year old niece both have to poop while this project is going on? (Can someone come wipe my butt?) How come it doesn't say on the box that unless you are a master carpenter then you need an extra pair of hands to help. And how come when you mutter the word crap the 4 year old who never listens to anything you say all of a sudden has a complete hearing miracle and starts repeating the word constantly?

If you can answer any of these questions let me know how come.


Thanks

May Blessings

So its been super busy around here. First on May 6th my DH went back to Panama for another month, then just 2 days later my baby turned 2. I was looking at her the other day and realized she's not a baby anymore...shes a small child. Where did the time go? She's developing a personality and so much more.

She is also progressing nicely on the potty training. I know you are interested...lol...but I have to brag as it was so hard with my oldest child. B is so much easier. C did not finally get it till she was 3 1/2 but B...well lets just say God smiled on me with this child.

The rest of the time I have just been caught up in the day to day stuff. We celebrated Mother's Day at my parents with some Popeye's chicken (drool) and one of those big water slides for the 4 grand kids. A good time was had by all & the children went home dead tired which meant a quiet night for me. (Ah...what I really wanted)

How has your May been so far? I hope its been truly blessed.

I made my laundry soap.

Ok well this was the first time that I've ever done this. I was really excited. I got the recipe off of the Dugger's Website, with a few changes due to product availability. Here is the recipe.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap-

Front or top load machine- best value
4 Cups hot tap water

1 Fels-Naptha soap bar

1 Cup Washing Soda

½ Cup Borax
- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.
-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.
-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)
-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.
-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.
-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)
-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

So..I used Ivory Soap because it was all I could find & I love the smell. (Reminds me of grandma) 3 bars were $1.07 at Wal-Mart. The Borax was $2.98 & should last a life time. I could not find Arm & Hammer washing soda but other sites I read said that baking soda was just as good as it is a deodorizer. That box was $2.12 for a big box. I buy the big box because I use it for other things to such as a drain cleaner. The bucket was by far the most expensive item. The bucket itself was $4.24 while the lid (a must) was $1.27. I followed the directions but chose not to add oil as I like the smell of Ivory. Now the REALLY important part. When you do this have someone there to help you lift the bucket & put it out of the way. My husband did this. I did this yesterday & checked it this morning. It really wasn't to gelled but I stirred it and measured it out for just 1 load as it was an experiment. Now it wasn't really sudsy but that is not a problem for me as its just more chemicals. My clothes came out clean & smelled nice. I didn't add fabric softener just as a personal choice. I really liked this. I will have to keep store bought soap on hand for when my husband brings home clothes from offshore as they reek. I also wash those separately. I think that between making my soap & my husband putting in a clothes line I am well on my way to saving money.

In all seriousness though I am so not crafty. My sister is the Martha Stewart of the family, but this was easy so please give it a shot for yourself then be sure and let me know how it turns out.

I made my own baby wipes.

Well I did it. I made my own baby wipes & laundry soap. So excited. Already used the wipes & they worked out fine. The soap has to sit over night so I'll know more tomorrow. Here's what I did for the wipes.

These wipes are very gentle on baby's sensitive skin. The recipe can be altered to use any skin oil or baby bath you like, which is great for babies with allergies or skin sensitivities.

Here's what you need:

1 4 qt square or round container(8” H x 7.25” W x 7.25” D)

½ roll Bounty Big Roll Select-A-Size paper towels

2 ½ cups hot water

2 T baby bath (I use Parent's Choice brand because it's very inexpensive)

2 T baby oil (substitute coconut oil if baby is sensitive to mineral oil.)

Finding the container was hard. I found this to be really close & it was at Walmart.

I cut the paper towels in half. Note next time I will use electric knife.

Put 1 towels half in container cut side down.

I mixed ingredients in a large measuring cup but use what you have.

Pour over towels then cover & invert for 5 min.

After 5 min flip again then open & remove cardboard center.

I found this recipe on this great blog.

Heather has been doing this for a while. This is my first time but it was very easy & I am craft challenged. She has also answered some questions too. Its a great blog that I really enjoy following.

My Day

This is a list of all the items I try to get accomplished daily. Truthfully it falls apart after dinner due to the baby not being on a better bedtime routine & a husband that is not always home. So I'm working on it. So here is my P.O.D.A. or parade of daily activities.

· MAKE BED
· CHECK CALENDAR & EMAILS
· EAT BREAKFAST
· START LOAD OF LAUNDRY
· SWISH & SWIPE BATHROOMS
· UNLOAD DISHWASHER
· BEGIN DINNER
· SWIFFER LR & KITCHEN
· REBOOT LAUNDRY
· OPEN MAIL & FILE
· EAT LUNCH
· FOLD & PUT AWAY LAUNDRY
· CHECK DINNER PROGRESS
· TAKE OUT TRASH
· SET TABLE
· EMPTY BACK PACK & CHECK HOMEWORK
· EAT DINNER
· KIDS IN BATH
· LOAD DISHWASHER
· PUT UP LEFTOVERS
· CHECK TOMORROWS SCHOOL LUNCH
· PACK BACKPACK- HOMEWORK SNACK WATER MONEY
· CHECK TOMORROW’S SCHEDULE
· LAY OUT CLOTHES
· START TO DO LIST
· PACK DIAPER BAG IF NEEDED
· PLUG IN ELECTRONICS & FLIP BREAKERS
· FINAL WALK THROUGH
· SHOWER & READY FOR BED


Special to do’s
· Monday- Mop
· Tuesday- Purge Fridge
· Wednesday-Trash to curb
· Thursday-Clean out Car & purse/diaper bag
· Friday- Bill pay & reconcile checkbook

That's it...thanks for reading.

On your mark...get set...get frugal!

Ok, so I am somewhat new to actively being frugal. We did little things growing up and I still do things today but I am trying to step up my game. Some things I already do is we have switched to CFL bulbs, always turned off lights when not in use, I usually do not turn on lights during the day if it can be helped, (I have to when its stormy & dark), & we compost. At my last house I had a clothes line & we just never got around to putting up another...well that changed. My husband was not impressed with our last electric bill. ($200) But in all fairness it was not my fault. I mean its not like I started air conditioning the free world. Usually our bill runs between $100-$150. I showed him online where our highest bill is usually in Dec & in Feb we used less energy yet our bill was higher. They (the electric co-op) decided to really give it to us. The next bill for Mar. was only $90. Now some of it was steps taken after seeing the $200 bill.
Here's what I did.

1. I got more ruthless about lights/TV etc on.
2. I walked around the house & made sure if it wasn't being used it was unplugged.
3. At night I shut down my laptop & UNPLUG it. (those things are energy hogs)
4. I flipped off the breaker to my water heater at night.
5. If I don't have a full load of dishes I wash them by hand.

That's it. Now that my husband is home he showed me a few more things. First he made sure all of our breakers were properly labeled. Then we shut off 2 major appliances that we don't use constantly, the stove & dryer. We also try to go as long as possible before we turn on our a/c but hello we live in southeast La. so that lasts till about 1. If my husband is home & I am not it stays off longer. (He spends every other month in Panama so its colder here now.)

I am working on using my coupons more so I plan to update more on that & other frugal ideas such as making my own baby wipes, cleaning products, & laundry soap.

Until then y'all take care.

Where did my money go???

It been one of those weeks.

You see we live on a budget and this month a couple of credit card bills were paid twice due to some misunderstandings between my husband & the credit card companies. So we are short about $600. Ugh. At least I have some items stockpiled. I do need to get a few items still. I really need wipes & want to make my own so I have to see if I can pull it off buying the start up stuff.

Also I had planned on making my own laundry soap but again start up costs. Oh well.

As for my goals I have started up a to do list for the day, gotten a schedule set up for day I am home (which are most) & finished my coupon book & mostly done w/ household notebook. I really need to get the kitchen in a better working condition.

I also want to start making my own bread when DH is home. I still must buy some bread for C's school lunch as she informed me nobody brings homemade bread sandwiches. Ok whatever. It will still save money when he is home. I usually eat last night's dinner for lunch.

Well that's been my week thus far...interesting I know. Be on the look out for my PODA to be posted. Thanks for stopping by.

Finally Friday

Oh my word what a week it has been. My husband who is normally off shore is currently home but in school all this week. So that means up extra early all week and really early yesterday and today plus packing an extra lunch. Good new is I am able to get more accomplished in the AMs but by 3pm I'm beat. So getting up at 5 isn't that much fun but I may try to start getting up earlier than my usual 6:30 or so. Lets see how my week has been going on my goals.

We did finish our taxes in time with a refund due so that's good. I wasn't able to e-file because I couldn't find last years pins. So whatever. I DID however manage to finish my coupon binder & halfway through my household notebook. I did though get my list of daily chores done which I do plan on posting soon. I don't like calling it my daily to do's though, I heard something via Twitter which I like. It called your PODA (parade of daily activities).

I was also able to switch the girls rooms. After 3 days the baby slept all night in her new room with her sissy. Last night however was different. My children & I like it cool in the house my husband does not. I think when she gets hot she wakes up. Momma's about to put her foot down & tell hubby to wear more clothes to bed. The play room is coming along well. I am gonna have it knocked out by next weekend I hope. This weekend is jam packed w/ 2 parties & a game night & church.

Well that has been my week has been busy yet productive. How has yours been???

What have I been doing all week.

Good morning. I know its been a while but its been so busy. First my husband returned home the Thurs. before Easter then well Easter & currently I have both kids home with sometimes a spare. Our district lets school out Good Friday & the week after Easter. Also we had to finish up our taxes. I work 2 home based businesses plus my husband has one then last year I was still working as a Realtor which means a 1099 & my husband works off shore which means a W2. Needless to say tax time is ugly. We are not really happy w/ the other person at that time. Then my computer had crashed last month (no back up) & I lost ALL of my financial stuff plus we couldn't import last years info. Then I thought my DH had them but no such luck. So off to the bank I went to get copies of our statement. (Now not going paperless I want them mailed to me) Of course I had to jump through hoops to get them all to get my DH's proof of a $700 school he attended. So now our taxes we completed by the 14th. Yeah!!

Now my DH has broken the news to me that he has to go to yet another 2 schools. One is next week & that one is $600 & the other one will be maybe next hitch in & that one is $1200. Luckily his company agreed to pay for the $1200 one. Would prefer them to pay for both but at least its an education right off.

How am I coming on my goals you ask? Well I made a coupon book & have been pretty faithful about them. I am also almost done w/ my household notebook. We are getting a refund this year and besides a couple of purchases (new work boots for DH new flash drive for me) we are applying it to our debt. Slowly but surely chipping it away.

I am really wanting to do a giveaway but I want more followers. I think I will do one when I reach 10 followers. So if you are just reading this please follow me & tell your friends.

Hope all is going well in your lives


The Semi-Single Mom

Doctor Visit

Ok...just got back from taking B to the Dr. For the past 3 days she's been green snotty with a wet cough. If you are a mom you know what I mean. Needless to say I am very tired. So anyway on the way to the doctor I brought my 4 y/o niece whom I keep in the mornings to my moms for the day. She is too funny. She grabbed a piece of candy out of the candy jar & asked if she could eat it. Of course it was 9:30am so my mom said no. Well she used her most famous reasoning..."My mommy lets me". Right. So after I left my mom called & said K asked for something & when my mom said no she said "Well Aunt Angel lets me." I guess since she knew the mom excuse didn't work this one might. I love this age.
Then we get to the Dr. & of course its just like I thought. Sinus infection & need amoxicillian. I don't see why they just can't take my word on it. But another thing happened. The Dr. said B had a wall of wax that needed to be punctured. The nurse & I held her down & the Dr. took out this huge wax ball. It was gross. I can't even imagine having that in my ear. So now we are on our way to recovery. Yea!
I am about to lave to p/u my husband from the airport. Tomorrow is Good Friday so yall have a very Happy Easter.

The Semi-Single Mom

Random things

Just some random facts about me to somewhat introduce myself.

1. My middle name is Love.
2. I am married
3. I have 2 daughters & 1 stepson
4. My husband & I have been married since June 24, 2000.
5. This is my first real blog
6. I have myspace, facebook, twitter accounts.
7. I love to read
8. I don't mind housework but hate taking out the trash
9. I love my kids but don't want more
10. I'll do anything for a friend or family member
11. I enjoy church (most of the time)
12. I hate it when men at church think women are inferior...I am a lot smarter than a good majority of our men
13. I rock out in my minivan when the kids aren't with me
14. Sometimes I hate driving a minivan
15. I love the town I live in most of the time
16. My oldest thinks I'm a dork
17. I often want the power to turn back time
18. I'm often scared that something will happen to my husband when he's gone but I try not to let him know.
19. I like things to be organized
20. I did not vote for Obama & do not trust him
21. I am very protective of my children & family...do not cross me on this
22. I go to church twice a week most weeks
23. I think that even though I can open my own door the man should still make the attempt.
24. I like to watch Seinfeld.
25. I watch way to much TV

My other half

Well my husband comes home tomorrow evening. Its odd. I look forward to him coming home & being home for the first 3 weeks. Then that last week I am ready for him to leave. You see when he's home he's home. He has no friends here & he's always under foot, making messes & generally just getting in my way. Between him & the baby I don't know which is worse. Also next week is a school holiday so the 10 year old will be home too. I might actually go crazy.
So would you like your husband to work offshore? If so how long could you stand for him to be gone?

Gratituesdays

What am I truely grateful for? There are so many things. I guess the most important thing I'm grateful for is my family.
My family includes my immediate family of a husband & 2 children then it extends out to a whole slew of parents, sibilings, aunts, uncles, cousins & then come the greats (great aunts etc.) I counted up the other day and close family that lives w/in a 45 min drive there are 73 relatives with 3 more on the way. I love the fact that my children grow up with not only cousins but also a wealth of older relatives who have lived through so much. My oldest goes over to her great grandma's every other week. My daughter is 10 & my grandma will be 82 this year. My grandma lived through the depression, saw the car come about and indoor plumbing. How many other kids can listen to stories like these.
So anyway I am very greatful for having such a big family where everyone is in everyone's business & I still love them.
What are you grateful for????

Goals for 2009

Well its Sunday evening & I really don't feel like doing anything at all. I am actually sitting on the couch watching Celebrity Apprentice feeling so lazy. But I digress.

Goals..I feel I need to achieve some purpose regarding this blog. So I have been thinking about what goals I want to accomplish before 2009 is over. Here is what I've come up with.

1. Finances- I want to be debt free but that is not going to be accomplished this year unless we give up food & shelter. We've made some mistakes & we are paying for them. Everyday I think to myself oh lets just file for bankruptcy but no we are going to get out of this one dollar at a time. I've started using coupons again. I got out of the habit but need to jump back in.


2. Organizing- I will put together a household notebook. All the really organized people I've run across have one of some type. I have been going through all the sites seeing what everyone has then will put together my own that fits my needs.


3. Activity level/Weight- Ok I have a weight problem I know this. I also love to veg in front of the tv which is not good. I've always had this problem but its gotten worse. Also I live in Louisiana & I LOVE food. Not just sweets but all the bad for you foods. So I know I need to turn off the tv & get out more. Now that its warm I've been taking B to the park more often & I will get back to walking more.

That is all for now. I feel its enough. If you pile to many on your plate you are setting yourself up for failure I believe.

Well let me know what you think

Thanks

Welcome

Ok this is my first official post. So what do you mean by semi-single? Well my husband works offshore. He's gone half of the year so every other month I am a single parent to our 2 girls. No I don't get to act unmarried but it is hard sometimes doing it as a single. You see when he's here I can lean on him, ask his opinion, etc. But when he's gone I usually have to do it all myself. Sometimes if its not a pressing issue I can email him (sometimes it might take a few days for a response) but usually I just have to put on my big girl panties & jump. Luckily I have a large (and getting bigger by the minute) family that I can rely on...something not everyone has.
So I thought I'd use this blog as a way to chronicle my days. Sorta a way to keep the sanity & well everyone else is doing it....lol.
A little about me. My name is Angel and this month I am turning 33. I am married and we will celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary this June. I have 2 girls 10 & 2. My husband also has a 17 year old son. We live in South Louisiana which means most summers we get to pack up all of our possessions that we hold dear and evacuate. Yep hurricanes....got to love them. Yes we lived through Katrina but that is a story (adventure) for another time.
I don't home school but I am very active with the school my oldest attends. I also belong to my local moms club so my youngest can socialize. I am one of the few stay at home moms in my family so its lonely sometimes.
I plan on using this to talk about my life & my goals. Goals I will do in another post. Reading these blogs I notice that all are different so I'll just figure it out as I go along. I'll update this blog as often as possible. I will shoot for daily but well life happens.
So again welcome, I look forward to getting some followers & reading your comments.


Thanks