I was wondering if there is anyone out there who is as rolling your eyes to the ceiling tired of hearing news about pampered party princesses getting into trouble as I am. Could it be that our economy has made Hollywood shenanigan's old school? Is it possible that we now crave rich content instead of rich role models?
I find myself ignoring the weeklies at the checkout stand and gravitating to the Better Homes and Gardens section. I want to research how to be happy instead of living vicariously through the tabloids. Did I become a 60 year old woman when I hit my third decade? What happened?
Well, there's no telling. I've always been a little old lady in spirit. I wore vintage clothing before it was fashionable and had helmet hair in high school. I suppose that is the whole point of this blog, huh? To show a peek of my lifestyle.
In an effort to do so, I am trying to share this with as many people as want to see it. Wish me luck!
TYRYXTUWRCRV
Friday, November 5, 2010
Hello, Caffeine!
It's 12.19am and we are currently brewing a pot of coffee and getting geared up for another long night with our 2 month old. Tonight we are a team, though usually, we sleep in shifts. Our life is like a bean bag relay race, with a newborn instead of a bean bag. How fast can we get him dressed before he starts protesting? Can we get the bottle made and into his mouth before he starts pumping his arms and screaming?
Come to think of it, maybe our little bundle of joy is a budding activist. It's just a matter of time before he starts toting around a homemade sign and recruiting people to support his cause. In any case, we have realized that in order to keep up with his demands, our systems require alot of assistance. Hello, caffeine!
I can remember a time, back when I had just one child (and no, I don't remember having none at all), when I could run to the corner coffee shop and order a Grande Carmel Machiato. To be quite honest, I think it was my pride in being able to actually order a drink with a name as long as the Rio Grande that gave me a buzz, rather than the actual beverage. However, nowadays it's my ability to buy a tub of Folgers on sale for six bucks that makes my day.
I didn't just switch brands and forgo ready made for do it yourself, either. I have even stopped using cream and sugar. I can now drink my coffee black. Unfortunately, I also gave up the cool cups with the little cardboard sleeves...but, alas! Someone has even come up with one of those that is reusable! Cool beans, man!
Come to think of it, maybe our little bundle of joy is a budding activist. It's just a matter of time before he starts toting around a homemade sign and recruiting people to support his cause. In any case, we have realized that in order to keep up with his demands, our systems require alot of assistance. Hello, caffeine!
I can remember a time, back when I had just one child (and no, I don't remember having none at all), when I could run to the corner coffee shop and order a Grande Carmel Machiato. To be quite honest, I think it was my pride in being able to actually order a drink with a name as long as the Rio Grande that gave me a buzz, rather than the actual beverage. However, nowadays it's my ability to buy a tub of Folgers on sale for six bucks that makes my day.
I didn't just switch brands and forgo ready made for do it yourself, either. I have even stopped using cream and sugar. I can now drink my coffee black. Unfortunately, I also gave up the cool cups with the little cardboard sleeves...but, alas! Someone has even come up with one of those that is reusable! Cool beans, man!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
10 Ideas For Living Green, or Being Poor, or However You Want To Define It
Trying to think of ways to save a buck has become my job, and hopefully that job pays off. In my head is an overpopulation of ideas. Too many keywords; too much text. My dreams are defined by eBay ads and Google searches. My days are spent turning off lights and monitoring toilet paper usage. To sum it up, I have decided to make a list. I love lists. That's why I get along so well with Fly Lady.
1.) Nix the papertowels. Use dishrags and leftover fastfood napkins.
2.) Open doors and windows. When weather permits, turn off the AC and heaters and let in some air.
3.) Unplug your appliances when not in use, including the car chargers, radios, coffeemakers and any other thing that does not need to run if you aren't around (pretty much everything but the fridge, stove, clocks, washer, and dryer), or use a power strip or surge protector to cut power to everything at once.
4.) Hang out the laundry. Let God bleach your whites instead of Clorox when possible and save $ on your electric and gas bill.
5.) Learn to sew. We have saved a ton by not buying a new pair when our son blows out the knees in his jeans (every other day, btw).
6.) Ask for paper at the grocery store and then use them as trash bags. Paper is biodegradable and the bags are free!
7.) Get a library card. This is usually free, and entertainment is just waiting for you. Books, movies and internet. Can't get much better than that!
8.) Get rid of Cable and get Netflix. If you do it right you could watch 10 movies a month for 10 bucks, but if you forget to mail it back after a day, they don't charge you extra like RedBox, which I suggest if you can't get online...but then how are you reading this? If you're really poor, try the library. They've got movies!
9.) Ditch your cell and get a house phone. We reduced our bill by $170 and now the bill collectors can't reach us at all hours!
10.) Reuse your paper. FlyLady.net suggests making master lists of things, like your grocery list, and keeping it in a plastic sheet protector. You can then cross off items with a dry erase marker.
In no way am I suggesting that anyone make a decision to lower their standard of living, or do anything that would hurt their circumstances. These are just things that we have tried and that work for us. When in doubt, use your common sense! And remember we love you!
10 Ideas For Living Green....or Being Poor....However You Want To Define It:
1.) Nix the papertowels. Use dishrags and leftover fastfood napkins.
2.) Open doors and windows. When weather permits, turn off the AC and heaters and let in some air.
3.) Unplug your appliances when not in use, including the car chargers, radios, coffeemakers and any other thing that does not need to run if you aren't around (pretty much everything but the fridge, stove, clocks, washer, and dryer), or use a power strip or surge protector to cut power to everything at once.
4.) Hang out the laundry. Let God bleach your whites instead of Clorox when possible and save $ on your electric and gas bill.
5.) Learn to sew. We have saved a ton by not buying a new pair when our son blows out the knees in his jeans (every other day, btw).
6.) Ask for paper at the grocery store and then use them as trash bags. Paper is biodegradable and the bags are free!
7.) Get a library card. This is usually free, and entertainment is just waiting for you. Books, movies and internet. Can't get much better than that!
8.) Get rid of Cable and get Netflix. If you do it right you could watch 10 movies a month for 10 bucks, but if you forget to mail it back after a day, they don't charge you extra like RedBox, which I suggest if you can't get online...but then how are you reading this? If you're really poor, try the library. They've got movies!
9.) Ditch your cell and get a house phone. We reduced our bill by $170 and now the bill collectors can't reach us at all hours!
10.) Reuse your paper. FlyLady.net suggests making master lists of things, like your grocery list, and keeping it in a plastic sheet protector. You can then cross off items with a dry erase marker.
In no way am I suggesting that anyone make a decision to lower their standard of living, or do anything that would hurt their circumstances. These are just things that we have tried and that work for us. When in doubt, use your common sense! And remember we love you!
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