Tide at CVS this week

This week CVS has Tide for $2.94 a bottle. I got 8 bottles, used $1, $2, and $3 coupons along with $3 in ECB (downloading the App!!!). I got my haul for $8.05 😉

Herbal Essences & Aussie deal this week. Run!!!

This week's paper had a $3/2 for Aussie and a $3/2 Herbal Essences. This week my Rite Aid had particular items for $5/2. I stacked 9 of each with a $4/$20 purchase and a 10% shopping pass for a savings of $91.40 and a total of $44.43 for 36 hair items and a bottle of Lavender oil. 

Coupon Overload

I've recently started couponing in the past six weeks.  It has quickly become an obsession. And a good one.  My car has been "acting a fool" for a while now and may need replacement within the next year or so.  The savings have been adding up quickly, and it looks like the goal will be attainable sooner rather than later.  For some reason, my pictures won't upload at the moment, but my stockpile is taking over my garage.  A few weeks ago, I got 16 seven pound bags of dog food for....wait for it...FREE!! My dog's 55 gallon food barrel is full, with several bags to the side.  I've stocked up on cat food, toilet paper, paper towels, gatorade, baby wipes, tissues, trash bags, kid vitamins, adult vitamins, shampoo, ice cream, hot dog weenies, condiments and MADE money doing so.  I went to the store this weekend and got 4 packs of hot dog weenies and 9 boxes of Puffs tissue and made $.70.  I'm slowly working towards a new, third row vehicle for myself, paying my hubby's car off, house remodeling, yard landscaping, and at this rate, an additional stockpiling spot.  I hope to be able to share some of my deals and pictures next week folks ;) Thanks for reading!!

Five Years Ago.

Five years ago today, I had a laproscopic surgery after severe, sudden pains in my stomach & side.  My OB/GYN also said he would go ahead and do a D & C since he thought I may have some issues within my uterus.  Many people would think that this is perfectly normal.  I just want to raise awareness about how my daughter was nearly aborted because of this simple fact:: DOCTORS & TESTS AREN'T ALWAYS RIGHT!!

December 2010, Josh & I began trying to have another baby.  I desperately wanted a little girl and for Kade to grow up with a sibling.  We tried up until early March.  I went to the doctor with sudden, sharp pains in my side and near my belly button.  I have PCOS and have had many surgeries on my ovaries, had a difficult first pregnancy, so my doctor knows me well.  I told them we were trying to conceive and the tests and ultrasound as a precaution showed nothing.  My doctor decided after just one visit that maybe I had some scar tissue in my uterus and he would do surgery as an exploratory thing and clean my uterus up to help us out.  I left there with my surgery date, thinking I wasn't pregnant. 

The day of surgery,  April 3rd 2011.  Josh and I had still not been preventing pregnancy since we knew it would likely not be that easy.  I asked again for a pregnancy test and bloodwork to confirm before being taken back.  Both showed negative again.  My doctor did the exploratory part of surgery and while in there said that my uterus "Looked plump and healthy from the outside" so he decided not to do the D & C.  When you come out of the anesthesia, you don't consider the word plump to mean anything.  Nor did my husband.  


We carried on with the attempts to have a baby.  I had to have stitches taken out on April 18th but the weekend before I got horribly sick.  I had diarrhea and severe nausea.  I thought this to be a possible infection related to surgery.  Or maybe even a stomach bug.  The morning of the 18th, I asked my doctor if they could maybe get some nausea meds or an antibiotic to help me function (I mean, taking care of a two year old with chronic ear infections IS pie, right??) My doctor then asked me if I'd ever had these symptoms after surgery.  That's when it hit me.  I had these same symptoms the week I found out I was pregnant with Kade.  I told them and they had me go pee in a cup.  It took forever for the nurse to come back to dip the strip in.  Which felt like a lifetime.  I didn't know if I was pregnant and the baby could've been hurt by the surgery.  Or if it was just a nasty bug I had.  All this worry washed over me and then the nurse finally came back.  Moment of truth:: the strip turned within seconds and she mouthed "You're pregnant!!" Imagine the shock when I took a positive test home to Josh when I simply went in to have 11 stitches taken out!  And the worry I would have until my first ultrasound the following week.  I insisted to do it ASAP since I'd had surgery and was frightened for my child's health.  But low and behold, I had a very happy, wiggly baby estimated to be 8 weeks old growing in my belly, dancing around on the monitor.  Sigh of relief!! 

I have a beautiful, sassy, intelligent daughter now.  But imagine, if my doctor had done the D & C as he planned beforehand and I hadn't asserted that I might be pregnant, I could've lost a daughter I didn't even know was growing.  Luckily, God protected her.  I have NO doubts about that.  God has a major plan for her life and started her testimony before she was even outside the womb.  

Ladies, If you even think it's a slight possibility, let the doctor know.  If you don't speak up, something tragic could happen without you even knowing . 

ICE ACTION ELSA $3

SOOOO guys, I went to my local Walmart & found The Ice Action Elsa (normally $27) for $3. This isn't a test.  Run to check your local store to see if any are in the Clearance section!!



http://www.walmart.com/ip/Disney-Frozen-Ice-Power-Elsa-Doll/45160616

My petition to help homeschooling families out ((HOPEFULLY!!)

Hey guys, so a friend of mine and I were talking about the mass amounts of money we drop every single year to homeschool our babies.  And how at tax time, we just don't see anything coming back in because we are simply not allowed to write our expenses off.  Textbooks, supplemental material, books for reading, construction paper, glue, scissors, crafts, co-op and association fees, graduations, field trips, memberships to zoos and museums, etc. The list goes on for days. We do this gladly, because it is OUR choice for our family.  However, not getting that help and paying huge chunks of our taxes to benefit schools our children won't set foot in, feels like we are being discriminated against.  College kids and kids who attend school and daycare outside the home get that credit, we should too.  This needs to be an equality thing.  We need the help too sometimes. If you feel led to sign my petition, I would be thrilled.  We just need this to at least be a consideration.  Thanks in advance guys!!

 https://www.change.org/p/homeschoolers-income-tax-credit-for-homeschoolers?recruiter=15996158&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink

Top 10 reasons why homeschooling works for my family

If I had a nickle for every time I've been asked "WHY do you homeschool??," I'd be a rich lady. I'm also asked, "Don't you ever get sick of your kids?" And my favorite is: "I need me time and I need my own money."  My answers to those who inquire vary depending on how snotty the person asking is or what their reasoning is.  I've been told before that I'm "doing my kids a disservice" by being with them (by people who eventually had kids that see on a very minimal basis.)  I'm sorry, not trying to be ugly, but i know what works for MY family. So, here go my top twenty reasons for homeschooling, although I have hundreds or maybe thousands.

1. I homeschool because I'm able to.

I've been blessed with a husband who has us financially stable on just his income. We aren't high maintenance.  We have zero credit debt.  And not to mention that my husband absolutely backs my decision to homeschool our children.  I realize that not every family has the option.  My best friend is raising her son alone and has no financial support, leaving every bill including daycare up to her.  She provides everything without a single complaint rolling off of her lips.  She's a phenomenal mother and friend as well.  I'm beyond blessed to have her in my life.

2. We can speak freely about God and pray, whenever we want to!!

My kids LOVE to pray.  About anything and for everyone.  I'm raising absolutely well-rounded kids who have amazing faith. I'm able to do bible curriculum and answer any question they hurl at me with scripture without fear of backlash from cranky parents or a school district.  

3. I like to be with my kids.

Plain and simple.  I'm not saying that they don't drive me crazy.  They do.  Daily.  But at one point in time I was told I'd never have kids. They are my life.  I'm never going to look back on my time at home with them and wish I'd worked to give them more toys or a bigger house.  Our house is the perfect size.  And their main concern: the yard is huge. They have plenty of toys (my parents adore them and never say "No.") The folks who know me personally who've addressed my lack of income, I'm fairly certain my children will not regret my decision one bit and will look back fondly of a mom who chose them.  

4. I know my children are safe at all times.

"You can't shelter your child from everything." Blah, Blah, Blah.  By homeschooling, I am able to protect my children from school shootings (never hurts when mama is packing), from sexual predators who may be lurking inside the school, and from little punks who like to bully kids who are different than they are. My son had a speech delay because of bad ears.  He was bullied plenty of times (starting at the age of 2) because of his speech.  My son has made so much progress and playground bullying made that seem irrelevant the first time that happened.  To see stuff like that is heartbreaking as a parent.  I knew when it happened, if possible I wouldn't subject him to that on a daily basis.  Since then his speech has caught up, but I still don't have to worry about kids who take their bad home life out on my kids at school.

5. Standardized tests aren't for everyone. 

I was a horrible tester through school.  Cringed at the thought of them.  And bombed ones I had studied for for days.  It just wasn't my thing.  And SC law doesn't require any standardized testing.  Thank goodness.  My kids breeze through their schoolwork like it's nothing.  I know what they're learning and I know their weaknesses.  Eventually, we will check into testing, but no time soon.

6. iPads are taking the place of paper and pencil in schools.

My kids have iPads.  They go everywhere with us.  But they're not allowed in my classroom.  We do workbooks, activities, experiments, nature walks, read, etc.  We even watch Magic School Bus for science.  But my kids are going to learn to appreciate paper and pen!!

7. Common Core.

Common core standards are just plain stupid.  I've seen "new math" and read excerpts of sex ed that were directed to an audience as young as 8-9 year olds.  I'll pass.  My kids have learned and will continue to stack math and do it the "old school" way.  And sex ed is not in my future for nearly a decade!!

8. We like to move.

We have a big backyard with a creek and spring.  We keep a garden.  We like to visit the kids' Mimi & Papa when we please.  We love field trips.  We like long breaks between subjects to play.  The kids do karate, soccer, drums, cheer & co-op. Busy is our way of life. 

9. I love to watch my kids learn.

The look on my sons face when he read his first word at 2 years old.  My daughter's excitement when she finally wrote her name without copying it or having it spelled for her.  It's a magical thing.  I used to think I would want to be a teacher because I loved kids.  But then I realized, maybe God knew I would teach my own and be happier.

10. We make school fit around life.

Sports, doctor appointments, sickness, days Josh takes off work to be with us, field trips, etc.  When we have beautiful, sunny days with comfy temps in the middle of a rainy week, we cancel school.  We do school in pajamas most days.  We just do life and we do it comfy. 

Like I've said, there are many more reasons why this works for my family.  I'm not knocking anyone else for their choice and what works for their family.  I just figured stating it at least once daily gets old.  And sometimes, mamas who do what you do read your words and it's like a high-five to them.  We just need to stop the mommy wars, ladies.  It's not worth it.  No one is doing a better job because they do life different or because "their way is right".  The point is, you keep your kids alive and that's what counts.  Be kind to one another!!

No-Sew Fleece Blanket

 This past week Kyleigh asked me why she only had one no-sew blanket.  She also let me know that she's "not into" Hello Kitty anymore.  We decided to break down and make her a new one.  She chose her My Little Pony fabric at Hancock and helped me a little bit with this process.  Super simple.  Super soft blankets.  Here are the steps::

You will need::

(These will make fleece blankets big enough to cover a twin bed)

2.5 yards solid fleece fabric
2.5 yards themed/patterned fleece fabric
Crafting/Quilting Scissors

Lay both pieces of fleece out on top of each other. I keep my theme piece facing me since this is the side that will be facing up when in use typically.  Line them up together and begin to trim around. (Most fabric that has a copyright will have a white strip on the edge with writing.)  

Next, you are going to cut your corners.  You will cut a 4 inch by 4 inch square off of each corner of your blanket.  

Then, you will cut 1 1/2 inch strips all the way around the blanket.  These will be your knots around the edges. It doesn't matter which corner you start at either.

You will tie these strips together (the set will have a solid and printed piece.) Do This all the way around until this is your finished product.

Final Step:: ENJOY!! It took me roughly an hour and forty five minutes to make this just because my baby girl wouldn't quit trying to jump over it.  I also got pictures of her with it but they all had silly and blurry faces.

Calming Sensory Jar

I decided to jump on the bandwagon & make the kids a calming sensory jar.  Their spats have been getting particularly difficult to diffuse lately.  Maybe because they're both always right HAHA. I grabbed the stuff I needed to make it from Walmart last night & they helped make it.  I chose blue glitter because it is somewhat neutral.  Kade likes Blue and Kyleigh says it looks like Elsa blue.

I didn't take any pictures of the process but it's fairly easy to do.

What You Need:

1/2 Bottle Glitter Glue (we used a no-name brand)

1 vial of glitter from the crafts section (we used a good amount per kids' request)

1 jar (we can, so we keep mason jars on hand)

hot tap water

**Optional: Food Coloring (we didn't use any)

First, put the half bottle of glitter glue in the bottom of your jar. Then put the hot tap water in.  Sometimes the glue won't break up good if the water isn't hot enough, so get it HOT. Then, dump your desired amount of glitter into the jar.  Make sure the lid is secure.  We screwed our lid on tight.  You could also super glue the lid on if you'd feel better.  Shake the jar and try to break up the glue.  Final Step:: ENJOY!! When the kids have a spat or a tantrum, sit them down with this and make them sit and watch until all of the glitter has fallen to the bottom. Can take up to 2-5 minutes.

I'm telling you Moms, this is therapeutic for us as well!! I've enjoyed this one and so have the kids!!

My First Valance (Hand-Sewn)

This weekend, I finally got fabric to make my master bedroom and master bath curtains and valance.  We have yet to paint the rooms, but the light in the mornings on weekends is just a bit much.  This is a quick tutorial on how to sew a valance.  I had to hand sew this because I have yet to fix my sewing machine. 

First, measure your window & add an additional 15" to the width of your curtain.  You will also want this piece of fabric to be 20" long.  Trim the fabric to this size and press and pin a 1/2" seam along the bottom and the sides of the panel.  On the top, you will want to fold your fabric 3" over.  You will place your first seam of your rod pocket here.  Then, measure down 1 and a half inch from the very top of the panel and sew the other seam for the rod pocket.  

My Fabric of Choice

Sewing the seams.

Finished Product. Again, the color will be changed soon!

General Tso's Chicken...QUICK & EASY!!

One of our absolute FAVORITE meals is General Tso's Chicken with rice and veggies.  It's also one of our splurges as far as calories and price.  I recently decided to make it at home.  This recipe is simple & easy to make and clean up after.  This had my husband running up the hall to investigate the source of the smell ;)

Ingredients::

1 lb chicken breast cut into small nuggets

1-2 cups of flour (for dredging)

2 tbsp. EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup pineapple juice

1/4 cup white distilled vinegar

1 tbsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 tbsp. cornstarch, mixed with 3 tbsp. water

Instructions::

Heat oil first, on medium heat.  Dredge chicken in flour and cayenne, fry in oil until golden brown and crispy. Drain excess oil.  While your chicken is cooking, get your sauce mixture going (sugar, soy sauce, pineapple juice, vinegar, garlic & ginger), heat this mixture on a lower setting. When sauce is smooth and well-mixed, add cornstarch mixture SLOWLY and stir until you reach your desired thickness.  Then pour the mixture over your chicken.  Serve with your favorite veggies and rice.  I used Squash and Zucchini from last summer's garden, along with Broccoli and Basmati rice. 

Kids Rooms are DONE!!

We FINALLY got the kids' rooms done.  We moved in last February after our floors were done.  And we decided to put painting off until we were settled in.  We decided that Christmas was THE perfect time to do it.  Everything is magical, suprises abound & the kids were BOTH SO appreciative for their newly painted rooms.

Kyleigh's room was a horrible Pepto-pink with a wallpaper accent wall. If you check out one of my previous posts, you'll see JUST how awful it was.  When we thought we had a house the previous year, I had picked out a beautiful color called Pre-dawn Sky for her.  It's a poppy color that just fits my daughter's personality.  Here is the end result (ALONG with her IKEA Trofast organizer that has simplified life just a tad.)

Kade's room was just a flat, dull, boring white.  Which is the absolute complete opposite of my entertainer of a boy. He chose a "creeper" green (you Minecraft parents & peeps know what I'm talking about!) I don't have  a before picture but it's easy to imagine a blank room. And here is the end result of his room.

I have SO many more plans for this house.  And hopefully, many more posts showing off things we've accomplished due to many hours of Pinteresting & HGTV binging.  Thank you for reading!! 

DIY Lego Table from Ikea Lack

My babies have been SO into Legos for a while.  My son is a major Minecraft fanatic and my daughter had sweet-talked her Mimi into buying her the Elsa Ice Castle Lego set. With several sets on their way to our house, I started Googling to see how pricey Lego tables can run you.  RIDICULOUS!! Some of the cheaper ones were more expensive than making my own from Ikea would be.  I decided to buy two Ikea Lack tables. The white one for my daughter was on sale for $7.99 and my son's green one was $9.99.  Shipping ran me $10.  I got on Amazon & found the gray 48x48 Lego Classic Baseplates for $14.99 with free shipping with my Prime account.  I read that the Gorilla Wood Glue would be my best bet at getting the baseplates to stick to the table.  This ran me $4 at Walmart.  It took all of 5 minutes to glue the baseplates on and I let them dry overnight.  Screwing the legs into the tables took the longest amount of time.  I spent roughly $63 on the supplies and a whopping total of about 40 minutes making both tables.  The kids were SO surprised Christmas morning and love them already.  They've been put to the test and when you use the Lego pry tool, the baseplates do not budge or show any signs of loosening from the table top.  I highly recommend making one if your kids are into Legos and you don't want to spend a small fortune!!

Tomoson Review

I tried using Tomoson a few months back.  I was emailed by a fellow blogger and invited to join and told of what a great opportunity it would be to make some money on the side.  I mean what mama couldn't use a few extra dollars?? Especially at Christmas at that!?!? 

I signed up and quickly started applying to different promotions.  I got invited to a few that weren't paid opportunities.  I'm guessing this was because I was a newbie.  Although maybe there aren't any where you make money.  I wouldn't know.  I didn't make it that far.  

I ran into a few bumps in the road with the promotion codes being provided by my sellers.  Which then led to me receiving my products later than I'd expected.  GREAT products by the way.  However, being behind on the dates I was to review by was an issue.  I reviewed my products on my blog & had them verified (or so I thought via the website.)  Then the next week, I tried to log in to add some new promos to my listing.  I was informed that my account was suspended for 0% activity.  

I'm not saying that they are a scam site.  I have no idea.  But I was given NO chance to find out otherwise.  Also, their communication is slack.  I sent several emails trying to see about getting my account reactivated.  No such luck.  I received an email this past week that was supposedly forwarded to another department to be reviewed for reactivation.  

I would steer clear of this site if you are looking for a way to make some money quick.  Sites like Opinion Outpost and NCP are a guaranteed way!! 

Wallpaper Removal Made Easy!!

I don't have many pictures of my daughter's room at our new house showing the hideous wallpaper, but now I've got a few with some of it gone.  We decided to paint the kids' rooms for Christmas and the wallpaper had to go.  The zebra pattern seemed to burn my eyes everytime I stepped in Kyleigh's room.  I made a little concoction in a $0.97 spray bottle from Walmart and it started to peel away.  

I added about 1/3 of the bottle full of Vinegar.  Just plain, white, distilled Vinegar.  And the rest of the bottle was filled with boiling water (by a funnel...burns on the hands are no joke.)  I sprayed it on the walls and let it set and do it's magic for about 15 minutes.  My kids absolutely loved peeling and trashing the wallpaper.  It took about an hour and fifteen minutes due to having to refill the bottle three times and tend to kids in between.  But overall was fairly easy.  I still have a few pieces left that I couldn't get to due to our school work and playtime outside.  Along with my daughter's monogram in the way.  Below are pictures of the process.  Enjoy and good luck to any others attempting to remove this pesky mess!!

...Annnnnd we FINALLY lost a tooth

I was starting to get worried when Kade hadn't lost a tooth.  I asked his dentist at his last checkup in May since nearly every one of his friends had lost a tooth (or 4) by the time they turned 6.  He told me that basically just means I'm taking good care of his teeth and that they basically just hang out unless they take a huge hit.   

Well that hit took place about 3 weeks ago at a birthday party.  Kade slid down the water slide and straight into his sister's hard head.  Lots of swelling, a huge cut, and a bruised gum. NO loose teeth that day.  

A little over a week ago, we finally saw some wiggling from a bottom tooth.  Which then turned into hours of wiggling, annoyance, not eating well & tons of frustration!! I finally pleaded with my child to let my aunt tug on it at church Sunday. (Somebody at church had told him the tooth fairy gives $20 for the first tooth you lose!) And he was game, Legos aren't cheap but he knows his mama is!! It began pouring blood which made him FURIOUS to say the least.  He milked it for a while until I asked him to watch "The Tooth Fairy" (the version with the Rock in it. NOT the horror story!!) He started to really understand the concept and agreed to let us get it out, but only the way his drum teacher suggested.  String, Tooth & Door.  You get the picture.  We totally got a video to post on our YouTube Channel for that as well.  I'll work on getting it uploaded over the next few days.  If you want to check it out, you can find a link to our channel on the sidebar ;)  

And now, pictures of the snaggle tooth!!

Little Tikes Playhouse Makeover....Doc Clinic Edition

A few years ago, I saw this playhouse sitting on the side of the road.  I never had one when I was growing up so I whined and pleaded with Josh to get it for me.  The day he went by to ask about it, he showed up at my parents with it crammed in the back of his Ford.  Kade was tickled.  And Kyleigh couldn't walk yet, so she wasn't the biggest fan.  It was faded out, missing a shutter, and had rusted hinges and knobs that had been replaced.  But for $30, it was a steal!! I have checked these houses out now. One similar would cost us at least $150.  

This playhouse sat at my parents for a while.  When we got situated in our old house, we took it with us.  And of course, it was rarely played in.  Mostly used for sitting on the roof and watching lightning bugs in the summer.  I told my daughter back then that I would turn it into a Doc McStuffins clinic for her.  Which, a year and a half later I have come through on.  Back in May, I got tired of looking at it sitting in the fenced yard.  Faded out and rusted.  I went online, found a picture of the colors of Doc's clinic and took a trip to Walmart.  I found Rustoleum Seaside, Marigold & Apple Red in High Gloss.  Spraypainting wasn't the headache on this project, taking it apart to paint it all different colors was.  

(Somewhat finished!!)

I ran out of the Seaside Blue (which I've been unable to locate, until now on Amazon.)  I'll be posting more pictures of the finished product.  I only have the tiny part at the base left.  Then i'll be moving on to the inside.  And I haven't decided what i'll do to it.  But this is a huge improvement from the eyesore it was before.  The kids also have another Little Tikes Playhouse at my parents I'll be doing once I'm finished with this one.  I'm thinking i'll let Kade pick out what theme we will go with for it.  Keep checking back for updates of the finished outside & interior ;)

A Homeschool Mama's Lifesaver

Kyleigh has been sitting at the table for three years (the entire time Kade has been doing structured homeschooling lessons.) The first year she had a paci and would absorb everything while coloring. Last year, she did K3 and she had her own time at the table while Kade was between subjects. 

However, this year has had my nerves SHOT. She has been insisting on being at the table while we are doing our lessons. She's picking at Kade constantly while I'm trying to teach. It's been rough. While at soccer camp with Kade last month, a friend of mine asked if I'd heard of distraction boards. A friend of hers bought a trifold project board, pack of crayons & stickers. The youngest then makes the board and has to leave it up to do their work and try to be quiet. 

After searching every dollar store with no luck, I finally found my board at Walmart ($1.97). I have stickers and crayons coming out of my ears at home. Go figure. This was actually FUN for Kyleigh to make. I don't have a finished picture of her board (she's constantly changing and adding things.) 

So far, I will say it's been SO worth it. She finds her board as her hiding space. Of course I got Kade one too. 

Just wanted to throw this out there for any mamas who are clinging tightly to their sanity while trying to school a preschooler and elementary aged child 😉

Back To School 2015-2016 School Year

We started our school year a TAD early. July is never too early to start back, right? Why did I start back so soon? I don't do heat. I don't mind taking the kids outside, really. But when it's 101 and they want to stay outside for an hour or longer. No. Also, sickness hit my house HARD in the spring this year. Taking a week out of my school year due to the flu and major respiratory ailments. I also decided that I want to incorporate more field trips this year. We did like 3 this past year. And we just need some days where we play outside in the 70 degree weather all day. Oh the joys of homeschooling. I wanted to throw in pictures of our first day. Please check out what they want to be when they grow up 😉

Homemade Dishwashing Detergent

Josh & I decided a little over a month ago that we wanted to do Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.  We are sick of debt.  We bought our house and want to have it just the way we picture it in our heads.  Which will take A LOT of money.  I was spending $10 every 2/3 months on 90 Finish dishwashing tabs.  And that's at the local bargain store, NOT at the grocery store.  Not bad.  But I knew it could be better.  I'm on my third bucket of laundry detergent after a year of making it myself.  I found ingredients to make dishwashing tabs and got to work.  

I spent $11 on my things at Walmart.  I had the ice cube trays at home.  I made two batches, or 56 tabs this go around. 

You use:: 1 cup Kosher Salt, 1 Cup Washing Soda, 1 Cup Baking Soda & 3 Packets of Lemonade Mix.  Mix all of your ingredients into a bowl.  You CAN leave it as a powder OR add 1 cup of water, let it fizz and settle and mash the tabs into the ice cube tray.  Let the tabs dry and harden overnight before putting into the container of your choice.  I chose my now unused candy jar ;)  I have pictures of the process and end result below.  

I will keep you updated to see how far the boxes of soda and salt went.  I'm estimating that the detergent will be around $1.50 for a batch of 56 tabs. 

Just a Little Update

Okay, so my last post was in October.  A few things have gone down since then.  

We got our house under contract as of November.  We had A LOT of things we had to have done to sell.  That took a huge amount of time out of our already busy schedule.  Josh & I found the perfect house (or so we thought).  The day we were going for a second showing, they received an offer on it and were told not to show it anymore.  Slightly devastated, we decided NOT to look for a while.  The next morning, I had an email from our realtor.  THE Perfect House was in it.  I asked Josh if we could check it out for consideration.  

The location was perfect.  The house was perfect.  And it was finally perfect timing.  We put in an offer the next day.  The seller had the work done on it.  We moved out of our house and closed January 16th.  And we closed on our new house February 2nd after living with my parents for a few weeks.  We had the carpet stripped out of the house and had new carpet and hardwoods put down and we moved in February 9th.  We have been SO happy in our new home.  The kids finally have their own rooms & 1.8 acres to roam on and get along for a change of pace.  We have not painted yet so i'll update with pictures of rooms later as they are finished.  Just wanted to give a reason behind my absense.

Thanks for reading.