WEEK 7 WRAP UP, SOCIAL EXPERIMENT

This week's score from the Discount Foods and IGA(actually, this is what I bought on my second trip of the week).
-1 Taco seasoning mix
-1 box of Cheez-its
-1 box of Cereal
-1 bag of 25, whole Cinnamon sticks
-3 rolls of scotch tape (Christmas presents to wrap!)
-1 bottle organic almond extract
-1 bottle whole nutmegs (these will last YEARS!)
-1 bottle laundry detergent (until I can buy washing soda and make my own)
-1 box of Borax (for homemade laundry detergent and other home cleaners)
-5 boxes of brown sugar
-2 pounds of butter
-bananas

5 boxes of sugar? 2 pounds of butter? Well, the brown sugar and butter, as well as all those spices, are being squirrelled away for Thanksgiving and Christmas cooking in the next two months. The sugar and butter were on sale at the IGA, so I stocked up. I have learned to grab things when you find them at the Discount Foods, because you don't know when they will be there again. I was able to get 25 cinnamon sticks for $2. That seemed like a pretty good deal to me. If I remember correctly, cinnamon sticks can be pretty pricey. Kuddos to my little man, Caed, for spotting the lone bag of cinnamon sticks! Good eye, Caed, good eye.

I spent a lot this week...between buying bottles and bottles of gatorade, lipton noodle soup and saltines for a sick hubby, and stocking up for holiday baking, I am now over my budget for the month, with one week still to go. I spent $69.24 this week and $211.30 for the month so far. I will probably come in about where I did last month. That's ok. You win some, you lose some.
I actually feel pretty darn good about the month anyway, considering that I was able to throw two birthday parties on that budget. Landing's party was sort of a potluck family party, so that didn't cost me much, but Caed's was dinner for 30, so that cost more. If I subtract out the cost of their birthday parties (about $90), I have only spent about $120 this month, with one week to go.

There is only one thing that I want to buy that I have been unable to find locally. Washing Soda. Not to be confused with baking soda. It is a neccessary ingredient in homemade laundry detergent and is not carried at IGA or Discount Foods. Other than that, everything I have needed for the last seven weeks, has been available locally. Notice I said needed, not wanted. There are things that I like to have, that I have done without. One week left to my social experiment. I am looking forward to next week, when I summarize how the experiment went, what I will do from here on out, and a new challenge for myself, and you, if you would like to join me!
Speaking of challenges, Crunchy Chicken just issued her new challenge. Let me know if you are going to participate. I am still thinking about it...

THANK YOU

Today was a hard day. I have been really struggling. Willful children, a house that never seems to quite get clean, lack of personal time/devotions, etc. have left me feeling frazzled. So, I was very thankful for the kindness of two dear people in my life, who made personal sacrifies so that I could get away for a few hours.

Thank you, so, so much to my sweet friend, Stacy, and my dear hubby, Matt, for allowing me a little time to unwind, pray, think, plan, and recharge.
A little puttering in the library, and an hour of quiet in my favorite coffee shop...I feel like a new woman.

CHANGING HABITS

Sometimes just the tiniest tweaking of habits can have such a big impact. One thing that I really desire for my children is a love of reading. In a perfect world, I read to my boys every afternoon and evening. In reality, it is very hit or miss.

So last night, I took this Goodwill basket and filled it with several books from their bookshelves in their room, and placed it on the living room ottoman. The books have been pulled out and looked at four or five times already today. We are going to read and have gingersnaps and milk this afternoon. The bookshelves in their room are "out of sight, out of mind" for most of the day, and the sheer volume of books is overwhelming to them. A few well placed books sparked their interest immediately.

Isn't it amazing how sometimes just the smallest change can make such a big difference?

HELPING THE WORLD BEGINS IN OUR OWN HOME

THIS POST IS MY CONTRIBUTION TO BLOG ACTION DAY.
I can get really caught up in statistics (110 Billion plastic bags used in the US each year), horror stories (animals thrown alive into boiling vats of water in slaughterhouses), and other issues. I can get really overwhelmed, trying to figure out what my part is in caring for the environment. I remember reading a passage in Blue Like Jazz (yes, I know I am supposed to underline the title of a book, but I can't get my computer to do it. Sorry, all you english grammar people) that basically said that (we) white, middle class, christan republicans idea of helping the poor is to play in a charity golf tournament...but that isn't what Jesus had in mind when he said to feed the poor. Helping people is messy and complicated and neccessary. I don't even KNOW any poor people. Not one. That bothers me.

I started thinking about that. While I shouldn't ignore what is going on in other parts of the world, in many ways, my impact can be a lot greater (at least at this point in my life, with three small children) if I focus on the people and environment close to home. First, my children and my husband. Secondly, people in our church and neighborhood. Third, the greater community at large. There are people half a block away from me that live under the poverty level. I don't need to go to Africa to find people who are hungry. Here are some ways that I already am or plan to begin to have a positive impact on the environment and community...locally.

SPIRITUAL
-Pray for opportunities to minister to people who are suffering (emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc.). Pray that I will be aware of the people around me and look for ways to serve them.

-Get up early. Have devotions. Focus on my walk with Christ, so I may better serve my husband, teach my children, encourage others.

-Stop being critical of others. Learn to embrace and appreciate different views, ideas, and ways of doing things. Don't have an attitude of superiority

-Be thankful. Have a heart of gratitude. Learn to want less. Live simply. Teach my children to do the same.

ENVIRONMENTAL
-Pick up litter in our neighborhood

-Focus on the other R's. I already recycle...but I need to focus my efforts on reducing and reusing, so that I have less to recycle.

-Encourage the wildlife in our yard. Make birdfeeders, have water available.

SUPPORT LOCAL
-Donate to the foodbank, work at the soup kitchen, Habitat for Humanity, Shoebox ministry, etc.

-Shop locally as much as possible

-Participate in community events (First Friday Downtown, Story hour at the library, etc.)

TEACH
-Teach my children the importance of caring for the earth and the people around us. Lead by example

OTHER
-Pay it forward. Simple, random acts of kindness can really brighten someone's day. Smile, hold a door, ask how someone is doing...and then wait for the answer. Buy the meal of the person in line behind me at the drive through.

-Open my home to others. Practice hospitality on a weekly basis.

-Grow my own garden

-Make my own instead of buy, as much as possible. Laundry detergent, cleaners, food, etc.

-Share the bounty with others. Double the recipe and share with the college boys next door (I am sure they miss their mama's cooking!), other neighbors, friends.

BIRTHDAY CRAZE

You may remember my post a few months back, angsting about a no-present-or-gift-bag party. Well, apparently, I am not alone in wanting to go counter cultural with children's parties. There is a whole website dedicated to the topic.
There are some crazy stories on there about over the top children's parties. Someone stop the insanity!

REDUCE

These are pictures of my recycling bags. As you can see, my paper/cardboard bag and plastics bag is full to bursting. The metal and glass bags are almost empty. This is about three weeks worth of recycling. While I am pleased that there are only about 5 items in the glass and metal bags, I don't like that my plastics and paper bags are so full, especially the plastic. As you may know, glass and metal can be recycled endless numbers of times, while plastics can only be recycled once, if at all (many plastics can not be recycled).

I really want to reduce the amounts of plastic in my house. As I mentioned in a previous post, I am going to buy Klean Kanteens for the boys, to eliminate the need for plastic sippy cups. My sweet friend, Amanda, bought me these enamelware cups from a thrift store in town. Thank you, Amanda! I already have enamelware plates for the boys, so I can get rid of their plastic plates. I would also like to replace all my plastic storage containers, trash cans, and toys with either wood, glass, metal, wicker, etc. A natural home is a more beautiful home!
One of next week's projects is to make produce bags out of old sheets, so I won't have to use those one-use produce bags anymore. Read this article on the dangers to the environment that plastics cause, as well as how to deplasticize your life (warning: there is a really sad/gross picture at the top of this blog, but it is a good read). Another good post here.
Hopefully, by the next time I am ready to take my recycling off, I will have considerably less plastic.

URBAN LEGENDS
(our backyard)
Today we had a little family day and went in search of the wooden playfort that we had promised the boys for their birthdays. Earlier this summer, we had priced the playforts at Lowe's. I was really hoping to get a playfort from a local business, but wasn't optimistic that we would find one within our budget. We headed into our local hardware store, which, I am embarrassed to say, I had not visited in probably 15 years, since Lowe's came to town.

It is a great little store! Why have I been shopping at the mega-store all these years? I guess I thought it was easier...and cheaper. Anyway, we went out back, where they had a lovely garden center. Wooden walkways and paths with flower beds, benches, stone fireplaces, and of course, playforts, all around. The boys played in the shade on the playforts for almost an hour, while I sat on the bench, watching them, with baby B. The Hubby crunched numbers with the helpful salesmen. Yes, they said, we could add the rock wall...and the baby swing...the the longer slide...yes, they deliver...yes, they can set it up for us.

Even with delivery and setting it up for us, the local hardware store came in over $300 UNDER Lowe's! I am beginning to think this whole concept of 'local is more expensive' is just an urban legend. Because in almost two months of only shopping locally, 4 out of 5 times, local has been cheaper. And the few times it hasn't been cheaper, it has still been worth the extra cost because of the personal service I have received, ease of using the stores (much easier to get in and out of small stores w/ children), and general satisfaction.

One of the benches I saw at the hardware store was exactly what I would like to have for the screened porch (remember my inspiration picture?). A very simple wooden bench with straight lines. The best part is that the seat lifts up to reveal a big storage area, which would be great to store all the outdoor toys in. I hope the hubby gets it for me with the money that we didn't use on the playfort.

In fact, I just realized that I never did post after pictures of the porch. Well, it still has a ways to go before it is really cute (hopefully I can make more headway on it next week). But, it is very usable now. In fact, I am typing this from my porch. It is an absolutely exquisite day. I am sitting at the table on the porch, which is covered in one of my favorite vintage tablecloths. The older two boys are playing down in the yard below me, filthy, but happy as can be. Fresh air and sunshine...just the thing for growing little boys!

COZY

"I had rather be shut up in a very modest cottage, with my books, my family, and a few old friends, dining on simple bacon, and letting the world roll on as it liked, than to occupy the most splendid post, which any human power can give." ~Thomas Jefferson


Preach it, Mr. Jefferson! There is no where on earth that I would rather be on a chilly fall night than right here in my cozy little living room. I don't even need bacon, just a hot cup of tea will do, and I thank you.

HISTORY OF A HOUSE AND A NEW FRIEND

Our house's previous owners came by today (well, the wife came by). I showed her the changes we had made to the house, we talked about changes/renovations/expansions that they had considered when they lived here, she told me more about the original owner and what the house looked like when they bought it, etc.
It was very interesting. Our house is very "Williamsburg". That was the first thing I thought when I saw it. After visiting Williamsburg again a few weeks ago, I was really amazed at the original owner's attention to detail with this house. He was from Virginia but had moved to GA and was a historian at the University here. He built and then lived in this house for 20+ years, before retiring and moving to Williamsburg. It was really fun to discover details about our house that were modeled after Wililamsburg, while we were there a few weeks ago.
See that little building on the left, in the picture above? We have an outbuilding EXACTLY like that at our house! It even has the finial on top. It is so sweet. Our building (all outbuildings, and house) is green, with dark green shutters...a color combo you also see in Williamsburg (see below). The little outbuilding of ours is now home to the "man shed". This little ceramic birdhouse? Yep, we have one of those!
Anyway, she stayed for about three hours and we had a great visit. She was very sweet and even brought me a book of Williamsburg design. So thoughtful of her! We also had a chance to talk about breastfeeding, shopping at Wal.Mart (she NEVER goes!), eating a vegetarian diet, getting off the consumerist grid, and living a simple life. It was great to talk to her. The first time we saw this house, I remember being struck by how uncluttered the house was. Even the closets had plenty of extra room. They had a tiny television. I remember how surprising it was, and refreshing, to see a house that wasn't bursting at the seams. So, I really enjoyed getting to know her a little more today. She and her husband are remodeling a mid-century modern house, which I look forward to seeing very soon. It was a nice afternoon of good conversation and making a new friend!

*First image from Lynnie Winnie on Flickr.com

WEEK SIX WRAP UP, SOCIAL EXPERIMENT

Week six went well. As you can see at the left, I spent $31.06. You may remember that I only have $89 for three weeks of shopping, if I want to reach my new goal of staying under $200 a month on groceries/household items. Half of my budget this week was spent at the produce stand, the other half at the discount food store.
We ate just as well as any other week. Homemade pizza, chicken fajitas, hummus, sauteed asparagus, bacon and eggs, potato and bacon soup in breadbowls...even homemade gingerbread biscotti with white chocolate icing, to eat with my hot tea. Yum!
I am out of fruits and veggies and definitely need to go to the produce stand but am waiting until tomorrow b/c I didn't want to go over budget for this week.
I am happy that with just a little more thought and preparation, I am able to "earn" $50 a week. Like I always say (well, I didn't originally say it...but I love to copy whoever did)...there are two ways to have more money. Earn more, or spend less. I prefer the spend less method. :)
Also, because I am not making impulse purchases and am shopping for specific items on the same day each week...I am learning to ration items to make them stretch until shopping day and am getting more creative with my cooking. No more "quick trips" to the store to "pick up one or two things". You know those trips where you never spend less than $40, even though you just went in for milk? I stayed home for five straight days last week. FIVE! I didn't go anywhere. So I am saving money on gas too!
Next week, I plan to cook some really good things, using mostly ingredients I already have. Scones and hot tea for breakfast. Baked apples with cinnamon, raisins, oatmeal, and brown sugar. Pumpkin bread. Wild rice and Lentil soup. Shrimp and grits. Yum.
This week, I started using cloth diapers with Bauer full time. It worked out well, b/c I ran out of disposable diapers and if I had to buy more, definitely would have gone over my budget. I really like using them. It takes a little planning though, because I still only have four diapers, so I have to wash them a lot and be mindful of having a clean one on hand. Once I get several more though, this will be easier. The diapers have been great. He slept in one from 8 pm until 9am and when de woke up and was changed, his skin was still dry. I think they work even better than the disposables I had (Pampers Swaddlers). Amazing! Per Becky's suggestion, knowing that L always fills his diapers when he wakes up in the morning and after his nap, I am putting training pants on him for the rest of the day, which is working out well. That will help the budget too. Thanks for the suggestion, Becky!
I may only have two weeks left of my little experiment, but this is a change that I have adopted for life.