money maker at staples!

If you have a Staples Reward Card, and also recycle your used ink cartridges, then you should receive Staples rewards certificates.  Between home and Troy's office, we go through quite a few ink cartridges, so we accumulate nice rewards every so often.  This week, I bought 2 packs of Zebra brand ink pens, and 1 pack of Bic mechanical pencils.  I also bought a pencil box.  Everything was on sale, or had an Easy Rebate offer with it.  Total cost of this purchase cost me $1.07 out of pocket at the register, but then I will receive a $2.49 rebate check in the mail for the Bic pencils.  PLUS, I still have $15.00 in rewards certificates to use. . .

more freebies!

I scored again this week.  Finish dishwasher tabs plus a 75 cent coupon, and 4 more K-Cups!  These were the Brew Over Ice variety.

freebies!

I received some good freebies in the mail this past week!  A Febreeze set and refresh, a Schick Hydro 5 razor (not disposable!!!), a Crystal Light 2 qt. drink mix, and a 4 pack of K-Cups!  SCORE.  Totally worth the few minutes it took me to fill out the information to receive these items.

weight loss

We took a family vacation to Winter Park, CO, two summers ago.  I huffed and puffed my way along the hiking trails.  My knees ached terribly.  My back hurt.  I was miserable.  Loved the vacation--lots and lots of great memories and fun times.  But looking back I now understand why I felt the way I did lugging around an extra 40 pounds.  

Winter Park, CO, Summer 2010

If we were to hit the hiking trails this summer, it would be like me carrying four 10# bags of potatoes around with me all day.  NO THANK YOU.  While my weight has fluctuated a few pounds over the past year. . . I am proud to say that this month marks the one year anniversary of my 40 pound weight loss.  And, I'm still wearing the same clothes I wore last summer!!!  And the clothes I wore TWO summers ago???  LONG GONE, and NEVER again will I wear that size of clothing.  My knees feel better, my lower back pain is less, and I can be more active without feeling miserable.  My walking route is just over 3 miles, I can bicycle all over town, and overall I just feel healthier.  One of my most memorable milestones, though, is from Branson.  We've been to Silver Dollar city many times.  If you've been, then you are familiar with the HUGE hill that leads up to Main Street from the back of the park.  

THE Hill.  This picture really does it NO justice!  :)

Before I lost my weight, I would literally grab Troy's arm and he would help drag me up the hill.  I could not make it up the hill without his assistance.  Pa-the-tic.  I know.  Sad.  In my 20's and 30's and couldn't make it up the hill on my own.  But, last year we went to SDC multiple times.  Each time it was easier for me to trek up that ginormous hill.  And by Thanksgiving, it was a breeze.  All by myself, no pain, no huffing and puffing.  What a great feeling.    

Here are a couple more pictures.  

Lebo Graduation, May 2010 (Size 16 dress, tight around midsection)

Lebo Graduation, May 2011(Size M dress)

Summer 2010, Summer 2011

And now, Summer 2012---Happy one year anniversary of 40 pounds gone. 

homemade fabric softener

I saw this recipe for homemade fabric softener on Pinterest a couple days ago.  Bought a bottle of Suave conditioner at Walmart for 94 cents.  Had the vinegar on hand.  The mixture filled a 1.04 gallon bottle about 3/4 of the way full (old Downy bottle that cost me nearly $10 at Sam's).  This mixture cost me around $2.00.  I'm headed to wash and dry a load of laundry now, so we'll see!  I'll update the post later and let you know what I think.  :)  Update:  after washing several loads over the weekend, I have to admit that the fabric softener is ok, but it is not GREAT like I was hoping for.  You still need to use something for static.  That is what I don't like about this homemade version.  It smells fine, BUT, I don't want to use this AND something else.  Know what I mean?  So. . . I will use this up and still use my dryer sheets.  Dang it.  I'm kinda bummed.  Oh well!  
Homemade Fabric Softener Link

freebies

Here are the freebies/samples I have received in the past week.  I have requested samples nearly every day for the past few weeks, and they are slowly starting to arrive.  Here's my first swag!

*5 hour energy--full size bottle!  Now, I will NEVER use this.  But hey, it was FREE, and I bet someone I know will want it!!!

2 packets of Miracle Whip.

Lipton Tea & Honey packet.  Plus a 50 cent coupon.

Garnier Fructis shampoo and conditioner packets.

Bodycology lotion packet.  Plus a $1.00 coupon.

Not too shabby.  Can't wait to see what will arrive in the next week!  I've requested some good stuff!  :)

busy, busy, busy

It's funny that my blog is titled "Searching 4 Simplicity," yet this summer has been busy, busy, busy.  I've had anything but the "simple life."  Between laundry, cleaning, cooking, baseball, baseball, and more baseball, it seems that I've not had much down time.  I'm not complaining, though.  I've enjoyed every minute of it.

Looking ahead, it may just get busier.  More baseball, Vacation Bible School, swimming lessons for both boys, doctor appointments, eye doctor appointments, and hair cuts fill the calendar.  Before I know it, I'll be back to work.  :(

My to-do list isn't getting any shorter, either.  I think I've added more to it than I've crossed off.  Guess that just means I need to get busy (and get off the computer)!

dinner for the week of 6/25

Monday: french toast bake (stolen from Pinterest, recipe here) and sausage links

Tuesday: swiss steak and baked potato in the crock pot (I will use home grown tomatoes from last year's garden that I froze--yummy!)  Easy meal--baseball tourney at 6:30pm!

Wednesday: chicken club ring (recipe from Pampered Chef, All The Best cookbook) and corn on the cob (again, from last year's garden!)

Thursday: enchiladas from the freezer (possible baseball game, if not, then practice)

Friday: meatballs and cheesy potatoes (the meatballs are made and in the freezer)

This week I am trying to use up some things we have in the freezer.  I am not grocery shopping this week except for milk and bread.  :)  

grocery savings

Here's the breakdown on my savings today: My cost $39.57 (this includes tax).  Cost before coupons and sales $61.67.

Dolly Madison: 

bag of donut gems and loaf of texas toast: $1.59 total cost @ Dolly

Dillons: 

3 boxes of Kellogg's cereal $1.00 coupon, plus part of their buy 5 get $5.00 back= $1.45 per box!

box of Cheez-Its and box of Rice Krispie treats, no coupon, but part of their buy 5 get $5.00 back=$3.68 for both boxes

2 cans of Lay's Stax, no coupon, but part of 10 for $10=$1.00/can

2 bottles of Ken's dressing, part of 10 for $10, plus coupon for $1.00 off 2=50 cents each!!!

$12.43 total cost @ Dillons

Walmart:

Cutter citronella candle, 97 cents, plus $1.00 coupon=MADE 3 cents!!!

2 boxes of Pebbles cereal, $2.48 each, $1.00/2 coupon=$1.98/box

M&M's snack mix, $2.48 plus $1.00 coupon=$1.48

V8 energy drink 6 pack, $3.98 plus $1.00 coupon=$2.98

Aqua fresh kids' toothpaste, $1.88 plus $1.00 coupon=88 cents

Capri Sun Big Glup drinks, 88 cents each, plus $1.00/2=38 cents each!!!

Belvita bars (box), $2.98, plus $1.00 coupon=$1.98

Belvita bars (individual), 88 cents each, BOGO coupon=44 cents each

Clif bars, 75 cents-98 cents each (some were on clearance!), plus $1.00/6 coupon=66 cents each!

I also paid full price for the pistachios, 2 bags @ $1.78 each

AND. . . the little one had to have a cup of popcorn chicken for $2.50

$25.55 total cost @ Walmart

Not too shabby for a "beginner!"  Saving money this way does take time.  I spent an hour last night planning what I was going to purchase by using The Krazy Coupon Lady, and then printing and clipping coupons just for today's trip!  But it is definitely worth it!!!

patience

Why is it so difficult to be patient?  We definitely live in time where society has come to expect things immediately.  Right now, I want a juicy, ripe, red tomato off my plants.  Can't come soon enough.  I am so ready.  I'd also like the tires we need for our car to go on sale.  Like a really good sale.  And the new baseball glove Tanner needs. . . could that go on clearance right now, too?  While I'm at it, I'd really like the car to be fixed and running properly.  I don't want to wait until next Tuesday when we take it in to the mechanic.  And the grass out front that we can't get to grow?  Could some just magically appear?   Oh, and that last 30 pounds I'd like to lose?  It can just disappear.  These are just a few things on my mind right now.  I'm really not asking much, am I?

sausage & cheddar quiche

This recipe for sausage & cheddar quiche is adapted from a recipe I found at allrecipes.com.  The original called for bacon and swiss. . . I had neither, so just threw in the sausage and cheddar.  Sometimes, I also throw in some chopped jalapenos, if I'm feeling like some extra heat.  

1 Pillsbury pie crust (in the refrigerated section)

1/2 pound browned sausage

4 eggs

1 cup half & half

shredded cheddar cheese to taste (about 1 cup)

salt & pepper to taste

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Place pie crust in pie pan and crimp edges.  Mix the browned sausage and cheddar together and place in the bottom of the pie crust.  Beat the eggs and add the half & half.  Also, add the salt & pepper, and jalapenos if you want.  Pour this mixture over the sausage and cheddar.  Bake for 15 minutes at 400 degrees.  Then, reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and bake for an additional 35 minutes or until top is brown and the quiche is firm.  I use a crust shield to keep the crust from getting too dark.  Enjoy!  

dinner for the week of 6/18

Monday: PBJ sandwiches (early baseball game)
Tuesday: sausage & cheddar quiche (find the recipe here)
Wednesday: beef roast, potatoes, & carrots (crock pot)
Thursday: mexican chicken (found on Pinterest, click here for the recipe)
Friday: cheesesteak sloppy joes (found on Pinterest, click here for the recipe)  We LOVE these!

Weekend: eat out (baseball tourney)

that feeling that something isn't quite right

Do you ever have that feeling--you can't put your finger on it--but deep down in your gut you just know that something isn't right?  It just hit me today when I woke up.  Not sure why.  Overall, I had a great day.  They boys and I went to Topeka to get Tanner some new baseball pants and other gear.  Made a stop at Target and Sam's, then grabbed them some McDonald's for the ride home.  Did a load of laundry and relaxed this afternoon.  Delivered some Scentsy.  Went to Neosho Rapids for a ballgame--and they won!  Yay boys!  Then to a friend's house afterwards to visit and let the kids play.  GREAT DAY.  So, why do I have that feeling?  Who knows.  But I sure hope it goes away, quickly.

"pizza hut" breadsticks. yummy goodness.

I found a recipe for "Pizza Hut" style cheese breadsticks on {wait for it}. . . Pinterest!  You never would have guessed that, huh?  ;)  Anyway, I fixed them tonight and they were SO GOOD.  I have pinned many, many recipes (among multitudes of other stuff), but have not yet had the time to make them all.  So, when I do fix something from Pinterest, I want to let you know my thoughts on it.  This one is a keeper!  The hubs said you WILL be fixing these again.  And the boys loved them, too.  Score!    Here is the link. Pizza Hut Cheese Bread This guy got all fancy with the blue checkered paper and cup of marinara sauce.  I just cut mine up and slapped 'em on a paper plate.  ;)

I would recommend adding a little more salt to the dough.  It was still a little sweet.  I added the granulated garlic to mine, and they were delicious, but next time I'm just going to add the cheese and forego the garlic.  We ate them all--but this was our entire meal.

the dave way

Last summer I read Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey, and studied some of his other materials.  I knew his ideas could change our life, but I just dabbled with his plan.  A couple months ago, I checked out Dave's Total Money Makeover from our local library.  This time, I knew we had to take action.  After I finished the book, I convinced my husband to read it as well.  I was very excited about getting started, so I nagged at him to keep reading so he would finish quicker.  He was such a trooper and actually read the book in good time.  He understood my passion and was sold on the concept of a zero-based budget and the debt snowball.  In just the past couple months, we have managed to pay off a medical bill and three credit cards.  It sounds crazy, but by sticking to a food/grocery budget, we are actually eating BETTER!  We have stopped buying "stuff" and any extra money we bring in goes straight to paying off debt.  We are "living like no one else so later we can live like no one else!"  Thank you Dave Ramsey!!!  If you want to learn more, visit Dave's website.  Dave Ramsey

chocolate pumpkin muffins

Need a chocolate fix, but don't want all the calories?  Weight Watchers has a great recipe that is sure to satisfy your cravings!  And, it is so simple I'm almost afraid to call it a "recipe!"  :)  *Note, I did add a couple ingredients, but they added no extra calories!  Without the water, I think it is too thick.  And I added the cinnamon just for a little extra flavor.  You can use any flavor cake mix.  I believe back in the day these were 2 points each.  But I know the point values have changed, so I'm not sure now.  I just know they are yummy and much better for you than a regular cupcake!

1 15 oz can pumpkin
1 Devil's Food cake mix
* 1/2 cup water
* 1 tsp cinnamon

Mix it all together, and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.  Makes 24 regular size muffins.

time savers

I have come to rely on a few things to save myself time--or at least make things easier for me--especially on busy nights.
1.  Plan meals weekly.  I like the template available at The Project Girl.  It works for me.  I plan 2 or more weeks in advance, and I use the grocery list for the items I will need for the following week.  Of course, things change, but at least I have an idea of what I can fix based on the groceries I already have on hand.  I will flip flop nights, or fix something similar.
2.  Buy ground beef in 3# chubs and brown it all at once and freeze in smaller portions.  Most everything I fix for our family that includes ground beef, I need 1#.  After work, or before a ballgame, the last thing I want to do is brown the hamburger for a recipe.  So, I do it ahead of time and freeze it, then just pull it out and defrost it in the microwave for a couple minutes.  Presto!  Dinner is ready MUCH faster this way, AND, I am more inclined to fix a meal at home rather than grab carry-out pizza.
3.  Mix up meatballs, meatloaf, and/or hamburger patties and freeze.  Just today I used 3# of ground beef and made a meatloaf and 6 hamburger patties that I stuck in the freezer for another time.  Another huge timesaver.  I can plan ahead and pull the meatloaf or meatballs out the night before, and the hamburger patties can easily be thrown on the grill frozen.  Much tastier than the prepared ones you can buy in the store!

Feel free to share your time saving ideas!

how do you save money?

Just thought I would ask this question--not that I expect any answers in return.  But, I'm going to share a couple changes we have made at our house to save a few bucks.

1.  We eliminated the use of expensive liquid shower gels.  I used Oil of Olay, the guys used Axe.  Now, we use Dial Basics bar soap.  I get 3 bars for $1 at Dollar General or Dollar Tree.  It is hypoallergenic, so it's great for our sensitive skin.

2.  I haven't purchased eye shadow, blush, or mascara for several months now.  I am using all those freebies I get at Clinique Bonus.  I have three cosmetic bags FULL of stuff!  Why buy full size?  I would NEVER use all of these things traveling--so I'm using them everyday!  I love that I can try different colors without buying new, full size items.

3.  Probably one of the biggest difference makers is using coupons.  I have been clipping them from the newspaper as well as printing them from online sources.  I really like Coupon Divas and The Krazy Coupon Lady.  Google them--they will be at the top of the list.  They post daily about good coupon match ups and offer coupons on their websites.  You can also find them both on facebook, so you can stay up-to-date on their posts.

Anyway, feel free to share how you are saving money, too.  We can help each other out with our ideas!  :)

homemade powder laundry soap

I absolutely LOVE the recipe I found on Pinterest for homemade powder laundry soap.  The Pin led me to this blog beingcreativetokeepmysanity I made my first batch last fall. . . I would guess it lasted me nearly 6 months (but I didn't completely run out).

I made it exactly like the original recipe.  The second batch, I used a 36 load container of "Dirty Jobs."  I like this recipe equally as well. . . really I can't tell any difference in the cleanliness of our clothes.  I do use the scoop that came with the OxyClean, though.  I really like it.  I use 1 scoop in most loads, 2 scoops if they laundry is pretty soiled.  The first batch cost me just under $17 (awesome for 6 months!) and the second batch just a tad bit more because the Dirty Jobs is a little more expensive.  Now, I should also let you know that I wash an average of 8-10 loads of laundry a week.  Sometimes more, depending on how many activities were going on that week or if my hubs is reffing football or basketball and I have to wash his uniform two or three times in one week.  The bottom line is this stuff works, and it is easy on the budget!  I highly recommend it.  Oh, and I mix and store the detergent in a 17 quart rubbermaid container.  It works for me, although I like all the cute containers other people have come up with.  :)

magic carpet cleaner

Had a stubborn spot on the carpet in our bedroom. . . a grayish color thanks to my son's dirty feet while he sat played the Wii.  I had used a couple different carpet cleaners on it, but they just didn't really do the trick.  Lessened the appearance of the filth, but it was still there.  It kinda grossed me out since I knew it was from his feet.  :)  Anyway, read about a solution of 1 part hot water, 1 part ammonia on Pinterest. . . and it led me to this blog One Good Thing by Jillee.  Thank you for sharing!  I now am rid of the grayish dirty feet spot on my carpet!  Just gave the spot a good douse of the solution, put down the towel, ironed over it a few times, and POOF!  Gone!  I am beyond thrilled.  :)

Before:  It is the gray tinted splotch in the middle.  The other is a shadow from my iron.  ;)

After:

Is this not awesome!  Also tackled a spot in the hallway outside the bathroom where the oldest son had a not-so-pleasant experience months ago.  Had done my best then as well. . . now it just looks much better.  

my 4 years are nearly up. . .

My first teaching job. . . I held for 4 years.  Went to ESU for 1 year.  My next teaching job. . . I held for 4 years.  My current counseling job. . . I'm nearing the end of 4 years.  Am I feeling the need for a change?  I'm not going to lie--I am.  I'm not sure how to define how I feel.  Burned out?  Bored?  Not challenged?  Not making a difference?  Not my calling?  I wish I knew the answer.  But, I don't.  So I pray about it.  And pray.  And pray some more.  I've been feeling uncertain about my current job for some time now.  What do I want to do if not what I'm doing now?  WHO THE HECK KNOWS!!!  I would LOVE to be home.  Hot meals on the table, clean house, laundry always caught up, volunteering at school in my boys' classrooms.  Realistic?  Not at this point.  But I can still hope and dream.  I would also LOVE to run my own business.  Restaurant?  Retail?  Service?  WHO THE HECK KNOWS!!!  But, I can once again hope and dream.  I guess I just need to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

freebies!

Here is what I snagged in the mail this week.  Tide Pods and Downy Unstoppables.  Plus $8 in coupons.  Not bad for a beginner!!!

searching. . .

Do you ever feel that life is just a constant whirlwind?  That's how I feel most days.  I have great to-do lists, but I never seem to get stuff checked off of them.  I have great intentions to follow-through with projects, tasks, etc., but I never seem to follow through.  And I even have great ideas that I truly believe I can accomplish, but once again I lack the drive to finish the task.  I have attempted to make my life more simplistic--will utter failure.  BUT, I am not giving up.  I am still searching for simplicity in my life.  Whether it is the clutter lying around the house or the way I organize the coupons, I am not giving up.  I dream of the day that I can sit back, relax, and not have A SINGLE thing running through my mind.  That is what I am searching for.  Simplicity.  No nagging thoughts running rampant through my brain.  No great plans or ideas churning like a tornado through my mind.  Nothing.  Just nothing.  Ahhhhh.