Thursday, April 11, 2013

Spring Bucketlist


  1. Plant a garden
  2. Participate in a Relay for Life event- June 27th
  3. Go to the farmers market
  4. Fill the bird feeders
  5. Bonfire with friends
  6. Play tennis
  7. Barbecue
  8. Go fishing
  9. Flea market
  10. Make homemade jam
  11. Go to the batting cages 
  12. Paint 

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Weight Loss

Sorry I've been gone so long followers. I've been so busy and focused on my health. My husband and I joined the local gym in January and we have been spending a lot of  our spare time there. The weight loss started about last year in January but it was very touch and go. Losing and gaining. Losing and plateauing. In all Michael has lost 70 pounds. And I have lost 30 pounds. 

I've been overweight most of my teenage and all of my adult years. It's been great to see steady progress since January. At times it's slow going and it's always a struggle. Michael has much more self control when it comes to food than I do. I'm a typical comfort eater.  Anyways, I have found a lot of exercise quiets my stressed mind. And lifting weights makes me feel accomplished. Here's a picture of my progress thus far.






















Friday, February 8, 2013

Laundry Detergent

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup Borax
  • 1 cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (NOT baking soda)
  • 5.5oz Fels-Naptha Soap (you may also use Zote or castile soap)
  • Water
  • 5 gallon bucket











1. Grate Fels-Naptha bar. Measure out all other ingredients.












2. Bring 6 cups water to a low boil. Add a handful of Fels-Naptha shavings at a time. Melt completely before adding another handful. Add borax and washing soda, stir until dissolved.













3. Add 4 gallons warm water to 5 gallon bucket. Then stir in soap mixture. Cover overnight, the detergent will gel up. 












4. Break up the gel by mixing it very well. If necessary get in there with your hands! You can leave the detergent in the bucket or you can funnel it into milk jugs or empty detergent containers.
  • Before using your detergent give your container a good shake to mix everything together.
  • I use about 1/2 cup per load.
  • You may add essential oils, I have never done this because I prefer the fresh soap smell.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Filofax Frustration

I'm going to keep this short since it will be whiny! I ordered a new Filofax with a gift card I received for Christmas. I'm planning on using it to track weight loss/exercise/food intake. It arrived at the post office on Friday but I was unable to pick it up because of work. So Saturday afternoon I visited the post office, they were closed early!! Oh no, such disappointment. I looked up the tracking information to see if it could possibly be redelivered to the house but that service is unavailable in our small town. On the door at the post office I notice a red sign. Closed for New Years Day!! What?! Yes, I have to wait until after I get off work at 2 on Wednesday to pick up my long awaited new Filo-companion. So glad the wait is almost over. Why is New Year's Day a government holiday?