Saturday, February 28, 2015

Frugal February Week 4

During the fourth week I’m traveling with my family to Missouri for our son-in-laws graduation from the National Guard. This is the first trip we have taken in 5 years together since the kids have grown up. Only 2 are going while 2 are staying in Ohio. I’ll have to share how I travel frugally when I return.














I enjoyed Frugal February and finding ways to save money rather than spend. The first week of the month was about all the little things I do to save money by using up what I own instead of buying something. There are many ways to supplement what you want to do with things you already have available. I enjoyed my craft supplies, books, the beauty of my home, and delicious meals. In the second I spend a large amount of my time with my family. It doesn’t cost money to enjoy the company of those you love. The third week I spent organizing, purging, and cleaning to prepare for overnight company. I did a home spa day to treat myself to a little pampering. I’m going to continue into March with my frugal ways.
 
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Friday, February 27, 2015

Clutter Busting Challenge February 2015 Part 2

I purged 125 items this month. I took this week off since I'm in Missouri. Its nice to take a break every so often since I have been purging consistently for 4 yrs.

My purge pile:












































































 You may be interested in:

Clutter Busting Challenge February 2015 Part 1

Thursday, February 26, 2015

February 2015 Reading List














The Westward Christmas Brides Collection
A Christmas Prayer by Wanda E. Brunstetter
Another Christmas Story by Susan Page Davis
The Reluctant Runaway by Melanie Dobson
A Stagecoach Christmas by Cathy Liggett
Forging a Family by Vickie McDonough
Snow Song byOlivia Newport
Christmas, Maybe by Janet Spaeth
The Christmas Bread by Jennifer Rogers Spinola
Christmas Bounty by MaryLu Tyndall

Organize Now! by Jennifer Ford Berry

Living with Less: how to downsize to 100 personal possessions by Mary Lambert

Do Less: a minimalists guide to a simplifies, organized, and happy life by Rachel Jonat

Monday, February 23, 2015

Frugal February Week 3

This week was all about cleaning in preparation for guests coming to spend the night on Monday. We are leaving Tuesday morning on a trip to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Our son-in-law Michael is graduating from the National Guard. His parents are flying into Ohio from Maryland. They'll be stay with us over night before we all drive out together on Tuesday morning. I rewarded myself with a home Spa day at the end of the week.

I cleaned the family room.


I cleaned the bathroom and found a couple things to purge.














I organized my home spa supplies and had a Home Spa Day.














I organized my closet.














I organized and purged  the lower portion of my master bedroom china cabinet.














I organized our Bedding Storage

I cleaned my office along with organized my snack cabinet.














You may be interested in:

Frugal February Week 1

Frugal February Week 2

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Bedding Storage

I washed and organized all the guest bedding in storage, yesterday. I bought two bags to store the bedding in on Thursday for about $6 each at CVS. The first bag is bedding for our couch hide-a-bed in the living room. I couldn't fit the pillows into the bag but there was extra room in it. The second bag is bedding for someone to sleep on the couch. Our bedding is ready for guest and easy to get out of the closet.

I washed all the bedding in the master bedroom last Saturday. The crate is extra master bedroom bedding. I need to buy another bag for the master bedding but the store was out of stock. I don't think any of the other bedrooms have enough extra bedding to need bags. I didn't find anything to purge. I will purge bedding again once we get our youngest a bed larger than his twin, hopefully in March.

All our bedding that's not in use. I really like the bags since It keeps things together for each bed.














 The bedding for the couch hide-a-bed in the living room. I have a comforter, crochet blanket, sheet set, and two small pillow in the bag. The larger bed pillows wouldn't fit in the bag.














 The two bags of guest bedding in the closet along with the pillows.














The crate with extra master bedroom bedding and our sleeping bags. I hope to get another bag for the master bedding once the store restocks.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Home Spa Day

I got out my beauty supplies and organized them a little for my home Spa day. The bath bag I put together today with supplies that I already had. The Aveeno therapy my daughter gave me since she hadn't used much of it. I keep everything stored on a short bookshelf in my closet. 

 1. Hair basket. 2. Facial bag. 3. Bath bag. 4. Makeup case. 5. Nail bag.

 















Preparing for my facial.


















The supplies I used was an apricot scrub and eczema therapy lotion. I plucked stay facial hairs too.


















I took a nice warm shower and used a body polish. I shaved my legs since they hadn't been done since fall. LOL


















I gave myself a manicure and a pedicure.


















I did a hand massage with a hand butter.


















I did my makeup. I used blush, eye shadow, eye liner, and mascara.


















I put on a nice outfit, necklace, and perfume before my husband and I went out for dinner.


Monday, February 16, 2015

Frugal February Week 2

I'm doing this fun challenge to see how much I can do without spending money. The best thing I did this week is that I hung out with my husband and children. I played with my grandchildren. I visited 3 days this week with my dad who after 4 1/2 years in our home moved into a nursing home in December. Its been a hard 8 weeks. We had a talk and he told me that he liked it there and was fine with staying. I forgot to take a pictures because I was living in the moment.


These are just a few of the things that I did this past week:

I organized and purged our bill box and a large amount of receipts. I did the same for my dad's bills and receipts. It helps to have things organized in order to manage and save money.















My daughter Nastasja made dog biscuits for her dog and I helped a little. She used food stuff we already had in the house such as flour, water, beef bouillon cubes, pumpkin, and carrots.















I cuddled up on the couch with my hubby to watch Hallmark channel Valentine movies. We spent a nice Valentine's day at home.














You may be interested in:
Frugal February Week 1

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Simple Valentine's Tablescape

Thanks to my husband for the very pretty flowers. I put them in a vase with fresh water and placed them on my kitchen table. I'm enjoying the simple beauty of my Valentine's tablescape.


Friday, February 13, 2015

Clutter Busting Challenge February 2015 Part 1

I'm purging 46 items so far this month. The majority of the stuff came from my kitchen and closet.

My purge pile:























Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Valentine Sticker Swap

I participated in a Valentine sticker Swap with my buddies in the Happy Planning Addicts Facebook group. I used what I had in my craft and valentine stash. I made these cards last year for my family. I had leftovers so I am sending them this year to my group. I like that most of the stickers that I received would be good to use for projects other than Valentine's day. I sent a strip of valentine stickers in each card. I mailed and received from 6 ladies from the group.

The Valentines that I made for my Swap buddies:



























The Valentines that I recieved:

From Holly in Mt Jackson, VA














From Jana in Idaho Falls, ID














From Kristy in Bethalto, IL














From Selima in North Highlands CA














From Tammy in Fremont, MI














From Vivian in Cypress, TX














You may be interested in my post from last year on how I made my cards.
My Valentine's Card

Monday, February 9, 2015

Frugal February Week 1

I'm doing the Frugal February so I'm using up what I have! Its a fun challenge to see how much you can do without spending money. I do a lot of small things everyday that add up to big savings.


These are just a few of the things that I did this past week:


I used what I had in my craft and valentine stash for my Valentine Sticker Swap.













 
I've enjoyed The Beauty of My Shed in my backyard.














I removed a few things from the shelf in my laundry room to give it a fresh look.














I collected items in my craft office into a plastic tote to use in my planner and Valentine creations.














A simple and easy thing I did was wash all my dishes before I washed and shined my kitchen sink. I put out a fresh bar of Lavender Rose handmade soap that I bought several months ago. It made my hands smell very pretty.















I made Red Beans and Rice for dinner in honor of my stepmom Phyllis and her Louisiana heritage since Mardi Gras is coming up. I made several substitutions to the recipe. I didn't have some of the ingredients listed. I didn't add the 2 stalks of celery. I substituted Italian sausage for the andouille sausage. I substituted Italian herb for all the green herbs in the recipe. I used this recipe for Authentic Louisiana Red Beans and Rice.














I went to McDonald's to celebrate my grandson's 1st birthday with my girls and grandchildren. I took my grandchildren token gifts of drink pouches and cookies. I packaged the cookies in party bags that I had.














I painted 2 wood pieces that I had on my walls. I mixed several half empty bottles of craft paint to have enough to use. I don't think the color match's with what I'm trying to do. I've decide to buy a different blue color paint for the shelf and donate the other piece.














I decorated My Birdcage Memo Board with stuff in my craft stash.














 I collected things to donating for my Clutter Busting Challenge February 2015 Part 1.














My husband shovel up salt dumped on the side of the road near our home. He is storing it in our shed until we need it for our sidewalks.














Its not very pretty but I made a cake using leftover cherry topping for ice cream. The topping sunk to the bottom of the bundt pan and burned slightly. It was still yummy on a cold winter evening.














I'm reading a couple books this month from my china cabinet shelf and from the library.














I hung a small shelf that I bought at a thrift store a couple month ago. I hung it under a wall plaque that I made at least 7 years ago. I decorated the shelf with what I had around the house. I used a bird hat jar and a small plant that I placed into a red candle holder. I like how it freshened up my living room for no additional cost.