Waste Not, Want Not

A friend started a post on a discussion board I frequent with this title. Some of the ideas were great ones so I thought I would share some of the wisdom of the collective since we are all trying to stretch a dollar. The challenge was to share ideas of ways to use things we would normally throw away.

*Save butter wrappers in a ziplock in the fridge. Use them to grease a pan or glaze the top of a loaf of freshly baked bread. I first saw this when I was 10 yrs. old at my Grandma Hachtel's house. I think of her every time I get the last trace of butter off the wrapper.

*Zest oranges & lemons before eating/juicing. Save the zest in the freezer for future recipes.

*For those two bites of leftovers keep a container in the freezer. Just add to the "Soup Box" and then throw it all in when you make soup the next time.

*Cut off buttons & keep from old clothes. Make old clothes into cleaning rags. Make old Levi's into denium quilts or baby bibs. Cut off the worn out bottom of socks and keep the top part to be a covering over bandages for arms & legs (bleach first.) Check out this tutorial for the cutest recycled toddler dress.

*Soap: First, unwrap when you get new soap & let it cure (dry out in a cupboard). It will harden & last MUCH longer. Then, keep the almost gone bits of soap in an old nylon. Tie it off with a slip knot & hang in the shower. The bits will provide soap for quite a few more showers. Keep adding to it.

*Cut open toothpaste & lotion tubes when they are almost gone and get a few more "servings" out of them.

*If you have a fireplace, dryer lint makes a phenomenal fire starter.

*Old baking soda makes a great cleanser to clean sinks, tubs, etc.

*The juice from canned fruit makes awesome popsicles. Just pour it into a cheap popsicle molds & add a stick.

*Add water to soap bottles (hand, dish, laundry soap or shampoo/conditioner), swish & get another "serving or two".

*Separating bananas from their stem keeps them fresh longer. (I haven't tested this one)

*Rinse eggshells, run through the food processor or blender & pour over flower beds/gardens. It provides great nutrients to the soil.

*Cookie & brownie crumbs can be saved in the freezer for ice cream toppings.

*Cereal boxes make great magazine holders. Just cut at an angle & cover with contact paper.

*Store water in old bleach bottles. It is instantly "sanitized."

*A collection of washed tin cans looks very chic holding markers, scissors, pencils, pens, & other craft supplies. Tin cans can become amazing gift baskets as my friend Alisa demonstrates. You can also see her great idea for recycling old CDs.

*Onion skins & purple cabbage leaves make awesome natural Easter egg dyes. Here is picture of our marbled onion skin Easter eggs. My dad will laugh that I had to dye my eggs to look like farm brown eggs. You can't see the marble on these ones too much but you can tie the skins on with string & make different patterns. Here and here are some great ideas for Easter eggs.

*Use a larger scrapbook punch & create custom gift tags from old cards. Check these out. Why didn't I think of that?

*Use TP tubes as collars for short extension cords & cables. Much easier to store.

*Check out these great ideas for great recycling ideas mostly using old cereal boxes.

What are your favorite extender or cost cutting tips?

Windows of Heaven

A few months ago, I started a produce co-op with my friend Allyson. I had purchased great stuff from this restaurant wholesaler a few times and knew that it could be a great opportunity. I had told a few friends about the place, mostly talking about "Wouldn't it be great if..." but felt like I didn't have the time, resources (large enough car or garage), or a large enough group of friends to make it work. Then one day I found out they were open on Saturdays. I am off on Saturdays. Maybe I could devote the time... Then Allyson called and said, "Let's do it. I'm in! How can I help?" And so it began.

We started with 6 families and over the months have grown to about 25+. Everyone pays $20.00 & we buy as much as we can. It is work. The Friday night before co-op is spent with last minute emails & phone calls to get the final count of who is in & where we are meeting to pick-up. We all take turns buying & then meet together to sort everything. Co-op days usually take a couple of hours out of my day. But it is soooooo worth it! I love co-op days.

First, it helps so many people. Most of the families share their "share" with other family, friends, or neighbors so while 31 families are on the books, many more are helped. Second, the wholesaler named our account "The Church Ladies" which I love, especially since we are from different faiths. This started as a group of friends from my church & has grown to include neighbors, friends, co-workers, baseball team families, etc. Third, co-op day is like Christmas - you never know what goodies you are going to find in your box. I had my first fresh mango two weeks ago. I learned that I need a tutorial in how to eat one. Quite comical! I have never had so many kiwi, avacados, incredible strawberries, or other fresh fruit. Fourth, I love seeing everyone show up to get their stuff. The teamwork & good will. I always have such a great feeling to see a TON of work get done in less than 20 mins. It is a spiritual high. And lastly, I have learned that when you take a leap of faith, the Lord provides the means. I still don't have a big enough car or a garage, but we have been able to make it work. This weekend I was praying over some of the needs of the co-op and the Lord has been providing. I love being close enough to see it happening.

Last Saturday was co-op day. And this is what my $20.00 bought:

A huge bag of grapes, 2 awesome heads of romaine, tons of apples (Gala), oranges, bananas, 4 kiwi, 2 yams, 12 of the largest, sweetest carrots on the planet, a bunch of celery, 2 large crowns of brocoli, a bowl of button mushrooms, & a bowl of roma tomatoes. And a partridge in a pear tree. :) Allyson figured out our costs -

apples - .31/each
carrots - .25/pound
oranges - .25/each
romaine lettuce - .73/each
celery - .66/each
bananas - .51/pound
kiwi - .08/each
broccoli crowns $1.07/each
broccoli florettes $1.44/pound
grapes - $2.19/bag
tomatoes - .11/each

I came home & washed, sliced & diced and had a hard time finding room for all the good things to eat. What is that scripture? "And there shall not be room enough to receive it."

Miscellaneous Bits of Sunshine & Rain

I haven't written for a while. I have been torn between being honest and being positive and result has been a silent stalemate. I am not sure that I have found an answer, but at least I am going to try to write again - here are some miscellaneous bits from the last few weeks.

*We lost our first three baseball games.

*During one game, I held a one month old sleeping babe the entire game. She was BEAUTIFUL. It was such a bittersweet ache to hold her. I cherished every selfish minute yet ached to know that she is without a home right now (she is in the system & will be adopted out.)

*We sat through 50 degree windy drizzle at Friday night's game but WE WON. Finally, we have arrived in the win bracket. It was quite cold, but I was prepared & had a great time visiting with friends.

*Ryan had his Choir concert this past month. He did a great job! He is on the top left. He got to be the curtain opener, had two speaking parts & played the recorder as well as sang all the songs. Tons of fun! (sorry about the photo - that is as zoom in as far as my little point & shoot can go.)

*It has rained for days here. Water is standing in most yards. I feel like I am back home in Oregon - gray skies, muddy tracks by the front door, always taking a rain coat. Yesterday was produce co-op day (another post on that) and so I made stew. STEW! It is supposed to be Spring! It was quite yummy & definitely fit the weather.

*Things are getting better at my job. The light at the end of the tunnel is SUNSHINE!!!!! I really like having a tidy house and I have had a hard time letting that go this last year. I was so excited the day I finally had my act together to get my bed made before school that I had to take a picture of it. It hasn't been made since, but I have seen the glimmer & I know I can do it. (and yes, those are bucket of food storage.)

*Ryan & I went to see his school's musical - "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown". It was fun, the kids did a fabulous job (especially our friend Savanna). It was so much fun to go together.
*I attended my second Single Adults Activity. This deserves its own post & I will let you decide if it is sunshine or rain.

*Ry & I spent last Saturday working at the temple. A group of us leveled the flower beds, remade the retaining walls & prepared the soil for the millions of flowers that should have been planted this week. I am excited to see them this afternoon.


* And last but not least, I found these on my door knob on May Day. THANK YOU! So much fun. I remember making May Day baskets in school and wondered why no one did them at my school. I am going to have my kids make them next year.

Tax Day

So my sister called me last night and asked what I was doing. I responded, "My taxes." There was hearty laughter on the other end. I thought it was rude too! :)

I am not a mathematical moron. I did my own taxes for years, usually the last week of Jan. I even did our married taxes the first few years of our marriage and then convenience drifted in. Tim had Turbo Tax at the office and so began the next 10 years of me collecting the documents and him filing them one night after work.

Enter divorce. Many women are financially lost when they get divorced but I have not had that experience. Until last night. Two weeks ago I stopped by the library to pick up the forms. They didn't have any. So I stopped by the post office. They didn't have any. They no longer print forms, you have to down load them from the internet. When did that happen?! Did I miss a memo?

Last night I printed out the forms thinking this will take an hour or so. Four hours later, two phone calls to my Brother in law in Washington state, 40 pages of resume paper because I am out of regular paper and just a wee bit of frustration, I printed off the Request for Extension form. I was very please to hear on the nightly news that Pres. Obama will be revamping the tax process and making it more user friendly. Yeah, I won't hold my breath.

So, lesson 1,488,367 from this last year - file your taxes with your hubby each year. Know what a 1040 is, where to find one & how to fill it out. Do it together.

Good Game Bronchos!

Last night was interesting! I knew this night was coming and I wondered how it would play out. It ended up with drama & tears but so much more growth of character than I could have ever imagined.

Ryan has played baseball 9 months out of the year for the same team for the last 6 years, the OKC Broncos. It is a team of homeschooled boys and they have become a second family for us. The coach is one of the most Christ-like men I have ever met and one of the best mentors I could want for my kiddo. Over the last 6 years, a friendly rivalry has developed between our team and the Bethany Bronchos, a team of boys from the Bethany Elementary school, whose coach is also the principal of the Elementary school. Both head coaches are AMAZING. Both teams are made up of incredible families. Both teams have been touched very closely by cancer.

Then a year ago, I moved into Bethany Elementary school district and Ryan started 5th grade there. Because of my situation, our coach said that Ry could stay with our team for the Spring season, but eventually, he will have to be homeschooled to stay with the team. We were grateful. So, last night the OKC Broncos played against the Bethany Bronchos. Ryan & I felt conflicted. A bit of smack was vocalized at school between the boys. The game was intense. Ryan struck out at bat the first time - that hasn't happened many times. The second time he was at bat, something was said and the umpire got into it with the Bethany Bronchos coach (Ry's school principal) and the coach got thrown off the field. The game wound down with the score 4 to 4 with the bases loaded and one out left. Our coach intentionally walked the last base runner to load up the bases for a force out & brought the players infield to get a quick out. The Bronchos player stepped up and hit an amazing hit to the fence. The game ended 8-4 with the Bethany Bronchos winning.

After the game, I found Ry and he was crying. My heart sank and all the parent pep talks started going through my mind. He pulled me aside and said, "Mom, I'm not crying because we lost. I crying because everyone of those boys on the Bronchos team didn't just say "Good game" as they walked past me. Everyone of them said, "Great job Ryan!" "You did really well.", "Awesome game Ryan." He couldn't believe how they were still his friends, that they lifted him up, that they were such great sports. After the game, we walked out with Coach/Principal Haws and it was wonderful to see this man reach out to my kiddo, a boy on a rival team, and make sure he felt good about the game.

Why do we pay baseball? It is so much more than the game. Good game Bronchos! You did an awesome job!

Answered Prayers

I dropped Ry off for visitation tonight and had a silent ride home with plenty of time to mull over a few spiritual quandries I have been working through. By the time I reached the city my eyes were slightly puffy and I needed a "pick me up" & a good chick flick. At the grocery store I was amazed to see 50% off coupons for all of the best ice creams! I literally had my choice of all the best ones. I walked in thinking I would splurge on some cheap vanilla or chocolate. I walked out with Ben & Jerry's "Chunky Monkey" - thus named because you will be a "chunky monkey" after you lick the carton as I will soon illustrate for you.

Remembering I had a unwatched Netflix on my table, I headed for home only to behold the latest mysterious blessing to my house. A few weeks ago, I came home to finished siding! I had been telling people how to get to my house for a year, "I am the only house with a peeling white paint front porch & gorgeous new tan siding. You can't miss it." Someone had finished siding my house! This morning, as we were leaving for school I noticed we now had shutters. When I came home today I noticed I now have house numbers. I must tell you it is so much fun to come home! And seriously, a huge thank you to my elves - You are awesome!

Anyway, back to my story. I come home prepared to ward off depression with my pint of Chunky Monkey & a movie. I drop my stuff & head to the bedroom & put on my sweats. (All good depressions must include sweats) I haven't been home for 5 mins. when the doorbell rings. I open it & there stand the missionaries. We visit for a few minutes when one Elder says, "We just started thinking about you and decided to drop by. You know, when missionaries just drop by, it is the Lord's way of telling you he is thinking about you." I couldn't even say anything. My eyes filled with tears, my chin started quivering. We talked for a few minutes before saying good-bye. So strange how my burdens didn't change at all, but at the same time, it feels like everything changed.

A few minutes later, my single sister called and we talked for an hour. We laughed, we cried, we planned & we dreamed while I savored each bite of Chunky Monkey. How would I have ever made it through this life without my sisters?

So grateful for answered prayers tonight~

Top Ten Blessings Count

I have tender feelings for the hymns of the gospel. I first felt the spirit as a child singing next to my dad or mom. I have wonderful memories with so many of the hymns and nothing helps me feel the spirit more than their familiar words. Over the last year, the lump in my throat would make it impossible to sing their comforting words but instead the words became the pleas of my heart. Things are better now and I have been able to sing again. I don't sing well or on key (whatever that means) or the right notes, but I don't care. I sing as loud as I want. The words come from my heart.

I didn't get much sleep the last couple of days so maybe that has been why today has been hard. Anyway, I have been thinking of this hymn - "Count Your Blessings"

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Chorus:
Count your blessings; Name them one by one
Count your blessings; See what God hath done
Count your blessings; Name them one by one
Count your many blessings; See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count you many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

Chorus

When you look at others with their lands and gold
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold
Count your blessings; money can not buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high

Chorus

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

I need to count my blessings. I think the numbness & shock of the last year is starting to wear off. The anger is subsiding and at times I feel overwhelmed with my reality. I am feeling very "tempest tossed." And so the Top Ten Blessing Count begins-

10. I have a job - a huge blessing in the current times. I have the potential to love my job and feel like I make a difference. I make enough money to provide for myself & Ryan. I am grateful that Heavenly Father put me in a job where I get so many sweet notes from kiddos that build up my seriously flagging self-esteem.

9. I am relatively healthy. I am not ill. My body has met my needs. Everyone thinks my gray hairs are new highlights. A Dr. at church has helped my back tremendously and generously made it affordable.

8. I have a cute cottage that has great potential in the adorable spectrum. Not there yet, but if I have a bit of time & money... It has met my needs. I have a great landlord that has provided a listening ear more than once. So many friends have thoughtfully taken care of so many needs and wants.

7. My sweet car runs and is cheap on gas. She is currently all one color without any rust spots. She doesn't leak when it rains. She is very forgiving and has been a true work horse. She needs a name. Lately, I have appreciated her so much that I have been thinking of keeping her until she dies of natural causes years from now. I almost feel disloyal to think of selling her for something better.

6. Sunshine & Spring. I feel hopefully. I itch to plant beautiful flower beds with veggies & flowers. I love the walks, the open doors, the days without the heater or the AC. I love seeing all the people walking around the Lake or hanging out at the baseball park. I wish it could stay 75 - 80 all summer long.

5. Friends. I could never say enough about the incredible people around me. I am so humbled by their examples, their thoughtfulness, their kindnesses, their love. And so many are kindred spirits - the kind of friends that you don't talk to for a year or two and when you do, it is like you just saw each other yesterday. They are the kind of friends that make me what to be a better person.

4. Nauvoo Pageant - the application process taught me some very personal spiritual lessons. The opportunity is almost like a dream that I can't quite believe it going to happen. I listened to the music we need to learn and I got teary-eyed. I just feel this is going to be a huge mile marker in my journey of life and I am so grateful for it. I am grateful to have something to look forward too. I am grateful that I will be there on the one year anniversary of the divorce. So grateful.

3. Family - Over and over again, I am reminded what a special family I have. We definitely have our own brand of disfunction, but at the same time we are amazing. I love my family & I am so grateful that I can call them my best friends as well as family. I am so glad that we get to walk the adventure of life together.

2. Ryan - Some blessings are so special it is very hard to express them. I could never convey what this sweet, obnoxious, wonderful, crazy, silly, wise, endearing boy means to me. He is growing up so fast, especially lately. I feel like the sands in the hour glass are slipping faster and faster and some days I just want to break the hour glass and stop time. I am not ready for him to grow up. I am still learning to live in the moment and soak it up. Yet at other times, I see glimpes of the man he is becoming and I look forward to knowing him as an adult, hearing his opinions and enjoying the ripples in the pond of life that he will make. It is my highest honor to be his mother.

1. The gospel of Jesus Christ is by far my greatest blessing. It gives my life meaning, purpose, and hope. It has provide a constant source of answers, comfort, love, hope, strength, and joy. It has given me an eternal perspective. It has challenged me, educated me, humbled me, and blessed me. I could never express what it means to me. I am so grateful that I know. I know God lives. I know He knows me. I know who Jesus Christ is & what he did. I know the "good news" of the gospel. I know.

I have taken a few days to write this post. I have so many other sweet, crazy, silly, wonderful blessings that I didn't list. My life is truly blest. The song has worked its magic - I am feeling less "tempest tossed" & less sea-sick. I see glimpes of sunlight and an amazing sky before me.