Survey #1

Today, I was doing the dishes and broke a glass which sliced open my pinkie close to the knuckle. I rinsed it, wrapped it in band aids  and then used half a pencil to make a splint. Needless to say it’s a bit more difficult for me to type than normal. So instead of writing out a big blog post, I’m just going to do a survey about myself.

 

My poor pinkie dressed with band aids and purple duct tape.

Obscure Questions

• 1: What eye color do you find sexiest?—– Blue, definitely blue. The lighter the blue, the better.
• 2: White, milk, or dark chocolate mocha?—– I love white chocolate mocha. We’re talking about the drink right?
• 3: If you could get a Sharpie tattoo on your back, what would it be?—–I don’t know. Something floral with multi-colored Sharpies.
• 4: Did you grow up in a small or big town? Did you like it?—– Small town. Yes, I enjoyed it. Big towns can be quite intimidating. 
• 5: Your favorite adult as a child? (and not your parents, if they were your favorite) —– My mamaw and papaw, definitely. 
• 6: What kind of smoothie sounds really good right now?—– Not sure. I don’t drink smoothies very often. Probably one involving bananas.
• 7: Most embarrassing moment from your elementary school years?—– People telling me I looked like a boy when I cut my hair really short? Not sure.
• 8: Most embarrassing moment from your middle school years?—– My whole dance team forgetting the choreography mid-dance during a basketball game, haha. 
• 9: Most embarrassing moment from your high school years?—– Going on a date with my biggest crush and being SO quiet the whole time. Awkward. 
• 10: Pirates or ninjas? Why?—– Pirates. Why? No clue. 
• 11: Have you ever climbed a tree more than twenty feet off the ground?—– No way. 
• 12: Did you like swinging as a child? Do you still get excited when you see a swing set?—–I loved swinging as a child. I don’t get excited about it much anymore, but I still like swinging! 
• 13: If you could have any pet in the world, illegal or not, what would you get?—–A small monkey. I’ve always wanted one!
• 14: What’s your most favorite part of your body?—– Hm, my knees. Just kidding, probably my hands and feet?
• 15: What’s your most favorite part of your personality?—– Probably my kindness and compassion. Although my sense of humor is just SPLENDID. 🙂
• 16: Madonna or Lady Gaga? Neither? Both? Who cares?—– Madonna. NOT a fan of Lady Gaga at all. 
• 17: Have you ever watched the Superbowl all the way through?—– Now that you mention it, I don’t think that I have.
• 18: Have you ever watched any major sporting event drunk?—– I don’t watch sports very often, so I’d have to say no.
• 19: What’s the most delicious food you’ve ever eaten in your life?—– Japanese. The restaurants where they cook at your table. SO delicious. 
• 20: Margarine or butter? Which did you grow up with?—– I use butter now, but I grew up using margarine. 
• 21: Whole, skim, 1%, or 2% milk? (Did you know they make 1 1/2% milk?)—– Skim milk, when I drink it. Don’t drink it too often. I use 2% to cook with though.
• 22: Which continents have you been on?—– Never been out of the country. North America only.
• 23: Do you get motion sickness? Any horror stories?—–Yes, I tend to get car sick at times especially if I’m in the backseat. No horror stories though.
• 24: Backpacks or satchels?—– Eh, probably backpacks.
• 25: Would you wear a rainbow jacket? A neon yellow sweater? Checkered pants?—– Yes, I would wear all of the above. Possibly in the same outfit, haha.
• 26: What was your favorite cartoon growing up?—– Hey Arnold, Beetlejuice, Doug, Aaah! Real Monsters. 
• 27: If you had to have a cow or a pig, which would you take? Why?—– Cow, for the milk I guess? Or well pigs are so cute. I don’t know! I’d take both.
• 28: If you had to look at one city skyline for the rest of your life, which would it be?—– No idea.
• 29: Longest plane ride you’ve ever been on?—– Like two hours? Only been on one once for a school trip to Washington D.C.
• 30: The latest you’ve ever slept?—– I don’t even know, but I know it was LATE.
• 31: Would you buy a sweater covered in kitten pictures? Would you wear it if someone gave it you for free?—– Depends who gave it to me, but yeah probably would. Why not?
• 32: Do you pick at scabs?—– Yes, it’s a bad habit. 
• 33: Favorite kind of bean? Kidney? Black? Pinto?—– Kidney, probably.
• 34: How far can you throw a baseball?—– Not far.
• 35: If you had to move to another country, where would you move?—– Probably Germany or England. I have relatives in Germany, but England seems fun. Love their accent!
• 36: Have you ever eaten Ethiopian food? Vietnamese? Korean? Nepalese? How was it?—– Yes, at a college event but don’t remember if I liked it.
• 37: Small, liberal arts school or public university? Why?—– Small liberal arts school. More intimate class settings.
• 38: A relationship with love or one with sex?—– Love. 
• 39: Do you eat enough vegetables?—–I eat a LOT of veggies, yes.
  
• 40: Do you like horror movies? How about thrillers?—– Horror is my favorite movie genre! Thrillers are great too!
• 41: Would you scratch a crotch itch in public?—– Ha, no.
• 42: Do you swear in front of your parents?—– Not often.
• 43: Coolest thing you’ve ever been for Halloween?—– Good question. Probably Lydia from Beetlejuice. 
• 44: If you could change your natural hair color, would you? To what?—– I like my dark hair. 
• 45: Do you want to get married? Have kids?—– One of these days,  yes.
• 46: Do you use a reusable water bottle? If not, you should.—–Thanks for the information. Yes, I do.
• 47: City or nature person?—–Usually nature, depends on the situation.
• 48: Have you ever used something other than “makeup” as makeup? (Like paint? Markers?)—– Can’t say that I have.
• 49: Can you walk well in high heels? Even if you’re a guy?—– Not at all, which is why I don’t ever buy them.
• 50: Post 5 awesome things about yourself. BRAG AWAY!

1. I’m about one year away from getting my degree in Human Services specializing in Addiction Studies.
2. I can make a mean Duct Tape wallet!
3. I’ve officially lost 20 pounds (in two months).
4. I love to cook for people and hey… I’m pretty good at it, too. 
5. I love writing in this blog. It’s fun for me. 🙂

The 2-Minute Rinse– FREEBIE

THE 2-MINUTE RINSE

Photo by: Soap & Glory

 

What is it? 

According to Soap & Glory,

“The average 5-minute shower uses 35 liters of water (70% of our recommended daily water use), and practically everybody showers (at least everybody we like to spend time with.) So how can a conscientious citizen help?

SAVE WATER. COME CLEAN. DO THE 2-MINUTE RINSE.

We timed seventeen Soap & Glory staffers and calculated that it was entirely possible to get washed, shampooed, conditioned and rinsed using somewhere around 120 seconds of running water. (Yes, there’s a bit of TAP ON/ TAP OFF involved, but make it in under the line and – as a bonus – you’ll get a clean conscience.)”

 

What are they offering?

Soap & Glory is offering a FREE 2-Minute Timer! All you have to do is go to their blog post HERE and fill out the information for your FREE timer! How great is that? Not only do you get an incredible freebie, you will be helping the environment as well.

They also posted this cute “how-to” do the 2-minute rinse…

Photo by: Soap & Glory

ENJOY THE FREEBIE AND USE IT! 🙂

Week 4: Toss the Broken Items!

WEEK FOUR;

By this time, you should have accomplished at least 3 things on your initial list of projects to accomplish this year– so congrats! We’re on our way to a more simplified, organized way of living.

 Once we declutter our living space, we can begin to declutter our minds.

Photo credit: Photos particulières / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-ND

 

THIS WEEK’S CHALLENGE: 

This week we are going to go through our apartments, rooms, houses– and either FIX or GET RID OF all of the broken items we have lying around. If you’re like me, then there are vases, ceramic knick-knacks etc, that you have lying around the house with the intention of fixing one of these days. Well, this week is the week to fix it OR toss it. I have had things in my house that I’ve had for years that are broken. Broken cellphones, computers, televisions… all kinds of things. I also have things like DVDs and CDs that are scratched to the point beyond ever playing again. TOSS THEM– there is no need to hold onto these items!

I will have a difficult time with this challenge. I am someone who likes holding onto things for their memory or because someone special gave it to me. Here is how I plan to overcome the difficult task of ridding my life and house of clutter:

Instead of keeping the item because of sentimental reasons, I am going to take pictures of those items and keep them in my Hope Chest (the chest in which I keep all memorabilia). If there is a small piece of the broken item I want to keep– (an example: one of my dogs ruined my high school prom dress, it was so difficult to get rid of but I finally cut some of the fabric from the dress and threw the rest in the trash) –then keep the small  piece in a special drawer, tote, or chest that will store the rest of your sentimental items.

What ideas do you have for overcoming the difficult task or ridding yourself of certain items? Do you find yourself getting attached to “things” or are you one of those that don’t have that problem? 

Earth Day Freebies!

FREEBIES!

2013

 

I am a huge Freebies and Free Samples fan! Since I was going to check all my sites to see if there are any Earth Day Freebies, figured I’d share them with you!

 

 

1.  When you bring in 5 plastic shopping bags to recycle at the Disney Store you can get a FREE “Brave” or “Cars 2” reusable bag!

 

2. FREE coffee at Caribou Coffee. When you bring in your own reusable coffee mug or tumbler, they’ll fill it for free.

** They also plant a fruit tree in Central or South America when you “like” it’s Facebook page.

3. FREE packet of seeds from Pottery Barn Kids.

 

4.  The first 50 customers at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store will recieve a FREE reusable shopping bag.

 

5. Stop in at EVOS on Earth Day to get a free organic milkshake.

 

6. FREE entrance into National Parks this week.  Go out to almost 400 national parks this week (April 22-26) and you don’t have to pay an entrance fee. Check with each national park as well because there are many free events happening this week.

 

7. Earth Day coloring pages. Download and print free coloring pages for your kids!

 

8. FREE static cling window decal. Adorable “Bring Your Own Bags” cling!

 

 

Get your FREEBIES today while they last!

 

 

 

8 Easy Ways To Go Green!

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

Today is Earth Day— To celebrate  I am giving you 10 easy ways you can go Green!  Not only is going Green better for the environment, it also can be a more frugal way of living!

• RECYCLE

When Earth Day rolls around, a lot of us are reminded to recycle. So, what can you recycle? Well, a LOT.

1. Cans— Not only can you recycle cans, but most of the time you can take them to a nearby recycling center and actually get PAID for bringing in your cans (along with other aluminum waste).
2. Paper— Newspapers, magazines, books, christmas cards, etc.
3. Plastic— Grocery bags, cleaner bottles, water bottles, shampoo bottles, yogurt containers, etc.
4. Cardboard— Boxes, milk cartons, pizza boxes, etc.
5. Electronics— Cellphones, computers, keyboards, hearing aids, televisions, microwaves, washing machines, etc.

**For a more detailed list of what you can recycle and how go to Recycle Now.

** There are several places online to sell and/or donate your used cellphone. I suggest checking out the few sites below.

Cell Phones for Soldiers

Sell Your Cell

Wirefly

Recycling for Charities

Alright, onto our list of 8 easy ways (besides the obvious recycling) to go Green!

1. Stop using disposable bags! I can not stress this enough. Keep some reusable bags in your car, purse, by your front door, any place that you can remember to grab them on the way to the market. You can find them at almost any store for fairly cheap. You can also make your own as a weekend craft project with your children.

Here are a couple of places that I’ve seen giving away FREE reusable bags!

Tobacco-Free WNY

Target  (Only available TODAY, on Earth Day!)

For a few ideas of how to make your own for FREE, check out TLC’s 13 Ways to Make Cool Reusable Bags for Free article.

2. Plant a garden! It is great for the environment and also makes for cheaper grocery bills. I understand that some people just don’t have the time to mess with a garden, so instead support your local farmers! It’s cheaper than it is at the store and has less of those harsh chemicals on them. Another great way to have a “mini garden” is to plant some herbs indoors to use when you cook and check out my post about how to keep green onions growing indoors. 

3. Make your own household cleaners and hygiene products! You can find so many homemade recipes online for things such as shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, laundry detergent, dish soap, deodorant, etc. Not only will this save on money, but you will be using reusable containers.

4. Wash your laundry in cold water and line dry! You will save a lot of energy by using the cold water instead of warm or hot. You also will save a lot of energy by allowing your clothes to dry outside on the line. May take a few extra minutes of your time to line dry, but your energy bill will be thanking you at the end of the month.

5. Skip the bottled water! Instead of wasting your money on bottled water, find a reusable water bottle and keep that with you and fill it up at water fountains. You can also buy water filter pitchers that you can keep in your fridge and keep refilling, or a filter that connects to your faucet to filter as you use.

6. Cancel your newspaper subscription. Most newspapers these days will allow you to check the news that is printed in the newspaper online. Even for all you coupon-lovers, you can cancel your subscription and just go buy one at a machine for the Sunday coupons! Or better yet, find the coupons you want (for free) online and print them out! It’ll save time and money! Another way to get all those coupons is to go to your local recycling center and ask for them. If you go on the right day, they’re all lying right on top of the newspaper bin!

7. Donate to- and shop at- local thrift stores! Donating those clothes, shoes, bedding, kitchenware, etc, that you’ll never use again is a great way to help the community and feel better about yourself. If you’re low on cash, have yourself a yardsale, or sell your items online. What doesn’t sell, then donate to the thrift shops or charities.

8. Upcycle! There are so many articles online that talk about how to upcycle certain items. You can turn an old suitcase into an adorable pet bed, turn old records into bowl decor. (I’ll be doing a tutorial on this soon.) Go online and check out all the different items you may have lying around that you could upcycle into something beautiful. You can make it for yourself or even sell it online at places like Etsy.

There you have it. 8 EASY ways to Go Green and save a bit of money in the process!

Stay Tuned: Next article will be EARTH DAY FREEBIES!

Rid Your Pet’s Fleas With Household Items!

It’s that time of year and as much as I hoped it wouldn’t happen, it did– my dogs got fleas. They are indoor dogs, however they go outside to use the bathroom. It was inevitable. Sure, I could use those harsh chemicals to try and treat my dogs, which don’t always work, but I wanted to find a cheaper, better alternative.

After doing a lot of research online, I came across a couple ideas. These ideas included things you probably already have lying around your house. And guess what….

IT WORKS!

Photo credit: Bill Selak / Foter.com / CC BY-ND

• Bathe your animals in DISH SOAP. Yep, you heard right. Dish soap kills the fleas on contact! 

Haha, ok so not all my animals enjoyed the bath. But, boy aren’t they happy they had one!

NO MORE FLEAS.

You heard me– we checked and didn’t see ONE flea!

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However, we did find this nasty creature that must’ve jumped off just in time to die.

Poor thing.

(I changed the contrast and brightness so you could see the nasty flea better.)

• After you bathe your pets, grab an empty spray bottle (a clean one) and mix 1/2 part Apple Cider Vinegar and 1/2 part warm water.

 

Once your pets dry, take them outside and spray some of this mixture onto them (avoid their face). It’s supposed to prevent fleas for up to a WEEK.

Definitely worth trying out! The smell may not be pleasant, but can’t be any worse then those nasty bugs, right!?

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Do you have any home remedies for fleas? If so leave it below! I’d love to hear more ideas!

“Ride” by Lana Del Rey

I was pretty busy today helping my boyfriend paint someone’s deck.

So, for today’s SHORT blog. I’m just going to post a music video.

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This video is “Ride” by Lana Del Rey. Her monologue at the beginning is just beautiful.

If you haven’t seen it, please watch.

Great song. Great video. Great lyrics.

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Her Monologue: 

“I was in the winter of my life, and the men I met along the road were my only summer. At night I fell asleep with visions of myself dancing and laughing and crying with them. Three years down the line of being on an endless world tour, and my memories of them were the only things that sustained me, and my only real happy times.

I was a singer, not a very popular one. I once had dreams of becoming a beautiful poet, but upon an unfortunate series of events saw those dreams dashed and divided like a million stars in the night sky that I wished on over and over again, sparkling and broken. But I didn’t really  mind because I knew that it takes getting everything you ever wanted and then losing it to know what true freedom is.

When the people I used to know found out what I had been doing, how I had been living, they asked me ‘why.’ But there’s no use in talking to people who have a home, they have no idea what it’s like to seek safety in other people, for home to be wherever you lie your head.

I was always an unusual girl. My mother told me that I had a chameleon soul—no moral compass pointing due north, no fixed personality—just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide and as wavering as the ocean. And if I said that I didn’t plan for it to turn out this way I’d be lying, because I was born to be the other woman. Who belonged to no one, who belonged to everyone, who had nothing, who wanted everything. With a fire for every experience and an obsession for freedom that terrified me to the point that I couldn’t even talk about, and pushed me to a nomadic point of madness that both dazzled and dizzied me.

Every night I used to pray that I’d find my people, and finally I did, on the open road. We had nothing to lose, nothing to gain, nothing we desired anymore, except to make our lives into a work of art.

LIVE FAST, DIE YOUNG, BE WILD AND HAVE FUN.

I believe in the country America used to be. I believe in the person I want to become. I believe in the freedom of the open road. And my motto is the same as ever. I believe in the kindness of strangers. And when I’m at war with myself, I ride. I just ride.

Who are you? Are you in touch with all your darkest fantasies?

Have you created a life for yourself where you’re free to experience them?

I have.

I am fucking crazy. But I am free.”

-Lana Del Rey

 

Week Three: Removing Duplicates

For last week’s challenge, I decided to gather everything I was wanting to sell and put it on our local “Yardsale” page through Facebook. I sold tons of items I’ve been keeping around for my next big yardsale! If you don’t have one of these in your area, make one! Log onto Facebook and create a group. Name it whatever you want. In my town it’s called, “-MY TOWN NAME- Online Yardsales.” A lot of people in the community (over 5,000 members) takes a picture of their item for sale and posts it on this group’s page. When someone is interested, they comment on the picture and the two of you can decide a time and place to meet for the transfer. It’s much easier than Craigslist, in my opinion, because Craigslist can be… let’s face it, kind of scary.

Gone from my life :  13 Items.

This week may be difficult if you don’t have much time, but try your hardest to do as much of this as you can.

Challenge: 

This week’s challenge is REMOVING DUPLICATES. Sounds easy, right? Well it is. Go through your house and do just that…. remove duplicates. Say you have two pairs of earrings that look exactly alike. Two pairs of diamond studs, well… keep one and sell the other. You can go through you whole house doing this. Keep one and sell, donate, or toss the duplicate.

A few (small) examples:

I came across a few duplicates of small items. Items that cost less than 5 dollars.

If you have duplicates of cheap items, why not donate the duplicate? It’s just taking up space… and if one day you break or lose the other, go buy another!

Don’t leave things lying around for “just in case” ESPECIALLY if they cost less than 5 dollars.

Another example: duplicates of the same product.

It’s taking up space. Things like this I understand that you may need more eventually so keep it!

However, to save room once a bottle is almost gone– pour the rest of the liquid into the other container.

This works with items that are the same exact things. Also works well with kitchen items such as ketchup, mustard, etc.

I love fingernail polish. Always have. But sometimes when I’m in a store and see a color that I just can’t live without, I end up buying it just to realize I have a bottle at home that is almost the SAME exact color.

Of course, I keep both because well.. I paid for it.

But now I’m trying to cut back on clutter.

Donate one of the fingernail polishes. People love finding a cheap bottle at thrift stores!

JUST KIDDING. 🙂

Do NOT get rid of duplicate animals!  ❤

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Another idea for ridding yourself of duplicates is to have a Swap Party.

Bring all of your duplicates that you’re willing to part with (everyone at the party will do this) then trade your items based on pricing.

You’ll get rid of your duplicates, and possibly come home with something you need.

However, if you’re trying to rid yourself of clutter (like me) then donating or selling is your best bet.

HAPPY MINIMALIST MONDAY!

Spring Weekend Full of Family Activities!

I have been so incredibly busy this weekend. However, I wouldn’t have changed it for the world. I got to spend a lot of time with family. I had so much fun and it was so great to see everyone after not seeing them all in one place for a while now. I took some pictures to share with my followers!

–Bonfire for Brother’s 17th Birthday–

Brother, Coleman, and his girlfriend bought a boat together. They were washing it when we arrived for his party!

My sister, Shelby, and her boyfriend, Taylor, posing for the camera in front of my mom’s big back yard!

It’s so country out there. I love it. 🙂

My sister Shelby’s THREE dogs. They’re so much fun. They loved running around in the field while we celebrated Coleman’s birthday.

Coleman receiving his birthday cake/cheesecake that my mom made.

IT WAS DELICIOUS.  

(Posting the recipe tomorrow!)

Silly photos time.

Happy 17th Birthday, Coleman!

WUV YOU WITTLE BRUDDER

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–Kim’s Birthday Bash–

Most of Kim’s family. Her family is huge. She had 7 children and they have had children. Needless to say several are missing from the picture!

(Kim is my boyfriend’s mother. She’s right in the middle of the picture!)

Silly picture.

I love this family so much. They’re laid-back, funny, crazy, talented, and simply amazing.

Make Single-Use Ointment Packs!

These DIY single-use packets are great for camping or keeping in backpacks and/or purses!

Keep in mind, you don’t have to use this just for ointment. You can use this same process for toothpaste (see how to make your own natural toothpaste by clicking the link), Vaseline, lip gloss, etc.

• What You’ll Need; 

scissors, pliers, ointment (or your preference), clean straw, lighter

• STEP ONE;
  

Squeeze ointment into straw (only enough for a single-time use).

(Ignore my scratched up craft/coffee table! )

• STEP TWO; 
  

Take your pliers and squeeze the end of straw shut.

(Some of the ointment may squeeze out while doing this– just wipe away with paper towel.)

• STEP THREE;
  

Use your lighter to burn the tip. Keep burning until you think it has melted closed. Squeeze the part you just melted to give it an extra seal.

• STEP FOUR;
  

Cut the straw– leaving a little extra room to seal it.

• STEP FIVE;

Take your pliers and repeat on this end.

That’s it. Easy, right?

One normal length straw makes about 4-5 individual packets for single-time use. 

I tossed these bad boys in my purse, along with a few band-aids, and now I’ll always be prepared.

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If you’re interested in where to find the floral pliers. Check them out here–  Floral Tool Kit or click the picture below.