I’ve been thinking of the little things that have changed since I was in my 20’s. I wonder if it is experience, or more cash (gotta love those broke days!), or more time at home? Just things that make me go, “hmm”.

Here’s things I do differently that make my life easier:

Monay! We pool it, and I let him deal with the stress. And NO, I”M NOT WORSE at it. In fact I’d say I’m better at the finances. (and he’d say that too) But who gets to be treated better - the chauffeur - or the passenger? Hmph. My point exactly.

In the bed: Personal lubricant is not just for nursing and post-menopausal women.

Tools of the trade: If this woman has to wash floors, her supplies will be pretty (personally, I’m a fan of Vileda.) And they all match. that makes me so happy. But not that happy. It is a mop, people.

Storage: Look up! the space between the shelf and the ceiling is the most un-used and probably biggest square footage storage space. That is NOT the place for your anvil. Try the humongous bag of chips or toilet paper, and that fondue pot that hasn’t been used in 7 years.

Chores: Who says that extra chores (for consequences) can’t be actually helpful chores? My favorites to dole out are cleaning the toilet, and wiping handles and handrails. Because I hate those chores. And I have children. Get it?

Laundry: I’ve learned that if my hubby picks up a chore and “owns” it, I need to keep my nose out of it.

Abrasive Cleaners: work better. And are cheaper.

Hypo-allergenic Cleansers: another word for baby soap ($1.99/ bottle).

Dining Room: food sweeps up better when it is old and dried.

Kitchen: Dishwashers are right up there with air, water, and nutrition. And vinegar works just as well as Jet Dry.

I have a feeling this is only volume I. Maybe this will be my daughter’s wedding present, in 20 years.

To store or not to store.  (Gosh, I’ve been wanting to quote that book for a long time. lol)

Anyhow, to the point.  This Tidy Tuesday is about the grape-turned-raisin in my fruit crisper.  And the celery stalk that looks like a Frenched green bean.  Yelk!  So here’s the freezin’ method for those old m’hem, not rotten fridge contents.

Veggies

• lettuce - it keeps for ages if you wash it, or at least rinse it, and wrap it in paper towel, put back in plastic bag and back in the crisper.  I swear it stays crisp and lasts twice as long as usual.
• carrots, um - as far as I’m concerned they last forever.  When they were regular size carrots and they now look like baby carrots - that’s the time for STEW, ladies.  It hides a multitude of sins.
• bell peppers, any variety.  I usually buy these in season only.  As up north they get pricey in the winter time.  But, they are awesome when you core them, cut them in half, and stash in a baggie, and freeze!  They cook up just like fresh and we get bell peppers out of season now!

Fruit

• Apples - applesauce (puleez - who has time?)  If you are a martha type (I admit, I’ve done this a time or two) you put the ENTIRE apple in the blender - seeds, core, skin, everything!  Add enough water to blend nicely, add sugar and cinnamon if desired.  Bring to boil in saucepan.  Simmer a minimum of 5 minutes - voilá!  This is very yummy on french toast!
• Bananas - toss, peel and all, in the freezer and defrost in microwave for baked goods.  (I have the BEST banana bread recipe on my Strawberries site.)
• Oranges - cut in half and simmer with cloves and cinnamon for a very yummy room pot pourri.

Deli Crisper Stuff

• Deli meats - after 3-5 days, cut up in cubes or squares, and freeze in baggies for pizza toppings or soups.
• yucky-ish cheese - cut off green fuzzy stuff (being careful not to leave it on the knife between slices), shred and freeze in baggies for pizza or casserole topping.  - not the fuzzy stuff silly, the leftover non-fuzzy cheese.

Thanks to my resourceful sis, Christine for some of these great tips!

Top 10 ways to know that you have a germ problem.

10. Your fingernails are so short they bleed. And that of your children’s. And the cat’s.

9. Consequences for the children include cleaning handrails and doorknobs.

8. You use those “green” shopping bags, and line them with plastic bags first.

7. You actually know fruits and vegetables with antibacterial properties.

6. Your children think cooking requires a fridge, stove, and vinyl examination gloves.

5. You’ve mastered the art of the inside-out-plastic-bag-turned-glove trick for emergencies.

4. Bulk packages of meat go rotten before you’ve mustered up the guts to divide it up.

3. You consider it an emergency if you are grocery shopping and forgot your gloves.

2. Litter box cleaning resembles a bio-hazard decontamination procedure.

1. Your survival depends on air, water and paper towels.

I got this from www.[anotherwebsite].com. I had nothing to do with it. Nope. Nothin’. Nadda.

Hi all,

A couple things with the scrapbooking supplies -

1.  I spend more time, currently, buying supplies than I actually do scrapping!

2.  When I actually DO get around to scrapping, I rarely use “kits” which means that I have to match up my own papers with embellishments & stickers.  Which in turn means that I need to be able to view the papers, embellishments, and stickers at once.  (I tried to use closed up drawers & cases for my stuff but then by the time I took it all out, I was pretty much out of time.)

Here’s what you’ll need:

• a portable wire clothes drying rack
• lots of clothespins or small clips
• clear baggies (although you might use page protectors if you need archival quality)

Can you see where I’m going with this?  I have my clothes rack hanging on my wall, as I have just kicked out the eldest daughter from her room to turn it into a craft room! lol  But you could also close up the rack (those standing- A-frame ones) and stuff in a closet or with other supplies.

All the stickers are pinned up by season/ occasion.  I still haven’t figured out if I would prefer to organize by color… we’ll see.  But that is exactly the point - I can SEE the stickers! Also there are some embellishments there too.

Oh, I so desperately do NOT want to post a pic today! lol  I took down a ton of stickers for a project and haven’t put them back up yet! check back after nap time, and I’ll have a pretty pic up for you.

Mommies - aren’t you impressed? I’m a reformed non-coupon’r. I swear, it IS my receipt! Although it wouldn’t be entirely un-melike to claim someone’s else’s successes… This time, it’s all ME baby! lol Woot! I’m super-coupon-lady now, hon!