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Archives for September 2011

Grocery Shopping: Creating your Grocery Lists – Part 3 of 3

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Briana Carter)

Last week, we left off with a printed grocery list from each store. These lists contain all the items that I am considering purchasing. My final decision will be based on how much I plan to spend this week on grocery shopping. As we complete Part 3 of Step Four: Creating grocery lists in our food cycle series, I match coupons and top off the lists.

Matching Coupons

With the available coupons listed on my grocery list, I am able to grab my binders and locate the best coupons.  Yes, I said binders. Not to get too detailed about my coupon organization, but I have two binders. One holds all the food items, and the other houses all the cleaners, toiletries, medicines, and other non-food items. (You have not missed anything. I plan to do a series on my coupon organization method at a later date. 🙂 )

After locating the coupons for each item, I then decide how many of those products I plan to purchase using the same questions relating to the Buy One Get One Free offers. If I do not have coupons or the deal is not as great as I thought it would be, then I just mark that deal off my grocery list.

In my binders, I keep all coupons for free items in a front sleeve. Before finishing my grocery list, I will add any free items to my grocery lists that can be used with this week’s sales or will be expiring this week.

With the coupons gathered, I place them in an envelope labeled with that store’s name. The grocery list is folded and placed in the front of the envelope for easy retrieval at the grocery store.

Topping off the Lists

At this point in the process, I have two envelopes complete with coupons and grocery list. One envelope is labeled Bi-Lo and the other Publix. The last step is looking back at my pad of paper. Are there still items listed? Yes.

Since none of these items were on sale and I need to purchase them, I will choose the least expensive store and shop for these items. In my area, Aldi is my least expensive option. This store does not accept coupons, and most items are Aldi’s store brand.

The remaining items on my list get compiled for a shopping trip to Aldi.  Although Aldi carries most items, there are a few items (e.g., ground mustard) they do not. For those items, I will usually purchase at Bi-Lo or Wal-mart – if a trip is already planned for the week. If I can wait a week or two for some of the items, then I will keep them on the list and continue watching the ads for a sale.

With all three lists created, my coupons gathered, and envelopes prepared, I am ready for a visit to the grocery stores. By thoroughly preparing in advance, I can make smart decisions at the grocery store. I know what I have at home, what I have planned, and what I need to succeed at that plan. Though this process seems long, I have found my rhythm and ways to implement these steps a little at a time. With a 5 minute break, I can complete one or two steps. Just working to improve is making progress!

Question: What is the least expensive grocery store in your area? Please add your answer to the comments.

Operating in Survival Mode

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Qwikrex)

For the past week, our family has been operating in survival mode. Paul and I have been battling end-of-summer colds. Between little sleep and lack of energy, we have managed to feed our kids and have clean clothes to wear. Everything else has been on hold.

The goal was to get rest and return to good health. Thankfully, I had a great day yesterday. After arriving home from dropping off my son at school, I was able to accomplish the following:

  • Clean off the kitchen counters
  • Load the dishwasher
  • Hand wash milk jugs and crock pot
  • Make ice tea
  • Feed sourdough bread starter
  • Make baby wipes
  • Water plants

I then enjoyed about an hour playing restaurant and tea party with my daughters. We added to the disaster in our living room and had a blast. My girls needed Mommy to play, and Mommy needed to recharge after exerting so much energy getting the kitchen cleaned. In using time wisely, I chose to focus on my girls. My house can get cleaned later, but my little ones will be off to school way too soon.

Though I enjoy a clean house, I operate differently during times of illness. These seasons of rest are needed to rejuvenate and recover. Once over the sickness, I am ready to get back to order. My house gets picked up rather quickly, and I can return to active duty.

Life is full of ups and downs, and illness is just part of the journey. Your survival mode will be different from mine, but just letting everything go will help you recover. I know it is not ideal to look at a messy house. In fact, it drives me nuts. But once your energy returns, you can catch up and return to your household duties. With allergy season in the near future, I wish you health and, in times of illness, rest as you operate in survival mode.

Question: What does your survival mode entail? Please add your answer to the comments.

Back-to-School Night: Keeping it Simple

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Estelle Broyer)

Marked by new school supplies, books, and information packets, our Back-to-School Night was a success. Besides gaining new information, meeting the teacher(s), and dropping off our supplies, the participants enjoyed a time of fellowship.

The refreshments consisted of sweet breads and a beverage station. The loaves of bread were sliced and placed on individual platters with name cards identifying the type of bread. The center table was simply decorated with a flower bouquet center piece. A separate table with gluten-free and sugar-free options was set to the side of the hallway.

By keeping the food choices simple, all participants enjoyed a time of meeting and greeting new and existing friends. This arrangement worked beautifully for a back-to-school night. I would also consider serving sweet breads for a reception, after-dinner meeting, and part of a brunch menu. In planning events, you can have a successful activity by keeping it simple.

Question: What is your favorite sweet bread? Please add your answer to the comments.

Cleaning: Bissell PowerSteamer PowerBrush Deep Cleaner

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Photograph Credit: Wal-mart

Most people would request a new gadget, clothing item, or service for their birthday present. Since I am far from “most people,” you might be surprised to learn that my birthday wish was a carpet cleaner. Yes, I really wanted a cleaning helper for my carpets.

With baby one and baby two, I was able to keep up with the messes they made. I would use Resolve Carpet Cleaner on the spots, and keep my carpets nice and clean. With baby three, my schedule is much busier. If I can stay on top of the laundry and meals, then I had a successful day.

The little messes on the carpet are no longer a high priority. By the time I vacuum the floors, the spots are too much for hand scrubbing. I would be exerting lots of energy and spending precious time cleaning.

Dining Room Floor - Before using the Carpet Cleaner

Desiring to have a clean, organized home and balancing home life, family activities, and blogging, I needed some added assistance with the carpets. Though hiring a carpet cleaning service would have solved the immediate issue, I still would need to keep up the spot cleaning.

In looking for a more permanent solution, I found this Bissell PowerSteamer PowerBrush Deep Cleaner for carpets at www.walmart.com for $125. Paul and I compared some other carpet cleaners, and this model had the options we deemed necessary for our household.

With my birthday around the corner, Paul purchased this steam cleaner. We used it the weekend after it arrived, and my carpets sparkled (if that’s possible). I have been thrilled with this carpet cleaner!

Dining Room Floor - After using the Carpet Cleaner

Favorite Options

1. The Settings. This model offers normal, heavy traffic, and water rinse settings. On the first pass, Paul used the normal setting which brought up dirt, dust, and hair. After allowing the floor to dry, he then water rinsed the area to remove all the cleaning solution. The heavy traffic setting was needed on our hallway to bring the carpet back to its “normal” color. 🙂

2. The 2 in 1 Tank. Having used another carpet cleaner where the solution and water were mixed in the same container, I really like how this cleaner keeps the solution separate. The solution does not need to be refilled when the water is replaced. Having the solution in a separate compartment stretches the solution which saves money.

3. Attachment for Stairs. With little spots from sippy cups, drool, and super-saturated diapers on my stairs, I really like this attachment. Though we have not used it yet, I am thrilled to have this option. Most of the other carpet cleaners, within our price range, did not offer this attachment.

4. 25’ Cord Length. Some of the other models had shorter lengths. With the longer cord, I can complete an entire room without having to change outlets.

5. Deep Clean. This cleaner pulled up so much dirt. You could see the difference immediately. I love having clean carpets!

Possible Drawbacks

1. Type of Carpet Cleaner. Though the title is a PowerSteam, this cleaner is NOT a steam cleaner. The machine does not heat the water like a steam cleaner instead hot water, added to the container, cleans the carpet. To get the carpets clean, you need to add the hot water and then clean immediately. This option works fine for our family. We only have fish for pets, so most of my spots are food or liquids.

2. The Weight. This cleaner is heavy. It weighs over 20 lbs. The pushing and pulling to clean a large area is a lot of work. Paul was sore after cleaning all the downstairs’ carpets in one weekend. However, if you space out the cleaning, then the weight may be more tolerable.

3. Hard Floor Scrubber. My model will clean hard floors, but the attachment must be purchased separately. I have limited hard floors, so I do not need this attachment.

For me, this Bissell carpet cleaner has been a blessing! I can do a surface cleaning of a spill and wait to use the Bissell carpet cleaner at a later time. Though this model may not work for others, I have been thrilled with my birthday present resulting in clean carpets. Thanks, Babe!

Question: What is on your birthday list? Please add your answer in the comments.

Remembering September 11, 2001

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Photograph Credit: Flickr (Ben Whitehouse)

To all First Responders:

Thank you for what you did 10 years ago and continue to do today. 

Ten years ago, do you remember where you were, and what you were doing when you heard the news? I was working alone in my office. What seemed like an ordinary day changed when the telephone rang. As I answered, I was met with “Are you all right?” The agent on the other line had been watching some news coverage while working. He needed details on a case and called to get the answers and to see if I had heard anything.

When the agent was not forthcoming about the morning’s events, he suggested I go turn on the television. After finishing our conversation, I took a stroll out of my office down to the Senator’s hallway where I discovered the news.

My first response was shock. The second plane had already hit the second tower. Knowing that I needed to get back to the office, I asked for a call if there were any other incidents.

Within the hour, our presiding judge closed our federal courthouse for the day. After a call to Paul informing him of the news, I went home. As I entered the lobby of our apartment complex, I was met by a managing agent seeking more information. After assuring her that she knew more than I did, since I had been away from the news coverage, I went home.

Once inside the apartment, I remember staying glued to the television coverage and praying for our leaders, the first responders, and victim’s families. The events stunned me so that I was numb. After days of processing that morning’s events, I found comfort and security in my Heavenly Father.

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety (Psalm 4:8).

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you (Psalm 33:18-22).

Today, in remembrance of September 11, 2001, our security and comfort continues to come from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! May you find security, peace, and rest in God alone.