WFMW :: Disposal with a twist.

Did you know that a cut-up lemon or orange ground up in your garbage disposal can freshen it up? I don't remember where I learned this trick but I remembered it one day when I thought my disposal smelled a little... uh, iffy. I had some oranges in the fridge, cut one up and threw it in the disposal (with the water on, of course) and whaddaya know? Disposal that smells as good as it possibly can. No more stinky garbage disposal! So, if you find that yours stinks - toss a cut up lemon or orange in there and it'll do the trick!

Want some more awesome tips? Head on over to We Are That Family!

Works for me Wednesday:: CDs for $1!

Recently David and I have discovered what great gems you can find in the CD's clearence section of Half Price Books. Sometimes it takes quite a while to find things since you have to flip through everything, but it's worth it. David will go to HPB for like a half an hour and come home after only spending $15 and he'll have 13 new CDs. There are lots of CDs in there for $2 and $3 as well, but the $1 are the best finds! He found a brand new, never opened Imagination Movers for $1. He also found The Laurie Berkner Band DVD Audio for $1. He thought it was a cd and then found out (after purchasing) that it was a DVD and was bummed becuase he thought it was a cd but then we discovered the kids actually LOVE the DVD.  

If you have a Half Price Books near you I definitely recommend heading in and checking out their CD selection, you never know what you might find.

For more great tips, head on over to We Are That Family.

Works for me Wednesday :: Zip it up

Last weekend when we decided to take a trip to the zoo we forgot the stroller. Now, with two kids in tow and a diaper bag you know this was going to be interesting. Well, Graycen decided she didn't want to wear her little zip up jacket and the diaper bag was too full to jam it in there. My only options were going to be:

• A: Tie it around her waist and constantly watch to make sure it doesn't fall off.
• B: Carry it around and have one less hand for child handling and making sure I don't set it down somewhere.
• C: Make her wear it even though she didn't want to.
• D: Figure something out - pronto!

Thankfully I was able to think of something out - pronto! I took her jacket, wraped it around the strap of the diaper bag (like the strap was the body) and zipped it up. Now her jacket was not going to go anywhere because it was closed around the strap of the diaper bag! That works for me!

For more awesome tips head on over to We Are That Family.

Works for me Wednesday :: How to save those precious drawings without the clutter

My friend Sarah just posted on her blog about how she is having a hard time getting rid of any of the precious drawings her daughter has made for them. When she spoke of that, it reminded me of a tip I read somewhere. I thought it was an excellent tip (one that I will definitely use myself) and thought it might be worth sharing with the rest of you!

Instead of keeping all of the pictures that you "could just never get rid of" piled in a shoe box and without tossing them all out with the recycling I have an alternative. If you have a scanner at home, take each picture and scan it into your computer. Once you've scanned it in, save it in its own folder. You can label each one with the date or just keep it in folders for the month and year or just one large one for the year. At the end of the year just burn everything to a CD. Now you've saved all of the precious artwork without the clutter and can still keep the memories. Of course you still have to save some of the actual hard copies... now that's the hard part - deciding which ones you actually keep.

I also remember someone saying after they've scanned the photo onto the computer, they set their screensaver to rotate these pictures. Now they'll always be in use, too!

For more awesome tips, head on over to We Are That Family.

Works for me Wednesday :: Check It Out

I bet one thing you didn't know about me is that I'm a sucker for workout DVDs. I have quite a handful of them. OK, I probably have like 2 or 3 handfuls. Ha ha. One thing I more recently thought of was to check them out from the library before I buy it. Sometimes it takes quite a while before I get it (if I have to reserve it) but it's worth it since sometimes those DVDs just aren't worth the money,

For more awesome ideas - check out Works for me Wednesday over at We Are That Family.

Works for me Wednesday :: Thickening up the too thin mashed potatoes

For starters, let me say I am sure so many of you have already figured this one out and you're probably saying, "Uh, duh!" But I was so shocked, surprised and happy when I figured this one out all on my own!

I was making mashed potatoes to go with dinner the other night when I accidentally added too much milk. Crap! What was I going to do? All of a sudden I was struck with my genius idea! Add potato flakes! I added little by little until I came up with the super thick consistency that we like and voila!

I really couldn't believe it was as easy as that and that I had never thought of that before! I will have to be sure to remember that when I make mashed potatoes ahead of time and put them in the slowcooker. Seems that every time I do that, they get a little runnier.

To check out more tips by lots of wonderful bloggers - head on over to We Are That Family.

Works for me Wednesday :: Backwards Edition

Well, how perfect is it for me that this week's Works for me Wednesday is asking for help. I made a post a couple of days ago asking for help. So I am going to copy and paste the text and use it for my WFMW post. Thanks in advance!!

In preparation of me starting school, I am looking for some make-ahead meals that I can tuck into the freezer or good slowcooker recipes. This is where you come in. I already have a couple, but I need more - as many as you can think of!! In between being home all day, then going off to work at my grandparents' business for a few hours between work and school and then heading off to school until 10:00 at night, I need things that I can pop in the oven for my husband and the kids to make they always have something ready for dinner when I'm not there. It will probably only be 2 or 3 days a week that I will need to use these meals, but I want to get ready.So, if you have some tasty make-ahead freezer or slowcooker meals, please share them with me (and anyone else that may be interested)

Don't forget to leave the following:

**For make-ahead freezer stored meals - the recipe, how to store it, how long and what temp to cook it at, if it needs to thaw before placing in the oven and if it should be cooked covered or uncovered.

**For slowcooker meals - the recipe, how long and how high to cook it.Thanks for the help! I appreciate it!

And just so you all know - My husband CAN cook! I just thought I would make things a little easier on him then to have to try and cook dinner, clean up and then get the kids in the tub before bed time. I know it's tricky for even me to get all of that done with only one parent home so I can only imagine how it might be for him. It's not like he has daddy-only duty during the evening very often and when he does, it's usually after dinner and baths and just before or just after bedtime.

If you want to help out some other people seeking advice - head on over to We Are That Family.

Works for me Wednesday :: Eating that leftover chicken

It seems like every time I make baked chicken the leftovers don't get eaten. You see, I'm not a huge fan of reheated chicken. I don't know what it is about the flavor of it, but no matter how it is prepared or spices used - it ALWAYS tastes the same and unfortunately it's a taste I don't like. So, this leaves David to eat the leftover chicken. For some reason, when I make baked chicken he never seems to pull it out of the fridge and eat it. Last night while I was making room in the fridge for a bowl of cantaloupe I had just cut up I found the container with a baked chicken breast from a few days ago in it. Well, I don't know why the idea occurred to me for the first time last night but it's OK. I'm glad it did.

I pulled the chicken out of the container, took all of the meat off the bone and threw it in a baggie. I plan on using the chicken for the kids for lunch today. David even mentioned the fact that I could probably stick it on a sandwich as well. Sure could! So, in the future, I think I'll be sure to de-bone before I even put it in the fridge. Maybe it'll get eaten that way.

Want more helpful hints? Head on over to We Are That Family for more great Works for me Wednesday tips!

Works for me Wednesday - Get the spray out!

It is unfortunate that I can speak on this topic. If you have (or had) a cat that sprayed in your house, I have a solution - literally!!!

I scoured the internet for lots of ways to get the smell of cat spray out of furniture and kept finding so many people saying "You'll never get it out!" or "The only way to get rid of it is to buy xxxx solution" Which costs like 20 bucks and it's only sold online and comes from New Zealand (or some crazy stuff like that.) I did find a couple of people that gave up a home remedy that worked for them. There were a couple variations of the same thing and I was willing to try all of them, if necessary.

The first and only one I tried was a solution of about 60% hydrogen peroxide (you can buy a huge bottle of it for only $.88 or so at Wal-Mart) and 40% water. I put mine in a spritzer bottle and sprayed it on the couch. I didn't just lightly mist it, either. I sprayed the crap out of it!! I think the pad underneath the cushion cover was probably sopping wet. I wanted to make sure I got it all!!! I waited a couple of hours for it to dry, smelled it and sure enough, the smell was gone.

Just because one time of spraying worked for me, doesn't mean it will work for you. Who knows, it might not even work - I guess it depends on the strength and age of the cat spray. I say if you tried it once and it didn't work, try it again. If you notice it is lessening the scent, keep going!!

I know that just because the smell (to me and other humans) is gone doesn't mean the scent is gone to the cats but hey, as long as it doesn't smell like cat spray on my couch, I am certainly OK with that.

For more fantastic tips, head on over to Rocks in my Dryer!

Works for me Wednesday - Give a little (feedback), get a little (discount)!

If you know me, you know I love to save some money! Something more and more stores are starting to pick up on is having a survey that you can take about that shopping experience. In return, sometimes they give you a code for a percentage off of your next purchase.

Two stores I can think of off the top of my head that offers the discount for taking a survey are Old Navy and JC Penney. I think the Old Navy one might be a random thing but I know JC Penney always has their survey information on the back of the receipt.

Most times stores will give you 15% off with survey completion but I know I have seen 10% as well as 25 and even 40% off of one item. That's pretty fantastic!

Another way you can get these, sometimes, is after you've placed an order through an online retailer. You might get an email a day or two after you've done your order and you might get something for taking their surveys. Sometimes they don't even tell you beforehand that you get a discount off your next order. It helps businesses to give them feedback -positive and negative - they want to hear it all. Don't believe me? Ask Missy, she'll tell ya! So, even if there's not something in it for you, take a second and give some feedback!

I know it seems like something obvious, but there are so many people that don't pay attention to the 'other' stuff on their receipts. Heck, there are lots of people that don't pay attention to their receipts at all. So, the next time you go shopping, take a look at your receipt, there just might be something there!

For more awesome tips head on over to Rocks in my Dryer.

Works for me Wednesday - Ready to clean out your car - in an instant!

Do you ever have a little spare time while you're sitting in the car waiting for something? You know, someone, you're really early for an appointment or traffic?? I do a lot and while I am stuck waiting, I wish I could clean out my car but NEVER have a bag in the car to do it with. I thought of this a couple of days ago when I was in this situation. I came up with an easy solution (besides just keeping the car clean..)

If you use paper towels, when you're done with the roll, just take it and stuff it with some of the plastic bags you get from everywhere. Stick the roll under your car seat and you're set for next time! I suppose toilet paper rolls would work as well, you just can't fit as many bags in it.

That's what works for me this week! Want some more great tips? Head on over to Rocks In My Dryer for many more!

Works for me Wednesday - New Year's Eve!

Even though there is no Works for Me Wednesday today, I decided to still do my own (just like last week) It will resume next week - on January 7. Until then.. enjoy!

So, today is New Year's Eve. This was always one of my favorite times to celebrate as a kid. My mom used to leave us at our Grandma's and she would go out for the night. She would give us all our kiss (or 10) and hug and right before she walked out the door, she would always say, "See you next year." and we would reply with, "Mommmm, you say that every time." She would smile and leave.
My Grandma followed the same thing tradition for us every year! She would make colored popcorn (does anyone else remember this?) have a bottle of sparkling grape juice with fancy glasses and have sleeping bags lined up for us in the living room. We didn't watch the countdown - heck, I don't think we ever even made it to midnight but still.. We always watched Fantasia or Grandpa Riaz would take us to Blockbuster so we could pick out a movie.
It's one of my fondest memories of a holiday as a kid. I hope we can create a fun memory like that for Graycen and Parker - minus dropping them off at the sitter's since we're such homebodies, anyway.

Hope you all have a happy and most of all, safe, New Year's Eve and I'll see you next year! ;-)

Works for me Wednesday - Family

Christmas through the eyes of a child such a beautiful thing. It's making me cry right now just thinking about it.

** I'm looking forward to tonight (after all of the festivities) when we will come home and start our new tradition. Graycen can open up 2 presents - one being new jammies and one being a gift that we'll let her choose.

** I am looking forward to tomorrow morning when Graycen wakes up, comes out to the living room and sees the presents under the tree. She will have a rocking chair (which was sent by Grandma to make it here for Christmas morning) assembled next to the tree with a big bow on it!

We really didn't spend a lot on her this year (since she really wouldn't know anyways) but instead we got her lots of inexpensive things and things she will really enjoy. I am feeling extra blessed this Christmas. I mean, we have our health, each other, a place to live, David has a job and we have food to eat. We're not well-off, by any means, but we have enough to live our little family life. I feel so blessed to have two beautiful, healthy children and a husband that loves me. I feel blessed to have so much family that loves us and supports us in whatever decision we decide to make. I feel blessed to have the money to be able to give Graycen presents for Christmas.
Ok - I'm back to crying again. I think it's time to stop this post now. I hope everyone has a wonderful, special, family and love filled holiday.
What do you know - Parker is crying and ready for me to get him.

Merry Christmas!

Works for me Wednesday - Remember to use your coupons!

Are you a coupon clipping, bargain hunting, list maker when it comes to your shopping? Hey, so am I! Every week I sit down with the grocery circulars and my coupons to plan my meals and my shopping. I clip and use so many coupons. Lately, though, I have been forgetting to use the coupons that made my "deals" actual deals. One night on the way home from the grocery store, I thought of a solution to my problem!

Paper clip the coupons to my check card (the only way I ever pay for groceries) OR to the back of my grocery list. This way when I get to the checkout I can't forget to use them! It was a couple of weeks ago when I did this for the first time and I have done it every time since and what do you know, it has worked!

Saving money on my groceries? That works for me!

To check out more ideas, head on over to Rocks in my Dryer.

Works for me Wednesday - Don't forget to put a new bag in there!

It seems like every time I clean the bathroom and pull the plastic garbage bag (from stores that only give you plastic - like Super America and the like) out of the trash can, I happen to forget to put a new one in there. Well, to solve the problem of forgetting, I cram as many bags underneath the current one as possible. So - when I remove the full bag all I have to do is pull a new, clean one out of the bottom and insert it into the can!

It's a small thing, but hey - it works for me!

For more great ideas, head on over to Rocks in my Dryer!

Works for me Wednesday - Recycled Gift Basket Stuffing

This week's works for me Wednesday tip was submitted by my friend, Cindy. I thought it was a great idea and decided to post it for her!

"I've made gift baskets a lot in the past and have always bought the stuffing that goes in the bottom of the basket. I always thought it was a waste of money. But, a couple of years ago, I'd forgotten to buy that stuff and I needed something. I took some brown paper bags and ran it through my shredder. It took quite a few, but I made enough shredding for stuffing! Everybody raved about the idea -- and it was free!"

Thanks for the awesome tip, Cindy! Just another way to be frugal and THAT works for me!
To check out more great ideas, visit Rocks in my Dryer.

Works for me Wednesday - Black Friday Shopping

With Black Friday being at the end of this week, I bumped my original post for this one. It's a double whammy, a 2 for one, a buy one get one free... OK, you get the point.

** The other day, I was talking to ma. She was telling me about how she was getting ready for black Friday by perusing the ads and printing out pictures of everything she wants to buy and putting the pictures in an envelope for each store. Immediately I thought it was a great idea and told her she should do a WFMW but she said, "You can go ahead and do it." So, I am posting this for her. I thought it was a great idea that just might help out AT LEAST one person!

** Unfortunately, I am unable to participate in the black Friday shopping this year. We just don't have the money. There are other things, more important things, that we are saving for this year. We were able to get Christmas presents for Graycen and Parker and that's it. Small year. Oh well, that's not the topic of this post!

I wanted to let you all in (well, those of you that aren't aware) on a secret. You can look at the ads for black Friday today! Go here to see them. The stores are on the left hand side. If you want to look at a picture of what the ad is listing, click on the camera.

Hope I could help someone! To see more awesome posts, head on over to Rocks in My Dryer.

Works for me Wednesday - Getting the ickies out of the microwave

This is the super easy way to clean your microwave out. I remember learning this tip on an old episode of Martha Stewart. I can't imagine her microwave ever gets messy, though.
Here's what you do:

• Fill a microwave safe glass or dish with water and put it in the microwave.
• Set the microwave for two minutes, three or four if it's really bad!
• Take a rag and wipe down the walls. Don't forget to do the ceiling of the microwave either.

For more awesome tips, head on over to Rocks in My Dryer.

Works for me Wednesday - No More Icky Sponges

If you're a sponge user, like I am, then you know how icky smelling they get after awhile. I have a quick and easy solution to get the icky smell out of your sponges and get them clean at the same time. You get the sponge wet, put it in the center of your microwave, set the timer for 2 minutes and push start. In two minutes you will have a better smelling, clean, sponge.

*NOTE: The sponge will be VERY hot!!!! You will either want to wait to remove it or use something to pick it up.

Another thing that works (instead of the microwave trick) is putting your sponge in the dishwasher when you run a load. I don't know if it kills the bacteria like the microwave does, but it does get it clean and non-stinky!

For more great tips, head on over to Rocks In My Dryer.

Works for me Wednesday - Repurposing Bread Bags & Newspaper Bags

Just last week I thought of a way to reuse the plastic bags your newspaper is delivered in and the ones your loaves of bread are packaged in. Since we don't have a diaper genie or a separate trash can for diapers around here, sometimes you have really, really stinky ones to toss. Our trash goes out every other day, if not every day, but still. I don't want the stink lingering on throughout here.
When I had my first baby shower for Graycen, someone had bought me a couple of rolls of little scented, blue bags for putting your diapers in to toss them. I always had them in the diaper bag and made sure to use them when I was at someone else's house or on the go. I remembered this one day when I was tossing the bag from the newspaper in the trash can. I put one bag under the sink in the kitchen and have since started stashing them in that bag. When we have an icky diaper (or wet, peed on clothes from one of the kids I watch) I stick it in the bag and toss it! It keeps my kitchen from smelling like dirty diapers and that's works for me!

For more awesome tips, go check out Rocks In My Dryer.