Happy little life...on purpose

I am a person who is easily influenced by the opinions and thoughts of others.  Watching Reality TV gets me fired up! I absorb people's emotions when talking in conversation. I am trying to turn this quality, that I consider to be empathy, into a strength. So until I have harnessed this, I have decided to stop reading other's blogs, watching dramatic shows, being around people who's opinions and thoughts aren't in line with who I am trying to be. Instead, I am putting the blinders on in so many words. Until I get to the place where I am confident in my own opinions again, I am going to submerge myself in things I want to improve in my life. I am going to be reading Dave Ramsey's books, my scriptures, uplifting books like Byron Katie, and Joel Osteen. I am going to be watching wholesome movies and TV shows that uplift me and make me feel better. I am going to be learning to organize my home and keep it clean and orderly. I am going to basically get out the junk that has been piling up around me and inside me. I will take you with me and update you on what I am learning! Should be fun!!

Laundry Tackling

I have always hated the chore of laundry! I love the smell of warm clean clothes from the dryer, but I hate the process!!! So here are some tips I have to make life easier in this department.


#1 Keep it separated! I have these laundry baskets from the dollar store for each child.

I attach a lingere bag that zips to the front of each basket with clothes pins; this is where the socks go. Then I can just zip the bag wash and dry them and NEVER LOSE A SOCK TO THE LAUNDRY MONSTER EVER!!! I only buy white socks so now worries of the dreaded red sock bleeding problem! I get these mesh lingere bags at Walmart for $1 in the section that has ironing boards and drying racks.

I just dump the whole Laundry Basket into the washer because the kids clothes all pretty much have the same colors in them. If there is a red or hot pink I am worried will run I toss them in with Rob's and My stuff. For Rob an I, I just have the old three compartment sorter and sort darks colors and whites.


#2 Saving on Detergent. I have read a lot about homemade detergent and weather it was worth the hassel. I was buying on sale or with coupons and getting detergent for about $.07-$.10 per load wich I thought was pretty good. Then,I found out that a grated bar of soap and some washing soda (not baking soda) mixed equal parts does the trick. You don't REALLY need the Borax because it is ineffective in cold water. Who knew? So just equal parts mixed and use about 3TBSP per load will do the trick. This method is about $.02 per load!!! You still need to pretreat stains. For Whites, just use Dollar store Oxiclean

Or just use 1/2 Cup Hydrogen Peroxide in the bleach compartment. I still use Downy fabric softner and a Bounce dryer bar I will confess! I just can't give up that smell.....


#3 Making clothes last. Reuse what isn't dirty. Jeans, most pants, towels, PJ's can all be used more than one time. Air dry what you can. I have a drying rack that I dry blankets, and Ava's Dresses on. I hang her dresses on a hanger then on the rack. Things I don't want wrinkly, I just put in the dryer for a short time and then hang on the rack. Use the lowest heat possible.


#4 DON'T let it build up! We have about ten to twelve loads of Laundry per week (hoping there are no bed wetting or sickness going around)three for me and Rob, 1 for each child, 1 for towels, one for cleaning rags and the mop head, and bedding for each bed. That is too much to tackle in one day!!! I have had to learn to put a load in right when I wake up and then to fold and PUT AWAY right out of the dryer. Otherwise, I am going to have one LONG WASTED Saturday!!!


What are you favorite laundry tricks?

Operation Order!

So I since being married, I have never found a groove I loved. I was always waiting until we had a real house to decorate, organize, etc. I decided this has been a lot of the grief I have been suffering. I need order. I need my home to feel like a home. I need organization. So I have been revamping and putting systems in place. I have some great neighbors that have given us things they weren't using anymore and I am loving the order and homeyness that is happening! I will be posting pictures soon! I have been using old boxes you get from thing like amazon deliveries, costco sized food, etc. to organize our drawers and cupboards. I am trying to not spend unnecessary money to save up for Disneyland in the spring. This has caused me to get creative!!! Overall I am getting on top of the chaos and it feels awesome!!

Wh. wh... wh.. Weight LOSS!

I know you have heard it a lot of times from this lil mouth. I am gearing up to continue this weight loss BATTLE!!! We are going to DISNEYLAND in the spring and I DO NOT want to attempt that at this weight! So what better motivation then not wanting to DIE on splash mountain??? Please join me as I document this journey! As for your participation??? Don't bring me cookies, cakes, chocolate, delicousness of ANY kind! I know I will want it and ask but PLEASE, Even if I beg! JUST DON'T do it!!! As an added bonus, I am not cutting or COLORING my hair until then! AHHH WHAT??? I figured if I have that ANNOYING constant reminder of my goal, I will get my booty in gear! So sorry neighbors, if you feel the earth move, Know I am working my Booty off!!! Anyone wanna join in on the fun??? Ok Well here is my Motivation Song of the week! Love you all!!!

Yummy Tacos!

I made these little goodies for dinner! Yum! Make them tonight! You won't regret it!

Image and Recipe from Live Big with Ali Vincent Ingredients •1 package (1lb) extra lean ground turkey • 1 can El Pato (Taco Sauce) • Ground Cumin • Pico de Gallo seasoning • 3 cups finely chopped Red Cabbage • 1 cup cilantro • 1-2 diced jalepenos • 1 chopped onion • 1 lime • Salt • Pepper Directions For Taco Meat: Brown turkey then add 1 can El Pato simmer adding Cumin and Pico de Gallo seasoning to taste For Slaw: Mix all chopped ingredients in bowl, add juice from lime, salt and pepper to taste. Put four ounces of meat in a low calorie corn tortilla, top with slaw, avocado slices and enjoy! 2 Tacos = 295 calories

IAAMMMMBBAAACCCKKK!

Howdy! I am back after oh what a over a year break! You know sometimes you gotta take yourself out of the game and reorganize and reassess your life folks! So What happened in the time i had off? Oh well, we moved, had a darling baby, and grew older!!! We have some super fun changes coming up so I decided to dust this old blog off and start documenting this stuff!! Join me won't you???

That is my yummy baby! Isn't she darling!!! Her name is Amelia we call her baby la-la, mookie, mimi, and mia girl!!! We are all pretty smitten!!! Stay tuned for more fun from the LeMasters!!!