Homemade Laundry Detergent

Recipe (small batch):

1 cup Fels-Naptha Soap (grated)

1/2 cup Borax

1/2 cup Super Washing Soda

I use my kitchen aid attachment to grate the soap, which goes pretty quick.  I can imagine grating this by hand would be the biggest pain.  After I grated 1 bar of soap, I measured it, and I got about 4 cups worth out of 1 bar.  To make a large batch I do the following:

3 bars Fels-Naptha Soap (grated)

1 box Super Washing Soda

6 cups Borax

Use the following measurements in your washer:
small load: 1 tablespoon
normal load:  2 tablespoons
heavy load: 3 tablespoons

I know this sounds like it is not enough to clean your clothes, but it really is!  After washing our towels and cloth diapers in this detergent, it has taken out any smells that were in them.  Allen and I have been using this detergent for two months now and absolutely LOVE it!  It keeps our darks dark and our whites white.  The detergent smells SO strong, but with such a little amount in the washer, your clothes smell so clean!  We have noticed our towels and bedding feels so much softer with this detergent than when we used tide and fabric softener.  We will never go back to buying store bought laundry detergent again!

We purchased these items at Walmart in the laundry isle.  Here are the breakdown of costs:

Fels-Naptha Soap: $0.97/bar

Borax: $2.98

Super Washing Soda: $2.33

I believe those were the prices I paid.  I roughly calculated the cost per load.  I figure we will get 192 normal loads out of the large batch recipe.  I am guessing I used about 42 oz of Borax, so with the left over borax I figured it cost me $6.88 for the large batch...which breaks down to $0.035/load.  That is amazing!

(I will make another large batch soon and really figure out 100% accurate costs per load)

Happy Halloween

I hope everyone had a great Halloween.  I know we did!  We had costumes planned for us, and then the last week of October we had to change them...so I had to think quick.  The next few days were spent making a couple trips to the fabric store, desinging patterns for the costumes, and sewing all night long.  My sewing machine even broke half way through and had to call my sister in law at 10:00 at night to borrow hers.  I was so exhausted when I finally went to bed at 3:30 in the morning.

On Friday we went to Allen's work party which is always a treat.  We all wore our costumes and went trick or treating around the school and then had a cafe rio party.  Always delicious.  Then, since Halloween is on a Sunday this year, Utah makes Halloween on Saturday.  Pretty convenient! :)  So on Saturday I worked until 2:30 then came home and had pizza.  We then went trick or treating for 2 hours.  Riley was so cute!  He was such a trooper and didn't cry once.  We were so proud of him.

Riley is obsessed right now with Dr. Seuss...so I felt it only appropriate to dress up as Thing 1, Thing 2, and the Cat in the Hat.  He was so excited when he saw what he was dressed as.  I brought him into the bathroom and he got the biggest smile on his face when he saw himself in the mirror.  Gosh he is so cute!  I had a lot of fun making our three costumes this year, and even happier that I didn't even spend $20.  So proud!  I am already so excited for next year.

Talking child

Holy cow!!! Riley is starting to talk so much. I am just shocked at all the words he learns almost daily. He is so fun, and so cute. I just love this kid. A few days ago he started something new, which I think is so funny. When he goes to the bathroom, he points to his diapers and exclaims, "Poo Poo!!!!" It is just the funniest thing ever. I just love how much he talks.

I started training in Orem last week for custom framing. I am really enjoying it a lot! It seriously beats being a cashier. My favorite thing to do it cutting the glass, and stretching canvas. I seriously love gallery wrap canvas's and now I know how to make them! So fun!

I really have nothing to write about and am just rambling...so I am just going to stop now...okay...

I love life

Life has been crazy busy every since I started working again.  I feel like I never see Allen anymore.  We get about 30 minutes a day together now and it is just sad.  He gets home from work at 2:15 and I leave for work at 2:45.  In between that time, we spend it eating dinner together....yes, I know, it is WAY too early.  But that is our only time to eat dinner, so we do what we need to.  I feel like my days consist of waking up, getting ready, getting Riley ready, playing with him for a little bit, and then making dinner.  That is all I have time for anymore.  Then I go to work and am there until 10ish.  By the time I get home, Allen is ready to go to bed.  It is really hard, but we make it work.  We never see our friends anymore, which is really sad.  We are just busy working and Allen going to school.  Life can be so crazy sometimes.

No matter how busy life is, I am really enjoying it.  I am having fun spending the time I have with Riley.  He just makes me smile all day...I love that kid!  Heavenly Father knows how hard we are trying to make life work, and he has really blessed us so much.  I am grateful to have already been promoted at work and gotten a raise.  That makes me so happy.  I am so grateful for everything around me.

I love my family.  I love the weather.  I love life!

Well overdue

It is pretty sad how long it has been since I have blogged. Sorry! I don't even know if anybody even checks this anymore. What is new with us? Well, let me tell you!

Allen started classes again. He is working his way to the fire academy right now. He is taking the EMT course right now and working really hard to get back into shape. After he finishes that class, he has a couple more of his generals to take, and then he is headed to the fire academy. Even though I would never choose this career choice for him, I am proud of him for finding something I know he loves and would be good at. He is really enjoying his class right now and that makes me really happy.

Allen is also working still, but much less than he used to. I started working again about a month and a half ago. I am so happy that I did. I feel much happier than I used to. It is nice to get out, stay busy, feel valuable, and also meet new people. I have seriously had a blast! I have already been promoted to do custom framing. I am still waiting to hear if I will also be a department manager or not. My manager really likes me and wants me to do both positions, but he is also nervous to give me two positions when there are other workers who also applied to the position. So we will see. I start training next week for custom framing. I am so excited to learn how to make really nice frames, cut glass and mats...and just learn something new. I have just recently started knitting and crocheting again. I forgot how much I loved doing it before. My sister was in town awhile ago and wanted to crochet a baby beanie, and since then I can't stop. :) I sure am having fun, and I feel like Riley and I have more patience with each other now. I just love this kid of mine!

Riley is super adorable, but also a major pill. He has recently become very active and can not sit still. He is getting into things much more and loves to make messes on purpose. He climbs up everything and is now also climbing out of his crib. Riley is really talking a lot more and I feel so bad for him. I can tell how hard he is trying to communicate and gets frustrated that we don't understand. He says a lot of words now so it is nice knowing what he wants. My favorite thing he says is thank you. He says it so cute, I just love it. He still adores our dog and asks for him all the time. Riley has just recently started to sit down and watch cartoons. He wanted NOTHING to do with the TV before, but now he loves it. When he hears music, he dances. When he hears clapping, he claps. It is so cute the little things he does. He used to eat everything we gave him, and now he only wants to eat bread. He wont eat anything else. He is still having reactions to milk and is now drinking goats milk...gross!

I think that's about all we are up to. I am just enjoying the stage we are in and wouldn't trade it in for the world. I just adore my family!

The value of a dollar

I have learned so much since I have been married.  Having a husband in school and having a young child, money is tight.  I used to spend money like you can't believe.  I thought it grew on trees.  I was terribly mistaken!  I decided to get into couponing awhile ago.  I would have never known that everything I needed and more, that I could get for free.  The first month, I was buying a ton because I thought getting body wash for $2 was a good deal.  Wow, I was wrong.  I only look for free stuff now.  Everything I get, I either get for free...or I make money off of.  Like, for example...my coupon trip from this Monday to Rite Aid.  Here it is:

I got all of this for free, but I actually made $0.28...so Rite Aid paid me to take all this product.  There are 3 boxes of laundry detergent in that picture by the way.  Later that day I went to Walgreens and got 21 packs of gum for free...and can go back on Friday to get 15 more packs.  

I am just shocked at the value of a dollar.  I used to think you couldn't buy anything for a dollar...I was so wrong.  I am so happy to learn how to be so frugal.  I have a hard time spending money now.  It is hard for me to go pay for anything now....I just think about everything I could be getting for that money.  I am just grateful for everything I have learned.

I am grateful for the opportunities that couponing has given me.  I now feel like I have done my part as a mother and wife to provide for my family.  My husband brings home the money, and I do everything I can to prepare our family for the tough times we may have ahead of us.  I have been so overstocked on so much, I have felt a little overwhelmed.  I decided to call my Relief Society president and ask her if she knew of some people in our ward that was struggling and could use a gift basket of goodies to help them out a little bit.  She said there were 2 families in our ward who were really having a hard time right now.  So I have put together 2 baskets full of everything from all beauty supplies, to dish soap, cleaning supplies, medicine, air fresheners, etc.  I am just so happy that not only have I been able to help out my family, but help out others as well.

I am so grateful!  So grateful for everyone who has helped me and supported me through my crazy shopping trips.  I just love how something as little as couponing has taught me so much.

I just love it.

Life

Today has been great.  It is Allen and my 2 year anniversary.  It is crazy how in those two years, we have lived in three places, had a son, and bought a dog.  It has been an eventful, and crazy two years.  I love my husband so much.  I am so happy with the choices I made.  I know that everything I have been through has brought me to where I am today.  I am so grateful for my little family and am so excited to see what's ahead of us!

I love you babe!

Mission bound

My little brother Brandon went into the MTC this morning.  It was such a great experience.  My brother is such a stud.  He just loves the gospel so much.  I am so proud of him, you have no idea.  What a wonderful missionary he will be.

He is in the Provo MTC for the next 9 weeks and then is off to the Paraguay Asuncion Mission.  He is speaking Spanish.

I can't even explain the love I have for this kid.  He is one of my very best friends.  I enjoyed our last few minutes together sitting in the back seat of the car.  I will miss him so much, but am so excited for this new chapter in his life.  It is so hard to know he is back here in Provo, just down the street...but this time I cannot see or talk to him.

I love you so much Brandon!  See you in two years!

We got a dog!

I have never had a dog before.  We went to the animal shelter on Saturday and adopted a dog.  We named him Koda, and he is a pure bred, short hair, black and brown dachshund.  He is just the cutest thing ever and for sure the best dog in the world.  He just lays on the floor next to me all day long and keeps me company.  He never barks, and he is SOOO friendly.  Riley just adores him already.  All morning he would walk around following the dog.  Riley loves to pet him and say "hi" to him.  We just love our new dog so much!  

Car rides

Since Riley is forward facing now, he is just so much fun in the car.  He loves to talk to me while I drive.  He also looks in the rearview mirror and makes funny faces at me.  This morning I was out doing my typical Monday morning (couponing) and we were driving back.  I had some music going, and he just started rocking out to it.  He was head banging to the beat of the music.  Oh my gosh, it was the funniest thing I may have ever seen.  I just love that kid of mine.  He is so much fun.  And, in case you are curious what goods I got this week, here you go!

Even AFTER all the sale prices, all of this would have cost $59.16 + tax.  I only paid $0.47 + tax.  Woohoo!  I just love couponing.  So fun! 

The dreaded chicken pox

Riley woke up this morning with the chicken pox.  I feel so terrible for him.  He is covered on his stomach, back, neck, and face.  His fever still hasn't broke.  He is miserable.  It is hard as a mother to sit back and watch him like this.  I just wish I could make it all better!  We were supposed to go camping with our ward this weekend, and now we cant.  We were also supposed to speak in Sacrament this Sunday...and now we can't.  Bummer about the camping...but not bummer about the talks :)

On a happier note I went shopping at Rite Aid yesterday morning.  I walked out with all of this beauty for free!

Oh, and I made $3.17 too!  I love when the store pays me to take their product.  Thanks Rite Aid...you rock!

A good day

Today has been a good day!  Great morning couponing...then taking care of a sick child and hubby.  Now I am going to go make some cookies and figure out what to make for dinner.  Then later tonight I am getting together with some friends to watch the Bachelorette and help them organize their coupons.  Fun day!

My baby is so sick

Poor little Riley. I feel so horrible for him. He wasn't eating well all today and I thought nothing of it. We had to go to Winco tonight to get him some more milk and stuff, and he was totally fine. Normally when he is in a shopping cart, he just gets so excited and happy. Not this time. He just sat there still and so quiet. We put him in the car and the whole drive he just sat there and wouldn't move. He was a little whiny at first and then just went quiet. When we got home, I went to get him out of his car seat. He was covered in thick green throw up. He just sat there starring at me. I felt so horrible for him. He was burning up. His skin was so hot is was unbelievable. We took him inside, cleaned him up, and then he sat on daddy's lap on the couch. I just can't believe how sick he is. He is completely lethargic. I hope he feels better soon. I just love this little boy of mine!

Balancing

Riley is a crack up. For the past 20 minutes, he has been walking around the house balancing clothes on his head. When they fall off, he hurries and puts them back on his head and continues to walk around. I just love this kid so much.

I love my family

Today, I am just so grateful for my family. I just love Riley and Allen so much. They mean the world to me. Yesterday, one of my best friends had a baby. All last night I was just so excited for her. I remembered exactly what it was like in the hospital with my new baby. Children change our lives. I couldn't help but sit here and think about how our lives have changed since we had Riley. Riley is the happiest little boy who just loves life. I absolutely love him. He is only just over a year old, but he has taught Allen and I so much. I love Riley's laugh. I love his smile. I love his kisses. I love his personality. I love his cute little face. I love everything about him.

I am so grateful for Allen. I am grateful for his love and kindness. He works so hard for our family, and I am so grateful. Last night we just laid there cuddling and talking. I could lay in his arms forever. He makes me feel so safe in his arms. We sat there talking about fun times when we were dating. We laughed about fun little things we could go do now. I am so grateful to have Allen in my life. I love him so much. I can't even imagine what my life would be like without marrying him. He has given me the most adorable little boy. I am forever grateful.

Big boy carseat

So on Monday we switched Riley to a big boy carseat. Boy does that kid love it. We didn't have money for a really nice one so we had to get like the cheapest one from Walmart. It was either that or take money out of our savings, so we went cheap. Allen had bought my a food processor from there for my birthday in March and the motor went out after one time of using it. So we returned the broken food processor and got Riley a big boy carseat instead.

When we put him in it he was so excited. He couldn't stop smiling and kicking his legs. He kept making noises for us to turn around and when we did, he would freak out. It may have been the cutest thing I have ever seen. I just love that kid more than I could ever say.

I didn't know how much he weighed so I never switched him to a new carseat. Well last Friday my sister in law Maria took him and stood him on her scale and he was 21 pounds...which means he could now go forward facing. He just stood there on the scale smiling so big. It was just so cute.

A fresh start

I was inspired today by Shelli. She wrote a blog post about how she has become embarrassed by what her blog has become (I absolutely loved it by the way)...she felt like she went from talking about her family to talking about all the stories when she was angry or hurt. She said that she wants to use her blog for what it used to be.

I have too done this with my blog. I used to use my blogs for a diary. I used to talk about what was going on in our lives and post pictures. I now only blog every once in awhile and only about coupons, designs, give-aways, etc. This is not what our blog is for. From here on out, I will try and be better. I want to track our lives of what they are. I haven't taken a picture of Riley for MONTHS. I haven't written down all the funny things he does. I will be better.

I am starting over with my blog. I gave it a new look, and now I will be better about my posts. Here we go!

Crappy butter

So Allen's family is coming into town today. We are all going to his sister's house for dinner tonight. I am in charge of dessert. I decided on chocolate dipped eclairs. Here is my story:

Just over a month ago, I purchased this butter. I tried making cookies with it. They sank. I was so confused. Again about a week later, I tried baking a different kind of cookies. I used the same butter. They sank. What the heck is up with that butter. It sucks. I forgot about the butter...until today. I made my eclairs. They were in the oven and they looked soooo yummy. They were all puffy and golden brown. I went to check on them again. I opened the door and they had sank. Ahhhh. I looked at the wrapper from the butter that I used....it was the same piece of crap butter. Now my eclairs are flat and are pieces of crap. They do taste yummy, they just look nasty. Dinner is in an hour and a half. I don't know what I am going to do for dessert now. Oh no. What to do....the clock is a tickin'....

Today

Today is May 24th. It is snowing outside. Yes, you read that right. It is nasty out there. Where is my sun?

Last night LOST ended. It was a devastating time in my life. Not really. But I miss it already. I was disappointed in the ending. Even though it makes sense, it still doesn't. I still have questions. I am not happy to see the best show gone. I loved it. Oh well.

The Bachelorette starts tonight. I don't know if I will like this season, but I will still watch.

Riley is cute as can be. I love my child with all my heart.

I miss Allen. I wish he was home playing with Riley and I since I am locked inside this house because of the weather.

Lauren is having her baby soon and I am sick of waiting. :)

I am trying to figure out what to do for dinner so I can defrost whatever I need to. I'm thinking maybe Mongolian Beef....I don't know.

Allen got me a gift card to a salon for mother's day. I am getting my hair cut and eye brows waxed...but I can't seem to find a babysitter. Hopefully I can for sometime this week.

I heart my boy

Can I just tell you that I love being a mommy. I love it so much. I love checking on Riley right before I go to bed each night. I feel like my heart sings every time I look at him sleeping. I love his huge smiles when he sees me in the morning. I love that he gives me huge kisses. I love his huge personality. I love his face when he sees his toys go off making the noises they make. I love when one of his toys (who speaks) says "Bye" and Riley turns to it and waves and says "BYE!" I love that when I take off his diaper he gets up and runs away real quick before I can put the new diaper on him. I love how happy he gets when his daddy gets home. I love how he watches us in his "window spot" each time we go outside and he waves at us until we get back inside. I love how every morning he picks his "spot" to drink his bottle for the rest of the day. I love everything about him. He is just the cutest kid and brings Allen and I so much joy. Thanks little bug! I love him so much.