Homemade Laundry Soap.

One thing I started doing to save money was make my own liquid laundry soap. I love this idea not only because I save some green, but because I am being green! :) I really save quite a bit by doing this. It makes 10 gallons and does 180 loads for a top loader. Thought I would share the recipe I have with you. I will post a picture of what I made today later.

Homemade Liquid Laundry Soap- Front or top load machine- best value

4 Cups - hot tap water


1 Fels-Naptha soap bar


1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*


½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

*Arm & Hammer "Super Washing Soda" - in some stores or may be purchased online here (at Meijer.com). Baking Soda will not work, nor will Arm & Hammer Detergent - It must be sodium carbonate!!

Personal tips. I have found that if you boil the water before you put in the soap it melts faster and you have less sticking to the pot.

Coupons

I have been couponing for about four months. It has been a fun experiance so far. I save any where from 25$ to 90$ on a grocery trip. I haven't been taught this, I started from scratch. I am not like those people you see on TV buying things I dont use. I have recently bought a ton of body wash that will last me well into next year, but those are things that we will use and I paid 25 cents to nothing (free) for those. I am really glad that now I dont have to go out to get food every week, I have enough in my kitchen (if I wanted). I encourage you to get your Sunday paper and cut the coupons, look through the grocery ads and find what you can for cheaper or free. There are billion websites out there for helping you to learn to coupon and find great deals. here are a few.

http://www.southernsavers.com/

http://moneysavingmom.com/

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

Here are some site that give good coupons, check them out too.

http://www.kraftfirsttaste.com/default.aspx

http://www.coupons.com

http://freebies4mom.com/

http://www.armandhammer.com/solutions/solution-7/Deodorize-Diaper-Pails.aspx

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/coupons

http://www.earthsbest.com/special-offers/earths-best-coupons

http://www.dole.com/Default.aspx#/home

Almost any brand, you can go to there website and sign up to get coupons.

Been almost a month!

As much as I like bloging. I always find something else that needs to be done. House work, kids stuff, me stuff, lazy stuff. In any case I am not much of a writer either, but isn't that the fun of a blog, not having to be perfect.

Weston left last Friday and is back in the sand box. We had an amazing time together as a family and just the two of us. Time didn't go to fast, but I still didn't want him to leave. I thought of the many things I still wanted to do but didn't get do to the day before he was leaving. I didn't take as many picture as I would have liked. I would have liked to cook more and be able to just do more. But that would need more time as well which we did not have. I miss him so much already and it is only been four days. Seems so much longer! Love you tons Weston, and We are all excited to see you soon.

We are so close.

Weston should be arriving home June 1st, that is next Wednesday. He should be home for 15 days before he has to return back to the sandbox. We are taking a three day trip just the two of us when he first arrives, the kids wont even see him, and we are both SOOOO excited. We are headed to Charleston SC. I can't believe it has been 10 months since he has left. In some ways it doesn't seem so bad, but then I start to think about all that has gone on and everything that has changed, I really can't believe it has been almost a year. I can't wait to have my husband back with me and in our home for good. The kids miss him so much, and there are times I don't even feel married, I just get to talk to my best friend everyday. Sounds weird right?

I few days after we get back from our trip we are taking the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge in Charlotte. it should be a ton of fun. boy oh boy am I looking forward to having him home for a little while. Come on Wednesday get here really fast!!!

Oh but to make things just a little annoying and frustrating, my period started this morning. A little late, but at least it should be gone by his arrival!! Gosh darn hormones!!!

My pink princess

Yesterday I thought Erica was dressed pretty cute, so I took her into the guest room and took pictures. I had a bunch of fun spending time with my little princess.

My wonderful kids. The other day we went out for a walk in our unfinished neighborhood. It was in the mid 90's but it wasn't so bad because there was a nice breeze. Were all quite hot when we returned home.

The are are some Mothers day pictures we got taken by a friend. I really liked them. what do you think?

Westons new car. But i get to drive it tell he gets home. this was a fun afternoon.

Potty trained and attitudes, OH MY!!!

I am about to go nuts with excitement and frustration! Erica is now potty trained and sleeps in underwear with no problems. But she is also getting an attitude. She like to tell me no and be stubborn. she isn't eating much, and all of these things drive me nuts.

I am also not good with little sleep, so if I choose to go to bed late it is my fault, but what is worse is me going to bed late and then a child waking up early and not wanting to go back to bed. So Monday I took a quick hour nap, but then that night I could not fall asleep and was awake till a little after midnight, then Weston called and wanted to ask a question about our bank. So I didn't manage to get sleep till after 1. AHHH then Erica woke at 4:30 ish I was so not in a good mood. if you know me well, you know I am not a very nice person when I have little sleep. and that means my children suffer. Sorry kids!

Eight months and counting!

We are still in our long and hard deployment and I am ready for it to be over. My kids ask for daddy all the time and I long for the day I can have him hold me again. Though I have learned and experienced many things thus far, I would rather not have to go through it.

I am still thinking and dealing with the choice of wanting another baby, do I , don't I . harder then you might think. Do I go for a career and continue to just be a stay at home home.

there are times I wish we didnt buy such a large home. I hate cleaning it!

But my kids are amazing, and there are times I think about what troopers they have both been. pretty sure I have had a harder time with this then them.