I have been making my own laundry soap. It only costs me about $10 for a 6 month supply. nm

Anyone know other ways of making at-home money sm [2008-09-03]
I have been transcribing for over 12 years - and I do like the profession and I am grateful that it has allowed me to stay home with my children. But I am getting sort of burned out....and want to do something different for a while at home. Have been looking at all sorts of online sites that advertise working from home but I don I know this is an MT site but does anyone do anything other than MTing that has been successful? I am thinking of maybe doing MTing part-time to stay up-to-date with it, and doing something else part-time, or maybe just taking a break from MTing for a while altogether. Any ideas would be appreciated.

I understand some parents don't supply stuff- sm [2008-08-03]
but what is wrong with regular pencils, a whole lot cheaper than mechanical. I would buy some extra of those no problem, but $21 for pencils is a bit too much. In theory the teacher keeps each kids supplies in their own box at our school, so the supplies really are for my kid and not others, they supply their own note paper, markers, pencils, folders, notebooks, crayons, etc. I am sure some things end up in a general grab box for everyone, like the pencils and construction paper. I just remember when I went to school, all we needed was a few pencils in grade school.....as we got older, folders and a notebook, pens and pencils. Now you need ever little thing. The big thing was back to school clothes not supplies. I cannot even buy my kids any new clothes as I am spending it all on supplies, so far $140 and I am not done, plus it would be $11 more if I bought all the required pencils.

I keep mine in the laundry room also [2008-07-25]
I also have a fat kitty who LOVES to get in there and pretend he's at the beach. I keep a tiny dustpan and broom in there and probably sweep 3 times a day. Sometimes there will be a huge pile of cat litter. Considering he's an indoor kitty and can't seem to find anything else to do, I just let him be and ask him if he had fun!

I was making candied apples... [2008-07-13]
and I stuck my finger in the pot of the candied syrup to see how it tasted... burned the living daylights out of it!! Needless to say, working was miserable for about a week. My daughter, then 12 or so, said, 'Mom, what were you thinking!!!???' Oh yeah, and we-)

I am the queen of making whipped cream... [2008-07-11]
and never using a deep enough bowl (this happens many times mind you) and having whipping cream droplets all over the kitchen and me! Happens every time! Oh and used tomake that awful yam/marshmallow thing at Thanksgiving (hey, my kids loved it!) and placing the bag of marshmallows on the open oven door and melting plastic all over the place.

I put Dawn dish soap in the dishwasher [2008-07-11]
I did not realize laundry soap and dishwasher detergent do not make bubbles. I didn't have any dishwasher detergent so decided to just a few drops of Dawn. Suds came out of the top of the dishwasher and all over the kitchen. For a few drops, it filled the kitchen. You would think it would be easy to clean up but it was terrible. Soap suds can't just be mopped up, especially when they are 3 inches tall. lol

wow you pay 350 a month for a HOUSE? [2008-07-03]
lucky duck, I pay 465 a month for a rented townhouse

Thanks for checking. I did try making my homemade version. [2008-05-22]
Not too bad. Needs a little recipe tweaking, but not too bad. I just made sure not to buy Folger's instant coffee for the recipe

they stopped making Chocolate Cherry Diet Dr. Pepper [2008-05-20]
I feel your pain!!!!

Laundry - brightening whites [2008-05-19]
Over the weekend I went searching for bluing as discussed in the previous thread. No luck finding it so far but have a few more small, independently owned stores to check. However, I did find a whitening agent in the Rit dye section. A little pricey, $2.00 something for 1 load. It worked well on T-shirts and clothing but for some reason it did not seem to work on my towels. They were all in the same load I used a long cycle for it to soak also. I Oh, I also have well water and a softener system if anyone is wondering.

How I make my own laundry soap. . sm [2008-05-13]
The basic ingredients are Borax, Washing Soda, and Fels Naptha. You could also use Ivory soap instead of the Fels Naptha. I also use the Fels Naptha to get out stains by wetting the fabric and rubbing the Fels Naptha directly on the stain. I really like the laundry soap, but it did take a little while to get used to it. It doesn't make hardly any suds and I was worried about whether or not it was doing a good job of cleaning. My DH is very picky, especially about laundry soap. I didn't even tell him I was making my own soap, and he didn't notice! I do put a little bleach (about 2 tablespoons) in with my towels because they never smelled fresh. I had to do this even when I used Tide or Era. We have well water, and our water has an odor sometimes. When I first started using this laundry soap, I would only use it for clothes that weren't heavily soiled. I gradually started using it for everything when I realized that it was doing a pretty good job. It is fun to make and so cheap. I hope it is okay to post links on this website. This is where I got my recipe- http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm

I have been making my own laundry soap. It only costs me about $10 for a 6-month supply. nm [2008-05-12]
xx

Will you come and live with me for a month or so? nm [2008-05-02]
!

I think you are making her point, actually. [2008-04-15]
You describe the wear their exhaustion as a badge of honor syndrome. But I don't think we have it easier that other generations. I don't think we have it harder. It's just relative to the times, roles, etc. And just because your mom sucked it up, others moms may have not. Mothers' little helpers were a lot easier to get back in the day, trust me, and the kids never even knew... Yep, a lot is what we decide as women, but you can't just wake up one day and decide you're going to take control. Once in a cycle of self-abuse or whatever one wants to call it, it's a very hard cycle to break, possible, but not easy...

Got 3 at the local party supply store. I LOVE them. [2008-04-09]
x

Laundry [2008-04-08]
I am thinking about getting a clothes line and hanging clothes outside this summer. The only reason why I never have in the past is because I have numerous allergies and usually try to keep the outside out.With the cost of everything rising and after reading an article about thecost-saving/energy-saving of not running a dry cycle onyour dishwasher and hanging clothes outside to dry Iwant toconsidering it. Does anyone herehave allergies and hang their clothes outside? I am thinkingthat I couldtumble them through the dryer before folding and that might help.

I think you are making a mistake and son will eventually resent you for that (sm) [2008-04-04]
He should at least get a chance and not be held accountable for something someone else did. It is definitely very unfair to him.

There's more to college costs than just [2008-04-03]
the tuition. Parents have a responsibility to their children to see to it that they are educated in a manner that prepares them for a career, not flipping burgers. I know that that wasn You canin the world without some kind of degree and not helping your children with their education is selfish. That He/she can certainly get a part-time job to help with books, living expenses, etc. I see nothing wrong with the child taking out the standard student loan either, but dumping them out the door at 18 with nothing more thana high school education is not being a responsible parent. Perhaps that So many parents don It Judging by your responses, I They obviously had no control over that money that was given to their mother. While my children aren't ready for college yet, one thing I have learned already is that you never stop being a parent.

Is that over the counter. I checked on Zovirax ointment and it costs $180 for a teeny tube. That [2008-03-19]
is crazy and the insurance wont pay a penny.

Just did some laundry [2008-03-15]
Tonight just relaxing, my husband's making his famous chill. My daughter is having a friend over to watch a movie. Tomorrow a little work to do, but otherwise nothing special planned for this weekend.

So send $2 a month. You will be making payments [2008-03-11]
x

Any office supply place, like Office Depot or Staples. Try copyholder instead of typing stand. [2008-02-21]

If she's such a good kid, why stress her more by making her pay [2008-02-19]
for car/gas/insurance? I think that making good grades and having extracurricular school activities are enough. If she has to work also then something might slip, probably her grades. My girls, now 30 and 33, did theater, choir, drill team and we took care of the car. They did not turn out to be slackers. Maybe taking her siblings to school and running errands is enough of a payment.

Instructions for making a no sew fleece blanket - sm [2008-02-18]
http://www.instructables.com/id/No-Sew-Fleece-Blanket_1/?ALLSTEPS

Hey, I just finished making him tostada [2008-02-15]
a while ago, Slim in bed snoring away, I have the house all to myself, he came in after a long hard day at his new job....Couldn't let the boy go hungry now could I. He shared his cheese and wine with me, then the gang came in, drat!! He is a real cool guy. His wife will be arriving from Brazil in two weeks. He hopes to have their apartment set up by then, not too far down the road from us....

it varies [2008-09-05]
for years i had a bowl of oatmeal and a Coke for breakfast - sometimes I still have a bowl of oatmeal but now I always have a cup of coffee, sometimes an egg, sometimes yogurt and a cheese stick. . a couple of times a month on the weekend, we have biscuits and gravy. .

I might also add that... [2008-09-05]
he is diabetic and has high cholesterol and takes his medications when he thinks about it. A one month prescription lasts him 2-3 months.

I'm not really wasting time during the hours [2008-09-05]
that I am awake - it If I could sleep 4 hours a night, I could: - always have the laundry caught up. - always have my house clean. - cook supper each and every night. - keep my flowers weeded and watered. - read at least a half an hour a day. - spend time in devotions and meditation and prayer. - exercise. If I could accomplish these things throughout the week, then I could have each and every weekend FREE!I feel like I could gain my life back if I could somehow figure out this sleep thing. Thanks everybody for your input.

What do you eat for breakfast? [2008-09-05]
Do you change it up, or always eat the same thing? Myself, for years and years and years... I eat a bowl of cheerios! Sometimes I run out and have to have a bagel with peanut butter or something. But I still love cheerios after all this time :) Maybe after a night out and not waking up until 11 or so, we will go eat a big restaurant breakfast of omelets/toast/hash browns, but that's like once a month. Just curious cause I'm getting hungry and was wondering what everyone else does Have a great Friday!!!!

I use a timer [2008-09-04]
so My mom got me into this... when I was home visiting she sat a timer in front of me so I couldn't search the internet until I worked a full hour, or 30 or 45 minutes, whichever I chose. Then I could search for a little while... and then right back to turning the timer on. Maybe you could get up and walk around, or watch some TV or something in your break time. It sounds silly and childish, but it actually works. I'll tell you what thogh, some days are just BAD. I promised myself to try to earn $100.00 every day... I was doing great the first three days of the month and now today im worn out. LOL. plus i blame it on politics and me wanting to follow that stuff... and discovering this board... etc. I hope it gets better for you! and I am not a morning person AT ALL, but if you went to bed earlier do you think it would help? It takes a little while to get on that schedule but im seriously in bed by like 10 and up at 6... i get tired in the middle of the day... but once i got past the first couple with no naps, im finding it easier to get up. Good luck! PS how come so many people view posts but only a few answer!?

The kids may like those choices [2008-09-04]
but I don The salads and baked potatoes are good and probably the spaghetti, but everything else I would worry about. The Chic-Fila delivery is nice but probably should only be once a month. It it's that most of them don't get a nutritional meal at home.

You have a lot to deal with here. I suggest (SM) [2008-09-04]
you take 1 issue at a time. You have a good list started...prioritize based on safety and legal issues. Re the will, POA, etc., download some forms from the internet or buy some...they are widely available. Fill out one of them as a draft, leaving blanks where he needs to give input. Then take it to him, go over it with him, and ask what he wants in the blanks. Then compile a final for him to sign and take him to have it notarized, if needed. Then move on to the next thing on the list. I wouldn't make a big deal out of anything, just make dealing with one thing part of your regular routine when you visit him. Re the house, spend some time making a safe, clean space in it for him to live his daily life...kitchen, one bathroom, to start. Get and install any grab bars or other equipment he might need. Get him a medical alert necklace for his birthday. I found one at WalMart that doesn't require a monitoring service...it dials 9-1-1 in an emergency. This is just a start, but that is what you need to do, just start. I hope some of these suggestions are useful.

My thoughts [2008-09-04]
It literally makes me ill to think of what has happened to her and that there is actually a human being on this planet that would do such a thing. I do believe she is guilty. I don't think many people have any doubt about that. Just trying to understand why someone would harm her and what was going through their minds at the exact time they were doing this. I can't understand it. I remember years ago that Susan Smith (think that's her name) some other poster mentioned her, but I remember when that happened I thought if parents can't handle having kids don't they know how many people would love to have kids. I thought if you can't take having kids anymore then please bring them to a shelter so they will be safe and other families who cannot have children (like me) would be able to adopt these. I don't get why people don't do that. We read and hear on the TV all these very strange things happened. Seeing as I type all day DH reads news and stuff and tells me bout these cases. Some young guy was driving down the road pulled over took his infant son out of the car and either beat him or just killed him. Someone saw this and the guy was saying something about the kid being posessed by satan. Another case some guy through his child off a bridge, some lady drowned her five children, and the latest DH told me about was some guy who was let out of some psychiatric hospital (I think), but went on a killing rampage. Walked into a store and shot a bunch of people, went somewhere else and shot some people, killed a P.O. and others. To bring it back to the story of Casey Anthony and what her mother has done (or not done maybe), but with all the very weird things going on does anyone have any idea why these things are happening. I sit here as a regular person wondering what is happening in the country. I've lived in other countries and sure they have crimes but not like here (as many or as horrendous). Is something going on that we don't know about. I read about the chem trails and wonder what in the world is in the poison that they are pouring on is. Is this what is making some people to absolutely lose their minds. What is wrong with our society.

The news does tend to be bad, true. Put your head back in the sand then. [2008-09-04]
However, see if you can stomach this....2 yr old toddler disappears for a month as her mother appears to party like a 22 year old with no children by the camera's eye. When grandma finally realizes something is amiss upon discovering her daughters abandoned car with the smell of decomposing human tissue in the trunk, the 911 calls begin. Casey Anthony is a deeply disturbed young woman who by all appearances seems to have done away with her beautiful little girl by means of a shovel and gasoline. The truly unfortunate person here is the child, Caylee, whose mother is a monster.

We used Borax [2008-09-03]
We took in a stray cat a couple years ago and ended up with fleas. I wanted something natural and read to sprinkle borax into your carpet (that 100 mule team Borax laundry booster stuff) let it set in a little while then vaccum. It did work for us because we didn't have any fleabites after that. We also bug bombed the place and combed her hair until she had no more fleas and started using the flea stuff liquid you use once a month. Have not had fleas since.

How the heck [2008-09-03]
Call me dumb but I have to ask before I try this. You put the dandruff shampoo on your face? and is this a 3-step process, rinsing between, or you put it all on together? How often do you do this once a week, a month?

Thanks so much for this. [2008-09-03]
I am definitely going to try this out!!! I get my breakouts right around that time of the month and just as they are clearing up, it is that time again LOL and the cycle continues. Going to get the scrub and a new bottle of peroxide tonight LOL!!!!!

You should be complaining to the school.. [2008-09-03]
Our SENIORS in high school were complaining at least 3 years ago about how much they hated the fact that they couldn't even have a single soda all year in school. Our vending machines only have sandwiches, lowfat pretzels, baked chips, juice and Propel (the Gatorade water). I think your school needs to be making some better choices.

Good for you:-) We have a wonderful... [2008-09-03]
lunch lady as well. She works hard to make everything healthy and enjoyable for the kids. I donbonus for making it under the lowest budget, but she does a great job managing the food for our children---and we really do appreciate it!!

I have 2 children in middle school (5th and 6th) grade. sm [2008-09-03]
They have 4 different lines they can choose from. They have the regular line; the Mexi/Itali line which has spaghetti, raviolis, tacos, etc, the sub line which has sub sandwiches, baked potatos and salads; and the the fast food line which has popcorn chicken, steak fingers, etc. They also offer sports drinks, ice cream, tea etc. Our school website is set up where I can view what they have for lunch on a daily basis and so if I see them making a bad choice, I can discuss it with them. Might want to suggest something like this to your school officials.

A different approach [2008-09-02]
This is what I would do and why. First I can see all the posters points of view and if I was my mother I would probably be mad and argue. However, I have learned over time that arguments like this sometime (and I say sometimes) are not worth it. My mom and her husband would fight and fight and fight just so one could say they won. Sometimes something like this is best to just let go (wears much easier on the nerves). However, with that if it was me I would sit down with my husband and explain to him that I was upset because I didnmore of a man than he is and give him a kiss and a hug. I would also then suggest maybe an alternative way of getting gas and that would be to fill both cars up whenever they get to 1/4 tank and go half & half on whatever the cost. My dad told me you get more gas for your money if you fill it up rather than little amounts here and there. So, that is what I would do.

Need advice again - Dementia (sm) [2008-09-02]
Hi all. I just want to start off by saying that whenever I post on here I always get kind responses, and I may not always get a chance to say thank you. Wanted to let you know that I do appreciate it. Here is my latest challenge. I have an uncle who is in his early 70 I grew up watching my grandmother, his mother, go through the stages of this horrid disease. I have a pretty good grasp of what we are up against. Thing is, I was a child when my grandmother started her decline, and boy things are different when you are an adult. I honestly don Here is what complicates the situation. My uncle is divorced, has been for some time. He has no children. He has three sisters, my aunts, living. One is in her 80s, one is two hours away and not in great health, and the third is 12 hours away. The oldest cannot help, given her age, the one that is two hours away has told me that she really doesn It gets a little more complicated. My uncle is a hoarder. He also has been notoriously bad about managing his finances for many years. His house is in a very bad state of disrepair. He is at the stage where he really needs someone to look over him, not live with him but maybe go in once or twice a week and help him with bills, meds, etc. However, his house is so bad that I truly fear it is going to fall down around him. My questions: I know that he needs help, but I also know that he has to ask for that help (up to a certain point, which would be where we would then go to court and ask for a conservatorship). He is not at that stage yet. If something happens to him, no one has legal medical proxy, he does not have a will, he does not have an advanced directive. We have talked to him about the importance of doing this, but he does not want to listen, even though he admits he needs to do something. He also has not been formally diagnosed. I think he is afraid to get confirmation that he is suffering from the same disease as his mother. How do we help him? What should we do? What is the procedure here? I honestly am at my wit I donand have him thinking that we are wanting anything. I don It is his. But something has to be done. I want him to be taken care of when the time comes. Any advice would be appreciated, as always. Thank you. HC

Do some research. [2008-09-02]
Check monster jobs, career builder, and some other local hospitals in your state to see what kind of salary the position might make. If you really donok and keep doing what you are doing.

I think he is being very courageous [2008-09-01]
by admitting his problem in public. Maybe it will encourage others to get help. The internet has created a monster in making pornography so readily accessible.

I agree. One I LOVE is that milky minutes, lactose intolerant one. sm [2008-09-01]
I snicker every time. If you haven't caught it... Family around the kitchen table. Mom finds poker chips that are UNUSED CELLPHONE MINUTES in the garbage with milk on them. WHAT are THESE? Umm leftover minutes from last month. These are still good! You know what happens to my sister's unused minutes? She loses them That is right, she loses them. My sister would love to have these milky minutes. Hubbie: Isn't your sister lactose intolerant? I love word games and double entendre, and creative use of the language, oddly drawn verbal conclusions and other oddities (hazard of my work?) so this one gets me smiling.

As the wife of a past mud-bogger....I can tell you this (sm) [2008-09-01]
I think he actually should be nice and be willing to help. No he is not obligated to do so, but he should do it out of kindness. My husband as I type, is still out, having driven far off to go duck hunting. Everything is always left up to me and I am afraid that is how it will also be for your daughter. If he is not helpful now, right before the marriage, he will only get worse after. That is a fact. It is a reflection on how much he values your daughter as well. Knowing that her mother is single and does not have others to help, he should be more than willing to come and help. In my case, my husband has never done anything for my family, but I am expected to do tons for his. I do a lot for them and I don't mind, but they never understand that I also do 99% of the child care and house work around here, and I also work. I work from home because with all of my husband's hobbies, someone has to be home to take care of things here!! Okay, off my soap box now. But I disagree with the poster below...You do have a right to be offended.

Okay, I'm that way in a hotel, with twists (sm) [2008-08-31]
I take antimicrobial Febreeze and spray the blanket and bedspread down first thing. It makes everything feel and smell clean so I can relax. I take my own supply of towels and pillowcases. I lay a fresh pillowcase over the pillow each night. I only use hotel towels for the floor mat and to mop up counters and dry off bottles. I wash any dishes before use unless they are wrapped in plastic. I always bring flipflops so I don't have to walk barefoot on the carpet at all. I check the foot of the bed for signs of bedbugs - bugs or brownish stains from poo. I never sleep without underwear under my full-length PJs anyway! I'd love to be assured they are washing their sheets and towels in hot water with enough Tide and Oxyclean to be up to my standards, and then drying them thoroughly, but I sincerely doubt it.

We had that happen with an old dial-up account [2008-08-31]
But there was no advanced warning or anything. One month our bill was what they said it would be and the next month it had doubled if not tripled. They told us it was because we were unusually heavy users. I don

Wish I was in your shoes. [2008-08-31]
I would do it in a heartbeat. Don't be afraid. Like another poster said, you can always move back. I now have a husband and kids and my family lives about 8 hours away. I miss my niece and nephew dearly but see them as often as I can. I stayed a month when each was born and then traveled every other weekend for several years. They are getting to be school age now so they know me well and I send things often. It has just become too expensive to travel that much. I would just keep in mind with your BIL being in the military they may not be where they are longterm so that could pose a sticky situation if you get involved with someone special. Might want to talk to your sister. I know mine knows me better than anyone and always has great advice.

How often do you see your niece/nephews [2008-08-31]
My brother-in-law and sister-in-law moved back to this state recently after being gone for many years. They have 2 teenagers. All 4 are living with grandparents right now, most probably indefinitely but that My question is how often do your niece/nephews spend the night at your house? Mine are also out of state so it is hard to say what it would be from that side. I just feel like after having little family here for so many years I am now on family overload. These kids want to stay and be with us all the time. Granted, I understand they have no friendsbc theyarenI rarely say no bc I don and of course I like less mess to clean up. not to mention teenagers are expensive. So what Once, twice a month?