I often hear people joke about their OCD tendencies, and I think that everyone probably has their quirks. One of my strange habits that I recently realized is that I have a specific way that I like to remove eggs from the carton.
When I use an egg, I begin on the outside of the carton and work my way towards the middle. Not only that, if I need to use two eggs, I have to take them from the two different ends and they have to be diagonal from one another. It is a bit of a bother if I have to use three eggs as it unbalances the carton, but at times it cannot be helped.
I have no idea how I started this habit, or why, but it throws me off if someone else takes eggs from the carton incorrectly. Fortunately, it is uncommon for anyone else to remove the eggs from the carton here at our house.
What strange or quirky habits do you have?
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sticking to the Budget
Ugh, the B word. Why is it so difficult to stick to a budget? We have not been doing so well these last few months, so we are determined to stick tightly to our budget this month.
It's funny, I figured that I would do better with our grocery budget as soon as Lucy no longer needed to drink formula, but last month I spent more on our grocery budget than I had before when I was buying her formula.
One plan I have for sticking to the grocery budget is to only do major grocery shopping every other week and to try and use up the items in my pantry. I struggle with wanting to keep my pantry stocked, so I tend to forget about or just not use the items that I already have. Since we do not have a large house or a large pantry, I know that I need to use up the items I have before I buy more.
I have continued to plan our meals at least a week in advance using the MealBoard app on my Ipod touch, but I still buy items that we do not necessarily need for my planned meals. This is another area I plan to work on to help us stick to our budget better.
So, here's to sticking to our budgets and being good stewards with the abundant blessings that God has given us!
It's funny, I figured that I would do better with our grocery budget as soon as Lucy no longer needed to drink formula, but last month I spent more on our grocery budget than I had before when I was buying her formula.
One plan I have for sticking to the grocery budget is to only do major grocery shopping every other week and to try and use up the items in my pantry. I struggle with wanting to keep my pantry stocked, so I tend to forget about or just not use the items that I already have. Since we do not have a large house or a large pantry, I know that I need to use up the items I have before I buy more.
I have continued to plan our meals at least a week in advance using the MealBoard app on my Ipod touch, but I still buy items that we do not necessarily need for my planned meals. This is another area I plan to work on to help us stick to our budget better.
So, here's to sticking to our budgets and being good stewards with the abundant blessings that God has given us!
Friday, June 3, 2011
Useful Tool: iPod Touch
This last Christmas I asked for and received an iPod touch. I did not want an iPhone because I do not use my cellphone enough to justify the monthly cost, but I did want a device I could carry around me that could hold my to-do list, grocery list, and give me the ability to go online when Wi-Fi is available.
I have loved having my iPod touch. Since one can download most of the apps available for the iPhone, there are many applications to choose from. I found a simple to-do list app that lets me categorize my to-do items and lets me set the routine events on a schedule. This has helped me stay on top of housework since I can assign different tasks for each day instead of waiting until the end of the week and doing all the chores at once. I think my house has consistently remained cleaner than it did while I was working and not at home.
I like the grocery shopping app that I have, but I would like to find one that will let me enter the prices for the various stores so I can have the information available to me as I shop.
I don't have many games on my iPod as I would be too tempted to sit around all day and just play the games instead of doing work around the house.
I have loved having my iPod touch. Since one can download most of the apps available for the iPhone, there are many applications to choose from. I found a simple to-do list app that lets me categorize my to-do items and lets me set the routine events on a schedule. This has helped me stay on top of housework since I can assign different tasks for each day instead of waiting until the end of the week and doing all the chores at once. I think my house has consistently remained cleaner than it did while I was working and not at home.
I like the grocery shopping app that I have, but I would like to find one that will let me enter the prices for the various stores so I can have the information available to me as I shop.
I don't have many games on my iPod as I would be too tempted to sit around all day and just play the games instead of doing work around the house.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Finding Bargains
I know that going to garage sales is a great way to find inexpensive children's clothes, toys, and other items, but I have never been much in the habit of going to sales. I usually get tired of stopping and getting out of the car only to find few items I might be interested in buying.
Now that the little one has outgrown most of the clothes we received at baby showers, it is time to beginning doing some more garage sale shopping, so I made a trip out to Andover this morning to check out the city-wide sales.
The first sale we stopped at had many items sitting out on the driveway and looked promising, but the people had a little too much pride in their possessions. They had marked many of the children's clothes at $2 or more. We did not stay there long and made our way through the neighborhood, hoping to find some better bargains.
We found a group of five or six houses close together having sales, so we were able to walk more and drive less. They had their children's clothes more reasonably priced, so I picked up a couple of dresses and a toy. The last sale we stopped at I found what I feel was the best deal of the day. I picked up a pair a Nike athletic shoes for $1. They are currently too big for the little one, but she will probably fit into them within a year or so.
In all, I am happy that we went out and it was worth the time and the drive, but it is still going to take me some time to make this a regular habit.
Now that the little one has outgrown most of the clothes we received at baby showers, it is time to beginning doing some more garage sale shopping, so I made a trip out to Andover this morning to check out the city-wide sales.
The first sale we stopped at had many items sitting out on the driveway and looked promising, but the people had a little too much pride in their possessions. They had marked many of the children's clothes at $2 or more. We did not stay there long and made our way through the neighborhood, hoping to find some better bargains.
We found a group of five or six houses close together having sales, so we were able to walk more and drive less. They had their children's clothes more reasonably priced, so I picked up a couple of dresses and a toy. The last sale we stopped at I found what I feel was the best deal of the day. I picked up a pair a Nike athletic shoes for $1. They are currently too big for the little one, but she will probably fit into them within a year or so.
In all, I am happy that we went out and it was worth the time and the drive, but it is still going to take me some time to make this a regular habit.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Yogurt Shop Review
I still have not gone out to take pictures of our yard, and we have not really done much work out there anyways because of the rain, so I thought I would write a review of one of the many new yogurt shops in town.
I went to Orange Leaf at 21st and Tyler today with my two sisters and the little one. After a trip to the zoo and lunch at Chipotle's, a frozen treat sounded good. When we walked into the store, a wall of different flavors of frozen yogurt greeted us; today the store featured flavors like chocolate and peanut butter; green tea and raspberry lemonade; butter pecan and coffee; and banana and raspberry, blueberry, and strawberry (these are the flavors that I can remember). They group the flavors by complimentary pairs in case someone wants to combine the two flavors.
I like simple flavors, so I chose the raspberry, blueberry, strawberry combination. Showing restraint, I did not fill the huge bowl to the top with the yogurt; I think I only filled it about a third full. Once we selected our yogurt, we found a huge selection of toppings waiting for us. The selection included many types of fruits, chocolates, candies, and cereals. I added a few sliced strawberries and some dark chocolate chips.
The price of the treat depends on the weight of the creation. Fortunately, mine weighed in at 7 ounces and the cost came in at just over $2.50 with tax. I felt the price was pretty reasonable and I found the yogurt to be fresh and delicious. The little one accepted a few bites of the frozen treat, but she was more interested in trying to walk around the store.
Perhaps the only complaint I have about the store is that they do not have any high chairs. Otherwise, they kept the store clean and neat and a friendly staff works behind the counter. The music selection surprised me most. When I heard a Toby Mac song, I figured it was just one song that made it onto a secular play list, but the rest of the music was distinctly Christian as well.
I would definitely recommend stopping by Orange Leaf whenever you have a craving for a sweet frozen treat.
I went to Orange Leaf at 21st and Tyler today with my two sisters and the little one. After a trip to the zoo and lunch at Chipotle's, a frozen treat sounded good. When we walked into the store, a wall of different flavors of frozen yogurt greeted us; today the store featured flavors like chocolate and peanut butter; green tea and raspberry lemonade; butter pecan and coffee; and banana and raspberry, blueberry, and strawberry (these are the flavors that I can remember). They group the flavors by complimentary pairs in case someone wants to combine the two flavors.
I like simple flavors, so I chose the raspberry, blueberry, strawberry combination. Showing restraint, I did not fill the huge bowl to the top with the yogurt; I think I only filled it about a third full. Once we selected our yogurt, we found a huge selection of toppings waiting for us. The selection included many types of fruits, chocolates, candies, and cereals. I added a few sliced strawberries and some dark chocolate chips.
The price of the treat depends on the weight of the creation. Fortunately, mine weighed in at 7 ounces and the cost came in at just over $2.50 with tax. I felt the price was pretty reasonable and I found the yogurt to be fresh and delicious. The little one accepted a few bites of the frozen treat, but she was more interested in trying to walk around the store.
Perhaps the only complaint I have about the store is that they do not have any high chairs. Otherwise, they kept the store clean and neat and a friendly staff works behind the counter. The music selection surprised me most. When I heard a Toby Mac song, I figured it was just one song that made it onto a secular play list, but the rest of the music was distinctly Christian as well.
I would definitely recommend stopping by Orange Leaf whenever you have a craving for a sweet frozen treat.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Winning the Small Battles
One important parenting lesson that I had read about but forgotten about is to win the small battles now and not let them slip by and potentially turn into bigger battles.
When I first began giving the little one food, I tried to put a bib on her. As she got a little older, she would pull on the bib, sometimes pulling so hard that it would leave marks on her neck if the Velcro did not give way. At that time, I decided it just was not worth the hassle to try and get her to keep the bib on, especially since she often did not eat her food all that well.
Just the other day I realized that we needed to readdress this issue and this time I needed to make sure she left the bib alone. She has finally started eating more table foods and I want her to wear the bib so we do not have to change clothes after each meal.
The first time we tried the bib, she put up quite a fuss, but it did not take long for her to leave it alone and just eat. Since then, she has let me put a bib on her and she leaves it alone while she eats. This is good since she decided that she like homemade spaghetti and other messy foods.
Fortunately, we were able to win this battle fairly easily. I figured I would have to put up with more a battle on this issue. I know that not all battles will be won so quickly, but I hope that I remember to stick to my guns and persevere when the need arises.
When I first began giving the little one food, I tried to put a bib on her. As she got a little older, she would pull on the bib, sometimes pulling so hard that it would leave marks on her neck if the Velcro did not give way. At that time, I decided it just was not worth the hassle to try and get her to keep the bib on, especially since she often did not eat her food all that well.
Just the other day I realized that we needed to readdress this issue and this time I needed to make sure she left the bib alone. She has finally started eating more table foods and I want her to wear the bib so we do not have to change clothes after each meal.
The first time we tried the bib, she put up quite a fuss, but it did not take long for her to leave it alone and just eat. Since then, she has let me put a bib on her and she leaves it alone while she eats. This is good since she decided that she like homemade spaghetti and other messy foods.
Fortunately, we were able to win this battle fairly easily. I figured I would have to put up with more a battle on this issue. I know that not all battles will be won so quickly, but I hope that I remember to stick to my guns and persevere when the need arises.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Yard Update
I don't have any current pictures of our yard or my rock/dirt pile to post today since we have been blessed with some much needed rain. I will try to post some pictures next week.
I have started going through the rock/dirt pile once again, and I hope to stick with it and have it completely gone through by the end of summer. Our backyard was a mess when we moved in (I wish I had taken pictures of the strange landscaping) and we have not been as committed as we should be to getting it made right. My plans for this summer are to eliminate the rock/dirt pile, bring in more dirt to fill in holes (if needed), and hopefully put down some sod (I'm so tired of dealing with grass seed). We also plan to replace the front part of our fence which is standing up only by a prayer and possibly create a barricade around our back deck so that the little ones can go out and play and not fall off.
In the front yard, I have been buying perennials to plant so I will not have to keep replanting each year. When I post some pictures, you will see the huge planting bed the previous owners left us. We have done some work to make it more manageable and hopefully after this summer, we will have a nice bed of flowers and plants in front of our house.
I have started going through the rock/dirt pile once again, and I hope to stick with it and have it completely gone through by the end of summer. Our backyard was a mess when we moved in (I wish I had taken pictures of the strange landscaping) and we have not been as committed as we should be to getting it made right. My plans for this summer are to eliminate the rock/dirt pile, bring in more dirt to fill in holes (if needed), and hopefully put down some sod (I'm so tired of dealing with grass seed). We also plan to replace the front part of our fence which is standing up only by a prayer and possibly create a barricade around our back deck so that the little ones can go out and play and not fall off.
In the front yard, I have been buying perennials to plant so I will not have to keep replanting each year. When I post some pictures, you will see the huge planting bed the previous owners left us. We have done some work to make it more manageable and hopefully after this summer, we will have a nice bed of flowers and plants in front of our house.
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