What's that I smell?

Clean...fresh, clean laundry. 

I've seen this around quite a few blogs and actually have some friends who have been doing it for a while, but I'm a die hard Tide fan and just couldn't see the point in actually making my own laundry detergent. 

Bring on a lack of change in income and surprise, surprise-a new found need to save every single penny sets in. So instead of spending $10 on the bright orange bottle of goodness that will last approximately 72 loads, I instead spent $8 that will last me months and months of laundry (oh joy!).

It's seriously one of the most simple things I've ever done...and it works!

You'll need all of 3 ingredients...all which you can find at Wal-Mart or Target.

I actually decided to use two different soaps just to get a bit of the lavender scent in my laundry that I like so much.

Use a cheese grater to grate your soap-try to get it the tiniest bits you can so that it will dissolve better-a friend suggested blending it also, but well, I kinda forgot and it doesn't seem to be a problem for me.

Then just mix in one cup of Borax and one cup washing soda-stir well and taadaa! All done!

It only takes 1 tablespoon of the mixture for each load you do! Holy crap!!!

I just pulled out the first load from the dryer...they smell super clean...heck, the whole house smells clean! 

My husband hasn't stopped cracking jokes about it all afternoon...I expect to get a washboard for Mother's Day ;-)

A new obsession

I'm in love with the photo app instagram. 

If you have an iPhone, it's a must have.

It allows you to choose filters to change the look of your favorite pics. 

Recently, I was introduced to a "Photo a day" challenge using this amazing app

Fat Mum Slim's March Photo A Day Challenge 

You should join...and follow me on instagram

mlhicks23

Day 1-Up

 

Day 2-Fruit

Day 3-Neighborhood

Today's challenge is Bedside...jump in!

$100, 3 girls, and no plans!

So what do you do when you have absolutely nothing (for the first time in forever) planned on a Saturday, $100 cash to spend on anything you want, and the best Mom and sister you could ask for?

How about a little shopping, a little eating, and some bowling to top it all off!

I was actually kinda bummed about the weekend approaching...Chris had planned a fishing trip with his buddies last minute while I actually had wanted to get a jump start on some of those New Year's goals we had discussed. We were obviously not on the same page and I REAAAAAALLLLY didn't want to tackle the chaos that's called our bedroom by myself. 

My boss actually made the suggestion of just taking some much needed time for myself...it was a stressful week and I deserved some ME time...who knew that my amazing Momma had the same thought process going on?

7 HeyTell's later and 2 text messages telling me to WAKE UP!!!! our plan was set in motion...yet, there really was no plan! 

Allie and Mom showed up shortly later bring gifts of sugary goodness...the boys were pleasantly surprised by this and quickly ate their donuts so they could head back to bed...yep those teenage years are officially here! 

Then we were off to the mall, some Christmas returns (when did my 10 year old's foot get as big as mine?!?!?) and then on to check out Macy's boot sale. 

Oh wait...we NEVER buy anything at Macy's! Why do we continue wasting our time in there? 

Anyone else like this? It's too overwhelming I think...I have enough "clothes shoved too closely together, nothing organized" in my own closet to want to shop in a store that's racks look like I've got going on at home. Maybe it's just me....

Anyways, a quick trip to the food court to finally break our $100 bill and to enjoy the blissdom of carb coated chicken at the Mandarin Garden and we finally had a plan!

$76.89 (after our lunches) and our bellies full, we headed to a local bowling alley...

Now, I definitely don't claim to be the world's greatest bowler by any means...I couldn't even break 100, but little sister up there...I don't know what sort of warm up/release thing she had going on. I think she was confused and thought we were playing softball ;-) Haha! Mom...always the competitive one, won both games! 

All in all, we played a couple of games of bowling, did a little shopping, laughed a ton, and had a great, unexpected Saturday together. I couldn't have asked for any better non plan than that!

An added bonus? Mom went home with $20 left!!! 

A new year...a new start!

Life everyone else in the world, I'm excited by the beginning of a new year...

A chance for new beginnings, fresh starts, endless possibilities!

I've told myself that this year will be OUR year...it's not just about ME. I'm not a single person...I'm a mom, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend. All things that I can't be alone. 

Last year was tough...heck, lets be honest, the last TWO years have basically kicked our butts. Lots of negatives, lots of stress, lots of tears. And while they definitely have taught me some things, about myself, about my husband, about my friends and family....I'm not anxious to ever relive those lessons. 

So with that being said, it's time for some change...and not mind blowing, all out, unattainable changes. I'm talking realistic, practical, simple changes.  

OUR goals for this year:

Be more involved with the boys.

Become more financially responsible.

Make one another happy.

Appreciate more, whine less. 

Continue making this house OUR home. 

And one for me...to document it along the way. I want something for all of us to be able to look back on and say, we did that...that's us. Smiling, loving, happy. 

Happy New Year to you and yours from me and mine. 

<3