Saturday, August 15, 2009

Mama Knows Best: Dryer Sheets

We as mamas have to be innovative and thrifty all in the same beat. Somehow we find new ways of doing things that save us money, time and maybe if we are really blessed.... sanity!

I love dryer sheets. Well actually I love the way my clothes smell when they leave the dryer. Except by the time I get a shirt out of closet to wear the smell is faded. :(

My friend shared this tip several years ago. She told me to put a dryer sheet in all my clothes drawers and even shoes that needed a freshening. I keep a dryer sheet in my sock, t-shirt, jammie drawer, you name it! It keeps all my clothes smelling like they just came out of the dryer.

** Don't forget to not use dryer sheets on towels. It makes them less absorbent!

Do you have a money/time/sanity tip to share? E-mail me at everythingmom@live.com !

Friday, August 14, 2009

Confessions of a desperate housewife- just your typical Friday!

I love my in-laws and feel so blessed to have such a loving extended family. When they decided to come into town for our children's dedication, I was thrilled that they would be staying with us! That being said, I am not sure if they will be coming back anytime soon!

I managed to entertain the kids and get the house cleaned that Friday. I even sat down during their afternoon nap, cut coupons and watched a show. I was just patting myself on the back about how I had managed to get everything done when the phone rang. My neighbor said that they have been evacuated from their house due to a gas leak and the gas man was on his way. She was on her way back from work and asked if I could let the gas man in their home. "Sure" I said " No Problem". This was the beginning of my downfall.....

As I was hanging up the phone, I heard my baby girl babbling in her crib. I went and got her, glad to spend some alone time with her. We sat down with a box of raisins (keep this detail in mind for later) and some juice and babbled at each other. I explained that Grandpa and Nana were coming. When we heard knocking at the door she put her fat little finger in the air and yelled " NANA" in only a way that a 1 year old can. We joyfully went to the door ready to embrace our long distance relatives and there stood.... the gas man.

I opened the door with baby on hip and he told me that no one was home next door and he needed let in. I rummaged through our drawer and found a key. Walking barefoot, baby on hip I found that it was indeed the wrong key. Back the caravan tromped across the yards. I rummaged through the key drawer once again. Triumphantly I raised the right key in the air with flourish. I ran out onto the porch, door slamming behind me. It was about the time I unlocked my neighbors door that I realized I had just locked myself out of MY house. Barefoot with baby on hip and sleeping toddler inside of locked house.

I then scoured my neighbors house looking for our spare key. I was looking fast and furious because I didn't really want to be blown up. Nice thoughts huh? While I was looking for my key I was chit chatting with the young gas man and he kept smiling at me. I have to admit in the pursuit of keepin it real, I thought " This gas man is flirting with me!" That thought was followed by "I will have to tell my hubby I still got it!" I managed to find the key and ran back over to my house. I checked on my son to see that he was still sleeping and took my daughter in the bathroom with me. I put her down and felt... wetness on my shirt. I looked down to see a HUGE brown wet spot all over the front of my white shirt. My lovely daughter had had a blowout all over the front of me. No wonder the gas man was smiling. I was walking around with poo all over me.

I quickly changed shirts, trying to get my daughter to not wake up my son and was just taking her into the family room to change her when my in-laws walked in. "Hellloooo" they said. What a sight it must have been. A frazzled mama with a poopy daughter. I quickly explained the situation and they very kindly said they would watch the kids while I ran back to return the key and check on the situation.

That is when I noticed that somehow the dog escaped. My neighbor in her brief phone call had asked me to check on their golden retriever on the back porch. ( He apparently was to be evacuated too.) When I ran across the street, I saw the big lug running down the street. Frantically I start running down my street, trying to not step on rocks or hot pavement with my bare feet. Waving my arms like an idiot, I call to the dog. All I could think about was that I had lost my neighbors dog.

The dog looked at me and came running back. I grabbed it by the collar and started to drag it back to the porch. I was mumbling something about dogs and cats and how I never wanted a pet when I saw the crazy woman chasing us.

I have to say I was a little taken aback by this wild woman chasing us and I picked up the pace. I came to a dead stop however when I noticed a leash in her hand in one hand and a poo bag in another. My eyes narrowed at the dog as I suddenly realized the horrible, awful truth. I had just kidnapped another woman's dog. She looked scared and slowly took the dog away from me.

I tried to explain that our neighbor had a dog that looked exactly like hers. I don't think she was buying, however because she gave me a half hearted smile and booked her little tushy out of there. I really don't blame her... scary.

I finally got home and was trying to explain to my in-laws what the commotion outside was. Then the phone rings as my son wakes up from his nap. Its the neighbor. Apparently the dog (the real one) decided to show his disdain for being banned from the gas house by eating his entire leash. All 6 foot of it. All that was left was the metal clasp. Good times.

She asked if I would bring over a children's syringe so that she could make the dog throw up.

In the end the dog was fine and my in-laws finally got settled. I have to tell you though that I think they were a little scared :) The really scary part was that this is pretty much a typical Friday around here :) Motherhood is certainly not boring.....

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Giant Eagle Bargain Recipe of the week: Gravy Baked Pork Chops

Bargain Meal of the Week


My hubby loves these pork chops. I love that my kidlets love them! Its fabtabulous in the fall but I thought I would post the recipe now since everything is on sale! Happy Eating Y'all!!

I will not expense spices/oils since most of us have them on hand. W/C means with coupon.

Gravy Baked Pork Chops


4 pork chops (On sale $1.79/lb) $1.79
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter (On sale $3/2) $.05
3/4 cup milk (On sale $1.99) $.08
1/4 cup water
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup (On sale $1) $1


Preheat oven to 350 degrees


Season pork chops with salt and pepper to taste. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Saute the pork chops in the butter for about 5 minutes per side.

In a separate medium bowl, combine the milk, water and soup. Place the pork chops in a 9x13 inch baking dish and pour the soup mixture over the chops.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes.


Total Cost of Meal: $2.92

Add Green Giant Frozen veggies (On sale $1.25) Total Cost of Meal: $4.17


For more great bargain recipes click on the icon above!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

WFMW: Laundry in the kitchen?

This is a pretty basic works for me Wednesday but I love it so much I just had to share!

I keep this lovely little basket right in my kitchen! In goes dirty dishtowls, wash rags and aprons.


I also do not know about you guys but most of the time we get the kids in the jammies in the family room which is right off the kitchen. We can simply pitch the clothes in the basket and it avoids the clothes joining the clutter :)

The basket is perfect for carrying to the laundry room. After I do the laundry, I load the cleaned towels and bring it right back to the kitchen. It totally works for me!!


For more great WFMW tips visit We are that Family!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Meijer bargain meal of the week: Chicken Summer Pasta

Bargain Meal of the Week

I love light pasta dishes for summer time. This one sounds really easy and delicious. With chicken being on sale at Meijer for $.99/lb its hard to pass up! Happy Eating Y'all!!

I will not expense spices/oils since most of us have them on hand. W/C means with coupon.

Chicken summer pasta

6 ounces dry penne pasta (Meijer Pasta on sale $2/3) $.66
2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (On sale $.99/lb) $.99
1 1/2 cups fresh broccoli florets (Green Giant on sale .99) $.99
3 green onions, sliced (On sale 1/$3) $.13
2 tablespoons canola oil
lemon pepper to taste


Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, add broccoli a few minutes before pasta is done; drain.

Cook the chicken in a pan, seasoning with lemon pepper as it cooks. When the chicken is no longer pink inside, cut into small pieces. Combine chicken to pasta-broccoli mixture. Stir in oil and sliced green onion and add lemon pepper to taste.

Total Cost of Meal: $2.77

Add Vienna Bread ( On sale $1.69) Total Cost of Meal: $3.61

For more great bargain recipes click on the icon above!

Kroger bargain recipe of the week: Italian Sloppy Joes


Bargain Meal of the Week


There is nothing more that I love than an easy recipe. This looks like a winner to me!

I will not expense spices/oils since most of us have them on hand. W/C means with coupon. Check out which coupon to use here.


Italian Sloppy Joes


1 pounds ground beef (On sale $1.88) $1.88
1/2 medium onion, chopped (optional) $.40
1/2 jar chunky Pasta Sauce (On sale W/C $.99) $.50
4 hamburger buns (On sale $1) $.50

In 12-inch nonstick skillet, brown ground beef with onion; drain. Stir in pasta sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer covered, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes. Serve on buns.


Total Cost of Meal: $3.28

Add Salad (On sale Dole $.98) Total Cost of Meal: $4.03


For more great bargain recipes click on the icon above!

Monday, August 10, 2009

Menu Plan Monday: winner winner chicken dinner week

My hubby has given me an ultimatum...... start going through some of my freezer stockpile. Every time I look at the sales ads for the grocery store ads he scrunches his eyebrows and looks at the freezer. :) Since I have a TON of chicken that is what we are having alot of this week! Hope you guys have a yummy week!!

Monday: Grilled chicken, roasted rosemary potatoes, asparagus

Tuesday:
Granny's Pork Chop Dinner, green beans, cole slaw

Wednesday: Cheeseburgers, baked fries, peas

Thursday: No Frying Chicken Parmesan, noodles, garlic bread, salad

Friday: Pizza Night!!

Saturday: Leftover night- If its not movin you can eat it but Mama is not cookin!!

Sunday: Stuffed and Wrapped Chicken, Corn on the cob, fresh bread

A Teachers View: Pay it forward!!

I am blessed to live next to a elementary school teacher who loves my kids and we love her!! She has multiple education degrees and is the first person I run to when I am worried about speech, development or anything learning related!! She has agreed to write a weekly post for me on some common concerns involving little ones and just great tips! If you have a topic that you would like to see addressed, please e-mail me at everythingmom@live.com

Pay it Forward

With all the back to school sales going on, now is a great time to teach your kids to “pay it forward”. There are many families who cannot afford supplies and clothes to go back to school. Every kid knows how they feel to have new things for a new school year – it gets them excited about going to school and gives them a feeling of confidence. If your family is able, pick up an extra pack of pencils or a couple of folders, even some glue sticks. Many churches put together supply bags or give them to your school office, they will be able to hand them out as needed.

Back to school clothes were always my favorite part of fall. As you’re going through last year’s wardrobe, pull out the clothes your children no longer wear and see if your school can use them. We’re always looking for clothes to give kids when they spill lunch or fall on the playground. Socks and underwear are always needed too. Some students just need clean clothes and what we lend them doesn’t always come back to school, which is fine with us.

Small things can mean a great deal to someone. Generosity and kindness are lessons we want all students to learn.