A Little Technology on Tuesday

Now that I am out of college, I often feel as though I am behind on the newest technology.  I have been trying to combat that issue by following some great bloggers. Today I thought I would share two "new" things that I am lovin' right now, and both are FREE!

I have had Instagram for over a year now and up until a month ago I had used it a grand total of 2 times.  How I went that long without utilizing this great app is beyond me!  I love the effects you can use to edit photos and their new 15 second video clips!  If you know me well, you know that I absolutely LOVE photos!  I am that annoying person that always wants to take photos at parties and events or even just to capture the everyday moments.  Sometimes it drives A crazy but I can't stop!!!   I am so thankful for the photos we have to help us remember my dad that I feel it is important to create and share those photo memories of our life for those that we leave behind.  So it makes sense that I would love Instagram and the way you can photo-journal your life.   If you are not on Instagram yet, you are missing out!

                                                         

I follow a lot of blogs, so on a recomendation I switched over to Bloglovin'.  Let me tell you, it is AWESOME!  I love how easy it is for me to see the blogs I follow and I even found some new ones on their list of Top Blogs (which they sort by category).  They fade out the blog entries once you have read them, so it is easy to tell which ones are new.  And they send you a daily email of the blogs you follow.   I have found it visually pleasing, easy to navigate, and better than any of the other blog readers out there. 

So tell me, what programs and apps are you loving? 

The Big Three

I knew it had been awhile since I posted, but I didn't realize just how long until I saw that my last post was in October, yikes! Let's start with a couple of bigger events to get you caught up.

It has been 16 months since my foot surgery and my foot is almost fully healed.  I still have a pretty big scar but that is supposed to continue to fade.  The most surprising thing is that I am somewhat limited in the movement of my big toe.  It seems silly, and I never thought much about my toe movement, but I still have to flex my toe to help build strength.  To encourage even more movement, I am going to attempt to run my first 5K this year!  I have 8 weeks to train and I will need everyone's help to stay motivated.  

This past year, we have been focused on revamping our finances.  After some hesitation and many recommendations, we both read Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover.  I can't recommend it enough!!  It was eye opening to see how we REALLY spent our money.  And more importantly, it changed the way we view and use our money.  One thing that hit us hard was that we were the problem, not that we didn't make enough money or things were too expensive.  It was US and how we viewed and handled our money.  Some of the things we learned went against many of the money myths we have heard our whole lives, and it is hard to change your thinking overnight.  However, I know many people who have had success with his advice, so we took a chance.  We still haven't worked out all the kinks, but we have made considerable headway and I don't think we would have if we hadn't read the books.  Our credit card debt is down, we paid off the Malibu a few months early, and our savings is better than it has been in years.  Can't complain about that!

And I have saved the best for last.  In August, I will go from part-time second grade teacher to FULL-TIME second grade teacher!  I can't wait to be in my own classroom for the whole day!  I owe a big thanks to A for supporting my choice to leave my full-time job two years ago, and for believing in me and being my biggest cheerleader when times got tough.  It only took 6 years and some detours but I finally made it, and for that I am truly blessed.

Happily Ever After...

Last Week A and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary.  I spent some time reflecting on our marriage, and though it may not be a fairy tale ending, in many ways it is even better.  We are growing as a couple and learning how to make our life together.  Through this, I have already learned a few important marriage lessons and can only imagine what wisdom I will obtain over the years to come.  For now, I thought I would share the few reflections I have learned this last year.

Never give up on each other: I have a terrible tendency to want to run away from a fight.  When things get too intense, too personal, my instinct is "flight" not fight.  I want to get away from the "danger".  There have been times that I have "left" A, walked outside to get some air, gone to run an errand, tried to find some space in the midst of an argument   In all of those times, he has never given up on me.  He is always waiting when I return.  He seems to understand that I need some space from the fight, not from us, and he never gives up on me.

Choose what is truly important:  A and I have different visions of our life.  We see things differently, we like different things, and we prioritize differently.  In just the last few months, I have come to realize that we can disagree.  That there are some things worth the extra discussion, and some things that just aren't.  I am learning when to fight about  discuss things and when it will be okay if we are not on the same page.  I am also learning that I don't need to always be right (hopefully he doesn't read this!)

Don't take things too personally: This has probably been the toughest lesson for me.  When A says he doesn't like dinner or that the apartment is messy, I immediately get defensive.  I hear that he doesn't like the dinner I made, or that I am not cleaning good enough.  I am learning to let it go and that it is not about me.  He is entitled to have his opinion, just as I am entitled to mine.

Communication: This is an ongoing struggle for us.  At times we take each other for granted, forgetting to tell each other things that at the time don't seem important.   I think it's the small things that help keep us connected to the other person.  I am sure that at times A may not want to share something with me because I am so very opinionated,  but I am working on that too.  Together, we will work on finding a balance that works for us.

I am so blessed to be married to someone who loves and supports me through everything.  I am thankful everyday for A and can't wait to see what the next year brings!

Three for Thursday: Fall

I love that fall has fully arrived.  The air is brisk, the trees are a variety of colors, and I can wear a scarf everyday.  Everything seems crisp and fresh.  There are so many things I love about this season, but my top three are below.

1. The sun.  I love the contrast of the air temperature and the sun.  The sun seems more intense when you are surrounded by cool air.  In the summer months, that same sun feels oppressive and sweltering  but in the fall it is appreciated and welcome.  
2. Togetherness.  There is something about fall that seems to bring my friends and family together.  Bonfires, game nights, and holidays events   Not to mention, there is an excuse for A and I to cuddle more in order to stay warm in our cool (ok, cold) apartment.   
3. Fall Foods: There are far too many to name them all, but some of my favorites are apples, and anything made with them, salted caramel mochas, and chili.  

Making My Herb Garden

This spring, my mom and I decided to make herb gardens using stair stringers and flower boxes.  Armed with only a picture, we (mostly Mom) brainstormed, constructed and created a masterpiece!  This herb garden is perfect for our narrow balcony and takes up less space then my herbs did last year.  An added bonus is that the height makes it easier to pick the herbs.

Supplies:
22 - deck screws
3 - plastic planters
2 - stair stringers
Scrap Wood 2-pieces that are 31.5 inches long, and 2-pieces that are 16 inches long

We used our stir stringers the opposite way they were intended so that they were taller and narrower.  You could use them the other way if you wanted.

We drilled holes in the stair stringers that lined up with the holes in the bottom of the planter, but ended up drilling new holes in the planter because our screw heads were too small.

Then we screwed the planters to the stair stringers.

Next we screwed the 31.5 inch boards to the back of a stair stringers.

Then we screwed one board across the front of the stair stringers and the last board across the back to provide extra support.

Here is the final product!!  Since it is pressure treated wood, I will be waiting until next year to paint it.

I added some rocks, then dirt, and planted my herbs.  It worked out great on our small patio.

Homemade Laundry Soap

In my quest to save money and live a little simpler, I decided to try making my own laundry soap.  Even though it is just two of us, I typically do about 6 loads of laundry a week.  I found an easy recipe (which was a must) and mixed it up.   I made my first batch in mid-January and just ran out this week, that means the soap lasted close to 4 months! I was unsure if I would like it but have found that it cleans well and leaves clothes brighter, even when washing in cold water.  It doesn't have a strong scent, but you can use fabric softener or add a few drops of essential oil to each load.

Cost breakdown: I bought enough of everything to make 3 batches and it cost a total of $23.  Each batch costs me about $7.67 and lasts 15 weeks or about 90 loads of laundry!  That's 8.5 cents a load!

Supplies:

55 oz Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
4 lbs Arm and Hammer Baking Soda
76 oz Borax
3 lbs Oxi Clean
3 Fels Naptha Laundry Bar  

*I have been making smaller batches and keeping it in an empty, gallon ice-cream pail.  To make a smaller batch, you can use: 19 oz washing soda, 22 oz baking soda, 26 oz Borax, 19 oz Oxi Clean, and 1 Fels-Naptha bar.  

Step One:
Using a cheese grater, grate the Fels-Naptha bars.


Step Two:
Add all ingredients into a large bowl or bucket.



Step Three:
Stir everything together.







Step Four:
Store in an air tight container.

Use: I use the scoop that came with the Oxi Clean and use one scoop per load.  When I wash A's work clothes I add an extra scoop for a little extra cleaning power!

Help, I need Somebody,

Help, not just anybody,
Help, you know I need someone, help.

~ The Beatles 

Oh how the words of this song have ruled my life the last five weeks.  Yep, that is how long it has been since I have my bunioectomy.  Those of you that know me well, know that depending on others is not a strong suite for me.  Over the years, I have grown to be fiercely independent.  It is hard for me to allow people to do things for me.  Thoughts run through my head like "I can do it myself," "Do you think I can't do it," What if you don't do it my way," or worse, "What if you let me down."  I find it is just easier less anxiety inducing for me to do it on my own.

In the last five weeks, I have not had the luxury of doing things on my own.  My recovery has left me unable to do most things without assistance.  Crutches prevent me from being able to carry most things, including my morning cup of coffee.  I've been unable to help with the majority of household tasks, so I need to rely on A to do everything from dishes, to vacuuming, to laundry.  And I haven't been able to drive anywhere, but need to find rides or ask people to pick things up for me.  This last one has been the worst most challenging for me.  

There are things to be learned from this experience.  I have had to humble myself and ask for what I need.  I have learned that people are kind and giving, and will lend a hand in any way they can.  I have learned that no one can read my mind, especially not A, and that I need to just use my voice to communicate what I need, instead of getting frustrated.

Hopefully, my recovery is nearing it's end, and for a month or so I will be able to do things on my own again.  During that time, I will rejoice in the ability to drive places, bask in the warmth of doing my own laundry, and happily carry my morning coffee.  Then, once again, I will need to ask for "Help!"  Maybe it will be easier the second time around.