Homemade Laundry Soap

A few months ago my fellow Frugal Frannie shared with me a recipe for homemade laundry soap.

I must admit this is a nice way to shave a few dollars off your monthly grocery bill. I've been using it for several months now and am still pleased with the product.

Here is the basic recipe:

1/3 Bar of Fels Naptha
1/2 Cup Washing Soda
1/2 Cup Borax
A 2 Gallon Bucket
A clean Gallon Jug


Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts. Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel. You use ½ cup per load.

I have played with this recipe to suit my hard water. I've added an additional bar of soap grated and added with the Fels Naptha. I've increased the Fels Naptha to 1/2 a bar and I've changed water amounts to be 8 cups to start and dissolve, then 6 cups in the bucket and 1 gal plus 8 cups to the bucket.

When it gels it will look a little like egg drop soup.

I've also added some scent into the mixture. It doesn't seem to scent the clothing, but it smells nice when you start your wash load.

A few more tips:

Do not use fabric softener with a load of towels. This makes the towels develop a film and causes them to not dry as well.

If you fill your fabric softener cup with vinegar in each load the vinegar acts as a natural fabric softener. I promise, your clothes will not smell like vinegar once they come out of the dryer.

Monday Movie

Timer

You can view the trailers and synopsis on the website here


This was a really cute movie. I love Indie flicks and this one was recommended by a trusted friend who shares my interests.

I viewed this movie via Wii Netflix.

This movie raises some great discussion questions.

Would you have a timer, if you could?

What if you were initially disgusted at the first meeting with your soul mate?

Are you betraying your soulmate if you date and/or have sex before you meet them, since you know the exact time you would be meeting them?


+++++Spoiler Alert - Do not read below if you haven't seen the movie++++

I must admit, the thing I thought about the most was "where have I seen the guy that plays Oona's soulmate?" Of course I googled it right away.

No wonder I was drawn to him. He is a main character on one of my fave TV shows, Dexter!

I highly recommend this movie to those that love romances.

Forming an LLC Step One

The first thing we did was purchase a generic forms software from Staples. Our disc of choice happens to be Socrates Limited Liability Companies Made E-Z.

After playing around with this software for about an hour and getting really frustrated I started searching the internet.

What I found out was that I could go onto the Ohio Secretary of State website. There I was able to locate the preferred form for filing the Articles of Organization for a Domestic Limited Liability Company.

I filled out the form. DH and I signed the form. I am mailing in the signed for to the state with a check for $125.00 along with a SASE. After my form is filed I will move onto step 2.

Forming an LLC

Well you don't know what we can find. Why don't you come with me, little girl, on a magic carpet ride.

Those lyrics were on repeat in my mind as I started this LLC process.

Who knew that this would be such a pain in the....well you know.

The even worse news? I'm only on step one. That's right. I'm a whiner.

Ok, I'll back up a bit. My DH and I decided, a few years ago, that it would be in our best interest to form an LLC. My DH does a lot of side jobs that he is paid cash for, and I may someday figure out what I want to be when I grow up. So, for liability sake, we should form an LLC.

Fast forward to present day, I have finally got around to starting this process. I'm doing as much research about it as I can, and trying to follow the advice of my mentors.

My goal is to update my blog on the steps of the process and keep my imaginary friends updated.

Stay tuned for Step One.

Cake Baking Mama....

My daughter's birthday party was this past weekend. She turned 6. Well, actually she turned 6 on June 25, but due to time and money constraints we didn't celebrate it until this past weekend.

One things I did this year for both of my kids is to make their birthday cakes. I figure that at this age they will see my baking and think it's totally AWESOME.

The rest of us all know that it's not so great.

But I thought I would share some pics anyhow.

Here is the first cake:



This is a "Barbie" cake my daughter liked the idea of. I say this because I only had a written description of the cake to go by. I think it turned out pretty cute...and it was pretty easy.

Here is the second one:



This is a picture of two pair of flip flop cakes. Kya actually picked this cake out. It had ice cream in the center and whipped cream as the icing. I didn't get to taste this cake, so I'm guessing it tasted pretty good.

Yes, I made two cakes. We cannot possibly have a small party. All of our friends are too dear and important to us to ever consider not inviting them to party with us. Even if the party is centered around children of all ages skating their heart out in a skating rink, in July, with no air conditioning.

We are just lucky enough that almost everyone invited shows up.

A major life change...

So I decided I am done smoking.

For good.

I hope.

I'll be honest, I get mild anxiety attacks when I think about it. I know, I know. It's a good thing. I have mentally made a list of all of the wonderful reasons I am quitting. My friends and family are cheering for me. They are all very supportive.

But I'll be honest. I loved smoking. Smoking was MY thing. When my husband would take the kids somewhere and I would be alone I could smoke in peace and enjoy myself....

Now what am I going to do when I have some free time? From the looks of things I'll be blogging. Which is good as it keeps my hands busy.

Pray for me as I start this difficult life change!

I love to try new things...

I think everyone that knows me is very aware that I LOVE to try new things. Well thanks to Jen's recommendation I've found a great site that allows me to do this - FREE!

I am a BzzAgent! This allows me to try new things and share what I did, or did not, like about the product. I've been a member for about a month now and I am currently in one campaign. I'm still learning the ins and outs - but so far it's been pretty easy to navigate.

Come visit my BzzSite and see what it's all about!