September 5 - Day 244 of 365

On Sunday, we had a Majeres family gathering.

Lots of sports, ride-on toys, chatting, eating and S'mores! I love my family!

September 4 - Day 243 of 365

I'm not sure that I will be able to keep up with Project 365, however I will post a photo per day whenever possible. :) Last weekend, we visited our families in IL and my in-laws gave me a fantastic new camera. We went to Argyle Lake State Park in the afternoon and tried it out. Pretty awesome, if you ask me! Thanks, Mom & Dad Payne!!

Neglected

Dear Blog:

There have been many reasons why I have neglected you over the past few months.

• I was busy in April/May and got out of the habit of updating you.
• I didn't think anyone was reading you (I have been corrected about this!).
• I have had a rough time with my health since May and did not want to use you as a platform for complaints.
• I was cheating on you. I started a 2nd blog for my business and was planning to leave you forever. I have since gotten a different job, so my business plans are on hold. I hope you will forgive me and take me back.

For all of the lame excuses I can think of, I am sorry. I make no promises about the frequency of which I will visit you... but I promise not to banish you from my life completely (yet!). lol You have been there for me through thick and thin and I enjoy your company. Thank you for not leaving me.

Love,

Amy

(This post is starting to make me think of a comparison between a blog & God... but we'll save the deep thoughts for another day!)

September 8 - Day 247 of 365

We had my first big event for my new job today. The event involved local restaurants and some fun local entertainment. This was one of my favorite entertainers... a 7 piece Dixieland band!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

Today, I made homemade laundry detergent for the 1st time. I've thought about it in the past, but wondered if it was worth all of the effort. After my recent trip to the laundromat with 16 loads of laundry the other day, I'm trying to find ways to cut back on our budget (including the laundry) AND find ways for the kids to help do their own laundry. I've read that homemade detergent compared to regular is about 1/15th the cost! That makes it worth a try in my book!

The most difficult part of the recipe is grating the soap. I grated the Ivory soap bars with my Pampered chef cheese grater thingee. It doesn't work very well on cheese & wasn't wonderful with soap either, but at least I didn't end up with any bloody knuckles. I tried the blender and found it to be completely worthless. I used the tiny holed grater insert, so the shavings mixed well without being blended. I'm thinking a food processor is in my future, because I could use it a lot with 30 Day cooking also.

Here's the recipe I tried today:

Powdered Laundry Detergent – Recipe #9
http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

12 cups Borax
8 cups Baking Soda
8 cups Washing Soda
8 cups Bar soap (grated) - I used Ivory because I had it on hand.

* Mix all ingredients well and store in a sealed tub.
* Use 1/8 cup of powder per full load.

I'll let you know how it turns out! It certainly *smells* clean. :) 

 

Lots of normal days...

One thing I have discovered in doing Project 365 is that I have an overabundance of "normal" days. A day where there is nothing exciting to note... a day simply filled with routines & scheduled activities or an absence thereof. I am attempting to document the "ordinary", because someday life may not be so ordinary. I love this quote...

"Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return."

Mary Jean Iron

March 31 - Day 89 of 365

Our church is two doors down from Hooters. Great location for the people we are trying to reach!