Deep breath, don't look, and just jump

As you know, I've been trying to balance what I need to do with what I want to do and still find time to enjoy my life. Years ago I started flying with FLY Lady but after a week I gave up. I felt so overwhelmed with everything in life, I was just tired. Some things did stick with me. I get dressed to the shoes, do my hair, make my bed as soon as I can, even worked out what days to clean where. But now I need to start again and keep with it. Spending the weekend running errands and getting ready for parties only to start my work week with a messy house again is hard. I want to throw in the towel, sleep all day, and just forget about the house work. NOPE! Not going to let my inner lazy bones win. I'm gonna get up get moving and get my daily house blessing done. I'm going to shine my sink before going to bed, and I'm going to make sure I have my list of tomorrow's stuff handy so I can dive right in and eat my frog. I'm switching family meeting nights from Wednesday to Monday then we can just get it out of the way while things that happened over the weekend are still fresh in our minds. And well since our weeks really start with Monday it's best to think that our home life would start with that day as well.

I have a good feeling that I can do it this time. I can set my mind to being a better mom, wife, and person in general. I pulled out my journal again, made sure I had plenty of daily pages to use in my home binder, and even planned special ways to show my family how I love them. This is the new me. Now I'm off to shine my sink and live the good life. Till next time enjoy your own Susie Life.

78 days til Christmas...

 51 more days till Thanksgiving and 23 more days till Halloween.

Now normally I don't count down the days for holiday's instead, I count down the days till my Anniversary. 56 by the way, but this year I was looking for a cute Christmas wish list for the kids and came across some awesome printables from Pinch A Little Save-A-Lot, and I just couldn't help myself. I went nuts printing off everything she had that I may use. Which now means I need to either put a section in the Home binder for the holiday's or create a Holiday binder. I think creating a new binder is the way to go. It would be much easier to carry it around than the Home binder. Right now it'll just have spots for Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. But give me time and I will have spots for all major holiday's by month as well as anniversaries and birthdays. I have turned into a binder queen that just needs to get the family on board.

Today is a catch up and get it done kind of day. Laundry has gotten out of control again, I have about 25 pounds of apples to turn into pie filling and sauce, several summer squashes to shred up if they are still good, and a house to pick up. The glamorous day of a homemaker is never a bore LOL. I may even give myself a manicure just to get rid of the ragged cuticles I have going on.

And somehow I need to fit in a walk with a dog so I can get in some exercise and they can get some fresh air. We've been cooped up for a bit with all the rain we had last week, now it's clear skies and no energy for me.

Well that's it for me right this second. I have a house to get in order and a life to live for awhile. Stay tuned for more from this Susie's Life.

Good family, good friends, & Black Magic cake

Saturday was an awesome day for the Lowry household. 

Good Family

After getting up and starting our day we went and spent time with Grandma and Grandpa. Even on a budget we decided to use this week as our play week. We went out to lunch where I earned double Plink points for using my debit card at Burger King. Thanks to that trip I now have enough points for a 20$ Amazon gift card. 

We then went to Home Depot for some of the smaller household items we need. Had to buy a new tile drill bit so we can start hanging items up in the kid's bathroom. Love the fact that the owners before us started the work, hate that they tiled up the walls and possibly over the outlets. That is another project for a later date with us.

The best part was getting to go out to an orchard stand outside of Marsing ID. Last year we wanted to go they were closed Sunday's and we never went back. I'm glad my Mother-in-law asked us to go because it was so fun. It wasn't you pick like we normally do but for 14$ a half bushel we were able to pick up a  mix of Jonagold and Honeycrisp apples that weight in at 27# When the pre boxed Honeycrisps were 20# for 25$ Even better, it has wine tastings for free!!! I got to try a new type of wine that I really want a bottle of so maybe I can get it for our anniversary. We plan on going back again next week to get more apples and maybe some pluots. We just love making homemade applesauce. 

Next we took another trip to Albertson's for a few baking items I needed to make cake and candy. up until now we had been very good with our budget and hadn't spent more than we really needed. But you remember the sale that made me Super Wifey... Well it was still going and they added to it. Everything we had left later, I had broken even with saving what I had spent. But once again I filled the log. I can fit no more in my pantry or freezer and it feels good to know my family will not go hungry for a while. Now I can focus on stocking my cake decorating items as well as some baking items we haven't kept on hand very often. 

Good Friends

After a productive day with the family, we got home just in time for Mike and I to cook and bake for some very good friends of ours. Barbecued chicken and s'mores around the fire pit, while the kids played. It was a beautiful night to be sure but the the pièce de résistance... 

Black Magic Cake

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil  
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans or one 9x13 inch pan.
2. In large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center.
3. Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Batter will be thin. Pour into prepared pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and finish cooling on a wire rack. Fill and frost as desired.

Original recipe makes 1 - 9x13 inch or 2 - 9 inch round pan

I did mine as cupcakes, well it doesn't puff up like normal batter so they stuck together but they were still so good! Awesome without frosting as well as with. I had to do a bit of substituting on a couple things. I couldn't find my oil and I was not about to go back to the store so I used coconut oil which made the batter taste divine but you couldn't taste after it was baked and I added some chocolate extract as well as vanilla for more flavor. When they had finally cooled we frosted them with frosting Jessica brought that doesn't use powdered sugar. 

Chocolate frosting

• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour 
• 3 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 
• ⅔ cup granulated sugar 
• 1 cup milk 
• 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature

Directions

1. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring every 30 seconds, until chocolate is melted. Set aside to cool to room temperature. 
2.  n a small saucepan, combine flour, cocoa powder, sugar and milk. Whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, whisking frequently, until thickened. You’re looking for a pudding-like consistency. 
3. Remove from heat and use a fine mesh strainer to strain the mixture into another bowl (use the back of a wooden spoon to press it through the strainer). Cool completely in refrigerator or freezer.
4. In a mixer, beat butter on medium-high speed until fluffy, about two minutes. Turn mixer off and add the cooled flour mixture. Beat until fluffy, about two minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary. 
5. Add the melted chocolate chips and beat until smooth and fluffy, about another two minutes. 

So like I said, while we may not have actually saved this week, we got everything we needed to keep us going for a few months and made some pretty awesome memories. That's it for now. This Susie has to go supervise chores and get to work on canning. Have a great start to the week everyone.

Goooo meeeee! I'm SUPERWIFEY! I'm SUPERMOMMY!

I took it upon myself to tear into my bathroom yesterday. It was horrible, I haven't actually cleaned it out in months. Last time I scrubbed the shower and toilet was almost 2 weeks ago, it was bad! How bad? I refuse to post pictures. We couldn't find anything, Hubby was stepping on earrings, headbands, brush would go missing if you set it down. Not to mention the killer dust bunnies under the benches. 

*SHUDDERS*

Well it took all day and an entire bottle of industrial germicidal spray but my bathroom is spotless. I had to leave off organizing and throwing out stuff we don't use/expired for today. But that was a bit derailed for now. 

Which brings me on to why I am so SUPERWIFEY! Hubby came in with a little paper from the driveway with an Albertson's ad in it. YIPPY! They were having another mix and match box goods sale as well as a meat sale. Now I know that we're suppose to be saving and not buying anything that is not a necessity, but I couldn't believe it, for once A great sale, my coupons, and my pocket book matched up.

Hamburger Helper, Duncan Hines Cake mix, General Mills cereal, pork loin, energy bars, Barilla pasta... Total spent - 70.84$ Total Saved - 139.13. That means full price this mommy would have paid 209.97$

The hubby was so proud I filled the log LOL. 

Now to the part that makes me SUPERMOMMY!

At the PTC last night we stopped by book fair just to look, we found a 3 book set for 10$ and I got it to help Cadence with reading and writing. Figuring I'd just budget that back into the end of the month. Then my Mom let me know that Fred Meyer's has the Croods on sale $14.99 plus you get 2 candies, and a popcorn for free. Of course I get there and they are out but Blu-Ray (which we'd rather have) is 19.99$ and you get a stuffed plush belt toy. So here I am with a stocked pantry, a GREAT movie and I'm waiting for my wonderful monsters to get home to do their chores so we can have a family night.

For now, I'm tuckered out so I'll take a small nap before they get home and while they do homework finish up the bathroom. Then it's time to tackle the worst room in the house... 

THE BLACKHOLE!!!! AKA my room.

Let the savings begin!

      At the beginning of the year the hubby and I set a savings plan in place... Nope hasn't worked because of one thing or another always ending with got to use the savings. 

So right now as of today we have set up a new savings plan. Doing whatever it takes to get it done. 

Tracking each months total savings is a great idea. Even going so far as to adding in extra money when ever we have it instead of spending it on things we don't need.

 

First up is right out of each paycheck is usually an automatic 50$ that's good, but we need to go farther. We know that taking 10% out each check is what we should do, but some weeks that can't happen, so each week we'll put away 10% or 50$ which ever is more.

Cash wise each week I will take out a 20$ bill and set it aside for actual oops I forgot to pick up money. That way we are never using the savings account.

Setting up the 5$ plan as well when we use cash. We don't come across them often because we rarely use cash but from today on anytime we get a 5$ we have to set it in a savings jar as well. Just imagine the possibilities.

And lastly, I love the idea of the 52 weeks of savings for Christmas. We did start it last year but the money was used for this and that a few too many times so we're starting over. This Friday I will take week one and put it into a jar as well. 

Actually the jar is just a symbolic idea. I will have a few card sheets set up to hold money in my savings binder. Even with all the money we want to save we still have to keep track of what we spend. That is helped along greatly by a few websites with great printables.

Free monthly expenses tracker 

&

Free monthly cash flow tracker

Receipts go here, from now on everything needs some kind of receipt. Even if I have to make one.

 At the end of each month we'll go through each receipt and find what we could have cut out to save even more and store them away for later use 

I even have envelopes for Holiday shopping. So I don't spend more than I have. Christmas for the extended family is hand made only, everyone gets pretty much the same thing. Last year we made salt dough ornaments and jar mixes for a full chili dinner. This year it's mixes for breakfast. The kids are only getting 3 things, a need, a want, and a book. We'll still do our family traditions of small gifts through out the month but most of them will be hand made.

Next up, the monthly cash flow chart with large estimates for the first month, just in case. I'd hate to budget for less than what we really use in a week.

Monthly cash is followed by a better look at what we really spend our money on each day. Adding up to a basic pie chart of what gets spent where. Oh boy I have gone off the deep end.

 

We have decided one 3 weeks out of each month is a nothing but needs time. No going out to eat, no shopping for stuff we want, if it costs money we don't do it. We will be on a strict gas limit, trips to work and planning out the grocery shopping only. The last week/s of the month we get to have a little more fun and go a bit wild after bills and savings have been taken care of. This is where any extra cash can be set aside for the next month so we can have some fun outings on necessity weeks. So for the month of October we'll have NADA for the month as the plan is set up.
 

The holiday's are going to be the hardest, we have so many bucket list items and while most of them are free as long as we have a stocked home a few are not and will have to be dealt with accordingly. Not going to be easy for me since I just LOVE doing things and decorating for the holiday's. Right now I have so many Halloween crafts to do but no funds to finish them since I have to go buy the last items needed. 

The new year brings new troubles as well, we want to work on getting more of our debt knocked out as well as put more to our mortgage and pay it off early. But I have no doubt we will prevail and yes I'm sure there will be set backs but in the end...

BOOM BABY!!!!

The less stressed life will begin.

A change must be made.

Taking a look at a few things that have been going on and slipping through the cracks for this Susie, I have taken on a new personality. No more push over mommy, nice mommy, easy mommy, she's done!!! 

Last month the kids all helped out to make a new chore chart, and a rewards system. Something they swore they would never forget and always do. In that whole time they have gotten it right 2 times. TWICE in a month! I couldn't believe it, the other 28 days I had to yell, be mean, give up, bribe, or do it myself. All the while my own items were either not done or done poorly. I have spent the last month being mad, depressed, and tired.

 NO MORE I SAY!!!

I don't want to be a hard mean mommy but I can't do my job efficiently if I'm having to hold there hand each time. I have no brain power to help with homework, I find myself repeating things that I said before, forgetting important things when I really need them, or just plain losing my marbles when I look at my home. 

I spend most of my time out shopping to fill the void depression has given me. Filling my home with more things we really didn't need, just so I don't have to be at home alone with nothing to do but clean.

The rain here hasn't helped much, but something needed to change. Since the family won't do it it must be left to me. I know that I can't truly do everything. I may think I'm Super Mommy but I'm really just one woman. So I'm starting over, making a new chapter in my life. 

I want to be more active and not just to lose weight, I mean in all aspects of my life. Getting out and enjoying the world more. Taking a more active approach to my home other than to squeak by with the saying, "I have kids ya know so of course I have no time". I am looking to plan my hours better so that I'm not frazzled and haggard when the hubby comes home. I want to be poised and confident in who I am. 

Last week I dug out my poorly abused and dusty Home Binder and cleaned out my coupon binder. I made a perfectly wonderful chore binder and started working on a Savings binder to help out as well. 

I'm sitting down to plan out the best approach to my days that will not only give me the maximum time to get everything done, but will still allow me time to enjoy my life. 

I have already started in with today's room of choice. Going off the kid's chores it goes like this; 

Sunday - Cadence and Tydan's bedroom

Monday - Daytona's bedroom

Tuesday - Bathrooms and Hallway

Wednesday - Kitchen and Laundry room

Thursday - Living room and Entry way

Friday - Dining room and Pantry

Saturday - Office 

Every day is pick up day, animals, dishes, and laundry. The idea is to not be so overwhelmed by everything that needs to be done and have no time for the things that are fun. 

 So with my trusty to do list in my hand thanks to the wonderful site Cozi, I am feeling more in charge of my home today than I have in a long time. I will not stop until my list is cleared and I'm ready for the new day.

Someday, I will hold my perfectly coiffed head high and smile when someone asks me "How do you manage it all?"