a long day

I am feeling really beat today.  Just exhausted.  I worked from 1:30 to 9:10 tonight (had to close by myself), and work was busy today.  I didn't feel like being super energetic for customers.  I had to work with my manager who is the queen of over-sharing and weirdness (sorry, I try to have a good attitude toward her, but this part is just kind of true).  I had to go pick up Shea from Jeremy's parents house, because Jeremy has his men's group today.  So he puts Shea to bed and I go pick him up and bring him home.  I always feel so bad waking him up, he just wants to sleep!  But he's always so happy to finally get into his own bed.  Thursday nights are generally my "I can do whatever I want" night,since Jeremy isn't home..but really, all I want to do is sleep!  I think I'm going to make myself a snack and then finish posting.


Ok.  I have two mini pizzas on english muffins toasting in the toaster oven.  MMM.


So I just thought I'd share a couple of things.  First, just a cute Shea moment.  Lately he has been into putting on his Mr. Potato-Head glasses.  I got him to pose.  Then he OF COURSE had to put on his sunglasses and pose.  Then he had to get "Mama, potatohead gagis" (how he pronounces "sunglasses") and then he made me take a picture.  Yes, we be stylin'.

Then, I finally did something I have been wanting to try for a while.  Jeremy and I made our first batch of homemade liquid laundry detergent!  Here is the link to the blog I found it on if you want to check it out.  This is insane when I found this out.  I spent about 14 dollars startup cost to make this - about the price of buying my regular detergent which gets me through 50 - 60 loads.  This homemade stuff lasts for180 loads with my washer (640 if you have a new efficient front loader!), and next time I make it?  I only have to spend .97 cents for the bar of laundry soap!  The other ingredients last a while because I only use 1 cup of the washing soda, and 1/2 cup of the borax.  Not to mention all the ingredients are all natural.  I have heard that a lot of detergent companies do not have to disclose all of the chemicals they put in their soap, so I have been wanting to change to natural for a while, but those brands tend to be a bit more expensive.   I have run two loads with it today, and I am so happy with the result!  They smell good (the natural soap bar has a nice natural soapy smell to it), and I don't have to use fabric softener with it (more savings!).  And it only took about 20 minutes to make plus 10 minutes today filling my containers.  Definitely doing this all the time.  Its not really millions of dollars of savings a year, but I am really trying to focus on being a better steward with what I have, and this is one practical way I have found to do it.  And it was a fun project to do and have my husband be a part of a household chore with me.

Here is what I had to buy:  a 5 gallon bucket and the three ingredients (found at Walmart for super cheap). Then I collected empty milk gallons from work (since we buy our milk in cartons).  I filled those 5 bottles in the picture below and still have half the orange bucket full of stuff.  My sister is even going to buy some from me for a couple of bucks and it will last her way longer than anything else.

Can't end without my super silly boy hiding in our pillows while I was getting ready for work.  At least he popped out for a picture.  :)  OH and my ultrasound is scheduled for Feb 10th!  Two weeks from tomorrow we get to see our baby and maybe find out if its a boy or girl.  CANNOT WAIT!  Excited for a day off tomorrow too!  And my mini pizzas look amaaaaazing.  You should be very jealous.  :P