I Love Me Some Bargains
August 31, 2005
Even though I don’t clip coupons or go out of my way to shop for sales, I still get excited when I get a good deal somewhere. Today at the grocery store I saved $294, I won’t tell you how much I spent because that isn’t important, because I SAVED $294!
Granted I bought meat on clearance and I wonder if that could ever be a good idea. But packages of Perdue chicken nuggets on sale for $1.00, marked down from $10, who with children can pass up such a bargain, I ask. Hopefully I won’t be giving my unsuspecting family some virulent strain of food poisoning, thereby blowing my savings on doctor copays.
One of the grocery baggers asked me if I was stocking up for the end of the world and I looked at her and with a completely serious expression said, “Why yes. Yes I am.”
She sort of chuckled and I continued to look at her. She didn’t know what to say next, but I think I scared her. It was probably wrong how much I really enjoyed it.
Then I dragged my three carts full of food to my tiny car, because I left the gas guzzling van at home and packed the food into the tiny trunk that was filled up mostly with the stroller. Then I packed the food around the kids in the backseat who were strapped into their carseats and drove home, begging them to stop kicking the bread. The entire time thinking that if I ever won the lottery, or more accurately ever played the lottery and then won, I would employ someone to bring my groceries home and put them away.
When I got home from shopping I burst in the door and shouted to my 6 and 8 yr olds, “Want to hear my good news? I just saved a bunch of money on my grocery bill!”
And without missing a beat they both said, in unison, “Yeah, baby!”
God I love those kids. Even though they can drive me to crazy and back in a heartbeat, I still love them.
And the fact that most of them are old enough to carry the groceries in from the car and help put them away, makes me love them even more.
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Oh my, I hate bringing in the groceries and putting them away. I love the idea of paying someone to do it. Another thing to add to MY “Things to do with My Lottery Winnings” list!
August 31st, 2005 at 11:54 pmChris, I hope I’m as cool as you when I have kids
a lurking fan,
September 1st, 2005 at 1:55 amMar
Ah…kids who appreciate a bargain. Let’s see if that holds when they’re teenagers…
September 1st, 2005 at 8:45 amYou’ve trained them well, Chris. I’m very impressed.
September 1st, 2005 at 8:53 amOH SO funny!
Whenever I am asked if I want “assistance” out to my car, I tell the gal or gal; “no, but you can come home with me and help me put everything away.” So far - no takers! 
September 1st, 2005 at 2:59 pmI scare people too
The ability of children to unload the car after a massive trip to the grocery store is the greatest gift. Mine are 10,7 and 5 and they are all in the process of being trained “Nothing happens till this car is *empty*!”
September 2nd, 2005 at 2:06 pmI had a friend who had instructed her kids to clean out and detail the car after vacation trips. They even got to the point where they did it without being reminded. Can’t wait for that day!
I was at sam’s club the other day, and its was closing, and there was this lady that was stranded there with her 3 kids and a HUGE cart of stuff. So my husband and I asked her if someone was coming to pick her up. She laughed and told us she had bought too much stuff to fit in her small car and she had to call her husband to come and pick up the groceries for her. We were cracking up!!!
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October 20th, 2005 at 8:16 pmEssential oils, roots and herbs can be used in a variety of ways to promote healthy living and stress and pregnancy. They are used to create natural remedies for treating ailments common to both people and animals, to add flavor to food, to make perfumes and to create environmentally friendly cleaning products.
You do not have to own a garden to tap into the benefits of plants, roots and herbs. A few herb pots located by a sunny window are enough to get you started. Then, all you need are some essential oils and you are ready to go.
For therapeutic purposes, only the purest oils will do. It is possible to be fooled into thinking that you are purchasing a pure oil. Often, a lesser quality blend of several oils is used to mimic the properties of the pure oil. Blended oils are acceptable for fragrance purposes such as for perfuming a room, but pure oils are a “must” for medicinal purposes.
A reasonable guide to the purity of an essential oil is its price. Pure essential oils are generally more expensive. Common oils such as lavender and geranium are much cheaper than frankincense and carnation oil. It is advisable to become familiar with essential oil prices and then rely on this knowledge when purchasing oils from unfamiliar sources. Keep in-mind that you will generally get what you pay for. A price list from a reputable dealer is a valuable resource when purchasing essentials oils.
Usually, pure essential oils cannot be applied directly to the skin and must be mixed in a base oil to reduce their strength. Base oils such as almond oil or wheatgerm oil are commonly used for this purpose. Base oils are generally derived from seeds, nuts or vegetables and allow you to create essential oil remedies that can be massaged into the skin.
So, what do you need to get started with essential oils and natural remedies?
Without a doubt, Lavender is one of the most useful and desirable oils. Not only does it work wonders on cuts, bruises and burns, it also aids sleep and helps with relaxation.
The Tea Tree and Eucalyptus oils are useful for treating a variety of respiratory ailments. These are excellent for the treatment of colds and coughs. They can be massaged into the chest or burned in an oil burner to help clear the airways and prevent congestion. Tea Tree oil is a natural antiseptic and can be dabbed on cuts, bites and stings. It is often used to treat spots and pimples and when diluted with water, acts as a mouth gargle (keep in-mind it should never be swallowed).
Another basic antiseptic is Geranium oil. With its distinctive perfume and pain relieving properties, it is a necessary inclusion when starting out.
Peppermint oil should also be purchased as it treats digestive complaints and may be used in preparations for freshening breath.
For fragrant perfumes and establishing ambience in a room, buy some Patchouli and Ylang-ylang oils. Often combined in scented candles and air fresheners, a few drops of each in an oil burner creates a wonderfully perfumed home. Orange oil mixed with Cinnamon oil is a lovely winter alternative that evokes seasonal, holiday smells. Besides their perfume qualities, all four of these oils have other properties. Patchouli treats eczema and dandruff. Ylang-ylang is reputed to relieve stress, palpitations and high blood pressure. Orange is used in natural remedies for depression and nervous tension and Cinnamon is excellent for warts and viral infections.
The herbs, Thyme and Rosemary can be grown in pots and used when needed. To create essential oils from herbs, stew some large amounts in pure water, collect the steam and cool it. The oil will rise to the top of the drained water and can be collected with an eyedropper. Alternatively, a “flower still” can be purchased to make the job easier. Thyme and Rosemary are both antiseptics and can be used in skin care preparations. They are also delicious when used in cooking.
Lemon oil and fresh lemons will purify water and, when mixed with honey, are effective remedies for colds and flu. Lemon and white vinegar are highly efficient cleaning agents that can be used for domestic cleaning tasks without damaging the environment. Use white vinegar as a natural disinfectant or mix it with water to clean windows and wooden floors. It is also handy to keep a bottle of white vinegar in your car if you swim in the ocean. It will bring instant relief from jellyfish stings.
Citronella oil is perfect in summer to keep the insects at bay. Another natural repellent is Garlic. Fleas will not bite a dog that has been eating garlic, so a few garlic capsules in the dog food are a cheap solution to your pet’s flea problem. A soft collar soaked in Citronella will also do the job.
Garlic also helps to promote a healthy immune system when the weather turns cold and viruses begin to circulate. In fact, most of the oils and herbs listed above are effective in helping to prevent many common winter illnesses.
Whether you are looking for remedies or nature friendly products to use around the house, the oils and herbs suggested above should help get you started. You will be ready to make some healthy changes in your way of life!
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October 25th, 2005 at 10:52 pmMany of our modern drugs have harsh side-affects and cost the “earth”, so the next time you come down with a cold or the flu or social anxiety, why not try a gentle alternative that costs next to nothing?
Instead of immediately forking over large amounts of money for over-the-counter drugs, go to the kitchen cupboard and see what you can find to relieve your symptoms including social anxiety.
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A simple hot compress applied to the face is very soothing to those throbbing aches and pains of a blocked sinus, while a few drops of eucalyptus oil on a handkerchief can provide welcome relief for similar conditions. While supplements of vitamin C, D and zinc will shorten the lifespan of a common cold, a hot lemon drink is also extremely good. And be sure to cuddle-up in bed when you have a cold, as it will make the body sweat out the germs.
Cool lemon juice and honey are a great soother for a sore throat and gives the body much-needed vitamin C at the same time The juice of one lemon in a glass of water is sufficient. Melt the honey in a little hot water for ease of mixing.
A smear of Vaseline or petroleum jelly will do wonders for those sore lips and nose that often accompany a cold.
A ’streaming cold’ where the nose and eyes water profusely, can respond to drinking onion water. Simply dip a slice of onion into a glass of hot water for two seconds, then sip the cooled water throughout the day. Half an onion on the bedside table also alleviates cold symptoms because its odor is inhaled while you sleep.
People prone to catarrh may find that chewing the buds from a pine or larch throughout the day will clear up their condition in just a few days.
Do you suffer from sore eyes? If your eyes are sore from lengthy exposure to the sun, try beating the white of an egg and then spread it over a cloth and bandage the eyes with it. Leave the preparation on overnight. Soft cheese (quark) is also a good remedy for this condition.
For those unpleasant times when you suffer from diarrhea, two tablespoons of brown vinegar will usually fix the problem. Vinegar can be rather horrible to take, but who cares! The problem is more horrible. Vinegar can usually be found in most people’s cupboards, so you don’t need to worry about finding someone to run to the shop for you in an emergency.
Sleepless? Instead of reaching for sleeping pills, which can quickly become addictive, try this: Drink only caffeine free tea or coffee starting late in the afternoon.. Go to bed earlier rather than later, as being overtired tends to keep people awake. Make sure the bedroom is dark and quiet. Use only pure wool or cotton sheets and blankets. Polyester materials can cause sweat and make you thirsty (if your child constantly asks for water throughout the night, this could be the reason).
And don’t watch those scary movies just before retiring! If you still can’t sleep, make a tea of lemongrass or drink a nightcap of herbal tea containing chamomile. It’s easy to grow lemongrass in your garden or start a flower pot on the balcony for ease of picking. Simply steep a handful in boiling water for five minutes. Honey may be added for a sweetener.
Of course there will be times when you do need modern drugs, so if these simple remedies don’t have the required affect, be sure to see a health care professional.
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