Tips on being smart and safe

Last night we had a church meeting for women on different aspects on being prepared. One of our teachers works at our local prison and had a few great tips I thought I would share. It's one of the things you hope you never have to use, but it's always good to be reminded. I can't remember all of them but here are a few:

1) Never park next to a "cargo" type van in a parking lot.
2) When you go out to your car, hold your one pointy key in between your index and middle, it could be a good way to poke an intruder in the eye!
3) If a stranger stops to ask for directions, etc, (even if it is a little old lady), at least keep arms distance away.
4) If you have GPS, don't label home "home"
5) Wasp spray can be used as pepper spray.
6) Change up routes and daily routines.
7) If someone throws an egg at your windshield, don't wipe it with your windshield. It will turn white, you will have to stop, and your attackers could get you. Instead drive the best you can until you can get to a public place and then stop.
8) Always lock your car while pumping gas. An intruder could get in on the opposite side of your car while you are pumping.
9) Sleep with your keys next to your bed, and then you can hit the panic button for your car and it will start beeping in case of an intruder in your home.
10) Strap your purse to your cart, so someone can't grab it easily.
11) Stay on levels 2-12 in a hotel. The first level is the most often broken into, the higher levels are harder to get to in a fire!

Hope this is a helpful. Have a happy and safe day!

How to have your ideas...and save on ink too

You could say I have always been addicted to ideas. When I was first married I used to get crafty library books and spend a lot of time copying page after page. Luckily I worked at a copy shop. That was before blogs! (or at least before I knew about blogs)

It has been dangerous for me to know about blogs. I have limit myself. But I can't give up my ideas. I love getting new ideas (Recently, I discovered why. My friend does personality profiling on how to dress, and I have discovered that I am a "1" and "1's" love new ideas!)

So, I was spending a lot of money on ink and paper. I know I could bookmark them, or save them to my computer. But I would much rather look through prinouts that on the screen to choose my next project. Plus, I thought I would save them to my computer and forget all about them.

I rationalized my ink spending habits on the fact that I am pretty low-maintenance. Most of my clothes comes from clearance racks, I don't eat out a lot, I don't get pedi's, etc. Besides, SAHM's need some sort of "out" and this was mine.

But, it was getting a little excessive. I have stacks and stacks of printouts. All great ideas, but I was probably only getting to 1% of them. Soo, recently I started "starring" them on google reader. Then every once in awhile, I will copy the picture, paste it into word, then print the web address under the picture. I will also copy and print recipes this way.

Then, when I do look through my ideas, and get serious about one, I can look up where I can find more detail. I also use grayscale to save on expensive colored ink. Then I have my little filing cabinet divided into categories. It's been working great for me.

Do you have any great organizing ideas for your projects to be?

Dolly

This summer I spent more time enjoying summer than crafting, but I was feeling an itch to make something. And I keep drooling over the Waldorf dolls Lil Blue Boo keeps featuring. Having the "I'm too frugal I can make that myself mentality" can be a curse sometimes. Those dolls are expensive, but I learned why. I researched some sites online and attempted to make one. Not going to happen in this lifetime.
But, I still I had this itching to make a doll. So, I found a great tutorial on Martha Stewart. The doll instructions were very easy to follow. However, I found the clothes a bit challenging. (Don't let this intimidate you, as I am a very amateur sewer) So, I made an extremely basic version of the shirt which was supposed to have a collar, buttons etc.

It was good enough for my 15-month old. I love her long crazy hair. Maybe I will have to live my long hair fantasies through her. Now I've gotten it out of my system. Time to move on to other craft projects.

And to start saving for the real Waldorf doll.

Two-week menu

Monday-Enchiladas Rancheras with fruit
Tuesday-Pizza with green salad (for me only!)
Wednesday-Greek style chicken sandwiches-roughly based on this, but I will have to tone it down for the gringos
Thursday-Loaded chicken baked potatoes *make extra shredded chicken for Friday
Friday-Hawaiian Haystacks
Saturday-Dry Rub Ribs-(have made these before-to die for!!)
Sunday-Meatballs
Monday-Spagetti dinner fundraiser
Tuesday-Tacos
Wednesday-Pulled pork or chicken sandwhiches
Thursday-Chili-roughly based on this
Friday and Saturday-possibly out of town

*Loaded Baked Potatoes
Bake your potatoes and add shredded chicken tossed in BBQ sauce, cheese, ranch, and green onions

Taste Test Party

Last night we had a fun activity at our monthly girls night. We did a taste taste for our refreshments. Here is how it worked: A few weeks before I sent out a list of assignments. Everyone had a partner and here is what we had to test ourselves on. :

1) Coke vs Pepsi
2) Same item from two different restaurants (They brought fried rice from Panda Express and a local Chinese place)
3) Same cookie bar recipe-one used imitation vanilla and one used Mexican vanilla
4) Blackberry Cheesecakes-one using Philadelphia cream cheese, the other using store brand cream cheese
5) Low-fat fruit dip vs. full fat fruit dip
6) Organic granola and milk vs. regular granola and milk
7) Whoopie pies-(different recipes-we had to guess who made which one)
8) Bakery brownies vs. homemade brownies
9) Crush Soda vs. Store Brand Orange Soda

When ladies I arrived, I handed them their quiz and we went around and starting tasting.
The options are endless. It was a lot of fun. Even Coke enthusiasts had a hard time tasting the difference when it was disguised and tasted next to Pepsi.
The four people who got the most right got some hand soap from Bath and Body works, and then we watched Dear John in our garage (since it was windy).
The next time you are in charge of planning girls night, bookmark this idea and see how distinguised your taste buds are!

A Silly wedding Gift!

When my husband and I got married nearly 20 years ago, my best friend from High School did the cutest present for us. It leaned toward the naughty side, but not raunchy. Bill wanted to do something similar for a couple of the gals he works with when they got married. (he thinks he's funny and so we humor him!) Anyway I wrote the poems to go with each item and thought I would post part of it here, if you wanted the whole thing just drop and email and I can send it to you!

On the Cooler

I'm sure you can't imagine

What it might be like

That this state of happiness

Just might take a hike

But someday soon, a fight will come

That makes you all amiss

And when it happens you might ask

Where is my wedded bliss?

So we're giving you this COOLER

To remember to be nice

But when your anger reels its head

"Chill Out" and put it on Ice.

Inside this cooler you will find

A few things you might need

Enjoy this gift made just for you

It will be fun indeed!

Inside there is a Towel, Excedrin, condoms, m&m's and a jar, breath mints, socks, ice cream toppings, lighter, leopard duct tape and a feather, and band aids and first aid tape.
Here's a few samples of the poems that go with each item.

Excedrin

Here’s a prescription

Written just for you.

In case of a headache

Just take TWO!

M&M’s and a Jar

It takes a year to fill this jar

Drop an M&M each time

The two of you get all caught up

And make those love bells chime.

They say it takes just 50 more

To take out every one

So set a goal and work real hard

Go Ahead…and have some fun!

Towel

Keep this in your bedside table

For clean up…just in case

You never know when you’ll be able

To make it past third base.

Tammie

The perfect pie

I know most of you who care are already on the Prepared Pantry's mailing list, but just in case here is their e-book on how to make the perfect pie.