DIY Cleaning stuff

So Manfriend was on a whole kick of reading financial planning blogs and books.  He's always thinking and asking questions.  So I figured I'd do my little part to help his blog but he has yet to use my numbers (and I spent time running them).

Traditionally I would go out and buy cleaning products (powder stuff for scrubbing, window cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, spray/gel for shower).  I figured I had to buy the stuff 2x a year costing $18.12 a year (I used the prices from the supermarket and doubled).  I decided to try and make my own cleaning products and the total cost was $7.38 for the year.  If I added in an essential oil (lemon) to avoid my house smelling like we just dyed eggs then the cost is $12.37 for the year and we aren't using any chemicals in our house.  This is only a savings of $5.75 for the year--enjoy your breakfast wrap at Bruegger's 1x with that savings Manfriend.

My homemade product is distilled water, vinegar in equal parts with some essential oil.  This has been amazing at cutting through grease and cleaning the counters.  To cleanse the sink and for scrubbing I use baking soda.  As for cleaning the toilet I am still buying toilet bowl cleaner.  I'm sure a combo of baking soda and such would work for that but let's face it--I picked the easy way on that one.

Laundry detergent is where we found some major savings for the year.  Making my own costs $11.36 for the year and I make it twice ($22.72).  Buying detergent (Tide) costs $17.99 and I would go through three ($53.97).  Homemade laundry detergent is saving us $31.25 a year.  Again, we don't have any extreme chemicals and our clothes are just as clean.

That's about all I have figured out so far (and all that I have DIY for taking care of the house chores).  Now if I can find a way for the lawn mower to work on grass clippings we will be in business!

house maintenance painting and concrete patches

I painted the exterior trim around the front door, garage door and sliding glass door after we moved in.  All of the trim is holding up well for the most part except the sliding glass door trim that bakes in sun a good chunk of the day.  This photo is after I did some scraping (where most of the paint just flaked off).  Most of the paint was already off in all fairness.  

 Almost all of the paint flaked off the top of the trim.  Only a little from the kick board of the door along the concrete came off.

 And then I dug out the exterior paint that we had used.  I could not get the can to open.  I used a screwdriver and nothing.  I tried to get a hammer claw end under the part of the lid I could and nada!  I ended up using a pair of pliers and prying the can open.  It took me about 10 minutes to get the can open.  I called it good enough and dipped the brush.

 I did one coat in the morning and a second in the afternoon.  I followed up with a 3rd coat the next morning and now it is back to looking the way that it should.  I am hoping that it will be much longer lasting than before since the temps were in the low 70's this time.

I also had my Papa Bear teach me how to do a concrete patch.  He showed me on our front walkway step how to mix and then patch concrete.  Our back patio step was starting to crack and break so I tackled that by myself now that I knew how.  It wasn't very hard but you had to be kind of quick so the concrete wouldn't dry (it was quick set).  I was careful to wash the tools as soon as I finished up so they would stay nice.  I am pleased with how it came out considering this was my first attempt.

new concrete under the top step where there was a huge gap/crack.  

Home from Florida

My mom and I arrived home from our whirlwind trip to Florida around noon on Saturday.  Both of us somewhat exhausted and then she went and pulled an all nighter to wait for concert tickets that went on sale the next morning.  I took the more practical route and went home, packed for the cottage and took a lot of little naps and relaxed.

 Luke and I attempted to go watch the sunset but there were too many low clouds so it wasn't going to happen.  The sun disappeared from view 15 minutes before the actual sunset with no chance of the clouds breaking for a more beautiful sky.  Oh well, we tried.

 We went back to the cottage where Luke basically proceeded to rub my feet and calves for almost the entire Transformers movie that he rented.  Then he stayed up to do some work and slept on the couch so I could get a great night of sleep after all my travels.  He is an amazing husband and always trying to make me happy.  He's winning in that category (although I do complain sometimes).

My skirt haul from the trip to Florida cause my handsome Manfriend said, "get what you want."  In all fairness mom bought me 2 and one was already paid for and had to be picked up (saved shipping cost).

Last day in Florida (part 3)

Remember me telling you how mom and Debbie thought the skirts were so comfy and amazing?  So much so that they took them out for a cruise around town to take in some sights.  And craziness followed with them thinking they were going to get in major trouble as Miss New Hampshire sported some Boston Red Sox gear at the Tampa Bay Rays stadium (Sox were in town for a game too).  She had me take a photo of her in her skirt "mooning" but that is on her phone.  Crazy, just like I told you.  

 Then we sat in the parked car for about 20 minutes as a terrible rain storm blew through the area with thunder and lightning.  I was intrigued by this tree:

 I got out to take a few photos of it since it was very unique looking.  Upon a closer look what you think is dangling moss is actually like a branch with roots stretching towards the ground.  That might explain why the tree looks like it has a massive trunk but closer you see some gaps in it.  I guess it "drops" roots and grows the diameter of the tree.

See how it looks like a lot of trees really close to each other.  This is a tree to be "afraid" of if you are like me and think plants are going to go Adam's family on you and eat you/wrap a vine around you and snatch you up.  Yup, irrational phobia of living plants (and dead ones too).

 The street near where we were parked.  We were quite amused while parked as well by the people walking by on their way to the Warped tour.

 Weather cleared up quickly and we stopped by the beach just to put our toes in the sand.  The water was quite warm and not very refreshing.  Perhaps if it had been a lot hotter, but in my opinion temps in the 90's are hot enough.

 I went to take a nice photo of them and mom thought she'd try to toss her to the ground.  They really are a bunch of goofs that keep you and each other laughing.

 Still laughing/smiling from the fight to topple each other over.

 We went to Wal-Mart (you never know what you will find) and it is fun to people watch.  After we stopped at a cup cake place and got these yummies.  That afternoon we went for a swim in the pool and took a nap before meeting Debbie's boyfriend for dinner.  He is a really nice guy and he makes her happy so that counts for a lot.