tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64641690156227252202024-03-08T13:23:50.197-06:00life with lauren.klauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.comBlogger130125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-68157498957356836752012-06-28T10:10:00.000-05:002012-06-28T11:00:01.441-05:00Cutting A/C Costs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ysi_CkfdJUE/T-xwzz8umNI/AAAAAAAAA08/tYFXV32sh4A/s1600/MP900409423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ysi_CkfdJUE/T-xwzz8umNI/AAAAAAAAA08/tYFXV32sh4A/s320/MP900409423.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
It. is. HOT! This summer, we have managed to cut our power bill by as much as 25% by following this pretty simple technique to try to avoid using the air conditioner. It's made me pretty happy so I'm sharing it with you. :) <br />
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<i>Requirements: The outside temp needs to get to the low 70s or below at night/early morning when you can open all of the windows and turn on (preferably, ceiling) fans to circulate the air.</i> <i><b>Note: Days like today (90+ for multiple days in a row) do not fit into this category, so you'll just have to put this in your back pocket until it cools down.</b></i><br />
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The process to avoid using your A/C on a hot day (read: not sweltering) are pretty simple.<br />
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1. Sometime before 7:00 A.M. (or when you wake up - the earlier the better), when the outdoor temp is cooler than room temperature (72), open all windows and turn on ceiling fans to circulate the air.<br />
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2. Once the outdoor temp starts to rise above 72*, probably around 8:00ish**, close all windows, curtains/shades and become a hermit.<br />
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3. Avoid using the oven and stove as much as possible and turn off heat-producing electronics (big screen TVs, desktop computers, etc.) and minimize their use.<br />
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4. Wear summer clothes.<br />
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5. If you're a stay-at-home mom like me, break the day up by taking day trips to the pool, library, park, children's museum, etc. so that you're not sitting in the house all day making it warmer (the more bodies, the higher the indoor temp rises).<br />
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6. Drink a lot of water. I don't know if this is scientific or just a mental thing, but it works for me.<br />
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7. Once the temps start to come down at night, reopen all curtains, shades and windows and turn on all ceiling fans to again recirculate the air. <b> </b><br />
<b>Note: Some say they choose to leave their windows open all night. Because we have three young children, I never leave their windows open, and rarely ours as well. For those wondering, yes I did watch the missing children episode of Oprah. I don't remember them specifically advising not to leave bedroom windows open, but do remember a fair amount of parents saying their children had been kidnapped this way at night. Is it likely? Probably not. Is it worth playing the odds? Definitely not.</b><br />
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*You can check the temperature with an outdoor thermometer (we have one conveniently attached to the outside of our patio door), checking online (weather.com) or by simply standing in front of the window/going outside to feel if the air is getting warmer.<br />
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**This time is based on the majority of my experience so far THIS summer (2012) in the Chicagoland area. Anyone who has ever lived here knows how consistent our weather is.lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-28401972950080616142012-06-07T11:33:00.001-05:002012-06-07T11:33:49.630-05:00Our 2012 Summer Bucket ListM finished her last 30-minute day of school on Tuesday, so we can officially begin our summer! This year, I took a little time and put together a list of things to do before the summer ends - our summer bucket list! It started as a simple list, but I got bored with it and decided to make a <a href="http://www.wordle.net/">Wordle</a>.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJQHkA5hmkk/T9DJ7YOw9SI/AAAAAAAAA0g/timhuNpyR_o/s1600/summer+2012+bucket+list.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="345" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RJQHkA5hmkk/T9DJ7YOw9SI/AAAAAAAAA0g/timhuNpyR_o/s640/summer+2012+bucket+list.png" width="640" /></a>My Personal Summer 2012 Bucket List<br />
1. Take belated "school" portraits.<br />
2. Finish Proverbs 31 bible study.<br />
<strike>3. Have a garage sale.</strike><br />
4. Reorganize linen closet.<br />
5. Exercise 2X/week.<br />
6. Drink at least 60 oz. of water/day.<br />
7. Read <u>Farmer Boy</u> with Maddy.<br />
8. Begin potty training with Claire.<br />
9. Read through Children's Illustrated Bible with Lily.<br />
10. Plan family vacation.<br />
11. Reorganize basement storage room.<br />
12. Read 3 books.<br />
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I hope this brings a little inspiration to you. I'd love to get some of your ideas too!lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-3078167654765362132012-05-25T08:36:00.000-05:002012-05-25T08:36:10.920-05:00Is it summer tomorrow?<br />
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C's newest word is "fi-fah" (flip flops), L's last day of preschool is tomorrow, and M is busy at school with music programs, summer birthday celebrations, yearbooks, etc. L asks me throughout the day if summer is tomorrow ... almost! And I just found this <a href="http://www.livingsocial.com/deals/336728?rpi=62680292&ref=personalized-link-box-62680292&rui=7939603">great deal</a> on Living Social for a <a href="http://www.livingsocial.com/deals/336728?rpi=62680292&ref=personalized-link-box-62680292&rui=7939603">$15 mani/pedi at Mario Tricoci University</a> locations. Yay! I've been wearing flip flops already, but now I don't need to be embarrassed every time I look down. ;)</div>
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I've also been finding some great ideas on <a href="http://pinterest.com/lkimura/">Pinterest </a>in planning our summer. I can't wait to get started! I'll try to post some of that and a couple of other activities we've done the past week or two - like homemade playdough! Now we're off to L's last day of preschool - (sigh) - very bittersweet.lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-55174729829633860442012-05-19T14:21:00.001-05:002012-05-19T14:21:28.577-05:00This week's groceriesWhy do I keep posting my grocery spending, you ask? Because I want to prove that you don't have to be a dumpster diving extreme couponer to buy on a budget. It might take a little creativity and a little extra effort, but it's entirely doable. I have an average-size pantry, refrigerator, freezer and the little cabinet space we do have is completely used by dishware, glasses, pots & pans. We have a 7 yr old, 4 yr old and 1.5 year old, so I think you can also say we have the average 2.5 kids, at least when it comes to eating. No dog (yet ;) but for the most part, we are a very average American family living on a very average American salary, but trying to spend less than we earn wherever we can. College ain't getting any cheaper ... and one day we'd like to own a house of our own .... *sigh* But I digress.<br />
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I lost one of last week's receipts, but you have my word it was around $52. (I had the extra $ from the week before :) Maybe some amount of change over. The highlight was this tortilla crusted tilapia (frozen) from Costco. $13.50 for the box, which is enough for 2 dinners for our family and it was delish and it was seafood that even A liked!<br />
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Here are this week's numbers ...<br />
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<u>Aldi:</u><br />
1 bag potato chips $1.49<br />
1 package chocolate chip cookies $0.89 (clearance)<br />
1 bunch bananas 2.56 lb $0.38/lb = $0.97<br />
<b>Total: $3.43</b><br />
<b><br /></b><br />
<u>Fresh Farms:</u><br />
1 bunch celery $0.89<br />
1 bunch green onion $0.33<br />
1 bunch romaine lettuce $0.88<br />
1 head green cabbage $0.80<br />
4 tomatoes on the vine $1.39<br />
2 lbs. organic gala apples $4.04<br />
2 lbs. whole pork tenderloin $7.66<br />
6 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breast $1.99/lb = $11.86<br />
2 dozen extra large eggs $0.79 each = $1.58<br />
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<b>Total: $30.09</b><br />
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<u>Jewel:</u><br />
1 box Jewel corn starch $1.43<br />
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8oz. Jewel whipping cream $1.34<b> </b><br />
<b>Buy 10, get $5 off deal:</b><br />
3 Rice-A-Roni Mexican rice $0.75<b> </b>each = $1.50<br />
1 Hellmann's Mayo w/Olive Oil $1.50 (with $1 off coupon)<br />
2 lbs. Barilla spaghetti $0.75 each = $1.50<br />
1 box Barilla mostaccioli $0.75<br />
1 box Barilla farfalle $0.75<br />
2 boxes Pasta-Roni $0.75<br />
<b>Total: $11.28</b><br />
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<u>Dominicks:</u><br />
3 packs Vienna franks $2.77 each<br />
<b>Total: $8.50</b><br />
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<i><b>Grand Total: $53.30</b></i>lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-32752770911286197952012-05-09T10:52:00.000-05:002012-05-09T10:52:09.512-05:00The Proverbs 31 Woman: One Virtue at a Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVLnArHE7dI/T6qRBr_SrsI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Hl73JDzsjN8/s1600/proverbs31woman.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DVLnArHE7dI/T6qRBr_SrsI/AAAAAAAAA0M/Hl73JDzsjN8/s200/proverbs31woman.png" width="132" /></a></div>
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I came across <a href="http://womenlivingwell.org/2012/05/for-the-first-time-ever/">this</a> free ebook download/study guide/upcoming blog bible study series for the summer through <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/05/the-proverbs-31-woman-one-virtue-at-a-time-free-ebook.html">MoneySavingMom.com</a> and wanted to share it because I think I'm going to try it out. It just requires subscribing to a couple of blogs, so the only cost is a little space in your inbox. Other than that, I think it's 14 weeks and only 1-2 verses/day so it seems very doable. Let me know if you'd like to join me!lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-59035629171685497872012-05-08T22:28:00.003-05:002012-05-19T14:21:42.968-05:00Grocery Day UpdateSince I didn't get to post my grocery spending last week and I'm postponing my shower until after the Bulls game, I have a few minutes to give you the rundown. I was under budget this week, yay! It was a much more typical shopping experience this week with no coupons at 3 stores (also why I wanted to post).<br />
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<u>Dominicks</u>:<br />
~3 lbs. chicken drumsticks $0.99/lb = $4.02<br />
~3 lbs. organic fuji apples $1.79/lb = $4.94<br />
1 12oz. package wontons $3.29<br />
brownie mix $0.99<br />
<b>Total: </b><b>$13.54</b><br />
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<u>Fresh Farms</u>:<br />
1 bunch green onions $0.33<br />
~2 lbs. ground round beef $6.04<br />
~1-2 lbs. mild italian sausage $2.29<br />
2 dozen extra lg eggs $0.89 each = $1.78<br />
<b>Total: $10.67</b><br />
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<u>Aldi</u>:<br />
~2.5 lbs bananas $0.38/lb = $1.00<br />
1 package corn tortillas $0.35<br />
1 pack hamburger buns $0.99<br />
1 lb. strawberries $0.99<br />
3 pints blackberries $0.79 each = $2.37*<br />
1 apple juice concentrate $0.92<br />
1 bag potato chips $1.49<br />
1 bag romaine hearts $1.79<br />
1 package applesauce cups $1.29<br />
4 lb. bag navel oranges $3.49<br />
1 package chicken breasts $4.02<br />
<b>Total: $19.12</b><br />
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<b><i>Grand Total: $43.33 (+$4.75 carryover from last week) = $48.08; $1.92 extra for next week</i></b><br />
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*Just as a side note, Aldi's blackberries were delicious! As are their navel oranges - part of why I buy them all the time. But since I'm not usually a huge fan of blackberries (usually too sour), this was quite remarkable. Yay Aldi!lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-18838859531517335052012-05-02T14:13:00.001-05:002012-05-02T14:40:36.511-05:00Owning a Honda Odyssey: Words to the Wise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ377p1f8Co/T6GDS3ZxSfI/AAAAAAAAA0A/Ut-B5Ssni4k/s1600/2007-Honda-Odyssey-EX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ377p1f8Co/T6GDS3ZxSfI/AAAAAAAAA0A/Ut-B5Ssni4k/s320/2007-Honda-Odyssey-EX.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Originally, I was going to post about a book we found at the library a couple weeks ago, but recent events have led me to more pressing topics. Don't worry, I'll still post about it later ... :)<br />
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A couple of years ago - just before C was born - we had the great fortune of buying a new-to-us 2007 Honda Odyssey EX for our growing family. It was (and is) truly a blessing and gift from God, especially as we just finished paying it off last month - 8 or so years early! But I digress ...<br />
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It came - as most more recent minivans do - complete with automatic sliding doors. Despite my constant nagging - "don't play with the doors," "the doors are not a toy," "leave the doors alone," etc., etc., L will almost always come back to opening and closing her door unnecessarily just for the fun of it. Admittedly, if I were a kid, I would probably think it was fun too.<br />
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But today was not fun. After picking her up from preschool, pulling into the garage, turning off the car, opening the back doors and unbuckling her, I went around to the other side to get C out. In the meantime, L decided to close her door (while still IN the car) and then proceeded to see what would happen if she squeezed her fingers in-between the shrinking space just as the door clicked shut. It happened so fast, I didn't even have time to realize what she was doing, let alone to tell her to move her hand. So, what happened? Well, try as I might, I could NOT get the door to open. I tried pushing the button by the steering wheel that I normally use, ran around to the other side to try to pull it open, ran back around to turn off the power and see if I could open it that way, tried pulling her hand out from the inside ... nothing worked. I started going into panic mode, trying all of these methods a few times ... by this time, L was crying as she was realizing, well, her hand was stuck!<br />
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Finally, I called A at work to ask his advice, my hands literally shaking as I dialed his work number a couple of times before getting it right (his cell phone battery was dead). After telling him what was going on, he suggested turning the car back on and trying the door again or calling 911 ... So I tried the starting the car first and ... VOILA! It worked! I honestly don't know who was more relieved - me or L - but I'd be surprised if it was her. Her fingers were fine. Thankfully, they're so small, they just had deep indentations from being squeezed for so long. No bruises or anything - just the mental trauma of being so scared. It took a while to calm her down and she's been a little extra sensitive ever since, but hopefully she learned her lesson! And I learned mine, which I am passing on to you. I don't know if all automatic sliding doors are the same, but if you ever find yourself in the same situation, save yourself a lot of time and turn the car on! Aish ... Those automatic doors are definitely more of a curse than a blessing, but it's hard (I think) to find a newer van that doesn't have them.<br />
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As a side note, it is amazing as a parent to vicariously experience my children's pain (physical and emotional) and how much WORSE it is than my own. This isn't the first time, of course, and I know there will be ups and downs for the rest of their lives ... probably only worsening the older they get. But it makes me understand a lot more why my parents cared so much (and still do) that I made/make good decisions. For me, as their daughter, I know I'm fine. God is always with me, teaching me through the bad and constantly molding me to be a better person through the easy and hard times. Bad times will come, but I know that with God's help, I can get through anything. However, for me, as a mother, while I know these things are also true for my daughters - God is with them, teaching, molding and shaping them to be better girls and women for Him just as He is with me - it is so much harder on the other end of it. Oh if they only knew ... but they won't until they're mothers themselves and by then, it'll be too late. I will probably have vicariously suffered through them much more than they realize (sorry Mom & Dad!). The good news is that just as God was/is with me through the hard times of my own life, I know He'll continue to be with me (and them) through the hard times of each of their lives. Thank you, Lord!lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-52141475316768772372012-05-01T14:29:00.000-05:002012-05-01T14:29:24.171-05:00Oh wherrrrre is my hairbrush?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fw65SRXnx8U/T6A4xYnZ6bI/AAAAAAAAAz0/NzJXM5Xjc0Y/s1600/goodybrush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fw65SRXnx8U/T6A4xYnZ6bI/AAAAAAAAAz0/NzJXM5Xjc0Y/s320/goodybrush.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Has anyone ever tried/heard anything about <a href="http://www.target.com/p/Goody-QUIK-STYLE-Paddle-Brush-Silver-Blue-1-Count/-/A-13906089">this hairbrush</a> before? I'm intrigued by its claim to dry hair faster because mine is so thick and takes so long to blow dry, but am also skeptical. For $8.99, it's not a big expense - I just have a hard time throwing things like this away when they don't work and don't want it sitting around in our cabinet/drawers if it doesn't. =P I'm planning on having a garage sale next month ... but do people buy things like this used? I don't and I'm definitely on the cheaper end haha. So if you have any ideas for what I could do with this if it doesn't work, that would be helpful too! :)lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-60310767044334913912012-04-30T23:31:00.002-05:002012-05-19T14:23:21.242-05:00My Favorite Organizational Tools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today I bring you ... two of my all-time favorite organizational tools! Am I the only one excited by these things? </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_1RjOebNAY/T59jpEEt1lI/AAAAAAAAAzY/vjLpPluiAW8/s1600/magnetic-fridge-filer1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_1RjOebNAY/T59jpEEt1lI/AAAAAAAAAzY/vjLpPluiAW8/s200/magnetic-fridge-filer1.png" width="200" /></a></div>
This <a href="http://www.meadorganizher.com/products/organization/fridge-filer">first gem</a> I found randomly at Target and love. It saves me so much space on my bulletin board/fridge. The top bar is a big magnet that holds three clear pockets in flip-through fashion. I use it to hold our meal plan for the month, M's school calendar, M's lunch calendar, L's school calendar and the library calendar. As you can probably tell, this would take up a lot more room if they were individual pieces of paper tacked to my bulletin board (which they once were). I now have so much more space! <br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khnUsFZql4U/T59kvewL0sI/AAAAAAAAAzo/JbJClSW3AvU/s1600/4-sort+dividers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-khnUsFZql4U/T59kvewL0sI/AAAAAAAAAzo/JbJClSW3AvU/s200/4-sort+dividers.jpg" width="160" /></a>This second idea I found on <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/">Pinterest</a>, but it was posted off of something Martha Stewart-related (the picture isn't linking to the original site for me anymore, so I can't post it). I altered it a little, or really, just use them the way they were intended according to the picture on <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10000707&N=&Ntt=4-sort+divider">The Container Store</a> website, with the dividers positioned vertically rather than horizontally. The weight of the pans caused the whole thing to lean a lot. I can't imagine they didn't screw the dividers pictured on the right into the side of the cabinet. Before these $5 dividers, I was unstacking and restacking all of my pots, pans and lids every time I cooked. It was a nuisance that I could live with but am more than happy to be rid of now.<br />
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I'm always looking for new and better ways to organize our home, so if you have any tips of your own, please share!lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-67409904558970363332012-04-29T22:34:00.000-05:002012-05-19T14:23:36.231-05:00Next Cleaning ProjectMy next much-needed cleaning project will be to tackle the closets, probably only M&L's. A few weeks ago, I went through all of my clothes - closet & dresser - so ours is relatively clean, but the girls' closets remain. And what a project. I was inspired after reading <a href="http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/04/ask-the-organizer-organizing-childrens-clothing.html">this blog post</a> and hope I can pull it off. Honestly, I'm very doubtful. Before and after pics to come ... I'm really just posting this because I'm honestly afraid to even begin such a massive ordeal, but ultimately want them to have clean closets - and just more organization in our home in general - so I'm hoping that this will somehow keep me a little accountable. We'll see what this week brings ...lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-84698896201193519432012-04-28T10:46:00.001-05:002012-04-28T10:46:17.705-05:00Free Educational ResourcesI just found this <a href="http://savingdollarsandsense.com/free-summer-reading-programs.html">great list of free Summer Reading Programs</a> offered by different companies through <a href="http://www.moneysavingmom.com/">MoneySavingMom</a>. The best from that list (IMO) is <a href="http://www.bookadventure.com/Home.aspx">Sylvan's Book Adventure</a> as it offers a whole online program with quizzes, prizes, and parent monitoring tools.<br />
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From there, I got curious and went to Sylvan's main website to see if they had any other free learning resources we could use over the summer ... and was <a href="http://tutoring.sylvanlearning.com/parent_learning_resources.cfm">happily surprised</a>! They have 5 more resources, including a math activity booklet, "just a page per day" workbook, summer fun and learning guide and writing journal. The math booklet does not specify an age group, but after looking at the PDF, it seems to be geared towards jr. high/high school. Most of the problems say "Grades 9-12" or "Grades 6-12". The Page Per Day workbook, however, is split up by age group and looks great - a good mixture of math and language arts. The only problem is it's only 11 pages long - 8 if you take away the title page, sample calendar and blank calendar pages at the end. So ... that won't last the whole summer. But it does remind me of this other website I found a while ago that has some great workbook printables - for free as well. At <a href="http://education.com/">Education.com</a>, you can print off cute, colorful worksheets that are categorized by grade level and topic. Not all are free, but most are and they have a LOT. At least ... the last time I was looking through the site (probably almost a year ago now), there were. Let me know if it's changed! Since M seems to take after me in her academia successes/struggles - picks up on language/reading easily but has a harder time remembering math facts - I'm hoping she can pick up some speed this summer with a little extra effort.lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-58536726748734706942012-04-27T15:13:00.003-05:002012-05-19T14:22:17.996-05:00This Week's Groceries<a href="http://lifewithlaurenk.blogspot.com/2012/04/grocery-day.html">Last week</a>, I posted my grocery budget and $ spent for the week, promising to prove this week that I don't usually shop at so many stores or use so many coupons. Well ... I came through on half of that promise. But I also went over budget! Boo. Here's the rundown - only used 1 coupon this week.<br />
<br />
Thursday, I had to make a return at Carson's, which doesn't open til 10. Since I have to drop the girlies off at school at 9, I used the hour and did a little grocery shopping.<br />
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<u>Aldi:</u> 4-lb. bag of navel oranges $1.49<br />
6 kiwis $0.69 (yes, total)<br />
bag of 9 Gala apples $1.89<br />
1-lb. strawberries $0.99<br />
Total: $5.17<br />
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<u>Garden Fresh:</u> 3-lb. bag onions $1.00<br />
1 lb. turkey breast lunchmeat $2.86<br />
Total: $3.95<br />
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<u>Fresh Farms:</u> 1 can black beans $0.99<br />
1 jar hoisin sauce $2.19<br />
1 bunch green onions $0.33<br />
1 tub House tofu $1.49<br />
Total: $5.11<br />
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<u>Costco:</u> 4 box-pack of Capri Sun $7.99<br />
Total: $8.73<br />
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Today, I finished off my grocery shopping with just two stores. Lately I've been finding <i>more</i> deals at Dominick's than Jewel. Crazy, right? Well, now that I'm done rocking your mind, here's the rest:<br />
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<u>Dominick's:</u> ~4 lbs. round steak $9.16 ($2.49/lb)<br />
BUY 8, MIX & MATCH DEAL:<br />
28 oz. Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce $1.99<br />
3 cans Hunt's petite diced tomatoes $2.97 ($0.99 each)<br />
2 Lipton Pasta Sides $1.58 ($0.79 each)<br />
2 Rosarita refried beans ($0.79 each and used $0.50 off 2 coupon)<br />
Total: $17.17<br />
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<u>Joe Caputo:</u> 1 box Barilla Ditalini $0.99<br />
1 box Barilla Farfalle $0.99<br />
3 plum tomatoes $0.55 ($0.79/lb.)<br />
3 frozen pizzas $6.00<br />
~2 lbs. chicken leg quarters $1.91 ($0.89/lb.)<br />
~1.5 lbs. ground sirloin $3.86 ($2.99/lb.)<br />
Total: $14.62<br />
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<i>Grand Total: $54.75</i><br />
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So I have $4.75 less to spend next week. I guess I'll survive. I'm actually a little proud of myself for getting so much meat but only going over by $5. *patting myself on the shoulder* Hope you all (and by that, I mean all 2-3 people who actually read this) have a great weekend!<br />
lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-86121880697057921462012-04-26T22:30:00.004-05:002012-04-26T22:30:51.968-05:00Homemade CleanersEver since I tried (and succeeded) in <a href="http://www.duggarfamily.com/content/duggar_recipes/30455/Homemade%20Liquid%20Laundry%20Soap-%20Front%20or%20top%20load%20machine-%20best%20value">making my own laundry detergent</a>, I've had an itch to try replacing other cleaners with homemade versions. One, for the price and two, to ease up on the chemicals in the house. Our huge bucket of laundry detergent that has lasted at LEAST six months now cost us less than $6. I don't even include laundry detergent in our small-anyway grocery budget anymore. Amazing, right?? I know you're amazed.<br />
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Of course, I still want to first and foremost KILL THE GERMS. That is my number one priority. But if I can also save my nostrils from some burning (along with probably a few brain cells here and there) and keep a little extra cash in my pocket in the process, I'm all for it.<br />
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So today, I tried making <a href="http://www.simpleorganizedliving.com/2012/02/01/homemade-shower-cleaner/">this recipe</a> for homemade "shower cleaner" that really could be used on almost anything. It's basically equal proportions of vinegar and dish soap mixed together ... I was skeptical, but the blogger claimed to have tried numerous different recipes over the course of two weeks and that this was the one she liked the most and that it "smelled amazing!". So I tried it. Now I'm wondering what else she tried .... it's horrible! =P I ended up mixing in some lemon juice, lemon extract and water to try to tone down the vinegar smell ... it helped, but not enough. And it seems like there's way too much soap STILL (after watering it down a bunch) because when I spray it, it doesn't just wipe off, it's all soapy and probably leaving a film. I will say that it cut through the grease on our stove pretty easily. So that's good. It might be a good base recipe, but the proportions are all off. And you either need some strong lemon oil or a strong-smelling dish soap to counteract the vinegar smell unless you want your kitchen/bathroom to smell like you've just been dying Easter eggs all day. The dish soap I happened to have was original scent, so that may be part of the reason for my troubles.<br />
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I guess I'll keep looking ... I found <a href="http://howtomakedo.net/260/homemade-surface-cleaners/">this website</a> that looks pretty promising. Their proportions are 2 T vinegar to 2 CUPS of water and 10-15 drops of essential oils. Uh yeah. The other one was definitely off. I honestly don't know what she could have done to make that work ... probably should have taken the time to read the comments. =P<br />
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Some exciting news ... in my quest for homemade cleaners, I've also been finding many other recipes for homemade goodies - <a href="http://www.creativecarissa.com/2012/01/how-to-make-peanut-butter.html">peanut butter</a>, <a href="http://www.kristanlynn.com/2011/05/diy-clean-eyes.html">eye makeup remover</a>, <a href="http://www.groceryalerts.ca/starbucks-brownie-cake-pops-recipe/">starbucks brownie cake pops</a> ... yay!lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-6107291220482873942012-04-20T13:27:00.001-05:002012-05-19T14:22:33.203-05:00Grocery DayFriday is grocery shopping day in our household. I try to spread it out over the week if I happen to be near a store, etc., but usually do most of it in one day. For the past couple of months, I've been trying to cut our budget down more and more to see how little I could spend while still getting everything we need. Originally, our budget was $75/week but I'm happy to say we've gotten it down to $50/week for the past month or two and have been doing very well, not because we've just been eating out more. Actually, we've been eating out less! The funny thing is, I rarely use coupons. This week I happened to use the most I have in a very long time (9). But most weeks, I honestly don't use any, maybe 1-2. The trick? Mostly, Aldi. But here's the breakdown for this week's groceries if it helps.<br />
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<u>Walgreens:</u><i> </i> 2 bottles Kids Aquafresh toothpaste - 18 cents each with 1 Walgreens and 1 manufacturer coupon per bottle.<br />
<b>Total: $0.36</b><br />
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<u>Dominicks:</u> 18 ct large eggs on clearance - $1.49<br />
2 8-ct. Go-Gurt - $1.495 (?) each after Just for U savings & manufacturer coupon - $3.01 <br />
2 loaves Nancy Martin bread - 59 cents each after Just for U savings<br />
1 bunch of green bananas - 0.49/lb - $1.13<br />
<b>Total: $6.98</b><br />
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<u>Jewel:</u> 2 bottles Kens salad dressing - 50 cents each after 1 Jewel & 1 manufacturer coupon<br />
<b>Total: $1.02</b><br />
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<u>Fresh Farms:</u>1 box mochiko flour - $1.99<br />
1 lemon - 0.98/lb - $0.32<br />
2.04 lb organic gala apples (about 6) - 1.79/lb - $3.65<br />
3 lbs chicken leg quarters - $3.05<br />
1 dozen extra lg eggs - $0.99<br />
1/2 lb salami - $2.07<br />
1/2 lb bologna - $1.59<br />
<b>Total: $13.97</b><br />
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<u>Aldi:</u> 1 bag romaine hearts - $1.59<br />
1 bottle cran/raspberry juice - $1.49<br />
3 green peppers - $0.99<br />
1 lb strawberries - $0.99<br />
1 lb. bacon - $2.79<br />
1 bag potato chips - $1.49<br />
1 apple juice concentrate - $0.92<br />
1 grape juice concentrate - $1.49<br />
1 lb baby carrots - $0.49 on clearance<br />
brown sugar - $1.49<br />
1 sm bag flour - $1.69<br />
4 lbs. navel oranges (6 in a bag) - $2.69<br />
<b>Total: $18.61</b><br />
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<i><b>Grand Total: $40.94</b></i><br />
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I had an extra $10-11 from last week so I used that with what I saved this week to get 2 200-ct bottles of fish oil from Walgreens with 2 coupons and a BOGO sale for $20 and some change. Just as we were running out. God is truly the perfect provider - something He's shown me again and again in our grocery budgeting adventures.<br />
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This is by far the most coupons (and most stores) I've used in a long time. I'll try to post again next week to prove it. :)lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-49589997161614095222012-04-13T17:04:00.000-05:002012-04-13T17:04:06.937-05:00BULLLSSSSS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Last night, we went to the Bulls v. Heat game for our anniversary ... what a game! I ended up with a sore throat, sore hands and mild headache, but it was well worth it.<br />
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Oh Bulls. Dare I get my hopes up? It's getting harder and harder not to ...<br />
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<br />lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-44241826202986335822012-04-12T12:58:00.002-05:002012-04-12T13:12:47.181-05:00The Songs of District 12<div style="text-align: center;">
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Call me obsessed ... but I've found a slightly easier way to relive <i>The Hunger Games</i> without having to reread the books (though I will probably still do that eventually) and that is listening to <i>The Hunger Games </i>soundtrack on YouTube! I don't know that I would normally enjoy all the songs - and some I honestly don't for this very reason - but they depict the story so incredibly well, it's almost eerie at times. After listening to almost all of them, I still really just like Taylor Swift/Civil Wars' "Safe and Sound" and Civil Wars' "Kingdom Come" though Maroon 5 did a surprisingly pretty good job too. I had a hard time imagining his sound fitting in with the mood of the story, but he did it! The ones that are clearly geared towards the Careers/Cato kind of give me the chills, but if you're interested, search "hunger games soundtrack" or something similar on YouTube and you'll probably see someone who has uploaded just about every song with the lyrics and a profile pic of the character they think the song is about (like the one I at least tried to post). That's how I was able to listen/preview almost every song and I am now a pretty big Civil Wars' fan, I have to say. I'm hoping they get them to do <i>The Hanging Tree</i> in the 3rd/4th film. They have the exact sound in these songs that I imagined as I was reading. Happy Hunger Games!lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-20144121562022368372012-04-10T13:56:00.000-05:002012-04-10T13:56:12.130-05:00The Hunger Games<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since I officially finished the trilogy last week, I thought I should share a few thoughts on <i>The Hunger Games</i> overall.<br />
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First and foremost, I loved it.<br />
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Secondly, I really loved it. I will probably need to read at least a couple of non-fiction books before I can really get into another fiction book simply because my heart isn't ready to move on. I know that probably sounds over-dramatic, but when I love a book, I really love it! Haha. I'm generally not a huge fan of non-fiction other than the fact that I like the idea of self-help. I guess I'm more motivated by finding out what happens next in a story than improving myself. Most non-fiction takes me a while to get through and I usually have to force myself, unless it's a really interesting biography or something, i.e. true, but in story format. But, they do serve as great palette cleansers after an especially good fiction book and I get the benefit of a little self improvement in the process. :)<br />
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Thirdly, I think it helps to keep in mind that this is a book meant for middle schoolers. It's an easy thing to forget as you're reading, but thinking back to the "Middle School Literature" class I took in college, I WISH we had something like these books to read. While there are some not-quite-perfect elements in these books, it really in no way compares to many of the books I had to read. Having that mindset helped me a great deal as I read <i>Mockingjay</i> especially. This is also the first book in a very long time that has given me any desire to go back to teaching just so I could discuss it. Maybe one day ... That reading endorsement does look quite appealing right about now.<br />
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<b>!! SPOILER ALERT !!</b></div>
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<i>The following paragraph talks about the end of Mockingjay in a very vague, general way but if you don't want to know anything about the ending at all, please don't read it.</i></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Fourthly, I did like the way it ended overall. It didn't blow my mind, but it was good enough and maybe even a little better than that. While the end of the 3rd book happened rather quickly, for the last 200ish pages of it, I was practically screaming, "WOULD YOU FREAKING JUST TELL ME WHAT HAPPENS ALREADY??!!" (could also be due to the fact that I read the last 2 books in close sequence and rather quickly -- <i>Catching Fire </i>in 4 days; <i>Mockingjay</i> in 2), so I honestly didn't mind. Almost even appreciated it. I really needed to get back to my life. My heart wanted to read on and on, but my brain was practically screaming at me for my messy house, etc. I could have maybe had a little more detail, but I really just wanted a complete answer to the BIG question(s) and I got them, which is more than I can say for a lot of books, honestly. I feel like a lot of authors end a book leaving a good amount of someone's future to your imagination because that's what books are supposed to do, right? Spark the imagination. Sometimes it's fun. But I loved these characters too much to be satisfied with them simply walking off into the sunset and was actually very afraid this would be the case after a few people had told me they didn't like the ending. So I was incredibly relieved when Suzanne Collins didn't leave me wondering and that more than made up for the speed with which she went through the ending events. Thank you Suzanne.</blockquote>
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And finally, I just want to say HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to, in many ways, my very own Peeta. I love you, Andrew! ♥ ♥ <br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpe9DmEHbN8/T4R83DV-1ZI/AAAAAAAAAyU/yHuHsRaq5VU/s1600/always+peeta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rpe9DmEHbN8/T4R83DV-1ZI/AAAAAAAAAyU/yHuHsRaq5VU/s1600/always+peeta.jpg" /></a></div>lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-57356988162401789192012-03-03T14:14:00.001-06:002012-03-03T14:14:10.411-06:00Here Comes Suzy Snowflake ...This was almost a month ago now, but here are some pics from a fun (but chilly) activity I did with L & C when M was at school one day. We came home from picking L up from preschool and had a little time before lunch for a quick outdoor activity in the falling snow!<br />
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The idea was putting colored construction paper out to catch snowflakes. Their interest in this lasted approximately five seconds.<br />
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Then they were on to collecting snowflakes for snow soup, complete with dirt, leaves, dead grass and sticks ... (Yum!)<br />
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... and seeing what happens when you draw with chalk on wet sidewalk. (Nothing too exciting other than messy gloves haha, but L seemed excited.)<br />
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I actually got the construction paper idea from M a year or two ago, so I wasn't too surprised that a 3 yr old and 18 month old weren't too interested. But I was glad that they had a little fun outside even though it was cold. I've been trying to spend more time outside, not letting the bad weather get in the way - I've been semi-successful. The hardest part is definitely getting <i>myself</i> motivated enough to go out ... I wish I had the circulation of my childhood! Or maybe just the excitement and wonder of playing outside so I could more easily ignore my freezing fingers and toes ... I could say we would have stayed out longer if C had been willing to leave her mittens on, but the truth is I was happy to have a scapegoat. :)<br />
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Today, we've been having fun celebrating Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day in Japan)! A's mom got us the dolls when M was born so we usually put them out every year. But this year, it's a Saturday and A had to work, so we've had a fun-filled girly day together. Pictures and more to come (hopefully) soon.lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-45698415115970604822012-02-22T12:34:00.000-06:002012-02-22T12:34:05.835-06:00Getting back in the groove... or so I hope!<br />
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Sorry for my absence, but I hope to start posting a little more often ... I do have things I want to share, one of which was a fun activity I did with Lily and Claire that one day last week (or the week before?) when it snowed - just a dusting. But we were able to get out right when the snow was beginning to fall and had some fun.<br />
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I found this book at the library called 15 Minutes Outside (or something like that) and it has 365 activities you can do with your child outside in all kinds of weather. I didn't get a chance to read the whole thing cover-to-cover (and didn't see if the activity we did was in there), but I love the concept alone and am trying (though not very successfully) to do this on my own with them, especially since this winter has been so mild!<br />
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Anyway, I have pictures and hope to get them up soon! Just wanted to say, I haven't forgotten about this blog! :)lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-34326763592260840632012-01-23T16:31:00.000-06:002012-01-23T23:25:26.048-06:00the paris wife<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Beautifully poignant. Vivid and sincere. Honest and heartfelt.<br><br>
These are the words that came to mind as I read <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Wife-Novel-Paula-McLain/dp/0345521307">The Paris Wife</a></i> by Paula McLain.<br><br>
This book details the ups and downs of the first marriage of Ernest Hemingway, Pulitzer and Nobel prize-winning author and journalist from Oak Park, to Hadley Richardson, during the early 20th century. I was swept away by the artistic romance of the Jazz Age in Paris, but simultaneously found myself thinking, "Not much has changed in the past 100 or so years. People are just people, I guess." We will always be full of love and hope, mistakes and selfish ambition -- not really knowing what to do with any of it, but struggling through the best we can. McLain portrays this struggle through Ernest and Hadley's love, which resonated with my soul in a way I didn't expect.<br><br>
If you're concerned about the accuracy, I cannot exactly say how precise she is in her telling (this is the first book about/by Hemingway that I have ever read), but can assure you that she has read all of Hemingway's books, including his own memoirs, gathered letters exchanged between the couple, and read through what seems like every book that has ever been written about him. I now have a keen interest to read a few of Hemingway's books, especially those mentioned in the book.<br><br>
I clearly recommend this book so that you too can find out why Hemingway wrote in his own memoirs, "I wish I had died before I ever loved anyone but her."lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-37329190157638272392012-01-11T14:13:00.003-06:002012-01-11T14:13:50.259-06:00the big waste<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYGpR4laaxk/Tw3q3NRjN_I/AAAAAAAAAs0/bXMfmbr4BFA/s1600/bigwaste-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="168" width="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dYGpR4laaxk/Tw3q3NRjN_I/AAAAAAAAAs0/bXMfmbr4BFA/s320/bigwaste-1.jpg" /></a></div>
The other night, I was about to go to bed, but flipped to the Food Network and saw a special starting called The Big Waste. Has anyone seen this? I didn't watch the whole thing because it was on so late, but mostly because it made me SO VERY MMMMAAAADDDDD and not at all for the reasons the show wanted me to be.<br><br>
The premise is Bobby Flay, Michael Symon and a couple of female chefs I don't know the names of - one is a judge on Chopped and the other is the bleach blonde one - compete against each other (boys v. girls, of course) to cook a dish for 100 people completely out of food that is on its way to the dumpster. To prepare, they visit grocery stores, orchards and restaurants to get as much food as they can.<br><br>
I was absolutely APPALLED at the amount of food grocery stores THROW AWAY because people don't buy it. For some reason, the chefs/grocers kept saying things like, "Americans need to learn a different way to shop. Just because this peach has a little bruise on it, doesn't mean it's unedible. This pea pod [with a white blemish] is perfectly fine!" "Wow, look at all of this [a few garbage BINS full] wasted food. And this is only from a couple of hours!" Okay. If I'm PAYING for food, why would I grab the bruised one when there's a perfectly UNbruised one right next to it??<br><br>
The much better question is, why are these grocers complaining that they have to pay a disposal company to pick up all of this perfectly good food when they could just as easily contact a food pantry who would, I'm sure, gladly pick it up for free! I am constantly hearing about all of the starving children and/or poor families who can't afford healthy food. Who knew it was because it was all being THROWN AWAY. Something needs to be done about this.<br><br>
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When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and for the foreigner residing among you. I am the LORD your God.</i> Leviticus 23:22lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-52573135582543163792012-01-02T16:09:00.001-06:002012-01-02T16:09:06.975-06:00my reading list for 2012Since I know you all have been waiting for this with bated breath :), without further ado, here is my 2012 reading list.<br><br>
I didn't finish my 2011 reading list, so a couple have carried over. I don't have enough for 2 per month, but I'm not entirely sure that I'll be able to read 2 books/month and decided it would be best to leave some room for additions as the year went on anyway. In no particular order ...<br><br>
Erasing Hell by Francis Chan<br>
Room: A Novel by Emma Donoghue<br>
Heaven is for Real by Todd Burpo<br>
The Hunger Games trilogy<br>
Have a New You by Friday by Kevin Leman<br>
Have a New Kid by Friday by Kevin Leman<br>
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner<br>
Touch the Top of the World by Erik Weihenmeyer<br>
Praying God's Word by Beth Moore<br>
The Shack by William Young<br><br>
and some maybes ...<br><br>
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht<br>
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain<br>
Under the Overpass by Michael Yankoski<br>
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami<br><br>
Coming soon ... 2012 goals/resolutions. What are yours?lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-57330890955444006132011-12-28T11:28:00.001-06:002011-12-28T11:34:05.478-06:00any good books?I am putting together my reading list for 2012. Anyone have any good recommendations? Hunger Games trilogy is already on there and I read The Help this past year. Anything else that you loved? Please share! :)
P.S. I just googled the Hunger Games trilogy to find the titles for the 2nd and 3rd books, and found out that the author of these books used to write for Clarissa Explains it All! Random ...
P.S.S. Fiction or non-fiction books, please! I'm trying to read one of each every month (except December, which I am leaving open for Christmas madness). So far, I have enough through April, but I still need about 14 more!lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-34666195751663750712011-12-13T07:58:00.003-06:002011-12-13T07:58:34.690-06:00the help<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4R9goupBLpY/TudWoC0UqVI/AAAAAAAAAsk/3Eu6iTUUlsk/s1600/the-help.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="299" width="198" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4R9goupBLpY/TudWoC0UqVI/AAAAAAAAAsk/3Eu6iTUUlsk/s320/the-help.jpg" /></a></div>
It took me a few months to read, but this book is SO SO SO good. Don't let my general lack of time/energy to read a 522 page book fool you.<br><br>
I've never been to Mississippi, but now I'm pretty sure I lived there for a summer. The characters are vivid and the plot is moving and intriguing with every page. It's 522 pages, but feels like 250.<br><br>
My only complaint is that this is fiction so I can't go online to find out exactly what happened to Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter 5-10 years after the book ends. (For me) a really good book is one where I have to keep reminding myself, "these people aren't real!!" (see <a href="http://lifewithlaurenk.blogspot.com/2010/12/and-winner-is.html">Time Traveler's Wife</a>) But oh, I still love them so ... <br><br>
Overall: I laughed, I cried, I can't wait to see the movie!lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6464169015622725220.post-18920496697347123642011-11-29T12:07:00.001-06:002011-11-29T12:15:53.201-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8hvvtgkRomA/TtUfWatV1GI/AAAAAAAAAsY/Ck88ImM3Lq0/s1600/black_friday.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="275" width="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8hvvtgkRomA/TtUfWatV1GI/AAAAAAAAAsY/Ck88ImM3Lq0/s320/black_friday.png" /></a></div>
So I like this little cartoon, minus the no. :) It is very ironic and makes you wonder ... Sometimes I remember some sermon or something I heard about how Satan is not omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent like God is so he attacks big things (like the media) to be more efficient and effective and hit more people in one shot.<br><br>
Cartoons like this make me remember how important it truly is to be thankful for what I have and how much Satan is actively trying to convince me otherwise. This is part of the reason for my beef with Christmas decorations and everything coming out so early. It's not that I don't enjoy Christmas and celebrating Jesus's birth ... I just already have a hard time being content with what I have, I don't need anything/anyone making it even harder. For that reason, I almost feel like starting a tradition of celebrating the season of Thanksgiving moreso than the season of Christmas. Or maybe calling it the Christmas season, but celebrating it in a thankful way. Really, we should be thankful all year, right? But that's still no excuse to not celebrate Thanksgiving ... Maybe I should save that rant for Valentine's Day. :)lauren.khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06441143709961547959noreply@blogger.com0