Re-Use, Re-Purpose, Up-Cycle! (part one)

So, I wanted to do some re-organizing in my house so things wouldn't be all over the place (namely the floor).  I thought at first that I might have to buy some storage bins and new bookshelves.  But I was wrong.  *Hooray!*

First up- This is 4yo dd's old toybox-

It has been emptied out, turned around, and placed in the living room for it's new purpose.

It's now shoe storage! I had origionally had all the shoes in individual baskets. But they were hard to get to (under the computer desk) and people forgot which basket was theirs. ugh. So they now go in this box under the window. And if they can't find their shoes- no longer my problem.

But what to do with the baskets that used to hold the shoes???

Well, here's what I did with one of them.

As far as dd's toys- She got a new, larger toybox made by her Pepere for Christmas. Normally I despise toyboxes as my kiddos tend to acquire small toys with many pieces. Those don't do well with a large toybox. So I used a small cubbie from another room to try to organize the toybox. See?

I did more than just this, but I have errands to run, so I'll have to post the rest tomorrow.

Menu Plan Monday- Jan 25

I flubbed but I fixed it. I forgot to defrost the chicken. So Rubber Chicken has been moved from Monday-Wednesday to Wednesday-Friday. Also we were supposed to have pizza last night but the kids and I went to my bff house for her dd's birthday party. (*sniff* My baby is EIGHT!) Anyway- we ended up staying for supper so pizza was not had. And ~*BONUS*~ I got a new recipe from my bff that we will be possibly using next week. It had no name, so I decided to call it "Tuffy-Mac". Is very much yum. Anyhow- on to this weeks menu!

Monday: Better'n Manwich (recipe at bottom of post), green beans and garlic bread

Tuesday: Chicken Broccoli Bake

Wednesday: Rubber Chicken Day 1 (scroll to bottom of page)

Thursday: Rubber Chicken Day 2

Friday: Rubber Chicken Day 3

Saturday: Pull apart Pizza

Sunday: Spaghetti




Better'n Manwich

1lb ground meat
½C bbq sauce
Salsa

Brown meat. Drain if you wish.
Add bbq sauce and enough salsa to make the consistency you like your sloppy joes.
Serve on buns and enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday- Jan 18

   
HOORAY!!!  It's



I actually have meals planned for the next few weeks.  All centered around stuff we already have here.  This way we will only have to replenish supplies.


Monday- Breakfast for supper

Tuesday- Tuna Pea Wiggle  (recipe below)

Wednesday- Kielbasa, pierogies, and green beans

Thursday- Veggie nuggets and Sweet potato fries

Friday- Amanda's "Famous" Meatloaf (recipe below), mashed potatoes and corn

Saturday- Chop Suey (recipe below)

Sunday- Pizza (most likely homemade- if so I'll post the recipe)



Tuna Pea Wiggle

1 can tuna (drained)
1 can peas (drained)
2T butter
1T (heaping) flour
½C milk (more if needed)
salt & pepper

Melt butter in skillet.  Add flour.  Mix til smooth and simmer 1 min.  Add milk, salt & pepper.  Stir.
Mix and add more milk til it reaches the consistency of gravy.  Stir in tuna and peas.  Cook til tuna is flaked well and topping is warm.
Serve over mashed potatoes, noodles, rice, or whatever you choose.


Amanda's "Famous" Meatloaf

I came up with this recipe accidentally.  I had run out of crackers and needed to find a replacement.  I have had people all over the area ask for this recipe.  Hope you like it!

1 lb ground meat
1C dry stuffing mix
1 egg
1 can tomato soup


Mix together meat, stuffing, egg and half a can of soup.  (put the other half on the fridge)
Plop mixture into loaf pan and cook at 350° for 1 hour.  My dad likes to mix the drippings with the leftover soup and pour that over his meatloaf. 


Chop Suey (Dads recipe he got from my aunt)

1 lb hamburg
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato soup
black pepper
1 box casserole elbows

Cook elbows as directed.  Drain.  Brown hamburg in same pot you used for elbows.  Do not drain. Add soup, tomatoes and pepper.  Simmer and stir until hot.  Mix in elbows.  Serve.

Apparently I use this recipe A LOT.  The poor index card it's written on is full of grease stains and is severely warped.  But as long as I can read it- I'm calling it good.  Someday soon I'll have to write it on a new card. *sniff*  This recipe has gotten me through many a teary night.  I don't eat ice cream when I'm upset.  I make chop suey.

Wow. It's been MONTHS!

So, we're just over 2 weeks into the new year and I haven't blogged in about 3 months.  Ah well, I'll try to get back into it.


I was just looking at my last entry on the Love dare.  Some things have changed, some- not so much.  But a little at a time and it will all get done, right?  Progress- Not perfection as FlyLady says.


So I've copied and pasted a portion of that last entry below and have added updates accordingly-


1. I need to be more serious about Flying so I will have more time for me and for my family. (stress)


As of the beginning of this year I have been doing much better with my FLYing attempts.  Laundry is reasonable, Dishes are usually done before I go to bed (and always by me without complaint). And from what I gather from the comments of the men in the house- I'm much more tolerable to be around.  YAY for progress!


2. I need to get Family Rules completely set up so there can be more peace in our home.(stress)


We've decided against using Family Rules.  That being said, we have found a system that works for us.  Though it's not really a "system" per se.  More just a way we decided to go about things.  We're leaning more toward natural consequences.  For instance- if ds doesn't bring his dirty laundry downstairs- I don't wash it.  Then he has nothing to wear.  A gentle reminder that bringing his laundry down is his responsibility is usually all that's needed.  I've even caught him *GASP* DOING HIS OWN LAUNDRY!!! He doesn't separate it properly and tends to wash half a load of laundry on the large load setting wich irks his mother beyond belief... But he's figuring it all out. :)


3. I need to wake at a reasonable time on a more regular basis so I will have more time to do the needed things in my home and have time to play. And most importantly to make my husband happy. (selfishness)


I have been getting up earlier than I was, but still not as early as I should.  "Then why are you blogging at 1:00am???"  Because I just had to get this out there.  Simple as that.  I'm still working on it.  I may even put up a post as to how I'm doing this.  I don't know yet.


4. I need to make time each day to be with my husband.  To just be us. (selfishness)

I have not worked on this.  Not at all.  Not even a tiny bit.  And yet, somehow, it's happening.  Not every day, though.  But definately more than it was.  Maybe it's the rest of the stuff changing that is helping this to change?





I've also not done anything past day 8, I believe, in the love dare.  I have the book.  I think it fell under the bed.  I may or may not get back to that. I will get back to that.  I'm just not sure when.  But I won't let my marriage fall apart by not doing it.


And I should let you in on a not-so-secret secret.  We're trying for a BABY! 

And on that note- I bid you all goodnight.