Thursday, September 17, 2009
I am looking for your articles
I want to hear from other WAHMs and how you live as a WAHM. Send your article to disneyandmickeyfan@yahoo.com with "Life of a WAHM" in the subject line for consideration. Please no ad articles. These must relate in some way to being a WAHM.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
From Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Get a head start on dinner with this fresh take on a slow-simmered, all-in-one meal that makes clean-up a breeze.
Serves: 8
Total Time: 4 hr
Prep Time: 15 min
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon(s) cornstarch
- 8 medium carrots, cut into thirds
- 2 medium onions, each cut into 8 wedges
- Coarse salt and ground pepper
- 1 (3 pound) beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
- 2 tablespoon(s) Worcestershire sauce
Directions
- In slow cooker, stir together cornstarch and 2 tablespoons cold water until smooth. Add carrots and onions; season with salt and pepper, and toss.
- Sprinkle roast with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; place on top of vegetables, and drizzle with Worcestershire. Cover; cook on high, 6 hours (or on low, 10 hours).
- Transfer roast to a cutting board; thinly slice against the grain. Place vegetables in a serving dish; pour pan juices through a fine-mesh sieve, if desired. Serve roast with vegetables and pan juices.
Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Posted using ShareThis
Monday, September 14, 2009
Living on a budget
In today's economy many are playing it safe. Being careful about your money doesn't mean not spending at all. Not spending is the worst thing we can do for our economy. If no money is flowing, the economy worsens. So how do you spend without going overboard?
Set a budget. Layout your bills. Know what is coming in and out every month. Know your monthly pay then begin to list all you have to spend - mortgage/rent, utilities (electricity, water, gas), phone.
Set a budget for grocery shopping. Make a list of meals for the time period in which you are shopping. If you shop twice a month, you need enough meals for 14 days. If you spend what you need, you will get through the basics. In your grocery shopping cut those coupons. Check with your local store about price comps. Walmart is big about matching prices of other stores. Use your grocery list to shop through grocery store papers and coupons. Never ever go to the store hungry. If you are hungry you are likely to over spend.
Take that calculator with you every time you shop regardless of grocery or clothing. If you are keeping an accurate total (minus taxes) you will be aware of your spending and tend to spend less.
Still need help staying on track? Get gift cards. If you use gift cards to pay you can't go over. Having cash works for some but cash can be easy to spend. Before you know it, you open a wallet to not enough money.
Use gift cards for the extra spending you enjoy. I enjoy Starbucks. At $5 a pop that can get costly if I am not careful. On average I visit Starbucks twice a week. That is roughly $40 a month. If I only allow myself to use a gift card for my purchase I can't over spend. If I choose to go more than twice in a week I am quite aware that means 1 less coffee in a future week. What I find happens is I tend to think twice about my visits and spread them out giving me extra at the end of the month.
I really enjoy going out to eat. Lets say this month I don't have enough for a full dinner but I have enough to purchase a $25 card for next month. I do this each month and save up for a full dinner. Many restaurants allow you to add to gift cards vs buying a new one each time. Try this and see how you can eat out from time to time.
Another trick to save those pennies is always round up when balancing that check book. If you spend $17.63 cents, mark it down as $18. Some banks do this for you. My bank does not offer this so we have to take care of this on our own. At the end of the month we average saving $20 just on typical spending. Take that extra and move to a savings account. One you don't have easy access to.
With every paycheck, pay yourself first. I like to start with $25. I find it easy to work with $25 less each month. Move that over to savings. If it is gone before you start spending you don't miss it.
Join clothing swap groups in your area. This is a great way to exchange clothes for something new. This is great for kids. If you don't have one, start one.
Check sites such as gasbuddy.com to find the best gas price. Don't go out of your way. Look for typical routes such as a route to and from work. Don't bother going 10 miles to save three cents. No point in wasting gas when you are trying to save.
Have all those movie channels but rarely watch them? Get rid of them and use a services such as the red box in your local area ($1 a night DVD rental) or Netflix. Not only are you saving on the cost of dropping premium channels but you are paying lesser taxes. Even paying for a pay per view movie works out on average lesser than premium movie packages.
Do you enjoy visiting zoos and amusement parks? If you visit these more than twice a year check into annual passes. These cost more up front but you save in the end. This also allows you to enjoy more visits than if you had to pay for individual trips. Another great benefit is most annual pass holders get discounts such as food.
Have kids in school that take lunch? Are you doing this to save money or a preference? If you are trying to save money add up those numbers and make sure you are. We find spending $2 a day for school lunch is actually cheaper than the average $2.50 if he took lunch. Most times lunch taken to school is a sandwich (bread, meat, cheese, mayo), bag of chips, fruit, and a drink. Add in the average cost of Ziploc bags, paper bags or lunch bags, small thermos, cooling pack, it works out to a tad more. You may find you spend less on your child taking lunch but check the numbers. You may be surprised.
Before buying a new bottle of your favorite cleaning product, do they have refill bottles instead. Why pay for a new bottle when you can save by buying a refill bottle. Most times I personally find the refill bottle is roughly $2-3 more than the single purchase giving me a minimum of 25% savings.
Check that cell phone. Most people have a plan that is well above their needs. Make sure you are not overpaying for services you need. Not only check the minutes but check add ons. Do the same with your home phone. How many may have an answering service when they have an answering machine at home.
Cheaper is not always better. If you have to use twice as much toilet paper using the cheap brand vs the name brand, are you really saving. Don't be blinded that cheaper is better. There are times a more expensive brand costs less in the long run.
Buying bigger because it is cheaper? Think again. This past week I decided to buy 4 cans of ravioli. They had a choice between single cans and a 4 pack. It was $0.46 cheaper to buy single then the 4 pack offered. This is not uncommon. I have come across this frequently. You always assume it is cheaper and many stores count on it. Compare prices and don't assume.
There are several ways to live well on a budget. Remember a budget doesn't mean cheap it means frugal. Sometimes that means work but you can find great deals if you are willing to look. You can really save if you are willing to be aware of your spending.
Set a budget. Layout your bills. Know what is coming in and out every month. Know your monthly pay then begin to list all you have to spend - mortgage/rent, utilities (electricity, water, gas), phone.
Set a budget for grocery shopping. Make a list of meals for the time period in which you are shopping. If you shop twice a month, you need enough meals for 14 days. If you spend what you need, you will get through the basics. In your grocery shopping cut those coupons. Check with your local store about price comps. Walmart is big about matching prices of other stores. Use your grocery list to shop through grocery store papers and coupons. Never ever go to the store hungry. If you are hungry you are likely to over spend.
Take that calculator with you every time you shop regardless of grocery or clothing. If you are keeping an accurate total (minus taxes) you will be aware of your spending and tend to spend less.
Still need help staying on track? Get gift cards. If you use gift cards to pay you can't go over. Having cash works for some but cash can be easy to spend. Before you know it, you open a wallet to not enough money.
Use gift cards for the extra spending you enjoy. I enjoy Starbucks. At $5 a pop that can get costly if I am not careful. On average I visit Starbucks twice a week. That is roughly $40 a month. If I only allow myself to use a gift card for my purchase I can't over spend. If I choose to go more than twice in a week I am quite aware that means 1 less coffee in a future week. What I find happens is I tend to think twice about my visits and spread them out giving me extra at the end of the month.
I really enjoy going out to eat. Lets say this month I don't have enough for a full dinner but I have enough to purchase a $25 card for next month. I do this each month and save up for a full dinner. Many restaurants allow you to add to gift cards vs buying a new one each time. Try this and see how you can eat out from time to time.
Another trick to save those pennies is always round up when balancing that check book. If you spend $17.63 cents, mark it down as $18. Some banks do this for you. My bank does not offer this so we have to take care of this on our own. At the end of the month we average saving $20 just on typical spending. Take that extra and move to a savings account. One you don't have easy access to.
With every paycheck, pay yourself first. I like to start with $25. I find it easy to work with $25 less each month. Move that over to savings. If it is gone before you start spending you don't miss it.
Join clothing swap groups in your area. This is a great way to exchange clothes for something new. This is great for kids. If you don't have one, start one.
Check sites such as gasbuddy.com to find the best gas price. Don't go out of your way. Look for typical routes such as a route to and from work. Don't bother going 10 miles to save three cents. No point in wasting gas when you are trying to save.
Have all those movie channels but rarely watch them? Get rid of them and use a services such as the red box in your local area ($1 a night DVD rental) or Netflix. Not only are you saving on the cost of dropping premium channels but you are paying lesser taxes. Even paying for a pay per view movie works out on average lesser than premium movie packages.
Do you enjoy visiting zoos and amusement parks? If you visit these more than twice a year check into annual passes. These cost more up front but you save in the end. This also allows you to enjoy more visits than if you had to pay for individual trips. Another great benefit is most annual pass holders get discounts such as food.
Have kids in school that take lunch? Are you doing this to save money or a preference? If you are trying to save money add up those numbers and make sure you are. We find spending $2 a day for school lunch is actually cheaper than the average $2.50 if he took lunch. Most times lunch taken to school is a sandwich (bread, meat, cheese, mayo), bag of chips, fruit, and a drink. Add in the average cost of Ziploc bags, paper bags or lunch bags, small thermos, cooling pack, it works out to a tad more. You may find you spend less on your child taking lunch but check the numbers. You may be surprised.
Before buying a new bottle of your favorite cleaning product, do they have refill bottles instead. Why pay for a new bottle when you can save by buying a refill bottle. Most times I personally find the refill bottle is roughly $2-3 more than the single purchase giving me a minimum of 25% savings.
Check that cell phone. Most people have a plan that is well above their needs. Make sure you are not overpaying for services you need. Not only check the minutes but check add ons. Do the same with your home phone. How many may have an answering service when they have an answering machine at home.
Cheaper is not always better. If you have to use twice as much toilet paper using the cheap brand vs the name brand, are you really saving. Don't be blinded that cheaper is better. There are times a more expensive brand costs less in the long run.
Buying bigger because it is cheaper? Think again. This past week I decided to buy 4 cans of ravioli. They had a choice between single cans and a 4 pack. It was $0.46 cheaper to buy single then the 4 pack offered. This is not uncommon. I have come across this frequently. You always assume it is cheaper and many stores count on it. Compare prices and don't assume.
There are several ways to live well on a budget. Remember a budget doesn't mean cheap it means frugal. Sometimes that means work but you can find great deals if you are willing to look. You can really save if you are willing to be aware of your spending.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Pay It Forward
This past Saturday on our way to the race track, my son and I stopped at our local Starbucks as we always do. When we reached the cashier window the barista informed us the car ahead of us paid our order. First thought that ran through my head was "do I know them?" No, I did not know them. The barista further explained that someone did the same for them and he wanted to extend that to someone else. This is something I have read about but never seen or been a part of. I was so thrilled with the kind gesture I passed it along and paid for the car behind us.
I am committed to do the same thing monthly. Maybe if someone did something nice for someone else for no reason, that will make that day better for someone. Who knows, maybe we can keep that going all day.
I am committed to do the same thing monthly. Maybe if someone did something nice for someone else for no reason, that will make that day better for someone. Who knows, maybe we can keep that going all day.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Its been awhile
With the blessing of my niece's birth in July (4 weeks early), her being in the hospital twice since her birth (the most recent this past week with a 8 day stay), school ending for my husband and getting ready to start again in a week or so, my son going back to school, business and just every day life, I have not found much time to stop in and update.
I took over my husbands laptop this past week and a half so I can get some work done. Without it I would have had to spend less time at the hospital with my brother and sister-in-law.With the baby shower last month and another coming in November, I forgot how much I love making certain gifts and crafts. I love making diaper cakes. There is just something special about them. I am going to start making them for local sales. I am not interested at this time in online sales. With local sales I can get a good sense of the shower theme and the guest of honor. Something that is very important to me and why each cake is custom and unique. I may venture to smaller cakes but we will see. I have a few other items I love to make for baby showers. How knows, maybe I have the start to a special local boutique.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Tart Warmer/Oil Burner Sale
Blue Moon Warmer
This midnight-blue moon sculpture sparkles with the mysteries of the night. Can be used with oil or wax tarts.
Glazed porcelain. Uses tealights (not included). 5" x 2 5/8" x 6 1/2" high.
$10 includes shipping
Country Kitchen Warmer
This mini replica of a country kitchen a match for any decor.
Mini kettle is removable and includes a removable lid. Mini pan holds your tea light. Can be used for oil or wax tarts.
Tea lights only (not included). 4 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 5 3/4" high.
$10 includes shipping
All payments processed through PayPal (you do not need a paypal account to process payment through PayPal).
Contact Olivia at disneyandmickeyfan@yahoo.com to order yours!
This midnight-blue moon sculpture sparkles with the mysteries of the night. Can be used with oil or wax tarts.Glazed porcelain. Uses tealights (not included). 5" x 2 5/8" x 6 1/2" high.
$10 includes shipping
Country Kitchen Warmer
This mini replica of a country kitchen a match for any decor.
Mini kettle is removable and includes a removable lid. Mini pan holds your tea light. Can be used for oil or wax tarts.
Tea lights only (not included). 4 1/2" x 3 3/4" x 5 3/4" high.
$10 includes shipping
All payments processed through PayPal (you do not need a paypal account to process payment through PayPal).
Contact Olivia at disneyandmickeyfan@yahoo.com to order yours!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Very Proud
For my brother and his wife's baby shower I made several of the decorations to include centerpieces, baby sock corsages, and a diaper cake.
The diaper cake is a 3 tier cake decorated with a floral theme.
The diaper cake is a 3 tier cake decorated with a floral theme.
The centerpieces were custom baby sock topiary.
Continuing the Disney theme I created a kiss jar topped with Disney Princesses. I made a matching smaller jar with a single princess for mom as a keepsake.
While mom and dad were unable to attend the baby shower due to the early arrival of their daughter, they still received a baby sock corsage and matching boutonniere.
Monday, July 27, 2009
My newest precious angel
My newest niece, Elizabeth, born July 25 weighing in at 5lbs 5oz 18in. 4 weeks early but she is doing fantastic and will go home when mom is discharged.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Understanding Lupus
On Sunday July 19 our family loss a beautiful and wonderful family member to Lupus. She was funny, beautiful, carefree, caring, loving. She never sweat the small stuff. She was full of life and if that is what we all learned from her we need to enjoy every moment and leave behind the negative.
Lupus us very much alive today. As women we are more likely to be stricken with this terrible disease than men. There are more than 1 type of lupus. Our family member had systemic lupus which is the worst kind but she lived with this from age 17 until her passing just shy of 40.
Please take a moment to understand what lupus is and spread the awareness. Visit http://www.lupus.org to learn more.
Lupus us very much alive today. As women we are more likely to be stricken with this terrible disease than men. There are more than 1 type of lupus. Our family member had systemic lupus which is the worst kind but she lived with this from age 17 until her passing just shy of 40.
Please take a moment to understand what lupus is and spread the awareness. Visit http://www.lupus.org to learn more.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Who am I?
I think we all wonder who we are at some point in time. I have even been asked if I personally know who I am. My answer to that is yes. I know who I am.
So who am I?
I am Olivia Jeannette Vidal born in December 1974 in a West Covina hospital to a beautiful mother whom I talk to almost everyday and a father I almost never speak of.
I am a daughter. I am a daughter who gets mad at her mother for trying to take care of her. I am a daughter looking at her mother wishing I could be half the mother she is. I am the daughter to a man who loves me; blood or not. I am a daughter who drove my parents to the brink of insanity rebelling against all I was taught. I am the daughter who was secretly happy when I wasn't allowed to date certain boys even when I protested. I am a daddy's girl. I am a mommy's girl.
I am a mother. I am a mother of a handsome young man who will be 16 in March. I am a mother who was scared the moment she discovered she was pregnant. I am the mother who made mistakes along the way. I am the mother who stayed at the hospital 3 days while her child was admitted for severe mono. I am the mother who cheered her son on at the football games. I am proud he is who he is no matter what I do. I am disappointed he can't see why I hate his room a mess. I am sad he won't need me in a couple years as he ventures off to be the man I raised.
I am a wife. I am a wife to a man I didn't want to date. I am the wife to a man who let me love on my terms. I am a wife to a man who showed me I can be loved unconditionally and I can love back in the same manner. I am a wife is gets frustrated when her husband doesn't wash clothes the way I think they should be. I am the wife of a man who won't argue when I need a good argument. I am a wife who is thrilled her husband understands her disgust for wet and dirty hands therefore taking on the dishes even after a long day. I am the wife of a man who is proud to watch her husband enjoy his passions. I am the proud wife of a full-time college student. I am the wife who loves her husband dearly.
I am a sister. I am the sister to 2 younger brothers. I am the proud sister of 2 men with their own wives and children and thrilled all my tormenting as kids didn't harm them. I am the sister who beat up her brothers as children. I am the sister who cried at their weddings looking on proudly. I am a sister to 2 women who have joined our family the last few years.
I am an aunt. I am the aunt of a beautiful little girl and soon to be aunt for the 2nd and 3rd time within the next 6 months. I am the aunt to 3 children I never thought I could love as much as the child I gave birth to.
I am a godmother to an unborn child that almost brings tears to my eyes thinking how honored I am to take part in the growth of another human being.
I am the friend who wants you to be happy, wants to hear how your kids are doing, about your date last night, brings the ice cream when you are sad, and expects all the same in return.
I am the business owner who takes pride in the fact she is allowed to do something great with her knowledge and learning experiences. I am the business owner who fumbles from time to time on a gamble that didn't work. I am the business owner how is not ashamed of the success and making that success known. I am the business owner who will take a pay cut just to bring in something new.
I am a woman. I like to look good, feel good. I am selfish, giving, sensitive, aggressive, crazy, shy, outgoing, unsure, confident, mean, kind, intelligent, ignorant, well educated, under educated. I want to be desired, admired, appreciated. Some days I want to be ignored while other days I want to be the center of attention. I am misunderstood, miscalculated, underestimated. I am not the thinnest, tallest, most beautiful. One moment I am serious as can be and the next as immature as a 2 yr old.
I am an animal lover who can't bare to let her dogs sleep in the dog house on a cold winter night. I am the animal lover who lets her dogs sleep in her bed and lay on the couch. I am the pet lover who cries when her loved pet dies. I am the pet lover who wants to dress up her dogs for no reason.
I like happy meal toys, pens, shoes, Disney, cooking, crafting, cleaning, being lazy, taking pictures, taking a walk, shopping, taking part in charities, texting, online games, watching chick flicks, doing what others would never dream I would do. What I like today may not be what I like tomorrow. I can and will change my mind often.
I don't strive to be someone else. I strive to be a better me. Who I was 10 yrs ago is not who I am today. In 10 years I will not be the same as I am currently.
If I want to have breast implants tomorrow that doesn't mean I think less of myself. I don't need to explain it. If you don't understand it, don't try to. I diet to look better, color my hair to brighten my face, wear makeup so I don't scare the children, wear uncomfortable shoes because they look great on my feet, carry a cute purse because it matches my outfit.
I don't need to make excuses for who I am. I don't make excuses for why I am ever changing. I like that. I am who I am and I love that about me.
I know who I am. Maybe I don't always like what I see. The beautiful thing about that is I can change anything I want at anytime. I have that power because I never doubt that I can.
So next time someone asks me if I know who I am I proudly state yes I do. Maybe I can never fully explain who I am as I am different to different people. Maybe I will never understand why I am who I am but I am who I am regardless
So who am I?
I am Olivia Jeannette Vidal born in December 1974 in a West Covina hospital to a beautiful mother whom I talk to almost everyday and a father I almost never speak of.
I am a daughter. I am a daughter who gets mad at her mother for trying to take care of her. I am a daughter looking at her mother wishing I could be half the mother she is. I am the daughter to a man who loves me; blood or not. I am a daughter who drove my parents to the brink of insanity rebelling against all I was taught. I am the daughter who was secretly happy when I wasn't allowed to date certain boys even when I protested. I am a daddy's girl. I am a mommy's girl.
I am a mother. I am a mother of a handsome young man who will be 16 in March. I am a mother who was scared the moment she discovered she was pregnant. I am the mother who made mistakes along the way. I am the mother who stayed at the hospital 3 days while her child was admitted for severe mono. I am the mother who cheered her son on at the football games. I am proud he is who he is no matter what I do. I am disappointed he can't see why I hate his room a mess. I am sad he won't need me in a couple years as he ventures off to be the man I raised.
I am a wife. I am a wife to a man I didn't want to date. I am the wife to a man who let me love on my terms. I am a wife to a man who showed me I can be loved unconditionally and I can love back in the same manner. I am a wife is gets frustrated when her husband doesn't wash clothes the way I think they should be. I am the wife of a man who won't argue when I need a good argument. I am a wife who is thrilled her husband understands her disgust for wet and dirty hands therefore taking on the dishes even after a long day. I am the wife of a man who is proud to watch her husband enjoy his passions. I am the proud wife of a full-time college student. I am the wife who loves her husband dearly.
I am a sister. I am the sister to 2 younger brothers. I am the proud sister of 2 men with their own wives and children and thrilled all my tormenting as kids didn't harm them. I am the sister who beat up her brothers as children. I am the sister who cried at their weddings looking on proudly. I am a sister to 2 women who have joined our family the last few years.
I am an aunt. I am the aunt of a beautiful little girl and soon to be aunt for the 2nd and 3rd time within the next 6 months. I am the aunt to 3 children I never thought I could love as much as the child I gave birth to.
I am a godmother to an unborn child that almost brings tears to my eyes thinking how honored I am to take part in the growth of another human being.
I am the friend who wants you to be happy, wants to hear how your kids are doing, about your date last night, brings the ice cream when you are sad, and expects all the same in return.
I am the business owner who takes pride in the fact she is allowed to do something great with her knowledge and learning experiences. I am the business owner who fumbles from time to time on a gamble that didn't work. I am the business owner how is not ashamed of the success and making that success known. I am the business owner who will take a pay cut just to bring in something new.
I am a woman. I like to look good, feel good. I am selfish, giving, sensitive, aggressive, crazy, shy, outgoing, unsure, confident, mean, kind, intelligent, ignorant, well educated, under educated. I want to be desired, admired, appreciated. Some days I want to be ignored while other days I want to be the center of attention. I am misunderstood, miscalculated, underestimated. I am not the thinnest, tallest, most beautiful. One moment I am serious as can be and the next as immature as a 2 yr old.
I am an animal lover who can't bare to let her dogs sleep in the dog house on a cold winter night. I am the animal lover who lets her dogs sleep in her bed and lay on the couch. I am the pet lover who cries when her loved pet dies. I am the pet lover who wants to dress up her dogs for no reason.
I like happy meal toys, pens, shoes, Disney, cooking, crafting, cleaning, being lazy, taking pictures, taking a walk, shopping, taking part in charities, texting, online games, watching chick flicks, doing what others would never dream I would do. What I like today may not be what I like tomorrow. I can and will change my mind often.
I don't strive to be someone else. I strive to be a better me. Who I was 10 yrs ago is not who I am today. In 10 years I will not be the same as I am currently.
If I want to have breast implants tomorrow that doesn't mean I think less of myself. I don't need to explain it. If you don't understand it, don't try to. I diet to look better, color my hair to brighten my face, wear makeup so I don't scare the children, wear uncomfortable shoes because they look great on my feet, carry a cute purse because it matches my outfit.
I don't need to make excuses for who I am. I don't make excuses for why I am ever changing. I like that. I am who I am and I love that about me.
I know who I am. Maybe I don't always like what I see. The beautiful thing about that is I can change anything I want at anytime. I have that power because I never doubt that I can.
So next time someone asks me if I know who I am I proudly state yes I do. Maybe I can never fully explain who I am as I am different to different people. Maybe I will never understand why I am who I am but I am who I am regardless
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