Frugal Fun Friday~Part Three

It's that time again! Time for more Frugal Fun Friday homemade cleaner recipes. I know that you are all just so excited, so let's get right to the fun.



Seriously, just ignore me.

The recipe for this cleaner (just like the previous two that I shared with you) came from the cookbook that you see in the picture below.



Today, I am showing you how to make your very own homemade All Purpose Cleaner.
Here is the simple recipe that I followed.



Here is a picture of everything that I used to make this cleaner. And, once again, I did not have a "formal" gallon container for cleaners, so I just used another old tea jug that I had in the kitchen.



The first ingredient that I added was one cup of ammonia.



The second ingredient that I added was 1/2 cup of vinegar.



The third ingredient that I added was 1/2 cup of baking soda. I just measured it and poured it in, like so.



And last, but certainly not least, it was time to add the water. I just filled the rest of the container to the top.



Then I gently shook the container to mix all of the ingredients together. It's always a good idea to make sure the lid is screwed on tight before you start gently shaking the container.



I'm just saying is all.

After everything was all mixed together, it was time to pour the cleaner into the spray bottle. Once again, I used a funnel for this particular maneuver. (Not that I have ever tried doing it without a funnel and made a mess, of course. But I have heard stories.)



As you can see, I clearly labeled my spray bottle with the words "All Purpose Cleaner." That way I won't accidentally use it to re-wet my hair. (Not that that has ever happened to me, of course, but again, I've heard stories.)



They're sure housework won't kill you, but why take the risk? ~Author Unknown

A Romantic Date In Crazyville

For Christmas, Shannon took Scarlet and me on a romantic date in Crazyville.

It was lovely.

We started out by having lunch at the Olive Garden.



Scarlet was snuggled up by the fireplace while Shannon and I gorged on ate our delicious lunch.



We started our lunch with some of Olive Garden's famous salad.

It was So wonderful.



We ate all of it.

Don't judge.

For the main course I chose Linguine with Marinara Sauce.....



And Shannon chose a dish (which I, of course, cannot remember the name of) that was really delish. It was chicken and steak kabobs, with fried potatoes, and vegetables covered in a basil type paste.

Oh. My. Word.
It was SOOOOOOOOO delish, that I was forced to eat most of Shannon's order.



Don't judge.

I couldn't help myself.

Of course, no date with me is complete until I have spilled something, or until I have gotten food on my clothes.

This date was no exception.

There was marinara sauce all over my top.

*Sigh*



And as if wearing my marinara sauce wasn't embarrassing enough, the waitress walked up right as I was taking the picture of the sauce on my shirt.

*Sigh*

She looked at me as if I were nuts, and then she asked me, "Did you just take a picture of your shirt?"

To which I replied, "Well, of course. Doesn't everybody?"

(She was obviously not a blogger. I'm just saying.)

Luckily for me, Shannon still loves me even though I tend to be quite clumsy and messy.



*Sigh*

After our messy romantic lunch, we headed to the movie theater. I let Shannon pick the movie this time, since the last movie that we went to see, I chose.
Click here if you want to read more about that.;)

Shannon chose the new Brad Pitt movie called The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.



It was a lovely movie. We heard many people after the movie saying that they thought it was "weird," but we really loved it. It was full of so much wisdom.

Here is the movie trailer.



The character of Benjamin's mother really touched me so much personally. She was so wise. I loved her outlook and attitude towards life. She was just very accepting of all the events in her life. Good or bad. She always told Benjamin, "You never know what's coming for you."

There was one scene in particular that really moved me. Benjamin was very upset about his "condition," and he was crying as he asked her, "What's wrong with me, Momma?" To which she simply replied, "God hasn't told us that yet." She didn't worry about what was wrong with Benjamin, she just trusted that with God, he would be all right.

I told Shannon that I want that to be my attitude. When difficulties come my way, I fuss, fret, complain, cry, get over myself, then I finally accept God's Will. I want to skip all of those steps and just simply trust God. I am a work in progress. Slow, slow progress...but progress all the same, amen?;)

Anyway, we loved the movie. I realize not every one will love it, but I highly recommend that you see the movie and decide for yourself.

Now, as you know, no trip to the movies would be complete without me visiting the ladies room and finding something interesting.

Here is what I found during my time in the loo.......



Me too, sister! Me too! LOL!:)

Grilling Goodness With Tina And Friends~ 12

It's that time again...Time for some more "Grilling Goodness." If you would like to join in all of the fun, just click here. Tina would love to have you all participate!

Now, on to the grilling.....

1. If you could have done something different in 2008, what would it be?

While in Sicily, I would have had a second cannoli.



Mmmmmmmmmm.

2. What is something that you know will happen in 2009?

I love what Benjamin Button's mother in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button has to say about the future: "You never know what's coming for you."

I'll have a little more about that movie on my Wednesday post.

3. What is something that you hope will happen in 2009?

I have several things that I would like to see happen in my life, but I won't bore you with all of that nonsense. However, once my back is all healed, I hope to finally get my house completely organized and keep it clean all year.



Shannon is all for this hope of mine. ;)

4. Do you already have a vacation planned for this year?

Shannon says that I have done enough traveling for a while.



But I may try to get back to the Mediterranean in another 38 years or so. ;)

5. Are you relieved that the holidays are over?

I am glad for life to get back to "normal," but I have to admit, I will miss listening and singing along to my Christmas music all the time.

6. Did you make a resolution? Will you share it?

I have many things that I want to improve on this year in my life, but it is basically a long, long, long, very boring list. And since I don't want to put the tens of you who read this blog completely to sleep, I won't be sharing that today.

I will, however, share something that I saw on my friend Amy's Facebook page that really spoke to me. It is a quote from Nancy Leigh DeMoss, and it is full of wisdom that I hope to carry with me through 2009.

So without further ado, here it is:

Once we settle the issue of why we’re living, all of life takes on a different perspective. Once we settle the issue that:

It’s not about me.
It’s not about my convenience.
It’s not about my comfort.
It’s not about my happiness.
It’s not about who likes me, who accepts me.
It’s not about, “Am I fulfilled in what I’m doing here in life?”
All that matters is that God is glorified, that He is pleased with my life.
Then we can endure and bear up under circumstances and challenges that we might not otherwise be able to face if we know that, “My sole purpose for living is to bring glory to God.”

~Nancy Leigh DeMoss

7. How old will you turn in 2009?



But let's just keep that between us, Mmmkay?

8. What did you do to celebrate the New Year?

I got all dressed up and beautiful......



...and rang in the new year with my sweet hubby at home! ;)

Just a few more things.

There is an awesome giveaway going on at $5 Dinners.com. If you are interested in winning a $25 Kroger gift card, hop on over here and enter the contest.

Nikowa at the Knowledge House Academy blog is also having a book giveaway. If you would like to win a book, click here to enter.

And last, but certainly not least, don't forget to click on the link on my side bar that says: Angela's Birthday Bash. She is giving away a prize every day this week in celebration of her birthday at her blog called Becoming Me.

Good luck to all of you!

♫ Happy Birthday, Dianne! ♫ (And Happy New Year!)

"New Year's Day is every man's birthday." ~Charles Lamb



Happy New Year, everyone!

It's exciting to start a brand new year. I don't know about you, but I am praying that this year is less eventful for me and my family than last year was, amen?

And today, is not only the beginning of the New Year, it is also the "actual" birthday of my very special blogging friend, Dianne. If you have not already, hop on over to her Deez Dayz blog and wish her a "Happy Birthday!"



So, without further ado, please join me in singing "Happy Birthday" to my sweet friend, Dianne.



♫
"Happy birthday to you;

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday, Dianne;

Happy birthday to you."
♫

Happy Birthday, Dianne! I pray for you a day that is as special as you are! (Ag shame, my skattie!)
Much love,
Amy:)

"The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age." ~Lucille Ball