Small cleanings

My husband hates it when I get sidetracked while doing one project for another.  No matter what or how small. I guess it’s because I do it often. I call it squirrel syndrome.  But for me, these little “extra” projects make me happy. When I’m done with all of it I can walk by and we what I did and feel productive. Little cleanings are good. They’re not overwhelming and they make you feel good and you can check one thing off that mental list. Do you do small cleanings?

 

Our spoiled baby

 Aka Loki the kitten. He’s approximately 10 months old. We’ve had him almost 7. He’s a mouse and vole killing machine so he’s great. But he is so spoiled for an outside cat. He loves to sit by the door and snuggle with whoever will do it. He’s very affectionate but he’s hungry 100% of time.  Even if he’s just eaten he runs through the house to the door where his food is because he wants more. If we eat dinner he jumps at the door handle because he understands how that door opens.  And I cannot keep his paw prints off the glass.  This is killing my OCD. He is a purring machine and if someone has him in the house for even a second you can hear him in other rooms. He loves to show his love by cleaning you so he licks everyone. Such a sweet baby but a little dramatic sometimes. 

Small cleanings

 Small cleanings over time have a big impact. You can really get a deep clean over the course of days instead of hours. When I get rid of junk, things that are no longer any good or things we don’t want, need or use I make space. And empty space makes me feel better. Less anxious. Try it. 

Link to cleaning brushes

#affiliate

Free stuff and how to "luck" into it

Want to be a Walmart Spark Reviewer??

@mindful_frugalista

It’s not a guarantee but I’ll share what I read before I was invited to the program. 

• Take the time to review items you bought on Walmart.com
• Be honest 
• Include photos or videos
• Include details of what you like and dislike
• Help consumers with your reviews

I know of others personally who have gotten invited so it’s not exactly a lottery. It is pretty awesome though. Once you get in be sure to abide by the rules. Don’t sell any of your items or give them away. They’re for your household to use and give an honest review of. Review the item timely including photos and details. It doesn’t take long and is fully worth being in the program

My biggest advice, if you get in, is to only accept items that you would really like to use and have. Things you can give an honest review of. 

Good luck!

#walmartsparkreviewer  #freestuff #reviews #savemoneywithfreethings #getthingsfree  #moneysavingtips  #getstufffree #freethings

Here's what makes me feel better when I get stressed

Yeah, sometimes it's just streaming something and eating, but menopause is catching up with me and I can't do too much snacking anymore.  Not to mention those steroids the pulmonologist put me on years ago did a number on my weight and I have finally lost 15 of the 30 pounds I put on and trying for more.  But cleaning, organizing and rearranging, these are generally free to do, help you exercise and feel good when you're done.  I do a little here and there and it makes it not so daunting, but has HUGE gains in how I feel when I'm done.

Here's my latest clean/organize.  I moved the trash bags from a different cabinet so they'd be with all of the other like items (plastic wrap, baggies, etc.).  Then, I cleaned where the pans, cutting boards etc were and arranged them with like items and in the process you toss anything you do not use, give it away or sell it.  Things now fit and all of the kids know where it goes because it makes sense and is easy to see.  I felt so accomplished that night!

Bringing it back almost 7 years later....wow!

 I haven't posted since May 2016.  I just needed a break.  I actually quit taking so many photos, focused on being present and just tried to enjoy life when it wasn't being crazy.  I'll do a fill in post later because, obviously, a ton has changed in this period of time.  The kids have GROWN!  I'm focusing on trying help people more than diary entry our lives.  I have a new Instagram @mindful_frugalista.  This is dedicated to some parenting tips and tricks (so throwback to the chaostimes5 blog) and some money saving and financial tips.  As most, original, followers know while we still don't make a lot of money we are more secure than we were when I quit writing.  All of my adult life has been avoiding living paycheck to paycheck and finding ways to save money, make money and put money in the bank.  I'll try to share more of these things here now and help others who are in the low to low-middle class (or anyone else who just doesn't like to waste money) keep some of their hard-earned green in their own possession. I'll also share some of my Amazon likes/dislikes that are both useful or found to be a waste.  

Welcome back if you were here before.  I hope to make this a positive place to put some information out there and make a difference to someone.  So leave a comment, find me on insta for some fun reels with the information and I'll talk to you soon.

Lisa

2 more months

have passed.....


Volleyball and track are over.  Chase's foot, hopefully has healed.  Almost a month in the boot, finally got his new orthotics Monday.  Hopefully, they will provide enough support for all the running he does on his growing body.  He did get to run 2 regular meets and somehow got into districts.  That's all the further he made it, but pretty proud of him for going to every practice hurt not knowing if he'd really get to run.  He's turned 16 and gotten his license. He has a job interview in June, so hopefully, this goes well.  I'd like to see him work as much as possible this summer and save up so he won't have to work much during the school year and focus on his grades.  He is still dating the girl that asked him to the school dance.  We all like her.  She's very smart and very friendly.  They seem to get along great.  She may be changing schools, so who knows.  Kaelin did very well in track.  She ended up getting a track medal from the coach (in addition to the medals from the meets) for being the most improved.  This was mostly because she is the only 7th grade girl who volunteered to run hurdles and she improved her time every singe time even though she's never done anything like that and at 5'1" I doubt it's easy for her.  She also got a hustle medal for volleyball at the school banquet.  She put it all out there at every practice and every game.  She always got there.  She finished the semester just 3 percentage points from getting a 4.0.  I'm extremely proud of her for her grades.  She's never been my kid with the highest grades, but this year she pulled it all out and worked SO hard.  I know she can do anything she wants.  Chelsi finished 2 points away from a 4.0 for the semester and got a 4.0 for the 1st semester.  She graduated from elementary and is onto middle school.  Her teachers and little brother will miss her.  She has introduced me to a lot of parents as she's very popular with the parents.  I hope she continues to be a good girl.  Jaemin improved all of his grades.  He continues to read at almost 3rd grade level.  Chelsi comprehends post secondary!  Jaemin however has continued to make great strides.  His teacher sent me a very kind, end of year, email to say how much she has enjoyed him and though his flapping began to get worse she can see how hard he works and how much progress he has made.  He is really getting his words and thoughts out now.  It's so amazing sometimes to hear him speak.  He's understanding better without always having to watch others.  His therapies are doing good so hopefully they allow them to continue with his IEP.  We've been lucky to have a district that does this for him so willingly.  He doesn't actually qualify, but they've seen what's done so far and continue on a professional opinion.

We had the last day of school and afterward I took them out to eat, to the movies and for ice cream.  They're tired and it was good.  I hope they have a great summer.  They've had a really good year.