Frugal Friday

Thought it was about time I give this Frugal Friday thing a try!

My disclaimer is that I'm not the best at pinching pennies, but I'm getting better!

Okay, here's something my mom shared with me:

Cut the feet off of baby sleepers and hem the bottoms to extend the wear of the item! Our baby boy is three months old today and like his dad is very looong with big feet! (Dad is 6'4".) We were prepared for the long feet and as a result I didn't buy too many footed pajamas. People still gifted them to us, though, and in order to keep a fast-growing baby in clothes, cutting off the bottoms is about to become a lifesaver!

This might not be a great tip if a) you really love footed PJs or b) if you're concerned about having feet on clothes for any other babies! I'm so-so about footed outfits, it's the one-piece aspect that is more important to me. (It's also tough to find a variety of sleep and plays without feet!)

My second tip is a no-brainer, especially for cloth diaperers: cloth (especially) flannel baby wipes! They can be washed with the diapers and are so gentle on baby's skin! You can buy fabric of course, or recycle from clothing and other items around the house! I prefer flannel or fleece because I think that the terry in washcloths is a little too abrasive.

Not much to report

Trying to keep on top of my routines. My motivation level has flatlined. I did half the laundry and vacuuming today. I'm trying to work up the initiative to finish. At least I made dinner!

Anyone reading have anything exciting to report?

Oh, I thought of one cute, baby-related thing! Yesterday afternoon, the baby was "playing" with his new playmat. We were in the kitchen putting dishes away and when we peeked back in the living room, he was laughing at himself in the mirror! He's obviously both laughed and seen himself in the mirror before, but not at the same time. It was adorable!

Breastfeeding Blog

I'm still tweaking my second post on modesty, so in the meantime...

Motherwear, a company that sells nursing-friendly clothes (I love their nursing camisoles!), has started a breastfeeding blog. You can check it out here:

http://breastfeeding.blog.motherwear.com/

Updated Household Routine

After having my plan in place for a few weeks, I made a few small changes. See original plan here: http://zuzusperch.blogspot.com/2006/08/managing-house.html

Monday:
All vacuuming
Laundry: linens

Tuesday:
Scrub bathroom
Laundry: baby

Wednesday:
Baking

Thursday:
Scrub kitchen

Friday:
Laundry: DH & I

Saturday:
Laundry: DH work clothes

Sunday: REST!

As I mentioned before, I also launder the diapers on an as-needed basis, usually every 2-3 days. Sometimes out of necessity, that means Sunday, but we try to avoid that.

My daily routine includes general pick-up, bathroom and kitchen wipedowns, dishes, etc.

This doesn't include daily meal prep/cleanup. I try to make dinner five nights a week. Wednesday and either Friday or Saturday are leftovers.

New Kitchen Floor

My kitchen has a new floor! Starting Thursday night with the removal of the old floor through Sunday afternoon, my ratty old floor vanished to be replaced by a sparkling new, correctly installed floor. My husband and father-in-law did all the work and it looks gorgeous! Once again they prove there is nothing they can't do!

Before

Goodbye old floor!

Cutting the pattern in the church auditorium

Isn't it just loverly?

All that's left to do is refinish and reinstall the thresholds! Oh, and of course the appliances are back in place!

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

"The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology is a non-profit research and educational institute that promotes life-transforming Scripture study in the Catholic tradition. The Center serves clergy and laity, students and scholars, with research and study tools--from books and publications to multimedia and on-line programming." http://www.salvationhistory.com/mission/mission.cfm

My interest in the institute is mostly for the free courses they offer. They ask you to register, but the courses are work-at-your-own-pace. There are three tracks to help you study various aspects of Scripture. A solid understanding and thorough familiarity with the Bible isabsolutelyy essential for any Catholic, especially as we seek to defend our faith against so-called "Bible-Believing Christians" and other Anti-Catholics.

I'm about to register and begin the Apologetics Foundations Track with Course One, From Genesis to Jesus: A Journey Through Scripture. (http://www.salvationhistory.com/online/Beginner/WalkGen.cfm) I'm ashamed to admit that despite my apologetic bent and fairly thorough knowledge of the Church, I do not read the Bible nearly enough. I'm hoping this course will increase myunderstatingg, interest, and motivation to read God's Word.

I encourage all Catholics to take a look, take the plunge, and sign up for a course! What do you have to lose? No fees, no deadlines, and the supplemental books the course uses you can find at the library. The Bible, your primaryytextbookk, you already own! (Probably several copies!)