The Waiting Game

Chloe cat is so weak she can hardly stand. She's still not in any discernible pain so we've decided to let nature take it's course and let her die a natural death at home. She still loves to be petted and still has a weak meow but I don't think it's going to be much longer. This stings so much. I was up all night worrying and crying. I also indulged in a little online shopping for shelter kitties.
I don't think we're ready to adopt another cat but I'm thinking it would help soothe the pain of that empty space Chloe will be making in our lives. There are so many kitties that need homes.

If I got any lazier today I think moss might start growing on me.

It's 2:30.

I haven't showered yet. The little Guy is still in his jammies. I got up this morning and got Big Girl out the door and laid back on the couch to read. I've had nausea, an upset stomach, and a mild headache for two days. Blech.

Little Guy has been content to snuggle and eat whatever quickie thing I make for him. I chopped up a bunch of potatoes and some onion and put tomato sauce, seasoning, and butter on them and stuck them in the crock pot on high. I might even get crazy and start a load of laundry.

I think I'll shower before Big Girl gets home.

Must dash. I'm incredibly busy today.

Product Reviews and The three main points of my normal day

Dishes-

I ran out of my standard Electrasol powerball dishwasher tabs. I've tried using generic powder and making my own mix but nothing gets my dishes as clean as these tabs. I found a bottle of Cascade with Dawn washing gel under the sink and started using it. It does not work. The first time I thought it was my washer. I cleaned it out and made sure the rinse aid cup was filled. I've tried switching back and forth between the powerball tabs and this gel to make sure that it's the Cascade formula that is the problem. I posted a negative review of this product on their website.



Laundry-

About two weeks ago I found these colored washer balls at Aldi. I think I paid $7.99 for a pack of nine of them. You're supposed to add them to your wash and you can use half the amount of detergent. They don't really work. Are you surprised? They do work great with the sample of Tide with Dawn that I used from my laundry room cabinet. I got three uses out of a one load sample. I've been using Sun liquid detergent and I have to say that it really doesn't work. I wish I hadn't liked the Tide though as I really don't want to pay $13 a bottle for laundry detergent.

So, while I was watching Morgan Spurlock's 30 Days on Netflix, I grated up a bar of Ivory soap to make Kara's homemade washing detergent.

*The 30 Days episode I chose was about living on minimum wage in Ohio. I so wanted them to continue on their journey for another few months to get a better idea of how it actually is to live on that little money. I also wanted to whisper frugal tips in their ears.

Grocery Shopping-

Today is $10/$50 coupon day at Shop N Save. I had a list and coupons for once. I am stocked up on stuff for at least the next week. I found the bargain fruit bin and got a bag full of apples, oranges, and a banana for $1.98. The clearance carts also yielded a few dented and label missing cans. I saved 36% off my total.

What I haven't felt like discussing.

Our oldest cat, Chloe, is dying. She is 15 years old. I've had her since she was 6 weeks old. She is not in any discernible pain but she isn't eating and her lips and nose are turning black. She is very weak. It's been happening slowly for a few months. At first she just stopped sleeping with my daughter who she slept with every night like clockwork.

After having a hard time dealing with our vet concerning our cat Izzy, I have not wanted to deal with taking her in. Hubby is especially torn up about it since he's her cat. They have a weird bond.

I don't know what to do.

My not-so frugal side

When I think of buying new furniture my mind goes to pressed wood and shiny oaky veneers. I dream about antique bedroom sets from the 20s and 40s. With a king sized bed and the options we want like lots of storage that just isn't going to happen. So, we've been shopping here and there in retail furniture outlets for awhile and haven't been impressed.

But, Hubby and I fell in love with this furniture collection. Let me just say that it looks even better in real life. You can't really see the details. And I'm a sucker for details. Our bed will be similar but will have a storage option on the side. Hubby is tall and can't stand a foot board. I don't know what other pieces we will get to go along with it but I think two dressers and two night stands.

Here's a look.

Gotta get going. Lots to do today.

Playing in the Dirt & Making Big Purchases

I took my Mom to Lowe's to shop for flowers as part of her Mother's Day present. She looked kinda strange at me for asking the clerk where the clearance section was but had great fun clearing it out when we got there. In fact, everything we bought was half off or better.

I planted her flowers yesterday. And today I planted all of mine.

4 perennial flowers
Petunias
Alysum
Snapdragons
Iris bulbs
One bell pepper baby that I started from seed

I still have lily bulbs and strawberry starts to plant.

I did not get much done in the house except three key things- a load of laundry, a load of dishes, and I made dinner. We had beanie weenie, homemade corn bread, and fruit salad.

It was a good day!

Tomorrow I am going to order a love seat with a pull out sleeper from the furniture store. This is the first step in a long process of turning our Master bedroom into a haven instead of a dumping pit. In a moment I am going upstairs with Hubby to start decluttering and moving furniture around to fit our new couch.

That new couch is a long wanted item and the first major furniture purchase we've made since Little Guy was born. We also picked out a brand new, swanky bedroom set after four years of unfruitful second hand shopping and hand wringing over buying new. I feel weird about spending this much money on myself when I'm normally content to do without or buy second hand. There is guilt, worry, and a major feeling of excitement about spending money on something that is just for us. I'm looking forward to having a pretty bedroom. I've never had one before.

Sucked in by The FaceBook/Farmville demon

There are short bouts of determined cleaning in the long hours of Facebooking and Farmvilling.

I know where all my time is going and I hope it ends soon. I'd rather have a clean house than a pretty virtual farm. Thank God for my children being well behaved and playing well together lately. They are so cute together. Of course, I need to follow behind them picking up their discarded messes but whatever.

Ok, putting the computer up and going to change sheets on the beds.

Hubby turns 39 today! I managed to bake him a cake yesterday in between harvesting and collecting. He's helping me clean today and we're going on a date tonight for his birthday.
Love you Hubby!