The Housing Experiment

I have a fun and interesting question to propose.  If your teenage children could be on their own for a week how would they do? My sons and I have talked about the possibility of a separate apartment in our next home.  I like this idea because they can learn how to take care of themselves.  Their is also the fact if and when this disease of mine gets worse.  They can still help me out and have their independence as well.  Because its no fun when your an adult and have to live with family members. You still need your space. Of course when college is done, they move on to their own place.  So how do you prepare young adults for living on their own.

 First off,  they've got to be able to feed themselves.  They can't blow their paychecks on fast food and its killer on the weight.  If they don't already help with the cooking have them start.  Teach them to cook simple basic meals.  I found out the other day after the microwave blew a fuse, the boys did not know how to brown meat or fry bacon in a frying pan.  So we had a little lesson involving the frying pan.

I know this probably sounds weird but do they know how to do their own laundry.  Have them help sort the laundry, figure out what setting to put it on in the machine (kyle has trouble with that one) and can it go in the dryer and what setting.

 Shopping is another thing.  Can they stick to a list and get what they need?  Have they ever used a debit or EBT card to pay for something?  Ask them and then show them how to do what needs to be done.  I had to send them shopping when the knee was really bad and they used the EBT for the first time.  They enjoyed it and gained a little independence. Some things to think about to give your teen a better start in the world.  Ever consider what three things they should have in their first apartment.  Here's my picks. What are yours?

1. Set of pots and pans
2. Microwave
3. Vacuum Cleaner

                                                       Here's one of my favorite recipes

                                                       small bag elbow macaroni (8 oz bag)
                                                       1 small onion chopped
                                                       1 cup pickle relish
                                                       2 cans tuna packed in water drained
                                                       2 cups very veggie salad mix tear up into smaller pieces
                                                       2 Tablespoons mayonnaise
                                                       1 Tablespoon lemon juice

Cook the noodles until aldente. Run cold water over noodles.  Put onions, pickle relish, tuna and salad mix in bowl with noodles.  Mix together then add mayonnaise and lemon juice.  Mix them again.  Place dish in refrigerator until chilled.  Can be main dish or side dish for lunch or dinner.

Savings at SaveMart

Good Morning all,  I went to Savemart yesterday and I think I did pretty good.  They are having a big sale on Kelloggs through Tuesday. The sale is you buy six kellogss you get them for $1.77 a box. .  So, check it out.  Before you go, the back to school issue of All You has $5 worth of kelloggs coupons in the back of the magazine i.e. cereal, rice crispie treats, cereal bars and keebler cookies.  The sale is you buy six kellogss you get them for $1.77 a box.  Also near the big display is a booklet with more kelloggs coupons.  The catalina was spitting out a 20% off at Payless.  Here's what I got good luck and many savings to all.

2 Gallons of milk - used $2 off when buying 2 cereal

2 Keebler Fudge Stripe cookies

2 Kelloggs Cereal

2 Kelloggs Fruit Snack

2 Special K cereal bars used $1 produce when buying 2 bars

2 Rice Krispies Treat boxes

2 Kelloggs Poptarts the 12 count size

2 strawberry cartons B1G1F

Bunch of Bananas

8 ct Mission Tortillas

1 dozen eggs which were free when you buy the tortillas

2 friskies cans

2 yogurts

The receipt says I saved $35.86  and I spent for all that $37.15 but didn't catch the fact they did not take off $4 in coupons. The store is very good about fixing problems, so always make sure they scan all coupons.

Frankie's Corner

Just some more pictures of the Crazy Siamese who thinks he's a dog.

                          This is my lookout spot and I will come down when I'm good and ready.

I'm tanning leave me alone.

                                          Where's my leash its time to go outside?
                                         

Murder Takes a Breather--Chocolate Cookies

Good Morning all,  we are taking a breather from Murder Mystery Cooking today.  I've got to increase my stash of murder mysteries with recipes.  But I have a family favorite to share with you today, a no bake chocolate cookie recipe.  Now who doesn't love chocolate.  This is a very easy recipe even the little ones can help make it.

                                               Chocolate Mint Wafers

                                               4 ounces dark chocolate candy coating
                                               1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
                                               18 to 24 vanilla wafers

Place candy coating in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 30-60 seconds or until smooth, stirring every 15 seconds.  Stir in extract.  Dip vanilla wafers in coating; place on waxed paper until set.  Store in an airtight container. Makes 1 1/2 dozen cookies.  Note you can make this with other extracts i.e. banana, orange etc.

Where to Find Good Vintage Jewelry

Good Morning all,  I wanted to share my love of vintage jewelry and tell you how you can find beautiful pieces for pennies on the dollar.  I'm a firm believer if you get into a hobby you learn everything you can about it. The local library has a lot of good books on vintage jewelry collecting.  I have a tendency to haunt antique stores and one in particular had a woman who was the go to gal for jewelry.  Every time I would go in there she and I would talk. She would show me pieces and tell me how to take care of the jewelry.  If you look at something enough, you get a feel for it.  You come to recognize certain designers from certain eras.  First off, check the newspapers or craigslist for the local yard and estate sales.  You don't just pick any yard sale.  You look for the ones that say words like 20 years accumulation or estate sale clearing out whole house.  Look for yard sales in the more affluent areas of town.  This is where you are more likely to find some good vintage pieces for a good price.  Also check out the American Cancer Society thrift stores, they have an annual jewelry sale which includes vintage pieces. You can also check out consignment stores and other thrift stores.  I found a Mexican silver cat one time that looked like a Laurel Burch cat pin. I sold it to my jewelry store friend.  When you find pieces check for marks and dates on them.  You can then look them up online to see what you've got.  Also check for broken parts and missing pieces these can be repaired.  Get to looking this coming weekend and see what you find.  Here's some pictures on what I've been able to find

Healthy Relationships

I walked up to a group of middle schoolers and I said to them "Your Stupid and You Can't Do Anything Right".  If someone said that to you how would that make you feel?  Their responses were that it's  not good.  Then I said What if It was your Boyfriend or Girlfriend who said that to you?  It's not okay for people who say they love you to turn round and call you names.  It's called verbal abuse. This is an early warning sign of an unhealthy relationship.  Domestic abuse is on the rise and teens and children need to learn what a healthy relationship is all about.  Abuse is not just physical, it's also verbal and emotional.  Verbal and emotional abuse are more damaging then physical.  It takes the psyche along time to heal. I think if we taught teens how to recognize a bad relationship, their would be a lot less abuse out there. Here are some Red Flags you need to watch out for in relationships and this applies to anybody not just teens.

1. You've only been together a short period of time and he/she's already talking long term.
2. You've set boundaries but he/she ignores them.
3. Constantly jealous and accuses you of being with other people.
4.  Frequently calls, emails or texts you throughout the day.  This is a sign of a controlling personality run for the hills.
5.  Does not take responsibility for own actions blames other people.
6.  Constantly tries to change you by saying something makes you look fat or not right. Calls you names and belittles you to make you into their ideal person.  This is a control freak, run.
7.  Tries to isolate you from family and friends.
8.  Wants you to spend all of  your time with him and not have other interests.
9.  Ultimately you start to feel uneasy around this person and afraid.

When you are in a relationship take it slow and never rush through things. You need to get to know this person find out about them through family and friends.  Pay attention to the little things. They do add up and tell you a lot about the person. These are just some tips that I wish I had when I was younger. Everybody smile and have a good day get past the negativity.


Their is someone out there who will say to you one day.

Frankie on Guard Duty

Sorry this is late this morning but the motion detector went off last night.  If you've been following my blog you know what that means, Frankie turns into Guard Cat.  That also means I don't get any sleep.  I got up several times and didn't see anything, but Mr. stubborn kept insisting their was something out there. I always remember what the Cops said Listen to the Cat, Lady.  So, I check it out.  Here's the little nuts photos.

                                                       Guard Cat Mode

I just want to be left alone.

What are looking at?