Basement On A Budget

When we bought our house, one of the features I was most excited about was the beautiful bath tub.

The problem:  there was no stand up shower in the house, so we had to put up with taking baths for a while. I didn't really mind other than it being chilly during the winter months, but it was hard for my husband the millwright to really feel like he was clean after sitting in a dusty, greasy tub of water. We decided to install a free-standing shower in the basement. The addition of a shower stall was suitable enough for my husband, but to me it felt like... well, like showering in an icky basement. So, I decided to get to work and create a more inviting atmosphere with a $200 budget.

Before: Cluttered, cold and scary; complete with a previous owner's growth chart!

 

 
 

 

   

 

  

After: Clean, warm and inviting!

 

 

The budget breakdown:
2-in-1 Paint & Primer  & Paint Tools... $44
Window Treatments...$22
Shower Curtain...$14
Bath Mat...$40
Tablecloth...$5
Decorations...$40
Hardware & Accessories...$30
Total...$195

I realize most of the improvement comes simply from decluttering and cleaning, but to me it was a worthwhile project. It's still a basement, but now it feels more like any other comfortable room in our home.

Freeze! It's easy meal prep time.

Lately, I've been trying to be better about utilizing my freezer as a tool for planning ahead. Some nights when I get home from work the last thing I feel like doing is chopping onions or browning hamburger. I also hate spending twice as much money on fruits and vegetables during the winter months. Here are some of my tips for making meal prep easy, all year round!

Onions: Strap on a pair of goggles and get it over with!
For many people, one of the least exciting ways to spend time in the kitchen is chopping onions. I like to chop several sandwich-size freezer bags full at once to get it over with. You can measure the contents by cups or whole onions, whatever you prefer. I have somehow been blessed with tear ducts that are not overly affected by onions, but that is not the case for many people. My advice: wait until no one else is home (or until the kids are napping) and strap on a pair of swim goggles. You may look goofy, but it will make the process less painful. I've also heard that popping a whole onion in the freezer for about 10 minutes prior to chopping or running hot water while chopping decreases the nasty effects.

Ground beef: Bulk up your meal planning power with bulk cooking!
I got this idea from Mission:Organization. Our freezer is stocked full of beef throughout the year as my dad is a beef farmer, but it had never occurred to me to store some of it cooked. When I have the time, I cook two or three times as much beef as needed for a meal and pack the extra into freezer bags. The two best tools for the job: The Pampered Chef Micro Cooker and Mix'N'Chop. Let the microwave do all the work.

Sweet corn: A sweet surprise any month of the year!
This summer I froze sweet corn so we can enjoy during the coming winter months what is usually a summer treat. It's a simple process, and if you have a helper you can pack up several dozen ears in no time! First, remove the husks and silk. Place the ears into boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then remove with tongs directly into cold water to stop the cooking process. Place the ears on a clean towel to dry, then remove the kernels with a sharp knife. Some people have sterilized a nail and driven it through a wooden cutting board to pierce the cob and hold it in place while cutting. I simply cut the bottom of the cob to create a flat surface. Place the kernels in freezer bags and lay flat in freezer. Stay tuned for a truly amazing Paula Deen recipe for homemade creamed corn.

Amazon.com Back to Basics
Apple & Potato Peeler

Apples: Even frozen ones can keep the winter blues away!
Ok, so my favorite ways to eat apples (crisps, bars, pies, etc.) probably won't keep the doctor very far away, but they sure are yummy! Like sweet corn, freezing apples is a simple process. An especially helpful tool is an apple corer/peeler/slicer. These nifty little devices are available at cooking and hardware stores, and online at places like Amazon.com. I haven't tried it yet, but the device can also be used to peel and slice potatoes. As you core, peel and thinly slice the apples, place them immediately into cool water mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice. Then strain the apples out of the cool water and place in boiling water for 1-2 minutes. Remove the apple slices and place them directly into a freezer bag with a quarter cup of sugar. Then seal the bag and turn the ingredients until the sugar is dissolved and lay it flat in freezer.

Simple steps like these can be a saving grace on a weeknight when you don't have much time or energy to make supper. Who knows, you may even have time to indulge in a glass of wine!

It's beginning to look a lot like... greeting cards!

Via Christmas Gifts Clip Art

I know we're not even half way through October, but now is a good time to get a great deal on holiday greeting cards. You can make a dent in your holiday checklist right now and save big with promotions like free shipping. Use your savings to treat yourself to a preseason gift!

Click here to browse Snapfish.com's holiday greeting cards. Use the code FSHIPCARDS at the check out to receive free shipping plus 25% off your order. Act fast, though! This promotion ends at 11:59 p.m. today, Oct. 11.

PersonalizationMall.com is currently offering up to 30% off its entire stock of holiday greeting cards. The site has many options from traditional to religious to whimsical themes. While you're on the site, browse the amazing selection of unique gifts. They've got something for just about every occasion. Tip: all over the web site it says orders ship in 1-2 days, which refers to when your items are packaged and set for standard delivery. For whatever reason, the first time I ordered from the site I had it in my head that I would receive the package in 1-2 days. I did not receive my package on time and had to quickly find a replacement gift.

It's only October, but the holiday season will be here before we know it. Ordering your greeting cards now may save you money, time and stress later. Happy shopping!

Decorating: Fall Fabulous

Today I'm sharing a blog post from Randi's blog, Mission: Organization. She has excellent suggestions for keeping an organized home. I absolutely love the Fall decorations she shared in the post below, and as soon as I get some free time I'm going to try the picture frame project. Check out all of her blog posts - you'll be inspired to get to work in your own home!

Picture frame project from A Diamond in the Stuff

Mission: Organization: Friday Favorites - Fall Decor: I'm debuting a new blog segment today, called Friday Favorites. Each Friday, I'll be sharing some of my favorite things...they might be org...

Beat the Blue Ribbon Odds

The odds of bowling a 300 game: 1 in 11,500. Winning an Olympic medal: 1 in 662.000. Being born a twin in North America: 1 in 90. Being on a plane with a drunken pilot: 1 in 117. (The Odds #1)

There are statistics available for almost every aspect of life, but not all so amusing as these. The current odds of a male being diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime: a scary one in six. (Prostate.net)
Prostate cancer may seem a peculiar topic to find on a blog with the word Housewife in the title, but we all have at least one important male in our lives, be it a brother, spouse or close friend.

Last week I was listening to the radio on my way to work and the station was hosting Winter Vinecki, founder of Team Winter. Vinecki formed the organization which raises awareness about prostate cancer through participating in and coordinating big name marathons and triathalons. Her inspiration to establish Team Winter came from her father's diagnosis and lost battle with prostate cancer.

Wait, did I mention Winter Vinecki is 12 years old?

Talk about an amazing story. While most kids are concerned with the newest gaming system or electronic device, Winter channels her youthful energy to fight a little-discussed disease. Her organization is a supporting partner of the Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Like any disease, the best chance to successfully combat the condition starts with early detection. The Foundation's web site states age 40 is a "reasonable time to start screening for those at highest risk," meaning "genetic predispositions or strong family histories of prostate cancer at a young age."

When it comes to cancer, knowledge is power. Know your risks. Know when to begin screening and what preventative steps you can take to safeguard your body from the various forms of cancer. You can help others acquire knowledge through supporting organizations like Team Winter and the American Cancer Society. If a brave 12 year old can take action, so can you.

The Best Kept MacGuffin: B&N Movies

One of my favorite college courses was Intro to Film. An entire class devoted to watching movies; what's not to love? Learning film terms was intriguing as well: "best boy," "key grip," "gaffer," and... the "MacGuffin."

The "MacGuffin" is an Alfred Hitchcock term that refers to an item or element viewers see throughout a movie and find intriguing but don't yet know its value, like the horcruxes in the Harry Potter films (if you haven't read the books). We see the items many times throughout the series, but don't immediately know their importance. Many times a film plot does not find closure until the character finds the MacGuffin. A few days ago, I had my own "diamond in the rough" MacGuffin to find: movies and TV show seasons for less. [Enter Barnes & Noble, stage left or right.]

The first thing that comes to mind when I think Barnes & Noble is books. It never occurred to me to search the company's online store for movies and TV shows until I was browsing the site for a birthday gift card. B&N has a huge selection of DVD and Blu-ray movies, and many are cheaper than even the box stores' $5 and $10 bins. I ordered two TV show seasons and each was $10 less than I've seen in box stores, saving me $20. Plus, B&N offers free shipping for orders over $25 so my savings increased automatically.

Another impressive B&N Online move: the store accepted my 15% off coupon code in addition to the free shipping offer and automatically discounted the more expensive item. None of this "limit one offer per purchase, must be used on lowest-price item" business.

Next time you plan to purchase a movie or TV series, check out B&N online, and group your purchases to $25 or more for the free shipping. Want to learn more film terms to impress your friends? Click here to access IMDb's movie terminology glossary.

Talk. Encourage. Exemplify.

Although it is not considered a criminal offense, emotional abuse is a serious issue, and one I think is often overlooked in teen and young adult relationships. Many young people do not understand the dynamics of a healthy relationship and allow their partner to control their actions for fear of rejection or dismissal.

Most parents wouldn't think twice about whether or not it's important to have "the sex talk" with their children, but how many have had "the relationship talk"? It's important for young people to know they are not an object, and it's never ok to change the way you dress or who your friends are just because your partner says so. You are your own person and should make your own decisions.

Self respect is not something inherent to all young people, and with new avenues like social media kids feel even more pressure to project a cool, sexy image in order to "get" and "hold onto" a boyfriend or girlfriend. Unhealthy celebrity relationships certainly don't help. Adults understand the constant infidelity, emotional and even physical abuse portrayed in celebrity relationships is not healthy, but for young people it is starting to appear to be the norm.

According to the Southwest Crisis Center, which serves Jackson, Nobles, Pipestone, Rock and Cottonwood counties in southwest Minnesota, studies show at least one in ten teens will be in an abusive relationship. As the non-profit organization's web site points out, "It's not easy to leave an abusive relationship at any age. It is even harder for teens to leave abusive relationships because of fewer resources and uninformed adults who think it's 'just two kids fighting'."

For many people, the way we act and are treated in early relationships affects the dynamics of relationships later in life. Emotional abuse leads to self doubt, which can lead to trust issues. Infidelity leads to anger and hurt, which can lead to returned infidelity. Neglect leads to resentment, which can lead to emotional abuse, infidelity or apathy towards other relationships. And the scary cycle continues.

So, what can we do to diminish the cycle? Talk. Talk to your children, siblings or friends who look up to you (respect parental/professional boundaries, of course). Let them know they deserve to be treated with respect, and that healthy romantic and platonic relationships begin with self respect. If you're concerned they are currently in an unhealthy relationship, click here for advice on how to address the situation.

Encourage. Encourage your schools to create awareness about physical, sexual and emotional abuse through appropriate lyceums presented by education and outreach organizations like New Horizons Crisis Center. Exemplify. Exemplify a healthy relationship with yourself, with your partner and with others. Be a quality role model for your children, siblings and all young people. Don't be afraid to ask for help if you feel you are treading unsafe waters. Respect yourself enough to know you deserve happiness, and you may be surprised how many others will follow suit.