Anything Goes in August {Musings Pt. 1}

Wow, the time has flown! I really got out of my groove over the summer. But I am trying to expand what I write about so that I can post more! 

I'm exited to share a few things with all of you! 

1. My business is growing...very slowly but I have my online website set up now. You can view all of the current items for sale and purchase them using PayPal! Head on over to www.missmaullyco.com and see what you like! =)

www.missmaullyco.com

2. We adopted/rescued two adorable kittens from a friend. They really help complete our family! {for now!!} 

The orange one is Oliver and the Tortie is named Olive.

3. I'm on the job hunt. It's bittersweet but exiting to be looking for a change. The final straw for me is that my boss, the store manager, is quitting!! I know that the store will be going downhill and I need to get out before work starts overriding my schoolwork. We also need the $$. 

4. I start school again next week. I am really exited. I love school, learning and meeting new people and seeing people that I know. I am so ready to get my degree and get out and move on with my life! I'm ready to be able to support my family and be financially stable and have a job that I love doing. This will be the last semester of all but 1 of my pre-req's for the nursing program and also the semester that I find out if I will be accepted into the nursing program. 

5. Rosetta is NINE MONTHS OLD!!! My, how time goes by soooooo fast. It seems like yesterday when she was born and she is almost ONE!!

I'm trying my hand at some new adventures. The first one is meal prepping. My first attempts went pretty well and I am going to continue to learn and grow and become a pro.

Bean & Cheese burritos

English muffin and deli thin pizzas {these are mine}

Boiled potatoes, tuna salad, egg muffins, {so freakin' delicious} pepperoni English muffin pizzas for the SO and waffles.
So far this prep had saved SO MUCH time, was so easy and I barely prepped anything!!

The second one is writing. I used to write all the time. Well, I used to do many things all the time. Either I have become lazy or...I've become lazy. It doesn't matter that I have a child, I need to find time to do the things I want to do or need to do. I come up with all these plans and ideas and they ALWAYS fall through. I at least want to TRY and SUCCEED, even if it is a small gain. 

Some things I am focusing on right now:

1. School

2. Spirituality

3. Personality

4. Involvement {I want to do some volunteering with my Honor Society}

5. Writing & reading 

I am still young, and even though I have a child I am always on the prowl for enriching my life, learning and growing. I am still finding out who I am and I don't believe that that journey ever ends. I am involved with tons of things and I love it that way. My daughter ALWAYS comes first. Most of the things I do for her like Climate Cadets, school, work...I have to have some me time and do things I enjoy too. And some of those things are stuff we can do together like events, day trips, going outside, etc. Most of my work is done on the computer after she is in bed. That's my time. During the day I {when I don't have school or work} I clean and prep meals while I watch Rosetta. My life has daily challenges but I wake up each day ready to face them and know that I am blessed with what I have. 

I want to do a new series called My Spiritual Journey--Maulism Movement. I started it as a FB page but I think it would be more appropriate here so that I can write to the extent and length that I want to.

Alrighty mommas, I'm out and off to plan some topics to blog about. Have a great night!

xoxo Miss Maully

Serendipitous Summer {Stuff Part 1}

Hello loves! <3

I know practically no one reads this blog...but I'm hoping I will get a nice community of followers one day! Until then I will continue to write like I have thousands of listeners!

 

 

I've missed writing but so much has happened in my life since last posting. Rosetta is sitting up now and getting ready to crawl any day. She had her first time at the pool, first time eating baby food {sweet potatoes}, first time sitting in a shopping cart, babbles different syllables...

We moved into our apartment and we all love it. Rosetta has tons of space to roll around and play. We haven't unpacked everything yet but we are close! 

I formally decided to switch majors and I am taking summers classes to work towards getting all my pre-reqs completed so I can apply for the Nursing program to become a Lactation Consultant. I have also done some research in becoming a doula. I really want to teach some classes as well.

I am giving my organization, Sustainability for You {S4U} a makeover. I want to focus on teaching children the importance of living a sustainable life and would love to do classes, parties, and discussions in schools and classrooms.

I have applied for a new job...please send blessings that I will get it because it pays more than my current one!

I have taken up doing yoga when I wake up {and hopefully I can remember to do it before bed!}

I started journaling again and doing the Transform Your Life: A Year of Awareness Practice app for iPhone.

I changed the name of my Facebook Page from Kansas City Feminists to Breastfeeding Feminists.

I crossed 300 followers on Pinterest!

I NEED to continue working on my business, Made by Maully. Unfortunately, I am not the most effective planner, so I usually forget things very easily and do not get things done when I need to. I'm trying to change but I need to step it up...ALOT!

My friend and I will be learning to bake this summer!

&& I can't wait to start making homemade bread and meal plan again!

 

Though I think I have totally found myself, I am definitely still in the process of figuring out what I want in life and what I really want to do. I have had disappointments in the past of my proposed career and school ideas not working out, but life is all about TRIAL & ERROR right?

 

I can't wait to post pictures of our apartment, cleaning tips, organization and DIY when everything is unpacked and put away. It all looks like a mess right now!

 

I will say that I have a craft center, "mud room" marble-top dresser and a sparkling clean kitchen!

 

Goodnight all!
More to come so stay posted!

 

xoxo Miss Maully

 

Miss DIY Momma {Boot Shaper}

Hello all you beautiful people!

Do you want to hear about how the Homemade Laundry Detergent worked?

Uh-Mazing! The soap did not sud very much but I could tell that the water that came out was DIRTY. The clothes smelled clean and felt clean. I just don;t know how to get rid of armpit smell. I couldn't even get it out with regular detergent! Jake's work is very labor intensive and he SWEATS! 

I love the detergent. I already did about 5 loads and you can't even tell that I dipped itno the detergent! For a scooper I use one of the Similac Formula scoopers. {They can be used for so many things! Country Time Lemonade anyone?}

The DEPOSIT IS DOWN! Now the exact apartment that we want is held for us until Rosie's birth certificate comes in! Then we can complete all the paperwork and apply! =)

I cannot wait to start decorating the apartment! The kitchen will have a sunflower/summer/spring feel and the bathroom will be seaside/nautical. Our bedroom will be bohemian and Rosie's room is Raspberry Jungle theme with pinks and whites. Wow that's all the rooms! And of course every room will be organized with cutesy containers and boxes. 

So...tomorrow is ROCKFEST!!! I am actually a little bit nervous and scared to be away from Rosie all day. It almost has me having second thoughts. But, I know that when I get there I will not have any doubts. Rockfest is the ONLY concert I go to every year and I have only missed ONE year since I started going.  I can LEGALLY drink this year and you best bet I am buying a few drinks! I just wish Disturbed was going to be there...

My super preggo friend is going too! She will be sitting the whole time though. I was pregnant last year by 3 months. 

It is so much fun and a great time. I always look forward to it and have a rockin' good time while I am there. Gotta get my concert T-Shirt!! 

Today I did ANOTHER DIY project. I know, right? Two days in row! 

This was one I had been meaning to do since I got my boots and saw the pin on Pinterest. Yes, my inspiration came from Pinterest. 

Supplies Needed: 

1. One Pool Noodle {purchased for $1.88}

2. Scissors

3. Boots

Directions:

1. Measure pool noodle against boot to see how much you need to cut off. 

2. Cut pool noodle with scissors.

3 Take the piece you just cut off and measure it against the remaining pool noddle for your 2nd length and cut that one off.

4. Place noodles in your boots and voila!

Show your boots who is boss and prevent wrinkles! 

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial! Good luck making your own boot shapers! I am off to bed to get some sleep before the big concert tomorrow!

Goodnight all!

xoxo Miss Maully

Miss DIY Momma {Laundry Detergent}

Hey lovelies! Guess what I did? 

You guessed it! I FINALLY made my own laundry detergent. 

It's been a long time comin' and I couldn't be more proud! In order to get ready to move I will be painting some furniture, making a coffee table and >> making homemade cleaning supplies, soaps and more. I'm calling these tutorials Miss DIY Momma.

Here is my tutorial for Homemade Laundry Detergent
 {now called the Moore Family Detergent}

Ok so this was SO super easy. It only took me about 20 minutes to complete the whole thing, not including time to gather materials. 

1. Gather materials.

-A 55 oz of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda for $3.24

-A 4 lb 12 oz box of 20 Mule Team Borax for $3.38

-Two 4.5 oz bars of Ivory soap {My mother gave me 2 bars for free}. You can purchase bars in bulk of any bar soap you choose.

-Bucket & measuring cup. {I already had the bucket and measuring cup}. 

-One 1 gallon container. I purchased two 1 gallon containers for $2.97 a piece and didn't need both! So I am going to use the other container for another project. 

-Cheese grater any kind. I purchased a cheese grater for $6.44 that I am going to use for the kitchen after I wash it. {We splurged on the fancy one}

2. Grate 1 bar of soap into a bucket.
 Depending on how big of a batch you are making, the bucket size will differ. This took the longest and made me sneeze really bad. 

3. Measure out 1 cup of Borax and dump into bucket with grated soap.

 Remember: Borax can be harmful if ingested so keep out of reach of the LO's and clean up well afterward. 

4. Measure out 1 cup Washing Soda
 {NOT BAKING SODA} and pour into the bucket with the grated soap and Borax.

5. Dump the grated soap, Borax and Washing Powder from the bucket into the 1 gallon container, screw on lid and SHAKE WELL.
{I felt like a mad scientist doing this and felt like it might explode!}

6. Peel off label and stick on your own!
{I still need to make one}

7. Start using your homemade laundry detergent!
Use 1 Tbsp per load or 2 Tbsp for heavily soiled loads. 

**This is just 1 "serving". You can totally double, triple and even quadruple the amounts to make more! Also, add in an essential oil for amazing fragrance!**

Total Spent: $12.79 {including the cheese grater} {Remember, I already had the bucket, measuring cup and 2 bars of soap. 

<<<I will be using the soap tomorrow and I will let you know how it does!>>>

Have you ever made Homemade Laundry Detergent? How did you like it? What were your results? 

I LOVED making this! I can't wait to make & USE my other cleaners and such. Oh the trials and tribulations of a DIY Addict. 

Tomorrow {well now it is today} I am putting down the deposit on the apartment we want, the one with the laminate hardwood in the kitchen. I was freaking out because I have to wait like a week on Rosie's Birth Certificate and I was afraid that we would loose the apartment we wanted, but that is not the case! We will have our apartment on hold while we wait for her BC to come in the mail. Damn thing cost me $50 so we better get the apartment we want. I keep planning where things will go, how I will decorate, cleaning routines, having my Craft Center set up, my Family Binder on my desk, room for Rosie...is it too early for me to be getting so exited? =)


Love you all! Goodnight and sweet dreams!

xoxo Miss Maully

April Showers Bring May Snow {Musings Pt. 1}

Hello Fans!

Guess what?

 It's snowing here. 

It was 80 degrees 2 days ago and I was wearing shorts and sweating! 

Jake and I are going to look at an apartment tomorrow. I looked at it a few months ago, but since we think this is the one we are going to move into we are both going to look at it. I am SO exited!

I have not completed any new projects lately. Honestly I have been feeling a tad lazy =O
But, I know I have some catching up to do once we move because my craft center will be up and running! 

However, I did do this little craft project a about a week or so ago. 

I started it before Rosetta was born and then I didn't know what else to do with it until I started doing Spring Cleaning and came across all these little pieces of paper or parts of past projects and some stuff from when I was little. I just couldn't throw it away so I made a sort of Scrapbook! I am going to fill up the whites of the pages with notes, saying, quotes and feelings to make an Art Journal type of thing. I'll call it Project: Art Journal Scrapbook

Oh my goodness I almost forgot! We went to the Zoo the other day! Here are a few photos from our trip!

~ The Kansas City Zoo~

Before leaving. Look how gosh darn cute Rosetta looks! =)

The NEW Green Revolution Building

Rain Barrel

How much water 1 American uses daily: 300 gallons

300 gallons visual

NEW IMPROVEMENTS COMING SOON

NEW IMPROVEMENTS COMING SOON

Meerkats!! <3

Family picture!

Wow! That was a big update! How are ya'll doing with your Spring Cleaning! I would LOVE to hear about what is new with you! 

xoxo Miss Maully

April Showers Bring May Flowers {Musings Pt. 2}

Ahhh just a Sunday night without the Walking Dead. I miss it and want it to be Fall already! No, not really because then Rosie will be almost 1... =(

I am so exited about moving out. I am ready for us to fly our wings and live in our own place.  I can't wait to start decorating Rosie's room!

So I have my ongoing to-do list of short term goals, but I also have a long-term to do list of goals and one of those is to write a book. 

I have many ambitions in life and I intend to achieve them all! 

Rosie will be 6 months old next month! I cannot believe she is growing so fast. 

She is so cute and I want her to stay that way!

So Jake told me that he does want to go to college now and take advantage of his workplaces school aid program. That is awesome news and I'm glad he wants to go now! He'll start when I graduate. 

I start my new workout plan next week. We are restarting our Biggest Loser Challenge at work again so I have another 3 months to lose this baby weight!! 

I am accepting a personal challenge to use the computer and my phone less starting in June. It will be summer and I just want to focus on my family and my businesses.

Short post. I'll do a theme post tomorrow night. 

Goodnight!

xoxo Miss Maully

April Showers Bring May Flowers {Musings Pt. 1}

Wow!

It has been awhile~

 Rosie can now roll from her back to her tummy and push up. There have been several times I have laid her down to go to something real quick and when I came back she was in a totally different position. She grows more everyday!

I have some exiting news~We are moving into our own apartment next month and I can finally decorate it as a home! I cannot wait the suspense is killing me!

I have been pinning so many For The Home pics. I know the design will come together eventually. It will be a work in progress. I'm thinking earthy shabby chic with a retro/vintage vibe. Rosie will have her own room and I can decorate it will all her things, especially pictures and things I have made for her.

I am almost done with this semester at school. Then back to full time next year. My businesses are going good, starting slowly but making progress.
visit www.facebook.com/madebymaully and "like" it. Then you can see all the cool jewelry that I make!

I am also researching companies that I can be a consultant for, so that I can work from home more until my businesses kick off. I will be going to school a little longer than I had planned to get my Sustainability Certificate, a new program being offered next spring. I think I am going to be a Sustainability Coordinator or teacher as my backup career. I could be a substitute teacher too? I am still working out the kinks. I just want to do everything! I LOVE life SO much!

I've made two goals. 

`1. Post everyday

2. Comment on another blog everyday

I can DO IT!!

Anyway, this is just a short post as I am off to bed...

Goodnight lovelies!

xoxo Miss Maully

Spring Cleaning {Parent's Refrigerator}

Hey I have awesome post for all you lovelies tonight! I had been planning on cleaning out and organizing my parents fridge for awhile, and I finally did it today! 

I have an wonderful tutorial for you below with tips and tricks!

Enjoy your start of Spring Cleaning!

I started about 1 pm this afternoon, after eating lunch and a chocolate bar {don't worry, it was Dark Chocolate, therefore I am being healthy}

This is what it looked like before I took anything out.

I took EVERYTHING out. Mind you, my parents are not so hot with throwing food away and they shove more food than is necessary in their fridge, so I removed A LOT of food. I wish I had a picture of this, but I did not take one. I threw away and poured out all the bad and expired food and then removed all the shelves. 

I put all the shelves and drawers in the bathtub and ran hot water and poured in dish soap, laundry detergent and all-purpose cleaner. All 3 cleaners are Natural & Organic & from Whole Foods. 

I left the bottom shelf in to keep the most perishable items cold while I went to get storage bins from Dollar General. I spent about $40 on several different sized bins, but I will be taking a few back that I didn't use . {I also bought a $3 picture frame for Rosie.} 

This is what happened right after I got back from Dollar General.

In the middle of being cleaned and organized!

When I got back, I washed and rinsed the shelves and left them to dry.

I don't have a picture of all the bins I used, but I only ended up having space for 7 of them, including one to keep lettuce in. 

After I wiped down the interior and door of the fridge, I places the main shelves in and back on the door. Then I took the big shelf to the tub to soak. 

I wiped off all the bottoms of the containers BEFORE putting them back in. I had to play around with the height of the shelves so that I could put the bins in certain spots. 

After retrieving the big shelf, I put away the rest of the food into the drawers, like fruits, veggies and meat. There were a few duplicate sauce containers so I poured them into 1 container. We ended up using a few of the sauce containers that only had a little left in them at dinner. 

When all was said and done, the fridge REEKED with organization and simplicity. There were SO many partial loves of bread that made the bread bin overflowing, but they will use them up now that they know what they have and where it is at. I finished around 6 pm. I worked on this project for 5 hours! But it was totally worth it, to see the fridge in better condition than it's been since they bought it.

Rosetta watching the snow fall.

I did this project for them {mostly my mom} because she suffers from Planter Fasciitis and cannot stand. I did not ask for any payment, only that my mom watch Rosie while I cleaned. Luckily, Rosie basically slept the whole time. I did not let my mom see the fridge until it was all done, because she had been skeptical of my methods. However, she seemed very exited when she saw the finished work. 

I stayed over for dinner. Right before I sat down to eat, I noticed that there were some items out of place in the fridge. I just hope that they keep it clean and organized and don't over stuff it again. It better stay clean or this red head will get mad! 

I guess I will perform organization maintenance checks on it when I visit. So that will be a least once a week.

Here is another before & after just for good measure.

and a list of where everything is placed

An early start to Spring Cleaning! What are your Spring Cleaning plans?
I think this is a good start!

Let me know what you think and what your plans are in the comments below!

Have a good night and sweet dreams!

 {I was just thinking about some good dreams I've had before and hope I have some good ones tonight!}

xoxo Miss Maully