Today is the day.

I cannot believe it has taken me so long.  Ridiculous, really.  I am in love with “Hands Free Mama” by Rachel Macy Stafford.  I have taken my sweet time reading it, in hopes that I would absorb it (and in hopes that I wouldn’t completely negate the point by obsessively reading instead of living).  But here we are, at the end of the book, and the number 1 biggest distraction of my life is STILL ON MY PHONE!!!

You guessed it (since it might be yours):  Facebook.

I’ve almost deleted the app a bunch of times.  You know what stops me?  You’re going to laugh.  Well, I guess there’s 2 things.  The first thing that has stopped me every time is when it says “if you delete this app you will delete all of the data.”  It’s a freakin web based program!  I know my stuff won’t be deleted!  But every time,  I kinda panic and hit cancel instead of delete!!!  Ridiculous!!!  The second thing that stopped me was that I liked being able to share photos so quickly and easily.  That is full of good intentions.  But, why worry about sharing them with 400 of my closest friends at the moment of impact?  Shouldn’t I let the moment of impact, impact me more deeply? 

But today, this fine, rainy, cool summer day, I am taking the leap and I am deleting the facebook app from my phone. 

I am pretty sure Rachel Macy Stafford was speaking directly to me in her 12^th and final chapter.  When she uses language like, “This week, protect time with loved ones by creating barriers between you and your distraction (186).” How do you like that one?  

"Daily distractions have a sneaky way of stealing time- that rare and precious commodity that once we lose, we never regain.  Every time we get online to check email, social media, or search the Internet, suddenly a large chunk of time disappears.  Is that really how we want to spend our precious time?  By removing the temptations of the phone and Internet, you will receive the gift of time- time to laugh, time to love, and time to live for what most matters in your life (186)."

How about this one- “Turn off all notifications on your phone (186).” Or just stab me.  Same effect.

That’s just insanity.  I’m pretty sure notifications are directly linked to the oxygen I breathe.  But, fine Rachel- I’ll try this vintage parenting thing.  Vintage parenting, vintage relationships, vintage LIFE.

Rachel, it was so much easier agreeing with you when you didn’t give me literal, tangible assignments.  “Perhaps the simplest yet most effective strategy I used to permanently abandon my highly distracted life was changing the notification settings on my phone (186).”  Well, that sounds… really easy.  Why didn’t I think of that….  Maybe I did, and I was afraid… of paralysis.  Chances are if you are reading this, you may feel that separation-from-devices anxiety as well. And we have a great camaraderie, us that use our phones way to much. 

Well, it’s gone.  The sky didn’t turn dark, the ground didn’t shake, my heart is still pumping blood, and the air does still seem to be full of oxygen. 

Maybe I can do this whole vintage life thing after all… Or, I guess, it's probably just called "life."

Ohhh boy.

This is as far as I've gotten...

It's GONE.

Yes, I know I could delete the contractions app.  But it has all my data from starting labor with Andrew, and I just can't part with that.  Ha!

(Before I send this into the webernet, I should mention that this is my journey, and I am not intending for anyone to feel like I am guilting them in any way.  I’m just trying to evaluate my life and the relationships with who matters most to me, and it seems as though I have been devoting a lot of time to someTHING, rather than the someONES.  Blogging is a great way for me to get my thoughts out in a tangible way, and share with anyone who might give a care.  It’s as inward as it is outward.)

Hi again!

Just some housekeeping- I'm playing around with a new template, and I know my formatting might be off.   Bear with me!  While I've stopped a moment- any ideas for content?  I have some thoughts up my sleeve, but I'm open to your ideas!

Shopping at Aldi's

Good morning!

I’m off to swim lessons for Molly, my oldest daughter.  My younger one doesn’t love to swim yet, hopefully next year!  Before swimming, we took a little detour to Aldi’s.  Now, there’s a lot I don’t buy at Aldi’s.  And I wouldn’t say I go there regularly at all.  But, when I see the flyers come in, I’m tempted.  I used to think going there would be gross (what can I say, I’m a snob).  Something about discount food just creeped me out.  But, they carry more and more organic items, and I’ve gone enough times now to have tried some of their products, and they’re pretty darn good!  There’s still plenty I don’t buy there- any of the super cheap-y stuff, regular meat, most of their regular dairy…  just can’t do it. 

Here are some of the items I bought this morning:

Almond milk:  $2.29

Organic arugula:  $2.49

Trying out these apple straws…. I could see my little man Andrew loving these.:  $1.99

non-organic Bananas were only 39 cents per pound!!!

Non-organic asparagus (I remember finding a chart on which produce was safest to buy, didn’t have it with me so I just took a chance.  Love asparagus roasted with olive oil):  $3.29

I shall find that chart, and I shall post it to this blog.  It was super helpful!  

Aldi’s version of organic Pirate Booty (I am super excited to try these out- soooo much cheaper than regular Pirate Booty and all of my kids love that expensive stuff!):  $1.99

(ps the kids LOVED them.)

Non-organic strawberries- I know that’s a huge no-no, but Molly really wanted them, and they were at least small, not those “grown in Chernobyl for optimum unnaturally huge size!” ones.  $2.69

Here's my receipt:

(I'll have to remember to rotate my pictures in iPhoto first...)

There’s tons of buying guides you can find from bloggers on Pinterest that have great tips for buying at Aldi’s, and price comparisons with places like Walmart.  I cannot handle Walmart by and large… I just can’t do that store anymore.  It’s just too much.  But seriously, just go on pinterest and search “Aldi’s,” and you’ll find tons of tips and buying guides.

Here’s what I have found with shopping at Aldi’s, in a nutshell:

• ·      They only take cash or debit cards (or food stamps, etc.)
• ·      They do not bag anything
• ·      You should remember to bring your own bags because otherwise you have to pay for them, although they are super cheap and the plastic bags they sell are large and “deluxe,” so it’s not really a problem.  Alternatively, you don’t have to bag your groceries…. But that will be regretful when you get home lol
• ·      Lots of great organic choices
• ·      I only buy organic meat there…. The giant tootsie-roll ground beef creeps me out, that’s just me.
• ·      Great for snack foods, chips, etc.
• ·      Hours are limited- I think they close at 8pm most days!
• ·      Biggest problem for me- since I won’t/can’t “buy it all” at Aldi’s, that means I have to make a second stop at my usual Hannaford (I despise Price Chopper).  This is all find and good during the summer and weeks off from school,  but during the regular school year when I’m working, I don’t see being able to stop there AND going to another store.  Too much time.  But, I do enjoy being able to go when I can!

Over the years, I’ve tried couponing and various methods of saving money on grocery shopping.  I can tell you one thing’s for certain- saving money on groceries is a time consuming job.  I will dabble here and there, but other than just spending a few minutes here and there printing coupons or pre-planning on the Target cartwheel app, it’s usually not worth my time.  I’m fortunate that I can get away with that.  When I do have some extra time, I try to squeeze it in!  More money for the fun stuff that way!!!

((((((( the next day )))))))))

Here's some random pictures of us at North Star Orchards.  Another store I love shopping in, even if it means extra work for me, since it means more stops.  I restocked on that weird yogurt I love, bought some other produce like local sweet corn, and of course we picked some blueberries!

Molly wasn't really interested in having her picture taken, as you can tell. 

Yay!  She cheered up.

It was very sunny.

Best Brownie Recipe EVER.

Hi again-

I just put a batch of brownies in the oven to bring to Cale, since they have a meeting tonight at work.  I have tried quite a few good brownies in my life, but my mom's recipe is absolutely the bee's knees.  I don't know where she got it, but here it is:

FUDGEY BROWNIES

Ingredients:
3/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
1/2 teasp baking soda
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup boiling water (measure accurately)
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 1/3 cup unsifted all-purpose flour
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 teasp salt


Stir cocoa and baking soda in mixing bowl.
Blend in 1/3 cup vegetable oil.
Add boiling water; stir until moisture thickens.
Stir in sugar, eggs, and remaining 1/3 cup vegetable oil; stir until smooth.
Add flour, vanilla, and salt, blending completely.
Pour into lightly greased 13"x9" baking pan OR two 8" square pans.

Bake at 350 degrees-
13"x9"- 35-40 minutes
two 8"- 30-32 minutes

I have only made it using the 13x9.  They come out with a nice crust on top, super chocolately and dense on the inside.  My favorite are the corners!!!  I do NOT add frosting to the top because that's stupid.  :)

Me and my mom, Rose, last summer