just call me hippy longstockings (updated)

i am attempting to distract myself as much as humanly possible this weekend. so far- okay. not great.

yesterday we went flea market/thrift shopping. we both needed things, but understand the benefits (both financially & ecologically) of buying used. the hub is a master flea marketer, as long as i am there to reign him in when needed. yesterday was fantastic- there's a pretty decent sized flea market right in our neighborhood- not walking distance, but close- and we stopped by. found local garden state honey- really tasty- only $10 for 64 oz. i've been trying to use more honey to substitute for sugar in recipes & everyday.

we also found this kick ass chair:

it was only $5- we're going to stain the wood a nice dark walnut. you can see the little pup is checking it out.

we then went to check out another huge flea market in jersey- it was temporarily closed. so we continued on to a great thrift store on the other side of the river. i found some really nice- looked brand new pants and & a dress for work. then we found this cute little desk (?) :

it's perfect for our mail & such. the drawers are open to air them out a bit.

our next stop involved ice cream- an actual mr. softee store. in case you are unfamiliar- mr. softee is the most awesome of the ice cream trucks to roam the 'hood. since i have been doing acupuncture & trying to follow the diet restrictions (no cold foods or drink, no dairy, etc) i have definitely noticed a difference & felt better. but every now & then i need me some mr. softee! it was such a nice to end to a really nice day together.

today my distraction consists of more frugality. my impetus for making my own stuff is usually more health & sustainable based. the hub's is much more a frugal & economic basis. he decided to make our own laundry detergent the other day. it's actually really nice. it's fresh smelling & i know exactly how it got that way. it's also pretty freaking cheap to make. oh- and it works too. always a benefit! i feel really good about myself (& the hub too!) for our efforts.

despite the fact that they are driven by financial neccessity- trying to budget as best we can so we can enjoy the things we want & hopefully save for treatment cycles- i still feel pretty good about it! we're going to be carpooling a few times a week to save gas money. we are taking lunches every day (i only missed one last week). and now we're trying to make as much of our own stuff as possible and buy used when we need to.

my contribution is sitting on the stove rising away- i made a big batch of whole wheat bread & rolls. it takes a day, but if it lasts 2 weeks or so (i plan to freeze a bit) that works for me. the flour cost less than a single loaf of bread. and again- i know what's in it & that makes me feel good.

i also found a recipe for a sugar scrub. it's ridiculously simple & that's something that makes me feel decadent for a couple of bucks. considering it's really expensive to buy the fancy sugar scrubs- i haven't gotten one in a while.

since this may be the last night before i get my period... (still expecting the worst here) i plan on having a nice pampering session while the hub is out for a bike ride. it's definitely been a little while. i still don't have my normal pre-period cramps, so i might as well take advantage of that while i can. wink, wink!

allright- off to check on the bread. i hope this memorial day holiday is all that you wanted & needed it to be.

*update:

since a bunch have asked- here's the basic detergent recipe for a gallon:

1. boil 2 quarts of water- add 1/2 a bar of any kind of soap (we used dove) & let it dissolve completely.

2. add to a big bucket or an empty & ready to repurpose detergent bottle.

3. add 1 cup opf b.orax & 1 cup of washing soda. be careful handling the b.orax.

4. add water to fill & mix.

5. let cool & it will start to gel. it can get kind of gooey, but it still works great.

we are still ironing out the recipe- but if you go.ogle it, you should find all sorts of variations.