Life on the Road

Only with a little help from an angel, right?

Angel Food is a Christian-run but open to all discount grocery program. Anyone can purchase Angel Food – it’s for those who want to save on their grocery budget, as well as those in need. There is no application or qualification.

From their website:

By buying food from first rate suppliers at substantial volume discounts, Angel Food Ministries is able to provide families with approximately $65 worth of quality nutritious food for $30. Angel Food Ministries does not use out-of-date food or inferior products.

ABOUT THE FOOD
Each month’s menu is different and consists of fresh, frozen and packaged food. Angel Food is purchased from the nation’s top food suppliers. Providing quality, nutritious food at significant discounts on a regular basis is one practical way to give people a “hand up” during difficult times. The cost for a box of Angel Food is $30. There is no purchase limit for boxes of Angel Food. There are no applications or qualifications necessary to purchase.

ABOUT THE VALUE
Comparison shopping nationwide in various grocery stores has revealed that the average retail value for the same food items would be approximately $65. Generally, one box of Angel Food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month.

Angel Food even accepts Food Stamps!

We ordered an Angel Food “Signature Box” as well as a supplemental meat box in June, curious what it would be like.

The food is, truly, first-quality, good stuff. All the meat is vacuum-sealed individually and frozen for safe transport and storage.

They also just made some changes in the menu, which now includes even more meat – for the same price. Here’s what’s on the menu for August:

• 1.5 lb. Ribeye Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)
• 3 lb. IQF Split Chicken Breast
• 1 lb. Boneless Center Cut Pork Chops
• 2 lb. Mac & Beef Dinner Entrée
• 1.5 lb. Breaded All White Meat Chicken Nuggets
• 1 lb. 80/20 Lean Ground Beef
• 1 lb. Bake or Fry Fish Sticks (32 sticks)
• 1 lb. Frozen Corn
• 1 lb. Frozen Baby Lima Beans
• 1 ct. Cello-Wrapped Iceberg Lettuce
• 2 lb. Sweet Potatoes
• 15 oz. Pork & Beans
• 1 lb. Rice
• 32 oz. 2% Shelf Stable Milk
• Dozen Eggs
• Dessert

So, with minimal extras, you could feed a family of four – at least lunch and dinner – for a week with one of these “Signature Boxes.”

I think most people use it more strategically, though. If you buy a Signature Box, plus perhaps one or more of the available Bonus Boxes, you can spread them out over the course of the month to supplement your regular thrifty shopping.

There are plenty of great sites out there that allow you to plug in an ingredient and find tasty recipes to try. I’ve heard people mention menuplanningcentral, recipezaar, and others.

In addition, Hillbilly Housewife puts together a thrifty month’s worth of menus based on each month’s Angel Food box!

So, you’re probably not REALLY going to buy 4 boxes and feed your family for $30 a week… But it’s sure a great deal!

Clear out the freezer, and go to the Angel Food website to find a location near you, and order.

They even have a referrral program!

So please tell them I sent you (enter tiffany(at)tiffanyblitz.com in the space on the order form that asks), then refer all your friends to get your freebies…

Not just in general!  I’m talking about the wonderful Homestead Blessings DVD series.

The good people at Frankling Springs Media sent along the set of the DVDs for us to watch and review – and they were a blessing, indeed.  We watched them snuggled up in bed as a family, and everyone enjoyed them as entertainment as well as education.

The hosts are The West Ladies - Vicki, and her daughters Jasmine, Hannah, and CeCe.

Each DVD is a little less than an hour, jam-packed with information on a particular homesteading task.

One of the best things about these DVDs is that they make the topic very accessible to the novice.  If you think breadmaking, making soap, or do-it-yourself candles is an overwhelming task, these are for you!

With simplicity and warmth, the ladies walk you through the materials you need, setting up, and getting started.  In most cases I don’t think I would actually undertake the project without looking up some details online or in a book…  But their comprehensive overview makes me confident that I can do it.

Although they describe the specialized equipment some people use for the crafts, they also discuss (and typically use themselves) simple, re-purposed, or home-made tools.

Here are the three titles in the series:

Homestead Blessings: The Art of Bread Making is perhaps the one disc that is truly everything you need to know to get started.  All the steps are dscussed and explained, and there’s even a .pdf file of the recipes incuded! 

They go over basic bread, then move on to some fun meal and snack ideas, hamburger buns, corn bread and even cinnamon rolls!

Homestead Blessings: The Art of Candle Making was quite an eye opener.  The ladies walk you through the process of dipping candles to make tapers, making “glow lamps,” making adorable gift ideas, adding scents and natural decorations, re-using (recycling) candles, and more.

Candle making is probably not something that would have been on my list of homesteading skills to master right off the bat.  But after watching this I might be tempted to give it a try, for some softer light and homey honey-scent in the evenings.

Homestead Blessings: The Art of Soap Making.  Make my own soap?  You’ve got to be kidding!  Isn’t that an incredibly long process, with toxic chemicals involved?

Well…  Yes.  But you can do it!  And the West Ladies will hold your hand.

Everything from the basics of making your own soap from scratch on up.  Milled soap, adorable molded soap gifts, recycled soap balls, adding scent and color, and much more…

As sensitive as my kids’ skin is, it would really be nice to have soap that I knew was safe and pure.  How empowering!

One fun thing about the DVDs is that the ladies take turns hosting sections.  One will show how to make basic bread, then someone else takes over to make pizza sticks, and so on.  It’s neat to watch them working together as a family, and yet feel like you’re getting to know them each as individuals.

I can envision our life down the road where these skills will fit in even more perfectly…  In a self-sufficient little community called Contentment.

If you want to buy one, I’d suggest Amazon.com – linked by title, above – $19.99 each and eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping.  If you want the whole set (and why not?), head over to get a deal straight from Franklin Springs ($39.95 for all three).

drugstore.com is just not a good place to shop.  There are too many other people who do what they do, and do it better.

With my last order, I had two major complaints, which rounds and rounds of email with their Customer Service reps have proven to be things they do not wish to resolve in any meaningful fashion.

1. Their “Free Shipping” offer is pretty bogus.

If my order qualifies for free shipping (because I spent at least $50, etc.), but something is on back-order, you can’t just charge me shipping on those!

It’s YOUR fault you don’t have them, not mine!  

Or at a minimum, there should be an option for me to select “remove these from my order and proceed,” or ”ship my order in two (or more) separate shipments at possible additional cost,” or “hold the rest of my order and ship it all at once, and free”!  (Hmmmm, that’s pretty much the Amazon.com model, isn’t it?)

They didn’t charge me a full shipping charge, just a “nominal” $1.99 that was listed as a “Backorder Fee.”  Bah!

When I protested, this was their response:

Thank you for shopping at drugstore.com. This e-mail confirms that we have issued a credit to your drugstore.com account in the amount of $1.99.

To use this credit, simply shop at drugstore.com and place your order. The credit amount will automatically be deducted from your order total. If the order total is less than the credit amount, a credit will remain on your account. This credit is good toward any non-prescription item in the store, but does not cover shipping charges or taxes.

They credited my “drugstore.com account”?!

When I am distressed with their store and don’t want to shop there, rather than ACTUALLY giving me my money back, they give me some kind of credit which I have to spend MORE MONEY to use?!

You MUST be joking…

2. Poor inventory / order fulfillment policies, and poorer Customer Service commitment.

I saw these and liked the idea of using them for our whole family of five to create their own dishes:

They come in six colors, and at every other place I can find them, you order them indivdually by color.  On drugstore.com, it says ”colors may vary.”

That stinks, but I decided I’d deal with it because it was a good price, and it made my order eligible for Free Shipping (or so I thought!  See above).

When it arrived, they had sent four different colors, and one duplicate.  I can’t think of a more rotten combination!  (And that doesn’t even take into account the fact that the two colors we didn’t receive were probably the two we would have liked best).

My packing slip says at the bottom that the items were “proudly picked by Mary.”  Really?  A real person did that?  Mary chose that color scheme for me personlly?  She didn’t pause to think that I might prefer all one color, or all different colors? 

drugstore.com has a, ahem, rather limited return policy.  Unless the item is “defective,” or the return is due to “their error,” they will charge me a $4.99 “return shipping fee”! 

Theoretically, I suppose I could also pay to ship the package out-of-pocket, but their whole system is geared around automatically generating this return label, which is postage-paid, which causes them to assess this fee.

No, in this case it’s not “DEFECTIVE” or an “ERROR,” since and their cop out of refusing to allow color selection covers that.  But I still feel wronged.

At the end of the day…

It’s just plain lousy customer service to tell me that YOU picked out something that I am DISSATISFIED with, but I cannot return or exchange it (in any practical sense).

 If that’s your policy, that’s your policy. But I’m not going to keep shopping somewhere that treats their customers that way. 

A quick search of the blog brings up a lot of talk about Cloth Diapers, but most of it revolves around sewing my own.

I started looking for options in patterns/diapers with renewed vigor recently, since R.T. keeps growing so fast.  Many styles only go up to a size Large, and while some Larges still fit him, some don’t! 

Apparently once you’re 30″ tall and around 30 lbs. you’re supposed to be 3 years old and potty learning! 

I ran across a great deal on a forum, and picked up two each of two different commercial diapers.  I’ll give you my thoughts one at a time…

First is the Little Beetle (Original):

The only place I’ve found them for sale new is a site called Wildflower Diapers, which I have never tried.

The ones I have are the biggest (“Toddler”) size, and include the doubler.  My favorite part of this diaper is in fact, the doubler “system.”

The body part of the daper is a manageable thicnkess, allowing it to dry in a reasonable amount of dryer time.  Then there is an addtional soaker which is cleverly sewn in just a couple of strategic points, allowing it to be folded forward or back to give the extra layers where you need them, as well as acting as a “holder” for the optional doubler.

We need A LOT of extra absorbancy, and we need it all up front.  Many diapers which are absorbant enough have everything sewn into the body, which takes ages to dry (expensive electric bill!).  Others have additional soakers, but they are attached in ways that don’t offer the option of placing it in front where I need it.  Still others have a loose soaker I can do what I want with, but you risk having it shift around during use.

This is a vey clever and useful setup!

I also think it’s terrific that (if you’re ordering them new) you can pick your closure!  I’m a snap fan, myself, having quickly gotten tired of picking lint out of the Aplix hooks, but some people prefer that as easier and more disposable-like and foolproof (often referred to as “Daddy-friendly” or “daycare friendly”, although neither of those makes me feel warm and fuzzy).  There’s also the “no closure” option, to use with Snappi fasteners, which would give you even more flexibility on size and shape.

My biggest complaint?  It’s hemp. 

I’m not a hemp fan, for a three main reasons – all of which are borne out here. 

• Hemp is stinky.  At R.T.’s age we’re not having ammonia issues yet (and I understand that some of that concern may be due to water quality for laundering, as well), but there’s just that funky… hemp-y… smell every time he wets.  Bleah!
• Hemp is not soft.  It tends towards stiff, and is definately more likely to rub tender skin raw than other fabrics commonly used for diapering. 
• Hemp does not dry quickly.  These are trim and component-ized, so it’s not a problem…  but the same diaper in a different fabric would dry even more quickly.

These diapers are a blend – only 55% hemp - so none of these problems are quite as bad as it would be with a pure hemp diaper…  But, for me, it’s just not ideal, either.

Apparently they also make an Organc Cotton Velour version, with the same clever doublers.  Although it’s a little more pricey, it sounds like it would be wonderful.

In Summary:

I’m going to keep the two Little Beetles I have in my rotation, but I wouldn’t purchase any new “Original” (or “Lite”) diapers. 

If I had an opportunity to pick up some used Orgaic Cotton Velour to try, I would definately go for it.

It hasn’t gone into effect yet (that comes on Feb. 10th), but some of the Etsy vendors have posted some CPSIA-compliance pricing already, just to give you an idea what’s in store. 

See the CPSIA Etsy listings, then you can look in my earlier CPSIA post for ways to take action!

Last week Nick rode his bike to the bus stop on Wednesday, put the bike on the bus’ rack, and rode the bus up to school (almost 10 miles)….  

Then got off and went about his business. 

Yep, he left the bike on the bus. 

<sigh> 

I didn’t find this out until he showed up at home after walking the 2+ miles home from the bus stop after school.

I called the transit folks, and was eventually directed to the bus parking yard…  But it wasn’t there.  Apparently it got swiped during the day (as you might expect). 

Not just the (nearly new!) bike, but the add-on lights, comfy seat, fenders, etc., etc. 

Grrrr…

So how much do you hold a child accountable for things?

Sure, “accidents happen.” 

But for some people, “accidents” are actually the norm, and being responsible is the exception. 

And by the time someone is 14, and in High School, is one not supposed to begin taking responsibility for one’s actions?  Beginning a transition into self-sufficiency?

What is a viable consequence, though? 

It’s not as though he has a job and can buy a replacement.

So far he’s walking home from the bus stop most days. 

But I can’t see making him walk that far, in the dark, getting up that much earlier in the morning… So I have to get the little ones up and drive him there at 6 am. 

The kids (and I) are the ones who are suffering the consequences of his negligence, which hardly seems right…

Okay, that probably sounds REALLY weird to a lot of you, right?

I usually do my taxes in January, though. 

• Self-employment leaves me totally in control of everything related to that documentation.
• Good record-keeping means I know how much (little!) interest I earned from my savings.
• Kids and credits means I always get money back.
• Before the big April 15 rush, my return gets processed in days.

Why wait?!

Well this year, I’m waiting on people to send us paperwork.

Wolf worked at Knaus Berry Farm, so I’m waiting for a W-2 from them.  Oh yeah, and another one from one of Wolf’s summer jobs doing stage production.

After all the illness and stress we went through this year, I’m not 100% sure about all my records, either. 

You know what I mean, right? 

The checking account is balanced, but if I missed one month’s $0.03 interest in the savings account, I really doubt I would have missed it…  And I’m pretty sure one of the credit card statements didn’t get reconciled over the summer, even though the bill got paid (since we don’t carry balances, it’s almost too easy to just pay it without reconciling if you’re stressing!). 

So I’m waiting on the banks, my Student Loan holder, and other such folks to send me statements, too.

Which they’re supposed to provide by February 1, right?  Riiii-iiight…

This is one of those things that is really stressful for me: 

There’s a big important job to be done, and I’m responsible for it.  It’s hanging over my head.

But I can’t do it, because of someone else.

Grrrrr!

I got just plain worn out with Nick sometime after his third birthday.  As a single mom, having just come through a divorce from his dad, I was exhausted all the time.  He was having nothing to do with potty training, and it was exasperating, so I gave him the choice to wean or potty train, so that I could have a little respite. 

Much to my surprise, he chose to wean.  His stubbornness knew no bounds…  Still doesn’t, come to think of it.

Ten years later, I started the family thing all over again. 

Jewel still nursed at 3 1/2, and meanwhile I am happily breastfeeding her 10 month-old brother.

I would estimate that Jewel didn’t get any significant portion of her nurtition from “real food” until she was at least two, and the baby doesn’t eat at all yet.  No rush with these two, as life is more tolerable this time around. 

Breastfeeding is a hot topic for us.  In addition to all the well-documented scientific proofs of how much better it is, we believe that it is part of God’s plan for women aned families, and carries a lot of benefits that haven’t ever been studied or quanitified.

So Jewel was left in charge of her own weaning timetable.  Of course as she grew older the nursing requests came less and less often.  For a while it was only at bedtime and in the morning.  Then Papa took over bedtime, and it was only mornings…  But it was also there when she was sick, or fell and got hurt, or …

On Saturday, January 3, we’d had a busy day of running around.  Jewel had gotten cold, and was wearing a hooded sweatshirt of Nick’s.  We called her a Jawa… then had to explain that to her, and realized that we need to watch Star Wars!  But I digress.

As we were getting ready for bed, Jewel announced that she was a weaned Jawa.  Nobody was quite sure whether that was part of the Jawa game, or if she meant it – and even so if she would keep meaning it.  She’s said that once or twice before, but it never lasted past bedtime…

The next morning, Jewel took a pretty serious fall.  While observing her for a possible concussion, I nursed her.  But (when things calmed down) we continued talking about her weaning announcement.

Since then she has asked to nurse several times.  Each time I have responded with, “Oh, really, I thought you were weaned?”

The subject changes, and we go on about our business.  I would still nurse her if she asked again in that dialogue, but she hasn’t.

A week and a half later, at her age, I think we’re probably safe saying it:

Jewel is Weaned.

Time to throw a party!  Much more significant as a coming-of-age milestone than 12, 13, or 16, if you ask me…

Any ideas what we should do?

What next – the Yard Sale police?

Let me back up.  Have you heard about the CPSIA?  The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) goes into effect on Februry 10, 2009.  This recently-enacted piece of work was created with the noble purpose of protecting our children from lead and phthalates (for which the recent spate of recalls has underscored a need).

See some great info on the CPSIA and at The Smart Mama blog.

There are a few major problems with it.

One is the impact on cottage industry.

There is no exemption for 100% natural products.  So a mama sewing diapers from cotton fabric, or a grandpa carving wooden toys…  Everyone would have to pay for costly certification lab tests on each batch produced.

Another big one is on the issue of resale

This impacts resellers, thrifty buyers, and the environment.  (Thrifty buyers?  The environment?  This is all of us, not just manufacturers!)

Clearly, this will stop resale and consignment stores, church rummage sales, eBay sales, etc. 

And, although it could hardly be enforced, this would even prohibit you from selling your children’s old clothes at a Yard Sale. 

There’s a great post about this at Baby Cheapskate, which she is updating as new information becomes available.  Since people are up in arms and things ARE actually being discussed, this is often.

Even books are included in the CPSIA, and thus another big resale issue.  More on that from the Book Shop Blog.

You can’t even donate your old books to a library.  Charities can’t give blankets to cancer stricken babies…  Wow.

The CPSIA is a good idea.  It has a good purpose.  It just needs to be adjusted to account for things that weren’t properly thought out ahead of time.

What can we do?  And please, DO!

Write your Congresspeople!

Support the idea by voting for it on Change.org.

Pass it on!  Email your friends, post it to your blog or Facebook account, Tweet about it on Twitter, share it with your networking groups.

P.S.  I just told the owner of a local “ladies & children consignment” shop about it – she ha never even heard of it!

Alright, I know, it should be “Fewer Presents…” but that just doesn’t have the right ring, does it? 

First, let me direct your attention once again to my post last December explaining the St. Nicholas traditions we have adopted.

We moved the gift giving stuff to the Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th), and reclaimed Christmas for the celebration of the birth of Christ.

St. Nicholas was actually a really cool guy, and a champion of the faith – heck, the Catholic Church madehim a Saint, right?  In my opinion, he’s actually far more interesting than the generic commercial “Santa Claus” our society has evolved him into.

Check out this video from Advent Conspiracy:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU[/youtube]

We also recently watched an interesting DVD:

 … or download …

Anyhow, “Rev.” Billy is a bit of a nut, and I didn’t agree with all his tactics.  But they had a lot of scary statistics, good information — and fun songs from the “Church of Stop Shopping” choir!

As I recently posted, I don’t “do” Black Friday.  Given how horrible it was this year, I’m more convinced than ever.

I’d like to start doing more throughout the season with the kids, now that we’ve shifted our focus. 

Advent?  The 12 Days of Christmas?  Hmmmm…