A friend of mine just posted this tutorial about how to make your own water color paints, and I just had to share it with you!!!!  She is trying to teach her children to make do, do without, or make things instead of just going out and buying new items.  Well aren't we all??  LOL

I thought this was a great project for anyone would is looking for a cute project to do with the kids for the summer, or even for homeschooling.   Here are her pics and tutorial:

My kids love to paint and we burn quickly through a lot of craft supplies.  I found a recipe to make you own water color paint and thought it would be fun to try.  I'm trying to teach them to make stuff instead of rushing out to buy it.

You will need:
1 T. white vinegar
2 T. baking soda
1 T. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. glycerin (this can be found in a drug store, with the laxatives(see pic.), make sure to get the liquid and not capsules)
1 T. water
liquid food coloring
Plastic bottle caps, empty paint box, or styrofoam egg carton

Mix the vinegar and baking soda in a small bowl, I used the measuring cup.  Be prepared for the chemical reaction, it's going to foam up a bit.  I stirred mine together and then once it stopped bubbling I added the cornstarch, glycerin, and 1 T. of water.
Pour into the bottle caps (or whatever sort of container you're using).  One batch filled six bottle caps.  I think that the egg carton would be perfect for younger children, but my eggs come in a cardboard container! 

Now for the fun part, add the food coloring.  I used two drops of each color for the paints in the top row.  For the bottom row I got creative and started mixing.  From left to right: a dusty lavender, teal green, navy blue, reddish brown, and black.  I used toothpicks to mix the colors in.

Let dry overnight and start painting.  If they are still a little wet that's fine, the colors will be more vibrant.  These paints are meant for kids or fun, not fine art, they are easy to work with and when applied thickly they have a suede like texture from the baking soda.

I thought everyone knew how to fold a fitted sheet, but for those of you like my hubby who don't know how.....here is a video to show you how (just like dear old mom used to! LOL)

http://www.bhg.com/videos/m/21882603/fold-a-fitted-sheet-in-a-flash.htm

If anything ever happens to me, please someone teach my hubby how to do this.  He won't listen to me when I tell him, and thinks wadding them up in a ball is just fine.  LMSO

I have been decluttering and gathering things around the home for a garage/yard sale this month but I have been dreading the stickering, sale, etc.  UGH  I have only had one garage sale, and it was with 3 other girlfriends.  I ended up clearing about $185.oo and was pleased with the money, but oh my did we have alot left over.  It jsut so happened Matthew was able to be off work that Saturday and he took care of setting up for me, took care of Noah during the sale and then packed up the left overs immediately and took them to the Thrift Shop.   He was such a blessing that day.

He is busy this year though, and the extra money he brings in from working is needed.  He can't take off a Saturday morning just to help me with a little garage sale, and although I have sent out emails and such to friends, I have only have two write me back saying they had a "few small things" they would love to put in, but no offers to help me for 4 hours run it.  I had one friend want me to sell her baby kittens for her but she can't even come to work for one hour.  FORGET IT!  Sometimes it just isn't worth it!

So I had almost decided to just donate some junk to the Thrift Shop and the higher priced items sell on Ebay.....when a friend from highschool suggested to me that I join in with him and some others in a Consignment Auction sale!!!  The details I have thus far is $10 fee to be able to put stuff in (I would have spent that much in advertising for a garage sale anway.  The auctioneer, who is my friend, will pay all advertising), and out of the proceeds of my items, the auctioneer will make between 10-15% depending on how much is made.  I am thinking this is the perfect opportunity to get rid of a car we have sitting in our driveway that we have a clear title to.  A friend offered to buy it and then changed their mind. 

I am so glad I haven't gone to the extra trouble of pricing anything, or putting in the advertisement to the newspaper.  I emailed my friend and told her I was going with the auction idea and she thought that was great and said she would just donate her few small things to the Thrift shop.  My other friend with the kittens will have to get rid of them some other way. 

I am still int he process of decluttering and gathering items, and then I will make a list of all items and get it to the auctioneer.  I am still not sure as to whether I need to be present at the auction or set up for it, but I am praying I don't. LOL  I am also not sure of the date, but hopefully it isn't too far away.  I am ready to get rid of some stuff!!!

Then we will focus on the upgrades and makeovers for the house.  LOL  Grandma's 90's birthday celebration is July 18-19th at my house.  Why my house you say???  Because I am the only one in the family with a decent house and air conditioning.  If you knew my inlaws you would understand.  UGH!  Glad we don't have to sit in filth and sweat for this.  My MIL said she would bring over her large grill and we could do a outside barbeque if the weather is nice though.  She is paying for everything and since I am the only one in the family who can cook worth a darn, I will make up the potato salad, baked beans, and desserts.  Not a bad arrangment!  Nevevr the less, we are hoping to have the house decluttered, the sale out of the way, and the house cleaned heavily by then.  I am actually excited about that.  How weird huh??? Ok, I didn't say I was excited about all the hours of hard work!!  NO!!  I am excited with the outcome! LOL

There are three people in this marriage of mine.  A wedge be tween a husband and wife?? NO!!!  He is truly the glue that holds us together.  Of course some of you know I am speaking of God.   Hubby and I met at church, grew closer dating as we studied the Bible and attended church and Bible study together and here we are 4 years later, stronger in our marriage than we ever have and closer in our relationship that most friends and family that have been married for 4 times that long. 

I spoke to the MIL just now.  She wanted to "steal" my hubby again for some moving work at her new business office.  Of course, these were her words and not mine.  I told her I wasn't sure exactly what Matthew's plans were all weekend, but I knew he was going to be working some long hours trying to get 3 different electrical jobs done (these are in addition to his 40 hour a week job with the city as Internet ld her Techie).  I told her I would relay the message and request and see what we could do to help, but told her again, I could visit but not lift.  I don't want to risk throwing out a rib or my back when my ribs and lower back have been so tender lately anyway.

Matthew called about 10 minutes later to check in and said he could make time to help on Sunday, but would be gone all day Saturday.  I called his mother back and plans are for Noah and I to go play and visit while Matthew moves a few large tables, boxes and filing cabinets for her to the new office.

She must have said 5 times while we were talking that she was fearful (fear comes from the devil don't you know) that Matthew is working so many hours and that it might cause problems in our marriage and with the family.  I smiled and know she means well, but told her we are keeping an eye on things, praying about it (She doesn't believe in praying over things before you do them.  She only thinks prayer is for sick people and then God only heals you if he "wants' to.), etc.  I assured her, the reason Matthew has taken on Electrical work is to start building his own business so that eventually he can quit his 40 hour a week job and be his own boss.  She was pleased to hear this but again said she was fearful for our relationship.  I told her we don't get to see each other as much as we would like, but we still had a very strong marriage and that we make sure the time we do spend together is quality time.

I can understand her fear to some extent.  She is in a long time loveless marriage, and everyone in the family knows it.  My MIL and FIL have separate bedrooms, and show no affection what so ever towards  each other.  They live their separate lives for the most part except for family get togethers and of course in front of family members at their church.  She has told Matthew and I on several occassions that she is very lonely and no one is there for her to talk to, etc.  I am sure in their own way they care for each other, maybe even love each other, but haven't been in love for too many years to count.  She confides in me often about how she wishes he was a better husband, and how the children never had a male role model since he wasn't ever available for them while growing up, etc.

This made me think of another friend who is in a live in relationship with her boyfriend and how she confides in me her problems with him on a day to day basis.  She stays because she has no where to go, she thinks if she leaves him she won't find someone else, etc.  But the reality is, he is stressing her out, calling her names, threatening to kick her out, cusses at her child, drinks, and drugs, and can't pay the bills.

Wow.  I have alot to be thankful for!  I pray for my family (Matthew's parents), and my friends and their relationships, but at the same time, I think what do you expect??? Life is not just wonderful because you have someone to share it with now!!!  Life is still hard!  We don't live in a fairy tale, and happily ever after happens sometimes in stories, in books, etc.....but you don't see what happens in other's marriages behind closed doors.  Do they communicate and love each other??? Do they worship God??? Do they share their hopes and dreams with their partner??? Do they have family meetings???

Marriage isn't something you just fall into and life is great.  It is definately some of the hardest work I have ever done!!!  Some days are harder than others when life's stressors affect us.  When Matthew has an extremely busy, hectic day at work, he tries his best to leave the stress at work.  But sometimes it sneaks in and follows him in the door.  And this used to start BIG fights.  He would snap and bicker, and be harsh on our son, complain about dinner, and finally slam doors on his way to bed.  Now that we know this, we work to make it better.  He has to bite his tongue to not say things he will regret later, and I try to help when I can and stay out of the way other times.  LOL  I also know not to take it personally if he accidentially snaps and acts gruff that evening, and I step up in mommy mode so Noah doesn't irritate daddy.  It isn't easy......it's just part of our marriage.

It isn't just me though.....Matthew does the same for me when I am having an icky day.   When he walks in the door and looks at my face and says, "whoa, you have a headache huh?" , and I nod, he knows to step into super daddy mode.  LOL  He does it well too.  He makes sure I have meds if I haven't already taken them, and a drink and sets me in the living room chair.  Then he takes Noah to the kitchen with him to make dinner....sometimes something as simple as a grilled cheese sandwich, but he makes it with lots of understanding and love.  And those nights, Noah gets extra bath time upstairs to play and make noise while mommy is downstairs quietly resting with all the mini blinds pulled closed.  I am so blessed to have a hubby who tries his very best to make things in our house peaceful and joyful!!!

Now, please don't think I married a saint.  LOL  We have our own problems, but they have mostly minimized in the last 4 years of marriage.  God's pure love chokes out fear, doubt, negativity, etc.  And with God in our marriage, we have been through alot!!  We have endured more I think sometimes in our few years of marriage than some have in 25 years.  We lost 5 family members in the first 2 years of our marriage, as well as bought a house, and had a baby!!!  Alot was going on during that time!

Matthew doesn't always automatically know what to do.  He wishes he could read me better than he does (he does a decent job though!!), and he wishes he had the nuturing spirit that women sometimes have to take care of things without having to ask what to do.  But he is also man enough to say, ok,  what can I do to help??? What is wrong??? Can we talk??? Do you need some time alone, or would you rather me stay and hold you????  You say you want me to leave, but do you really want me to stay??? What can I do for YOU?  Yes ladies, I am blessed!  He is open to hints and his heart is always wanting to show love.

This month, our menu was built on what items we have on hand, in the large stand up freezer, two refrigerators with top freezers, and our largely stocked pantry.  The last two years when we started buying and stocking this pantry, we knew it would save us money in the long run (sometimes buying in bulk saves money, plus not having to go to the store as often saves us gas money as well), and time (not having to run to the store,etc.), but now we are seeing a bigger benefit!  When things are a little tight (as they are when a $400 bill, as well as a $700 bill pops up all at once demanding to be paid immediately)  be it is so nice to know the grocery money for the month (except for fresh milk and eggs, etc.) can be put towards these bills for a month or so.

We bought several things last month at the store to make do and supplement what was in our pantry, but we have such a well stocked pantry and freezer, that I can't imagine having to buy much this month except milk.  We have dry milk solids and I could make the family drink it I suppose, but not sure even I am ready for that just yet. LMSO   If it comes down to it, I can make some loaves of bread in the bread baker, if time allows.

So, this months menu planner may be alot of chicken and not so much hamburger, because that is what we have on hand, but other than that it looks rather balanced.  We have tons of fruits and veggies in the freezer, and yes even some splurge items like icecream.  (I have learned long ago that icecream in the freezer makes hubby happy, so I keep it on hand for him.  I rarely eat it though)  I will be making muffins and cupcakes for dessert items once in a while as well.  YUM!

It will be interesting to see what is left over at the end of this month and see if we can go another month without having to make it to the store, or if we have to break down and go for a grocery run for more than just milk and eggs.  We have a pretty big stock of other essentials such as shampoo (bought on sale a while ago, about 10 bottles), toliet paper, medicines, etc.