Must Reads, Must Sees, Must Haves

  • Hey everyone check out my friend David's website dtlaird12.weebly.com
  • Hey everyone you got to watch "Life as We Know It" it is such a good movie!

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Where Has Time Gone!

So it is already July, well the end of it at least. I can't believe that so much time has past since my last post. In the pipeline world sometimes things get so out of control and you forget to do things and time gets away from you. So as of right now, Harold and I are in Woodburn, OR. We are about 30 minutes from Portland, OR; so hopefully the time spent in Oregon this time will be much more fun! Not to mention there is plenty of things to walk to! Oh! And did I mention for the last 2 days that I have been here the tempature has only been about 60-70 degrees all day long! Mornings are cool and brisk as well as the evening, but you can actually go outside during the day and not pass out from a heat stroke! There is an amazing outlet mall right beside us, there is a gate from the RV park to the mall that is totally accessable and there are lots of restaraunts in it as well. It is a true outlet mall too, everything in the stores is 50%-80% off! I am so in heaven and there is a Lane Bryant store which I am really excited about so I am a little curvier than my other friends! (LOL) and there is also a Coach store as well, totally excited.

Since I last wrote I found out that I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and that I am not chunky because I am not trying! haha I was actually trying too hard to loose weight, which is very odd. So now I am on the right track for everything and have a lot of support from my fellow pipeline wive girlfriends! It was shocking to here that I had PCOS but at least I know what I need to do now to get things under control. Harold and I are trying to have a baby and hopefully with a little luck it will happen, but with the PCOS it will be a little harder. I was also happy to know that I am not as overweight than normal for a woman with PCOS. I am actually a "light-weight" my Doc said! YAH! But things are getting better with it. So if anyone else has it let me know what your tips and tricks and medication you are taking is. I was taking Metformin but it made me sick so now I am taking Chaste Berry, Multi-vitamin, Krill Oil, B12, and Vitamin D. So far it has made my symptoms less severe, however I am still working on looking into more holistic treament.

My "lilttle-big" brother graduated high school and I was so proud of him! Got some work done at the house at home in Colorado. My husband and I lost a really good friend to a car accident.  We took a tour to Cali that didn't work out. Had to deal with bears at the house all summer. And now finally back on the road! I am really excited to be here in Oregon this time, and I also will make it to the coast this time, espically since it's only an hour and a half away!

Hopefully we will get to stay here, today is testing day! So keep your fingers crossed and your prayers said!! That is the one downfall to the pipeline life. In one minute you can be without a job and there are tons of ways to bust a test, welders are also tested everyday after that out on the line!

I am so going for a dip in the pool and soak up some sun!

Happy trails Gypsies!

Thursday, March 3, 2011

DIY: Organic, Clean, Eco Cleaning Products

Good afternoon everyone, I hope yall are enjoying your day so far. Here in Lakeview, OR (where we are pipelining at the moment) is a crisp, cool day with a dusting of snow! How wonderful. So to continue with green, organic, eco living; whatever you would like to call it I would like to introduce some DIY cleaning products. Now, not only is it as important of what goes on top of your skin but it matters what you inhale into your body. Ever spray a cleaner in your bathroom (in an aersol can) and you about pass out from the fumes?! It's gross! I got curious one day and decided to see just how toxic this stuff was, I sprayed Febreeze air freshner, yes air freshener, about 10 inches from our carbon monoxide alarm in our 5th wheel; that thing let up like a Christmas tree! screaming "Warning, Warning! Carbon Monoxide!" This alarm was super loud! Then I sprayed a bottle filled with white vinegar and nothing....Therefore we can conclude that DIY clean, green is the way to go!! Did you know that a perfectly healthy person who eats healthy, works out, isn't stressed, not over/under weight, doesn't smoke, drink, etc can get cancer? We know you can get cancer at any time, but did you know the culprit can be BPA's in your plastic, too much metal exposture(thats almost an oximoron! My husband is a pipeline welder! He's by metals all damn day!), your makeup, cleaning products and food! It's all because of the toxins and chemicals put into those things!

Cleaning green is so super easy! White vinegar can be used to clean just about anything and every thing. It's a natural asethetic, deodorizer, and disinfectant; add some organic certified essentail oils and you have a clean, smell good cleaner! Below are a few recipes for your DIY Eco-Cleaning kit!

* Natural Disinfectant Surface Cleaner
Ingredients:
-1 Cup natural liquid castile soap
-2 Cups distilled water
-1 tsp baking soda
-1 tsp tea tree essentail oil
-1 tsp lavender essential oil
-1 tsp litsea cubeb essentail oil
* Place all ingredients in a plastic spray bottle & shake well before each use. Spray surface and wipe with green organic cloth to wipeclean! Be sure to label your bottle!*

*Antibacterial Bathroom Cleaner
Ingredients:
-1 Cup natural liquid castile soap
-2 Cups distilled water
-1 tsp baking soda
-2 tsp tea tree essential oil
-1 tsp peppermin essential oil
-1 tbsp white vinegar
*Mix all ingredients in plastic spray bottle and shake well before each use use green organic cloth to wipe clean*

*Daily Shower Spray
Ingredients:
-1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
-10 drops tea tree essential oil
-10 drops ylang ylang essential oil
-1/4 cup white vinegar
fill rest of bottle with water
*Add all ingredients in spray bottle shake and spray in shower daily to keep fresh and clean in between bathroom deep cleans*

*Every Floor Cleaner
Ingredients:
-2 Cup water
-2 Cup white vinegar
-10 drops essentail oil for scent of choice
*Place ingredients in spray bottle,spray on floor and mop. Microfiber mops work best with this solution*

*Stainless Steel Cleaner
Ingredients:
-2 cups white vinegar
-10-15 drops essential oil of choice
*Place ingredients in spray bottle. Spray and wipe to clean

*Wood Floor and furniture & Leather Cleaner (for leather furniture)
Ingredients:
-2 Cups oilve oil
-1/2 Cup white vinegar
10 drops almond essentail oil
*Place ingredients in spray bottle. For wood floor spray on floor and mop. Wood Furniture spray of rag and wipe area. Leather furniture spray on rag and wipe furniture.

*Glass Cleaner
Ingredients:
-1/2 Cup rubbing alcohol
-1/2 Cup white vinegar
-1/2 liter water
-capeful natural lemon juice or half squeezed lemon juice
-10 drops grapefruit essintial oil
*place ingredients in spray bottle, spray glass, and wipe clean

*Air Freshener/Disinfecting Spray
Ingredients:
-1 Cup white vinegar
-1 cup water
-10-20 drops essentail oil of choice (for disinfecting use tea tree for smell use an oil of choice)
*place ingredients in spray bottle and spray!

*Fruit & Veggie Wash also for your cutting board!
Ingredients:
-1 tbsp lemon juice or half squeezed lemon juice
-2 tbsp white vinegar
-1 Cup water.
* Place ingredients in spray bottle and spray on veggies, fruit, and cutting board. No need to rinse or wipe if you like!

If you would like you can add natural food coloring to your products to add color for cordination for yourself so they all dont look the same, add some fun labels to your bottles, and be sure to shop for plastic spray bottles that are BPA-free!

I hope this list has helped you with your eco-cleaning needs! However if you don't have time or simply don't want to make your own products try this company out alot of my inspiration came from thier ingredients!

*Method Cleaning Products http://www.methodhome.com/

Please let me know your tricks or your green products of choice! Have a nice day and Happy Trails!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

DIY: Living Green & Eco-friendly

I have came to the conclusion that I want to start doing more things to be eco-friendly, green, and economically friendly to my checkbook! I will admit, I love to shop, I love makeup, I love skincare product, I love cleaning supplies that smells good (ok, really?!). However I have been doing some researching this weekend on living green and I have to say it sounds like something worth being! There is a wonderful world out there full of information to let you make everything you need! You can make your own: toothpaste, mouthwash, cosmetics, skincare, cleaning products, deordorant, laundry soap, dog food, hair products the list goes on there is absoltly nothing out there that you cannot make for yourself. Not only is it eco-friendly it will also help you save money! Trust me I am all about saving money whenever and where ever I can do this!

Therefore, I am declaring "Eco-Friendly and DIY Week" on my blog, there will many recipes that I will give you to do everything! As well as where to buy your ingredients, storage containers, and much more! Hope everyone enjoys this as much as I have enjoyed finding out the information for you!

Storing Recipes:
* 2" 3 Ring Binder (colorful, clear front to put fun designs)
* Notebook Paper or
* Computer paper to print out recipes
* Subject taps (to seperate categories of recipes, logs for what you have made so nothing goes bad, & logs for supplies companies)

First off for DIY: Cleanser- Oily/Problem Skin
*Citrus Cleansing Cream
Yields: approx. 2oz of cream
Application: use every evening to remove dirt & grim & makeup
Storage: 2 oz dark (amber or blue) glass jar in fridge
Shelf life: 3 months
Ingredients:
 *1/4 Cup Apricot Oil
 *1 tbsp. Virgin Coconut Oil
 *1 tbsp. beeswax
 *1 tsp. anhydrous lanolin
 *1/2 Cup distilled water
 *1/4 tsp borax
 *1/2 tsp vitamin E oil
 *20 drops grapefruit essentail oil
 *20 drops lavender essintail oil
Directions:
 1. Place the base oils, beeswax, & lanolin in a small bowl set over a saucepan of boiling water & heat until the wax melts. Remove & leave it to cool for about 10 minutes
 2. In another pan or in microwave warm the water and stir in borax. Remove bowl from heat & allow to cool.
 3. Spoon the base oil mixture into a blender and blend on high as you slowly drizzle the water through the hole in the lid. Blend for 15 seconds or until smooth.
 4. Add the vitamin E oil and essential oils and pour into your jar. Allow it to cool completly before screwing on the cap.

How to use:
Scoop out a dime size dollop of the cream adn massage into your face. Add some warm water, massage again, the rinse with cool water.

**Be sure that you put labels on all products & thier experation date that way you don't use spoiled/rancid products. **

Pure Aloe Vera Toner:
Yields: Approx. 16 oz toner
Application: use in the morning to refresh before mouisturizing & in the evening after cleansing
Storage:16-oz. glass jar in the fridge
Shelf Life: 3 months

Ingredients:
* 12 oz pure, organic aloe vera juice
* 2 oz distilled water
Directions:
 1. Pour aloe vera juice and the water into jar and gently shake.
 2. Store in fridge

How to use:
When you are ready to tone, dip a cottom pad or ball into the juice and wipe across face and neck.

Lavender & Rosemary Moisturizer
yields: 2 oz cream
Application: use am & pm after using toner
Storage: 2-oz. dark glass jar in the fridgge
Shelf Life: 3 months

Ingredients:
*1 tsp. beeswax
*2 tsp. cocoa butter
*4 tbsp jojoba oil
*4 tsp. emulsifying wax
*4 tbsp. lavender infusion
*5 drops rosemary essintail oil
*5 drops lavender essintail oil
*5 drops chamomile essemtail oil

Directions:
 1. Heat the beeswax, cocoa butter, & jojoba oil in a bowl set over a saucepan of boiling water. Stir until the wax has melted. Remove bowl from heat.
 2. Place the emulsifying wax & lavender infusion in another bowl and put it over the same saucepan of boiling water, stirring until wax dissolves.
 3.It's vital that you make sure the base oil mixture & the lavender infusion are about the same temp before you combonme them (i use a themometer just to make sure). Very slowly add the infusion to the oil mixture, whisking vigorously. Be sure you add the infusion mixture extremely slowly to keep preparation from seperating.
 4. when the mixture cools, stir in essential oils.
 5. Spoon the mixture into your jar and only screw on the lid when it's completly cooled.

How to use:
Put some dollop of cream in your fingers and gently rub entire face and neck.

Balancing Oil for Clogged Pores:
Yields: 2-oz. oil
Application: ise every evening after toning
Storage: 2 oz. dark glass bottle in a cool, dark cupboard.
Shelf life: 3 months

Ingredients:
*2 oz jojoba oil
*15 drops tea tree essentail oil
*10 drops rosemary essentail oil

Directions:
 1. Sterilize bottle by filling it with boiling water or running through dishwasher on hot cycle
 2. Pour jojoba oil in your bottle, then add essentail oils and shake gently.

How to use:
Gently rub in and around your nose and T-Zone. Them soak a cotton pad in witch hazel & gently wipe over the area of application!

See so easy!! Be sure that you sterilize all jars before filling them with ingredients and after product is gone. Isn't it nice to know what is going on your skin and being able to actually pronounace the words that are going on your skin! Be sure the skin back tomorrow with more recipes and where to buy these products!! Hope you enjoyed! Happy trails!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Crawfish and Gator Sausage

Being up here in Lakeview, Oregon can be very depressing! All the snow, the wind, the "trapped" feeling...it really sucks. One of our friends dragged up last week and went home to get ready to go to work in Louisiana. I got a major craving for crawfish, gator sausage, and warm weather! I have come to love the state of Louisiana! If you haven't been there that is a trip you need to make! If you can get passed the tornados and hurricanes there is alot of great stuff there. Number one and most importantly FOOD, Oh my goodness the food is to die for! If you ain't had cajun cooking you missin' out. The spices, the seafood, the gumbos, the crawfish, alligator sausage..all of it is amazing, granted I think everytime we go down there I gain probally about 20 pounds but hey it was worth it. Basically don't go to Louisiana on a diet. There is also so much to do in Louisiana, you can cruise the swaps, go to bars, hit the Boardwalk to Bossier City, gambling in Sherveport, check out the cost, fishing, hunting, shopping, meusums, zoo's, Saint's Games, New Orleans, etc. That list could go on for along, long time. Not to mention the people are absolutly awesome, polite and honest and half of them will give you the shirt of your back! Some of mine and my husbands' greatest friends have been coonasses. Therefore in the spirt of my Cajun memory lane I give you: Crawfish Fettuchni

Ingredients
1 package fettucini noodles - cooked and set aside1 stick butter
1 cup finely chopped onions1 cup finely chopped celery
1 cup finely chopped bell pepper1 container 16 oz sour cream
8 ounces hot pepper or pepper jack cheese shredded8 ounces garlic cheese shredded
8 ounces swiss cheese1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt2 tsp creole seasoning
2 packages 12 oz crawfish tailsseason to taste with salt, red pepper and black pepper
~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
Directions
In a large heavy skillet melt the butter, add the onions, celery and bell pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes or until veggies are tender. Add the shredded cheese one cheese type at a time.. Cook on low until melted; add the sour cream. Add seasonings adjusted to taste. Add the crawfish or shrimp and simmer for 5 minutes more. Remove from heat and add the cooked noodles. Stir very well to mix. Serve while hot as a main dish or enjoy as a side dish.


Hope you like it as much as I do!

Women in the Work Place

We are in an era where women have to work. Some people are ok with this and some are not. Most American families have to suffer with having both parents work and children are left with sitters or in a daycare facility. However most pipeliners have the advantage of getting to be a stay-at-home mommy or stay-at-home wife. Although, I know some of us women like to work and like to bring something to the table as well. Wives of pipeliners sometimes have trouble having a career. Although thanks to many advantages of the medical field you can travel with your husband and have a career. There are so many companies nowadays that allow medical professionals to travel for work. This is perfect for pipeliners. I know that when my husband is working it's nice to just hang out and do some things that you would like to do, but when he is laid off you spend that time searching and searching for a job. You find a job that you like and then in a couple of months you have to leave it, usually without any notice and that's not fair to the employer or to you because you might feel guilty.
Having a medical degree is highly recommended to have for the future and secure job security. Traveling medical professionals usually have contracts to work for about 13 weeks or longer, depending on company and need. You simply contact medical traveling companies and search thier jobs and apply. From there you will be contacted and go through the process of getting a job. If you stick with the same company you will have a greater advantage of thier benefits. They have health insurance, 401 (k), travel expense reimbursment, and paid expenses for housing; which some of us would call per diem.
Therefore, when you know the job is about to come to an end apply for the job, get the process rolling, and hopefully be able to travel somewhere else for you to work and your husband to take care of you while your working! If you are like me you really don't like going home sometimes because you like traveling...which I do! In a perfect world I would have my education complete and we would travel all the time! He would work his pipeline jobs then I would work my ultrasound tech jobs and maybe be home 3-4 months out of the year.
Obviously you need training and college for this to happen. There are plenty of online schools for many health care professions today! Here is a small list of traveling career options:
*Registered Nurse
*Radiology tech
*Ultrasound Tech
*EKG Tech
*Mammography Tech
*Physical Therapist
*Occupational Therapy
*Nuclear Medicine
*Polysomnography Tech
*Medical Tech

Here is a list of traveling Medical companies:
http://www.medtravelers.com/
http://www.statgroupllc.com/
http://www.onwardhealthcare.com/
http://www.americantraveler.com/
http://www.travelforce.com/
http://www.medicalworkers.com/

Each company is different so be sure you review everything the company offers and fill out all paperwork and make neccessary phone calls and e-mails.
I hope this information help! Happy trails!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Money Saving Tips

These days saving money is key in just about every household in America, Thanks to many ideas from many different people there are a few tips that we can all do to help us be a bit more frugal. I came across many websites are my research for FREE stuff and yes they are out there. Below is a list of websites where you can sign up from free stuff:
http://www.signup.womanfreebies.com/
http://www.freebies-for-baby.com/
http://www.freakyfreddies.com/
http://www.freeflys.com/
http://www.babiesonline.com/
Coupon Sites
http://www.hercoupon.com/
http://www.couponmom.com/

Those are a few that I have found so far and I will hopefully find alot more soon! Another good tool is coupons! In recent studies of US consumers, using coupons espically when buying groceries can cut your bill in almost have when at the checkout stand, this always has even more saving when you shop at stores with customer rewards and perks that give you discounts on selected items. Some of these stores include Safeway, King Soopers, Fred Myers, Columbine Market, and Albertsons. Becoming members of Cost Co or Sams Club will also help you save money if you buy in bulk and have the room.
 On my search for digging up coupons and free product giveaway sites I came across some smart moves people can do in 2011 to help with saving money. The first thing a you need to do is revisit your budget, if you don't have one, you need one. Having a budget from you and your family can cut your spending anywhere from 1/3 to 1/2 , and this spending is usually the comlusive buying and items that aren't truely needed. Next committ to reducing your debt or building your nest egg, Cutting down your debt is so important and is a such weight lifted off someone. I know that my husband and I felt that way after we paid off his welding truck and our 5th wheel a couple months ago, nothing feels better. If you already have debt paid off start building your nest egg. A nest egg is money that is set aside for times when possible unemployment might arise.The goal is 6 months worth of bill and spending, You can get this information from your new budget, Now granted with us pipeliners you may have to have 2 different budgets; one for living on unemployment that needs to be recalculated often and one for when you are working, Thirdly, rack up them savings! Start putting money away in your retirement funds, Roth IRA's, general savings accounts, and college savings for children or yourself if you plan on going back! The next thing open a savings account that is strictly for medical, this can be called a Health Savings Account, That way no matter what insurance or not you have money set aside for all and anything medical and wont have to skip the Doc 'cause you have no money, And lastly remortgage your house for a lower interest rate. If yours' is low enough then leave it. However if you need to or would like to check out your local Credit Union, they usually have the lowest rates of any bank; some do home mortgages and some do not. As an example our credit union gives us an interest rate of only 2%! That really comes in handy and it never changes, remortgaging your home could also help lower your monthly payments, which we could all use!

Your Budget Should Look Like This:
Household
Rent/Mortgage: Amount
Home Equity Loan: Amount
Heat: Amount
Electricity: Amount
Insurance: Amount
Phone: Amount
Internet: Amount
Cable: Amount
Lawn/Garden: Amount
Repairs: Amount
Other Services: Amount
Household should represent 35% of your income
Transportation
Car Payment 1: Amount
Car Payment 2: Amount
Fuel: Amount
Insurance: Amount
Repairs/Upkeep: Amount
Commuting: Amout
Parking: Amount
Other: Amount
Transportation should represent 15% of your income
Credit Cards & Loans
Credit Card 1: Amount
Credit Card 2: Amount
Credit Card 3: Amount
Loan 1: Amount
Loan 2: Amount
Loan 3: Amount
Loans should represent 15% of your Income
Child Care:
Babysitting: Amount
Tuition: Amount
Clothing: Amount
Lessons: Amount
Toys: Amount
Gifts: Amount
Other: Amount
Food
Groceries: Amount
Eating Out: Amount
Personal
Clothing: Amount
Beauty/ Barber Shop: Amount
Dry Cleaning: Amount
Personal Items: Amount (toiltires, makeup, shampoo, soap, etc.)
Health Club: Amount
Cell Phone: Amount
Gifts: Amount
Other: Amount
Medical
Insurance: Amount
Co-Pays: Amount
Prescriptions: Amount
Entertainment
Tickets (movies/theater/concert/sports): Amount
CD's/DVD's: Amount
Books/Magazines: Amount
Other:
Travel
Vacation: Amount
Other: Amount
Pets
Food: Amount
Medical Care: Amount
Grooming: Amount
Other: Amount
*Childcare, Food, Personal, Medical, Entertainment, Travel, & Pets should represent 25% of your income
Savings/Investments
401(k): Amount
Other retirement: Amount
Monthly Savings: Amount
Goal here is 10%, however if you have more money to put into savings do so!!
You can alter the budget to your needs and specifications, however this is just a basic guideline!
Hope this helped! Please comment about your saving tips and if these helped you!!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Working at Home / On the Road Part 2

So yesterday I talked about some amazing opprutunities to work at home or on the road! To recap, usually if a company asks for money for you to make money you are probally not going to make much or it is a total scam! Also check out http://www.virtualassistantjobs.com/ and http://www.careerstep.com/ for medical transcription training.
I also said that some places do ask for money for you to make money and that is the wonderful world of Direct Sales. When direct sales companies ask for money it's for your business kit. The business kit will include materials such as; invoices, catalogs, business cards, and products or services of what you will be selling. Personaly I think that this is a great opprutunity for us wives that travel or for anyone! You can really work as little or as much as you like.
Here are a few direct sales companies that I have researched and thought to be well worth the money!
* Beauty Society http://www.beautysociety.com/ this company is HOTT! The specialize is cosmetics and skin care. I actually ordered a cleanser, astringent, and mouisturizer last week to try it out! It was amazing, honestly I don't think I will ever order anything else again! My face felt amazing! With this company they set you up with materials you need to have home-parties and supplies and product to conduct in home facials!! How awesome is that!! There are two different options of a business kit one is $129 and the other is $229, which a $99 extras option with each plan!
*FAITH Company http://www.faithco.net/ Now this company is my "baby", so to speak. I have been researching and discussing this company with my husband and a lady from the main office based out of Texas. This jewelry is HOTT as well. It is so not your average direct sales jewelry company. Now the jewelry is a little pricey, however, the jewelry is all made in the USA, made by woman who have been abused and/or left homeless. FAITH uses a Catholic Ministries company to employ these women and teach them a trade, now how awesome is that! Not only are you getting amazing jewlery and a wonderful career, but you are helping women in need as well and spreading the wonderful Word of our Lord and Jesus Christ! Start up cost for this company is $195. This business kit comes with materials such as catalogs, invoices, etc...as well as $500 worth of retail jewelry for you to pick out for your kit for home shows! Thats nice when you get to pick it out, The women who run this company in the home office in Texas are amazing people and want to help you succeed!
*Scentsy Candles http://www.nomorewicks.com/ Now I know we all love candles and anything that makes our trailers, houses, etc smell good! However why not switching to something a little different. Scentsy uses bars that melt in Scentsy warmers and allows way more fragrant you keep from an ordinary candle! There are dozens and dozens of scents to choose from. The start up business kit cost for this one is a low cool price of $99! That includes business materials and scentsy products for your home shows!!
Those are my person 3 best picks of companies to go with when dealing with direct sales. Now granted you can google search direct sales directory and find something that you are passionate about and trust me there are dozens more, but those were the ones I felt passionate about! I hope you have found this information helpful!! Be sure to check in tomorrow for money saving ideas!!! Happy trails!