Simply Altered

a reminder to "Live Simply"

The glue is dry and Toni will receive this for her winning comment !!!    It is also a sampling of what  you will find at Art on the Square.  I have LOTS of totally cool ones already made!! 

REMINDER :   Tomorrow is the big day for 3 reasons.   

                              *Fels Naptha OUGHT to be in the Oskaloosa Hy-Vee

                              *I will be posting the next “challenge”  

                              * the official beginning to a long holiday weekend……I hope everyone has some good old fashioned Simple plans made.  I know I do.  

what are we trying to "create" ??? Simple and UNcluttered surroundings!!

A sampling of some of the things I “create”   I have always loved letters.  Solo or to make a word.  Ideally I could have scouted out rummage sales and auctions etc etc, but I have no patience for those time consuming events  (I send my sisters and neice) for THAT job and tell them what I am looking for….and they generally come though for me!!!!!    anyway, I bought these at Hobby Lobby for about $1 per letter, used some scrap paper, and there you have it!!!  my 2nd favorite word next to SIMPLE  !!!!    :)

Ok.  (drumroll please)   the winner is……

“Toni”  who ironically posted the longest and most detailed comment.  (has nothing to do with your chances though, this is  a random generated drawing each time!!)  but you need to read and appreciate what all she accomplished and ESPECIALLY the things she discovered!!! oh my!!!!

“I read this and decided first things first.

I needed to “declutter” the tiredness from my bones as I’d moved 24,000 POUNDS of desintigrating shingles last week doing a roof job. So….I took a looong nap.

Then I decided I needed to “declutter” my soul and took a long walk with my pooches.

Now that I was “decluttered” I was ready to “declutter” my disasters.

My armoire is now neat and organized. I rid myself of dozens of old socks with holes in the heels and toes (WHY would I keep them??), along with a lot of other useless things/stained t-shirts, etc. Nothing remains in my master closest except for jeans and slacks and 3 pairs of boots/shoes.

I then headed to the bathroom for the dreaded vanity drawers. I found so many paperclips in there (??) that I’m sure I could open my own office supply store!! And perhaps enough hair to make a wig!!! I threw away old hair, skin, nail products which were (eek!) separating into nasty solutions.

Odd items found: a blood analysis report showing I have great cholesterol!! And the syringe I used to feed my father the last time he was able to eat on this earth (I kept that….)

I also tackled the storage space under the basement steps. I remembered I had to make kale chips last night and ship them off today to a friend in NC so I finished it up quickly and ran to the store for kale. I forgot to haul the trash bags outside this morning so they’ll go out later today–not to mention lots of paperwork needs to be shredded first.

But it’s all clear and clean and it makes me feel even more relaxed. I’m off to buy my favorite movie (Gandhi) as I’ve seen it at least a dozen times and he is the epitome of a decluttered life…What do we really NEED and what really MATTERS? This movie relaxes AND inspires me (as well as this blog!).”

Thank you Toni for you efforts, and making me smile at all the things that are NO LONGER dragging you down!!!!!!   please send me your snail mail address and your winning will be in the way!!!   (I will make a post later on the item…..honestly, the glue is drying as I post this!!)   PROCRASTINATION!!!!    shame on me.     anyway, send it to my e mail address   k.breuklander@mahaska.org  

******and another GOOD challenge coming by weeks end.  :)   get ready!!!!!   You can thank me later.     *******

click to enlarge. No wonder we all are loving this stuff so much!!!

For this reason only, today was a productive one!!!

As I mentioned before, I did finally have a meeting with Dan (the manager) at Hy-Vee.   He assured me that they WILL have Fels Naptha in stock, and they will have plenty of it!!!  he maybe mentioned something like 10 cases of it??   (If I heard right!!!)  They are also going to order Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda as well……so, are you ready for this???  EVERYTHING in one convenient place!!!   All at the Oskaloosa Hy-Vee  !!!!!!!   yeah !!!!!!!!  Can you say SIMPLE????   

AND……….

I have been asked to do a local radio segment with him on Tuesday May 26  !!!!!  if I could handle TV air time, I am sure this will be a breeze!!  LOL    He does a radio segment each day at 7 am.  (imagine ME at 7 am???)  a time of day I rarely ever see!!!  oh my!!!  He did not specify that I had to actually be dressed and make up on, so hard telling how I will show up!!!   Now, if this were to happen at 2 O’clock in the morning, NO PROBLEM!!!!    

AND………..

As of this is not enough in itself???  He has also asked me to begin a in-store sampling promotion for the Oskaloosa Hy-Vee  !!!!!  yes, on Friday May 29  (11:00 to 6:00) and Saturday May 30 (9:00 to 4:00)   !!!!  I get to prepare the soap right there in the store, hand out samples, convince everyone how awesome this stuff is  (like THAT will be hard??)   sell bigger packages all made up and ready to go, and show them how easy this all is, having it all in stock at ONE location!!!!!!!!!   Can you tell this excites me???   oh, it does.!!!!  

So, mark your calendars so you can either tune into KBOE Radio (104.9 FM)  or stop by Hy-Vee to see me!!!    I gotta have some blog followers there for moral support!!!  Dan assures me that it will NOT be a problem getting people to stop and see what all the commotion is about!!!  :)  

and most of all,  if you are in this area, or even feel like traveling to this area, remember Hy-Vee when you need to stock up.  After Wednesday, it will all be there, and the management has taken great strides to fulfill this request!!!   thanks so much Dan and Brett!!  

He also mentioned it is a good possibility that more stores will be notified and likely be doing them same.  Be sure to ask the Hy-Vee store in your area. 

Ok. Now that my feet have hit the ground once again,  I need to get creative with Art on the Square inventory!!!  coming up Saturday June 13.

Good thing the night is still young!!!   

Suds !!!!!!!!

Another FAQ that I remembered,  is about the texture of the Fels Naptha.  (again, long story, but I will TRY to be brief)   Originally when I found Fels Naptha at Hy-Vee, it had been on the shelf a VERY VERY long time!!!  therefore, it was somewhat of a “drier bar”…made into perfect powder, nearly DUST!!!   Of course, since then, with newer shipments, the bars are “fresher”  and unable to process down to so much a powder, but rather little tiny “beads” or “pellets”.  PERFECTLY fine!!!!!  do not worry, it will work the VERY same, just consider your bar is nice and fresh and ready to CLEAN!!!!  

Now, I have found somewhat of a solution to this dilemma if it bothers you.  I always buy ahead, (a secret fear I will run OUT!!!)  haha.   So, for the 6 bars or so sitting waiting to be processed, I just SIMPLY open one end of the paper wrap.  Two-fold benefit to this, it helps to dry it a little bit before you use it AND freshens my closet at the same time!!!  :)…..and still plenty of FRESH and natural fragrance when I grind it up to use.  

Hope this helps the many people that have been wondering!!!!

(ok, one more thing)  and if I did not experience this first hand, I would possibly not believe it!!  Going back to when I very first tried this.  I did notice the lack of suds.  I made SURE to tell everyone this, so they would not be alarmed.  I continued to use it, and the strangest thing happened.  Using the same amount of Simply Wonderful, I was getting SUDS all of the SUDden  (no pun intended!!)   gave some to my sister to try and her VERY first concern was lack of suds.  I assured her it was getting the clothes clean and if it made her feel better, just add the soap and close the lid.  ok….within about a week, SHE began getting suds!!!!   hummmm…….   I have racked my brain trying to make sense of all of this, and today “Diane” made a comment that assured I am not crazy. {THANK YOU DIANE!!}   She mentions everything I have been suspecting all along.  The lack of suds (and sometimes a “scum” on top of the water initially) is from how CLEAN this Simply Wonderful actually is getting your clothes.  Actually removing the residue and chemicals that your FORMER commercial detergent has left behind (yuck!!!)….as well as the fabric softener we all USED to add to our laundry!!!  I don’t know about you, but this is making me feel REALLY good!!!   and then of course, after you begin to wash generally the same clothes over and over, the residue is leaving and the suds are more evident!!   I get suds, Kim gets suds and a lot of blog readers are as well.  !!!!!!!!   yeah!!!!!!!  

Now…….no need to PANIC for High Effeciency  owners.   As always experiment a little with it, and you may need to reduce the dispensed amount once you repeatedly launder your clothing.  This is even EXTRA good for you, as it will last you TWICE as long!!!!!!!!!!!!   it is TOTALLY safe for front loading HE washers, so do not be alarmed!!!!!!!    and of course, dispensed amount also depends on your water quality.  (Meme!!)       

Ok.  I think I am done rambling!!!  I will post more tomorrow after I meet with the manager from Hy-Vee.  Remember,  I am hoping to simplify this shopping process even more for everyone!!!!!   no fun to have to look high and low for something that is suppose to make our lives SIMPLE.  Right???  

Challenge is still on……..and I am CERTAINLY enjoying all the progress you have reported.  If you have not posted a comment, please do so!!!   My drawing will be on Wednesday!!!

How cool is this image anyway????

I have always loved (and own two) of these artists statues!!  so it caught my eye for this post.  

The answers to your FAQ’s.  

Where do you buy the ingredients?  

This is the top of the list for questions!!  The answer is not a simple one YET.  In my favorite fashion, I am attempting to simplify it for everyone though!!!   I spoke with the manager of our local Hy-Vee and will be meeting with him on Monday.  He wanted to assure me that he will make every effort to carry ALL THREE ingredients to make the soap, as well as always have it on hand at all times.  Yeah!!!  How simple would that make things???   I also have indication that other Hy-Vee stores might  possibly be doing the same.   So…….be patient, soon they will be your one stop shopping location for this dilemma.  (btw, they had a shipment of Fels Naptha arrive on Friday, and by noon, they were all GONE!!!  ironically it was my daughter who snagged the last few bars!!)  

Does this soap work for front loading High Efficiency washers?   

YES it does.  Tried and tested , and researched, it does.  HOWEVER.  You may need to adjust the dispensed amount.  I have top loading and I also have a water softener and good water quality , so that is where the 2 Tbsp plays in at.   Use according to all these factors.  It is much safer as well as completely safe for septic systems.  

Does it work on cloth diapers?

Absolutely!!!   works better than good!!!  I have 2 neices that I am proud to say use cloth diapers.  (way to go Tiff and Ambjour)   and this laundry option is so perfect as with towels, it cleans deep, softens withOUT fabric softener , and does not affect the absorbency as fabric softeners so often do.   Oh yeah, and no annoying or irritating fragrances to deal with on such tender skin.  :)

What is the cost per load?

3 cents, (in case you missed that on the video)  now, THAT is hard to argue with huh???  

Honestly there is one more question……but I can not think of it!!!! maybe BeJes will answer THAT in a comment she will post. (hint hint)  Yes, you were right, I should have written these down as I was thinking of them!!!!!

REMEMBER:  The Freebie is still on, even though I have made an updated post.   Go back to the previous post, read the details and get busy on the challenge and posting a comment!!!!!!!

NOTE:  There might possibly be some more exciting news to come the first of next week!!!!!!  Stay tuned to find out, after I work on the details.  :)

a challenge for everyone!!

Finally!!!   I am a night owl, so the night is still young.  I intended to get this done alot sooner, but got all caught up in “Farrah’s Story” this evening.  Wishing now I would have blogged instead!!!  It would have lightened my mood a little more!!!   Having already lost a sister to cancer,  I should have known better than to tune in tonight.  :(

But, as promised once again, here is the newest post / challenge.  

Ready.  Set. GO  !!!!!   Remember this is a chance for another FREEBIE!!!!!!

Think hard to that ONE thing, that is in the back of your mind……that ONE thing that needs attention….that is WAY too complicted, and needs SIMPLIFYING in the worst way.  

Might be your purse?

Might be your desk drawer?

Might be your glove compartment? 

Might be your kitchen gadget collection?

Might even be your husbands tool box?    (ok, maybe not any of our business huh?)  if you have any kind of relationship, this is probably NOT a good idea!!!

I want you to dive right IN!!!!!  clear it out.  Ask yourself over and over “Do I REALLY need this”    and than act acordingly.  :)    (having a garbage bag nearby is highly recommended!!)   hopefully you will need it.  Fling it, give it or sell it, whatever, but one small step will lead to great things!!!!   even if you THINK you are simplified enough, you are not.  I LIVE this lifestyle, and trust me, there is a place or two lurking in my mind that need some attention as well.  

Post a comment.  Whatever you want, from the area you tackled, no matter if it is one drawer, or one level of your house!!!!!!!!!  GET IT DONE!!!  let me know  what you did and the results and satisfaction you got from it!!!!   even include the most bizarre item you found, or how MANY you found !!!!!   and most of all, don’t just REARRANGE things, you are RIDDING yourself of things!!!

I will leave this open until next Wednesday, and then randomly draw for a winner!!!!!!!!   again, it is something you will love and will serve a particular purpose in your home!!!    

I will also probably make additional posts in the meantime, unrelated to this challenge….but you must post a comment to THIS post specifically  to get in the drawing!!!!!

Ready.  Set.  Go……….

Ok.  I admit, I was a little sidetracked from all the hoopla of being on TV and was reminded this morning, that I have STILL not posted what my purchase was from cashing in all my change!!!   oh my.  

Well, here it is, a FOUNTAIN on my screened in porch!!!!   YEAH!!!   but of course, it comes with a FRUGAL story.  Ready? (I will try to make it as short as I can!!)  

My sister Kim bought the same fountain.  Looking high and low for one with just the “right” amount of splashing relaxing sounds of water….she prides herself on being an expert in this field, and she finally  found this one!!!  and then of course, INSISTED that I needed one for my porch.  I agreed, but could not justify being that frivolous.  I held out, until it struck me, “hey, if we cash in the change, I could get it with THAT!!”   aha!!!    As you know, I had roughly $250 to spend after Glenn and I split the money.   The fountain was $200.  

BUT…….long story short, in my frugal ways, luck , and patience, I did snag it for only $150  !!!!!!  EVEN BETTER, I still have $100 to spare, and have yet to date, NOT spent it!!  I am holding out for just the right way to spend it.  :)    

and how is this purchase going to help me SAVE more money??  or add to my SIMPLE lifestyle, or even save my sanity?   well, I think it is obvious, but I will elaborate.  :)     Since there is no vacation in our immediate future (Glenn used all his vacation time supplementing his CUT hours this winter)   I will just go out to the porch, like I always do, grab a chair, something to drink and close my eyes and just IMAGINE that I am somewhere tropical  !!!!    or maybe I can imagine we are in Kansas City sitting next to all the BIG foutains at The Plaza?   Maybe on the hottest day this summer, I can “pretend” that I am in Dubai visiting Jessi, next to all the fountains THERE!!!   see??   with a little imagination and creativity, this $150 fountain is actually saving us LOTS of money!!  LOL.   

and above all, I have already enjoyed many afternoons, and quiet evenings sitting out there, just taking a few minutes to chill out, visit with the kids, or wind down a day in the salon after the last customer leaves.  It makes life feel REALLY good!!!!   

( note: in the pic, it is sitting right next to the salon window, and you can see my stylist chair……oh, do ya think my customers love it as well???   YES they do, and with all the sounds it makes, EVERYONE benefits when the salon window is open )    !!!!!!!!!

and…..one more thing.  I know I promised another give-away, which is now a couple days delayed, but I have something up my sleeve , and I will do that tomorrow…..possibly evening)

Thanks for ALL your support on my blog / website………I love all the visitors and all your kind and informative comments!!!!   keep them coming and I will eventually reply to each one.  :)

Attention all  !!!!!   waiting for your NEXT chance at a give-away???  it will all happen TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!    I do love winners!!!!!    and of course, there will be more fun frugal inspiration to go along with it!!!!!!!!!!!!!  good luck.    

the FIRST place winnings!!!

inside view (of course complete with a Simply Altered business card!!)

and the runner up wins...

Yeah!!!  I think I am as excited as all of you might be!!!!!  it is just as rewarding to GIVE the surprises as it is to receive them!!!!!!   I was just so happy with all the feel good stories, I wanted to make something for EVERYONE that posted their SIMPLE Mothers Day plans……but then I snapped back to reality and remembered that I DO have an art show coming up, and so far,  I have about 1/4 of the inventory that I need!!!!!   yikes.     

Winners, PLEASE , send me your snail mail addresses within ONE week to claim your prize!!! , and I will get them mailed out immediately.  (send to :  k.breuklander@mahaska.org  )  

ok.  Are you getting impatient???    ok.  

First place winner:  (the Simply Altered, Simply  DARLING suitcase!!)

kathleen f Says:
May 11, 2009 at 3:36 am | Reply   edit

I have worked for many years to convince my family that a day like yours is what i crave, and this year they finally believed me! I got to sleep late, got a hug from my 16 year old (handmade gift given yesterday because she couldn’t wait), took my 91 year old mother-in-law to my son’s house for brunch (6 moms there all together), then came home and had the rest of the day for computer time, crafts, reading while the rest of the family did yardwork and studied for finals. No stress, lots of love. Thank you for sharing your day with us; I love your blog!

Runner up winner  (the “Every day is Earth day” towel, and this is no  ordinary towel, it is SUPER absorbent fabric, and a constant reminder to say NO to paper towels) whenever possible.  

Mishelle Says:
May 11, 2009 at 2:33 am | Reply   edit

I got served breakfast in bed by my oldest (yogurt proudly served with a fork?!) then we all went to church as a family and since sunday school is done until the fall all 4 boys fought for spots on my lap and next to me for the whole service…kind of like puppy dogs climbing over each other. It feels great to me so loved and they are such cuddlers. Then we came home had take-out and the boys played in the yard all day while I did some shopping ALONE!! Grilled out for dinner and gave them all baths and am just enjoying the peace and quiet of sleeping children.

an artist card sampling....

I had to find an image since Jes in Dubai gave me a hard time about only adding text in my last post!!   are you happy now???   haha  (she is my niece and blog editor)  from afar.  

This is a sampling of the Artist Cards that I also make.  Motherly instinct, so I thought it followed the Mothers Day contest apporpriately.  

Speaking of……..STAY TUNED!!  I promise I am doing the drawing tonight!!!   I will try to do it as soon as possibly after I am done with my DAY job!!    it is SO good, and I had SO many comments, that I find it only fair to have TWO drawings!!!  yeah!!!!!    you will NOT be disappointed.  

I had a customer (and blog subscriber) in the salon this morning, and gave her a sneak peek……..I think she would have offered to PAY me to pick her name!!!  yeah, it is THAT good!!!!!!!  

Comment throughout the rest of the day…..and then cross your fingers!!!!