Creating a Shopping List

So I have a new baby and new babies eat a lot. Especially mine seem too. I was feeling a little bored as I sat and nursed Paxton and so I have been sitting at the computer while I feed him. I have come across different types of blogs and enjoyed reading some and others I will choose not to visit again. People have a lot of different themes and purposes and some people are making money just by writing down life events. My purpose of starting this blog was to keep in touch with family and friends. It has been so much fun finding old friends and seeing pictures of their families, etc. So that is still my main purpose. But I have really enjoyed getting tips from other bloggers and also reading the non-sugar coated entries of real life. Because life isn't always easy and sometimes in blogger world, not everyone admits that. So let's spice this blog up a bit and begin with a tip.

Creating a shopping list:

Why create a shopping list? Having a plan means you only buy what you need making the time spent there quite a bit less. And the less time we are in the store, the less money we spend and the less opportunity for children to melt down. I don't need to explain the benefit further do I?

Where to begin: We only have two options in Ephraim: Kents Market and the Wal-Mart Supercenter. We do most of our grocery shopping at Wal-Mart because they will match any ad price for any item. That will have to be another day's tip though. I began my shopping list by going to Wal-Mart and making a list of sections of the store. I started at the left and went clock-wise: health & beauty, cards & gifts, seasonal, home items, etc. And then the grocery aisles, I wrote down the number of the aisle and listed a few items that I regularly buy from that aisle. The first trip was just simply making a list of aisles and items. Then I typed a list in the clock-wise order of the store and left spaces at each. The next week I went shopping, I circled items on the list that I needed and wrote down the rest. I still didn't know where to find everything, so when I find something, I write down which aisle it is on and update the master list on the computer. I also use my receipts to keep track of what I paid for the item. I don't have to remember what the average price is, I look at my list and can see when a sale price is actually a sale or not. I hope that makes sense.

So here is my shopping list:
Dart Shopping List

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Recipes & Menus

The format was changed a bit when I uploaded this, but it gives you an idea. And the list is still a work in progress. But a little bit of work at the beginning, saves me a lot now and I can skim the list and it sometimes reminds me of items that we need at the store.

So I just decided that the next few posts will be a tip of spending less on groceries and a easy, yummy recipe, so stay tuned. And please ask questions or tell me if this was just boring and a bad idea, I appreciate the feedback.

A visit from Santa Claus!

So a lot has happened since I last wrote an update. And a lot of people don't know it, but my uncle is the real Santa Claus and being related to Santa Claus, he doesn't just visit in December. My Mom came for a visit from Alaska to meet Paxton and help out. And her brother (Uncle Butch aka: Santa Clause) came to visit too while she was here. Paxton gave him the biggest grin and even seemed to giggle at him. He is such a magical man. =) So here is the proof:



Look closely and you can even see the twinkle in his eye.



We had a great visit with my mom. We scrapbooked and made cards. She played a thousand games of Sorry with Alexis and read lots and lots of books to help entertain the girls. She also held Paxton for a whole day so I could shampoo the carpets. We blessed Paxton on Easter Sunday up in Orem so her and Greg's family also were able to attend. We had a wonderful Easter celebrating with the Dart Family and the Jones Family and came home with too much candy. I will post pictures soon, Greg has them.=)

Paxton is 5 weeks already and is still so sweet and perfect. Greg has been working crazy amounts of hours as usual. Alexis registered for Kindergarten and is getting ready for her Dance recital in a few weeks. Denali had bronchitis and we even had to go to the hospital for chest x-rays. But she is doing just fine now. And I have been trying to keep everything all together and failing miserably at it. But today we are healthy and happy and the sun has been shining brightly this week. Yeah! And Mollie cut my hair today. I don't know what it is about a haircut, but it just makes you feel good.

I posted some sample photos on the Dart Photography blog. I hope to be getting to it soon to post more and we are creating a new website. So check it out: dartphotography.blogspot.com.

Oh, and I still have not got any responses from the previous post. Does everyone not expect Dawn to be able to make a homemade gift, or is it the having to offer the same in return? Hopefully at least one person will reply. Otherwise, I get a homemade gift from my friend Jill for free!!!

Something Especially for You!

This is fun! The first 5 people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice, for you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I will make no guarantees you will like what I make.
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It will be done this year. (anytime)
4. You will have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or an article on properly cleansing your face before a masque. I may paint or draw something. I may bake something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 5 people who do the same on their blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did, win a FABULOUS homemade gift by me! Oh, and be sure to post a picture of what you win when you get it!