Amber is hosting Friend Makin Monday for awhile - so be sure to go over to her blog and find out about the weekly topics.  This week's is TWENTY QUESTIONS ...


1. Do you cook every night?
Well ... we try to have a homecooked meal every weekday.  Either Ashley or I do the cooking; or Brian makes something on the grill.  Ideally, I like to have a menu prepared in advance, so I know what to make each day.  We don't always stick to it, however.  We often eat out on weekends (at least once); or we share a meal with my parents.

2. What kind of laundry detergent do you use & why?
I use the homemade laundry detergent and have been for probably about a year now.  We love it!  It's easy to make and SO inexpensive.  I can't imagine going back to having to purchase store bought detergent.  I do buy liquid fabric softener - mostly because I like my clothes to smell yummy.  Recently, we discovered dryer balls and love those (as an alternative to dryer sheets).  Again, a huge savings!

3. Do you do laundry every day or loads at a time?
I call Monday's laundry day around here - but it usually ends up rolling over into Tuesday and Wednesday too.  I like doing several loads in one day and getting it out of the way early in the week.

4. How often do you eat out per week?
Usually once per week, on the weekend.

5. Where do you usually eat out?
It just depends.  Sometimes we're in a hurry and will grab McDonald's.  Other times, we want a nice sit-down dinner somewhere. 

6. What is your favorite retail store?
Target

7. What's your favorite thing to drink?
Water (or, a new favorite - Lipton Green Tea with Citrus)

8. Do you take vitamins? What kind?
When I remember to, yes.  I take the Viactiv ones for calcium and their multi-vitamin.  They have a chocolate cherry flavor that is delicious!

9. What percentage of the household chores to you do?
70%

10. Do your children do chores? {Or will they, did they, etc}
Yes.  Ashley does almost all the sweeping and does some cooking and dishes.  Gracie does what she is asked to do.  Ian "is a good helper, Mom!" (his words)

11. Do you go to church?
Yes.  Currently, we are attending the church I grew up in; so it's like going home.

12. Do you have a housework schedule?
No.  I don't like scheduled; though  I do like to be organized.

13. Do you keep a working budget?
Brian's in charge of the finances - I hate even the word "finances".  And, say "taxes" to me and you'll find yourself on my bad list!

14. What do you do at night as a family?
Eat supper.  Watch movies.  This summer, gardening!

15. How do you prepare yourself for a new week?
Just get up on Mondays and get going!

16. What do your mornings look like?
I try to get up early enough to get several hours of work in (for The Old Schoolhouse Magazine) before my kids get up.  Then, once they are up, we start on school.

17. What time do you get up in the mornings?
5:30 or 6, on a good day.

18. What time do you go to bed at night?
10:30 or 11 (sometimes later, if I'm into a good book)

19. How do you manage all of the paperwork that floods into your household? {bills, school work, magazines, ads, etc}
Not very well!  We're good with school paperwork, but mail and other stuff tends to pile up.

20. How do you keep your household organized? {calendars, charts, etc}
A few calendars!  Mine, in my 3-ring binder, is my favorite.