Here's my 14 things!

1. Laundry Soap-I make my own using Zote soap, Borax and Washing soda
2. Fabric Softener-a small ball of crumpled foil cuts static cling, and some essential oil on a washcloth adds a bit of fragrance to the dryer...but I want to put up a line to dry
3. Toilet bowl cleaner-as FlyLady says, soap is soap!  http://www.flylady.net/d/br/2012/05/15/what-is-swish-and-swipe/
4. Paper towels-I use microfiber cloths for most cleaning jobs
5. Deodorant-http://www.crunchybetty.com/not-a-secret-homemade-deodorant
6. Toothpaste-I use a Rotadent, which does not require toothpaste, but I do use baking soda once in a while and rinse with peroxide.
7. Haircuts-hubby cuts his own (shaves it with clippers, no guard), I cut our son's and my own (with guards). I don't use hair dye anymore, either.
8. Broccoli-I planted some last fall and we won't eat store bought anymore!
9. Strawberry Jam-again, I made some and we won't go back!
10. Peanut butter-see #9
11. Hot Cocoa Mix &  Marshmallows-see #9
12. Chocolate Syrup-see #9
13. Pancake & Waffle Mix-see # 9 
14. Yellow Rice -see #9

Apparently there are a lot of frugal bloggers blogging about things that they no longer buy. http://christine-mary.blogspot.com/2012/05/10-things-we-dont-spend-money-on.html

I figured I'd add mine to the mix!

Of Mice and Men

My husband came home for lunch the other day and heard a noise coming from under the stove. It turns out that the trap that the Orkin man put under there months ago finally caught a rat. We live out in the country, and although I have never seen rodent droppings in my house, the cat has brought dead ones and left them on the porch as offerings (gee, thanks, kitty). It was a big spring trap, which is supposed to break the rat's neck and kill him, but that is not what happened. My husband pulled the trap from under the stove to find the poor rat caught by the testicles. He took him out to a ditch down the road and set him free (after snapping pics of it with his phone and sharing them with the entire family). The poor little guy slid out of the trap and rolled over on his back and just sat there for a few minutes before scurrying off. I don't think he will come back into my house, and hopefully he will spread the word!

No such luck at work (also out in the country). We have a Havahart trap here to catch mice. We have caught 2 in it so far, and there's at least one more that uses the trap as a buffet. The food is gone, but no mouse. Perhaps we should switch to the spring traps :(