My grooming shop

I now have for clients! I'm happy about that and looking for more.  If you live in the O'Fallon, MO area, contact me for grooming prices!  I groom dogs and cats!  If you don't live in my area, I could still use your help!  I am still trying to buy equipment and tools for my shop.  I'm currently bathing dogs outside, but come this Fall and winter, that is not going to be an option.  I need a good dog tub.  I am also needing to buy new shears, sharpen shears and blades, need more shampoo, advertisment, promotional items, uniforms, and more misc. items to make my business successful How can you help?  Well, I have created an account on gofundme.com to help with business expenses.  Once I have a good business coming in, I am going to move into an actual shop.  I'm hoping to do this within a two year time period!  If you know someone in the O'Fallon, area have them contact me about grooming their dog or cat!

Gofundme.com link: Pampered Pups and Pals

My Facebook Link to contact me: https://www.facebook.com/deannadogcatgroom?ref_type=bookmark

Food Processor, Baby Bullet

I am trying to stay ahead of things, well as much as I can with a 5month old in the house!  I know the time is coming to start thinking about pureed food for my baby girl!  I have a food processor already, but was thinking of getting something smaller to make baby food.  I am in some mommy groups on facebook and decided to ask for some opinions.  What I got back, didn't fully surprise me.  There were a couple of woman who loved the Baby Bullets!  Most of the woman who did have them, said they burnt out the motors or something cause it not to work after only a short time.  Now, some of the things could very well have been operator error, but for $60...I'm not willing to take the chance!  I'm wanting to make my own baby food because it will be healthier for her, but also save us some money! I already have a good food processor that works great, so I'm not going to waste our money on the Baby Bullet.  We also have one of those Ninja choppers, that also purees so that would work well for me too!  We are planning on having two more kids so as far as I am concern, the Ninja copper and the food processor will work just fine to make baby food!  I think food processors are great investments, especially for those that have or plan to have babies and want to make their own food, which I recommend you do that if you are able too!  It really doesn't take much time to make food!  I don't use my food processor every day, but I use it often enough to want/ need to have it!  I would love to invest in a better stand mixer.  I have a Hamilton beach stand mixer.  It works alright for light mixing.  By that, it's great for most cakes, but not great for making bread!  I enjoy making homemade bread and will admit I don't get to do it, as often as I would like too!  Once I get to a certain point, when the dough is really starting to form, I have to stop using the mixer and finish by hand!  The motor in my HB stand mixer, just can't handle it!  We did get it at Walmart for $25, so you do get what you pay for!  When our finances aren't so tight, I plan on investing in a Kitchen Aid stand mixer!  I've been wanting one for years! Anyhow, keeping in mind with food processors, do your research and read consumer reviews before you buy.  I recommend doing that with almost anything! 

My health Blog

Some time in the last couple of years, I decided that in order to help motivate myself and possibly others, I decided to create a health blog!  Like here, I don't write every day but I try to keep it update by posting often!  I write about my exercise/ health adventures, healthy recipes, exercises I'm doing or find interesting, and other health related topics!  I recommend checking it out!  I just posted a good exercise routine you can do in your home in under 10 minutes!  You'll feel sore after doing it the first few times, but it is worth it!  I was able to do it while my baby naps!  No excuses not to get in 30 minutes of exercise a day!  Just check it out!

http://to-ourhealth.blogspot.com/

Income

I am in need of making income!  I love staying home with my baby girl and hate the thought of putting her in daycare at 4months of age.  I just DON'T feel comfortable with that.  So I am trying to up my Scentsy business, I am an Independent Scentsy Consultant.  PLEASE consider hosting an online party for me.  You do NOT have to purchase if you don't want too!  I do NO pressure sales!  I set it up, and all you have to do is spread the word about the party!  MY website is https://deannabisbee.scentsy.us OR https://deannabisbee.velata.us   I also sell products for Velata. which is a fondue brand of Scentsy! I also have set up a website to help me fund my new business I am trying to start.  I am trying to start a home-based dog grooming business!  Here is the link http://www.gofundme.com/8s5o60

I really am trying hard not to return to a job where the hours are terrible and just being unhappy.  I haven't finished my degree yet so I'd be in retail or a food place...to which I REALLY am wanting to avoid with having a young child that would need to be watched and taken care of while I work.  So any and all help from the sites I've provided will be MUCH appreciated!  Please spread the word about those sites! Thank you!

Stay at home mommy

After I got pregnant last year, I had every intention to return to work as a receptionist at a car dealership.  Well, once my husband and I decided to build a house, that thought changed.  I was getting a fairly decent pay, but the hours just would not be worth the drive from my new area.  So when I got a call from the H.R., we talked and after some discussion, I decided it was the bet thing for all that I don't return.  As I explained to him, it just wouldn't be fair to those at the dealership, that I come back and then quite two weeks later.  It was great to know, that (at the time I was breastfeeding and would need to pump while at work every 3hrs for at least 30minutes) they were willing to accommodate my pumping schedule.  I love staying home with my girl, but it is great from time to time, to get adult time.  It's important to still have time, that is just for me.  I've signed up for a 5k later this month and looking forward to that.  Now, I have a running stroller to go running with my baby when it warms up for her to spend time outside.  The 5k that I have signed up is the Color run and she is just to young to participate with me in.  I am trying to get started in dog grooming again, in my home.  This way, I continue to be home with my baby, while bringing in some sort of income.  I've also started couponing to help save us money.  I'm not one of those crazy extreme couponers you see on that television show.  I don't buy a bunch of products clearing the shelves and don't get things we don't need or use.  I only coupon for things we use and things we need.  A few weeks ago, CVS had a deal Buy 1, get 2 free on select detergents!  Of course, they were out with such a good deal!  I got rain check for it though!  Then out came a coupon for $2 off!  Finally last week, I saw that one location had 6 bottles...just want my raincheck was for on ALL detergent!  So I got 6 bottles of ALL detergent 33 loads for $5 or $0.83 a bottle!  WOOHOO!  I've figured with my reciepts, I'm at least 50-60% savings when I shop.  I'm hoping as I get more into couponing, that I can be at 80-90% savings!  With a 3 month old baby and one income, we can use the savings on things we use!  We have a good stockpile of shampoos, deodorants, body wash, soaps (hand and in bar form), razors for him, diapers, baby wipes and detergent!  Well, baby is needing a diaper change and it's time to feed. Love my little girl!

Stuffed animal fundraiser!

I'm a stay at home mom, who is an Independent Scensty Consultant.  I decided I was going to create a project for me to do that would have bring some smiles to people!  I got this idea from other consultants and loved the idea when I saw it!  Send me a message at photogal314@aol.com to get more details!

https://deannabisbee.scentsy.us

My baby girl

I am trying to start my little baby girl off right in this world.  Which, it seems in today's society, that is getting harder to do.  I started off breast feeding her, but as she grows and is consuming more, my body can't keep up.  So, I've pumped what I can and have it stored for her to continue giving her breast milk, but now having to supplement with formula.  Not exactly what I wanted to do, but I have to do what my baby needs.  So I've chosen to go the organic route (well as much as you can with formula).  She is doing well with it.  She is 2.5 months old now and I'm starting to think baby food.  I am planning on preparing my own.  I don't want to buy the store jars.  I am trying to keep unnecessary additives and chemicals out of her little body.  I already have a food processor and thinking about a vegetable steamer.  I plan on having a couple more children, so investing in certain things now seems worth it to me.  I have stopped buying applesauce and only make my own.  I am going to stop buying peanut butter soon too!  I recently bought my last jar, just before buying peanuts to make my own peanut butter.  Making both of these, is surprisingly easy. 

To make applesauce, choose your preferred apples.  For me, I prefer Granny smith.  I don't care for the sweet ones. I think this makes the best sauce.  However, if you aren't a fan, try mixing granny smith and golden delicious together.  You'll want to peel and de-core the apples.  Stick in a sauce pot in water and bring to a boil.  Turn down heat for a few minutes until apples are soft.  Drain the water.  If you want chunky applesauce, use a potato masher to mash the apples into applesauce.  I start with doing this.  Then, I put in fridge till cold.  I left it in for a day and came back, as I have a 2 month old to attend too and well I got distracted.  I then put into my food processor to get the applesauce to a more smooth consistency.  You can use a food processor right away, but for me it got to smooth and I didn't care for it much.  Having the applesauce mashed and then cooled before putting it in the food processor, kind of gives the applesauce a texture comparable to store bought.

To make peanut butter, pour peanuts into a food processor.  Turn on for a short bit.  You'll turn the processor on and off several times until smooth peanut butter.  In between, cycles, you'll want to use a spatula to get the peanuts off the processor wall.  This is all you have to do to make your own peanut butter! One ingredient...isn't that awesome!

Back to the original posting, I've found some good recipes to make for my baby girl.  I've also started reading on when and what to start introducing her too.  Now I know it's too soon to start giving her more solid foods other that breast milk and formula, but when the time comes, I want to know what I am doing, as much as I can and do it right by her.  As I gather more information, I'll be posting what I've learned.   Iam excited about this next stage in her little life, thus far!  Now, I need to better work on my eating habits to set the best example I can for her as she will start taking more notice of what I am doing.  I don't have the worst eating habits, but it could be better with more fruits and vegetables in my diet.  I am also needing a more healthier diet so that I can better train in my running to eventually run a marathon.  That is a big long term goal I have, to run a marathon at least once!  I also don't want to be obese and not be able to enjoy doing things with my girl and other kids I plan on having.  So not only being healthy and fit is for me, even better it's for my family!