I wish I were a Hillbilly
Mood:  not sure
I was on this site yesterday www.hillbillyhousewife.com and found it very interesting.  I felt fascination, disgust, admiration, envy, and confusion while I read it.  She is now one of my favorite people.  After pondering it some, I have come to the conclusion that somewhere in us all, we want desperately to be a Hillbilly too.  Don't we all want to go "back" to a time of simplicity?  It made me think about the things I do in my life like hers and things I wish I could do too, but probably hate to admit. 

 I am so tired of all the technology, gadgets, automobiles, and crap that none of us need.  Now, before I go any further, let me clear this up:  I enjoy my air conditioning, running water, the option to use the dishwasher, my washing machine/dryer, computers obviously, digital thermometers, etc., you get the idea.  I am not anti-technology, only to a point. 

There is this point where you look at the function or the gadget and think "why can't I just take the extra step and do that myself?" like, starting and parking my own car.  On a larger view point it all fuels the economy, provides jobs, and is basically none of my business if people choose to invent/spend money on things I think are impractical and wasteful.

I'm just glad I live in a country where I get to choose if I want to be a hillbilly or not. 

Okay, here's things I do (some of which are on her website, I think) which I think are smart and practical and money savers, especially if you have a big family:

* Instead of mixing three cans of water with frozen juice, use four (except orange juice, doesn't work)

* Mix one quart of powdered milk & one quart whole milk it's totally like 2% and especially good in those recipes that call for a lot of milk - I made waffles this morning and it calls for 1 3/4 c., pudding calls for 2,c. etc.

* Wash all your clothes in cold water.  If you feel the overwhelming need to "disinfect" your clothes, add a little bleach.  BTW - when you are washing all those loads on "warm", by the second load and after you have done the dishes, taken a shower, etc. put your hand in the water - it's cold.  Yep!  You have been most likely unwittingly been washing in cold all this time.  If you are still so concerned, tell a good friend that you have switched to all cold and then ask if she really notices a difference in your family's clothes.  70% of the energy used in washing your clothes comes from heating the water.

* Add a can of pinto beans to your sloppy joes.  Adds flavor, fiber and stretches your meat and sauce.

* Freeze your fresh herbs you bought you know you won't use the rest of right then.  You paid for it...and you will use it later. 

* I know there is more, I'll add them as they come to me.