Picture Pages - My Earliest Memory

Just a few notes of interest for this photo:

1. This photo possibly represents my earliest conscious memory. I remember them shoving cake into each other's mouths. I'm pretty sure that's a true memory.

2. I was 3 in 1980, which is the year this photo was taken. My Aunt Becky (left) was around 19 or 20. I'm not sure how old Brian (right) was, but I'd guess maybe 22 at most.

3. That's my Grandma in the middle. This photo was taken in her kitchen, during Brian and Becky's wedding reception.

4. I remember that wallpaper and those curtains. I even remember the curtains in the enclosed back porch - through the door, behind Grandma. And, I just have to mention it again - that wallpaper!!! - that wallpaper is epic.

5. I still know the number that would make that big black phone on the wall ring. I've called it a few times in the past 12 years. Someone else answers it now.

6. One of the other, most vivid memories of my life, was in that same room. It was a Saturday in the mid 90s, and my parents and I were there for our Saturday visit. The phone rang, and we found out that Brian had died. He was my uncle by marriage, and that marriage had ended a few years before, but he was still a part of our family. He was my cousin Kristen's dad, and we all loved him. RIP Brian.

We Have a Cuddler

As most of you probably already know, Keith and I brought a kitten home from Altus this past March. Her name is Cami and she is now about 10 months old. She keeps us on our toes and I honestly think we've both been in better moods since she's arrived. There's never a dull moment. She's Keith's first true indoor-only cat, and it's a lot of fun watching him with her. I'm definitely a cat person, I always have been; I'm starting to suspect he is as well.

Cami weighs about 6lbs now. I must say, if she doesn't get to growing, she will be the smallest cat I've ever had, by at least half. We usually tend to grow them pretty big on my side of the family. However, even at her small size, she's still able to take up approximately 3/4 of the king sized bed at night. I do love that she sleeps with us though. I've missed that presence in my life for the past 10 years. I had to go and purchase some lighter colored sheets, as I am constantly afraid I'm going to come back to bed in the middle of the night and squish her. I'm not completely confident that she's smart enough to get out of the way. I'm kidding; well, I'm half kidding.

She is an excellent snuggler, when she's in the mood. And she is usually in the mood. I've actually got a kitty lap-blanket happening as I type this. Almost every day, when I get home from work, Cami and Keith are snuggled up on the couch. It's pretty adorable.*

Anyway, I know that not all of you are into cats, and that's fine... even if I do think it's a little weird. But no matter what, you have to admit that there's nothing like the love and snuggles of a four-legged friend.

So, even though our day is now full of special** cat food, flushable cat litter, and a little bit of feline acne, it's also full of laughs and I'm very happy about that.

* see the photo at the top of this post
** or in other words, ridiculously overpriced

Product Review - Purex 3-in-1

I typically use liquid Tide laundry soap, liquid Downy fabric softener, and Bounce dryer sheets. After seeing commercials for a month or more, I decided to give the new Purex 3-in-1 product a try. I had never used Purex detergent before, but a good friend does, so I trusted that they would at least have a chance of working. I also considered that if they did the job, they might save me a few bucks a month, and hopefully this product is a little better for the environment. I mean, at the very least, there is less packaging involved. So, let's get down to it.

The 3-in-1 sheets come in 3 scents right now. They are described on the Purex website as follows:

Spring Oasis - a nature-inspired fragrance with fresh citrus and flowers, like a clean morning breeze

Tropical Escape - Island-inspired watery clean scent with a hint of exotic fruit freshness

Pure & Clean - 100% hypoallergenic with a subtle fresh, clean scent. Perfect for people with sensitive skin

I wanted to try Tropical Escape, but my local Target only carries Pure & Clean and Spring Oasis. So, I went with Spring Oasis. Keith said the Pure & Clean smells like Dial soap, and I have to agree. That's not a bad thing; it's just an observation.

From the photos on the website, it appears that the Spring Oasis and the Pure & Clean sheets look exactly the same. They both have a blue detergent section with a blue fabric softener strip. However, the Tropical Breeze appears to have an orange fabric softener strip. The storage containers don't have the scents anywhere on them, so I was a bit worried as to how you could easily remember which scent you prefered, when it's time to buy the refills. I guess the different colored strips will help with that.

You have two options of how to buy these sheets. The first is a starter kit that comes with 20 sheets and the plastic container to keep them in. Since they obviously can't get wet before use, this is your safest bet on how to store them. The starter kit costs around $5.50 at my local Target store. The second option you have, is to buy a refill pack. The refill pack includes 4 more sheets, for a total of 24 sheets. The refill pack is the same price as the starter kit. On the Purex website, they explain why they have packaged them in this manner. The 4 extra sheets in the refill pack make up for the lack of storage container.

For an all-in-one sheet, I say that the Purex brand does a great job. When doing a typical load of laundry, I have no complaints at all. The fabric softener and dryer sheet portions of the 3-in-1 sheets seem to do an excellent job. My clothes always come out smelling great and are just as soft as they were when I was using Downy and Bounce. As far as stain fighting goes, it doesn't score quite as high. It just doesn't cut it as stain fighter. But, I guess that's why it's not a 4-in-1. I will stick with my liquid Tide as a pre-treater for tough stains.

On the website, they do state that some spotting from the fabric softener strip of the 3-in-1 sheet can occur if the dryer is overloaded or has a bulky load, such as bed sheets or blankets. I have not tried washing sheets or blankets with this product yet, so I can't comment on this. I have washed a large load of bath towels, and did not have any issue at all with this. As for the spotting, the website goes on to say that it is not permanent and would simply require another washing to remove.

These sheets can be used with an HE or standard washing machine. They are not reclyclable yet, but the company is supposed to be working on finding a material they can use, that can be recycled. The container and packaging are recyclable.

I read somewhere else online, that you could use the used sheets to wash windows and other glass in your house. I tried cleaning a mirror in the bathroom with Windex, using one of the spent sheets instead of a paper towel. This did not work well at all. The sheets aren't absorbant, and so they just smeared everything around. I haven't tried using them to clean with soap and water, but I really can't see that working any better. They might work well as a scrubber, using Comet or something similar. I haven't tried that yet, but I can see it working quite well. The only other suggestion I have for using the depleted sheets, would be to use them as closet fresheners, or drawer fresheners. Our upstairs hall closet tends to get musty pretty easily. I've got one of the used sheets in there now, to see how long it will freshen that space. It's been about a week, and I can still smell the nice fragrance when I open that door.

In summary, I've been using this product for approximately 3 weeks as of this writing. These sheets are not highly effective as a stain fighter, but do a good job of cleaning, freshening, and softening a standard load of laundry. I will continue to use the Purex 3-in-1 sheets for average loads of laundry. For deep set stains, I will use Tide liquid detergent as a pre-treater.

For more information, you can click on the following link to get to the Purex 3-in-1 website. You can also click a link at that website, to get a $1 off coupon. The coupons really do work. I used one at my local Target store, to purchase my starter kit.

Purex 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets

Now on to the fun part. Leave a comment in this post before 8:00am on Friday, August 14, 2009, and I will choose a winner at random, using Random.org. The winner will receive a free starter kit of the Pure & Clean 3-in-1 sheets.

Updated to add: Just to clarify for everyone, the deadline to leave your comment is FRIDAY, 8/14/09 before 8am. Today is Monday. That gives you 4 whole days! YAY! And I will post the winner around lunchtime on Friday afternoon.

Updated again, to add this awesome video, for Mary: http://www.purex.com/thissheetworks/

All About Scheduling

I procrastinate, a lot. I'm pretty lazy, and though I believe my ideas are always good ones, I don't usually have a ton of faith that they will truly come to fruition. I've just come to realize over the past 20+ years, that this is just going to have to be how it is in my life. It hasn't changed so far, and I don't really see it changing in the future.

However, I have decided to try going with a certain timetable for this blog. I need some sort of formula to strive for, even if I know it probably won't always work out how I plan.

So, here's what I've come up with:

~ I've decided that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, I'll post about my random thoughts and feelings on all the weird little things that enter into my mind throughout each and every day. It gets pretty weird inside my head sometimes, y'all. This will also include all the things going on in my life, or in the lives of my loved ones.

~ On Mondays, I'll try to post product reviews. If you have any ideas for things you'd like for me to review, just let me know. I'm open to (well, almost) anything.

~ Wednesdays will be set aside for Picture Pages (Bill Cosby will likely not be included.) Old family photos will abound. It will be tons of fun, and is possibly my favorite idea for the blog so far. Of course I'll also include recent photos and just to warn you, a lot of them will probably be of Cami. Oooh and the State Fair, when it starts!

~ I almost forgot about Fridays! Recipe reviews are planned for Fridays. Yay! Yes, yes, I know today is Friday. Yes, I know I posted a recipe review yesterday. But, I didn't have this plan in place yesterday, so you'll have to forgive me.

Well, that's about it. If you have any ideas or feedback for me, leave a comment. I need some traffic through this place so that I don't get bored, people!

Recipe Review - Pot Roast #1

AWESOME SLOW COOKER POT ROAST

INGREDIENTS
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (1 ounce) package dry onion soup mix
1 1/4 cups water
5 1/2 pounds pot roast

DIRECTIONS
In a slow cooker, mix cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix and water. Place pot roast in slow cooker and coat with soup mixture. Cook on High setting for 3 to 4 hours, or on Low setting for 8 to 9 hours.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Awesome-Slow-Cooker-Pot-Roast/Detail.aspx

I was very disappointed with my first attempt at this recipe. The soup didn't thicken, so it was basically watery juice. It also had an odd flavor, but that may have been from my addition of potatoes and carrots to the dish. Now that I've had time to read the reviews from Allrecipes.com, I plan to try it again, with a few alterations.

I did change just a few things on my first attempt, but I really can't see how the changes I made would have had much effect on the outcome. I didn't have a 5.5lb roast, so I used a 2.5lb roast, and cut the rest of the ingredients in half. I also made the soup mixture up the night before, and marinated the roast in it for about 8 hours in the refrigerator. That way, when I got up the next morning, I was able to dump it directly into the crock-pot and turn it on as I headed out the door. After reading the reviews, I'm thinking my biggest mistake might have been adding carrots and potatoes to the bottom of the crock. It looks like that might be this recipes' downfall. Now I know better.

When I try this recipe again, I know I will do at least 3 things differently:

~ I will try using beef broth instead of water, which I would have done this time, but I was out of beef broth.

~ I will coat the meat with flour and other seasonings, and sear it slightly before cooking.

~ I will not add potatoes or carrots to the crock to cook along with the roast.

I'm hoping that with these adjustments, this will be a good go-to recipe for a quick and easy pot roast.

Using a slow cooker is such a nice thing to do when it's hot outside. I think most people only consider using them for winter cooking, but using them in the summer helps to keep the house cool, and makes meals a snap. When you've just come in from 100 degree weather and don't feel like doing much cooking, less time in the kitchen is a great selling point.

I leave the house before 7:30am most mornings, and get home at around 5:30pm. When I use my crock-pot to make our entrée for dinner, we're usually sitting down to eat by 6:00pm. It works out nicely for us. With Keith eating lunch at 11am most days, he's typically starving by the time I get home.

So, if you don't have a crock-pot/slow cooker, go out and buy yourself one. They are a great investment for your family. Less time in a hot kitchen = More time bonding with the people you've been missing all day long.

I'll be sure to keep you posted on my 2nd outcome of this recipe.

Stay tuned for more recipe reviews, as well as other miscellaneous product reviews. Please feel free to post comments and let me know if you have any products you'd like for me to review.

Picture Pages - Me and Kari

Just a few notes of interest for this photo:

1. This photo was taken in either 1980 or 1981, in my Grandmomma and Granddaddy's dining room.

2. What's up with my death grip on Kari?

3. Also, why do I have that Village of the Damned look on my face?

4. Maybe the face I'm making is from the smell of raw onions and Miracle Whip wafting up from the table.

5. My Grandmomma had fantastic and mesmerizing eyebrows.

6. I remember that top Grandmomma's wearing. It was very soft.

7. My cousin Kari is one of my favorite people in the world. I once called her freckle-face, and it hurt her feelings. I have always felt bad about that, because I didn't mean it as anything but a weird-5-year-old compliment. I think her freckles are fabulous! I was always totally jealous of them and of her curly red hair.

Sex and Candy and Blood and Soup

True Blood is getting REALLY good. I'll start by saying that this is probably the first show I've ever been loyal to, that I've stayed completely un-spoiled on. I haven't read any of the books, I haven't looked to TWoP for speculation or spoilers, and I haven't even read any of the plots of the rest of the season's episodes. I'm even trying to steer clear of the TWoP forums for a few days after each episode, so that my own thoughts don't get muddled by other people's ideas, before I can get them all in order. So, these thoughts on the subject are spoiler-free and haven't been tampered with by others.

Right now, we're up to Season 2, Episode 7 (Release Me). So, if you're not up to date and don't want to be spoiled on anything, stop reading now.


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I'm sick of Maryann. I hope this story has a damn good ending, because if it doesn't just surprise the shit out of me, I'm going to be VERY disappointed that we had to waste so much time on it. We've known for 2 or 3 episodes now, that Maryann was the creature that attacked Sookie at the start of the season. Was this past episode's opening supposed to be a big surprise? I'm also sick of Eggs, but I'm worried about Karl. Where was he this episode? And why do I care?

Anyway, I am glad that Tara finally seems to be starting to wake the hell up about all the weirdness going on in Bon Temps. Her conversation with Arlene about how Arlene has possibly date-raped Terry, was some funny business (never thought I'd be saying possible-date-rape = LMAO). However, now I'm even more worried about Terry than I am about Karl. I hope he hasn't gotten into any trouble stemming from the orgy-arm-breaking of Andy. And by the way, POOR Andy. I know he's just the town drunk at this point, but he's finally right about something for once. And now that the PIIIIIIGGGGGGG is gone, he won't have any evidence to prove himself right. I hope that Sam speaks up for him soon.

Speaking of Sam, I'm glad we finally got to see him shift into something other than the Collie. Don't get me wrong, the dog is fabulous and adorable, but that owl shift was pretty neat. I can't figure out where this will go with him. Of course I hope he is around for further seasons, but I can't see how this will be a good ending for him. Can Maryann even be destroyed, or will she seek him out forever? And, the fact that Daphne basically said that even if Sam sacrifices himself, Maryann will still keep Bon Temps as her own personal project, doesn't bode well for the town. I know they'll wrap the Maryann story up sometime soon, but I can't even imagine how it will be done.

Moving on to Lorena and Bill... they are an interesting couple. I know few others agree with me on that , but I find their relationship fascinating. I'm glad that it seems Lorena might be around for a while. I want to hear more about their first 70-ish years together. I also REALLY want to see Sookie's reaction to Lorena. However, I am terrified to see Lorena's reaction to Jessica. There's no way Lorena will be happy to have that particular competition. Kudos to Bill for not bringing Jessica up to her yet.

Speaking of Jessica, I LOVE Jessica. She's my favorite character of the whole series. I would watch a cheesy sitcom of her and Hoyt all Dick Van Dyke-style. Seriously. It would be precious. Oh, Hoyt! But, you know the pessimist in me thinks things will likely end badly for poor virgin Hoyt. Either Lorena will not approve and will dispose of him herself, or Jessica will get going and not be able to stop before she drains him. I truly hope they can live happy ever after, but I know they won't.

All of my other favorites were kind of boring this episode. Not much happened with Eric. And by the way, I didn't like Eric at all last season, but as soon as he said, "Do I have blood in my hair?" I was smitten. Lafayette still isn't back either. He was playing the role of Lafayette, but that wasn't the real deal. He's a broken bitch and I'm ready to have him back. I don't think we'll ever truly get him back though, and that makes me so sad.

I am glad to see that the stuff with Jason is finally getting less dull... just as it's coming to an end. I don't think Sarah shot him with a real gun. I think it looked like one of those paintball guns that Jason and creepy-rev were using a few episodes back. Either that, or Jason was dreaming. I don't know, but I'm anxious to find out. The rest of the Fellowship of the Sun stuff is going to get crazy, I'm sure. I can't figure out how Bill or Eric or whoever will save Sookie. But, I kinda hope it's Jason that does instead. I have a feeling he'll be locked up down there with her soon. Also, poor Hugo... he's never going to get turned now.

So, to sum things up, I think that was possibly the best last 10 seconds of an episode of anything ever on TV (the last 10 seconds of The Sopranos finale being the worst!)

I am pretty sure that Godric just Glamoured me.