Our 12 pack of Scott's Tube Free Toilet Tissue arrived today!
I have to be honest, before they contacted me to review it, I had not thought about the impact toilet paper rolls have on our nation's landfills. I have thought about the impact of lots of other things on landfills - having worked in the environmental field for quite some time - but toilet paper rolls? I figured they biodegrade at some sensible rate.
That being said, less waste still sounds like a good thing. Especially since Scott's estimates that 17 billion TP rolls are thrown out every year, the equivalent weight of one million elephants.
So far I am surprised to note that no roll appears to equate to no hole to stick your toilet paper tube holder in. LP and I figured out how to push it through and wiggle it to make it fit. We have yet to test how this works when you attempt to pull the paper off and use it.
Stay tuned.
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shopping. Show all posts
Friday, November 19, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
A True Story
Me, on my daily phone call to my mom: "Mom, you know how you always complain I don't blog anymore? Well, soon I will have something to write about. I am getting toilet paper to review."
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At this point, you would think that most moms would laugh, but you don't know Shel.
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My mom: "Not the kind that doesn't have a roll?!"
Me, dumbfounded: "YES! How did you even know?"
My mom: "I read about it in the newspaper. They are only testing it in certain markets and selling it in certain places, like WalMart and Sam's Club. Dad and I were just talking about it - do you have to store it somewhere special so it doesn't smoosh? You will have to give me a roll when you get it."
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This story has in no way been embellished. It is an excerpt of our exact conversation as I remember it. From a marketing perspective, my mom is the dream customer of Scott toilet tissue.
Speaking of which - anyone else want to test out this TP with me? You too can receive a 12 pack. Just leave a comment telling me who you would most likely talk to about toilet paper. Two readers will be randomly selected to get paper shipped to them.
-------------
At this point, you would think that most moms would laugh, but you don't know Shel.
-------------
My mom: "Not the kind that doesn't have a roll?!"
Me, dumbfounded: "YES! How did you even know?"
My mom: "I read about it in the newspaper. They are only testing it in certain markets and selling it in certain places, like WalMart and Sam's Club. Dad and I were just talking about it - do you have to store it somewhere special so it doesn't smoosh? You will have to give me a roll when you get it."
-------------
This story has in no way been embellished. It is an excerpt of our exact conversation as I remember it. From a marketing perspective, my mom is the dream customer of Scott toilet tissue.
Speaking of which - anyone else want to test out this TP with me? You too can receive a 12 pack. Just leave a comment telling me who you would most likely talk to about toilet paper. Two readers will be randomly selected to get paper shipped to them.
Monday, October 11, 2010
I'm Just Here for the Food
In our house, I am the sports fan. The Hoos is more of a sportsman than a sports fan.
I was raised cheering for the Giants, Yankees and Rangers and I am bringing up the girls in this same tradition. Granted, they get confused and cheer "Go Giants!" when we are watching baseball, but at least they have the basics down.
The Hoos (and the girls) need to be enticed to sit and watch a game with me. Typically this involves food. And it needs to be good food, because otherwise my loud cheering at an inanimate object will scare them away.
Fortunately, it doesn't take much to keep them munching. Tostitos have proven to be an effective tool. And the "Scoops" which have a contoured bowl make it easier for AK who pretty much uses the chip more as a vehicle for getting dip into her mouth.
Which means she is eating A LOT of dip. Which therefore means that I can't have her shoveling in bajillion calorie, high sodium (but delicious) Italian Seasoning and sour cream by the bowlful. As little as she is (although she is growing) I try not to put out hummus or guacamole too often either, because while it is high in protein, it is also high in fat, and I may as well rub it on my hips, because AK didn't learn how to eat massive amounts of dip from day care - she learned it by watching mama.
The folks from Frito-Lay have stepped into the void by offering up a healthy dip (and healthier chips). I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds good. I would recommend carmelizing extra onions to put on your burger, or your chicken sandwich, or just about anything - because carmelized onions are really, really good.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Serves: 12; Serving Size: 3 oz
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 small to medium onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups nonfat Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons salt-free garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sugar and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 40 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
While the onions are cooking, mix together the yogurt, garlic powder, and salt and pepper, to taste. When the onions are room temperature, add ¾ of them to the yogurt mixture, transfer to a bowl, and top with the remaining onions.
Nutrition Information (per 3-oz serving):
68 calories, 4 g protein, 8 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g fat, 0 sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 56 mg sodium
As you have likely guessed, this is a sponsored post. BUT I didn't do it for me. I did it for one of you. Frito-Lay is offering a giveaway package for one of my readers. Fritos Scoops!, Tostitos Scoops!, and a really cute stadium chip and dip bowl.
Leave a comment, making sure I can track you back through a url or email address, with the food that brings your boys (and girls) to the yard (or television) to be entered to win.
To be clear, I don't get the cute tray for my parties, so you will have to invite me over to use it at your party. I can bring the chips though - since Frito-Lay is sending me some Tostitos in exchange for this post. But make your party soon, because AK, LP and the Hoos will need to be rooting for the Yankees with me during the AL Championship Series and it might take a lot of salty goodness to distract them.
I was raised cheering for the Giants, Yankees and Rangers and I am bringing up the girls in this same tradition. Granted, they get confused and cheer "Go Giants!" when we are watching baseball, but at least they have the basics down.
The Hoos (and the girls) need to be enticed to sit and watch a game with me. Typically this involves food. And it needs to be good food, because otherwise my loud cheering at an inanimate object will scare them away.
Fortunately, it doesn't take much to keep them munching. Tostitos have proven to be an effective tool. And the "Scoops" which have a contoured bowl make it easier for AK who pretty much uses the chip more as a vehicle for getting dip into her mouth.
Which means she is eating A LOT of dip. Which therefore means that I can't have her shoveling in bajillion calorie, high sodium (but delicious) Italian Seasoning and sour cream by the bowlful. As little as she is (although she is growing) I try not to put out hummus or guacamole too often either, because while it is high in protein, it is also high in fat, and I may as well rub it on my hips, because AK didn't learn how to eat massive amounts of dip from day care - she learned it by watching mama.
The folks from Frito-Lay have stepped into the void by offering up a healthy dip (and healthier chips). I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds good. I would recommend carmelizing extra onions to put on your burger, or your chicken sandwich, or just about anything - because carmelized onions are really, really good.
Caramelized Onion Dip
Serves: 12; Serving Size: 3 oz
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 small to medium onions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sugar
2 cups nonfat Greek yogurt
2 teaspoons salt-free garlic powder
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and sugar and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and caramelized, about 40 minutes. Set aside and let cool.
While the onions are cooking, mix together the yogurt, garlic powder, and salt and pepper, to taste. When the onions are room temperature, add ¾ of them to the yogurt mixture, transfer to a bowl, and top with the remaining onions.
Nutrition Information (per 3-oz serving):
68 calories, 4 g protein, 8 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g fat, 0 sat fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 56 mg sodium
As you have likely guessed, this is a sponsored post. BUT I didn't do it for me. I did it for one of you. Frito-Lay is offering a giveaway package for one of my readers. Fritos Scoops!, Tostitos Scoops!, and a really cute stadium chip and dip bowl.
Leave a comment, making sure I can track you back through a url or email address, with the food that brings your boys (and girls) to the yard (or television) to be entered to win.
To be clear, I don't get the cute tray for my parties, so you will have to invite me over to use it at your party. I can bring the chips though - since Frito-Lay is sending me some Tostitos in exchange for this post. But make your party soon, because AK, LP and the Hoos will need to be rooting for the Yankees with me during the AL Championship Series and it might take a lot of salty goodness to distract them.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Don't You Just Want to Put Me in Your Pocket?
Recently I received an offer from Kodak Gallery to get 50 free photo business cards. "Perfect!" I thought, "Just the thing to put my contact info on and hand out to my soon-to-be-former-colleagues."
They arrived yesterday and are CUTE. I was a little concerned that it was a bit tacky to be handing out personal calling cards, but the reception has been very positive. I think mostly because I put a picture of the family on one side as opposed to just my mug.
I continue to be overwhelmed by the love I have been receiving from the folks at my current job. Everyone is very supportive and excited for me as I ride off into the sunset. Even my VP.
I was a bit concerned he (the VP) would write me off as soon as he heard I was leaving - but just the opposite has happened. He is trying to use every last second of my time on a big project. The good news is that the project has required that I reach out to internal management and external contacts, giving me a good opportunity to let them know I am leaving the company. My LinkedIn network is growing rapidly - which is fantastic.
Leading me to my second piece of advice (first was to get yourself some free personal business cards - duh!): Get yourself on LinkedIn and keep your profile current. That was how the headhunter found me for my new endeavor and it was also how I was able to keep my relationships current so that I could reach out to folks from my past for references.
My last piece of advice for today - McDonald's frozen mocha and mocha frappe - a yummy alternative to laxatives. Drink with caution - or reckless abandon depending on your needs.
They arrived yesterday and are CUTE. I was a little concerned that it was a bit tacky to be handing out personal calling cards, but the reception has been very positive. I think mostly because I put a picture of the family on one side as opposed to just my mug.
I continue to be overwhelmed by the love I have been receiving from the folks at my current job. Everyone is very supportive and excited for me as I ride off into the sunset. Even my VP.
I was a bit concerned he (the VP) would write me off as soon as he heard I was leaving - but just the opposite has happened. He is trying to use every last second of my time on a big project. The good news is that the project has required that I reach out to internal management and external contacts, giving me a good opportunity to let them know I am leaving the company. My LinkedIn network is growing rapidly - which is fantastic.
Leading me to my second piece of advice (first was to get yourself some free personal business cards - duh!): Get yourself on LinkedIn and keep your profile current. That was how the headhunter found me for my new endeavor and it was also how I was able to keep my relationships current so that I could reach out to folks from my past for references.
My last piece of advice for today - McDonald's frozen mocha and mocha frappe - a yummy alternative to laxatives. Drink with caution - or reckless abandon depending on your needs.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Ideal Mother's Day?
The other day my friend Dana sent me this fabulous blog post about the search for good jeans. It is actually hysterical and quite informative. Go read it. I will wait.
After reading it, I determined that what I really needed was a girls trip to the outlets. And by "girls" I do not mean me and my daughters. Nor do I mean my and my boobs (although they are part of the package). I mean me and my friends. The people who will tell me if my jeans not only give me long butt but also muffin top and fat legs.
The easy part? Convincing the ladies a shopping adventure is needed. The hard part? Scheduling said trip.
So, I got to thinking...Mother's Day is coming up. What do most moms want on the holiday celebrating our awesomeness? Nothing. Seriously. What I really want is NOT TO HAVE TO PLAN THE DAY. I don't want to have to answer questions about where I want to go, what I want, what I want to do. I want to not have to think.
Or, alternatively, just have the Hoos take the kids for the day and have a guilt free day to myself.
With the kids in day care, weekends are about family time. Going to a playground, or activity, or even running errands. Together.
Would taking Mother's Day for myself and going shopping with my lady friends make me a bad mom? Never mind that I wouldn't be celebrating my mom (sorry mom, you know I love you and I know you understand shopping) but I wouldn't be letting my kids celebrate me. Or would I?
What say you ladies? Are you in?
After reading it, I determined that what I really needed was a girls trip to the outlets. And by "girls" I do not mean me and my daughters. Nor do I mean my and my boobs (although they are part of the package). I mean me and my friends. The people who will tell me if my jeans not only give me long butt but also muffin top and fat legs.
The easy part? Convincing the ladies a shopping adventure is needed. The hard part? Scheduling said trip.
So, I got to thinking...Mother's Day is coming up. What do most moms want on the holiday celebrating our awesomeness? Nothing. Seriously. What I really want is NOT TO HAVE TO PLAN THE DAY. I don't want to have to answer questions about where I want to go, what I want, what I want to do. I want to not have to think.
Or, alternatively, just have the Hoos take the kids for the day and have a guilt free day to myself.
With the kids in day care, weekends are about family time. Going to a playground, or activity, or even running errands. Together.
Would taking Mother's Day for myself and going shopping with my lady friends make me a bad mom? Never mind that I wouldn't be celebrating my mom (sorry mom, you know I love you and I know you understand shopping) but I wouldn't be letting my kids celebrate me. Or would I?
What say you ladies? Are you in?
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Director of Procurement
In our house I wear many hats, one of which has to do with purchasing. I pretty much make sure that most of the day-to-day tangible needs of the members of my household are met. This includes buying food, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and paper goods.
For the most part, I am a value shopper. I buy things on sale and stock up, I shop at multiple stores, I try (although I am way less successful than I could/should be) to clip coupons and I buy the store brand for most items.
That being said, there are some items that I can not compromise on and will only purchase specific brand name products. For instance,we I buy:
For the most part, I am a value shopper. I buy things on sale and stock up, I shop at multiple stores, I try (although I am way less successful than I could/should be) to clip coupons and I buy the store brand for most items.
That being said, there are some items that I can not compromise on and will only purchase specific brand name products. For instance,
- Arm & Hammer laundry detergent
- Pampers diapers
- Bounty Paper towels
- Scott toilet
papertissue - Bertoli tomato sauce
- Only "brand name" cereal
In some worst case scenarios, I will buy one of the aforementioned items out of necessity, requiring me to - gasp!! - pay full price. It hurts, it really does.
Recently my focus on thrift caused me to make a boo-boo. I bought the preferred type of Scott TP, but the one that was least expensive per square (using those handy dandy signs grocery stores use to share price information). Apparently that was my mistake.
Last night the Hoos called out, "Why did you buy industrial, commercial size toilet paper? It doesn't fit on the holder!"
The devil is in the details, I guess.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Like I Needed Another Reason to Love Stew's
I write about Stew Leonard's, the world's largest dairy store and community asset, a lot. Even before I lived in Norwalk, home of the original Stew's, my parents used to drive from Long Island to Norwalk to go to there. Don't believe me? Go here and type in my maiden name in the search box.
Stew's is now about 2 minutes from my house. We go there at least twice a week, both for the experience - which includes animitronic farm animals and lots of free samples - and to buy milk (which is fresher and less expensive than at the "regular" grocery store).
Yesterday I took the girls there after school for an impromptu visit. I was going to wait until today, but wanted to avoid the "storm crowds" that will likely be lining the aisles tonight. As the cashier finished checking out my $12 purchase, I searched in my very messy pocketbook for my wallet. It wasn't there. While thinking "Crap!" and hoping that it was in the car, I explained to the cashier that I didn't have my wallet, but I knew my credit card number and asked if I could pay that way. Understandably, she couldn't authorize this and so a manager came over to help.
I followed him to customer service while he checked in with the security guy to see what he thought. Alas, it was a no go. HOWEVER, rather than taking my groceries, they offered my store credit, taking my name and contact information using the only ID I had on me (A UCONN photo ID from my lapsed attempts at getting my MBA). Granted, it wasn't exactly a spending spree, but it was really nice to know that they had a process in place. Very customer-friendly and oriented.
The icing on the cake? My wallet was in my car! I quickly returned to the store to pay off my debt. On the way out the security guy that had met us at customer service saw my sense of relief and offered us tokens for free ice cream. The girls were in heaven. Even if they were frozen from eating ice cream in the parking lot in the 30-degree weather.
PS: Anyone have any recommendations for magic lotions or potions for alleviating biscuit feet? For some reason (perhaps my three showers a day?) my feet and heels are dry as the desert.
Stew's is now about 2 minutes from my house. We go there at least twice a week, both for the experience - which includes animitronic farm animals and lots of free samples - and to buy milk (which is fresher and less expensive than at the "regular" grocery store).
Yesterday I took the girls there after school for an impromptu visit. I was going to wait until today, but wanted to avoid the "storm crowds" that will likely be lining the aisles tonight. As the cashier finished checking out my $12 purchase, I searched in my very messy pocketbook for my wallet. It wasn't there. While thinking "Crap!" and hoping that it was in the car, I explained to the cashier that I didn't have my wallet, but I knew my credit card number and asked if I could pay that way. Understandably, she couldn't authorize this and so a manager came over to help.
I followed him to customer service while he checked in with the security guy to see what he thought. Alas, it was a no go. HOWEVER, rather than taking my groceries, they offered my store credit, taking my name and contact information using the only ID I had on me (A UCONN photo ID from my lapsed attempts at getting my MBA). Granted, it wasn't exactly a spending spree, but it was really nice to know that they had a process in place. Very customer-friendly and oriented.
The icing on the cake? My wallet was in my car! I quickly returned to the store to pay off my debt. On the way out the security guy that had met us at customer service saw my sense of relief and offered us tokens for free ice cream. The girls were in heaven. Even if they were frozen from eating ice cream in the parking lot in the 30-degree weather.
PS: Anyone have any recommendations for magic lotions or potions for alleviating biscuit feet? For some reason (perhaps my three showers a day?) my feet and heels are dry as the desert.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Breakfast of Champions
What do I have in common with Mary Lou Retton, Bruce Jenner and Michael Phelps?
You may think it is my fabulous physique and obvious athletic grace, but alas, those are coincidental.
I am going to be on a cereal box.
Next week.
I kid you not.
Many months ago I implored my blog readers and Facebook friends to comment on my blog to earn boxes of Cheerios for my local food bank - remember?
In addition to helping feed those in need, ShopRite and General Mills offered participating bloggers the opportunity to have their mug on specially marked boxes of HoneyNut Cheerios. So, for those of you in ShopRite's home markets (I think the tri-state area) bring your magnifying glass to ShopRite the week of January 24th and seek me out. For those of you outside of the range, they are sending me a jpeg of the box and I will share that next week (I know, the suspense is killing me too).
And, finally, for those of you green with envy, I have good news. You, too, can be featured on a cereal box!
ShopRite Partners In Caring, together with General Mills, has launched a video contest, Expressions of Hunger, that challenges everyday people to submit videos using song, poetry, dance or dramatic reading that creatively express the plight of the hungry or offer solutions to the issue of hunger. Up to six grand prize winners will have their stories and photos featured on a special-edition Cheerios box available exclusively at ShopRite stores in September 2010!
Head over to www.expressionsofhunger.com for the complete contest rules.
You may think it is my fabulous physique and obvious athletic grace, but alas, those are coincidental.
I am going to be on a cereal box.
Next week.
I kid you not.
Many months ago I implored my blog readers and Facebook friends to comment on my blog to earn boxes of Cheerios for my local food bank - remember?
In addition to helping feed those in need, ShopRite and General Mills offered participating bloggers the opportunity to have their mug on specially marked boxes of HoneyNut Cheerios. So, for those of you in ShopRite's home markets (I think the tri-state area) bring your magnifying glass to ShopRite the week of January 24th and seek me out. For those of you outside of the range, they are sending me a jpeg of the box and I will share that next week (I know, the suspense is killing me too).
And, finally, for those of you green with envy, I have good news. You, too, can be featured on a cereal box!
ShopRite Partners In Caring, together with General Mills, has launched a video contest, Expressions of Hunger, that challenges everyday people to submit videos using song, poetry, dance or dramatic reading that creatively express the plight of the hungry or offer solutions to the issue of hunger. Up to six grand prize winners will have their stories and photos featured on a special-edition Cheerios box available exclusively at ShopRite stores in September 2010!
Head over to www.expressionsofhunger.com for the complete contest rules.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Question Everything
Ever have someone that you think has questionable taste compliment you? And then it makes you question your own taste, "Oh, wow, she likes these shoes? Are they butt ugly?"
Although the idea of me as a fashionista is and should be laughable to those that know me, I think it has been a while since I totally embarrassed myself (like the time I wore a skirt that had the glue from a size sticker embedded down the front of it and I pretended I didn't care), not including any critique by the Hoos.
The thing is, at this point, so few of my clothes don't have permanent stains from snot or Vicks vapor rub or who-knows-what, that I am very protective of those items that are still in decent shape. Like shoes. Which happens to be what this woman complimented me on.
Thankfully I am planning an outlet shopping excursion with some friends soon, so I can replace the lovely brown flats that are very comfortable and very cute with something that hasn't been tainted by my colleague's opinion -- or my kids' body fluids.
Although the idea of me as a fashionista is and should be laughable to those that know me, I think it has been a while since I totally embarrassed myself (like the time I wore a skirt that had the glue from a size sticker embedded down the front of it and I pretended I didn't care), not including any critique by the Hoos.
The thing is, at this point, so few of my clothes don't have permanent stains from snot or Vicks vapor rub or who-knows-what, that I am very protective of those items that are still in decent shape. Like shoes. Which happens to be what this woman complimented me on.
Thankfully I am planning an outlet shopping excursion with some friends soon, so I can replace the lovely brown flats that are very comfortable and very cute with something that hasn't been tainted by my colleague's opinion -- or my kids' body fluids.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Like Mama, Like Baby
Today AK stayed home from school. She has a rash on her butt (and NO that is not what she has in common with me). For the next week I have to rub two different ointments on her privates and give her a twice daily oral antibiotic. Fortunately, I discovered the secret to getting her to take liquid medication this morning. It only took way too many frustrating attempts over the last six months (medicine is sticky. getting it on you sucks. watching it get spit out sucks worse) for me to figure out that mixing it with applesauce somehow disguises the taste. Thank heavens.
Since baby girl isn't really sick, I took her to run some errands. Our first stop was Old Navy to buy LP some jeans (out of nowhere she decided that she wants jeans - she has hated wearing jeans for the last year, go figure!). Usually I am able to distract AK and get her to stay with me if I get a ball for her to play with. Today she wanted none of it. She prefered the shoe display. As soon as we walked in, AK scoped out the kids section, found the shoes, sat down, removed her shoes and socks and tried on a few pairs. Of course, the pairs are tied together so they don't lose their mates. So, AK would walk around with one foot in a newly aquired shoe, dragging the other shoe behind, and a second barefoot.
Needless to say, I finished up as quickly as possible.
We then made our way to Children's Place in the same strip mall. On the way I was able to get her shoes and socks back on. As soon as she sat down and started taking her shoes and socks off, I saw the writing on the wall. We didn't end up buying anything there. In fact, we only lasted about one minute.
And, no, we did not end up buying her a new pair of shoes in Old Navy. Her $40 Stride Rites better last her a season!
Since baby girl isn't really sick, I took her to run some errands. Our first stop was Old Navy to buy LP some jeans (out of nowhere she decided that she wants jeans - she has hated wearing jeans for the last year, go figure!). Usually I am able to distract AK and get her to stay with me if I get a ball for her to play with. Today she wanted none of it. She prefered the shoe display. As soon as we walked in, AK scoped out the kids section, found the shoes, sat down, removed her shoes and socks and tried on a few pairs. Of course, the pairs are tied together so they don't lose their mates. So, AK would walk around with one foot in a newly aquired shoe, dragging the other shoe behind, and a second barefoot.
Needless to say, I finished up as quickly as possible.
We then made our way to Children's Place in the same strip mall. On the way I was able to get her shoes and socks back on. As soon as she sat down and started taking her shoes and socks off, I saw the writing on the wall. We didn't end up buying anything there. In fact, we only lasted about one minute.
And, no, we did not end up buying her a new pair of shoes in Old Navy. Her $40 Stride Rites better last her a season!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
The Art of Subtlety
Last night when the Hoos walked into the house, he greeted the girls, looked at me and asked, "Did you wear those shoes to work?"
I was wearing green Crocs with my work clothes. I stated that I had to run out to the car to get something I had forgotten (his dry cleaning!) and they were easier to slip on than my brown heels.
"Oh, okay, because there is something weird with them and your pants. Your pants are too long or something." I pointed out that my pants were the right length when worn with the aforementioned heels.
"No, it isn't that. They are weird on your butt. Can I throw them out?"
Awesome. I wore pants all day that my husband thinks make my butt look funky in a bad way. Talk about a shot to the confidence. And he wasn't done.
"Where did you get that shirt?" I looked down at it. It was a new shirt I had bought over the weekend. It was kind of sheer so I wore a tank underneath. I liked both - having just spent actual money on them.
"Better yet, why?" At this point I am sure he could sense that perhaps it wasn't the conversation I was hoping to have with him.
"It is just that you are so pretty..."
I am going to look at the bright side - Looks like mama just won herself a shopping spree.
I was wearing green Crocs with my work clothes. I stated that I had to run out to the car to get something I had forgotten (his dry cleaning!) and they were easier to slip on than my brown heels.
"Oh, okay, because there is something weird with them and your pants. Your pants are too long or something." I pointed out that my pants were the right length when worn with the aforementioned heels.
"No, it isn't that. They are weird on your butt. Can I throw them out?"
Awesome. I wore pants all day that my husband thinks make my butt look funky in a bad way. Talk about a shot to the confidence. And he wasn't done.
"Where did you get that shirt?" I looked down at it. It was a new shirt I had bought over the weekend. It was kind of sheer so I wore a tank underneath. I liked both - having just spent actual money on them.
"Better yet, why?" At this point I am sure he could sense that perhaps it wasn't the conversation I was hoping to have with him.
"It is just that you are so pretty..."
I am going to look at the bright side - Looks like mama just won herself a shopping spree.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Food for Thought
Like many of my friends, I struggle on a daily basis to get my kids to eat. As a friend recently posted on Facebook, "Why do I feel like Monty Hall at dinner time?" I try to limit the choices and always have favorites on hand, and still I end up with wasted food and a feeling of frustration. I know that in the end, my girls are healthy and growing and getting the nutrition they need; but that isn't the case across the country.
Many parents don't have the ability to give their kids options or dinner at all. Times are tough and more and more people are finding it difficult to put food on the table. This exacerbates my guilt about wasting uneaten - untouched! - food, but feeling guilty isn't enough.
ShopRite, my parents' favorite grocery store, has a program called Partners in Caring dedicated to helping get food on the table for those in need. As part of this program, they have put out a call to bloggers to spread the word about hunger. In addition to highlighting participating bloggers on boxes of Honey Nut (or HoneyBunny as LP calls them) Cheerios, General Mills and ShopRite will donate one box of cereal to a food bank in ShopRite’s trading area for the first 30 people who comment on my post.
I have never had 30 comments, but now would be a great time to beat my record! I highly encourage any of my lurkers and all of my regular readers to leave a note about what they do or plan on doing to help get food to the more than 35 million Americans that live in households considered “food insecure,” including 12.4 million children.
I participate in nearly every food drive I encounter, from the girls' day care center, to my office, to my in-laws' synagogue. This year, for the first time, I dedicated some of my weekly shopping budget to exclusively buying food for donation. With grocery stores constantly having 10 for $10 sales, I don't have to set aside a lot of money to have a big impact. I have also blogged before about my frequent donation to the Norwalk Emergency Shelter, which provides assistance and a soup kitchen for those in need locally.
What are you doing?
Many parents don't have the ability to give their kids options or dinner at all. Times are tough and more and more people are finding it difficult to put food on the table. This exacerbates my guilt about wasting uneaten - untouched! - food, but feeling guilty isn't enough.
ShopRite, my parents' favorite grocery store, has a program called Partners in Caring dedicated to helping get food on the table for those in need. As part of this program, they have put out a call to bloggers to spread the word about hunger. In addition to highlighting participating bloggers on boxes of Honey Nut (or HoneyBunny as LP calls them) Cheerios, General Mills and ShopRite will donate one box of cereal to a food bank in ShopRite’s trading area for the first 30 people who comment on my post.
I have never had 30 comments, but now would be a great time to beat my record! I highly encourage any of my lurkers and all of my regular readers to leave a note about what they do or plan on doing to help get food to the more than 35 million Americans that live in households considered “food insecure,” including 12.4 million children.
I participate in nearly every food drive I encounter, from the girls' day care center, to my office, to my in-laws' synagogue. This year, for the first time, I dedicated some of my weekly shopping budget to exclusively buying food for donation. With grocery stores constantly having 10 for $10 sales, I don't have to set aside a lot of money to have a big impact. I have also blogged before about my frequent donation to the Norwalk Emergency Shelter, which provides assistance and a soup kitchen for those in need locally.
What are you doing?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Earth Day and All Night
Yay for Earth Day! Since last year I actually think I have made a very small positive impact in terms of "greening" our family.
- I now use reuseable grocery bags 98% of the time.
- We use several GreenWorks products in cleaning our home.
- Our compost bin is up and running and the Hoos has been using the result to fertilize the garden - which will include blueberries this year!
- I have Freecycled a few items collecting dust in our basement
- We are reusing lots and lots of LP's old clothes on AK (get used to it kid!)
In night time news, I have realized that I am treating AK differently than I treated her big sister.
At 11 months old LP was sleeping through the night; waking up at 2:30 or 3 was an exception that was important enough to be noted in blog entries from April 2007. When she did wake up at an unacceptable hour, we ignored her for longer and I never nursed her.
Granted, AK has had colds and various other minor ailments more frequently, so I definitely coddle her more; I go in to check her temperature and make sure she is okay when I might otherwise just put a pillow over my head. I also feed her in the middle of the night for a couple of minutes, knowing it is just easier than waiting out her screaming.
I can't figure out if AK is the luckiest girl on the planet or if I am just a moron. Probably a bit of both.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Can't Help Myself
First, I need to say that I am much better rested today than I was yesterday. I went to sleep at 9:30 - before LP - and I managed to stay asleep (or close enough) until AK woke up at 5. I had more uninterrupted hours of sleep last night than total sleep the night before. Thank you, AK and whoever is looking down on me for that!
Now I have to be snarky. Against someone I don't even know.
I recently began using/participating in "Freecycling." For the uninitiated, basically instead of throwing something out and having it go to a landfill, you post items you want to get rid of on a local message board. Interested parties email you with a day and time they will pick the item up. You then leave it on your driveway, on the curb, whatever, and they pick it up. You don't get paid for the item, but you get rid of it. And seriously, don't we all just have crap we want to get rid of?
In addition to posting items, you can request items on the board. Last week I posted a request for a 4x4 to use as a pole for a recently purchased birdhouse. Someone came through and a perfect piece of wood was secured FOR FREE. It was great. I might have even converted the Hoos to the benefits of freecycling.
Today the following was posted to the local message board. I have to read it through three times before I finally figured out what the person was requesting. I will not further my snark by commenting on it. Just posting it is enough.
hi we are looking for a out door piret climb on for kids i think its made by fisher price ,we have a truck so we can pick up asap, thanks so much
Now I have to be snarky. Against someone I don't even know.
I recently began using/participating in "Freecycling." For the uninitiated, basically instead of throwing something out and having it go to a landfill, you post items you want to get rid of on a local message board. Interested parties email you with a day and time they will pick the item up. You then leave it on your driveway, on the curb, whatever, and they pick it up. You don't get paid for the item, but you get rid of it. And seriously, don't we all just have crap we want to get rid of?
In addition to posting items, you can request items on the board. Last week I posted a request for a 4x4 to use as a pole for a recently purchased birdhouse. Someone came through and a perfect piece of wood was secured FOR FREE. It was great. I might have even converted the Hoos to the benefits of freecycling.
Today the following was posted to the local message board. I have to read it through three times before I finally figured out what the person was requesting. I will not further my snark by commenting on it. Just posting it is enough.
hi we are looking for a out door piret climb on for kids i think its made by fisher price ,we have a truck so we can pick up asap, thanks so much
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Buying Talent
As I have stated before, I am not exactly Martha Stewart when it comes to arts and crafts projects (remember the great pudding fiasco of 2007?) and decor. I have my talents and I recognize my shortcomings. Which makes me all the more appreciative of someone with artistic talent.A colleague forwarded me information on BIG WALL GRAPHICS. Eco-friendly, beautiful and able to be moved and re-used multiple times (crucial for someone like me who will likely mess it up the first few times) they seem like the ideal way to spruce up a kid's room.
BIG WALL GRAPHICS are printed with eco-solvent digital inks on state-of-the-art self-adhesive fabric paper, resulting in a gorgeous AND durable final product. They can be stuck on any surface and re-positioned countless times, while still retaining adhesion AND without leaving a residue. Unlike repositionable vinyl (which is difficult to remove after it has been mounted on a surface, and which tends to lose adhesion after even a single re-positioning), BIG WALL GRAPHICS can be moved hundreds of times without losing their effectiveness or tack. - they are actually safe to apply over wallpaper and will even stick to most brick or concrete walls!
They come in blue, orange, pink/chocolate, and purple. Check it out. And, each set also comes with a cool laptop cover graphic - so you can be cool outside of your kid's room too!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
SWEET!
Thanks to themommykelly I received a package in the mail yesterday. Two awesome tank tops and a t-shirt from Bad Baby. For all of the joy I get out of writing this blog, I do occasionally like to get free stuff. Especially when it is as cute as the Bad Baby apparel.
Monday, January 19, 2009
A New Woman
Last night, despite all of the ladies in our house having colds, I had a great night of sleep. Definitely in the top three of the last 7.5 months. AK slept until 4am and then until 8!! I still have a cold, but I definitely feel that my immunity is boosted by me being a bit less exhausted than usual.
This weekend also had some other highlights:
This weekend also had some other highlights:
- My new washer and dryer were delivered! I never thought I would be one of those people that was excited by new appliances, but I also never thought I would never be one of those people that had mountains of laundry that seem to procreate. My new Kenmore 800s are cavernous, efficient, and way younger than the 23 year old washer and 18 year old dryer we got rid of. Woo-hoo!
- We sold my Escape! In 2001 I bought my first new car, a red Ford Escape, nicknamed "My Pretty Baby". She replaced a 91 Buick Regal my grandparents gave to me as a graduation gift. I loved My Pretty Baby. She was pretty, new, fit my personality...but in October 08 we needed more interior space (two car seats will for that to you) and I was jonesing for a fresh ride that wasn't going to be needing serious replacement parts in the coming years. Enter My Trusty Steed, my new CRV. I felt guilty when we couldn't sell the Escape and she hung around way longer than anticipated. I was thrilled when she was finally snapped up this weekend. YAY!!! We are back to being a two (Honda) car family.
- My blog hit its second birthday! Leave me a comment with some good karma that hit you recently and you are eligible to win some of the cool prizes I have accrued since starting this blog:
- Carmen Electra Strip Tease Work-out DVDs (unopened - shocking, I know),
- Margarita Mama: Mocktails for Moms-to-Be. A book of cocktail recipes for those that can't partake in alcohol
- daysago digital day counters. When you want to know how long something really has been in your fridge.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Grocery Store Geek
I am a grocery store geek.
There, I admit it.
What does this mean? I actually enjoy grocery shopping. I like walking down each aisle, selecting items based on price and need, and doing my best to be a good home economist. When the Hoos was in law school and I was left to my own devices on nights and weekends while he studied I would review the circulars for all of the local grocery stores and plan a whirlwind tour that would assure me the best deals and the best stocked pantry.
I come by it honestly, as both my parents also enjoy going food shopping as well.
Today I think I achieved grocery store geek nirvana. I checked myself out at our Stop & Shop. This is not just your regular self check out, this is where you carry around a scanner and scan and bag your groceries as you go. IT WAS AWESOME.
For those of you out there who are always looking for the best deal, it was so sweet to be able to scan items to find out their sale price without hunting down an inept sales clerk.
Also, because they are trying to entice people to use the funky mechanism, they provide on the spot discounts outside of the usual deals and coupons. I saved $1.25 this way (not much, but when you consider my bill went from $94 to $74 thanks to coupons, discounts, etc. you can see how every little bit counts).
I can already see AK and LP loving using the scanner. I will make grocery store geeks out of them yet!
There, I admit it.
What does this mean? I actually enjoy grocery shopping. I like walking down each aisle, selecting items based on price and need, and doing my best to be a good home economist. When the Hoos was in law school and I was left to my own devices on nights and weekends while he studied I would review the circulars for all of the local grocery stores and plan a whirlwind tour that would assure me the best deals and the best stocked pantry.
I come by it honestly, as both my parents also enjoy going food shopping as well.
Today I think I achieved grocery store geek nirvana. I checked myself out at our Stop & Shop. This is not just your regular self check out, this is where you carry around a scanner and scan and bag your groceries as you go. IT WAS AWESOME.
For those of you out there who are always looking for the best deal, it was so sweet to be able to scan items to find out their sale price without hunting down an inept sales clerk.
Also, because they are trying to entice people to use the funky mechanism, they provide on the spot discounts outside of the usual deals and coupons. I saved $1.25 this way (not much, but when you consider my bill went from $94 to $74 thanks to coupons, discounts, etc. you can see how every little bit counts).
I can already see AK and LP loving using the scanner. I will make grocery store geeks out of them yet!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Knick Nack PakNak
Last week I received word that I had won PakNaks from the WMAG Review blog. I had never heard of them before, but PakNaks are these adorable little vinyl creatures that you can use to customize your kids' lunchboxes and backbacks. I guess sort of like those doo-dads that people stick in the holes of their Crocs. But way cooler.
When they arrived in the mail earlier this week, I told LP that she had a letter. She loves getting mail (who doesn't? The "ping" of a new email message isn't quite the same as ripping open a package or envelope). When she saw the PakNaks she was really really psyched. Each creature has Velcro on the back and comes with the "opposite side" Velcro patch that you can attach to whatever you want to adorn. It took a lot of physical strength to restrain LP from decorating herself with the PakNaks. We ended up putting three (Manfred, Isaac, and Tabby) on her lunch box and one on AK's (Ralph).
LP told me that she couldn't wait to show Miss Louise. And the Hoos reported that she was passing around her lunch box at school the next morning to show all of her friends the animals.
Speaking of lunch boxes, today AK's lunch box contained a box of rice cereal! We gave her her first spoonfuls Wednesday night and I had to cut her off! I wanted to make sure it didn't have any adverse impacts before giving her a full feeding's worth. Of course, LP insisted on helping me feed AK despite the fact that she was didn't want to hold the spoon still long enough for AK to get the cereal off of it and refused to stand in AK's line of sight. Poor AK was confused by the spoon full of mushy cereal coming at her from behind and quickly disappearing.
Yesterday morning and last night AK almost finished the allotted servings of cereal. And her big sister said, "I'm so proud of you [AK]." Too cute.
When they arrived in the mail earlier this week, I told LP that she had a letter. She loves getting mail (who doesn't? The "ping" of a new email message isn't quite the same as ripping open a package or envelope). When she saw the PakNaks she was really really psyched. Each creature has Velcro on the back and comes with the "opposite side" Velcro patch that you can attach to whatever you want to adorn. It took a lot of physical strength to restrain LP from decorating herself with the PakNaks. We ended up putting three (Manfred, Isaac, and Tabby) on her lunch box and one on AK's (Ralph).
LP told me that she couldn't wait to show Miss Louise. And the Hoos reported that she was passing around her lunch box at school the next morning to show all of her friends the animals.
Speaking of lunch boxes, today AK's lunch box contained a box of rice cereal! We gave her her first spoonfuls Wednesday night and I had to cut her off! I wanted to make sure it didn't have any adverse impacts before giving her a full feeding's worth. Of course, LP insisted on helping me feed AK despite the fact that she was didn't want to hold the spoon still long enough for AK to get the cereal off of it and refused to stand in AK's line of sight. Poor AK was confused by the spoon full of mushy cereal coming at her from behind and quickly disappearing.
Yesterday morning and last night AK almost finished the allotted servings of cereal. And her big sister said, "I'm so proud of you [AK]." Too cute.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Spinning My Wheels
First, I am psyched to say that I am spinning the wheels of my fabulous new car - a 2008 Honda CR-V. I am sad to say goodbye to "My Pretty Baby," my 2001 Ford Escape, but I am really excited for "My Trusty Steed". Yes, these really are the names I use to refer to my cars, my kids are probably thankful I didn't name them with adjectives.
Second, I am spinning my wheels in terms of getting AK to eat more but less frequently. She can go three hours between feedings during the day, but doesn't really want to. She will typically eat from one side and refuse more. It isn't a matter of keeping her awake, rather it is a matter of keeping her interested. Isn't four months too young to be distracted from eating? In general it doesn't really bother me, I will feed her whenever she is hungry and I am around, but it concerns me that I will have to send even more bottles to school. Now I am trying to send 4, 4 ounce bottles. This requires me pumping three times at work, before bed and, if needed, in the morning before going to work.
Last night I was really happy that both girls were asleep by 9:30. I was less happy when AK woke up at midnight and wouldn't go back to sleep until she ate. And the same thing happened at 2:30. At least at 5 she went back to sleep without eating...until waking up again at 6. How long are these growth spurt things supposed to last? Could she have just finished one (the night she slept from 1 until 7 had to indicate something) and started another?
Finally, I am spinning my wheels in terms of getting stuff done. With Rosh Hashana, while I wasn't at work, I certainly wasn't at home getting stuff done. The laundry baskets are over-flowing, the fridge is bordering on empty, and the house is not quite as neat as I might like. Both Monday and Tuesday we didn't get home until after 10, throwing everyone's cycles out of whack and causing even more items to add to the random detritus strewn about the house. Please Saturday, hurry up and get here!
Second, I am spinning my wheels in terms of getting AK to eat more but less frequently. She can go three hours between feedings during the day, but doesn't really want to. She will typically eat from one side and refuse more. It isn't a matter of keeping her awake, rather it is a matter of keeping her interested. Isn't four months too young to be distracted from eating? In general it doesn't really bother me, I will feed her whenever she is hungry and I am around, but it concerns me that I will have to send even more bottles to school. Now I am trying to send 4, 4 ounce bottles. This requires me pumping three times at work, before bed and, if needed, in the morning before going to work.
Last night I was really happy that both girls were asleep by 9:30. I was less happy when AK woke up at midnight and wouldn't go back to sleep until she ate. And the same thing happened at 2:30. At least at 5 she went back to sleep without eating...until waking up again at 6. How long are these growth spurt things supposed to last? Could she have just finished one (the night she slept from 1 until 7 had to indicate something) and started another?
Finally, I am spinning my wheels in terms of getting stuff done. With Rosh Hashana, while I wasn't at work, I certainly wasn't at home getting stuff done. The laundry baskets are over-flowing, the fridge is bordering on empty, and the house is not quite as neat as I might like. Both Monday and Tuesday we didn't get home until after 10, throwing everyone's cycles out of whack and causing even more items to add to the random detritus strewn about the house. Please Saturday, hurry up and get here!
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