Cleaning S.O.S.

Okay, people. I need some help. I'm trying to get super organized in my cleaning. So this blog will require actual feedback - NO lurking! I'd really like to know what products other people use to clean their homes. I'll list a couple of my favorites first, but then I need your recommendations. I'm tired of having that big ole' bucket full of useless cleaning supplies, and the sprays and bottles and sponges that make worse messes than they clean up. I'll tell you my favorites, then make a short list of specific jobs I need to do, hopefully with a new and improved, and utterly fabulous cleaning product suggested by your own brilliance of mind. Here goes:

Products I swear by:
1. Clorox disinfecting wipes - I use these in the kitchen, the bathroom, and DEFINITELY on Bennett's high chair. They're fabulous - like an upgraded, extra oomph wet paper towel that actually gets rid of germs and messes instead of spreading them around.

2. Clorox toilet bowl wand - I loathe cleaning the toilet and it makes me shiver/gag to stick my hand in toilet bowl water, so this is the perfect solution. The little wand hangs on the side of the toilet, and you click on one of the disposable sponge cleaning thingys when you're ready to use it. The great thing is, it turns the water blue, so you and everybody else think it's super clean just from the color alone, and the BEST thing is, you don't have to touch the toilet with your hands at ALL!! The wand reaches around and scrubs everything. You do have to buy refills of the sponges, but they're not expensive and I think it's TOTALLY worth the lack of shivers/gags.


Okay, now here are the things I'd really appreciate feedback on:

--a good cleaner/routine for cleaning faux wood floors
--a good cleaner/routine/mop for mopping floors
--a good cleaner for the shower and tub
--a good cleaner/routine for dusting

**Disclaimer: Yes, I DO already clean all of these things and have products for each of these areas of the house, but I don't really like them, or they don't seem to work very well, or they take forever. So if you can suggest something that isn't horribly expensive, that doesn't take too horribly long to do, and doesn't require a horribly large amount of elbow grease, we're in business, and I'd be forever in your debt! (slight exaggeration)

Thanks ahead of time for the cleaning help and wisdom!

Friday Favorites (plus some Bennett viewing pleasure)

Here are some recent pictures of my little Benito that make me quite a fan...

This RARELY happens, so I had to get a picture!


He loves playing in his "fortress."


Cuddling with Horton the Elephant.

And without further ado...the second edition of FRIDAY FAVORITES!! (I know you've been waiting all week with bated breath!)

1. TARGET $1 AISLE -- Typically the knick-knacks and "treasures" here are nothing short of junk and fall apart within a few days of buying them, but I've had some fabulous finds here as well, such as the ROCKIN' felt penguin bags I used to hold party favors for Bennett's first birthday, and my cute hot pink water bottle for the gym. I also found a slightly scary but fun Christmas tree board book for Bennett's stocking this year that he LOVES. And if you're a theme kind of person, this is the section for you. They have stuff for every occasion and season, and everything's a buck. Oh, Target! Could you possibly be more fabulous?

2. BECOMING JANE -- It's a movie with Anne Hathaway and James McAvey, and it is fantastic. I watched it for the first time this week. Be forewarned because it has a somewhat sad ending, which usually deters and infuriates me, but in this case it was so well done and so poetic, I STILL walked away loving it. I'm a HUGE Jane Austen fan (Pride and Prejudice is my favorite everything: book, movie, love story, whatever) so this movie was right up my alley. And may I just say, James McAvey (is that how you spell his name?) is not an exceptionally attractive man, but his acting in this movie was beyond phenomenal. I was seriously impressed. Beautiful, beautiful story, and fairly accurate for the most part from what I saw and what I know about Jane Austen's life.

3. CHINESE FOOD -- Don't be surprised, people, if some type of food makes my Friday Favorites list every week. I love food, I won't lie, and I'm convinced there will be a Chinese buffet in heaven. In particular, I'm a huge fan of Pei Wei, thanks to Miss Molly's introduction. You can't beat their lomein and wontons, and when you order take out, you get a free drink while you wait (who doesn't love free stuff?). If I hadn't just eaten two strawberry Valentine's cupcakes 15 minutes ago (and hadn't already eaten Pei Wei just last night), I'm pretty sure my mouth would be watering right now.


Until next week,
Jennifer

Friday Favorites

Okay, I am totally stealing this idea from about a dozen others that I know of, but isn't stealing also the highest form of flattery? (???) Friday is my favorite day of the week - has been since I was little - there's an excitement and anticipation about knowing the weekend is coming and will stretch out before you with endless possibilities and combos of R&R, with a few fun activities thrown in. Friday means the week is closing up and there are good things to come. So in lieu of this, I have decided to do a Favorites post on Fridays, to celebrate my favorite day and my favorite things. But I think sometimes it won't just be things - it'll also be people, or places, or quotes...just favorites in general. So here goes my first edition!....


1. CRAB SALAD -- yes, it smells and has a very distinctive taste, but I LOVE it. The super Wal-mart has a decent brand (though I MUCH prefer it homemade or the version from Ryan's Steakhouse with little peas in it) called Santa Barbara Bay Krab Salad. I eat it with Ritz crackers and I've got myself a fantastic lunch or afternoon snack. If you've never given crab salad a chance, do it. You only live once.
P.S. I just remembered my beloved crab salad last night and got some, and enjoyed it immensely for lunch today - hence my excitement and it making my favorites list.


2. DIET CHERRY COKE -- besides the fact that it goes fabulously with crab salad (see above), it is the best diet soda I've had, and I'm picky. I thumb my nose up at diet Coke, diet Sprite, and even diet Dr.Pepper, but I love me some diet cherry coke. It doesn't have any weird after tastes and it's not yucky syrupy or flat like some sodas. And the all time best thing about it: zero calories. Sometimes (sometimes everyday) I tell myself that I can have two (or five) of them in a day because it doesn't add any fattage...not sure that's entirely accurate, but it sounds good.


3. RICK ATCHLEY -- okay, he's the preacher at our church, and I know he's a totally random thing (person) to put on a favorites blog, but he has been kicking some SERIOUS spiritual tail lately, and I've been totally blown away by it. It's tough to get in front of thousands of people and tell it like it is, not hesitating over the possible repercussions, but plowing through, doing the will of God. It takes courage and guts and oomph, all of which Rick has in abundance. I don't know what the Lord has been saying to this man lately, but he's been on a mission over the last several weeks and I think it's fantastic. Last week he talked about Jesus - Jesus is THE way, not A way. That's crucial. It's life or death. And from that, he talked about how tolerant our society and the upcoming generation is - how there is no absolutism and everyone does "what is right for them." And here's my favorite part: he told it straight up about my dear friend, Oprah. Those of you who have talked to me at length at any point probably know my feelings on the woman. Months ago I swore off watching her show or supporting her in any way. If she's not the anti-Christ, she's a good indicator of what he'll be like in the beginning (I'm kind of kidding, but not really), if you ask me. I could totally get on my soap box, but instead I'll give you the quote Rick gave at church, which I think sums up a whole lot: She said (paraphrase) "Is it more important to God that you have a heart full of love, or that you call His Son Jesus?" (and her answer is the heart full of love). This is just one example of her watered down, catering to the masses, luke-warm filth that pollutes the minds of millions of women who consider her a paramount example for what's right, what's in, and what's acceptable in our world today.
And now, coming down off the soapbox that I originally intended not to perch atop, GO RICK!, because someone needs to tell it like it is in this day and age, to be honest, to be a voice and a true representative for the Lord, and he's doing it.

So there's the first edition of Favorites Friday. See you again next week :)

Rockin' blog page

Okay, for all of you who are wondering how in the world my blog page got to looking so rockin' awesome...my friend Amanda did it! She's starting up a side business where she makes blog headers and fun stuff like that for other people. She's unbelievably talented, and you can find her by clicking on "Amanda" under my friends link. I told her what I wanted and she delivered :)
Kudos, my friend!

Me Me Me

1. Do you wear a name tag at work?
I'm supposed to, but the picture is a little scary, so it stays at the bottom of my bag

2. What kind of car do you drive?
Hyundai Elantra, but I'm hoping for a Mazda3 soon and very soon

3. What do you order when you go to Taco Bell?
either a taco salad or a mexican pizza - yum

4. Have you ever had a garage sale?
yes, just a few months ago - I didn't enjoy it - I'm not good at haggling and it feels like a personal insult when people don't want your stuff

5. What color is your iPod?
silver, but it has this awesome pink rubbery case over it

6. What kind of dog do you have?
a 40 lb. mutt named Sophie, and a wiener dog/spitz mix named Dolly

7. What's for dinner tonight?
Jack in the Box tacos

8. What is the last alcoholic beverage you had?
communion in Prague, Czech Republic - I don't drink alcohol

9. Stupidest thing you ever did with your cell phone?
had it stolen from my car, although technically I didn't do that, somebody else did - and then spent 2 weeks hunting it down and getting it back from a chain-smoking stripper who worked at Babydolls. yikes.

10. Last time you were sick?
few months ago - I get the same crud every year

11. How long is your hair?
it's shoulder length. I am SO growing it out and getting blond streaks and highlights. I'm giving myself a gradual makeover and I'm SUPER excited about it :)

12. Are you happy right now?
um, I wouldn't say happy. I'd say okay.

13. What did you say last?
"Tonight was not my night" (to the creepy guy in the dressing room at Old Navy, who "mistakes" all mothers as sisters of their daughters, and tells you "Please let me know if you need a smaller size," and then kind of leers at you - does anybody know who I'm talking about??) I was trying on bathing suits - need I say more?

14. Who came over last?
Laura Beth and Molly

16. Have your brothers or sisters ever told you that you were adopted?
no - I was the practical joker and did things far worse than telling Joe he was adopted - like stuffing him in the fireplace - NOT while it was lit - and forcing him to eat "cupcakes" made out of flour and water (separate incidents, not at the same time)

17. What is your favorite key chain on your keys?
the only one I have is a cheesy teacher key chain that says "Teachers rule" on a little ruler with an apple on it.


18. What was the last movie you watched at home?
Memoirs of a Geisha. love this movie

19. What is in your pocket?
no pockets - probably wouldn't have anything in them anyway

20. Who introduced you to your crush?
a bee that was trying to sting him

21. Where do you hurt?
my heart

22. Has someone ever made you a Build-A-Bear?
no - they're totally creepy

23. What DVD is in your DVD player?
a Sesame Street sing a long video

24. What's something funny you did today?
went to bible study with some pretty crazy cats - stifled laughing out loud at several amusing monologues

25. Who was the principal of your high school?
Ms. Bynum - everybody gave her a hard time, but I really liked her

26. Has your house ever been TPd?
no, but it's been leafed by Michael's high schoolers - pretty annoying - I think it was paper toweled, too, and they stuck maxi pads to the windows of Michael's car, which was pretty funny, but gross and sticky

27. What do you think of when you hear the word 'meow'?
is this a trick question?

28. What are you listening to right now?
the heater that just turned on, my typing

29. Drinkin?
nothing

30. What is your favorite aisle at Wal-Mart?
okay, I think Wal-Mart is cool. I'm not a Wal-Mart snob and there are tons of things I'd love to buy there so I can't choose just one aisle

31. When is your birthday?
August 29th

32. What's the area code for your cell phone?
no

33. Where did you buy the shirt you're wearing now?
Old Navy - years and years ago - sweatshirts never go out of style

34. Is there anything hanging from your rear view mirror?
a yankee candle car fragrance thingy - some kind of fruity scent - maybe mango

35. How many states in the US have you been to?
around 20

37. What are you going to do after this?
read a good book, write in my journal

38. Who was the last person you went shopping with?
my mom

40. What about your favorite dessert?
banana pudding, or cheesecake, or ice cream, or cobbler...I love dessert

41. What is something you need to go shopping for?
I'm trying to find some rockin' gray pants (one pair for working out and another pair that's dressy) - I'd also like to find an amazing bathing suit that flatters, not fatters me (good luck), and they already have them all out in the stores!!

42. Do you have the same name as one of your relatives?
actually, me, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law all have the same middle name - how crazy is that?

43. What kind of car do your siblings drive?
he doesn't

44. Do you like pickles?
they're okay. Cheer up, Kristen. I didn't know pickles came from cucumbers UNTIL YOUR BLOG. go ahead, people. laugh it up.

45. What about olives?
love them on pizza and on sandwiches

47. What is your favorite kind of juice?
I don't really like juice - it leaves that sugary filmy feeling on your teeth

48. Do you have any tan lines?
I wish - my pasty skin is a sad thing to behold, which I will be remedying as soon as the weather gets warmer (in a healthy, non-skin cancer kind of way, of course)

49. What hospital were you born in?
somewhere in Garland

50. Do you remember the name of your kindergarten teacher?
no - I have a terrible memory and don't remember much about my childhood at all. sad.

Senior moment

Fox in Socks

For all you teachers and mommies out there:

Kohl's does their $5 books and $5 matching stuffed animals a lot, and right now they've got four fantastic Dr. Seuss books out:

1. Fox in Socks...with matching fox...in socks.

2. Horton Hatches the Egg...with matching Horton.

3. Yertle the Turtle...the matching turtle is SUPER cute.

4. Hop on Pop...with matching bear.

I bought The Sneeches last time, and this time I bought Horton Hatches the Egg with the elephant. These books are awesome - in hard copy form, for just $5, and the stuffed animals are great quality, too. Thought I'd pass the info along to all of you Dr. Seuss lovers out there that would enjoy sharing the books with your kiddos.

The Nose Pickers

Cousin Caleb with Bennett,
who has found he's quite good at picking his
nose while simultaneously sucking his fingers.

Chicken crossing

Why DID the chicken cross the road?

DR. PHIL:
The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on 'THIS' side of the road before it goes after the problem on the 'OTHER SIDE' of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his 'CURRENT' problems before adding 'NEW' problems.

OPRAH:
Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a car so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

GEORGE W. BUSH:
We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to
know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is
either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

COLIN POWELL:
Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image
of the chicken crossing the road...

ANDERSON COOPER - CNN:
We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been
allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

JOHN KERRY:
Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against
it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the
chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

NANCY GRACE:
That chicken crossed the road because he's GUILTY! You can see it in
his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN:
To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART:
No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a
standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price
dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider
information.

DR SEUSS:
Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the
chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY:
To die in the rain. Alone.

JERRY FALWELL:
Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth?'
That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that
chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too.
I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that
the liberal media white washes with seemingly harmless phrases like
the other side. That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as
plain and as simple as that.

GRANDPA:
In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody
told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS:
Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the
chicken tell, for the first time, the heart warming story of how it
experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its
life long dream of crossing the road.

JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

ARISTOTLE:
It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

BILL GATES:
I have just released eChicken2007, which will not only cross roads,
but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your
check book. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken. This
new platform is much more stable and will never cra...#@&&^(C% ......
reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN:
Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath
the chicken?

BILL CLINTON:
I did not cross the road with THAT chicken. What is your definition of chicken?

AL GORE:
I invented the chicken!

COLONEL SANDERS:
Did I miss one?

DICK CHENEY :
Where's my gun?

AL SHARPTON:
Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

Triaminic

Okay, so I thought I'd pass this on to other mommies out there. Bennett is presently cutting 3 molars which has led to a ridiculous amount of snot and congestion (poor baby!), which has in turn led to a deep chest cough. Yuck. He hasn't been able to breathe and so he's not eating or sleeping well. So today I called the doctor because there was that removal of infant Triaminic and other cough syrups from the market by the FDA due to deaths in a few babies. My question was: what in the world can I do for my son to help him, or do we both just tough it out until it gets so bad that we have to resort to a trip to the doctor and antibiotics? (which seems absolutely ABSURD to me). And the nurse told me some very interesting info. (Definitely check it out for yourselves before you act on it, but I thought I'd pass it on in case some of you have gone through the same thing). Apparently, the FDA said it was no longer safe because some stupid-head parents overdosed their kiddos by giving their babies the full dosage of children's Triaminic and it killed them. Because of this (probably out of fear for lawsuits, etc.), they told everyone it's no longer safe. The nurse said that actually giving a baby who weighs 18-23 lbs. HALF of the LOWEST dosage of children's Triaminic is perfectly safe (and that's what my doctor had always prescribed). It's the stupid-heads that overdose their children that we've all had to worry about. So there you go. Hope this helps somebody else, cause if I'd known this before, my little Benito probably wouldn't be quite so miserable right now!