I Win! The pool that is.

I officially have won the pool. The oldest is home with a fever. He came down with it last night and when I left was still sleeping. The last ill one is still coughing and complaining about a sore throat but it isn't even a little red. My guess, although he doesn't seem to want to believe me, is it is sore from coughing. Ya think? He was trying to angle staying home again but that was a no go. I shoved a bag of cough drops into his hands and told him to get to school. I predict he was fine by 9am.

The children have been angling for the various giveaway items. I know, I was shocked too. Last night the oldest grabbed the Noticeable and told me he was putting it in his room. I had to stop him and explain it was going to someone else. He looked at me like I had three heads. I explained I would buy him a replacement for him if he wanted. The one in his room ran out awhile ago and I haven't replaced it. I'm guessing this means it's time. I kind of avoid their room except for a quick tuck in at bed time and moment to flip on the light in the morning and yell, "Time to get up." Okay, truthfully, it's more like a couple of shouts over a period of 20 minutes. Still, see: AVOID.

Dylan asked to spray the air freshener all over because he looooves the smell. I vetoed that. Still, I may have to check the weight of the can when it's time to send it out and possibly replace it first. Who knows what they do when I'm not around. I'm guessing this means I can't just leave the box lying around like I'm wont to do. I will have to pack it up and hide it.

Now, enough about me,

hahahaha. Sorry. It's all about me.

Seriously though, Tide is selling t-shirts to help raise cash for a project they're doing called Tide Loads of Hope. From their website:

"Tide Loads of Hope helps in the aftermath of a natural disaster by providing clean clothes and a sense of comfort to families in need. Partnering with Feeding America, we travel to disaster affected neighborhoods with the Tide Loads of Hope truck or vans, our free mobile laundry service."

You can find out more about their work here.

I'm not sure I could fit one breast into one of their shirts but I'm thinking the 2 older boys might dig them. So support disaster relief with a tee and you can be as cool as my teen & almost teen. Come on, you know you want to.

One last thing I have to mention, every time I look out the window it is doing something else. One time - snowing. Next - sun. Next - snow. Next - cloudy and gray but no snow. For reals people. It's a little freaky.

Edited to add: The coughing child was fine once it came time to ask if a friend could come over to play basketball. In the snow.

Why God, Why?

I just realized I can't by Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner with Teflon in the store anymore. In fact, I can only find it online by the case. Clorox doesn't even list it on it's site anymore.

I stopped using it because I couldn't find it. Every time I had to buy more toilet cleaner I assumed it would be back on the shelf the next time. Then I tried different stores. Now I'm trying on the internet.

I wasn't sure it made a difference but it totally does. It keeps the bowls cleaner so much longer. Why, why can't I get it? I really don't want to have to order a CASE of cleaner. I'm guessing the shipping will be completely unreasonable too.

I'm really worried this means they are discontinuing this product. Clorox? If you ever see this, please, PLEASE for the love of my sanity in a house of 5 males, DO. NOT. DISCONTINUE YOUR TEFLON TOILET CLEANER.

Please.

Product Reviews

Unlike the big name bloggers, I don't get products to review all the time. But, once and a while a nice marketing person sends something to me addressed to my blog. I'm very bad about writing reviews and I'm not going to praise something just because someone sent it to me for free. Honestly, the last three things I've been sent have been things I don't use. So therefore, no review. Except...

Since these items were lying around my house I did use them. So now that it's been ages since they've been sent I figured the least I could do is tell you about them.

#1. Febreze Noticeables
Okay, I caved. This was my initial reaction to the product over a YEAR ago. But the stench from the boys' room got to me so I plugged the damn thing in hoping it would keep me from keeling over from the adolescent stench. And guess what? It did. And I bought more. What's more? No headache. I always get a headache from scented things but not this.

I used the Morning Walk/Cleansing Rain scent and it is lovely. Since I have tried the Calypso Breeze/Hawaiian Paradise and I'm not as fond of that one. It's a bit too sweet smelling for me.

So I must admit, I now have 3 of these things in my house. The older boys' room (the initial test area), the playroom (where they spend most of their days), and the laundry room (where they leave their shoes). They really work and if I can find a scent combo I like, you certainly can (there are many now).
#2. Keri Moisture Therapy Lotions
I'm not a lotion person. I have a wee bit of sensitive skin and most lotions cause me to get hives. I think it may be the fragrance. (See above) Why yes, I am a pain in the ass to send samples to. Anyway, I had no intention of using this product. I stuck one in the upstairs bathroom and one in the downstairs in case someone was in need of lotion but I was certain it would not be me and maybe even no one. I was actually picturing me tossing them in a couple of years when they had been sitting there unused in a massive clean up event. (Like in ten years when we move.)

Okay, so you guessed it. I was sitting at lacrosse one day and leaning on my black pants when low-and-behold, white flakes all over my pants. Seems like my arms were flaking everywhere. Totally disgusting. No, I did not go home and smooth some of that fine, free lotion on. I went home and forgot all about it in the chaos of putting 4 boys to bed.

A few days later however, my arms were still flaking and it was starting to itch. I got out of the shower and the one moisturizer I do use and always use because - hello, no hives - was in the other room. (Have I mentioned I am excessively lazy?) So I grabbed the bottle of Keri Shea Butter and squirted some out and smoothed it on. It smelled good but not sweet or perfumey. Then I waited. I figured if the hives appeared I'd jump back into the shower and hunt down my regular stuff. Then I waited a bit more. Nothing. And it smells much better than my old stuff.

Also, totally took care of the flaking. Quickly. It was better by the next day and completely gone the day after. I used the product twice. Now I use it whenever I'm feeling a bit flaky. My legs love it after I shave. Thank you Keri people who sent it to me. I would have never bought it on my own and I love it. But I'm still not a lotion person (you know the ones, they use lotion everyday, several times a day) so it may be a while before I need to replace the bottles you sent.

#3. Febreze Candles
As you can see above - NOT A SCENTED CANDLE PERSON. But, I do love Febreze products and they are very lovely and beautiful people who send me stuff and get me addicted to their products. So... I totally stuck it on a shelf in the foyer where the ugly red carpet that must be ripped out because it is ugly and horrible and the dog pees on it so it smells resides. And then, I never lit it because I. AM. NEVER. HOME. ANYMORE. Will the sports stop already?

Sorry. But just for this review, I did (today). They sent me Apple Spice & Delight. I'm thinking Linen & Sky or Spring & Renewal or Meadows & Rain would have been more to my liking but whatever. Free. The whole deal with the candle is it has a core of the febreze odor-eliminating stuff. I pink puffy heart febreze odor-eliminating stuff. Their fabric spray is God-like in its rulingness (totally a word).

The results? Slight sent of apple spice and pretty much nothing else. Seems like yet another success. GAH! Can't anyone send me a product I hate? I'm not sure if I would trash it or just not report but at least it would be more interesting than - it works! It's great! Try it!

Now to find the crow bar to rip out offending carpet. Really must do that soon.

Updated to add: One of the children seems to be allergic to the candle. So! Not a success. I think I will just stick with the plug-in things.

New Stuff...

Some new apparel for all you bloggers with a little one...

Because that's what they really are.

My New Shirt

Throw Away Society

Ah, Carmi mentioned something in the comments of the last post that I've been planning on writing about - the fact that today there are so many products out there that we just use and toss away - and then buy some more.

As you can see from the last post there are areas that I'm all for this type of thing. The quick clean up is one of them. Especially when it involves things I have a tendency not to keep up on.

Now for the big but... BUT, some items seem just silly to use and toss and replace. I should qualify that by saying, in OUR home some of these products are just plain impractical.

The toss away toilet brush. Not working out for me. Yes, I tried it. But, no, I wasn't thrilled with it. Yes, it cleaned the toilet. But I have 2 toilets and 4 young boys. So really not convenient or economically sound.

Some of you may recall that I use a cleaning product with Teflon to keep the toilets clean longer. Does it work? I say yes. With the disposable stuff? They seem to need cleaning much more often (2x's a week or more vs. once). If I have to clean the toilets at least twice a week and the refills for the brush come in a pack of like 6 that would last me less than 2 weeks. Not economical and frankly, just plain annoying and gross if I don't get to it.

Another disposable product I just can't see the need for? The dish washing cloth with soap in it. I can only guess it was aimed at single people who eat out a lot. What family would find it economical or even practical? They say it makes your life simpler but how hard is it to squirt some dish washing liquid onto a cloth or sponge?

So, in closing, I'd say I still use the Swiffer products. I still love them for "between" cleanings (carpet) or the more rare cleanings (non-carpeted floors, dusting). As for the other disposable cleaning products? Not for me.

More from me...

I'm apparently going through blogging withdrawal. I have so much to say. I must post again.

This time I must tell you about a wondrous gift that made my holiday cleaning (aka Quick, people are coming over - DO SOMETHING!) oh so much easier. It was a gift from Katheryn from MS&L (the Swiffer people). Seems she read my rave about the Carpetflick and wanted to thank me by sending some refills. She happened to ask if their were any other products I was interested in trying and well, **cough, cough** there was one I've been dying to try.

So Tuesday I get a lovely package delivered to my door. Inside are refills! and a new Sweep & Vac. Oh, how I love the Sweep & Vac.

It is the original Swiffer, with a little vacuum. So, when you Swiffer up the dust and end up with a pile of crap Perler beads, sticks, paper scraps from the kids and a pair of scissors, dirt, and various other stuff there is no need to fetch the broom and dust pan. Or the dust buster. (Not that I have one anymore. Damn thing died. Probably from excessive use.) You just push a button and it sucks up the pile.

So now? No need for a new Dust Buster. Between my Sweep & Vac and CarpetFlick, I've got it covered. The kids? Still fighting over wanting to use them both. But they're MINE. ALL. MINE. Back away from the Swiffer products.

The sad thing is, I now own EVERY Swiffer product. And, I love them all. I almost don't mind cleaning. (Yes, I said almost. If I could I'd hire a cleaning lady. But again, Back away from my Swiffer products.)

I do have to be honest and say I had trouble with one thing while using my new Sweep & Vac... Unlike the original, you can't get under the furniture because the vacuum part is too big. BUT! I'm so ingenious that it is not a problem any longer... I just picked up my extended handle duster which was nearby (I was cleaning for company) and used that to get under the furniture. Then I just vacuumed up the pile. So really, no real problem.

Now that I sound like a total sell-out, product whore and an advertisement for Swiffer, I must say - too bad! I love my new Sweep & Vac. LOVE IT! So just back away and no one will get hurt.

Carpetflick...

I had to do it. I had to run out and buy the new Carpetflick by Swiffer.

No, not just because Melanie said it was cool. No, not because Mir said how great it worked (although that gave me the final push).

I had to get it because:

1. My Dust Buster died. And I was sad. And I was wondering which new one I should buy because who wants to haul out the Kirby every time the kids eat cereal in the playroom. (Sidenote: Yes, I too have a Kirby. Back from when we had a house full of carpet. Now we have 2 carpets - someday to be one. Anyone want a used Kirby?)
2. I got a coupon for $2.00 off (which, of course, I forgot to use).

Really though, I need no convincing when it comes to new Swiffer products.

Well, I bought it.

And I used it.

And the kids used it.

And it is as good, if not better, than Mir said.

1. The kids like to use it.
2. It is light.
3. It is quiet.
4. No need to wash the filter (like the above mentioned D.B.).
5. It picked up so much nasty... I was scared. I'm v. difficult to scare.

I would have posted pictures like Mir but mine looked a lot worse than her's. It has also been a week since the room was vacuumed with a Kirby. The kids have spent minimal time in the room. The dog is non-shedding. My only excuse is we did the whole room vs a 2' sq.

BTW, Be sure to check out Confessions of Super Mom by Melanie. It features Swiffer products. What more so you need in a book? Swiffer products and someone called Super Mom?

Deception

Oh Splenda, I thought you were my friend.

You were the ultimate alternative to your evil twin, Sugar.

You made my Fruit2O oh so yummy. You sweetened my coffee without that chemical aftertaste. You helped my cookies taste so yummy. Banana bread, fruit, you sweetened it all. You were my savior on my quest for weight loss. You were the 'natural' solution.

And then...

I discovered your true colors. I discovered YOU were the reason my complexion turned into a teenage nightmare. A complexion like none I had ever experienced.

I gave up coffee in my quest to discover the source. COFFEE! The nectar of the Gods. But after an agonizing month I learned it was YOU that caused the outbreaks. I found that one product with you in it will result in an outbreak before the day is done. It is YOUR fault I wanted to hide my face from the world for the last year and a half. Yes, it took that long - that much horror - to reveal your true nature.

So now we all know that YOU, Splenda, are the evil twin. Not your sister sugar. I now embrace your sister like never before. And I shun you and all your yummy products.

So beware good public of the one they call Splenda. It may be the cause of all that pains you.

O Tylenol PM

Sung to tune of O Holy Night:

O Tylenol PM
You sooth my aching muscles,
You help me sleep and for that I'm grateful.

O Tylenol PM
Because of you I'm feeling
Much better and now I can get on with my life.

I'm feeling less sore,
Feeling o so better
My eyes no longer ache
I can do my chores now

The laundry'll get done
I'll even wash the dishes
I must shower now
and get the kids on the buses

O Tylenol PM
You sooth
My aching muscles.

O PM
PM
PM
O PM divine.