My New Favorite Blog

While searching for an easy recipe for rosemary chicken with roasted vegetables, I found this:

http://www.rookie-cookie.com/

I can already tell that I will be a frequent visitor.

Not my morning...

Cohen pooped in the tub. All I can say is that I'm glad I was stocked up with cleaning supplies in my laundry closet.

As I type, Cohen's bath toys are in the washing machine with this...

and I just cleaned the bathtub with this...
(I got a free sample of the Action Scrubber from the Sunday coupons. I must say that I am very pleased with the product. The only thing wrong with it is that I don't think it is very "green." Don't get it if you are concerned about saving the environment. I'm pretty sure this product has enough chemicals to kill a couple hundred trees. I'm still glad I have it - it is saving me from having to stand on poop remnants while I take a shower this morning. And let's face it...my feet not touching poop is more important than saving trees.)

Emergency? Natural disaster? Bring them on!

I finally feel at ease about our 72-hour kit. A couple months ago, my ward hosted an emergency preparedness Enrichment meeting. An emergency specialist from the City of Seattle came and talked to us about being prepared for anything that might happen. One of the things she said was to get a 72-hour kit into an easily mobile container. She suggested rolling luggage. I realized that our emergency kit was in a HUGE plastic container that weighed about a million pounds. I thought to myself, "If Mark is at work, how am I going to get Cohen, myself and that giant container out the door and into the car all while I am freaking out because the world around me is falling apart??" So, I took the expert's advice and bought a sturdy piece of rolling luggage at Good Will. Today I transferred our food into the luggage. Since the food is the heaviest part, I figured it would be good to have it on wheels. Everything else is in backpacks. I shoved it all into the coat closet. We're ready for an emergency!

Diaper Rash Remedy

My friend, Caryn, called me after I posted about Diaper Rash Boy. Her sister-in-law told her about a remedy for diaper rash. It sounds a little crazy, but after dealing with diaper rash on and off for a month I was ready to try anything. It worked! The redness on Cohen's bum was gone in less than a day and the sores healed in 2 days! What is even better is that the scarring from previous diaper rashes is totally gone! This remedy is magic. Thanks Caryn!!!!!

Brew black tea. Let it cool. During diaper changes dip cotton balls in the tea and dab on the rash. Allow time to dry.

Apply Triple Paste. (I had read about Triple Paste online, but had a hard time finding it in stores. I'm so happy with it I'm going to by a couple 1 lb tubs online.)

That's it! The rash should go away.

I also started using Seventh Generation Diaper Wipes. Cohen would scream when I wiped him with Costco wipes. He didn't mind the Seventh Generation wipes at all. (Compared to Costco wipes, they are pretty expensive. However, Amazon has them in a 12-pack that is much cheaper than stores, and it qualifies toward their free shipping.)

Thank you again Caryn! You saved my life!

Back on the Bandwagon

Ever since I got back from Hawaii, I've been completely lazy about EVERYTHING! I stopped working out, I eat whatever I want, the housework is piling up and I haven't worked on any of the projects I started. It all changes today.

This morning I woke up early and worked out. Mark and I read scriptures. After feeding Cohen, he and I went and did grocery shopping for the week. We met two new people and one dog at the store. I ate shredded wheat for breakfast. I started a new Weight Watchers form. I called Fred Meyer and updated my address. The refrigerator got cleaned out and organized. ...And it's only eleven o'clock!

I haven't taken a shower yet...does that cancel out the rest of my accomplishments?

Voting

When I was younger my parents used to go to a party each year right around voting time. Each couple would be assigned one or two propositions. They would learn about the proposition and present their findings at the party. I think it is a GREAT idea. Every year I sit on the couch for hours with my Voters' Pamphlet, a highlighter and a pen. It takes me forever to vote, because I wait until last minute to make my decision. Since I didn't take the time to organize a proposition party with my friends, Mark and I are having our own for Family Night tomorrow. I'm also voting at that time. Mark and I always vote on absentee ballots and then go to the voting site to turn them in. I love getting my "I Voted" sticker.

Shout Out to Vicky

Boys...stop reading this now if you don't want to read about bras.

I'm a firm believer in having a great bra. The last bra I bought was a nursing bra. It is a great bra. I wore it even after I was done breast feeding. However, that quickly ended once the after-nursing-shrinkage occurred. I cried as I packed up my once beloved pregnancy and pre-pregnancy bras. The only one that fit was a really old one and it was a miracle that I even still had it. Since the bra was ancient, the straps were worn out and it just didn't fit right. I would go through my day making adjustment after adjustment. Who has time for that??? However, I wore it because a) I never took the time to go bra shopping, and b) I was afraid to go into a store and find out my new size.

...Until today. I walked in to Vicky's, went straight to a sales associate and explained my problem. Before I knew it, I was measured and given about 10 bras to try on. I, of course, tried all of them and ended up finding two that fit like they were made especially for me. There is nothing like an awesome bra to make you feel fantastic. Bonus, this all happened in about 20 minutes.

So, thank you Vicky for having such a wonderful staff and great merchandise. You are a real life saver!

Extra: Watch the video on Bonnie's blog. You'll die laughing. The link is in her post.