Fiber One Mmm Chocolate

I had the wonderful pleasure of being among the first to try the new Fiber One Chocolate Mocha Chewy bars from General Mills and I'm glad I did. I was a bit hesistant because of the "mocha" part because, typically, I don't like things with a coffee flavor.

When the package arrived, I ripped it open and after oohing and ahhing at the spa products (which I'll get to in a moment), I ripped open one of the Fiber One bars to try it. It smelled chocolate-y with just a hint of coffee-ish. Maybe it won't be so bad, right? Well...when I bit into it and really tasted it, I loved it. I can taste the coffee flavor in it, but it's not overpowering and it's more chocolate than anything else, IMO. They are very chewy, too, which I absolutely love (I adore chewy or gummy treats). It was rather filling and according to the package you get 35% of your daily fiber in one bar. This is amazing in itself because I probably rarely get even that much in an entire day. Overall, I give the bars an A for flavor and chewiness. Oh, oh, oh, and if you are watching your diet - this totally satisfied the chocolate cravings I had been having for a couple of days.

In addition to the bars, I also received a "Spa Break" gift basket. In this basket was a bath pillow, chocolate scented soap, lotion and bath salts, and a coffee scented candle. I'm in love with the lotion and soap - they smell delish. I've not had time to soak in the tub yet to make use of the pillow, bath salts, and candle.

Now on to the fun part...there's something in it for you! Just leave me a comment telling me either
a. which Fiber One product is your favorite or
b. why you deserve a spa break

If you do both, I'll give you two entries. The contest ends on Wednesday, March 4th at 11:59 pm EST. THREE winners will be chosen to receive spa gift baskets and a coupon for a free box of the Fiber One chocolate mocha bars.

Good luck!

Fiber One Mmm Chocolate

She Burgled to do Laundry

Image via Wikipedia

I thought this was absolutely hilarious...of all the reasons to break into a home...to do laundry?

A Bradenton woman was charged with felony burglary after she repeatedly broke into a home in her neighborhood to use the clothes washer and dryer in a vacant home, according to an arrest report. Read more HERE.

It's sad and funny all at the same time. Sad because if she broke in the house to do laundry, I'm guessing that she didn't have the money to go to a laundromat. Funny because...well come on, it just is. And even sadder was my first thought when I read the article - I wish someone would break into my house and do MY laundry.

She Burgled to do Laundry

The Little Things - Our Mailbox

Have you ever noticed that the little things can make a house seem more...homey? One of the things I notice about people's houses are mailboxes. I know that's silly, but it's true. Seeing a mailbox with a cute design makes me smile. Seeing an elegant one makes me wonder what sort of person lives there and what sort of mail they get. I'm not making this up, I really do wonder about it.

Our mailbox is the one that was here when we first moved in back in October 2007. It's black. It's plastic. And it's oh-so-ugly. So now I'm shopping around for a new one on Mailboxandbeyond.com. I've started shopping for one from Whitehall Products but it can't be too fancy-schmancy because our house is a bit countryish. So while no one will wonder what is in my mailbox, maybe they'll think I have a cute one at least. I particularly like the hand painted mailboxes, so I may go with one of those.

In a related note, during our most recent wind storm, our house numbers blew off. Luckily our mailman has been on this route for ages and knows our real address since the mailbox is actually across the road from our home (all of them on our street are on the right). So what sort of mailbox do you have? If you have a really crazy one, post a picture link because I totally want to see it.

The Little Things - Our Mailbox

Watch out Martha Stewart

I am on a roll. I've planned out my calendar on google calendars. This actually isn't saying much because I love to plan/organize time slots and then completely ignore my calendar once that's done but I'm going to try my very best to stick to it. And...

drumroll please...

I have planned a menu for next week AND made a shopping list. I almost never make shopping lists. This in itself is MAJOR for me. You may be asking why I've not planned any meals for this week. I already know this week is kind of shot to hell so I'm not even going to pretend I'm going to cook this week, though I have twice already. I think that's enough accomplished - this week's cooking doesn't need planned out.

Anyway, if the whole menu planning and cleaning schedule I made works out - what am I going to do with myself? Walking around aimlessly takes up so much of my day (aside from working) and without that, I may find I have too much time on my hands. I don't want to push this organization thing TOO far. Everyone needs a little flexibility. And goof off time. Maybe I need to work "goof off time" into my calendar as well.

How's your week going so far?

Watch out Martha Stewart

Just a few pictures

Here are some local pics; don't expect anything too great. ;-) I took most of these leaning out of the vehicle/driving by.

I'm not sure why I have such an obsession with barns...

and abandoned buildings...


dirt roads...


and cows...


but I find all these things really charming. And it makes me even more wistful that we didn't get the farm house we wanted when we were house shopping a couple years ago. *Sigh* I'm happy with our house now, though. Some people don't even have that. So I can't complain. :-)

Happy Saturday!

Just a few pictures

The Best Stuff on Earth

When we bought the house the only thing that we both truly hated was how ugly and icky the bathroom was. The tile is original to the house, which was built in the 70s so it's this amazingly hideous retro blue tile. The tub...well, the tub had definitely seen better days. I think there were soap scum and hard water stains on there from years before. The tub is also original.

I had tried everything I could think of to get that sucker clean. I scrubbed with brushes and SOS pads (which somehow removed the finish but not the dirt - imagine that). I tried magic erasers. I tried every cleaner I could think of and made combinations of them the powers of which could rival the atom bomb. The scum wouldn't budge.

One day while shopping for some cleaners, I spotted this wonderful, magical cleaner (Arm & Hammer Scrub-Free with Oxy). I thought why the heck not and brought it home. Skeptical because it said "No scrub", I sprayed it on, left the bathroom for about 5-10 minutes and went back to wipe off the test spot. Oh.my.God. It is actually working. So, bit by bit, I sprayed, wiped, and sparkled my ugly old tub back to something presentable. I would have taken befores and afters, but believe me, you're better off not seeing it. It would have caused nightmares.

Just thought I'd pass it along for anyone who can never get their tubs clean, no matter what they've tried. I was not compensated for this post in any way; the product is simply awesome. If only everything were as easy.

The Best Stuff on Earth

Bag Tag

I was tagged by Stacy at Stacy's random thoughts to do a bag tag. Unfortunately if I'm playing by the rules, I can't go buy a cute purse just for this meme. LOL So I'll post my old Vera Bradley bag since that's what I'm using at the moment.

Here are the rules for the tag:

1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today.

2) I want to know how much it cost. :) And this is not to judge, this is for entertainment purposes only. So spill it. And if there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it.

3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.

I'll do the story bit first. The bag itself cost around $85 or so and the wallet was $30ish I think. I didn't buy it, though...the hubby bought it for me in 2007 as part of my Christmas gift. The design is called "Cambridge" and it's on sale now, of course, because it was out in 2007. :) I don't even have kids yet and generally, I carry bags on the biggish side just because I like to. I carry a LOT of stuff in mine; I just don't happen to have all the stuff in it at the moment. But here are the pictures of the purse and it's contents. Contents are: lots of ink pens and lip stuff, a rock (a niece or nephew gave that to me one day), two check books (for my account and for our joint account), the wallet, hand sanitizer, a notebook for writing lists on, and a small picture book of our wedding pics. Oh and the camera I carry around in my purse.



I tag (you don't have to do it if you don't want to):
1. Tammy
2. Emily at Blah-zay
3. Misadventurous Mommy
4. Undermedicated Mama
5. Dani at Riddle Me This
6. Jess at Why Haven't I Finished that Yet? (love the blog name!)

Bag Tag

Wow I totally forgot!

Ugh Stupid Blogger! Just deleted the post I did.

Anyway, I was saying that I have a purse meme to do because Stacy at Stacy's Random Thoughts tagged me for it. I'll post it tonight. I also have quite a few posts coming up this weekend, including some photo ones because I've been messing around with the camera again. I'll get back on track at some point, I swear! In the meantime, maybe I need a virtual slap on the wrist.

Wow I totally forgot!

My Hubby Buys the Best Gifts

I know a lot of women probably think their hubby buys the best gifts, but mine really does (not always really expensive, but always thoughtful). So you all know about the new camera I got recently, right? RIGHT? Haha. Well, I had mentioned in passing that I need a bag for said camera. The other night, while trying to take a picture of a lunar halo, I had mentioned how my hand wasn't steady enough and that I needed a tripod for nightshots.

So what does my hubby bring me for Valentine's Day? A camera bag that's small enough to take anywhere but big enough to hold batteries, lenses, etc. AND...a tripod! Woohoo! He also got me some chocolates and a funny card that "edited" to make funnier...he even drew our kitties into the card. So cute.

We didn't get to go out because I worked all evening, but I still had a nice Valentine's Day. What did you and your SO do? Or what did your kiddos make for you?

My Hubby Buys the Best Gifts

Crappy Parents & Friday the 13th

On Friday the 13th, the hubby and I went to see the movie, Friday the 13th. It was not as bad as the last movie we watched, but definitely not scary. At all. I think the only time I flinched was at the end, but it was out of surprise rather than fright. Anyway, I don't have much to say about the movie other than the fact that it was mediocre, at best. I've seen scarier. On a scale of 1-10, I'd give it a 4 for the scary factor.

Here's the big thing on my mind about this movie - parents taking their kids to see it. I don't mean teenagers, either, I mean kids from 5 and upwards. Tell me, what business does a 7 year old have watching this movie? Nevermind all the violence (people being burned alive, stabbings, beheadings, etc). It was practically soft core p0rn! There were 2 sex scenes and whether or not you start teaching your kids about those things at an early age, I really don't think they need to see it. Maybe I'm just a prude when it comes to kids, but we would have never, ever, EVER been able to watch such things when I was little. Oh, and the most idiotic thing I saw were a couple of the parents who who tried to cover their kids eyes while it was on. Yeah, that makes you a much better parent. Let's forget about all the F-bombs, sexual innuendos, moaning and groaning they heard and you BET are going to repeat to their friends.

Why not, if the movie is inappropriate for your children to watch, just LEAVE. Just get up, go, hire a babysitter, and come back another night when you can watch an R rated movie without bringing Jack & Jill along with you. If you have to cover their eyes, they shouldn't be there in the first place. It's not that hard!

Crappy Parents & Friday the 13th

Uber Cuteness

Oh and by the way, my nephew was at the party, too. He's uber cute (and anyone who tells me different will not have their comments published. Haha!).

Uber Cuteness

Awkward Sisterhood

Are there some people that you just feel awkward around, like you just have no idea what to say to him or her even though you should be very close? I'm this way with one of my sisters. I have another sister that I could talk to for hours. She had a birthday dinner for my brother and I a few days ago, which was very nice. She, of course, invited our other sister. I sat at the table with her and I think barely said a few sentences. It's just strange.

I used to be able to talk to her when I was younger. But as I grew older (even though she's much older), I changed personality-wise and she seems to stay the same. I suppose a lot of it, too, has to do with the fact that I don't agree with many, many, MANY choices that she's made. I try not to let this affect how I treat people but sometimes you just can't help it, even if it is family.

Anyone have any advice on this? I don't mean to come off as cold to her, but I think I do.

Awkward Sisterhood

Pregnancy Tests

You know how if you've taken one pregnancy test, you've taken them all? Well, I know this is the case. They all have the same instructions, every single time. So tell me why I take those things when I'm about ready to burst or pee my pants yet think, "what if the directions are different?" I don't know what I'm expecting it to say...pee on the stick, spin around in a circle three times, make a wish and click your heels and hum "Rock-A-Bye Baby" until the three minutes are up?

It's ridiculous, really, so I spend another minute or two reading through all the instructions YET AGAIN while doing the "I have to pee" dance, moving from foot to foot. After reading everything, finally, FINALLY I can "go" and take the test. And just in case you're curious, no baby for us at the moment.

How was your weekend? I'm catching up on blog commenting tonight. I promise.

Pregnancy Tests

Photohunt: Bridge

This week's PhotoHunt theme is Bridge.

Here is the Natural Bridge in Virginia, which we visited last year. Now for some history, according their site: It was formed when a cavern collapsed and left the strip of land that spans now. Monacan Indian legend has it that Natural Bridge appeared just as they needed to escape from an advancing enemy. Young George Washington surveyed the Natural Bridge site for Lord Fairfax. Landmarks remain of the work and on the wall of the bridge where he carved his initials (we spent a long time looking for the initials but there are sooooo many we couldn't find them). Thomas Jefferson used to own the land.

Here's the pic, which doesn't do it justice. Please excuse the poor image quality; it was taken with an old (and cheap) cam.


If you are ever visiting the Shenandoah Valley in Virgina, you should definitely stop by. It really is breath-taking.

Photohunt: Bridge

Respect

Sorry, rants aren't usually my style but there's something bugging me, so...I'll put it out there.

I just had to go outside and tell the little neighbor boys to go play in their own yard because they were sledding and riding bicycles - yes BICYCLES - down our snow covered hill in the backyard. I know it looks tempting as a kid so I won't even blame the kids here...

What sort of parent lets kids go play in someone else's yard without an invitation. This is not the first time, either - it has happened many, many, many times over but I had finally had enough, especially considering bicycles were thrown into the mix. Their Mom is home all day and unless she's a completely sucky Mom, she probably knows where they are. In my yard. WTF?

I don't even have kids myself which they obviously know since they've not seen one come or go in the year and a half we've lived here, other than my nieces or nephew coming to visit for a day or two, all of which are highschool aged. We've never invited their kids to play and in fact, have no time to even speak to the neighbors. Really. That, plus I have no interest in them whatsoever. So why send your children to play in the yard of someone who has no kids? Surely the neighbors couldn't think that we'd invite such a thing? That is a lawsuit waiting to happen, especially considering that our backyard is very rocky.

People seem to have no respect and common courtesy these days. If you really thought it would be ok for your kids to play here, you would have came over to ask me yourself (though I would have said no because it's DANGEROUS! Hello!). That's not even considering the fact that it's just plain weird considering we don't have any kids and you don't even know us! Why would you trust your kids at someone else's house when you don't know them? Never even spoken to them? I am mentally screaming all this because I honestly don't see how some people are so...wreckless, careless, stupid!

So to any kiddos who go into other people's yards uninvited, don't do that it's not nice. If you're a parent who lets your kids do that, your neighbors hate you. Just sayin'.

Respect

Criticism

I know it's hard for all of us to swallow but sometimes we all need a little bit of constructive criticism. Sometimes, in my job, I have to give "feedback" on how others can improve their performance. Occasionally, and I mean very, very occasionally I will get someone who replies and says "thank you for your feedback; I appreciate learning what I can do better." More often, I get nothing at all because the person is probably sulking and nursing his or her wounds, which I completely understand. It bites. Sometimes, I'll get hate mail telling me how pointless it was and how they know they are already great at the job and if I can't see that then I must be ___________ (insert your fave one in the blank from these: too picky, stupid, a b*tch). You know what, I can even deal with that better than...

The one who gives up. The one who takes the advice as "I'm a loser and can't do this right so I may as well just give up now." I don't understand that at all. If someone says I'm not doing something well, you can be sure I'll do my darndest to prove them wrong. I didn't understand it in school and I still don't. How are you ever going to get anything you want if you only put in minimal effort and then give up if that little bit of effort isn't enough.

Toughen up people; realize that life isn't all marshmallows and gumdrops and the universe isn't likely going to just drop what you want into your lap. Be willing to work for it.



On another note, my friend Tammy is having a contest on her blog and you can win an 80 GB USB drive that is sleek and thin and uber cool. I'm entering because I could store a heck of a lot of pictures on it.

Criticism

Hate to Say "I Told You So but..."

Yesterday the internet went out about 4:30 pm or so and I don't know about you, but that freaks me out. What do I do with myself? I work online, I blog online, I talk to friends online (and even have some real life ones too haha; imagine that). I feel utterly lost for what to do when the internet is down.

By 9:30 I was going a bit stir crazy. I had already checked our connections in the house, recycled the modem, etc., earlier in the day but tried it once more for good luck. Still nothing. All evening I had asked hubby to check the connections down in the basement and he said "it couldn't be anything down there, I'm not going." We have an old timey basement that you have to go outside to get to. And I'm not going out there in the dark by myself because that place be creepy. OK, so I called the cable company (don't even get me started on them) and they said there was no signal AT ALL to our house sooo they would send someone out on the 12th. Oh.My.God. I said that to the customer service rep, too. Nine days without internet? I have to work!

Motivated by the possibility of me not making any money for 9 days, hubby finally went down to the basement. Bless his heart. One minute later we had internet again. I hate to say I told you so, but...oh wait. No I don't. I freaking LOVE saying I told you say. I TOLD YOU SO, I TOLD YOU SO. Though Tammy says I should have said "you're my hero" to hubby instead of "I told you so." Maybe next time.

On another note, I have received the lemonade award again from Fredabeme, but because I've already tagged people on it, I won't do so again. I'm still ever so grateful for any awards I get so if you have one and have been admiring me from afar, lay one on me.

Here are some pics I snapped Sunday before we went to our friends' house to watch the Superbowl. Ignore the bad composition, bad exposure, and overall suckage if you are a photographer but I snapped these as hubby was going 60 mph down the highway. These are all in our town (and no, the abandoned building is not where I live; but I find old abandoned buildings like that charming).

Hate to Say "I Told You So but..."