Coming Out into the Sunshine

It's fun to see how the warm weather brings everyone out.  This weekend people were out riding bikes, walking their dogs, grilling, riding motorcycles, just generally hanging out outside - and, of course, wearing shorts.  Around here it seems that, when the weather gets above freezing, people just have to wear shorts, even if they're still wearing the winter coats.  I don't really get it, but this weekend - and the rest of this week - it really is shorts weather.  I wore my shorts when I went walking yesterday, and this morning.  (See, this is something I want to remember - March 19th, wore shorts.  Also, took flannel sheets off the bed and put regular sheets on.)

Will this warm weather last?  I guess we'll see.  We have seen snow in April, and these warm temperatures are not normal for this time of year.  Usual high temperatures are in the 40's with lows in the 20's.  Is it time to get out the kohler power washer and wash the deck?  I'm not sure about that, but Jeffrey did get all the deck furniture out of the shed and put it back on the deck.  We had some company this weekend, and the kids spent quite a bit of time out on the deck - and Jeffrey and I have been enjoying our dinner out there the last couple evenings.  We even had grilled steaks and potatoes for dinner last night!  Tonight while we had dinner, we enjoyed watching the neighbor's kites dancing in the sky.  We're definitely enjoying the weather while it lasts - and I doubt you'll hear us complaining if it doesn't end up getting cold again.

If it does get cold?  And snow even?  That's OK, too.  This time of year any cold or snow won't last long.  It's definitely not worth packing up the suitcases or ladies duffle bags and heading for warmer climes!  Considering that while we've been enjoying the warmth and sunshine, it's been cold and snowy in places that are normally warmer than we are, there's just no guarantee that would help anyway.  The weather is just plain weird!  Hopefully 80° days in March won't mean unbearably hot summer days - or I really will be wishing I had a pool, and the rotate & lock above ground pool ladder ne121 by lumio to go with it!  Either that, or the guys will be wanting the air conditioner turned on, and I'll be freezing in July - and wishing for March weather!

No More Deodorant Marks on Your Shirts

I use this tip every day, so it deserves to be repeated.

If you’re like me (or anyone, for that matter) you hate getting those white marks on your shirts.  It seems that, no matter how careful you think you are, deodorant rubs off onto your shirt, causing those embarrassing white marks.  And then you have to figure out how to get them off – or change your shirt!

Here’s a super simple tip for avoiding those marks in the first place.  Roll the hem of your shirt up two or three times before putting it on:

When you pull it over your head, you might still get deodorant marks on the shirt, but they will be on the inside of the shirt.  Simply unroll the hem to hide them, and you will not have any embarrassing white marks on the outside of your shirt!

If you forget to roll the hem of your shirt and get white deodorant marks after all, try rubbing a clean section of the shirt on the marks.  They will go away!  I’d rather avoid them in the first place, but it’s good to know how to fix them, too.  I read somewhere that rubbing with a clean white sock takes care of them too, but I haven’t tried that.

Almost Pool Weather

Happy first day of Spring!  It's supposed to be 80° today - more like perfect Summer weather.  I remember days like this when the kids were still in school.  They'd come home at the end of the day asking if we could please go swimming.  Of course, for us that would mean packing everything up and heading to the beach on the lake a few miles up the road - because we don't have a pool.

There are times I know I would love to have a pool.  It really would be much simpler just to get everybody ready and head out back to get wet - instead of having to load everything in the van and head out, hoping we don't forget anything.  On other days I'm happy enough not to have a pool, because I'm pretty sure a pool boy doesn't come with it!  Jeffrey doesn't like to swim (yeah, I know - what's wrong with him?) so he wouldn't want to be responsible for taking care of a pool.  The kids would most likely have just wanted to enjoy it - so that would leave me taking care of it.

Sure, I could do it, though it would probably take a bit of learning because I don't know the first thing about taking care of a pool.  The only thing I've ever done with a pool is swim in one!  I'd probably be spending plenty of time on the Pool Supplies Superstore website just familiarizing myself with all the stuff I'd need, from the pool cover to the filter to the cleaning accessories.  They have all the top name brands in pool supplies at discounted prices, and I could order whatever I need and have it all shipped FREE to my house.  They even have a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, so if you get the wrong stuff, you can always return it, or if you find a lower price within 30 days, they'll refund the difference!  At least that part would be simple... 

On days like these, I start thinking that it really would be nice to have a pool.  Where I won't really pack up and head to the beach by myself, I would definitely go out and slip into the pool if only I had one in the back yard.

Before I Forget

I've been awful about updating this blog!  Oh, I've had ideas and blog posts and ideas for blog posts going through my head.  I've even got pictures for some of them!  But - I just don't seem to actually sit down and post anything.  Would you call that writer's block?  Being too busy to post?  Or just plain laziness?

Yeah, I don't know - probably that last one - but I really need to get back to it.  Otherwise I'm not going to remember anything that happened.  Or I'll remember it happened, but not when or how or why or any of the details - there's a reason I need to write everything down, or post it, as the case may be.

So, like I said, I need to get to it - before I forget everything I want to remember.

THE RAVEN

I appreciate the guest post, Jewel Rodgers

Last weekend, I was flipping through the channels on dish televsion/ . I came across a movie that was starting, so I ended up watching it. The movie was called, “the Raven”. It was a dark film about a man that comes back from the dead. The filming style reminded me of the movie “Sin City” or Gotham City on “Bat Man”. The weather was terrible and everything was dark. Anyway, I liked the movie, but it was not my favorite. I thought that I had remembered something bad about the movie, but I couldn’t remember what. I got on the internet and looked up the movies. What I thought that I remembered was actually true. The protaganist, played by Jason Lee, was actually shot during the making of the film. A bullet, that was thought to be a dummy bullet, hit him in the chest. It turns out it was a live bullet and he ended up dying from his injuries. That is really sad. It makes the movie that much more dark than it was before.

Spring Forward

Is it already that time?  Don't forget to set your clocks forward Sunday - or you may be late for work or class or something important come Monday.

On the plus side, this means Spring is here or at least on the way, right?

Try Glade® Expressions™ Risk Free

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Triad Retail Media for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

There are some new products available from Glade®, and now is a great time to try them.  First, there is a coupon for $1.50 off of any Glade® Expressions™ product.  Use it at Walmart to take advantage of their everyday low price, and you'll save even more.
 
Both products, the new Glade® Expressions™ fragrance mist and the new Glade® Expressions™ oil diffuser are designed to fit in with your home decor. They don't look like air fresheners.  The design is very simple and elegant - not something you'll have to hide away.  I also like that they feature a no-spill design, so that even if they get knocked over, you don't have to worry about a mess.  With cats in the house and a grandson who gets into anything he can possibly get to, that's important.
There are 4 fragrances to choose from -

• Pineapple & Mangosteen
• Cotton & Italian Mandarin (only available in Fragrance Mist form)
• Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice
• Lavender & Juniper Berry

I'm thinking that Fuji Apple & Cardamom Spice scent sounds good - pear, apple, cinnamon, and cloves - nothing flowery.  The oil diffuser's scent is designed to last 30 days and requires no electricity.  The fragrance mist with its squeeze-to-spray activation lasts, well I guess that depends on how often you squeeze it!  When it's gone it's refillable with any Glade® Expressions™ scent, so you can try them all!

Glade® is so sure you are going to like these new products, that they're are offering a fragrance satisfaction guarantee.  If you're not satisfied, simply fill out this form and mail it with the original UPC and purchase receipt within 30 days, and they will refund your purchase price.
 
Now is a great time to try the new Glade® Expressions™ products risk free.  Which one do you want to try first?
 

You've Got to Stand for Something

Or you'll fall for anything.

Just felt like hearing this song tonight.

A Free Audiobook Every Month

Each month christianaudio gives away one premium audiobook download for FREE.  It's available only during that month and only once, ever.  All you have to do is create a free account and go through the checkout process.  Because it's FREE, they don't even require any payment information, which is really nice.

This month's free download is A Tale of Three Kings, which is based on the biblical figures of David, Saul, and Absalom.  I've just been reading about these three kings in my Bible reading program, so I'm interested in hearing this.  The reviews look quite good.  I've taken advantage of several of their other free books of the month, though I haven't actually taken the time to listen to any of them yet.  But that's OK, because they're all available in my account, and I can download and listen to them any time I want.  I love that FREE is FREE - and not some limited-time thing.

Besides the free audiobook of the month, christianaudio offers many other books for sale, as well as hundreds of other free audiobooks, lectures, sermons, interviews and podcasts.  I listened to a really good sermon series on the Psalms a couple weeks ago, and I know there are more I'd like to hear.

So, if you're looking for some good stuff to fill your MP3 player with, check out christianaudio.

Friday Fives - Changes

Elizabeth over at Table for Five has started a new weekly meme that's pretty simple.  Just share a list - of anything!


 Here's a list of five changes coming to our house later this month:

1. Beth
2. Tim
3. Jason
4. Turbo
5. Nitro

Beth, Tim, Jason, and their two cats are moving in with us.  It wasn't that long ago that Beth was constantly telling us that she was moving out the second she turned 18.  She didn't exactly do that - she waited a few months.  Moving out wasn't quite as easy as she thought it would be.

When she moved out it was just her and one cat.  Since then she's added a boyfriend (well, she had him before, but he didn't live here), a son, and two different cats.

It should be interesting...

Be sure to visit Table for Five and join Friday Fives with your own list!