Spring Cleaning Help

This is the package I just got from being a BzzAgent. It includes a coupon booklet, a Glade Spring Sensations candle, a lemon Pledge, Scrubbing Bubbles shower cleaner, Glade plug in air freshener, Scrubbing Bubbles toilet gel, and an idea book.

Anybody who knows me, knows how much help I need in the cleaning department. Now that I have tried all the products, here is what I think: I loved the candle. It is fresh with a hint of lime and reminds of margaritas. Spring in a jar, really. Until it warms up here in the Midwest, and I can open the windows, I will be using this candle a lot.

The toilet cleaning gel I have mixed feelings about. I really like the scent, fresh and clean and not over powering, but it didn't seem to do a whole lot. If you start with a clean toilet it does extend by a couple days the amount of time until you need to clean again, but I guess I had hoped for more. It is more of a preventative product.

The lemon Pledge is always a staple in my cleaning bucket. I think the lemony scent just smells fresh. It makes all my wood furniture shine and I have noticed that it remains shiny longer than other dusting products.

The Glade air freshener was awesome because first off, I liked the scent, and second it fitted into the other brand holder I already had on hand. One small warning though. I noticed that the holder tends to get very warm. I'm not sure I would want to leave it plugged in if I was going to be gone for a vacation or such. But, honestly, our bathrooms need all the freshening help they can get and this sucker works great. Very long lasting and it's a plug it in and forget it, so you don't have to worry about changing batteries or lighting anything.

I am a big fan of the Scrubbing Bubbles automatic shower cleaner. For those of us who need extra help, it really helps maintain a basic level of clean. That said, it isn't a perfect clean. You still have to get into the nooks and crannies and scrub. This foaming cleaner was great at that. It cut down on the elbow grease needed and had a pleasant scent. Used with the automatic cleaner it makes keeping sparkling clean showers a snap.

Disclaimer: I was sent all of the above products free to try and review.

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

Good advice, really. But why is so hard to tell, what is small stuff, sometimes? I mean, does it matter in the long term if the kids insist on wearing crazy clothes...not immoral or immodest, just goofy looking? Will the Earth stop spinning on its axis if dinner is late, or taken from the freezer and contains enough preservatives to keep it fresh until Judgment day?

Sure we all have minimum standards in life to meet, but when we, or our kids, fall short, why do we get so worked up?

Not that I have ever over-reacted. Ahem. I'm sort of waiting to be struck down for that whopper. In my own defense, I think it is genetic. There are quite a few panic-ers in my family tree. OK, so I am a panic first, laugh about it later sort of person. While I was still in the Air Force I had the great fortune of listening to a speech by a general. Sadly his name escapes me, but his message really struck home.

He said, "You can only throw yourself in front of one train. So pick your train wisely." Brilliant. As adults we have learned that people who cry wolf over every tiny thing seldom get paid much attention over anything. So if you find a cause worth fighting for, fight to the last, but let the little stuff go. "Pick your train" has become our family mantra.

This why there is a mountain of laundry that is taller than me in by the machine. But I'm OK with it. This is not a disaster. Now to just convince Hubby that underwear is over-rated...

When I'm Wrong...

I'm REALLY wrong. You may remember back a while when I disclosed how my first practice dance party went. Basically it was about as much fun as prepping for a colonoscopy. (With the same effect on my intestines.) OKAY. that was bad, even for me.

The point I'm making, in an ever so tasteless way, was that it was uncomfortable, embarrassing, and I felt like a moron. However, in a very un-Nancylike way, I stuck with it. And three months later things have changed a bit. Ok, so I still don't want to Macarena (line dancing is like rodeo-ing without a horse!) but other than that I have to confess I have gotten to the point where it is totally growing on me. Not in a nasty fungus way either. I mean I really adore it.

I love the challenge of learning new and more complicated steps. I like how much more confidant I feel. Oh, and one more thing...I really am getting into the dress code! I mean who wouldn't want an excuse to buy several scrumptious gowns?

We went out on our "Starlight" event which is basically where you are paired with an instructor and then a limo ride (and champagne!) later you arrive at a swanky restaurant where you wine, dine, and dance the night away. Plus you do it as part of a group so it eliminates the awkward issue.

And yes, it was a bit strange to be dancing all night with someone other than my husband. Not really something I ever imagined would come from dance lessons. But there is a method to the madness. See, first of all, the instructor knows what dance to do to each song and then helps you get over the nervousness and helps you remember all the things you have learned, and maybe teach a few new things just for fun. Sort of like having a safety net; it's the ballroom equivalent to training wheels. It really helped make it just plain fun without any stress. I'm sure nobody else stresses over dancing, especially with a spouse, but let's face it, people like me stress about everything, ESPECIALLY public things.

Like any new thing, there have been ups and downs,but on the whole, dancing has added an exciting new dimension to our lives. Oh, and the upside to not sitting home watching TV every night? I am half way to my diet goal.

Membership Perks

I love getting free stuff in the mail. There is something about opening a free sample that is like getting a mini-present. There is that moment of anticipation, that moment when you imagine all the possibilities. Will it be a new shampoo, the latest toilet bowl cleaner? A chocolate cake? (Yes! That has happened!)It is like that scene in Christmas Story when the father thinks about all the things his "major award" could be.

This is why I am a member of several marketing groups. Basically these groups send you samples of products which they want you to use and then write up an honest appraisal. They hope that you will like the products and buy them and that you will tell friends so they can do the same. I do not belong to any group that charges any sort of fee to participate. I have three groups that I really enjoy.

The first is Vocalpoint. This is a Proctor and Gamble deal. So you will be trying assorted P&G brand items. I have found them to be very generous. They typically send full size products along with very high dollar coupons. If you are interested you can learn more here.

The second group is Bzzagent. This is more of an independent group which is contacted by various manufacturers to spread the word about various new items. I have tried everything from cold medicine to cleaning products to make up. Learn more here.

The last company I like is Pinecone research. This is a bit different. This company is mostly survey based. They pay you $3 for every survey you complete. They pay promptly. You won't get rich but it is easy money. Often when you finish a survey they ask if you would be willing to try the product you just answered questions about. I have gotten to try new flavored coffee, sports water, skin care items, dairy products, and others. Since they ask a follow up survey after you try the item you are being paid $6 to try a new product. It is a fun way to try before you buy. Plus you may get asked to participate in further "focus groups" which can pay up to $50 per time. I think of this as my manicure money. You can find out if they are accepting new members here.

There are plenty of scam companies out there but I have found these to be honest and reliable, and they don't send unsolicited junk mail or sell your info to other companies. Again, they NEVER charge a fee to try anything, nor do they make you pay anything to join. I would be highly suspicious of any company that did require money from you. You are doing them a service--not vice versa.

Kid-tainment

Lately, the kids have been full of quirky sayings. No, I am not referring to things like "Bieber-mania" or the lyrics to the Latest Taylor Swift song. I have come to the realization that those things are inevitable and best ignored like soap scum and wrinkles in cotton. Sooner or later they disappear.

My younger one commented that her feet were fetid after cheer leading practice. She is right, they certainly were! The older one then remarked that perhaps they even smelled worse than road kill. The younger one then grabbed her foot and took a long and thorough second wiff. "Yep. They smell like dead skunks!" At which point they both dissolved into giggles. Ah youth, the time in life when bodily odors are immensely entertaining.

The older one has taken to being quite outspoken in her disgust with any and all public displays of affection. Her father has merely to reach for my hand before the sighs and groans from the back seat commence. I remember this stage well. The thought of my parents engaging in any sort of affection was enough to gag me. I remember thinking "surely they were too old for that?" So I just grin when she starts huffing and puffing in the back and lay on the sugar a bit. It will be many years before she appreciates a marriage that contains such things fifteen years after vows are exchanged.

This same kid currently wants to become a pediatrician some day. As she studies anatomy she is fascinated. Doubtless she would make an excellent doctor, if a bit squeamish one. She panics at the first sign of a bug and refuses to look at anything that even resembles a bug no matter how many times it is magnified. The moldy Tupperware in her lunch bag disturbs her not in the least.

Ahhh, kids. Sometimes I wonder if they are actually alien infiltrators coming here to learn the customs and blend in. Tell me that wouldn't explain a lot!