Category Archives: life

Use Less Soap

Did you ever think you’d hear a mother say that?

But according to Alina Tugend’s article in the New York Times, we’re throwing money down the drain every day by using too much soap in our washing machines and dishwashers.  And, apparently, not only is this bad for our wallets, it’s bad for the machines, too.  In her article, Ms. Tugend quotes repairman Vernon Schmidt, who says that “depending on how hard or soft your water is, one eighth to one-half of what is usually recommended should be adequate.”  One-eighth??!!  Whoa.

Less Tide.  Less Cascade.  Sounds good to me.

Ivory, on the other hand?  Please don’t use less, especially if you’re a boy who lives in this house.

I think I do really well on laundry soap, but I definitely use too much in the dishwasher.  How about you?

photo credit: Vagabond Shutterbug

Finally! Women and Wine…

So many times, it seems, women get the short end of the stick. It starts early, with puberty, continues through childbirth, and is often visible in the paycheck as well.

As such, I laughed when I read this article in the NY Times Wednesday. Women who drink moderately, it turns out, gain less weight over time than our non-drinking friends. Okay, that’s fine. Good news, I guess.
Men, on the other hand, stuff their faces when they drink, so they just get fat.
Yep, I’m still laughing.
It only seems fair, right?
photo credit: jessicamelling

The Countdown is On

So I want to do a post about this new study I read on the effects on kids of media overload.  I am not surprised.  Here’s a hint:  the effects are NOT GOOD.  But I don’t have time to do that much thinking or writing today, so I’m on to other topics.

I want to tell you about my son’s birthday party, and how much I like his friends, and how happy I am that he’s growing up and making good choices.  But I don’t have time for that, either.

I keep thinking about all of the things I really need to do, but haven’t done.  I haven’t…

  • mailed my darn book proposal, which was requested ages ago, because I am still working through final edits on the very specific format this agent requires.  Soon.  I will mail it soon.
  • finished (okay, I haven’t started) the flyer for my son’s class’s get-together.  (Yep, Room Mom.)
  • memorized the talk I’m giving to a mom’s group next week. (Close, though, I’m close.)
  • packed for my kids to go stay with friends or packed for myself to fly somewhere warm.  The countdown is on.
  • written the PTO Board meeting agenda for two days after I return (one day after my mom’s group talk).
  • been to Pilates for two weeks because I have had SICK kids.  And now I have strep.  It’s awesome, this thing called winter.
  • answered e-mails that have angry people waiting for responses and wondering why I’m not answering their questions.  See above list.
  • figured out where to get the funds to pay for:  broken garage door, crappy dishwasher, rusty refrigerator, new carpet, new life, etc, etc, etc.

So that’s the general summary of things around here.  Did you catch the bright spot?  The countdown is on.