Smog

If the air outside is so thick it makes you cough when you take a deep breath...

If going outside for more than 5 minutes is unhealthy and ill advised by medical professionals..

If spending more than 4 hours breathing outside air is equivalent to smoking 2 packs a day...

Then you probably live in Salt Lake City

This is when even the most devout winter haters start PRAYING for snow!

Infomercial Failures

I have been reading a few blogs recently (Kristina and Brittany) that have really got me thinking about infomercials and their evil ploy to make their products appear so phenomenal that you just HAVE to have it!

Then I thought about the many As-Seen-On-TV products that I have tried and then been extremely disappointed. I like to think of myself as a practical and realistic person. So how do I get sucked into buying this crap!

Here is a list of my disappointing infomercial experience's:

#1. Memories Direct Scrap booking supplies

I got sucked into this one when I first became a nurse and worked a lot of nights. I couldn't sleep one night and I didn't have cable/on demand movies. So I ended up watching this infomercial and getting all excited about the different papers, and stickers, and embellishments. After about 30 minutes of the repetitious images I just had to have it. So I ordered one... 8 weeks later they gave me 4!! And they charged me for it! So I had to call them which wasted at least an hour of my life fighting with the people (when you ACTUALLY call to order these items it is a button system.. for this press 1, for that press 2.) Apparently I had hit a wrong button or something. So they refunded half my money... but I was able to keep all 4. However, the paper seems all faded and ugly colors. The album books are also hideous and cheap. The embellishments are cheap and the alphabet stickers are all the same font. It is 3000 pieces all right... 3000 pieces of CRAP!

(P.S. if you too are suckered into wanting one of these kits, they are no longer available. Apparently they had some problems and are now on a SCAM website. But you could always just let me know (or leave me a comment) and I could send you some myself. I still have 2 intact kits!)

#2. Space Bags.

I live in a Condo... and storage space can be somewhat slim. So I saw a infomercial about this and just HAD to have it! I ordered the standardized set. It took 3 1/2 months to come to my house. I forgot I had even ordered them by that time. Plus shipping and "handling" has increased from the standard 5.99 to 9.99.

They are about as flimsy as a large zip lock bag. They sometimes work, but if you get a hole in them it renders them useless. Pretty expensive for a zip lock bag. It's hard to create a good seal with the vacuum hose (at least with my vacuum) and they seem to deflate easily. Which defies the whole storage issue. Why oh why did I buy??

#3 Dryer Balls.

Chris saw these puppies in the As Seen On TV section of Bed Bath and Beyond. Which in my opinion could be changed to "Useless crap you don't need" section, but somehow... that might be bad for business. $10 down the tube because I still use fabric softener, and dryer sheets. I have never noticed a static problem with my laundry. The clincher for us buying them was the increase in drying time... which they failed miserably. So they are like throwing spiny tennis balls into the dryer. Haven't noticed any difference.

#4. Sham-WOW!

I was at the Utah State Fair when Chris and I watched a demonstration of ShamWow. A guy we were watching it with asked us if we wanted to split the cost (since you got 2 lg and 2 small) so we could take 1 of each. So we did. It was only $12. And the product actually works pretty well. However, I don't use it very much and the cloth just never quite looks the same after you have used it once. But I guess it does the job! Not a complete waste. I think it would come to more use if I had a boat...

#5 Nads.

I actually wanted this product for quite some time and had seen the infomercial at least about 4 different times. I actually found it at Rite Aid or Walgreen's... some drug store. So I bought it and got all excited to have smooth, baby soft legs. The funny thing is... the advertisement said it doesn't hurt at all (not even I really believed that!). However, it hurts like HELL! I did about 3 strips and was like... this is ridiculous to put myself through that much pain. I was bleeding from the pores of of the sites I ripped my hair (and small amounts of flesh) off. Plus it is sticky and messy. And the jar wasn't cheap. Give me a razor any day.

#6. Hercules Hooks. These babies aren't half bad. They do hold up large picture frames and my mirror in my living room. However, after you have put it in the wall... and then decided you don't like where it is... it leaves a hole (think push pin hole x10) in your wall that you have to end up needing to Spackle and retouch. Plus, they never seem to really work the same after you have used them once. Also if you wiggle them at all, they become loose and don't work properly. So if you do ever purchase these... make sure when your ready to insert that you are REALLY SURE that is where you want it. Or else you've created more work than you wanted.

Some other products I have heard that are not effective is The Snuggie a "backwards robe" or "blanket with sleeves" (according to Kristina) and the Ped Egg (according to Nicole).

The only semi decent thing I have purchased which happened to be on an infomercial is the George Foreman "Lean, Mean, Fat Reducing, Grilling Machine!" AKA George Foreman Grill. I Now have one with Removable and DISHWASHER SAFE plates. Can I just say that thing used to be a BEAST to clean and now I just rinse and pop them in the dishwasher. I am a fan of this product!

However... 1 out of 7 is not good odds. I must learn from my experiences. The next time an infomercial is on, I will be wise to change the channel.

A Post for When You're Bored...

I got this list from my friend Lisa...

Instructions: Take the following list and bold the items you have completed or experienced.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis (and believe me... it took a lot)
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (who doesn't?)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run (does kick ball count?)
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing (I had a bad experience)
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been on television
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (Well... I helped)
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (from a distance)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person (So what if I was an infant)
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own (does this count?)

48/100

Wow... haven't done much. The reason why I will always WIN "I have never..."

I did it...

I finally got Chris to go snowboarding again!
Last year I decided that Chris was going to start snowboarding so we could go all the time together. He was a good sport as I found and purchase a board for him, and snowboard pants, and gloves, and goggles, (you get the idea). For his first time, we went with his cousin Jeff who is about at the same level as Chris. He had a blast. I could sense him starting to develop the hunger to learn and get better.

Unfortunately, the next couple of times we went... the snow was bad, it was icy, and I think I pushed him a little too much to do some harder hills. Anyway, he ended up hurting his wrist and his tailbone. So he took himself out for the rest of the season.

This year, I had come to terms with the fact that Chris just might not share this interest/hobby with me. I had found lots of buddies to go snowboarding with, so I would manage.

However, his cousin Jeff has been wanting to go all season. So FINALLY (with tons of persuasion that involved me going to Big 5 and purchasing wrists guards) Jeff and I talked Chris into giving it another shot.
We went to Brighton for night boarding since we got a good deal, and that is practically the only time his cousin can go. It was fun! And Chris has learned amazingly fast (seems like boys catch on fast). He is already carving and he goes pretty fast. I was very impressed. And he didn't fall very much and his wrists and tailbone are injury free. He even admitted he had "fun".

So maybe this can be an interest we both share!

Resolutions

I have never been a big fan of New Year Resolutions, because like so many other people, they last for like a month and then you are back to your old ways. I even stopped making them so I would feel better about not breaking them. But this year I caved. After spending more money than anticipated this last December, Chris and I decided that it was time to have a budget. I have never been too good at keeping a close eye on the money going in and out because we have always had enough. But, we decided to be better at budgeting money so we can save and then pay off his school loans when he graduates.

So I signed up for Mint.com in effort to kick start the resolution. It is a great website that helps you track all the money coming in and going out. On each transaction it can detect what kind of area you are spending your money (example: Smiths = Groceries). I have loved this website!

As soon as I signed up, it calculated my December transactions and I was MORTIFIED! I know Christmas was included (and also more than I had thought), but I was mostly shocked by how much eating out we did. We spent $62 at Arby's alone! Granted I am a full time working wife and Chris is a full time student and part time employee. So eating out is so easy. Especially after working 12 hour days... there is no way I want to come home and prepare a meal for an hour before I crash into bed. And bless Chris and his minimal cooking skills. But $62 at ARBY'S!! That doesn't even count all the other food joints we ate at. And remember... there are only 2 of us!

So that sparked another resolution... eating out less.

However, eating out less means cooking more. A skill that I wish I was better at. My mom is a phenomenal cook, but never really enlisted our help growing up. She always did everything, and did it amazingly. So I am a little crippled in the chef department. But, I have been looking up recipes and coming up with ideas and meals that will help us avoid running to Arby's every time we are hungry.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages I have learned over the past week.

The Advantages of Not Eating Out:

1. Easier on the wallet. However, I did spend a little more on groceries in effort to cook more of a variety of foods. But now I am spending $62 on a variety of foods instead of Arby's.
2. Eating more healthy. The variety of foods have a variety of nutrients! And I am sure we are eating a few less calories too.
3. Having fun learning to cook and being pleased when things actually taste good!
4. Calling my Mom for recipes... Thanks MOM! (The banana bread was as delicious as I remember).
5. Having an official "dinner time" where Chris and I sit down together instead of inhaling a bowl of cereal while watching TV when I come home from work. It makes me feel like a better wife.

The Disadvantages:

1. Having to plan meals. I have to make sure I have all the ingredients in my recipes or I won't be able to cook them.
2. Grocery shopping takes a little longer because I have to find ingredients I have never purchased before (Worcestershire Sauce?... Who knew so many recipes called for this?!)
3. THE DISHES! I thought it was hard to keep up with all the dishes before. Now I am using those large dishes like pots, pans, crock pots, and muffin tins that take so much more effort to clean. I feel like my kitchen is a constant mess.
4. I have a built up of left overs which I am not too much of a fan. Guess tomorrow will have to be leftover night!

It has only been a little over a week, but we have done pretty good so far. We have only been out once. Normally by that time we would have been out at least 4 or 5 times! It has been an adjustment for sure, but I am hoping we can keep it up!

Goodbye 2008

2008 has been a good year for Chris and I, filled with experiences and memories. Here are some of my favorite moments and memories of 2008:

1. Chris deciding what he wanted to study in college, applying, and getting accepted to Devry University. It is so nice to have him in school and passionate about what he is learning. He has a 4.0 GPA! (Sorry, I had to brag a little because I am so darn proud of him!)

2. Becoming a Charge Nurse for my unit and entering into a whole new realm of challenging experiences and situations that occur working as a nurse. But with the challenges come even more rewarding lessons and experiences.

3. Our San Diego trip we took with my cousin Katie and her husband Tedd. It spurred many more random experiences and inside jokes that we still laugh about all the time.

4. LOVING my CrAzY Kitties who are now full grown cats, but will always be my kitties/children.

Their strange un-cat like behavior like sleeping on their backs or stretched out completely. Their tendency to flock to the bathroom and sometimes join in on the shower you are taking.

And Squeakers obsession with the toilet. She figured out how to push the lever and flush the toilet so we would randomly hear a toilet flushing when Chris and I were both in another room. She also enjoys doing this:

to the toilet paper. She also likes to get cotton balls out of my garbage and put them in the toilet and then she fishes them out. So sometimes I walk into the bathroom at 3 am and end up stepping on a wet cotton ball (sick). It has resorted in us changing our behavior to always putting the lid down after use. I never have to worry about Chris leaving the toilet seat up!

5. Spending our anniversary at the Hotel Park City. It was one of my favorites!

6. The 4th and 24th of July that I got to spend with Chris's family at his mom's pool. When Chris gets with his cousins they act like little kids. They always have a good time and it always ends up being hilarious.

7. Reconnecting with my friends from my childhood. (I found them through blogging and Facebook)

8. Going to Disneyland with my family. Since Chris couldn't go last minute because of his teeth debacle, it was like being a little kid again. Just my sisters and my parents. It was also nice to spend time with my sister Jill since we only get to see her about once a year.

9. Attempting surfing... I think I am going to stick with snowboarding.

10. Stepping out of my comfort zone to meet my blogging friends who I had never met face to face before. However, I had been reading/stalking their blogs so I felt like I knew them personally.

11. Going to Kauai (even if Chris couldn't come)

12. Finally getting my Deron Williams jersey and Chris getting Carlos Boozer and going to a Jazz game (even if they were nose bleed seats)

13. All the special "Sister" days that Sara and I spent either helping one another out or just having fun.

14. Spending time with family and friends.

15. Starting my BLOG. It has been a great way for me to vent feelings, record thoughts, share experiences, and meet friends. I love all my blogging buddies!

It's been a great 2008! But I am ready for an even better 2009!

So Far So Good...

I passed 3 bail bonds places this morning driving home from work. And they all looked pretty dead. Everyone must have had a Happy (and safe) New Year!