Shower Cleaner

Found this easy shower cleaner HERE. Thought I would give it a try on my gross showers. If its easy and can clean my shower, than I'm all for it.

Here's the recipe:

Homemade Shower Cleaner

6oz white vinegar 

6oz blue Dawn dish detergent 

Spray bottle 

Mix together in spray bottle. Spray on dirty shower. Wait 30 minutes. Wipe and rinse. 

It's that easy!

A few notes:

Make sure area is well ventilated. Turn on the fan and open the windows. The smell can be pretty strong. 

You can make larger batches. This will cover one shower plus some left over.  If your spray bottle is bigger, double the amount.  Just remember it's a one to one ratio. 

Well, I'm off to go state at my clean shower. 

Let me know if you try it!  I would love to hear how it works for you!

More Jalapeño's, please

The garden is going crazy.  I just picked quite a few jalapeño peppers and decided to pickle them.  (you can view the recipe from my previous post by clicking HERE)

Let's see how long these last....

My Shopping Sidekick

I've mentioned in the past that Bella is my sidekick.  She goes with me just about everywhere.
We had to run some errands today and she came downstairs all ready to go.

my beautiful, pink sidekick 

Love it!

My essay...continued

I didn't mean to leave you hanging there.
I wrote that letter five months ago because I was so frustrated with AT&T and how they handled the phone problem we were having.
The problem was never solved.
So, yea, I have been paying for phone service for a phone that does not work.  AT&T doesn't care.  It's not their child out there in the world without a phone.  They are getting their money and that's all that matters to them.
AT&T's solution was for me to purchase a new phone from them, including a new phone line/service plan, and continue paying for the other line.
When I had the problem with Alex's phone, I found someone who told me to purchase a go phone and have them connect it to the same line.  I tried doing that yesterday on the AT&T website.  Nick picked out a phone and I was trying to purchase it.  The only problem was, they wouldn't let me purchase unless I purchased a phone plan to go with it.  I chatted with a rep online trying to figure this one out.  I was told I could remove it from the cart at checkout.  When I got a little further in the checkout process I had to select a phone number/area code for the phone and the phone plan was still attached (even though I removed it).  I was assured that I wouldn't have a problem once I switched the phone over to my line.
Knowing the past luck that I have had with AT&T, I decided to give them a call to be assured that I would be able to switch this out and that I wouldn't be stuck paying another monthly bill.  The representative told me that the phone I was purchasing was an upgrade from what was currently being used (I didn't know that a Radiant phone (the phone we were purchasing) was better than a Samsung Galaxy III (the phone we had) and that they wouldn't be able to do the switch.  Oh, and there wasn't a guarantee that the monthly fee would be wiped away.
Armed with that information, I decided to empty my cart and purchased the phone from another source.  The phone should be arriving in a few days.  I will then be able to transfer the phone number and I will be able to get in touch with my son and he will be able to call for help, in case of an emergency.
Well, that's the plan.
(to be continued)

 

An essay to AT&T

I had to change the title because of some crabbing overheard on Twitter. 

I changed it. 

Thank you and you're welcome. 

Ok. Continue. 

I wrote this several months ago and am still having problems with Nick's phone.  I thought I would share my frustrations with AT&T cell service.

To Whom it may concern,

I have been an AT&T customer (home and/or wireless) for many years (I think we are talking more than 20).

Recently I have run into a problem with a wireless Samsung Galaxy III phone. The phone was having problems turning on. I thought that it was possibly the charger and tried a different charger. When that didn't work, I switched out the battery. The problem was still there. I contacted AT&T and was delighted when I was told that they could switch out the phone because it was still under the one year warranty. (Now, why they only have a one year warranty when they force you to sign a two year contract is, well, it's ridiculous and, obviously another topic for another day) 
AT&T did tell me that this exchange phone is under a short warranty (it was either 14 days or 30 days). I wasn't worried. The phone should last the length of the contract, right?

Anyway....

I received the new phone, sent my old phone back in. I was quite excited that the phone was actually working.

Sixty days into using this "new" phone, I encountered the same problem. Black screen. Phone not charging. Can not make or receive phone calls or texts. I contacted AT&T about this problem and am told that the phone is not under warranty. They suggested getting another phone and new phone line (as if I am made out of money and can just keep paying for additional lines for years and years because the phones I am issued don't work). I did contact one employee at an AT&T store that suggested getting a "Go-Phone." That's where you buy a phone and they sync it to your line.

I thought I would make one last attempt at trying to figure out a solution with AT&T. I was told that they would let me upgrade to a new phone (the contract is up this coming November). They would give me the free phone, but, I would have to add an additional $45 to my cell phone bill (the one that I was just trying to reduce) and sign up for another two year contract. I don't understand why I have to buy another phone. The one they sent to me should work, right? Why would I accept a phone from AT&T when the last phone they sent me worked for only 30 days?

I have been paying for the use of a phone that I have been unable to use for two months now. Trying to get a hold of my son (who is the actual user of this phone is quite difficult). Oh, did I mention that he is a teenager? So when he goes somewhere with friends, I can't get a hold of him. And, what happens if an emergency occurs? Call 911? With what? His phone, the replacement phone that AT&T sent (the one I am paying for) does not work.

I am thoroughly disappointed. I have a product and service that I have paid for and am unable to use it.

Your solution? To sell me another product that probably won't work, put me in another 2 year contract and raise my bill.

I guess I wanted to let you know about my dissatisfaction and share with others about my experience with your company's wireless services Oh, and wait for my contracts to end and find another service provider (I think there might be a few out there to choose from).

Thanks for listening everyone.

Nick smells

Yea. That's right. And the entire neighborhood is complaining about it. 

*found on my walk this morning

Not sure how this can be true with his REAL LONG showers. 

And, as Alex pointed out, how he can go through a bar of soap in a couple of days. 

Gertrude

I'm in the car, driving around.  Bella is in the back seat.  She can be a real trooper when we have to run a billion errands.

Today, while I am driving, I hear her say, very calmly, I might add:  "Oh, look, there's a spider on my foot."

Now, if it happened to me, I would have had the willies and there might be a scream or some loud sound.  If it was Alex?  There would be ALOT of screaming (yea, don't get me started on that one....)  But, here's Bella, all calm and happy that a spider was crawling on her foot.

I asked her if she wanted to take her (flip flop) off and shake it out the window (hopefully not dropping it).  She said that she was okay and didn't mind the spider.  In fact, she named it.  Gertrude.

She was all happy and smiles talking about Gertrude.  Gertrude was spinning a web on her foot.  She thought it tickled.  She had great plans for Gertrude.  The two of them playing.  Running off into the sunset.

This went on for quite some time.

We are now a  couple blocks from home and Bella wants to try and pick up Gertrude.  She leans over and I hear, "Oh!  It's not a spider.  It's a piece of my hair."

Pesto Sauce

I'm growing basil in my garden and its going crazy!  I have been using fresh basil in various dishes. Last week I made homemade pasta sauce with fresh basil (and oregano).

I made this fresh pesto sauce without using pine nuts.   I didn't have any on hand and thought I would give it a try without the pine nuts.

I found this recipe on Instructables.  They have great pictures to go with the recipe.  They also have a link showing you how to freeze in an ice cube tray (with more pictures!).  Check it out!

Here is the recipe I used taken from Instructables:

Pesto Sauce

Bunch of Basil* (3oz pkg )
1/3 cup of parmesan cheese
1/4-1/2 cup of olive oil
2-3 cloves of garlic
2 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper (optional or to taste)

Put the basil, cheese and garlic in your food processor.  Set the speed to low and drizzle in your olive oil.  Start with 1/4 cup, check the consistency and add more if you like.

If you like your pesto runny, then add the rest of the olive oil (total of 1/2 cup of oil)

Scrape down the sides and add a generous pinch of salt, some pepper and a bit of lemon juice.  Pulse this together and taste.  Keep adding and pulsing until you like the way it tastes.

This recipe makes about a cup.  All you need is 1/2 cup to cover a big pot of pasta.  It freezes well.  You can either freeze in one lump or in an ice cube tray.

       Enjoy!

Nothing like walking up the stairs and stepping on dried up, sticky watermelon juice. 

Am I the only one that notices these things?

So, I'm leaving for work. Alex is supposed to watch Bella. He has been trying to get out of watching her all day. Lucky for him, Nick came home from work.

Bella wants to have a friend over. (I'm leaving, remember?). 

Alex, watching two kids?  

Um, not a good idea.

Nick said he would watch Bella (and a friend) until dad gets home (is he feeling OK?). 

I leave the house, well, I feel like they are pushing me out. 

Makes me wonder if they have some sort of party planned. 

Broccoli Salad

I had some extra broccoli (healthy food)  and thought I would make a little salad as a side dish to go with dinner.

I found this recipe for Broccoli Salad here and thought I would give it a try.   Take a look for yourself.  (they probably have better pictures than I do!).

It's pretty easy to make and a great addition to any barbecue.

Here's the recipe:

Broccoli Salad

1/2 cup mayonnaise (vegan or regular)
2 T rice vinegar
2 tsp sugar
4 cups broccoli, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts
1 cup raisins

Combine Mayo, vinegar and sugar.  Taste first before adding all the sugar. (I didn't use any)
Mix together broccoli, walnuts and raisins.
Mix in the mayo mixture.
Refrigerate for an hour.

*I didn't use sugar.  Taste the mixture first so it is to your liking.
*You can add dried cranberries or bacon or peas.  Whatever you have a taste for
*mashed up avocado is great too, instead of mayonnaise 

Delicious!

Enjoy!

Eating Healthy

I'm not sure where to start on this post. I guess I will just start typing and hope for the best.

Honey, you might want to skip this post. It isn't going to be very exciting. Your time is better spent elsewhere.*

*in other words, Stop reading this now. 

Ok, where to begin?  

Today we went to the library. We = RT, Bella and I. Before we left home, I mentioned how I wanted to stop and pick up a watermelon on the way home. When we got to the library, as we are walking in, RT says he wants to pick up some healthy food because we have nothing healthy to eat in our house. 

(Screeching record sound)

WHAT?

Yes, I typed that correctly.

We don't have anything healthy to eat in the house. 

Let me give you a little background in case you are new here. 

I'm a vegetarian. I try to limit the processed foods that we have in our house. There are some (processed foods) I buy for the kids (Nick claims he is thin because I never buy food). Our refrigerator has fruit and vegetables (among other things). The pantry has quite a bit of options. Lets just say that we have food and most of it is healthy. 

After our time at the library we went to the grocery store (where Nick works) to buy a watermelon for me and healthy food for RT (because, according to RT, we have no healthy options at home). 

I mentioned the strawberries we have and was met with something like I can't eat that many strawberries.  Oh. One more thing. If I don't point out that we have fruit, RT says I'm hiding it. I have some on the counter and one of the (clear) drawers in the refrigerator is for fruit. I'm thinking of installing a huge lite up neon sign pointing to the fruit area of our refrigerator. I'm still not sure if he would see it. 

I told Nick we why we were there (at the grocery store).  His reply, "We have no food to eat at home."  

Thanks for the help, kid. 

RT picks out some cantaloupe, honeydew melons, apricots and plums. I picked up some peaches, avocados and tomatoes. Oh, I also picked up some yogurt (fruit with a dab of yogurt makes a great dessert).   I also had a talk with him about his purchases. I stressed that I didn't want to be the only one eating all of this fruit by myself (well, Bella would help). Can you tell this has happened before?

We pay and get our groceries home. I start putting them away and start making 

Salsa. (Healthy or unhealthy?) Meanwhile, RT complains how he is hungry and grabs a bag of pretzels out of the pantry.  I yell, 

 "You better put those back right now!  Do not eat any of those pretzels!"

RT:  why not?  

Me:  We just went to the store and bought all of this fruit because you said you wanted to eat something healthy and here you are grabbing a bag of pretzels!

RT:  Pretzels are healthy. 

..................

Walking = $1.00

Started my walk this morning finding a $1  bill. Thanks for the encouragement. 

It's going to be a great day!