A Strive Toward Efficiency...In a Muffin

It started with making fresh muffins months ago. I love a good muffin in the morning with a cup of coffee. So the search was on for some of the best muffin recipes in existence. Then the mom in me kicked in: double the batch and freeze them. And now the super mom in me is kicking in, as I search for a way to be even more efficient with my time.

This morning, as a batch of Banana Crumb Muffins were cooking, I stared at the mess that I had left behind.

*** big sigh ***

I determined then and there to measure and place in freezer bags four more batches of the muffin ingredients to use in the future. The goal - less prep, less mess, more muffins on the fly. Now all I need to add is bananas, butter and an egg. My own little Betty Crocker mix...but fresh and without the preservatives.

I'm set on doing the same thing for at least 2 other muffins that I frequently make, and perhaps even rolls and breads. I cheated though, and I'm a little worried about it. I added the sugar to the dry mix. The sugar usually goes in with the butter and eggs. Hopefully that won't be a problem, as I REALLY like the idea of pre-prepping.

Quick Shine - A Miracle Revealed

Very few products impress me. Often it seems like a lot of work for mediocre results. Or your results look beautiful on Day 1 but come back full force by Day 10. But Quick Shine for flooring, I have got to brag on.

We have two children and one 80lb dog. We've lived in our house for almost six years and we've had to have the floors refinished after only three years. They looked beautiful, until six months later when the dog and traffic seemed to nullify all of the refinishing we had sunk our money into. Depressed, I vowed to never refinish the floors again, and deal with the ugly dull finish.

Last week, I saw a product on the shelves at Wal-mart called Quick Shine. It boldly stated its polymer technology would make my floors look like a brand new floor. I was really looking to just spiffy things up a bit...just a normal clean feeling...and the price wasn't that expensive, so I placed it in the basket. I did take note, that I had to literally dig for one of the very last bottles. Did someone know something I didn't??

I really was half afraid it would ruin the floors. It seems too good to be true: Just squirt on the floor, mop it around and let dry for 15-30 minutes. You can apparently layer on the shine up to six coats. I remember thinking, "You probably need to do it 6 times just to see any results."

So yesterday, I cleaned the floor with a good ol' fashion sponge mop and water, took a deep breath, and cringed as I squirted the stuff on the floor. To be safe, I just did the entry way of our hall first. After sponging it over the entire floor, I sat down with Ken for some football, keeping one eye glued to the floor. As time passed, I started to realize, I really couldn't be sure if the floor was dry or wet...it was still glossy after 15 minutes. I felt the floor. Completely dry. I had a glossy finish with one single coat. Excited, I placed one more layer on the entry way (a girl can never have too much of a good thing). And then in pure joy I did the neighboring dining room.

All I can say girls, is this works. My floor (aside from scratches) looks AND feels like a brand new floor. Ken and I are still gazing at it talking about how we can't believe the floors. For more information, you can visit their website at www.quickshine.net. It is worth an $8.00 purchase. TRUST ME.

Two Way Radios: An Edge On Safety

For his birthday, Jack received a nice pair of two way radios. I thought it might be fun to take them to the park this morning so that the children could play hide and seek on a whole new level. Both of them are still growing accustom to talking while pressing the buttons, and taking turns, but they are quickly getting the hang of it.

I don't know about you, but some parks these days are enormous. Unless I have only one child with me, I can feel like my eyes are being pulled in two different directions, and the maternal instinct in me starts to get ruffled. I don't like not being able to see my children. I also know, parks are not as safe as they might seem.

I've considered having us all wear whistles around our necks...but that seemed a little too..well..loud and lame. Carrying a clip-on two way radio is one idea I really like. You can now purchase two way radios that have up to a 5 mile range. I'm not saying you should let your kids out of your sight up to 5 miles, but there is a comfort in knowing that in smaller distances you still have a connection to them, and a means of communication.

I've decided to make it a point to teach the children how to correctly use the radios, as this is one relatively inexpensive safety precaution that is worth utilizing when in public places.

An Answer To The New Cell Phone Law

My brother sent this e-mail to me this morning. It gave me a good belly laugh (with a sputtering coughing fit following):

According to a proposed new law that would go into effect Jan 1, 2006 you will no longer be able to use a cell phone while driving unless you have a "hands free" adapter. I went to Circuit City and they wanted $50 for a headset with a microphone for my cell phone. Having a friend in the cell phone business, I talked with him and was able to come up with an alternative, working through Office Depot.

These kits are compatible with any mobile phone and one size fits all. I paid him $0.08 each because he bought in quantity. Then we tried it with Motorola, Sprint, Verizon and Nokia units and they worked perfectly.

Take a look and let me know if you want one. Also, forward this to anyone you know, who has a cell phone, and who may want one!
(This is not my brother BTW).

Attack Of The Dreaded Fruit Flies

What IS IT with fruit flies?? I can't think of anything smaller in this world that is MORE annoying. They are impossible to kill with a quick swat. And there is usually some mystery behind their presence, as I can never locate the reason why they suddenly take up house in my house.

So, as you may have guessed, we have been batting at the air for two weeks now. They are not only in the kitchen, but finding their way into the bathrooms and other rooms now too. I've been trying my best to keep food and fruit absent from the open. What is the deal?

I have a very strong stomach, but it wants to turn when I recall having to take care and breed fruit flies for weeks during college for my Genetics class. (I never have been able to erase from my mind that yeasty smell of the goo I had to give them for food).

What do they want from me?????

Parents...Spank Your Kids.

I'm going to be brief. Just like every solid spanking should be. There is no reason to dwell on it. But the conservative is coming out in full force this morning, after a night of watching ten 5 year olds for 3 hours. Maybe I still need my coffee this morning.

Time outs only tow the line so far. Parents...SPANK your kids. It is not enjoyable, but everyone else who has to occupy the same room with them while you are away WILL have an enjoyable experience.

For those of you who do spank. Start spanking harder. I'm kidding.

Ok off for coffee.(I know I'll get in trouble for this one.)