Thoughtful Thursday--Purex Complete Crystals Giveaway (ends 3/20)

I recently became a Purex Insider.  With this comes special things such as free samples and coupons.  And that is exactly what I am giving away!

I had the pleasure of trying a free sample of Purex Complete Crystals.  I h

Tave to admit that I was pretty skeptical at first.  And the first time I tried it, I didn't use enough.  When I did use it, I was glad to realize that it had a lasting smell that was still quite evident even in the dryer.  My only complaint was that it did not prevent static cling in the dryer.  I still prefer dryer sheets when clothes have to be put in the dryer, but I would say this product would be fantastic for clothes that are washed and not put through the dryer.

Today, I am pleased to offer 3 coupons for a free 28-ounce bottle of Purex Complete Crystals.  It says "Maximum Value $5.50", and they expire the last day of December of this year.  I am sure you will still have to pay sales tax, but I know everyone appreciates getting free products at the store.  The neat thing is that three coupons will be given away.  Just so you know, it could be possible for you to win more than one, but those chances are pretty slim.

Entry methods (please leave a separate comment for each entry):


1. Follow me via google friend connect (or tell me you already do).
2.  Become my facebook friend and/or like my page on facebook.  Leave your facebook user name. (1 entry for each)
3.  Like/follow  Purex on facebook and/or twitter.  (1 entry for each)  Please leave your user name.
4.  Share this giveaway any way you would like.  Leave any applicable url's.  You may do this once a day per method.
5.  Place my button on your blog.  Please leave the link so I can verify it.  (5 entries!  Please leave  5 separate comments.)
6.  Follow me via RSS or e-mail.  (1 entry per each method.)

And the unlimited option.  What is your best tip  and/or product when it comes to doing laundry?  Share as many things about this as you would like.  I am always looking for more ideas.

This giveaway will end March 20 at 9 P.M. Pacific Time.  I am not certain if this coupon is valid outside the U.S.  I don't see anything that says where it is valid, but if you are outside the U.S., you enter at your own risk!  Please leave a way to contact your or make sure your e-mail address is available in your profile.  Purex provided me three coupons with no strings attached.  They did not influence this review in any way.

Thoughtful Thursday (even though it's early Friday morning)

Isn't it too bad that you can't schedule a post for the past?  You can schedule it for the future, but not the past.  Doesn't seem fair, does it?

I really planned on posting this last night, but it go late, and I was tired, so here I go this morning.

Yesterday was an unusual day.  It was a snow day for us, and so I was at home all day.  And my mom and I were talking in the morning before Martin got up.  Actually, this may have been the night before--I'm not sure.  Anyway, my mom said that Martin had commented to her how much my cooking had improved.  I have always prided myself on being a good cook, so at first, I think this hit me across the face.  I was somewhat taken aback.  I had become a better cook??  Well, when you understand Martin, it makes sense.  He never understood why I stuck to recipes so strictly.  He has always given me a hard time when I stressed over not having the right ingredient.  I have had to learn in the past couple years to substitute ingredients and make adjustments to recipes.  I had completely gone out on a limb and made up something from the ingredients we have on hand.  I have been more confident of my skills in this area.  And I do my best not to make things I know he doesn't like.  And I don't worry too much about counting calories in dinner recipes, but I do make healthier substitutions he doesn't know about.

Things were very tense yesterday evening as my Mom, Martin, and my dad were working outside.  There was a big blow-up, and I headed outside in spite of my leg to try to be there for Martin.  I told him that the cold was bothering my leg after he told my story, and I was preparing to go back in.  He said it was a shame I couldn't stay because it would be nice for me to remain as he got over his being angry.  I was able to stand in such a way that my leg was not bothered, so I told him I would stay a little longer.  I know he appreciated it.

The last thing that happened really got me.  I was putting Martha to bed, and Martin was handing out these fantastic cookies called Hob Nobs.  I was putting Martha to bed, so I didn't know what he was giving out when he offered me one.  He made a sarcastic response, and  I'm not sure why, but when he asked me if I wanted one, I got a little snippy and said I didn't.  I guess it was everything that had happened, and I wasn't in the mood for his sarcasm.  But I really wanted one.  I turned away from him, and he asked me again.  I still said no.  I refused to look at him.  Now I was unnerved.  He wasn't supposed to keep asking.  My no should have told him I didn't want one.  I wanted to remain mad at him for treating me like a child, but I also wished he would leave me alone.  After all, wasn't that what an insensitive man was supposed to do?  I struggled, and God told me I needed to let my anger go.  There was really nothing to be mad about.  But you know what?  It felt good to be mad at him.  But I knew that was wrong.  So I began to let my anger go.

I turned to him, and I asked him about a scratch he had received earlier.  After our little exchange, he said that I was welcome to one of the cookies, and he even showed me where the nutrition label was.  I told him that I knew.  And he placed the cookies nearby me.  By this time, I was no longer angry, but I was reflecting on something regarding the situation.  I wanted to know how on earth he was able to sense that I actually wanted the cookie and he wouldn't give up.  Okay, I know it was a small thing, but it is often the small things that stand out.  And when he didn't give up, why did it bother me?  Because he was showing genuine love and concern for me.  He knew  I wanted something.  He knew something was wrong, and he wasn't sure if it involved him or what.  And it kind of scared me.

Silly, isn't it?  I spend all my time praying for Martin's salvation and praying that he will show me love.  And then when he does show me genuine love and concern, I feel uncomfortable and almost don't want it.  I didn't like the fact that he knew me so well.  He was able to read me--probably the first time he really has.  And he refused to give up.  Just so you know, yes, I had a cookie.  He even offered to make me tea--which I accepted.  Going over everything recently, he has shown some true love to me lately  that has not been physical.  The dog bite thing really scared him.  And he has been very responsive to my needs as of late.  He is even driving me over an hour to work today due to icy roads.  Out school district cancelled, but where I am going was only delayed 2 hours.  I feel bad, but he wants to do this, and he was planning on going that way anyway.

I guess I really do have a lot of things going on right now.  I have a teacher's test to take tomorrow--2 of them.  I don't know how I will score.  They will probably be my hardest tests yet, but I am trying.  And Martin may have to take me to the testing site tomorrow if the roads aren't any better.

Hope your Thursday was wonderful, and may Friday be even better!

Thoughtful Thursday--Teecino Review

Well, I missed last night.  I know you have gotten used to me missing one post a week.  And under the circumstances, I think you can understand.  It was exactly a week ago today that I was just finishing up my time in the emergency room after my horrible attack.  I haven't been in the mood for a lot of things lately.

But I felt it was time for another review.  On Saturday, my big recuperation day, all I wanted was liquids.  I guess because I had lost so much blood and other liquids.  I craved herbal tea.  My order from drugstore.com had arrived the day before, and my herbal coffee had arrived.  I had read good things about it.  It is called Teecino.  Maybe you have heard of it before.  I first discovered it on drugstore.com, and I was considering buying the kind you use in your coffee maker.  But it was a little pricey, and I wasn't sure I would like it.  So I opted for the following:

I was still uncertain about it.  I read the ingredients--carob, chile powder (?)--would it be any good?

I had my morning coffee, and about mid-morning, I was ready to try it.  I was somewhat uncertain.  There was no caffeine in it.  I made it, and I added some fat free milk and a splenda packet.  My first drink was fantastic!  It tasted like hot chocolate, but better.  I had at least one more that day, and after that I was hooked.  I drink at least one per day.  I can hardly wait to try the other flavors.

There is a lot of good information on the site.  I hadn't thought about it, but it is safe for pregnant women to drink.  It has natural energy.  I would love to try the kind for the coffee maker, and I just may do that next time.  But for now, I am content to use the tee bags, as they are called.

Did it replace my coffee?  Not at all!  But it is a fantastic pick-me-up after work.  It is much nicer to drink one of these rather than a strong coffee.  It is very rejuvenating, and while it does not give you the caffeine fix, it does give you a little bit of energy.  I look forward to trying the rest of the flavors!

Now, just so you know, I did not get paid for this review--teecino doesn't even know I am reviewing their product.  (They will shortly because I am going to tell them.)  All  of the opinions expressed are my own.

Thoughtful Thursday--What a Day and More

First of all, no I did not post last night--I should have. It has been such a busy week, and if I would have been on the ball, that review I did a couple days ago could have been scheduled for last night.  I never think about scheduling posts.  Okay, I think about them, but I have to admit that I prefer to post at once rather than wait.

Secondly, I definitely had my worst day all year at my job today.  Which, considering my worst day last year, this was a picnic!  Last year on my worst day, a student left my class without permission and I was called into a parent conference.  Kind of strange for a sub.  It all worked out well.  But today was pretty tough, and I am worn out.  Part of the trouble is the regular teacher--he doesn't count homework, so no one does it.  You can imagine how difficult this is for a sub.  Part of the problem is the kids just don't care.  I'm glad I haven't forgotten my algebra!  I was able to help several students who needed the help.  It just made it hard when students were disrespectful and I didn't know their names.  And it also didn't help for there to be 31 staff members absent!  And I'm not joking!!

Finally, I told you about my phone the other day, and since I reset it, it has been like having a new phone.  I think sometimes g1 phones get a bad rap, and the android system even gets put down.  Of course, everyone wants an iphone or something like that.  Well, I was reading an article in P C World magazine just this weekend, I think, and it spoke of a different browser you can for your android phone.  I had been struggling with not being able to access some sites or not being able to see the mobile version of a site.  And there were times that certain sites just didn't work.  Enter the Dolphin HD.  This browser it amazing!  I'll leave you the link to their website (which is currently down as I write this!).  I was able to get a site to work that had not worked previously.  And I discovered the websites load much faster than the browser that came with my phone.  The fun thing about the browser is something called "gestures."  You are able to use and create simple line drawings that represent certain things on the browser (such as refresh, bookmarks, go, back, forward, etc.).  It will recognize what you have asked it to do.  It's actually kind of fun.  And the best thing about the browser--it's free!  You can also organize your bookmarks in a much better way.  Mine are being organized by work and personal right now.  So if you have an android phone, you might want to check out a new browser for your phone rather than just relying on the one that came with it.  You may be lucky enough to have the newest and greatest phone, but you know what?  I plan on keeping my g1 for a long time to come!  I would love for any of you to share android apps you like or different tricks you might know.  I always enjoy learning from other people!\

That should summarize my day.  Why do 4-day weeks always seem longer than 5-day weeks?