These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

For some reason, I have always enjoyed hearing product reviews and recommendations from my friends. Maybe it's just because I am cheap and don't want to waste money trying something for myself for fear that I won't like it? I know some people actually get paid, or at least receive free products for trying and providing feed back on products. Where does one sign up for that? I am all about telling the world what I think about just about anything. ;) (Hence, a blog!) I'm partially joking...

Just for fun... because I need to write something light hearted... here are my favorite things! Just about every name brand item that I purchase is bought with a coupon and/or on sale, so although some things are more expensive, by the time I check out, it is the same, if not less, than generic. Of course, many things generic is just fine, like dental floss. Do we really need designer floss? No me!

Cleaning Products

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

Mr. Clean All Purpose Cleaner with Febreeze in "Lavender Vanilla & Comfort" scent
I really couldn't say whether this actually cleans any better than anything else but it smells heavenly!

Pledge Multi Surface
This also smells wonderful but I do believe it actually works a bit better than most, too!

Books: Fiction

The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers This book was also made into a movie from Fox Family which was also enjoyable!

Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers A type of fictional history account of the 5 women mentioned in Christ's genealogy. Fascinating, interesting and helpful in making bible characters and stories really come to life and become real and actual people with whom we can relate.

Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe I really loved this book. Don't assume it's just about slavery, although that obviously is a vital part of the plot. It contains so much more than that. Beware, however, that you will probably cry!

Books: Non-Fiction
Babywise by Ezzo and Buckman This was so incredibly helpful to me when I was a new mom. Seth and I truly enjoyed our baby's newborn stage and it was in large part due to the predictable and easy routine that we established right away. We were not sleep deprived zombies stumbling through the day. This is not a hyper-scheduling book... it was just not practical to me that say "at 10am was feeding, Noon was nap time, 3pm was bath time", etc. The principles in this book are about a natural, easy flowing routine (not strict schedule) that makes for a happy baby, and happy mommy. There is no hours of letting baby cry it out in the name of sleeping through the night. It was a major stress reducer to know, for the most part, what to expect and anticipate when. And when (and it surely will happen) things in that routine get out of place, we were confident in adjusting and rearranging the routine so that by night time, we could all settle down for a good night's sleep, even with a newborn. And that is what it is ALL about, folks! Sleep! Mommy needs sleep! Someone should needlepoint that on a pillow!

To Train Up A Child by Micheal Pearl I have mentioned this book before, and I know lots of my friends are already familiar with it. The philosophies and practical teaching in this book is probably the only reason Maddie was not sold to Gypsies on her second birthday. (JOKING!) Honestly, though, it seems that most parents simply repeat the same old discipline tricks that they have seen other parents use, with no thought as to whether they actually work or not. Think of that familiar scene at the McDonald's Play Place. Little Junior is happily playing in the tubes way up high when his mom announces that they are leaving in 5 more minutes. Junior has other plans. When 5 minutes expire and mom announces it's time to go, Junior stays right up in those tubes where her knows mom will not climb up to get him. After demanding, begging, yelling, and pleading, she announces that she is going to leave without him. Yeah right. She is not going to leave without him. I know it, the mom knows it and Junior certainly knows it. I have seen this scenario play out about a hundred times at McDs or the park and not one single time has it ever been effective. Never has little Junior come running down because his mom threatened to leave him. He knows that she doesn't mean it. Or maybe he doesn't... but is abandonment the only way to get a kid to listen?? But over and over again, parents try the same old thing. So what IS a parent to do? Read this book and you'll see discipline in a new way. My focus is no longer on discipline and punishment but rather training. Okay, commercial over.

Created to be His Helpmeet by Debi Pearl This book helped me understand my man and appreciate him more fully. It was actually very convicting. I read this book slowly on purpose, taking time to digest each chapter. As I said about the Pearls' books, before, there are issues on which I disagree, but there is not an author on earth I agree 100% with, unless I were to write a book, but even then, give me 20 minutes and I'd probably disagree with myself. One nice thing about the Pearls' books, is that there are very inexpensive. The more you buy, the cheaper they get, too.

Foods & Drinks
Chai Latte
Steak
Sweet and Sour Chicken (find recipe in What's For Dinner?)
Homemade salsa
Ice Cream in just about any flavor
Sparkling Grape Juice It MUST be drunk out of a fancy glass!

Household Items

Puffs Plus with Lotion Because a nose in need deserves Puffs Plus indeed!

Luvs Diapers I know a common belief is that when it comes to diapers, name brand is the way to go but I truly think Luvs work just as well as Huggies or Pampers for a few bucks less.

Target brand Baby Wipes Again, usually name brand is preferred, and I agree that most generic wipes are lousy (I do not like WalMart's wipes!). However, Target brand (called Up & Up) is pretty similar to Pampers. and much cheaper. I find coupons for them often, too.

Maybelline Mascara One of the cheapest but still my favorite!

Glade Scented Oil Plug-Ins Vanilla scent all over the house, Clean Linen in the bathroom!

Pampered Chef Pots and Pans These are mighty expensive, and we were so grateful to my aunt and cousin for giving them to us as a wedding gift. I've use them every single day for 5 1/2 yrs. and they are still so awesome. We accidentally dropped a lip a few years ago, and without a reciept or anything, sent it to the company and received a brand new pot and lid replacement. They are fantastic.

Movies

Sense & Sensibility

Pride & Prejudice

Letter Factory from Leap Frog This is a great phonics teaching video for kids. I loved it so much, I purchased other Leap Frog videos but they were not as impressive.

Roman Holiday I just love Audrey Hepburn's dreses....

Rocket Man This could quite possible be the dumbest movie ever but if you watch it late at night and are in a totally silly mood, you will laugh and laugh until you cry. It's 80s movies at it's best.

Soooo, what are YOUR favorite things?