spinning-jennie: Stuff archives

What Would You Say...
...if I told you that artificial turf is under serious consideration here?

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Water is, of course, always a primary concern. We don't feel quite right about installing a truckload of sponge-like sod, but... we do want an inviting play surface in the back for kids (and possibly -- probably -- a dog). The current mix of gravel pit, hardpack, and pavers just doesn't cut it.

Honestly, I wouldn't be thinking about this at all, if it weren't for our neighbors down and across the street. And how their front "lawn" deceived me. For a few weeks, anyhow. I had to get close to believe it was fake, even though from afar it looked a little too perfect to be real.

There are several companies out there, and I've barely begun to root around, but NewGrass caught my eye because of this bit:
NewGrass products are truly unique … genuinely green in every sense of the word. The blades of NewGrass products are 100% polyethylene - no nylon. Their backings are an ultra-soft composite of non-woven eco-friendly EnvrioCel™. The entire product is 100% recyclable. NewGrass® is proud to be an ally in the EPA’s GreensScape Program and the only artificial lawn that is Certified 100% Eco-Friendly, from the way it is manufactured to the company’s pledge to properly recycle any NewGrass® lawn at the end of its usable life.
They claim that the surface makes cleaning up after dogs easier, too. And that it can't be stained.

So, yeah. Fake grass. Maybe it's not so cheesy after all.
04/17/09 09:05 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


D'oh!
Check the new-rate Simpsons stamps! You can pre-order now, and they'll ship on May 7th. Vote for your favorite stamp, or enter to win a poster autographed by Matt Groening.
04/16/09 08:19 AM in Stuff  |  Comments


Robot House
So we have a ton of square footage now, and most of it non-carpeted. I did try keeping the laminate clean by the sweep and squirt method, but that quickly devolved into a part-time job. Rather against my judgment, we got thee to a BB&B with a nice single-item discount coupon (how I love them), and picked up Shaggy, a Roomba 560.

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And I have to say, he's been doing a terrific, thorough job on our laminate, merrily wheeling himself to his corner docking station when he's done. I was amazed that such a small thing really would be up to the task. We have him programmed to run every other night or so, which is necessary with two cats. His gullet is small, of course, and he has a multitude of futzy brushes and wheels, so he must be taken apart and cleaned after each use.

Following Shaggy's success, we decided to try out a Scooba 330 for washing the tile floors.

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The first machine was a complete disappointment, quite obviously defective. He'd spin around a few times, laying his snail-trail of fluid, and then, inexplicably, stop. We were shipped another within days, and the new Scooby has proven himself indispensable for the kitchen and bathrooms. I still plan on doing routine hands-and-knees scrubbing when I need a good deep clean (and next to baseboards and corners -- he's useless for that), but for regular maintenance, he's fantastic. Again, cleaning him is a little involved and icky (think prodding and flushing wet, filthy cat hair out of small rubber tubes), but worth the trouble.

I still haven't figured out what to name the Littermaid:

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but I'm leaning toward Fred. Both effective, if a little annoying.
04/13/09 10:47 AM in Stuff  |  Comments


Wreath Advent
We spotted this wreath Advent calendar at Target tonight -- so cute! And so much more compact than mine. It certainly does provide a little inspiration for next year.
12/17/08 11:50 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


Hip Sticks
Oh! How I wish Hip in a Hurry wall decals had existed back in the nursery-decorating days! Would you look at those monkeys? Of course then I'd have probably had an even harder time dismantling it all.

You can find a decent selection at Michael's, and they're all 40% off until Saturday, too.
11/06/08 09:28 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


Eurail Around My Room
Ooh, I love these: self-adhesive panoramic photo strips, 12'x4.5". Search with "panoramic" to find L.A., Berlin, a natural history museum, the Alps, and more.
09/21/08 11:58 AM in Stuff  |  Comments


Ups and Downs

Thumbs Up:

  • SkinM.I.L.K. Cookies 'n Cream shampoo/body wash for kids. It smells super yummy, is made with 5% milk proteins, and 5% of the proceeds go to Heifer International, my favorite charitable organization. Plus, how cute is Winifred the Cow?
  • WALL-E. I am almost convinced that Pixar can do no wrong.
  • Dr. Horrible (!!!) My like for Neil Patrick Harris has bloomed into full-on adoration.
  • Fail Blog. Oh, my.
  • Anything Alexia. All-natural frozen stuff; the oven fries and artisan rolls are delicious, and make kitchen life so much easier. And kids will happily eat their sweet potatoes.


    • Thumbs Down:

  • Batter Blaster. Sorry! The cakes are completely without fluff, the taste is meh, and you can't draw the shapes that you'd think would be possible.
    • 07/17/08 11:16 AM in Stuff  |  Comments


    For the Compliant Cat
    This clamp-on desktop kitty perch is cute and all, but I can't see Elli using it. Unlike Elmo, she's not content to sleep in the kitty beds -- she's happier in a more out-of-bounds spot. So it would probably sit empty, with her claws slashing my shoulders and the back of my neck from her chairtop perch.

    Or with her butt in the air right in front of my face.
    04/14/08 11:13 PM in Cats , Stuff  |  Comments


    Thanks, Easter Bunny
    Neat people like Marielle, Whitney, and Spring talk about Keen shoes, so I gathered they must be something special. But they tend to run pricey, and I'm on more of a Mervyn's/Kohl's (*cough*Payless*cough*) shoe budget. Which doesn't fuss me, much.

    Thanks to the wonder that is eBay (cherubim singing, light from above, etc.), I managed to snag a pair of returned Amsterdams for 35% retail. I wore them for the first time today, on an impromptu trip to the Sierra foothills.

    Long warm-footed car ride? Yup. Crowded Sacramento IKEA slog? Uh-huh. Grocery shopping? Yessiree. Not one moment of breaking-in -- it's as if the things were made for my very own (wide-ish) tootsies. I could walk forever. Woohoo!

    Now I just need a couple more pairs of kicky socks to peek out for these sometimes chilly springtime days.
    03/22/08 09:00 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Rinse Your Troubles Away
    I'm sure you're sick of hearing about it; I'm certainly sick of living it! My sinus issues keep ramping up -- excruciating pain, tenacious fevers, vomiting -- just like they did ten years ago. Or, pre-surgery. And, just like last time, I'm sinking into depression, because I know I can count on feeling like utter death once or twice a month. I'll go under the knife again if I have to, but of course I'd rather avoid it if possible. So I've been revisiting some alternative self-treatment options.

    I tried nasal irrigation before, with an old Waterpik, but it was horrible. Horrible! Ow. But, based on exclusively positive reviews and personal recommendations, I'm going to give NeilMed's pressure Sinus Rinse a real try, even if it skeeves me out (it does). Here's hoping!
    03/01/08 02:59 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Slow News Day
    Is it sad? When I'm in that certain springtime (yes, it is -- and there are cherry blossoms all over my car to prove it) organizey mood, not much could make me happier than two of Martha's under-shelf baskets did today.

    My laundry closet is 78% happier, too. At least.
    02/21/08 08:34 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Because for Three-Year-Olds...
    ...it's all about the presentation, right?

    Last week, we found these cute little classroom Hoops & Yoyo Valentines at Hallmark (roll with it, right?), but realized too late that they didn't come with envelopes, and looked kind of... tacky (yeah, "imagine that," I know, I know) when folded up as suggested.

    So at Michael's this morning, I found these adorable teensy white kraft gift bags with the bows and wrappings, the perfect size to hold the cards when folded (and possibly a little sticker treat from Mrs. Grossman's, if we make it over there tomorrow morning). And not clumsy for little hands to open, like a traditional envelope with glue. A simple heart sticker on the front and Voila! we're good to go.
    02/12/08 08:05 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Bloq Party in My Shower
    I don't know if it's supposed to be for guys or girls, but I don't care -- I'm in love with Method Bloq Shave Cream Green Mint. It's the first shave cream or gel that hasn't thrown me into sneezing fits at least once during the whole kung fu slippery blade and balance operation (well, with the exception of Aveeno, but I don't like the feel or anti-smell of that). So bright and happy without being cloying, genius! I love scent, but not "scent" -- I don't need or want it to whack me over the sinuses with an artificial smellhammer.

    Some have complained of the consistency (too thin), but I think it's smooth and lotion-y, the contrast to neon gels and foam. In any case, I've used it a few times and haven't sliced myself open yet. And my legs aren't left with that crispy feeling when I'm all done, nice.
    01/23/08 06:15 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Murphys Rule
    While I've learned to more or less peacefully coexist with this floor-to-ceiling mirror over the past 2.5 years, I still wouldn't mind seeing it go bye.

    While browsing Craigslist yesterday, I found a tasteful and useful concealer -- this handcrafted, custom Murphy bed. The bed would be perfect for guests, the table for crafts (or for Daniel to play at), and the lighted shelves for books or whatnot.

    Not budget-friendly, but a girl can dream.
    08/31/07 11:53 AM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Shiny
    While on a small Pyrex kick (it seems the approaching fall always brings out my inner bear's foody-prep-nesting), I've also noticed the pretty vintage-styled green glass Martha oven-to-table bakeware at Kmart. The round 2 qt. casseroles with the steel serving cradle are available at our store, but not online.
    08/17/07 05:25 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    After These Messages
    I'd just like to take a moment to plug these two wonderful Etsy artisans that made my holiday gift shopping experience so much nicer!

    Art Glass Fusion offers a nice selection of glass hairthings and miscellany. I purchased a couple of barrettes, one for an exchange, and one for myself, and they truly are a terrific bargain. I think I love holding mine more than wearing it! The photos don't do them justice, they're so substantial and have so much depth.

    TV Tray Art Designs creates the coolest soldered and resin jewelery from bits of ephemera. I bought this washi paper reversible necklace for an exchange, and now I'm kind of wishing I'd picked out one of those for myself, as well!
    12/22/06 08:27 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Dorm, Shmorm!
    They make it sound like only a dorm dweller would want this Cereal on the Go milk cooler/cereal container, but if I ever went anywhere, like work, I'd sooooo be all over it. Via ljc.
    12/10/06 07:30 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    When at a Loss for Words...
    ...and you don't have any new video: list.

    Toys that I would get the bub just so I could play with them, too. Not necessarily yet, but a mom can dream.

  • Lots and lots of GeoTrax (we already have a starter kit, so cool)
  • TinkerToys and Lincoln Logs, of course
  • Frigits - build a marble coaster on your fridge
  • Legos. Buckets upon buckets full.


    • Waaaait a minute. Trend, much? I hope he likes building toys...

    11/05/06 08:17 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Purrfectly Geektastic
    I find myself wanting a CueCat barcode reader. And check all these great reasons to get me one!

    1. It's only $15!
    2. It supports LibraryThing, the best personal cataloging app out there.
    3. It'll make me feel just a little bit more like a real cataloger again. And isn't my sense of imaginary self-worth priceless?
    4. It's so cute!
    5. It might keep Daniel away from my CF card reader.
    6. It would fit perfectly in my stocking!
    7. It provides an excellent excuse to buy more books!

    Hmmm. Maybe you'd better ignore that last one.
    10/30/06 01:17 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Happy Holidays and All That
    The Halloween aisles are messy and crowded... but the holiday card aisle is not. It is, in fact, a wonder of organization and full shelves of brand-spanking-new stock, completely un-picked-over.

    And quiet. Glorious, browse-at-your leisure silence (except for bub-imposed limits). Alleluia.

    So that's one less thing to do next month, in the crowds. Very freeing. I recommend it!
    10/06/06 02:43 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Loves Onions...
    ...hates to cut. Wouldn't these Onion Goggles be just the thing? via Gizmodo.
    10/02/06 01:24 PM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Friction Nonfiction
    I don't wear skirts often anymore -- it's not really practical to me, with the bub. But when I do... yeah. Problems. That I'm sure I share with at least half the female population.

    So I did what pioneer women did when their skirts weren't working out for wintry farm chores -- I borrowed from the men. These are the best things ever for wearing under skirts, I'm serious. Comfy, lightweight, don't break the bank, and they won't fall apart on you after one wear. Just buy 'em in the women's size you'd normally wear. The black ones are pretty flattering, for manpanties.
    08/15/06 10:22 AM in Stuff  |  Comments


    Carded
    I've been looking for a card and photo solution for my purse. My little wallet isn't big enough for the extra cards I carry with me but don't need every day (health and extra auto insurance cards, member discounts, etc.) and photos -- nor do I want it to be! When we were wandering through Target today, I chanced upon the Real Simple line in the office goods section, and found this card wheel in lots of yummy color combos (mine is brown with pink trim to match my purse/ongoing color combo obsession). I had to trim down the wallet-sized photos a tiny bit to fit, but everything else slipped into the sleeves securely. The instructions say that, as the sleeves are so clear, you shouldn't need to remove cards for scanning -- pretty sure that won't work for magnetic strip-type stuff, though, right?
    08/14/06 08:42 PM in Stuff  |  Comments