Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife

Review: Palmolive® soft touch™ Aloe

2013-05-23T11:57:00.000-07:00

I recently joined the Influencer program, and one of the first complimentary products I am getting to try in order to share my opinions is the new Palmolive Soft Touch dishwashing detergent.

I'll be honest: Palmolive never was on my list of products to try. I know my mother uses their products and loves them, but me - I usually purchase more environmentally friendly products to use in my home these days. It did pique my interest though, because lately my dishes have been coming out icky no matter how much I scrub them. I could see a film on my glass dishes. Yuck! (Usually I'd run all my glass dishes through the dishwasher a couple times of month and that would get rid of the buildup - but the dishwasher has been on the list of appliances that have currently bit the dust. Sigh!)

Palmolive Soft Touch dishwashing detergent is available in three different varieties: Aloe, Vitamin E, and Coconut Butter. They are specially formulated to be gentle on hands - something my hands appreciate! I received two varieties to try out and share: the Aloe, and the Vitamin E. I kept the Vitamin E for myself, because it's supposed to be great for those with dry skin. (Although the Aloe was very tempting! I'll have to try that one down the road, too!)

Upon popping the bottle of Palmolive Soft Touch, I was greeted with a pretty strong fragrance. If you use a lot of conventional cleaning products then maybe it's not quite as strong to you, but for me it was. It took me a few moments to get used to that! I had a lot of suds, something else I wasn't used to these days. But the great part? It attacked that greasy film on my glass dishes and everything came out so much cleaner! Finally my dishes were clear again! I was really starting to get disgusted with the way my dishes looked, but not any more. I'd say their slogan of "Palmolive is Tough on Grease, Soft on Hands" is a good one!

You can find Palmolive Soft Touch dishwashing detergent at your favorite big box or grocery stores, and the suggested retail price is $2.99. I found it at my local Walmart for $2.55 for a 25 oz bottle. You can find more Influencer reviews here.

I received the product mentioned above in order to try it out and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.

Book Review: A Man Of Indeterminate Value By Ron Felber

2013-05-23T11:30:00.000-07:00

I recently received an uncorrected proof copy of the new book A Man Of Indeterminate Value: A Jack Madson Novel by Ron Felber to review.

Jack Madson is trapped in a loveless marriage, stuck in a job he despises, and being buried by debt. He comes up with a plan: he'll fake his own death and run away to Mexico. This way he can ease his guilt knowing his family will get a large payout from the insurance company. Since he's been squirreling away funds from illegally selling intellectual property to criminal interests in China, he has 2.5 million dollars set aside for his escape. But plans never quite go according to plan for most of us, and upon crossing the border, Jack finds out his partner in crime has double crossed him and his bank account is empty. Now he must sneak back into the US and attempt to get his money back - but there's a hitch. He must break into the computer system at NuGen to retrieve extremely valuable bio-tech secrets, while staying one step ahead of an insurance claims specialist who wants to prove that he's still alive - and his former partner who wants him dead.

Full of corruption, this fast paced novel shows the dark underbelly side of the greedy corporate world. Plagued with (Catholic) guilt, the main character continues digging a hole deeper and deeper until really, there is no way out - hence, his confession (the book). At moments you can't help but be so disgusted with him that you hope he dies a slow, painful death. And at other moments, I found myself wondering why I kept reading about this awfulness - but it's a train wreck you can't put down. Apparently it is book one in a trilogy, so look for more in the future. The author writes using his own experiences as a CEO, as well as a former sheriff and former boxer, so he makes it a believable tale that has you wondering exactly where our business morals in this country went wrong.

A Man Of Indeterminate Value: A Jack Madson Novel by Ron Felber is a trade paperback published by Barricade Books and will be available in June 2013. It is 288 pages long. The suggested cover price is $16.95, but Amazon has it available on pre-order for $10.75 as of this posting. It will also be available as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.

I received an uncorrected proof copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.

Review: Dirty Paws Washcloths

2013-05-22T11:49:00.000-07:00

One of the best part about attending Auburn's yearly Petpalooza festival (see my post here) is I get introduced to lots of handmade vendors selling goodies for my pets. This year my had to have item came from the folks over at Dirty Paws Washcloths.

Dirty Paws Washcloths is a local Washington business created by a lady named Kimberly that sells handmade bathtime towels and washcloths for your dirty doggie. Whether you're cringing at using your personal washcloths on your pets, or your like me and want cute designs for the on-the-go dog(s), you'll find some cute ideas here. I could not resist purchasing a stack of these for Captain and the Grumpy Princess! Look at some of these designs we picked out:

Skulls and pink zebras - does it get any better? ;) One side is a cute patchwork design, the other side is an absorbent terry cloth. I've got these now stashed in our truck, emergency bags, and by the couch so I can stop wet doggy paws before they get on it. ;) They are great for doggy drool too, which is a major problem around with Captain. I can just toss these into the washer, so they are a lot more environmentally friendly than grabbing a paper towel or baby wipe.

If you're interested in purchasing from Dirty Paws Washcloths, don't worry, you don't have to be local - you can also order online via their website.

I hate that I even have to say this, but to make the FTC happy, I purchased the product mentioned above using my own money. All opinions are my own. I'm just giving a shout out to a mom based business!

Petpalooza 2013

2013-05-22T11:29:00.000-07:00

It's May, and that means Petpalooza was being held over in Auburn again this year! It's becoming a tradition for our family to load up the dogs and head on over for the day. This is a free festival where you can bring along well behaved pets to see pet related entertainment, meet adoptable pets, and shop to your heart's content for your favorite pet family member. Unfortunately for us, the weather was not being very cooperative, so we didn't end up staying long since the sky opened up with cold rain. :( But there was still lots of fun to be had, like the petting zoo:

And there was lots of vendors once again, along with several rescue groups for different breeds:

The best part was the Farmyard Follies, with lots of crazy animal antics and barnyard races. Yep, we took lots of pictures of the goats. ;)

Hopefully next year the weather will be nicer!

Book Review: Oscar Wilde And The Murders At Reading Gaol By Gyles Brandreth

2013-05-21T12:28:00.000-07:00

I recently received a copy of the new book Oscar Wilde And The Murders At Reading Gaol: A Mystery by Gyles Brandreth to review.

The sixth installment in the historical mystery series, Oscar Wilde is a detective who has been sent to Reading Gaol, a prison, where he was tortured, left in solitary confinement with no writing materials. The letters he did receive were censored. Even throughout his deprivation and misery, his detective powers are working full throttle: first when a brutal warder is murdered and then when the prison chaplain is found dead as well. It is only fitting that the Governor should turn to Oscar - Reading Gaol's most celebrated inmate - for help to find the murderer. When he flees to France after being released, he is offered payment for his story about his time there, and he shares the sordid details, as well as reveals the murderer.

I was a little worried when I heard the storyline that this would end up being the final book in the series (insert panic here), but I am hoping the author has plenty more hidden up his sleeve to share with us. Unlike the rest of the series, this book does have a much darker tone - fitting for a book whose tale is set in Reading Gaol, a notorious prison known best for it's executions - as well as Oscar Wilde being sent there. (Yes, if you are new to this series and have never heard Oscar Wilde's name before, the man really did exist. See here.) I love this series from a historical standpoint just as much as I love it from a fiction standpoint. I couldn't put this book down once I started it thanks to the intriguing plot and characters who reeled me in. Well done, Mr. Brandreth, well done!

The book also includes a reading group guide at the end of the book, with discussions questions, as well as a look at Reading Gaol back in the 1890's, and some biography details. It also has an interview with the author.

Oscar Wilde And The Murders At Reading Gaol: A Mystery by Gyles Brandreth is a paperback mystery book published by Touchstone. It is 352 pages long. The suggested cover price is $16.00, and Amazon has it available for $12.65 as of this posting. It is also available as a hardcover large print book, as well as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.

I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.

Here Come Some Giveaway Winners!

2013-05-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Smart 'N Saucy Subway Challenge is:

Gina Wildorchid said... I would love to take the challenge. The sandwich looks delicious.

And the winner of the Doc McStuffins DVD giveaway is:

Anonymous said... They like the show because the toys talk and there are songs to dance along to.

Congratulations! I am sending out emails right now - remember you have 48 hours to get back to me!

Random Tuesday Thoughts - To The Grocery Store, Stat!

2013-05-21T11:47:00.000-07:00

Let's get this random party started!

I think I am getting old. I was out for a review yesterday, and I could feel myself being ready for a nap before the day was even at the half way point. Yikes!

These tornadoes are so scary. :( Such a loss of life! My momma thoughts is that instead of wasting all this money squabbling on stupid stuff like legal guns and multiple vacations for assorted politicians, we should be building our schools stronger with safe tornado rooms. I realize that an F5 is going to destroy anything in it's path, but we can still help save lives in smaller tornadoes, too.

I really need to go grocery shopping. It's just been one thing after another around here. I have a single pepper in the fridge, and that's it for veggies! I guess DH knows where we are going when he gets home from work.

My garden? Not so pretty. It's a battle to the death with the slugs and snails thanks to all this wet weather we are having. And it's making the neighbor's grass look like a jungle. I think it's almost waist high. I don't even want to think about what could be making it's way over into my garden thanks to that. :(

The Zombies Have It: Hyundai Expands 'Walking Dead' Deal Marketing at it's finest, I guess. It's amazing how the zombie apocalypse has been going on for a couple of years, yet there is a brand new vehicle available and never gets dinged even with trying to get away from things. ;)

...sorry, I'd be grabbing an American vehicle that you see all over the highway to get away from zombies in. The reason? You can pop into any repair shop or garage and find the majority of pieces available in their inventory. Other vehicles are more likely to have special order parts, so unless you hit a part distribution center - or can find a similar vehicle on the road to cannibalize - you could be in trouble. Oh, and you're welcome for that bit of insight that might save your bacon if there should be a complete collapse of society. ;) lol

Now this looks like fun: Zombie Prep camp proves to be deadly fun (with photo gallery) Maybe I should send DH to "summer camp". LOL I'd be careful though with the flaming arrow idea - you don't want to burn things to the ground, since in all likelihood, there's not going to be a fire department available to help put out fires in wooded areas. Or even suburbs. You get the idea. ;)

...which is a shame, because there would be my one chance to play with a flame thrower, if I could get my hands on one, of course. ;)

Giveaway: Thank A Teacher With Merci Chocolates

2013-05-19T17:05:00.000-07:00

Note: I did receive samples and a gift card in exchange for the following post.

It's almost the end of the school year, and that means it's time to say thank you to all of the great teachers out there for their dedication - and patience!

My mother in law is an elementary school teacher, and I completely admire her dedication to her job. Not only does she pay out of pocket for many of her classroom supplies and perks for her students, there are so many occasions that we will try to call her only to have her still at work, either finishing up classroom projects or helping a student with a little extra tutoring. She is an AMAZING teacher, and students 30 years later still remember her and come up to her all over town. You cannot make a trip to Walmart without someone saying hello to her! lol

I also remember my favorite teacher when I was in school, Ms. Taschev. She taught American history, and she brought it to life - so much so I realized I needed to change my major when I was in college to history.

For the amazing teacher in your life, consider a little gift such as a gift card to purchase supplies for the upcoming school year, or spoil them with something delicious like merci chocolate. Those #1 Teacher gifts can be tempting, but unless they are a first year teacher, they have probably received a lot of teaching gifts already. Chocolate though - (almost) everyone loves chocolate! - and merci chocolate is a fine assortment of European chocolates in a nice gift box that says thank you. Each box contains seven different flavors so there is sure to be something to tempt anyone!

You can find Merci Chocolates at stores like Walmart and Walgreens, as well as online via sites like Amazon. A 20 ct box has a suggested retail of about $5.99.

Win it! Thanks to Merci Chocolates, one lucky reader is going to win a ‘Thank You' gift to give to one of the special teachers in their life, that contains a box of delicious Merci chocolate, Merci branded pencils, and an eraser. To enter, tell us about your favorite teacher when you were in school. What year or subject did they teach? Did they do something amazing that had an effect on your life?

And as always, you can receive extra entries for:

-You choose: subscribing to my feed OR publicly following my blog via GFC OR Facebook (You can follow all three ways, but only 1 counts for this entry choice TOTAL)
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
example: #win Merci Chocolates! http://bit.ly/10GVMu3 ends 6/1 @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends June 1st at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)

I received samples of the product mentioned above in order to share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own. One winner will receive the prize stated above, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.

DVD Review: Monsuno: Power

2013-05-19T16:03:00.000-07:00

My family and I recently received a copy of the new animated DVD Monsuno: Power to review.

Monsuno follows teenagers named Chase, Jinja, and Bren who discover, command, and battle creatures with re-awakened Monster DNA called Monsuno. These teens are in a race to harness the powers of the Monsuno before evil forces get to them first and destroy Earth, with Lock's help, a Monsuno created to protect Chase. Will they find Chase's missing father? Airing on the NickToons network, this action packed show is geared more towards boys ages 6 and up, and does contain some animated violence.

The second DVD release from the popular show contains the next five episodes from season one: "Breakthrough", "R.S.V.P.", "Appleseeds", "Eye" and "Deceit". Here is a clip from the show:

Direct link for the feedreaders

The DVD also contains a bonus feature - character bios from the show.

Monsuno: Power will be available on DVD this coming Tuesday, May 21st, 2013. Widescreen format, it is rated TV-Y7(FV) and has a total running time of 110 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $14.97, but Amazon has it available on pre-order for $12.99 as of this posting.

I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.

CD Review: Paul McCartney Archive Collection - Wings Over Tomorrow

2013-05-19T15:20:00.001-07:00

I recently received a copy of the new CD release from the Paul McCartney Archive Collection Wings Over America to review.

Originally released back in December 1976, Wings Over America has been remastered to bring out the best of this groundbreaking live performance album. As this was the one and only North American tour for Wings, made up of band members Paul, Linda McCartney, Joe English, Denny Laine, and Jimmy McCulloch, this album is historical both for fans of Paul's, but also for fans of 70's rock music.

This reissued release comes with a bit of fanfare, of course. Not only will the CD set also be available in a Deluxe Edition Box Set that includes 3 CDs and a DVD, you'll also be able to watch the DVD release of the live concert film Rockshow, which will be available next month (June). Keep your eyes peeled for it if you're a big fan!

The remastered album set contains part one and part two, as well as a bonus film that originally aired on TV called Wings Over The World and a second bonus photo montage called Photographer's Pass. Here's the track listings:

Disc One:
1. "Venus And Mars" / "Rock Show" / "Jet"
2. "Let Me Roll It"
3. "Spirits Of Ancient Egypt"
4. "Medicine Jar"
5. "Maybe I'm Amazed"
6. "Call Me Back Again"
7. "Lady Madonna"
8. "The Long And Winding Road"
9. "Live And Let Die"
10. "Picasso's Last Words"
11. "Richard Cory"
12. "Bluebird"
13. "I've Just Seen A Face"
14. "Blackbird"
15. "Yesterday"

Disc Two:
1. "You Gave Me The Answer"
2. "Magneto And Titanium Man"
3. "Go Now"
4. "My Love"
5. "Listen To What The Man Said"
6. "Let 'Em In"
7. "Time To Hide"
8. "Silly Love Songs"
9. "Beware My Love"
10. "Letting Go"
11. "Band On The Run"
12. "Hi Hi Hi"
13. "Soily"

Listening to the discs, it is pretty hard to imagine that the original release is 36 years old - the sound has been cleaned up so well it's clear and crisp. You would think this had been recorded just this past year. It is amazing what technology can do. It's hard to pick a favorite track off this collection because each one is just as wonderful as the others. I had never seen the bonus TV special, so getting to view that was fun. This is definitely a piece of rock history to add to your music collection!

The Paul McCartney Archive Collection Wings Over America CD will be available next Tuesday, May 28th, 2013. The suggested retail price will be $14.99. It will also be available on Vinyl, or you can purchase the Deluxe Edition Box Set. You'll find them over at Amazon and other music outlets.

I received an advance release copy of this CD in order to listen to it and view the DVD, and share my thoughts on them. All opinions are my own.

2013-05-15T12:10:00.001-07:00

Did you know the average four person family uses 107,000 gallons of water every year? And that over 50% of that water goes right back down the drain unnecessarily?

While it's tempting to believe that we have an unlimited supply of water at our hands when we look at the oceans, the opposite is the truth. According to the UNEP, less than 1 percent of all freshwater resources are actually available for us to drink. Yikes!

So what can we do? Well, you can take steps to reduce your wasted water usage. From turning off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth, to reducing the faucet's water flow but not turning the faucet as high as it will go when you are rinsing a dish, these are little steps that will help reduce water waste. The bonus is that for many folks it will start to show on their water bill, too.

Want to do more? There are all sorts of things you can do to stop wasting water:

*If it's legal in your state, consider catching rainwater. You don't need a fancy set up, because even just a single bucket set near where you might get some run off, or even on your deck at the first sign of rain, can catch enough water to water a few plants for a day or two.

*Only do the laundry when you have a full load of laundry, and match the correct setting on the washer to the load you are doing.

*Instead of taking a bath, take a shower instead. While you are waiting for the water to get warm, stick a bucket under the tap and catch that cold water for watering plants or filling drinking containers for outdoor pets or birdbaths.

*If you must run a sprinkler, only run it in the evenings or early mornings so the water doesn't evaporate right away. Make sure to avoid using the sprinkler if it has recently rained - the grass and plants don't need it then! And keep the sprinklers adjusted properly so you aren't watering the streets and sidewalks.

*Instead of using the gardenhose to clean your driveway, use a broom! You'll get some much needed exercise this way, too. (This is actually my biggest pet peeve - it doesn't get any more lazy than standing there with a garden hose to do a simple five minute job with a broom)

*If you have a fish tank, don't just toss any waste water down the drain - give it to your plants whenever possible! This water has some great nutrients your plants will eat right up.

*When landscaping, choose plants that are not water hogs. Native plants to your area will need less water to grow.

DVD Review: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest For The Crystal Mickey

2013-05-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

My family and I recently received a copy of the new CGI animated DVD Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest For The Crystal Mickey to review.

This is the latest release from the Emmy nominated series that airs on Disney Junior and is geared towards the pre-school crowd. All the favorite old school Disney characters likke Pluto, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy make appearances in the show. This DVD contains a total of five episodes: "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest For The Crystal Mickey", "Donald Of The Desert", "Donald The Genie", "Goofy's Coconutty Monkey", and "Goofy's Giant Adventure".

In the title episode "Quest For The Crystal Mickey", Plunderin' Pete snatches the legendary Crystal Mickey statue that's in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and if the gang doesn't get it back quickly, the clubhouse will disappear forever! Can they get the statue back in time with your help to navigate the terrain and watch our for Pete's trickiest traps?

You'll also snag a free adventure activity map and stickers with this one. While you're at it, you can also snag some more printable activities through the link in this button:

I love old school Mickey, and this show is cute - I just have a harder time getting into CGI animation. But that's OK, because the show really isn't for me - it's for the kids! It is really great to have characters I knew and loved as a child be available for my daughter to watch. When Disney shows are on, I never have to worry that she's watching anything inappropriate.

By the way, this title is also part of the Disney Movie Rewards program, so be sure to enter your unique code on the site once you open the case and get your points towards a fun Disney gift! They have recently added some new gifts, so if it's been awhile since you've checked your point total and seen what's available, now would be a good time to do so.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Quest For The Crystal Mickey will be available on DVD this coming Tuesday, May 21st, 2013. Widescreen format, it is rated TV-Y, it is safe for all ages, and has a total running time of 126 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $19.99, but Amazon has it available on pre-order for $14.29 as of this posting.

I received the DVD mentioned above in order to view and share my thoughts on. All opinions are my own, and not that of Disney.

Book Review: Can't-Wait Willow! By Christy Ziglar

2013-05-15T10:56:00.002-07:00

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

I recently received a copy of the new children's book Can't-Wait Willow! written by Christy Ziglar and illustrated by Luanne Marten to review.

Willow is a super excited little girl, because the circus is finally coming to town! But on the way, she finds herself getting distracted by so many wonderful things - like ice cream and lemonade! By the time she makes it into the big top, the show is over and she's out of money for her favorite treat - pink cotton candy. Will Willow get a second chance and learn that sometimes in life you have to say "no" to good things to end up with something great?

The illustrations in this book are wonderful, and the story itself is something all of us (yes, us adults too!) need to remember sometimes - we can say no, and something better will be on the horizon. Now, as a mom I was a little horrified that this little girl was wandering through town all by herself to get to the circus, but I guess the story wouldn't have worked out the same. ;) We enjoyed reading this book together for our afternoon storytime.

You can visit the author's website here, where you'll find some resources to support the book, like a printable poster and a reward chart.

Can't-Wait Willow! written by Christy Ziglar and illustrated by Luanne Marten is a hardcover children's storybook published by Ideals Children's Books. It is 32 pages long. The suggested cover price is $14.99, and Amazon has it available for $10.73 as of this posting.

I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.

DVD Review: Pound Puppies - Mission: Adoption

2013-05-14T11:20:00.001-07:00

My family and I recently received a copy of the new animated DVD Pound Puppies Mission: Adoption to review.

This DVD from the popular children's' show airing on the HUB Netowrk contains five episodes: "King Of The Heap", "Taboo", "Snow Problem", "Zipper The Zoomit Dog", and "There's Something About Camelia".

There is also a bonus that will allow you to print an adoption certificate of your very own - whether you use it for a stuffed animal or the real deal is up to you as a parent. ;)

"A pup for every person, and a person for every pup!" goes this resurrected cartoon series that's geared for the 3-8 crowd, and appeals to both boys and girls. It follows Lucky, Cookie, Niblet, Strudel, and Squirt at Shelter 17 who are on a mission to find good homes for all the homeless pups that come through the door. As an 80's fan, it doesn't quite match up to the show I remember when I was a little girl, but the show is still fun to watch with my daughter! The great part is that helps bring up the message of pets needing good homes to a generation that can hopefully make a difference and solve the problem of abused and neglected pets.

Pound Puppies Mission: Adoption will be available on DVD next Tuesday, May 21st, 2013. Rated TV-Y, this show is safe for all ages, with no violence or bad language. The total running time is 120 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $9.99, but Amazon has it available on pre-order for $8.99 as of this posting.

I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.

Random Tuesday Thoughts - Let's Go For Less

2013-05-14T10:39:00.000-07:00

Chaos sums up my home once again. This time, we had another leak, and yes, this mami has been on the verge of a nervous breakdown. No hot water again for 24 hours and counting...

The thing that is making me so teed off is I said there was something wrong, and I was told there wasn't. No, it's just a figment of my imagination - yeah, figment my ^*$!

Guys: the woman is always right.

On the bright side, I did learn from the last disaster to keep everything in plastic waterproof totes, so the damage of stuff we own is somewhat minimal. (If DH could learn to pick up things and put them away instead of simply tossing them on the floor, it would be nothing other than the flooring and walls. It's pretty sad when the four year is better at putting things away than your husband...)

Now that I got that off my chest, the sun is back out - but only peeking out for the day. Then we're back to rain, rain, and more rain - oh well. My grass and weeds are loving it, at least? Right now my garden is in that in between phase - all my spring flowering plants are dropping their blossoms, like the apple tree. The strawberry blooms are starting to do the same. I may break down and go purchase a few flowers to plant just to get some color back in the yard.

I tend to rant about fake purses and the like, because all you do when you purchase them is support cheap labor, which is sometimes children. But because I purchase most of my family's clothing secondhand, sometimes I forget to rant about the ugly side of cheap. More proof: In Bangladesh Rubble, the Prices of Profit How many pairs of shoes does one person need? And how many outfits? So many of us have clothing hanging we've never worn, that are new with the tags still on a year later. (I'm guilty too) If we'd all STOP and think about that good deal that we have to have, maybe we could stop wasting money, wasting resources, and most important - wasting our lives away. Think about what you've spent in the last year on clothing, and how many hours you and/or your spouse spent working to pay that amount. Wouldn't you rather have spent that time together instead? I know my answer. Time goes fast, folks.

I still need to menu plan for the week. Last night we had mozzarella cheese stick sandwiches, courtesy of DH. lol Any easy ideas?

Hey, it's National Dance Like A Chicken Day! LOL Cue the music...

The Zombie Next Door May Be the Scariest of All Oh great, just imagine my neighbors as zombies? YIKES! lol and as bas as this house is becoming, the thought of holing up in it? Nah, I'll take my chances getting out of town. lol

Want to be in a zombie movie and have some time on your hands? Here's your chance! Wanted: A few good zombies

To All The Momma's...

2013-05-12T12:27:00.003-07:00

Happy Mother's Day! :)

Review: SwimZip

2013-05-12T12:08:00.000-07:00

Summer is right around the corner, and that means fun activities for kids like vacations (hotel pools and waterparks!) and hitting the local swimming pool. I was excited to be introduced to a company called SwimZip and asked to review one of their swimsuits - with my daughter's help. ;)

SwimZip has some of the cutest styles available for the younger set. Not only are they stylish, they have a ton of benefits other swimsuits don't: they have UPF 50+ sun protection in the fabric, which helps to block UVA and UVB sun rays. The chlorine resistant fabric has a built in liner so you can skip the extra layer underneath, which kids will appreciate on the extra hot days. The seams have flatlock stitching, so you don't have to worry about wet seams chafing or irritating tender skin. The best part of all is that the tops to the swimsuits have full length zippers to make it easy to take on and off (After all, a wet swimsuit can be hard to get off squirmy toddlers!) There's even a little "zipper garage" to keep the zipper from poking into little chins while being active!

My daughter and I chose the Ruffle Me Pretty set, which was spotted on Jessica Alba's daughter, Honor a few months ago. Here it is off the website:

And here it is in person:

It is adorable! She loves that purple, let me tell you! I love that it's two piece because that makes emergency bathroom runs a lot easier than the usual one pieces. ;) It's super easy to get on for her without a ton of help, which is great for her being a bit more independent. The sleeves cover up a bit more skin and help it be a bit more modest, too. There are also no itchy tags at the back of the neck and my daughter doesn't complain about the fabric or seams being itchy, either.

Even though Washington isn't normally known for a ton of sun, some days it can get up there - we just hit the 80's this past week, which apparently was a weather record. It was HOT Friday (OK, for here), and because she had on this swimsuit, with a floppy hat and her sunglasses, I didn't worry so much when we hit the beach that her skin would get burned. She can even just wear the top with a skirt out, so that gives this suit an added benefit too. I'm thrilled to be packing this one along on vacation this summer for her!

The SwimZip Ruffle Me Pretty has a retail price of $29.99, which is great considering the quality of this suit. You can purchase it online via their website, or look for it in children's boutiques throughout the country.

I received the item shown above in order to share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.

Friday's Featured Etsy: Southern Gothica

2013-05-10T07:01:00.004-07:00

Welcome to my Friday's Featured post, in which I showcase Etsy stores and small businesses from folks like you and me. Recession, smession! ;)

Today's stop in Etsy land is a store called Southern Gothica. Here you'll find handmade felt dolls - with a gothic twist. Very rarely can I look into a store and say I want one of everything - but this gets the "Shut up and take my money!" award of the year. I want it ALL! lol

Check out the Felt fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood and pet wolf stuffed plush rag doll toy

I have lots of favorites, but this Felt Eric Draven inspired custom plush stuffed rag doll toy The Crow Brandon Lee is definitely at the top of the list:

And this Felt Peter Steele inspired custom plush stuffed rag doll toy Type O Negative is awesome:

RIP, green man.

Stop by Southern Gothica today and have a look around! Support handmade!

Book Review: I'll Stand By You By Elissa Montani With Jennifer Haupt

2013-05-09T12:51:00.000-07:00

I recently received a copy of the new book I'll Stand By You: One Woman's Mission To Heal The Children Of The World by Elissa Montani with Jennifer Haupt to review.

Elissa Montani is a real life hero. With little money, no experience in humanitarian aid, she started working out o a cramped walk in closet in her Staten Island home to bring more than 150 children injured in war zones or natural disasters to the US to receive badly needed medical care. She often travels herself to the dangerous areas of the world to meet the children and reassure them - and their families - that help is on the way. She's give up a lot, but gained so much more.

It all started fifteen years ago, back when she struggled with depression and panic attacks after losing several loved ones in a short time frame. After a meeting with the UN Ambassador to Bosnia, she heard about a young buy who stepped on a land mine and lost a leg and both arms. She heard her calling, and arranged for the boy to come to America and meet with doctors for surgery and prosthetic limbs. Thus began the Global Medical Relief Fund - or GMRF as it's known - her one woman operation. (To find out more about this wonderful organization, click here)

If you've ever thought that one person couldn't possibly make a difference, think again. This book will prove it to you. I hope you'll add this book and it's inspiring message to your summer reading list - because we CAN make a difference. And if you don't want to read the book (I know time is tight for us all), at least help get the word out about this organization, and maybe consider donating a little something.

I'll Stand By You: One Woman's Mission To Heal The Children Of The World by Elissa Montani with Jennifer Haupt is a paperback memoir book published by Plume. It is 256 pages long. The suggested cover price is $16.00, but Amazon has it available for $13.56 as of this posting. It is also available as a hardcover edition, as well as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.

I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.

DVD Review: Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup (Giveaway!)

2013-05-09T11:21:00.000-07:00

My family and I recently received a copy of the new CGI animated DVD Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup to review.

Airing as part of the Disney Junior lineup, Doc McStuffins is Dottie McStuffins, a six year old little girl who wants to be a doctor just like her mother is. She has a little stethoscope with "magical" powers - when she puts it on, stuffed toys come to life! She gives check ups to the toys, and fixes them up so they are all better in her playhouse "clinic". There is some singing throughout the episodes, and a little bit of healthy advice for kids to learn from. It's geared towards kids ages 2 to 7.

This single disc DVD contains five double episodes (each episode always has two stories in it): "Gulpy, Gulpy Gators!"/"One Note Wonder", "Tea Party Tantrum"/Blast Off!", "Arcade Escapade"/"Starry, Starry Night", "Bronto Boo-Boos"/"Brontosaurus Breath" and "Doctoring The Doc"/"Hot Pursuit". Here's a clip from the DVD:

(Sorry feedreaders, you'll have to click over to my site to see it) You can also snag some fun activity sheets to keep the kids occupied from this button:

There are no special features included on the DVD, but it is part of the Disney Movie Rewards program, so be sure to enter your code in at the website to earn your points towards great Disney rewards. It also has Disney's Fast Play technology as a feature, which is a navigation utility that automatically starts the disc as soon as it's put in the player and pretty much remembers your viewing preferences.

My daughter loves this program, and so do I - I love that Doc McStuffins is a positive role model for her! Plus, it's super cute. I would have loved this show when I was her age!

Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup is available now on DVD wherever DVD's are sold. Widescreen format, it is rated G and safe for all ages. The total running time is 120 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $19.99, but Amazon has it available for $12.99 as of this posting.

Win it! One lucky winner is going to win a copy of Doc McStuffins: Time For Your Checkup on DVD! To enter, tell us what you (or your kids) like about this show - or what you wanted to be as a child. Did you fulfill your dream?

And as always, you can receive extra entries for:

-Subscribing to my feed OR publicly following my blog via GFC OR Facebook (You can follow all three ways, but only 1 counts for entry)
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
example: #Win a Doc McStuffins DVD! http://bit.ly/16kdYSe ends 5/18 @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends May 18th at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)

I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own. One winner will receive the prize stated above, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.

Book Review: Noodlemania! 50 Playful Pasta Recipes By Melissa Barlow

2013-05-08T11:46:00.001-07:00

I recently received a copy of the new book Noodlemania! 50 Playful Pasta Recipes by Melissa Barlow to review.

Pasta is a fun and easy dish to make at home, thanks to all the different styles and sizes of pasta, and all the possible combinations of sauces and extra ingredients like veggies and meats, it's kind of hard to get bored eating. This small collection of recipes has everything from cold and hot dishes, to side dishes, main courses, and even a dessert or two - who knew you could use pasta to make a dessert? (check out the Cinnamon Noodle Ice Cream Sundaes over on page 102) Some even use the old college staple - ramen noodles. (Although, they sure have gone up in price since I was in college?!)

This book has a whimsical and kid friendly look to it, with silly drawings, fun facts, and plenty of tips on how to make the best pasta dish possible. The recipes are easy to follow and mostly easy to make with kids helping out in the kitchen. (Supervise of course, when using boiling water and sharp objects) There are oversize, full color photographs of every dish - something which I really covet in any cookbook I purchase. (I always want to be sure my dish looks like it's supposed to!) There are plenty of kid friendly recipes - such as "Totem Pole Tortellini" - to a few recipes a little more adult friendly, like the "Rolling Chicken Alfredo" and "Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta". Whether you are burnt out on the same ol' spaghetti and meatballs with tomato sauce, or just looking for a few new silly recipes to make for lunch, if you love pasta, I think you'll love this book.

Noodlemania! 50 Playful Pasta Recipes by Melissa Barlow is a cooking book published by Quirk Books and will be available this coming Tuesday, May 14th, 2013. It is 112 pages long. The suggested cover price is $15.95, but Amazon has it available on pre-order for $10.76 as of this posting. It will also be available as an e-book for the Kindle and other e-readers.

I received a copy of this book in order to read it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own, and not that of the author(s) or publisher.

DVD Review: Fraggle Rock: Meet The Fraggles

2013-05-08T10:59:00.002-07:00

My family and I recently received a copy of the new DVD Fraggle Rock: Meet The Fraggles to review.

Remember Fraggle Rock? It was a show created back in the 1980's by Jim Henson, and it featured "Fraggles" - little creatures who lived in caves underground, and love to explore the world. The five main characters are Gobo, Mokey, Wembley, Boober and Red.

This new single disc DVD contains six different episodes: "Beginnings" - which is the very first episode of the series and introduces you to the Fraggles and their world, "We Love You Wembley" - from later in season one, where everyone keeps asking poor Wembley to help out, when Wembley is overwhelmed and just wants help himself, "Boober's Dream" - one of the best episodes of the series, from season two, where Boober keeps having bad dreams so he "shares" them with his friends, and silliness ensues, "Red's Club" from later in season two, where Red starts her own "club" after she's tired of following Gobo around, but it doesn't work as she planned, "Mokey And The Minstrels", from season two is a very musical episode where Mokey thinks she is destined to become a minstrel, and "Gobo's Discovery" from season one, another great episode where Gobo decides if he wants to be like his traveling Uncle Matt who sees the world, and ends up wanting to save his friends.

There are no special features on this disc.

It's hard to believe that it's the 30th anniversary of the Fraggles arriving on TV! Now we are HUGE Fraggle Rock fans over here, so I think we've seen every episode a couple hundred times. ;) If you're a big Fraggle fan too, then you probably already know that this series has been released onto DVD as both a complete series set, and as single season sets. So if you already own any of those, then you should have these episodes already, and unless you are collecting everything Fraggle, you can skip over this release. However if you are wanting to introduce your kids to the wonders of the Fraggle world, then definitely pick up this DVD because it has a great selection of episodes - especially the very awesome "Boober's Dream" one. It's safe for all ages with no violence or questionable content, but most kids over the age of 9/10 probably won't get too into it.

Fraggle Rock: Meet The Fraggles will be available on DVD next Tuesday, May 14th, 2013. Full screen format, the total running time is 149 minutes long. It is not rated. The suggested retail price is $14.93, and Amazon has it available on pre-order for $12.68 as of this posting.

I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.

Giveaway: Take The Smart & Saucy Subway Challenge! #smartNsaucy

2013-05-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

There's a new limited time addition to the Subway FRESH FIT menu this May - the Smokehouse BBQ Chicken sandwich!

Made with slow-cooked pulled chicken and a sweet and smoky BBQ sauce, this is another low fat option (as long as you skip adding cheese and other sauces, of course). Whether you're watching your waistline to get ready for summer, or just love BBQ, the Smokehouse BBQ Chicken sandwich is a yummy option available at your local Subway until the end of May for just $6.00 as the $6 FOOTLONG Special.

Subway invited me to take the “Smart and Saucy” SUBWAY Challenge, and sent me on over a giftcard so I could try out the new Smokehouse BBQ Chicken sandwich:

Somewhere on that sub is the BBQ chicken, I swear. lol I had a newbie making our sandwich and it fell apart as I was opening it - oops. I guess that's what I get for adding all the veggies? ;) Now, I wouldn't call this southern BBQ ;) but it was a great change of pace from my usual choices at Subway - it would be nice if they would keep this one all year round! (Or at least for the summer?) Head on over to Subway try the Smokehouse BBQ Chicken sandwich out before it's gone!

Win it! Want to take the “Smart and Saucy” SUBWAY Challenge yourself? One lucky reader is going to win a $25 Subway gift card so they can try out the Smokehouse BBQ Chicken sandwich for themselves! (Or any other sub, of course) To enter, tell us if you'll be taking the “Smart and Saucy” SUBWAY Challenge, or if not, what Fresh Fit sub you think they should create next!

And as always, you can receive extra entries for:

-Subscribing to my feed OR publicly following my blog via GFC OR Facebook (You can follow all three ways, but only 1 counts for entry)
-Blogging about this giveaway with a link back
-Tweeting about this giveaway 1X (leave the link in your comment below or @psychotichouse)
example: Try #smartNsaucy & #win a Subway GC! http://bit.ly/10muVsK ends 5/18 @psychotichouse

That's four (4) possible entries! Giveaway ends May 18th at 11:59 PM PST, and please leave your email address in your entry or have it available in your profile. US only, sorry :( Good luck everyone!! :)

I received a gift card so I could try out the product mentioned above. One winner will receive the prize stated above, as fulfilled by the giveaway sponsor.

Random Thoughts Tuesday - Cardio, Cardio, Cardio

2013-05-07T11:28:00.001-07:00

I have been listening to the music of chainsaws and weed-whackers for three days now, and I am just a little cranky. OK, a LOT cranky. I can't stand the noise. Reason #5,467 why Storm prefers to live in the middle of nowhere: no noise from the neighbors. It's the same thing as last year: dude is too lazy to chop his firewood with an axe, so he cuts every. single. piece. with his chainsaw.

I may have to take over crazy lady's space and start screaming in the street. ;)

The sun has disappeared on us - booo! Yesterday it was in the 80's, and right now I think we are in the 50's.

I am crawling on getting my chores done. The last week I've had the laundry hanging out by 8 AM - it's almost 11 AM and I've just started it in the washer. Oops - hope it gets dry on time!

DH wants me to make a dish for a nurses appreciation potluck at work. I have no idea what to make? Everyone is going to bring cold salads and things like that. Most of my awesome dishes are all warm - and that would be fine except they will be cold by the time they get to work. I better hurry up and decide.

Ack! I better get my Mother's Day cards in the mail before the mail carrier gets here! Then again, our mail arrived just before 7 PM last night, so maybe I have plenty of time... ;)

The Last of Us trailer explains the post-apocalyptic fungal zombiesI'm looking forward to this game - it's what I am getting DH for his birthday next month. Hopefully it's as good as it looks.

Well then - here's an interesting Father's Day crafty idea for a gift: Weaponized Toilet Brushes Wipe Out Zombies and Hard Water Stains Oh wait, now they are going to want to ban these too I suppose. :P

The Zombies among us Hey, an excuse to work on rule number one: cardio! ;)

DVD Review: Saban's Power Rangers Samurai: The Sixth Ranger Volume 4

2013-05-06T12:15:00.000-07:00

My family and I recently received a copy of the new DVD Saban's Power Rangers Samurai: The Sixth Ranger Volume 4 to review.

This all new to DVD live action branch of the Power Rangers world is the debut of the Gold Ranger! It contains four episodes: "Unexpected Arrival", "Room For One More", "The Blue And Gold", and "Team Spirit".

When a mysterious fisherman arrives, the Power Ranger Samurai meet their newest ally, Antonio. Before he can join the team as the Gold Ranger, he must prove he possesses the true spirit of the samurai. The Nighlok monsters challenge the Rangers when evil Master Xandred sends Steeleto to attack while Antberry and Octoroo attempt to open a portal and Splitface taps human spirits. The Gold Ranger helps save the day wth his Barracuda Blade, the OctocZord, and the Clawzord's megamodes.

The DVD does contain some bonus materials, including a "Bloopers" featurette, the "Ask A Ranger" featurette, and the "Train Like A Ranger" video.

The Power Rangers franchise has been around for 20 years now, and the Samurai Rangers are the newst incarnation with some upgraded powers. To us adults, the show has some seriously cheesy effects and acting, but to young kids, they just love this show. It's geared best for the 2-6 crowd, and both boys and girls.

Saban's Power Rangers Samurai: The Sixth Ranger Volume 4 will be available on Tuesday, May 14th, 2013, so mark your calendars! Not rated, it's safe for all ages with just some exaggerated roughhousing. Widescreen format, the total running time is 92 minutes long. The suggested retail price is $14.98, but Amazon has it available on pre-order for $9.99 as of this posting.

I received a copy of this DVD in order to view it and share my thoughts on it. All opinions are my own.