When you can say, "It works!"

It would be an ideal world if all things functioned just the way the way the advertisements and product packaging said they would. We are bombarded every day with the latest and greatest tool, cleaning product, gadget, face cream, etc. Sadly, many disappoint, and we quickly realize that our hard-earned money was lost to another clever marketer in the quest for quicker, better, and best. This whole scenario makes the moments when our latest purchase actually works just the way "they" said it would (or better!) all the more exciting. My latest product love affair is one I've been itching to share.

I will fully admit that I'm gadget-curious, but I'm also a very critical shopper. This is especially true when it comes to cleaning products. The truth is, most don't work as well as they say, many let off enough toxic fumes to choke you, and I often leave my cleaning experience, whether it's in the kitchen or the bathroom, feeling a little dizzy and less than satisfied.

Mopping, oh mopping! I've been able to escape it for many years because I had very little hard flooring. I used to clean my bathroom and kitchen floors on my hands and knees with paper towels and a little cleaner. That did the job much quicker and faster than hauling out a mop. Besides, don't you always feel like the mop just spreads the dirt around? Even if you change the water often, you're putting the dirty mop back on the floor and ugh! I just hate it. In our new house here in Las Vegas, we've got a lot more tile to deal with. That means mopping. I set out on a quest for the best solution. I started with the Libby mop with washable head. It sounded good that I could just throw the head in the washer after a mopping. What I quickly learned is that there's a lot of annoying squeezing and bending. It does the job, but it's not fast and it's not perfect. The dirt-spreading factor is huge here. Next came the Method Mop. The cleaner that comes with the mop smells divine and the Micro-fiber cloth does actually pick up a bunch of dirt and it's washable at the end of the job. This is a great mop if your floors are just lightly dirty or you need a quick once-over at the end of the day. Still, though, not perfect.

That brings me to my new love. The Monster EZ1 Steam Mop. It's a steam mop made in heaven. This thing is not easy to find. I set out to find a steam mop of some sort, read a lot about the domestic brands that are commonly available at Target, Wal-mart, etc, but came away wanting for something better. I sort of stumbled upon a vacuum site that was featuring a video of the Monster. Being a gadget-lover, I was intrigued, though skeptical. It's made in Italy and not regularly available here, though you can find it at said vacuum store, Amazon and on ebay. After seeing just a few good reviews and bargaining with a guy on e-bay for a great deal, I made the leap. What a great leap! This thing is, as they say, "the bomb". You put in the water, let it heat up, then steam away. And when I say steam, I mean steam. This stuff is hot! That's great for sanitizing your floors, but not so great when you're mopping right next to your foot. I fried a few toes early on. Now I wear shoes or at least socks. The micro-fiber cloth seems to suck in the dirt and I really like that the steam is sanitizing. No choking chemicals either! The real test for me was to mop my kitchen floor with the Monster then wipe a section with a wet paper towel to see what other grime comes up with a little up close and personal scrubbing. Nothing! Not a speck or hint of dirt. I love it! I've found my eternal mopping companion.

What's your favorite cleaning tool? I've got mopping down, but what about toilet cleaning and shower scrubbing? Those are still a work in progress. Share if you've got a great solution to these ever so mundane problems.

An Opportune Moment

Parker (my sister Kellie's son) and I have become real photo buddies lately. He's my model of choice when it comes to practicing my portrait-taking - and who wouldn't want this cutey as a model? Anyway, Chloe is insanely jealous of Parker. It could have something to do with the fact that we talk to Parker in the same voice we use to talk to Chloe. Parker is a real damp rag on her "all the attention on me" parade, but nonetheless, she enjoys him and I think she's just secretly holding out until Parker begins his food dropping/throwing/spitting phase. Then all the negatives will be outweighed by the veritable feast that awaits her. For now though, Chloe finds great joy in having a human down at her level, especially one that doesn't know enough to protect himself from the incoming tongue. Poor Parker. I was taking his picture today and he was being so pleasant . . . . then THIS happened . . .
Now I know all you very clean moms and non-pet lovers think this is SO gross, but I have to tell you that I think it's seriously funny. I see the beginnings of a beautiful relationship - and I mean that in the most innocent "boy and his dog" kind of way. I love this dog. I love this boy. I'm glad they're forming memories to keep. I hope there are lots more to come.

Look Who I Found in Vegas!

No, I'm not dead, contrary to assumptions based on my lack of blogging for 2+ months. I am out here, and I have fun story to share. My Denver friend, Chalyce, called me the other day with a surprise! She was in Las Vegas! Though you may assume that we'd get lots of visitors since we're in the hub of western tourist travel, it's not really true. I guess we don't have a lot of gambling or conference going friends :) Anyway, Chalyce was here for a conference as it turns out and had her evenings free. Nate and I were able to go pick her up at her hotel last night and go out for a fun sushi dinner at a new place we'd wanted to try. Chalyce was then kind enough to give us a tour of her hotel room. What a cool place! It's a relatively new casino hotel, called Red Rock, that's part of a chain of local casinos here called Station Casinos. We fell in love with the room and decor. As funny as it seems, it's quite the "thing" here in Vegas for locals to go stay at a casino for a night or two as a getaway from regular life. When we found out that the prices are quite reasonable on weekends, we quickly added this to our list of things we'd like to do someday. Thanks so much, Chalyce, for thinking of us and giving us a call. We had a fun time seeing you and catching up! For those of you out there who have some reason to be in Vegas anytime soon, call us!!! We'd love more visitors.

Here's a quick view of the Red Rock Casino's rooms, in case you're curious:

I LOVED this tub! It has to be more than 2 feet deep and just looks luxurious!

Have You Seen This?

Super interesting and entertaining. I would have liked being one of the freezers, but how did they keep from laughing? That's what I want to know . . .

Book Tagged

Oh Goodness! I've been tagged by my dear friend, Melissa, so here goes. I'm supposed to grab the closest book, turn to page 123 and read (and type here) the 5th sentence. I'm also then supposed to tag 5 new people. Well, hmmm, the closest book right this very minute is a Photoshop instructional manual by Scott Kelby. The boring news is that on page 123 there isn't even a 5th sentence - only 2 with big instructional pictures included. Since you don't want to hear about that, I'll choose the next closest book - one I picked up at the library today based on a book list provided by Melissa and her fabulous book club girls in Colorado. The book, which I just carried up the stairs with me before sitting down to check blogs, is The Diary of Mattie Spencer, by Sandra Dallas.

I think I remember Melissa saying something about how she really liked this book. Then again, maybe she said she hated it and that's why it sticks out in my mind . . . Either way, it looks like my kind of book - Depression days, living on the prairie, etc, etc. It gets 4.5 stars on Amazon, so I'm looking forward to it!



So let's see, page 123 . . . 5th sentence . . . "Poor Sallie survived months of inhuman treatment, only to die within an arm's reach of freedom, but perhaps there was some mercy in this; Sallie was enceinte."



Sounds uplifting . . . "enceinte" - am I the only one who had to go to dictionary.com for this one? The sentence is much more intriguing when you know the meaning of the word. It's true what they say . . . you learn something new every day. Thanks for the tag, Melissa, and for the exciting new read I have ahead of me!

I tag Monique, Kellie, Julie, Brittany, and Jen.

OK, She's Sung for Mitt, but not for America

Mitt's out. It's official. I'm sad, but after watching his speech, I know he's still got the right idea. He absolutely "gets it" and if you don't agree, go find his speech on the internet. It's not about politics or money or anything else that he's been accused of. It's about the heart of our very lives - families, safety, security, and freedom. For now, we have to do what's right for America. In another 4 years, there will be another chance at bringing our focus back to the place it should be.

Mitt is a real class act. Maybe people will realize that now, more than they ever did when they had a chance to vote for him . . . .

The Fat Lady Has Sung - Almost. . .

I'm feeling very sad tonight - the election results show a real disappointing trend in America's judge of character. Oh well. Maybe it will save me a trip to the polls in November. I don't know how I'd choose between the arrogant liar and the crazy woman. Hmmm . . . .