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Tuesday, June 29, 2010

CLASSIC CRAZY MOM: THE SURGE IS WORKING!!!

Please won't you take my poll in my sidebar?  And I'd love it if you'd become a friend, follower, or subscriber!  Thank!!!  :)

Here's another old post from my hsb blog!

No, I'm not talking about Iraq.  I'm talking about my all out attack on the fruit flies that have invaded my home. 

I first started seeing the little buggers several weeks ago after I took some watermelon out of the fridge.  My intention was to feed it to my kids later that day.  Well, it seems I forgot all about until a few days later when I lifted the aluminum that covered its end and was met by a small army of fruit flies.

So I trashed the melon and swatted at the flies, killing them all off within a few days.  Or so I thought.  Not long after, I began seeing them again.  I don't know if they were left over from the melon incident, or if they had something to do with the veggies my mom had sent over, but they were back.  I swatted at them again, killing a few here and there, and they seemed to disappear.  Or so I thought again.

Suddenly, unlike King Midas who turned things to gold when he touched them, I was met by a sudden movement of fruit fly troops whenever I would touch something in the kitchen.  They loved my faucet, the glass on my china cabinet, my candles, wet wash cloths, and even my beloved Mr. Clean Magic Erasers!  I decided that it was time to institute a no fly zone in my kitchen.

I started by Googling "how to kill fruit flies."  Most of the ideas involved putting fruit in a glass jar and covering it with plastic wrap, and then poking holes in so that the flies would go in, but couldn't come out.  Of course, I didn't have any plastic wrap, but Sunday I did try inverting a Slurpee cup lid in a large Slurpee cup with an old rag and a piece of fruit in it.  I noticed the flies loved to land on the cup, but once I got near it they scattered. 

I went to church that night, and much to my horror they talked about the plagues in Sunday School.  When my five-year-old heard about the plague of flies, he told his teacher that was just like his house!  I knew something had to been done.  And soon.

Finally, on Monday I got to the store and got the plastic wrap.  I tried the glass jar thing but left the Slurpee cup out.  The next morning, I woke to find that not a single fly was in the trap, but several were on the cup. So I took the wrap and very slowly approached the cup and covered it.  It worked!  I trapped some flies! 

Then I remembered that they share my affection for Magic Erasers.  So I took my old eraser and put it in the lid.  The next time I looked, there were lots of the little buggers crawling all over it.  I did another sneak attack and got even more!

So I decided to somehow attach the plastic wrap to the cup so that it would be there and ready when the flies landed.  That didn't seem to work until I devised my master plan.  I took the plastic wrap and wrapped it around the cup so that it was about four inched above it.  Then I stuck the top of it together so it just left an opening about two inches wide.   I left it like that all night long.
The morning came, and there it was.  My little trap was filled with at least 50 flies, chillin' out on my Magic Eraser.  I just pinched the plastic wrap closed and they were trapped.  I went outside and let them go.  Not because the ACLU said I couldn't legally hold them, or because The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals were watching me, but because I was afraid if I opened the plastic to kill them, they would escape in my house.   I just wanted them outta here!

So all day long, every hour or so, I would go out on my porch and let my little POWs go.  I do have to wonder what the neighbors were thinking.  I even went out a few time in my nightgown!  But as the day went by, I was getting less and less flies in my trap.  I do believe that's because the surge worked.
Now, that is not to say all is well.  I am still battling those rotten little flies.  There are still a few around, but at least they don't swarm around every time I touch something.   I'm not ready to pull out yet.  As long as I see fruit flies, I, along with my Slurpee cup, old rag, and Mr. Clean, will continue to fight.  There is no timeline for withdrawl.  I won't leave until the job is done, and every one of those nasty little buggers respects that my house is a no fly zone, and it's gonna stay that way!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Five Lovely Gals! The Pier Review Crew!!!

While you're here, why not take my poll?  And I'd love it if you'd become a follower, friend, or subscriber!



As an First Mate (FM) on the TOS Homeschool Crew, I am "mentoring" five gals who are new to the Crew.  I have to say they are a great bunch of gals and they don't really need me at all.  :)  Just to prove it, I thought I'd give you a chance to check out their blogs yourself.  Here they are, in no particular order, the blogs of The Pier Review Crew!!!







New Review!!! The Trouble with Treasure!

About the product/service: As part of the TOS Homeschool Crew I received a free copy of Andrea Carter and the Trouble with Treasure by Susan K. Marlow from Kregel Publications so I could read it and give you my humble opinion. :) This is book five of a series of which details the adventures of Andrea and her family and friends who live on a cattle ranch near Fresno, California in the 1880s.

Here's what the website has to say about The Trouble with Treasure:

When innocent horseplay temporarily lands Andi and her friends in jail, they decide that a trip into the mountains will leave their troubles far behind. Accompanied by big brother Mitch and armed with a map showing old gold diggings, they can't wait to strike it rich. What could be better than two weeks of camping and horseback riding?

But instead of gold they find heaps of trouble -- trouble that leaves Mitch gravely wounded. Andi needs help fast. But who can she trust? And what good is a bag of gold when her beloved brother lies near death in the middle of nowhere?

What are the pros of this product? This is a nice historical fiction for kids that I think both boys and girls would enjoy reading. Actually, though the main character, Andi, is a girl, she is sort of a tomboy and I honestly thought the book I read seemed more like a boy book.

What's not to like? Nothing negative stands out to me. However, the storyline is a bit intense. The kids get caught up in a very dangerous situation. Think bank robbers, guns, and gunshot wounds, even death. At one point the kids are even physically assaulted. So, if you have a child who cannot handle that sort of thing, this is one to steer clear of.

The Crazy Mom take: Well, this is one I intended to pass off to my daughter to read, but after she lost it twice, I figured I'd better just go ahead and read it. :) I have to say, I thought it was well written and very suspenseful. I did think it had a more "boy" flavor to it, though. It is a bit intense, but I think my kids could handle it. Life can be intense, and I like it that when Andi found herself in a very difficult spot, she remembered a Bible verse to help her make it through. I don't mind books with real situations as long as sin isn't glorified and the characters, at least the main ones, respond in a Biblical manner.

But, at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I suggest you read it first before passing it along to your kids. Only you know what's best for your own family.

Happy reading!!!



What's the bottom line? $7.99

I am going to give The Trouble with Treasure 4 out of 5 smileys!!!

Check it out! http://store.kregel.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=1998

See what my fellow TOS Crew members have to say @ http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolcrew/782677/





*The Smiley System:
I can't really recommend this product.
I doubt this product would be helpful to many people.

This is a good product, but isn't right for everyone.

Most homeschool moms will find this useful.

This is great, and I would recommend it to anyone!!!

Disclaimer!!! I reviewed this product because I am a member of The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew. I was given the product by the vendor to use and evaluate in my home so that I might share my insights with others. Other than receiving the product, which I kinda have to to be able to assess the product, I am not compensated for my reviews in any way. I am in no way obligated to give a positive review. I do try to point out negatives when I see them, though I am admittedly a pretty easy going gal! What you read are my honest assessments of the products I receive.

As with all products, you must do the research before buying. Please visit the the other crew members' blogs, the vendor websites, and any other review sites you might find before buying. I can't guarantee that a product will work for you. You must decide what will fit with your teaching style, and your child(ren)'s learning style(s). I do not judge anything other than the educational value of the products I review. I am not qualified to make judgements as to the safely of any product, and I make no guarantee that the products I review are safe for you, your family, or anyone else. I am simply giving my opinion; only you know what is best for you and your family.

Don't use your blow dryer while you sleep or take a bath. Don't read my reviews in the tub either, and please do not read them when you are asleep, though I do not guarantee that you won't fall asleep reading them!

Copyright 2009 Ramblings from the Crazy House

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Hello from Crazy Mom!!!

It has dawned on my that I haven't posted any "personal" posts in quite so time, so I just thought I'd take a moment to say hello!

I know I have a lot of new readers, so I thought I'd tell you a little about myself.  Well, first of all I am a Christian.  :)  I am also a homeschooling mom of eight.  Well, technically a homeschooling mom of only seven as I graduated my oldest son, First Born, last year.  He is currently in Africa on a two month mission trip. 

I have five other boys,  Renaissance Man, who is one of those kids who is good at everything.  Music. Sports.  Computer Programming.  You name it, he can do it.  Well, not keep his room clean or get himself up in the morning, but pretty much anything else!  LOL

Mr. Personality is my social one.  He love to talk about just about anything, but he likes to go for those "forbidden" topics you are not supposed to bring up in polite conversation.  Yes, religion and politics!  LOL

Woggit is my not-so-social one.  He hates attending large events and would rather curl up with a good book or play on the computer if only he wouldn't keep getting grounded off of it for going on it before doing his chores.

Dode Man is all energy.  The kid never stops moving.  He's ten and quite a handful, but a real lovable little guy.

Baber is my youngest child.  He is adorable.  He has no intention of blending into the background, and is very adept at making his opinions known.

Then there are the two sweet girls, Princess and Bear.  They are both girlie and I love it.  They are both far better homemakers than I am and are even learning to sew.  :)

I am just a very ADD, disorganized gal who tried so hard to keep it all together but hasn't quite figured it all out.  I am married to Sane Man and he puts up with me, thank goodness!

We all live together in a small house with one bathroom.  Yes, it's crazy, but I wouldn't want it any other way!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

It's that time again! Yes! A contest!!! Win a Dinner Kit from Good Earth!!!

This contest is now closed.  Congrats to Julieanne Miller!!!

 


Time for another contest!

How would you like to win a Good Earth gift pack that includes a Good Earth Mediterranean Chicken dry dinner kit, two sets of bamboo flatware, two bamboo dishes, a bamboo utility board and a 100% recyclable grocery tote?  (These are really  nice, I got one too!)

Well, we'll get to that in a minute.  First let me tell you about the Good Earth dinner kit!

Coming to stores this month, Good Earth dry dinner kits offer a selection of four delectable meals: Mediterranean Chicken with angel hair pasta, Spicy Citrus Glazed Shrimp with angel hair pasta, Herb Crusted Chicken with mushroom risotto and Tuscan Chicken with penne pasta.

These kits let you make a very nice dinner without all the work!  (My kinda dinner, let me tell you.)  The best part is that they are made with 100% whole grain, no trans fat, no artificial flavors, no artificial preservatives, and no MSG.  I am so glad that companies are starting to consider these things when making new products.


To win the contest you must leave a comment and a way to get in touch with you if you win.  Please let me know in your comment which of the four dinner sounds best to you.  Then, if you'd like, you can earn additional entries by becoming a Google Connect Friend, following me on Twitter, following me on Facebook, subscribling to my blog's RSS feed, or subscribing to get my posts via e-mail with  Feedburner.  If you're really motivated, you can even blog or tweet about it yourself!   If you do this, please leave a separate comment for each way you follow me or promote the contest.   

Also, you must be at least 18 years old to enter, and not my immediate relative.  US and Canadian residents only please.

The contest will end Sunday, June 27 at 11:59 PM. 

Thanks and good luck!!!


NOTE:  The product, gift pack, information and additional gift pack to give away were all given to me by Good Earth and MyBlogSpark.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

These Blogs Were Made for Walkin'!!!

Well, we're getting ready to sail again as the TOS Crew is just about set to start its third voyage!!!  This year we thought it would be a great idea to give our readers a little peek at some of the other bloggers out there who are part of the crew.  This is called a Blog Walk.  The idea is to promote ten of our crewmates' blogs each week.  Please take a few minutes to visit them, and leave a comment! 

Now, without further ado, here are the first ten blogs of the 2010-2011 TOS Crew Blog Walk!!!













Friday, June 4, 2010

Become a Loser and win a Prize!!! LOL

This contest is now closed.  Congrats to Debra!!!

 

OK, friends, I have pledged to lose ten pounds, and I am helping to feed the hungry in the process!  No, I'm not going to give away my leftovers; I'm participating in the Pound for Pound challenge!!!  I hope you'll join me!!!  Here's some info from the folks who are sponsoring this effort:

The Kroger Co. Family of Stores, General Mills, NBC's hit TV Show "The Biggest Loser" and other key sponsors are partnering to donate up to $1,080,000 to Feeding America this year.


Here´s how you can help:

Visit http://www.pfpchallenge.com/Kroger to make your pledge to lose weight and to get more information and to find tools to change your life for the better. It is free, easy and only takes a minute to make a change that can help you and help the hungry in your local community.

Through June 30, 2010, for every pound you pledge to lose, the Pound For Pound Challenge will donate 14¢ to Feeding America® - enough to deliver one pound of groceries to a local food bank.

As the official supplier of the Biggest Loser Ranch and partner of the Pound for Pound Challenge, the Kroger Family of Stores wants to help you achieve your goals. If you´re a fan of the Biggest Loser, you may have seen several great General Mills products featured on the show. These products, including Yoplait Greek yogurt, Total, and Multigrain Cheerios, are available at your local Kroger Family of Stores and can help you stick to your weight management plan.

So are you into it?  I hope so!  I know some of you are already the perfect weight, but it' a rare person that doesn't need to lost a pound or two. 

Now for the contest!  Would you like a $30 Kroger* card so you can buy some of the products that are featured on Biggest Loser?  Just leave me a comment telling me whether or not you have joined the challenge.  You don't have to tell me how many pounds you pledge to lose if you don't want to. :)   I'll accept comments until Sunday, June 13, 2010 at 11:59 PM.  Anyone can enter who is at least 18 years old and is not in my immediate family.  Of course, you'll want to be in an area where there is a store where you can use the card!  LOL  You must leave me an e-mail address or some other way for me to contact you if you win!!!

I'll also let you get an extra entry for following me on Twitter, Facebook, or as a Google Connect friend.  If you subscribe via Feedburner, I'll give you THREE extra entries.  You must leave a seperate comment for EACH of these additional entries. 

~ The Kroger Family of Stores gift card, information, and giveaway were all provided by the Kroger Family of Stores and General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

*The Kroger Family of Stores includes Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralph´s, King Soopers, City Market, Dillon's, Smith´s, Fry´s, QFC, Baker´s, Owen´s, Jay C Food Stores, Hilander, Gerbes, Food4Less, Pay Less Super Markets and Scott´s Food & Pharmacy.
 
Good luck!!!  :)
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