WigSmells

Becca's Favorite Things

Haven't used this for long, so it still needs some trial and error in the Summer months, but so far I'm liking this crystal deodorant I found in my husband's drawer in the bathroom. I remember buying it for him years ago when we were on a health kick and wanted to avoid aluminum in antiperspirant. You wet the stone and apply, preferably after a shower. Let me know if I just think it works and I'm actually stinky, OK?

This will be short today, I need to make bags for birthday presents. I love to sew, but I've made almost 30 bags in the last 8 months (every one unique) and I'm ready for a break. I got into bag making to make myself a few reusable shopping bags, but got distracted making gifts and the celebrants keep coming! I still haven't made my shopping bags!

I have plans to sum up "The Trouble with Boys" book that Ben and I read together. So come back soon! Look how big my baby is in the recently added pictures at the end of the slide show! She's our little butterball!

Friday Finale

Becca's Favorite ThingsHere's another one of Becca's Favorite Things! I've been using Auromere Toothpaste for about seven years now. It has no flouride, it's primary ingredient is chalk, it has neem, peelu and tea tree oil in it as well as a plethora of other wonderful herbs. My dental hygienist has been impressed with the results. I buy it from the local health food store and personally prefer "Fresh Mint" to the "Licorice" and "Mint Free" flavors. I've told y'all in the past that I am intrigued with the ancient Indian medical science, "Ayurveda". This toothpaste gets their stamp of approval which tells me it's got to be good for you. I also like that I can let my son use it, if need be, and not worry if he ingests it. Normally he uses fun flavored natural toothpaste.

The tongue cleaner seen in the picture became part of my life around the same time as the toothpaste. I truly don't feel as though I've finished brushing my teeth until I've scraped my tongue. You can just use a big spoon if you want, but this tool seems to do the job the best. I bought it at BanyanBotanicals.com. For those familiar with Reflexology, the tongue (like the foot and hand and ear) is a map of the rest of the body and by scraping off the toxins on your tongue, you're detoxing your whole body. I believe this has helped me avoid sickness at times, reduces bad breath and just makes my mouth a happier place.

Bonus!
Money For Nothin'
Two fun little ideas for you to consider:
1. SwapaDVD and PaperbackSwap: Found these on MoneySavingMom.com (which you should totally check out and be wowed like me). They are on-line borrowing systems for DVDs and books. It's cheap (under $2 per DVD) and easy (you actually print out the mailers and tape them). I'm a little worried about my Veggie Tales getting scratched up by the little kids I know will watch them, and am leaning toward trying the paperback swap instead.

2. Check your local grocery store's websites for weekly ads and coupons. My personal favorite is Giant Eagle's web coupons. You register once with the site, so it has your Giant Eagle card number, then, you browse through their web coupons, click which ones you want and they are directly applied to your Giant Eagle card. You don't even have to print them out. You might consider writing them down though, the only reminder you get is on-line. I saved $1 on butter this way and $1 on any House of Tsang product (great General Tseos and Sweet and Sour Sauce). The next few times I checked I didn't see many coupons that I needed. - - - - If you are into CVS, Walgreens or Rite-Aid shopping, check out MoneySavingMom.com as she regularly posts the best deals at each of those on her site among random freebies she hears about and general money saving tips.

Hope you've enjoyed four posts in one week! Click on "See older posts" at the bottom to see Tuesday's post. I don't think I'll be doing this many on a regular basis, once a week works for me.

Gettin' Wiggy!

We had some beautiful weather this past week and we took full advantage of it! There was still snow from the great blizzard of 2008 the weekend before, but that didn't stop us from taking an hour and half walk one day, just Z and I, without the stroller! We were almost home when Daddy came home and wanted to play outside with Z too! Boy was he tired that night! The next few pictures are ones Ben took during their time playing outside...

Ben and I have been just smitten with this little boy, lately.

Here, Ben said Z saw an airplane in the sky, leaned out of his car and waved, "Hi"!

This is from Friday night when Mommy was working, Z helped Daddy do the dishes. After this, he thought he got to help every time there was water in the sink and was very disappointed when Mommy wasn't as fun as Daddy.
Looking up to Daddy...oh, and wearing his shoes.Family Bed
I just wanted to share with y'all what our gianormous family bed looks like! It's almost more than the camera could capture. Ben and I sleep on the King size bed that's at the bottom. Z (seen in the distance) sleeps on the far side of the full size mattress that's next to it. Both beds are on the floor, ours doesn't need a boxspring, but his does to reach the height of ours. We have single down comforters on all three so we can crawl out of our respective spots when needed (I'm up 1-2 times a night these days!). We've found that Z sleeps better in his own bed, but likes to look up and see if we're around when he wakes up at all hours of the night. It's also easier to comfort him when he needs his bottom patted back to sleep. Just thought you'd like to see a bed that was almost 11 feet in width! Money for Nothin'!

Yes, you too can get coupons like this! Here's my third installment of "Money for Nothin'". Our good friend, Matt O'Brien, shared this one with us a good year or two ago. He said that all Hanes products were GUARANTEED for life! He realized this from reading the back of the package, who'd have thunk it!? Turns out, if you buy, or better yet, have already bought any Hanes underwear (boxers OR briefs) or socks or really anything else they might sell, and it has a hole in it, you're in luck! We've sent back packages of holey old underwear and socks twice now. The first time Ben weighed the package at work, they sent him a mailing label then we got a package of socks in the mail and a check for the underwear! The second time, Ben called them and they said they didn't even need the old holey stuff mailed and that they'd send us coupons to replace them. Sure enough, you can see the picture to prove it! It's so happy! If you aren't so fortunate as to have already holey underwear and socks in your dresser drawers right now, don't panic. You can just make a point of buying Hanes brand the next time you're in the market for socks and undies! Tee hee! For more info on how to get your Hanes goods replaced, I found this on their website:

For questions regarding a purchase you made at a retail store or to arrange the
return of a Hanes® product you purchased at a retail store:

Contact Retail Customer Service:
1-800-994-4348
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern Time

Becca's Favorite Things

These, my friends, are called "SmartWool" socks. The ones above are two of Ben's, I realize the picture is misleading, Smartwool socks come matching, I just wanted to show you two examples. You can learn a lot about them on the SmartWool website, but I'll summarize for ya. Made from fancy Merrino sheep wool from New Zealand, they keep you warm when you need, cool when you need, dry all the time, and stink free! They're also super soft and comfy. I especially like how snugly they fit. Mine are longer. Secretly, I sometimes find myself thinking, "We must be rich! Ben has four pairs of SmartWools, I have two and Z even has a pair!" We were given at least three of our pairs. They're not your economical Hanes as they go for $10 for a pair of footies up to $22 for boot socks online. We've found them cheaper at climbing stores like Appalacian Outfitters, but that was a long time ago, when I was working, so maybe their prices went up. I believe Ben's business partner at the airport, Eric, found SmartWools on ebay in bulk before. Anyways, I found myself thankful for my SmartWools this week and thought I'd include them in Becca's Favorite Things.

Not among Becca's Favorite things this week: VOIP! (Voice over internet Protocol). There's some voice over internet phone services that may be just fine, but we have not been happy with VOIP the carrier. We're thinking of switching to Vonage. Any bad experiences out there? We've had no working phone for six days out of the last two weeks. Again, if you need to contact us, call our cells or e-mail us! Thanks!

Applesauce and haircuts

This is my little helper last week as I made applesauce for the third time this month. My friend, Chrisie, gave me her recipe and it's wonderful! I cheat and use my new apple/peeler/corer (Thanks, Dad W!) which allows me to peel, slice and core 15 apples in about 30 minutes.
So, to make this yummy sauce, put a half cup of water in a pot (mine is 5qts), then heap full of peeled and sliced apples. Cook on medium for a couple of hours, stirring occasionally, then simmer as long as you like (I usually cook this for 5 hours or so). Add 1/4 c. sugar (I use dark brown), and season to taste (I use 1-2t. cinnamon, and a pinch of allspice and ground cloves). I used only Fuji apples the first two times I made this and it was yummy, but so sweet that it was better on top of vanilla ice cream than by itself. The last time I made it with half Fuji and half Pink Lady apples and it was perfectly sweet and sour, the way I like it.

I was afraid to cut his hair after our last episode, so Ben's Aunt Laurie kindly volunteered to do it for us (she's a professional). He still fought tooth and nail. I didn't post the picture someone took with my camera of both Ben and myself restraining him while she tried to cut his hair, as I was afraid it might be misinterpreted. Check out Mr. Eye Lashes

This is during break time, before we went back for our final round of hair cutting. Aunt Laurie was so patient! You'll have to wait for a finished hair picture for him till next week as he was too wiggly or grumpy for pictures. Oh, and this is a before picture of my hair which I got cut the next night.

Jenna and Ally got their hair cut too!

My newest do! Thanks Kim!

Becca's Favorite Things!

Well, as you can see, the first is so yummy, I ate it all. "Chocolate Underground" organic yogurt by Stonyfield Farm. It's perfectly good for you...except for the immense amount of organic sugar in it. But, in lieu of a candy bar, WAY better for you, and oh my, the chocolate!

I heard about SuperMom Vitamins from my friend/sorority sister, Dana, and am very happy with the results. I totally have more energy than I did prior to taking them. I almost feel like... like a "SuperMom!" [to be sung in the style of Superman].

WigJournal

Swim classes started again! He's much more comfortable in the water this year (Z not Ben).Found this on one of my college roommate's blog. Not sure how exactly they're defining "genius"! Interestingly, three of my four college roomies have blogs: Lana, Stephanie and Chrisie! Do visit, they're all fascinating women!
Here's some snippets of our night the other night. I just missed some really funny dancing but still got a little bit on this first video which you can't hear very well at all. In the second one he was initially waiting for me to take his picture, but soon gave up and started his usual grabbing of whatever he can find on the table. If you listen you can hear "slurping" of the white spoon he pretends to lick!


As promised, here's the latest installment of "Becca's Favorite Things":
Got dry skin? I do! Eucerin Plus: Intensive Repair Body Creme healed the eczema on my scalp (although it came back when I stopped using it, but it does that when I use prescription cremes too!). Next, we have the best spray since insect repellent. Suave Professionals: Volumizing (Compare to Matrix) costs under $3 and works every bit as good as professional styling spray. I tried their curl scruncher in the green bottle and didn't like it much, but this, this is outstanding! Fly-aways and frizzies are a thing of the past, I'd recommend this for any hair type, especially inconsistently wavey hair like mine.

"Learn how to drive, people!"
In today's friendly driving reminder we address turning onto a multi-lane road. When turning onto a multi-lane road (see diagram below), whether in a left or right hand turn, you should turn into the lane nearest you even if you want into the far lane. Once in the nearest lane apply turning signal and cautiously move into the desired lane. This allows traffic to continue safely from two directions.
Money for Nothin'
Let's talk money! My favorite way to make free money right now is on emigrantdirect.com.
When I first started my American Dream savings account with them the rate was at 5% APY, now it's down to 4.55% I believe, but that shouldn't stop you. You have to have a regular bank account somewhere to sign up then they send two small amounts of money (like say 42 cents) into your account to verify that your account really exists. You enter on their site how much you received and you're done! If you have bank statements online it's super easy, or you can call your bank for the amounts. Once you've done that one time you're good to go and can set up as many online savings accounts as you want.

What I like (besides making over $15 a month for doing nothing) is that I'm getting CD interest rates with the luxury of being able to take it out anytime. Yes, I've tried and it's as simple as click, click and it's back in your checking account at your local bank. Since I started my first account in October 2007 I've gotten inspired and started several other savings accounts: Christmas, Vacation, Z's College Fund and I'm thinking about starting more for things like car insurance that's due once a year, dentist appointments, and home school supplies so we're ready to go in three years. Anyways, do ask if you have questions!

Web World
Surprise! Since I've always been so overwhelmed by all there is to see on the web, I was glad to find that someone sorted through it all and came up with a list of the best websites on The Webby Awards. Click over to their site and you'll find a really long list of categories, their winners from 2007 and the runner-ups. You can even enter your own website to be a nominee for the 2008 Webby Awards.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my new topics of interest! I plan to feature them again in the future whenever I'm inspired. I welcome contributions, corrections and suggestions. Please e-mail those to me: becca wigton at tusco . net (take the spaces out and switch the at-sign). Other people I respect are publishing their e-mail that way for security purposes, so I'm following their lead.

Before signing off, I must share (since I shared last week), that all of the sudden, we have fully weaned Z from nursing! When I say we, I mean we! My husband is off work Sundays and Mondays and Saturday night we decided since he was off the next two days we should make a go of this. He dealt with Z all night both nights by himself, while I slept in the other room. I think Ben would agree the first night was the only difficult night we've had. Since then, Z has gotten better and better about putting himself back to sleep when he wakes up twice a night out of habit. In fact....are you ready for this? Last night was the fourth night since cutting him off and he slept the entire night through! Yay Z! 9pm to 6:30am! Not bad at all! I cried a lot Sunday because I realized my little boy was growing up, but now that this is working out for all of us I'm really happy! And they said, "Oh, he'll be sleeping through the night by six months!" Heh, heh, heh. Try almost 19 months! Better late than never, I guess! Yes, Aunt Debbi, this means future sleepovers!