Author: Ally

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Fabric Softener

With all the modern chemicals at my disposal in the the laundry room, it is amazing we have not had a lot of scientific studies talking about the long term effects of exposure to all the things we spray, pour and toss. Surely all of these chemicals cannot be good for us?

My latest experiment involves fabric softener. I’ve been using dryer sheets for over 10 years and they have done a good job of making the clothes less wrinkled and smelling fresh when they come out of the dryer. But lately I’ve noticed that there seems to be a lot of suds residue in the washer and on the clothes. So I am trying a liquid fabric softener that pours into the washer on the last rinse cycle. I only use about one fourth of the recommended amount. So far, this does a great job, it pulls more soap out of the clothes, and they smell just as nice when they are finished drying.

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Multi Family Yard Sale

My neighbors have all lived here in the same houses for years. There is just one house on the block that is rented, and we never see those people much. So all the rest of us have been here for at least 6 years. So why is it that we never have a multi family yard sale? All the other established neighborhoods seem to be more friendly about things like that. My girlfriend, KeeKee, just had a big yard sale and everyone on her street put things out to sell. It was like a big block party but they all made a little money and got rid of stuff they don’t want anymore.

What’s wrong with my neighbors?

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Define Good

Some people think everything is just black and white. Its either good or its bad. I say there is a lot of grey in between black and white. Some things are no good but not necessarily bad, either. So if you are talking about good, I wish you would define the word good. Its hard to have a healthy discussion if you aren’t both on the same page.

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Top Radio Hits

The friends who are coming to my high school reunion are making a request list of songs that they want the DJ to play. They started with a list of personal music favorites that have memories for them.

But there were a lot more hit songs than what they remember. I decided to look up the list of Billboard’s Top 100 hits for each year we were in high school and make sure that the DJ plays at least the Top 10 songs from each year.

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Baby Names

There is a list on the internet of all the popular baby names for each year. I guess the Social Security Administration keeps track of that and releases the information once in a while. So the top baby names this year are very similar to the most popular names last year, and there are thousands of kids with those names.

But for me, the top 50 names the ones that I would avoid choosing. I want an unusual or unique name for my babies. Not extremely unique, like “Apple.” But something nice, like my friend’s name, Kendall Sue. I have always liked that name and am glad that there are not 100,000 other people with the same name – because she is special!

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Fight Road Rash

If you are riding a scooter or motorcycle – be smart and wear a jacket, long pants and boots – even in the summer. You can’t safely ride in a teeshirt, shorts and flip flops. It’s too hot is a poor excuse for road rash.

You only get one skin – the scars never go away. I’ve seen what 30 mph on a back road and a beer can or a possum can do to mess up someone badly. I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer – Scooters and bikes are great fun but you gotta protect yourself. Seriously. Have smart fun – cover up!

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Golden Oreos

As a kid we enjoyed a box of chocolate Oreos once in a great while as a treat. My mom liked cookies for things like long car rides, picnics and trips to the beach. But at home, we had dessert ever night after dinner, and it was usually either ice cream or pie.

I got out of the habit of having desserts and I rarely buy cookies. I guess that also reflects on how different my lifestyle is now as an adult. I rarely go on long car rides – stuck in bad traffic does not count! – I haven’t been on a picnic in years, and my one trip to the beach last summer was so short there was no food involved.

But today I bought a bag of the vanilla Oreos. They just seemed to be calling my name once I turned down that aisle in the grocery store. It was like a powerful “Buy me now!” magnet was pulling my arm toward the Oreos on the shelf.

I have to admit that I tore open the bag as I as unpacking the groceries. I just had to give them a taste and I’m happy to report that they are great!

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Free Cell Phones

There have been a lot of commercials on TV promoting two companies who claim to offer free cell phones and free minutes each month to people who are disadvantaged. I can’t help wonder who is actually paying the bill for all these people to get free cell phones. Its not like they are a necessity – a cell phone is a luxury.

Why am I paying over $50 a month after all the fees and taxes for a phone when all these other people get their phones free? Is the Government spending my tax money to give all these people phones? I want a free phone, too!

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Stop Hitting

Around here a very controversial subject is spanking. A lot of people say that kids should be spanked as part of their discipline. Other people say that hitting children is abuse. I feel strongly that children should not be hit, but was shocked when I found out the local police encourage parents to hit their kids. The official stance of the police department according to two officers on TV who were talking about it is that beating kids is fine – they must need it and the parents should not worry about being arrested for it. That disgusts me to my very core.