Matchbox Mega Rigs

At Christmas, the Blonde Master aka the "adorable-when-he's asleep" 5 year old, got a few Lego sets from one of our relatives. As he opened each package I was mentally keeping count of the millions of small pieces that were eventually going to be in our floor (and probably stepped on).  As he and DW built some of the smaller pieces, he would try to play with them and then become frustrated because they would fall apart and he couldn't put them back together by himself. 

I was in K-Mart one afternoon and spied the Matchbox Mega Rigs building system.   At the time I bought the rescue boat and the rescue chopper. It appeared to be something that could be taken apart, put back together, combined with other parts and components of the Mega Rigs system, and played with. They had a few pieces on clearance so I thought we would give them a try.  So far we have not been disappointed. Blonde Master is happy because he can play with them all, take them apart, and then put back together in a different way.  I am happy because I am not stepping on a lot of little pieces/parts in my bare feet! (OK I am also happy that it is encouraging him to build and be creative, too!)

Matchbox:  http://www.matchbox.com/

Otterbox

Well, I finally got D to get me that iPod Touch I'd been whining about forever.  Seriously, FOREVER..  Anyway, I started the hunt for a good, durable, protective case for the iPod.  I am one of the world's clumsiest people so it stands to reason that the iPod was headed for sure destruction if I didn't get something to protect it.   I tried to find a suitable leather case but couldn't find any that suited me and/or had positive customer reviews.

As I searched on Amazon.com and Apple.com I came across the Otterbox.  It was reviewed well on both sites- I thought "OK, I'll give it a try".

The Otterbox has 3 layers of protection, including  a protective screen cover.  About a week after putting the Otterbox on my iPod,  our "adorable-when-he's-asleep" 5 year old somehow managed to scratch the outer screen cover of the Otterbox with the stylus as he played a game. Thankfully it was the $30 Otterbox and not the $$$ iPod screen! 

I have noticed no problems using the touch screen through the Otterbox, and I am able to use headphones, charge, dock, etc. just fine. I was initially concerned about the slick exterior of the iPod Touch, since I have Scleroderma and my hands don't grip as well as they should-which means I drop things..a LOT!  The Otterbox, although a little bulky, makes it easy for me to grip or hold onto the iPod.

Overall it's been "so far so good" with the Otterbox and my iPod Touch is still alive..  Otterbox also has cases for the iPhone and iPad plus LG, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and other phones.




Otterbox: http://www.otterbox.com

Purex Complete 3-in-1 Laundry Sheets

I got a sample of the Purex Complete 3-in-1 in the mail. We typically use the liquid Purex detergent and Bounce or Snuggle dryer sheets for the laundry. Usually I am able to remember to put a dryer sheet in when I dry our clothes, but sometimes I forget.

 One day on a whim I decided to try this on a load of laundry. I am really glad I did!  Our clothes, towels, etc had a nice, fresh smell (Spring Oasis scent), no static,  and I didn't have to remember (or forget?) to add the dryer sheet.  I hesitate to add that I also don't have drips of the liquid detergent all over the place-I'm guessing I'm one of the only people in the world who make a huge mess with liquid laundry detergent though!

I continue to use the sheets on our larger loads of laundry and for the smaller loads I keep the liquid detergent and dryer sheets on hand, simply because I don't always want to use a "full dose" of detergent.

Purex: http://www.purex.com/products/detergents/purex-complete-3-in-1